Guyana Times - Monday January 25, 2021

Legal P13 framework for financial services sector – Dr Ashni Singh Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4539

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021

Int’l community to be alerted over Venezuelan violation of Guyana’s sovereignty – Foreign Minister Page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Dubai to invest in corn, soya bean cultivation P13 locally Bail must be P11 balanced against societal interests – High Court Judge

…says Govt working to get 11 detained Guyanese returned safely

1698 girls,1431 David Patterson’s boys abused acceptance of in 2020 jewellery gifts – CCPA report “mind-boggling” – TIGI President Page 2

Page 14

Lone bandit P10 robs Superbet clerk

P10 Linden motorcyclist killed after colliding with car

Helping in the fight against COVID-19: Ranks of Guyana Police Force have embarked on a campaign to help to curb the spread of COVID-19 by distributing masks to persons who are seen in public without a mask. In these photos, (left) a rank in Region One (Barima-Waini) gives an unmasked man a mask, while (centre) and (right) ranks in Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) also help in the reduction of the spread of the virus (GPF photos)

Guyana records 2 more COVID-19 deaths, 76 new cases Page 9

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

ICJ postpones today's case management hearing to February 26

Page 7

Pork-knocker shot in both legs by drunken P11 man Sole-sourced $145M contract

David Patterson to appear in court today P13

2 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

David Patterson’s acceptance of jewellery gifts “mind-boggling” – TIGI President

F

ormer Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson’s acceptance of hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewellery gifts bought by taxpayers’ money has been described by the President of Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI) Frederick Collins as “mindboggling.”

Patterson has already publicly admitted to accepting the gifts. In an interview with this publication, Collins pointed out that the gift-giving and the scale of the gifts are troubling.

“This issue of gifts is a troublesome one. And the size of the gifts is concerning.

Even if one gets a gift from another company, one of the things one does in a Private Sector situation is that you limit it. Those things have to be tokens. Once it gets out of a certain amount, you are inviting suspicions as to why someone would give you a gift like that.”

“Now in this case, what you have is internal. The [Ministry agencies] itself purchasing a gift. It’s mindboggling. It’s very unusual

Embattled PAC Chairman David Patterson

and I’ve never heard such a thing before. I’ve heard of externally, [not within the agency],” the TIGI Head said.

Collins also noted that in light of the revelations against Patterson and his own description of the practice as “nothing new”, checks must be done to determine the full extent of Government spending of taxpayers’ money on jewellery for Ministers.

“And for him to say that it’s a practice before, then

we need to get behind what he meant. One should check to find out, because there seems to be a kind of an acceptance that this was some kind of norm.”

In an invited comment, the TIGI Head also noted that Patterson’s Chairmanship of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is ironic when he faces such allegations. As it is, the former Minister is facing calls from some quarters to resign from the post.

It was revealed re-

cently that the asphalt plant audit ordered by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government uncovered records showing that $424,700 of taxpayers’ money was spent to purchase a hand band for Patterson.

Additionally, a sum of $76,300 was spent to purchase a tie pin for the former Minister. Based on the records, the gifts were purchased for Patterson’s birthday celebration in 2017.

In a statement released last week by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition he belongs to, Patterson had admitted to accepting some of the gifts but insisted that the practice is “nothing new.”

Patterson had also contended that he thought all the gifts he received were purchased by the various agencies after they got the necessary clearance to do so.

But at a press conference last week, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had shown the media an extensive paper trail of Ministry vouchers and receipts from

TIGI President Frederick Collins

jewellery stores, showing that over $2.6 million worth of gifts and furnishings were purchased for Patterson during his time in office from various agencies under his Ministry.

For instance, $704,292 worth of gifts were purchased for Patterson by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) in May of 2020 - in the middle of the contentious period that followed the March 2 General and Regional Elections. In another case, Edghill showed documents and receipts indicating that on May 4, 2020, a further

$387,000 was spent.

In May 2018, a further $600,000 was spent by the Maritime Administration for gifts for Patterson on his birthday. This includes a sum of $300,000 that was spent by MARAD for the purchase of gift items for the former Minister on May 3, 2018. The next day, $384,700 was also spent on gifts for the Minister.

At some point in time, it seemed as though the agency had given up on purchasing jewellery gifts for the former Minister and purchased a $516,000 gift certificate from King’s Jewellery World. Edghill’s documents included a receipt from King’s to that effect.

The Integrity Commission, where Patterson is legally bound to declare all gifts above the value of US$50, has since indicated that it will investigate to see whether the former Minister declared all the gifts he has reportedly received. According to Commission Chairman Kumar Doraisami, they are waiting for the complaint form to be completed. (G3)

NEWS

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MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, January 25 – 02:00h – 03:30h and 13:00h – 14:30h and Tuesday, January 26 – 03:00h – 04:30h and 13:30h – 15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, January 25 – 13:50h – 15:20h and Tuesday, January 26 – 14:30h – 16:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

Int’l community to be alerted over Venezuelan violation of Guyana’s sovereignty – Foreign Minister …says Govt working to get 11 detained Guyanese returned safely

By Jarryl Bryan

M

aking it clear that the Government is working hard behind the scenes to get the detained 11-member Guyanese crew returned safely from

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wanton act of aggression by the Venezuelan armed forces against Guyana and Guyanese citizens. This Venezuelan action amounts to an interference with the sovereign rights of Guyana in its EEZ, contrary to international law,” the statement had said.

Venezuelan President had 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 International Court of Justice.

“The Government of Guyana insists on the immediate release of the crew and vessels. It further exhorts the Government of Venezuela, and its agents, to behave in a manner consistent with international law and good neighbourly relations,” it added.

The detention of the two vessels comes on the heels of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s recent presidential decree which reinforced his country’s illegal claim to Guyana’s Essequibo region.

Additionally, the

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 the wake of Maduro’s decree, condemnation has flowed from President Dr Irfaan Ali, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon, the United States and Canada, as well as the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Intercepted

Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd

Venezuela, Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd on Sunday said that the international community will also be alerted about Venezuela’s latest actions.

It was announced on Saturday that two Guyanese-registered fishing vessels - the Lady Nayera and the Sea Wolf - had been intercepted by the Venezuelan navy off the coast of Waini Point and their crew detained.

In an interview with this publication on Sunday, Todd confirmed that the crew, composed of 11 members, was still in Venezuelan custody at Port Guiria in Sucre, Venezuela. According to him, the Government is using its diplomatic channels to get the crew returned safely and will be issuing a note verbale in protest of the Venezuelan navy’s actions.

“So far, the Venezuelans have confirmed that they detained the two vessels.

We are using the diplomatic channels. We are going to write to Caracas a protest note on this issue,” Minister Todd said.

Violation of sovereignty

Evening Draw

of this recent development and we will continue to work with our international partners and institutions to ensure that we’re able to have a peaceful resolution to this.

Their actions is really part and parcel of what they would have done with the decree.”

“So, we’re trying our best to alert the international community. We’ve spoken to the relatives of the persons who are now being detained.

So, we’ll be in touch with them, to give them updates.

Our main concern is to get the captains, crew and vessels released,” the Foreign Minister said.

“We see it as a violation of our territorial integrity and sovereignty. And we put out a statement which reflects our views on the situation. We see it as troubling. And we’re deeply concerned about the action of the Venezuelans.”

The Minister also noted that the international community, which has overwhelmingly sided with Guyana on its territorial rights to Essequibo and Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), will be alerted about Venezuela’s actions. According to Todd, the Government is also in communication with the family of the detained crew members.

“We’re going to alert the international community

In a statement late Saturday evening, the Foreign Affairs Ministry had revealed that the two Guyanese-registered fishing vessels were operating off the coast of Waini Point in Guyana’s EEZ when they were intercepted by the Venezuelan naval vessel, Commandante Hugo Chavez GC 24.

In fact, the statement said that the Venezuelan vessel was illegally sailing within Guyana’s EEZ and contiguous zone when it intercepted and boarded the vessels, whose captains were instructed to chart a course to Port Guiria where they were detained. According to the Ministry, the Guyana Government was not notified of the detention of its nationals, in contravention of established norms.

“Guyana condemns in the strongest possible terms this

4

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 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

The Venezuelan threat

L

ast Thursday, January 21, two Guyanese fishing boats were operating in our territorial waters off the coast of Waini Point in our North-West District, when they were intercepted by a Venezuelan naval vessel and forced to one of their ports where they have remained detained. The Venezuelan vessel was conclusively within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This latest act of aggression, of course, comes hot on the heels of the unilateral issuance of a decree by Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in which he laid claim to our territorial waters off Essequibo.

Not coincidentally, Exxon has been announcing one strike after another of high-quality petroleum deposits. Guyana has been recognised as one of the biggest oil plays of the century and perhaps the last one before the age of renewables takes over. All of this is taking place against the background of our case for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to authoritatively dismiss the controversy over our western border, which Venezuela has been hanging over our heads like a sword of Damocles.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement yesterday, in which, inter alia, it stated the facts of the seizure and continued, “To date, the Government of Guyana has not been informed by the Government of Venezuela of the detention of its nationals. The Venezuelan vessel was illegally manoeuvring within Guyana’s EEZ and Contiguous Zone when it intercepted, boarded and commandeered the Guyanese fishing vessels. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently seeking to ascertain the status and welfare of the crew members.

“Guyana condemns in the strongest possible terms this wanton act of aggression by the Venezuelan armed forces against Guyana and Guyanese citizens. This Venezuelan action amounts to an interference with the sovereign rights of Guyana in its EEZ, contrary to international law. It is noted that this latest hostility follows closely on the heels of a Decree recently issued by President Nicolás Maduro which purports to establish “a new maritime territory of Venezuela called ‘Territory for the development of the Atlantic Façade'”, encompassing Guyana’s territorial waters, EEZ and continental shelf, as well as its land territory west of the Essequibo River. Guyana has emphatically condemned this Venezuelan Decree as a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and sovereign rights, and of fundamental rules of international law.”

It is ironic that on Saturday, even though reports of the seizure by Venezuela had not been reported in the press, “Oil Price”, which reports on the oil industry, had published an article, “Will Venezuela go to war over oil (in Guyana”)? After recapping the background of the border controversy, the article continued, “With every new discovery on the Stabroek block, Venezuela’s opposition to Guyana taking the left bank of the Essequibo River was becoming increasingly untenable…Yet there is another factor that most certainly contributed to Caracas now striking such a belligerent tone – US sanctions against Venezuela. Not only did the tightening of screws on President Maduro’s political allies and relatives blunt the political prospects of Juan Guaidó, it also led to the entry of Venezuela’s military (that remained loyal to Maduro amidst the worst humanitarian suffering) into the Latin American country’s oil industry.

“Any future US Administration will most probably seek to safeguard ExxonMobil’s assets in Guyana. A first sign of this – in the first days of 2021 the commander of the US Southern Command arrived in Guyana for a three-day visit, to celebrate the launch of joint US-Guyanese coast exercises. According to top-ranking officials in the Guyanese army, Georgetown is intent on fortifying its military ties with the United States, including but not limited to arms purchases. Concurrently, Venezuela formed a new parliament which will no longer be controlled by the Guaidó-style Opposition – the pro-Maduro National Assembly will inevitably become more aggressive in its narrative and overall behaviour. Part of the aggression might result from the UN Court of Justice’s ongoing review of the Essequibo case, the decision of which was already declined by Caracas before its actual deliverance.

So, will there be a war between Venezuela and Guyana?

Such a scenario seems unlikely now.”

Venezuela’s seizure of our fishing boats does not support that conclusion.

Lai Chi-wai, a paraplegic climber, ascends the 320-metre Nina Tower, Hong Kong, China using only his upper body strength. On this attempt, Lai completed 250 metres in the face of strong winds (Tyrone Siu/Reuters)

Democracy challenged; democracy prevailed

By Professor Paul Golding

U

S National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman nearly upstaged the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States of America. Her delivery was poised and confident, and the content was superb and captured the essence of one perspective of the social situation in the USA. Overall, a tour de force.

Kamala Harris made history being the first woman and the first black woman with Asian heritage to be sworn in as vice-president of the USA. A very proud moment.

US President Joe Biden's approximately 24-minute speech captured the theme of the inauguration — unity. He acknowledged the deep and real divisions in the country — which are not new — rooted in white supremacy, racism and lies — lies for power and lies for profit. He cajoled the populace to stop the shouting, lower the temperature, reset, and respect.

One of his most poignant comments, which illustrated the depth of the division, was his hope for the end of the “uncivil war” in the country he now leads. This comment had me reflecting on the Jamaican uncivil war in the 1980s.

The 1980 General Election in Jamaica was one of the stages for the real-life theatre of the ideological and geopolitical cold war between the Western bloc, led by the US and its allies, versus the Eastern bloc, led by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The ruling People's National Party (PNP), led by Prime Minister Michael Manley, was allied with the USSR via Cuba, espousing democratic socialism, and the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), led by Edward Seaga, was allied with the US and espousing a free market economy.

This was our fifth post-In-

dependence election and, based on 2018 Statistical Institute of Jamaica data, only about 36 per cent of our current population was alive during this period. That election was, and is, Jamaica's bloodiest ever, with 800 murders committed. We graduated from using machetes and knives to AK-47s and M16s. Using lyrics from Bob Marley's song of the same name, there was “burning and looting”. There was the Eventide Home fire in which 153 old women were burnt to death, and roadblocks and barricades were common in both PNP and JLP zones. Manley was labelled as Judas for selling out to the communists, and there were graffiti with Seaga's name spelt as CIAGA to indicate his close ties to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the US. Supermarket shelves were empty, there was rationing of certain imported consumer goods and cars — some of us will remember the Lada — foreign exchange was scarce, there were frequent electrical outages, and the moneyed class was selling their belongings and fleeing in droves to the US. There was tremendous tension, there were nightly curfews, and you would not dare wear green or orange in public unless you wanted to be beaten by those whose party colour you were not wearing.

It felt like we were in a civil war. It is important that we don't forget this period in our history as we watch other countries, like Uganda and the US, go through their own political and election tensions.

In the US there is significant tension following the siege on the Capitol building on January 6, 2021. The inauguration took place under unprecedented tight security as there were warnings of possible armed protests.

There were background checks on all 25,000 national guardsmen. This tension

is an indication of the fragility of the democratic system that Biden referred to in his speech.

President Donald Trump engaged in a perversion of the US electoral system which has resulted in a regression of the democratic process. Trump operated like a dictator in a democracy. One of the ways that dictators maintain power is in their refusal to accept defeat and concede power to their opponents. According to Omotola in the discussion paper 'Unconstitutional changes of Government in Africa', “…incumbents deliberately engineer post-election violence that will help them remain in power at any cost…”

Using Biden's words, democracy was challenged, and democracy prevailed.

Donald Trump now shares some inauspicious company.

The parallels between Trump and those that I will mention may not be exact, but the similarities in intent and essence between them are the same. His contemporaries include President Aleksandr Lukashenko of Belarus, whose position was, as Mike Pompeo said in 2020, the result on an election that was fraudulent; Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and President Lauren Gbagbo of Côte d'Ivoire, who both attempted to subvert election results; and, the one that will resonate with us in the region, Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, on whom the US applied every foreign policy ploy and left no stone unturned to remove, claiming, ironically, that these leaders were corrupting democratic elections — pot cussing the kettle? It is noteworthy that Venezuela's current socio-economic situation is similar to Jamaica's in the late 1970s leading up to the 1980 election.

This attempt at an unconstitutional change of Government in the USA was tacitly aided and abetted by both Republicans in the House and the Senate, who

refused to openly congratulate Biden on his trouncing of their candidate, and who also remained silent on his baseless claim of voter fraud. This was a colossal act of cowardice and dereliction of leadership borne out of their fear of Trump and his 74-million plus garrison.

For many years the US and its allies have preached to others of the need to hold free and fair elections and that their results should be respected. Does this attempted coup disqualify the USA as a global arbiter of democracy? I don't think so. The incident was a humbling one.

The USA is not used to humility. However, the response so far by Congress has been unequivocal; they have impeached the instigator-in-chief and arrested a number of the perpetrators.

Trump's most lasting legacy may be his unsuccessful coup, but his more indelible mark will be his gross mismanagement of the novel coronavirus pandemic which has left over 400,000 dead, and counting.

Biden's aspirational inauguration theme of 'America United' is likely to ring hollow as he tries to broker common ground between the extreme right and the extreme left. It is not hard to create divisions in a society, whether it be black versus white, orange versus green, Shiite versus Sunni, North Vietnamese versus South Vietnamese, or Tutsis versus Hutus. The differences are there. For peace to reign we need to find common ground and learn to live with each other in peace. Therefore, Jamaica should not forget or repeat 1980, when we had our own uncivil war. We should always strive to become “Out of many, one people.”

We wish Joe Biden all the best, and we hope for a more united US and a more perfect union. In the end, God's will will be done. (Excerpted from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021

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

Mouth open story jump out in Region 10 Dear Editor, There is an old saying, “mouth open story jump out”, it was revealed during a site visit and inspection of Region 10 on Friday by Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton, along with Chief Co-operative Development Officer Perlina Gift, who went across Linden to get a first-hand look at some of the projects that should have been executed under the SLED programme.

This programme was set up in 2015 after the coalition Government slipped into office, however, what was discovered must be shocking to every resident in Region 10 – millions of dollars unaccounted for in Region 10 communities and several individuals and groups in

Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), are now under the microscope for millions of dollars disbursed to them by the APNU/AFC Government for projects that never materialised.

Some 13 groups received a total of $34 million under the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) programme in 2019 for community development projects, in the region.

Reference was made to the Green Jaguar Environmental and Community Development Co-operative Society at Wisroc.

The incomplete pig-rearing project under the Green Jaguar Environmental and Community Development

Cooperative Society “In the case of the five-point-whatever-million dollars’ project, that money was disbursed and collected by the Member of Parliament of Region 10, Jermaine Figueira, and as Minister saw it, where it is located, it’s on some private land that is attached to a homeowner. So, for all intents and purposes, Government money has now become private property, and we can’t have that,” Minister Hamilton stated.

Hamilton said another $2.3 million was provided for poultry rearing, but that project never got off the ground and the incomplete chicken coop was taken over by vegetation.

The abandoned commu-

nity centre and ICT hub at West Watooka: At West Watooka, $6 million was given to a group for a community centre and ICT hub.

The incomplete building was abandoned in 2019.

In Coomacka, there is a building that was supposed to house the Coomacka block-making project, which has been abandoned. The Coomacka block-making project is located in a deserted area and is abandoned without a roof. What is disheartening is that these co-ops, Old England and Coomacka, received funds for block-making projects valued at a total of $6 million. Those groups were required to be registered as Co-operative Societies before funds were released.

Govt praised for infrastructure development Dear Editor, My memory of readings on economic development when I did doctoral studies in economics in the 1980s is the infrastructure sector is/ was a key driver for the development of any economy.

This sector, along with agriculture, was highly responsible for propelling the US, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, the Soviet Union, Argentina, Brazil, among other countries, overall development. Australia, New Zealand, and the US became first-world countries through agriculture and infrastructure development.

Singapore became firstworld through trade and infrastructure, among other sectoral development.

Infrastructure and agriculture, in addition to I-Tech, construction, among other sectors, are now driving India’s economy. The present PPP Administration has wisely initiated major infrastructure policies, which along with agriculture, farming, and mining, among other sectors, would drive development.

I had the privilege of travelling around the country, along the coast and some interior sections. I observed massive infrastructure work being undertaken including in the interior that was badly neglected by previous Administrations.

As I experienced in the vehicle, the trails were extremely rough; I got bounced around frequently, hitting my head on the roof of the vehicle. One can suffer serious injuries just sitting and travelling in a vehicle.

Vehicles could overturn or skid and end up at the bottom of a ravine or hill, resulting in loss of life and or broken limbs. Fortunately, sections of the trails were being smoothened for a less rough ride. The trails into the interior are being graded to make them passable.

Work seems to be moving apace. For years, the trails

posed challenges for trucks (laden with goods, logs, stones, sand, minerals, etc) and passenger vehicles.

Photos showed some fastened in the quicksand or mud while others toppled; lives were lost and limbs broken. Vehicles were also destroyed with losses in the billions of Guyana dollars to private developers.

There is a commitment from Government of paving the road within a few years.

My interactions with Indigenous people and the business community in the interior revealed that the trails were neglected under the previous regime.

They are very pleased that there is a change in Administration and that the present Government is addressing their concerns.

Business and hinterland life was severely affected over impassable trails and neglect of people who dwell in the outlying areas. Business has taken a toll over the last five years, made worse by the pandemic. (Some businesses complained that Government officials and Ministers of the preceding regime took goods, ate in their restaurants on credit, and even filled up the gas tanks of vehicles and never paid. They could not complain out of fear of victimisation or assault by goons. Such behaviour is unconscionable given the difficulty of life in the interior among the Indigenous people. Those Government individuals former Ministers - are uncaring and shameless.) The hinterland people praise President Ali Government for looking into their complaints of neglect and marginalisation. They applaud the Government for holding outreaches in their communities. Such outreaches give the people a chance to voice their complaints to the Ministers and other Government officials.

President Ali is lauded for

taking Government to the people in the various regions around the country in the rural and hinterland communities. Government gets almost 100 per cent positive rating on this initiative of President Ali to take Cabinet to the people.

As the public has noted, the Ministry of Infrastructure is on the job.

Those who I interacted with applauded the Government for making a conscientious effort to address the problems experienced in the interior and in the rural areas. They are pleased with the work of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, showering accolades on Ministers Bishop Edghill and Deodat Indar. Indar

O

scores very high on favourability ratings for his public engagements and groundwork. His work ethic is praised. Respondents in a poll I conducted say he is among a few Ministers who have been very active on the ground, listening to complaints and concerns of the public. They say he listens and acts. Minister Indar is commended for his engagement with the public and delivery of promises to rehabilitate roads, clean drains, and electrify streets and recreation grounds.

People say the Ministry promptly attempts to resolve their complaints.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

ne of the first principles of straight living is – practise silence. For the voice of God can be heard in the region of your heart only when the tongue is stilled.

Then the storm is still and the waves are calm. There will be no temptation for others to shout when you talk to them in whispers. Set the level of tone yourself: As low as possible, as high as necessary to reach the outermost boundary of the circle you are addressing. Conserve sound, since it is the treasure of the element space (Akasha), an emanation from God Himself. Reason can prevail only when arguments are advanced without the whipping up of sound. Silence is the speech of the spiritual seeker. Soft sweet speech is the expression of genuine love. Hate screeches, fear squeals and conceit trumpets. But love sings lullabies; it soothes and applies balm. Practice the vocabulary of love; unlearn the language of hate and contempt! (Divine Discourse, Feb 19, 1970)

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation

The team visited pig-rearing projects, where persons received $5.9 million, where pigs were placed in a pen overnight in an effort to fool the team. During the visit Minister Hamilton also visited several other projects where monies ($1.5 million to $2.2 million) were disbursed through the former Ministries of Communities and Social Cohesion for the enhancement of recreational facilities and agriculture initiatives. The Labour Minister said one man received over $2.2 million for a chicken rearing project. However, when he visited the project, he was told that the individual had migrated.

“So, there are two separate types of projects, one for co-ops and communities and then you had individual projects. “So you had to have a godfather somewhere for you to just go and collect $2 million and then you disappear,” this would not be condoned by the Ministry, said Minister Hamilton Residents of Region 10, this is a clear indication of misappropriation of public funds, and those involved would have to account for those sums. “What we were looking for is $34 million, and we couldn’t find $34 million. We cannot continue to allow people to take public funds and use it for their benefit,” he declared.

The Labour Minister said he has ordered an integrity audit of all co-ops across the country. These audits will begin within a month

and be completed within the third quarter of this year.

“I want to know the state of every co-op in this country.

Independent auditors will go and audit to see whether they are transparent, and to ensure we can utilise the law to retrieve property that somebody has claimed as their own… Once that is done, we will write-off those that must die, and those that will live must be transparent,” Minister Hamilton has said.

The SLED programme was set up in 2015 after the coalition Government came into office, and $760 million has been invested over the years. The fight against the misappropriation of public funds perpetrated by individuals, especially public servants, for private gain, must stop. What we are witnessing is unbelievable, our Government must enact laws and establishment of institutional mechanisms that deal with this type of behaviour, across this country, However, residents of Region 10, let us voice our deep anguish and strong disapproval of the conduct of some of our residents that the former APNU/AFC Government shielded while in the act of corruption and are now under the microscope for misappropriation of public funds in Region 10, shame on you, many small farmers were hoping to benefit from opportunities like these.

Sincerely, David Adams

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MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021

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Profit and Loss

rofit and loss depends on the cost price and selling price of an article.

Suppose, if a person buys an article for $70 and sells it for $100.

The cost price (CP) of an article is the price at which the article is bought = $70 The selling price (SP) of an article is the price at which the article is sold = $100 Since, the selling price of the article is more than its cost price; it is sold at a profit and, profit (gain) = $100 - $70 = $30 Thus, profit (gain) = selling price – cost price ie profit (gain) = SP - CP Similarly, if a person buys an article for $100 and sells it for $90; The cost price of the article = $100 and its selling price = $90 Since, the selling price of the article is less than the cost price; it is sold at a loss. and, loss = $100 - $90 = $10 Thus, loss = cost price - selling price

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any fictional titles about the Olympics involve characters creating their own versions of the games. Like these characters, most kids crave the chance to test themselves. Give yourself that opportunity as you create and participate in your own Olympic Games.

What you’ll need • Drawing materials and art supplies for designing and making “uniforms” or team symbols, medals or awards, and other signs or decorations • Sports equipment and/or board games, stopwatch and tape measure, and a large open space • A smartphone or other device for playing music and making videos Directions After you’ve read fiction books about the Olympics and nonfiction titles about Olympic athletes, write down what you have noticed about the attitudes and goals of both the fictional characters and the athletes. Think about something that you might like to accomplish. How would you go about it? Did the books give you any ideas?

i.e. loss = CP - SP Note: SP is the short form for selling price and CP is the short form for cost price.

Exercises:

1. A man bought an article for $10.50 and sold it for $12. Did he make a profit or a loss? In what amount?

2. A boy bought a second hand bicycle for $570. After one year he sold it for $350. Did he make a profit or a loss? In what amount?

Friday’s answers 1) Calculate a) 20% b) 0.54 c) 8.2 2) 52cm

Perimeter = 36cm and area =

Plan and participate in your own Olympic games or a field day.

Brainstorm about the kind of games you would like to play or a challenge you’d like to tackle.

Focus your ideas around your abilities and available resources: • You may want to try a sport that takes place at the real Olympic Games or create a competitive sport of your own, such as tree hugging, distance swinging, or bubble blowing.

• Invite family, friends and neighbours to participate. If no one is available to play along, consider a “Teddy bear” Olympics with stuffed animals or other toys catapulted in the long jump or high jump or raced down a hill or ramp in the 100-meter dash.

• Designate teams and create symbols and artwork that can be secured onto participants’ clothing to make uniforms.

Plan an opening parade or ceremony with music.

• Also decide what kind of recognition for accomplishment in the games participants will receive and create medals, trophies, certificates, or edible awards!

3) One inch is equivalent to 2.54 centimetres.

5 metres = 196.85 inches 508 inches = 1290.32cm 4) Calculate a) 12.25 + 71.58 = 83.83 b) 1.90 + 33.60 = 35.50 3) 0.33 + 19.67 = 20 5) K’ ∩ L’ = {6, 10, 18} L – K’ = {} L – K = {1, 5, 11} K = { 3, 4, 14, 16, 17, 20}

The Olympic • Encourage training for the games. Practice and measure and note performances using standard measures like minutes or feet or unique units, such as a stack or length of blocks.

• Take video of the opening ceremony and of the games. After you watch it, create a voiceover commentary.

Before the games begin, be sure to think about expectations. Predict outcomes about your own performance. After the medals have been distributed, reflect on the outcomes . Even if you took the gold, can you think of ways to improve your performance? (Adapted from readingrockets.org)

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he lion and the fox went hunting together. The lion, on the advice of the fox, sent a message to the ass, proposing to make an alliance between their two families. The ass came to the place of meeting, overjoyed at the prospect of a royal alliance. But when he came there the lion simply pounced on the ass, and said to the fox: "Here is our dinner for to-day. Watch you here while I go and have a nap. Woe betide you if you touch my prey." the lion went away and the fox waited; but finding that his master did not return, ventured to take out the brains of the ass and ate them up. When the lion came back he soon noticed the absence of the brains, and asked the fox in a terrible voice: "What have you done with the brains?"

"Brains, your Majesty! it had none, or it would never have fallen into your trap."

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

ICJ postpones today's case management hearing to February 26

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he International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) continuation of its hearing into the GuyanaVenezuela border controversy, which was supposed to get underway today with a case management hearing, has been postponed to February 26, 2021.

This was confirmed when this publication made contact with Guyana’s Agent on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy, Carl Greenidge. Greenidge, who is also the Government’s Advisor on Borders, noted that they were informed by the ICJ of the postponement ahead of time.

The case management conference was initially scheduled for today, after being postponed from January 15 for undisclosed reasons.

At the time, Greenidge had noted that at the upcoming case management conference, the Court will decide on the time to be allotted to each of the parties, they will find out whether Venezuela will participate and they will also give an opportunity to clear up any matters to deal with the procedures which the parties or the court may have.

Guyana approached the World Court in 2018 seeking a final and binding judgement to reinforce that the 1899 Arbitral Award

remains valid and binding on all parties, and legal affirmation that Guyana’s Essequibo region, which contains much of Guyana’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

However, earlier this month the Nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela issued a decree claiming 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.

The Guyanese leader declared on January 9 that Venezuela’s maritime border claim is a “legal nullity” that will not be recognised by Guyana or any other State in the world. He added that while this latest move by the Spanishspeaking 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 char-

The International Court of Justice

acter Guyana is confident the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will uphold unequivocally,” President Ali had asserted during an address to the nation.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s action has also been widely rejected here by the parliamentary Opposition, other political parties, civil society bodies and bilateral partners like the United States and Canada as well.

However, in the past few days, there has been an escalation of tension, brought on by Venezuela’s detention of the 11-member crew of two Guyanese-registered fishing vessels - the Lady Nayera and the Sea Wolf off the coast of Waini Point in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

According to a statement from the Foreign

Affairs Ministry on Saturday, Venezuelan vessel Commandante Hugo Chavez GC 24 was illegally sailing within Guyana’s EEZ and contiguous zone when it intercepted and boarded the vessels, whose captains were instructed to chart a course to Port Guiria where they were detained.

According to the Ministry, the Guyana Government was not notified of the de-

tention of its nationals, in contravention of established norms.

“Guyana condemns in the strongest possible terms this wanton act of aggression by the Venezuelan armed forces against Guyana and Guyanese citizens. This Venezuelan action amounts to an interference with the sovereign rights of Guyana in its EEZ, contrary to international law,” the statement had said.

“The Government of Guyana insists on the immediate release of the crew and vessels. It further exhorts the Government of Venezuela, and its agents, to behave in a manner consistent with international law and good neighbourly relations,” it added.

Guyana’s March 2018 application to the ICJ was filed based on the recommendation of the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, following

a failed good offices process between the neighbouring states.

In a majority decision on December 18, 2020, the ICJ ruled that it has jurisdiction to adjudicate over the border controversy case.

This was after Venezuela, which has refused to participate in the legal proceedings, wrote the court to say that the UN SG exceeded his authority under the 1966 Geneva Agreement when he referred the case to the ICJ, and therefore the Court lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the matter.

The ICJ found that both Guyana and Venezuela consented to judicial settlement when they signed the Geneva Agreement since the judicial process via the ICJ is one of the means available to the Secretary General to bring an end to the controversy. Hence, the Court’s decision is binding on both parties. (G3)

8 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Gunmen open fire on La Penitence man

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22-year-old man was shot several times after four gunmen ambushed him near his East La Penitence, Georgetown home on Sunday morning.

Injured is Osafo Johnson, a labourer of East La Penitence, Georgetown.

Reports are the shooting occurred at about 04:45h at Barbie Dam, East La Penitence.

Police said that Johnson left the Tower Hotel on Main Street, Georgetown, with his reputed wife in a Toyota Axio motor car, which is owned and driven by David Green,

to go home.

Green stopped the car at Barbie Dam for the victims to walk to their home when two motor cars drove up from behind and blocked the path of the car. Reports are that

four men exited the cars and called out Johnson’s name and he and his reputed wife attempted to run. However, one of the men discharged several rounds at him, causing him to receive three gun-

shot wounds to his hands and left side abdomen.

The perpetrators then jumped back into their cars and managed to make good their escape.

Johnson was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he is presently receiving medical treatment. His condition is stable.

Meanwhile, Police said that two 9mm spent shells and one suspected 9mm warhead were recovered at the scene. Green is presently detained for further questioning while investigations continue.

The slime of politics…

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…and government of the people veryone knows “politics is dirty”. But “dirty” comes in all colours and it’s particularly irking when the colour green gets dragged in the mud as was done by Granger after he became President in 2015.

Green, after all, is the colour that’s associated with a clean environment the world over. So imagine the Sanctimonious Gangster’s temerity to drag the colour green into Guyana’s gutter politics. It had to be deliberate since it’s the colour of slime found in gutters!!

Your Eyewitness, of course, is referring to Granger painting the Office of the President – THE ENTIRE BUILDING!! – from its historic white to slime green!!

The National Trust protested to no avail! Obviously, it had nothing to do with the environment and keeping it pristine, but everything to do with slime-green being the colour of the PNC from its formation in 1958. As soon as they slid into office, they went on a painting binge. During their inauguration and the Independence celebrations, citizens were shocked to witness the extent to which slime-green and yellow became the leitmotif of every event. The yellow was quickly dropped – but Ramjattan and crew never realised it was a harbinger of their future!

But to make the point even stronger where they were coming from with their slime-green, the PNC planted slime-green palm trees in a “beautification” programme across the country. The message that Guyana was “PNC territory” was moved from the subliminal and symbolic to the concrete. While some might’ve missed that green was their colour – everyone knows the palm tree is the PNC’s symbol. And the palm tree is planted in the ground to take root!

But painting the Ministry of the Presidency Building green took this “PNCing” to a whole new level – the very lowest possible level. After all, even though the President is elected by one section of the society, he’s supposed to be President of ALL Guyana. To have painted the building in which his office was housed with the slime-green of the PNC was to signal that his presidency was only for that section that placed their X’s for him. And he showed that in spades after the election.

While Burnham had signalled his desire to co-opt the Judiciary back in the day when he flew the PNC’s flag over the Court of Appeal, and rigged the elections to remain in office, he was never this blatant about his partisanship.

The PPP has been in office for almost six months, during which time they’ve performatively demonstrated that they’re governing for all the people. It’s about time they also convey this symbolically by repainting the Office of the President back to white.

Not red or yellow!! …and the Opposition When the PPP won the elections of 1992, their supporters called for justice to be done after the humiliations, expropriations, and appropriations they and the country had suffered for 28 years. But Cheddi Jagan insisted there’d be “no recriminations; no revenge” against the PNC. So, folks like Robert Corbin, for instance, were never prosecuted and sent to jail over his “electricity barge” scandal.

But in 2015, from the word go the PNC launched “forensic audits” then harassed and embarrassed the departed PPP officials by threatening prosecution and jail if they found the slightest infraction. Of course, they weren’t able to obtain a single conviction. Well, here we are with the PPP not even launching a sustained audit across the board and yet so many scandals have been unearthed it makes a citizen sick to the stomach.

This Eyewitness doesn’t believe that David Patterson is an outlier. He’s convinced that what’s been stumbled over is just the tip of the iceberg.

Launch forensic audits of every Government department!! …and greed We were taught in Sunday School the seven deadly sins are greed, pride, wrath, envy, lust and gluttony. We see them all on display in the David Patterson sleazy case unfolding inexorably.

Bling, denial, threatening lawsuits, and dinners at Gravity!!

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

9 Guyana records 2 more COVID-19 deaths, 76 new cases NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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ping 23 cases in the East Berbice-Corentyne region and 20 more cases in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The figures in the other three regions – Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) – remained the same.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of Sunday, some 97,464,094 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 2,112,689 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 43,456,972 while the death toll in the region has gone up to 999,894.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry also reported on Sunday that 76 new novel coronavirus cases were recorded in the last 24 hours from some 451 tests conducted.

According to the Ministry’s updated COVID-19 dashboard, the total number of confirmed cases in the country is now 7298 – 3748 males and 3550 females.

But only 756 of these are currently active cases. This includes seven patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 749 persons in isolation, that is, 36 persons in institutional isolation and the other 713 in home isolation.

There are also 13 persons in institutional quarantine.

To date, some 6370 persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus here, that is, nine more recoveries than what was recorded the previous day.

Meanwhile, Guyana has tested some 46,798 persons for the novel coronavirus thus far.

Of the 76 new cases recorded on Sunday, one was detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), another one in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), three in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 22 cases in the Demerara-Mahaica region, six in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), a whop-

With the COVID-19 cases in Guyana continuing to climb, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said that training on infectious diseases treatment would be continuous and tailored to treat the new symptoms of the coronavirus.

“Guidelines change and as we get more knowledge and so forth about the disease, and as new medicines will become available, if we are able to acquire them here in Guyana and make them available, then we will have to change our clinical guidelines every time. So, it is important that we teach our staff about these guidelines so they are more aware and can utilise these protocols,” Dr Anthony explained during a recent COVID-19 update.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), courses are being done in collaboration with the PAHO/WHO and could be accessed on the WHO website.

Meanwhile, Minister Anthony said courses in Nursing, Midwifery, the Medics Programme, Community Health Worker Training and Pharmacy will be enhanced through collaboration with the University of Guyana.

“Many of these programmes are designed and updated and upgraded by the Ministry, but they don’t have any formal accreditation outside of the Ministry.

I believe the time has come when we should collaborate more closely with the University of Guyana for some of these programmes so they can be used as entry requirements into some of the programmes offered by the University,” he noted.

The Health Minister added that his team will explore how its existing programmes could be accredited by the University. He also advised Government institutions to partner with the University to ensure their curricula are on par with what is happening in medicine.

Additionally, the Ministry has started draft-

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

wo more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died, according to the Health Ministry on Sunday.

This now takes the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 172.

These latest fatalities are two males, a 78-yearold from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and a 60–year- old from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

They died while receiving care at medical facilities.

These are the country’s seventh and eighth COVID deaths, respectively, thus far this year. The last COVID-19 death was on January 10, when a 65-yearold male from Region Four died, also while being treated at a medical facility.

New cases

More training

ing its training manual on the administration of a COVID-19 vaccine, in anticipation of one or more becoming available in Guyana soon.

“Training for the COVID-19 vaccines will focus on storage chain, how to administer and use the

vaccines, how you’ll record on the card issued, how to keep those records so that we can go back and do checks because at least two of the current vaccines require a person to return after 21 days for the second dose,” Minister Anthony explained.

To date, the Ministry has conducted several COVID-19 related training programmes for its clinical staff. Training has also been done for mental health awareness and detection and the use of ventilators.

While focus would be placed on infectious diseases, this would not exclude upgrades to other medical training offered by the Health Ministry.

All Guyanese 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 need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www. health.gov.gy. (G8)

10 NEWS Linden motorcyclist killed after colliding with car A MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

motorcyclist of Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, was killed after he collided with a car along the Sir David Rose Avenue Public Road in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), on Saturday. Dead is 29-year-

old Adrile Drakes. The accident occurred at approximately 16:30h. According to reports, the car which was driven by a 68-year-old man, also of Blueberry Hill, was proceeding north on the western side of the Sir David Rose Avenue Public

Road and the motorcycle was proceeding in the opposite direction, reportedly at a fast rate of speed. While negotiating a left bend, the motorcyclist reportedly lost control of his motorcycle and collided with the front of the car. As a result of the

impact of the collision, the motorcyclist was flung onto the roadway and sustained injuries. He was picked up by public-spirited citizens in an unconscious state and transported to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC).

There, he was seen and examined by a doctor on duty but succumbed while receiving medical attention.

According to Police, the driver of the car is presently in custody assisting with the investigations. (G13)

Dead: Adrile Drakes

Lone bandit robs Superbet clerk

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Superbet clerk was robbed as she was about to close the business premises at about 18:45h at First

Street Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WCD).

Reports are that the 29-year-old was about to secure the Superbet location’s

front door on Saturday when she heard a male voice saying “don’t move”. She reported to Police that the man immediately grabbed her black shoulder bag which contained $162,700. The money, Police said, belonged to the owner of the business.

The clerk reported that after taking the bag with the money, the suspect then made good his escape on foot in a northern direction.

An alarm was raised and the Police were called but a search in the vicinity was futile. Police have since launched an investigation.

(G9)

NEWS

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MONDAY, JANUARY 25,, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bail must be balanced against societal interests – High Court Judge

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he process of bail is simply to obtain the release of oneself or another by providing security for a further appearance in court with or without conditions. The question of bail has oftentimes been the subject of adverse comments by members of the public who hold the view that sometimes bail is granted when situations do not warrant.

At a recent webinar aimed at providing reporters, university students and members of the Guyana Police Force and civil society with a better understanding of Guyana’s Judiciary, High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon explained that “bail is an entitlement and not a privilege” based

upon existing laws.

To better understanAd the issue of bail, Justice Kissoon highlighted that it starts with the right to liberty of every citizen enshrined in Article 139 (1) of the Constitution. Also, he noted that Article 144 (2) of the Constitution of Guyana guarantees due process of the law and the presumption of innocence for every citizen charged with a criminal offence.

“Civilisation has from ancient times, regarded the liberty of the subject as sacrosanct. Life and liberty both are the most sacred of our fundamental freedoms and it is now enshrined in the laws of every civilised nation and international charter,” he further noted.

He explained that the relevance of this is two-fold, in that it makes us aware of the importance of the process

High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon

of bail as a mechanism for the protection of our fundamental rights and secondly, it informs and guides us that only in cogent and compelling circumstances a citizen may be deprived of his

liberty when charged with a bailable offence.

“The presumption of innocence is a very important factor when dealing with the issue of bail. The process of bail is an essential component of the criminal justice system and its fundamental importance lies in its preservation and protection of the liberty of each and every citizen charged with a criminal offence in whose favour the presumption of innocence applies.”

Rationale

He explained that the rationale for the grant of bail includes: to protect the liberty of the citizen who is presumed innocent until proven guilty; to ensure the protection of the public interest and public safety, to ensure the defendant receives a fair trial and most

importantly it removes a burden on the treasury of providing housing, care and maintenance of persons who are detained.

He, moreover, noted that the legislative framework governing the grant of bail in Guyana encompasses bail at every stage of the criminal proceedings which are at the stage of the investigation, bail pending trial and filing an appeal after conviction.

“The purpose of the bail provision is intended to balance the need to ensure accused persons appear for their trial; the need to protect the community and the administration of justice and the right to protect the liberty of persons who are presumed to be innocent,” the Judge added.

According to Justice Kissoon, the Criminal Law Procedure Act sets out the categories of offences bail ought to be granted for, and also makes provisions that if bail is denied by a Magistrate

in appropriate cases, Magistrates may remand a defendant, “as experience has taught us what appears to be a slight or minor offence in the first instance [such as] threatening behaviour, threatening language leads to much more grave offences after the fact.”

Conditions

During the webinar, Justice Kissoon informed that the following conditions

Pork-knocker shot in both legs by drunken man for an accused person to make an application before a Judge of the High Court for their release.

Further to that, he said there is also an express statutory provision against the imposition of excessive bail. Justice Kissoon went on to clarify that Section 82 (c) of the Criminal Law Procedure Act does not contemplate the remand of a defendant charged with an offence which carries a term of imprisonment of less than two years.

Notwithstanding, he pointed out that

are to be considered when granting bail: the likelihood or otherwise of the defendant disparaging before trial; the chances of him committing further offences when out on bail; the chances of him interfering with the course of justice when out on bail; where the crime is one of extreme violence or sexual assault or mental abnormality is reasonably suspected; whether he may tamper with witnesses; whether there are reasons concerning the investigation or prosecution of the matter

Drunken driver, porter hospitalised following accidents

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40-year-old porter of the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), and a 22-year-old male of Hyde Park, Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), are both hospitalised following two accidents that occurred on Saturday at separate locations.

Forty-year-old Odit Narine was involved in an accident on the Toraturu Trail, Mazaruni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), on Saturday at about 13:30h.

Police said a 30-year-old male of Bartica, Essequibo River, was the driver of the motor lorry that was involved in the accident.

Reports are the driver was descending a hill when he allegedly lost control of the lorry, which turned turtle, pinning the 40-yearold porter onto the surface of

the trail, where he received injuries about his body.

He was picked up by public-spirited citizens and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was admitted a patient for a fractured right leg and abrasions about the body. His condition is regarded as stable.

Also on Saturday, on the

that requires him to be kept in custody.

He, however, underscored that paramount consideration is at all times given to whether the defendant will appear for his trial. With regards to objections to bail, he said that local courts have ruled that objection to bail must be supported by cogent facts to lead to this refusal.

Majority of criminal matters are disposed of in the Magistrates’ Courts.

In this regard, the Judge stated that it is important to note that Magistrates are creatures of statute meaning that they cannot act outside or beyond the bounds or parameters of the authority

which is granted under the legislation.

For example, he outlined that in relation to specific offences, Parliament has removed and/or limited the discretion of a Magistrate to grant bail. This, he added, is evident in the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control Act, which authorises a Magistrate to only grant bail in limited circumstances for special reasons.

Furthermore, he said that by Section 15 of the Kidnapping Act, a Magistrate has no discretion to grant bail for offences under this Act. On the other hand, he explained that a Judge of the High Court has the discretion to grant bail for every criminal offence and may exercise that discretion even in respect to offences which are not ordinarily bailable where there is inordinate delay in the commencing of the trial. On this note, Justice Kissoon referred the local case of Hemchand Persaud v the Attorney General, in which bail was granted for the offence of murder by the late Chief Justice Ian Chang. (G1)

Parika Public Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), a motor car which as driven by a 22-year-old drunken driver of Hyde Park, Parika, East Bank Essequibo, a motor lorry driven by a 43-year-old man of Walton Hall, Essequibo Coast, and a motor pick-up, GMM 2176, were involved in an accident.

Based on reports, the

driver of the motor car was proceeding along the Parika Public Road and alleged that he saw a cow and swerved to avoid colliding with it.

He then collided with the motor lorry, which was parked on the road, and drove over the median to eventually slam into a pickup which was parked on the western side of the road, causing damages to both vehicles.

As a result of the collision, the drunken man received injuries about his body and was picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was admitted a patient.

A breathalyser test was conducted on him and it was found that he was over the prescribed limit.

Investigations are ongoing into both accidents. (G11)

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24-year-old porkknocker of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD), is now nursing two gunshot wounds after he was shot by a drunken man at Five Star Landing, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini).

Satesh Ramnarine was shot at about 16:30h on Thursday.

Ramnarine told Police that he had just finished his daily work and was cooking when a man who appeared to be intoxicated walked up to him and an argument ensued. The man left shortly after but about five minutes later, Ramnarine said, another colleague, who was

also in the building at the time, shouted to him and told him to run.

Ramnarine said upon looking back, he noticed the intoxicated man with what appeared to be a shotgun, pointing in his direction. He said that he heard a loud explosion and felt a burning sensation and numbness on both of his legs. Police said that the man ran into an abandoned building and locked himself inside. He was assisted by public-spirited persons, who took him to the Port Kaituma Hospital, where he was admitted a patient in a stable condition.

Investigations are ongoing.

(G9)

12 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Taxi driver robbed of car, valuables by armed bandits

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eith Whyte, a taxi driver of Agricola Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), is now counting his loses after he was allegedly robbed of his motor car and other valuables on Saturday evening at the Festival City Exit, Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The incident occurred at around 21:00h as Whyte was dropping off a man who posed as a passenger. Whyte told Police that he picked up one of the suspects on Croal Street, in the vicinity of Demico House, for Festival City, South Ruimveldt, when the man told him upon their arrival at the location, to turn into Festival City and stop.

He said he complied and shortly after he was approached by a man who pointed a gun in his direction. Whyte said he was then told to exit the car, to which he complied and the suspect then searched him and relieved him of his cellular phone and $30,000.

He claimed that after the men took his belongings, he began running, which caused him to fall to the ground and receive injuries about his body. The suspects then made good their escape in the man’s car. Police have since launched an investigation.

Only on Thursday, a 26-year-old man of La Bonne Intention Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, was robbed of his motor car, his cellular phone, and $8 million.

According to reports, Kevin Gildharie had parked his car at Mon Repos Pasture, ECD, when he was approached by a man wearing a face mask.

Gildharie said the man reportedly held on to him, and as he was trying to free himself, the assailant whipped out a handgun and struck him to his neck.

The suspect then took the man’s phone and cash, and then drove off with the silver-grey motor car. (G9)

PI into murder of marketing rep to begin this week

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he Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of 23-yearold Navindra Samaroo, the marketing representative who was shot dead by armed men just after leaving a city bank, will commence this week before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Charged with his murder are Dwayne Castello, 27, also called “Top Cat” of East Ruimveldt Housing

Scheme, Georgetown, and Keanu Alexander. They were not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on July 23, 2020, at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, they murdered Samaroo during a robbery.

According to the facts, Samaroo had visited a city bank and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to conduct business for the Murder accused: Dwayne Castello

company he works for, G&J Phone Cards Investment on Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, before heading home to collect his lunch.

However, on his way back to work, he was gunned down while sitting in his motor car, PPP 1645, at Middle Road, La Penitence.

Castello was apprehend-

Dead: Navindra Samaroo

ed several weeks after the shooting during which he opened fire on ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

He is also facing charges for having an illegal firearm and matching ammunition and discharging a gun at a Police rank.

The case will be called on Friday. (G1)

Appeal hearing in taxi driver’s fiery murder begins today

Convicted killer: Balram Singh

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he appeal hearing for Agricola, East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident, 50-year-old Balram Singh, who was convicted of murder back in 2015 and sentenced to 80 years’ imprisonment, commences today at the Guyana Court of Appeal.

Balram Singh was found guilty of the January 2010 murder of taxi driver, Bhomeshwar Sukhdeo.

After the custodial sentence imposed by Justice Navindra Singh, the convicted killer filed an appeal in which he is asking that his conviction and sentence be set aside.

His appeal will be heard by the Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud.

The convict’s lawyers are Nigel Hughes and Ronald Daniels.

State Counsel Diana Kaulesar-O’Brien is appearing for the prosecution.

Media reports are that Sukhdeo was killed between January 19 and January 27, 2010. He was kidnapped and robbed of his vehicle.

His charred remains were

Dead: Bhomeshwar Sukhdeo

discovered in Mocha, EBD, days after he had gone missing. He was reportedly shot to the head and his body burnt.

In a caution statement given to the Police by Balram Singh, he admitted that he and an associate murdered the father of two. He told detectives that his associate shot Sukhdeo to the left side of the neck with a .38 revolver and later dumped his body.

The convict related that on January 19, 2010, he and his associate went to Georgetown. He said that while he waited, his associate returned in a white car driven by Sukhdeo.

According to the caution statement, they then drove to Agricola where Bhomeshwar Sukhdeo was told to stop.

It was then, Balram Singh said, his associate pulled out a gun from a haversack he was carrying and shot Sukhdeo to the head.

They then drove the dead man’s vehicle to Eccles, EBD, where they dumped his body in the bushes. They later retrieved the body from Eccles and took it to Mocha where they burnt it. (G12)

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MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sole-sourced $145M contract

David Patterson to appear in court today

Former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

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mbattled former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, already in hot water over revelations his agencies bought expensive jewellery for him, will today face a Magistrate over his role in sole-sourcing a company to design a new Demerara Harbour Bridge.

This publication understands that Patterson, the current Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), will appear in the Magistrates’ Courts today.

This comes after he was questioned on Friday by investigators at the Special Organised Crime Unit

(SOCU) and charged with attempting to defraud the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC).

Head of SOCU, Superintendent Fazil Karimbaksh had confirmed to Guyana Times on Friday that both Patterson and Adams were called in for questioning in the ongoing probe. It was reported that Patterson’s visit to SOCU’s headquarters lasted about 10 minutes and he was accompanied by his lawyer.

Patterson was once cleared in 2019 by investigators from SOCU when it comes to the sole-sourced contract to Dutch company Lievense CSO for the design and feasibility study of the new Demerara River bridge.

But both the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) and the Auditor General had red-flagged Patterson for requesting from the then Cabinet that the feasibility contract be sole-sourced instead of being processed through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

The PPC had found that after the bidding process was annulled because

of non-responsive bidders, NPTAB had approved for the project to be re-tendered.

Back in November of last year, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had disclosed that the Guyana Police Force was actively probing the award of the 2016 $145 million contract to LievenseCSO, The Minister said the investigation follows a formal complaint to law enforcement. The then Opposition PPP/C had requested that the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) investigate the award of the contract.

The party had sought to hold the David Granger Administration accountable for sole-sourcing the contractor, rather than following the procurement laws. The PPC completed its investigation and handed its report over on August 7, 2018. The report noted that several companies had bid for the project to do the feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River bridge and 12 companies had been shortlisted.

The report had added that only two of the 12

companies had made proposals. As such, the bidding process was annulled.

It further noted that on November 12, 2016, the Tender Administration Board approved the move for the project to be re-tendered. The project was not re-tendered; instead, LievenseCSO was engaged by the Public Infrastructure Ministry to do the work.

Page seven of the report noted that the bid from LievenseCSO was “unsolicited”, but Patterson took the company’s proposal to Cabinet for approval, and Cabinet granted its approval for the company to be engaged.

The report, on page seven, also stated that monies to be spent on the project were taken from the asphalt plant accounts.

Reports indicate that in 2017, $215.3 million was used from the fund, while in 2018 a further $74 million was withdrawn. The original sum approved by Cabinet for the contract was $161.5 million. It is understood that the contract price for the handpicked LievenseCSO was actually $148 million.

Dubai to invest in corn, soya bean cultivation locally

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griculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has said that Dubai — United Arab Emirates has signalled its interest to cultivate corn and soya bean locally to boost Guyana’s poultry industry.

The emphasis on these two commodities is especially relevant since Guyana spends almost US$25 million annually to import those commodities

ed the importance of farmers capitalising on the budgetary measures meant to encourage them to start cultivation.

The Government, in the 2020 Emergency Budget, also removed value-added tax (VAT) on agriculture machinery, fertilisers, agrochemicals and pesticides, making it more feasible for such investments. Additionally, the

eas Dubai hopes to make major investments in are fertiliser production and assemblage, organic poultry rearing, coffee, cocoa, spices and online agriculture and product development.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

for livestock feed.

“These are new and important crops for us in this country and we will continue to encourage investment in this aspect,” Minister Mustapha told DPI in a recent interview.

“We already have an investor from Brazil who is doing corn cultivation in the Ebini, located in upper Berbice River and I am looking forward to see more companies coming on board,” Minister Mustapha added.

To this end, he reiterat-

PPP/C Administration has reversed land lease fees across all sectors and water charges back to 2014 rates.

Mustapha said now is an exciting time for agriculture in Guyana and farmers should “think big” and expand their crop repertoire.

“I am seeing a very challenging future ahead, but not only challenging alone.

I am seeing a future where agriculture will once again make its input and stamp its footprint in our country’s economy over the next

five years. I am very excited to be sitting at the helm to lead us to this transformation.”

Dr Oudho Homenauth, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), told DPI that Guyana must cultivate about 8000-10,000 acres of corn and soya bean to become self-sufficient.

There are farmers who have already shown their interest in cultivating 40 to 50 acres of corn. They will be provided with seeds and materials as incentives from the Agriculture Ministry. This move by Government will also allow them to have more spending power and they are assured of a permanent market for their produce. Meanwhile, the Ministry said other ar-

Legal framework for financial services sector – Dr Ashni Singh

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enior Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr Ashni Singh has revealed that the PPP/C Government will be pursuing a legal framework to guide the functions of the financial services sector.

Dr Singh was part of a virtual roundtable with LatinFinance last week, where the country’s finance and investment in light of the emerging oil and gas sector was discussed.

According to DPI, Dr Singh told the webinar that the Government finds it “absolutely important” to have a modern financial services sector.

“What we will do is ensure that we put in place a legal framework that is facilitated for this transformation. So, we’re going to make sure that we have in place a legal framework that is suitable to a modern financial sector, but also a legal framework that ensures preservation of stability of the sector as well because obviously, you want to make sure that you safeguard the financial sector stability going forward,” he told the webinar.

Dr Singh said for too long the sector has been focusing only on traditional retail banking. He added that the Government recognises the need to grow and adapt to a modern economy’s realities.

That, he said, will soon become a reality.

The Finance Minister said there is massive potential and demand for more activities in investment bank-

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

ing. The Government is moving ahead on this front, as there have already been engagements with several major international, regional and domestic banks.

“We will do what it takes to ensure that that framework is in place. We are open to conversations on ways in which the sector can be innovated from the public policy side; things that we can do to promote greater innovation without compromising stability.

And that’s a conversation where you know we are literally having right now with the sector and with other players in the market.” Dr Singh noted.

The Finance Minister said the opportunities for growth, expansion and innovation in the financial services sector are endless for local and international players.

He said international players could either do business with existing operators or potentially enter the market at the right opportunity.

14 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

1698 girls, 1431 boys abused in 2020 – CCPA report …findings “deeply disturbing” – Minister

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ore than 3000 children in Guyana faced some type of abuse in 2020, predominantly sexual abuse for and neglect for boys.

This chilling discovery was highlighted in a recent report compiled by the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA).

According to the report, some 3129 children between ages one and 18 were either abused physically, sexually, verbally; neglected; abandoned or witnessed abuse from January to December 2020.

Of the 1698 girl victims, the CCPA found that some 688 of them were sexually abused, with 382 between the ages of 14 and 18 being abused at home. It was reported that many of the victims were violated and abused by persons brought into the homes, especially by their mothers.

Another 632 girls faced neglect, while 258 were physically abused, 104 were verbally abused, 12 witnessed abuse and four were abandoned.

The 8-13 age group had the highest percentage of abuse victims with 579, followed by the 14-18 age group with 544, then the 4-7 age group with 288, and the 0-3 age group with 287.

Meanwhile, of the 1431 abused boys, some 751 of them were neglected. This type of abuse was preva-

lent among boys between the ages of 0 and 13, accounting for 674 of the victims. Another 432 boys experienced physical abuse, 127 were sexually abused, 102 were verbally abused, 10 abandoned and nine witnessed abuse.

Some 475 boys in the 8-13 age group were abused – the highest percentage of all the age groups followed by the 4-7 cohort with 422, the 0-3 age group with 338, and the 14-18 age group with 196.

Alarmingly, 42 per cent of the 2822 perpetrators who committed these heinous acts were mothers. The records showed that many of them physically abused their children. CCPA records also revealed that 596 fathers and 172 grandparents numbered among the abusers.

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, found these figures to be unsettling.

“I’ve noted with great horror and great concern, where children are being abused in our country. We are all well aware of the recent instances where children … were killed; killed in their homes, and by a parent or a person who was in charge of their safety. This is deeply disturbing to me. And I'm sure every one of you is as concerned as I am about the well-being and welfare of our children,” Dr Persaud stated in a message, short-

ly after reviewing the breakdown of the figures.

The Minister was particularly troubled by the fact that many of the victims were violated and abused by persons brought into the homes, especially by their mothers. To this end, Dr Persaud made an impassioned plea to these mothers, who may be driven by economic hardship and financial opportunism, to “be very careful of the persons that you let into your homes”.

“You are exposing your children to an unknown, and

you’re placing your children sometimes in harm's way.

Be very conscious of your child's whereabout and with whom you leave your child with,” the Human Services and Social Security Minister

appealed.

Furthermore, the reluctance of parents to believe, and their dismissal or failure to act when a child tells them about any instance of violence and/or abuse are of great concern to Minister

Persaud.

“Take it seriously. We owe it to our children, to develop a culture in our homes, where you're open to listening to what they have to say about their well-being, and more importantly, about

their own concerns for their safety,” urged the Minister.

Dr Persaud pointed out that the closure of schools owing to the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed children into close proximity with the perpetrators of abuse and violence, which unfortunately limits the reporting options.

Nevertheless, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that children’s welfare was paramount to the Ministry. It highlighted that through the CCPA, some 1638 of the abuse victims received short- to longterm counselling, while 592 cases were handled by law enforcement officers.

Another 62 cases were placed before the courts and 92 victims were removed from their parents’/guardians’ home and placed either in institutional care or with other relatives. (G8)

MV Kimbia in dry docks with hole in bow after $488M repairs in 2019

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espite its May 2019 recommissioning to the tune of $488 million, the MV Kimbia is back in a dry dock for emergency repairs after suffering a hole

in the bow.

The Ministry of Public Works in a statement announced that the vessel which services residents of the North West District

(NWD) has developed a hole in its bow.

This led to a decision to move the MV Kimbia into the dry dock at the Guyana National Industrial

MV Kimbia after its recommissioning on May 2, 2019

Corporation (GNIC).

“The Ministry of Public Works and the Management of Transport and Harbours Department wishes to notify the public that every effort is being made in collaboration with the Private Sector to get the service up and running as soon as possible,” the statement detailed.

The MV Kimbia is expected to be back in operation by the end of January.

It was further disclosed that the MV Barima has suffered engine failure to its port engine.

In 2019, MV Kimbia was recommissioned by the APNU/AFC to the tune of $488 million. At the time, the then Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson said the contractual works exe-

cuted by Courtney Benn Construction were to upgrade the maritime sector and provide better services to residents of Regions One and Two. Upon assuming office in August 2020, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill gave the assurance that the PPP/C Government was focused on delivering a new vessel to the North West District.

In a September, Minister Edghill said, “in the first 10 days of being in office, President Dr Irfaan Ali and Vice President Dr Jagdeo along with myself and our team engaged the Indian Government and we have been able to resolve [some pending] issues.”

Five months later, on January 13, the

Administration made good on its pledge and signed a $2.6 billion contract with Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers Limited (GRSEL) to construct an ocean-going passenger and cargo vessel to ply the Georgetown to NWD route and replace the MV Kimbia.

The vessel is expected to be built and shipped to Guyana in 18 months.

It is anticipated the ferry will make travel and business easier for Region One (Barima-Waini) residents as both goods and services will be delivered in a shorter time.

Minister Edghill has stated that the contract, which was financed through a US$8 million grant and US$10 million Line of Credit (LOC) from the Indian Government, will save Guyana some $588 million. The saved sum will target the construction of new stellings in Region One, namely at Morawhanna, Kumaka, and Port Kaituma.

Former PPP/C President, Donald Ramotar had secured the monies from the Government of India for the new ferry before leaving office in 2015. However, the project remained stalled over the last five years under the previous Administration.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NA municipality submits $224M budget

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he municipality of New Amsterdam is proposing a $224 million budget for 2021.

This proposal was presented on Friday by Municipal Treasurer Kerryanne Edwards. Of this amount, $98 million is to be collected as property tax while $39 million will come from market fees, the Municipal Treasurer said. Last year, the same amount was budgeted to be collected as market fees, but only $24 million was actually collected. In 2020, the municipality budgeted $91 million to be collected as property tax, but collected $65 million.

Also, in 2020, the municipality only spent 72 per cent of the $218 million budgeted.

Edwards pointed out that 2020 was a challenging year, adding that nevertheless, property owners came forward and paid their property taxes, allowing the municipality to keep its more than 90 staffers off the breadline.

“Taxes is our main source and it can be paid at the beginning of the year in total, quarterly or half-yearly.

There is a tendency with a lot of property owners if we do not go out and collect revenue or issue demand notes, they do not find the time to come in or pay their taxes,” Edwards said.

She added that efforts were being made to ensure the town remains economically viable, safe, and healthy.

“Spotlight Initiative” to spread awareness on gender-based violence in Berbice

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The New Amsterdam municipality building

As such, several projects will be embarked upon. These include upgrades to existing recreational facilities and improving the town’s sanitisation capabilities.

She also called on residents to be more patient, noting that there were shortcomings affecting the municipality.

“Considering our resources, the Council is trying its best and all departments along with the Councillors are working on projects that would give residents value for their money,” Edwards said.

Meanwhile, acting Mayor Wainwright McIntosh explained that the Council held consultations with the residents of the township before the projects were put into the budget proposal.

“We believe that democ-

racy is the government of the people, by the people and for the people. We believe in inclusivity. Hence, the different heads of departments would have toiled, they would have laboured to ensure that budget 2021 is a comprehensive budget that will meet the demands of our citizens which will ultimately contribute to the growth and development of this beautiful town of ours.”

He said citizens must be given the opportunity to be part of the legislation-making process. Sadly, he noted, invitations were sent for persons to attend community meetings, but only a few responded.

However, the acting Mayor noted that Central Government was playing a pivotal part in the development of the town.

he United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and European Union (EU)funded “Spotlight Initiative”, which seeks to empower women and girls, has put the spotlight on the Rose Hall Town Police Outpost on the Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The programme, which is being rolled out in the region by two non-governmental organisations (NGOs), aims at bringing awareness to gender-based violence.

The Rose Hall Police Outpost received a first aid kit, stoves, mattress, cleaning detergents, stationery, fans, a sink, a solar-powered light and six chairs so that the office can be able to serve the community better. Donations were made through the St Francis Community Developers (SFCD), one of the two NGOs rolling out the programme in the region.

At a simple handing-over ceremony held at the organisation’s Port Mourant Corentyne office, President of SFCD Alex Foster said it was a collaborative effort of networking with Food For The Poor Guyana.

He explained that the items were sourced and then donated after the organisation recognised some of its collaborating partners

Guyanese-born regional journalist dies

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ournalists across the Caribbean are mourning the death of colleague George Alleyne who died suddenly at his home on Friday.

Alleyne, 61, who is Guyanese by birth, spent almost 40 years in the profession.

The following tribute was paid by the Association of Caribbean Media Workers, with input from Bert Wilkinson and Julius Gittens.

Ian George Alleyne started his journalistic career at the Government Information Service in the early 1980s. He then transferred to the state-owned Guyana Chronicle, the lone daily newspaper at the time.

Recognising his talent and sharp intellect, management placed him in a cadet training scheme from which he emerged with flying colours.

He served at the Guyana Chronicle until around 1989 when he migrated to Canada. George covered politics, sports and trade while at the Guyana Chronicle and published several articles for ethnic newspapers in Canada while there up to mid-95.

He returned to Guyana, spent a few years, and then joined his Barbadian father and sisters in Barbados. There he joined the Caribbean News Agency (CANA) as an information specialist, sub-editing, reporting and writing features on the news desk of the

Dead: George Alleyne

CANA Wire Service until its merger with the Caribbean Broadcasting Union to become the Caribbean Media Corporation in 2000.

For the last eight years he was a freelance reporter for Barbados Today. He was also a very active contributor to New York-based Caribbean Life newspaper – the largest Caribbean publication in the NY metropolitan area, covering regional affairs.

He was the father of Tendai, born in Guyana but raised in Barbados and the Cayman Islands, where George had also worked as an editor and writer.

Apart from journalism, George was an avid sports fan – football in particular. He was a senior executive of Western Tigers Division One football team in Guyana in the 1980s and covered the sport periodically for the Guyana Chronicle, happily volunteering if staff were short.

He was at one time active in the Young Socialist Movement (YSM), the youth arm of the People’s National Congress (PNC) in Guyana, but eased out because of his journalistic commitment.

George was a committed and avid regionalist and believed in Caribbean unity.

A staunch advocate of regional food sovereignty, George believed his native Guyana should be the breadbasket of the Caribbean and thus reduce our US$5 billion-plus annual import bill.

His sudden and untimely death deprived him of the chance to fulfil his dream of being an established weekend farmer.

Though in recent years

he had been battling some health challenges, George still found the time to pound away at the keyboard, as ever passionately devoted to the idea of a vibrant, productive and purpose-driven Caribbean civilisation and to a craft that daily seeks to tell its story as he would – comprehensively, earnestly and fearlessly.

The Barbados Association of Journalists and Media Workers (BARJAM) expressed shock and sadness at his passing and expressed condolences to his family, including sisters Myrtle Pitt, Ann Wallace, Grace Alleyne and other relatives. (Nation News)

Some of the supplies donated under the Spotlight Initiative programme

lacked the resources to execute the mandate of the project, which targets the reduction and, ultimately, eliminates any form of violence against women and girls.

“In our experience, in trying to bring the stakeholders together, we found that some of them don’t have the ability or capacity to offer the psycho-social support, they just stick to what they are doing. For example, the police would charge and lock up who they need to and they are done, but people need other forms of intervention, so we are helping them to provide those interventions at the Police station until the person gets to other sources or come to us where we have the unique ability to call probation, call health, call education, call everybody and hook them up so they do not have to go to 13 places repeating the same problem.”

Since psychological and sexual reproductive health issues can also develop as a result of violence perpetrated against women and

girls, “Spotlight Initiative” will be targeting six different areas – law and policies, institutional strengthening, information, provision of services, data collection, and strengthening collaboration among all stakeholders.

“What we are doing gradually is, when we go in the field and identify the victims, we are linking them to access services from our different collaborating partners. For example, we may link them to the Food For The Poor houses; so it’s an ongoing process and as the process go on, we are developing and responding to same,” Foster said.

He told Guyana Times that oftentimes, persons go to the Police outpost injured and the officers do not have the necessary tools to take care of the victim’s immediate needs and are hence, just focused on taking a statement.

The programme, which was launched late last year, will see the EU contributing €4.5 million, while the UN will provide technical support. (G4)

16 NEWS

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$12M COVID-19 isolation facility Additional infrastructure commissioned in Region 2 works slated for Charity River dam retrofitted with the necessary equipment.

During the commissioning ceremony, Anthony commended the region for its efforts to ensure the facility was completed.

“We refurbished it with COVID-19 in mind. We have

have areas where the medical staff will be sanitised upon entry as well as designated areas for the used PPEs…It’s purpose-built to handle infectious diseases and complies with all the requirements for infection control and prevention

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony inspecting one of the rooms at the Region Two COVID-19 facility

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ealth Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Saturday commissioned a $12 million COVID-19 isolation facility at the Suddie Public Hospital, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The facility was previous-

ly the hospital’s maternity waiting home before renovations started in November, the Department of Public Information reported. It has 20 rooms which can accommodate two persons each. It is expected to be fully operational next week once it is

The $12 million COVID-19 isolation facility at the Suddie Public Hospital, Region Two

not seen that much of a spike in Region Two, but we just wanted to make sure that if there is a spike of COVID-19 cases that the region is very well prepared,” Dr Anthony said.

The Minister said that the new facility would also enable the region to better monitor infected persons, who have been isolating at home.

“The hospital beds here for COVID patients have been quite limited so this is going to allow us to extend the number of beds that we have since it has space for 40 patients. We have taken all the precautions, so you

and that’s why it’s important that the region have such a facility,” the Health Minister said. Meanwhile, Director General of Regional Health Services, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo said the realisation of the facility is another demonstration of the Government’s efforts to ensure equitable access to health services.

In addition to Region Two residents, persons from outlying communities in Region One (Barima-Waini) would also benefit. Minister Anthony also called on the Regional Task Force to lead by example by observing the COVID-19 guidelines.

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he Local Government and Regional Development Ministry will soon begin further rehabilitation works on the river dam at Charity, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Minister Nigel Dharamlall told DPI the initiative began in 2020 where the Ministry undertook emergency works which saw several upgrades to cap and resurface countless potholes alongside the embankment.

He noted that Minister within Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar and himself had a reconnaissance mission along the Charity River dam to inspect the areas.

As such, he added that this year “we will be working to have some preliminary interventions done along with Charity.”

Such works, he said, are to ensure businesses can comfortably transport their goods at a lower cost.

The road is one of the region’s most important thoroughfares as it allows boats from various ports to offload goods, which Minister Dharamlall said helps both the regional and national economy.

Dharamlall said the initiative is in keeping with the PPP/C Government’s commitment to transform the country’s economy.

To this end, the Ministry

handed over additional resources to several Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to help them execute their infrastructure works.

Regional Executive Officer Devanand Ramdatt said he is happy for the intervention.

“We have been asking the Government for assistance to address this for some time now since our residents were being affected whenever there is a high tide which causes flooding. So, we are grateful that the Government was able to intervene to solve this,” Ramdatt said.

Since 2015, the Charity River dam has been sinking despite all efforts to build and reinforce it. During high tides, the Pomeroon River would usually overtop the dam, contributing to flooding in the area. This, in turn, threatens residents’ livelihood through the destruction of their livestock and other valuables. In 2017, the then APNU/AFC Government undertook temporary works on the Charity River dam to prevent the Pomeroon River from overflowing the sunken dam. In 2020, the works to address this issue began on January 21 and was to be completed by August 21 last.

However, it was extended to December 31, 2020.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mottley asks PM Modi FDA approves 1st long-acting for access to made-in- HIV drug combo, monthly shots India Astra vaccine U

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mid the rising health and economic woes caused by the pandemic, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has requested India for access to vaccines to provide immunisation coverage for their country, which has been ravaged by COVID-19.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Barbados PM has asked access to 200,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine being manufactured in India.

“We are in urgent need of your assistance and support at this very difficult time.

Barbados is very much in need of access to vaccines to provide the necessary immunization coverage for a large segment of our population of 287,000,” the letter said.

“It is in this regard, that I am urgently soliciting the assistance of your Government to have access to 200,000 doses (for 100,000 citizens) of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine being manufactured in your country. We would appreciate your kind consideration of half of the supply and, if necessary, we would be willing to purchase the other 100,000 doses should it meet your favorable consideration,” the letter further said.

Talking about the coronavirus impact, Barbados PM wrote: “We have had a 90 per cent reduction in our tourist arrivals over the last year, leading to a significant reduction in Government revenue and economic activity nationally.”

“If we are to keep control

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File Photo)

over containing the pandemic and its deleterious impact on our health services and our national security situation, it means that persons who are on the front-line of our response to COVID-19 across the medical, protective services and border agencies will need to get immediate access to vaccines,” the letter said.

This letter comes at a time when the international community has praised India’s support to the global COVID-19 response.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus today expressed gratitude to India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for continued support for the fight against the pandemic.

“Thank you India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for your continued support to the global COVID-19 response. Only if we #ACTogether, including

sharing of knowledge, can we stop this virus and save lives and livelihoods,” Tedros tweeted.

In a bid to fight the pandemic, India has supplied COVID-19 vaccines to its neighbours including Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Large consignments of Covishield vaccine doses were flown in special Indian aircraft to Seychelles, Mauritius and Myanmar on Friday. Contractual supplies are also being undertaken to Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Morocco, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The United States on Friday “applauded” India for gifting COVID-19 vaccines to several countries including the Maldives, Bhutan and Bangladesh, saying New Delhi is a “true friend”, which is using its pharma industry to help the global community. (Antigua Newsroom)

S regulators have approved the first long-acting drug combo for HIV, monthly shots that can replace the daily pills now used to control infection with the AIDS virus.

Thursday’s approval of the two-shot combo called Cabenuva is expected to make it easier for people to stay on track with their HIV medicines and to do so with more privacy. It’s a huge change from not long ago, when patients had to take multiple pills several times a day, carefully timed around meals.

“That will enhance quality of life” to need treatment just once a month, said Dr Steven Deeks, an HIV specialist at the University of California, San Francisco, who has no ties to the drug’s makers. “People don’t want those daily reminders that they’re HIV infected.”

Cabenuva combines rilpivirine, sold as Edurant

by Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen unit, and a new drug — cabotegravir, from ViiV Healthcare. They’re packaged together and given as separate shots once a month. Dosing every two months also is being tested.

The US Food and Drug Administration approved Cabenuva for use in adults who have had their disease

well controlled by conventional HIV medicines and who have not shown signs of viral resistance to the two drugs in Cabenuva.

The agency also approved a pill version of cabotegravir to be taken with rilpivarine for a month before switching to the shots to be sure the drugs are well tolerated. ViiV said the shot combo would cost US$5,940 for an initial, higher dose and US$3,960 per month afterward. The company said that is “within the range” of what one-a-day pill combos cost now. How much a patient pays depends on insurance, income and other things.

Studies found that patients greatly preferred the shots.

“Even people who are taking one pill once a day just reported improvement in their quality of life to switch to an injection,” said Dr

Judith Currier, an HIV specialist at the University of California, Los Angeles. She consults for ViiV and wrote a commentary accompanying one study of the drug in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Deeks said long-acting shots also give hope of reaching groups that have a hard time sticking to treatment, including people with mental illness or substance abuse problems.

“There’s a great unmet need” that the shots may fill, he said.

Separately, ViiV plans to seek approval for cabotegravir for HIV prevention.

Two recent studies found that cabotegravir shots every two months were better than daily Truvada pills for keeping uninfected people from catching the virus from an infected sex partner.

(Antigua Newsroom)

Mexican President Lopez Obrador tests postive for COVID-19

M

exican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has tested positive for COVID-19, he said on Sunday, adding that his

symptoms were light and that he was receiving medical treatment.

Mexico is in the grip of a second wave of the pandemic, with the country’s official

death toll from COVID-19 set to pass a grim milestone of 150,000 in coming days.

“As always, I am optimistic,” Lopez Obrador, 67, said in a tweet. (Reuters)

advisor warned during an interview with BFM television.

The French government is expected to meet on Wednesday to decide if further measures are needed.

Officials have so far resisted implementing a third national lockdown, preferring an overnight curfew system which allows schools to stay open.

But daily infection numbers are rising - with the seven-day moving average now above 20,000 despite the 18:00 curfew.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex previously said restrictions could be imposed “without delay” if the situation deteriorated further.

The country’s virus death toll topped 73,000 on Sunday, as the country tightened restrictions on arrivals into the country.

Under new rules anyone entering from inside the EU by air or ferry must now present a negative Covid-19 test result within 72 hours of travel. Those entering France from the EU by road, including cross-border workers, will not be required to take a test.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said last week that all non-essential travel “must be strongly advised against” but EU nations have so far agreed to keep borders open.

(BBC)

Pirates kill 1, kidnap 15 crew COVID-19: Top medial advisor warns on Turkish ship off West Africa France at “emergency” virus moment

P

irates attacked a Turkish cargo ship off the West African coast, kidnapping 15 sailors and killing one, and Turkey’s military was planning a rescue operation on Sunday.

Turkey’s Maritime Directorate said the crew initially locked themselves in a safe area but the pirates forced entry after six hours.

During the struggle, one crew member on board the M/V Mozart died.

Turkish media identified the victim as engineer Farman Ismayilov of Azerbaijan, the only non-Turkish crew member.

After taking most of the crew on Saturday, the pirates left the ship in the Gulf of Guinea with three sailors on board, state-run Anadolu news agency said. The vessel is currently heading to Gabon’s Port-Gentil.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke twice to the senior officer remaining on the ship, Furkan Yaren, the Turkish presidency said in a tweet. It added Erdogan issued orders for the recovery of the kidnapped crew.

Yaren was cited as saying

F

The Gulf of Guinea is the most dangerous sea in the world for piracy, according to the International Maritime Bureau

the pirates beat crew members, and left him with an injured leg while another still aboard the ship had shrapnel wounds.

“The owners and operators of the M/V Mozart, which was hijacked at gunpoint in the Gulf of Guinea, have regretfully confirmed that one of its crew has been killed and others abducted,” Istanbulbased Boden Maritime said in a statement. The Liberianflagged Mozart was sailing from Lagos, Nigeria, to Cape Town in South Africa when it was attacked 100 nautical miles (185km) northwest of the island nation of Sao Tome and Principe on Saturday morning.

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut

Cavusoglu spoke to his Azerbaijani counterpart to offer condolences and said the body of the crew member would be transferred when the Mozart reaches port.

According to reports, the pirates disabled most of the ship’s systems, leaving only the navigation system for the remaining crew to find their way to port.

The Gulf of Guinea – off the coasts of Nigeria, Guinea, Togo, Benin and Cameroon – is the most dangerous sea in the world because of piracy, according to the International Maritime Bureau.

In July 2019, 10 Turkish seamen were kidnapped off the coast of Nigeria. They were released less than a month later. (Al Jazeera)

rance’s top medical advisor said on Sunday that a third national lockdown would probably soon be needed to combat coronavirus in the country.

A strict curfew was implemented last weekend, but cases continue to climb.

Prof Jean-Francois Delfraissy, head of the scientific council that advises leaders on Covid-19, said “there is an emergency” and this week was critical.

He called for swift government action, amid rising concerns about the spread of new variants of the coronavirus.

Prof Delfraissy said data showed a new more transmissible variant first detected in the UK now makes up between 7-9% of cases in some French regions and will be hard to stop.

He said the country was in a better situation than others in Europe, but described the new variants as the “equivalent of a second pandemic”.

“If we do not tighten regulations, we will find ourselves in an extremely difficult situation from mid-March,” the

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021

Regional

“Get out Bolsonaro!” say Cayman Islands to reopen ex-supporters in Brazil as tourism stipend regulations COVID-19, vaccines weigh W

M

eggy Fernandes voted for Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil’s 2018 presidential election, attracted by the far-right former army captain’s promise to shake up a hidebound political establishment mired in endless graft scandals.

But after watching him jettison his anti-corruption pledges, strike pacts with the politicians he vowed to shun, and, most importantly, botch Brazil’s coronavirus response, Fernandes, 66, now says she was wrong to place her faith in Bolsonaro.

“I’m so revolted by my vote,” she said in a supermarket carpark in Rio de Janeiro, at an unusual pro-impeachment rally convened by right-wing groups.

“Bolsonaro is overseeing a terrible government. He’s doing a disservice to the nation. His handling of the pandemic is completely wrong.”

Despite repeatedly denying the severity of the pandemic and overseeing a response that has blighted Brazil with the world’s second highest number of

People attach to a car a placard reading “out Bolsonaro” as they take part in a motorcade to protest against Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro and his handling of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in São Paulo, Brazil, January 24, 2021

COVID-19 fatalities after the United States, Bolsonaro ended 2020 riding high in the polls, buoyed by a generous coronavirus support package.

January has been less kind, however. The welfare programme is now over, leaving many poor Brazilians stranded as a second wave gathers steam.

Others have been irked by the federal Government’s slow and patchy vaccine rollout, and Bolsonaro’s personal pledge not to take any

COVID-19 shot.

A recent surge in cases in the northern city of Manaus, which was one of the first places badly hit by the virus during the first wave, has proved to be another stain on the President’s coronavirus response. The city, deep in the Amazon rainforest, ran out of oxygen last week, leaving hospitals reliant on black-market cylinders, or tanks imported from Bolsonaro’s longtime foe Venezuela. (Excerpt from Reuters)

NACTA: PNM takes the lead in THA elections

D

eputy Leader of the Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP), Farley Augustine is unfazed by polls showing that the People’s National Movement (PNM) is in the lead for today’s Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections.

According to a North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) poll, the PNM is leading in 11 out of 12 seats.

“My reaction would be the same as the first poll

result which is the only poll that we are focused on, which is the one that will take place on Monday, and we are pretty confident that what will happen on Monday will overturn what the polls are suggesting,” Augustine told the Sunday Guardian.

He said he was confident because of the reaction and support his party has been getting on the ground.

Augustine also said that they had a good performance in the general elec-

tion of 2020 where they got over 10,000 votes, which was an increase from prior elections. They expect to do even better today as they continue “trending upwards”, he said.

Some of the major issues he believes that are affecting the people of Tobago include accountability, management of the THA’s resources, and over the last 20 years they have not gotten value for taxpayers’ money. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Mexico’s death toll from COVID-19 set to pass grim milestone of 150,000

C

rying outside a Mexico City cemetery, a family embraced the box that contained the ashes of their beloved grandmother.

The grandmother had fallen ill a few days after they met to celebrate New Year’s, and died shortly after, family members said. She was not even 60 years old.

Mexico is set to surpass 150,000 deaths from COVID-19, one of the world’s highest death tolls, a Reuters tally shows.

Its death count is closing the gap with that of India, a country with a population several times larger. Only the United States and Brazil have reported higher numbers.

“You feel so powerless when you see your relative slipping away, when you have no way to do anything for them, to save them,” said Lesly Garcia. “It hurt me not to see her again.”

Garcia, a university student, was waiting to receive the ashes of her grandmother outside the cemetery as smoke rose from the chimneys of the crematorium.

Only a few people are allowed to attend each burial, an additional safety measure to curb the potential spread of the highly contagious virus. The Police check compliance.

Nearby, a group of men said their last goodbyes to a deceased person whose ashes

are kept in a small black box, adorned with a cross.

Some wept. With salsa music in the background, one by one they took a sip from a small bottle of brandy before pouring the liquor over the box.

Defying repeated calls by authorities, Mexicans met to celebrate the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Then, infections and deaths hit several records in January, official data showed.

The confirmed death toll in Mexico had risen to 149,084 by Saturday, and the number of infections to more than 1.75 million, authorities reported. (Excerpt from Reuters)

orkers in the Cayman Islands tourism industry who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will this week have another opportunity to sign up for Government’s temporary stipend when a new round of registration begins Tuesday.

In a recent statement, the Tourism Ministry said the stipend programme was aimed at assisting jobless Caymanians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 2898 tourism workers to date receiving the monthly funds.

In December, Tourism Minister Moses Kirkconnell announced the US$1000 stipend for displaced workers would be extended to June 2021.

Since March 2020, Government has spent US$15.6 million on tourism stipends to help affected workers.

Kirkconnell, in a statement to Parliament in December, said Government expected to spend another

To qualify for the stipend, applicants must be Caymanian, married to a Caymanian with Residency and Employment Rights Certificate (RERC), or be a permanent resident

US$18 million on the programme that supports tourism workers who have lost their source of income with the closure of Cayman’s borders.

Once the deadline has passed, the verification process will begin.

The Ministry added that applicants were encouraged to respond to missed calls, voicemails, and emails as representatives from the Ministry and Department of

Tourism may be in contact for further information.

To qualify for the stipend, applicants must be Caymanian, married to a Caymanian with Residency and Employment Rights Certificate (RERC), or be a permanent resident.

They must also have worked in the tourism sector before the pandemic and are no longer working full-time, and did not apply previously. (CMC)

Jamaica, India exploring arrangements to provide COVID-19 vaccines locally

N

ew Indian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Rungsung Masakui, says his country is exploring arrangements with Jamaica to provide vaccines to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“With the COVID situation now, vaccines are on the card. We are the biggest vaccine manufacturer in the world. Our capacity is huge; it is 300 million per month.

So we can think of collabo-

rating in this area by sharing our products or by sharing our experiences,” he said in a JIS interview.

He said that the manufacturing cost for vaccines in India is cheaper than in other countries.

“This is because of the capacity that we have. We have economies of scale because of our population,” he pointed out.

India was among the countries cited by Health

and Wellness Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, in a statement in Parliament on January 12, that the Government would enter into bilateral discussions with, to ascertain their level of support and the best arrangements for acquisition and distribution of safe vaccines to the population.

This is in addition to arrangements under the COVAX facility. (Jamaica Observer)

Jamaica sets economic growth target

J

amaican Finance and Public Service Minister, Dr Nigel Clarke says the prospects of Jamaica rebounding from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic to record growth within the range of three to eight per cent, beginning fiscal year 2021-22 are “very realistic”.

“As long as we can roll out our vaccine programme, beginning April 2021, and our markets to the north continue with their vaccine rollout, I’m confident that the projections will absolutely be met,” he said.

The Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) are among the institutions forecasting the turnaround from the 10 to 12 per cent economic contraction projected for fiscal year 2020-21.

“The biggest indicator of that [turnaround] is where we saw construction, in the middle of the pandemic, grow

Jamaican Finance and Public Service Minister, Dr Nigel Clarke

by seven per cent during the quarter ending September 2020,” Clarke pointed out.

Of note, he said, is that the Government’s contribution to construction during the quarter was “quite muted”, because “we would have cut our capital budget”.

Clarke said that the nature of the decline in 2020, which was as much as 18 per cent during the April to June

quarter “is not a result of any structural deficiencies in Jamaica, or elsewhere that we have imported”, but rather COVID-19.

He said that the Government was continuing to assess the extent of the economic fallout on Jamaicans to determine whether to extend additional financial assistance to those adversely affected. (Excerpt from CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Biden’s plan to cut US oil production becomes clearer

H

ours after taking office, President Joe Biden made good on a campaign promise to cancel the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Later that day his Interior Department mandated that only top agency leaders could approve new drilling permits over the next two months.

This week, according to people familiar with the plans, Biden will go even further: suspending the sale of oil and gas leases on federal land, where the US gets 10 per cent of its supplies.

The actions sent oil producers’ stocks tumbling and raised blood pressure across the industry.

“In the first couple of days of the new Administration, they are taking actions that will harm the economy and cost Americans their jobs,” said Frank Macchiarola, a senior Vice President of policy for the American Petroleum Institute.

“We’re concerned, and everyone in the country should be concerned.”

The Interior Department’s order, signed late Wednesday, changes procedures for 60 days while the agency’s new leadership gets into place. It requires top brass to sign off on oil leases and permits as well as decisions about hiring, mining operations and environmental reviews.

The industry took it as a bad omen. Officials are worried that technical permitting decisions are being placed in the hands of political appointees, rather than expert regulators in the field. And they’re concerned permits -- or simply changes to them -- will be delayed for existing drilling operations.

Moreover, many interpreted it as a prelude to broader actions, including the Administration’s plan to this week impose a moratorium on all oil, gas and coal leasing across some 700 million acres (2.8 million hectares) of federal land.

While Biden’s campaign promises - and his initial moves to fulfil them - are a threat to some US oil producers, the actions could be a boon for crude prices by restraining supply.

The Administration’s early moves mark a dramatic shift from the course under former President Donald Trump, who sought to accelerate drilling permits and open up more places to oil exploration.

And the change in direction is already apparent in early staffing decisions. Under Trump, the top offshore drilling regulator at Interior was Scott Angelle, a longtime oil industry ally and former Louisiana official who pushed for rapid permitting of Gulf of Mexico oil projects after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.

By contrast, one of Biden’s first hires at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management that oversees offshore oil leasing and wind farms is Marissa Knodel, a former activist with Friends of the Earth. Knodel was one of about 150 people whose rowdy protest of a bureau auction of oil drilling rights in March 2016 prompted the agency to shift subsequent oil and gas lease sales online.

On the campaign trail, Biden called for phasing out fossil fuels and promised to halt new oil and gas permitting on federal land. Worried oil producers stockpiled leases and drilling permits last year in anticipation of more restrictions under Biden.

But the suddenness of this week’s moves still took many in the industry by surprise, prompting frantic phone calls as lobbyists and lawyers sought to plan their next moves. They are strategising their options, including litigation, and looking at any political levers they can pull to forestall a broader leasing ban.

Environmentalists are delighted. They say throttling fossil fuel development on federal land is necessary to pare the greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change. The oil, gas and coal extracted from federal lands and waters is responsible for about 24 per cent of US carbon dioxide emissions, according to a US Geological Survey report. (Excerpt from World Oil)

Thousands displaced after Tropical Cyclone Eloise hits Mozambique

H

eavy rains and flooding have forced thousands to flee their homes in Mozambique after Tropical Cyclone Eloise brought wind gusts of up to 150 kilometres per hour (kph).

Eloise struck Mozambique’s Sofala coastal province on Saturday morning before weakening and heading inland to dump rain on Zimbabwe, eSwatini – formerly known as Swaziland – and South Africa.

On Sunday, Mozambique’s National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) said investigations had shown Eloise had displaced 6859 people. The region’s Buzi district had been particularly hard hit with severe winds.

Eloise ruined 136,755 hectares of crops, destroyed nine schools and damaged about 17 other schools and 11 hospitals [Reuters]

“Families are in urgent need of essential supplies like food, water, blankets and shelter,” Marcia Penicela, project manager at ActionAid Mozambique, said on Sunday.

“With high floodwaters and power lines down in Buzi, the challenge will now be reaching people most in need,” she added.

Eloise ruined 136,755 hectares of crops, destroyed nine schools and damaged about 17 other schools and 11 hospitals, according to INGD. It had completely destroyed 1069 houses, partially destroyed 3343 and flooded another 1500, the agency said.

After weakening and be-

ing downgraded to a tropical storm, Eloise moved on from Zimbabwe to dump heavy rain on some areas of South Africa’s Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZuluNatal provinces, authorities there said.

Certain parts of the affected provinces were likely to see another 100mm of rain on Sunday night and more expected rain on Monday, Mofokeng said.

Heavy rains were also recorded in eastern and southeastern parts of Zimbabwe on Saturday, filling most dams and flooding some rivers. At least three people were swept away when they tried to cross flooded rivers in eastern Zimbabwe, authorities said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

China mine rescue: 11 miners brought to surface alive

R

escuers in China have freed 11 gold miners who were trapped hundreds of metres underground for two weeks.

TV footage showed the first miner, who was blindfolded to protect his eyes from the light, being lifted out as emergency workers cheered.

The fate of 10 other miners remains unknown, as rescue operations continue to try to locate them.

The entrance tunnel to

the Hushan gold mine in Shandong province collapsed after an explosion on January 10.

A total of 22 miners were trapped in the blast, the cause of which is unknown.

At least one died, and it is still not known if the remaining workers are alive underground.

The first miner was brought to the surface on Sunday morning. He was blindfolded to protect his eyes from the light and was

immediately taken to hospital for treatment, with his condition described as "extremely weak".

About an hour after his rescue, 10 more miners were brought out from a different section of the mine. CCTV said one of the miners among this group was injured.

Several others were seen walking by themselves, supported by rescue workers, before being transported to the hospital.

Rescue efforts have been sped up significantly, as a tunnel that was being bored out to reach the trapped miners was expected to take weeks to dig.

"On Sunday morning, a huge obstacle blocking the well suddenly fell to the bottom of the shaft, allowing rescue work to take a big step forward," lead rescue worker Du Bingjian told the state-run Global Times. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Italy to take legal action on COVID vaccine delays to get doses

I

taly will take legal action and step up pressure in Brussels against Pfizer Inc and AstraZeneca over delays in deliveries of COVID-19 vaccines with a view to securing agreed supplies, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said on Sunday.

The aim was to get the companies to meet the vaccine volumes they had promised and not to seek compensation, Di Maio said on RAI state television.

Pfizer said last week it was temporarily slowing supplies to Europe to make manufacturing changes that would boost output. On Friday, AstraZeneca said initial deliveries to the region will fall

short because of a production problem.

Asked why he thought the pharmaceutical companies had been forced to announce reductions, Di Maio said he believed they had simply bitten off more than they could chew.

Also on Sunday European Council President Charles Michel said the EU would use legal means to ensure pharmaceutical companies respect supply contracts for COVID-19 vaccines.

“We plan to make the pharmaceutical companies respect the contracts they have signed ... by using the legal means at our disposal,” Michel said on Europe 1 ra-

A syringe with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is prepared at a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination centre in Naples, Italy, January 8, 2021

dio.

Sky Italia TV cited Pfizer on Sunday as saying the cuts, to the number of vials delivered and not the number of doses, had been due to work to increase capacity at a Belgian plant.

Supplies would return to normal as of next week, Sky

cited Pfizer as saying.

On Saturday Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the delays in vaccine supplies were “unacceptable” and amounted to a serious breach of contractual obligations, adding that Italy would use all available legal tools. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US passes 25M COVID cases, over a quarter of world’s infections

T

he United States has registered more than 25 million confirmed coronavirus cases, as newly inaugurated President Joe Biden’s chief of staff accused Donald Trump’s Administration of failing to provide states with a plan to administer much-needed vaccines.

The US’s staggering COVID-19 infection count is the highest in the world and accounts for more than a quarter of all global cases, according to a tally by John

Hopkins University.

The grim milestone reached on Sunday came amid reports of state-level snafus in vaccine distribution and shortages in some parts of the country, which also leads the world in coronavirus-related deaths, at more than 417,000.

In an interview on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Ron Klain said state-level distribution plans for COVID-19 vaccines “did not really exist” under Trump’s Administration, even as the

pandemic surged in the former President’s final months in office.

“The process to distribute the vaccine, particularly outside of nursing homes and hospitals, out into the community as a whole, did not really exist when we came into the White House,” Biden’s chief of staff said.

While the Trump Administration’s Operation Warp Speed has aided in the development and manufacturing of vaccines, the vaccine roll-out has lagged and

the US missed its target of inoculating 20 million people by the end of 2020.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says just about half of the 41.4 million vaccines that have been distributed to US states have been administered to date.

Under Trump, the federal government distributed vaccines to states based on population, with further distribution largely left up to state governments. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Make decisions instead of letting someone dictate what you can pursue. Use intelligence and insight to take advantage of information that comes from a legitimate source.

You can take action without spending money or getting involved in a joint venture. Romance is on the rise, and sharing the evening hours with someone special will be rewarding.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

You’ll take one step forward and three steps back if you let someone interfere with your plans. Do your own thing and structure your day to suit your needs.

Be smart with your money.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

Pay attention to what’s going on at work or in your field. Gather information, take courses, enlist in trials and aim to solve problems.

Step up and do what’s right.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Let your intuition guide you. Your gut feeling won’t let you down and will save you from making an unnecessary mistake. You have plenty to gain if you are proactive.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

A learning experience will have an impact on how you approach work. Refuse to let anyone discourage or tempt you. Arm yourself with information and skills to give you an edge in a competitive market.

Focus more on what you know and less on being physical. It’s best to outsmart anyone who stands in your way with facts, figures and words.

Put your money and possessions in a safe place.

Uncertainty regarding someone close to you will surface. Be frank, share your thoughts and listen carefully. Don’t be fooled by compliments; cut to the chase and find out where you stand.

Evaluate what’s transSAGITTARIUS pired and consider what’s (Nov. 23ahead before you get into a Dec. 21) spirited discussion. A waitand-see attitude might be best when it comes to professional situations.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) SATURDAY'S WORD - ARMIES

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Balance and compromise will be necessary when dealing with opposition. A unique solution will appease everyone and give you the freedom to reach your goal.

Be conscious of your budget.

Avoid impulsive actions.

Think matters through and show compassion for others.

How you handle situations will determine how well you do. Speak up, be fair and know when to compromise.

Help a cause you believe in or someone you value. If you show uncertainty, you will confuse or mislead someone you need on your team. Stick to the truth and avoid gossip.

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021

21

McGregor v Poirier 2: Irishman shocked in UFC rematch at Fight Island F

ormer two-weight world champion Conor McGregor was left stunned on his return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as Dustin Poirier claimed victory in their rematch at UFC 257.

McGregor came out of retirement for a third time to face fellow 32-year-old Poirier at Abu Dhabi's Fight Island.

And although the Irishman edged the first round, Poirier unleashed a flurry of punches to seal a technical knockout two minutes 32 seconds into round two. "I'm gutted, it's a tough one to swallow," said McGregor.

"I felt stronger than him, but his leg kicks were good. I didn't adjust.

My leg was badly compromised, I've never experienced those low calf kicks, and I wasn't as comfortable as I needed to be.

"I have no excuses. It was a phenomenal performance by Dustin. I have to dust it off and come back. I need activity, you don't get away with being inactive in this business."

Trilogies, Pacquiao or YouTuber – what next for beaten McGregor?

When the pair first met in a featherweight bout in September 2014, McGregor stopped the

American inside 106 seconds, setting "the Notorious" on course for global stardom. He became the UFC's first simultaneous twoweight champion before facing Floyd Mayweather in one of the richest bouts in boxing history in 2017.

Poirier, meanwhile, had to gradually work his way back into title contention and is now the number-two ranked lightweight contender, losing just two of his 13 fights since 2014. McGregor now has a 22-5 mixed martial arts record having lost three of his past six UFC fights.

McGregor has been relatively inactive though. Since losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018, he has had just 40 seconds in the octagon – beating Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in style last January.

But McGregor seemed to start well in front of about 2000 fans at the new 18,000-capacity Etihad Arena. He survived an early takedown and pinned Poirier against the fence for most of the first round, landing a few shoulder strikes like those that did so much damage against Cerrone.

McGregor said before the fight that what motivated him now was building a "highlights reel like a

movie", and he tagged Poirier with a couple of right-hand shots. But, unlike their first fight, Poirier was unmoved.

Poirier admitted McGregor won the mind games before they met in 2014. This time round, instead of swapping verbal barbs before the fight, McGregor pledged to donate US$500,000 (£367,000) to Poirier's charity and at the weigh-in Poirier presented McGregor with a bottle of his own brand of Louisiana hot sauce.

And it was the American southpaw that brought the heat midway through the second round. Having replied to that early pressure with a series of leg kicks, he pounced to inflict the first TKO/ KO defeat of McGregor's MMA career and take his own record to 27-6.

"It was a lot of things, but it wasn't payback. That wasn't the driving force," said Poirier.

"The first time I was a deer in the headlights. This time I was just fighting another man who bleeds like me.

"The goal was to be technical, pick my shots and not brawl at all.

Then I had him hurt so I went a little crazy."

What now for Poirier?

Dustin Poirier's first world title shot – against Khabib Nurmagomedov – came 31 fights into his MMA career

Poirier's first world title shot – against Nurmagomedov – came 31 fights into his MMA career. Since beating McGregor in 2018, lightweight champion Nurmagomedov won unification bouts against Poirier and Justin Gaethje to stay undefeated, announcing his retirement immediately after beating Gaethje in October.

Nurmagomedov's title is yet to be vacated and UFC President Dana White said this week that the Russian may consider returning

for a rematch with McGregor or Poirier if he "saw something spectacular". But speaking after UFC 257, White said: "He said to me, 'be honest with yourself, I'm so many levels above these guys.

I've beaten these guys'.

"I don't know, it doesn't sound very positive, but he won't hold the division up."

In the co-main event, former Bellator world champion Michael Chandler marked his UFC debut with an impressive firstround knockout of sixth-ranked

lightweight Dan Hooker, who Poirier beat last time out.

Poirier said: "It was a great win, but to come in and beat a guy I just beat and get a title shot? I've had more than 20 UFC fights, fighting the toughest of the toughest guys to get my hands on gold [a belt].

"Let Chandler and Charles Oliveira go at it. That [Chandler] doesn't interest me at this point –- or I'll go and sell hot sauce. A rematch with Conor interests me, and I've always wanted to beat Nate Diaz." (BBC Sport)

Root stars with 186 as Lasith Embuldeniya takes 7 in tightly-fought contest

A

nother stunning knock by Joe Root frustrated Sri Lanka on the third day of the second Test at Galle, but his fall right on stumps swung the contest back in the home side's favour.

Root's near-flawless 186 sent England to the close still 42 runs adrift after Lasith Embuldeniya claimed seven wickets with his leftarm spin that bamboozled almost everyone, except Root.

It was testament to Root's exertions that he fell in gutwrenching fashion in the last moments of the day, unable to drag his exhausted, cramping body back into his crease in time after nudging Dilruwan Perera to short leg, where Oshada Fernando fired the ball back onto the stumps with an excellent throw.

As James Anderson had said on the second evening, you're never too old to improve or too experienced to learn. And as he, Root, and Jos Buttler lived that adage as the stand-out performers in a battling England effort in this match so far, the young and inexperienced members of the squad could learn a thing or two from them.

On the third day, it was Root and, to a lesser extent, Buttler who set the example for the likes of Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, and Dan Lawrence upon whom, as current selection goes, England are looking to build for the future.

Root's innings was a masterclass in playing spin. He made batting look easy when, in fairness to the other batsmen, it clearly was not as Embuldeniya spun his way to career-best figures and his third five-wicket haul in just his ninth Test.

Root, player of the match in England's seven-wicket victory in the first Test with a double-ton at the same ground, defied his team's woes with the bat in this match. So strong on the sweep the previous day, when he racked up 67 runs off 77 deliveries, Root continued in the same vein on Sunday, his effortless switch-hit to the boundary off Embuldeniya to move to 87 a case in point.

Embuldeniya broke a century stand between Root and Jonny Bairstow when he had the latter out on review. Bairstow, who resumed on 24, added just four more – a powerful drive off Embuldeniya to the rope at long-on – before he got an inside edge onto his pad, which was collected by Fernando at slip. Initially given not out, UltraEdge revealed a clear spike as the ball passed the bat.

Lawrence, so impressive with fifty on debut in the first Test, fell cheaply to an excellent Embuldeniya delivery from around the

wicket which turned sharply and found an outside edge, taken at slip by Lahiru Thirimanne. Up to that point, Embuldeniya had taken all four England wickets to fall, having accounted for openers Sibley and Crawley – both for the third time this series – on Saturday.

Root brought up his 19th Test century by punching a single off Perera to midwicket, with Buttler still relatively new at the crease.

The pair put on 97 runs together for the fifth wicket, with Buttler contributing 55 before his bizarre dismissal to debutant Ramesh Mendis. Reaching forward to reverse-sweep, Buttler struck the ball directly onto his boot and it looped to Fernando at short leg. It took an umpire review to confirm the dismissal after the soft signal had been not-out on the presumption that the ball hit the ground.

Perera took the second new ball and almost immediately thought he had Sam Curran out lbw, but umpire Kumar Dharmasena turned down the appeal and Curran narrowly survived the DRS on umpire's call.

Curran responded by sending the last ball of Perera's over for a huge six down the ground, but Embuldeniya had him out two balls later, edging to Thirimanne at slip, sending England to tea still 129 runs in arrears.

Root was doing his best to keep cramping at bay – understandable given his toil in hot, humid conditions in this match and the last – and he brought up his 150 with a powerful sweep to the boundary off Embuldeniya which epitomised the ability to read the ball and position himself accordingly that had underpinned his fine innings.

Dom Bess provided solid support as Sri Lanka struggled to make the one further breakthrough that would have them eating into England's tail. Root gave them a chance when he edged through the slips cordon, but Thirimanne did not get a hand to what would have been a sharp catch.

Bess survived an even later chance when he edged Embuldeniya extremely low towards second slip, but replays showed the ball had gone to ground. Embuldeniya had him two balls later, however – Thirimanne taking a more straightforward chance at first slip.

Embuldeniya bagged his seventh wicket when Mark Wood edged to Thirimanne, whose effort leaping high to his left made him the first Sri Lanka fielder to take five catches in a Test innings.

Just as Anderson overcame injury which curtailed his 2019

season and near-constant murmurings about his age to pass 600 Test wickets, just as Buttler thought he was playing his "last match" for England before a pivotal innings against Pakistan last summer turned his batting – and keeping – for the better, it was just over a year ago that Root scored the most patient of centuries in New Zealand, his first Test ton in eight months.

Now Root is back in sublime touch, passing Kevin Pietersen and David Gower to move into fourth on England's list of leading runscorers with 8238.

Before this match, Root said he had faith that Sibley and Crawley would emerge stronger from a tough introduction to Asian conditions on their maiden tours to the region. On Sunday, all they had to do was watch and learn. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka 1st Innings 381 all out England 1st Innings 339-9 Zak Crawley c Thirimanne b Embuldeniya 5 Dom Sibley lbw b Embuldeniya 0 Jonny Bairstow c BOP Fernando b Embuldeniya 28 Joe Root (c) run out (BOP Fernando) 186 Dan Lawrence c Thirimanne b Embuldeniya 3 Jos Buttler † c BOP Fernando b Mendis 55 Sam Curran c Thirimanne b Embuldeniya 13 Dom Bess c Thirimanne b Embuldeniya 32 Mark Wood c Thirimanne b Embuldeniya 1 Jack Leach not out 0

Extras (b 8, lb 3, nb 5)

16

TOTAL (114.2 Ov, RR: 2.96) 339/9 Yet to bat: James Anderson Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Dom Sibley, 5.2 ov), 2-5 (Zak Crawley, 7.1 ov), 3-116 (Jonny Bairstow, 35.5 ov), 4-132 (Dan Lawrence, 41.2 ov), 5-229 (Jos Buttler, 70.5 ov), 6-252 (Sam Curran, 81.2 ov), 7-333 (Dom Bess, 109.5 ov), 8-337 (Mark Wood, 111.2 ov), 9-339 (Joe Root, 114.2 ov) BOWLING Suranga Lakmal 16-7-31-0 Lasith Embuldeniya 41-6-132-7 Asitha Fernando 10-2-31-0 Dilruwan Perera 31.2-3-86-0 Ramesh Mendis 16-1-48-1

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MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021

Bangladesh primed for clean

sweep against rattled West Indies

A

n inexperienced team, with its players lacking in ability to overcome the spin challenge in the sub-continent, is a side that's ripe for the taking. That's exactly what Bangladesh have done to West Indies, securing comfortable victories and adding easy World Cup Super League points to their tally, and they will be looking to do the same to a jaded Windies outfit today in the third and final One-Day International (ODI) of the series. Although it's a change in venue, with the teams shifting from Dhaka to Chattogram, a change in fortunes is unlikely as the hosts will be keen to subject West Indies to another trial by spin in their bid to clean-sweep the series.

With scores of 122 in 32.2 overs and 148 in 43.4 overs, the West Indian batsmen have struggled to come to grips with the conditions and have so far displayed poor technique in their handling of spin. While Shakib Al Hasan helped himself to a four-wicket haul in the opening game, it was Mehidy Hasan's turn in the second game as they laid bare West Indies' lack of resources and skills. Only Rovman Powell has batted with some degree of comfort and it would serve West Indies well if the rest of the batsmen can learn from it and put it into practice.

As far as Bangladesh are concerned, there have been a lot of positives despite

the team playing international cricket after a lengthy gap. Tamim Iqbal has led the team well in his maiden captaincy stint and has also played the anchor's role with the bat. Shakib has found form with both bat and ball, while the rest of the bowlers have also been on the mark. Complaints, if any, would be the lack of runs from Liton Das and Najmul Hossain Shanto, which Bangladesh will be hoping is addressed quickly.

As compared to the slow wickets in Dhaka, the ball is expected to come on to the bat better in Chattogram. That said, 149 of the 249 wickets claimed at this venue have been by spinners and West Indies will have their work cut out Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Nazmul Hasan said he did not foresee any wholesale changes for the third ODI, with the focus being on World Cup Super League points. But the hosts might look at making a couple of changes. Mohammad Saifuddin, if fit, could come in for Rubel Hossain while Mahedi Hasan could get a chance to make his ODI debut, replacing Mehidy Hasan who played both matches.

Possible XI: Liton Das; Tamim Iqbal (Captain); Najmul Hossain Shanto; Shakib Al Hasan; Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper); Mohammad Mahmudullah; Soumya Sarkar; Mahedi Hasan; Hasan Mahmud; Mohammad Saifuddin and Mustafizur Rahman West Indies: The visitors might

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Rovman Powell got starts in both matches

prefer to give another opportunity to the inexperienced XI that took the field in the last game. If they look to make any changes, Keon Harding and Jahmar Hamilton are the options available for them.

Possible XI: Sunil Ambris; Kjorn Ottley; Joshua Da Silva (wicketkeeper); Andre McCarthy; Jason Mohammed (Captain); Kyle Mayers; Nkrumah Bonner; Rovman Powell; Raymon Reifer; Alzarri Joseph and Akeal Hosein.

What they said: "We came here for 30 points but we still have a chance to get 10 points

RHTY&SC cricket teams host Star Sports Tribute to Law Enforcement Programmes

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in this competition. But most of all, just the improvement. We have got from 122 to 148, but we need to get into the 230-250, so that we can be competitive.

Give the bowlers something to bowl at, and show mettle in that aspect.

But definitely 10 points would be the ultimate" – Phil Simmons, West Indies Head Coach.

"We have won the series, but still we have chance to get 10 (Super League) points. West Indies could not play well in the opening two games, but they are a dangerous side and can turn around any time" – Tamim Iqbal, Bangladesh Captain. (cricbuzz)

NBA: Curry moves to 2nd on all-time three-pointers list, LA Lakers beat Chicago Bulls 223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

— make donation to Police Force

F

our outstanding Police Officers from the Rose Hall Town Police Outpost were honoured by the 10 cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS, on Wednesday last.

The Officers honoured were Constables 25410 Travis Cort, 13282 Melissa Crandon, 23656 Omkar Sooknanan and 21834 Randolph Mc Pherson. The awardees were honoured under the RHTY&SC/Star Sports Tribute to Law Enforcement Programme.

Assistant Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Simon Naidu stated that the cricket teams and the management of Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation were very impressed by the dedication and hard work of the Officers attached to the Outpost. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, after a discussion with the Head of the Outpost, Sergeant Melville agreed to host an annual award ceremony under the RHTY&SC Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers Programme.

The four Officers were selected by the Police Force based on their attitude, commitment, and hard work.

Naidu committed the Club to working along with the Outpost as part of its annual Say No to Crime campaign. The Rose Hall Town Police Outpost has, over the years, received numerous donations from the Club including bicycles, Television Set, DVD player, stationery, chairs, sports gear, and kitchen utensils.

Naidu urged the four awardees to uphold their high standards

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RHTY&SC Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu poses with the four awardees

and to continue to work hard every day to make sure that the small township is kept safe and secure. Each of the awardees received a trophy, medal, and a collection of gifts.

The RHTY&SC, Naidu disclosed, hosts dozens of award ceremonies every year to honour heroes such as teachers, retired teachers, law enforcement officers, medical workers, sports persons, outstanding students, community volunteers, and role models among others.

Meanwhile, the RHTY&SC, in a joint project with its parent body, the St Francis Community Developers, last week handed over a large quantity of muchneeded items to assist the Police Outpost to fulfil its mandate.

The joint donation included a mattress, kitchen utensils, foam boards, a hand sink, detergents, clocks, electric fans and a stove.

The cricket teams also donated a quantity of face masks, face shields, hand sanitisers, detergents and COVID-19 posters to the Outpost as part of

their COVID-19 response.

The Assistant Secretary/ CEO and Vice President Mark Papannah also visited the office of the Region Six Commander Jairam Ramlakhan and handed over 1000 anti-crime stickers to the Police Force. The stickers, which bear the phone numbers of every Police Station in the Ancient County, will be distributed free of cost to business places and residents.

The stickers project was a joint project of the RHTY≻ Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and F/H Printery of Georgetown.

Commander Ramlakhan expressed gratitude to the donors for their cooperation and hailed the outstanding work of the Club. The 10 cricket teams of the RHTY&SC are Poonai Pharmacy Under-12 and Under-13, Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second-Division, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Namilco Thunderbolt Under-21 and First-Division, and Metro Females.

teph Curry moved up to second on the NBA's all-time threepointers list in the Golden State Warriors' 127-108 defeat by the Utah Jazz.

Curry scored five three-pointers, with his fourth moving him ahead of Reggie Miller in the NBA's record books. In total, the 32-yearold has made 2562 three-pointers, now trailing only Hall of Famer Ray Allen who hit 2973.

Donovan Mitchell top-scored for the Jazz with 23 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in just 27 minutes. The Los Angeles Lakers continued their unbeaten run on the road this season with a 101-90 win over the Chicago Bulls.

Anthony Davis scored a game-high 37 points for the reigning NBA champions, who have won all nine games away from home, while LeBron James added a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Zach LaVine had 21 points and 10 rebounds for the Bulls who had their three-game winning streak ended.

Eastern Conference leaders the Philadelphia 76ers edged past hosts the Detroit Pistons 114-110, with Ben Simmons making 20 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. The Pistons, who finished with seven players in double figures, had led by two points at halftime, notching nine three-pointers compared to the Sixers' two.

But, after the lead went back and forth throughout the third quarter, Shake Milton's five points in the final minute meant it was the 76ers who held the advantage going into the fourth, and they never relinquished it. Elsewhere, Bam Adebayo's career-high 41 points could not stop the Miami Heat from falling to a 128-124 defeat by the Brooklyn Nets, who led the tight encounter from the start.

The Houston Rockets eased past hosts the Dallas Mavericks 133108, with Eric Gordon and DeMarcus Cousins both delivering their best performances of the season. Gordon scored a season-high 33 points while Cousins added his second double-double of the campaign with season bests in points (28) and rebounds (17).

The Denver Nuggets required double overtime to beat the Phoenix Suns, with Nikola Jokic scoring 29 points and claiming 22 rebounds, with Jamal Murray adding 26 in a 120-112 victory. The Minnesota Timberwolves also finished with 120 in a 10-point win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Naz Reid scored 20 points to lead six Minnesota players into double figures. (BBC Sport)

2237230-1

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Cricket Development Programme 2021...

RHTY&SC cricket teams donate to BCB and UCCA

“W

e have a belief that the more you share your blessings, the more God would bless you. Over the last 25 years, we have worked beyond the call of duty to assist our fellow cricket clubs and the Berbice Cricket Board, because we want everyone to succeed, not just us. When we are all successful, we would be able to keep more youths from the evil ways of Satan.”

Those were the words of Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hilbert Foster as the club made a contribution to the operations of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).

The donation was done by the 10 cricket teams of the Club under their massive cricket development programme, which seeks to assist other clubs to reach the standards of the RHTY&SC. The teams are Poonai Pharmacy Under-12 and Under-13, Farfan and Mendes Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and Second-Division, Pepsi

RHTY&SC Assistant Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu hands over the donation to BCB Secretary Angela Haniff in the presence of other executives

Under-19 and Intermediate, Namilco Thunderbolt Flour Under-21 and First-Division, and Metro Females.

The teams also handed over a donation to the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) .

The BCB received five cricket trophies, stationery,

cleaning detergents, security equipment, and a set of COVID-19 protective items.

The UCCA, the most vibrant sub-association in Guyana, received five trophies; a box of balls; educational posters and COVID-19 protective items, including face masks, face shields, and hand sanitisers.

The Club also handed over four school bags and educational materials to the family of an injured cricketer of No 72 Village. The player had been badly injured in a fight, and Foster, in his capacity as BCB President, had committed himself to assisting the family with food hampers, a cricket

bat, and educational materials.

All of the commitments have been fulfilled.

The long-serving RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO stated the Club had struggled a lot during the first five years of its existence and at times was barely able to keep its head above the water, but was able to excel through

a simple theme of hard work, dedication, and faith in God. He stated that over the last 25 years, the RHTY&SC has assisted over 10 clubs in Berbice along with hundreds of cricketers with cricket gear, uniforms, bicycles, educational materials, food hampers, scorebooks, and youth information booklets among other items.

The Club also assisted numerous sister clubs financially to help them to fulfil their mandates. Foster stated that the RHTY&SC was pleased to be the leading cricket club in Berbice, but wanted other clubs to step up as it would enable more youths to fulfil their dreams and keep them away from a life of crime and drugs.

He committed the RHTY&SC to assisting at least 40 cricket clubs and 200 youth players in 2021.

BCB Secretary Angela Haniff expressed gratitude to the RHTY&SC for the timely assistance while UCCA Vice President Sydney Jackman hailed the Club as a true friend of the sub-association.

Deonarine among 44 USA players listed to audition for Oman tour — Singh, Homraj, Rikhi, Carmichael among other Guyanese

Narsingh Deonarine

Trinson Carmichael

U

SA Cricket announced a list of 44 players to participate in a training camp believed to be scheduled for around the second week of February in Houston.

Although termed as a 'training camp', Cricbuzz understands that the players will be further distributed into three teams for a series of trial games to be played over a fortnight. It is highly likely that a fourth team comprising American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) professionals who are not yet eligible to play for the USA may also feature in these trial games.

The extensive player list includes plenty of fresh faces with international links now eligible to play for USA. Narsingh Deonarine, a recipient of 57 international caps for West Indies, is the most prominent name to be drafted in the list. Now 37, he last played for the West Indies in 2015, and has since migrated to California where he is employed as a coach with Major League Cricket academies run by ACE. Deonarine impressed in the Minor League Cricket

exhibition games compiling 247 runs in seven games. Shayan Jehangir is another player with international ties who is now eligible to represent the USA and was duly named in the list. The former Pakistan U-19 batsman, now based in Houston, also featured for Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2020 in a solitary game without a chance to bat.

Also, part of the list are Sunny Sohal and Cameron Gannon who were two of the casualties of USA's disastrous Americas T20WC Qualifier campaign in Bermuda in 2019. They haven't been around selection reckoning ever since.

Former Indian Premier League (IPL) player Sohal pulled out of CPL 2020 for personal reasons, and Gannon went on to represent Queensland and Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

Ali Khan has also been named in this preliminary list of probables for the Oman tour after the fast bowler expressed his desire to play 50-over cricket and come back to the USA fold after nearly 18 months. Khan has been a T20 mercenary since, playing T20 leagues the world over – he was also part of the KKR squad for IPL 2020 before a side strain prematurely ended his stay in the tournament.

Dominique Rikhi

Gajanand Singh

The only U-19 player to be included in the list is Sanjay Krishnamurthy, the former America-born Karnataka U-16 batsman who has previously worked with J Arun Kumar in Karnataka. Krishnamurthy was a revelation in the Minor League Cricket exhibition games, amassing 264 runs with a whopping average of 88. He was subsequently awarded the MVP of the Western Conference.

The trial games event in Houston will see the new Head Coach, J Arun Kumar

Akshay Homarj

working in the flesh with the players for the first time after a series of Zoom team meetings where he professed his ideas and expectations about the game.

"I requested for about top 40 cricketers in the US. We can then pick the main team and an 'A' team. I've always believed that you should have a good bench strength. So, the players on the fringes push hard and leave no room for complacency for the players in the main squad. It raises the level of play. These are little things, and it's another 100 little things you need to keep doing over a period of time to become a solid team," said Arun Kumar to Cricbuzz.

In the Indian cricketing circles, Arun Kumar is known to have an eye for talent that looks beyond numbers and technique. "Obviously performances matter. But it's also about playing the role. Somebody goes into the middle with the team needing 20 off 10 balls and gets us over the line, his contribution may be small on the scorecard, but he has actually played his role really well.

Or somebody defending 8-10 runs in the

final overs. There are a lot of things I'll be looking at as a coach. We want to create a culture where the team goal comes first and players who play for each other rather than with each other. For that, it is important to have good human beings in the team," added Arun Kumar.

USA training camp squad: Shaker Ahmed, Sachin Asokan, Fahad Babar, Rishi Bhardwaj, Adil Bhatti, Trinson Carmichael, Sahil Charania, Josh Dascombe, Narsingh Deonarine, Gayan Fernando, Cameron Gannon, Karima Gore, Shaheer Hassan, Ian Holland, Akshay Homraj, Elmore Hutchinson, Najam Iqbal, Shayan Jahangir, Karthikeya Jagadish, Aaron Jones, Nosthush Kenjige, Ali Khan, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Jaskaran Malhotra, Xavier Marshall, Sushant Modani, Vivek Narayan, Saurabh Netravalkar, Monank Patel, Nisarg Patel, Sagar Patel, Timil Patel, Kyle Philip, Usman Rafiq, Raymond Ramrattan, Dominique Rikhi, Luke Schofield, Gajanand Singh, Jessy Singh, Sunny Sohal, Cameron Stevenson, Steven Taylor, Rusty Theron, and Karan Viradiya. (cricbuzz)

MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2021

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

Pg 22

Pg 22

Bangladesh primed for clean sweep against rattled West Indies

Deonarine among 44 USA players listed to audition for Oman tour

Pg 23

RHTY&SC cricket teams host Star Sports Tribute to Law Enforcement Programmes

— make donation to Police Force

Cricket Development Programme 2021...

RHTY&SC cricket teams donate to BCB and UCCA Pg 23

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