Guyana Times - Monday August 9, 2021

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples P14

Listening to voices of Indigenous peoples is only way to protect people and planet – UN Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4734

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021

Guyana on cusp of earning US$300M from sale of carbon credit – VP Jagdeo

Page 3

− says Coalition’s GSDS was a burden on treasury

Govt issues order to secure land for gasto-shore project

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

ECD man drives away with 1 of 3 Toyota Rush P12 SUVs − as Digicel hosts 1st draw of “Summa Rush” promotion

Fire breaks out at Psychiatric P 17 Hospital in N/A − 2 patients flee, 12 return

..under the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act

Kitty gold establishment heist

$18M found buried in backyard of GDF Sergeant ...husband, wife arrested ...2 ex-military personnel being pursued

DPP Chambers cites challenges in prosecuting P8 human trafficking cases

P 2 injured as 10 speeding car slams into tree

See story on page 2

3 more die from COVID, death toll now climbs to 559 ...50 new cases recorded in 24h Page 16

...vaccination requirement to enter Guyana takes effect

GPF moving towards a more scientific, datadriven approach to fight crime – Min Benn P9

2 NEWS

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Kitty gold establishment heist

$18M found buried in backyard of GDF Sergeant ...husband, wife arrested ...2 ex-military personnel being pursued

A

s investigations intensify into the multimillion-dollar heist on Wallison’s Enterprise on Thursday last, members of the Major Crimes Unit of the Guyana Police Force working with information received unearthed $18 million of the $38 million that was taken during the robbery.

The money was found buried in the backyard of a Guyana Defence Force Sergeant’s home at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), on Saturday evening. Based on a video seen by Guyana Times, the money was neatly wrapped in transparent plastic and placed in a bucket.

The bucket was then wrapped in two black garbage bags and buried in a hole. Acting on intelligence, the detectives along with several members of the business community particularly the gold industry travelled to the area where the Sergeant was arrested.

A search conducted on his premises did not unearth

The money that was found in the bucket

The bucket containing the money

anything but checks in the yard pointed to a disturbed area. Upon checking, ranks realised that the area was freshly dug and further in-

spection led to the discovery of the bucket.

Nevertheless, based on Police sources, they were provided with information that

implicates two ex-GDF ranks.

As such, a team of Police went to a village on the East Coast of Demerara in pursuit of the two others.

When contacted, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told Guyana Times that after the robbery, investigations led ranks to Sophia at one of the suspect’s homes where several items from the robbery were found. “With the information gathered, ranks went to a residence over the river where we made the discovery,” Blanhum said.

He confirmed that the chief security along with another security officer attached to the gold establishment re-

main in custody. In addition, the wife of the GDF rank was also arrested as accessory to the robbery.

Guyana Times understands that one of the wanted ex-military personnel involved in the robbery was previously charged for armed

ployee and a man were in the office, and they were also held at gunpoint even as the cashier was ordered to open the two metal safes. After collecting the valuables, the bandits locked the victims in the office and made good their escape.

The victims managed to set themselves free, and the cashier raised an alarm and the security officer went to their rescue.

However, based on CCTV footage seen by Guyana Times, at about 10:04h one man entered the establishment and started to speak with an employee, Wazim Kassim, about selling gold.

Soon after, he was joined by a second person, and later by

The GDF Sergeant after he was arrested on Saturday evening

robbery.

On Thursday last, three armed men who posed as customers robbed the establishment of $20 million in gold and $38 million in cash.

It was reported that at about 10:00h on the day in question, the three suspects arrived at the Gordon Street business in a white car, and entered the compound through the main gate, after indicating to the security guard that they had gold to sell.

The suspects then entered the waiting area, where they spoke to the female cashier and showed her a small pack-

a third.

Upon entry of the third man, the visitors all went into their bags and pulled out firearms. Thereupon, they held Kassim at gunpoint and tied his hands behind his back.

Having donned masks and dark shades, the three armed men then entered another section of the establishment and held three other employees at gunpoint.

They then tied up a female and another male employee, and started to demand money and gold.

After committing the heist, the men relieved the victims of their cell phones,

Two of the armed men binding the hands of one of the employees

age which they claimed contained the gold they wanted to sell.

Immediately after, they whipped out their guns, and ordered her into an office where the money and gold were secured.

At the time, another em-

before using duct tape to gag the employees prior to locking them in one of the offices and making good their escape.

The Police were immediately contacted and soon after the security officer who was on duty at the time of the robbery was arrested.

Investigations are ongoing.

NEWS

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MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Monday, Aug 9 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Tuesday, Aug 10 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, Aug 9 – 17:10h – 18:40h and Tuesday, Aug 10 – 05:05h – 06:35h.

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be light rain showers and sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-Westerly to South South-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 17:24h reaching a maximum height of 2.58 metres.

Low Tide: 10:59h and 23:13h reaching minimum heights of 0.55 metre and 0.61 metre.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 2021

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

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Crude Oil

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Guyana on cusp of earning US$300M from sale of carbon credits – VP Jagdeo – says coalition’s GSDS was a burden on treasury

G

uyana could soon enter into a deal that will see the country earning some US$300 million by selling its carbon credits.

This is according to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, during an interview with the Newsroom that was aired on Sunday evening.

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

As such, Jagdeo revealed during the interview that Guyana’s carbon credits have been listed on the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) platform. ART is a voluntary international initiative that, among other things, serves as a global quality benchmark for forest emission reductions that can enter fungible carbon offset markets and provide buyers of REDD+ emission reductions credits with credible results, according to its website.

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.

“In a matter of months, we believe decisions would be made that could see upwards of US$300 million approved for Guyana… through the ART programme – the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions. So, we’ve now been listed there,” the VP noted.

He went on to explain that going into this market, Guyana had its first carbon written at about US$10 per tonne, which though underwritten is double the US$5 per tonne the country was earning in the Norway agreement. However, he pointed out that should Guyana’s carbon be traded at a higher price, then this would mean more revenues for the country.

The Vice President outlined that Guyana had lost its momentum over the last five years under the APNU/AFC coalition Government, which had scrapped Jagdeo’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) under which the deal with Norway was signed back 2009 and from which the country earned some US$250 million for preserving its forests.

According to Jagdeo, that deal with Norway was way ahead of its time and instead of trying to preserve the arrangement to enter a second phase, the David Granger-led regime went on an adventure with its “Green State” economy initiative.

“Had they only continued with second phase, the natural

progression of the Low Carbon Development Strategy, we would have seen a new agreement with even more than the US$250 million. So, we had to immediately strip out… and we had to make some structural changes but refocus on the sector that was earning us revenue… And now, we’re on the cusp of getting US$300 million

for Guyana in just short period of time that APNU totally ignored. In fact, their Green State [Development] Strategy was more of a burden on the treasury,” VP Jagdeo posited.

Nevertheless, even as it is seeking international markets to sell its carbon, the current PPP Administration is also working on renegotiating its

agreement with Norway.

In addition to this, Guyana could potentially earn from a global public-private initiative that was launched back in April to accelerate climate action by providing results-based finance to countries committed to protecting their tropical forests.

The Lowering Emissions

by Accelerating Forest finance (LEAF) Coalition was established by the United States, United Kingdom and Norway along with nine leading Private Sector companies to provide substantial financial support to tropical and subtropical countries that successfully reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021

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

Race and class in Guyana T

he strength of “class” lies in the economic interests of its members, but it fails to satisfy the affective, emotional need of man to belong to a wider “fraternity”. The salience of ethnicity, on the other hand, is based on its fulfilment of both tasks – it is simultaneously instrumental and expressive. A person is born into an ethnic group, and especially if it is simultaneously a racial group, he really cannot leave.

If he attempts to do so, he risks great psychic damage to his “self”, because so much of his personal identity is enmeshed with his ethnic identity. The ethnic group is the home, the womb to which he can always return, and from which he cannot be turned away. It is the only social grouping that accepts him for what he is, and not for what he does.

This reflection of the group’s ethnic identity in the individual’s identity has several consequences.

First, attacks on the group are equated with attacks on the self. But accolades on the group also elicit similar identification reactions. It is for this reason that lower class members of an ethnic group are the most vociferous supporters of the ethnic politics of their upper classes. For, in addition to promising the economic rewards, (the instrumental purpose of ethnicity), which may or may not be delivered, there is the psychological boost which will certainly be delivered in knowing that his group is ruling.

In the modern world therefore, ethnicity is particularly susceptible to politicisation. In a world of scarce resources and powerful, all-pervasive states, ethnic political entrepreneurs do not find it difficult to persuade fellow group members that their economic interests are better served if their ethnic group controls the state. The affirmation of themselves as a people and the economic interests served mutually reinforce each other.

Secondly, if it is felt that the ethnic group’s interest is threatened, the individual can be motivated to defend it at almost any cost, since, to him, it is also a matter of his own survival. It is for this reason that ethnic conflicts are so intense.

Thirdly, an individual can rise out of his economic class, but not from his ethnic group, which makes the former not an inescapable fate. This very openness of “class” makes its hold on members very tenuous. Every poverty-stricken individual has a dream of “striking it rich”, not as a member of the “blessed” poor, but on his own. Class position is one of the several social roles an individual performs on a quotidian basis, and the greater the possibility of the individual escaping his class position, the less will be his class identification. Even if this possibility is only a myth for most, as in the US, class loosens its hold.

Fourthly, a person’s conception of self is formed to a large extent by the socialisation provided by his primary (read ethnic) contacts during his early years. Thus, by the time the individual enters the wider world of economic and wider societal concerns as a young adult, the new influences are much more diffuse, with the class role etc. typically not as intense as the ethnic one.

The dominance of race over class does not imply that class, or for that matter any other orientation, affiliation, segmentation, differentiation etc has disappeared: within each ethnic group they are “inter-sectionally” alive and well.

In this sense, class is more fundamental. Class and ethnicity both exist objectively, and the subjective preponderance of one over the other depends on the situation and context as the two interact dynamically within the nexus of the personality of individuals.

In multi-ethnic, multi-class societies such as Guyana, situations that appear to threaten unrelieved domination by one ethnic group over another will trigger “ethnic” responses.

On the other hand, in local “bread and butter” issues, class interests may supersede. For instance, in the 1980s, we saw trade unions across the spectrum protest against the PNC government’s policies, even though many supported it politically.

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips handing over the “Because We Care” cash grant to a parent at the Port Kaituma Secondary School in Region One (Barima-Waini) during an outreach to the region over the weekend

Abandonment of parents is criminal and inhumane Dear Editor, Recently, the Kaieteur News wrote about an elderly man’s abandonment by his relatives. Mr. Ovid, also known as ‘Joku,’ of Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, was reported to have been abandoned at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) by his children.

The same publication reported, in a subsequent report dated August 6th, 2021, that “a total of 33 patients were abandoned at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for the year so far.” The publication asserted that this was according to Clayton Neuman, Head of the Social Work Department at the hospital.

This ‘epidemic’ is truly horrifying, cruel, and plain wicked, in my opinion! I say epidemic because we are seeing an emergence of similar instances, in which children in particular abandon their elderly parents later in life. We see this not only in Guyana, but also in India, the United States of America, and in other countries; where parents are frequently placed in wards or facilities to be cared for while their callous offspring pay little or no attention to their well-being, and subsequently abandon them.

Regardless of intent, I will never fully fathom

what drives such children to perpetrate such atrocities against the parents who gave them birth, and supported and nursed them in their infancy; people who fed them, taught them, and protected them. As a matter of fact, there is no crueler act than abandonment of another human being, especially when that other human being is your parent.

Consider the mother, who bore the child in her divine womb for 9 months in excruciating pain; or the father, who sweated, toiled, and suffered to ensure that the child was clothed and fed.

Unfortunately, like Mr. Ovid, there are hundreds more like him on the roads of Guyana, abandoned and forgotten.

While there are across Guyana shelters for homeless elderly people, maintained by charitable organisations and the Government, namely the Palms Geriatric Institution, The Night Shelter, and even the Venezuela-funded Hugo Chavez Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintegration, these shelters are generally overcrowded.

And while the Government of Guyana, notably the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, led by the Honourable Minister Dr. Vindhya

Persaud, is working excellently to assure the provision of services to our senior population, the question remains: how much can they do?

Unfortunately, if one were to walk along Regent Street, one would come across many people who have mental illnesses caused by a number of factors, one of which is being abandoned by their children. This is exacerbated by the fact that they do not bring in any income, since their previous employers would have stolen their NIS contributions. As a result, they have been left to suffer. Others have said that their children were fatigued and annoyed as a result of a lack of finances to support themselves at home, and that they were abandoned either in the corner or at an institution to die.

To me, this is cruel, genuinely horrifying, and completely unacceptable.

Abandonment has disastrous effects. If an aged person develops dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, that person may forget who they are, where they belong, or even what they need to do to receive medical treatment.

Even if they do not have a cognitive impairment, abandonment can cause depression, sickness, and even death.

It is unfortunate that some selfish and uncaring children with no conscience and humility may dump their old parents on the side of the road, or take them to the hospital and abandon them there, while forgetting that their bodies, bloodline, and existence all stem from their parents. This is not only abusive, unprincipled, immoral, and unethical, but it also reflects poorly on who the child that abandoned the parent is, what they value, and the true nature of their character.

Yours truly, Hajji Dr Roshan Khan, firmly believes that abandonment should never be an option for any child to inflict on his or her parents. As a result, I am convinced that, in the same manner that a parent is charged for neglect and abandonment, the child who neglects and abandons his or her parents should be charged as well.

Being dutiful to one’s parents is a religious obligation in Islam. It is essential to treat parents well in all circumstances all of the time. As stated in the following Quranic verse, special emphasis is placed on caring for our parents when they reach old age, as this responsibility becomes even more fundamental.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021

5

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

The unvaccinated should take warning, learn from errors of victims who refused vaccines Dear Editor, Guyanese singer Eddie Hooper, in the 70s, sang, “Take warning, you better take warning…you better do good…respect your fellow men as you should.” The Assembly of God preacher said, “Be like the wise virgins, not the foolish virgins who were not prepared” (Matthew 25:1-13). The Full Gospel Fellowship pastor said, “Too late, too late shall be the cry (Luke 13:25).

I asked my friend Suresh what he would recommend, that somebody said, “There must be a better way to assist the hesitant non-vaccinated,” and that another person said the vaccine resisters need more education.

Suresh said, in his own inimitable village accent, “Tell them rass you go dead if you nah get vaccinated.”

I said, “Suresh, we have to say the same thing, but in a nicer way. We don’t want any more Guyanese to die, we already have over 550 people dead.”

I noticed there are some political surrogates of the PNC, the GTU, and now the GPSU - whose top brass are well vaccinated - using their members as political fodder, telling them, “GPSU acknowledges and will fiercely defend the rights of any citizen, particularly its members, who refuse treatment and medical intervention,

as well as those who wish to keep their medical information confidential.”

If workers’ organisations truly care, would they not be emphasising more on the benefits of vaccination, rather than saying we will back you if you resist the Government’s efforts to keep the nation safe?

How much does the GPSU have in its medical and funeral support fund for the non-vaxxers? Workers need to be careful that fully vaccinated union leaders, MPs and politicians are not using them as pawns in their political games. Be wise and take care of yourselves and families! If you or a family member gets infected with the virus, those same agitators will be nowhere around to help you in your trials and tribulations!

I notice the anti-vaccination crowd is using the slogan, “my body, my choice” which is a “pro-abortion” slogan used in the USA. It might be an appropriate slogan to use, since the “anti-vax” crowd essentially are saying they have the right to abort their lives.

The rest of us are “prolife” and “pro-country.” In Guyana now, where adopting the self-styled titles of “Apostle” and “Bishop” is a new church gimmick, there is an “Apostle” fellow having a protest using the “pro-abortion” slogan. In

Abandonment of parents is criminal...

FROM PAGE 4

The Holy Quran states: “and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age (while) with you, say not to them (so much as), “Uff,” and do not repel them, but speak to them a noble word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy, and say, “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up (when I was) small.” (Quran 17:2324) In another verse, Almighty God states, “And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment.

His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years.

So give thanks to Me and to both your parents, unto Me is the final destination.” (Quran 46:15).

Not only Islam, but all other religions stress on the importance of treating one’s parents with love and compassion. The Holy Bible teaches, “Honour thy father

and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12.

These values are very important in Hinduism as well, so much so that when performing a religious ceremony, the worshipper honours and respects the parents first before the Pandit. According to Hindu texts, parents should be treated as God. The Vedas teaches: “Do not neglect your duties to the gods and the Manes. Treat your mother as God. Treat your father as God.” When parents speak, God listens! And so, if the parent can cry out to God for the child’s salvation, why can’t the child sacrifice and cry to God for the parent’s salvation? We should all note that, when we fail to address the needs of our elders, we are just writing a terrible prelude to our own eventual fate.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr Roshan Khan Snr

the Facebook blogs, “Soph” said, “If you choose not to be vaccinated, as is your right, we choose not to serve you, or come close to you, as is our right. And if COVID-19 chooses you, you will be comforted to know that we will sympathise.”

Someone writing as “Better way to Retire” said, “Virus doesn’t know politics. Those individuals and their families know what a nightmare and hardships the deadly experiences unleash, including tying up public and private resources.” Al Fernandes said, “Tek de damn vaccine, my fellow Guyanese! It is NOT the ‘mark of the beast’. Damn.”

An unvaccinated Virginia man, Travis

Campbell, who has a wife and seven children, is in the intensive care unit battling complications from the virus. He said, “I messed up big time, you guys — I didn’t get the vaccine.”

Campbell said, “I’m trying to talk to you so you understand that I don’t want to go to your funeral and I don’t want you to come to mine.

The new delta strain…will get you down so fast you are not going to get back up.”

Dr. Steven Brown, a physician in Missouri, USA, said, “It’s inconceivable.

They’re seeing people taking the last breaths and still denying the existence of the disease itself, still denying that there is a vaccine that can help them.”

He said “One hundred percent of those who are requiring ventilator support, who were the sickest of the sick, have not been vaccinated.”

Theresa Rosenberry said, “If you don’t want to get the vaccine, that is your right.

But you’re going to need to get your affairs in order and talk to your significant other where you want to be buried, or if you want to be cremated. Because there is a good chance it can happen to you.”

In yesterday’s news, 6 members of one Florida church died from COVID-19 in 10 days, according to its pastor, who is encouraging people to get vaccinated, and the church is holding vaccination drives.

The USA, Canada, UK, European Union, and many countries are moving towards requiring people to be vaccinated. So, those political agitators who think they can claim the Government is a dictatorship and suppressing freedoms will not gain attention, support, and traction. We are in an international state of emergency, and there is no court that will say anyone’s rights are being violated.

The Government has done a good job in getting the vaccines; it’s your turn to take advantage of its availability to you. Please accept this bit of education.

Sincerely, Dr Jerry Jailall

PPP has great opportunity Dear Editor, The PPP currently has a strong position in Parliament after the unsuccessful election rigging fiasco. The party has shown that, over the years, it has made more good decisions than bad ones. It is to be seen what the future holds.

The slim majority which it enjoys in Parliament can only be maintained by making the best long-term decisions for the country.

The recent forum on the gas-to-shore project, the calls for renegotiation of the oil contracts, the questions

raised around the Amaila Falls project, the dangers of the manganese mining project, and the other questionable investments yet to be made will significantly influence the next election.

Even with a weakening PNC, a weakening WPA and a weaker Coalition opposition, we must keep in mind that a third-party alternative does continue to exist and grow in strength, especially after the recent nationwide flooding. The slim margin of victory during the last election does not allow for major mistakes in gover-

nance. Every dollar invested counts, and transparency in the level of returns earned or to be earned is essential.

GuySuCo and NICIL are being closely watched for future success, as well as the bauxite industry. Growth in the non-energy sector will drive job growth, and the unemployment rate must reflect good decision-making. Violence and crime continue to be on the rise, and our people look forward to stronger leadership to eliminate corruption in office and reduce crime to the minimum.

The PPP has a great opportunity before it to make a significant and lasting impact on our society. We must all guard against temptation in office, and ensure the people’s needs remain the top priority in all decision-making. I look forward to the Parliament ensuring that the next several years will be a success for both the constituencies of their respective parties and the independent-minded voters in our society.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

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MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021

Page

Foundation

By L uis D aniel S algado When I was a boy I was either a child eating bugs or a child being eaten by bugs, but now that I am older am I a man who devours the world or am I a man being devoured by the world?

Someone once told me that mothers come from a different planet.

And if she was correct then my mother was a warrior from that planet.

And now that my mother is older the history that is her face is starting to look like a worn map.

The hills that once were her cheeks now have roads carved into them that tell her secrets.

The roots of her hair are starting to shimmer with silver that she colors once she sees ten or more.

She no longer cares for long hair.

She says pelo largo is a young woman’s game.

In a few years she will be older than my grandmother ever was.

Source: Poetry (March 2021)

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt issues order to secure land for gas-to-shore project ...under the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act

T

he Government of Guyana has issued an order to compulsorily acquire land that will be used to construct the US$900 million gas-to-shore project and lay the gas pipeline from Nouvelle Flanders on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) to Canal Number One Public Road on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD).

The gazette order, which was made under the hand of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on August 6, is in keeping with the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act (Chapter 62:05). In the first instance, it describes the proposed gas pipeline route as public work.

The order also authoris-

es the Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC) to inspect the land together with his agents or workmen, for the purposes of surveying the land.

“The Commissioner of the Lands and Surveys Commission, together with his agents, servants or workmen, is authorised to enter upon the said lands for the purpose of surveying or otherwise examining such lands with a view to the acquisition of the whole or part of the said lands for the construction of the public work referred to in clause 2,” the order states.

It also contains details of this land, which has been identified on a plan from the Surveys Division of the GL&SC. Included in these

details are the coordinates of the project, which starts at the foreshore of Nouvelle Flanders with a 30-metre corridor.

“The said 30 metres corridor consists of State Reserves and strips of land within the Plantations aforementioned. The strips within Plantations are to be accurately determined by a Cadastral survey,” the order states.

The gas-to-shore project is a game-changing initiative that will see gas from the Liza Field offshore Guyana being pumped onshore to generate power. The main objective of the initiative is to transport sufficient gas from the Stabroek Block’s petroleum

operations to supply some 200-250 megawatts of energy to the national grid, leading to a significant reduction in electricity costs.

Exxon has said that around 30 to 35 million cubic feet of natural gas would be required for the gas-to-shore project. Recently-released data from Norwegian research company Rystad Energy had indicated that less than 20 per cent of the 1.8 billion Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) discovered last year was gas.

Jagdeo had pointed out that Guyana was generating energy at nearly 17 to 20 cents per kilowatt/hour.

As such, he noted that the project could cut the cost of electricity in the country by more than half. To this end, he had announced

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

that a team has been set up to start negotiations on the gas-to-energy project,

Overhead map of the gas-to-shore pipeline route

with the Government eyeing 2023 to bring the project to fruition.

And indeed, a Gasto-Shore Project Advisory Committee headed by former National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Head Winston Brassington was set up soon afterwards to look at various locations for the gas-to-shore project.

A number of factors including geotechnical, geophysical and environmental were examined, and Government had settled on Wales to land the pipelines for the project.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who has responsibility for the energy sector, had previously said that the Government

was looking to produce 200 megawatts of power from the gas-to-shore project by 2024.

President Dr Irfaan Ali had previously said the landing of the gas-to-shore pipeline in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) would lead to “big industrial development taking place there that is linked to not only power generation and a power plant”. He also said the investment on the Demerara River’s shoreside would create massive opportunities and a trickle-down effect.

For now, the Natural Resources Minister said reliable energy remained the

top priority of Government, in keeping with the timeline of three years. “It’s a work in progress. Our main focus is the power generation plant and there’s a timeline to that. The President would have made it clear that he wants it done in three years and we’re working towards that timeline.”

He added that Guyana has been settling for mediocrity for too long, but the next five years would be significantly important. Several projects in the pipeline will not just reduce electricity costs, but the cost of living.

Heightened production and manufacturing of finished products should also follow.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

DPP Chambers cites challenges in prosecuting human trafficking cases − language barrier, distrust of the Judiciary, delays in investigations among challenges

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ver the years, Guyana has made significant strides in its fight against human trafficking. In fact, for the past five consecutive years, Guyana has maintained its Tier One status in the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report - this means the Government meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.

There, however, continue to be challenges when it comes to prosecuting human trafficking cases, according to the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Diana Kaulesar-O’Brien. She made this disclosure at a recent webinar held in observance of World Day Against Trafficking In Persons which is observed on July 30 annually.

Victims' distrust in law enforcement, prosecutors, and the judicial system, the inability to guarantee the safety of victims and their relatives as well as the language barrier and delays in investigations are among the challenges faced in prosecuting TIP matters, Kaulesar-O’Brien highlighted.

According to her, victims’ distrust is often due to whatever they may have been told by traffickers. She explained that perpetrators of this crime may either tell their victims

that they would not be assisted, that they would be deported, or arrested and prosecuted. “So this is a hindrance in terms of reporting and during the screening process in giving correct information to the officers who are asking the questions.”

Another major challenge, she said, is stakeholders’ inability to guarantee the safety of TIP victims and their relatives. While there are provisions for protecting victims in Guyana’s Combatting Trafficking in Persons and the Witness Protection Acts,

Assistant DPP, Diana Kaulesar-O’Brien

the Assistant DPP noted that there are no adequate systems in place for “us to give assurances to victims that they will be safe or that their family members will be safe.”

“And this has led, in a few cases, to victims refusing to give statements or refusing to go to court,” she said, adding that briefing victims, arranging meetings, and acquiring interpreters continue to be a difficult task largely because there is a shortage of translators.

“We have several cases where the victims are not native English speakers, so therefore for the prosecution to even have preparation for the court process, they need to have an interpreter present just to facilitate that process.”

Victims’ fear of reprisal

by traffickers was also another issue raised by KaulesarO’Brien who explained that this occurs usually because of threats that have been made, not only against the victims themselves but also their relatives. This too, she said, would deter victims from participating in the court process. But victims have also refused to testify in court because they are fearful of facing their traffickers.

“We have often had victims asking whether traffickers would see them when they

testify in court and that usually makes or breaks whether they are actually going to testify and sometimes it is due to loyalty to traffickers or other persons in the trafficking network.”

In human trafficking cases, she pointed out that corroboration is difficult to obtain “because the other persons who are around when this tends to happen are other persons who are involved in the trafficking activities. Or victims who may not want to give information to law enforcement or persons who are soliciting sexual services.”

But trafficking victims do not always see themselves as victims, said the Assistant DPP. She added, “When victims are screened, they often do not see themselves as victims, they do not want to cooperate, and sometimes victims do not recognise the fact that they are being exploited.” For example, she revealed that because some Venezuelan victims are receiving some amount of benefit from their traffickers, they do not see themselves as victims, even though they are being seriously exploited.

Moreover, KaulesarO’Brien disclosed that victims being treated as the only source of evidence continues to be a major concern when it comes to the prosecution of perpetrators of this crime.

“Our investigations are largely dependent on the testimony of the victims. And this of course means that if the victims choose to leave or they no longer want to participate oftentimes the cases would fall through because that is the body and soul of the prosecution's case,” she shared.

The Assistant DPP added that incomplete investigations cause delays in the court process and may lead victims

to become frustrated. This, of course, she said, “ties our hands in terms of being able to advise charges and it is a problem we tend to encounter frequently.” She further explained that Guyana’s geographical layout also poses some challenges concerning human trafficking in the interior regions.

“Challenges in terms of being able to conduct surveillance, being able to enter certain communities undetected, and being able to successfully effect rescue operations.” Also, she informed that there is also the issue of victims being dissatisfied with care facilities.

“In some cases, victims will choose to be in shelters, this is their prerogative and those shelters tend to have rules and sometimes adult victims have difficulties with that. This would lead to them leaving care and not necessarily providing contact information as to where they are going or their contact number.

Therefore, when it is time for them to testify, there is a huge problem in terms of locating them.”

Prosecution of human trafficking cases is primarily done in the Magistrates’ Courts by Police prosecutors, while any appeal against a decision of these courts lies with the Appeal Court and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). The involvement of the DPP’s Chambers in the investigation and prosecution of such matters is very important.

The DPP Chambers assist with the initial consultation which involves collaboration with the Police Force TIP Unit in the early stages of investigations, consultation to guide the investigative process, and on what evidence ought to be collected. It also gives legal advice on whether further investigations should be conducted, if charges should be laid, and provides assistance to Police prosecutors on legal issues.

As of May 2021, Guyana has recorded 49 alleged human trafficking victims of which 44 are females and five are males. Of the 44 females, the majority of them, 34, are Venezuelan nationals; six of them are Guyanese and the other four are Jamaicans.

As for the nationality of the males, two are Guyanese and another two are Jamaicans.

The other alleged victim is an Indian national.

Whatever happened…

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…to PNC’s Constitutional Change? ne of the strident demands one hears during the PNC and their minions’ “protests” is for “constitutional change” to facilitate “shared governance”. The PNC types themselves are somewhat reticent on the subject, and with good reason!! After all, wasn’t this one of their major promises after they inveigled the AFC to join them at the hip to contest the 2015 elections? Said they wouldn’t just share power with the AFC, but bring some PPPites in!!

Their expansive posture was probably the clincher to get those disaffected Indian-Guyanese supporters especially from Berbice - to move over from the PPP camp, even though they might’ve retained a soft spot for the PPP. It saved Ramjattan’s early prediction of the AFC becoming “Dead Meat” if they were to “tie bundle” with the PNC. But we know, to our chagrin, that the PNC was just full of youknow-what about both constitutional change and powersharing!

The AFC, in fact, DID become Dead Meat after Granger and his PNC stalwarts broke every promise to them - even the ones they extracted in writing in the Valentine’s Day “Cummingsburg Accord”. It was like Chamberlain’s Munich Agreement with Hitler, who had nothing but contempt for the former’s naïveté!! And boy, were Ramjattan and Nagamootoo naive - or was it their hunger for power that dulled their judgement?!! As the PPP presidential candidate, President Ramotar predicted at the time that all Nagamootoo was going to get - and DID eventually get - was Larwah!! After promising him a Prime Ministership on steroids - starting with Chairing Cabinet meetings Nagamootoo was told after the elections - sorry, old chap… the Constitution didn’t cater for that!!

And what about the constitutional changes which also would’ve altered the governance structure; including separate elections to elect a President and National Assembly members, the capping of presidential powers, and changes to the composition of service commissions?

All went for channa! After the Steering Committee to recommend the changes held a series of meetings with all sorts of experts and civil society groups, their Report was deep-sixed after being handed over to no one else but the same larwahed Nagamootoo!! Probably figured that the shafting needed company!!

And so it came to pass that, rather than sharing power, Granger instead CONCENTRATED power unto himself; and rather than calling him out, none of the so-called members of the coalition had the cojones to even whine about it!!

They instead supported him - like with Ramjattan and the unilateral selection of James Patterson as GECOM Chair!

Now that they lost power - when their blatant rigging attempt failed - the Guyanese people are being regaled

by PNC insiders about Granger’s authoritarian leadership style!! And they want him out!!

Too late shall be the cry!! …Raphael Trotman?

One of the mysteries that confront your Eyewitness is that, while a slew of Guyanese have commendably become experts on the Exxon contract - actually ExxonHess-CNOOC - and demand that the PPP renegotiate the same, for some reason, they’ve allowed the man who gave away the store to sidle out of sight unscathed!! Doesn’t it strike them as more than passing strange that, with all the shenanigans that go on in the oil business, Trotman might’ve been involved with playing footsies with our oil companies? Remember those hundreds of millions of US dollars deposited into a Washington Bank account of the ruler of Equatorial Guinea??

Well, the NGO “Global Witness” - which made most of the revelations on the contract that the Guyanese knights in shining armour are tilting at - certainly remembered.

And they recommended that an inquiry be conducted to follow the crumbs from Guyana to Texas!!

Now, if even the slightest whiff of hanky-panky is picked up, the contract can be questioned!!

Worth a try, no? …to that WCB CoI??

Now that we’re reviewing the PPP’s first year in office, we have to remind them that a CoI was promised into the riotous goings-on in WCB following Granger and Harmon’s visit to the bereaved Henrys’ home.

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

NEWS

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MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GPF moving towards a more scientific, datadriven approach to fight crime – Min Benn

– says DNA lab and Command Centre functional; Geographic Information System mapping ongoing

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hile there is a perception that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) needs to become more scientific in their approach to crime fighting, at least one critical component of that scientific-based approach, the $1.049 billion Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL), is now able to do DNA testing.

On Sunday, the Caribbean Association of Private Investigators held its first meeting at the Cara Lodge Hotel, where a number of participants spoke on the issue of policing in Guyana and the role the organisation can play.

In particular, Dr

to him. He said the only two people in the world who does talk like y’all, is people from British Guiana and people from Belize. You are not from Belize, because your accent doesn’t reflect Spanish creole. It reflects British creole.

So, the time has come for our Police to be trained in such a way, that they can provide scientific policing.”

In an interview with this publication, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn spoke of some of the more scientific-based approaches the Police have been moving towards.

For instance, Benn explained that the GPF can now ben-

Guyana Forensic Lab

Clairmont Featherstone, a security consultant who was invited to speak at the event, noted the importance of the Police adopting a more innovative, science-based approach to policing.

He told an anecdote of a French Police Officer who was able to decipher the origins of several travellers who stowed away on a ship. This enabled the French Police to deport the men to the correct country.

“They said to him, tell me how you know I come from British Guiana. Here what the French Police said

efit from the services of the Forensic Lab, which he said can now do DNA testing to assist in investigations. In fact, he said the lab is also looking at offering DNA services for civilians.

“There were some issues which they’re working at in terms of the laboratory procedures and analysis and bringing up new instrumentation, ICP and other forms of analytic instruments. And in terms of having the analysis at the forensic lab done in an accredited way.”

“They are well on the way to completing those and

should be fully accredited to international standards.

There are some administrative issues in terms of timeliness of the work and having manning levels beyond five days… but it’s working. They have just started doing DNA tests,” Benn said.

When it comes to the Command Centre, the multimillion-dollar CCTV facility that was operationalised in 2019 to monitor criminals, suspects, and vehicles involved in crimes, Benn said this is also functional.

The centre was implemented through the National Broadband Strategy and Programme, as well as Chinese company Huawei, with funding from the China Exim (Export-Import) bank.

According to Benn, the centre will also be complemented by the ongoing mapping of the city, including crime hotspots.

“It’s now almost fully staffed. We’re looking at having additional cameras put in place and adjusting areas where we need better coverage. But it is being fully staffed now,” the Minister said.

“There is mapping being done. There may be issues relating to exploring and obtaining better synergies between agencies, but that is all being done. There is crime mapping done in a GIS format and there’s the ability to identify the active hotspots as we man up the command centre,” the Minister also said.

The Caribbean Association of Private Investigators is registered in both Guyana and Barbados and its aim is to network and share information with private investigation agencies in Caricom and

Officials from the Caribbean Association of Private Investigators, with Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn in the centre

around the world.

The main objective of Sunday’s meeting was to dis-

cuss ways in which the agency can assist the Guyana Police Force in the fight against

drugs, people smuggling, money laundering and terrorism.

Guyana on cusp of earning...

FROM PAGE 3

This initiative aims to mobilise at least $1 billion in financing that will be used for the protection of tropical forests, to the benefit of billions of people depending on them, and to support sustainable development. Emergent Finance Accelerated Inc, the same company marketing Guyana’s carbon credits, is one of the nine private partners in the LEAF Coalition and is also the administrative coordinator of the initiative.

“We understand that Guyana, like a number of other jurisdictions, is considering submitting a proposal and we look forward to receiving their submission,” a spokesperson from the US State Department told Guyana Times last month.

Nevertheless, at the launch of the LEAF initiative during President Biden’s Leaders’ Summit on Climate back in April, VP Jagdeo had welcomed the initiative, stating that countries like Guyana have long pressed for

the ecosystem services provided by their standing tropical forests to be properly valued, through both public and private finance.

The Vice President, who has long championed the use of forests in climate mitigation, previously told <<<Guyana Times>>> that the forests tend to lose a lot of ground in the global fight against the climate crisis since developed countries are more focused on retrofitting buildings or mitigation solutions that deal with decarbonising energy.

A similar view is shared

by United States Renewable Energy Specialist Jeffrey Logan, who believes that developed countries need to play a greater role in assisting emerging economies to preserve their forests.

Logan, who is an Associate Director of Energy, Policy, and Analysis of the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI) at the University of Colorado, USA, was one

of the presenters during a three-week Virtual Report Tour (VRT) on “Combatting the Climate Crisis Through US Innovation” sponsored by the US Department of State’s Foreign Press Centers back in May. Logan explained to <<<Guyana Times>>> that for countries like Guyana, it’s neighbour Brazil – both of which are part of the Amazon Rainforest and the Guiana Shield – and even Indonesia, forests are an extremely important part of the carbon calculus.

“There are a growing number of carbon offsets available to investors around the world that want to help preserve forests in emerging economies.

Unfortunately, the rules are often somewhat unclear even if the goal is clear: developed countries should help developing countries to preserve their forests as carbon sinks as this is a win-win for both parties if done properly,” he stated.

10 NEWS

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pedestrian critical following Pedal cyclist injured after being struck by motor car hit-and-run in NA

A

A

n unidentified man is in a critical condition after he was reportedly struck down by a motor car along Main Street, New Amsterdam, on Saturday.

The accident reportedly occurred at about 07:00h.

Police stated that based on reports gathered, the motor vehicle was proceeding along Main Street, New Amsterdam, at a fast rate of speed while the pedestrian was attempting to cross the road As a result, the vehicle collided with the pedestrian, causing him to crash into the windshield after which he fell onto the road’s surface where he received injuries about the body. The vehicle, however, fled the scene without rendering assistance.

The injured man was

pedal cyclist was on Saturday evening injured after he was struck down by a motor car along the Chateau Margot Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD). The injured man is 23-year-old Timothy Bacchus of Pigeon Island, ECD. Based on information received, the motor car, PYY 3530, driven by a 52-yearold man of Good Hope,

picked up in an unconscious condition by members of the Guyana Fire Service and taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was treated and transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

There, he was further examined by a doctor and admitted a patient suffering from a fractured skull. His condition is regarded as serious. The Police are on the hunt for the vehicle that was involved in the accident.

WCB man found dead in coconut field

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he body of 64-yearold Clive Skeete also called “Bungo” of Seafield, West Coast Berbice (WCB), was found at Rising Sun on Friday with blood oozing from his mouth and nostrils. Police stated that on the day in question at about 11:30h, ranks received a report via telephone that the motion-

less body of man was found in the area.

Upon receiving the report, a team of policemen visited the scene where they observed blood on the man’s mouth and nostrils. In addition, a bag of unpeeled coconuts and a metal bar were found about 30 feet from the body.

After the discovery, the

man’s body was identified by his son, Leon Skeete, who told detectives that his father was last seen alive at his home about two weeks ago.

The man’s body was taken to Bailey’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem. Investigations surrounding the man’s death are continuing.

ECD, was proceeding along the Chateau Margot Public Road at a normal rate of speed when it is alleged Bacchus was seen riding at the middle of the road.

The driver of the motor car claimed that Bacchus swerved to avoid contact with an unknown motor car and ended up in his path thus resulting in a collision.

As a result, the pedal

cyclist fell onto the roadway where he sustained injuries about his body. He was subsequently picked up by an ambulance and taken to Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated and admitted for observation.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver but there were no traces of alcohol in his system. An investigation is ongoing.

WCB man found dead in backdam died from heart complications – autopsy

T

he lifeless body of a labourer was on Thursday last found at the Vendetta Backdam, West Bank Berbice, Region Five. Michael Evans, 53, of Bath Settlement, WCB, was found dead by his son between 07:00h and 08:00h on the day in question.

Based on reports received, the now dead man worked with a businessman in the area and on the day in question, his son reportedly left him discharging fuel from one of the boats to another which were about 11 feet apart.

However, the son returned and discovered his father lying motionlessly

with his body facing upwards. The bottom part of his body was in the trench.

The man was picked up and taken to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The son reportedly told doctors that prior to his fa-

ther’s demise, he was crying out for chest pains.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem performed on the body of Evans by local pathologist Bridgemohan proved that he died as a result of myocardial infarction, coronary occlusion and atheroma.

2 injured after speeding car slams into tree

T

wo young men were admitted patients at the Suddie Public Hospital after the car in which they were travelling crashed into a tree along the Cullen Public Road, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), on Saturday evening.

The injured men are 23-year-old Ameer Samad and 18-year-old Roria

The car after slamming into the tree

Persaud of Zorg, Essequibo Coast.

Based on information received, the accident occurred at about 23:53h on the day in question. Police stated that at the time of the accident, the car bearing registration number PRR 5427 was being driven by Samad.

He was reportedly driving at a fast rate of speed and as he was negotiat-

ing a bend, he lost control of the car and collided with a tree. The two young men were pulled from the wreckage and taken to the Suddie Public Hospital in an unconscious state.

They were subsequently treated and admitted in the male ward. Their condition is listed as stable. Police are yet to take statements from the two young men.

NEWS

11

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Demerara River to be cleared of wreckage to facilitate 2-way traffic – Min Edghill − acquisition of pilot boat on table

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s Guyana’s economic transformation kicks off, there is an increased marine traffic within its waterways and to its shore and as such, the Public Works Ministry will soon be clearing several wreckages from the Demerara River to allow for vessels to flow two-way freely.

This was announced

by Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, during a con-

but now it’s up to 49, over 50 on a weekly basis. So, [there is] need for not just a two-way traffic but a channel that could see ships crossing at the same time.

[And] we have a number of wreaks,” the minister posited.

According to Edghill, the “major” contract for the removal of the wreckages will be signed within the coming days. That contract will focus mainly on clear-

2014 while being towed from the Teperu Quarry in the Essequibo to Kingston, Georgetown.

However, Minister Edghill told the Guyana Times there are several wreaks along the river that hinders the easy flow of two-way marine traffic in the channel.

Meanwhile, in addition to this project, the Public Works Minister stated that they are also looking

One of the wharves in Georgetown

tract signing for additional works to be conducted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) last week.

He disclosed that there are several wrecks in the country’s main port channel and as part of his Ministry’s 2021 Work Program, these would need to be removed.

“We used to have less than a dozen ships making call at Port Georgetown

ing the Demerara River.

Back in 2018, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) had cited the country’s main port – the Demerara River – as a major concern with three critical wreckages there.

Among the wreckages in the Demerara River is a barge, DAR.B, which had sunk back in October

at the acquisition of a pilot boat, which will be used to take the river pilots out to guide ships in to and from the wharves, as well as through tricky channels and through the Demerara Harbour Bridge opening.

“We want to add an additional pilot boat. The decision is pending,” he stated.

With this acquisition, Minister Edghill said it

Public Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill

would complete 100 per cent of his Ministry’s planned programme in terms of advertising and engaging.

During that event, Permanent Secretary of the Public Works Ministry, Vladim Persaud, had disclosed that they are on track with the 2021 work program, having already awarded most of the contracts for planned projects this year. He added that majority of the supplementary projects such as rehabilitation works from the recent floods were also awarded.

“At this juncture, all of our program work for 2021 has been awarded and the supplementary [projects] that were granted via parliament, almost 80 per cent have been awarded and only a few are at the stage of evaluation. Within the next week, we should be awarding those remaining contracts,” Persaud said.

On this note, PS Persaud

A pilot boat at Port Georgetown

had cautioned contractors that the Public Works Ministry will not be lenient when it comes to the deadlines of projects.

“We are very stringent with regards to timelines and it is no secret that our implementation is one that we take very seriously. We will be behind all of the respective contractors to ensure that their project implementation timelines are met and kept within agreed contract-signing,” he stressed.

This sentiment was reiterated by Minister Edghill, who warned against making excuses for delays. “…to all our agencies and contractors, including those engaged with our Works Services Group, let’s wake up and think every day – implementation…

I frown very seriously on

contracts once signed, contractors coming back with excuses that they have to get variants and different sums and so on. Anybody who would’ve engaged me since I’ve been minister know that’s not something I take very lightly,” the minister cautioned.

The Public Works Ministry received a whopping $40 billion from the $383.1 billion 2021 National Budget. In addition to this, the Ministry also received $2.6 billion in supplementary funds in June for repair works on the Demerara Harbour Bridge’s retractor span as well as to facilitate the upgrading of roads and drains in various communities, and urgent rehabilitation and upgrading of key access roads across the country.

12 NEWS

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ECD man drives away with 1 of 3 Toyota Rush SUVs − as Digicel hosts 1st draw of “Summa Rush” promotion

The five contestants at the first draw on Saturday evening

D

igicel Guyana on Saturday evening held the first draw of its “Summa Rush” promotion at MovieTowne, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, which saw Mahendra Sumar of Colindgen, East Coast Demerara (ECD), driv-

ing away with one of three Toyota Rush motor vehicles that were up for grabs.

The promotion, which commenced on July 16 and ends on September 4, was executed in a way whereby customers would have to top up with $1000 or more to acquire the letters

The three motor vehicles that were up for grabs

to spell “RUSH” in order to win a brand-new Toyota Rush vehicle.

Saturday’s draw saw five contestants being eligible to win the first vehicle.

Communications Manager at Digicel, Vidiya Sanichar told Guyana

Times that the last qualifying period for the promotion will be September 2. There will be two other draws with the next being set for August 21.

She further noted that “if someone were to top up $4000 in one go, that would only give them one letter.

But if they top up $4000 at $1000 increments, they get four letters.”

Customers spelling the word R-U-S-H within the qualifying periods will participate in the draw for a chance to win 1 of the 3 Toyota Rush SUVs. All persons spelling the word R-U-

S-H will receive $100,000 once letters are verified and deemed legitimate.

Digicel would have launched this promotion last month, stating that the qualifying periods are July 16 – August 5; August 6 – August 19 and August 20 – September 2.

Garbage disposal, enforcing COVID-19 restrictions top City Hall’s agenda

G

eorgetown’s garbage disposal situation, enforcing COVID-19 restrictions, and the physical state of the municipal abattoir were discussed at a recent meeting between the Town Clerk (ag) Candace Nelson, Medical Officer of Health Suzette ReynoldsMarcus, and other senior staff of the Public Health Department.

At that meeting, the acting Town Clerk raised several issues affecting the wellbeing of the city including the Council’s support for the work of the National Covid Task Force to enforce compliance with measures to contain the spread of the deadly virus, the negative garbage

sue of unknown persons removing facilities that were placed for the wellbeing of the citizens. Those in attendance agreed that these are vital to the collective national effort to contain the spread of coronavirus in the city and the country as a whole. It was decided that immediate measures will be put in place, not only to increase the number of such facilities but to ensure that they are properly used.

Nelson has committed to engaging the National Task Force on COVID about greater collaboration with the city’s Public Health Department. In the meantime, the Constabulary will play a greater role in working with the Public Health

Town Clerk (ag) Candace Nelson

“No responsible organisation could sit comfortably with such an important and necessary food processing health facility in that condition,” it added. Furthermore, the City Hall administration

Garbage heaps are an eye sore

situation, sanitisation of municipal markets, meat and food hygiene, and the physical condition of the municipal abattoir.

Environmental and Health Officials noted that one of the challenges facing its department is the inadequate number of appropriate facilities and poor monitoring of those facilities such as wash sinks and appurtenances that are installed at strategic locations in Georgetown.

Also raised was the is-

Department to persuade citizens to comply with COVID-19 measures.

Turning their attention to the abattoir, it was noted that the facility needs urgent repairs.

“Its present physical condition and numerous defects, and the resource constraints of the Council make it necessary for the Council to seek assistance from the relevant national and international organisations,” a press statement from City Hall said.

Two sinks that were erected in the city to reduce the spread of COVID-19

will be pursuing the existing agreement between the corporation, whose equipment damaged the abattoir, and the Council.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

13 25 Influential Women Leaders Awards slated for October 23 NEWS

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– female community and business leaders across Guyana will be awarded

T

he 25 Influential Women Leaders Awards (25IWLA) returns this year after a hiatus occasioned by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The awards will be held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown as a vaccinated only event on Saturday, October 23, 2021.

These prestigious awards were inaugurated in 2019 by the dynamic team of female leaders and entrepreneurs in their own rightMichelle A. Nicholas of The NICO Consulting, Inc. and Lyndell Danzie-Black of CERULEAN Incorporated.

The unique award turns the spotlight on women – with 25 awardees being hon-

Co-Creator of the Award and Founder/CEO of The NICO Consulting Inc, Michelle A Nicholas

their community, business, or organization. The nomination period will extend for one month from August 9 to September 10, after which an imminent panel of judges will have the arduous task of identifying the 25 wom-

its kind in Guyana that focuses on women from a variety of sectors, rather than in a single industry, making the award a unique and important milestone in the recognition of women as leaders. Symmetry Brokerage and Logistics will serve as the 2021 Presenting Sponsor of this year’s award celebrations.

Co-Creator of the Award and Founder/CEO of The NICO Consulting Inc, Michelle A. Nicholas related her pleasure at the return of this landmark event, stating that "Though this past year presented unprecedented challenges, we remain committed to recognizing and celebrating inspiring female leaders across Guyana.

These women contrib-

Co-Creator of the Award and Managing Director of Cerulean Inc, Lyndell Danzie-Black

es represented in our 2019 nominees and honorees, and I’m truly looking forward to celebrating the 2021 changemakers.”

Co-Creator of the Award and Managing Director of Cerulean Inc, Lyndell

25 Influential Women Leaders Awardees in 2019

ored for their passion and commitment to uplifting the business sector, their communities and society.

Nomination forms for women who fit the criteria for recognition at this event are available on the 25 Influential Women Leaders Awards Facebook page, and will be distributed widely through several organisations, the media and members of the public.

Every Guyanese is encouraged to nominate those women leaders who have left an indelible mark on

en who will receive these awards later in the year.

As the only forum for showcasing the immense contributions of women to today’s society, 25IWLA aims to recognize women leaders who have achieved successes in a wide range of fields, redress the underrepresentation of women and transform how women leaders are viewed in Guyana by highlighting their value, achievements and contributions.

25 Influential Women Leaders is the only award of

ute to their organizations and communities, and really bring a sense of hope and excitement for the years to come.”

Speaking to the resilience on display by women in Guyana she further stated, “There is undoubtedly a need for equity and greater inclusion for women, as we continue to emerge as important leaders more broadly, considering the challenges we have faced in social justice, the environment, and healthcare. I am proud of the diverse set of voic-

Garbage disposal, enforcing...

Nelson has asked the City Engineer to revisit this matter. Another problem identified by the Environmental Section is the need to encourage homeowners and businesses to provide refuse receptacles on their premises. On this note, Chief Environmental Officer (ag), Floyd Rollins indicated that the absence of receptacles is contributing to indiscriminate dumping of garbage in communities.

Meanwhile, to promote public awareness on the importance of proper disposal habits and the need to keep the environment clean and healthy at all times, the Environmental Health Division will launch a public awareness health campaign in different parts of the city.

Activities will include specially designed public messages, visits and inspections to business places for receptacles, and in-

FROM PAGE 12

formation sharing on the importance of waste receptacles.

The acting Town Clerk said there will be more focus on an inter-department approach to enhance and protect the health of the environment and local communities. She said that all departments of the municipality must work together to facilitate the effectiveness of municipal systems that deliver health and other services to citizens.

Danzie-Black related, “The resilience of women during

this pandemic was particularly tested as more women continue to work on the frontline and so I am elated to host this award at this time to create a platform to celebrate women. We see this as a great opportunity for corporate Guyana to celebrate and highlight the achievements of their women through this award.”

“Symmetry Brokerage and Logistics is pleased to be partnering with 25IWLA to recognize and celebrate, a formidable group of women leaders who are committed to the advancement of women’s rights to business and equity. They have demonstrated through their life and work, and their leadership in governance, diplomacy, social norm changes and political game changing for the gender equity and women's empowerment cause, that women make a difference— not just a small difference but a big and critical one. Inclusivity is key for future development and we are proud to be involved in the process,” said Lloyd Bart, CEO, Symmetry Brokerage & Logistics.

While more than 350 people attended the inaugu-

ral gala in 2019, this year’s event will encompass a duality of form and function, with a smaller, vaccinated only in-person gala, but with an expansive presentation on live television and on social media platforms.

The organisers of this distinguished event have extended thanks to the sponsors of the 2019 activity and hope to encourage a continuation of support from those organisations and individuals, who included lead sponsor Strategic Recruitment Solutions Inc. as well as the Small Business Bureau, Camex Restaurants Inc. and Candela Systems Corporation USA. Corporate Guyana is encouraged to participate through the nominations of outstanding female employees or associates within their companies, or even by purchasing sponsorship packages which will allow them to showcase the exemplary work women on their team during the live television and Facebook broadcast. Coming together, cheering each other on, is a true teambuilding opportunity.

14 FEATURE

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Listening to voices of Indigenous peoples is only way to protect people and planet – UN O

n August 9 every year, the United Nations (UN) celebrates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. The date marks the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations.

Recognising the multiple and intersecting challenges faced by Indigenous peoples across the world, this year’s theme “Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract” encourages us to include, involve and integrate Indigenous people at all levels, to protect their rights, and to obtain free, prior, and informed consent.

The history of most Indigenous peoples around the world is marked by colonisation, which led to the loss of their autonomy over their territories and natural resources. Indigenous peoples have often been marginalised, excluded from participation in society, cast as poor and uneducated, and forced to accept fate as voiceless observers of the destruction of their sacred lands and waters.

Indigenous societies have preserved for generations highly sophisticated

ing, and knowledge-sharing to address global challenges such as biodiversity conservation and climate change.

Such efforts are producing impactful actions and results within several international initiatives, such as the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystems Services (IPBES), the Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples’ Platform (LCIPP), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) and the

In Guyana, Indigenous people are one of the ethnic groups that make up the country’s diverse population and rich culture. There are nine Indigenous groups settled across Guyana, and they have detailed knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystems on the coast, in tropical forests, savannas, and wetlands.

Over the years, the Government of Guyana has taken several initiatives to support Indigenous people, promote development of their communities, preserve their languages and culture, formalise their land

An Amerindian Dance Group at Mainstay

knowledge of the natural world and have reconciled this with their culture, spirituality, and cosmovision of their place in the ecosystem of life. Their culture is often characterised by a harmonious, symbiotic relationship between humans and nature, making life meaningful and pleasurable. Such indigenous ability to share and transfer unique local knowledge from the older to the younger generations, to sustainably use and manage natural resources for

the common good of the community is now being called for and recognised by researchers, climate scientists, and relevant international bodies as one of the best solutions to combat climate change while restoring and protecting biodiversity.

“Today, the global human population faces the consequences of centuries of over-exploitation of natural resources, species extinction, and fossil fuel pollution that have plunged

Craft from St Cuthbert’s Mission on display

Closing date for applications is Tuesday, August 31, 2021

us into a crisis for both nature and humans, increasing their vulnerability and interdependence. In seeking solutions to such crisis, we need to recognise that Indigenous values, as well as their traditional knowledge and governance arrangements, beliefs and practices are paramount to achieving sustainable development and climate resilience,” highlighted Chief of Section from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) programme on Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS), Nigel Crawhall.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed and exacerbated many existing inequalities, disproportionately affecting Indigenous populations who were already at a higher risk of poverty, illness, discrimination, and difficulties in securing livelihoods.

Many UN agencies and intergovernmental bodies, in cooperation with local, national, regional, and international stakeholders are increasingly creating opportunities to engage Indigenous peoples in problem-solving, decision-mak-

UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Since 1992, UNESCO's LINKS programme has promoted the importance of Indigenous knowledge in the UN system, among policymakers, governments, academia, and in research, and creates opportunities for exchange with Indigenous peoples.

As such, Caribbean Indigenous peoples and local communities, as well as experts from meteorological and hydrological services, and institutions dealing with climate change from sixteen countries, came together for the first Caribbean workshop on Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) in Georgetown, Guyana, for three days in September 2019 to share their experiences of anticipating and responding to different environmental challenges, including natural disasters and climate change impacts. This enabled the elaboration of a Caribbean-wide overview of how Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) is being used to predict, prepare for and tackle the impacts of climate change, and to consider ways in which ILK, science, and policy-making can better collaborate.

titles, improve access to health, education and other services, and to support the National Toshaos Council.

Through a partnership with the UK-based social enterprise cobra collective, Indigenous communities in the North Rupununi region in Guyana have been examining, documenting, and explaining their knowledge of biodiversity and the environment through the use of participatory videos. The focus has been on the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the national network of protected areas.

The National Toshaos Council, which represents the different Indigenous leaders and peoples of Guyana, together with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, has recently advanced a draft plan of action for the protection and promotion of traditional Indigenous knowledge in Guyana. Once adopted, Guyana would join the new cutting edge of countries that effectively recognise the importance of Indigenous knowledge for the development and implementation of public policies.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

NEWS

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MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$7.1M contract signed for repairs of Monkey Mountain bridge, foot trail

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he bridge and foot trail at Monkey Mountain, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), which leads to the mountain foot are set to undergo repairs to the tune of $7.1 million. Upon completion residents of Monkey Mountain and nearby communities will benefit.

In fact, the contract to facilitate the repairs was signed in the presence of Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall.

Signing the contract on behalf of the community was its Toshao, Lincoln Abraham Singh.

Minister Dharamlall at the signing stated that rehabilitation work would not only enhance residents’ lives, but create jobs.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall

This is in keeping with the Government’s manifesto promise to create employ-

ment and boost the region’s and the country’s economy.

“Our Government has

Listening to voices of Indigenous...

Toshao Nicholas Fredericks, the Chairperson of the National Toshaos Council, commented on the draft traditional knowledge action plan, “Life for an Indigenous person is dependent on the land. So that is why this Traditional Knowledge National Action Plan needs to recognise, revitalise our traditional institutions, our traditional knowledge….…The knowledge of Indigenous people is very important for all countries because it assists governments to implement policies and programmes that are in line with living in harmony with nature.”

The Amerindian Land Titling Project has been ongoing for a several years now. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been supporting the Government through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission and other key stakeholders to investigate, demarcate, resolve, and manage land issues.

UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and with funding from the Government of Japan, provided training in the Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA tool) to farmers in Indigenous communities in Regions 7, 8 and 9 through the project “Strengthening Disaster Management Capacity of Women in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Commonwealth of Dominica.” This tool allows farmers to use weather information to make more informed decisions towards climate resilient farming practices to enhance their food security. Building on the foundation provided by this training, with a strong emphasis on linking women farmers to finance, a micro-grant initiative was launched with six (6) communities from Region 9 to

FROM PAGE 14

Surama Eco-Lodge in Region Nine

date receiving funding to enhance their livelihood options.

UNDP, the World Food Programme (WFP), and UN Women have also joined forces with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) on the “Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience” (EnGenDER) Project. UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security through this project provided food and personal care items to groups including women and children, particularly in situations of gender-based violence, and Indigenous communities affected by the economic consequences of COVID-19.

Additionally, as part of the COVID-19 response, communications equipment was provided to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, and Personal Protective Equipment was provided to the Guyana Police Force to enhance their service provision with respect to gender-based violence. Similarly, family violence is the focus of the Spotlight Initiative that is being implemented by the UN in partnership with the European Union and Ministry of Human Services and Social Security to elim-

inate violence against women and girls in Indigenous and coastal communities.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has been supporting the Environmental Protection Agency to develop policies and citizens’ sensitisation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing.

It facilitated the drafting and revision of the ABS Regulation, which will enhance the negotiating capacity of the Amerindian communities.

UNDP continues to collaborate with the Office of the Prime Minister to deliver Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services to 200 hinterland, poor and remote communities. To this end, US$3.2 million worth of ICT equipment and solar solutions have been procured and preparations are ongoing to retrofit buildings for installation and commissioning of these services.

The project will also support the utilisation of ICTs for the preservation and diffusion of local culture and traditions of Indigenous communities.

By recognising the depth, complexity, and vitality of Indigenous knowledge systems, Member States of the United Nations can develop a new social contract and advance on sustainable paradigms that will truly leave no one behind.

Monkey Mountain Toshao Lincoln Abraham Singh signing the $7.1 million contract

committed to ensuring that we provide better physical development in different areas in every village, which is why these infrastructural works are set to commence soon. I can assure you that more resources for development will come to this community, among others in this region,” he told residents.

In light of this, Dharamlall urged the Toshao to ensure that quality work is delivered to the community while encouraging the contractor to make use of local materials for the work. The project is expected to commence soon.

“We expect quality work from you, but I want to also encourage residents to monitor these works, to make sure it is done in a way that you will be satisfied with.”

Additionally, Minister Dharamlall committed to employing six more persons as Community Enhancement

Workers (CEWs) to ensure that the community’s infrastructure is preserved.

The CEWs work complement’s the Village Council’s and by extension, the Administration’s efforts to develop the community and the country as a whole. The CEWs are managed under the Community Infrastructure Improvement

Project (CIIP), which began in 2014. The project’s mandate was changed in 2015 to decentralise resources to the Local Democratic Organs.

The CIIP also enables Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to provide services to communities, and to encourage citizens to pay their rates and taxes to facilitate the development.

16 NEWS 3 more die from COVID, death toll climbs to 559 MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

...50 new cases recorded in 24h ...vaccination requirement to enter Guyana takes effect

T

hree residents from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died.

According to the Health Ministry, the latest fatalities are an 83-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man, who died on Friday last while a 68-year-old male died on Saturday.

The Ministry said these patients were admitted with COVID-19 like symptoms but died while receiving care at medical institutions in the region. Samples were taken at the time of admission and the tests subsequently returned positive.

With these COVID deaths, the total number of fatalities from the pandemic in Guyana is now 559. So far in the month of August, 13 persons have died from the virus.

However, new statistics provided by the Ministry showed that 50 new infections were detected in the last 24 hours.

The total number of confirmed cases in the country has gone up to 22,982, according to the Ministry’s updated COVID-19 dashboard on Sunday.

However, only 831 of these cases are currently active with 17 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 814 persons in isolation, that is, 86 in institutional isolation and the other 728 in home isolation.

There are also three more persons in institutional quarantine.

So far, 21,595 persons have recovered after contracting the life-threatening disease – 25 more recoveries than the figure reported the

previous day.

A total of 235,131 persons have been tested for the novel coronavirus in Guyana since its outbreak here last year and to date, 11,187 males and 11,795 females were found positive.

Meanwhile, of the 50 new cases recorded on Sunday, four were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini); one in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); another four in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 32 in the Demerara Mahaica region; another four in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and the remaining five cases in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

There were no new cases in Regions Five (MahaicaBerbice), Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) in the last 24 hours.

In order to curb the rising number of cases in the country, the Guyana Government launched its COVID-19 vaccination exercise back in February and is aggressively rolling it out in the various regions in order to achieve heard immunity.

So far, more than 260,000 persons received their first dose vaccine, accounting for 53.5 per cent of the country’s adult population.

Meanwhile, over 143,000 persons are now fully vaccinated, that is, 29.4 per cent of the population 18 years and older.

Meanwhile, as Government toughens on person who are refusing to get vaccinated, the new travel restrictions for foreign nationals entering Guyana took effect on Sunday.

The new measures, which have been gazett-

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD AUGUST 8 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

50

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

86

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

728 17

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

3

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

11,795

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

11,187

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

22,982

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

21,595

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

260,403

FULLY IMMUNISED

143,302

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

559

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1316

REGION 2

643

REGION 3

2624

REGION 4

10,349

REGION 5

769

REGION 6

1927

REGION 7

1282

REGION 8

380

REGION 9

2131

REGION 10

1561

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

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.

ed as part of the Civil Aviation Health and Safety Regulations, stipulate that all persons entering Guyana must show proof of vaccination with at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The jabs listed in the order include: AstraZeneca; Sputnik V; Sinopharm; Sinovac; Pfizer; Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson. The former three jabs are currently being used in Guyana

as part of the national vaccination campaign.

In addition to the vaccine requirement, which does not apply to children, all persons travelling to Guyana must have a negative molecular biological PCR COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their arrival in order to gain entry into the country. Travellers with proof of vaccination but with a negative PCR test taken between three

and seven days prior, will be subjected to a mandatory test upon arriving in Guyana. Persons refusing to comply will be refused entry into the country.

Moreover, persons transiting in Guyana for up to four hours are only required to present a negative PCR test along with travel documents to show onward travel.

Additionally, the new orders which apply to air-

port and airline operators, require airlines to verify the authenticity of the negative PCR tests at the check-in counter before travellers board the aircraft to Guyana.

Last month, Guyana had imposed vaccination requirements for persons from Trinidad and Tobago, travelling to Guyana. This restriction applies specifically to nationals from the twin-island and not to persons transiting there.

Further, the new COVID-19 measures implemented by Government for the month of August stipulate that only vaccinated persons can gain access to certain social outlets such as bars, cinemas and casinos. With regards to State services, immunised persons will be allowed to walk in and access these but unvaccinated persons will have to make appointments.

In addition, only unvaccinated persons seeking emergency services at the Georgetown Public Hospital will be allowed in the compound.

“Unvaccinated persons seeking to enter the compound will not be permitted to visit any patients or any clinical areas. If the visitor has an appointment, they must present a negative PCR test result that was produced within 72 hours from a testing site that is approved by the Ministry of Health,” an advisory from the GPHC stated.

For vaccinated persons, they need to walk with their vaccination card along with a proof of identification to gain entry into locations with these restrictions.

No street vendor will be removed – City Hall

Street vending in Georgetown

T

he Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC) is refuting claims that it is planning on removing persons from vending around Georgetown.

In a statement to that effect, the municipality on Sunday said that it has

been notified by concerned citizens that individuals, “bent on creating confusion and mischief, within the municipality”, have been mobilising street vendors to protest against the Council.

“It is a wicked plot to use street vendors to stir up trouble against the city,”

the M&CC said in condemning this. The Council has since made it clear that there is no plan to remove or prevent vendors from doing their business and making their livelihood.

The statement added, “All vendors need to understand that, those who are spreading these lies are seeking to use them for their own selfish interest.

They care little about vendors, many of whom are females and single parents working hard to maintain their children and others depending on them.”

The Council said it is therefore appealing to the vendors not to fall prey to the “wiles of those, who are spreading lies to rile them up and cause them to lose business.”

NEWS

17

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fire breaks out at Psychiatric Hospital in N/A − 2 patients flee, 12 return

A

fire of unknown origin broke out at the Psychiatric Hospital in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), on Saturday night during which several patients escaped.

Guyana Times understands that majority of the patients have since been

returned while two remain at large.

Initial reports revealed that around 21:15h, the facility’s nurse supervisor, Waveney Felix, was in her office, when she observed smoke emanating from Chalet Four.

Felix further mentioned that she observed patients running out of Chalet Four

and as a result, she immediately informed the New Amsterdam Fire Service.

Shortly after, the Fire Service extinguished the fire. Several persons were questioned but by that time, a majority of the patients had gone missing.

According to the Police, out of the 19 patients at the Psychiatric Hospital,

only five were accounted for. However, due to the quick response of the Joint Services and other law enforcement agencies, seven patients were returned on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, the Police said two of the other seven patients that fled were found and returned to the facility as of 10:00h on

Sunday.

However, Region Six Commander, Jairam Ramlakhan subsequently confirmed to this publication that three more patients were returnedby midday on Sunday and taken back to the hospital.

Contacted Sunday evening, Commander Ramlakhan indicated that two patients were still on the run. Investigations are in progress.

Only in June, there was a fire at the Region Six facility during which patients had also escaped but were later returned. Some patients were injured in that June 5, 2021 fire which started sometime around 19:30h.

It was reported that a fight had broken out between three of the 31 male inmates housed in the

Chalet 4 Male Admission Ward.

As a result, the matron along with the supervisor and two male nurses went to the Chalet 4 Male Admission Ward, where on arrival they saw smoke coming from inside of the ward and heard patients shouting for help.

The Fire Service and Police were called.

Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire but during that process, the patients broke out from a southern door and 9 of them escaped – some of whom had burn injuries about their bodies.

Eleven of the other patients who received burns about their bodies were rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where they were treated.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021

Regional

Venezuela’s ruling Socialist Party holds Mexico’s Lopez Obrador to primaries for November regional election talk vaccines with Harris

V

enezuela’s ruling Socialist Party on Sunday held a primary to choose candidates for November elections for Governors and Mayors, an election that may see the return of Opposition political parties that have boycotted recent ballots.

Allies of President Nicolas Maduro will vie for the chance to be elected to 23 state and 335 municipal governments that have a been a key element of the Socialist Party’s dominance of the country’s politics.

Sunday’s vote comes as the Opposition and Government prepare to enter into a negotiation process set to start later this month in Mexico, sources told Reuters.

“Winning the Governorships and Mayors in the mega-elections on November 21 will give us greater governance in the country,” Maduro said on Tuesday in a live broadcast on state television. “The entire Opposition knows that we will have clean and

M

A women casting her vote in Venezuela’s ruling Socialist Party’s primaries for the November regional election for Governors and Mayors, in Caracas, Venezuela August 8, 2021

transparent elections.”

Voting seemed slow in Caracas shortly after polls opened at 7 am on Sunday.

There were no lines at polling stations.

The mainstream Opposition boycotted presidential and parliamentary elections in 2018 and 2020, arguing they were rigged in favour of Maduro’s ruling socialist party. But a coalition in the Opposition has said its willing to participate in the November election.

In May, the socialist-held National Assembly

named two Oppositionlinked figures to a new elections council for the first time in years. In June, the head of the electoral council said the Government would allow a coalition of major Opposition political parties to field candidates in November’s elections.

The Opposition is still negotiating conditions for participating in November and Opposition Leader Juan Guaido has not said whether or not he believes candidates should take part. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Peru’s new Govt eyes natural gas, hydroelectric sectors for public companies

P

eru’s new Prime Minister Guido Bellido told Reuters on Saturday that the State plans to participate in key industries, including natural gas and new hydroelectric projects, under a new leftist Administration.

Bellido, the top aide to newly inaugurated President Pedro Castillo, said the Government will also seek to create new public companies, a shift for the Andean nation which in recent decades has focused on divesting its Statecontrolled corporations.

Castillo, a former elementary school teacher, and Bellido are now poised to tilt Peru sharply to the left if they can surmount the sig-

nificant hurdle of getting greenlit by the Oppositionled Congress.

They have also established a committee to keep inflation in check, Bellido said, and shore up the waning strength of the local sol currency, which is at a historic low against the dollar largely due to higher political risk, analysts say.

Peru’s more moderate Economy Minister Pedro Francke will be in charge of the committee, he said, adding - “We need to stop the dollar’s rise” against the local Sol currency.

Bellido, who is also a congressman for his native Cuzco region, was little-known in Lima political circles before Castillo,

won the presidency this June, campaigning with the Marxist-Leninist party Free Peru.

Castillo is Peru’s fifth president in five years due to continued political turmoil. He has yet to give any interviews since taking office.

During Castillo’s presidential campaign, he accused private enterprise of “plundering” the nation’s wealth and said he would seek to nationalize natural gas, gold, silver, uranium, copper and lithium mining projects.

He later played down those comments, saying private investment would be respected. (Excerpt from Reuters)

exican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will discuss COVID-19 vaccines with US Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday, amid recent caseload spikes in both nations driven by highly contagious new variants of the coronavirus.

In a speech, the Mexican leader did not provide further details on other subjects he and Harris will discuss on today’s phone call.

“We’re going to talk on Monday in order to keep working on our joint agenda of collaboration,” said Lopez

Obrador.

Harris, a former senator from California, was tapped earlier this year by US President Joe Biden to lead diplomatic efforts with Mexico and several Central American nations focusing in particular on regional migration and economic development.

Lopez Obrador appeared to preview additional US vaccine donations.

“There are commitments for us to have more vaccines, provided by the United States Government,” he added, speaking at a new

national guard installation in the northern border city of Ciudad Juarez, just south of Texas.

Lopez Obrador also thanked the US Government for an earlier vaccine donation of some 3.5 million doses, and said Mexico is expecting a shipment of 1.35 million additional doses.

The leftist President also praised US-Mexico relations under Biden’s six-month-old Administration, describing them as based on “respect for our sovereignty and development cooperation.”

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Bolsonaro’s election fraud claims spark “unprecedented crisis”

W

ithout proof and in contradiction of experts, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has for many years decried the country’s electronic voting system as vulnerable to fraud.

But in recent weeks, amid plummeting approval ratings, the far-right populist has aggressively talked up his claims in a series of interviews, broadcasts and meetings with supporters, thousands of whom demonstrated this month in support of Bolsonaro’s call to change the system.

“We cannot have dubious elections in 2022. Public counting of votes is needed,” the President said in a recent radio interview.

Analysts widely consider that Bolsonaro is preparing to contest next year’s elections, which recent opinion polls suggest he would lose by a large margin to former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of the left-wing Worker’s Party if he decides to run.

“Bolsonaro has been following the steps of [former US President Donald]

Demonstrators taking part in a rally in support of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro push to change the country’s electoral system, which he has said without evidence is vulnerable to fraud [Nelson Almeida/AFP]

Trump since the beginning of his Government,” said Daniela Campello, a professor of politics at Brazil’s Getulio Vargas Foundation.

“The more he realises he’s not going to win, the more he realises he has nothing to lose.”

In a note released on Tuesday, the Eurasia Group consultancy wrote that the chances of the election results not being accepted were “less than 5 percent” but that a contested election would “likely

follow the US script” with “potential for violence” and “exacerbated polarization and distrust in state institutions”.

Bolsonaro, a former Brazilian army captain and outspoken admirer of the country’s 1964-85 military dictatorship, was visibly Trump’s most enamoured international ally during the US President’s time in office, even though the relationship was not quite reciprocal. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

OAS to celebrate Indigenous Scotiabank donates $2.5M to UHWI for peoples of the Caribbean

advanced oxygen therapy machines

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he University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) is set to benefit from a donation of $2.5 million from Scotiabank for the purchase of five Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) Systems.

A BiPAP machine provides non-invasive ventilation used to facilitate breathing. The equipment is critical based on the medical discovery during the pandemic that less invasive forms of ventilation care are safer for patients battling COVID-19.

Commenting on the donation, Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, Yanique Forbes-Patrick said, “Through this donation,

Scotiabank is again maintaining our commitment to bolstering Jamaica’s healthcare system as we navigate this defining period in our history.

“Given that The UHWI is one of only two hospitals designated to treat COVID-19 patients in the Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine metropolitan area, it’s imperative that they are able to offer a high standard of care.

Unfortunately, the hospital did not have any of these machines and Scotiabank was more than happy to provide the funding to procure them,” she continued.

To date Jamaica has seen over 50,000 COVID-19 cases with just over 1000 COVID-19

related deaths.

“The latest donation will go a long way in supporting both COVID-19 and non COVID-19 patients who need this level of support,” shared Dr Kevin Metalor, Head of Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care at the UHWI. Meanwhile, Dr Carl Bruce, Medical Chief of Staff at the UHWI expressed gratitude on behalf of the board and staff of the medical institution, thanking Scotiabank for being a good corporate citizen in a time when medical resources in the country were already being stressed.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

T

he Organisation of American States (OAS) says it will celebrate the cultural traditions, languages, history and societal contributions of the Indigenous peoples of the region during its Fourth Inter-American Week for Indigenous Peoples in the Americas.

Under the theme “Leaving no one behind: Indigenous peoples and the call for a new social contract in the Americas,” the OAS said it will hold several virtual activities, from, August 9 to 13, “designed to highlight the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic”.

OAS Secretary General,

Luis Almagro, stressed that there is a consensus in the international community to create a new social contract adapted to a post-pandemic world.

“We must ensure that this new social contract includes the diverse voices of Indigenous peoples throughout the hemisphere,” he said. “Their participation in the design and implementation of new forms of social, economic, political and cultural arrangements must be a priority.”

OAS Assistant Secretary General, Belizean Nestor Mendez, said that this year’s commemorations will be held “with the aim of addressing the socio-economic chal-

lenges faced by Indigenous peoples and the opportunities which exist to reshape our world through the implementation of policies geared towards creating a more just and inclusive society”.

He underscored the importance of observing the annual event, noting that “the voices of the Indigenous peoples must be heard, and their needs and concerns clearly reflected in this new social contract”.

The OAS said its national offices will hold activities in member-states throughout the week, focusing on the preservation of Indigenous languages and culture. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS China's gasoline, jet fuel use to hit record in 2021 despite COVID cloud

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hina's fuel demand is on track to hit record highs this year on a rebound in car sales and booming domestic air travel, even as a resurgence of COVID cases slows movement in some cities in the near term, analysts say.

Despite slowing growth for diesel, the main industrial fuel, overall consumption of gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel in the world's top crude oil importer is expected to grow by 7 per cent to 11 per cent in 2021 to a record between 8.4 million and 8.9 million barrels per day, analysts at consultancy SIA Energy, IHS Markit and Energy Aspects estimated.

By comparison, the International Energy Agency (IEA) in March forecast China's demand for gasoline, jet fuel and diesel would rise by 6.5 per cent to 8.2 million bpd in 2021.

China's strong growth in fuel use has helped stoke a 50 per cent jump in global crude oil prices from 2020.

The latest outbreaks of the COVID-19 Delta variant across 17 provinces are expected to constrain travel in the near term, but analysts say the overall growth trend remains intact.

Gasoline demand, which accounts for a quarter of China's refined fuel use, is forecast to rise by 11 per cent to 13 per cent this year to a record 3.8 million to 4.1 million barrels per day, well above the IEA's March forecast of 3.5 million bpd.

"Gasoline leads the growth as people drive more for longdistance travel, (there are) more ride-hailing services and motorbike e-commerce deliveries," said Seng Yick Tee, senior director at SIA Energy.

New passenger vehicle sales are expected to rise 7 per cent this year, marking China's first annual growth since 2017, said Tao Gao, light vehicle specialist with IHS Markit.

Gasoline-guzzling sport utility vehicles continue to dominate new sales, making up nearly half the first half 2021 total, steady from last year, IHS data showed.

People are spending more on cars while cutting overseas travel as China's borders remain largely sealed to contain the coronavirus.

"Our car models are not the most trendy, but we're predicting annual sales to be a quarter above last year, as customers appear to have more to spend, now that they're unable to travel abroad," said an east China-based car dealer of General Motors Co's Cadillacs.

Flight cancellations due to the latest COVID outbreaks will cut jet fuel demand for the next two weeks, but fullyear aviation fuel demand is seen nearing or topping 2019 levels, at between 880,000 and 947,000 bpd in 2021, Energy Aspect's Liu Yuntao and FGE's Mia Geng estimated.

According to aviation data firm OAG, passenger seat capacity in China from February through July was 413 million, up 52 per cent from the same period in 2020 and about 1 million more than in the same period in 2019.

Demand for diesel, which powers heavy machinery like excavators and trucks, is expected to rise just 1.7 per cent from 2020 to 3.88 million bpd, FGE's Geng estimated.

Sales of excavators, a gauge for the mining and construction sectors, began to tumble in April and fell through June versus a year ago, while utilisation also dropped, according to Chinese financial data group Wind.

Even record first-half heavy-duty truck sales, another proxy for diesel use, did not boost fuel demand, said Cassie Liu of IHS Markit. Sales were driven more by aggressive marketing by vehicle dealers than trucking activity. (Excerpt from Reuters)

N Korea's Kim calls for relief campaign in rain-hit areas N orth Korean leader Kim Jong-un has mobilised the military to carry out relief work in areas recently hit by heavy rains, state media said on Sunday, amid concerns over an economic crisis and food shortage.

The ruling Worker's Party's Central Military Commission held a meeting of its chapter in the eastern province of South Hamgyong to discuss damage and recovery from the downpour, the official KCNA news agency said.

An early monsoon season arrived on the Korean peninsula last month, with torrential rains also inflicting damage in some southern regions.

North Korean state TV released footage this week showing submerged houses and destroyed bridges and

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un speaks during a Report on Enlarged Meeting of the 2nd Political Bureau of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, in Pyongyang, North Korea in this image released July 5, 2021 by the country's Korean Central News Agency

railroads in Hamgyong, saying some 1170 homes were devastated and 5000 people evacuated.

Kim did not attend the meeting but party officials conveyed his message that

Hong Kong Minister US officials show support signals path to adopting for COVID vaccine China anti-sanctions law mandates amid surge

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ong Kong's Justice Secretary said on Sunday that a mainland Chinese law to counter foreign sanctions could also be adopted in the Chinaruled city by writing it into Hong Kong's mini-Constitution, pending a decision by the Chinese Parliament.

Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng's comments are the strongest official indication so far that Hong Kong would embrace the mainland law, passed in June to counter foreign sanctions as the US and EU step up pressure over trade, technology, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

Under the law, individuals or entities involved in making or implementing discriminatory measures against Chinese citizens or entities could be put on an anti-sanctions list by relevant departments in the Chinese Government.

Cheng wrote in an official blog entry that the "most natural and appropriate way" to introduce the anti-sanctions law into Hong

Kong would be to add it to an annex of the Basic Law, or Hong Kong's mini-Constitution.

She added that such a move needed first to be approved by the highest organ of China's Parliament, the National People's Congress.

Local media have reported that a decision would likely be made during a meeting in Beijing on Aug 17-20.

Critics have warned that the anti-foreign sanctions law could undermine Hong Kong's reputation as a global financial hub, and tarnish sentiment among foreign firms.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 with a guarantee of a high degree of autonomy and freedoms.

The US Government has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials over Beijing's crackdown on the city's freedoms under the sweeping security legislation. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Taliban captures 3 more Afghan provincial capitals in a day

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he Taliban has captured three more provincial capitals, as they take their fight to the cities after seizing much of the countryside in recent months.

The group has seized five provincial capitals in Afghanistan since Friday in a lightning offensive that appears to have overwhelmed Government forces.

Kunduz, Sar-e-Pol and Taloqan in the north fell within hours of each other on Sunday, the Taliban and offi-

cials in the cities confirmed.

A Taliban statement on Sunday said it has captured the Police headquarters, the Governor’s compound and the prison in the strategic north-eastern city of Kunduz.

Local sources and journalists in Kunduz confirmed to Al Jazeera that Taliban fighters are present in the capital.

Health officials in Kunduz said 14 bodies, including those of women and children, and more than 30 injured

the military should kick off a relief campaign and provide necessary supplies in the region, KCNA said.

KCNA said the military commission explored emergency measures to rebuild

the disaster-stricken areas, stabilise people's living, prevent the coronavirus and minimise crop injuries.

The meeting came amid concerns over a crisis in a reclusive economy that has already been dogged by international sanctions, aimed at curbing its nuclear and weapons programmes.

Kim said in June the country faced a "tense" food situation, citing the coronavirus pandemic and last year's typhoons, and recently South Korea's central bank said North Korea's economy suffered its biggest contraction in 23 years in 2020.

North Korea has not confirmed any COVID-19 cases but closed borders, halted trade and imposed strict prevention measures, seeing the pandemic as an issue of national survival. (Excerpt from Reuters)

people have been taken to hospital.

In a statement on Sunday, the Taliban said its fighters have also captured the city of Sar-e-Pol, the main city of the northern province of Sare-Pol. Mohammad Noor Rahmani, a provincial council member of Sar-e-Pol province, told Reuters news agency the group has taken Government buildings in the northern provincial capital, driving officials out of the main city to a nearby mili-

tary base.

Sunday’s takeovers come after the group seized the provinces of Nimruz and Jawzjan in the last two days.

Kunduz had previously fallen to the group in 2015 and 2016.

On Saturday, the Taliban captured Jawzjan capital Sheberghan, the city’s Deputy Governor said, a day after Zaranj, capital of Nimruz, fell “without a fight”, according to its Deputy Governor. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Public health experts have described the ongoing surge in the US as an “outbreak of the unvaccinated” [Octavio Jones/Reuters]

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he top infectious disease expert in the United States and the head of the nation’s second-largest teachers’ union have expressed support for local coronavirus vaccine mandates, as the US grapples with a surge in infections, hospitalisations and deaths.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the White House’s chief medical adviser, said he expects local entities such as colleges and businesses to impose vaccine mandates once the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issues final approval of COVID-19 jabs.

That is something some sceptics have said they need before they will be inoculated.

His comments come as the US is now averaging more than 100,000 daily COVID-19 infections, spurred in large part by the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant especially in parts of the coun-

try with low vaccination rates.

But public health experts have described the ongoing surge as an “outbreak of the unvaccinated” and for weeks they have urged the tens of millions of Americans who remain unvaccinated to go out and get the widely available jabs.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, told the Meet the Press programme of NBC News in a separate interview on Sunday that she believed US teachers should be required to get vaccinated to protect students who are too young to receive jabs.

“The circumstances have changed,” Weingarten said.

“It weighs really heavily on me that kids under 12 can’t get vaccinated.

“I felt the need … to stand up and say this as a matter of personal conscience,” she said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021

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ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Share your thoughts and concerns with like-minded people. Offer insight into more efficient ways to bring about positive change.

Prepare to put muscle behind your plan and turn it into a reality.

Gather and verify inTAURUS formation; it will lead to a (April 20- change of attitude and better May 20) choices. Simplify your life and the way you do things to suit your current situation.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

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PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Take the experience you have and put it to good use.

Once others see how capable you are, you'll receive more opportunities. Don't take a risk with your health or reputation.

Pay close attention to your budget. Spend more time working on personal growth and creative endeavors and hanging out with easygoing people.

Don't jeopardize your position.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Think big, but be realistic. An opportunity will be too good to ignore. Make adjustments that allow you to follow through with your plans. Rely on the lessons of experience.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Be willing to adjust if it will help resolve an issue you face with a friend or relative. Meeting someone midway will encourage a smooth transaction and future dealings. Romance is on the rise.

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You'll learn a lot if you observe others. Distance yourself from anyone who is inconsistent or impulsive.

Concentrate on home, family and doing what's best for you and the ones you love.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Embrace what life has to offer. An unexpected opportunity will give you a chance to use your skills.

Focus on creative endeavors, and everything else will fall into place.

Someone is withholding inSAGITTARIUS formation or feeding you false (Nov. 23hope. Use your intelligence to Dec. 21) discover the truth. Take the high road and stick close to someone who has always had your back.

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SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

You'll spot a good deal.

Make your move and bring about changes at home and to your portfolio. A chance to get ahead is apparent. Be transparent regarding what you have to offer.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Put on the brakes, size up a situation and don't go over budget. Be realistic about what's possible, and stick to people you know you can rely on for support.

Control your emotions.

PISCES

Partnerships will play essential roles in the way things unfold. Put your heart into something meaningful. Get to know someone who has a positive influence on the decisions you make.

(Feb. 20March 20)

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021

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he Tokyo Olympics, postponed and played out behind closed doors because of the Covid pandemic, concluded with an upbeat ceremony in Japan's capital. The Games took place without spectators and athletes were barred from venturing outside the Olympic village.

Their staging has faced local opposition and around 30 protestors jostled with police at the National Stadium before the closing ceremony.

However, other locals have braved heat and warnings to watch events from afar.

Fans took in outdoor events, such as triathlon and BMX, from overpasses and other vantage points despite temperatures that reached 35C, the hottest ever recorded at an Olympics.

The Games' official sign-off, featuring ska bands, football freestylers, breakdancers and BMX riders, created more madefor-TV memories, culminating in athletes thanking the people of Japan by making a heart gesture with their hands.

A scaled-down parade of flagbearers, missing 62 of the competing nations, started proceedings in Tokyo before an air display team painted the French tricolore across the

Athletes filled the stadium floor before the Olympic flame was extinguished

sky in Paris, the host city for 2024. Tokyo 2020 president Seiko Hashimoto, who appeared at seven Games as a speed skater and then a track cyclist, told the athletes: "There are no words to describe what you have achieved.

"You have accepted what seemed unimaginable, understood what had to be done, and through hard work and perseverance overcome unbelievable challenges."

She added: "This has made you true Olympians."

Athletes had daily swabs to test for coronavirus and wore face masks when not eating, training or competing. After they had finished competing, they had

48 hours to leave the athletes' village.

The Games were postponed a year from their original 2020 date and, as the global pandemic raged, Japanese support wavered, with unfavourable opinion polls in the months before and even the country's Emperor Naruhito expressing concerns about their staging.

The banning of spectators from most venues denied the Japanese public a chance to watch a summer Games close up for the first time since Tokyo 1964 and the climax of an eight-year wait after winning the hosting rights in Buenos Aires in 2013.

As ever, the Games pro-

duced a shower of stars.

American swimmer Caeleb Dressel won five golds in the pool. Jamaican Elaine Thompson-Herah won another three on the track.

Gymnast Daiki Hashimoto won two for the home nation in gymnastics. But, equally inevitably, there were moments that no-one could have expected.

Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi and Qatar's Mutaz Barshim deciding to share high-jump gold rather than contest the title.

Norwegian Lotte Miller consoling Belgian rival Claire Michel after she came in last in the triathlon. Simone Biles, predicted to collect a clutch of golds, instead highlight-

ing athletes' mental health as she protected herself by withdrawing from five of her six events.

The next Olympics begin in just 180 days time with the Winter Games opening in Beijing on 4 February. The next Summer Olympics are just three years away, with Paris hosting in 2024, before Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.

Despite a build-up blighted by lockdowns, Great Britain surpassed the 51 medals won in Beijing 2008, matched the 65 won in London 2012 and ended just two short of their Rio 2016 total.

Track cyclist Jason Kenny became the first Briton to win seven gold medals as he retained his keirin title, while Laura Kenny became the most successful female cyclist in history as she took her tally of golds to five with madison success alongside Katie Archibald.

There were new stars as well.

Twenty-oneyear-old Tom Dean won a

21

pair of golds in the pool, Bethany Shriever and Charlotte Worthington took BMX titles, and Keely Hodgkinson, 19, won a superb 800m silver on the track. Emily Campbell won Britain's first female weightlifting medal.

Sky Brown became Britain's youngest ever summer Games medallist in one of the Games' newest sports with a skateboarding bronze.

"Not only has the team made history but it has probably made history on the back of the most complex and most challenging and difficult environment that we will face certainly in my lifetime," said Team GB's chef de mission Mark England.

"It has been against all the odds and I think it is the greatest achievement in British Olympic history.

"This is a very, very young team and a very talented team, and a team I'm absolutely confident that will go to Paris in less than three years and do exceptionally well." (BBC Sport)

Lionel Messi in tears as he receives ovation from Barcelona at news conference

Trent Bridge Test ends in a draw after day-five washout

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he promised grandstand finish to the Trent Bridge Test never materialised as it rained all morning and all afternoon in Nottingham to force a draw.

India came into the day slight favourites, needing a further 157 runs with nine wickets in hand on a quick-scoring ground whose pitch seemed to have settled down from the treacherous pit it had been in the first innings.

However, England would be quick to point out that in 2018 they had stopped India in two sub-250 chases in the fourth innings. India might argue this Test was different because the conditions kept getting better throughout the match.

The scoring rates kept im-

No ball was bowled on the final day

proving as the match progressed, which is usually an indicator of a pitch getting better to bat on.

We will never know which team really lost out because of the rain, but they will both take four World Test Championship points each from the match. The

next Test starts at Lord's on Thursday.

England go to London with questions around their main batters after playerof-the-match Joe Root almost single-handedly saved them this Test. In scoring a fifty and a hundred, Root looked a level above his

team-mates, and not for the first time either.

India would be slightly more concerned about Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane than they were a week ago, but they would be overjoyed with the bonus of KL Rahul's latest coming as an opener. It appeared they were not looking at Rahul as an opener anymore, but as India lost Mayank Agarwal to concussion two days before the Test - Shubman Gill had been ruled out already Rahul had to step in.

Rahul more than stepped in by looking India's best batter in both the innings, which means his good friend Agarwal will have to either just wait or replace someone lower in the order.

(Espn Cricinfo)

Lionel Messi in tears as he receives ovation from Barcelona at news conference

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n emotional Lionel Messi said joining Paris St-Germain (PSG) was "a possibility, but nothing is agreed" as he confirmed his exit from Barcelona. Messi is ending his 21-year association with Barca, who cannot afford to honour the new contract they agreed with him because of La Liga's salary limit.

The record six-time Ballon d'Or winner, 34, is now a free agent. "My family and I were convinced we were going to stay here, at home," he said during a news conference on Sunday.

"This is the end with this club and now a new story will begin," added the Argentina forward. "Yes, it's one of the most difficult moments for me. "I don't want to leave this club it's a club I love and this is a moment I didn't expect. "Last year I wanted to leave, this year I wanted to stay. That's why I'm so sad.

"It was like my blood ran cold. I was really sad.

It was really difficult right up to now. I'm still trying to process it all. "When I get home I will still feel bad; it will be even worse. I'm not ready for this." (BBC Sport)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, AUGUST 9 , 2021

basically on me.

During the pandemic, I did not really do much in terms of training, because there was not much available.

Being in the pandemic, you were really scared of catching COVID-19 because there was no vaccine, so I really tried to stay home.

“Me being at Shimron Hetmyer home did not really

By Brandon Corlette give me the chance to do as much as I should himron Hetmyer is have. Just after, there was one of the most-talked- a fitness test and I did not about cricketers on the pass the test because…I planet. Hetmyer has been in was not doing as much as I and out of the West Indies should have. I was dropped, teams, and has also lost his and then I went back and international retainer con- said this should not happen tract. One reason for that again. I worked and worked loss is that he twice failed as hard as possible, and the the fitness test within the following week I passed the season. test.

The left-handed batsman “The same thing came has said: "All of that was up again (fitness), but this

S

Hetmyer on fitness failures

time was because I got hit on my head in New Zealand," Hetmyer said on the Caribbean Cricket Podcast.

The Berbician has said he was told by the physiotherapists not to do physicals because of the impact of the hit he had sustained.

"I had the fitness test just before the Super50. During the Super50, I passed the fitness test, but the team was already picked. All things considered, (to regain) the fitness, I have worked extremely hard, because I know of the importance."

Hetmyer has said that currently he is trying to do more with the help of his wife, who pushes him to do more in his fitness game.

Asked if he can open the batting in Test cricket, Hetmyer has said he would be up for the challenge if given the opportunity, since he did that during his youth days. However, his preferred batting position is # 3.

"When I got into the Test

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Hetmyer showing some innovation

team and I batted at three, I developed a likeness (for that position). It is much easier for me; even if it's one ball, you can see what the bowler (is doing)," Hetmyer noted.

He disclosed that he still enjoys opening the batting to an extent, even when he did in the One-Day International against Australia.

"Red ball cricket is something I still enjoy playing.

For me, to play red-ball is really a mindset, because at the moment I have been

playing a lot of T20 cricket and it is something I developed that likeness for. With Test cricket, I have to develop that likeness and start thinking back about it. It's a mindset for me," Hetmyer has said.

The aggressive batsman has said he always feels good about his game, even though he is not always making runs. "Right now, I think my game is at a good place, but there is room for improvement," he added.

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Wins for Red Dragons, Blue Dolphins in Rising Stars U-19 round one

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ed Dragons have won their game against Green Patriots by 50 runs at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua, while Blue Dolphins have won their game against Yellow Flamingoes by three wickets at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

Batting first at Sir Vivian Richards cricket ground, Flamingoes reached 247-6 in 50 overs, while the Dolphins overhauled that score to attain victory in 49.2 overs when they ended on 249-7.

For the Flamingoes, Anderson Amurdan made an unbeaten 117, while Kyle Kissondath made 76.

Guyana's Matthew Nandu made 10.

Bowling for the Dolphins, Tiron Chase claimed 3-50 while Guyanese Isai Thorne claimed 1-52 in 10 overs.

In the chase, the Dolphins were propelled

by Jordan Johnson's 71 and Justin Jaggesar’s 52.

Chaedon Raymond had 2-41.

In the other match, Dragons batted first and posted 256 all out in 47.5 overs. John Layne made 47, while Amrit Dass scored 34 and Guyanese Mavindra Dindyal made 13. Jaden Carmichael took 3-41.

In reply, Pistons were rolled over for 206 in 44.1 overs. Givonte Depezia made 70 in a losing effort, while Guyanese Rampertab Ramnauth made 12. Tyran Theodore claimed 2-25.

CWI to livestream U-19 matches

West Indies fans across the Caribbean and around the world would be able

Blue Dolphins vs Red Dragons CCG) Green Pitons vs Yellow Flamingos (SVRS) Saturday, August 14: 1st vs 2nd Place match (CCG) 3rd vs 4th Place match (SVRS)

FULL SQUADS

Sir Curtly sharing his knowledge with the U-19 boys

to follow the next generation of exciting young West Indies cricketers pushing for selection for the ICC U19 World Cup. CWI today announced that it would be streaming LIVE ball-byball coverage of four of the forthcoming West Indies Rising Stars U19s trial series from Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua.

The Series of eight (8) 50-over Rising Stars U19s trial matches started on Sunday at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) and the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (SVRS). A total of 56 players have been divided into four squads of 14 players. The first match played at the CCG was between the “Red Dragons” and the “Green Pitons”, while the “Yellow Flamingos” faced the Blue Dolphins at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (SVRS).

First ball was at 9:30 hrs (8:30hrs Jamaica Time).

The Rising Stars U19 trials will continue on Tuesday and Thursday, and the top two teams will face each other on Saturday at the CCG. The third and fourth-placed teams would be contesting at SVRS. All four of the trial matches to be played at CCG will be available on www. windiescricket.com and the “Windies Cricket” YouTube channel https://bit.ly/ WindiesCricketYouTube.

There will also be scores, statistical information, and photographs provided on CWI’s social media platforms throughout the day.

The trial matches form part of the West Indies Rising Stars U19s High Performance camp, which is a key component of the CWI investment in development and preparation of the players for the ICC U19 World Cup, to be played in the West Indies early next year. Following the Rising

Stars U19 camp and the trial matches, a squad of 18 players will be selected for the West Indies Rising Stars U19 tour of England, which will feature six Youth One-Day Internationals at The County Ground at Beckenham and The Polo Farm at Canterbury from Saturday, September 4 to Friday, September 17.

Rising Stars U19 Trial Match Schedule – All matches 9:30 start local time (8:30 Jamaica time)

Matches in bold italics to be live-streamed

Sunday, August 8:

Red Dragons vs Green Pitons (CCG) Yellow Flamingos vs Blue Dolphins (SVRS)

Tuesday, August 10:

Blue Dolphins vs Green Pitons (CCG) Red Dragons vs Yellow Flamingos (SVRS) Thursday, August 12:

Red Dragons:” Nicholas Lewin, Aaron Bankay, Mavindra Dindyal, Steven Wedderburn, Kwame Patton, Kamario Grant, Tamari Redwood, Onaje Amory, Johan Layne, Romario Brathwaite, Tyran Theodore, Isiah Gomez, Amrit Dass, Nimar Bolden.

Green Pitons: Shaq Parris, Hakeem Perryman, Rampertab Ramnauth, Kyle Roopchand, Giovonte Depeiza, Devonie Joseph, Kelvin Pittman, Tariq O'Neale, Gavasta Edmund, Matthew Gittens, Andel Gordon, Jaden Carmichael, Nick Ramlal, Rivaldo Clarke.

Yellow Flamingos: Anderson Armadan, Matthew Nandu, Teddy Bishop, Achilles Brown, Justin Beckford, Kyle Kissoondath, McKenny Clarke, Anderson Mahase, Nathan Edward, Chaedon Raymond, Shiva Sankar, Brandon English, Vasant Singh, Carlon Tuckett.

Blue Dolphins: Oneil Roberts, Justin Jaggesar, Akeem Auguste, Tariq Mohammed, Jordan Johnson, Rajeev Ramnauth, Sion Hackett, Keygan Arnold, Akadianto Willett, Tiron Charles, Isai Thorne, Udell Preville, Javid Simpson, Jeremiah Cruickshank

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW!

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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Masterful Mendes storms to Ricks and Sari's Regan Rodrigues Memorial cycling win

with five miles in the race to go because the plan was to get one or two of our boys in front. It worked out for us, and I managed to beat the boys," Mendes told Guyana Times Sport.

The sponsors Ricks and Sari graced the race with their presence, while the Guyana Police Force played their part to ensure a smooth race.

The late Regan Rodrigues was a former member of the Carlton Wheelers Cycling Club and a race car driver.

He was born on February

Champion female rider Suzanne Hamilton Story and Photos by Brandon Corlette

V

eteran Alex Mendes has shown his experience in Sunday's 44-mile Ricks and Sari Regan Rodrigues Memorial cycle race by winning the event in one hour 40 minutes and 26 seconds.

In steaming conditions, the cyclists engaged each other in battle from Schoonord, West Bank Demerara to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo, and returned for the grand finish at the point of origin.

Mendes emerged the best sprinter in the end, ahead of Team Alanis's Kemuel Moses (second) and the veteran Paul Choo-wee-Nam who came in third. Fresh

from a win in the ancient counA representative of Ricks and Sari ty, Andre making presentation to Mendes 'Padlock' Green rode in her category, followed by solo in fourth position, while Clavicia Spencer. Kennard Warren McKay completed Lovell was the oldest cythe sprint in the peloton to clist that crossed the finclaim fifth position and Paul ishing line. Ian Jackson De Nobrega came in sixth. emerged winner of the overTeam Evolution rid- 50 category, clocking in at er De Nobrega bagged two one hour 25 minutes, while sprint prizes, as did Choo- Talim Shaw came in second Wee-Nam; while Mendes and Kennard Lovell came in and Moses each took one. third.

In the junior category, outChampion rider Mendes standing Berbician Mario has described the race as a Washington rode in first, good one from the start, and while Alexander Leung and he disclosed that his team Aaron Newton rounded out had a plan to make it hard the top three juniors. early for other riders.

Impressive National fe"Eventually we had a male champion Suzanne break, and couple of us went Hamilton emerged victor down the road. The strate-

Warren McKay taking down the pack in a tense sprint home

gy worked, and about four or five of my team mates were with me. We had num-

bers on the break, so one of us had to be in front at the end. We started attacks

21, 1948 and passed away on August 4, 2004.

Ramson again delivers on his promises: Port Mourant, Line Path and Rose Hall Canje get lights

Minister Ramson has again delivered on a promise (Brandon Corlette photos)

By Brandon Corlette in Berbice

T

he Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, and his Ministry have again delivered on promises made, as three venues across the county of Berbice have received lights on Sunday.

These venues are the Rose Hall Community Centre at East Canje, the Line Path Community Centre at Springlands, Corriverton, and the Port Mourant Community

Lights presented to Port Mourant

Centre near Rose Hall Town on the Corentyne.

These packages of lights, are in the ten-million-dollar allocation to the Community Centre Grounds upon which the Government of Guyana has embarked.

On Sunday, these three venues received 50-foot concrete poles, cross arms, 100-watt flood lamps and 800-watt LED lamps.

Minister Ramson has also disclosed that each of these grounds would receive tractor lawn mowers, which are expected to ar-

rive in Guyana next month.

"Our Government is about delivering on promises. I have been here (at Port Mourant) several times now, the first time was to assess, the second part was to report to the cabinet, and start to decide what we are going to do based on the neglect we have seen over the past five years.

“That is why the cabinet made a decision to do larger allocations for these grounds. We have done 25 grounds and (have spent) 10 million (on) every ground," Ramson explained.

This Minister, who continues to touch bases across all these grounds, has had a first-hand perspective of the grounds. He noted that he had a fairly good assessment of these venues to optimise the usage of these venues.

At one of Ramson's earlier visits to Port Mourant, his Ministry had said they would be aiming to include a solid volleyball court, a playground, a batting cage (nets), lights, and the renovation of the pavilion in the work scheduled.

Back in June 2021, the National Assembly approved $186.4 million

to facilitate more infrastructural works through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s Ground Enhancement Programme.

The Ministry has allocated some $1.5 billion towards sports development, of which $915.5 million would go towards improvement of community grounds countrywide. Work would include establishment of multi-purpose, sporting facilities of international standard in Regions Two, Six and Ten. Among the sports grounds slated to be upgraded in 2021 are: Reliance, Queenstown,

Affiance, Cornelia Ida, Tuschen, Meten-Meer-Zorg, Zeelugt, Zeeburg, Goed Fortuin, Success, Buxton, Enterprise, Better Hope, Enmore, Bath Settlement, Blairmont, Bush Lot, Cotton Tree, Port Mourant, Line Path Skeldon and Rose Hall/Canje In addition to upgrading the grounds, the Culture Ministry will be constructing mini stadiums in Regions Two, Six and Ten. These will be located at the Anna Regina Community Centre, Albion Community Ground, and at the Mackenzie Sports Club.

MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 2021

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

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Masterful Mendes storms to Ricks and Sari’s Regan Rodrigues Memorial cycling win Page 21

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