Guyana Times - Monday, June 28, 2021

Police body cameras could increase convictions, professionalism P2

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4692

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

Expert commends Govt’s restraint from dipping into Natural Resource Fund − says PPP inherited a defective NRF Act, must be improved Page 3

ExxonMobil to study, mitigate against any adverse effects from gas-to-shore project – EIA ...to hire independent environmental consultants Fatal boat explosion at Friendship

Victims were pumping fuel without owner’s permission – Police Page 9

Dead: Damon Dias

see story on page 7

$150M tender goes out for Moleson Creek to El Dorado main access road − to be important access road to Orealla quarries Page 13

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Meadow Bank woman dies in 2-vehicle collision along Brickdam P15 Woman critical after being P15 stabbed by lover Police caught on camera P14 brutalising man will be dealt with condignly – Commander Watts No COVID deaths reported, 103 new cases P16 recorded in 24h − as confirmed cases close in on 20,000

Brazilian P15 dredge owner robbed of gold

by Venezuelan employees Marics Company launches new Honda model, inhouse financing

Dead: Mark Mangal

− pumps $1M into flood relief efforts undertaken by CDC

P13

Revocation of visa-free travel necessary to curb illegal movement of Haitians – Minister Benn

...perceived easy access was abused – MP Datadin

...over ... over 50 Haitian migrants allegedly abandoned in Guyanese jungle

Pages 11 & 16

Essequibo P14 motorcyclist injured after colliding with car

2 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police body cameras could increase convictions, professionalism

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have started wearing cameras affixed to their uniforms as part of plans to increase accountability and improve public trust.

The use of cameras is among several measures the GPF has adopted to capture evidence at crime scenes as part of a wider plan to increase its professionalism. The initiative was first introduced in 2015 and has been expanded to all 12 Police Divisions.

Head of GPF’s

Information Technology D e p a r t m e n t , Superintendent Jermaine Johnson said body cameras would increase the safety of both Police and civilians. Information from the cameras will also be used for training.

Superintendent Johnson said there is a standard operating procedure for the use of the body cameras. Technical staff are stationed in all divisional regions to ensure the cameras are operational before a rank is issued with

Head of the GPF Information Technology Department, Superintendent Jermaine Johnson

one. This means that the date and time on the camera must be correct, and the storage clear and fully functional.

The Superintendent said ranks are also required to keep the cameras turned on from the time they are issued. If an incident occurs during the rank’s time on duty, the footage will be reviewed for evidential value. The footage will also be archived for a period in the event a report is made against the officer.

Recently, there have

A traffic rank with a body camera attached to his uniform

been several incidents between Police and civilians which have revealed civilians either attacking or verbally abusing officers.

Video footage captured during these officer-community interactions will provide better documentation of the nature of events and support accounts articulated by both officers and civilians.

“After every operation, we will use those footage to review for quality assurance meaning that if the rank performed the duty in a professional way, if the civilians who we have to serve abuse the Police; also, we use it for training to look to see what we do and how we can improve on it.

If within the view, something happened and he take off his body cam, there is reason to believe he is guilty of something. So, you would want your body camera to be on at all times when you are executing your duty because the only thing the body camera can do, is to show your superior how well you have been performing your duties,” Superintendent Johnson said.

The Superintendent said cameras could ensure quality of evidence captured from incidents, and speed up justice for victims.

“For the civilians, when you see the Police with a body-cam on, you can speak straight into that body cam and you will get transparency in what you may have indicated to the Police, a robbery, someone may have gone into your house…

The back and forth in who said what, the body cam would be able to determine and give a true picture of what happened at that time,” he explained.

Emphasising the effectiveness of the body cameras, Superintendent Johnson detailed an incident where, if it were not for the camera, he could have been found afoul of the law.

“I personally had a case where my vehicle registered number plate was being used by a next vehicle and because of a body cam, the evidence was picked up

and the perpetrator was prosecuted,” he said.

The officer said the incident was coincidental, but it led to the perpetrator paying a hefty fine.

He noted, however, that the body cameras are offline, meaning the video footage cannot be accessed until it is uploaded manually. To ensure there is optimal use of the devices, the GPF will soon be receiving advanced body cameras which will be online and linked to the command centre. A total of 500 body cameras have already been catered for in Budget 2021.

Since taking office, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn have been calling for the restructuring of the GPF. President Ali at the Annual Commissioner’s Breakfast in December 2020 said enhanced professionalism within the GPF will improve the way citizens view the Police.

“For you who serve in the Police Force, professionalism is the embodiment of everything you do. And I’m not asking for anything beyond that, beyond that professionalism that would see a remarkable improvement in the way the population views you, views your uniform, and the Government.”

Additionally, in his address at the GPF’s Annual Conference in March, the President said change is a systematic process and that it was important for the lawmen to understand their current position, against where they ought to be. He said there is need to identify the gaps in the Force, both external and internal.

“In doing this, we then have to do a realistic assessment of our capability, our weaknesses, our strength, the opportunities that are there, the direction in which the country is going, and the Force is going, and the requirement and the future demands of the Force.”

Some $15.3 billion was earmarked in the 2021 budget for the Force to enhance its capacity.

NEWS

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MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Monday, June 28 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Tuesday, June 29 – 09:00h – 10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, June 28 – 06:50h – 08:20h and Tuesday, June 29 – 07:40h – 09:10h.

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be light rain showers during the day. There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly to NorthEasterly to Northerly to North North-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 3.12 metres.

Expert commends Govt’s restraint from dipping into Natural Resource Fund – says PPP inherited a defective NRF Act, must be improved

S

ince Guyana began earning monies from its oil lifts, those funds have remained untouched in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) in the United States (US) Federal Reserve.

According to one expert, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government’s restraint is commendable.

This is according to finance professor and contributor to the Local Content Panel, Floyd Haynes, during a recent appearance on radio programme “Governance,

idea,” Haynes said.

Immediate needs

Haynes also acknowledged that Guyana has certain immediate needs which mean monies have to be invested in fixing the issues in the present generation.

According to him, the important thing is for Guyana to balance short term with long term spending.

The professor also pointed out that countries such as Norway was already developed when they discovered

High Tide: 06:55h and 19:28h reaching maximum heights of 2.58 metres and 2.4 metres.

Low Tide: 13:00h reaching a minimum height of 0.66 metre.

The US Federal Reserve, where money in the NRF is earning interest

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Corruption & Justice”. In fact, Haynes explained that most countries do not even touch their Sovereign Wealth Funds, preferring to allow the interest to accrue over an extended period of time. He noted that one good idea is to invest the body of the fund and use the interest for much needed development.

“I totally agree with the Government’s position.

Right now, we don’t really have a good legislation.

We’re working with the petroleum commission and we’re working on the legislation that governs the Sovereign Wealth fund,” he said.

“The idea behind a Sovereign Wealth Fund is inter-generational. It’s based on the idea that the resource belongs to the people and every generation of Guyanese should benefit from it. So, you create a fund, you put the money into the fund and you save it for future generations,” Haynes explained.

When the PPP approached the National Assembly for supplemental funds to help with flood relief, questions were raised as to why the NRF was not approached for money.

According to Haynes, there are a number of considerations to make before deciding to use the fund for emergency expenses. One such consideration is the country’s fiscal state. Ultimately, however, he cautioned against using the fund in such a manner.

“Maybe it’s a good idea. I don’t know. I’m always erring on the side of caution when it comes to going into that Sovereign Wealth Fund to use it as an emergency slush fund. It’s a very bad precedent to set. So, my first reaction would be it’s a bad

oil. Hence, they did not have comparatively immediate needs. When it comes to how the fund should be managed, Haynes was of the view that it should be managed by a professional firm.

“This is what most countries do. The Government is not a money, manager. So, you can have a professional firm manage the funds. That means that firm will decide

in consort with Government representatives, what type of funds to invest this money in.”

“On the administrative side you have to have strong policies governing withdrawals and deposits into that fund. And that is something best managed by a panel or a commission of some sort. No single individual should be allowed to make that decision. There have to be checks and balances.”

In March 2021, the Natural Resources Ministry had disclosed that to date, a total of 5,009,797 barrels of oil worth US$246.5 million have been lifted. This sum, added to the royalties the country receives, took the total in the NRF account to US$267.6 million. And if one considers earnings from the sixth lift in April and royalty payments, this amount is expected to have climbed to over US$300 million.

Guyana received its first payment of US$54.9 million for an oil lift dated February 19, 2020. The second lift on May 21, 2020, was valued at US$35 million; while the third lift, which occurred on August 9, 2020, was worth US$46 million.

The fourth lift of oil offshore Guyana occurred on December 9, 2020, and came in at US$49.4 million in value. And on February 5, 2021, some 997,420 barrels of oil were lifted from Liza Destiny. A sum of US$61 million was paid for that lift.

ExxonMobil, acting as

Finance Professor Floyd Haynes

operator in the Stabroek Block, began producing oil on December 20, 2019.

Guyana’s oil revenues are being banked in the New York Federal Reserve, where it is earning interest.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has said that Guyana’s oil and gas resources would play a critical role in its development, with a portion of the money going towards the development of world-class education, human capacity and healthcare system; reducing energy costs and enhancing the local infrastructure to benefit Guyanese.

It is expected that once the Natural Resource Fund Act, which stipulates that various committees must be established to provide oversight for the fund, is reviewed, it will be brought to the National Assembly by the current Government and pave the way for the fund to be accessed.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 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

Stressful time for youths E

ven though it was delayed by two weeks because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the time for writing this year’s CSEC and CAPE has arrived. And it is our hope that all of us will appreciate the stress that most of the new generation, who will be inheriting what we have wrought, are undergoing in what will be the most stressful period of their lives.

If too many have not already been stressed out from the fiasco of last year’s marking of papers, about 17,000 youths will be writing their CSEC and CAPE. CXC does not seem to cater for national holidays in their scheme of things, so will Guyanese students be credited for writing exams on Caricom Day? But it is not just the stress of writing an exam on a day of celebrations that produces the stress in our children: it is the role that exams have come to play in our country presently. These exams will more or less determine the future of these youths. While the National Grade Six Assessment is also stressful, students know at the back of their minds they have an opportunity to catch up over the next five years. And we see this reflected in the results of CSEC where an increasing pool of top performers are coming from the "non-premier" rural schools.

Because of the importance of the exams, the stress arises primarily from students’ fear of failure which is in turn generated because of the disappointment their parents may feel at their failure. While it may not be deliberate – and in an increasingly rising number of cases, it is – parents make children anxious about failing – as if life is going to be an unending string of successes. Failure is part and parcel of any normal life and it is important that children are taught how to deal with it early on in their lives. Failure to learn this lesson can result in depression and, in some cases, even suicide.

The parents, sometimes at great cost, send their children to lessons, which consume so much of their free time that ought to have been spent on leisure activities.

All work and no play make Jack and Jill dull boys and girls: children whose intellectual and creative abilities were not developed.

They are raised in a hothouse atmosphere between school, lessons and home, being afraid of making mistakes, being afraid to explore and being afraid to test the unknown. Most lessons and schools simply emphasise rote learning that must be regurgitated in the examination rooms. After considering all their parents "have done for them", the children are filled with guilt if they fail.

Parents have always been concerned with the education of their children, but in today’s world of cutthroat competition, shallow relationships, narrow viewpoints and nuclear families, this natural concern becomes a high level of anxiety if the child does not perform to their expectation.

Another reason for the failure is that most of our children cannot relate to what is being taught to them in schools. We can first start with the language and vocabulary used in these "total institutions". Just as with the old plantations, or in the asylums from where the phrase was adopted, schools impose an order which the child is not expected to understand but one to which he or she must simply conform.

Take the language of "standard English" that is used from the moment the child enters the school system at age three. It is a totally alien language for most and it is highly scandalous for children to feel inferior just because their intonation might be different from the teachers'.

Most children taking the CSEC and CAPE exams are right now fearful of failure not because of some innate lack of intelligence but because they became bored and confused by the system that was supposed to "educate" them. We have to do better if we really want our country to be independent.

A horse puts its head into a car to eat a carrot near the Cossack cultural complex in the village of Borgustanskaya in Stavropol region, Russia (Reuters/Eduard Korniyenko photo)

Toward a hypothesised role of the school counsellor (Pt 2) Dear Editor, Education and training of the school counsellor: the expectation is that school counsellors complete a 60-credit master’s degree reflective of three years of full-time graduate studies integrating theory, practicum and skills culminating in a terminal internship.

This integrated knowledge of theory, practicum and skills form the foundation for empathy, client observation skills, client interviewing skills, assessment of person and environment and the application of positive techniques toward problem solving, growth and change in goal outcome.

Theory in counselling may take two parts: a) the same theories of counselling - psychodynamic, humanistic, behavioural, cognitive etc that psychotherapists take, but not with the same depth and practicum b) the theories of vocational development for career counselling is the main preparation for school counsellors, reason for which their real job title in the schools is denominated guidance counsellor, to differentiate from other kinds of counsellors in a clinical setting such as addiction counsellor, alcoholism counsellor, rehabilitation counsellor etc.

Emphasis of the school counsellor training is placed on career and life planning and academic progress of

students. Their training in testing, for example, is in personality testing, achievement testing, interest testing and aptitude testing to match personality traits with job characteristics for vocational choice and longterm career and life planning, quite unlike clinical testing for diagnosis of mental illness by clinicians.

Counselling is a process of interpersonal change and the quality of the relationship with the client will determine the desired behavioural outcome. Based on the education and training above, school counsellors should not be given licenses to encourage independent practice, but should remain within pedagogical certification.

Observation on education and training: Cultural Awareness: The communication style, emotional style (behaviour and attitude), learning/thinking style of students is the result of socialisation with family, extended family, neighbourhood, community, school years, and vicarious experiences that form their internalised core values, beliefs and traditions that make up the worldview of clients.

This socialisation of the client that takes place in a multiracial, multi-ethnic, multicultural society can render the above glamorous education and training of the counsellor deficient un-

less the counsellor has been trained within this multiculturally centred sensitivity of worldviews. For example, the counsellor may be an expert emphasising a Eurocentric world view or values but end up in a blaming the victim outcome, alienating the client and making the entire process counterproductive.

The glamorous education and training of the counsellor above can certainly come with deficiencies and quality supervision and relevant staff development can ameliorate this shortcoming. It will certainly take a culture centred counsellor to accurately assess the level of enculturation of clients as he/ she is trained in the racial, ethnic, cultural identity theories of development as part of cross-cultural psychology.

Over individualising the counselling process excluding environmental variables of socialisation may hamper the resocialisation necessary to provide the client with the resources to cope with complex environmental stressors.

Other duties of the counsellor: In addition to above, counsellors are expected to provide academic counselling, personal counselling, career counselling, test taking strategies, parent skills training, information on community resources for referral, teacher and administration consultation, gender diversity consultation (con-

troversial), attend suspension hearings etc. Further, he/she can take on the role of teacher trainee, monitor each student’s progress, be a liaison to other agencies in the community, serve as a referral resource, be the crisis coordinator in such issues as the death of a student, teacher, trauma in the community, grief counselling, dealing with conflict resolution with students, with opposing gangs, assess issues of depression, anxiety, suicidality, child abuse or other mental health issues to be assessed in the safety of confidentiality with appropriate intervention.

At the level of programmatic counselling, group counselling can take the form of topics in adjustment groups for new students, study skills, homework skills, building reading skills, conflict resolution, filling out job applications, job interview rehearsing, mediation training, racial awareness groups, interracial communication groups, or simply unstructured groups to develop an appropriate emotional response style. The group approach is best to reach most students, but unstructured groups is also recommended to teach emotional skills. Overall, the role of the counsellor should be autonomous and free of administrative interference and politisation.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

5

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10,287 lawyers qualified by CLE in the Caribbean

Dear Editor, As I commence research on the operations of the Council of Legal Education (CLE) which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, it was discovered that a total of 10,287 persons have qualified as attorneys from the Hugh Wooding Law School in St Augustine, Trinidad (5147), 4646 from Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica and 494 from the Eugene Dupech in the Bahamas.

Most of the graduates are females and hundreds of them hold top legal positions.

President of the CCJ, the

apex Court, nearly all the Chief Justices and Judges throughout the region are regionally trained.

After the establishment of the faculty at Cave Hill in Barbados in 1971 and law schools would be lawyers ceased to proceed to London to the Inns of Court, saving them thousands of dollars and away from the bitter cold. And now although there are so many lawyers, there are suggestions from a former Prime Minister Kenny Anthony of St Lucia for a law school to be established in the Eastern Caribbean since the Hugh Wooding and Norman

Manley Law Schools are overcrowded.

The APNU/AFC Government in Guyana had advocated the establishment of a law school in Guyana but it did not materialise and now that Government is no longer in office. It is not yet known if the new PPP/C Government will push for a law school because many of their students cannot gain entry to the Hugh Wooding Law School since the 25 quota is adequate.

I know for a fact that the Norman Manley Law School is overcrowded so much so that Belize students cannot gain entry.

A few years ago, the institution was considering double sessions in order to accommodate the large number of students seeking entry. Besides the costs and inconvenience to study in England, the Caribbean trained lawyers are more equipped to practice their profession in the region.

Some feel that there are far too many lawyers in the region, but that is not the case because most of them are not in full time practice per se but attached to Insurance Companies, other corporations and institutions as well as lecturers at universities and law schools,

Toward a hypothesised role...

Beyond the counsellor’s role: The school counsellor is a professional helping to optimise the cognitive, emotional and social self-actualisation of the client in a healthy academic environment, not a classroom teacher or an administrator; obviously, the counselling function currently carried out by the untrained, the uneducated and the unprepared in counsellor education can do more harm than good. At a higher level of training than the school counsellor in clinical skills are the school social worker and the school psychologist.

These three professionals belong to what is known as the school pupil personnel team. The school social worker is trained to work with students to do short term therapy and work with families as the learning interference may derive from

the home environment.

Referrals to the social worker are made by school counsellor who consults with the social worker on a regular basis.

The school social worker is trained to work in intervention strategies with teachers in the individualised modification of instructional strategies and classroom curriculum to solve the learning problem before referral for a comprehensive assessment by the school psychologist with whom the school worker forms a higher-level intervention team.

The school psychologist is not only trained to do cognitive, academic, emotional and social assessment for the diagnosis of learning disabilities, but also to write up specialised instructional programmes to address the needs of the learning disabilities diagnosed.

He is a consummate school-based mental health professional. Some of these recommendations resulting from the comprehensive assessment may involve services from a list of additional professionals beyond classroom teachers such as reading and speech teachers to address speech and articulation disorders, physical therapists to address orthopaedic problems, occupational therapists to address activities of daily living in terms of fine and gross motor skills, or even a nurse if medication is to be given during school hours.

School transportation and home services may also be recommended. These services may seem farfetched and unrealistic, but the goal is to ensure the success of all children, that no child is left behind, that learning disabilities are identified and

the legal training serves as a base for other endeavours.

Many lawyers are politicians.

If the CLE was not established in the region most of the 10,287 would not have been lawyers. I am one who would not have been an attorney because of the high costs to study in England and I am certain thousands of others.

At this juncture I should state, like as in any other profession, there are a few who have not lived up to the noble profession and are dishonest...corrupt, engaged in excessive drinking, gambling and sexual exploita-

tion. A few were charged for embezzlement and bribery and even jailed.

Several activities are planned to mark the 50th anniversary. Last Wednesday the President of the CCJ, Justice Adrian Saunders spoke at a lecture to mark the occasion. The topic was “The CCJ and the promotion of law and order” and on Thursday night Dame Sandra Mason, Governor General of Barbados who was one of the first graduating students, touched on the operations of the CLE.

ber of students under the caseload of each counsellor is a relevant for organisation, but the challenge for a new kind of educational leadership with this innovation is obvious.

Conclusion: This cursory exploration highlights the school counsellor as an ally and advocate for students, parents, teachers and the entire educational community in optimising learning in a healthy academic environment and offers an added opportunity for quality home-school relationships for higher student achievement in all areas.

This new culture centred professional with a non-evaluative, non-judgmental style of communicating factuality without blame brings a new model of emotional understanding to guide student life and serve to motivate the maximum development

of potential toward self-actualisation. Other professionals mentioned as team members for other areas of students’ needs remain a challenge for the logistics of educational organisation and leadership.

To the unschooled in the organisation of student support services, this may sound farfetched, but the future road map is clear. To continue to deny, dilute, and distort the reality of educational needs remains a disservice. Quality pupil personnel support services for a quality education in the formation of authentic values of future citizens helps create a stable democracy a future open to change and opportunity.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

FROM PAGE 4

addressed and that all children are educated to the maximum extent possible in general education, while receiving all necessary support services to level the learning environment. Of course, these levels of support may be inaccessible at this time, but serve to present a map of the continuum of services within the school system.

Supervision: Obviously, current administrators may not have the training to supervise counsellors and provide the necessary growth and staff development for this class of pupil personnel professional. The qualified person can be appointed by region and meetings can rotate by schools and professionals can service more than one school. Since counsellors are not classroom teachers, teaching is not affected. The issue of the num-

Sincerely, Dr Udayram Ramharack (Psychologist)

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MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Question 1 Friday’s answers

By Sir Thomas Wyatt

Tagus, farewell, that westward, with thy streams, Turns up the grains of gold already tried, With spur and sail for I go seek the Thames, Gainward the sun that show'th her wealthy pride, And to the town which Brutus sought by dreams, Like bended moon doth lend her lusty side.

My King, my Country, alone for whom I live, Of mighty love the wings for this me give.

A

n orchestra is a group of musicians playing music under the direction of a conductor. An orchestra may be large or small, depending on the needs of the composer who has written the music to be performed. The instru-

WORD SEARCH ments of the orchestra vary greatly but fall into four different categories: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

If you were an instrument in the orchestra, what would you be? Write a biography for the instrument you would be.

NEWS

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MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ExxonMobil to study, mitigate against any adverse effects from Gas-to-Shore Project – EIA ...to hire independent environmental consultants

T

he gas-to-shore project, which is a US$900 million investment that can revolutionise energy in Guyana, also comes with possible adverse effects on the environment. However, oil giant ExxonMobil has said that these effects will be studied

subsidiary Esso Exploration Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) submitted, the project does have the potential for physical, biological and socioeconomic effects on surrounding communities.

These potential effects could be directly and indirectly generated by the proj-

and remedied, with assistance from independent experts.

Exxon is currently seeking approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the gasto-shore project. The project will see 220 kilometres of pipe being laid from the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel offshore Guyana to the gas plant at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD).

According to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Exxon’s

ect during the construction, operations or decommissioning phases of the project, which has a lifespan of at least 25 years. These effects could be adverse or positive in nature.

“The potential for cumulative impacts exists where impacts from the Project overlap with impacts from other activities affecting the same resources/receptors, including EEPGL’s other ongoing or reasonably foreseeable activities and other reasonably foreseeable third-party activities, including the power plant that

will be supplied gas by the Project.”

“As such, a cumulative impact assessment will be performed as part of the Project EIA. As part of any EIA required by the EPA, EEPGL will scope, study, and assess possible effects in its EIA covering the Project per the laws of Guyana, in particular the Environmental Protection Act 1996,” the EIA says.

It was further explained that EEPGL will contract qualified, independent environmental consultants to study and assess the significance of the possible effects the Project could have.

These consultants would also recommend monitoring programmes and mitigation measures to reduce the risk of any negative effects from the project.

The gas-to-shore project is a transformative project that will see gas from the Liza Field offshore Guyana being pumped onshore to generate power. The main objective of the initiative is to transport sufficient gas from the Stabroek Block’s petroleum operations to supply some 200-250 megawatts of energy to the na-

Diagram showing the subsea installation route for the pipeline

tional grid, leading to a significant reduction in electricity costs.

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

Soon after the Government issued permit licences to Exxon for

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

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

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who has responsibility for the

energy sector, has previously said that the Government is looking to produce 200 megawatts of power from the gas-to-shore project by 2024.

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

8 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pharmaceutical supplier on trial over sale of fake HIV testing kits A pharmaceutical supplier who is accused of selling fake HIV testing kits to the Health Ministry is currently on trial before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Lenora Magistrate’s Courts.

On trial is Davendra Rampersaud, the area manager for Caribbean Medical Supplies.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charge which states that on January 16, 2020, Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc, sold and supplied 400 units of Uni-Gold HIV Test Kits, with misleading representation, in a violation of the Food and Drugs Act of 1971.

He has further denied the other charge which alleged that on the same day, he sold and supplied the devices to the Materials Management Unit with misleading representation

in contravention of the Food and Drugs Act, Cap 34:03-part V section 18 (1) of 1971.

Following the discovery of the fake devices, they were seized by the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD). Caribbean Medical Supplies had previously denied knowingly supplying expired goods and had also claimed to have thoroughly vetted their Kenyan supplier.

Charged: Davendra Rampersaud According to news reports out of Kenya The news report also inNews Agency k24tv, dicated that prosecutors rethree businessmen – Erick vealed that the trio allegedMwangi, Jones Olouch, ly stole HIV test kits and and Robert Njoya – were exported them to Guyana. charged in the Milimani According to the report, Law Court with selling exMwangi was charged seppired and fake HIV kits to arately with exporting consumers in Kenya and 400 packets of counterabroad.

feit Uni-Gold HIV test kits to Guyana on December 30, 2019, using the Jomo Kenyatta Airport.

These alleged test kits found their way to Guyana when Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc reportedly sold them to what was then the Ministry of Public Health.

The presence of the fake kits was uncovered when their Irish manufacturer, Trinity Biotech, wrote to the Government.

In its correspondence, the company had revealed that counterfeit boxes of the Uni-Gold HIV test kit were created, complete with fake expiry dates, and the expired kits were then repackaged in said boxes. Trinity Biotech had pointed out that only Trinidad-based Transcontinental Medical Products Limited was the authorised distributors of the testing kits.

In the aftermath of the scandal, the World Health Organisation had issued an alert naming Guyana and Caribbean Medical Supplies and reporting confirmed cases of fake HIV testing kits. The WHO had revealed that through its Global Surveillance and Monitoring System it had been informed of the distribution of some 8240 fake HIV rapid diagnostic tests kits circulating in Kenya.

Back in 2017, Caribbean Medical Supplies was flagged in the 2016 Auditor General report for having $7.6 million worth of outstanding deliveries in September 2017.

It was pointed out in the report that the Ministry kept $167 million worth of cheques (including the $7.6 million for Caribbean Medical Supplies) rather than refunding them to the Consolidated Fund.

Moving forward…

W

…on gas-to-energy hether we like to admit it or not, the only difference between modern man and cavemen is that we’ve got access to energy other than our own sweat and blood. Left to our own energy (devices?), we’re doomed to nasty, brutish and short lives. The now “developed” world got free energy when they enslaved and dragged millions of Africans across the Atlantic.

Then came steam that used coal – the first “fossil fuel” – to supply the energy to drive all sorts of machines and there was no turning back. We’d heard for years about our “potential” in Guyana…but without cheap and reliable energy, we were never able to realise it. Take sugar…that’s why we never could get it refined to add value. And Bauxite? You need vast amounts of energy to convert it to aluminium…but it was the same old story.

Even though we had waterfalls that could supply the energy, Burnham couldn’t complete the Mazaruni Hydro Electric Project and we remained at ground zero.

But finally, we can see the light at the end of (energy) tunnel. Last Friday, Exxon submitted its plans to the EPA for bringing ashore the natural gas it separates from oil in the Stabroek Block for the required Environmental Impact Assessment. A 120-mile-long 12” pipeline will be bringing the gas from the two FPSOs and land it on the West Coast of Demerara near the small sleepy village of La Jalousie.

From there, it’ll make several turns and eventually culminate at the Wales Development Authority. There Exxon will be constructing a facility to separate out the components of the natural gas – methane, butane, propane, etc – to be liquified and sold or passed on to the 250 MW Generating Plant the Government has planned.

Now, your Eyewitness doesn’t expect any objections from the populace since the 20-mile onshore pipeline will be crossing just rice and cane fields where private owners will be adequately compensated. No rare species of frogs, etc, will be disturbed! But what will be disturbed is the centuries-old status quo of us being bereft of cheap electricity to exploit our potential!

The energy will be used on some of the gas recovered to produce urea – the fertiliser that’s critical to developing our agricultural potential. Your Eyewitness heard about us going all the way to creating amino acids – the building blocks of proteins. But he is a tad leery of that being accomplished, if he’s to be honest!

We’ll be getting the biggest bang for our buck with bringing our energy costs down to about one-eight of where it is now – about the highest in the Caribbean!

Finally free of our energy shackles! …without the PNC? Surveying the disarray into which the PNC has descended, it’s pretty difficult for your Eyewitness to imagine how they can present a credible alternative to the PPP as far as taking over the reins of government.

In Guyana, it’s not a matter of a political platform or ideology, since for the past 60 years folks have by and large voted ethnically. But with all ethnic groups now minorities, no party can depend on support from a single ethnic group.

The groups which they can court are basically Indian, Indigenous and Mixed Guyanese. They’ve alienated the first two groups who won’t vote for a party that shows no remorse for their actions. That leaves the “Mixed”. Now, traditionally, they’re more culturally aligned to the PNC’s base constituency – African Guyanese. And voted PNC. But the fact that a significant segment switched to the PPP at the last elections means they were teed off at the PNC – even before their bullyism.

They ain’t going back and the PNC’s screwed! …on Cricket?

The final straw for your Eyewitness was when the WI were fined for low over rate – after being humiliated

by South Africa in the Test Series. Even though they just trashed the Proteas in the first T-20, they’re still not forgiven.

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

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MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fatal boat explosion at Friendship

Victims were pumping fuel without owner’s permission – Police

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ours after a deadly explosion on Saturday on a vessel at a wharf at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) claimed the lives of three men, investigations have revealed that the men were pumping fuel without the owner’s permission.

Dead are 60-year-old Seepersaud Persaud, of River’s Town, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); the boat’s captain, Mark Mangal and 29-year-old Damon Dias, a sailor of Sarah Johanna, EBD. Police in a statement on Sunday said the motor vessel, Canada Club, at the

Dead: Damon Dias

Dead: Mark Mangal

sel and gasoline at Guyoil Adventure, Essequibo Coast, and had returned to the wharf at Friendship, EBD where it was docked.

from the vessel followed by black smoke and shortly after, flames were seen on the bow of the vessel.

As a result, the Diamond

The fuel boat moments after exploding

time of the explosion, was docked on the western side of another vessel, Rowenar.

The boat had delivered a shipment of Mogus die-

At the time, there was no maintenance work being conducted on the vessel.

However, about 16:40h on Saturday, a loud explosion was heard emanating

Fire Service was summoned to the scene and immediately went into action. The firemen managed to extinguish the blaze.

The vessel was then can-

vassed and it was observed that the bodies of three men were lying motionless on the eastern side of the deck. It was discovered that the explosion came from the engine room. A hose that was connected to the fuel pump and partially burnt-out, along with the remains of a yellow plastic bottle nearby, was found in the engine room.

Police stated that of the control valves in the vicinity of the fuel tank, the only one which was found open was the gasoline tank valve.

The owner of the vessel disclosed that all of the valves should have been closed and the hose must only be connected to the fuel pump when discharging fuel.

As a result, checks were

The Canada Club vessel where the explosion occurred

made in the boat captain’s motor car, PTT 2965, and five six-gallon bottles and one five-gallon bottle with suspected gasoline were found in the trunk.

Samples were taken and the bottles were lodged at the Grove Police Station pending further investigations.

Police said it appeared

that the now deceased men were pumping gasoline from the sediment or reserve of the fuel tank.

The trio’s bodies were escorted to the Diamond hospital, where their deaths were officially pronounced.

They were subsequently escorted to the Lyken Funeral Parlour, to await post-mortem examinations.

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MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man jumps into drain to evade Police after snatching woman’s purse

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suspected bandit on Saturday afternoon gave ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) “the works”, after he jumped into a drain that was partially covered with concrete, to evade them.

The identity of the suspect has not yet been revealed, however, Guyana Times understands that a woman was walking in the vicinity of Orange Walk and Bourda, Georgetown, when the man snuck up behind her, snatched her purse and attempted to escape.

He was later cornered

by Police, and in a bid to escape, he jumped into a nearby drain in which he spent some time hiding.

A recording showed a number of Police ranks wearing gloves, feeling in

The suspect that was arrested by Police

the drain for over an hour trying to locate the bandit.

Persons who were at the scene were also heard tell-

ing the officers “That man deh right in deh”.

After some time had elapsed, and officers were unable to get him out, a citizen volunteered to go into the drain to get the suspect.

The man was seen taking off his clothes in preparation of going into the drain.

As soon as the man placed his feet into the drain, persons were heard saying “wait, wait, he coming he coming”. The suspect was later seen moving in the water going in the direction of the ranks. He later came out of the drain and surrendered.

He was subsequently arrested, placed into the back of the Police vehicle and escorted to the Police station.

Investigations are ongoing.

Port Kaituma teen chopped to head during row

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igel Frank, 18, of 5 Miles Port Kaituma, North West District NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini) was chopped to his head by an unknown suspect during an argument.

The incident occurred on Friday evening at about 22:05h at 5 Miles, Port Kaituma, NWD. According to Police, the suspect and victim were im-

bibing at a shop in the area when a heated argument broke out between them.

During the commotion, the suspect left the scene but returned shortly after

with a cutlass. He then attacked and chopped Frank to the right side of his head after which he made good his escape.

Sometime after, the Police escorted Frank to Port Kaituma District Hospital where he was treated and later discharged. The suspect has not yet been arrested but Police are continuing their investigations.

Ganja, fermented wine among contraband items found at Mazaruni Prison

The items that were unearthed at the prison

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everal prohibited items were on Saturday found during an exercise at the Special Watch and Bricks sections of the Mazaruni Prison, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The operation was conducted by the members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), During the raid, three cellular phones, 148 grams of cannabis, 34 cigarettes, five lighters, eight improvised weapons, two two-litre bottles of fermented wine, one metal spoon, one earpiece, two cell phone adapters, one cell phone case, and a quantity of tobacco and other prohibited items were found.

The items were confiscated and an investigation was launched into the discovery.

Only a month ago, a similar exercise at the penitentiary unearthed a quantity of ganja.

It was reported that officials were conducting daily checks in and around the prison and its environs when they observed a prisoner acting in a suspicious manner.

A search was conducted on his person, and, in his pants crotch, a bulky black parcel containing the cannabis was found.

Further searches were conducted in the Tuck Shop on the premises where two bulky black parcels with ganja were also found.

NEWS

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MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Revocation of visa-free travel necessary to curb illegal movement of Haitians – Minister Benn

− perceived easy access was abused – MP Datadin

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uyana’s Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn defended the recent move by Government to revoke the visa-free travel order for Haitian nationals coming to the country, noting that this move was necessary to clamp down on the illegal movement of those persons to neighbouring countries.

Last week, President Dr Irfaan Ali signed an Immigration Revocation Order, effectively removing Haiti from the list of countries that enjoyed visa-free travel to Guyana. With this move, Haitians will no longer enjoy the automatic sixmonth stay upon arrival in the country.

This was after the recent discovery of 10 Haitian teens, including one who was pregnant, who were found in a hotel at Skeldon, East Berbice, without any passport or ID. It was subsequently reported that for the last six years, over 38,000 Haitian nationals who arrived in Guyana are unaccounted for.

These persons are illegally crossing the borders to get into neighbouring countries and some are suspected to be victims of human trafficking.

Speaking during an online programme – Let’s Talk Politics – on Saturday evening, Minister Benn pointed out that it was important that Government revoke the visa-free travel for Haitians given the gravity of the situation and the implications

Government MP Sanjeev Datadin

it would have on Guyana’s standing on the Human Trafficking tier as well as the country’s relations with its neighbours.

“We have to take the responsible position as a country to deal with this matter…The persons are being trafficked and they’re being smuggled, and we have to pay attention to this problem…If we allow people to continue to come through in this way, we would be participating in what is clearly an illegal, criminal activity [that is] allowing people into slavery, allowing people into inhumane and degrading conditions. I don’t want to be in that position as the Minister of Home Affairs and certainly not in the PPP/C Govt and certainly not in the 21st century,” he contended.

Benn explained that

the decision was not taken without consultations with international partners including the United Nations Commission on Human Relations (UNCHR), which recognised the need for Guyana to take such a step.

He further stated that while there is a Human Trafficking Unit in place to curb the issue of trafficking, Government will have to strengthen certain legislations in order to effectively handle the issue.

“We are aware of issues of people trafficking and smuggling also having associations with persons who are involved in drug dealing, gun smuggling, money laundering – all of those issues are wrapped up in one if you look at it holistically,” he asserted.

Minister Benn also posited that this practice opens up the path for corruption in the local immigration system.

Further, he added that similar challenges of trafficking and corruption are being experienced by Brazilian authorities. He explained that while Brazil also has a visa-free entry policy for Haitians, the border between the two countries at Lethem, Region Nine is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and not only are persons breaching the closure but also imposing health risks when they sneak into the country.

Nevertheless, Benn posited that while Guyana

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

welcomes persons here especially those who have skillsets that can be used to make meaningful contributions to the development of the country, this opportunity is not being utilised by most Haitians.

In fact, similar sentiments were expressed by Government Member of Parliament and Attorneyat-Law Sanjeev Datadin, who contended that instead of taking advantage of the

opportunity Guyana is offering, persons are abusing this “perceived ease” of travelling.

“When you establish visa-free travel to your country it’s to allow people to come experience your country better but what has happened, the perceived ease that exists when there is not visa required is real because… you claim to be coming to the country to visit or to work or to explore or to do business but this is not what is happening… They are moving on but they are not doing so legitimately.

We would welcome persons who come to Guyana to visit to engage or to work. That is why we have visa-free travel but it’s being abused… it’s being used on a scale for a purpose that is sinister and we can’t sit by and allow that to happen,” the renowned lawyer insisted.

Moreover, Datadin went on to outline that Guyana is in no way banning Haitians from coming into the country. He said they are allowed to do so at any time but would now be subjected to visa requirements.

“All that would be required is that you would have to upfront indicate what is your position and where you’re going to be.

The visa process means that we’d be able to obtain more information. A visa doesn’t mean that you’re not allowing Haitians to come. It just means that we’re are hoping that we’d be able to welcome those who’d want to come to Guyana for the purposes of being in Guyana and participating in the development of Guyana but not to those who want to use Guyana as a gateway and as a stepping stone of further things, and to be part of or to create a larger criminal enterprise for which Guyana is unwittingly a participant. We can’t allow that to happen,” he posited.

Meanwhile with Guyana being flagged as a transit point to get to neighbouring countries in the region, mostly with the intention of eventually getting to the United States through Mexico, Datadin posited that Guyana has to be accountable to its neighbours as well.

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MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Boards of Guardians benefit from training exercise

Persons who constitute the Boards of Guardians on the East Bank Demerara were trained on Friday The women, of Golden Grove, were of varying ages, backgrounds, and levels of skills

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ersons who constitute the Boards of Guardians on the East Bank of Demerara recently benefited from a training programme organised by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry.

The training, undertaken by Deputy Director of Social Services Hamwanttie Bisesar, was part of a countrywide exercise that the Ministry has embarked upon.

Training will be taken throughput the country and will continue until everyone is trained. “And this is a very key exercise,” subject Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud has stated.

The Boards deal with public assistance which is applied for at the Ministry’s offices across the country.

The application goes to the Boards of Guardians for consideration and once the persons satisfy the criteria specified by the legislation,

they can benefit from the service.

If they do not qualify, however, the matter can be appealed at the Poor Law Commission. Chairperson of that Commission, Amanda Richards interacted with persons who attended the exercise on Friday.

Meanwhile, Minister Persaud also took the opportunity during her outreach to meet with members of newly formed women’s groups.

“This was a very good interaction because these groups are new and they’re interested in how they can

benefit from the Ministry’s programmes, so they were able to ask questions and raise their concerns,”

Minister Persaud said.

One programme in particular that caught their interest was the recently launched Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN). They were especially interested in learning how they would be able to use the skills they would’ve garnered through the programme.

The women, of Golden Grove, were of varying ages, backgrounds, and levels of skills.

Minister Persaud’s meeting with them all formed part of the Ministry’s efforts on gender streamlining in the country. In fact, recently, the Ministry’s Gender Affairs Bureau has been hosting a series of Men’s forums across the country to address the same issue.

Govt to hold countrywide engagements to promote Spotlight Initiative

The visiting team was able to receive feedback on issues particular to the communities

A

s work continues to progress on the Spotlight Initiative in Guyana, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, along with representatives of the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Friday interacted with various groups and community members for feedback on the programme.

In Guyana, the Spotlight Initiative aims to address the root causes of violence against women and girls with an emphasis on the prevention of family violence which includes sexual and gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, and school-based violence.

As part of the Spotlight Initiative, a series of community engagements are planned across the country. The process has already started and the latest interaction took place during Minister Persaud’s outreach to the Grove/Diamond, East Bank Demerara communities.

The representatives

were able to share key information with residents, all geared towards eradicating violence against women and girls. The team shared some of Guyana’s statistics that show how one in two women would have experienced some level of violence in their lifetime.

Fifty-five per cent of women, on the other hand, experienced such violence at some point in their lives.

Minister Persaud made a presentation, along with UN Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka and representatives of the EU and other officers based at the UN Mission in Guyana.

Persons were not only provided with the relevant information through the exercise but were able to benefit from interactive sessions afterward, thus providing feedback to the team of issues particular to each community. The Spotlight Initiative was signed by the Government, EU, and UN in October 2020 and is a threeyear programme funded by the EU. Guyana is one of six Caribbean countries to

Minister Persaud interacting with residents last Friday

benefit from the initiative.

Minister Persaud had said that the initiative will open doors for a multi-sectoral approach.

“We will investigate every report of sexual and domestic abuse against women and girls and the Childcare and Protection Agency (CC&PA) will be doing everything to end this scourge. I urge the public to not hesitate to report cases of abuse,” she had urged.

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MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$150M tender goes out for Moleson Creek to El Dorado main access road − to be important access road to Orealla quarries

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he Public Works Ministry has sent a number of tenders for roadworks, including a $150 million tender for the long-awaited road from Moleson Creek to El Dorado in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

According to the invitation for bids, contractors are being sought to construct the Moleson Creek to El Dorado Road. As part of the prerequisites, bidders must be in compliance with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and must submit certificates to this effect.

Bids will be opened on July 13, 2021, at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

Another project that the Government opened tenders for is the construction of the Big Biaboo Road in De Hoop, Region Five. This particular project is estimated at $50 million and bidding will follow similar guidelines to the Moleson Creek Road.

Back in April, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill had inspected the alignment of the Moleson Creek to El Dorado thoroughfare. Accompanied by engi-

neers, officials from Region Six’s Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and other stakeholders, Edghill had said that the long-term vision is to have a roadway that will grant citizens easy access to the quarries in Orealla.

“You will be able to exploit and adequately access a lot of the resources that are in Orealla for development, more particularly stone aggregate,” the Minister had explained, adding that the roadway will bring down the cost of building materials and support local businesses.

The first phase of the

Marics Company launches new Honda model, in-house financing − pumps 1M into flood relief efforts undertaken by CDC

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arics and Company Limited, the authorised distributor of Honda vehicles in Guyana, has launched the all-new Honda City 2021 model, together with its in-house financing.

The company’s General Manager, Anand Kalladeen, disclosed that it has been a part of the Guyanese auto market for over five decades.

“We are extremely happy to launch the all-new Honda City, 2021 model. This car is designed with supremacy in mind. You get a sophisticated style with great performance, advanced technology, and safety – all in this new Honda City,” Kalladeen said as he introduced the new vehicle.

According to him, Honda has a remarkable reputation for quality since its vehicles are durable and reliable. “The Honda brand is legendary,” he said, adding that one must choose Honda vehicles because they are fuel-efficient.

He said, “Honda believes in leaving blue skies for future generations so all Honda vehicles have very low emission rate.

And

CDC Deputy Director, Major Loring Benons receiving the cheque from Khemraj Jaikaran

comfort. He explained that it has a wide interior and state-of-the-art technology that will make each ride a pleasant one.

Marics and Company Limited has also launched its in-house financing op-

The Honda City 2021 motor car

most recently, Honda technology has been one of the number one features in the Formula 1 racing events.

Max is sponsored by Honda and other brands.”

This new Honda City 2021 model, he disclosed, is a fusion of technology and

tions for vehicles.

With this option, persons have to make a down payment of at least 25 per cent and have three or five years to repay.

“At Marics, we believe that ‘Your dreams go with you’. We strive to ensure

that all our customers feel that experience whether they purchase any of our quality products or engage in our after-sales service,” Kalladeen noted.

With its tagline being the Home of Honda in Guyana, the General Manager said that Marics takes pride in helping communities and caring for the environment.

“Honda starts with this simple desire: to leave blue skies for our children, to pass on the joy of living life fully on a clean, beautiful planet. At Marics, we offer quality products and exceptional customer service. Honda products are known to be high quality and eco-friendly,” he reiterated.

In addition, the company handed over a cheque worth 1 million to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to assist victims of the countrywide flooding over the past few weeks.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during his visit to Moleson Creek in April

$100 million road to El Dorado will be beyond the vicinity of the prospective Guyana-Suriname bridge.

Additionally, $400 million will be invested for miscellaneous roadworks within the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in the region.

Further, the Rose Hall, Corriverton and New Amsterdam townships will each benefit from $50 million in upgrades of urban roads throughout the year.

Reducing the cost to access stone aggregate is particularly important seeing as the Government has said it is working with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to up production of construction

aggregates to over one million tonnes for 2021.

This is in keeping with the coming national infrastructural developments the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration is advancing, which are aimed at improving the quality of life for all Guyanese.

President Dr Irfaan Ali has committed to the construction of a new Demerara River bridge and the new four-lane road from that bridge to Parika, East Bank Essequibo. Hundreds of communities across the country are expected to see new and improved road networks along with other infrastructural projects.

Through collaboration with the Government of

Suriname, the Government here will also be embarking on the construction of the first-ever bridge across the Corentyne River, connecting the two South American nations.

The Ogle to Haags Bosch road project is also in the cards. A massive housing drive is also underway that targets some 5000 homes, for this year. The Government also intends to allocate some 10,000 house lots by end of this year.

In fact, the Government has said that as many as 20 companies are vying to establish concrete plants, a service that is in demand with the Government’s housing drive and ambitious construction goals.

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MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

D’Urban Street fire

Business owner to receive assistance from Govt in rebuilding F ollowing a devastating fire at D’Urban and George Streets, Georgetown, on Thursday that completely ravaged a home and a business, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn met with the owner after he staged a protest requesting Government’s assistance to rebuild.

Kevin Phillips, the owner of one of the two homes, told Guyana Times that the Minister along with other Ministers in the Government offered to assist him.

The business man said he has been living and running his vulcanising business at the premises for a number of years. He said the shop has been his means of survival, and now that the fire has destroyed everything, he has nothing to rely on.

The fire which started at

our President Dr Irfan Ali to help me restore this business back to its greatness…

I am a self-made business man… and I would like get help … “, Phillips pleaded.

Philips is also calling for justice while noting that not only did the perpetrators take everything from him but they also left him in a lot of debts.

Fire victim and businessman Kevin Phillips

morning, I wake up after my dogs keep barking and I looked through a little vent in my window and I saw three guys leaving. Soon after I heard the neighbour hollering ‘Fire! Fire!’ and so I was confused by the alarming fire. When I open my window, I see a set of fire just blazing out of control… I tried to render assistance by trying to help people that living in the

showing three males leaving the premises shortly before there was an explosion and the fire started.

The businessman also recalled seeing the suspects at the scene of the fire assisting him to get his belongings out of the burning building. According to Phillips, he does not have any grievances with anyone, and is unaware as to why someone would want to

What is left of the building after the massive fire

about 01:45h on Thursday, not only destroyed the man’s home and business place, but has left over a dozen persons, including Venezuelan migrants, homeless.

“In the wee hours in the

house, and it wasn’t possible because the fire wasn’t normal,” he said.

Phillips contended that the fire was arson since not only did he recall seeing persons in the yard but there is also CCTV footage

do this to him.

“Imagine they light the fire at the step so that people can’t come out… I don’t know what kind of substance or chemical they used… I have lost everything, and I am calling on

“I want justice! I want help to restore this business, because justice alone can’t bring back the losses and the pain. Everybody in this building lost everything… one of my suppliers lend me $2 million in credit and more… I didn’t buy my things cash; I can’t afford it. I am also on the verge of buying this place and this is

what happened.”

Phillips, who is a father of three and helps to take care of his siblings, said he is the breadwinner for his family, and they are now trying to make their lives better.

Persons who are interested in helping Phillips are asked to contact him on 669-1896.

Police caught on camera brutalising man will be dealt with condignly – Commander Watts

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hortly after a video surfaced on social media of a Police Officer using excessive force on a man who seemed to be resisting arrest, Police Commander Errol Watts said he will be dealt with “condignly”.

The Commander told sections of the media that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) does not and will not tolerate the excessive use of force.

The recording showed that the policeman who was seen dragging a man into a cell, is attached to the Wales Police Station on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

The incident occurred at around 23:00h on Friday evening.

Guyana Times understands that the man in the video allegedly drove a car into a canal at Wales on Friday evening and while patrolling in the area, he was picked up by ranks and taken to the Wales Police Station.

The man was later asked to take a breathalyser test, but refused and became abu-

The man being dragged by the Police

sive. It was then the officer tried to arrest him.

The video recording further showed that the man was being arrested by an officer but resisted and in retaliation, the officer walked up to the man, chained both of his legs and pulled the chain forward, resulting in the man falling to the ground, hitting his head and back.

The officer then dragged the man into the cell and locked the door. At that time the man’s family was heard screaming and telling the officers that the man hit his head on the ground. He was subsequently released the same night.

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched an investigation into the matter.

Essequibo motorcyclist injured after colliding with car

The car that was involved in the accident

was flung off the motorcycle and landed on the roadway a short distance from where aresh Seurattan, the collision took place.

23, of Abram Zuil, This newspaper underEssequibo Coast, is stands that Seurattan was currently a patient returning home afat Suddie Public ter visiting his unHospital nursing incle at Golden Fleece juries about his body when the speeding following an accicar collided with dent on Saturday him. evening along the His motorcycle Perseverance Public was completely ruRoad, Essequibo ined. The injured Coast. young man was The accident reThe cycle that the now injured man was riding rushed to the Suddie portedly occurred Public Hospital at about 21:15h.

Seurattan sustained inwhere he was treated and Based on reports received, Seurattan was riding his juries to his body after he admitted a patient.

N

Injured: Naresh Seurattan

motorcycle when he reportedly collided with a motor car bearing registration number PSS 7965, owned and driven by a Good Hope, Essequibo Coast resident.

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Media workers benefit from Meadow Bank woman dies in communications training 2-vehicle collision along Brickdam

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M

Participants at the workshop

inister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy on Friday opened the Introduction to Communications training programme for media workers.

He thanked the representatives of both private and State media for making the sacrifice to better their knowledge in media relations.

“We have five other training programmes which are designed for Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for specific areas of com- Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy in discussion with one the participants munications, social media, broadcasting etc,” formation officers, content Research and Writing, the Minister noted. developers, journalists and Interviewing, Production The training targets hin- feature writers operating in and Presentation, terland radio announcers the State media.

Broadcasting, Film, and volunteers, public reParticipants will be Public Relations and lations officers, regional in- trained in the areas of Communication.

Brazilian dredge owner robbed of gold by Venezuelan employees

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hree Venezuelan nationals are on the run after they reportedly robbed a Brazilian miner of a quantity of gold on Saturday.

The robbery was committed on the 50-year-old miner at Guana Sand Backdam in Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) about 09:00h on the day in question.

According to the victim, about three days prior, he employed the three suspects to work on his land dredge. However, on the day in question, while at his camp, the three suspects approached him – one of whom was armed with a cutlass

– and ordered him to wash down his dredge.

Fearful for his life, the miner complied and while in the process of doing so, he managed to escape the men by running into the bush.

He later returned to his

work site and observed that the mat in his sluice box was missing along with the gold.

An alarm was raised and the victim later lodged a report at the Bartica Police Station.

An investigation is underway.

wenty-two-year-old Kizzre Cave of Cane Street Meadow Bank, Greater Georgetown, succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Sunday after she was involved in a motorcycle accident on Saturday evening.

Police said Cave was the rider of the motorcycle bearing registration number CK 9077 at the time of the accident. The identity of the pillion rider was not released to the media.

However, based on reports received, on the day in question at about 21:15h, a motor car that was driven

by Tameshwar Persaud, 30,

of First Street Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD), with registration number PWW 2903, was proceeding along Brickdam while the motorcycle was proceeding north along the western side of Brummel Place.

As both vehicles approached the intersection of Brickdam Public Road and Brummel Place, where there was a traffic light that is not functioning, the vehicles failed to stop and continued proceeding in their respective directions.

As such, the front of the motor car collided with the left side portion of the motorcycle. This resulted in Cave and the pillion rider falling onto the road’s surface where

they both sustained injuries about their bodies.

Cave was reportedly picked up in an unconscious state by an ambulance and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was treated and admitted a patient suffering from broken legs, a fractured left arm and concussion to the head.

She later succumbed to her injuries at about 05:30h on Sunday.

Police said a notice of intended prosecution was served on the driver of the motor car. A breathalyser test was also conducted on him but there were no signs of alcohol in his system.

An investigation is underway.

Woman critical after being stabbed by lover

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26-year-old woman of La Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), is in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital after she was reportedly stabbed to the abdomen by her lover on Sunday.

Based on reports received, on the day in question at about 12:30h, the man visited the woman at her home and shortly after an argument broke out between them.

During the argument, the man reportedly dealt the woman several cuffs and stabs about her body, resulting in the knife being stuck in her abdomen. After committing the act, the man made good his escape.

However, neighbours were alerted and the victim was picked up in an un-

conscious state and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) but due to the severity of the case, she was transferred to the Georgetown Hospital in a critical condition. It is unclear if the knife was removed from her abdomen.

Nevertheless, the matter was subsequently re-

ported to the Police and based on information received, ranks went to the Canal No 1 Polder conservancy area where the suspect’s motor car was found abandoned.

Checks were made for the suspect but he was nowhere to be seen. The Police are continuing their investigations.

16 NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over 50 Haitian migrants allegedly abandoned in Guyanese jungle

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ays after President Ali imposed a “visa” requirement for Haitians entering Guyana, several persons suspected to be Haitian nationals were reportedly seen in the Kurupukari area on Sunday.

Based on information circulating, about 50 men, women and children were reportedly begging for food and water after they emerged from the forest.

When contacted late Sunday evening, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told <<<Guyana Times>>> that he was not in receipt of any information on the issue.

However, it is believed that the people have been abandoned by smugglers and were reportedly staying in the dense forest.

The revocation of the visa-free travel was done after it was discovered that

most the 38,000 Haitians who arrived here since 2015 cannot be accounted for.

It is believed that most of these persons would have left illegally, using the “backtrack” to either Suriname or Brazil – places that demand visas for Haitians to enter. In fact, several busloads of Haitians were intercepted at Lethem, presumably on their way to Brazil last month.

However, the influx of Haitians to Guyana is viewed as a set of desperate poor people trying to better their lives following the collapse of their country’s economy.

Back in 2019, the then PNC Government had insisted that the Haitians weren’t being coerced to qualify as “trafficking in persons” (TIP).

The UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC)

The immigrants who were busted while making their way to Bim Fim earlier this year

says this about “migrant smuggling”: “Smuggling of Migrants is a crime involving the procurement for financial or other material benefit of illegal entry of a

person into a State of which that person is not a national or resident. It undermines the integrity of countries and communities, and costs thousands of people their

lives every year.”

Back in February the Brazilian Federal Police arrested 27 immigrants who entered Bom Fim illegally via Guyana’s borders.

The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) had noted that of those arrested, there were 26 Haitian nationals and one Cuban.

“Some of the Haitians arrived in Lethem and were initially denied entry into Brazil, but it was suspected that they would try to use other routes to cross over, hence the information was passed on to Brazilian counterparts by CANU who then alerted their law enforcement units within the area,” CANU had stated.

Recently, Brazil’s Federal Police and CANU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to share information and conduct joint operations, involving narcotics and other criminal activities.

Guyana’s land borders with Brazil have been closed since March 2020.

No COVID deaths reported, 103 new cases recorded in 24h − as confirmed cases close in on 20,000 GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD

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ome 103 more persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus from 896 tests conducted with a 24-hour period.

According to new statistics provided by the Health Ministry on Sunday, the new cases now take the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana to 19,877.

Of the cases, only 1734 of these are currently active with 15 patients in the COVID-19 ICU and the remaining 1719 persons in isolation, that is, 89 in institutional isolation and the other 1630 in home isolation.

There are also another five persons in institutional quarantine.

The Ministry also reported on Sunday that no fatality from the pandemic was recorded in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 death toll went up to 462 after three more males died.

A 53-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and a 57-year-old from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) both died on June 14, while another Region Six man, aged 79, died on June 22.

Meanwhile, some 17,681 persons have recovered from the life-threatening disease to date – 34 more recoveries than the figure reported the previous day.

So far, 185,372 persons have been tested for the novel coronavirus in Guyana since last year. Of these, 9700 males and 10,177 females were found to be positive.

A breakdown of the 103 new cases recorded on Sunday showed that six were from Region One (Barima-Waini); 10 from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), a whopping 41 cases from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); four from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 14 cases from the East Berbice-Corentyne region; 22 from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and the remaining six cases from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

No new cases were detected in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) in the last 24 hours.

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

Recent data shows that more than 230,000 persons have received their first

dose of the vaccine, repJUNE 27 UPDATE resenting some 47.3 per cent of the adult population. Meanwhile, fulDISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW CASES 103 CONFIRMED CASES ly immunised persons in SINCE MARCH 2020 the country stand at over NUMBER OF PERSONS IN 104,000, that is, approx89 REGION 1 1200 INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION imately 21.5 per cent of persons 18 years and REGION 2 550 NUMBER OF PERSONS IN older.

1630 REGION 3 2258 HOME ISOLATION Persons are encouraged to get immunised REGION 4 9138 since the COVID-19 vacNUMBER OF PERSONS IN 15 cine gives full protection REGION 5 663 COVID-19 ICU against death. In fact, REGION 6 1528 health authorities have NUMBER OF PERSONS IN 5 disclosed that no one INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE REGION 7 1264 who is fully vaccinated with both doses of the REGION 8 379 TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY COVID-19 vaccines have 10,177 GENDER (FEMALES) REGION 9 1490 been hospitalised or died from the virus.

REGION 10 1397 TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY Nevertheless, as 9700 GENDER (MALES) more people continue to get vaccinated, authoriHERE IS HOW YOU CAN BE ties are urging the pubTOTAL CONFIRMED CASES 19,877 SAFE DURING THE COVID-19 lic to continue observing IN GUYANA SINCE 2020 PANDEMIC all COVID-19 preventaWear a face mask. tive measures, particuNUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES 17,681 larly masking in public, Keep a physical distance of at least social distancing and fre6 feet.

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED 230,486 quent hand washing and Wash your hands or use handsanitising. The measures sanitizer FULLY IMMUNISED also include a 22:30h 104,605 If you have any symptoms, call the (10:30 pm) to 04:00h (4 COVID-19 Hotline. am) national curfew that TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS 462 is in effect until June 30, 2021.

GET MEDICAL ADVICE ON COVID-19 FROM MOH 24/7 HOTLINE NUMBERS: 2311166; 226 7480; 624 6674; 624 2819; 624 3067 OR 180/181.

According to the World Health ported globally along with Region of the Americas, that has increased to 71,448,935 Organisation (WHO), as of 3,899,172 deaths. is, Latin America and the while the death toll in Sunday, some 179,686,071 The WHO also report- Caribbean, the number of the region has gone up to confirmed cases were re- ed on Sunday that in the confirmed COVID-19 cases 1,878,358.

FEATURE

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MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Paws for a Cause - Guyana The Hive Mind & Challenging the Norm “Paws” Perspective

Indira Mattai

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octor’s Note: Paws for a Cause Guyana (“Paws”) is a local Animal Welfare Group operating and registered in Guyana as a NonProfit Inc. The Group works to prevent animal cruelty, to promote humane, ethical, and responsible pet ownership, to advocate for controlling the animal population via spay and neuter campaigns, to educate the public, and to assist in cases of reported animal neglect and abuse. The Group’s work extends beyond dog and cats and includes all wildlife in Guyana. Every month, they will contribute a “Paws Perspective” to Pet Corner, detailing their experiences in animal welfare.

When you think about bees, what comes to mind?

Danger, death, Africanized bees? The importance of bees is not always emphasised locally, but they are critical to our ecosystem and critical to our very existence. Bee-related words have even embedded themselves into popular jargon without us even realising it. The Queen Bee in a group of friends is the leader of the pack. Guyana was once a colony - under the rule of the Queen (and Kings at various points). To swarm is to move somewhere in large numbers, “Honey” is a term of endearment meant to evoke how sweet someone is, and to drone on is to be embarrassingly monotonous. We have told many nosy people on multiple occasions “none of your beeswax.” It is not surprising that, yet another term has its origins in bees and apiculture - the “Hive mind.”

The concept of a hive mind is also known by different names, including “collective intelligence”, “group mind”, “group ego”, and “collective thought”.

A hive mind has two general meanings: MerriamWebster defines them as “a colony of social insects (such as bees or ants) regarded as comparable to a single mind controlling the behaviour of an individual organism” as well as “the collective thoughts, ideas, and opinions of a group of people (such as internet users) regarded as function-

ing together as a single mind.”

In the past, hive minds were mostly found in science fiction as a plot device or a way to neatly wrap up a story - cut the mind off from the followers that make up its “body” and you have won the battle! Considering that the first mention of the hive mind was in the 1930s, we perhaps are actually living in science fiction. Our “collective intelligence” has evolved to a point where we now all also have an “electronic hive mind.” We make up part of an online hive where we are susceptible to influences through marketing, manipulation, and basic exposure.

For example, there are some “truths” out there that we accept or agree with without question just because of collective opinion. Was Game of Thrones really that good?

Was Friends really a funny show? If enough people believe something, then does not that make it true? Who are you to be divergent from the functioning single mind?

In some cases, a hive mind can be minimally threatening, positive and can be critical to survival. Bee colonies for example work in tandem in their own roles to produce outputs that benefit all mankind. The collapse of bee colonies globally can potentially lead to society’s collapse within a few years of that. Operating through a hive mind in this case produces a benefit to all.

In other cases, a hive mind is a potentially dangerous thing. Even talking about a hive mind or science fiction can earn you the title of a conspiracy theorist but apply the hive mind ideology to our political history, or to the global treatment of COVID-19 and you have a much more sinister outcome to collective thought. Think about the comments section on any social media post and the online fights that we can get lost in. Think about the articles that we share without stopping to verify the source or the facts.

Has the hive mind made us feel that the threat of COVID-19 is more or less over, even though death

rates are still skyrocketing, the virus is mutating, and the numbers keep increasing in Guyana?

Stepping back for a moment, consider the dynamics of a hive, or in the human case, a community.

Why do you join an organisation or a group or a movement? Maybe you want to make a difference. Maybe you want to meet new people, or network, or develop yourself professionally.

You may join for religious reasons or political reasons. You may just want to be part of a community, or part of something that is bigger than yourself. One thing that many of the groups have in common is having a common goal, interest, or mind-set.

Being part of that organisation means that you are committing to work toward that common goal, or to retain that common mind-set.

At the end of the day, you are part of a group that believes or acts a certain way.

Which brings us to animal welfare.

Being part of the movement to improve animal welfare certainly requires collective thought. Neglect, starvation, and straightup abuse of animals is often normalised in our society. Interestingly enough, bees are classified as livestock and can therefore be subject to cruelty as well.

Friends have admitted that growing up, pelting a dog as you rode through the neighbourhood was a regular thing. It was not unheard of for the kids in the street to congregate and chase the strays as entertainment, but the same folks pointed out now that their children would be absolutely appalled to know about that, and that such acts of cruelty would never even cross the minds of their children.

So, think for a second - why would you keep a monkey in a small cage?

Why are horse carts still used and horses pushed to the point of collapse? The answer is quite possibly frighteningly simple - as a society, a significant portion of people still do not see anything wrong with it because it has always been that way. Passing iguanas with their legs tied up on

the side of the road does not register on the group mind’s radar, nor does clipping the wings of a bird, who is biologically born to fly.

For us, every report of cruelty is both an indication of change and a sharp reminder that we have not changed. It is a hugely positive thing to feel like the culture is changing for the better in Guyana and that animal cruelty registers and incites public outcry, but there is still a long way to go. Hit and runs involving animals are still constant, and disgustingly creative ways of animal cruelty can be found on social media. People comment their outrage on the offending post, and similar to all posts in our content heavy lives, it falls further and further down the newsfeed and then disappears from our sight and minds.

The offenders are not punished, and our animal welfare laws are not strong enough to make a lasting difference.

At Paws, we work to challenge ourselves and to make our organisation better so that we can make a real and lasting difference.

We challenge you to do the same - to step outside of what you think you are and know and consider what else you can do. Consider going beyond commenting on a post and signing up as a member or a volunteer. If you see a stray, do not think that it is only a job for us or the GSPCA or any other welfare group. Care for the animal, help rehome, work to save a life. That is OUR hive mind, our collective goal. The most we can ask you to do is to continuously challenge yourself, to continuously challenge us, and to continuously challenge the welfare norms. Make your contribution buzz-worthy!

If you would like to offer comments, support, or follow our work, find us on Facebook.com/ Pawsforacause.gy, on Instagram @pawsforacause.guyana, subscribe to our YouTube Channel, drop us a line at pawsforacause.20@ gmail.com, or visit our website at https://www. pawsforacausegy.com.

Wherewithal of the domestic financial sector and capital market development

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n last week’s column, it was established that the total assets in the banking sector and non-bank financial institutions stood at $956 billion at the end of 2020, but this does not necessarily mean that this total sum is available to lend. The total assets, in fact, include the current loan portfolio of the financial institutions as well as existing investments in other instruments, both domestically and in international capital markets. Therefore, to understand in simple terms how much money is available in the banking sector to lend, one has to examine the liquid assets of the sector. In this regard, according to the Bank of Guyana’s Annual Report for 2020, total commercial bank liquid assets stood at $162.4 billion, and the average level of liquid assets held in the sector amounted to $283.4 billion, or US$1.3 billion.

Essentially, this is the sum that is available for lending, which represents just about 20% of GDP (2020).

Guyana’s financial market is largely underdeveloped, and is dominated by six commercial banks. This structure necessitates an oligopoly, which does not facilitate healthy competition within the sector in terms of financing cost. The financial services sector is also very traditional, thus lacking innovation and the provision of a wider range of financial services and instruments.

Guyana is on the verge of entering an era of massive growth and expansion, and transformational economic development.

This is largely on account of the emerging petroleum sector. In view of this economic reality, the Private Sector needs to become more proactive, innovation-driven, and buoyant. Among the key elements necessary to facilitate the development of the Private Sector are increased easy access to financing and more competitive and/or lower financing cost.

One must be cognisant of the current state of the local financial sector and the notion that microfinancing institutions and venture capital firms operate differently from commercial banks in terms of their structure. Microfinancing institutions undertake a more hands-on approach to helping their clients manage their businesses, including the extensive field work, and they even have training programmes for their clients.

Moreover, the financing structure of these institutions – that is, the source of their financing - is different from the commercial banks. They are not deposit-taking institutions; their capital is actually shareholders’ funds, accumulated surplus, or donor funds.

As such, there is a need for further development of the local capital and money markets, with more innovative products to meet the demands of the MSME sector.

Arguably, it is imperative that policymakers consider the need to liberalise and/or reform the financial regulations, in order to dismantle some of the burdensome regulatory and administrative costs and/or barriers to accessing financing from the financial institutions. Failure to achieve these objectives may continue to stymie Private Sector development and advancement, and in turn the transformational development of the country as a whole.

Further, it would be of paramount importance that, over the next five years, the financial sector becomes more diversified and efficient as a result of the adoption of reform measures aimed at markets, institutions, instruments and services. The emphasis should be on a well-regulated and properly managed financial system that is facilitative of innovation and growth without compromising stability and soundness.

Key Recommendations

* Reform the financial sector regulation to be a bit more liberal * Promote more innovative financing instruments from financial institutions * Stock market development through regulatory/ legislative reform and the enhancement of the institutional infrastructure in line with international standards * Create an enabling framework to attract new entrants into the market – international banks, for example, which could bring more competition and introduce new and innovative financial services * Establish a Development Fund to focus on large scale lending in the Private Sector.

Finally, with respect to the financial capacity of the domestic financial market, this would necessitate the need for foreign capital inflows, as well as the need for the Private Sector to access capital in the regional and international capital markets to finance Private Sector investments over the medium to long term.

About the Author: JC. Bhagwandin is an Economic and Financial Analyst, and an Adjunct Instructor at Texila American University Business College. The views expressed are exclusively his own, and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper and the institutions he represents. For comments, send to jbbankingadvice@gmail.com.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

Regional

Jamaica, Saudi Arabia to sign document Colombia: 9 dead in separate attacks amid escalating violence of intent to boost air connectivity

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t least nine people, including four Police Officers, have died in three separate attacks across Colombia, which has seen a recent surge in violence and instability in several parts of the country.

Three off-duty Police Officers died in an attack by armed men in the north-eastern town of Pailitias, a Police statement said on Sunday. One of the officers’ pregnant wife was also injured.

In the country’s south, five men were found murdered in San Vicente del Caguan, Mayor Julian Perdomo told the AFP news agency.

A fourth Police Officer also died in “an incursion by an armed group” in a neighbourhood of the city of Cali in the southwest, said Mayor Jorge Ivan Ospina.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible for any of the three attacks, though authorities often blame armed groups – including dissidents who rejected a 2016 peace deal between the Government

The Government of Colombian President Ivan Duque (centre) has offered nearly US$800,000 for any information about an attack on a helicopter Duque was travelling in on Friday near the Venezuelan border [File: Colombia Presidency/Handout via Reuters]

and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebels – for such violence.

The wave of attacks comes after a helicopter transporting President Ivan Duque and other Government officials was shot at near Colombia’s border with Venezuela on Friday.

No one on board was injured, but photos released

by Duque’s office showed the tail and main blade had been hit. The Government has offered a nearly US$800,000

reward for any information about who was responsible.

Earlier this month, car bomb explosions in a military base in the north-eastern city of Cucuta – the same city Duque’s helicopter was flying towards when it was fired upon – also injured 36 people.

Colombian observer group Indepaz says there have been 45 massacres – the killing of three or more people in a single event – so far this year. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

17 more die from COVID-19 in T&T

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eventeen more people have died of COVID-19, the Health Ministry stated in its latest update.

Total deaths now stand at 817, up from 800 on Saturday.

A further 129 people have contracted the virus.

The deaths included seven elderly males, seven elderly females, and two

middle-aged males with comorbidities as well as one elderly male without comorbidities.

Active cases stand at 7508.

Meanwhile, the borders of T&T are set to reopen on July 17. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley was the bearer of that good news on Saturday at the COVID-19 update at the Diplomatic

Centre, St Ann's. Rowley said that the borders would be open to both vaccinated and unvaccinated citizens. The country would also allow entry to vaccinated non-nationals, but unvaccinated non-nationals are not going to be allowed in the country at this time.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Barbados PM calls for new debt repayment system for Caribbean countries

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arbados Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley has called for a debt repayment system for Caribbean countries similar to what was granted to Britain after World War II that allowed that country to have the fiscal space to return to a path of development.

She was speaking during a UWI Vice-Chancellor's Forum at the Distinguished Arthur Lewis Event last Monday, June 21 at The UWI Cave Hill Campus, which also featured Professor Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University.

Lamenting the absence of such provisions in the international financial system, Mottley pointed out that middle-income countries have been set back at least a decade because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on the topic “A Conversation on Sustainable Island Futures”, she pointed out disparities in the global

ourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has announced that Jamaica and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have agreed to sign a document of intent to aid in boosting air connectivity between the Middle East and the Caribbean.

The Minister made the announcement following a series of meetings with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb, who is in Jamaica for the 66th meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Regional Commission for the Americas. The meeting also included several regional Ministers of Tourism

who joined the discussions virtually.

“We talked about air connectivity and how to link the Middle East, the Asian market, and the areas within that side of the world to join us through the mega airlines that are in those areas.

Particularly, the Etihad, the Emirates, and Saudi airlines,” said Bartlett.

“The agreement that we have coming out of that is that Minister Al Khateeb will bring to the table those major partners, while I will be responsible for coordinating with the countries that are cooperating with us in the multi-destination tourism framework, to enable a hub-and-spoke arrange-

ment so that traffic can move from the Middle East and come into our area and have distribution from one country to the next,” he added.

Bartlett further explained that the multi-destination arrangement was critical to the development of tourism in the Region as it was “a new formula within this area to drive connectivity across the globe, but more so to broaden the market to create the critical mass that is needed to attract larger airlines and the big tour operators to become interested in us and have a stronger movement of tourism within our area.” (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Jamaican nurse who's 1st to get COVID vaccine and brother graduate with PhDs together

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efusing to be distracted by her overnight fame in becoming the first person in the United States to take the COVID-19 vaccine, Clarendon-born Jamaican critical care nurse Sandra Lindsay has received her PhD in health sciences at the century-old AT Still University in Arizona.

The event was flavoured even more by the rare sight of her older brother, Garfield Lindsay, a respiratory therapist in Maryland, walking across a makeshift graduation stage moments after Lindsay, also to receive his PhD in health sciences — the two flying the Jamaican flag with unfettered pride.

Sandra and Garfield Lindsay were featured in a recent joint interview on Saint International's head honcho Deiwght Peters' hit celebrity show, Rolling With Deiwght Peters, aired Sundays on Television Jamaica (TVJ).

In earlier interviews with

Attentive brother Garfield Lindsay adjusts sister Sandra Lindsay's graduation hat ahead of their graduation ceremony at the AT Still University, Arizona.

US media, Sandra, who already has a master's degree in nursing, as well as an MBA, said she pursued the doctorate in health sciences, majoring in global health, leadership, and organisational behaviour, in order to focus on solving some of “the bigger, systemic issues that make black and Latino people more susceptible to

chronic health conditions”.

The US Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is ensuring Sandra Lindsay's place in history is cemented by acquiring the empty PfizerBioNtech vial from which she received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine administered in the US. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

UNC: We support Tobago selfgovernance, but bills manipulative Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley in conversation with Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, during a UWI Vice-Chancellor's Forum at the Distinguished Arthur Lewis Event at the UWI Cave Hill Campus on Monday, June 21, 2021 (Photo contributed)

financial system that provided developed countries with significant leeway to access financing at minimal repayment terms compared to that of developing countries, and to make financial decisions that have a global impact without any consultation.

“There has to be something fundamentally immoral about a global community that is prepared to use proxies that are convenient to them and economists and

bureaucrats, but bear no relationship to the quality of life of our citizens which we set out to protect, set out to protect in the charter of the United Nations (UN) being established in 1945, set out to protect when the UN accepted that development is an inalienable right, set out to protect each time we meet and each time we bring these high-sounding declarations,” she said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

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he United National Congress (UNC) says once proper consultations are done with the people of Tobago, it will support the Tobago Self-Government Bill and the Tobago Island Administration Bill 2021, which will be debated in the Lower House today.

The Opposition believes that in its present form, both bills are manipulative.

Members of Parliament (MPs) Rudranath Indarsingh (Couva South), Dinesh Rambally (Chaguanas West) and deputy political leader Jearlean John indicated this at a vir-

tual press conference on Sunday morning.

Government recently laid the draft for the bills and is hoping to get the support of the Opposition to pass both.

The Joint Select Committee which reviewed the draft bills hosted three public consultations – two of which were held in Tobago, on April 30 and May 1.

At the consultations, stakeholders including representatives of the island’s various political parties offered suggestions on how the bills could be improved.

Indarsingh said the party wishes to make it clear

that it supports and has always supported the idea of greater autonomy for Tobago.

“And when we go to Parliament tomorrow and the debate begins, the UNC will continue to be prepared to listen and be prepared to work with the government if the government is prepared to work in the interest of the people of Tobago.”

He added however, that the Prime Minister is both “kissing Tobago and stabbing it in its back” with the proposed bill, which is “his model of self-governance”.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS US refining capacity shrinks 4.5% as pandemic shuts plants

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S refining capacity last year fell 4.5 per cent to 18.13 million barrels per day (bpd) from a record 18.98 million bpd a year earlier, the US Government reported on Friday, reflecting weak demand for motor fuels during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was the first annual decline since 2018, when capacity fell by 18,530 bpd and the largest since 2012, according to Energy Information Administration (EIA) data. That year capacity shrank 414,192 bpd following the Great Recession.

US refiners last year suffered deep financial losses and closed five facilities as the pandemic slashed fuel sales.

Average US gasoline consumption fell 13 per cent last year with gasoline and diesel prices hitting a four-year low, according to Government figures.

Five refineries, with a combined capacity of 801,146 bpd, permanently shut following the 1.3 million-bpd drop in gasoline consumption as businesses closed and consumers stayed home. The closings drove capacity down to a level below 2016's 18.3 million bpd.

John Auers, executive vice president with Turner, Mason & Co, said the drop in capacity was expected.

"The global lockdowns and associated demand destruction led to the shutdown of refineries that were probably going to shut down eventually," Auers said.

The nation’s largest crude oil refiner Marathon Petroleum shut three refineries while energy major Shell and independent refiner HollyFrontier each shut one in 2020.

Marathon converted one refinery to a renewable diesel plant and is converting another to produce renewable diesel.

HollyFrontier also plans to convert its idled refinery into a renewable diesel producer.

The fire-ravaged Philadelphia Energy Systems refinery was sold last year to a developer who plans to demolish it.

In May, the 200,000-bpd Limetree Bay refinery in St Croix, US Virgin Islands, shut under orders from the US Environmental Protection Agency. On Monday, owner Limetree Bay Energy said the plant would not restart. The EIA does not count Limetree Bay in US refining capacity. (Excerpt from Reuters)

More churches burn down on Canada Indigenous land

T

wo more Catholic churches burned down in Indigenous communities in western Canada early on Saturday.

The fires at St Ann's Church and the Chopaka Church began within an hour of each other in British Columbia.

Officers said both buildings were completely destroyed, and they were treating the fires as "suspicious".

Last Monday two other Catholic churches in the province were destroyed in fires,

as Canada marked National Indigenous People's Day. It comes after hundreds of unmarked graves were discovered at sites of former residential schools in Canada.

The Government-funded compulsory schools were run by religious groups in the 19th and 20th centuries with the aim of assimilating Indigenous youth.

Indigenous groups have demanded a nationwide search for more graves.

In May, the Tk'emlups te

I

the communist regime,” the statement said.

The Polish Foreign Ministry, in turn, summoned Israel’s charge d’affaires in Warsaw on Monday, Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski said on Sunday.

Jablonski said Warsaw would like to set the record straight about the legislation.

Tal Ben-Ari Yaalon, the Israeli charge d’affaires, “has been summoned … and we will explain to her in a decisive and factual way what it’s about”, the Polish diplomat told state television TVP. The Israeli embassy in Warsaw tweeted on Thursday that “this immoral law will seriously impact relations between our countries.”

Poland’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday the introduction of time limits would “lead to the elimination of fraud and irregularities, which occurred on a large scale”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

School was also operated by the Roman Catholic Church.

Deaths in Canada's compulsory boarding schools were due in large part to the squalid health conditions inside.

Students were often housed in poorly built, poorly heated, and unsanitary facilities.

Between 1863 and 1998, more than 150,000 indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in these schools throughout Canada.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

North Koreans worry over “emaciated” Kim Jong Un, state media says

E

veryone in North Korea is heartbroken over leader Kim Jong Un's apparent weight loss, said an unidentified resident of Pyongyang quoted on the country's tightly controlled state media, after watching recent video footage of Kim. The rare public comment on Kim's health come after foreign analysts noted in early June that the autocratic leader, who is believed to be 37, appeared

to have lost a noticeable amount of weight.

"Seeing respected general secretary (Kim Jong Un) looking emaciated breaks our people's heart so much," the man said in an interview aired by state broadcaster KRT on Friday.

"Everyone is saying that their tears welled up," he said.

In the clip, which Reuters could not independently verify, Pyongyang residents were seen watching

a big screen on the street showing a concert attended by Kim and party officials after a plenary meeting of their Workers' Party of Korea (WPK).

The broadcast did not provide any details on what had led to the weight loss.

When Kim reappeared in state media in June after not being seen in public for almost a month, analysts at NK News, a Seoul-based

website that monitors North Korea, noted that his watch appeared to be fastened more tightly than before around an apparently slimmer wrist.

Given Kim's tight grip on power in North Korea - and the uncertainty over any plans for a successor - international media, spy agencies, and specialists closely watch his health. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Classified UK Defence COVID-19: Crowds flee Ministry documents Dhaka ahead of strict found at bus stop Bangladesh lockdown

Israel and Poland in diplomatic row over Holocaust property bill srael has summoned Poland’s ambassador to express its “deep disappointment” over a Polish bill that critics say will make it harder for Jews to recover property they lost in World War II, a move that triggered a reciprocal reaction from Warsaw.

Poland’s Lower House of Parliament on Thursday passed a draft bill introducing a statute of limitations on claims for the restitution of property, drawing a furious response from Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who labelled it a “disgrace”.

A statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Sunday said the legislation could affect up to 90 per cent of property restitution requests from Holocaust survivors and their descendants.

“This is not a historical debate about responsibility for the Holocaust but a moral debt of Poland to those who were its citizens and whose property was looted during the Holocaust and under

Secwepemc First Nation announced the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a school in British Columbia.

They found them at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, which was opened under Roman Catholic administration in 1890 and closed in 1978.

And on Thursday, the Cowessess First Nation said it had found 751 unmarked graves at a former residential school in Saskatchewan. The Marieval Indian Residential

The papers included one set of documents that discussed the potential Russian reaction to HMS Defender's travel through Ukrainian waters off the Crimea coast on Wednesday [Yoruk Isik/ Reuters]

The strict lockdown measures come into force today

C

rowds have flocked to Dhaka's ferry terminals for a second day to get out of the city before a strict national lockdown comes into force.

For seven days from Thursday, no one in Bangladesh will be allowed to leave their homes unless in an emergency.

As a result, people are fleeing the busy capital city for their homes in towns and villages.

Covid cases in the country have surged, many linked to the Delta variant first identified in neighbouring India.

The latest wave of the virus in Bangladesh began about six weeks ago. On May 15 there were 261 new cases and 22 deaths reported. On Friday there were 5869 new cases and 108 deaths - the country's second-highest daily death toll of the whole pandemic.

Many hospitals are over-

whelmed with patients and are struggling to cope, particularly those on the border with India.

The lockdown was originally due to begin on Monday, but has now been postponed until Thursday - though officials said some restrictions will still come into force on Monday.

Because of the sharp rise in cases, rail and bus services are already suspended, with an exception for emergency services.

People hoping to leave the city have resorted to hiring private hire vehicles, or even walking, because of the transport closures.

Low-income workers and day labourers will be among the worst hit by the stringent lockdown, BBC South Asia editor Jill McGivering reported. Many of the people fleeing are migrant workers trying to get home. (Excerpt from BBC News)

B

ritain’s Government is investigating how secret Defence documents, outlining the movements of a warship that led to Russia firing warning shots off the Crimean coast, were found at a bus stop in England.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on Sunday that an employee reported lost documents last week and that an investigation had been launched.

“It shouldn’t be able to happen,” Brandon Lewis, Minister for Northern Ireland, told Sky News. “It was properly reported at the time … there’s an internal investigation into that situation.”

A member of the public, who wanted to remain anonymous, contacted the BBC after finding 50 pages of classified information in a soggy heap behind a bus stop in Kent early on Tuesday.

The papers included one set of documents that discussed the potential Russian

reaction to HMS Defender’s travel through Ukrainian waters off the Crimea coast on Wednesday, according to the BBC, while another laid out plans for a possible British military presence in Afghanistan.

The HMS Defender is part of the UK Carrier Strike Group currently heading to the Indo-Pacific region.

However, it was announced earlier this month that it would be temporarily breaking away from the group to carry out its “own set of missions” in the Black Sea. The Type 45 destroyer caused a clash with Russian forces on Wednesday when it travelled through waters south of the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia unofficially annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

Moscow responded by having several aircraft shadowing the ship at varying heights, the lowest being approximately 500 feet (152 metres). (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Put your energy where it counts, and don’t stop until you are happy with the results. Listen to reason and stick to cost-efficient plans.

Physical fitness and a healthy routine will pay off.

Keep your life simple and your plans doable. If you take on too much, you will look bad or give someone the wrong impression. Make a personal change that helps you hone your skills.

Focus on what’s essential and strive to reach your destination. Refuse to let anyone intervene or throw you off track. Avoid procrastinators and those who talk big but accomplish little.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Work to discover the ins and outs of something you want to pursue. Getting the lowdown will help you avoid making an error that can cost you time and money.

Get involved in something interesting.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Consider the best way to move forward. If you jump into something too quickly, you will face frustration. Be intelligent, talk to experts and do things right the first time. Avoid joint ventures.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

You’ll gravitate toward unusual people and situations.

Have an open mind, but don’t buy into someone’s dream. It’s time to put your needs first.

Your happiness depends on doing what’s best for you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Do the work yourself. If you count on others, you’ll be disappointed. Keep up with the times, and you will find a suitable outlet for something you do well. Pitch what you have to offer.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Be open about your plans, and you’ll find out quickly who is on your team. Put together a thorough pitch and explore how to receive funding for your project.

Take matters into your SAGITTARIUS own hands. Speak the truth (Nov. 23and live within your means.

Dec. 21) Too much of anything will lead to problems. Get along with everyone by living up to your promises.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

How you earn your living or handle your money will be important today. Make changes that are conducive to a better lifestyle. A disciplined attitude will pay off.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Stay focused on your responsibilities. Finish what you start, and you’ll gain respect as well as personal satisfaction. You can’t please everyone, so do what’s best for you.

PISCES

Get your facts straight before you share information. A mistake will leave you in an awkward position. Don’t take on unrealistic tasks or make impossible promises. A simple lifestyle is best.

SATURDAY'S WORD - CELERIAC

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Feb. 20March 20)

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

21

Belgium into quarter-finals after beating holders Portugal sess the grit to complement their undoubted quality.

Martinez punched the air and shouted "yes" on the sound of the final whistle while Ronaldo crouched and beat the turf in frustration at Seville's Estadio de La Cartuja.

The Juventus forward's side had perhaps shown their best football of the tournament in the second 45 minutes, amassing 15 of a lofty 23 shots on the night.

Jota fired a snap-shot

Thorgan Hazard's strike swerved away from Rui Patricio and he then raced to celebrate with his brother, Eden

A

moment of class from Thorgan Hazard proved enough to knock out holders Portugal as Belgium continued their pursuit of a first major title by reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.

The Borussia Dortmund winger's swerving drive from 25 yards arrived late in a cagey first half and proved enough for Roberto

Martinez's side to set up a mouth-watering meeting with Italy on Friday.

Portugal – who again only introduced Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes from the bench – will look back on key Diogo Jota chances, a Ruben Dias header that was saved, and a late Raphael Guerreiro drive that struck the post.

Kevin De Bruyne's fitness may dominate headlines in the build-up to the Italy showdown in Munich after he limped off moments after half-time, and Belgium also lost Eden Hazard to a complaint late on.

The world's highest-ranked side may have key holes to fill, but again they have showed they pos-

over, Dias warmed the hands of Belgian keeper Thibaut Courtois with a point-blank header, Guerreiro found the foot of the post, and substitute Joao Felix dragged a late effort wide. Manager Fernando Santos may well be asked where such an industrious 45 minutes had been hiding.

That they failed to find top gear at Euro 2020 despite a talent-packed squad is puzzling and whether Ronaldo – now 36 – graces

another major tournament will now likely become a focus.

He will undoubtedly at some stage go on to move clear of former Iran striker Ali Daei in the all-time men's goalscoring ranks, with the pair both on 109 international goals. His frustration at the final whistle though was tangible as, after the highs of securing a first major honour in 2016, Portugal have flattered to deceive this time around. (BBC Sport)

Verstappen eases to Styrian Grand Prix victory over title rival Hamilton

Tokyo 2020:

Serena Williams

confirms she is not playing in delayed Olympics F

our-time Olympic gold medallist Serena Williams has confirmed she will not play in this summer's delayed Tokyo Games. The 39-year-old American, who made her Games debut at Sydney in 2000, made the announcement in her pre-Wimbledon media conference on Sunday.

"I'm actually not on the Olympic list – not that I'm aware of. If so, then I shouldn't be on it," she said. Williams did not want to elaborate when asked more about the decision.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion had already indicated she did not want to travel to Tokyo because she could not take threeyear-old daughter Olympia with her under Games restrictions.

"There's a lot of reasons that I made my Olympic decision. I don't feel like going into them today. Maybe another day. Sorry," she said.

Williams won gold in the singles and women's doubles at London 2012, with her two other medals coming in the doubles at Sydney 2000 and Beijing 2008. She begins her bid for an eighth Wimbledon singles title and a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title against Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus. (BBC Sport)

Red Bull's Verstappen celebrates with Dr Helmut Marko and Lewis Hamilton

M

ax Verstappen claimed a second win in seven days with victory at the Styrian Grand Prix, enjoying a dominant lights-to-flag performance at the Red Bull Ring over the Mercedes of title rival Lewis Hamilton, as Valtteri Bottas claimed third ahead of Sergio Perez.

Following on from his win in the French Grand Prix, Verstappen led away from pole position at a dry Red Bull Ring, leading every lap of the race to claim his 14th career win, and his third at his team’s Red Bull Ring home track.

The Dutchman duly stretched his lead over Hamilton to 18 points in the drivers’ standings, after the Mercedes driver was unable to offer any serious answer to Verstappen’s pace on race day, although he was at least able to limit the damage after taking the bonus point for fastest lap thanks to a late pit stop.

Having started P5 after his grid drop for spinning in the pit lane on Friday, Bottas was able to claim third, holding off a late charge by the second Red Bull of Perez for the Finn’s first

podium since the Spanish Grand Prix.

Behind, a fine race from McLaren’s Lando Norris saw him follow up his P5 from last year’s Styrian Grand Prix with the same result this weekend, having not been able to lap on the pace of the Red Bulls and Mercedes on Sunday. He was ahead of the Ferrari pair of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, who after a nightmare, point-less French Grand Prix, had a much better race in Austria.

Lance Stroll finished eighth for Aston Martin, while Fernando Alonso and Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top 10. Kimi Raikkonen took 11th, ahead of the Aston Martin of Sebastian Vettel and the McLaren of Daniel Ricciardo – who’d climbed up the order on Lap 1 but fell back to his starting position after losing power briefly – while Esteban Ocon took P14.

P15 was Antonio Giovinazzi, ahead of the Haas of Mick Schumacher, Nicholas Latifi’s Williams and the second Haas of Nikita Mazepin.

One of the early stars of the race, George Russell had been cruelly forced to retire with a power unit issue, having run comfortably in P8 for the majority of the Grand Prix – while Pierre Gasly was out on Lap 1, after contact with Leclerc that damaged his left-rear, and saw him spin the Alfa Romeo of Giovinazzi at Turn 3.

But at the start of a double header of Austrian races, it was Verstappen and Red Bull who fired another shot across Mercedes bows with their fourth consecutive race win.

(F1)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

Puran, Zhang, Ton-Chung among FIDE tournament qualifiers L

ast weekend, the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) held a qualifying tournament for the nation’s juniors to gain places in the World Chess Federation (FIDE) Online Rapid Cadets and Youth World Cup scheduled for August 2021.

The qualifying tournament was affected by the schools' examination cycle as it conflicted with players' preparations for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) examinations. However, more than 40 players were still able to compete for places on the Guyana team.

The GCF was invited to participate in this international tournament which is expected to attract thousands of players from almost every country in the world. Team Guyana will

be contesting in each of the 10 categories: Under-10 Open, Under-10 Girls, Under-12 Open, Under-12 Girls, Under-14 Open, Under-14 Girls, Under-16 Open, Under-16 Girls, Under-18 Open, and Under-18 Girls.

This event will be held online following FIDE's regulations for tournaments of this type.

Guyana will be represented by some of the best chess players in junior chess in recent times. In the Under-16 division, Kishun Puran will play in the highly-competitive category and will gain valuable experience after outmanoeuvring his fellow competitors on the local scene for the last year. Raveon Adonis and Matthew Singh finished second and third in the U-16 division and will be offered spots in this category.

Puran played unbeaten in the qualifying tournament and finished as the tournament’s

Omar Shariff

champion for the U-18 group on 6.5 points, conceding a single draw to Oluwadare Oyeyipo.

A lot is expected from Omar Shariff, champion in the Under-12 division and secondplace finisher Nicholas Zhang.

They are tipped to represent Guyana in the Under-12 and Under-10 Open categories respectively. They have been in constant training for the last nine months and are easily the best at their craft this year.

Shariff has played unbeaten in his division with six wins and one draw. Emmanuel Primus, on winning the U-14 Open category, earned his place on the team.

Angel Rahim emerged as the champion girl in the U-18 Division, Aniyah Couchman for the Under-16 Girls, and Maliha Rajkumar for the Under-14 Girls. They, along with Anaya Lall and Alayna Ally – the winners of the Girls U-12

Italy Ton-Chung

and U-10 categories, have guaranteed positions on Team Guyana.

The U-18 Open saw Oluwadare Oyeyipo finishing first, pushing the seasoned favourite Keron Sandiford to second while Akili Theopil

GTTA boss lays down the law … shares vision of what must be done for proper athlete funding

GTTA President Godfrey Munroe

sors (tax waivers, a taxbased sporting fund, etc). * Implementation of policies that incentivise athletes’ sacrifices and make the sporting journey a rewarding experience from nursery school to national level. * Provision of developmental grants and grants to NSOs to assist in management of sports, hosting of key domestic competitions and attendance at key international games,

sports. * Promote the spirit of volunteerism, as it is the biggest contributor to sporting development across the world. * Human resource development: train more persons in sports management, coordination and training, ensure that persons with right skills sets are elected to national federations. * Create innovative fund-raising activities and concepts.

ment by key stakeholders) are key to ensuring adequate funding of athletes.

Munroe was adamant that this would benefit the upcoming crop of players such as the Jonathan Van Langes and the Kaysan Ninvalles. He noted that a lot more inputs have to be made with this very talented crop of players such as training camps, attendance at key competitions, equipment support, structured training, incentives,

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

able tennis is one of the few sporting disciplines that is played in almost every country around the world based on its popularity. While in Guyana the pandemic has taken its toll, Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) President Godfrey Munroe has shared his vision on what can be done to help fund athletes’ participation in their desired sport.

"The funding element usually comes to the fore when teams have to travel, but it is a much deeper-rooted problem that negatively impacts sports development given the unstructured provision of financing sources which affects and impacts the ability of NSOs [National Sporting Organisations] to roll out and implement critical programmes along the lines of national team training and structure, key coaching programmes in the realm of talent identification development, provision of key equipment facilities – which are key

finished third for the final qualifying spot.

Results of the qualifying tournament: Under-10 Open

1 Nicholas Zhang 2 Aquilani Dorado Swaminadha 3 Julian Mohabir

Under-12 Open

1 Omar Shariff 2 Micaiah Enoe 3 Anaya Lall

Under-14 Open

1 Emmanuel Primus 2 Maliha Rajkumar 3 Italy Ton-Chung

Under-16 Open

1 Kishun Puran 2 Raveon Adonis 3 Matthew Singh

Under-18 Open

1 Oluwadare Clement Oyeyipo 2 Keron Sandiford 3 Akili Theophil

Under-10 Female 1 Alayna Ally

Under-12 Female 1 Anaya Lall

Under-14 Female

1 Maliha Rajkumar 2 Italy Ton-Chung 3 Naila Rahaman

Under-16 Female

1 Aniyah Couchman 2 Adia Alphonso 3 Anasie Jada Fredericks

Under-18 Female 1 Angel Rahim

Jonathan Van Lange and Kaysan Ninvalle, two of Guyana’s talented prospects

pillars for sports development. The opportunity cost of managing limited and unstructured budgets always means that key programmes will have to be foregone, which affects athletes’ dreams," the GTTA boss lamented.

Munroe went on to list ideas he believes would lend to creating solutions to remedy this plight that many local athletes have faced: * Implementation of policies that incentivise spon-

support for elite athletes to maintain training regimen and attend high-yield competitions and training, provision of coaching support. * Greater level of investment in each sporting discipline to help bring them to sustainability. * Get companies to use athletes and sports officials for marketing campaigns at a cost – in alignment with key company values. This is an area that is critical to assisting with funding for

* Reframe NSOs to reflect a more modern dynamic structure with role definitions, marketing departments, developmental mandates (constitutions are archaic).

The GTTA boss reiterated that policy implementation, strategic approaches, united effort within sport disciplines, and more collaboration and synchronisation between marketers and sports officials (creation of forums, endorse-

and support to motivate.

Munroe relayed that it was great to see the players enthusiastic about the game and still training and practising, as, for the most part, all have shown a level of resilience, commitment, dedication and sacrifice which is very noteworthy and commendable.

However, the Association needs to get them focused again with the required inputs to help them realise their true potential.

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23

South Africa squeeze West Indies to level series S

outh Africa earned their first T20 International (T20I) victory under new whiteball Captain Temba Bavuma and successfully defended a score under 170 for just the third time since the 2016 World T20 to level the five-match series against West Indies 1-1.

While Kagiso Rabada took wickets at the start and end of the innings, South Africa had their spinners George Linde and Tabraiz Shamsi to thank for the win.

Between them, Linde and Shamsi bowled eight overs, conceded 35 runs, and took three wickets to take West Indies from 62 for 2 in the ninth over to 70 for 5 in the 11th, in pursuit of 167.

Despite late cameos from Jason Holder and Fabian Allen, the required rate proved too high. Both teams will be concerned with the performances of their middle orders, who failed to build on promising starts. No South African batter outside the top three scored more than 11 while West Indies' num-ber 3-6 batters were all dismissed on single figures.

Positive in the powerplay

With as many as five potential opening batters in their squad, South Africa have several combinations to choose from, but stuck with Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock for the second successive match. After posting just 33 in 3.4 overs on Saturday, the pair came good with 73 in 6.4 overs in this match. They scored

mid-wicket. At the other end, Hendricks plundered 14 off Allen, and hit him back over his head for six be-fore hitting two fours off the next three balls and then being gifted four leg-byes. South Africa have only scored more runs in a powerplay three

...and so does South Africa's middle order

South Africa's top-heavy squad has left them with a soft middle order and that showed after the pow-erplay and particularly in the second half of their innings.

They lost 7 for 97 between the seventh and 20th over,

start Sin-clair had given West Indies. He opened the bowling and finished with 2 for 23 in his four overs, the most economical West Indian return and his own career-best.

Linde and Shamsi bowled six overs in tandem after the powerplay and gave away just 23 runs between. Importantly, they picked up three wickets in that period to put South Africa in a winning posi-tion. After the seventh

appeal for caught behind when the ball has drifted down the leg side to avoid having the umpire call wide, don't we? Well, South Africa did that at the start of the 17th over when Allen missed a pull off Anrich Nortje, which was called wide. For once, it worked: de Kock convinced Bavuma to review but a working Ultra-Edge showed no contact between bat, or glove, and ball – though the wide was reversed, with the ball

flicking the thigh pad.

In the event, the next ball brought a wicket: Allen drove Nortje to Bavuma at extra cover, whose quick pick-up and release back to Nortje allowed him to catch Holder short of his crease coming back for two, all but ending West Indies' chances of a successful chase. Allen hit the expensive Lungi Ngidi for three sixes in the final over, but by then the game was lost. (ESPN cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD SA INNINGS Reeza Hendricks lbw b Sinclair 42 Quinton de Kock † c †Pooran b Sinclair 26 Temba Bavuma (c) b Holder 46 David Miller c Fletcher b McCoy 11 Rassie van der Dussen b Russell 2 Heinrich Klaasen c Lewis b McCoy 10 George Linde lbw b McCoy 3 Kagiso Rabada not out 7 Anrich Nortje not out 0 Extras (b 4, lb 6, w 9) TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.30)

19 166/7

Did not bat: Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi

Kevin Sinclair had a good outing

times – 88 for 0 and 83 for 0 against England in 2016, and 78 for 0 against Zimbabwe in 2010. In the end, it set them up for a match-winning total.

Ultra-Edge fails...

Hendricks was well-set to score the sixth fifty of his T20I career, but two balls after the halfway mark was beaten as he attempted a reverse-sweep off Kevin Sinclair. He was given out on-field and re-viewed after consultation with his cap-

Obed McCoy bagged three wickets

69 runs in the powerplay including seven fours and three sixes and were aggressive against the opening spin pair and the seamers that followed.

De Kock took 14 runs off Holder's opening over, including the first six of the innings as he cleared

with the ball clipping off stump, so Hendricks had to go. South Africa were 96 for 2, with 200 still well within sight.

tain, Bavuma. A cutaway of the players was shown, but Ultra-Edge was not available and the television umpire, Joel Wilson, eventually had to make his call based on the split-screen. There was a clear gap between bat and ball, and ball-tracking upheld the on-field call,

Reza Hendricks (AFP/Getty Images)

adding only 21 for the loss of three wickets in the last four overs.

Left-arm seamer Obed McCoy was the standout performer at the death. After his first over cost 10 runs in the powerplay, h e

and eighth over yielded just eight runs between them, Nicholas Pooran, bat-ting at number four, felt he needed to do something; he tried to hit Linde over long-on, but played for turn when there wasn't any and skied the ball to Miller on the boundary. Pooran has been dismissed in single figures in eight out of his last 10 T20 innings.

In the next over, Kieron Pollard attempted a

slog-sweep off a Shamsi legbreak and found a diving Hendricks at midwicket. Four balls later, Andre Russell did not get hold of a leg-side heave off Linde, who he tried to dispatch over deep George Linde put the brakes midwicket. on in the middle overs Klaasen negoticonceded only 15 runs in ated between staring into his next three and claimed the sun and losing the ball the wickets of David Miller, in the shadows and ended caught at deep midwicket; up taking the catch of the Linde, lbw on review, and match to leave West Indies Heinrich Klaasen, holing 70 for 4. out in the last over. Dwayne Bravo bowled the penultiHow's that? mate over and gave away We all know the old just six runs to build on the trick when the fielding side

Fall of wickets: 1-73 (Quinton de Kock, 6.5 ov), 2-96 (Reeza Hendricks, 10.2 ov), 3-122 (David Miller, 13.1 ov), 4-139 (Rassie van der Dussen, 15.2 ov), 5-149 (Temba Bavuma, 16.5 ov), 6-152 (George Linde, 17.2 ov), 7-165 (Heinrich Klaasen, 19.3 ov) BOWLING Kevin Sinclair Fabian Allen Jason Holder Andre Russell Obed McCoy Dwayne Bravo

O-M-R-W 4-0-23-2 4-0-35-0 3-0-26-1 2-0-18-1 4-0-25-3 3-0-29-0

WEST INDIES INNINGS (TARGET: 167 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Evin Lewis b Nortje 21 Andre Fletcher c Klaasen b Rabada 35 Chris Gayle c Linde b Rabada 8 Nicholas Pooran †c Miller b Linde 9 Kieron Pollard (c) c Hendricks b Shamsi 1 Andre Russell c Klaasen b Linde 5 Jason Holder run out (Bavuma/Nortje) 20 Fabian Allen lbw b Ngidi 34 Dwayne Bravo c Hendricks b Rabada 10 Obed McCoy not out 1 Kevin Sinclair not out 0 Extras (lb 2, nb 1, w 3) 6 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 7.50) 150/9 Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Evin Lewis, 3.2 ov), 2-40 (Chris Gayle, 4.3 ov), 3-62 (Nicholas Pooran, 8.4 ov), 4-65 (Kieron Pollard, 9.5 ov), 5-70 (Andre Russell, 10.3 ov), 6-104 (Andre Fletcher, 15.6 ov), 7-105 (Jason Holder, 16.2 ov), 8-129 (Dwayne Bravo, 17.6 ov), 9-150 (Fabian Allen, 19.5 ov) BOWLING George Linde Lungi Ngidi Kagiso Rabada Anrich Nortje Tabraiz Shamsi

O-M-R-W 4-0-19-2 4-0-49-1 4-0-37-3 4-0-27-1 4-0-16-1

Ralph Seenarine wins Flying Ace Cycling Club race

Chanderpaul Chaitram making the prize presentation to Ralph Seenarine

F

lying Ace Cycling Club senior rider Ralph Seenarine recorded a win in the 25-mile race that was organised for club cyclists only.

Seenarine stopped the clock at 59 minutes, as riders battled for bragging rights, from A Ally and Sons in Corriverton to Number 51 Police Station and returned for the finish at HD Petroleum Gas Station.

Jason Cameron came in second, while one of Guyana's top junior riders, Mario Washington finished third. Veteran Travis Cipriani finished fourth, young Jeremiah Joseph pedalled in fifth and Justin Thom came in sixth.

Seenarine took three of the four sprint prizes on offer while Washington claimed one. A total of 14 Flying Ace starters took to the roadways. Some of the sponsors that supported this race were HD Petroleum; Alex Binda; A Ally and Sons; the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) and Ray Document Center among others.

MONDAY, JUNE 28, 2021

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

Page 23

South Africa squeeze West Indies to level series Ralph Seenarine wins Flying Ace Cycling Club race See story on page 23

Puran, Zhang, Ton-Chung among FIDE tournament qualifiers See story on page 22

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