Guyana Times - Monday, February 21, 2022

Jumo crowned 2022 Soca Monarch

P14 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4927

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022

3 feared dead, 1 survives after fishing trawler reportedly capsizes Missing: Captain Harold Damon

Missing: Ronald Burton

Missing: Winston Sam

...families of missing fishermen seek answers See story on page 2 …Govt launches probe

Oil produced from Liza Phase 2 “lighter and sweeter” than regional average – S&P ...should command higher price Hundreds turn out for Govtsponsored farmers' market

PRICE

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Berbice man busted with P8 $17.5M worth of cocaine stashed in fried rice

Rapist seeking to overturn conviction, 28-year jail sentence P10

Page 7

Page 12 & 13

“Safety of Guyanese P population is our 11 absolute priority” – MARAD’s Director Unvaccinated woman latest COVID-19 death

…7 persons in ICU, 18 new cases P10

Eccles-to- P3 Mandela Road to be completed within a month

P9 Guyana’s energy demand expected to triple by 2026 – expert …says gas-to-power, Amaila hydro projects important

…another being planned for Square of Revolution – Agri Minister

2 NEWS 3 feared dead, 1 survives after fishing trawler reportedly capsizes MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

...families of missing fishermen seek answers …Govt launches probe

T

hree fishermen are feared dead after their trawler reportedly capsized in the Atlantic Ocean some 18 miles off of the Mahaicony Coast on Saturday morning.

A fourth crew member survived the ordeal after being rescued by another fishing boat and was brought to shore on Saturday afternoon.

Missing are the 44-yearold Captain, Harold Damon of Lot 4 Water Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown; 78-year-old Ronald Burton of Lot 23 Water Street, Agricola, and 47-year-old Winston Sam of Lot 32 Public Road, McDoom, Greater Georgetown.

Guyana Times was informed that the surviving fisherman, Vincent Dazzell, told family members of the three missing men that the vessel, which is owned by Nobel House Seafoods, start-

ed taking in water early Saturday morning.

Dazzell, who is also from Agricola, claimed that he was awoken by the captain sometime after 06:00h to check the boat, when he saw the engine room, ice-hold and ladder were already under water.

At that point, the captain called in to alert Nobel House but lost connection whilst talking to them, the survivor related. He further recalled that as the boat sank deeper, they also lost control of the vessel.

The man told the concerned family members that the crew were separated on two sides of the boat – he was with the captain. Dazzell related that the captain instructed him to cut the lifeboat and went inside to get his phone so that he could try calling for help, when the boat capsized and reported-

ly pinned the three missing men.

The survivor informed relatives that he was in the water for some time before being rescued by another boat. The fisherman claimed that they circled the area for some three hours before heading back to shore.

Upon arrival, he went to Nobel House and informed the managers there of what transpired.

However, the family members of the three missing men are all fuming with anger over how the matter is being handled by the company.

They argued that not only did the company fail to inform them of the incident but claimed that it is withholding information from them.

According to Captain Damon’s wife, Tonszadel, “We thought that it just happen because this was till

Missing: Captain Harold Damon

Missing Ronald Burton

around 7 (pm) that we get the call. But then we get to know that is since the morning the thing happen. The guy who survive [later on] said the boss take him to Woodlands to get check-up and so. So, all this happen nobody tell we anything,” the distraught woman added.

In fact, it was Damon’s family who informed the families of Sam and Burton about the incident.

Tonszadel further related that it was not until family members of all three men went to Noble House to enquire about the incident that they were informed.

However, this was not before the worried relatives began creating a raucous that a manager finally came out to see them.

“The manager took a while to come and then when he did, he told us that the

Missing Winston Sam

boat went down. He said only one survivor came in [Saturday afternoon] and that he was at the station, and that it had other boats and trawlers out there looking for the other three missing crew members,” Sam’s brother-in-law, Terrence Bobb, told this newspaper.

However, the families later learnt that no reports were made to the Police until Sunday morning.

TURN TO PAGE 16

NEWS

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Monday, Feb 21 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Tuesday, Feb 22 – 09:00h – 10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, Feb 21 – 07:10h – 08:40h and Tuesday, Feb 22 – 07:45h – 09:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be thundery showers and light rain during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies and thundery showers at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 07:35h and 20:01h reaching maximum heights of 2.67 metres and 2.6 metres.

Low Tide: 13:32h reaching a minimum height of 0.53 metre.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS D

03 06 08

24 26 28

FREE TICKET

21 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

01 02 16 17 20 LUCKY 3

0

4

6

2

Afternoon Draw

2

2

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01 08 11 12 14 20 21 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2022

01 03 05 07 10 13

03 06 11 12 16

6

8 Afternoon Draw

FP Afternoon Draw

2

3 Evening Draw

3X Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$93.54/barrel

+0.61

Rough Rice

$272.88/ton

0.00

London Sugar

$484.90/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1899.70

$1900.70

Low/High Change

$1897.00 +0.50

$1910.10 +0.03%

Eccles-to-Mandela Road to be completed within a month

T

raffic congestion on the East Bank of Demerara and in the Greater Georgetown area will soon be eased with the completion of the much-anticipated Eccles to Mandela four-lane road project.

Sharing some updated photos of the near completed project, President Dr Irfaan Ali on his Facebook page on Sunday said, “Soon, the Mandela to Eccles four-lane alternative road link will be completed and open to the public. This will significantly reduce the traffic congestion on East Bank Demerara”.

Contacted for more information on the project, Housing Minister Collin Croal told Guyana Times on Sunday that he does not want to put a timeline to the project but reassured that it will be within a month’s time.

“We just have one more bridge to complete and some minor works. So, it will definitely be soon…

Let’s say within the next month,” Minister Croal indicated.

Last month, the housing minister had told this newspaper that the project would be completed by February month-end. He was at the time talking about budget allocations to improve road connectivity under his ministry this year.

“You have the final set of payments to be made on the current four-lane from Mandela to Eccles… And so, within the first quarter, persons can be able to access (the road),” Minister Croal explained.

Work on constructing the $2.3 billion fourlane highway from Eccles to Mandela started in April 2021.

Contracts were signed with six contractors, each given a lot, and they were supposed to have been completed by

Final works being conducted to have the road completed within the next month

December 2021.

However, inclement weather resulted in the project, which will be important in alleviating traffic build-up on the East Bank, being delayed.

The Eccles to Mandela four-lane project is a result of efforts by the Dr Irfaan Ali-led Government to ease the traffic congestion on the East Bank, which not only leads to the country’s main port of entry – Cheddi Jagan International Airport – but also fields traffic coming from West Demerara.

Already, the Housing

A section of the Eccles-Mandela four-lane road

Minister has constructed an alternative road from Diamond Housing Scheme to Mocha on the East Bank to divert traffic from the public road. That project was completed to the tune of $5 billion and opened last December in time for the Christmas holidays.

These projects run alongside the India-funded bypass road project which would link the East Bank Demerara corridor to the East Coast of Demerara, creating a new highway in the backlands.

The Indian Government had provided a US$50 mil-

lion Line of Credit (LOC) for the road link that was initially slated for Ogle, ECD, to Diamond. Under the previous Government, the project was at a standstill for several years.

The People’s Progressive Party Administration has since redesigned the project into three phases to fit the LOC. It will now run from Ogle to Haags Bosch at Eccles in the first phase, then from Eccles to Diamond, and finally from Diamond to Timehri to connect to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). (G8)

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022

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

The UN Security Council and the Ukraine stand-off

T

he temperature has been steadily rising over the stand-off between Russia and NATO/EU/US over Ukraine’s signalled intent to become a member of NATO. Russia claims that NATO is a Cold War, obsolete institution; yet given NATO/EU’s steady eastward absorption of the USSR’s ex-members and Comintern, it is defining them as an enemy to be contained.

This situation was exacerbated by Russia’s claim that the US broke an agreement not to base missiles in Turkey and Romania.

The Russians have massed troops on the eastern Ukraine border for months and supported an uprising in the contiguous provinces of Ukraine where large numbers of Russians reside.

An invasion by Russia has been predicted by US President Joe Biden. However, the Russians have vehemently denied such plans. The military stand-off is amplified by US’s concerns about the increased leverage Russia would be in a position to apply to the members of NATO through the supply of natural gas that is critical to EU members surviving their brutal winters. At this point, it appears to be a game of chicken with each side expecting the other to blink first.

For the rest of the world, however, the situation is very alarming, since these countries are not just rattling sabres but nuclear weapons. It was not very comforting to have Russian President Vladimir Putin oversee nuclear exercises in his country two days ago. While it may appear that the feared Russian invasion and Western response are quite remote from Guyana, the Russians have already threatened that if the US and NATO do not appreciate its strategic concerns of encirclement, it may respond in kind in America’s backyard as it did during the Cold War with its missiles in Cuba – by now arming Venezuela. The US has made no secret of its desire to see the back of the leftist Maduro regime and has imposed sanctions on that country for its anti-democratic actions against its citizens. During this standoff, the Russians have been one of the staunchest supporters of the Maduro regime, as they were of Castro’s in the 60s.

But as war drums intensify, the question is: what has the Security Council of the United Nation that was formed to deal with such contingencies, been doing? After all, the Security Council is empowered to impose binding obligations on the 193 UN Member States to maintain peace. The Council’s five permanent and 10 elected members meet regularly to assess threats to international security, including civil wars, natural disasters, arms proliferation, and terrorism.

The dilemma, of course, is that Russia and the US are two of the five permanent members (P5) of the Security Council with veto powers on the decision-making process. However, the Security Council did meet at the end of January to “deescalate” the crisis. What actually happened was that each of the parties simply reiterated their position. Under Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo emphasised that “any escalation or new conflict would deal another serious blow to the architecture so painstakingly built up over the last 75 years to maintain international peace and security”.

The US Representative to the UN warned that Russia’s action “not only threatens Ukraine, it threatens Europe and the international order. If Russia further invades Ukraine, none of us will be able to say we didn't see it coming. And the consequences will be horrific, which is why this meeting is so important today.”

Russia’s Ambassador, Vasily Nebenzia denied once again that his country had any plans to invade Ukraine, accusing the US of calling the meeting to “whip up hysteria. We just don't understand what we are discussing here today and why we are indeed here."

The Ukrainian Representative promised, “Ukraine is not going to launch a military offensive, neither in Donbas nor in Crimea, nor anywhere else. Ukraine sees no alternative to peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict and restoration of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The UN Security Council a must do better.

People dressed in traditional Czech folklore costumes dance as they parade through the village of Blatno, part of the Hlinsko town near the east Bohemian city of Pardubice, Czech Republic, during the traditional Masopust carnival celebration (AFP photo)

Guyana is on the rise!

Dear Editor, March 06, 2022 will mark the Twenty-Fifth death anniversary of the father of our great Nation, Dr. Cheddi Jagan. As expected, his works, qualities, and teaching are recognisably endowed in many of our current leaders cultured by the PPP party, who are advancing the transformative agenda and rise of Guyana today.

This year, we also celebrate thirty years since the dawn of a New Era, emerging from the re-establishment of democracy in 1992. It is therefore appropriate and useful to take time out to recognise, support, and applaud the continued contribution of another special and justifiably revered son of our soil, given that he unrelentingly continues to provide invaluable unselfish support and guidance.

Please permit me to recognise our Honourable Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, a man of unquestionable character, who emerged from humble beginnings to serve with distinction as one of our country’s iconic presidents from 1999 to 2011.

As a backdrop, it is useful to note that under the admirable stewardship of the PPPC officials in Government, the take-off is witnessed, observed, and set for inclusive participation and benefit by hundreds of thousands of Guyanese at home and in the diaspora, coupled with the millions of global followings of the augmentation of our potential to realise a thematic fulfillment of tremendous nationwide development.

Evidencing this dynamic movement, world leaders, along with myriad technical personalities, are currently in Guyana, participating in the highly successful International Energy Conference and Exposition, promoting engagements towards “Chartering a Sustainable Energy Future.”

The PPP/C Government is focused on a Sustainable Development Charter, guided by men and women of substance. Following more than 28

years as the main Opposition, due to fraudulent electoral practices by the then PNC party, the PPP/C won power in 1992, and immediately commenced the transformation of this country into a better place to live. However, it was within the vision of Dr. Cheddi Jagan that the Golden Boy Bharrat Jagdeo was identified as a potential Leader who would be capable and ready to take the reins of continuance to make Guyana a better place.

Young Jagdeo was appointed Finance Minister, and then he was groomed in the PPP leadership to give quality guidance to our Government.

Following party-based elevation due to his demonstrated potential and nurture, Bharrat Jagdeo, at age 35, was subsequently elected as President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana in August 1999. He swiftly demonstrated his valuable quality as a leader, evidenced by a wide plethora of achieved and measured achievements and international accreditations, a few of which this column is pleased to highlight. In 2005, President Jagdeo was elected as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. It was no surprise when, in 2006, The World Economic Forum (WEF) identified Jagdeo as one of their inaugural Young Global Leaders.

The prestigious Times Magazine named Jagdeo as one of their “Heroes of the Environment” in 2008, and he was awarded the United Nations “Champion of the Earth” in 2010. Also in 2010, the Secretary-General of the United Nations asked Jagdeo to serve on the Secretary General’s High-level Advisory Group on Climate Financing.

Jagdeo is a Patron of the Delhibased World Sustainable Development Forum. In 2011, Heads of State and other leaders from the World’s rainforest countries asked him to be the “Roving Ambassador for the Three Basins” (Amazon, Congo

Basin, South East Asia).

In March 2012, the world’s largest environmental organisation, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), announced that President Jagdeo would become the ICUN High-Level Envoy for Sustainable Development in Forest Countries, and Patron of Nature. In addition, he is also the President of the assembly of the Koreabased Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), having been a Founding Board Member of GGGI since 2010. GGGI is the world’s newest international organisation that currently has a complement of twenty member states.

In 2013, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma announced that former President Jagdeo would lead a high-level team of experts to identify solutions for unlocking resources to enable small, poor, and climate-vulnerable Commonwealth countries to combat climate change.

The former President, whose related works in the field are second to none, was joined by eight others to create a set of recommendations for the international community to help identify practical solutions for those countries most vulnerable to climate change. Jagdeo presented the report to 53 heads of Government and other leaders of the Commonwealth, representing about the fifth of the World’s population at the 2014 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

It is recalled that Jagdeo travelled from the 2015 CHOGM to participate in the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change summit in Warsaw, where he spoke of the outcomes of CHOGM and the need for continued leadership from Prime Ministers and Presidents.

In a major speech in Warsaw, he stated: “In the next 24 months, much progress needs to be made if we are

going to have a climate agreement. We can still stop the absolute worst extremes of climate change, and start the massive shift towards global low carbon development. The world tried to do this in 2009 in Copenhagen and failed.

As a consequence, more people will die, more livelihoods will be destroyed, more economies will suffer, and the cost of action has gone up steadily. If we fail again in 2015, the damage and the costs will become truly unmanageable. Future generations will ask: how could we be so selfish, not once, but twice?”

As a testimony to his broadened international repertoire, it is factual that, in March 2013, the ACP Council of Ministers inaugurated a 14-member Eminent Persons Group (EPG) whose mission was to provide guidance and concrete recommendations for the future of the ACP Group. The 14 members of this group, who met in Brussels, designated the former Nigerian President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as their chairperson, with Jagdeo designated as one of two vicechairs. Jagdeo has also been a Guest Lecturer at Columbia University (New York City, USA), York University (Toronto, Canada), Trent University (Peterborough, Canada), the University of Toronto, United Nations University (Tokyo, Japan), and the University of the West Indies. He has also taken part in Trent University’s Carbon Conversation, focusing on the need to sustainably decarbonise the global economy.

President Irfaan Ali is also doing extremely well in guiding our brilliant young Cabinet members to provide the Guyanese population with exemplary leadership and unflinching support that will certainly make Guyana a paradise with the continued support of our leaders.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022

5

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

Major noise nuisance PAC should not allow this travesty to continue!

Dear Editor, Since writing on May 10, 2021, on the urgent need to get the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) operational, this important body has still not yet been constituted, while a holdover staff of 20 languishes for 16 months without leadership.

The term of the last Public Procurement Commission (PPC) that was initially set in motion in 2016, expired on October 27, 2019; but 2 Commissioners were each granted a one-year extension (until October 2020) in accordance with the Constitution. Thus, from October 2020, there has been no oversight in the contracting process. For how long more would this unsatisfactory situation persist?

The PPC is an independent body that is responsible for the investigation of irregularities in the contracting process and to recommend remedial measures. It also monitors the contracting process of agencies to ensure they comply with rules and protocols.

The purpose of the PPC as set out in Article 212 (a)(a) of the Guyana Constitution, “is to monitor public procurement to ensure …fairness, equity, transparency, value for money and competition…. (and) that the procedures of public procurement are executed in accordance with the Laws

of Guyana.” While the PPC has no enforcement authority, it could make recommendations to Parliament for corrective measures, including the application of sanctions.

The protracted delay in the appointment of this body tends to undermine the notion of good governance, inclusive of transparency and accountability, qualities that are foundational to carrying out the responsibilities set out in the Procurement Act. The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament should desist from engaging in parliamentary manoeuvres and proceed immediately to send for parliamentary approval the 5 nominees as Commissioners.

Chair of PAC, Mr Jermaine Figueira has signalled some movement when he said that they are waiting on background checks on 3 nominees from the Commissioner of Police.

Assuming that exercise is completed within the next few days, recommendations for PPC appointments could be sent to Parliament before month end.

There is also a concern raised about ‘conflict of interest’ that may apply to a couple of nominated members. The practical issue here is: “who determines if a candidate has a conflict of interest?” Other jurisdictions have established a

Conflict-of-Interest Board (CIB) to address such concerns. Given the huge amount of Government contracts that are awarded, it is important therefore that consideration be given to the establishment of such a Board. In addition, Parliament must understand that there could never be a perfect candidate for any position. It should therefore not make perfection the enemy of the good.

The PAC Chair is reminded that the PPC has been one of the signature projects of his party (APNU/AFC) which they claim would be another layer of transparency and accountability in the process towards good governance.

It is reasonable to expect therefore that the PAC under Mr Figueira’s leadership move now to have these nominees approved

by Parliament. The PAC cannot continue to pay staff of an agency whose decision-making authority, the Public Procurement Commission, is not in place.

Furthermore, the outgoing Chair of PPC Carol Corbin says that the delay is putting vital procurement reforms at risk. Parliament should not allow this ugly situation to continue any further.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

APNU/AFC MPs should work to represent the views of people who voted for them Dear Editor, APNU+AFC’s representation of the people who voted for them should begin in Parliament. They have been elected to sit on the Opposition benches and make a serious contribution to the discourse on matters of national importance.

To date, there has been an awful lot of puerile behaviour, and very little sub-

stance from those benches.

The use of the racial epithet ‘house negro’ in the abuse of the Personal Assistant to the Speaker, Ean McPherson, is but one example. Why then would a private organisation invite this group to the Energy Conference? What positives do they bring to the table? We know the negatives.

Editor, I would humbly

suggest that the APNU+AFC Members of Parliament work to first represent the views of the people who voted for them, and then on earning the salaries and perks of office as provided by taxpayers, before they seek the additional privilege of free entry to private events.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

Very proud of Guyana and her esteemed young President Dear Editor, I don't know who needs to hear this, but I am so heart-bustlingly proud of the Government of the Republic of Guyana and of her esteemed President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who over the past few days, has shown the entire world that he is made of very fine annealed steel.

If a picture paints a thousand words, the pho-

tographs from the Energy Conference have written a tome. A biography of a man whose journey is only in its infancy and who, with his steadfast and brilliant partner at his side, may yet help change this tired old world of ours.

Guyana is in very capable hands as she lifts off and begins to soar and I am tremendously glad to have lived to see this day for

which I prayed for so very many years.

Those with stones and other projectiles, please form an orderly queue and wait your collective and individual turns.

No pushing and shoving, please. You're in the new 592 area code now.

Sincerely, Faye Elizabeth Alleyne

Dear Editor, Kindly permit me to express myself while also assisting other residents of Alexander Village and West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who had also complained to me on umpteen occasions about a most dreadful noise nuisance that reaches its apex in the wee hours of the mornings when persons would need to rest to have a productive day ahead.

The Lux Bar is located at 159 Third St, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Frequent noise exposure can have serious implications on the health and wellbeing of a community.

As advised by a doctor, it was related that it can increase heart rate leading to elevated blood pressure, sleep deprivation, headaches and migraines, psychological triggers for people with PTSD, anxiety amongst other health-related issues.

I am calling on the relevant Task Force within the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Guyana Police Force to investigate and speak with residents of the community in expressing their frustrations.

No one has a problem with any bar that operates and plays their music until midnight with the appropriate consideration for the wellbeing of others.

However, when a new day begins, many persons need their rest for the day ahead and being disturbed from your rest by loud music and the commotion of patrons who continuously litter, destroy the parapets of the roadways and block the entrance and exits of many property owners is not something those guilty of would welcome for themselves.

During the week and on weekends the loud blasting of music permeates the air. I have received several phone calls from other residents about their disgust while they related those persons responsible are at their respective homes sleeping comfortably without issues of noise nuisance contaminating their rest.

Secondly, did the Mayor and City Council give a permit for the operation of the Lux Bar in a neighbourhood that is not a designated zone for such activity, and

are they in possession of an operating licence from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)?

In curbing the noise nuisance, there should be continuous public education of the dangers to health and discomforts of excessive noise.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandated under the Environmental Protection Act, Chapter 20:05, Laws of Guyana, to stem the creation of pollution havens and preserve and protect the integrity of the natural environment.

Further, the Noise Management Regulations established in 2000 set standards and gave the Agency enforcement powers for noise management.

Activities producing noise from construction, installation, operation, modification, or extension of any facility must be authorised.

Anyone who wishes to operate a loudspeaker or any other sound-making device or equipment at a public space (e.g., barbecues, shows, nightclubs) or any private premises must seek permission from the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA). Depending on the nature of the activity, the EPA grants two types of noise permits – Short-Term Noise Permit and LongTerm Noise Permit.

What you need for a Short-Term Noise Permit: Police approval, Mayor and City Council approval, Guyana Fire Service permit, proof of event, affidavit, proof of rental (if you are renting the space), the appropriate fee and ID of the applicant.

I am sure there is no compliance with the aforementioned regulations being proceeded.

According to the EPA, the excessive emission of noise is an offence under the Environmental Protection (Noise Management) Regulations (2000).

Defaulters can be fined up to $700,000 and face up to one year’s imprisonment.

We have laws in Guyana to maintain a properly functioning society and as such, all relevant laws should be either enforced and if not removed from the legislature if it does not serve their intended purpose.

With regards, Concerned citizen

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

Calculating probabilities

P

robability is the likelihood of something happening in the future.

Knowing how to calculate probability will help you predict future events, although not with 100 per cent accuracy. The simple formula to figure out probability (P) is the number of favourable outcomes divided by the total number of possible outcomes (o). You could express this formula as an equation: P = f/o Example: If you roll one die of a pair of dice, there are six possible outcomes. Each die is a cube with six sides. Each side has a different number of spots. The die could show 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 spots.

What is the probability of the side with three spots being on top after the die is thrown? The probability of rolling a 3 = 1/6.

What is the probability of a 5 or a 6 or a 4 not being on top after the die is thrown?

Step 1: Decide how many favourable outcomes there are. 6 – 3 = 3 Step 2: Set up your equation. P = 3/6 Step 3: You could simplify that equation 3/6 = 1/2 If you were to roll the die two times, you would have a favourable outcome one of those times.

Exercises: Calculate If there are 19 boys in your class of 38 students, what is the probability that your teacher will call a girl student’s name during class time?

You decide to watch a movie. There are five comedies in the stack of 15 DVDs. What is the probability you will pick a comedy?

Lui knows that twice a week his mom cooks chowmein for dinner.

What is the probability that tonight Lui will not have chowmein?

Saturday’s answers Ducks can swim, breathe air, and have legs.

Dodos and passenger pigeons are extinct.

By Edna St Vincent Millay

I

n this fun and easy rocket science and space science experiment for kids, we’re going to show you how to make an easy constellation projector.

Materials:

Empty oatmeal container with lid Nail Scissors Flashlight Pencil

Instructions:

Draw your favourite constellation onto the lid of your oatmeal container.

Now use the nail to poke out holes in the place of stars of your constellation.

Cut a hole in the bottom of your oatmeal container that is big enough to fit the flashlight through.

Put the lid onto your oatmeal container.

Go into a dark room, turn on your flashlight, and project your constellation onto the wall or ceiling.

I shall go back again to the bleak shore And build a little shanty on the sand, In such a way that the extremest band Of brittle seaweed will escape my door But by a yard or two; and nevermore Shall I return to take you by the hand; I shall be gone to what I understand, And happier than I ever was before.

The love that stood a moment in your eyes, The words that lay a moment on your tongue, Are one with all that in a moment dies, A little under-said and over-sung.

But I shall find the sullen rocks and skies Unchanged from what they were when I was young.

How it works:

The light from the flashlight will shine through the holes and project your constellation as little dots of light on the wall or ceiling. In ancient times, constellations were used to keep track of calendars and help with navigation.

Make this a science project:

Try using toilet paper and paper towel rolls instead of the empty oatmeal container. (sciencefun. org)

“The best way to gain self-confidence is to do what you are afraid to do” – Swati Sharma

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Oil produced from Liza Phase 2 “lighter and sweeter” than regional average – S&P

...should command higher price

T

he crude oil being produced at Liza Phase 2, which began producing oil earlier this month, is not only lighter than the regional average, but is even lighter in quality than the oil in Liza Phase 1 development in the Stabroek Block.

This is according to energy and commodity market analyst S&P Global Platts, which published a report in which it cited ExxonMobil’s own pre-production assay for the crude oil from Liza Phase 2 development.

According to S&P Platts, the “Unity gold” as the oil from the Liza Phase 2 development has been dubbed, has an average of 33.5 API (American Petroleum Institute) gravity and 0.42 per cent sulphur.

“That makes it lighter and sweeter than many

other more carbon-intensive crude oil blends being produced in Latin America, and slightly lighter and sweeter than original Liza, which has an API of 32 degrees and sulphur content of 0.58 per cent,” S&P Platts said.

Lighter crude also means that less refining will have to be done. Guyana’s oil from the Stabroek Block already has a reputation for being light. At one point last year when Guyana went out to tender in search for a firm to market its crude, as many as 29 bids were received from companies around the world.

India has also expressed an interest in buying crude from Guyana, including through a long-term agreement. Last year, one million barrels of oil from Guyana was bought by HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd (HMEL), a joint

venture between State-run Hindustan Petroleum Corp and Indian steel tycoon LN Mittal.

Liza Phase 2 began producing oil earlier this month.

In fact, this will bring Guyana’s oil production capacity to 340,000 barrels per day (bpd) following the commencement of production at the Liza Phase 2 project.

It was explained at the time that production at the <<<Liza Unity>>> FPSO vessel is expected to reach its target of 220,000 barrels of oil later this year, as operations continue to be brought safely online.

ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027. This includes the Payara and Yellowtail developments, while Exxon also seeks approval for the

Uaru development.

In fact, $88 million was approved in Budget 2022 for a consultancy firm to review the Field Development Plan for Uaru, which if approved will be of Exxon’s fifth oil development in the Stabroek Block.

In January 2020, ExxonMobil announced that Uaru-1 was the 16th discovery in the Stabroek Block.

The well encountered approximately 94 feet (29 metres) of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir and was drilled in 6342 feet (1933 metres) of water.

In April 2021, Uaru-2 was announced by the oil giant.

Drilling at Uaru-2 encountered approximately 120 feet (36.7 metres) of high-quality oil-bearing reservoirs including newly identified intervals below the original

An extract from the first oil at Liza Phase 2

Uaru-1 discovery. The well was drilled in 5659 feet (1725 metres) of water and is located approximately 6.8 miles (11 kilometres) south of the Uaru-1 well.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEGPL) is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Limited holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

The Stabroek Block’s recoverable resource base is currently estimated at more than 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels and has the potential to support up to 10 projects.

Govt mulls direct crude sales, instead of using crude marketer – Min Bharrat ...says process would be transparent

W

hile a decision has not been made yet, the Government is mulling whether to directly sell Guyana’s crude, rather than contracting the crude marketing firms it has been using to sell the country’s share of oil from the Stabroek Block.

In a recent interview with Guyana Times, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat spoke of the Government’s future approach to selling its share of crude oil while pointing out the benefits of ditching crude marketers and selling the oil directly, including increased savings for the Government.

“We have not taken a decision as to that. It makes practical sense for us to sell our crude. Our crude is sweet crude and in high demand all around the world. Presently we’re paying a marketing fee to market our crude from the Liza Destiny. Every lift, the Government of Guyana

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

would have to pay, as it is now, US$25,000 to market our crude.”

“If we can sell our crude and save that cost, then it makes perfect sense to sell it. It makes perfect sense to sell it to the person who would, of course, pay the Brent price, the market price. And who is in a position, financially and otherwise, to carry out the lift successfully,” Bharrat said.

According to the Minister, the Government

selling Guyana’s oil directly could take the spot of either on the spot sales, which has been done in the past or through a contractual arrangement. He emphasised, however, that a decision has not been taken yet, noting that it would be an open and transparent process.

Guyana officially completed its final oil lift for 2021 in November, with a little over one million barrels of oil being lifted from

the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel and sold by Saudi Aramco.

Prior to Saudi Aramco, Guyana had used the crude marketing services of Hess.

It had been announced recently by Minister Bharrat during the examination of the budget estimates that at least 90 crude lifts are expected for this year. This, the Minister had said at the time, is owing to the start-up of the Liza Unity FPSO. The Liza Phase 2 began producing oil earlier this month. In fact, this will bring Guyana’s oil production capacity to 340,000 barrels per day (bpd) following the commencement of production at the Liza Phase 2 project.

It was explained at the time that production at the Liza Unity FPSO vessel is expected to reach its target of 220,000 barrels of oil later this year, as operations continue to be brought safe-

ly online.

ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana will be online by 2027. This includes the Payara and the Yellowtail developments, while Exxon also seeks approval for the Uaru development.

In fact, $88 million was approved in Budget 2022 for a consultancy firm to review the Field Development Plan for Uaru, which if approved will be of Exxon’s fifth oil development in the Stabroek Block.

In January 2020, ExxonMobil announced that Uaru-1 was the 16th discovery in the Stabroek Block. The well encountered approximately 94 feet (29 metres) of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir and was drilled in 6342 feet (1933 metres) of water.

In April 2021, Uaru-2 was announced by the oil giant. Drilling at Uaru-2 encountered approximately 120 feet (36.7 metres)

of high-quality oil-bearing reservoirs including newly identified intervals below the original Uaru-1 discovery. The well was drilled in 5659 feet (1725 metres) of water and is located approximately 6.8 miles (11 kilometres) south of the Uaru-1 well.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres).

ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEGPL) is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Limited. holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

The Stabroek Block’s recoverable resource base is currently estimated at more than 10 billion oil-equivalent barrels and has the potential to support up to 10 projects.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice man busted with $17.5M worth of cocaine stashed in fried rice

A

New Yorkbound passenger was busted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with a large quantity of cocaine that was hidden in a bowl of fried rice.

Arrested is 28-yearold Esmond Jermaine Anderson of Number Five Village, West Coast Berbice, who was intercepted by the ranks of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU), who searched his luggage and unearthed the narcotic stashed away in his suitcase.

He was a passenger on an outgoing Jet Blue

Remembering…

Y

Airways Flight on Friday that was heading for the John F Kennedy (JFK)

Airport in New York City.

The cocaine found weighed 2.996 kg (6.6

pounds) and carries a street value of some $17.2 million.

…Burnham’s dictatorship esterday, some followers of Burnham commemorated his 99th Birthday. Well, what better to remember him than through the world of our greatest historian Walter Rodney. Who, an official COI determined, Burnham conspired to assassinate. While Rodney mocked Burnham - calling him, “King Kong”, “Fat Boy” and “Kabaka”, to prick his pomposity, he was assassinated for deconstructing Burnham’s dictatorship.

“The Burnham dictatorship has masked and camouflaged itself. It would prefer that its vices be hidden from the public. Why is this? Men in the past have boasted of being dictators….like Idi Amin. (But) The world has come to shun racist regimes…and all dictatorial governments. This climate of international opinion offers the first explanation as to why the Burnham dictatorship prefers to remain disguised.

“The Burnham dictatorship presents itself as its own opposite…as a democracy….(like) Hitler who subverted German bourgeois democracy in the 1930s. Burnham has taken a similar road to power – subverting the democratic system of which he was part in 1953. Hitler had a mad wish to rule the world. For this reason, he is generally described as a megalomaniac. Hitler’s megalomania was backed by the powerful German economy and the might of the German army. Burnham’s megalomania is closer to comedy and farce. It takes the form of wearing a General’s uniform and hoping that the army will conquer his own people.

“Like all classic dictatorships, that which exists in Guyana has fostered the cult of the personality. The minority PNC regime has used all manner of tricks and gimmicks to make the “Comrade Leader” appear to be a demi-god. (Like) on the exercise books of school children, the face of the reigning English Monarch was simply replaced by that of the Prime Minister. (There is also) the highly personalised nature of the dictatorship. The dictator and his cronies make it their business to hire and fire….(via) the state control over the economy was the main weapon used to keep people in line. (or) who to prosecute in the courts…

“Burnham encourages around himself individuals who are weak or corrupt, because he then exercises vicious control over them….On the international scene, Burnham could never be a powerful force. But he has proved crafty and cunning in achieving his ends within Guyana. An old woman at Bourda shouted at a recent political meeting that “Burnham mek Satan cry!”

“The Burnham dictatorship crept up upon Guyanese people like a thief in the night. His violations of human rights were frequent, but they were sufficiently gradual that many persons did not realise what was going on until it was too late.”

And then Rodney was assassinated! …to “Expose the Burnham Dictatorship” “We have said before that the Burnham dictatorship would prefer to hide under the disguise of being a democracy. Elections have not been abolished; instead they have been rigged in such a way as to become a complete mockery of the most fundamental of rights – the right to self-determination and free choice of one’s government.

The rigged elections of 1968 and 1973 and the amazing referendum fraud of July, 1978 all indicate that Guyanese people have not chosen the PNC clique. The regime holds power by armed force. Guyanese are finding from their own experience that the dictatorship hates to be reminded that it is a dictatorship. To expose the dictatorship, the first step is to denounce the government as illegal and illegitimate.”

“Psychologically, the domination of the dictator has to be rejected. The population must learn to despise the falsehoods which surround the man; they must refuse to accept that he has any halo of greatness around him. “ “They must remove any confusion in their own minds and see the dictator clearly for what he is: a villain and a monster, the principal enemy of the people.” …Burnham’s touch “Our language (describing Burnham) must express not only ridicule but anger and disgust. Guyana has seen the “Burnham Touch” – anything he touches turns to shit!”

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

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

9 Guyana’s energy demand expected to triple by 2026 – expert NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…says gas-to-power, Amaila hydro projects important

An artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project dam

Analyst at Americas Market Intelligence (AMI) and Africa Market Intelligence (AfMI), Arthur Deakin

W

ith the rate at which development is taking place, Guyana’s energy demand is expected to triple by 2026. And with this increase in energy demand, it will be necessary for Guyana to have large-scale projects capable of keeping up with this demand.

This is according to analyst at Americas Market Intelligence (AMI) and Africa Market Intelligence (AfMI), Arthur Deakin, who recently spoke at the International Energy Conference and Expo at the Marriott Hotel.

He explained that while the 300 MW gas-to-power project that would pipe gas from the Stabroek Block to the Wales Development Zone will satisfy a chunk of this demand, it will need help.

“That project will need to be complemented by solar panels in the hinterland, medium sized hydro projects such as Amaila and wind power coming off the Atlantic. This (energy) sector also includes opportunities related to the much-needed decentralisation of the grid, such as battery storage and the development of microgrids, two important tools in electrifying rural areas, preventing blackouts, and providing firm power to offset intermittency.”

“Guyana could also use its massive gas findings to produce blue hydrogen, which is the production of hydrogen using natural gas and carbon capture technology. This could be an extremely viable possibility

if Guyana moves forward with creating an industrial hub connected to the infrastructure of the proposed gas-to-energy plant,” Deakin also told delegates.

He noted that while there are challenges, such as with the wind farm development, it is believed that renewable energy is the sector with the greatest opportunity relative to risk. According to him, the right subsidies and framework will also attract the right investors.

In fact, one of the news coming out of the conference and expo is that a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is being negotiated between the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Hope Energy Development (HED) Incorporated.

The project’s General Manager John Sydow had been optimistic that they could start construction this year, if all goes well with such negotiations. However, everything hinges on the PPA.

When it comes to Amaila Falls, project leader for the gas-to-shore project Winston Brassington had announced during the expo that the project has a possible lifespan of 75 to 100 years and a US$700 million price tag - a reduction from the US$1 billion estimated cost, at the time when Blackstone Group was the developer involved in the project.

“This project has a long life. This could be 75, or 100 years. So, we are in essence paying for this project over 20 years. And that average price per kilowatt hour, that we are paying based on the response to the RFP, is about 7.7 cents.”

“So, we’re not putting any money. The average price measured over 20 years, will be about 7.7 cents. And this cost is largely the repayment of financing. The financing to build this project will be about US$700 million. All of that is being provided by the sponsor. And when this project is built

and handed over, the operating cost after 20 years will be 1 and a half cents.”

According to Brassington, Guyana would have therefore paid for a transformational project at a competitive price, after which the operational cost

would be minimal. He also emphasised that the project’s scope is more than hydro.

“It’s 165 megawatts of hydro, but it also includes 270 kilometres, double circuit, 230 KV transmission lines coming all the way from Amaila to Sophia. Now, that’s over 500 kilometres of transmission lines and right

now the entire transmission system of GPL is just over 200 kilometres.”

“So this is a significant transmission project. We will have two substations, one in Linden and one in Georgetown. So, we’re paying for the power delivered into our grid, into our central point in Georgetown.”

(G3)

10 NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Unvaccinated woman latest COVID-19 death …7 persons in ICU, 18 new cases

A

nother elderly person who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has died, according to the Health Ministry on Sunday.

This latest fatality is an 80-year-old female from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), who died on Sunday. She was unvaccinated at the time of her death.

With this, the total number of deaths from the pandemic in Guyana has gone up to 1211. Consequently, the COVID-19 death toll for the month of February is now 41.

Meanwhile, 18 more persons have tested positive for COVID-19 within a 24-hour period, which takes the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 62,656, according to the Health Ministry’s updated COVID-19 dashboard on Sunday.

Active cases in the country are now at 941 including seven patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care

Unit (ICU) and of the remaining persons, 69 are in institutional isolation and the other 865 in home isolation.

There are also four more persons institutional quarantine, according to Sunday’s dashboard.

So far, some 60,504 persons have recovered from the life-threatening disease.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, approximately 532,559 persons have been tested so far and of this, some 28,842 males and 33,814 females were found to be positive.

Of the 18 new cases reported on Sunday, one was from Region One (BarimaWaini), two cases from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), three from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), one more case from the Demerara-Mahaica region, another two cases from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), four cases from Region Six (East Berbice-

Corentyne), one each from Regions Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and the remaining three cases from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

There were no new cases recorded in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) within the 24-hour period.

Health authorities have been encouraging persons to get vaccinated, and for those who are qualified to get their booster shots, in order to add a layer of protection against the virus.

Latest figures show that so far, 429,982 adults or 83.8 per cent have taken a first dose and of that amount, some 324,175 or 63.2 per cent of persons 18 years and over are fully vaccinated.

For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, approximately 33,294 or 45.6 per cent have received their first dose, while some 23,914 or 32.8 per cent of them are ful-

Clothes vendor’s murder

Wanted man previously charged for armed robberies, harbouring fugitive

Wanted: Akeem Rajkumar called “Barney”

T

he man wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of 24-year-old Carlos Waithe who was shot dead earlier this month, is no stranger to law enforcement. In fact, Akeem Rajkumar called “Barney” was previously charged with armed robberies and harbouring a fugitive.

Rajkumar, 29, is last known to have resided at North East La Penitence, Georgetown, and Leopold Street, Georgetown. Waithe, 24, a clothes vendor of 2 Norton Street, Werk-enRust, Georgetown, was shot and killed on February 7 at Leopold Street while trying to part a fight between friends.

Waithe was consuming alcohol with friends in Charlestown, Georgetown, on the night of February 6 after which he told them he was leaving to head to a known bar in the same community.

It was reported that during the wee hours of February 7, Waithe, in the company of another friend, arrived at the bar, where one of his friends became involved in an argument with another patron.

The friend, Police said,

was then seen running east on Leopold Street towards Smyth Street, Georgetown, while being chased by a group of men. Loud explosions were heard during the chase which caused Waithe to also give chase behind the men, yelling “y’all can’t shoot da man”.

The men then turned their attention to Waithe and an argument ensued, during which he was shot. Waithe was then rushed to a private city hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, in March 2020, Rajkumar appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on charges which alleged that he committed three robberies in one day.

He was refused bail and remanded to prison. The robberies occurred on November 11, 2019, at Leopold Street.

The court heard that while armed with a gun, Rajkumar robbed Julia Elexey of an iPhone 11 and a gold chain valued at $800,000. It was also alleged that he robbed Ajay Mahadeo of a wallet valued at $8900, a phone valued at $80,000, and $37,000 in cash.

He was also accused of robbing Timothy Morrison of a phone valued at $98,000, a gold ring valued at $60,000, and $158,000.

“Every week I does keep a party in Leopold Street. They does come to my party, so why would I rob them? This is total victimisation. I have four kids to look after, I don’t have any reason to rob those people,” Rajkumar told the court while pleading his innocence.

Reports state that Elexey, Morrison, and Mahadeo were in Leopold Street where Rajkumar held them at gunpoint and relieved them of the articles mentioned in the charges before making good

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD FEBRUARY 20, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

18

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

69

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

18,865

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

7

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

4

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

33,814

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

28,842

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

62,656

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

60,504

REGION 1

2492

REGION 2

2451

REGION 3

8006

REGION 4

30,973

REGION 5

2341

REGION 6

5683

REGION 7

2409

REGION 8

887

REGION 9

3949

REGION 10

3465

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

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

427,680

FULLY IMMUNISED

320,221

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1211

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.

ly immunised.

So far, more than 48,000 persons have returned for their booster shots.

However, as more people continue to get vaccinated, authorities are urging the public to continue observing all COVID-19 preventative measures, particularly masking in public, social distancing and frequent hand wash-

ing and sanitising – which are more significant now with the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) recent figures, some 418,650,474 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 5,856,224 deaths.

In the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin

America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 144,596,557 while the death toll in the region has gone up to 2,591,440.

As it relates to vaccination against COVID-19, the WHO also reported that a total of 10,279,668,555 doses have been administered worldwide. (G8)

Rapist seeking to overturn conviction, 28-year jail sentence Dead: Carlos Waithe

his escape. He was placed on an ID parade and was positively identified by the complainants.

Then in September 2021, Rajkumar was charged with harbouring a fugitive. That charge stated that on August 7, 2021, at Leopold Street, while knowing Antonio Maraj, called “Thuggie,” and others committed an armed robbery, he received, comforted, and harboured him.

Maraj is among three men who are wanted concerning a $58 million robbery carried out on Wallison Enterprise, located at Lot 23 Gordon Street, Kitty, Georgetown, back in August 2021. Three persons, including a former soldier, were charged with the robbery. The soldier pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years in prison.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Rajkumar is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 226-6977, 225-8196, 2269941, 226-1326, 225-3061, 225-3650, 911 or the nearest Police station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence. (G1)

T

he Guyana Court of Appeal is slated to commence arguments on Thursday in an appeal filed by a convicted child rapist who is seeking to have his 28-year jail sentence set aside. In April 2018, 28-year-old Colvin Norton was jailed after being found guilty by a jury of raping a six-year-old girl.

The charges against Norton had stated that he sexually penetrated the child on August 1, 2013, and then again on August 6 of that same year in Demerara. He was 19 years old at the time.

For the first count, he was sentenced to 24 years in prison, however, on the second count, trial Judge Jo Ann Barlow added four more years for aggravating factors, thereby sentencing him to 28 years. The two sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.

The court heard that Norton was caught in the act by the child’s mother on the second occasion.

It was revealed that after he sexually penetrated the child, he told her not to tell anyone as her mother would not believe her. It

Convicted child rapist: Colvin Norton

was also revealed that he threatened the girl, that if she told her mother, he would kill both her and her mother.

In the child’s impact statement, she expressed that she still gets flashbacks about the incident which she blamed for causing a decline in her grades at school.

At first, she said she felt sad and as though she was the cause of it happening. However, after realising that she was not the only child who had something like this happen to them, and that Norton will

be punished, the girl said was not ashamed anymore.

High Court Judge Jo Ann Barlow, in sentencing the convict, considered his age at the time of the commission of the offence, but stressed that it was not an excuse for violating the young girl.

Justice Barlow considered that the offender breached the trust of the child’s mother who had entrusted him to care for not only the six-year-old but others as well.

“Like a thief in the night, you violated a sixyear-old,” the Judge remarked.

She also pointed out that Norton trying to silence the victim showed his total disregard for proper moral values. The Judge further noted that sexual offenders have issues with controlling their emotions and ordered that Norton undergo treatment under the sexual offender’s rehabilitation programme.

She added that he should also take on programmes to improve his literacy.

Justice Barlow also expressed hope for the child to continue receiving counselling. (G1)

NEWS

11

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Safety of Guyanese population is our absolute priority” – MARAD’s Director By: Amar Persaud

D

irector General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) Stephen Thomas has revealed that they will be developing a new design for water taxis that operate across the country.

During a recent interview with this publication, Thomas explained that safety is MARAD’s priority. He added that the new designs will not only increase safety but comfort for passengers as well.

“With respect to maritime safety, we continue to strive to improve so that persons travelling on all the waterways especially like the water taxis, aka speed boats; their safety, of course, is an absolute priority.”

“And what we’re working on, we’re even developing this year, a new boat concept; a new design for these boats to enhance safety and comfort and sanitation.”

“We still want to take it to another level, sturdier construction and these things. So, that’s one of the things we’re crafting out.”

Thomas further stated that the designs will have to be examined and tested before they are implemented. However, he noted that it will be rolled out long before 2025.

“That’s on our plans for this year. We’re hoping that we can get the design completed this year. [Then] we have to test the design and things like that.”

The Director General went on to add that they will be looking at the largest size

Water taxis at the Stabroek Stelling

of these taxis first – those that traverse the Demerara River, then other designs will be implemented at other locations.

“It will be for all the passenger services. Demerara has the biggest size of boats because this has the largest number of persons. So,

“We need his energy in our country” – AG …as new lawyer with passion for being change-maker admitted to the Bar

Navigation aids

Meanwhile, Thomas further revealed that on the issue of safety, a number of navigation aid devices will be installed in Guyana’s waterways this year, which will allow ships to better navigate at night.

These aid devices will include a number of buoys and beacons that will be installed in Guyana’s main river channels that were without these devices for a

Attorney-at-Law Lloyd Robinson (second from left) is flanked by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC; Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards (second from right) and Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George, SC

I

n a world that is rapidly changing, individuals must equip themselves with the necessary skills to be successful. Attorney-at-Law Lloyd Robinson understands this all too well, and is driven by his passion to be an agent of change who will serve to develop Guyana, the land of his birth.

The practising lawyer in the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has

hopes of returning home in the near future to practice. In that regard, his petition to enter the profession in Guyana was presented and accepted last Friday at the Victoria Law Courts in Georgetown.

The two women at the helm of Guyana’s judiciary—Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag), Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George, SC—presided over his

by default basically, we’ll be looking at Demerara first then the others would spinoff that. But in the entire country, we’re looking to up the standard.”

“Safety of Guyanese population is our absolute priority and the public should feel assured that these boats don’t operate inline, they have regulatory agency, you have any issues with them, we have a website and they surely contact us on infringement or even with other ship,” the MARAD Head stressed.

petition which was presented by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC. Robinson hails from the mining town of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Nandlall, in addressing the court, said that the investments in the young lawyer that were made by his parents have not gone in vain, since he has traversed a path of academic excellence. TURN TO PAGE 14

number of years.

“Georgetown which is the main port and the Demerara being the principal channel we always have to have maintained, because ships have to go day and night and we have significant traffic in the Demerara, we always have to have that fully maintained all the lights and beacons and everything and which we do.”

“The buoys and beacons have been missing from Essequibo for many, many years, all of them, so this we would be, so in this year budget which will be doing, we’re going to be constructing about 20 beacons in the Essequibo River coupled with that we’re going to be placing like about the same amount of buoys in the Essequibo River so persons can enter the Essequibo day and night,” he said.

The Director General stated that buoys and beacons are also to be installed in areas such as the Waini channel which the new North West Ferry that is being built in India and is expected to be in Guyana by the latter half of this year, will utilise.

“We also would be establishing a series of beacons and place some buoys in the Pomeroon River, they were missing again for decades and we will be doing it this year. The same for the North West with the Waini, we’re constructing I think 4 or 5 beacons in that area. Like I said, it is necessary because ships go there so they need its navigation.”

MARAD’s Director General Stephen Thomas

“And we have the new ferry that the Indian Government has helped fund for Guyana. It is being built in India, that is scheduled to be here in the latter part of the year and we want a brand-new ferry to operate in a brand-new marked channel and so we’re developing that aggressively.”

These devices are expected to be installed by the end of this year.

He added that one of the said beacons has already been installed last year in the Berbice channel.

“In 2021 we constructed for the Berbice channel, a concrete beacon, that the first time we’ve built such a beacon here in Guyana on the coast, and we’ve made it higher so it can be seen from a further distance.As you know Berbice has been touted to be the platform for the deep-water port, so the channel will have to be dredged further out.”

12 NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 202

Hundreds turn sponsored farm

…another being planned for Squa

T

rue to what was announced in Budget 2022 as a way to mitigate price increases for food items, the Government through the Agriculture Ministry on Sunday hosted the first of the announced Government-sponsored Farmers’ Market Day initiatives at the Lusignan Market tarmac.

In an interview with this publication following the initiative which saw hundreds of people turn up to buy produce at discounted prices, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said that between 75 and 100 farmers showed up for the initiative.

“You had almost a thousand people turn up there this morning. I think both the farmers and the consumers were very happy.

Because the farmers were able to sell at a higher price. And the consumer bought the produce at a lower price, than they regularly purchased in the market.”

“Prices were reduced between 50 per cent, some 25 per cent and it showed that with these farmers market it can help to cushion the high cost of these items that are selling in the market,” the Minister said.

According to Mustapha, this is one of the measures that the Government had included in the budget. He described it as the first of more such measures to come, adding that the Government is likely to host one in Georgetown next, with possible locations including the Square of the Revolution.

“This is the first one and we’ll continue to do this, regularly, across the country. In all the regions we’ll organise this. And we’ll continue to facilitate this for the farmers… they (farmers) were very happy and the items were sold out very quickly.”

“The next one, we’re looking to do in Georgetown, by the Square of the Revolution and then in different parts, Region Three and simultaneously we will organise it across the country. So at least once monthly we can organise a farmers’ market,” the Minister

22 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

n out for Govtmers’ market

are of Revolution – Agri Minister

said.

Among the items sold at the Lusignan tarmac were plantain, cassava, sweet potato and meats like beef, pork, chicken, duck.

There was also porridge mix, plantain and banana flour and an array of fruits and vegetables.

The Agriculture Ministry is also expected to soon introduce a farmers’ market in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to reduce the high cost consumers are asked to pay for locally grown vegetables.

Minister Mustapha had made the announcement last month while visiting farming communities on the East Bank of Berbice.

While pointing out that Government has no control over import prices, Mustapha had said that, working together, Government and farmers can reduce the price consumers pay for locally grown food.

Mustapha had explained that two factors have resulted in rising food prices: global warming, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He had also said that the impact of global warming has seen increased rainfall, and in Guyana, there was a countrywide flood last year that severely crippled the agriculture sector.

He had pointed out at the time that even though plantains are being retailed at some markets at $400 per pound, the farmer is receiving only $100 per pound. He noted that while farmers have received and will continue to receive much support from the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Government, they must be organised to have prices reduced.

“For us to bring down the cost of vegetables and fruits, our Extension Officers will be working with you to organise a farmers’ market. In Berbice, within the month and a half, I want to see a farmers’ market. We will set up a place for you around the New Amsterdam area and advertise it well, and on a weekly basis, we can have a farmers’ market,” the Minister had said. (G3)

NEWS

13

14 NEWS Jumo crowned 2022 Soca Monarch MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By: Bhisham Mohamed

J

umo “Rubber Waist” Primo with his energetic performance of “Living My Life” was in the wee hours of Sunday crowned Soca King at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The competition saw 14 artistes vying for the coveted title including the 2021 king, Gospel Singer Samuel Medas.

He was, however, adjudged third after Granny Ivy, who came in second position.

In addition, Granny Ivy was also given the prize for best newcomer.

After winning the competition, Primo thanked his supporters, the producer of the song and his family. He nevertheless, stated that his song promotes people living their lives to the fullest and more so, not to please society.

In fact, during his performance, he told the crowd of about 3000 that he never gave up on his musical career and he is one of the artistes who should be honoured for his contribution to the music industry.

Also speaking with Guyana Times after being announced the 1st runner-up, Granny Ivy stated that he was elated to place in the competition.

He noted his biggest fear was competing against the veteran, Jumo Primo who displays a different form of energy when he is on stage.

Granny Ivy also came in third in the Calypso completion which was held on Friday

Soca King, Jumo “Rubber Waist” Primo (Guyana Live photo)

evening. On this note, he intends to record more songs and hopes that one year, he can participate in the Chutney competition.

However, the competition got underway just before midnight by which time the atmosphere in the stadium was electrifying. The deejays undoubtedly set the tone for the highly anticipated clash.

From Soca to Dancehall and Chutney, the patrons were having the most enjoyable time. As the deejays entertained, they were heard echoing the slogan “we outside”.

It has been almost two years since a massive event as the one on Saturday evening was held. Most of the entertain-

ment events were held virtually.

In fact, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Charles Ramson Jr in an interview noted that Guyanese have been in lockdown for too long and he was extremely happy that President Dr Irfaan Ali though Cabinet made the decision to lift the national curfew.

He reiterated, however, that although the curfew was lifted people still have to adhere to a few guidelines especially wearing masks.

Ramson believes that Guyanese were starved for entertainment and as such, a decision was taken to host the Calypso, Soca and Chutney competitions in open air and

“We need his energy...

Robinson attended the Mae’s Secondary School where he attained 11 subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

He then commenced Sixth Form studies at The Bishops’ High School, copping eight subjects at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

He read for and obtained his Bachelor of Laws (Upper Second-Class Honours) from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus, Barbados. He was awarded a Legal Education Certificate (LEC) from the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS), Trinidad, on September 4, 2020.

According to Nandlall, during his post-secondary studies, Robinson demonstrated an appetite for leadership and for public endeavours and was part of a series of associations, including the university’s debating and Guyanese students’ association.

While at HWLS, he was part of the student representative council and participated in the prestigious Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) International Mooting Competition in which his team was awarded the prize for the best academic institution.

Nandlall said Robinson demonstrates his intellectual and academic poise by authoring a module on oil and gas and did an independent research paper titled: “The Hope of Eldorado’s Black Gold”. He has also co-authored another publication titled: “All Eyes On The Oil But What Of Our Soil”.

According to the Attorney General, Robinson plans to pursue a Master’s in law, and he

has no doubt, based on his proclivities, he will proceed to complete a doctorate in law.

Nandlall told the lawyer that though he is entering the profession at a very challenging time, he has no doubt he will be successful in all his endeavours. Given the country’s development trajectory, he urged the lawyer to return home because Guyana is the place he needs to be.

“We need his skill, we need his scholarship, we need his energy in our country,” said Nandlall.

Welcome The Chief Justice gave Robinson a hearty welcome to the Bar and shared that it gives her “particular pleasure” as usual to preside over the admission of one who attended her alma mater, The Bishops’ High School.

“I do believe that Mr Robinson has established himself as one who is very interested and committed to the learning of the law. I have been advised that Mr Robinson has established himself, even before formally entering the profession, at the Court of Appeal of Guyana, where he excelled in assisting the honourable Judges and the staff,” Justice George added.

“Clearly, you have an excellent foundation, a foundation that you are continuing to build on,” said Justice George to the young lawyer, while reminding him of the importance of being respectful to the court, his colleagues, and his client whomever they may be.

“Ensure that you continue in this trajectory,” she advised him. While noting that

FROM PAGE 11

the “law is a very jealous mistress”, the Chief Justice encouraged Robinson to continue finding time to do discourse, “so that we can all learn and teach each other.”

Justice George continued, “Because of your scholastic ability, you will contribute positively to the development of the profession in Guyana, to the development of the jurisprudence in Guyana…You have a very, very important role to play…”

“All the best for a long and successful career,” said the Chief Justice in her closing remarks.

Vowed faithfully Meanwhile, Robinson, in brief remarks, vowed to faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon him. He said no duty is more important, than that of returning thanks.

He shared this quote from Albert Pike: “When we achieve, we usually do so because others have helped. What we do ourselves die with us, what we do for others and the world, remains, and is immortal.”

Against this backdrop, he foremost extended gratitude to God, then his parents and to his mentor, Chancellor Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards.

“Mom, dad what you have done for me shall transcend and our future generations shall be better because of it. I thank you for the sacrifice, the constant hustle, the sleepless nights. I thank you for never giving up the fight…” he said.

Robinson added, “I enter this profession with love for the law and with a passion to be a change agent, that serves to develop our nation.”

before a limited crowd.

He emphasised that even though the event was open to the public, it was also streamed live on various social media outlets.

Further, the Minister said that Guyana has a lot of talent and by hosting these events, they are given the avenue to release the energy that is built up in them over the past year.

Meanwhile, these talents were indeed displayed on stage. while some of the artistes were not that energetic in their performances, they put on a good show for their supporters and fans.

There were a few newcomers who rocked the stage and some seasoned performers who failed to hype the crowd but at the end of the night, it all came down to the judges.

Some notable performances were by Vanilla, B52, Ernesta Nelson, Vintage, Gucci Boss and Asiah. But the night was owned by Jumo and Granny Ivy with their explosive performances.

The backup dancers, the props and the messages from popular characters including Toya and Beyoncé from “Those People” brought some humour to the spectacle.

Mark “Chiney Man” Kazim and others were also part of the stage performance which added some variety and laughter to the performances.

Barbados Soca Queen Meanwhile, the crowd went

Barbados Soca Queen, Allison Hinds performing at the Guyana National Stadium

uncontrollable when Barbados Soca Queen, Allison Hinds took to the stage just after 2:00h.

Her tracks were put together

by Selector Diamond of Fusion Sound and without a doubt, the crowd went in frenzy.

She dished out several of her popular tunes including “Unity”, “Deejay Ride”, “Faluma”, “Roll it Gal”, “Bazodee” and “Time to Wuk it up.”

The Soca Queen did not disappoint even though she has not been in Guyana for over

five years.

After her performance, the results were announced by emcee, Malcolm Pereira to the satisfaction of the audience and fans.

The party, however, did not end there, the deejays juggled into day clean. The event was attended by several Government Ministers and other Government officials.

The Soca competition was sponsored by the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry and Banks DIH Limited.

Dessert Kings: An icy sweetness By: Shane Marks

D

o not fool yourself, we’re all in love with the icy sweetness of a good ‘ole Guyanese custard, juice, and “bomb”, no matter how much we claim that we are not. There is definitely something about sipping freshly-blended fruit that gives you satisfaction like no other. But sometimes there is a hassle in finding that perfect sweetness that hits close to home.

Raymond Seecharan, a 28-year-old businessman who was born and grown on the West Coast of Demerara, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), in an interview with this pub-

lication, said that his dream is to create a network of opportunities by creating jobs

and providing services, improving assistance for the people in need, whether it’s education, medical as-

sistance, food and nutrition, fitness and art, and his business partners bring you Dessert Kings, a local fruit juice business that specialises in the making of custards, fruit juices, and creamy delicious bombs.

The idea to provide sweet Guyanese flavour to the community sprung to Raymond in January of 2021. He had one vision in mind, and that was making local juices. The business, with the help of his friends, started off like any other new business would, small and slow. In the beginning, Dessert Kings only specialised in making fruit juices and bombs in a variety of flavours, like, passion fruit, guava, pear, soursop, monkey-apple, mango, and many more.

TURN TO PAGE 16

NEWS

15

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“

LCDS 2030 – POLICY IN ACTION

The Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is a framework intended to map the path of a new growth trajectory in a non-polluting way. Tropical forest countries have long called for the ecosystem services provided by the world’s standing tropical forests to be properly valued, through both public and private finance. This will enable people who live in forests and forest countries to create jobs and economic opportunity from an economy that works with nature, instead of today’s reality where forests are often worth more dead than alive.” — H.E. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Former President of Guyana (2009).

Guyana, like most low-lying coastal states, is open to the devastating impacts of climate change. Climate change is the most important global environmental problem of our time, and the single greatest challenge facing environmental regulators. It is a growing crisis with economic, health and safety, food production, security, and other dimensions. Our low-lying coastlands and their entire infrastructure, settlements and agriculture stand to be devastated by sea level rise and extreme weather events, if global warming continues. Further, our country is at a critical crossroad; we are a developing country, and have limited resources for economic development. However, these very resources are needed to save the world from the disastrous effects of a changing climate.

The Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 sets out a vision for rising to the challenge. The LCDS 2030 also sets out how we can build a platform for the economy of the future -- a low carbon economy, where our world-class forests, biodiversity, water and marine resources are valued for the vital contribution they make to the health of our planet.

What does the LCDS mean to me?

While most of Guyana’s population lives on the coast, the services offered by our tropical rainforests and other ecosystems, which are out of sight, are numerous and beneficial – from providing freshwater, to helping keep the global climate stable, to providing opportunities for advances in medicine and incomegenerating activities in the tourism, forestry, and agricultural sectors. In fact, for the period 2009 to 2015, Guyana earned US$212.52 million in payments, to be invested in the LCDS. This has created low-carbon jobs; enabled Amerindian villages to receive legal title for communal lands; rehabilitated the Cunha Canal to protect against flooding; and started to equip Amerindian and hinterland communities with renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

Did you know?

Guyana’s forests alone provide value that is estimated to range from US$40-US$54 billion annually.

How it started The LCDS was launched on June 08, 2009, with the revised version being published on 24th May 2010, and subsequently was launched on March 2013.

The new draft continues to propel Guyana on a pathway started in 2008, when we were the world’s first developing country to publish a Low Carbon Development Strategy. Our country believes that we can protect and maintain its forests in the effort to reduce global carbon emissions, and at the same time attract resources for our country to grow and develop. In order to do this effectively in the long term, we need a clear vision and a plan of how to get there. This vision and plan was titled the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

The three objectives set out in 2009 continue to provide a guiding framework, and have been enhanced based on knowledge gained since then, as well as new opportunities created by international progress.

• Forest Climate Services and other Ecosystem Services • Stimulate future growth through clean energy and sustainable economic activities • Protect against climate change Guyana’s Low-Carbon Development Strategy 2030 creates new incentives within the economic sectors; namely, fruit and vegetable farming, aquaculture, sustainable forestry, and eco-tourism, through Sustainability Planning for our Forestry, Biodiversity, Water and Ocean/Marine Resources. It also adds a new objective - Align with global climate goals. This means promoting development and stimulating future growth for all Guyana’s people through a balance across: •Human capital: Ensuring that Guyanese citizens achieve greater health, education and other social outcomes.

•Financial capital: Ensuring equitable access to finance for all, whether seeking to invest in start-ups, expand existing businesses, or cope with unexpected external shocks.

•Physical capital: Upgrading Guyana’s energy, transportation, digital, water, and housing infrastructure on a low-carbon, non-polluting trajectory.

•Natural capital: Introducing mechanisms to sustain Guyana’s world-class natural capital to enhance quality of life for all Guyanese and deploy natural capital as part of solutions to global problems, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and deteriorating water resources.

Currently, Guyana relies on imported fuel, oil and diesel for its electricity generation, which is both expensive and carbon-intensive. As such, the LCDS sets out to stimulate future growth: Clean Energy and Low-carbon Development Green Jobs and Sustainable Livelihoods through Clean and Renewable Energy Digital Infrastructure and Low-carbon Transportation.

Further the LCDS plans to focus on protection against climate change and biodiversity loss climate adaptation and resilience, while aligning with global climate and biodiversity goals, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, etc.

The mandate of the EPA supports the vision and practice outlined in the LCDS by: * Promoting the value of biodiversity in its education and outreach activities; * Supporting the sustainable use of natural resources by developing policies, guidelines and regulations; and * Ensuring that Guyana meets its commitments under the various environmental agreements for which it has responsibility.

As Guyanese, we should take pride in the scale of vision set out then, and reflect on the significant progress that has been made since. We have taken step to protect the environment and human health, but we do have a long way to go.

References: https://lcds.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/LCDS-2030-FinalDRAFT-for-consultation-min.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3-5BVaLtvcBJlwUeuGztxx5xjNqU 6QD3YmxTIrDf878bY7-CFiL2d_mLY https://lcds.gov.gy/ https://climatechange.gov.gy/en/index.php/component/tags/tag/lcds You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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

HEALTH TIPS DANDRUFF

Dr. Tariq Jagnarine Family Medicine, Endocrinology/Diabetes

D

r. Tariq Dandruff is related to Seborrheic Dermatitis (SD), which causes itchy and flaky skin, but it only occurs on the scalp. It’s so common that it affects about half of the global adult population.

Most people focus on the flakes. Itching, on the other hand, may be the most uncomfortable side effect.

SYMPTOMS Flakes and an itchy, scaly scalp are the main symptoms

of dandruff. White, oily flakes typically accumulate in the hair and on the shoulders, and often get worse during the fall and winter months, when the air is dry.

Additional symptoms can include: * Erythema, which is red patches on the skin of the scalp, and sometimes on the face * Eyebrow dandruff * Hair loss * Dry flakes on the skin of the face What causes dandruff?

Many factors can contribute to the development of dandruff, so pinpointing the exact cause of itchy, flaky scalp can be difficult. Here are a few likely causes: * Secretions from the sebaceous glands * Fungal colonisation on the surface of the skin * Not shampooing enough, which may cause skin cells to accumulate and create flakes and itching, or over-shampooing and overdrying the scalp. * Over brushing the hair on the head, creating too much friction with the sensitive skin on the scalp

* Yeast called Malassezia, which aggravates the scalp and causes excess skin cell growth * Different personal care products may cause contact dermatitis, which makes the scalp red and itchy * Too much exposure to sunlight * Excessive pressure on the scalp from hats * Fatty and greasy foods * Exposure to dust or dirt Some people may be more predisposed to dandruff than others, for reasons that are unknown. However, it’s known that men develop dandruff more frequently than women. People who tend to have oilier hair, or live with certain illnesses (such as Parkinson’s disease or HIV) are also at higher risk.

Symptoms can also be noticed around puberty, but dandruff can develop at any age.

DANDRUFF VS DRY SCALP It may be difficult to tell the difference between dandruff and dry scalp, as they can both present similarly. Both can cause flakes and an itchy sensation

on the scalp.

But while dandruff is related to seborrheic dermatitis, dry scalp is simply related to the skin losing too much water due to dehydration, or it can also happen from some hair products that might be used on the scalp that may be stripping the scalp of its natural oils. Living in a cold and dry climate may also make one more susceptible to having a dry scalp.

Treating a dry scalp usually involves switching to a gentle, unmediated shampoo that contains as few additives as possible that may remove moisture from the scalp.

TREATMENT Getting rid of dandruff can consist of taking medications that can be purchased through prescriptions, or over the counter. Some home remedies are applicable.

The best way to get rid of dandruff is to use dandruff shampoo and scalp treatments.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) recommends taking the following steps: 1.

Follow

instructions. Since there are many different types of dandruff treatment shampoos, and each comes with its instructions, it’s important to carefully read and follow the directions of the product of choice. Be sure to know if you’re supposed to leave the shampoo on the scalp for a certain amount of time before washing, or if it should be washed out immediately.

2. Different skin and hair types require different care. Africans may only need to wash once a week with a dandruff shampoo.

Asians and those who are white may need to alternate between different dandruff shampoos, which contain different ingredients, to achieve the best results.

Shampoos for dandruff can be medicated (which requires a prescription to purchase), or available over the counter.

Usually, this means that the amount of medication in medicated shampoos is just higher.

Typical ingredients include ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, coal tar, and zinc pyrithione. These ingredients usually loosen the dandruff flakes from the scalp, or they fight the overgrowth of the Malassezia fungus, which may play a role in the development of dandruff.

teaspoon mixed with 1 cup water. Do this every day. * Aloe vera. Rub into the scalp before washing hair. * Olive oil. Rub 10 drops into the scalp. Cover head with a shower cap and leave overnight. Shampoo and wash the hair in the morning.

HOME REMEDIES Some natural home remedies include: * Baking soda. Gently rub it into the scalp in the

PREVENTION Here are some tips for things that can be done to avoid dandruff: * Practise good hygiene.

Resist the urge to touch the scalp, especially if it’s already itchy. Scratching can increase irritation, and lead to a vicious cycle.

Scratching or touching can also introduce dirt into the mix, which can make dandruff worse. * Find the right shampooing balance for the scalp. Shampoos are often enough to keep oils at bay, but don’t use too many products in the hair, as that can irritate the scalp. * Reduce stress. Stress can aggravate, or even worsen, dandruff for some individuals. While Malassezia is not introduced to the scalp by stress, it can thrive if the immune system is compromised, which is exactly what stress does to the body. Do the scalp a favour and relax. Try taking a restorative walk or practising yoga. * Breathe fresh hair.

Research shows that including regular exposure to the outdoors, especially where the air is fresher, can help reduce oil buildup on the scalp. * Massage the scalp. This may also help prevent dandruff symptoms. * Brush those locks. Brush the hair when it’s damp (not wet) at least twice daily. * Limit friction. Limit the wearing of hats and scarfs,

shower, and rinse after a few minutes. * Apple cider vinegar. Mix 1/4 cup with a 1/4 cup of water. Apply to the hair for a period ranging from 15 minutes to 1 hour, and then rinse out. Do this twice a week. * Coconut oil. Rub 3–5 teaspoons into the scalp and leave for 1 hour. Then wash out. * Lemon juice. Rub 2 teaspoons into the scalp and rinse out. Then rub one more

especially those of synthetic materials.

The good news is that many cases of dandruff can be treated effectively with over-the-counter (OTC) shampoos and other lifestyle measures. That being said, dandruff isn’t the only reason why persons may have an itchy scalp. If the dandruff is particularly stubborn or itchy, this may indicate psoriasis, eczema, or true fungal infection. Talk to a health care provider.

Common dandruff shampoo brands Some specific products you may see on the shelves include: Head & Shoulders and Jason Dandruff Relief, Neutrogena T/Gel, Selsun Blue, Nizoral

16 NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Criticisms identify shortfalls, promote improvement – Benn to GFS

M

embers of the Guyana Fire Service were on Sunday morning engaged in several muster parades across the country. The short exercise was aimed at inspecting ranks’ uniform, protective gears and firefighting equipment.

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn during brief remarks told ranks that the exercise signals the transitioning of the Guyana Fire Service into a more professional service. He high-

lighted those ranks should be proficient and serve with excellence and confidence as is the mission of the GFS. Speaking on some of the critiques the Fire Service has received in recent times, the Minister said “criticism is needed to identify shortfalls and promote improvement”.

With the continuous expansion of the oil industry, Minister Benn said he has engaged the relevant persons to facilitate firefight-

ers visiting the rig and vessels.

This is aimed at widening their knowledge with regard to firefighting in these environments and to prepare them for major developmental projects already in the pipeline such as the gas-to-shore project and the industrial development at Wales.

He committed that the necessary resources will be provided to aid the development of the Guyana Fire Service, as the goal

3 feared dead, 1 survives...

Seeking answers

He explained that this was only Sam’s second trip out to sea and the only reason the man went was because he and Damon were friends. The captain was short of a crew member and requested his friend’s help.

“His wife begged him not to go but he said this is the last time he will go. He said when he come back, he won’t go back out,” Bobb related.

Moreover, the families are also questioning the details that were related to them by the surviving fisherman.

“It doesn’t sound right…

Something not adding up,” Sam’s brother-in-law related.

Meanwhile, the granddaughter of Burton said, “We really need justice… right now we’re really sad and we want to know exactly what happened…Why Nobel House didn’t get on to the families of the missing crew members?”

“Then [Dazzell] tell us one thing and he tell the Police something different… It’s doesn’t make sense. The combination they’re trying to tell us is not measuring up,” Tatiana Niles claimed.

She said Burton had been working as a fisherman for over 50 years and this was his first trip in two years. He had not gone out

to sea during that time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The men went out to the ocean last Sunday and were expected back on Saturday.

Damon’s wife said that a captain from another fishing company told her that he spoke with Damon every day and last heard from him on Friday. He did not indicate that they were having any troubles with the vessel.

However, Tonszadel told Guyana Times that her husband would usually complain about the poor state of the vessels that he is given to operate. She related that sometimes the boat would even break down and they would have to call for backup.

According to the wife, this vessel – “Worldfriend 307” – was “not so old but it wasn’t new either. This was his second time taking this boat out to sea.”

Efforts by this newspaper to contact officials from Noble House for a comment were futile.

Nevertheless, Guyana Times was informed that since the matter was reported to the Police, the Coast Guard was called in and a rescue team went out Sunday morning with the hopes of finding the men.

The surviving fisherman reportedly accompanied them as well.

FROM PAGE 2

Independent panel

Meanwhile, the Public Works Ministry in a statement Sunday evening announced that an immediate and thorough investigation has been launched to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the reported capsizing of the vessel that led to the three fishermen being missing.

“An independent panel was established comprising representatives of the Ministry of Public Works, MARAD (Maritime Administration), GDF (Guyana Defence Force) Coast Guard, the GPF (Guyana Police Force) Marine Unit, and the Transport and Harbours Department. We are very concerned, and share the anxiety and pain of the family members and colleagues of the missing men.

The Search and Rescue Operation Centre was immediately activated, upon notification of this incident.

Vessels and personnel, including divers have been deployed,” the missive detailed.

The Ministry further reassured that all available resources of the State will be fully utilised in this search and rescue exercise.

Additionally, it was noted that private fishing vessels are also engaged in this ongoing operation. (Vahnu Manikchand)

remains; providing a better, safer and healthier life for the next generation of Guyanese.

Chief Fire Officer (ag), Gregory Wickham during brief remarks also noted that the exercise was timely and assured ranks that the Administration would ensure they are properly

kitted out with the appropriate protective gears and equipment as they engage in firefighting activities.

All senior officers and junior ranks attached to the Central, Alberttown, West Ruimveldt, Campbellville, Melanie, Mahaica, Leonora, La Grange, Diamond and Timehri Fire Stations were

present for the parade.

Separate parades were conducted in Anna Regina, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Dessert Kings: An icy...

My throat is getting dry just thinking about all the endless flavours.

As the year progressed, Dessert Kings introduced the highly exciting custard – their bestseller – which ranges from flavours like Oreo cream, chocolate chip, Nutty Royal, Mello Cream, the Rainbow Cream, and marshmallow. You, the expecting customer, can enjoy all of these creamy mouth-watering custard flavours at Dessert Kings for affordable prices.

“I myself takes care of the making of the juices along with two other employees and my business partner Matthew Evans takes care of the making of the custards along with one other employee,” Seecharan said.

Though a small business operating on caravans, it already has three locations operating in Regions Three and Four (DemeraraMahaica), offering services such as pick-up and delivery.

“Yeah well, I operate from Tucville, that’s where I live and we have pick-up spots at Aubrey Barker Road, South, opposite Tobin’s mechanic shop, there is one in Providence and Vreed-en-Hoop at Best Hospital’s road entrance. Other than the pickup spots we also do delivery to various locations,” Raymond related.

Talk about a business well on its way.

What are the prices you ask? Don’t worry, accord-

ing to Raymond, “Our juice prices range from $340 a bottle each to $400 depend-

FROM PAGE 14

ing on the flavour. Custards are sold $140 retail and $100 wholesale.”

NEWS

17

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Practical instruction centres in Corentyne tomb raiders Regions 1, 3 to be completed by July caught with cell phone, cash

Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) with responsibility for Technical Education, Dr Ritesh Tularam

T

housands of young people will soon have the opportunity to upskill themselves to enter the working environment, as several Practical Instruction Centres (PICs) will soon be completed.

Work is currently ongoing on centres at the North West Secondary School, Region One; and Fellowship, Region Three.

Speaking with DPI recently, Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) with responsibility for Technical Education, Dr

Ritesh Tularam said the initiative will provide quality skills training in various occupational areas to satisfy the direct needs of the respective communities.

He said the move is Government’s way of recognising the contribution of Technical Vocational Educational Training (TVET) to Guyana’s development at the social and economic level.

He said the centres will offer programmes to students, school drop-outs, and women and girls, among others.

“Once we complete them [PICs], and hand them over to the Ministry of Education, we can move swiftly, come September of this year, start to implement the respective Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) [Level One] programmes in those areas.

As I said, those institutions are strategic, in terms of their design, purpose and our intention, because ensuring training is disseminated to students, to trainees, the persons within those institutions, within those areas. And this is where the Ministry

of Education is headed in another five years or so,” Dr Tularam stated.

The Education Ministry intends to implement CVQ programmes in every secondary school, to ensure the nation’s future leaders become well-rounded individuals. Dr Tularam said this step, however, can be quite tricky to implement especially in communities as there is still stigma attached to TVET. He is encouraging persons to participate in the programmes, which he said will benefit them, and the country, as a whole.

“Students can use that qualification, and they can have the mobility that we are talking about, because of this recognition hence these projects or schools under this project will make that significant impact in aiding or realising the Ministry’s vision to provide quality, equity, and relevance of technical education.”

The programme is made possible through the Guyana Skills Development and Employability Project (GSDEP) funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

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olice on the Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were able to apprehend two tomb raiders, who broke into a tomb at Hampshire Cemetery in Corentyne between Tuesday and Wednesday last.

The incident took place three weeks after 19-year-old Vishnu Samaroo was laid to rest.

The young man was buried with jewellery, cash and his cellular phone. In a breakthrough in their investigation, Police arrested several persons who attended the January 21 funeral.

Following the arrest, two persons confessed to the crime and took investigators to the location where they hid the items they removed from the dead teen’s tomb.

However, they revealed that the two silver rings, three silver chains and a silver bracelet were discarded after they saw that the jewellery appeared “black” in colour after breaking into the tomb.

Reports are that the duo broke into the tomb by hammering away the side wall and then moved the corpse about 20 feet before removing the valuables from the casket. (G4)

Dead: Vishnu Samaroo

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022

Regional

T&T Health Ministry recalls batches of Dominican Republic begins building border wall with Haiti Similac, Alimentum, Elecare baby formulas

T

T

he Dominican Government on Sunday began building a wall that will cover more than half of the 392-kilometre (244-mile) border with Haiti, its only land neighbour, to stop irregular migration and the smuggling of goods, weapons, and drugs.

While the two countries share the island of Hispaniola, they are worlds apart in terms of development. Crime-plagued Haiti is one of the poorest nations in the Americas while the Dominican Republic, a popular Caribbean tourist destination, has prospered in recent decades amid marked political stability.

Many Haitians cross the border clandestinely in search of work in the fields or in the construction industry in the Dominican Republic.

“The benefit for both nations will be of great importance,” said Dominican President Luis Abinader shortly before pushing the button to begin pouring concrete into the foun-

File photo: Haitians cross the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic to sell Haitian products at a market in Dajabon, Dominican Republic

dations of what will be the wall in the province of Dajabón, some 230 kilometres northwest of the capital.

About 500,000 Haitians and tens of thousands of their descendants live in the Dominican Republic, a Spanish-speaking nation of about 11 million people, according to the most recent immigration survey conducted in 2018.

Abinader estimated the border wall will reduce the

smuggling of commercial goods, weapons and help fight organised crime in both nations.

He started the project, which aims to build a 164-kilometer wall, ahead of the anniversary of the Dominican Republic’s independence from Haiti on February 27, 1844.

Abinader said the first phase of the project will be completed within nine months at the latest.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuba to deepen ties with Russia as Ukraine tensions mount

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ussia and Cuba will deepen ties and explore collaboration in transportation, energy, industry, and banking, Cuba’s Foreign Ministry said late on Friday following a visit from Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Yuri Borisov.

In a statement, Cuba’s communist-run Government expressed support for Russia as tensions mount in Ukraine, and accused longtime rival the United States and its allies of targeting Moscow with what it called a “propaganda war” and sanctions.

Cuba “reiterates its position against the unilateral and unjust sanctions imposed by the West on

the Eurasian country and against the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation [NATO] towards the Russian borders”.

Borisov earlier this week visited Nicaragua and Venezuela, key Russian allies in Latin America, and said Russia would also deepen bilateral ties with both countries.

His tour follows visits to Moscow by Latin American leaders – including Argentina’s Alberto Fernandez and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro – for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, prompting some analysts to suggest Russia is courting the region as tensions rise over Ukraine.

Putin launched exercises by strategic nuclear missile forces on Saturday, as Washington said Russian troops massed near Ukraine’s border were “poised to strike”.

Cuba and Russia have a long history of deep economic and military collaboration since Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution, though in recent decades those ties have faded.

Borisov, who met with Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas, said in Cuba’s statement that Russia had ramped up humanitarian aid to Cuba between December 2021 and January 2022. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Dominica signs contract to drill geothermal wells

D

ominica has signed a multimillion-dollar agreement with an Iceland-based company to drill two wells as the island continues with its efforts to develop its geothermal energy sector.

Planning, Economic Development, Climate Resilience, Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy Minister, Dr Vince Henderson, said the agreement was signed on February 15.

“We signed the contract with Iceland Drilling Company and they will be coming to Dominica later this

year to drill two new wells… in Laudat,” Henderson said as he toured the area with a delegation from the World Bank headed by its Country Representative for the Caribbean, Lilia Burunciuc.

He said they would be remaining on the island for three months “and we are looking forward to that”.

He said the contract is worth US$12.5 million and “most of that money is grant money from the UK …so we are utilising about 12 million dollars in grants to carry out some of the work that is being done in Laudat for geothermal development so far.

“So that is really good news and the World Bank Country Director is here and we explain to them so they have a first-hand view of what is happening on site and it is very exciting for us,” Henderson added. The World Bank has approved US$27 million project to support the construction of a seven-megawatt small geothermal power plant in Dominica, which aims to increase the share of renewables, diversify the country’s energy matrix, and identify a clear road map for Private Sector investment in geothermal development. (Excerpt from CMC)

he Trinidad and Tobago Health Ministry’s Chemistry, Food and Drugs Division (CFDD) has voluntarily recalled US baby formula brands Similac, Alimentum and Elecare Powder.

The formula brands are manufactured by Abbott Nutrition. It comes three days following an announcement by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of consumer reports of Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport infections, of which the FDA and the Centres for Disease Control are currently investigating.

Early symptoms of

Cronobacter sakazakii infection may include fever, poor feeding, irritability, and fatigue/lethargy.

The Ministry, however, issued a statement saying T&T was not included in the FDA’s recall notification advisory. “(The Ministry) engaged the local distributor to conduct a reconciliation exercise (including physical stock check and review of importation invoices),” the statement said.

“This was done in recognition of the complexity of the supply chain management for such items.

Arising out of this exercise, the Ministry was informed

today (February 20) that a limited quantity of the recalled items was identified in the local supply.

“Additionally, the local distributor has also received subsequent documentation from Abbott Nutrition today, which advises of the batch number of any of the recalled products which may have entered the domestic market.”

As a result, the Ministry added, the CFDD advises those in possession of any of the recalled formulas, to discontinue use immediately and return the product to the point of purchase, where possible.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Barbados: New Commission to review Constitution

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he Barbados Government will soon be setting up a new Constitution Review Commission, says Attorney General Dale Marshall, and he will be making recommendations about its membership to Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.

Marshall made the comments on Friday during a courtesy call with a European Union (EU) Delegation, which included Managing Director of the Americas for European External Action Service, Brian Glynn; Deputy Director General of International Partnerships, Myriam Ferran, and the Ambassador to Barbados,

Malgorzata Wasilewska.

The Attorney General said a draft Constitution had been prepared and he anticipates intense discussions during the public consultations, which are expected to be held over a 12 to 18-month period.

“I hope that before the end of year two of this term, we will be bringing a new Constitution to Parliament,” he stated.

Ambassador Wasilewska congratulated Barbados for its recent “excellent” ranking on the Corruption Perception Index.

Marshall said Government was “gratified” about the position, as a lot of

effort had been put into this area, including the passage of four important pieces of legislation.

He underscored the importance of transparency to the Barbados Government, and pointed out that various amendments and tweaking had been made to the Integrity in Public Life Bill, which would be brought back to Parliament shortly.

During the wide-ranging discussions, the officials also spoke about matters relating to constitutional reform, the death penalty, the court system, and two pieces of legislation pertaining to children, which are almost complete.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

Petrópolis: More than 150 still missing in flood-hit Brazil city

S

earch and clean-up efforts continue in the Brazilian city of Petrópolis, five days after flash floods and mudslides that have killed at least 152 people.

The victims include at least 27 children and teenagers, while 154 are still missing, officials say.

Repeated downpours have hampered the work of emergency teams, with authorities saying it is unlikely anyone will be found alive.

About 900 people are being housed in schools and shelters.

Workers are digging with spades and shovels through the rubble and muck, with teams of volunteers helping in the efforts.

The search is being carried out with hand tools and chainsaws in unstable areas, with teams being helped by 41 sniffer dogs.

“It’s impossible to bring in heavy machinery up here,” Roberto Amaral, co-

Workers dug with spades and shovels through the rubble and muck in a dense fog on Saturday

ordinator of the local fire department’s special rescue group, told AFP news agency. “So, we basically have to work like ants, going little by little.”

In one of the worst-hit neighbourhoods, up to 80 houses on a hillside were hit by landslides.

On Sunday, a massive clean-up effort retrieved more than 300 vehicles that had been swept away by the floods as the city, a popular tourist getaway north of Rio de Janeiro, tries to reopen

for business.

“We need our streets clear so we can speed up the job of getting our city back on its feet,” Mayor Rubens Bomtempo said.

Tuesday’s rainfall exceeded the average for the whole of February, triggering landslides and floods.

President Jair Bolsonaro, who flew over the disaster zone on Friday, said the city was suffering from “enormous destruction, like scenes of war”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Arab oil producers say OPEC+ should stick to current output agreement

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PEC+ should stick to its current agreement to add 400,000 barrels of oil per day each month to output, Ministers of Arab oil-producing countries said on Sunday as they gathered in Saudi Arabia, rejecting calls to pump more to ease pressure on prices.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, a group known as OPEC+, agreed on Feb 2 to stick to moderate rises in oil output, citing persistent uncertainty.

The Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told an industry conference in Riyadh the pandemic and the recovery underway "have taught us the value of caution".

"Caution, a word that I know some people hate me for, but...

I will continue being cautious, and (mindful of) the need to retain flexibility in our strategy and adopt a long-term perspective," Prince Abdulaziz said.

The Minister was speaking at a conference attended also by the UAE and Bahraini Energy Ministers, the Iraqi and Kuwaiti Oil Ministers and Egypt's Petroleum Minister.

The OPEC+ alliance was already struggling to meet existing targets, and has been under pressure from top consumers calling for more crude to cap surging prices amid fears over possible supply disruptions resulting from the Russian military presence at Ukraine's borders.

On Wednesday, the International Energy Agency urged OPEC+ to narrow the gap between its oil production targets and actual output.

US crude prices stand at around US$91 a barrel after surging some 40 per cent since Dec 1 and earlier this week touched their highest level since 2014. Prices for Brent crude, the global benchmark, have also soared and are near 7-year highs.

UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei said OPEC+ is always looking at supply and demand, and blamed geopolitics for soaring oil prices.

"We are all hoping for the de-escalation... I think our plan has been working and I don't believe that the market is hugely undersupplied currently. It's the other factors that are outside our hands which are impacting the market," Mazrouei said.

Iraqi Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar said that "for the benefit of all the energy market, OPEC+ should stay with the continuing and sustained current agreement" to avoid surprises.

Kuwaiti Oil Minister Mohammed al-Fares said OPEC+ is very sensitive to market reactions.

OPEC+ said it will work to integrate Iran into its oil output pact should Tehran and world powers reach agreement on reviving their nuclear deal, sources close to the group said on Friday.

The Saudi Minister said nonetheless the world may not be able to produce all the energy needed for economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic as investments in fossil fuels lagged behind.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Nigeria’s looted Benin bronzes returned more than 100 years later

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wo Benin bronzes have been returned to a traditional palace in Nigeria, more than a century after they were pillaged by British troops, raising hopes that thousands more artefacts could finally be returned to their ancestral home.

The artefacts, mostly in Europe, were stolen by explorers and colonisers from the Benin Kingdom, now southwestern Nigeria, and are among Africa’s most significant heritage objects.

They were created as early as the 16th century, according to the British Museum.

At a colourful ceremony in Benin City on Saturday to mark the return of a cockerel sculpture and head of an Oba (king), palace spokesman

Some 90 per cent of Africa's cultural heritage is believed to be in Europe, according to an estimate by French art historians [Tife Owolabi/Reuters]

Charles Edosonmwan said some of the bronzes had been taken as far away as New Zealand, the United States and Japan.

The two artefacts were handed over to the Nigerian

High Commission in October by the University of Aberdeen and Cambridge University’s Jesus College but have yet to return to their ancestral home.

“They are not just art but

they are things that underline the significance of our spirituality,” Edosonmwan said in an interview on the sidelines of a ceremony attended by traditional leaders.

The return is another milestone in the years-long fight

by African countries to recover looted works, as numerous European institutions are grappling with the cultural legacies of colonialism.

Some 90 per cent of Africa’s cultural heritage is believed to be in Europe, French art historians estimate.

Musee du Quai BranlyJacques Chirac in Paris alone holds about 70,000 African objects and London’s British Museum tens of thousands more. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

'God Save The Queen': Messages pour in after Elizabeth catches COVID

N

ews that Britain's Queen Elizabeth had tested positive for COVID-19 drew shock, concern and messages of goodwill from across the country on Sunday, with politicians and the public willing the 95-year-old to recover.

On a wet and blustery day, a few sightseers gathered at the gates of Windsor Castle where the queen is receiving medical treatment for mild symptoms. Others went online to

express support and message boards in the London Underground urged the monarch to "take it easy".

Many said they were troubled by the news after the world's longest reigning monarch pulled out of a number of high-profile events and spent a night in hospital last October, igniting fears about her health.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson led the official response, saying he was sure he spoke for the

olice in Nepal have fired rubber bullets and tear gas as hundreds of people protested over a US$500 million (£368 million) US grant going before Parliament.

Nepal signed the Millennium Challenge Corporation pact to fund infrastructure projects in 2017 and it has been a bone of contention between the US and China.

Several people were injured in the demonstrations outside Parliament in Kathmandu.

Groups opposing the US funding have said it undermines Nepal's sovereignty.

Protesters were also targeted with water cannon in an attempt to disperse Sunday's demonstration.

Police had stones thrown at them.

Parliament has until February 28 to ratify the deal, which has been delayed by divisions within political parties, including the ruling coalition.

Some of Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba's coalition partners including Maoist politicians, seen as

traditionally close to China, have questioned the deal, according to the AFP news agency.

"Although they agreed to present the agreement in the Parliament, it's still not clear whether all coalition partners will cast their vote in favour... Our efforts will continue to convince them," Prakash Sharan Mahat, spokesman for the ruling Nepali Congress party, told AFP. Nepalese media has reported the US Administration has held conversations with Nepali politicians urging them to endorse the pact by the end of the month or face the ties between the countries being reviewed. In response Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said such development co-operation should "come with no strings attached".

The Millennium Challenge Corporation was created by the US Congress in 2004 and offers large grants to support economic growth and reduce poverty, according to Washington DC. (Excerpt from BBC News)

nation when he wished the queen a swift recovery and a rapid return to vibrant good health.

Opposition leader Keir Starmer said: "Get well soon Ma'am." Many other politicians simply tweeted "God Save The Queen".

The US Embassy in London sent best wishes. The Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, described the queen as "a rock" in reference to the

British territory's landscape.

The widespread support for the queen follows the anniversary earlier this month when she quietly marked 70 years on the throne, the first British sovereign to do so.

The Palace said the queen was showing mild symptoms and was expected to continue "light duties" over the coming week.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Biden agrees in Nepal Police fire rubber bullets principle to Ukraine during US grant protest summit with Putin Firefighters struggle to douse fire on luxury cars vessel off Azores islands P U

F

irefighters are struggling to put out a fire that broke out on Wednesday on a vessel carrying thousands of luxury cars, which is adrift off the coast of Portugal's Azores islands, a port official said, adding it was unclear when they would succeed.

The Felicity Ace ship, carrying around 4000 vehicles including Porsches, Audis and Bentleys, some electric with lithium-ion batteries, caught fire in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday. The 22 crew members on board were evacuated on the same day.

"The intervention (to put out the blaze) has to be done very slowly," João Mendes Cabeças, captain of the nearest port in the Azorean island of Faial, told Reuters late on Saturday. "It will take a while."

Lithium-ion batteries in the electric vehicles on board are "keeping the fire

alive", Cabeças said, adding that specialist equipment to extinguish it was on the way.

It was not clear whether the batteries sparked the fire.

Volkswagen, which owns the brands, did not confirm the total number of cars on board and said on Friday it was awaiting further information.

Cabeças previously said that "everything was on fire about five meters above the water line" and the blaze was still far from the ship's fuel tanks. It is getting closer, he said.

They also cannot use water because adding weight to the ship could make it more unstable, and traditional water extinguishers do not stop lithium-ion batteries from burning, Cabeças said.

The Panama-flagged ship will be towed to a country in Europe or to the Bahamas but it is unclear when that will happen.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

S President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed in principle to a summit over Ukraine, the US and French leaders said, offering a possible path out of one of the most dangerous European crises in decades.

The office of French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement on Monday he had pitched both leaders on a summit over "security and strategic stability in Europe".

The White House said in a statement that Biden had accepted the meeting "in principle" but only "if an invasion hasn't happened".

"We are always ready for diplomacy," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said. "We are also ready to impose swift and severe consequences should Russia instead choose war."

Messages seeking comment from the Kremlin and from the office of Ukrainian President

Volodymyr Zelenskiy were not immediately returned early Monday.

Many details about the proposed summit – which was announced after a volley of phone calls between Macron, Biden, Putin, Zelenskiy, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson – are unclear.

Macron's office and the White House said the substance of the summit would be worked out by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during their upcoming meeting planned for February 24. What role Ukraine would play in the summit, if any, was also uncertain.

A Biden Administration official said in an email the summit was "completely notional" as the timing and format were yet to be determined.

Michael McFaul, a former US Ambassador to Russia, said he was sceptical the summit would happen. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Common sense is required when dealing with emotional matters. Take a step back and reassess your position and feelings before making a comment or a move. Arguing is a waste of time.

(March 21-April 19) Running from the truth or not sharing your true feelings will leave you in limbo. Search for the right words, and you will make everyone you are dealing with feel good about the outcome.

DILBERT

(April 20-May 20) Preparation, experience and knowledge will help you map your way and put you in an ideal position for advancement. Don't trust someone who has let you down in the past or is prying.

(May 21-June 20) Start a new hobby or educational pursuit that will be helpful with personal growth and enlightenment. An exciting partnership will enrich your life.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Slow down and keep your intentions and thoughts to yourself until you can decide what type of response you'll receive. Focus on personal finances, property and overall health.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Pick an expert's brain for answers that will help you use your talents. A networking function will pay off if you work the room and do more listening than talking.

CALVIN AND HOBBES (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Don't act without giving plenty of thought to what you will say and how you will follow through. Put a long-term plan in place, and don't share too much information until you're ready.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) You can make a move or reposition things to be more convenient. Reach out to unique people, and the feedback you get will help you cultivate a plan that can alter your life and direction.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Working in conjunction with someone who has similar goals will be mutually beneficial. Set up a conference, and you'll come up with options. Get what you want in writing.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

SATURDAY'S WORD -- MUSTERS

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Feedback you receive will help you target the changes necessary to reach your goal. A domestic change will improve your attitude and your relationships with those who reside under the same roof.

Sharing too much information will put you in a vulnerable position. Listen to what others have to say, and it will give you the upper hand. Don't let a change someone springs upset your plans.

Too much of anything will lead to confusion. Spend less and take better care of your well-being, and you'll achieve what you set out to do. Project kindness and love, and good things will happen.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022

21

Man United survive Leeds comeback in 6-goal thriller M anchester United survived a stirring Leeds United comeback at an emotional Elland Road to claim a crucial victory and maintain their grip on a top-four place in the Premier League.

In the first game in front of fans between the two old rivals at Elland Road since October 2003, they produced a fitting spectacle played out in a deluge and a predictably thunderous atmosphere.

Manchester United were in complete control at the break after Captain Harry Maguire headed in Luke Shaw's corner, and Bruno Fernandes did the same from Jadon Sancho's cross right on half-time.

Leeds, however, mounted a superb revival and were level with two goals inside a minute as Rodrigo's 53rd-minute cross drifted in behind keeper David de Gea, then substitute Raphinha sent Elland Road into raptures when he slid home a cross from Daniel James.

Manchester United gathered themselves, Manager Ralf Rangnick made changes, and one of his substitutes produced the rewards as Fred drove in at Illan Meslier's near post following more good work by Sancho with 20 minutes left – although Anthony Elanga was struck by objects thrown from the crowd amid the celebrations.

Elanga recovered to confirm Manchester United's win with a composed finish two minutes from time from

N

Substitutes Anthony Elanga and Fred were both on target for Manchester United

with three games in hand.

Leeds show all their faces

Harry Maguire's opener was the first Premier League goal scored by Manchester United from a corner since they beat Burnley in April 2021

Fernandes' pass.

Red Devils take tough road to victory

Manchester United's victory came in three phases – the control of the first half, the shock of Leeds United's quick one-two, then the recovery to finally close out the victory they deserved.

This was always going to be a test of mettle and for a spell after the break when Leeds scored those two quick goals and were winning all the 50-50s in this most raucous of environments, it looked like they would not come through the examination unscathed.

Manchester United's players looked shell-shocked at the turn of events that allowed Leeds, who looked deflated at half-time,

to revive themselves and even threaten a victory that would have been the sweetest of all for the home fans, who made their dislike of the visitors clear before, during, and after this game.

Manager Rangnick, however, deserves credit for the changes that restored Manchester United's equilibrium, Fred coming on to put them back in front and another substitute, Elanga, snuffing out any hope Leeds had of a point with the fourth.

Manchester United will feel they deserved the win over the whole piece, but they were fragile at times and were rocking under Leeds attacks until Fred silenced the crowd, albeit temporarily.

There were unsavoury scenes when Elanga needed to be attended to after being hit by missiles thrown from the

Djokovic eager to play again after deportation from Australia

ovak Djokovic was looking forward to kick-starting his 2022 season in Dubai following his deportation from Australia, and said he would be the first to congratulate US Open champion Danil Medvedev if the Russian ends his two-year reign at the top of the world rankings this week.

The 34-year-old Serbian will play competitively on Monday for the first time this year in his opening Dubai Duty Free Championships match against Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, ranked 57th in the world.

"I am as well prepared as I possibly can be and excited to again be able to tour,"

he told a press conference on Sunday.

Djokovic, who is chasing his sixth tournament win in Dubai, said he resumed training about 10 days after he was deported from Australia and had been playing tennis for the past three weeks.

"I did my best to put myself in a good position tennis-wise and mentally as well ... I'm really happy to be playing again,” he said.

The world number one, who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, was flown out of Australia after an 11-day ordeal, at the discretion of the country's Immigration Minister over concerns the tennis star could fuel an-

ti-vax sentiment.

Djokovic has said that he is not an anti-vaxxer and that his refusal to be vaccinated stems from uncertainty over how a coronavirus vaccination could affect his playing performance. World number two Medvedev, who is playing in the Mexican Open this month, could dethrone Djokovic depending on how well each player performs in their respective tournaments.

"Eventually, it's going to happen and if it happens this week, I'll be the first one to congratulate him," Djokovic said.

Medvedev was runner-up in last month's Australian Open. (Reuters)

crowd following Fred's goal, but he was able to regain his composure to such an extent that he struck the final blow in the closing moments.

Manchester United enjoyed their second win in a week and sit fourth, four points behind Chelsea and four ahead of fifth-placed West Ham, but know they need to keep winning with Arsenal four points behind in sixth

Leeds United demonstrated every facet of exactly what they are in another Elland Road thrill ride. Marcelo Bielsa's side can be called many things but never dull.

Leeds showed their defensive frailty in the first half when Diego Llorente failed miserably to mark Maguire at a corner, the situation not helped by keeper Meslier's 'inout' hokey-cokey that left him in no man's land.

They were exposed again when Victor Lindelof strode out of defence to tee up Sancho for the perfect cross on to Fernandes' head to send clouds of gloom over Elland Road, to accompany those depositing constant heavy rain on a pitch left carrying surface water. What we saw then was the bold, attacking bravery that has made Leeds, under

Bielsa, one of the most exciting teams to watch since their return to the Premier League.

They pulled the situation around, but there was never a sense that they were in complete control, secure against an attacking counterpunch and so it proved as Manchester United inflicted further punishment. Leeds and Bielsa cannot get midfield lynchpin Kalvin Phillips, main marksman Patrick Bamford and defender Liam Cooper back quick enough, just to ease those worries of dropping into relegation trouble.

And they could be without defender Robin Koch, who was taken off after suffering a head wound in a collision with Scott McTominay. They are five points off the relegation places with a trip to Liverpool on the horizon this week, so it will not get any easier for Bielsa and his players. (BBC Sport)

Winter Olympics: Bach calls for peace and vaccine accessibility in closing speech

I

nternational Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach reiterated his wish for peace as he officially closed the Beijing Games.

In his welcoming speech earlier in February, Bach stated: "There will be no discrimination for any reason whatsoever. In our fragile world, where division, conflict, and mistrust are on the rise, we show the world: yes, it is possible to be fierce rivals, while at the same time living peacefully and respectfully together.

"This is the mission of the Olympic Games: bringing us together in peaceful competition. Always building bridges, never erecting walls. Uniting humankind in all our diversity."

And with tensions between Russia and the West rising over the possibility of a Ukraine invasion, Bach believes the Beijing Games have been the perfect example of "solidarity and peace", as he called on world leaders to be inspired by the athletes.

"Each and every one of you strived to achieve your personal best. We were

Thomas Bach

deeply touched how you were wishing and cheering for your competitors to achieve their best as well.

"You not only respected each other: you embraced each other, even if your countries are divided by conflict.

"You overcame these divisions, demonstrating that in this Olympic community we are all equal – regardless of what we look like, where we come from, or what we believe.

"This unifying power of the Olympic Games is stronger than the forces that want to divide us: you give peace a chance," he said. B ach also emphasised the importance of the COVID-19

vaccination programme.

The pandemic, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has been ongoing for two years, and Bach stressed the crucial need for poorer nations to have equal access to the vaccines. "If we want to finally overcome this pandemic, we must be faster," he said.

"We must aim higher, we must be stronger, we must stand together. Vaccination means caring for each other. In this Olympic spirit of solidarity, we call on the international community: give equal access to vaccines for everybody around the world." (Sportsmax)

22

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pooran slams 3rd successive halfcentury, but India whitewash West Indies

S

uryakumar Yadav brought out his full repertoire of strokes, while Venkatesh Iyer continued to grow into the dual role of all-rounder and finisher, as India surged in the second half of both innings to complete a 3-0 series sweep with a 17-run win against West Indies.

Defeat in the third and final T20 International (T20I) meant West Indies ended their tour of India winless, having been comprehensively blanked 3-0 in the One-Day Internationals (ODIs). The margin was the same in the T20Is, but West Indies were more competitive in the shortest format.

Until Suryakumar and Venkatesh came together, India were 93 for 4 in 13.5 overs, the run-rate dawdling

Dominic Drakes and co celebrate the big wicket of Rohit Sharma

at 6.72 per over. The duo nearly doubled India's total in the remaining 6.1 overs, with a whirlwind stand of 91. The shot-making from both was audacious, and breath-taking in its audacity too. If Suryakumar played

a sweep shot with the ferocity and effect of a full-blooded pull, Venkatesh walked into his drives with elegance that wouldn't have been out of place at a fine-dining sit-down.

Then Suryakumar showed wrists of steel and hands that moved at the speed of sound in cracking sixes straight, and Venkatesh made jaws drop with a pick-up shot for six that thrilled as much for effect as execution.

Suryakumar was out off the final ball of the innings trying to hit his eighth six of

Romario Shepherd struck three sixes in a good effort

swinging too.

The total seemed particularly inadequate when Deepak Chahar pulled up with an injury to his right hip after having taken 2 for 15 in 11 balls, leaving India without their most experienced bowler. However, this was where India's investing in Venkatesh's all-round ability paid off, as he not only delivered the 13 balls required

as they ultimately subsided to 167 for 9. Harshal's 3 for 22 was the standout bowling performance of the match.

An all-new opening combination for India

India brought in Avesh Khan, Shreyas Iyer, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shardul Thakur for this game, with

good returns in the first two T20Is, but found better timing in this game. Gaikwad fell early, but Shreyas got off the blocks quickly too.

West Indies also had four changes, with Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh Jr, Dominic Drakes, and Shai Hope coming in for Brandon King, Odean Smith, Akeal Hossein,

Hayden Walsh Jr picked up a wicket on his return

Rutherford leaves PSL due to personal reasons

Romario Shepherd struck three sixes in a good effort Jason Holder bowled a top spell

his innings, for 65 off 31, while Venkatesh remained unbeaten on 35 off 19. The 184 that they dragged India to seemed above par at that point. It eventually proved to be just about enough as West Indies' own six-hitters came out

of him confidently, but also took two wickets while doing it. West Indies' deep batting came to the fore in this game, with batters swinging and connecting, but Harshal Patel's dipping slower balls provided the key difference,

SCOREBOARD

P

eshawar Zalmi have faced a huge blow as Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Sherfane Rutherford will miss the Yellow Storm's upcoming games of the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Kohler-Cadmore will not be available to Peshawar Zalmi for the upcoming matches after he sustained an injury. He has played two matches so far for Zalmi in this edition of the PSL, where he has only scored 22 runs.

Meanwhile, the left-handed batter Rutherford has withdrawn from the PSL owing to personal commit-

ments.

Rutherford has scored 181 runs for Zalmi in nine matches played in this edition of the PSL and the Yellow Storm will surely miss him.

Both players have left for their respective homes, leaving Zalmi in despair.

England batting all-rounder Benny Howell has joined Peshawar Zalmi as a substitute. Peshawar Zalmi have already secured their place in the playoffs after Multan Sultans beat Quetta Gladiators on Friday.

Peshawar Zalmi will next take on Lahore Qalandars today at the Gaddafi Stadium Lahore.

INDIA INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Ruturaj Gaikwad c Mayers b Holder 4 Ishan Kishan † b Chase 34 Shreyas Iyer c Holder b Walsh 25 Rohit Sharma (c) b Drakes 7 Suryakumar Yadav c Powell b Shepherd 65 Venkatesh Iyer not out 35 Extras (lb 10, w 4) 14 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 9.20) 184/5 Did not bat: Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2.3 ov), 2-63 (Shreyas Iyer, 8.3 ov), 3-66 (Ishan Kishan, 9.4 ov), 4-93 (Rohit Sharma, 13.5 ov), 5-184 (Suryakumar Yadav, 19.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Jason Holder 4-0-29-1 Romario Shepherd 4-0-50-1 Roston Chase 4-0-23-1 Hayden Walsh 4-0-30-1 Dominic Drakes 3-0-37-1 Fabian Allen 1-0-5-0 WEST INDIES INNINGS (TARGET: 185 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Kyle Mayers c †Ishan Kishan b Chahar 6 Shai Hope c †Ishan Kishan b Chahar 8

Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant given a bio-bubble break and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal rested.

Rohit Sharma threw another curveball at the toss when he said that the openers would be Ishan Kishan with Gaikwad, and that he himself would be dropping down the order.

Kishan had not had

Nicholas Pooran † c †Ishan Kishan b Thakur 61 Rovman Powell c Thakur b Patel 25 Kieron Pollard (c) c Ravi Bishnoi b VR Iyer 5 Jason Holder c SS Iyer b VR Iyer 2 Roston Chase b Patel 12 Romario Shepherd c Sharma b Patel 29 Fabian Allen not out 5 Dominic Drakes c Sharma b Thakur 4 Hayden Walsh not out 0 Extras (lb 3, w 7) 10 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.35) 167/9 Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Kyle Mayers, 0.5 ov), 2-26 (Shai Hope, 2.4 ov), 3-73 (Rovman Powell, 6.5 ov), 4-82 (Kieron Pollard, 8.3 ov), 5-87 (Jason Holder, 10.2 ov), 6-100 (Roston Chase, 11.5 ov), 7-148 (Nicholas Pooran, 17.1 ov), 8-158 (Romario Shepherd, 18.5 ov), 9-166 (Dominic Drakes, 19.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Deepak Chahar 1.5-0-15-2 Avesh Khan 4-0-42-0 Venkatesh Iyer 2.1-0-23-2 Shardul Thakur 4-0-33-2-8 Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-29-0 Harshal Patel 4-0-22-3

and Sheldon Cottrell. Walsh Jr and Roston Chase's spin combination reined India in after the quick start. Shreyas was out when looking to take the attack to Walsh Jr, and Rohit was in the middle in the 10th over against spin, not the best starting conditions for him. (ESPNcricinfo)

Suryakumar Yadav slammed a brilliant half-century

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022

23

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic brings the heat on night 1

me out to play

zuela (in red) ca

ne A team from Ve

S

ome much-needed basketball action soothed the soul of many fans as the action in the Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic commenced on Saturday night at the Burnham Hardcourt, with 16 teams battling in the preliminary rounds to determine their slot in the finale and a shot at $500,000.

The matches were spectacular as the management brought the basketball vibes on the newly-refurbished Burnham Hardcourt, the lighting was superb, and the fans were going wild – all in a COVID-friendly environment. Fans were able to witness defending champions Pitbull 3.0 dominate their match-up as the other teams duked it out.

The results for the first night are as follow: * Pitbull defeated Vertically Challenged 22-1 * East Siders defeated

Pacesetters

les to the ing down the ru Rawle Toney lay menced m co es m ga e players before th

21-13 * Conquerors defeated Mamba 13-10 * Gunnerz defeated Renegades 14-5 * Royals defeated Linden 6-5 * Guardians defeated Q Ballers 16-12 * GDF defeated West

first night progressed was founder of the event, Rawle Toney, who said, “Thank you all for the overwhelming support shown to the first night of my tournament. Truth be told, with all that's happening around town tonight, I really didn't expect to have the kind

Siders 9-8 * Titans defeated Venezuela 11-7 Sharing his sentiment on social media as to how the

of support I did on the first night. But the support was amazing! I was in awe. So, I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, thank you all once

BCB doing incredible job with youths and the game – Sir Curtly Ambrose

“S

Sir Curtly Ambrose and Nolan McKenzie

omething is working here in Berbice to produce so many international cricketers” Commenting on the work of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), following the successful conclusion of the three-day BCB-Dr Frank Denbow Fast Bowlers camp on February 13, 2022 at the Albion Community Centre Ground, West Indies fast-bowling legend Sir Curtly Ambrose noted that he had heard a lot about the BCB and the impact it had

been making in the lives of players.

“Well, I’ve heard of the history of the Berbice Cricket Board and the amount of top players, not only coming through the county but who went on to play not only for Guyana but West Indies and they are some very big names in the line-up.

“So, it simply means that something is working here in Berbice to produce so many international cricketers. I want to say kudos to Mr Hilbert Foster, who is doing a

great job with the leadership as President and, of course, his crew,” he declared.

Sir Curtly noted that Foster was surrounded by a good working group that was supportive of his honest vision, and that was what was needed for any organisation to be successful in today’s challenging world.

“So, I think that whatever the ingredients are, it’s working and it’s for them to continue to do what they are doing; to continue to produce top-quality cricketers.”

again."

The rules of the tournament stated that proceeding forward all losers will play each other and all winners will play against each other to advance, therefore, resulting in a double knockout, which

ack) dominated

Pitbull 3.0 (in bl

would determine who would advance to the quarter-finals and so forth.

The tournament is sponsored by Team Mohamed’s, Modern Building Solutions, Medicine Chest, Mackeson, Guyana Lottery Company,

their game

Trophy Stall, Hennessy, FireSide Grill, Bush Cook, Stuff, MVP Sports, FK Sports, Shi Oil, Brother’s Security, The Muse Bar, Pressy’s Gift Shop, Cigar and Cognac, 94.1 Boom FM, Fireside Grill N Chill, and E-Networks.

El-Masri hat-trick leads lady Jags to convincing win over Turks and Caicos

Mariam El-Masri scored three goals

I

t was yet another superb night for the Lady Jags as they emerged victorious over Turks and Caicos Islands 7-0 and topped Group F. Three players handled the scoring duties for the Lady Jaguars, as Mariam ElMasri notched a hat-trick, while Cameo Hazlewood and Hannah Baptiste each bagged braces.

The action commenced for the Lady Jags as they came in with a chip on their shoulders after defeating Dominica 4-0 at Leonora.

They took control of the game in the early minutes as Hazlewood scored in the 10th minute to give Guyana a 1-0 lead. This forced their opponents onto the back foot and just when you thought things couldn't get worse for Turks and Caicos, Baptiste scored Guyana’s second goal in the 30th minute.

Guyana were more aggressive in their approach as they constantly aimed for the net; this mentality resulted in Hazlewood scoring the third goal in the 40th minute to close out the first half 3-0.

Turks and Caicos tried, but it wasn't good enough; their efforts seemed futile against the roar of the Jaguars. El-Masri further tightened the rope around

their necks with goals in the 48th and 61st minute respectively. With the score reading 5-0, the mood changed in the Turks and Caicos camp as they could only play out whatever time remained in the game.

But the Jags were not done, they further stamped their authority as Baptiste scored her second goal in the 72nd minute and El-Masri her third in the 84th minute to close out the game 7-0.

At the end of the game, the stats showed that the Lady Jags attempted 35 shots while their opponents registered none. Thirteen of the Jags’ shots were aimed at the goal, and they had 58 per cent possession of the ball compared to their opponents’ 42 per cent.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022

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

Page 23

Pooran slams 3rd successive half-century, but India whitewash West Indies Page 22

Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic brings the heat on night 1 El-Masri hat-trick leads lady Jags to convincing win over Turks and Caicos See story on page 23

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