Guyana Times - Monday January 11, 2021

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Exxon’s mega oil finds in Guyana just the beginning Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4525

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

US throws support behind Guyana over Venezuela’s new border claim Page 2

Liquefied Petroleum Gas plant being considered for Wales – President Ali

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Taxi driver P2 killed in Sunday morning accident at Soesdyke

Inmate found P7 dead in cell at Lusignan Prison

Page 3

...Region 3 to see massive transformation ...Region APNU/AFC joins Over 2500 householdsPage President Ali in rejecting affected by floods in 13 “mischievous” Page Regions 2, 4 and 10 – CDC 7 Venezuela decree

See story on page 7

– says it stands in solidarity in safeguarding Guyana’s sovereignty

– clogged drains, thick vegetation major cause of flooding

APNU/AFC Govt overpaid $166M to defaulting contractors in 2018 ...legal action will be pursued to recover sum – Min Edghill

Page 9

Over $100M in ganja found, P10 destroyed along Berbice River

Men drop gun, ammo during Police chase P12

Guyana records 2 more COVID-19 deaths, 33 new cases P11 8 arrested during Police operation at Goed Fortuin

P10

2 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US throws support behind Guyana over Venezuela’s new border claim

T

he United States has denounced Venezuela’s new claim of the maritime border west of Guyana’s Essequibo Coast.

Last week, the Nicolás Maduro Government issued a decree claiming for Venezuela sovereignty and exclusive sovereign rights in the waters and seabed adjacent to Guyana’s coast, west of the Essequibo River – a move which President Dr Irfaan Ali has staunchly rejected.

On Sunday, the US threw its support behind Guyana, saying that Guyana’s application currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the legal and peaceful way in settling the decades-long border controversy between the neighbouring states.

On Sunday evening, US Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch tweeted, “The United States has long called for a legal peaceful resolution to Guyana’s border controversy with Venezuela and we reiterate that call today.”

The diplomat at the time had shared a post made minutes earlier by Acting Assistant Secretary for US Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael

Kozak.

In his tweet, Ambassador Kozak reiterated that the US supports the ICJ’s December 18, 2020 ruling that it has jurisdiction in the GuyanaVenezuela territorial border controversy case, which he contended is the “legal and peaceful way forward.”

“Maduro’s aggressive claims don’t change this, they only show the world his disregard for his neighbours and intl. law,” the State Department official posited.

The new decree issued

by President Maduro comes days before the world court is scheduled to hold a case management hearing on Guyana’s application for a final and binding settlement of the border controversy with Venezuela.

However, President Ali on Saturday declared that while this latest move by the Spanish-speaking nation is “deeply disturbing”, it will not deter Guyana’s resolve to seek a final and binding resolution at the ICJ. “We have always chosen a path of peaceful resolution of the Venezuelan issue within international law… I remind that sovereignty over this coast, and the land territory to which it is attached, were awarded to Guyana (then British Guiana) in the

1899 Arbitral Award, whose validity and legally binding character Guyana is confident the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will uphold unequivocally,” President Ali asserted during an address to the nation.

According to the Head of State, Venezuela has violated at least two fundament principles of international law, that is, no State can unilaterally determine its international boundaries and the fundamental principle that “the land dominates the sea”, meaning that sovereignty over the sea and seabed emanate from title to the land that forms the coast to

which those seas and seabed are adjacent.

To this end, the Guyanese leader said that Venezuela’s new border claim is a “legal nullity” that will not be recognised by Guyana or any other State in the world.

Meanwhile, President Ali also disclosed during Saturday’s address to the nation that Venezuela’s Head of Mission in Guyana would be summoned to the Foreign Affairs Ministry over the decree.

Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd was instructed to inform the Officer-in-Charge to convey to the Venezuelan authorities in Caracas that

in accordance with international law, and its assertion of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, Guyana rejects entirely the decree issued by President Maduro.

Nevertheless, President Ali posited that the Guyana Government is alerting the international community, including sister States in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and in the Americas of the danger to international peace and security that is being threatened by last Thursday’s Venezuela decree which violates fundamental principles of international law.

Venezuela’s decreeing

of sovereign rights to maritime border off of Guyana’s Essequibo Coast came the same day the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) announced that its Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard would commence the first of a series of joint exercises off the coast of Guyana.

This is part of the operationalisation of the Shiprider Agreement ratified by Guyana and the US back in September 2020 during the visit of US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo.

The exercise will take place off the coast of Guyana and will focus mainly on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. It will be conducted in collaboration with the US Coast Guard Cutter STONE vessel, which is currently in the region for a multi-country tour.

Additionally, the US Embassy in Guyana had announced the same day that the Commander of US Southern Command, US Navy Admiral Craig Faller, will visit Guyana from today, January 11 to January 13. He will meet with Government and defence leaders and discuss the bilateral security partnership between the United States and Guyana during the two-day visit.

Taxi driver killed in Sunday morning accident at Soesdyke

A

father of four has become the latest road fatality after he reportedly lost control of his car in the vicinity of Patsy’s food court, Linden-Soesdyke Highway junction in the wee hours of Sunday.

The dead man has been identified as 47-year-old Lester Williams of Hill Foot, Linden-Soesdyke Highway, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Based on reports received, the taxi driver was heading home when he reportedly lost control of the vehicle, crashed into the me-

dian, then into a koker and finally toppled several times before hitting a parked truck.

He was reportedly pinned under the car and died on the spot. His body was later removed and taken to the Lyken Funeral Home. At the home of the dead man hours after the accident, family members had gathered and were making preparations for his wake.

One of his brothers, M Williams explained that he was at home when he received a telephone call about

the accident. He said that without hesitation, he drove to the scene only to find his brother’s Toyota Allion motor car with its four wheels in the air. He related that persons were trying to pull him from the wreckage, but were unsuccessful.

Williams’s lifeless body was eventually retrieved after a tow truck arrived at the scene and righted the upturned car. By then, the grieving brother said, the undertakers had arrived and they pulled the body from the car.

received, usually, when his brother was about to leave the taxi park, he would drive around and tell everyone he was heading home.

“Is drive he de driving telling everyone he was heading home when the ac-

hole on the roadway which caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

The eyewitness stated that the car then toppled and slammed into the parked truck.

The dead man was de-

Dead: Lester Williams

Williams’s brother, who was trying to hold his emotions in check, told Guyana Times that he last saw his sibling alive on Saturday evening about 19:00h.

“He was home all day, but at about 7 o’clock, he left home and say he going and make two fast trip… that was the last time I saw him alive … the next time I saw him is when they pulled his body from under the car,” the brother stated.

The devastated man said that based on information

The wrecked car that had been driven by the now dead Lester Williams

cident occurred… I could not say if he was under the influence of alcohol…,” he said.

Meanwhile, an eyewitness told this publication that Williams was speeding and the car ended up in a

scribed as a family person who also had a clean heart.

He leaves to mourn his four children, siblings, and friends. The Police are currently investigating the fatal accident.

NEWS

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MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Gas-to-shore project

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, January 11 – 02:30h – 04:00h and 13:30h – 15:00h and Tuesday, January 12 – 03:00h – 04:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, January 11 – 15:00h – 16:30h and Tuesday, January 12 – 15:50h – 17:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny intervals will prevail during the day.

There will be clear skies during the night.

Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly to North North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 15:11h reaching a maximum height of 2.62 metres.

Low Tide: 08:43h and 21:18h reaching minimum heights of 0.78 metre and 0.57 metre.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas plant being considered for Wales – President Ali ...Region 3 to see massive transformation

A

mong the projects the Government is presently considering for Wales on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), where the gas-to-shore project is likely to land, is a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plant that will have the potential to cater for the energy needs of the people.

This was revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali during a recent interview with US broadcaster Farook Juman. According to Ali, Government is not only considering an LPG plant as a spin-off for the gas-to-shore project, but also a protein plant.

LPG is a derivative of crude petroleum. Colourless and odourless but distributed as a liquid, it is a popular gas for consumer needs like cooking and heating ap-

President Irfaan Ali

and a power plant, but we’re looking at the possibility of a protein plant. We’re looking at LPG.” According to the Head of State, this is how urbanisation and regionalisation take place. And he explained that this rapid development will be supported by the Government’s housing programme.

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pliances. President Ali described these initiatives as part of the development push.

“Region Three, you will see massive investment on the shoreside of the Demerara River that will create massive opportunities and a trickle-down effect. You will see development of agro-processing facilities. You will see greater use of the Essequibo River,” Ali said.

“The landing of the gasto-shore pipeline in Region Three to Wales onshore, which will have a big industrial development taking place there that is linked to not only power generation

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COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

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“These are all going to be spin-off (industries). Can you understand the massive transformation that will take place in that region, that will create also a population push,” President Ali posited.

Soon after the Government issued per-

mit licences to Exxon for the Payara Development Project last year, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had announced that the Government would turn its attention to negotiating the gas-to-energy project.

He had pointed out that Guyana is generating at nearly 17 to 20 cents per kilowatt/hour. As such, he noted that the project could cut the cost of electricity in the country by more than half. To this end, he had announced that a team has been set up to start negotiations on the gas-to-energy project, with the Government eyeing 2023 to bring the project to fruition.

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

A number of factors, including geotechnical, geophysical and environmental factors were examined before Vice President Jagdeo announced recently that the Government had settled on Wales to land the pipelines for the project.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who has responsibility for the energy sector, has previously said that the Government is looking to produce 200 megawatts of power from the gas-to-shore project by 2024.

Exxon has said that around 30 to 35 million cubic feet of natural gas would be

required for the gas-to-shore project. Recently-released data from Norwegian research company Rystad Energy had indicated that less than 20 per cent of the 1.8 billion Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) discovered last year was gas.

The Haimara discovery made by Exxon in 2019 was found to have 207 feet of high-quality gas condensate sandstone reservoirs.

Several experts have already championed the merits of bringing gas to shore, including US-based energy consultant Edwin Callender.

At an energy forum in June of 2019, Callender had noted that in a country like Guyana where power outages were a significant problem, natural gas energy production could help to modernise the country.

Robert McNally, another energy expert and the President of Washingtonbased Rapidan Energy Group, has also endorsed the Government’s drive for bringing gas to shore.

During a visit to Guyana last year, McNally told the media that that natural gas would be a much cleaner substitute for the Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) currently being used by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) to generate power.

According to McNally, this can offer the country an abundant, reliable and cleaner source of power. McNally noted that having studied the oil market, Guyana also being able to cut its electricity expenses would be a “godsend” for the country.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

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

Rattling sabres on western border

I

t is said that all politics is local and the latest sabre rattling

by Venezuelan strong-man Maduro over their concocted controversy on our 1899 settled Essequibo border merely illustrates that truism. Faced with an economic meltdown of catastrophic proportions that has witnessed five million citizens fleeing the country; inflation reaching 4000 per cent food, fuel and medicine shortages forcing people to scavenge garbage bins to survive, Maduro needs a distraction. He created the means after the December 2020 Legislative Elections, which the Guaidó-led Opposition boycotted because the Elections Commission had been unilaterally reconstituted.

Maduro’s Socialist Party and its allies won 67 per cent of the 31 per cent of the registered voters that bothered to vote. He now controlled the Legislature to go with the military, Judiciary, and Executive. But he knew that all of this was built on sand since there was no real legitimisation from the majority of the people, who were only kept in line through force. The other variable in his calculus for maintaining power was that his bête noir, Donald Trump and the Republicans had just lost their November 3rd elections.

It would appear he believes the incoming Democratic Administration of Joe Biden will be less implacable to his undemocratic credentials and can be challenged. He also calculates that he can challenge the new People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime at a point when the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition Leader has refused to accept its legitimacy.

As such, last Thursday, Maduro announced, “I signed the decree by which the Territory for the Development of the Atlantic Façade of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is established, which becomes part of the legal, diplomatic and political actions for the defence of our rights for more than 200 years.” The “Atlantic Facade” is the Essequibo Coast, through which Guyana has rights to the adjoining Atlantic Ocean, and not coincidentally, its massive oil fields now being developed by Exxon. He also convened his handpicked Assembly and established a Special Committee to “defend” the Essequibo Region, which had been conclusively awarded to us in the 1899 Arbitral Award. He insisted, “It is ours; it belongs to the Venezuelans and we are going to reconquer it in peace, in national union, we are going to achieve it.”

The Assembly explicitly rejected the ICJ’s December 2020 decision that it had the requisite jurisdiction to pronounce on the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, in consonance with Venezuela’s agreement in the 1966 Geneva Accord.

Maduro wrote the United Nations Secretary General requesting that the latter again invoke his “good office” to facilitate bilateral talks between Guyana and Venezuela that had been “exhausted” after 50 years.

Maduro is clearly following in the footsteps of so many of his predecessors in trying to use the Essequibo border controversy they concocted in 1962 to divert domestic attention away from their internal challenges that are tearing apart their national fabric. He is hoping to provoke a nationalistic response against Guyana and the United States, which is the home of Exxon, with which Venezuela has a long-running feud.

In a broadcast to the nation, President Irfaan Ali gave a pellucid statement of Guyana’s position. Pointing out that Venezuela had violated “at least two fundamental principles of international law”, both of which are under the purview of the ICJ, Dr Ali declared unequivocally, “Guyana rejects entirely the decree issued by President Maduro.”

He explained, “Venezuela’s attempt to claim for itself the seas and seabed adjacent to the coast west of the Essequibo River is another legal nullity, which will receive no legal regard from any other State in the world, including Guyana.”

The President also instructed his Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Guyana Consulate in Venezuela to convey, respectively, to the Venezuelan Ambassador and the Venezuelan Government, Guyana’s position, from which it has not veered since 1962. We seek friendly relations, but “not a blade of grass”.

Enforcing the Racial Hostility Act: Seeing things through the prism of those best fitted to serve Dear Editor, Racial stigmatisation, and the violence that often follows, are not unique to Guyana. Racial terms such as “Coolie” and “Blackman” have been spewed out over and over since the country achieved Independence, nay, even before that period.

There is no doubt that the way these terms are used to refer to Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese respectively is nothing but racist and derogatory. No wonder racial hostility is a perennial problem in this country. On certain occasions, such as when there are elections in the country, racial hostility could reach a level that surfaces the worst in some of the Guyanese people.

To militate against these eventualities, the 1964 Racial Hostility Act was amended in 2002 to make “it a criminal offence to excite hostility or ill-will against persons by reason of their race and prohibits incitement to racial hatred, punishable if one wilfully excites or attempts to excite hostility or ill-will against any section of the public or against any person on the ground of their race.” Those in breach of this comprehensive provision could face both fine and imprisonment.

However, despite the clear and forceful language of this provision, this deplorable practice, nuanced in normal circumstances, was rife on social media during the last election.

Social media was laced with racial characterisations that reflect both the racial underpinnings of some of the major political parties and the product of lies and

unruly political ambitions on the part of APNU. As mentioned before, the intersectionality of race and politics is a salient feature of the political landscape of Guyana.

However, history will show that this unfortunate reality has always been far more definite and pronounced in the PNC than in other major parties. This historical fact was once again borne out in the last election by the downright lies APNU sold to its supporters and the reaction on social media to those lies on the part of APNU’s supporters.

During the five-month period between the election and the certification of results, Indo-Guyanese were subjected to all manner of racial insults, both verbal and physical, on account of the narrative that their party - the PPP - had stolen the election. In turn, IndoGuyanese convinced that APNU and its mostly AfroGuyanese supporters were determined to stonewall and subvert the rightful transition to power, retorted with the most despicable portrayal of their Afro-Guyanese brother and sisters. The dept of despicability on the part of these two main ethnic groups took the reality of racial polarisation in the country to a level that arguably it had not reached before.

While APNU’s pervert conduct was the catalyst for the unhinged racial overtones during and immediately after the election, lots of this could be attributed to the monumental failure of both the Police and the Guyana Ethnic Relations Commission. As was seen

during the last General Elections, the Police made a travesty of professional service when they condoned the egregious attempts of APNU to intimidate and bully those fighting to safeguard the ballot boxes from being hijacked by APNU’s surrogates. In fact, the Police were not simply passive in the wake of the attempts to undemocratically return APNU to power; they were directly involved in some cases in the rigging of the elections. The Guyana Ethnic Relations Commission is no less culpable in the proliferation of racial tensions.

In the context of this discussion, three things need to be brought to the forefront: (1) APNU is fundamentally a party for Afro-Guyanese despite claiming otherwise; (2) the Police are overwhelmingly Afro-Guyanese with a historical affinity to the PNC party; and (3) the Guyana Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has been acting seemingly either at the behest of APNU or has been behaving in a way that is tantamount to endorsing APNU’s racial policies. As a result, the ERC did very little to preempt the racially-motivated violence directed against Indo-Guyanese after the elections or to rectify the situation where thousands of Indo-Guyanese had been fired from the sugar industry before the elections.

As the last General Elections saga showed, obstinate racial problems will remain intractable when those commissioned to discharge their function with utmost impartiality and professionalism, especial-

ly in environments fraught with racial overtones, are themselves complicit in racial practices. GECOM, a hallowed body constitutionally created to determine the elections outcome based on actual votes cast, made a travesty of the concept of suffrage when some of its AfroGuyanese Commissioners, all APNU acolytes, constantly engaged in lies and distortions to prevent the rightful party from being sworn into Government. It is inconceivable to think of another election without serious discussions about aggressively reforming GECOM. The same rationale must also be applied to the two other institutions, the Police and the ERC. In security and law and order parlance, Police reform is a preeminent topic in Guyana.

The failure of the Police to be above race and ethnicity in the discharge of their duty has been a constant source of anxiety for most Guyanese and must therefore be a top priority of the Government.

Similarly, whatever is inhibiting the ERC from fulfilling its duty, whether it is racial in nature or is simply pure incompetence, cannot be sustained for much longer.

In addition to the reforms, the way forward is to reorient the people so that they will abandon the racial ideologies upon which they interpret events in the country. They must begin to see things through the prism of who is best fitted to serve the country, irrespective of racial background.

With regards, Sheik M Ayube

The lessons that we must learn Dear Editor,

Events of January 6, 2021, in Washington, where a group of marauding thugs invaded Capitol Hill, while in session, and caused significant damages, both to property and national pride in the United States, have been dominating world headlines. The views and analyses are wide and varied.

Indeed, much has to be analysed as to prospects and dangers for democracy in the future.

However, this will be done later. For now, let us focus on what the events in the United States will teach us here in Guyana.

There is no doubt the US will overcome this and will ensure that it does not happen again or, at least, for a very long time to come.

They will demonstrate to us the important role and link between a stable society and the security/justice

system. They will show us that form and content, what we do and how we do it can have lasting beneficial effects or ill effects on any society.

Immediately after those incidents, the state in the US has kicked in to say that there must be consequences for this and they have started to move on it immediately.

Photographs of the participants in the illegal invasion are being examined and arrests have started to happen. As of Sunday morning, 10th January 2021, 83 arrests were made.

I have no doubt many will be charged, ringleaders and those, some stupidly following the crowd that damaged property will be quickly charged. They will be quickly tried and will face the consequences of their misguided actions.

At the security level, we already have resignations

and possibly more, including dismissals that will follow.

At the highest level, plans are moving ahead to deal with the intellectual authors of these events.

What they will be is not yet clear but be sure there will be.

The swift actions already taken has put a halt to the recklessness. It has not spread an inch from the door of the Capitol to the rest of the city, and certainly not to other states.

We will have time to deal with other aspects of those events but the US is already resolving it very boldly and frontally.

Compare this to Guyana.

We can go back to the 1950s and 1960s to show that this has been one of our failings and it has contributed much to our many problems. Criminal actions of the PNC, its leadership, their thugs and criminal elements continue to go unpunished.

Let’s just look from December 2018 to now how we have failed and are failing to deal with these issues.

Open, blatant attempts have been made to rig our elections. After a long, long while, charges have been made. However, every step of the way seems to be geared to frustrate measures to punish the guilty.

Instead, they are placed in cold storage and brushed under the carpet. The major accused are on the job and others on leave with pay. The whole atmosphere is that it will be forgotten.

The matters are put in court, not for justice but to frustrate and make ineffective. Important cases of national importance take years to be heard and often never is.

The elections petition case of 2015 has never even been called.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

5

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

Some people require vision and clarity of focus (Part 2) Dear Editor, Mr Lewis had many interactions with Mr Sam Hinds while in the bauxite sector or as Prime Minister and failed to remember the many seminars Mr Sam Hinds attended, where he spoke to the many workers, including Mr Lewis and Kim Kissoon. One such that stands out is the theme “Where to Bauxite?”

Must still linger in many workers’ mind as everyone was aware that there were changes coming.

However they all knew that the change was not arbitrary, the Government had no intention to shut down Linmine and Bermine Specifically, in the case of Linmine, the PPP/C met an agreement between the outgoing PNC Administration in 1992 and the group of supporting countries and institutions, which required that the international manager, MINPROC, funded by the supporting group, be allowed two years to manage

Linmine in their best judgement, then they would pronounce whether Linmine could be made profitable or not. If so Linmine was to be sold and if not, it was to be shut down forthwith.

In 1994, MINPROC proclaimed the latter, it could not see profitability for Linmine – but (PPP/C) did not proceed to shut down Linmine. It was Mr Sam Hinds and the PPP/C Administration that had to reconfigure the operations whilst arranging to satisfy all the benefits of the workers. The companies were reorganised to match the new (reduced) prospects for sales, taking all opportunities for improving productivity and hence for lowering costs. Over the many preceding years of insufficient money in Linmine, the payments to the workers’ saving scheme, GRA personal income tax, NIS, company pension scheme were in arrears and needed to be reconciled with the various agencies. It re-

quired more than $2.5 billion and two years to satisfy all of these.

In the case of Bermine, it was completely run down. As things turned out, ALCOA bought out Reynolds, inheriting the joint GOG/Reynolds operation at Aroaima. ALCOA informed the Government that it had no need for the Aroaima operation, but they were willing to hand ABC/ AMC to the Government for US$1, along with conditions which essentially implied that GoG would keep the operations going for another two years. Again, it was Sam Hinds and the PPP/C that ensured reorganisation was done to minimise costs and losses/ subsidies and meet all that was required for workers.

Bermine was merged into ABC/AMC, which was in better condition with better prospects.

In time, as hoped, the two reorganised operations attracted credible interests and were privatised.

The lessons that we...

Coming back to thuggery, let us look at the beatings, the robberies, the molestations, the harassments, that occur at every PNC “protest” without arrests, without charges. If once in a blue moon charges are made, how many were heard in courts or convictions made? I can’t think of one.

These things were allowed to fester and are still festering.

We read the Auditor General’s report of massive frauds. We read of the drug bond crisis, the bridge corruption and so much more, hardly anything comes of these.

That is why we are now hearing that our prisons are not a source of correction but of corruption from top to bottom. People are made criminals in those institutions and the guardians are enriching them-

selves using prisoners and their families.

I believe that our officials must now take a no-tolerance view on these things.

A key office in the whole structure is that of the DPP. Yet, this place is practically useless. No energy is shown to defend people’s rights. It seems reluctant to act these days.

When we compare how energetic it was in collaborating with the PNC regime in allowing itself to be used to harass political opponents and destroy people’s lives, it seems that nothing has changed but tactics of delay and fudging.

If the officers don’t appreciate their responsibilities to the country, if they are scared of the PNC thugs, if, for whatever reason, they cannot act professionally, they should, for once, do something decent

In such circumstances, the better approach was to end the existing company and start a new company in a new book. Termination benefits had to be and were paid to everyone and a good number of the 3000 so terminated were rehired the following day. Our PPP/C Administration was as generous as it could be.

Breaking up the savings scheme and pension plan.

The PPP/C decided to end the savings scheme and the pension scheme – many workers wanted their monies for various reasons.

Also, the cost of maintaining the pension scheme to the passing of the last member would eat up a great part of the scheme particularly when account is taken that there was an average inflation of about 100 between when money was put into the scheme and when administration costs had to be paid.

GoG had no rights to hand over the workers’ monies to others. We said,

FROM PAGE 4

and resign.

Judges and Magistrates must give timely judgements in writing to ensure people’s cases and lives can be settled. This is one of the most traumatic places to get timely redress. Many of their decisions should be seen as clearly one-sided and biased. Remember the maths!

The Police Force must examine its own performance. How come it is so inefficient in dealing with PNC violent crimes? How come they stand around and see mobsters robbing

and beating people, molesting women and children with no arrest being made?

They often end up blaming the victims and even killing innocent people.

The incident in the US was unfortunate but we must look at how it will be dealt with to help restore peace and normalcy in a very, very complexed and multi-cultural society.

Let’s learn, please learn!

Save Guyana!

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

E

mbodiments of love! Wherever you are, in whatever circumstances you are placed in, do not ever forget God. Sarvada sarva kaleshu sarvatra Hari chintanam (Always, at all times, under all circumstances contemplate on God).

Whatever activity you undertake, dedicate it to God. All the powers in your body are the gifts of God. In fact, divinity pervades every inch, every cell and every atom of your body. If you waste such divine power, it amounts to sacrilege.

Dedicate your body, mind, intellect; in fact, everything of yours, to God! The games you play should not be limited to one day. In fact, life is a game; play it. Unity is divinity. Whatever you do, whatever you speak, whatever you think - in every aspect of your life - that unity must be reflected. That is the true culture of the Bharatiyas (Indians). (Divine Discourse, Jan 14, 2003)

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation

“Go to the workers. We will hand the money to the workers, and then they would invest themselves directly in any way/fund as they may be persuaded”. (ii) Concerning the eventual privatisation of the bauxite operations, we maintained/ subsidised them through a number of invitations to privatise, until there was in our judgement, credible offers. Thus, recall the cooperation in the Linden area were privatised firstly to OGML/CAMBIOR and when they collapsed, we accepted the only offer OGML/CAMBIOR were willing to accept, that of BOSAI (the operations would have been abruptly closed otherwise). In the Berbice River, we accepted the offer of RUSAL. Today, in a very difficult world trade situation, BOSAI and RUSAL are continuing core operations. (iii)With respect to the alternative offer for Bermine, we could have been wrong, but taking account of the condition of the plant, the bauxite/alumina/aluminium as well as the non-metallurgical businesses, we did not think that, that proposal was credible. As I recall Mr Lewis’ proposals were not well received by a number of workers at a meeting he held in Everton.

The PPP/C worked with EU/SYSMINS for a third multilateral intervention, LEAP, proposing and progressing initially a programme of some 25 million Euros which included much needed physical infrastructure (upgraded Linden-Ituni-Kwakwani road and Millie’s Hideout to Wiruni on the Berbice River). In later reviews

within the EU, LEAP was downsized to keep the focus on a people-changing programme. Separate funding would have to be sought later for infrastructure and other projects as they became evident. Mr Winston Brassington and the late Mr Horace James worked assiduously to put and make non-core assets available and attractive for new profitable ventures.

The PPP/C Administration completed the Government takeup and provisioning for all non-core social services which the bauxite operations were no longer carrying. the PPP/C maintain in all clear conscience that they have been taking equitable and appropriate (not identical) positions on bauxite and sugar, and they have endured criticisms from both sides. For example, there is the criticism that when OGML/ CAMBIOR had suspended the operations in Linden for two months, PPP/C provided basic pay to every employee requiring only that they, from Sweeper to Manager, spend a certain number of hours each week at computer classes aimed at their level, the PPP/C were pointing African bauxite workers to the digital future.

Former Prime Minister Mr Sam Hinds moved on from the suffering of the past to a more hopeful and united future. His rhetoric has called our Guyanese nation into being Guyanese regardless of race or class, and have an equal status and equal opportunities.

Sincerely, David Adams

6

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

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

1) If there are 17 boys in your class of 35 students, what is the probability that your teacher will call a girl student’s name during class time?

2) You decide to watch a movie. There are four comedies in the stack of 10 DVDs. What is the probability you will pick a comedy?

3) Paul knows that once a week his mom cooks steamed fish for dinner. What is the probability that tonight Paul will not have steamed fish?

Friday’s answers

Ducks can swim, breathe air, and have legs.

Dodos and passenger pigeons are extinct.

S

tudying geography helps deepen one’s understanding of one’s country and the world. Many important subjects, like current events, history, and foreign languages, are closely tied to our understanding of geography.

Spark your curiosity about the world by bringing geography to life with this exciting postcard collection map. In this activity, you will track postcards on a map, marking your family's travels and exploring other cities and countries vicariously through friends, family, or pen pals.

What you need: Postcards from various cities, states, and countries Large bulletin board Map of the world Pushpins in different colours What you do: 1. To start your postcard

collection, give your address to friends, family, and acquaintances and ask them to send you a postcard from the city where they live or from places where they travel. You can also look for postcards in tourist shops, gift shops, and second-hand stores wherever you go.

2. To track your postcards, hang a large bulletin board in a place where you can easily

reach it.

3. Pin the world map to the bulletin board, or on the wall next to the bulletin board if you don't mind poking pins in the wall.

4. Each time you add a postcard to your collection, pin it to the bulletin board and place a corresponding pin on the map to mark where it came from. If you are unfamiliar with the city or country on the postcard, ask

your parents questions (and for hints) to help figure out its location. Try asking which state or country the place is in, for example, to help narrow down the possibilities. Even if you are really stumped, try to find the place on your own; the goal of this activity is to teach you about the world, and the best way for that to happen is to explore it yourself.

5. Try to find out at least three interesting facts about each place such as famous landmarks, population, or which languages are spoken there.

6. Review the map from time to time to talk about what you have learnt and where you might like to travel someday.

Your postcard map also makes a great visual representation of past trips and vacations. Tie coloured string between pins to mark the path you travelled on a given trip (Adapted from education.com)

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC joins President Ali in rejecting “mischievous” Venezuela decree – says it stands in solidarity in safeguarding Guyana’s sovereignty

I

n a unified rejection of Venezuela’s unjust claims to Essequibo, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon has joined President Dr Irfaan Ali in rejecting a decree issued

by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro last week renewing the Spanish speaking country’s illegal claims.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Harmon announced that he was joining all right-thinking Guyanese in rejecting Venezuela’s “fallacious claims” to Essequibo and also affirming Guyana’s defence of its own sovereignty.

“This decree is mischievous, illegal, and can only serve to foment ten-

President Irfaan Ali

“The APNU+AFC Coalition recalls a similar decree, No. 1787, that was issued on May 26, 2015, which sought to unilaterally

The map of Guyana showing the territory that Venezuela is claiming

sions on an issue that is being peaceably resolved in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Venezuela as a Member State of the United Nations, is bound by the jurisdiction and rulings of the ICJ,” Harmon said in the statement.

re-draw centuries-old land and sea boundaries and lay claim to the hydrocarbon resources in the 'Liza' field.”

Harmon noted that in the case of the former decree, Venezuela eventually withdrew it after widespread condemnation. According to

Harmon, Venezuela would be better served seeking to have their grievances resolved at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), where Guyana has sought a binding final solution and where Venezuela has so far refused to participate.

“Today, five years later, Venezuela seeks to repeat the same misadventure. We urge Venezuela to utilise the ICJ as the forum to present its case and to cease and desist from issuing these arbitrary decrees.”

“The APNU+AFC Coalition stands resolute and in solidarity with any reasonable action that the people of Guyana are likely to embark on to safeguard Guyana's sovereignty,” Harmon said in his statement.

On Thursday last, Maduro issued a presidential decree reinforcing his country’s illegal claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region.

Additionally, the Venezuelan President announced that he has written to Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres, to lead direct negotiations between the two countries, as opposed to the binding judgement of the ICJ. That option has been exhausted, however, as the UN tried to mediate discussions between Guyana and Venezuela for years as part of an ultimately futile good offices process until Guyana activated its right to take Venezuela to the ICJ in 2018 to get a final ruling on the border issue.

In a special address to the nation on Saturday afternoon, President Ali had staunchly rejected this new claim by Venezuela, calling it a “legal nullity” that will not be recognised by Guyana or any State in the world.

According to Ali, Guyana has always chosen to have the issue resolved with-

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

in international law. He, therefore, described the Maduro Government’s latest statements as “deeply disturbing” but made it clear that they would not deter Guyana from seeking a final, binding resolution at the ICJ. “I find it deeply disturbing that on January 7, the President of Venezuela issued a decree claiming for Venezuela’s sovereignty an

exclusive sovereign right to the waters and seabed adjacent to Guyana’s coast west of the Essequibo River,” Ali said.

“I remind that sovereignty over this coast and the land it is attached to was awarded to Guyana, then British Guiana, in the 1899 Arbitral Award, whose validity Guyana is confident the ICJ will uphold unequivocally.”

Ali had explained that Venezuela’s decree breaches fundamental principles of international law, including the fact that no nation can unilaterally determine its own boundaries, except through an agreement with its neighbours or a judgement from the international court.

“The second violation of fundamental international law is based on the fact that, under well-established rules of international law, there is a fundamental principle that “the land dominates the sea”. This means that sovereignty, and sovereign rights in the sea and

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

seabed, emanate from title to the land that forms the coast to which those seas and seabed are adjacent.”

“Since Guyana is sovereign over the coast west of the Essequibo River, as far as Punta Playa, it follows, consequently, that only Guyana can enjoy sovereignty and exclusive sovereign rights over the adjacent sea and seabed,” President Ali had explained.

Inmate found dead in cell at Lusignan Prison

F

orty-four-year-old Roger Samuels, who was on remand at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on a larceny charge, was on Sunday morning found dead in his cell.

The man’s last known address was given as Lot 2606 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Based on reports received, about 06:00h, the Duty Officer at Lusignan Prison was in the process of unlocking the prisoners for wash-up when he observed Samuels lying in a motionless state on his bed.

In light of this, a doctor attached to the penitentiary, Dr Britton examined Samuels and pronounced him dead. The prisoner

shared a cell in Unit 1 with seven other inmates.

Samuels was charged and remanded to prison on January 8, 2021 for allegedly stealing a motor car.

He was reportedly admitted to prison with sever-

al injuries to his body which were inflicted by the public after he had allegedly committed the offence.

His body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Home to await a post-mortem examination.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Former St Rose’s High student reflects on journey to Bar

“M

y journey to becoming an attorney-at-law was filled with a lot of sleepless nights, lots of studying, tears of pain, and tears of joy. I remember times when it felt like everyone was outperforming me, and I remember times when I felt like I chose the wrong profession.”

Those were the words of Olivia Bess, who was admitted to the local Bar on Friday.

Her petition to practice law in the courts of Guyana was presented by her brother, Keavon Bess, who is also an attorney-at-law, before Justice Sandra Kurtzious. In a moving speech, Olivia noted that her success came from the

Attorney-at-Law Olivia Bess

many sacrifices made by her family, friends, and many other people.

She told the court, “We begin with my parents. They started their life together with one motto “our children must be better than us at all cost”

and they were able to accomplish just that.” According to her, her parents were not given the opportunity to have a sound education. She said, too, that her parents did not enter this world with a “gold spoon.”

“They didn’t have all the wonders of the world to give to their children, but they had their teachings. They taught my four siblings and me to be humble, to give without expecting a reward, to love, to be respectful, to work hard for what you want, and to never be envious of the success of others for with hard work your time to shine will come.”

Olivia underscored that her parents' teachings were correct. She confessed that it

made her determined to continue along the path of success regardless of the challenging circumstances that presented themselves. “Like many, I have endured my share of failures and setbacks, however; I was taught through the words and actions of my brother that failure is a delusion of the mind. Failure occurs to teach you lessons and to reveal what was hidden or ignored. How you view and process failure will ultimately determine your outcome,” she pointed out.

Born on July 22, 1995, to Compton and Rosemnari Bess, Olivia is the youngest of five siblings. She is a former student of St Rose’s High School. She acquired 11 passes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

She is also the holder of a Diploma and an Associate’s Degree in Humanities from the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

In 2014, she enrolled at the University of Guyana (UG) to read for her law degree. While studying for her law degree, she also read for and obtained a Certificate in Psychology from UG and a certificate in Business Etiquette at Carnegie School of Management and Home Economics. She completed her law degree in 2017.

However, unfortunately, she was not granted a space in the top 25 of the class to attend the Hugh Wooding Law School. But being indefatigable, Olivia wrote the entrance examination the following year and was accepted into law school to train for her Legal Education Certificate (LEC). She was successful in the completion of her studies last year November.

She is no stranger to Victoria Law Chambers as throughout her legal journey she would spend much of her summer vacations as an intern. Furthermore, Olivia was once a Social Studies, Law, and Sociology teacher at Chase's Academic Foundation where, according to her, she learnt a lot about the world of work and human interactions.

Whilst attending the University of Guyana, she participated in pageants, contested in the bodybuilding federation's bikini fitness competitions, and was an active member of Moot Court Guyana where she held the position of liaison officer.

During her time at the Hugh Wooding Law School, Olivia was the Vice President of the Guyana Jurisdiction Committee, a student mentor, and an ordinary member of the Moot Court and Welfare Committees.

Additionally, Olivia continues her volunteer work as she is one of the co-founders of Guyana Activate, a voluntary organisation designed to assist small businesses.

Olivia told the court that she does not take her position as an attorney-at-law lightly. The young lawyer vowed to carry herself with the utmost dignity and honour when executing functions and duties for her future clients and the court.

“I vow to be respectful to the court, the rule of law, and my colleagues.”

Will the PNC...

A

...stand up and be counted? s of the time of writing this piece, the PNC are yet to declare their support of President Ali’s firm rejection of Maduro’s mad decree to once again threaten to seize Essequibo and its sea resources. As one letter writer in this newspaper pointed out, this isn’t the time for the PNC to be sulking. For almost 60 years, Venezuela (since 1962) has held its fabricated tale of the 1899 Arbitral Award that defined our common border was “invalid”, over our necks like a sword of Damocles.

During that time, the PPP never wavered in supporting the PNC on the border controversy, even though they’d been inserted into Government in a British-US electoral coup against the PPP. That’s what patriotism is all about. In 1965, the PPP warned the PNC Government against going along with the British to sign the Geneva Accord. The PPP correctly saw it as a Trojan Horse that would be used by the Venezuelans to keep us distracted and off balance. But the PPP supported the PNC Govt when in 1966 the Venezuelans invaded our half of Ankoko Island – which they still occupy.

And so with the 1970 Protocol of Port of Spain – through which there was to be a 12-year “moratorium” on the controversy. During that time even though the PPP disagreed with Burnham cosying up to the Venezuelans then led by Perez and negotiating with them to support the Mazaruni Hydro in exchange for “a land settlement”, they yet gave “critical support” to the PNC. They warned that the Venezuelans were playing possum. And when Perez somersaulted and pulled the rug from under Burnham after he’d visited Georgetown, and blocked the World Bank support for the hydro project, the PPP didn’t gloat. They supported the call for “not a blade of grass” to be ceded.

Overall, it must be acknowledged that after Burnham’s manipulation by Perez, the PNC have maintained a firm resolve on the Venezuelan border controversy. It was the PPP that proposed that the matter be resolved through judicial intervention and it was the APNU/AFC Administration that followed up on it. Even though they couldn’t resist using the matter to hide the US$18 million Exxon oil contract bonus!

So the PNC’s silence at this time is troubling. It appears that Harmon – who sees no incongruity in denying the PPP’s legitimacy to government after the elections while he accepts his legitimacy as Opposition Leader – might be pouting. But this will be another litmus test on the PNC’s qualification to lead Guyana.

They failed the “democratic elections test” abysmally when they proved unable to resist their historic compulsion to rig elections.

Will they stand up and be counted? ...hire more lobbyists?

As your Eyewitness mentioned yesterday, the PNC (Harmon and Ramjattan) announced they’ll be trying to persuade the incoming Biden Democratic Administration to reverse the US stance on the March 2 elections here. They’ve evidently convinced themselves that the blatant rigging by Mingo for the PNC will be overlooked

by Biden simply because he’s a Democrat and Trump was a Republican!! Could this be because a Democratic Administration under Lyndon Johnson allowed Burnham to rig back in 1968, this present PNC lot thinks rigging is a Democratic Party “thing”!??

What a bunch of wankers!! But they should know that the condemnation of the rigging wasn’t just by Republicans but by a lot of Democrats. Notably, there’s Democratic NY Congressman Gregory Meeks, who was elected to Chair the powerful House Foreign Affairs Committee. Maybe the PNC honchos have forgotten that Meeks had personally visited Guyana and called for an immediate declaration of the elections when Harmon was dragging his feet with “anomalies”?

They’ll have to write a new backgrounder for their lobbyists! ...implode?

We know the lines of fissures in the PNC – those marking off the Granger/Harmon lot; the Volda Lawrence motley crew and the Black Nationalists foaming at the mouth!

Will the Venezuelan crisis force the issue?

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

9 APNU/AFC Govt overpaid $166M to defaulting contractors in 2018 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

...legal action will be pursued to recover sum – Min Edghill

T

hroughout the Audit Office of Guyana’s 2019 report, contractors were flagged for receiving overpayments and not refunding the State. This has amounted to over $166 million but Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has made it clear that all avenues, including legal action, will be pursued to recover the sum if necessary.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, Minister Edghill was asked

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

about the cases of outstanding overpayments that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government inherited from its predecessors.

“Wherever there are overpayments, the contractors have to bring the money in. If there is a refusal on the part of the contractor, then we have to take a legal recourse. The issue of overpayments, once they occur, that has to do with measurements and someone in the Ministry paying

which he did.

Deveaux told investigators that shortly after, his brother left him at the shop with the two men and went back to his camp.

Sometime after, he said he realised that the two men had gotten up and left.

He stated that after the men left, he spent some time at the shop before leaving.

On his way back to his camp, the victim said he noticed the same two men

who he had seen at the shop emerging from some bushes. They subsequently pounced on him. One of them reportedly dealt him a lash on his hand.

As a result, the victim became weak and it was then that the two suspects relieved him of the gold and other valuables before escaping. The matter was reported to the Police and a manhunt has been launched for the two suspects.

Miner beaten, robbed of raw gold at Papaya Backdam

A

25-year-old miner was left traumatised and is counting his losses after he was robbed of a quantity of raw gold at Papaya Backdam, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), by two men.

Ron Deveaux of Anns Grove, East Coast Demerara, was allegedly robbed of one ounce of raw gold valued at $260,000 on Wednesday last.

Based on reports received, Deveaux and his brother visited a shop in the area to transact some business, and while there, they met two men imbibing alcohol.

He said one of the men requested that he purchase a small bottle of alcohol and two bottles of Coca-Cola,

more than what was measured,” Edghill said.

In some cases, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government had enlisted the help of the then Legal Affairs Ministry to recover the overpayments. According to Edghill, the Government will do likewise if need be.

“Once that is discovered by the Auditor General then the contractor has to pay it. And if a dispute arises over the payment, then we have to seek legal recourse and definitely, we will engage the Attorney General (Senior Counsel Anil Nandlall) to help in that regard,” he said.

Already, the Legal Affairs Ministry has taken strong action on a number of contracts the Government inherited from the former Government – contracts on which the contractor was not performing.

In November, it was revealed that Nandlall on behalf of the Government, wrote various contractors informing them that their contracts were being terminated on the grounds that they had failed to complete the project in a timely manner and in accordance with work schedules.

The Ministry of Legal Affairs

Overpayments on contracts, whereby payments are made but works not completed on schedule, has been a common theme in the Auditor General’s reports over the past few years. It is also an issue often dealt with at the level of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

For 2018, the Audit Report had documented that out of a total of $166 million in overpayments, various Ministries and departments overpaid contractors as much as $92.3 million for the 2018 fiscal year.

In 2019 the trend continued unabated, as the former Government was flagged for overpaying some $166 million of taxpayer dollars in contracts. According to

the Audit Report, a number of Ministries, departments and regions were guilty of this practice.

For instance, various Ministries and departments overpaid contractors as much as $92.3 million.

The Public Infrastructure Ministry, according to the report, accounted for $63.7 million. Meanwhile, $73.7 million was overpaid by regional administrations.

Regions Two, Eight, Nine and 10 were responsible for 70 per cent of this sum.

There was some good news on this front, however.

Auditor General Sharma noted in his 2019 report that as of September 2019, $20 million was recovered. This, therefore, leaves $146 million outstanding.

10 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over $100M in ganja found, 8 arrested during destroyed along Berbice River Police operation at Goed Fortuin

One of the ganja fields

One of the camps that were destroyed by Police

A

s the Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues its drug eradication exercise, more than $100 million in ganja was found and destroyed at De Veldt Savannah, Upper Berbice River on Saturday.

The exercise was led by two senior officers of the Police Narcotics Branch and lasted for more than 13 hours.

During the exercise, the ranks discovered three cannabis farms which measured about 15 acres and

The ganja that was found in the house

E

The 12-gauge shotgun and matching ammunition found during the raid

A tractor that was being used in the cultivation of the cannabis

contained roughly 600,000 ganja plants ranging from six inches to five feet in height. In addition, six

make-shift camps were found.

The camps were reportedly occupied by three men who ran into the bushes and

escaped upon seeing Police.

A search was conducted in the area during which one 12-gauge single-barrel shotgun along with two live

12-gauge cartridges and one empty shell were found.

In addition, a quantity of cannabis was found wrapped in transparent plastic bags. When the illicit substance was weighed, it amounted to 40 pounds.

The camps and ganja plants were destroyed by fire. No arrests were made.

Police are continuing their investigations.

In November 2020, a total of 12 acres of marijuana cultivation was found and destroyed at Haraculli Creek, Berbice River.

The illegal drugs have an estimated street value of $220 million. The eradication exercise featured 18 ranks in total.

It was reported that an additional plot of land – about six acres – had been prepared for cultivation and 60 kilograms of harvested cannabis and three camps were found there.

ight persons, including a 23-yearold labourer, were arrested on Saturday following a Police operation at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Police in a statement related that between 12:30h and 13:10h on the day in question, some Police ranks went to the home of the labourer to conduct a raid for drugs, guns, ammunition, and stolen articles.

When ranks arrived at the said location, the labourer was contacted and was told of the purpose of the exercise. He was also told that based on reports received, he was in possession of narcotics, guns, ammunition, and stolen articles. They then requested to conduct a search.

The suspect reportedly acquiesced and as such, invited the ranks into his home to conduct the search.

During the search, one bulky black plastic bag with ganja was unearthed along with one complete X-Box game system with eight discs, one BLU mobile phone and one pair of binoculars.

The labourer was then questioned about the items found, but he could not give

The allegedly stolen found during the raid

items

a reasonable explanation as to how he acquired them. As such, he was cautioned and arrested.

In addition, the detectives carried out a further search behind the said building where seven persons were found hiding.

They were arrested and taken to the Parfaite Harmonie Police Station, along with the suspected cannabis and other items found.

The suspected cannabis was weighed and amounted to 30 grams. The men remain in custody as Police continue their investigations.

NEWS

11

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana records 2 more COVID-19 deaths, 33 new cases T he Ministry of Health on Sunday reported that two more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died. This now takes the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 169.

These latest fatalities are two males: a 58-yearold from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 39-year-old from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The two persons died on Saturday while receiving care at a medical facility.

Guyana last recorded a COVID-19 death on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, when an 85-year-old male from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) died while receiving care at a medical facility.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry also reported on Sunday that 33 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the last 24 hours from some 547 tests conducted.

According to the Ministry’s updated COVID-19 dashboard, the total number of confirmed cases in the country is now 6574 – 3392 males and 3182 females.

Of the total, only 369 are currently active cases. This includes five patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 364 persons in isolation, that is, 50 persons in institutional isolation and the other 314 in home isolation.

There are also 33 persons in institutional quar-

antine.

To date, some 6036 persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus here, that is, 17 more recoveries than what was recorded the previous day.

Meanwhile, Guyana has tested some 41,601 persons for the novel coronavirus thus far.

Of the 33 new cases recorded on Sunday, one was detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), two in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), four in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 17 cases in the Demerara-Mahaica region, two in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), one each in the CuyuniMazaruni region and Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and five cases in the Upper Demerara-Berbice region.

The figures in the oth-

er two regions – Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Region Nine (Upper Essequibo- Upper Takutu) – remained the same.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of Sunday, some 88,383,771 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 1,919,126 deaths.

WHO also reported on Sunday that in the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 38,861,668 while the death toll in the region has gone up to 910,741.

Since taking office, the PPP/C Government has embarked on a massive testing drive to ensure that all positive cases, especially asymptomatic ones, are detected.

In recent months, there has been a decline in the

number of active cases in the country but according to Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, in his recent COVID-19 update, this does not mean that the epidemic is over.

“When people see a drop

in the numbers, people start getting complacent. We are by no means out of this pandemic because if we still

have people who are active cases, we would still have spread. How much that would spread, how many more people will be infected – that’s something we can’t really predict at this time and therefore we have to remain cautious,” he posited.

Dr Anthony went on to to say that “while we’re working to bring down the numbers, we also have to get people to ensure that they are doing the right things.

Numbers coming down does not mean that we have to relax our approach to this pandemic, and very often, I see this type of irresponsible behaviour because people feel that we’re doing well and we don’t have to worry.”

In fact, the Health Minister disclosed that they are expecting to see a spike in the number of positive COVID-19 cases, as well as hospitalisations this month since some people did not

adhere to the guidelines during the recent Christmas holidays.

Nevertheless, Guyanese

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 13), which are in effect until January 31, 2021.

This order emphasises, among other things, the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www. health.gov.gy.

12 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“I will keep running until I get justice for my mother” – son of woman killed by Police

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Dead: Dulmattie Boodlall

he family of 59-yearold Dulmattie Boodlall, a saleswoman of Lot 950 Block Y Section C Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who was struck down and killed by a minibus belonging to the Guyana Police Force in Peters Hall, is seeking justice, no matter how long it takes.

In an interview with Guyana Times on Sunday, the woman’s son, Sookram Deochand, said he is disappointed with the actions of the Police and demanded to know how exactly his mother met her demise. The man said since the accident, his family is yet to be informed

by the Police of what really transpired on that fateful day.

“Imagine, today [Sunday] was my mother’s cremation, and on our way back home we had to stop a Police vehicle that was passing at the time to find out what really is happen with the story,” the man said.

The man said upon stopping the vehicle and making enquiries, he was informed by an officer that the file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice and will return soon.

“I ask he how will we know what is happening, and when really is the court and he told me that he will get back to me. All he keeps saying is that he will get back to me. These people never come one day to tell us this is what really happening, is I have to be running around to get some information,” the man said.

Deochand said a few days before his mother’s funeral he went to the Providence Police Station to follow up on the matter, and he was told that the cops would be going to the scene to do measurements.

He said he asked the officers if it was okay to go

is alleging that the person who was driving the minibus at the time of the accident is a “top Police officer”.

“It looks like if we left this thing like this, it will leave just like this, but will keep running until I get justice for my mother… my mother done cremate and we in see no Police at all, at all. Nobody not checking on we and nobody is doing anything either… we are doing everything ourself.

We hear it is a top Police

The dead woman’s son Sookram Deochand

to the scene to witness the measurements being taken and they agreed.

However, on the day they were scheduled to go to the scene, the officer went without the family members.

“This is really hard, you know why, because somebody hit down somebody… we don’t know who the driver is… we don’t even know the name of the driver… this is real nonsense…they don’t even look like they get time with we matter…” the man explained.

The woman’s son said since the day of the accident, the cops have been acting lackadaisically. He

that knock her down and, we believe that is why this is happening.”

Boodlall was killed while crossing the Peters Hall Public Road by a minibus bearing registration number PWW 7172.

Police in their report stated that minibus PWW 7172 was proceeding north along the roadway when the driver alleged that the woman attempted to cross the road. The driver claimed that on seeing

the woman, he swerved to avoid a collision, but ended up hitting her.

As a result of the impact, she fell onto the roadway and received injuries about her body. She subsequently died while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

A post-mortem examination was later done on her body and showed that she died due to multiple injuries. Investigations are ongoing.

Men drop gun, ammo during Police chase

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he Police are on the hunt for two men who reportedly dropped a Glock 17 pistol and four live rounds of 9mm ammunition during a chase near Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown in the vicinity of Penny Lane.

A Police preliminary report stated that ranks were on patrol when they heard an explosion suspected to be a gunshot and went to investigate. As they made their way into Penny Lane, they observed a silver-grey Fielder Wagon motor car that two men were exiting. One of them was reportedly armed with a black hand gun.

Upon seeing the ranks,

The gun and ammunition dropped by the two men

the driver of the vehicle hurriedly drove off while the two men ran into a nearby yard.

As such, the Police ranks gave chase, but the two men jumped a concrete fence and made good their escape.

As they scaled the fence,

the aforementioned gun and ammunition were disposed of. These were retrieved by the ranks and subsequently lodged at the Police Station.

No arrests were made. The Police are continuing their investigations.

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Human Services Ministry offers grants to start up, expand small businesses

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he Difficult Circumstances Unit within the Human Services and Social Security Ministry is currently offering small grants of up to $25,000 to persons desirous of launching, developing or expanding a small business.

Director of Social Services of the Ministry, Wentworth Tanner explained that the programme specifically targets vulnerable persons who would have been severely affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When I say small grants, I do mean small grants, we are looking at $25,000 and below. So, it’s a case where you have those persons who sell bread on the corner and

Director of Social Services within the Human Services and Social Security Ministry, Wentworth Tanner

they may be in need of an oven to continue that operation; the Ministry will

consider that request,” tanner told the Department of Public Information (DPI) in a recent interview.

Tanner said the programme is means-tested, whereby an investigation will be done to determine whether the person or family is eligible to benefit from that grant.

“Persons would have to provide supporting documents to show that they are not generating income from elsewhere to be able to access this facility. It is a case where we want to support those persons who are in the greatest need, those persons will be given priority,” he explained.

He further related that the intention of the pro-

gramme is to empower persons in difficult circumstances so they can support themselves and eliminate the dependency on Government or other support.

The Director said those eligible to benefit from the grants or other forms of assistance include single parents, victims of domestic violence, persons living with disabilities, school-aged children, and persons affected by a natural or manmade disaster.

However, he noted that the programme does not extend to persons who are already benefiting from other social assistance such as the Public Assistance and Old Age Pension programmes.

“So, a person cannot receive both Old Age and Public Assistance for themselves and I made that point because there are situations where a grandmother may be collecting Old Age Pension for her and may be collecting Public Assistance for a grandchild so it’s a case where that person is accessing two benefits but not for themselves,” he said.

Individuals desirous of accessing the grant or any other form of social assistance can apply through the Probation Offices within their respective regions.

The programme forms part of the PPP/C Administration’s strategy to develop and implement initiatives designed to em-

power women and support children and other vulnerable groups including the elderly and persons living with disabilities.

The aim is to provide enhanced benefits to public assistance recipients, as well as ensure those who are in dire need benefit from the various programmes offered by the Government. The Difficult Circumstances Unit is one of the Ministry’s social assistance programmes which provide financial and psychological assistance to people affected by some form of personal disaster, tragedy or extremely difficult circumstances such as fire, death, terminal illnesses or poverty.

Over 2500 households affected by floods in Regions 2, 4 and 10 – CDC – clogged drains, thick vegetation major cause of flooding

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looding has severely affected 2805 households in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Four (Demerara- Mahaica), and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice). This is according to a flood assessment update released on Sunday by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC). Seventeen communities have been severely affected by floodwaters in these regions.

In Region Four, 1590 households were affected from the communities of Nabaclis, Golden Grove Sec C, Nonpareil, Anns Grove, and Victoria - all on the East Coast of Demerara. On the East Bank of Demerara, households in Mocha

even when the tide is at its lowest. It was found that lands could not drain efficiently since many were within basins that were already waterlogged during the December 2020, period and could no longer absorb excess water. Due to poor drainage in some areas, this was exacerbated.

While floodwaters entered several homes, it was observed that many were spared because they are elevated. It must be noted that residents engaged in agriculture would have suffered losses related to crop damage and some livestock mortality.

The report stated that residents living in the

several communities across the coast and in riverine areas to make assessments and arrive at solutions to address key concerns.

Issues

In Charity Housing Scheme, many drains were blocked with vegetation and construction materials from homeowners. There was also a build-up of garbage under bridges. Community roads are in a deplorable state, with holes flooded with rainwater. The CDC pointed out that low-lying lots are quickly flooded as the water drains off the higher lots built up by residents and roadways. Machines are too heavy or buckets are too Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, Agriculture Minister zulfikar Mustapha and regional officials at an outflow channel in Charity

Charity has been hit by severe flooding

Arcadia were affected.

In Region Two, 1200 households were affected from the communities of Charity Housing Scheme, Charity Squatting Area, Dredge Creek, Abrams Creek, Siriki, Cozier Canal, Grand Buxton, David James Scheme, Jacklow Pomeroon, Kabakaburi, Charity Urusara. Over in Region 10, 15 households were affected in Silver City.

The assessments revealed that several areas have remained inundated

Pomeroon River are accustomed to annual occurrences of flooding which made them more prepared and resilient.

Also, there have been maintenance and upgrade work to the drainage infrastructure in many areas across the coast which have resulted in an observable reduction of flood impacts.

Due to concerns around potential disease outbreaks and impacts to livelihoods dependent on agriculture, the Health and Agriculture Ministries deployed teams to

large to properly clean the drains.

The situation in the Charity Squatting area is relatively the same.

However, the CDC noted that the presence of livestock and animals and the degree of mud that homes sit on is a reason for concern related to potential disease outbreaks. Besides that, it said that most households use pit latrines which adds to the threat.

In Abrams Creek, Upper Pomeroon River, it was

found that river dams in abandoned farms are not maintained, thereby allowing water from the river to flow into the low-lying farmlands, while at Siriki, abandoned farms not maintained were allowing floodwaters to move freely along the land, threatening farms already flooded by the rain or partially drained.

At the time of the assessment, the water level at Silver City, Linden, had partially receded. According to the CDC, the community is at the foothills where sand is washed down consistently into secondary drainage. According to the CDC, there is confusion among the municipality, Regional and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority as to which agency has full responsibility for drainage in that area and others in Linden.

Over at Mocha Arcadia, there has been disruption to normal drainage due to works being done by the

Ministry of Housing and Water in the area at Junior Canal. The CDC underscored that the use of pit latrines in Victoria, Anns Grove, Golden Grove, and Nabaclis is a cause for health concern.

Meanwhile, since the flooding, flood alerts have been issued. There has also

been data gathering from communities that are critically affected. The CDC has been distributing cleaning hampers and sandbags.

Regional and city engineers are monitoring sluices and pumps. The Health and Agriculture Ministries have conducted assessments in key affected areas.

news@guyanatimesgy.com

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Exxon’s mega oil finds in Guyana just the beginning

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ike many global oil majors, ExxonMobil is under considerable pressure because of the significant fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, sharply weaker oil prices and the threat of peak oil demand.

There are growing fears that Exxon, because of its tremendous debt burden, is a zombie company. These are generally companies that are not generating sufficient operating income to cover its interest expenses. While Exxon is struggling because of the prolonged slump in oil prices, reporting a $2.4 billion loss for the first nine months of 2020 and deteriorating cash flow, it is not yet a zombie company.

The global oil supermajor has several levers at its

commenced production at the Liza oilfield with the capacity to pump 120,000 barrels daily. During September 2020, Exxon made its 18th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block and upgraded its estimate of recoverable oil resources to more than 8 billion barrels.

That month, Exxon announced it will proceed with developing the Payara oilfield, in the Stabroek Block, which will come on-line in 2024, possessing the capacity to pump 220,000 barrels daily. By December 2020 Exxon had achieved its production goal for the Liza field and the company anticipates producing more than 750,000 barrels daily from the 6.6-million-acre Stabroek Block by 2026.

per cent sulfur content, the crude oil produced from the Liza Field is relatively easily and cost-effectively refined into high-quality low sulfur content fuels. That will ensure that it does not sell at a significant discount to the international Brent price benchmark.

Exxon secured a favourable production sharing agreement with Guyana’s Government for the Stabroek Block. There was a US$18 million signing bonus with only 2 per cent royalties payable on the oil produced and a 50 per cent profit-sharing clause, which only applies once 75 per cent of exploration and development costs have been recovered. That makes Exxon’s operations in the Stabroek Block highly

disposal to boost profitability and cash flow, key being the improved outlook for oil prices along with Exxon’s globally diversified portfolio of quality energy assets. In response to sharply weaker oil prices and the need to boost profitability, Exxon announced during November 2020 that it intended to prioritise capital spending for high-value assets, key among them being its operations in the Guyana-Suriname Basin located in offshore South America.

Exxon made its first Guyana oil discovery in the offshore Stabroek Block during May 2015. By December 2019, the integrated energy major had

This is a highly profitable asset for the integrated oil major, even with weaker oil prices, because of its particularly low breakeven costs. According to partner Hess, which has a 30 per cent interest in the block alongside Exxon’s 45 per cent and CNOOC's 25 per cent, the Liza oilfield is pumping crude oil at a breakeven price of US$35 per barrel, and this will fall further. Hess claims that the breakeven price for the second FPSO to be deployed, Liza Unity, which is scheduled to commence operations in 2022, will pump crude at an even lower breakeven price of around US$25 per barrel. With an API gravity of 32 degrees and 0.58

profitable even if oil prices remain weak and Brent trades at around US$50 per barrel, making it a key source of revenue as production grows.

The PSA has attracted considerable criticism as being too generous.

While the Government of Irfaan Ali, who was sworn in during August 2020 bringing an end to Guyana’s electoral crisis, pledged to review the PSA, thus far it has baulked at renegotiating the agreement. In fact, during September 2020 Ali’s Government granted the necessary approvals for Exxon’s Payara project to proceed. The benefit for Guyana, which has suffered significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is tremendous. The IMF predicted that the former British colony’s gross domestic product expanded by an impressive 26 per cent during 2020, despite many other countries suffering recessions because of the pandemic. Guyana’s economy will then grow by an additional 8 per cent during 2021. Industry consultancy Rystad Energy anticipates this will cause Government revenues to surge more than 30-fold over the coming de-

cade as the oil boom, spearheaded by Exxon, gains momentum.

There are further indications that this is merely the start of what will become a vast oil boom that will benefit not only Exxon and Guyana but neighbouring Suriname. During December 2020, Exxon announced that along with partner Malaya’s national oil company Petronas, hydrocarbons had been discovered in Block 52 offshore Suriname.

Petronas stated: “The Sloanea-1 exploration well encountered several hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone packages with good reservoir qualities in the Campanian section. The well data proves excellent calibration of the hydrocarbon potential of the block.”

This indicates the discovery holds considerable potential, especially when it is considered that Block 52 borders

Block 58 where Apache and Total made three significant oil discoveries during 2020.

The Guyana-Suriname Basin was determined by the US Geological Survey in 2000 to have mean undiscovered resources of over 15 billion barrels of crude oil and 42 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. In 2019, the USGS stated it was looking to resurvey the GuyanaSuriname Basin with a view to the geological formation holding greater quantities of hydrocarbons than initially estimated. That bodes well for Exxon and its partners to make more discoveries and continue growing low-cost oil production in the basin. As those oil discoveries are made and production grows, it will substantially boost economic growth in the impoverished former colonies of Guyana and Suriname as well as urgently needed Government revenues. (Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com)

MATPAL Marine Institute only recognised body to conduct STCW courses

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Charged: Simone Fortune

lmost a week after several seamen were allegedly duped into doing an oil and gas training with fake certificates issued, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has advised that MATPAL is the only academic institution authorised to conduct “Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping”, (STCW) training in Guyana.

In a statement to the press, MARAD said: “The requirements for recognition, of institutions seeking to offer such training, are available from MARAD, and we are committed to working with all applicants to ensure that those requirements are satisfied”.

Guyana Times had previously reported that sever-

al seamen had responded to an advertisement for training and recruiting by an agency for an oil company in Guyana.

According to them, the school that was offering the courses is located in New Amsterdam and had advertised two courses for applicants. Those courses were the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) and Lifting and Banksman course.

To complete the course, applicants were required to pay a total fee of $260,000 for the two courses.

Some of the seamen told this publication that they did the courses in January 2020, and at the end of the seven-day course, they were promised that they would receive their certificates in six weeks, which did not happen.

It was when one of the seamen went to the Transport and Harbour Department, they realised that they were duped. A report was subsequently made to the Guyana Police Force.

Just after this revelation, several other persons came forward claiming that they were also defrauded by the school. Those reports were made on March 13, 2020.

In fact, a total of 56 per-

The seamen taking part in the “training” to get their certificates

sons would have been part of five different classes and would have completed training after paying in excess of $150,000 each.

The seamen said they were promised that the school and its collaborating oil and gas employment agency would also find jobs for them either in the industry or at sea.

Calls were made to Panama by the seamen to enquire whether the school had been authorised by them and the company said that the particular school is not authorised.

The head of the school, Simone Fortune, was also

contacted and she revealed that all of the transactions the school/agency is involved in are legitimate.

She added that the certificate the seamen want to be issued with will become useless in five years and the one she is recommending to them is the only one which will soon be recognised.

The woman, who hails from East Canje, Berbice, was subsequently slapped with 17 criminal charges, and placed on bail in the sum of $40,000 on each of the charges, bringing the total to $680,000.

She is expected to return to court on January 26.

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Region 6 severely affected by heavy downpours — efforts are underway to drain farmlands

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egion Six Chairman, David Armogan recently stated that Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) has been severely affected by the continuous rainfall.

He noted that the continuous rain has severely impacted the lives of farmers due to flooding. On this note, he stated that the current drainage and irrigation system was designed to

again increasing.

According to Armogan, most of the cash crops have been damaged due to flooding. On Thursday last, the Regional Chairman was hopeful that the water level would continue to drop.

However, Joanna and Yakusari were affected the most. Farmers had complained that water from the Cookrite Savannah was being released into the canals

to control it and unfortunately was soon as we close it they open it during the night so water comes back into the system again,” the Chairman revealed.

Cookrite Savannah was established for the rearing of cattle.

Unfortunately, due to the increase in rice price, many cattle farmers have resorted to cultivating rice in that area. Currently, efforts are being made to drain water out of the Regional Chairman David Armogan

One section of Black Bush Polder under water last year

take off two inches of rainfall within a 24-hour period but the amount of rain over the past month has surpassed that.

The Black Bush Polder, which was inundated during the last few days in 2020, had recorded a drop in water level but with the prolonged heavy downpours, the water level is

that drain the Polders.

This, they said, was one of the main causes of flooding at Yakusari.

During a visit to the community on December 29, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustafa had promised that the tubes which had been installed to drain water from the Cookrite Savannah would be re-

moved so that the Savannah would not be draining into the Polders.

But Armogan stated that evidence proved that the water is still being drained from Cookrite Savannah into Black Bush Polder.

“The Minister had asked that we close some of those tubes so that the water from the Cookrite Savannah would not be pushed into the Black Bush Polder area.

That is not an easy thing to do because as soon as you block it, in the night they open it again and the next day you block it and the night they open it again.

So, unless we can get Police there on a 24-hour basis that will be the only way we will be able to control it.

We have tried all our best

Audit into Region 6 NDCs still to commence

Regional Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain

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n internal audit into five Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) is yet to commence one month after the Regional Executive Officer was instructed to have it done.

One month ago, Regional Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain claimed that there were irregularities discovered at five Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Six but has refused to reveal the discrepancies unearthed.

The NDCs under watch are the Maida/Tarlogie; Bush Lot/Adventure; Kintyre/ Borlam; Port Mourant/John and Gibraltar/Fyrish NDCs. As Head of the Regional Local Government Committee, Hussain would have made the recommendations for the NDCs to be

audited.

Hussain had stated also that financial documents were missing from one of the listed NDCs. However, the Regional Executive Officer was tasked with ensuring that the audit department carries out the audit but when the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) met last week, Councilor Collin Moore asked for the evidence which shows that discrepancies were unearthed.

He was told that the matter is being investigated, but Moore, who is part of one of the mentioned NDCs, is confident that no corrupt practices were found and that the matter should not be investigated based on “hearsay”.

Hussain held out that there is evidence but at the same time refused to provide any to the RDC. “I said it at the meeting that the audit would reveal whatever there is. I have some evidence in my possession but I am not privileged to divulge it. I will divulge it after the audit. That is what I said at the last meeting. So, I will urge that the regional audit system kicks in and ensure that we audit the various NDCs that I mentioned,” Hussain replied.

Back in December, it was promised that the audit of

NDC Councillor Collin Moore

the NDCs would have commenced within a few days.

However, one month later, the process has not begun.

“The audit has not started because of the holiday and we were unable to reach with the team yesterday (Wednesday) because of other engagements. So as soon as we meet, we will discuss the way forward,” Hussain added.

It had been reported that financial books had reportedly disappeared from the Port Mourant/John NDC after a staff member was questioned about the difference in the sum recorded on official receipts as against what was recorded on the duplicate.

There have also been reports of similar activity at the Maida/Tarlogie NDC. Several persons have been questioned in relation to the alleged fraud.

Cookrite Savannah for the survival of both animals and rice crop.

Armogan explained that a total of seven excavators are currently working in the Black Bush to bring some relief to the farmers and residents.

“In terms of drainage work, we are making sure that all canals and especially the drainage canals to make sure that they are cleaned so that the waterways can be clean and the

water can flow to the sluices and to the pumps because if we have blockages it means that we will have impeded flow into the pumps and the sluices. If this happens, even though the pumps and sluices are working, enough water will not be taken to them.”

The sluices are operated based on the tide. When the tide is not appropriate for the opening of the sluices, the pumps go into operation.

Mining company workers protest non-payment of salaries

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Havan Smith

everal workers attached to K&M Mining were penniless for the holiday as they were given the royal run around for their salaries. One such worker is Danny Persaud of Sara Johanna on the East Bank of Demerara, who is employed as a driver.

He recently reached out to Guyana Times to vent his frustrations while noting that he along with several other employees of the company who did not receive their salaries have made official complaints to the Labour Ministry. The father of two said that he has been working at the company for just over a year.

He explained that an agreement was made between him and the management of the company for a $300,000 per month salary to perform his duties of transporting fuel and goods to the company’s interior locations.

He said that for December 2020, he was given an advance payment of $188,000 and was promised that he would receive the balance before the holidays.

But almost one month later, Persaud said that he is yet to receive the outstanding payments and that calls to his boss’ phone are going unanswered.

“People leaving the work because this man ain’t paying. Me and four other staffers went to the Labour Ministry where we made a complaint and they told us to come back.” The other aggrieved workers he speaks of are drivers, porters and sawmen.

“Me and them came from Port Kaituma. We spend a month there and when we come back to Georgetown, we ain’t get no pay. This holiday, what come and gone, if you see people who going at the office. He [the boss] keep telling we to come back tomorrow; that is he behaviour.

For the holidays me ain’t even had a Christmas because this guy owes me.”

According to Persaud, he works without any days off and is not provided with any allowances for food or boarding when he leaves for the interior. Instead, he said that he would have to offset those expenses.

The other drivers and porters are also faced with the same dilemma, he added.

However, Persaud said that this is not the first time he has had difficulties with payment from the company. He recalled that it happens every month, but in December 2020 “things got overbearing.”

When asked why he continued to work for such an employer, Persaud remarked, “I need money, I have my children to look after.”

“Since last month I calling this guy and he ain’t answering me. He reading my messages on Whatsapp and he is not replying. Is a lot of people this man owes.”

Meanwhile, Havan Smith, who worked as a sawman, said that he started working with the company from October 10, 2020. He stated that the company owes him about $240,000 but he left the job on December 4, 2020, after he was not paid.

“First they gave me $30,000 and a next advance of $80,000 and before the holidays they gave me $50,000.” He is yet to receive the remainder of his salary. According to the father of two, he has placed numerous calls to his boss’ phone and the company’s office, but all have gone unanswered.

“I worked for the money, gave me my money. Give the other guys their money too. I am renting a house and then I have to pay light

Danny Persaud

bill, I have to buy groceries. For the Christmas holidays, all the money they gave me is $50,000 and all went on my bills,” Smith added.

Another employer, who was employed as a porter, said that the company owes him $120,000. He spoke under the condition of anonymity. He disclosed that he started working with the company on September 9, 2020, and left the job in late November 2020, after the company failed to pay him.

According to him, it was agreed that he would be paid $150,000 per month.

“When I go to the office, they telling me to wait downstairs and they going to get the boss. Sometimes I would wait there whole day and they would tell me come back tomorrow or the next day; so I stopped going,” the 23-year-old man related.

Like Persaud, Smith and the other employee were not given any employment contract.

The aggrieved men provided <<<Guyana Times>>> with a mobile number for their boss and another for the company’s office which they said is located aback Ruimvedlt Police Station in Georgetown.

Efforts made by this publication to get a comment from the company proved futile as calls to the numbers went unanswered.

When calls were placed to the office, the female on the other end of the line related that the boss was unavailable.

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Avenues to be rehabilitated Relocation of GFS Headquarters under active in order to generate income consideration – Fire Chief for Council – City Mayor

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle

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ire Chief Marlon Gentle has disclosed that the relocation of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) Headquarters from the Stabroek area in Georgetown is under active consideration.

The Fire Chief made this disclosure on Friday last while addressing reporters at the scene of a fire that broke out at the Fogarty’s Building on North Road and Water Street, Georgetown.

He said the relocation of the Fire Service Headquarters, which also houses the Central Fire Station, is “an active consideration – either to remove or, as we say, declutter the area around the Fire Service.”

Gentle did not divulge any further details as to whether a new location has been identified.

However, the Fire Chief lamented on the challenges at the current location at Water Street.

In fact, he had related that firefighters had experienced

some setbacks with the movement of their equipment from the Central Fire Station to Friday’s fire scene about two blocks away, at the Fogarty’s building.

“We took about approximately eight minutes just to clear that area because of congestion, traffic and everything else,” he had noted.

Gentle told reporters that this is something that needs to be looked at, especially the strategies in responding to

noted that they would like to move freely in and out of the Central Fire Station, which is surrounded by markets, street vendors, and bus and taxi parks, he could not say how this will be done.

“But I know there is some collaborative effort being worked on. Only [Thursday], we have a long discussion with the Minister [of Home Affairs Robeson Benn] and some other agents who have responsibility of this area, to decongest

Guyana Fire Service HQ which also houses the Central Fire Station at the Stabroek Square in Georgetown

such busy business areas.

“I must add too that this area is one of the high-risks areas in the city of Georgetown and we know that we have to have a very robust fire response whenever a call is made – regardless of what the situation is. We have done so, and we have been able to mitigate what could have been a more frightening situation at this Fogarty’s building,” the Fire Chief posited.

Nevertheless, while he

the area, so to speak.

“But I know it’s not going to be a one-shot or it’s not going to be an overnight thing. But we still have to work because we realised that it’s an impedance to emergency movement – not only fire but ambulance and everything else,” the Fire Chief contended.

The relocation of the Fire Service’s Headquarters and the Central Fire Station is something that has been under consideration since 2014.

PNCR mourns passing of former Kako Village Toshao

the rights of Indigenous people and was a recipient of the People’s National Congress’ 60th Anniversary Achievement Award in 2017,” the statement added.

The People’s National Congress Reform extended sincere condolences to Maxine Krammer, her children, and the entire Kako village.

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he Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine on Friday outlined the core of his rehabilitation and development projects for several avenues within the city.

Exhibited at the conference were photos of the visions for the Avenues of Waterloo Street, East Street, Carmichael Street and the lawns of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) headquarters in Kingston.

The photographic display depicted the avenues with enhanced aesthetics and benches with signs and logos printed on them.

Mayor Ubraj stated that the projects for the avenues are intended to generate funds for the Council through branding and advertising.

He further stated, “We had discussions with the Tourism Authority as well, with Impressions. With all these people we had discus-

A section of the paved walkway in the Camp Street Avenue

sions in 2019. These projects were birthed by the Mayor and City Council.”

According to the Mayor, the proposal was forwarded to Minister Patterson in 2019 who was the Public

Infrastructure Minister under the APNU/AFC Administration. He is still to receive detailed documentation from the Public Works Ministry on the projects.

M&CC to implement digital system to curb fraud

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he Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is currently working to implement a digital system to keep all records of taxpayers and other transactions. This, the Council is hopeful, will reduce the number of fraudulent activities in the system.

Mayor of Georgetown Ubraj Narine on Friday related that the decision was made after the City Council recently unearthed evidence whereby persons are crafting letterheads of the Council, and trying to duplicate same.

He said he is hoping that this will no longer occur, since the Council is now sealing their documents.

“There are a lot of skullduggery happening in our

Mayor of Georgetown Ubraj Narine

systems… like the court where people are being given the opportunity to steal prescriptive right,” he said.

Narine further explained that the Council is also working on a policy where persons will no longer be able to pay someone’s rates and taxes.

He said it must be linked to an individual’s TIN number so that identification is possible.

“It’s either the TIN or the ID number. I believe that a compliance is very important and the Government should really implement that policy.”

In 2019, the City Council was challenged by local attorneys after they had implemented a 0.5 per cent compliance on the transferals of properties.

The Mayor is alleging that the challenge came because the decision was made not to have persons pay rates and taxes with only a receipt to pass titles.

He is optimistic that this new initiative will assist to reduce further fraudulent activities at the Council.

Contractors to face court for dumping waste in cemetery

F Abel Krammer and his wife, Maxine

T

he People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) expressed condolences on the passing of Abel Krammer, former Toshao of Kako village and Vice Chairman of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

In a statement, the party said that Krammer was a patriarch of the three founding families – the Hastings, Krammers, and Williams – who established the village

in 1957. He served as Toshao from 1969 to 1982. He and his wife Maxine have nine children. He reportedly died on Saturday.

According to the PNCR, Krammer was a staunch advocate of environmental security and sought to protect the Kako River – the village’s main source of water – from the threat of pollution from riverine mining.

“He was a defender of

ive contractors who were recently caught dumping waste material in the Le Repentir Cemetery, Georgetown, are expected to face the court shortly.

This was revealed by Mayor of Georgetown, Ubraj Narine at a recent press conference hosted at his office. The Mayor stated that the contractors were caught dumping slush taken from drains in the city into the cemetery. As such, they were arrested.

Narine said the contractors were contracted by the Public Works

Ministry to clean the drains in Georgetown but instead of properly disposing of the waste, the contractors thought it best to dump it in the cemetery.

The Mayor said the Council is most times upbraided for these activities, but they are not responsible.

“These things happen when there is lack of information, and the Mayor and City Council get the blame.

We feel the squeeze here…. so, sharing of the right information is very important and we are not getting that,” he said.

There have been several

Le Repentir Cemetery

reports in the past of contractors dumping waste around Georgetown. In December 2019, garbage was heaped onto the corner of Regent and Bourda Streets by contract workers who were em-

ployed to clean the Bourda Cemetery.

As a result, taxi drivers who usually ply their trade in that vicinity could not have done so due to the stench and the horrible sight.

NEWS

17

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Doctor, UG student launch homemade hair, skincare line I

nspired by their beauty journey, a medical doctor and a University of Guyana (UG) student are diving into the beauty industry with the launch of their homemade line of skin and hair care brand “Daughters of Zion Natural Hair and Skincare”. The two minds behind this venture are Dr Amanda Fredericks and Stephanie Noble, a final year Tourism student at UG. The line - which has been years in the making consists of hair shampoos, conditioners, moisturisers, skin scrubs, and even beard oil for the men, just to name a few.

“Daughter’s of Zion Natural Hair and Skincare” is a beauty line for everyone. Its products can be used by anyone, no mat-

ourselves. The reason why we decided to start making natural products was that we were a bit tired of the commercial products and the chemicals that they contain. They were just not working with our hair. So, with research, we started to make products for ourselves. Even before we met, it was something destined to happen because she [Fredericks] used to make some products on her own and I use to make some.

This was something that we had in common.”

The company, which prides itself on the use of natural ingredients, was officially launched in September 2020, and according to Noble “sales have been really awesome.”

She added, “Marketing is good, but we still have some

In the early days of doing business, the company was more focused on providing hair and skin care products for women. But as time went by, it launched a line for men.

“We have a men’s line.

We have not forgotten about the men. A lot of men were coming to us saying this is what is happening with me. They wanted something for themselves.

We have to give the customer what the customer wants. So, we went back to the drawing table and created a men’s line,” an elated Fredericks said. That line consists of beard shampoo, beard conditioner, and beard oil.

Noble related that they have received positive feedback since the addition of these products. “We have

Beard Box

ter their hair texture.

“The products you are seeing now are for people of African descent with natural hair and we wanted to move away from that. We have customers that are of Indian, African… descent.

It is mixed. We are catering to various hair types and even relaxed and chemically treated hair. We are trying to create a diverse line of products,” Dr Fredericks shared.

As for Noble, she explained that she was tired of using the commercial products because of the harsh chemicals they contain. In this regard, the young woman said that she and her business partner begun making natural hair products for themselves.

“We used to make these products and use them on

work to do. No business has marketing as perfection.

You always have to work on marketing and getting the product out there and building confidence in it.”

Dr Fredericks confessed, “Making the products is a happy time for us; it is a joy. The office is at my home. She [Noble] would come over and we would make the diffident products and sterilise the bottles. And we would do everything to keep them of good quality. We have a place where we store them and as we get the orders, we would pack them and distribute.”

The company was able to hire its first employee last year. “It is really blossoming. People are really looking into the business,” the doctor added.

been getting great reviews.

Dealing with men and their beards; it is kind of like their baby now. It is like women and their hair. They said that have been receiving less shedding with the beard, it is much softer. So, men are now pampering themselves. It is a pleasure to see that men are taking care of themselves.”

Given the rapid pace at which the company has taken off, with some 100 orders, its owners project that they will acquire their own store within the next five years. But not only that, they are already considering offering homebased cosmetology services like facials and haircare to their loyal customers, a few of whom have alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis.

According to the duo,

Stephanie Noble

although their advice to upcoming entrepreneurs might sound cliché, it is something that has worked for them. Their advice is to work on your idea and do research on the business venture you wish to explore. Apart from this, they pointed out that having start-up capital is very important.

“Put aside money to invest in your business. Save your money; money management is important.

Also, get persons to invest in your business.”

“You have hidden support groups. You might think persons are not watching but they do care.

They are just waiting on

Dr Amanda Fredericks

you to pop something out to say ‘I need one of those’, or ‘I like what you are doing’.

And you would find that your customers are the people you see every day, and they would recommend you to other people,” Noble added.

Though faced with some challenges in the beginning, the company is currently building its website which will feature payment options via Visa cards and GTT Mobile Money.

Delivery services will also be available. In closing, the entrepreneurs emphasised that their mission is to create a company that allows men and women to feel comfortable in their

own skin.

“We want to create a company where women can feel comfortable walking without makeup, wearing their natural hair in its natural state, and feel comfortable with their complexion. Our products gave you that ability to redeem yourself back to your authentic state. So you can be flawless walking around.

We want to bring back that positivity and confidence that is lacking in men and women.”

To view the full catalogue of “Daughters of Zion Hair and Skincare” email daughtersofzionhaircare@ gmail.com or call +592 647 9852.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

Regional

At least 23 dead in clash PM Rowley discharged from hospital between gangs and Police T in Venezuelan capital

A

t least 23 people died over the weekend in a clash between Police and gangs in Venezuela’s capital Caracas, according to news reports and human rights activists, as the Government faces international scrutiny for killings by security forces.

The bloodshed began on Friday afternoon with an operation by two Police units – the Special Action Forces, known as FAES, and the Special Tactical Operations Units, known as UOTE – in the gang-ridden neighbourhood of La Vega.

It continued into Saturday, activist Marino Alvarado wrote on Twitter.

“It is, as far as I recall, the ‘citizen security’ operation with the largest quantity of victims,” said

“It is, as far as I recall, the ‘citizen security’ operation with the largest quantity of victims,” said activist Marino Alvarado

Alvarado, who is affiliated with the PROVEA rights group.

There did not appear to be any Police deaths from the confrontations, accord-

ing to Alvarado, other activists, and a report in Ultimas Noticias, a newspaper seen as close to the ruling socialist party.

A United Nations fact-finding mission, which found that President Nicolás Maduro’s Government had committed systematic human rights violations amounting to crimes against humanity, last year called for FAES to be disbanded owing to its role in extrajudicial killings.

Neither Venezuela’s Information Ministry nor the Chief Prosecutor’s Office immediately replied to requests for comment on Sunday. The Government has said the UN fact-finding mission’s report was “plagued with falsehoods”.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

BVI imposes travel ban on Dominican Republic due to surge in COVID-19 cases

T

he Government of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), will as of today, be implementing a ban on all tourist-related travels from the Dominican Republic.

Health Minister Carvin Malone in a statement on Friday said the decision was made owing to the “alarming COVID-19 statistics” coming out of the Spanishspeaking country.

The Dominican Republic has more than 40,000 cases and reports of new cases are

continuously increasing.

“Cabinet has also decided that in light of concerning information and of the prevalence of increasing cases of COVID-19 in the Dominican Republic – to implement a travel ban effective Monday, 11th January, 2021 of persons travelling from the Dominican Republic to the British Virgin Islands, except for Nationals, Belongers, Residents, work permit holders, persons permitted to reside in the territory, diplomats and persons

employed by Government and statutory agencies.”

Minister Malone also announced new COVID-19 measures that must be adhered to by all people travelling into the territory from the Dominican Republic and the United Kingdom.

“It was decided that effective immediately, all persons approved to travel to the BVI originating or transiting through the Dominican Republic or the United Kingdom are required to provide a five-day rt-PCR negative test prior to entry and must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine and a testing regimen on the day of entry; on day seven and finally on day 14 when in the territory,” Malone explained.

Just last week, the BVI Government announced a travel ban on people travelling from the UK into the territory, after reports of a new COVID-19 strain within that country. (CMC)

Turks & Caicos Premier calls General Election for February 19

T

he citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands will be heading to the polls in a general election on February 19.

The announcement was made late Saturday by Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson during a rally there.

“Our best years are still ahead of us, it is time for you to restore this faith that you have shown, we

shall ride the storm and conquer the pandemic. I stand here tonight, unafraid, undoubted… I come to you as a daughter and a sister, a mother and an aunt and because of what you have made me – a leader.”

“Earlier today I advised the Governor to issue a writ for general elections. As a consequence, the People’s Democratic

Movement will file a full slate for 15 outstanding candidates.”

The Premier said that Nomination Day would be held on January 29 “as we look forward to renewing and expanding our mandate, confident of our victory… four years ago we made history and in this year 2021, through the grace of God, history will repeat itself”. (CMC)

rinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley has been discharged from hospital after spending two nights there.

Dr Rowley, who was hospitalised on Friday after experiencing “discomfort”, underwent two heart procedures – an angiogram and angioplasty on Saturday.

A brief statement from the Office of the Prime Minister on Sunday said: “The Office of the Prime Minister is pleased to advise that Prime Minister, Dr the Hon. Keith Rowley has been discharged from Westshore Medical Hospital and is now at home resting comfortably. The Prime Minister was assessed by his doctors this morning and giv-

Dr Keith Rowley (file photo)

en the all clear to return home. We thank all those who sent messages of well wishes and kept the Prime Minister in their prayers.”

Meanwhile, West Shore has launched an investigation into an apparent breach of patient confidentiality after a technician

posted information on social media about the Prime Minister’s condition while at the facility.

The People’s National Movement has since acknowledged the announcement of the probe, but said it would await the results of the investigation. (CMC)

Jamaica records 93 new COVID-19 cases, 1 death

J

amaica has recorded 93 new cases of the COVID-19 virus and one new death in the last 24 hours, according to the Sunday update from the Health and Wellness Ministry.

This brings the total cases to 13,548 and the death toll to 312.

The new cases consist

of 36 males and 57 females with ages ranging from one year to 90 years.

Twenty-one of the cases were recorded in Kingston and St Andrew, 16 in Westmoreland, 12 in Manchester, nine each in St Ann and St Catherine, seven in Clarendon, five each in St James and St Thomas, four each in St Elizabeth

and St Mary, and one in Portland.

Meanwhile, the Ministry said the new death is that of a 66-year-old male from Manchester. Another death was also reportedly under investigation.

The country also recorded 50 new recoveries bringing the number to 11,429.

(Jamaica Observer)

NACTA poll puts PNM ahead in Tobago

PDP political leader Watson Duke

T

he findings of an ongoing tracking opinion survey being conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) in Tobago finds the People’s National Movement (PNM) leading the Opposition Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) for the January 25 THA elections. The PNM is likely to retain office for an unprecedented sixth consecutive term in Tobago easily winning a majority, if not all, of the 12 seats up for grab.

The latest NACTA poll was conducted through

Friday to determine popular support for the parties as well as to obtain views on the issues impacting on the lives of Tobagonians.

Respondents were interviewed in all of the 12 constituencies.

Based on the findings of the survey, the PNM is leading in nine seats with majority support and PDP one seat, with two seats in a dead heat. The PNM is ahead of the PDP with very comfortable margins in seven of the nine seats where it leads. It has smaller margins in two other seats.

It is not impossible for the PNM to make a clean

sweep of all 12 seats. But the poll finds that incumbent Watson Duke is ahead in his seat of Roxborough/ Delaford where newcomer Neil Beckles is putting up a strong challenge to unseat him.

The poll finds that the three independent candidates are not leading in any of the seats. However, Dr Denise Tsoi-a-FattAngus, the former PNM speaker of the THA, has some traction in her bid for the Scarborough/Calder Hall seat. She has been mounting a house-to-house campaign. The PNM political leader Tracey Davidson Celestine is comfortably ahead in her Lambeau/ Signal Hill seat against PDP’s Wayne Clark.

The race is heating up with more than two weeks of campaigning still remaining. There is an element of excitement among voters as they observe what they perceive as “in-fighting” in both camps between potential leaders for the Chief Secretary position.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Saudi cut to boost oil market de-stocking, even as demand falters

S

audi Arabia’s voluntary oil production cut is expected to bring the oil market into deficit for most of 2021 even as new lockdowns to contain the spread of the coronavirus batter oil demand, analysts say.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, surprised the market on Jan 5 with a voluntary output cut of 1 million barrels per day (bpd) in February and March.

The move came as the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies - a group known as OPEC+ agreed most producers would hold output steady in February and March, while allowing Russia and Kazakhstan to raise output by a modest amount.

With coronavirus infections spreading rapidly, producers are wary of new blows to oil demand which could lead to rising inventories.

“We remain in uncharted territory as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, but [OPEC+] has so far succeeded in both putting a floor below prices and reducing volatility, which should encourage further cooperation,” Barclays said.

News of the cut boosted oil prices to an 11-month high, with backwardation, when prompt prices trade at a premium to future prices, widened, which could encourage traders to take oil out of storage.

In its most recent research, Goldman Sachs revised down its demand forecasts for January, February and March by 1-2 million bpd each month.

Still, and largely as a result of the Saudi cut, the bank sees a small deficit in February, a revision from an implied build of 0.6 million bpd previously.

It expects the oil market to be in deficit for the remainder of the year, peaking at 2.3 million bpd in September, or nearly 3 per cent of global oil supplies for that month.

Consultancy Rystad Energy sees an even bigger deficit.

“In the most optimistic case which includes full OPEC+ compliance and the voluntary Saudi cut, we see crude stocks decreasing by 1.3 million bpd for February, and 0.8 million bpd for March,” Rystad head of oil market research Bjornar Tonhaugen said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ethiopian military says it killed 15 members of rebellious Tigray forces, captured 8 others

E

thiopia’s military said on Sunday it had killed 15 members of the Tigray region’s former ruling party and captured eight others, according to state-run TV. Citing a Brigadier General from Ethiopia’s National Defence Force, the State-run Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation said that those captured included the region’s former President Abay Weldu, who was also a former Chairman of the region’s ruling party. Those killed included the region’s former Deputy Police Commissioner, it said.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Government declared victory in its conflict with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), a political party that previously governed the province, on Nov 28 after nearly a month of fighting.

The captured former TPLF President, Abay, was

President of the region from 2010 to 2018, replaced by the group’s current leader, Debretsion Gebremichael.

Abay was Chairman of the party from 2012 to 2017, and was also succeeded by Debretsion in that position.

The region’s former Vice President, Abraham Tekeste, was also captured, State TV reported. Tekeste had also been Finance Minister in the Federal Government from 2016 to 2018.

The whereabouts of Debretsion, other members of the party’s central committee and many high-ranking former military officers remain unknown.

Airstrikes and battles since early November in Tigray are believed to have killed thousands of people.

Fighting is continuing in some parts and more than 2 million people need aid, the United Nations said this week. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Indonesia landslide: Rescuers buried as they help victims

R

escuers searching for victims of a landslide in Indonesia were buried by a second mudslide just hours later, officials say.

The first landslide, in Cihanjuang village, West Java, was triggered by torrential rain.

Another struck as survivors were still being evacuated. At least 12 people died and dozens more are missing.

Landslides are common in Indonesia during the rainy season, and often blamed on deforestation.

The latest disasters hit the villagers in Sumedang regency, about 150km (95

An ambulance had to be lifted out of the mud

miles) southeast of the capital Jakarta, three and a half hours apart on Saturday.

The first happened at 16:00 (09:00 GMT) and the second at 19:30 (12:30 GMT), disaster agency

spokesman Raditya Jati said in a statement.

"The first landslide was triggered by high rainfall and unstable soil conditions. The subsequent landslide occurred while officers

were still evacuating victims around the first landslide area," he added.

Rescuers are believed to be among those killed, he added. A six-year-old boy was also among the dead, according to AFP news agency.

Some 27 people were believed to be missing late on Sunday, local media quoted Deden Ridwansah, the head of the local search and rescue agency as saying. About 46 were known to have survived.

Bad weather had forced the search to be suspended, he said, but it was expected to resume today. (Excerpt from BBC News)

6 rangers killed in DR Congo's Virunga National Park

S

ix park rangers have been killed after an attack at the famous Virunga National Park in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Officials have blamed the attack on a militia group known as Mai-Mai, one of many that operate in the region.

The rangers were ambushed while on foot patrol

inside the park, a spokesperson told the BBC. Staff working in the park, which is home to endangered mountain gorillas, have often come under attack.

In April last year, 13 rangers were killed in a rebel ambush.

Several armed groups operate in the restive eastern region of DR Congo where Virunga National Park - a

Unesco World Heritage site - is based.

A statement from the park said preliminary investigations suggested the rangers "were taken by surprise and had no opportunity to defend themselves" during the Sunday morning attack.

It said another ranger who was seriously injured in the attack was receiving treatment and expected to

make a full recovery, A local Government delegate Alphonse Kambale told AFP news agency that two Mai-Mai militants had also been killed.

Nearly 700 armed rangers work in Virunga - Africa's oldest nature reserve - where at least 200 have been killed in attacks going back more than a decade, AFP reports.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Kyrgyz nationalist wins landslide victory in presidential poll

N

ationalist politician Sadyr Japarov won a landslide victory on Sunday in Kyrgyzstan’s snap presidential election, which was triggered by the collapse of the previous Government.

Japarov has won almost 80 per cent of the vote in the Central Asian nation, which is closely allied with Russia, preliminary results cited by Kyrgyzstan’s Central Election Commission showed, meaning there will be no run-off.

More than 80 per cent of voters have also supported a proposal to reform the Constitution to give the President greater powers at Parliament’s expense, the Commission said. Japarov said the reform would be enacted by June.

Violent protests that erupted last October sprung Japarov, 52, from jail to the Prime Minister’s chair and culminated in him assuming the interim presidency before he ran for the full-time role.

Japarov, who was sentenced to a lengthy prison term for kidnapping a provincial Governor as part of a protest, had his verdict quashed during the October unrest and has spent much more campaigning than 16 presidential poll rivals.

Despite his nationalist stance - Japarov’s first act as Prime Minister was to add ethnicity information to national ID cards - he has repeatedly pledged to maintain a close relationship with former Soviet overlord Moscow.

Presidential candidate Sadyr Japarov and his wife Aigul pose for a picture after casting their ballots at a polling station during a presidential election and constitutional referendum in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, January 10, 2021

Russia operates a military airbase in the mountainous nation of 6.5 million and is the main destination for hundreds of thousands of Kyrgyz migrant labourers.

Neighbouring China is another trade partner and

an investor in the impoverished and predominantly Muslim nation, whose economy has been battered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting disruptions to trade and travel.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Algeria’s ex-PM admits selling gold bars on black market

F

ormer Algerian premier Ahmed Ouyahia, on trial for corruption, has admitted receiving gold bars from Gulf donors then selling them on the black market, the official APS news agency reported.

Ouyahia and fellow exPrime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal are accused of covertly financing the 2019 re-election bid of then-Pres-

ident Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who resigned shortly afterwards amid mass anti-Government protests.

Their retrial opened on Saturday after the Supreme Court in November annulled their earlier convictions following an appeal, APS said.

Both had served under Bouteflika. Several former Ministers and other well-

known figures are also on trial over the same affair.

Ouyahia was questioned over the source of assets in his bank accounts, totalling more than $5 million.

He said some had come from black market sales “of gold bars, which he received as a gift, in his capacity as Prime Minister, from leaders of Gulf countries”, APS reported.

The 60 gold bars were estimated to be valued at some $2.5 million.

Ouyahia said he previously kept quiet about the matter so as “not to undermine the relations between Algeria and certain friendly countries”.

He also admitted to not having declared the sums to tax inspectors. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

The changes going on around you will be a sign of what's to come. Analyze every scenario carefully. Call on someone you trust to offer a second opinion. Keep your emotions under control.

Reach out to experts and those who have helped you in the past. Invest time, money and effort into a lifelong goal. A surprise will put you in a unique position with numerous options.

Keep your wits about you.

Look at every possibility; gather information that will help you make the best decision. Do your own thing, and follow the path that excites you most. Play by the rules.

Partnerships will make a difference. Choose people who have something to contribute, not those who ride your coattails. Collaborate with someone who has the skills you lack.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Confusion will set in regarding work and what you want to pursue. A change may not be welcome initially, but it will push you to create an opportunity to do something you enjoy.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Set up a place at home conducive to learning or physical exercise. Focus on strength, fitness and being your very best. Nurture a meaningful relationship and be romantic.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Question anything and anyone who makes you feel the least bit uncertain.

Knowledge is critical. Take better care of your health, diet and possessions. A risk will set you back.

SCORPIO

Getting along with friends and family is encouraged. Use your imagination, and you'll deter others from putting you on the spot.

Concentrate on love, peace and happiness.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Lessons from the past SAGITTARIUS will help you make better de(Nov. 23cisions. Be resourceful, check Dec. 21) facts and question anything or anyone suspicious. Protect your reputation, possessions and loved ones.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SATURDAY'S WORD -- ALLIANCE

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Take action and refuse to let anyone get in your way.

Let past occurrences guide you to make a better decision now regarding money matters, health and contracts.

Romance is encouraged.

Look for the positive in every situation you face.

Concentrate on what you can accomplish, and stop worrying about what you leave undone. Spend more time sorting through clutter.

You'll gain insight into how best to use your time and skills to reach your goal. A promotion or positive change will result in greater cash flow and connections to people who can help you advance.

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

Australia in pole position after setting 407 target A

fter a promising opening stand of 71 by India, Australia's relentless pace attack got rid of both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill within half an hour to remind the visitors that they were still facing an uphill task of not just needing another 309 runs but also surviving 97 overs on the last day.

With India 98 for 2, and Ravindra Jadeja dealing with a fractured thumb which may not let him bat, Australia could be only three wickets away from opening the tail and storming their way towards a 2-1 series lead.

Australia propelled themselves into a dominant position with half-centuries from Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, and Cameron Green, who put on a display of belligerent hitting after crossing 50 with the help of four sixes that enabled them to score at 5.65 in the second session. Once Australia declared with a massive lead of 406 at tea, Sharma and Gill gave India a glimmer of hope by stitching a partnership of 71, but Gill fell to Josh Hazlewood's stifling line outside off and Sharma pulled a short ball straight to fine leg to leave India 92 for 2.

Sharma was not afraid to pull from the very first ball of the innings and the shot even fetched him a six off Green soon after he had unleashed two exquisite cover drives off Mitchell Starc in the previous over. Gill, too, exhibited elegant back-foot punches on the way to his 31 as the new ball barely moved

Cameron Green scored his maiden Test half-century

around. India's 34 overs also saw as many as four reviews taken, all off Hazlewood's bowling.

The first two came within the space of three balls in the eighth over when Hazlewood thought he had Sharma lbw with a delivery that jagged back in. Replays, however, showed the ball was going over the stumps. Two balls later, after Sharma nearly chopped on in between for a single, Tim Paine reviewed when they thought Gill edged one behind, but the ball had only flicked the pad.

The second set of reviews occurred in the 23rd over and this time Hazlewood

B

tasted success by getting a thick edge off Gill's bat. Gill somehow thought of reviewing that and lost his team a review. Three balls later, Paul Wilson adjudged Cheteshwar Pujara lbw on a duck, but the batsman reviewed immediately after being hit on the thigh pad and was saved by ball-tracking's projection of the ball going over the stumps.

After reaching his half-century with a lofted swing for four off Nathan Lyon, Sharma departed when he pulled Pat Cummins straight to fine leg and walked back in disappointment.

Another promising sign for the hosts was the temperament with which Green batted after Smith's dismissal and switched gears to extend the lead. Three of his four sixes came against Mohammed Siraj after he saw through a tough spell from Jasprit Bumrah. Green looked at ease during his 132-ball stay, especially when scoring was not as easy in the first two sessions because of the slowness and the turn.

The change in tempo from Australia was apparent much earlier when Smith started to attack after lunch that saw a Siraj over going for 12. Smith then swept R Ashwin for four and clipped Siraj for another before Ashwin trapped him lbw and used a review to send him back. India could have reduced their troubles had they held on to two dropped catches, both off Bumrah. The second was off Paine, on 7, when Sharma put him down at wide first slip and the first was on the second ball of the day when Hanuma Vihari dropped a straightforward catch off Labuschagne at backward square leg.

Paine dealt in boundaries after he was dropped for a quick fifty stand with Green, who got to 50 with a thick edge that gave Ajinkya Rahane a very touch chance at gully off the second new ball. Green's charge was paused by a crowd incident directed towards Siraj at the leg-side boundary which led to six fans being evicted from the ground. Once play resumed, Green drilled

Bumrah down the ground for four and then hooked him for six. Green was closing in on a maiden century, but on the last ball of the same over, he was given caught behind even without an appeal from Bumrah when he missed another heave. When Green reviewed, Snicko confirmed a thin edge, and Australia declared during the tea break.

The first session had belonged to the hosts as well.

Labuschagne cashed in after being dropped on 47 and put on another century stand with Smith. He continued

21

to score freely square of the wicket and Smith cracked a few cover drives to also cross 50. It took an excellent spell of 7-1-19-2 from Navdeep Saini, whose higharm action extracted extra bounce to have Labuschagne caught down leg, and then have Matthew Wade poke at one outside off for 4. Smith steered Australia past 200, but once he was trapped lbw for 81 by Ashwin with a loopy offbreak, Green took over with Paine and flattened India further. (ESPN cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD AUS 2nd Innings David Warner lbw b Ashwin 13 Will Pucovski c sub (WP Saha) b Mohammed Siraj 10 Marnus Labuschagne c sub 73 (WP Saha) b Saini Steven Smith lbw b Ashwin 81 Matthew Wade c sub (WP Saha) b Saini 4 Cameron Green c sub (WP Saha) b Bumrah 84 Tim Paine (c)†not out 39 8 Extras (b 1, lb 4, nb 3) TOTAL (87 Ov, RR: 3.58) 312/6d Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Will Pucovski, 5.5 ov), 2-35 (David Warner, 9.2 ov), 3-138 (Marnus Labuschagne, 46.1 ov), 4-148 (Matthew Wade, 48.6 ov), 5-208 (Steven Smith, 67.4 ov), 6-312 (Cameron Green, 86.6 ov) BOWLING Jasprit Bumrah Mohammed Siraj Navdeep Saini Ravichandran Ashwin

arcelona extended their unbeaten run to eight league matches as Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann both struck twice in a dominant win at Granada.

Griezmann's opener was initially ruled offside, but it was decided a pass had deflected to him off a Granada player.

Messi fired into the top corner from 18 yards and then cleverly fizzed home a low free-kick to move him top of La Liga's scoring charts on 11 goals. After the break, Griezmann struck again and Granada had Jesus Vallejo sent off.

Vallejo caught Martin Braithwaite and was dismissed for a professional foul with 12 minutes remaining of what proved a testing night for the seventh-placed hosts.

They did go close early on when Roberto Soldado forced Marc-Andre ter Stegen into a fine save, but Barca's attacking talents quickly built on their keeper's crucial intervention.

After Griezmann's controversial opener, Messi looked razor sharp in adding a second, and his free-kick three minutes before the break was clinical and cheeky as the Argentina forward chose not to take on the wall, but instead beat Granada keeper Rui Silva on the side of the goal he was protecting.

Frenchman Griezmann showed quality with a sharp touch and finish for the fourth – the first time he has scored twice in a Spanish top-flight game for Barcelona since his home debut in August 2019.

Just over a month on from a defeat at Cadiz which left them closer to the relegation zone than the Champions League places, Ronald Koeman's side have now moved to within four points of top spot in the table.

Leaders Atletico Madrid have three games in hand, but this was a fourth away win in a row for Barcelona and Messi's fourth goal in two outings. (BBC Sport)

21-4-68-1 25-5-90-0 16-2-54-2 25-1-95-2

INDIA 2ND INNINGS (TARGET: 407 RUNS) Rohit Sharma c Starc b Cummins 52 Shubman Gill c †Paine b Hazlewood 31 Cheteshwar Pujara not out 9 Ajinkya Rahane (c) not out 4 Extras (lb 1, nb 1) TOTAL (34 Ov, RR: 2.88)

2 98/2

Yet to bat: Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant †, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj Fall of wickets: 1-71 (Shubman Gill, 22.1 ov), 2-92 (Rohit Sharma, 30.2 ov) BOWLING Mitchell Starc Josh Hazlewood Pat Cummins Nathan Lyon Cameron Green

6-0-27-0 8-3-11-1 9-1-25-1 9-3-22-0 2-0-12-0

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

Immediate hosting of cricket impossible,

Providence pitch in disastrous state G

iven the current condition of the cricket pitch at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, cricket matches will not be hosted at the venue anytime soon. This is due to the disastrous state of the cricket pitch.

The relevant authorities at Providence expressed disappointment at the current condition of the ground.

Recently, the “Bounce Back Football Classic” tournament was hosted at the venue and was deemed successful. Owing to the nature of the sport, it proved detrimental to the pitch at Providence. Owing to the subject ministry for sport’s involvement in the organisation of the tournament, permission was given by the relevant authorities for its use.

It will take approximately two months for the current condition of the pitch to be remedied.

The Guyana Jaguars

The current condition of the pitch at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence

cricket team are currently in preparation mode for the Regional Super50 tournament that is slated for February 7- February 27 in Antigua. The Jaguars would normally have the luxury of using the National Stadium

for assimilation and preparation, but this would not be the case this time around.

Fortunately, the Jaguars have the La Bonne Intention (LBI) cricket facility at their disposal. However, that venue is still new and is yet to

host international/regional cricket. As the Jaguars prepare to host three practice matches that are slated to commence during the week, the players will have to adjust quickly to the new LBI facility.

The Guyana Jaguars’ planned fitness assessment and practice games ahead of next month’s Regional Super50 will commence on January 16 at Leonora, West Coast Demerara from 06:00h.

The three practice games, featuring squads led by Leon Johnson and Shimron Hetmyer, will now be played on January 18, January 21, and January 23 at the same LBI venue, all starting at 09:00h.

Below are the squads for the practice matches.

Hetmyer’s team: Chandrapaul Hemraj; Raymond Perez; Kevlon Anderson; Shimron Hetmyer (Captain); Sherfane

Rutherford; Akshaya Persaud; Kemol Savory; Bhaskar Yadram; Kevin Sinclair; Demitri Cameron; Keon Joseph; Clinton Pestano; Anthony Adams; Vishaul Singh; Mavindra Dindyal; Steven Sankar; Sachin Singh and Ricardo Adams.

Johnson’s team: Trevon Griffith; Tevin Imlach; Leon Johnson (Captain); Jonathan Foo; Christopher Barnwell; Assad Fudadin; Anthony Bramble; Quinton Sampson; Gudakesh Motie; Ramaal Lewis; Nial Smith; Ronaldo Alimohamed; Tagenarine Chanderpaul; Devendra Bishoo; Andre Stoll; Totaram Bishun; Richie Looknauth and Kelvin Umroa.

Romario Shepherd, Veerasammy Permaul, and Raymon Reifer will be on West Indies duties while Keemo Paul will be otherwise engaged in cricket duties, Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) noted.

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Haider Ali, David Miller, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Sherfane Rutherford, Amad Butt, Umaid Asif, Saqib Mahmood, Imamul-Haq, M Imran Randhawa, Mohammad Irfan Sr, Ibrar Ahmed, Mohammad Imran, Ravi Bopara, and Amir Khan.

Quetta Gladiators: Sarfaraz Ahmed, Ben Cutting,

C

hris Gayle will partner with Tom Banton as the hard-hitting openers were picked in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) draft by Quetta Gladiators.

Chris Lynn will move from Lahore Qalandars to Multan Sultans while Hasan Ali and David Miller were picked

by Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi respectively.

Qalandars will have the services of Rashid Khan, and also Joe Denly and Samit Patel. The draft ended with Sultans picking Carlos Brathwaite while Dale Steyn, who has opted out of the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), will feature for Gladiators. There were no takers for the top-ranked T20I batsman, Dawid Malan, with the left-hander expected to be on international duty as part of the England squad during the tournament.

Afghanistan's pair of Mohammad Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman also found pickers, with the former going to Karachi while the latter was chosen by Zalmi. All-rounder Dan Christian will also join Nabi, with Sherfane Rutherford heading to Zalmi. Philip Salt, the hard-hitting batsman, will stay with United and will be joined by countryman Reece Topley.

The tournament will start on February 20 and the final will be played on March 22

Chris Gayle

with the tournament to be completely played in Karachi and Lahore. The decision was taken to restrict the tournament to just two venues to restrict the movement of the six franchises because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Squads at the end of the PSL 2021 draft: Islamabad United: Shadab Khan, Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Musa Khan, Zafar Gohar, Hasan Ali, Lewis Gregory, Phil Salt, Rohail Nazir, Reece Topley, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Ahmed Saifi Abdullah, Chris Jordan, and Akif Javed.

Multan Sultans: Shahid Afridi, Rilee Rossouw, Sohail Tanvir, Imran Tahir, Khushdil Shah, James Vince, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir, Chris Lynn, Sohail Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Sohaib Maqsood, Sohaibullah, Adam Lyth, Shahnawaz Dhani, Muhammad Umar, Imran Khan Sr, and Carlos Brathwaite.

Lahore Qalandars: Mohammad Hafeez, Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, David Wiese, Haris Rauf, Ben Dunk, Dilbar Hussain, Sohail Akhtar, Rashid Khan, Samit Patel, Tom Abell, Zeeshan Ashraf, Salman Agha, Mohammad Faizan, Maaz Khan, Zaid Alam, Joe Denly, and Ahmad Danyal.

Peshawar Zalmi: Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Malik, Kamran Akmal, Liam Livingstone,

Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Azam Khan, Naseem Shah, Zahid Mehmood, Anwar Ali, Chris Gayle, Tom Banton, Usman Shinwari, Cameron Delport, Qais Ahmed, Abdul Nasir, Saim Ayub, Arish Ali Khan, Dale Steyn, and Usman Khan.

Karachi Kings: Babar

Azam, Mohammad Amir, Colin Ingram, Imad Wasim, Amir Yamin, Sharjeel Khan, Waqas Maqsood, Arshad Iqbal, Mohammad Nabi, Dan Christian, Chadwick Walton, Joe Clarke, Danish Aziz, Mohammad Ilyas, Zeeshan Malik, Qasim Akram, and Noor Ahmad.

(Ext 55)

NOW!

Red Force name star-studded 22-man provisional squad

— DJ Bravo appointed mentor

Dwayne Bravo was appointed mentor

T

Keiron Pollard will lead the strong squad

he Trinidad and Tobago Red Force selectors have cut the team preparing for the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Super50 tournament to 22.

The cricketers have been training and playing practice matches at the National Cricket Centre in Couva and at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, recently.

The 22-man provisional squad is a formidable-looking unit as several senior players have made themselves available including Captain Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo, Ravi Rampaul, Rayad Emrit, Khary Pierre, Jason Mohammed, Imran Khan, Lendl Simmons, and Denesh Ramdin.

Sunil Narine

Dwayne Bravo has been selected as the team’s mentor. The final 15-man squad is expected to be finalised in the coming days.

The Super50 tournament will be played in Antigua in February.

Red Force provisional squad Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Jyd Goolie, Tion Webster, Jayden Seales, Khary Pierre, Mark Deyal, Evin Lewis, Darren Bravo, Jason Mohammed, Ravi Rampaul, Isaiah Rajah, Kjorn Ottley, Yannic Cariah, Anderson Phillip, Akeal Hosein, Rayad Emrit, Imran Khan, Terrence Hinds, Denesh Ramdin, Lendl Simmons with Dwayne Bravo (mentor).

(Newsday)

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

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MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Anderson eager to make Guyana Jaguars debut in 2021 Kevlon Anderson bats during a net session

W

est Indies youth batsman Kevlon Anderson is regarded as one of the best youth batsmen in the Caribbean.

The ever-classy Anderson frequently displayed maturity with the bat at numerous senior local competitions in Guyana.

The humble lad from Berbice, who prefers his bat to do the talking, is hoping that he gets an opportunity to play for the Guyana Jaguars.

During a recent interview with Guyana Times, Anderson spoke about his eagerness to play for the Guyana Jaguars, the knowledge he walked away with from the Under-19 World Cup and how he is staying fit during the pandemic.

"I just want to thank God for life. I have been in the gym with

the senior guys, the academy so that keeps me going," Anderson said.

Sharing his sentiments on a future Jaguars call-up, Anderson noted that he was being patient and when he got that opportunity, he would be aiming to grab it with both hands.

Playing for the West Indies Under-19 team was a priceless experience, the right-hander said.

"It's a privilege for me that I have been there and have a feel where competitive cricket starts from and it's just up to me to make that step forward (playing senior

cricket)," Anderson explained.

Anderson, who bats at number three, scored 162 runs, the second highest by a West Indian at the last Under-19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, and he also scored a century in the World Cup warm-up match. He finished the tournament with an average of 40.50 and a high score of 86.

The right-hander, who plays his local cricket for Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), was named in the Guyana Jaguars training squad to play three practice matches

in preparation for the Regional Super50 Cup that is slated for February. He will be aiming to register strong performances and push closer to that senior team call-up.

(Brandon Corlette)

West Indies allowed to train from Day 4 after passing 2 COVID tests

Rovman Powell

T

he West Indies cricket team, with a 38-member contingent, arrived in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Sunday and underwent COVID-19 tests following which they will isolate themselves in their hotel rooms for three days before being tested again. Should they test negative in both tests, they will be allowed to train from Day 4.

Kaveem Hodge

West Indies are scheduled to play an intra-squad warmup match on January 18 at the BKSP Ground in Savar before the One-Day International (ODI) series gets underway two days later.

"If they test negative in both tests, they will be allowed to train from the fourth day. A third round of testing will take place after day seven, and also another test before the start of the ODI series," Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief physician Debashish Chowdhury told Cricbuzz. "Both sides will also be tested upon arrival in Chattogram for the third ODI on January 23, and there will be more testing before and during the Test series, which is scheduled for next month."

The BCB will be also providing accommodation facilities inside the SBNS for local net bowlers, service providers and ground staff, who will all have to remain in the SBNS premises until the end of the series as part of the bio-bubble plan.

The BCB also stressed that they will be extra careful in the running of the series as a slight breach can cost them heavily. "West Indies have a compliance manager with them and he has got the authority to withdraw the team if he sees any breach in the COVID-19 protocol," said a BCB official.

The first two ODIs of the series will be played in Dhaka on January 20 and January 22, while the final game will be played in Chattogram on January 25. The teams will remain in Chattogram, where they will play the first Test (February 3-7) before returning to Dhaka for the second Test beginning February 11.

This will be the first international series for Bangladesh since the resumption of cricket after the pandemic.

Bangladesh had to cancel their tour of Pakistan in March and then their white-ball tour of Ireland in May as the situation worsened around the world. This was followed by the postponement of the Sri Lanka tour while their two-match Test series against Australia and New Zealand were also postponed.

The BCB is also awaiting approval from the Government for the foreign coaches with British passports to join the national preparation camp ahead of the home series against West Indies.

Bangladesh Head Coach Russell Domingo was part of the practice session on Sunday along with Sohel Islam, who replaced Daniel Vettori for the series, while fielding coach Ryan Cook and physio Julian Calefato were also present at the SBNS. Meanwhile, the two British passport holders â&#x20AC;&#x201C; batting consultant Jon Lewis and bowling coach Ottis Gibson â&#x20AC;&#x201C; are still isolating in the hotel.

Lewis arrived on January 7 while Gibson arrived a day later. According to the latest Government rules, passengers arriving from the United Kingdom must be institutionally quarantined for 14 days as a measure to contain the spread of the new variant of coronavirus.

Jermaine Blackwood

John Campbell upon arrival

"We are not sure about it. We only know that they are expected to be isolated for the first three days and later the Government will give us an instruction. Until we get instructions for the British nationals they are going to be isolated," Chowdhury said. "This is dealt by the PM office ... and we are awaiting their decision." (Cricbuzz)

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021

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

Pg 23

Page 23

Anderson eager to make

Guyana Jaguars West Indies allowed to train from

debut in 2021 Day 4 after passing 2 COVID tests

Page 22

Red Force name star-studded 22-man provisional squad

— DJ Bravo appointed mentor

See story on page 22

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