Guyana Times - Monday, June 27, 2022

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Issue No. 5052

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

Govt working to address 14,000 housing applications backlog in Reg 3 – Jagdeo Page 3

Stabroek PSA royalties not recovered as expenses under PPP Govt – GRA Page 7

...despite APNU/AFC contract with EEPGL providing that option

PRICE

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Public Works Ministry probing “serious” P20 Essequibo River boat mishap – passengers traumatised after incident

Police nab man 20 years after he killed his P19 wife

PM lauds GPF's national enhancement efforts Page 18

Berbice resident nabbed with P19 loaded shotgun

Body of missing bartender found floating in P2 Mazaruni River

Prime Minister Mark Phillips joined members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) during a national enhancement campaign in Georgetown on Sunday

Govt not satisfied with CGX’s pace in constructing deep-water facility – Min Bharrat

...says Govt will monitor project

Page 17

De Kinderen man brutally Page chopped, 20 stabbed to death during brawl

Region 5 P18 RDC calls on Education Dept to address school violence 41 new COVID infections, 4 P19 in ICU

2 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Body of missing bartender found floating in Mazaruni River

T

he body of a mother of one who had been missing more for more than week was on Sunday morning pulled from the Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Nineteen-year-old Anisa

Miguel had gone missing after a drinking spree with friends.

It was reported that Miguel was employed at Tamakay Landing, at a boutique and bar. On the day she went missing, the

teen and two of her female co-workers had travelled to Martin’s Landing to sell perfumes for their employer.

It is alleged that after the transaction, they went to a nearby bar where they were imbibing alcohol.

Dead: Anisa Miguel

The boat captain who took the trio to the location returned to pick them up, but after seeing that the women were highly intoxicated, he refused to take them back to their destination.

The following day, Miguel’s employer told her family that she would have received a telephone call that the teenager was missing. As such, she made her way to the bar where the woman was last seen to make inquiries.

Upon arriving at the location, the woman questioned several persons and was told that Miguel was last seen on the dance floor in the company of a male.

She was unable to get any additional information.

A report was subsequently made to the Police, and the woman’s family was informed. The following day a search party conducted an intensive search operation to locate Miguel but to no avail.

Days later, Police arrested the owner of the bar where Miguel was last seen along with the two girls with whom she was drink-

ing at the bar. The trio reportedly told the Police that they have no knowledge of Miguel’s whereabouts.

However, on Sunday morning, Miguel’s lifeless body was seen floating in the Mazaruni River.

Guyana Times was informed that the body was clad in the same outfit – a white top, and blue pants – that she was last seen wearing. Police stated that an examination of the body showed a red mark around the neck area.

The body is in an advanced state of decomposition. It was taken to the Enachu Police Station where it awaits transportation to be taken to Georgetown for a post-mortem. The body was reportedly spotted by a miner approximately four miles away from Martin’s Landing.

Earlier in the month, the lifeless body of 26-yearold Mariam Edwards was found in a river at Kumung Kumung Backdam, Puruni River.

It was reported that Williams’ employer had stated that on the evening of June 8, after he and his crew had returned to camp, they realised that Edwards was missing and her quarters ransacked.

Upon enquiring, they were told by a boat operator that he had dropped a miner at their camp during the day. As a result, the employer and several others confronted the man and reported the matter to the Police.

Upon arrival in the backdam, the man was handed over to the Police and upon being questioned, he took

Murdered: Mariam Edwards

them a short distance away from the camp where they found the body of Edwards.

It was lying face up in the water.

She was clad in only a black bra and her neck bore hematoma-like marks.

Both the body and the suspect were taken to Bartica.

The suspect was placed in custody and during interrogation, he admitted to paying the deceased to have sex with her on two previous occasions.

However, on June 8, he told detectives that they had sex for the third time after which, she reportedly told him that, that would have been the last time. He admitted that he became angry and choked Edwards until she became motionless after which, he dumped her body in the river.

He further stated that he returned to her camp and took 21 pennyweights of raw gold which was in her purse.

Keron Hope of Middle Street, Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was subsequently arraigned for the murder of the 26-year-old cook. He was remanded to prison until June 30, 2022.

NEWS

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MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Monday, June 27 – 02:30h – 04:00h and Tuesday, June 28 – 03:00 – 04:30h.

Govt working to address 14,000 housing applications backlog in Reg 3 – Jagdeo

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, June 27 – 15:55h – 17:25h and Tuesday, June 28 – 16:35h – 18:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be thundery showers during the day and night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

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

High Tide: 15:31h reaching a maximum height of 2.35 metres.

Low Tide: 09:05h and 21:15h reaching minimum heights of 0.74 metre and 0.86 metre.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS H

04 05 06

11 21 22

FREE TICKET

10 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

02 09 13 15 18 LUCKY 3

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$113.12/barrel

+2.71

Rough Rice

$296.46/ton $543.60/ton

+0.37 0.00

London Sugar

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1829.90

$1830.90

Low/High Change

$1826.40 +3.50

$1841.10 +0.19%

V

ice President Bharrat Jagdeo has reassured residents in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) that the Government is working on addressing the backlog of thousands of applications for house lots in the region.

He gave this assurance during an outreach at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara, on Saturday.

According to the Vice President, the PPP/C Government is committed to fulling its 2020 manifesto promise of delivering 50,000 house lots and in its first year alone, distributing some 10,000 house lots.

However, he revealed that there is currently a backlog of some 14,000 applications in the system for Region Three.

As such, a high-level meeting was recently held to come up with a solution to tackle the backlog.

“So, we then sat down together, the Ministry of Housing, the President and I, and we started to look at how and where we can do 14,000 plots of land in this region,” he disclosed.

But VP Jagdeo explained that most of the land along the West Demerara coast is privately owned.

“Government doesn’t have much land on this [WCD] end… We have taken a bit from GuySuCo [Guyana Sugar Corporation on the WCD] already and at Wales [West Bank Demerara] end, we have some land there.”

“So, we are now thinking about 10,000 lots at the Wales end and maybe another 4000 this [WCD] part so that we can accommodate the 14,000 people who applied,” the VP said.

Jagdeo pointed out that currently, the Government is burdened with more applications than plots of land available. This, he noted, is compounded by the fact that very little was done under the previous Administration to accommodate the housing applications.

Housing Minister Collin Croal had told reporters earlier this month that the Government is working to address the backlog along the West Coast of Demerara.

In fact, he noted that construction of infrastructure in some of those areas is currently being undertaken and upon completion, allottees will be shown their lots.

Minister Croal explained that there were some delays in the Housing Ministry accessing and preparing the

lands.

“The lands for where we’re doing infrastructure work in Region Three, or let’s say West Coast, that started off after the others [across the country] because remember some of those land, we got them from GuySuCo and they wanted to wait until they were able to harvest and get all the sugarcanes off the land [before handing it over to us].

“So that’s why we had a two to three months delay but it’s in progress now and those persons can rest assured that they will be able to access their land very shortly,” the Housing Minister had stated.

Accommodating everyone

Meanwhile during Saturday’s outreach exercise, Vice President Jagdeo listened to some of the concerns of residents in Region Three and during the interaction session a Guyanese, who recently returned from Venezuela, asked about the Government’s housing policy for remigrants, complaining of the high costs of rent.

In response, Jagdeo made it clear that once you are Guyanese, you are entitled to apply for and obtain a house lot.

“We need to accommo-

Guyanese-born remigrant asking about Government’s housing programme

date everyone, all our people whether they’ve come recently or they’ve been living here,” the VP contended.

He urged the man to ensure that he, along with other remigrants, apply for lands so that they can be resettled in Guyana after escaping harsh economic and social conditions in the Spanishspeaking nation.

In fact, Jagdeo outlined that in addition to offering house lots, the Government also has several programmes in place for homeowners. This includes pre-built homes for distribution at various costs and more recently, a programme was introduced that will see land owners, both privately owned or Statedistributed, getting assistance from the Government to construct their homes.

Only Saturday, the Housing Ministry’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) rolled out the Home Construction Assistance Programme in Region Three at Leonora, WCD. The initiative is the brainchild of President Dr Irfaan Ali and is designed to assist Guyanese families with lands to access financing and build their homes.

“Our goal, as a Government, is to ensure that all of our citizens have proper access to housing. We understand the many difficulties that you encounter and this programme provides an avenue to bridge that gap,” Minister Croal stated.

Through the programme, applicants can select from three pre-designed housing models ($7 million, $9 million and $12 million) and pre-qualify for loans with financial institutions. Those on board include Republic Bank Limited-Guyana, Citizens Bank and the New Building Society.

The homes will be built by contractors and monitored by engineers of the Central Housing and Planning Authority for quality control. During the launch, several contractors in the region, who expressed interest in building the homes, registered with the Ministry’s database.

The Home Construction Assistance Programme has already been launched in Regions Four (DemeraraMahaica), Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice).

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MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

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

Real reparatory justice

I

n our editorial from yesterday, “Rectifying the past”, we deconstructed the comments of Prince Charles at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda as it pertained to the call for reparatory justice that has been made

by Caricom through its Reparations Commission. Three of the ten points in its demands were interrogated – those relating to the need for an apology, repatriation to the African Continent and Genocide of Indigenous Peoples.

However, we feel that several of Caricom’s other points are quite superficial and do not address the root causes but merely symptoms of what they are alluding to. The first concerns, “CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS” and states: “European nations have invested in the development of community institutions such as museums and research centres in order to prepare their citizens for an understanding of these Crimes against Humanity (CAH).

These facilities serve to reinforce within the consciousness of their citizens an understanding of their role in history as rulers and change agents. There are no such institutions in the Caribbean where the CAH was committed. Caribbean schoolteachers and researchers do not have the same opportunity.

Descendants of these CAH continue to suffer the disdain of having no relevant institutional systems through which their experience can be scientifically told. This crisis must be remedied within the CRJP.” The second call for “ILLITERACY ERADICATION”: “At the end of the European colonial period in most parts of the Caribbean, the British in particular left the black and Indigenous communities in a general state of illiteracy. Some 70 per cent of blacks in British colonies were functionally illiterate in the 1960s when nationstates began to appear.

“Widespread illiteracy has subverted the development efforts of these nation-states and represents a drag upon social and economic advancement. Caribbean Governments allocate more than 70 per cent of public expenditure to health and education in an effort to uproot the legacies of slavery and colonisation.

European Governments have a responsibility to participate in this effort within the context of the CRJP.” Thirdly, there is a call for an “AFRICAN KNOWLEDGE PROGRAM”: “The forced separation of Africans from their homeland has resulted in cultural and social alienation from identity and existential belonging. Denied the right in law to life, and divorced by space from the source of historic self, Africans have craved the right to return and knowledge of the route to roots.

A program of action is required to build ‘bridges of belonging’.

Such projects as school exchanges and culture tours, community artistic and performance programmes, entrepreneurial and religious engagements, as well as political interaction, are required in order to neutralise the void created by slave voyages. Such actions will serve to build knowledge networks that are necessary for community rehabilitation.

And lastly, “PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION”: “For over 400 years Africans and their descendants were classified in law as non-human, chattel, property, and real estate. They were denied recognition as members of the human family by laws derived from the parliaments and palaces of Europe. This history has inflicted massive psychological trauma upon African descendant populations. This much is evident daily in the Caribbean.

Only a reparatory justice approach to truth and educational exposure can begin the process of healing and repair.”

We believe that the Caricom call for reparatory justice can benefit from the perspective of Peruvian sociologist Aníbal Quijano, who introduced the concept of, “The coloniality of Power” at the beginning of this millennium. In it, as he later said, he identified the ‘Root Crisis of the Coloniality of Global Power’ and showed that while colonialism might be over, its structures remain firmly in place as “coloniality”. More specifically, these form an interrelated triad he called the “coloniality of power” in the immanence of race in the modernity project that “others” the African in absolute terms; in culture that places European/Western culture as foundational to all others and finally in hierarchies of power that the non-white world remains at the bottom.

A coordinated root and branch effort is needed by the old “South”. Colonialism was as much an epistemological, as a political, project.

Thirty youths from across the ten regions of Guyana were officially inducted as Young Influencers after completing the Young Influencer Programme. In photo are Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud along with, Ambassador Fernando Ponz Cantó, Ambassador to the European Union; Chargé d’Affaires, High Commission of Canada, Caroline Mireault; Deputy Chief of Mission, United States, Mark Cullinane and other officials at the ceremony

Rule of law must prevail Dear Editor, I recently read with keen interest articles sections of the media about Justice Sandil Kissoon setting free Marlon Garnette a murder accused who pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. In the opinion of the judge, the prosecution did not produce enough evidence to convict Marlon Garnette of the charge, so the accused walked free.

According to both articles, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said, "Self-defence is an issue to be decided by the jury. The jury is the judge of the facts of the case. The trial judge is the judge of the law." If those words were in fact uttered by the DPP it is shocking.

I had a little bit of legal training, benefited from direct legal instructions, did

some research, and also learn by osmosis. Therefore, I can understand the simple legal process, and most of all, I have some amount of common sense which is not always common to everyone or commonplace.

Criminal prosecutions have a rigorous standard: proof beyond a reasonable doubt. That is the basis on which someone is charged or not charged. There must be no exceptions and no one must be allowed to monkey around with the criminal justice process - who to prosecute, who not to prosecute.

There must be a massive wall between criminal justice decisions and politics.

We must not tolerate anyone breaking through that wall. It must be absolute.

Article 187 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of

Guyana gives the DPP the supreme authority as it relates to criminal prosecutions apart from court-martial if he or she considers it desirable to do so. Whenever there is any doubt about any matter, the DPP must not send the case to a magistrate or judge, or jury to deal with it.

The DPP must cause the doubt to be cleared up or nolle pross the proceedings as were done on numerous occasions. In the local language, " stop the dance right there. " We have had too many cases in court whereby persons were charged without proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The cases were sent to magistrates or committed for judge and jury trials. We are aware of the expected outcomes - no conviction. In many instances, the accused after years

of continuous incarceration were set free, because there was no evidence to convict them.

The case alluded to above is a prime example. In many cases, the Government was compelled to pay millions of dollars in compensation to the victims whose personal and family lives were shattered.

However, they successfully sought and obtained legal redress against the State. The Attorney General recently lamented this fact.

Let us stop the miscarriage of justice. The rule of law must prevail.

I rest my case.

Yours respectfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

VICE’s report is malicious, lacking, and has no credibility Dear Editor, It is a pity that VICE News resorts to distortion and propaganda to market its news. The recently concluded interview has vindicated our VICE President and VICE News has failed miserably in its quest to implicate our leader. The report is malicious, lacking, and has no credibility; the motives were nefarious and the narrative is misleading.

Vice President Dr. Jagdeo has been a blessing to Guyana and is highly regarded; Guyanese from near and far acknowledge his esteemed leadership qualities and stand resolutely with him. Our gifted statesman has utilized his competencies to advance our nation and champion our rights.

His love and commitment to our land and its people are unquestionable.

The community of Windsor Forest stands firmly with him and will continue to support the policies and initiatives of the government. Guyana’s image can only be enhanced with his vision.

It is laughable that a dormant and malignant few, without any standing and rating, would try to question the integrity and values of such a humble and

candid individual.

Guyana will ascend steeply under the stewardship of President Dr Irfaan Ali, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, along with their proficient team. Our country will enjoy continuous growth and Guyanese will experience equitable development.

Sincerely, Rajiv Kadarnauth

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

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

A public CoI into March 2020 General Elections needed

Dear Editor, The Commission of Inquiry into the March 2020 Elections is in full swing and the main Opposition Coalition is in a quandary as to their next move. They are getting awfully nervous at the very thought that (a) The government is serious and will be getting the CoI moving and (b) That every hidden vice would be brought to light. So, the CoI is not just talking or an idle gaff,

rather, it is a very serious business that all of us would like to be a part of.

The PNC Commissioners who are calling for an internal probe at GECOM fail to realize that they are asking for an internal investigation of what took place during the last elections, forgetting that the statements they made were public and need to be cleared up in the public domain, a private, in-camera closed-door probe is not the

approach to such a serious matter.

The internal, quasi-CoI that they are advocating would not address the real issues that are confronting us. We need to get firsthand information as to what actually took place last election.

Secondly, that type of CoI means that the public is excluded from hearings and much of what would be deliberated there would be an eddying discussion

of hearsay falsehoods that The PNC would like to be branded as truth. We are not interested in that nonsense we want to know, we have every right to know, so everything has to be brought into the public domain.

The PNC Thugs who are shouting that "installed government" narrative would have to rethink their approach because at the end of this CoI every hidden, ghastly and fraudulent

deed would be unearthed.

It means that everything that was treated as private would now have to be made public and transparent.

The nonsensical talk of why hold a CoI because it would prejudice the court matter involving the fraudulent crew who are before it does not hold much sway because they can by a court order be exempt from the proceedings. However, other officials who were involved in the electoral pro-

cess can and will have to come forward to testify as to their stewardship. Those who claim to see dead persons voting will now have their day in a CoI Court.

Let the CoI begin.

At the end of this CoI, using Burnham's pet phrase, “All mouths and other oral orifices will have to be closed.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Math and English texts for children

Dear Editor, ‘Provision of Mathematics and English texts for all students between Grades Seven to 13.” What a timely intervention this is, and I therefore heap accolades on the Ministry of Education (MoE), as it will provide “… all of the Mathematics and English textbooks, free of cost, to students from Grades Seven to 13, from the next school year, commencing September 2022.” This kind of move is necessary and believe me, it is rooted in educational theory and philosophy.

Bearing this in mind, I remind all that those textbooks have been part of the educator sector since time immemorial. Indeed, there is something special about a book. It has a, far longer than that of the individual user and reader. It is also a low-tech device and is accessible to almost anyone who can read the language in which it has been written. During the hours of daylight, it can be utilised without any other supporting technology whatsoever.

It needs no maintenance and upgrade, and since ‘learning information’ just does not change overnight, it can last for generations.

In her exact words, Minister Manickchand detailed that “By September, every student from Grade Seven to Grade 13 will have all the Mathematics,

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

English and Literature textbooks that they need.”

According to her, “The distribution of the textbooks will mark the fulfillment of yet another promise made by the government to improve education.” We all recall that just recently, the government provided all pupils from Grades One to Six, in the public school system, with all the textbooks needed for studies at their respective levels. At that time, the commitment, now delivered, was that plans will be put into place to extend this to the secondary school level. So, fait accompli.

My second comment is that it is quite noteworthy that this “… latest measure is part of wider initiatives, taken by the Government of Guyana, to reduce the burden on parents to send their children to school.” I think it is safe for me to assume that we are all aware of the negative and deck lining state of education around the world, after prolonged school closures that affected nearly all the world’s students. Simply put, it is that a huge gap was created, and it still exists as regards the learning losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data gathered show

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

06:00 06:30 07:00 07:30 08:00 08:30 09:00 10:00 11:00 11:30 12:00 14:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 23:30 00:00

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substantial losses, especially in mathematics and reading, in high, middle, and low-income countries alike.

No one has been spared.

I think of South Africa, where a recent study highlighted the positive correlation between access to textbooks and learners’ results, taking into account that not everyone was technologically predisposed to ‘out of classroom’ education. What was encouraging, as regards what the government is about to embark on, was the fact that textbooks are especially relevant to improving learning outcomes in low-in-

come countries with large class sizes, a high proportion of unqualified teachers, and a shortage of instructional time. Few will that next to an engaged and prepared teacher, well-designed textbooks in sufficient quantities are the most effective way to improve instruction and learning.

I add that without textbooks, children will end up spending, maybe wasting, many of their school hours copying content from the blackboard, thus severely reducing time for engaged learning. I cap it off by reminding readers that the

cost of textbooks is a key barrier that prevents many children from having access to the learning materials they need.

So, ‘on with the input in the education of the children.’ I think we are fully aware that learners with their own reading textbooks (or who share minimally with others) “perform significantly better” than those who are inconvenienced by the lack of them, or by having to share textbooks with too many.

Yours truly, H Singh

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MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

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Foundation

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION CONTINUED FROM SATURDAY

CONTINUED FROM SATURDAY

National Grade 6 Assessment 2019 Mathematics Paper 1

National Grade 6 Assessment 2019 English Language Paper 1

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Stabroek PSA royalties not recovered as expenses under PPP Govt – GRA ...despite APNU/AFC contract with EEPGL providing that option

D

espite the contract signed by the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government containing a loophole to allow for royalties in the Stabroek Block to be cost recoverable, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) said the current Government has not allowed royalties to be recovered in cost oil.

GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia in a missive over the weekend, sought to put to bed the misinformation that has been swirling regarding the Stabroek Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) under which oil giant ExxonMobil, through subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) is producing oil in Guyana’s waters.

One such piece of misinformation is that under cost oil, Exxon is recovering the 2 per cent royalties it pays to Guyana. Statia explained that while the PSA signed by the then APNU/AFC Government in 2016, contains a loophole that allows that to happen, the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has not allowed this to happen.

“Under Article 15.6 of the PSA under review, the contractor pays a royalty of two percent to the Guyana Government on the value of all petroleum produced and sold. This item (royalty) is not explicitly mentioned as Cost recoverable under Annex C, Section 3.1 (without further approval of the Minister) or 3.2 (with approval of the Minister),” Statia explained.

“Further, it is not mentioned under Section 3.3 of Annex C as a cost not recov-

GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia

erable under the Agreement.

Even though Section 3.4 of Annex C, vests the power in the Minister to determine the recoverability of an expense not covered under the provisions of Section 3, such discretion has not been exercised by the Minister relative to royalty,” he added.

Statia, meanwhile, explained that based on Articles 11.2 to 11.4 of the PSA, Guyana is able to benefit from a greater share of profit oil when recoverable costs are lower than the stipulated 75 per cent ceiling.

“Provision is made for costs exceeding the 75 per cent ‘cap’ to be carried forward to successive months until recouped. This allows for the present 12.5 per cent profit share being allocated to the Government in the interim until all costs carried forward are recovered. This also means that Guyana would eventually benefit from a much greater share of profit oil,” he said.

“Royalties paid to the Guyana Government is an expense incurred in the production of income for the contractor(s), but is not allowable in the calculation

of Cost Oil. It, therefore, follows that the 2 per cent royalty payment currently adds to the Government’s take,” the Commissioner General added.

Statia also gave some insight into the “pay on behalf system”, explaining that the Government’s share of profit oil includes the income taxes payable by the contractor. While this is so, however, Statia stressed that there is no net effect on the consolidated fund.

“The Minister with responsibility for petroleum is required to pay the relevant taxes on behalf of the contractor. The parties comprising the contractor would thereafter be issued with tax certificates which would essentially allow them to claim Tax Credits or Tax Deductions in other jurisdictions in which they are liable to pay taxes.”

“Due to the elected “pay on behalf system”, additional expenses/deductions result in lower amounts being reflected

on the tax certificates due to a decrease in the tax liability of the company. Expenses are not tax credits. A tax credit reduces taxes on a dollar-for-dollar basis, while a tax deduction will lower your taxable income, thereby allowing for the payment of lesser taxes,” Statia said.

The Commissioner General explained that consequently, no taxes are required to be paid until the contractor has taxable income. Instead, taxes are deferred until the company’s taxable position changes.

The PPP/C Government is meanwhile looking to start work on a model PSA this year, which will be different to the PSA ExxonMobil signed with the former Government and ensure that Guyana can get increased benefits from future oil deals.

Part of the money for developing this model PSA comes from a $200 million allocation from a World Bank project. Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

had said during the 2022 budget debates that $22.4 million was allocated to hiring a law firm to provide regulatory and legislative support that includes the PSA.

8 NEWS Jury to deliberate in “Two Colours” murder trial tomorrow MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A

group of 12 jurors will commence deliberation on Tuesday on a murder charge in Lennox Wayne’s trial in connection with the July 2014 fatal shooting of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD) cosmetologist, 19-year-old Ashmini Hariram.

Testimony began in the trial on June 8 after Wayne, called “Two Colours”, pleaded not guilty to a charge for the capital offence of murder. He is on trial before Demerara High Court Judge Jo Ann Barlow.

According to reports, the teenager, also called “Monisha Hariram”, was shot at close range in her face just after disembark-

Murder accused: Lennox Wayne

ing a minibus in her community. She was relieved of $8000 in cash.

It was reported that a tall, brown-skinned man emerged from a burgundy-coloured motor car and relieved Hariram of the money before shooting her.

The gunman then re-entered the motor car, and it sped off. Media reports are that Wayne gave Police a caution statement detailing his role in the woman’s execution. On September 8, 2014, Wayne was charged with the teenager’s murder; he has been on remand ever since.

Wayne is being represented by Attorneys-at-Law Ronald Daniels, Kiswana Jefford, and Edriana Stephens, while Senior State Counsel Lisa Cave

Alignments… …and (global) realignments

W Dead: Ashmini Hariram

in association with State Counsel Latifah Elliott are appearing on behalf of the prosecution.

ell, we just had a (virtual) meeting with the leaders of BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa – and they talked about expanding their cosy little club. While they were all buoyant “emergent” economies at the time (2001), your Eyewitness has a sneaking suspicion that the intriguing acronym of “BRIC” – South Africa was added later in 2010 – coined by a financial analyst from Goldman Sachs, got them together!! Talk about the naming of a thing and creating it!! Anyhow, while they might’ve gone into a bit of a slump after their smashing launch, it appeared they were about to come up with a BRICS reloaded by expanding their base.

Then there was the Commonwealth meet in Rwanda – and no they didn’t actually meet at “Hotel Rwanda!! The Commonwealth – actually the BRITISH Commonwealth, thank you! – has been around for a while, having been formed back in 1931 when “Britannica ruled the waves” and not coincidentally, “the sun never set on the British Empire”. One wag had noted that if the sun did set, imagine the looting that would’ve happened THEN, if we’d been raped so long in broad daylight!! Anyhow, as Britain’s star faded post-WWII, the Commonwealth became their last hope of being something other than the US’s junior sidekick!! The Commonwealth also was recruiting and in fact by the time their pow-wow finished, they’d garnered two new members – Gabon and Togo from Africa!!

And “summiting” right this minute is G7 – the “top” industrial nations of the US, UK, Germany, France, Canada, Japan, and the EU – which isn’t a “nation” but a continent!! It used to be G8 up to 2014, but Russia was thrown out after it invaded and annexed Crimea. Sounds familiar?? Well, it should since it’s pretty much this group that has taken on Russia after it invaded Ukraine!! Never mind who poked who first!! This year, they’re meeting in Germany and are also on a recruitment drive. Chancellor “Scholz has intriguingly invited Argentina, Indonesia, India, South Africa, and Senegal as partner nations” at the summit. Senegal, you exclaimed, Dear Reader? Yep!! You heard that right!!

Well, we know what’s gonna be on top of THEIR agenda, don’t we??!! That’s right…so it’s no surprise their first act was to sanction the sale of Russian gold!! It was noteworthy that Russia and Ukraine weren’t agenda items at the Commonwealth meet – even though Britain still plays an outsize role. But it probably illustrates the importance of G7 that PM Johnson was in Germany while Bonnie Prince Charlie was sent to Kigali!!

As your Eyewitness has noted, the cause of all these group meetings, jockeying and recruitment is a realignment of the global order.

With our oil, why aren’t we at the table?? …and Guyanese politics There are some who wish for “valency politics” to take over in Guyana - --that is, folks who’d vote for political parties whose leaders just want to “do the right thing”!!. But that ain’t gonna happen ever!! If you doubt that, just look at all the countries we’ve been imitating politically and otherwise on this voting business. Britain??

Supporting a soap opera monarchy?? With the elected government doing their darndest to keep up?? Partygate?

And the US? Invading the seat of government to overturn an election? The Supreme Court EXPANDING handgun ownership at a time of a mass shooting every week? Hey!! Their voting pattern’s increasingly matching their cleavages? In this case they seem to be FOLLOWING us, who were supposed to be “backward”. So, no, Dear Readers, we better start accepting that our only hope is our political parties are serious about getting into office through the ballot boxes.

Meaning they gotta get cross-over votes – so it’s in their interest to defuse the racial hostilities!! …in attracting cross-over votes Now some are knocking the WPA for pushing their proposal to give every Guyanese family US$5000 annually, as being “unrealistic”. Was Roosevelt’s “chicken in every pot” promise during the Great Depression realistic??

Got him elected four times though!!

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

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

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Govt not satisfied with CGX’s pace in constructing deep-water facility – Min Bharrat ...says Govt will monitor project

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anadian-owned company CGX Energy Incorporated is still committed to working on constructing its Deepwater facility at Crab Island in the Berbice River, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

This is according to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, in response to questions from this publication. But while the Canadian company is working on this project, Bharrat noted that the Government is keeping a close eye on the project since it is not too satisfied with the pace at which work is ongoing.

“Well, we would have indicated to the company that we are not pleased with the pace at which the work is moving ahead. The Government would have voiced our concerns several times. For the port facility at Crab Island,

just off the Berbice Bridge.

That is their facility.”

“It is not intended to be a shore base only. It was intended also to be similar to what the Vreed-en-Hoop facility will be. It will be a shore base, added to that a port facility that can accommodate other services, other than in the oil and gas sector.

They’re committed towards working. But of course, as a Government, we have to monitor that,” Bharrat added.

The Deepwater Port project, the first of its kind in Guyana, is being constructed at Seawall Village, Corentyne, to the tune of US$80 million. CGX’s subsidiary, Grand Canal Industrial Estates (GCIE) Inc, has been engaged in civil works related to the construction of the facility.

In February of this year,

it had been announced that CGX would soon start dredging and constructing docks for its deep-water port. CGX Executive Chairman Suresh Narine had said that, when completed, the port itself will have an offshore supply component to facilitate all the traditional services for the oil and gas sector, including the supply of materials, cement, fuel and even storage.

However, he had noted that in addition to the oil and gas sector, the Deepwater Port facility will support the region’s vast agricultural activities by offering container imports and exports services.

This will be done at a multi-purpose terminal that will feature a grading facility, a containerised facility, and a specialised cargo facility by the end of 2023.

Of the allocated 30 acres of land on the eastern bank

Winners of “Snap & Share” photo competition awarded

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond with some winners of the Snap and Share competition

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he Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry recently awarded the winners of its “Snap and Share” photo competition that was done in observance of Guyana’s 56th Independence Anniversary.

The annual photo competition which began last year features random persons taking photos of Guyana’s tourism products and experiences and submit to the Ministry.

The photos are then posted on the Ministry’s social media pages and those with the most likes and shares are selected as winners.

The first-place prize was $100,000 and a trip for two to Kaieteur from Evergreen tours while the second-place prize was $75,000 and a weekend with a Suzuki Jimny from Ansa Motors and the thirdplace prize was $50,000.

The fourth-place prize was $25,000.

Coming in at first place was Shivanie Singh followed by Jermaine Messiah and Govindra Raghubansi copped the 3rd

place while Kyle Joseph was the fourth-place winner.

There were several other consolation prizes of $10,000, along with trips and meals, compliments of Evergreen Adventures, The Marriott Hotel, Cara Lodge, Old Fort Tours, and Odyssey Tours.

At the award ceremony, Minister of Tourism Oneidge Walrond said that they decided to continue the competition due to the exponential response it received last year and the growing interest among Guyanese.

The Minister noted that the competition helps in the efforts to promote Guyana’s tourism sector.

“With this Snap and Share, it is just our opportunity at the Ministry and with all Guyanese to really share our beautiful country.”

This initiative, she stated, reflects the growing appreciation by more Guyanese of the country’s tourism products, experiences, and natural beauty, which did not exist before.

“Destination Guyana is

truly beautiful, her prettiness, that she is untouched and that’s what many visitors have been enjoying for a long time and we Guyanese have not really appreciated, and more and more of us are beginning to appreciate and that is the trust and the drive,” she said.

Minister Walrond also highlighted the great potential of Guyana’s tourism sector. “We believe not only in tourism as a way to market Guyana, but also as a way to drive economic activity for every single region, and every single community.”

“We are focusing on sustainable and community-led and community-driven tourism. What that means is that every community will own… and will [be] able to benefit from the tourism products,” she said.

The Minister further extended her gratitude to this year’s participants and sponsors, and encouraged persons to participate and next year’s competition which will feature bigger prizes.

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

of the Berbice River, the Deepwater Port facility is being constructed on a 20-acre lot and is designed to have a wharf platform and trestle access.

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

While the initial project cost was estimated at US$80 million, it is expected, however, that when further expansion to construct heavy

lift and fabrication facilities is done, costs will reach as high as US$130 million.

In February of this year, CGX and its joint venture partner Frontera Energy Corporation had announced an oil find of 177 feet of oil-bearing reserves at the Kawa-1 well in the Corentyne Block.

Since then, however, the company has been making moves to scale back its presence in the other blocks. It was announced that CGX was reaching an agreement with the Government to relinquish larger sections of the Demerara and Corentyne Blocks, which will potentially

go to auction in September.

Both the Corentyne and Demerara Blocks have been in CGX’s hands for some time without being drilled. Back in May 2019, the Strategic Joint Venture between CGX and Frontera was approved to farm into two shallow-water offshore Petroleum Prospecting Licences for the Corentyne and Demerara Blocks.

Both of these blocks are adjacent to ExxonMobil’s Stabroek Block, where multiple discoveries have been made. The farm-in joint venture allowed Frontera to acquire a 33.333 per cent working interest in the two blocks.

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MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PM lauds GPF’s national enhancement efforts

O

ver 200 Police ranks led by acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken on Sunday engaged in a clean-up campaign along the Kingston Seawall from Camp Street to Marriott Hotel.

Prime Minister Mark Philips, who is performing the duties of President, accompanied by acting Chief-of-Staff, Colonel Omar Khan, visited the cleaned beach shortly after the exercise concluded where they met with acting Deputy Commissioner “Operations” Ravindradrat Budhram.

Budhram, during his engagement with Prime Minister Phillips, noted that while numerous ranks participated, the Police Force received support from residents of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, several non-governmental organisations, and youth groups.

“This morning we’ve embarked on this exercise headed by the Commissioner of Police,

Hicken, and some of our stakeholders from NGO and some of our youth groups who came out and we started cleaning from Camp Street to the Marriott hotel,” Budhram said.

Budhram told the Prime Minister that while the exercise was a success, “It will continue on a monthly basis. Every last Saturday in the month we will come out and clean, and the same will be done in all our Police Divisions across the country...so we are part of this initiative to keep our country clean, healthy and safe”.

The Prime Minister, in an invited comment, said Sunday’s activity is part of a nationwide clean-up campaign. “What we’ve done today is basically the start of the National Clean-up Campaign. You know we’ve had several clean-up campaigns before but today is not only in Georgetown, this is a clean-up campaign that is in all the regions, especially the coastal regions, started today

Police ranks during the clean-up campaign on Sunday

Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken and other senior members of the GPF and others

(Sunday),” he said.

“The intention is, as we start today, we continue next weekend and the following weekend until we reach a point where you know everybody is involved in this campaign and we’re satisfied that, you know, once we approach it in an ongoing manner, we will

continue to have not only a clean city but a clean country,” Prime Minister Philips noted.

Speaking on the Guyana Police Force’s initiative, the Prime Minister applauded the effort by members of the GPF and further said, “It’s a good exercise, it’s something that not only

the Government should be involved in but the people, the private sector, and I see some private sector agencies are involved in this morning’s exercise. And we expect that once we continue next week and the following week and so, the participation will grow so you will see more private

sector agencies involved.... but more than that, we need the communities and the community leadership throughout Guyana to get involved in cleaning up their community”.

The acting Chief of Staff also lauded the enhancement efforts by both the Police Force and the Army.

Region 5 RDC calls on Education Dept to address school violence

Councillor Emerson Benjamin

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he Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has called on the Regional Education Department to address the escalating violence in schools throughout the region.

The call was made following a recent incident at Belladrum Secondary School.

Violence in schools is increasingly becoming a challenge for those managing the education system to the extent that those responsible for security have gotten involved and are also finding it difficult to handle.

Some of the items confiscated during a GPF campaign

Region Five was considered one of the more peaceful regions as it relates to violence in schools but this is no longer the case.

Councillor Emerson Benjamin highlighted the issue while pointing out that the Police were called in to Belladrum Secondary after the issues escalated.

After a recent RDC

meeting, Benjamin told Guyana Times that he witnessed some of the violence being perpetrated at school.

He explained that he received a telephone call from a friend who requested that he pick up her brother from school because she was scared to go due to a gang-related fight.

The official related that

there was one main perpetrator who is known to the Police. Law enforcement officers have gone to the school on numerous occasions and the child would escape.

“When I asked about him, they said he would have just come off of suspension. We need to take a stern stance against these children.”

“With this one student, he might push someone to retaliate; maybe a parent or even a teacher because they would not take chances with him. They need to put systems in schools, not only Belladrum but all the schools because we see what is happening in schools throughout the country and like it is catching on,” he said.

Commenting on the issue of violence in schools, Regional Education Officer Deon-Lyn Lewis-Clark said the department needs help in tackling the issue.

“We need help in our schools with the rise of violence. They did a random search at schools… Parents search your kids’ bags; why are they going with a knife,

Belladrum Secondary School

plyers; they are no electrician or technician – search their bags,” she pleaded.

Lewis-Clark, who was at the time addressing a father’s forum, said on a daily occasion education officials have to leave their desks to attend to reports of violence at school. Children, she added, should not be fighting at any level.

“They should not be stabbing each other and chopping each other, kids should be having a good time with their colleagues.”

She took the opportunity to call on fathers to have

frequent conversations with their school-age children, especially their sons. Only recently, several schools in Georgetown had to end classes prematurely after several gang fights erupted.

In fact, at one school, an air gun was seized from a male student.

Ever since, the Guyana Police Force has launched an initiative to search students before or after entering the schools’ compounds.

In several instances, items such as scissors, knives, ice picks, and other harmful weapons were confiscated.

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MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice Fire Dept taking prevention Police nab man 20 years after he killed his wife campaign to communities was conducted at the New Amsterdam Hospital and according to McDonald, the main aim was to get firsthand knowledge of the facility so that in the event of a fire emergency, they will be aware of where the water source is.

The Divisional Fire Chief added that the department did have some concerns and these were raised with the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital.

McDonald further disclosed that other community outreaches are planned across the Berbice region.

He pointed out that no criterion was used in choosing Angoy’s Avenue.

“Many times persons only know the Fire Service when there is distress; they don’t see the Fire Service on any other day – only when there is an emergency. So, it is not a case where we choose that area. There are many other areas within Regions Five and Six that we have plans to go and do walkthrough and do sensitisation,” the senior firefighter added.

Firemen meeting residents of Angoy’s Avenue

T

he Berbice Division of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has embarked on a new and interesting initiative by talking to members of the public about the role of the unit and more so, educating them about fire prevention.

One such initiative was taken to Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, which is considered a suburb and has been plagued with several social problems. There is a high rate of teenage pregnancy, unemployment, and school dropouts.

Divisional Fire Officer Clive McDonald explained that the aim was to sensitise residents on fire safety measures. According to him, the department also took the opportunity to do topography.

“Topography in the firefighting arena means that we are going geography on the area in the event of an

T

In January of 2002, it is alleged that Sooklall went to visit a female friend’s home, and she spent the day. Late in the night, the friend decided to follow her home through the dirt road, when she was reportedly attacked by the suspect who was armed with a knife.

During the attack, the man allegedly slashed the woman’s throat.

He then turned his attention to the woman’s friend who managed to escape. The man then made good his escape and was never seen again, until he was arrested

by Police on Saturday.

S Fire officials at the New Amsterdam Hospital

emergency; where we can find key points and vulnerable points.” He referred to this as knowing the station ground.

McDonald related that while officers were meeting with residents individually and discussing with them fire prevention and safety, it

was surprising to know that some of them did not know the numbers to contact the Fire Service in the event of a fire.

“It was a little bit alarming but nevertheless it was a very good venture and it bore some fruit.”

Recently, a similar excise

The shotgun and cartridges

he Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) on Friday intercepted a Berbice resident with a loaded shot-

Arrested: Gautier Jerome

41 new COVID infections, 4 in ICU

Berbice resident nabbed with loaded shotgun

Arrested: Radesh Bickharie

A

man who managed to evade Police for two decades after killing his wife in 2002 at Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was arrested on Saturday afternoon.

Police were in search of the man, 51-year-old Gautier Jerome for the murder of his wife Roshinie Sooklall.

He was reportedly arrested at about 17:30h at Onderneeming/Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast, by Police ranks who acted on information received.

It was reported that the ranks from the Anna Regina Police Station went to the Onderneeming/Sand Pit area where the murder suspect was seen and arrested.

He is presently in custody at the Anna Regina Police Station.

It was reported that Sooklall had left her husband after years of abuse and had moved in with her brother at Diamond, EBD. The man had reportedly begged the woman to return home, and she rejected his plea.

gun during an operation at Palmyra, East Canje, Berbice.

Based on reports received, on the day in question, drug enforcement officers conducted an operation at a residence in Palmyra, East Canje, Berbice, during which the loaded improvised shotgun and one live

cartridge were discovered.

Another cartridge was also found during the search.

As a result, Radesh Bickharie, 52, was arrested and taken to the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam, Berbice, along with the firearm and the live cartridges as investigations continue.

ome 41 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus from just over 400 tests conducted within 24 hours, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

The total number of confirmed cases in Guyana has gone up to 67,099 of which only 957 are currently active cases. This includes four patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining persons in isolation, that is, 24 in institutional isolation and the other 929 in home isolation.

One more person is currently in institutional quarantine.

Guyana’s COVID-19 death roll remains at 1251, with the latest fatalities recorded last Wednesday when both a 65-year-old male from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and a 64-year-old female from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) died.

Meanwhile, some 64,891 persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus in the country – 58 more recoveries than the figure reported the previous day.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Guyana over two years ago, a total 657,398 tests have been conducted countrywide and of this, some 30,779 males and 36,320 females were found to be positive.

Of the 41 new cases recorded on Sunday, six were from the PomeroonSupenaam region, five

cases from the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara region, 23 cases from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one more from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and three cases each from Regions Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

There were no new cases recorded in the other four regions across the country within the reporting 24hour period.

After a prolonged period of declining cases, the Guyana Government, back in March, removed most restrictions as the country moves to recover from the pandemic and return to normalcy. But in recent weeks, there has been a spike in COVID cases here, which health authorities have attributed to the BA.2 subvariant of the Omicron strain.

Latest vaccination figures show that so far, more than 443,000 or 86.4 per cent of adults have taken the first dose, while over 342,000 or 66.8 per cent of persons 18 years and over are fully vaccinated.

For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, just over 25,500 or 35 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Vaccination is also available for children between the ages of five and 11 years, hundreds of whom have already received the first dose. In addition, in excess of 67,500 persons have returned for their third-dose booster shots thus far.

According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recent figures, some 537,591,764 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 6,319,395 deaths.

In the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 160,719,968 while the death toll in the region has gone up to 2,754,656.

As it relates to vaccination against COVID-19, the WHO also reported that a total of 11,912,594,538 doses have been administered worldwide.

20 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

De Kinderen man brutally chopped, stabbed to death during brawl

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34-year-old man, who Police have since identified as Lindsford Kenwayne Duguid, was brutally stabbed and chopped to death in the wee hours of Sunday at De Kinderen Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

The cops said the murder was allegedly committed by three known suspects, who they were up to late Sunday evening hunting.

Based on reports received, at about 22:00h on Saturday, Duguid allegedly visited the De Kinderen location and asked for a 22-year-old fe-

Dead: Lindsford Duguid

Kenwayne

at about 03:30h on Sunday morning and upon checking, he saw Duguid pulling the 22-year-old female by her hair, while one of the suspects

The scene where the man was killed

male Venezuelan national.

Police said the man was informed by the owner of the property that the woman was not at home.

Hours later, however, the landlord told investigators that he heard a loud scream

(another female Venezuelan national) held on to Duguid’s waist from the back.

The owner then rushed to the area and saw Duguid and two of the suspects fighting in a drain.

He further stated that he

saw one of the suspects with a knife in her hand stabbing at the now dead man’s leg, while a male Venezuelan national was seen holding the deceased around his neck.

Sometime later, the third suspect appeared with a cutlass in his hand and began to chop Duguid about his body. One of the suspects was heard asking for a rope that was used to tie Duguid's legs.

The Police were contacted and arrived at the scene by which time the suspects had already fled.

Duguid was found lying in a drain with chops to his left and right fingers and hand while his right leg and chest had stab wounds. In addition, the deceased had multiple chops to his head and a rope was tied around his legs and neck.

One brown-handled knife suspected to be one of the murder weapons, was found on the grass parapet about four feet from the body.

Upon searching the drain, a Samsung cell phone and a pair of female running boots were recovered by Police.

A search of the De Kinderen yard revealed bloodstains leading from a yard pipe to the stairs.

Detectives also searched the house during which one pair of camouflage pants and one white jersey soaked with

mud were collected. Also, the remaining rope that formed a clothing line was collected as evidence.

Checks were also made

for one of the suspects at his De Kinderen residence but he was not located.

While searching the location, Police said they located

a cutlass near a plastic barrel that contained water along with a pair of long pants and one shirt with mud.

Investigations are ongoing.

Public Works Ministry probing “serious” Essequibo River boat mishap – passengers traumatised after incident

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he Public Works Ministry has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding a vessel sinking in the Essequibo River thus leaving passengers traumatised.

A passenger boat en route to Supenaam started to take in water, reportedly due to overload. This resulted in all the passengers, including an infant and a toddler, being tossed into the water somewhere in the vicinity of Leguan.

Videos of the passengers seeking refuge under and in a tree at the shallow end of the river were shared on social media by a group of entertainers in the boat.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill when contacted on Sunday stated that an investigation has already been launched into the incident.

“We have a Department of Safety [within the Public Works Ministry] that is addressing that. That is a serious incident, while nobody would have lost their lives it’s something that needs to be examined,” he explained.

According to the Minister, all aspects of the mishap will be looked into including reports of the boat being overloaded.

“If we have a captain of a boat taking in the overload that leads to a mishap, then of course that will be led to sanctions against him. But let us await the findings of the investigation and don’t just take what somebody said,” Edghill posited.

Routine probe

He further indicated that the probe is a routine one and should not take a long time.

“It is being done. The Department has a Director of Safety and a report should get to me within 24 hours or 36 hours, maximum,” the Public Works Minister stated.

Guyana Times understands that the passengers left the Parika Stelling in a boat that encountered mechanical issues thus resulting in the boat coming to a stop in the middle of the river. Sometime after, another vessel that was passing arrived and attempted to assist the stranded passengers but that vessel already had other passengers.

“I think the captain called for another boat but that boat showed up with passengers. So, with our full load and those passengers,

GDF rank holding the baby after the boat mishap

the boat started to take in water. As he was moving, it started filling up more and more.”

“Then somebody said [to the captain] “Yo, start head to the corners.” And that’s when the boat captain start headed closer to the shore.

Then a wave come – the boat was already low – and full the boat up with water,” local entertainer, Kwasi Ace Edmondson related to this newspaper.

Saving a baby and toddler

Edmondson recalled that a woman and her daughter were sitting next to him and after a heavy wave caused the boat to sink, he grabbed the child and placed her on its roof.

“Then I jump in the water and I feel the boat grounded. She [the toddler] would have definitely been covered because the water reached the boat roof. The boat submerged in the water,” he stated.

There was another infant – a baby – also in the boat. Another entertainer, Michael Ignatius assisted in carrying the baby from the sinking vessel and handed the infant over to a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank, who along with other passengers sought refuge in a tree in the shallow waters.

The soldier remained there with the child until another boat arrived to rescue them.

“We were a bit concerned if the tide would’ve raised before help arrived but it was panic at first. After I realised the boat grounded, I jump in the water and I tell everybody “Don’t panic, you’re safe. The boat grounded; nothing can’t happen no more.” But I know for sure that baby and that little girl

could have died if we didn’t help. The mom was so concerned with the [toddler’s] life more than hers, she was saying “Save my baby!”,” Edmondson said.

Traumatised

Meanwhile, Chris Gopaul, another one of the comedians in the vessel and the one who initially shared videos from the incident on his Facebook page, took to social media to talk about the incident and how it has affected them.

“It's almost 6am [on Sunday] I cannot find sleep, the show went on and I cannot be more grateful to the Almighty father for this silent hero that didn't want anyone to know what he did,” he said of the boat captain who eventually went to the rescue of the passengers in the water.

He added, “We did a comedy show where everyone had fun and laughter without realising how traumatised the cast was. I say that something is wrong with me because I had no fear for I was at peace with whatever happened and then an overwhelming amount of phone calls from around the world came in and I came to the realisation that there is a possibility that we might not have existed today.”

“There's so much to say. The main things that come to mind are thank u to the captain that made it to the bank of the river for if the boat went down before [reaching] the bank, the outcome would have been very different and thank you to the man… that came to our rescue with his staff and sought no reward…

Material things mean nothing. People are a treasure,” Gopaul stated.

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Mabaruma villages get transportation boost – Cash grant for hinterland initiative also rolled out

New bus for Mabaruma Settlement Minister Croal handing over the keys to Khan’s Hill Community Development Council Chairperson Sharmaine Smith

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esidents of Whitewater, Khan’s Hill and Mabaruma Settlement in Mabaruma sub-district, Region One (Barima-Waini), are the beneficiaries of new vehicles costing a total of $7.3 million, as part of the Government’s support to boost the economies of hinterland villages.

The vehicles, which was purchased utilising the oneoff village grants under the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, will be used to generate income for the com-

munities through a routine transportation service, as well as transporting students to and from school.

The keys to the vehicles were officially handed over to the respective village leaders by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal on Saturday. He was accompanied by Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley and Deputy Regional Executive Officer Shem Cuffy.

Addressing villagers at Whitewater Village, the Minister reaffirmed the

Government’s commitment to the development of hinterland village economies through financial and other support, based on the needs of the community.

He reminded residents of the many interventions Government has made to bring relief to citizens in the face of the global crisis.

These include the $25,000 per household COVID-19 crash grant, the one-off cash grant for hinterland villages, as well as for the public servants, the elderly, and most recently, for hinter-

land and riverine communities.

Croal related the PPP/C Government has also invested billions of dollars to upgrade and expand the health and education sectors across the country. The intention, he noted, is to ensure citizens, regardless of where they live, have access to quality and equitable healthcare and education services.

In the areas of housing and water, the Ministry is currently drilling a number of wells to improve access to water across the region.

One well drilling rig

is currently working in Arakaka, Matarkai sub-district, while another is drilling a well at Waramuri, Moruca sub-district. The Ministry will also be rolling out its hinterland housing programme, targeting vulnerable families within Amerindian communities.

“You are part of the developmental process of our country…we want to encourage you that you also play your part by ensuring that you develop your villages and we will support you,” Minister Croal emphasised.

Villagers also praised

the Government for its continued support towards the enhancement of the communities.

Meanwhile, Minister Croal also spearheaded the distribution of the Government’s $25,000 household cash grant for hinterland and riverine communities, to several residents in the sub-district.

Over the next two days, the Minister will lead a similar exercise in the Moruca sub-district. Some 9529 households in Region One are expected to benefit from cash grants totalling $238,225 million.

Govt to look at a permanent solution to flooding in Kwakwani – Min Edghill

P

ublic Works Minister Juan Edghill said the Government will soon look at a permanent solution to the flooding situation in Kwakwani, Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10).

The Minister visited several riverine communities such as Kwakwani Waterfront, Ladern's Ville (Aroaima), and Hururu. At the Waterfront, the Minister met with affected residents from that area and from Lamp Island, where he addressed the situation and the Government’s intended approach.

Minster Edghill meeting with residents Hampers being distributed to affected residents

One of the houses under water

“I am here on behalf of His Excellency President Irfaan Ali. I have come here today to join the Civil Defence Commission (CDC),

to ensure at a higher level we do an assessment of what needs to be done. The CDC has been on the ground since Wednesday when we heard of the Berbice River rising.”

Minister Edghill assured residents that beyond the assistance of food and cleaning supplies, shelters have already been set up by the CDC to accommodate families that have been severely affected.

Meanwhile, on the recurring flooding, the Minister described the situation as distressing.

“We have gone full circle here like we were earlier in the year, and this is distressing because earlier in the year we came and we thought that was a oneoff phenomenon but it’s clear that it was not a one-off phenomenon, we have water at heights here again that we have to address.”

“The first thing you have raised with me is a discus-

sion that we ought to have in a more informed and enlightened way because you can’t be in the low place and every time the river rises you are flooded, like the way you are flooded now.”

Edghill said the Government would look at ways of improving this situation.

“So, as a Government, we would have to, through the Ministry of Housing and Water and Central Housing and Planning Authority, make a definite engagement with you to come up with a more permanent solution, and that is something that will require buy-in from everybody.”

“You can’t trick the system when water is high you flood, you want to move to the highland, so you get a room on the highland, and when

the water is not high you come back. If we move people from the low waterfront area to the highland, that means we cannot continue to have people living the way they are living right now. That is why I said we need to have a more informed and enlightened conversation,” he stated.

He added that a report will be made to the Cabinet

on the situation.

Earlier this week, the overtopping of creeks and rivers, due to periodic heavy rainfall left many homes in those Region 10 riverine communities inundated. As a result, teams of Government Ministers have been dispatched to regions currently experiencing flooding, to assess and render assistance.

22

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

Roach, Joseph leave Bangladesh in tatters after Mayers’ 146

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angladesh were left staring at a series whitewash after Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph shared five wickets between them to leave the visitors reeling at 132-6 in the second innings when rain forced early stumps on Day 3 of the St Lucia Test. The downpour may have brought temporary relief to their misery but Bangladesh – still trailing by 42 with just four wickets in hand – now need a miracle.

In the second session

SCOREBOARD

WEST INDIES 1ST INNINGS Kraigg Brathwaite (c) b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 51 John Campbell c †Nurul Hasan b Shoriful Islam 45 Raymon Reifer b Khaled Ahmed 22 Nkrumah Bonner b Khaled Ahmed 0 Jermaine Blackwood lbw b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 40 Kyle Mayers c Shoriful Islam b Khaled Ahmed 146 Joshua Da Silva † lbw b Mehidy Hasan Miraz 29 Alzarri Joseph c Liton Das b Khaled Ahmed 6 Kemar Roach not out 18 Anderson Phillip c †Nurul Hasan b Shoriful Islam 9 Jayden Seales c †Nurul Hasan b Khaled Ahmed 5 Extras(b 9, lb 24, nb 4) 37 TOTAL 126.3 Ov (RR: 3.22) 408 Fall of wickets: 1-100 (John Campbell, 25.6 ov), 2-131 (Kraigg Brathwaite, 37.1 ov), 3-131 (Raymon Reifer, 38.1 ov), 4-132 (Nkrumah Bonner, 38.6 ov), 5-248 (Jermaine Blackwood, 73.4 ov), 6-344 (Joshua Da Silva, 107.5 ov), 7-363 (Alzarri Joseph, 110.5 ov), 8-384 (Kyle Mayers, 118.1 ov), 9-403 (Anderson Phillip, 125.5 ov), 10408 (Jayden Seales, 126.3 ov)

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BOWLING O-M-R-W Shoriful Islam 19-6-76-2 Khaled Ahmed 31.3-3-106-5 Shakib Al Hasan 18-5-46-0 Ebadot Hossain 19-6-56-0 Mehidy Hasan Miraz 39-8-91-3 BANGLADESH 2ND INNINGS Tamim Iqbal c †Da Silva b Roach 4 Mahmudul Hasan Joy c Blackwood b Roach 13 Najmul Hossain Shanto c †Da Silva b Joseph 42 Anamul Haque lbw b Roach 4 Litton Das lbw b Seales 19 Shakib Al Hasan (c) c Campbell b Joseph 16 Nurul Hasan † not out 16 Mehidy Hasan Miraz not out 0 Extras(b 9, lb 1, nb 2, w 6) 18 TOTAL 36 Ov (RR: 3.66) 132/6 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Tamim Iqbal, 2.4 ov), 2-22 (Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 6.3 ov), 3-32 (Anamul Haque, 8.5 ov), 4-57 (Litton Das, 19.5 ov), 5-104 (Najmul Hossain Shanto, 29.6 ov), 6-118 (Shakib Al Hasan, 33.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Kemar Roach 10-1-32-3 Alzarri Joseph 10-2-31-2 Anderson Phillip 5-1-23-0 Jayden Seales 6-2-15-1 Kyle Mayers 5-1-21-0

bookended by sharp rain spells, Roach inflicted early pain on the tourists with a three-fer to rattle their struggling top order after the home side had taken a sizable 174-run first-innings lead. The pacer took just 10 balls to make his mark and reach the milestone of 250 Test wickets, surpassing Michael Holding. Roach, though, had Tamim Iqbal to thank for it, who threw his bat at a full and wide delivery with his feet glued to nick a regulation catch for the keeper.

To his credit, Mahmudul Hasan Joy looked sharp in his brief stay as he flicked and drove Roach to the fence.

However, he perhaps got carried away by the back-toback boundaries and played at one he should have left alone, popping a healthy edge to third slip. In his next over, Roach trapped Anamul Haque plumb lbw.

The Bangladesh number four made a desperate use of a review, but was given marching orders amid pelting rain as tea was called early.

Into the final session, their lbw shout turned down, Kraigg Brathwaite made a smart use of the review to get the decision overturned in favour of Jayden Seales and send Liton Das on his way after making 19, just as Bangladesh went past 50.

The resistance Bangladesh sought came through a reassuring fifth-wicket stand between Shakib Al Hasan and Najmul Hasan Shanto.

The pair scored 47 runs in their 10-over association, with Shanto taking the lead.

After seeing an edge, that luckily for him, did not carry, he unleashed a couple of

Khaled Ahmed claimed his maiden five-wicket haul

on-drives off Kyle Mayers to inject some momentum. The duo kept at least a boundary coming nearly every over, taking Bangladesh the past 100-mark in the 29th over with a bit of luck also going their way as a couple of edges evaded the fielders.

Joseph, however, returned to action with back-to-back maidens and capped off the spell with the wickets of both set batters. Tempted by an overpitched delivery outside off, Shanto went for a drive, but with negligible foot movement to offer an easy take for the keeper and bring curtains on an otherwise good effort of 42. The partnership broken, Joseph struck again an over later to scalp the big fish.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib was on this occasion guilty of throwing it away, poking at a delivery outside off to edge it to second slip. Under overcast skies, Nurul Hasan held the fort for three overs, alongside Mehidy Hasan, until another spell of rain cut the day short.

Earlier, Mayers was denied a 150 as Khaled Ahmed's maiden Test fifer rolled out West Indies for

408 on a rain-affected third morning. Only 11 overs were possible before the heavens opened up, but Bangladesh did strike twice in the brief morning session where overnight batter Joshua da Silva was trapped plumb lbw

by Mehidy and Khaled picked his first of the three wickets by having Joseph caught at midwicket.

Khaled struck again in his second over after the lengthy break. Mayers, only striking distance from his 150, was done in by an off-cutter as he misjudged the pace and went through with his flick way too early to chip a simple take to mid-on. Anderson Phillip and Roach collected a couple of boundaries each to stretch the home team's lead further before wicketkeeper Nurul forced an excellent use of a review for a caught-behind appeal to put an end to the former's stay in the middle.

Three balls later, Khaled registered his maiden fivewicket haul in Tests when he induced a healthy outside edge off number 11 Seales' bat. (cricbuzz)

– fans can grab their seats for as low as US$6 for exciting white-ball matches

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West Indies will play one T20I and three ODIs at Providence

budget. Ticket prices range from US$6 (EC$15) for the Mound/ Grounds, to US$15 (EC$40) for the standard seats and US$25 (EC$70) premium seating in the Shilingford Stand.

The series them moves to the Guyana National Stadium for the third and final T20I on Thursday, July 7, which will be followed by the three CG United OneDayers on July 10, 13 and 16 at the colourful venue. The prices will range from US$6 (G$1200) for the Mound/Grounds, to US$15 (G$3000) for the Orange Stand or US$25 (G$5000) for the

best seats in the Red and Green Stands, as the fans in Guyana welcome the busiest “Summer of Cricket” to the South American mainland.

For both venues, adults can purchase half-price tickets for children aged 16 or under online or at the box office, and senior citizens also benefit with halfprice tickets too.

Dominic Warne, CWI’s Commercial Director said: “We can’t wait to see West Indies return to the field in Dominica as part of a weekend cricket party which plays a big part in

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

"Online" tickets on sale for West Indies v Bangladesh matches in Guyana and Dominica ricket West Indies (CWI) on Sunday announced that online ticket sales have gone live via the new Windies Tickets service for the West Indies versus Bangladesh three-match T20 International (T20I) Series and three-match CG United OneDay International Series.

Fans can purchase in advance without the need to travel to box offices to save tickets to their mobile phones which can then be presented for scanning at the stadium entrance. Fans who register for the Windies Tickets service and purchase tickets will also receive offers and promotions for future games.

West Indies return to Dominica for the first time since 2017 to host Bangladesh in backto-back T20Is at the refurbished Windsor Park in Dominica on Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3.

There is great excitement on the Nature Isle for the return of international cricket with tickets available in three price categories providing a range of viewing positions for every

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our preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup. We’re sure that fans will be rallying and creating an incredible atmosphere in the refurbished Windsor Park. We’re excited to welcome back large crowds in Guyana where it’s always time for cricket. The new ticketing service means fans can buy in advance without having to travel or queue to box offices.

Fans can put all their energies into getting behind this exciting new generation of West Indies players.”

Fans can purchase tickets via the new Windies Tickets service presented by Mastercard, at www.tickets.windiestickets. com. In addition to being able to choose and pay for seats in advance, the service allows fans to save their purchased tickets to their device for ticket scanning at the venue, avoiding the need for queues and travel to the box offices. Fans registered for the WI Insider fanmail and on the Windies Tickets service will receive promotional discounts when they buy tickets online for games in the Caribbean.

Fans can watch live on ESPN Caribbean and listen to live radio commentary on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel.

MATCH SCHEDULE – Bangladesh tour of West Indies T20 International Series July 2: 1st T20I – Windsor Park, Dominica, local start time 1:30pm/12:30pm Jamaica July 3: 2nd T20I – Windsor Park, Dominica, local start time 1:30pm/12:30pm Jamaica July 7: 3rd T20I – Guyana Stadium, Guyana, local start time 1:30pm/12:30pm Jamaica CG United One-Day International Series July 10: 1st CG United ODI – Guyana Stadium, Guyana, local start time 9:30am/8:30am Jamaica July 13: 2nd CG United ODI – Guyana Stadium, Guyana, local start time 9:30am/8:30am Jamaica July 16: 3rd CG United ODI – Guyana Stadium, Guyana, local start time 9:30am/8:30am Jamaica

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23 Matthews credits team effort and depth after Barbados reclaim Women's Super50 title MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

By Brandon Corlette

N

ewly-appointed West Indies Women's Captain and Barbados Captain Hayley Matthews was in full delight after reclaiming the CG Insurance Regional Super50 championship. Barbados played without the star player Deandra Dottin and Shamilia Connell, who was injured.

All the Caribbean players were present at the Ramada

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

and claimed eight wickets in four matches, said: "I think throughout the entire tournament, our batters and bowlers did a very good job executing every time that we went out there. We were able to put runs on the board and defend everything when we went out there. Kudos to all the players, I think it was a team performance and we are happy we came out on top."

In addition to Matthews,

Knight; Kyshona Knight; Alisa Scantlebury; Shakera Selman; Tiffany Thorpe and Alliyah Williams.

The reserves are Asabi Callender, Rianna GoodingForte, Allison Gordon, Krisanne Howell, and Charlene Taitt.

Jasmine Abrams sets new national record in women's 100m The Bajan players celebrate the winning moment on Saturday

GCB President Bissoondyal Singh with newly-appointed West Indies Women's Captain and Barbados Captain Hayley Matthews

Hotel and were rewarded by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) for their outstanding performances.

Matthews, who scored the most runs in the Super50 tournament, with 119 runs

the Knight sisters, Kycia and Kyshona, were the only other batters to surpass the 100-run mark. Matthews was impressed with both sisters as well as medium pacers Shanika Bruce

and Aaliyah Alleyne.

"They have been outstanding, the entire tournament, the Knight sisters with the bat, Shanika Bruce and Aaliyah Alleyne got wickets which was crucial overall," Matthews explained.

In terms of her personal performance, the star-allrounder said she continued to train hard and reap rewards.

"I have been working really hard over the past few months, coming off the World Cup, heading back home I tried to train really hard, so yea I am really happy I contributed to the team success," Matthews added.

On Saturday, CWI had announced the appointment of Matthews as the West Indies Captain. The 24-year-old said she was humbled to be appointed the leader of the West Indies Women's team. "I am looking

forward to the role, and looking to learn, but I am quite humbled and honoured to lead the team.”

Barbados not only showed their class throughout the tournament, but the depth in exposing younger players during the absence of some senior players in Conell and Dottin.

"I think it shows the depth we have in the team; the other players did well in her absence, so it was good to see, but we are really happy to have her back for Commonwealth Games," Matthews said.

Barbados will be playing the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom from July 29 to August 8, 2022.

The squad reads: Hayley Matthews (Captain); Deandra Dottin (Vice Captain); Aaliyah Alleyne; Shanika Bruce; Shaunte Carrington; Shai Carrington; Shamilia Connell; Keila Elliot; Trishan Holder; Kycia

G

uyana's very own Jasmine Abrams rewrote the record books, setting a new national record in the women's 100 metres in the Trinidad and Tobago National Championships.

Abrams stopped the clock at 11.07

seconds to finish second at the Haseley Crawford Stadium.

Abrams erased Brenessa Thompson's time of 11.14 seconds which was set at Leonora during the 2018 AP Invitational. (See more details in tomorrow's publication)

MONDAY, JUNE 27, 2022

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

AAG President Hutson bemoans the struggle of his ‘one man show’

By Jemima Holmes

A

pproximately one year ago, in the month of June, the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) had a tough election. The voting was tied, five votes apiece, between candidates Sheryl Hermonstine and incumbent President Aubrey Hutson.

Eventually, it was said that Hermonstine conceded and Hutson prevailed, to serve his third consecutive term at the helm of the country’s deciding body on track and field.

Now, a year into his third term, the AAG President is encountering some difficulties.

The reality is, whenever the AAG hosts an event, Hutson is the man of the moment.

The President, often times, spearheads every aspect of the hosting, with little help.

The opposing argument, however, is that Hutson wants to do it all on his own. Hutson disagrees.

AAG President Aubrey Hutson

“You all know, you come to this track every time there’s a track and field event and you see me working here diligently. How many more of my colleagues who’re elected do you see out here? And herein lies the problems, we have a lot of talkers and less workers,” Hutson said on Sunday afternoon, during the staging of the National Seniors Championships.

He added, “A man must

know when to say when, you know, I’ve tried my best. I’ve done a lot of hard work; my hair at the top of my head is a lot thinner and I’m a lot greyer.”

The topic at hand was whether or not rumours about Hutson wanting to throw in the towel as AAG President were true and while Hutson did not directly give a yes or no answer, the AAG boss lamented the struggles he

was currently facing in order to keep athletics afloat in Guyana.

Hutson contended, “If certain dynamics in the AAG don’t change, as it relates to the makeup, composition, of the AAG, I think I may have to walk. Because you cannot give me basket to fetch water.

“And directly, as it relates to dealing with the Athletics Association of Guyana and trying to develop athletics, even Jesus Christ at age 33 called it quits, I’m 58 years of age.”

As expected, the AAG President was asked to expound on his cries, in order to give a clearer picture of where the issue truly lies.

To this end, he highlighted assistance and support were often non-existent.

“I think we need more boots on the ground, primarily; this is not a talking sport, this is a working sport and unless people are being prepared

to come out here and work and do the necessary legwork that is important for the furtherance of the sport, it isn’t going to happen,” Hutson answered.

He went on to say, “You can’t have Aubrey Hutson mounting the cameras, being the competition and at the same time, having to deal with what the athletes are going to wear, going to the Caribbean Games tomorrow. I mean, all those questions come together.”

Supporting his argument with an issue that came up only on Sunday, Hutson said, “Chantoba Bright just questioned me, ‘Where are our running clothes? We’re leaving tomorrow.’ So, somebody else needs to take up that mantle, somebody else who knows that it’s their role to deal with it, to deal with correspondence on a timely basis; have to do what they have to do.”

Hutson was bold enough

to point out that a part of the problem surrounds the willingness – or lack thereof – of council members to get up and get work done, highlighting that he does not have the power to force anyone out or force them to work.

He explained, “Just like how the clubs would have reelected me as President, they elected all of them. So, it’s not the case that I have a cabinet that I could hire and fire, but unless the composition of the team changes, I will have to go.”

“I honestly don’t know what mechanisms can be used (to get them involved), I have to revisit the Constitution, but something has to give.”

Hutson concluded sternly, “People need to get out here and work. People just can’t be sitting down and telling themselves that everything is alright and the show keeps going on.”

"Online" tickets on sale for West Indies v Bangladesh matches in Guyana and Dominica Pg 22

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