Guyana Times - Monday, March 21, 2022

Guyana, Suriname formally establish Private Sector Business Council P9

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

Issue No. 4955

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022

PRICE

Guyana's economic diversification efforts to be discussed –atas Pres UAE Ali to give business forum keynote address

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 3

Police allegedly threaten to P15 kill ECD man in front of family – toddler reportedly hurled into wall

P15 Active COVID-19 cases now at 156 after 11 new infections

Marcus Bisram returns to US following CCJ ruling P13

Guyana's parliamentary delegation is currently participating at the 144th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), in Nusa Dua, Indonesia, from March 20–24, 2022. In photo (L-R) are Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs; Opposition Member of Parliament, Dawn Hastings-Williams; Attorney General Anil Nandlall; Public Service Minister Sonia Parag; Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir and Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones

PNCR balks at electoral reform to avert elections conflict, but floats “multi-stakeholder task force” – as Guyana observes int’l day for eliminating racial discrimination today

Page 7

Govt will continue Guyana improving on to buffer effects of Corruption Perceptions rising cost of living Index – TIGI Head – Min Edghill ...says more work needs to be done Page 11

Page 3

Berbice hit and run

Family of female victim found out via Facebook – remains in shock, calls for justice

Man pleads P8 guilty to brutally chopping woman

Page 12

Barber who lost eye in assault still pleads for P11 justice

2

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

3

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Monday, Mar 21 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Tuesday, Mar 22 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, Mar 21 – 06:10h – 07:40h and Tuesday, Mar 22 – 06:45h – 08:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Northerly to North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 06:29h and 18:55h reaching maximum heights of 2.83 metres and 2.74 metres.

Low Tide: 12:27h reaching a minimum height of 0.35 metre.

SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS H

06 08 12

24 25 28

FREE TICKET

22 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

02 15 16 19 21 LUCKY 3

0

4

7

5

Afternoon Draw

9

0

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

03 10 11 12 14 18 20 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022

01 03 05 11 12 13

10 11 13 14 15

2

5 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

7

9 Evening Draw

3X Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$107.93/barrel

+1.20

Rough Rice

$282.47/ton

+0.37

London Sugar

$536.10/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1922.30

$1923.30

Low/High Change

$1917.80 +0.40

$1927.70 +0.02%

Guyana's economic diversification efforts to be discussed at UAE business forum – as Pres Ali to give keynote address

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has departed Guyana for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he will participate in the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF2022) and the Global Business Forum LATAM. According to a statement from the Office of the President, CIF2022 is scheduled for March 22-23, while the Business Forum will be held on March 23-24.

President Ali will be delivering the keynote address at the conference, as the official patron of CIF2022.

CIF2022 is being hosted by the Caribbean Export Development Agency, in association with the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA). It is a high-level event that will present a range of investment opportunities in AgTech, Hotel and Resort Development, Fintech, Logistics and Transportation.

The statement explained that the sessions will include “Doing Business in the Caribbean” and “Caribbean Investment Opportunities”.

Information on investing in strategic sectors in the Caribbean will also be provided by sector experts including a profile of the sector, business opportunities in the sector, incentives, while

specific projects will be highlighted.

“President Ali is expected to discuss Guyana’s efforts to support economic diversification to date, including investments in non-oil sectors such as manufacturing, trade and agriculture. He will also highlight the country's future plans,” the statement said.

“UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy is expected to share lessons from her country's decades of growth, based on the management of oil resources and deliberate efforts to sustain the long-term prosperity of the country through diversification.”

According to the statement, Al Hashimy will also explain the role of Expo 2020 in further diversifying the economy by building economic partnerships and boosting international cooperation with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“President Ali is also expected to take part in the Global Business Forum LATAM, which will be attended by several regional leaders, including President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, HE Jair Bolsonaro and President of the Republic of Colombia, HE Ivan Marquez,” the statement explained.

The event, which was launched in 2016, is being held this year under the Patronage of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

“The forum is expected to explore how the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) can bolster each other’s economies post-pandemic.

President Ali is accompanied by the Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar; GO-Invest CEO, Dr Peter Ramsaroop and Director of Projects in the Office of the President, Marcia Nadir-Sharma.”

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government has made a concerted push to market Guyana as an investment destination. This has included calls for regional and international investors to take up investment opportunities in Guyana, particularly in the non-oil sectors.

At the conclusion of the recent 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom in Belize, it had been announced that a regional agriculture investment conference is scheduled to be hosted by Guyana from May 19 to 21.

The investment confer-

President Dr Irfaan Ali

ence is expected to bring persons from all over the region and facilitate intense discussions between the public and private sectors on the available investment opportunities.

There has also been talks of an “El Dorado corridor” with Suriname and Northern Brazil. The Corentyne River Bridge which will link Suriname and Guyana, will start in 2022.

This linkage is expected to radically enhance trade and investments in Guyana.

Guyana and Northern Brazil are benefiting from the commencement of upgrades to the long-planned road in addition to the deep-water harbour in Berbice, which will open the door to bilateral trade.

Guyana is improving on Corruption Perceptions Index – TIGI Head ...says more work needs to be done

W

hile Guyana scored 39 and was ranked at 87 out of 180 countries that were studied in the Transparency International (TI) index for 2021, Transparency International Guyana Index (TIGI) President Fred Collins has pointed out that Guyana has over the past few years made significant improvements.

During a recent appearance on Globespan, Collins noted that Guyana’s improvement on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has been consistent. At one point, Guyana had a score of 29 and a ranking at 119, back in 2015.

“Our CPI, the transparency corruption perception index, is one indicator of that. It indicates the perception from an international standpoint. And we are low, in terms of performance,” Collins explained.

“While we are low, as our reports try to make out, we have been consistent, over the last four or five reports, on the improve. And we attempted to make that point.

Unfortunately, that point got lost.”

Collins did note, however, that the CPI does not capture or measure all cor-

ruption that takes place.

According to him, there is corruption that also happens at the level of the average citizen. As such, he made the point that more remains to be done.

Earlier this year, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had pointed out that with more lapses from A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change’s (APNU/AFC) time in office being exposed, this could cause the country to slip further on the corruption index.

He had noted that many of the lapses that caused TI to score Guyana the way it did, occurred under the former Government. This is compounded by the work of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which has been exposing wrongdoings under the former Government, with its examination of the Auditor General’s report.

“There are a lot of transgressions and trust me there were egregious transgressions involving serious violations that you wouldn’t find in any PPP era,” Jagdeo said, noting that some of these transgressions which are yet to be exposed in detail include the Sussex Street drug bond scandal

and the billions the former Government spent without parliamentary oversight.

Speaking on the issue of corruption last year, Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira had meanwhile made it clear that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government was intent on building capacity to fight corruption.

During an anti-corruption workshop her Ministry spearheaded with support from the United Nations (UN), she had also spoken of the need for Guyana to make active efforts to strengthen its institutions and honour its treaty obligations. She also called for everyone to be on board in the fight against corruption.

“We need to build institutional capacity in our country, that this becomes part of the fabric of what we do in Government. That the preparation of the reports requires the development of capacity in our institutions.”

“The preparation must be one where the partners and agencies in the country, civil society, begin to see this as an important function they have to play. Instead of making it a political football,” Teixeira had also said.

TIGI Head Fred Collins

In addition, Teixeira had emphasised the importance of Guyana building institutional capacity to eliminate instances of bribery, underhand deals, fraud, and exploitation in the public sector. This is also important for Guyana to be able to punch above its weight at anti-corruption conferences.

“We need as a country, as a small country in terms of population and skill space, to be able to work in an organised, structured manner and to be able to develop the capacity when each of the agencies are involved, as well as the national level.

And that’s what this workshop is about. And we went to the UNODC and asked them, could they assist us,” the Minister had said.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022

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

For dialogue in One Guyana O ne of the intriguing aspects of our political and social conflict in Guyana is the dearth of real communication between the involved parties. Even when they meet, either as individuals or groups, we speak “at” and not “to” each other. What is needed is more dialogue. In the words of one expert, Louise Diamond, from the Institute for MultiTrack Diplomacy, "Dialogue means we sit and talk with each other, especially those with whom we may think we have the greatest differences. However, talking together all too often means debating, discussing with a view to convincing the other, arguing for our point of view, examining pros and cons.

In dialogue, the intention is not to advocate but to inquire; not to argue but to explore; not to convince but to discover."

Now that the distinction has been made, we can see that up to now, we have been debating rather than having a dialogue in the public sphere. Very few have ever been convinced to change their positions, much less their beliefs, through debate; most simply change their tack and introduce new variables in an attempt to “win the argument”. What we witness are contrary interpretations of the data, which may not be even fully understood by the commentators themselves. This has become very clear in the letters that have been flooding the press on the PPP Government’s development plan to utilise the oil funds to strategically diversify the economy.

One gets the feeling that the interlocutors are not really reading to understand what the other has written, but are busy formulating an argument to counter the point raised.

There ensues an easy stereotyping of the other and a refusal to concede on points for fear of possibly appearing “weak” and so letting down “the side”. Dialogue challenges all these hurdles to effective communication that can lead to a possible reconciliation, which we want to emphasise means that we may still have all sorts of differences.

While even in dialogue opponents in deep-rooted conflict are unlikely to agree with each other's views, they can come to understand each other's perspectives. As they listen to one another and relate in new ways, participants learn new perspectives, reflect on their own views, and develop mutual understanding. In dialogue, when one person says something, another person's response expresses a slightly different meaning. This difference in meaning allows parties to see something new, which is relevant both to their own views and those of the other party. The conversation moves back and forth, with the continual emergence of new meaning.

Through inquiry and conversation, parties try to integrate multiple perspectives and unfold shared meaning. This involves uncovering and examining their assumptions and judgments. When people enter into conversations with others, they bring with them basic assumptions about the meaning of life, their country's interest, how society works, and what is most valuable. Most of these basic assumptions come from society and are rooted in culture, race, religion, and economic background. As a result, people coming from different backgrounds have different basic assumptions and values, and these clashing views and perspectives often lead to conflict. This point is most relevant in our plural society even as we strive to realise “One Guyana”.

Most person are not immediately aware of the degree to which their conception of reality is biased and influenced by their personal needs and fears. In dialogue, participants explore the presuppositions, beliefs, and feelings that shape their interactions; they discover how hidden values and intentions control people's behaviour and contribute to communication successes and failures. For example, it begins to become clear why a group avoids certain issues like elections rigging; or why it insists, against all reason, on defending certain positions like not reforming GECOM. Participants can collectively observe how unnoticed cultural differences often clash, without their realizing what is happening. These observations help participants to determine what is blocking effective communication.

Are we ready for real dialogue in One Guyana?

Thanh Nguyen Phuc of Vietnam snapped this 2022 Sony World Photography Award-winning travel shot “Bike with Flowers” after spending a weekend following street vendors who walked or rode their bikes all day

The global economic system is in dire need of an overhaul …its current structures cannot meet the challenges of the 21st century

By Kevin P Gallagher and Richard Kozul-Wright

T

he global multilateral economic system has been stress tested twice this century. The first time was with the 2008 global economic meltdown; the second – with the COVID-19 pandemic.

And the results are not good. While more than six million lives have been lost across the world, a deteriorating climate has continued to exact a further toll on lives and livelihoods, and 100 million people have been pushed back into poverty by the crisis, a new billionaire has emerged every day of the pandemic. The system of global economic governance appears increasingly bewildered and hamstrung by the challenges of the 21st century.

Even if, as we all hope, the global pandemic subsides, there is an emerging threat to global economic health from a premature return to austerity in advanced countries, ostensibly to deal with the unforeseen economic distortions induced by lockdowns [and now the Ukraine-Russian war]. In the Global North, this will not only put an abrupt end to talk of “building back better” domestically – but will also trigger a new wave of economic shocks in countries across the developing world, many of which have been hit harder by this crisis than the preceding global financial crisis.

As the major shareholders of the global economic regime remain antipathetic to the required changes in the rules, norms and policies, and trust in government, at all levels, continues to deteriorate, the world economy today bears an eerie resemblance to the early 1930s, when, in the face of unresolved debt problems, growing inequality and political polarisation, the siren calls of central bankers and economic thinkers helped usher in a global depression that led to a world war.

Only after realising the dramatic costs of depression and war did world leaders come together at the 1944 United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods in the US to build a set of multilateral institutions tasked with delivering economic stability, rising prosperity and lasting peace across the world. The system had critical flaws that should not be ignored, but

it managed to achieve its objectives until mounting distributional struggles in the 1970s encouraged policymakers in the US to salvage the dollar-based international system through a policy mix of flexible exchange rates, deregulated finance and lower taxes that ultimately led to the unstable, unequal world we live in now.

In the wake of this shift, the institutional facade of the international trade and finance system established at Bretton Woods remained in place, but the interior plumbing was ripped out.

In the absence of fixed exchange rates and controls on footloose capital, the International Monetary Fund’s role of advancing “monetary aid” in support of a stable international financial system geared to a “mutual rise in standards of living” was transformed into an enabler of “an open and liberal system of capital movements”. Price movements and the profit motive were thus fully entrusted to deliver the common good, at home and abroad.

While much was promised from this makeover, inequality, indebtedness and insufficient productive investment have become the new normal of a hyper-globalised economic landscape. Worse still, the rules of this game are obstructing public efforts to deal with the common challenges now threatening the peace and stability of our highly interconnected world.

The persistent crises of this century prove that the system is in urgent need of fundamental reform. There is a choice: to learn the lessons of history or to let history repeat itself.

Tinkering with the existing rules cannot provide a way out of the current interregnum. It is time for another Bretton Woods moment, to revive the international economic architecture and prepare it for the challenges of the 21st century.

Steps in this direction have already been taken. The 2030 Agenda forged by the United Nations offers a transformative “plan of action for people, planet and prosperity” for the 21st century analogous to that developed at Bretton Woods in 1944.

A renewed multilateral order must prioritise the role of global public goods that are needed to deliver shared prosperity and a healthy planet, promote cooperation and collective actions to bring fairness and balance to market outcomes, coordinate policy initiatives to mitigate

common risks, and ensure that no nation’s pursuit of these broader goals infringes on the ability of other nations to pursue them.

The G20 should push for a reformed IMF, tasked with reducing speculative financial flows and augmenting capital in support of productive, low-carbon investments, including through the monitoring and elimination of misguided subsidies and the elimination of illicit financial flows. What is more, when crises do occur, the remedy should be expansionary fiscal spending and direct financial transfers to households rather than austerity which further squeezes incomes and causes social unrest.

But for many emerging economies, the pressures from servicing their external debts hinder them from mobilising resources for productive investment; and when disaster strikes, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the commitments outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement could evaporate. A multilateral mechanism for restructuring sovereign debt is integral to meeting the SDGs. Development banks across the world, at the national and global levels, need to help countries mobilise resources for low-carbon high-productivity projects by scaling up their resources in sustainable infrastructure, promoting green industrial strategies and supporting a just transition for workers and communities attached to carbon-intensive and outdated economic activity. The required capital injection for these banks could come from new issuances of Special Drawing Rights, the international reserve asset created by the IMF, and recovered illicit financial flows, including from a clampdown on tax avoidance by transnational corporations and high-wealth individuals.

Trade Ministers should work to introduce complementary reforms at the World Trade Organisation and the myriad treaties to accelerate trade and investment in low-carbon economic activity, to eliminate incentives for trade and investment in sectors that need to be phased out, and to encourage green industrial policies for full employment in decent, well-paid work. And they should do so in full knowledge that developing countries face specific challenges that will need differential support and sufficient policy space. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022

5

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

The Government sets its own agenda, not the PNC Opposition!

Dear Editor, March 2020 has been a watershed year for Guyana in more ways than one, first, it represented a restoration of democracy and secondly, it represents the commencement of a period of progress and development. This has not gone down well with the naysayers in the main PNC Opposition and as such, they have embarked on a programme of obstructionist politics.

Everything and every plan or policy of the Government has become a bother for them, so they proceed with that mindset ever since, looking in at every possibility where they can bring the Government down, but this spiteful venture has and will not succeed.

It has caused them great embarrassment since but they persist.

Now, progress and development are terms we would like to hear because it tells us that our country is on the right path and a successful tomorrow looms ahead as a beacon of hope. This is something we all agree should be embraced; however, the

PNC and their obstructionist policies have been left out in the cold, dumbfounded, and bewildered at the progress and development blazed by a PPP/C Government. So they are now in a frantic rush to see how they can stem the tide.

We are looking at the upward movement in infrastructure, health, and prudent fiscal management of our country.

There is an undeniable truth that progress has been made in all facets of the economy, there has been an upward trajectory never to return to the backwardness of the last 5 years and 5 months of PNC Rule.

Even the seemingly lone area of agriculture - sugar in particular - which they have pronounced dead and buried is also on the upswing. As a consequence, there is a mad rush to make the Government appear in a derogatory light. The assault has begun, in a lastditch effort to gain relevance, the PNC is trying to gain public attention by holding the Government in a parliamentary debate

on the insurance particulars in the event of an oil spill. Now what do they hope to achieve by this motion? Since when has the PNC a conscience as it relates to people development and national issues? Have they suddenly been reformed, if there ever was a possibility of that taking place? These are searching questions to which we seek answers.

What we do know this motion filed by the Opposition will turn out to be nothing more than a useless argument that will not go anywhere. For starters, the Opposition is ill-equipped and ill-informed to debate on any matter pertaining to oil, reasons being, much of what will be said is based on hearsay, something that is not sensible nor is it admissible on a technical matter such as oil. Empirical data would have to be relied on, another area the PNC is totally bereft of. In essence, it would turn out to be an eddying discussion or much ado about nothing.

Their motive is clear, that is, stage as many holdups on Government

policies for as long as they possibly can with these mindless debates. They are prepared to put up roadblocks on all areas of our development wherever the opportunity presents itself.

However, before the shouting match begins, there remains one pertinent question, can the Opposition give us a cogent update as to the whereabouts of our first oil money; I am talking about every last $18 million US Signing bonus of it! We will not rest while our sovereign wealth goes unanswered and unaccounted for.

Finally, we would like the PNC Opposition to know, that it is the Government of Guyana who sets the agenda and not the other way round.

So far, they are doing a fine job, their plans and policies are set and timelines honoured. As a consequence, we the people respect this transparency and to whom we give our unstinted support.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Stabroek Market Clock Dear Editor, I was looking at Police presence around Stabroek Market from the diaspora when my attention was drawn to the market clock.

I noticed different times on the two sides of the clock.

I also saw the same

whilst looking at the Guyana Republic Day celebration at the Parliament Building. I am sure persons like myself must have also seen this. I can remember during my younger days in Guyana I depended on that clock to be

informed of the time. I am sure to this day persons in the vicinity of the market are just the same as I was.

I wonder if the Mayor of Georgetown is doing his job because visiting the market is part of his duty.

If so, he should observe

that the clock is defective and needs repairs. This is an area that is frequented by foreigners who must have made a joke of that landmark.

With regards, Kenneth Singh

Is white sugar still a good option?

Dear Editor, The recent increase in crude has also resulted in stronger sugar prices.

The world market deficit for sugar was recently reduced to just under an estimated 2 MMT and white sugar prices have recently jumped close to 2 per cent.

Plans were being made to pursue this option with

favourable terms in the Caribbean market and an investment in white sugar production capabilities at GuySuCo. The pursuit of this strategic investment appears to still be positive over the long term and the planned timing to bring production online during the early part of 2022 is well-timed.

Looking forward to seeing the ribbon cutting.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

Gas project will reduce GPL’s dependence on heavy oil and the impact of rising prices Dear Editor, The planned gas-to-shore project will perhaps play the biggest role in helping Guyana Power and Light to significantly reduce its import bill for heavy oil which is being used now for the generation of electricity.

Just last week the power company said the hike in oil prices due to the RussiaUkraine war was putting severe pressures on its budget.

GPL said its landed cost for fuel is approximately US$140 per barrel and has quadrupled from 2016 when the fuel price was approximately US$30 per barrel.

GPL currently utilises approximately 3700 barrels of fuel daily for electricity generation to meet the daily demand, at the cost of around GY$111.5 million.

It said its monthly operating expenses have now moved to approximate-

ly GY$4.5 billion against monthly electricity sales of approximately GY$3 billion, making its operations unsustainable.

With the pipeline and gas processing facilities in Wales, this will remove GPL’s dependence on heavy oil while reducing by 50 per cent or more the cost of electricity to Guyanese.

But the benefits go beyond a cheaper light bill.

Gas is cleaner than heavy oil. Using this cleaner fuel to generate power will reduce Guyana’s carbon footprint and put the country on the right path towards renewables.

If there was ever a light at the end of the tunnel to our blackout and high light bill issues in Guyana, the gas-to-shore project is it.

Sincerely, Romel Khan

6

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄ Question 1

By Martin Carter

Friday’s answers

I

n this fun and easy science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate force and motion by tossing water balloons.

Materials:

Water filled balloons Friend

Instructions:

Stand facing your friend a few feet apart and toss the water-filled balloon to your friend.

Once your friend catches the balloon, take one step backwards.

As you get further away from one another, take note of how you have to give with your hands to keep the water balloon from bursting.

Observe what causes the water balloon to eventually burst.

How it works:

When you lift the balloon to toss it, you give it potential energy. This potential energy become kinetic energy once the balloon is tossed. Eventually, the kinetic energy cannot be contained by the balloon and the balloon will pop.

Make this a science project:

Try different sized balloons. Try different temperatures of water in the balloons. (sciencefun.org)

Old Higue in the kitchen peel off her skin mammy took up Old Higue skin and pound it in the mortar with pepper and vinegar, "Cool um water, cool um cool um water cool um" She grab the skin out of the mortar "Cool um water cool um" She danced merengue when the pepper burn up her skindance merengue when the pepper burn up her skin "skin skin you nah know me skin skin you nah know me" She danced merengue when the pepper burn up her skin.

“He who opens a school door, closes a prison” — Victor Hugo

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PNCR balks at electoral reform to avert elections conflict, but floats “multi-stakeholder task force” – as Guyana observes int’l day for eliminating racial discrimination today

T

he People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has floated the idea of a multi-stakeholder task force that would forestall any election-related conflict and controversies, as part of its proposals on the commemoration of international day for eliminating racial discrimination.

In their statement marking the observance of the day, which is observed on March 21, the PNCR noted that a proposal that should be considered to establish a permanent multi-stakeholder task force to prevent any election-related hostility from escalating.

“As the 2020 election showed, our elections remain a hotspot for racial hostility and poor ethnic relations. Irrespective of the political system in use, there will be elections and these have to be managed to minimise any ethnic fallout.”

“One proposal worth considering is the establishment of a permanent multi-stakeholder task force with a mandate to prevent and reduce open election-related hostilities and conflict,” the party further said.

Other proposals from the party included upsizing the Ethnic Relations

Governance Teixeira

Minister

Gail

Commission (ERC) and other commissions through increased funding, the professionalising and the reappointment of commissioners.

While the party has proposed this multi-stakeholder task force in the context of elections, it was recently revealed by Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government’s efforts to attract proposals on electoral reform did not see any participation from the PNCR. Earlier this month, Teixeira had said that after some four months since

the PPP/C Government published its proposed amendments to the Representation of People Act (RoPA), the main political Opposition – the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition – was yet to make any recommendations.

In an effort to prevent the recurrence of those events, Government last November released the proposed changes to RoPA for public consultation before the document is finalised and taken to the National Assembly. But Teixeira disclosed that the responses have not been forthcoming as anticipated.

“We did draft amendments to the Representation of People Act and the regulations; they were posted up for public examination.

Interestingly enough, there hasn’t been a lot of responses. No response from the APNU/AFC. Maybe it’s understandable but I would still think they would respond,” the Governance Minister posited.

According to Teixeira, up to that point, submissions were made by one of the small political parties – A New and United Guyana (ANUG) – as well as a number of non-gov-

PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton

ernmental organisations (NGOs) and several overseas-based Guyanese individuals and bodies. In addition, the Minister said that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) also made some recommendations of their own.

The Government had indicated that it wanted to have the widest possible engagement with stakeholders including the various political parties on the proposed

amendments to RoPA. An overhaul of the country’s electoral laws can see the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) at GECOM facing as much as life imprisonment for committing fraud, while others can similarly face hefty fines and jail time for any related offence.

The draft updated electoral laws also outline a clear process for the request of a recount, including empowering the Chairman of GECOM to grant that request. Under the proposed laws, the CEO must immediately post the District Tabulation Forms on the Commission’s website as soon as he receives them from the Returning Officers.

Other persons involved in the electoral process can face fines as high as $10 million, and can equally be jailed for life if they breach any provision as outlined in the proposed updated Act. Only recently, on March 7, GECOM had commenced Continuous Registration, a necessary process for updating the List of Electors and

paving the way for the holding of the Local Government Elections (LGE), and this will run until May 29, 2022.

GECOM has 28 permanent registration offices located in all of the ten administrative regions that will be engaged in the registration exercises. Over $750 million has been set aside in Budget 2022 for the preparation to be undertaken by GECOM for the hosting of LGE this year.

This money is part of an overall $4.1 billion allocation to GECOM in Budget 2022, and was examined and approved by the National Assembly during its consideration of the 2022 Budget Estimates.

At the last LGE in November 2018, the then PPP/C Opposition had secured 52 of the 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs).

This followed the holding of the LGE in 2016, during which the PPP/C also claimed the majority of the LAAs.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IN THE COURTS

Man pleads guilty to brutally chopping woman

A

forty-two-year-old former cane cutter, Warren Dennis has admitted to brutally chopping a woman, severing her left hand from the wrist. Dennis, formerly of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was indicted for the offence of attempted murder before Demerara High Court Judge Simone MorrisRamlall.

He admitted that on April 23, 2017, in the county of Demerara, he wounded the woman, who was a Police Constable at the time, with intent to commit murder.

Dennis, who has been on remand for the past five years, will be sentenced on March 31 following the presentation of a probation report in his favour and a victim impact statement.

On the day in question, the woman, then 28, was making her way to give her son his school supplies when she was attacked by a cutlass-wielding Warren with whom she shares several children. The incident occurred at Quamina Street, Beterverwagting.

It was reported that he chased her into a near-

Attempted murder convict: Warren Dennis

by trench and chopped her mercilessly, severing her left hand from the wrist. Following the attack, Dennis made good his escape but was later handed over to the Police by his brother.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, a man who had previously served 17 years in prison for killing his wife was handed a 14-year jail sentence for brutally chopping a woman he met shortly after his release from the correctional facility.

Neil Archer, a 49-yearold former cane harvester, formerly of Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was arraigned before Demerara High Court

Judge Simone MorrisRamlall and admitted that on October 19, 2016, in the county of Demerara, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded the woman with intent to murder her.

The court heard that Neil Archer was sentenced to 17 years’ imprisonment on July 25, 2005, for unlawfully killing Shevon Archer, his wife and the mother of his children, whom he stabbed several times to her neck on July 5, 2003.

Reports state that on the day in question, the woman had gone to Archer’s home and accused him of scandalising her name. He had told the court that the woman pulled a knife on him, and he took it away from her and stabbed her to her neck.

He had been indicted for the capital offence of murder but opted to plead to the lesser count of manslaughter. Archer was released from prison on July 9, 2016.

And while armed with a cutlass on the night of October 19, 2016, he attacked this other woman while she was asleep, chopping her to her neck, hand,

W

Attempted murder convict: Neil Archer

back, and other parts of her body. She was saved from Archer’s wrath by her son.

During that altercation, several of the woman’s fingers were severed.

Given the severity of her injuries, the victim has been unable to ply her profession as a cook, since she has been unable to fully use her hands.

Meanwhile, in 1997, Archer was given two seven-year prison sentences for attempted murder and wounding with intent respectively; but since the sentences ran concurrently, he had spent only seven years in jail. He reportedly committed these offences against another woman.

Prosecution closes case in trial of pharmaceutical supplier accused of selling fake HIV testing kits

T

he prosecution has closed its case in the trial of a pharmaceutical supplier who is accused of selling fake Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing kits to the Health Ministry.

On trial before Magistrate Zamilla Ally-Seepaul at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court, 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. 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. The case continues on Friday.

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.

According to news reports out of Kenya news agency k24tv, three businessmen – Erick Mwangi, Jones Olouch, and Robert Njoya – were charged in the Milimani Law Court with selling expired and fake HIV kits to consumers in Kenya and abroad.

The news report also indicated that prosecutors revealed that the trio allegedly stole HIV test kits and exported them to Guyana. According to the report, Mwangi was charged separately with exporting 400 packets of counterfeit 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 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 of Guyana.

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 Trinidadbased Transcontinental Medical Products Limited was the authorised distributor of the testing kits.

In the aftermath of the scandal, the World Health Organisation (WHO) 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

Rising…

On trial: Davendra Rampersaud

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.

…prices ay back in the day, alarm at the rising cost of living was expressed in the folk ditty down on the sugar estates: “Oh Maninja, Oh Maninja.

Price a flour dear a’ shap; Wha’ yuh mean at-all?” The concern on the fate of the ordinary folks was directed to the Estate Manager (Maninja). The cry that “massa day done” after the abolition of slavery had been somewhat premature: the Manager remained the absolute master of all who lived on the estate up to Independence!

Today, prices are skyrocketing again, but the cries are directed at the Government. They’ve replaced “Massa” in the minds of the people as to who can do something about it. The Government responded that bottlenecks in shipping due to COVID 19 was one of the causes of both shortages and the rising prices, since the former invariably leads to the latter. The Government immediately wiped off their duties on shipping charges – expecting the importers wouldn’t raise prices to that extent.

Has anyone been keeping their eyes on whether the importers haven’t pocketed the waived duties and made a further killing?? But for what it’s worth (and that’s plenty!) the prices weren’t affected a whit! Fuel prices have also shot up and the Government have reduced their duties there also – without noticeable effect. As for local foods, their prices have also become inflated following shortages. We all know about the price of plantain, don’t we? The Govt responded by creating farmers’ markets where local fruits and vegetables could in effect be sold to consumers at wholesale prices. Still, no effect overall! The markets were monthly and folks have this unfortunate habit of wanting to eat every day!!

But it’s not only the ordinary citizens who’re crying out – witness the rice farmers (the largest employers in the country) complaining that the prices of their paddy from the millers don’t even cover their costs. The millers retorted that world market prices dropped US$100/ton since this time last year and there’s nothing they can do about it. While the farmers have complained to the Government, they haven’t been very specific as to what they want. In places like the US, there’s a floor price for agricultural commodities like rice. If the price on the market drops below this mark, the Government pays the farmers subsidies.

So what’s to be done? Sadly, farmers have to understand – if not accept – that we’re living in a global economic regime where the market sets prices and most government interventions are prohibited by bodies like the WTO. And consumers? They gotta tell the “Maninja” that salaries must keep apace of the increases!

Where are the unions? Isn’t that why they were formed and collect dues? …apathy to PNC Your Eyewitness had proposed that the leadership crisis in the PNC created a vacuum in the power relations in our society. Oppositions are vital in any democracy. And even more than Nature, power abhors a vacuum!! Also, it isn’t surprising that the PPP is making hay while the PNC imploded like a Death Star after their leadership elections!

They were poised to one-up the PPP by claiming they had a more democratic process of selecting their leaders and then KABOOM!!! The implosion created a Black Hole from which no information emanates!!

So, the PPP’s been focusing on the youths from the PNC’s traditional constituency – while the fringe elements have been frantically trying to replay their narrative from the 1970s. That’s right, from HALF A CENTURY AGO!!! It just ain’t getting no traction though! They want to get a piece of the oil action and its ancillary benefits here and now!!

By the time the leadership crisis is sorted out, “too late!” shall be the cry!! …new war concerns China has firmly rebuffed America’s request for them to intervene with Russia to call off its Ukraine war. They just reiterated Russia’s “concerns” and advised negotiations!

Like Maduro, Xi’s hands have now been strengthened.

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

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

NEWS

9

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana, Suriname formally establish Private Sector Business Council

The Guyana-Suriname Private Sector Business Council held its first meeting on March 16 in Paramaribo Members of newly established Guyana-Suriname Private Sector Business Council and other stakeholders meeting with Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi last week

I

n an effort to deepen trade and bilateral relations, Guyana and Suriname have formally established a 10-member Private Sector Business Council that will be focused on the strengthening of economic ties and initiatives regarding shared interests and the creation of the envisioned Single Market and Economy.

The Guyana-Suriname Private Sector Business Council was set up by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) of Guyana and the Suriname Trade and Industry Association (VSB), having also realised the importance of the involvement of the private sector as the engine for growth and development in both countries.

The intentions of the Business Council were shared with Surinamese President, Chandrikapersad

Santokhi, during a courtesy visit by the newly established Council on March 16, in Paramaribo.

President Santokhi pleaded for the relationship between Suriname and Guyana to be an example for the region.

“We will show the region how it should be done. We don’t sit next to each other as competitors but as partners,” the President said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the PSC, Paul Cheong has described the day as historic.

“The relationship with Suriname is necessary.

There are many synergies that we can achieve,” Cheong noted.

The private sector will find opportunities to collaborate in the various sectors, with the assistance of the Guyanese and Surinamese Governments, which are working on the removal of all

barriers for the realisation of efficient bilateral trade.

“When we come next time, we will not come with a list of issues, but with a detailed strategy,” VSB Chairman Bryan Renten stated.

The first official council meeting was held on March 16, where ambitious but necessary targets were set, and a meeting agenda for the next 12 months was set out.

The next council meeting is slated to be held in May 2022 in Guyana after which bi-monthly meetings will be held.

The business council will have joint leadership with VSB’s Chairman, Bryan Renten, elected Chairman for the first six months, after which the chairmanship will be handed over to PSC’s Paul Cheong for the next six months.

The council consists of 10 members from the private

sector of both countries.

The members from the Surinamese side are Bryan Renten, Derrick Klaverweide, Rishie Parbhudayal and Farsi Khodabux; while the members from the Guyana side are Paul Cheong, Norman Mc Lean, Ryan Alexander, Latoya Jack and Leekha Rambrich.

The establishment of the Guyana-Suriname Private Sector Business Council was paved by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the PSC and VSB several months ago.

The MoU catered for various areas of cooperation including the promotion of trade, industry and investment as a means toward economic growth. It also states that the parties will look at improved competitiveness through innovation and entrepreneurship; skills development to create solutions in education and workforce de-

velopment; information and communications technology development and exchanges; and share research in agriculture with partnerships in forestry development.

Additionally, it provided for the creation of an enabling environment for the rapid and secure movement of goods; advancing their tourism sectors, and financing of large public-private projects form another part of the collaboration.

Meanwhile, an extensive plan was also outlined to enhance the synergies between businesses in the two countries. It also features partnerships for infrastructural development in key sectors such as transportation, education and oil.

An energy transition and climate change agenda is on the radar as well since it is driven by private sector involvement.

Back in 2020, President Dr Irfaan Ali and his Surinamese counterpart had

both underscored the important role of the private sectors in both countries to peddle sustainable development and further strengthening bilateral ties.

According to the Guyanese Head of State, given that the two countries share the same challenges as well as resources including oil and gas, there will be a menu of areas and sectors in which they will collaborate on by sharing knowledge and information, building human resource capacity, among others.

“We can’t compete against each other in terms of different sectors but we can complement each other. So we have to have discussions on what is best on our side, and where we can concentrate our efforts and where Suriname can concentrate their efforts so we have more synergies. The purpose is to have more synergies to complement each other,” he contended.

10 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 2 farmers to provide self-help for road works

H

undreds of Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) farmers are expected to benefit from 15,000 acres of available farming lands following the rehabilitation of several all-weather roads worth over $51 million.

Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oudit said farmers will participate in the project by providing self-help services.

The roads are currently being laid and compacted with crusher run in anticipation of the repairs. Road rehabilitation will help reduce production and machinery maintenance costs

Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oudit

for farmers in the region.

“This is not going to contract, as it will be a long process because we want a quick approach to the works

so that farmers can get access to their products and that is why these works are being given to the farmers themselves,” he said.

Some $20 million will be used for road rehabilitation. The Water Users Association in the region has also injected millions of dollars towards road works.

Meanwhile, the region will provide mini excavators to farmers which will allow them to craft water channels on the dams, the Vice Chairman stated. This will ensure farmers do not suffer losses during drought periods or heavy rainfall that could result in flooding.

Rice fields in Region Two

“We have always tried our best to see how we can intervene and assist them with whatever resources we have but at the same time, I would like to appeal to farmers to give their helping hands to this process be-

cause the region alone will try as much as we can, but we also need the farmers’ assistance too,” he added.

This year, the region received $6.1 billion to carry out its 2022 work programme. Works include the

construction of a health post and landing at Siriki, the reinforced concrete bridge at Onderneeming, and upgrading of roads at David James, Damon, Second Cross, and Playground Streets.

11 Govt will continue to buffer effects of rise in cost of living – Min Edghill NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

R

esidents of Region Two have been assured that Government will continue to implement measures to buffer the effects of the rising cost of living.

This reassurance was given by Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill as he joined citizens in Phagwah celebra-

tions on Friday.

Over the past few weeks, food prices have been steadily rising due to the rapid increase in oil prices on the world market, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, Edghill stated, “I want to give you

Barber who lost eye in assault still pleads for justice

Horace Mc Lennon

A

Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD) man who lost his left eye in an attack believes that his attacker, a 22-year-old man, is getting away with it, despite the fact that he was found not guilty by a court of law.

On June 10, 2021, 24-year-old Horace Mc Lennon was struck to the back of his head and to his back with a chainsaw blade by the brother of a man whom he had accused of physically abusing a nursery school-aged girl.

The force of the blow left his left side pupil protruding and doctors were forced to remove the eye. “I have in a cork eye,” he said as he pleaded for justice during a telephone interview with Guyana Times on Sunday.

He related that at around 20:00h, on the day in question, he was at home when he observed the girl’s stepfather beating her with a “fat wire” because she could not count from one to 10. The man, he said, was in the habit of abusing the child.

Being an individual who does not like to see “advantage tek”, Mc Lennon recounted that he went to the girl’s rescue, lashing her stepfather with a piece of grass.

“Me ain’t give he no hard lash or anything. I just lash he and he walk and go long

he way. I just tried to embarrass he because me ain’t want he do them things.”

However, about 30 minutes later, the man’s brother attacked him with the chainsaw blade. “I was trying to protect a little girl from child abuse and the brother come and lash me in my head with the chainsaw blade,” he stated as he pleaded for justice.

According to him, the man who inflicted the life-changing injuries on him was charged and kept on remand pending a trial.

But at the end of those proceedings, the man, he noted, was found not guilty because of “lack of evidence”.

He has accused the prosecutor of misconduct.

Prior to the incident, Mc Lennon, who has no children, worked as a barber/ tattoo artist. Reflecting on his life now, the young man said, “This incident has affected me really, really bad. I can’t really work and them things now.” He added that the man who attacked him never even offered him any assistance.

In addition, Mc Lennon’s sister expressed sadness at her brother’s current state and is hoping that the relevant authorities can assist him.

“He can’t work because the sun is affecting his other eye.” She recounted that after the incident, the pupil of her brother’s eye “was left running out”.

If he had to go to the little girl’s rescue again, Mc Lennon said with much certainty that he would do it all over again. “If you had seen this lil girl…tears would have come out of your eyes. I deh pon God’s side.

If this thing happen again to people, I feel I might do that again because I don’t like see advantage at all,” he added.

Believing the court system has failed him, he is contemplating his next move.

this assurance that this Government that you have asked to serve you, we understand what is happening and we are not going to leave you alone to suffer. We are determined to take the burdens off your shoulders. So be assured that your Government is working on interventions to put measures in place to ensure that your lives are better.”

The Minister highlighted since taking office in 2020, the Administration immediately removed burdens imposed on Guyanese.

He alluded to the removal of over 200 taxes which includes the removal of Value Added Tax on electricity and water.

He pointed to the increase in old-age pension and public assistance, the distribution of the COVID-19 cash grant

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

to every household, and the reintroduction of the “Because We Care” cash grant.

Reflecting on the 2020 flooding, the Minister alluded to the assistance provided to all affected, particularly the cash grants for affected farmers.

“Your leaders who are serving will do every-

thing with the wisdom of almighty God and everything that is humanly possible to make your lives better. We are working on your interest. The PPP/C Administration and President Ali, every day we are working on your interest. Things might not always seem to be perfect, but our hearts are in the

right place, our intention is good.”

Additionally, President Dr Irfaan Ali has made it clear that there will be no rise in electricity cost and water rates despite the rise in fuel prices.

“We said to both entities, you are not going to increase by a cent. The Government will take up the additional expenditure and fill the gap. That is how a responsible Government operates,” the President stated at the recent commissioning of the Lusignan well. The Head of State also announced, earlier this month, that Government has commenced consultations to determine what measures would be employed to expend the $5 billion that was set aside in the 2022 budget to mitigate the effects of the global rising cost of living.

12 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 21,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice hit and run

Family of female victim found out via Facebook – remains in shock, calls for justice

T

he female victim in the Berbice hitand-run accident on Friday evening has been identified as 28-yearold Felicia Fernandes of Lot 14 Coverden, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

She along with 20-yearold Toney Lakeram, a carpenter of No 71 Squatting Area, Corentyne, were reportedly run over by a speeding car that fled the scene after committing the act.

However, the relatives of Fernandes are shocked and are still to come to reality.

It was reported that at about 23:20h, the vehicle was driving at a fast rate of speed when it collided with Lakeram and Fernandes.

Hours after the accident, the driver of the getaway car was arrested in Kitty, Georgetown. He was subsequently handed over to their counterparts in B Division.

He is currently in custody at Springlands Police Station. Police had also stated that the suspect

Dead: Felicia Fernandes

Dead: Toney Lakeram

was driving a white Suzuki Escudo motor jeep bearing registration number PVV 1015, which was found in a yard in Berbice. It had extensive damage to the front portion.

Nevertheless, family members when contacted related that the mother of one travelled to Berbice to work.

Her mother, Samantha Clarke, told Guyana Times that 10 days before the accident her daughter left her East Bank Demerara home and told her that she would be going to Berbice to work with her sister as a waitress.

She said days later, she was informed that her daughter was one of the victims in the Berbice fatal accident.

“Only yesterday [Saturday] I get to know and we had to go and identify the body…My niece called me and she told me that she heard that my daughter was involved in an accident, and I decided to call her sister and that is when she confirmed it,” she said.

Clarke said after learning of her daughter’s death, she is yet to accept the reality that she is gone.

She said she is disappointed with the driver, that he didn’t stop to render any assistance.

“He should have picked them up and carry them to the hospital… I can’t understand why somebody would want to hit somebody down and not render

any assistance,” she explained.

She said her daughter’s life was snatched away unexpectedly and she is unaware of her next move, especially with the woman’s five-year-old daughter. She is hoping that justice is served soon.

“So far, I do not have a plan for the child but I know it is my granddaughter and she will be living with me,” she said.

Meanwhile, the dead woman’s sister, Amanda Fernandes, said she last saw her sister alive on Friday morning before she left to go out. “…when I come back, I didn’t see her. She didn’t tell me where she was going… It was until the next day I didn’t see her come back I started scrolling through Facebook and I see the accident. I didn’t take it for anything until I decided to zoom in on the picture and that is when I say oh shucks that is my sister,” she explained.

She immediately went to the police station, and it was confirmed that it was her sister who was involved in the fatal accident.

When asked what is the relation between the dead woman and the other victim, Toney Lakeram, the family said there is no relation, and based on their knowledge, the victims were not known to each other.

The family of the woman is pleading for justice to prevail.

13 Marcus Bisram returns to US following CCJ ruling NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Marcus Bisram in his penthouse in Manhattan

B

usinessman Marcus Bisram has returned to the United States (US) days after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) freed him of a murder charge unless the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) can obtain “fresh evidence” linking him to the alleged crime.

The US citizen arrived in the US on Friday evening and was welcomed by friends, business partners and family members. Upon his arrival in New York, he was escorted to Manhattan where he was given a grand welcome.

Pending its ruling, the CCJ had ordered Bisram to lodge his passport with the Supreme Court of Judicature and remain in Guyana, with instructions to report to the Divisional Commander or Deputy Commander of Police B Division.

The very day the court rendered its judgement, Bisram and his legal team held a press conference during which he expressed that justice has been served.

“I feel great; justice has been served. I am very happy that my name is cleared and I

could go back to my normal life,” an elated Bisram said.

Bisram was charged with murder on the basis that he counselled and procured the death of Berbice carpenter and father of two, Faiyaz Narinedatt who was found dead on the Number 70 Village, Corentyne, Berbice roadway back in October 2016.

On two occasions, Magistrate Renita Singh, who conducted a Preliminary Inquiry (PI), found that there was not sufficient evidence to commit Bisram to stand trial for the capital offence, and accordingly, discharged him.

The Magistrate, nevertheless, committed him to stand trial on the direction of the DPP, Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC. Bisram then filed judicial review proceedings, challenging the DPP’s directive.

High Court Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall, having reviewed those proceedings, quashed the decisions of the DPP and the Magistrate.

Justice Morris-Ramlall ruled that the DPP acted unlawfully, as there was not sufficient evidence against Bisram to warrant his committal. The DPP then ap-

pealed Justice MorrisRamlall’s decision to the Court of Appeal of Guyana which set aside the Judge’s decision after finding that the DPP’s directive was lawful. Bisram was granted special leave to appeal the decision of the Appeal Court to the CCJ. At the regional court, Queen’s Counsel Dharshan Ramdhani, on behalf of Bisram, contended that Section 72 of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act – the statute which empowers the DPP to direct a Magistrate – is unconstitutional because it violated Articles 122A and 144 of the Constitution and the separation of powers doctrine.

The Trinidad-based court, in a unanimous decision, upheld the lawyer’s arguments.

Noting that Article 122A entrenches the principle of judicial independence, and Article 144, the right to the protection of the law, the CCJ held that a law which renders a Magistrate's professional decision-making subject to the dictates of another official, “cuts straight through Article 122A and must be declared void.”

According to the CCJ, striking down Section 72 would leave a substantial gap in the criminal procedure, without any certainty as to when that gap will be closed.

As such, the apex court said that until the National Assembly addresses this, Section 72, should be modified to provide that a DPP, who is for good reason disappointed with the decision of a Magistrate to discharge an accused person, may place before a Judge, the depositions and other material that were before the Magistrate

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

on an ex parte application for the discharged accused to be arrested and committed if the Judge is of the view that the material justifies such a course of action.

The CCJ also found that it would be unjust, in all of the circumstances, for Bisram to be made to answer any charge of murder in this case on the same evidence as was presented to the Magistrate.

However, because Bisram, at least in terms of the law, was never placed in jeopardy, the regional court ruled that nothing prevents the DPP from having him re-arrested and charged again if “fresh evidence” was obtained linking him to the alleged murder.

Meanwhile, following the landmark ruling, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, announced that the Government will take steps to amend the law to remove this power from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

During his weekly programme “Issues in the News”, he said, “That provision cannot withstand constitutionality and the CCJ struck it down and basically has indicated to us in Guyana that we will have to go to Parliament to modify or amend that provision that they are suggesting that, that power be transferred from the Director of Public Prosecutions and be resided in a Judge of the High Court.”

Bisram was extradited from the United States to Guyana in 2019 to face the murder charge. There was an extended fight in the US courts to block his extradition. He was eventually charged and remanded to prison for the murder of Narinedatt of Number 72 Village Corentyne, Berbice.

It is alleged that on the day of the killing, Bisram had a party at his home, which Narinedatt and others attended. Media reports are that Narinedatt went to the yard and was followed by Bisram, who reportedly be-

Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC

gan “feeling him up.”

It was reported that Narinedatt slapped and chucked Bisram, who allegedly directed his friends to kill him. According to reports, several men had beaten the carpenter and dumped his body on the Number 70 Village Corentyne, Berbice road.

It was reported that they then drove over his body at Number 70 Village Corentyne, Berbice, to make it appear like a vehicular accident.

Five other men: Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob, are currently awaiting trial at the High Court in Berbice for Narinedatt’s murder.

14 NEWS PM joins in clean-up campaign in Grove/Diamond NDC P MONDAY, MARCH 21,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

rime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips on Sunday called for more communities to keep their environment clean, as he participated in a clean-up exercise organised by the Grove/Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

“Clean communities will lead to a cleaner Guyana for all

of us. We’re talking about One Guyana, but we also have to have a clean Guyana.”

The senior Government official joined councillors, residents, and representatives of the business community to clean along the Diamond access road from the beginning of the scheme to the second bridge.

At the conclusion of the exercise, he congratulated the participants for their commitment and said that environmental clean-up activities will be a constant feature of the Government’s administration.

The PM also called for more youth participation in these activities.

NEWS

15

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Active COVID-19 cases now at 156 after 11 new infections

T

he Ministry of Health reported in its updated COVID-19 dashboard for Sunday that 11 more persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

These latest infections are six males and five females, who were found positive from some 704 tests conducted within a 24-hour period.

With this, the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana has now gone up to 63,194.

Of this, however, only 156 cases are currently active including five patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 151 persons in isolation, that is, 12 persons in institutional isolation and the other 139 in home isolation.

Another 12 persons are also in institutional quarantine.

The Health Ministry did not report any new fatalities on Sunday hence the country’s COVID-19 death toll remains at 1226. The last COVID fatality reported was the death of an 83-yearold female from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), who died on March 15. She was fully vaccinated.

To date, some 61,812 persons have recovered

from the life-threatening disease in the country.

Meanwhile, since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Guyana, a total 559,578 tests have been conducted countrywide and of this, some 29,099 males and 34,095 females were found to be positive.

Of the 11 new cases detected on Sunday, eight were from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), another one from the East Berbice-Corentyne region, and the remaining one case from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) There were no new cases in the other six regions across the country within the reporting 24-hour period.

This declining trend in COVID-19 cases has resulted in the Guyana Government last week removing most restrictions as the country moves to recover from the pandemic and return to normalcy.

But while mandates such as masking in public and social distancing are no longer in place, health authorities are still encouraging persons to get vaccinated, and for those who are qualified to get their booster shots, in order to add a layer of protection against

the virus.

Latest figures show that so far, more than 436,886 or 85.2 per cent of adults have taken a first dose and of that amount, some 334,537 or 65.2 per cent of persons 18 years and over are fully vaccinated.

For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, approximately 34,144 or 46.8 per cent of them have received their first dose, while some 24,780 or 34 per cent of them are fully immunised.

In addition, in excess of 55,722 persons have returned for their booster shots thus far.

According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) recent figures, some 464,809,377 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 6,062,536 deaths.

In the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 149,435,827 while the death toll in the region has gone up to 2,667,880.

As it relates to vaccination against COVID-19, the WHO also reported that a total of 10,925,055,390 doses have been administered worldwide.

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD MARCH 20, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

11

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

12

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

139

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

5

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

12

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,095

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,099

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

63,194

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

61,812

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED

REGION 1

2518

REGION 2

2490

REGION 3

8045

REGION 4

31,243

REGION 5

2378

REGION 6

5733

REGION 7

2422

REGION 8

887

REGION 9

4012

REGION 10

3466

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

435,509 332,602

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1226

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

Wash your hands or use handsanitizer If you have any symptoms, call the COVID-19 Hotline.

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

Police allegedly threaten to kill ECD man in front of family – toddler reportedly thrown into wall

A

Hope Estate, East Coast Demerara (ECD) family is accusing ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) of threatening to kill a man in front of his wife and five children on Saturday last.

It is also alleged that a toddler was thrown into the wall during the Police operation.

While details remain sketchy, in a video that was seen on social media by <<<Guyana Times>>>, the man, Nicholas Bacchus said at around 1:00h on Saturday morning he was asleep in his home when he heard someone knocking at his door.

He said he got up, went to the door, peeped, and came face to face with officers from the Cove and John Police Station. “… when I open de door, them man start telling me about some drugs and run in me house… me wife had on she bare tights and them man run in me house, and start tumble up and so…

I start to explain to them that I get five children in this house.”

“Me big daughter heard the bramming on the door and run under de bed and hide because she start panic,” he said.

The man explained that

after the cops did not find anything in his home, they took him outside in the yard, put him to kneel on a heap of sand, and told him that they were told by someone in Mahaica that he was selling drugs.

“Them man start telling me about the drugs and that they will kill me… me wife deh watching them through the door and them tell me tell me wife go inside and lock up before me shoot up everybody.”

“Me start holler pon me wife cause me nah want me wife and me pickney them get hurt. When me wife lock in the door, them man tell me kneel down, go to he waist, pull out he gun crank it, and put it to me head…”, the man explained.

He said shortly after his neighbours started coming out, and the Police aborted their mission.

“When he [the Police officer] walk away, the other one ask he if he find the evidence and he tell the Police them I know this man.

Them man tell me he gon kill me in front me wife and children.”

The man related that he does not know what the Police are alleging because he does not sell drugs. He said he is of the belief that someone tried to set him up

just because he tried to be a peacemaker a few days ago in a matter.

“I see a man chopping up a next man, and me go and part. The same day the youth man a talk that he old man is de biggest drugs dealer it get in Mahaica… I didn’t go to fight; I just went to save my neighbour…”.

“How me can sell drugs and live in this lil house with five pickney… they even pull out me cutlass, throw it on de ground next to me and tell me kneel down next to it. I don’t know if when them deh kill me they wudda say me draw cutlass pun them that’s why them shoot me, and me wife and children wudda lose,” he further voiced.

He said during the Police raid, his toddler was thrown into the wall even though he asked the cops to be careful because she was lying on the bed.

“Me baby daughter lie down on that bed and me say officer look me baby daughter deh deh, them man snatch the mattress, raise it up, and paste me, baby daughter into the wall. Them say when them come back, them coming back more serious and them coming fo me life.”

Bacchus called on high-

Nicholas Bacchus, the man who Police allegedly brutalised

er authorities to look into the matter since he believes it was Police brutality.

Meanwhile, Guyana Times made several efforts to contact Regional Commander Khali Pareshram to get a com-

ment on this issue, but all calls went unanswered.

Only last week Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said the Government is looking to curb misconduct and harassment by ranks of the

Guyana Police Force – a practice which he said has been resulting in the wasting of State resources.

Minister Nandlall pointed out that while Police officers must be allowed to discharge their statutory functions and duties, this should not be done in a manner that infringes, violates, or tramples upon the rights and freedom of citizens.

According to Nandlall, members of the public are constantly complaining about the Police behaviour.

The Legal Affairs Minister further acknowledged the need to enhance awareness and education of the public as well as the Police Force in relation to Police powers and the rights and freedoms of citizens, which are guaranteed by the Constitution.

16 NEWS

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 1 to get improved maternal, child health services with training of CHWs

Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley

C

ommunity Health Workers (CHWs) in Region One (Barima-Waini) will benefit from a two-year maternal and child health training programme that is geared towards providing quality healthcare services to pregnant women in the region.

According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report, Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley said the Administration is answering the pleas of pregnant mothers who have to go out of the region for the specialised care.

This improved service will also form part of Government’s efforts to achieve zero maternal deaths, in keeping with the

goals set out by the United Nations. It will also improve primary healthcare services in that hinterland region.

“We have heard as a region, the cry of the communities, not only at Santa Rosa, but across Moruca of what our mothers face when they go to Region Two at Suddie or Charity, and so our Government, being a visionary Government, has put sufficient resources in place to have the infrastructure and also the human resource in place to deal with this particular issue,” Ashley explained.

The Regional Chairman said the Administration will soon be churning out more qualified medical staff from several training programmes.

Community Health Workers in Region One

In 2021, the region received its very first training centre at Central Mabaruma for persons interested in becoming CHWs. The facility has two furnished classrooms, one smart classroom, administrative office space, air conditioning, as well as a furnished sitting area.

“We are hoping that training programmes will move on from us training our nurses or what we call registered nurses.

We would also be training midwives right in the region in the forthcoming future. Also, we will be training laboratory technicians, environment health as-

sistants and other career paths in health right here in the region,” Ashley said.

The region’s health sector has seen significant improvement. The Chairman said this was due to the holistic approach and determination to provide equal access to Government services.

Last year, several batches of new CHWs graduated from a 14-week training programme, which is piloted by the Ministry of Health. Apart from their usual duties at health facilities, CHWs, usually work to enhance the communication between community members and healthcare

providers.

At one of the graduation ceremonies in August 2021, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony encouraged the CHWs to continue advancing themselves in the area of health with the educational opportunities being provided by the Government. He had noted that while the training programme has prepared the CHWs as health police and ambassadors in their communities, this is only the start.

“The Government, Ministry of Health has numerous training programmes taking place at the moment, and here are

other opportunities with GOAL to further your studies, and we want everyone to have that opportunity to advance themselves and develop their own communities.

“We have plans to expand the regional health services to treat chronic illnesses and provide mental healthcare services as well, so there are those areas as well.”

Meanwhile, in order to better improve healthcare delivery in the Barima-Waini region, the Mabaruma Regional Hospital is currently being retrofitted under the Smart Hospital Project.

NEWS

17

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Time for “tangible and credible” China on the right side of history over war, Foreign Minister says forest management, says UN chief Ukraine …as Ukraine rejects Russia demand

Amarakaeri Communal Reserve (RCA) is a natural protected area of 402,335.96 hectares managed by 10 harakbuts, yines and machiguengas communities in Madre de Dios, in the Peruvian Amazon (UNDP Peru)

H

ealthy forests are “essential” for people and the planet, the United Nations chief said in his message marking the International Day of Forests, today, March 21.

“They act as natural filters, providing clean air and water, and they are havens of biological diversity…[and] help to regulate our climate by influencing rainfall patterns, cooling urban areas, and absorbing one-third of greenhouse gas emissions,” explained Secretary General António Guterres.

Commemorated annually on March 21, the International Day reminds everyone that the sustain-

able management of forests and their resources, are key to combating climate change, and to contributing to the prosperity and well-being of current and future generations.

Some 1.6 billion people worldwide depend directly on forests for food, shelter, energy, medicines and income.

Forests also play a crucial role in poverty alleviation and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“They provide many communities and Indigenous peoples with livelihoods, medicines, sustenance, and refuge,” said the UN chief.

Even though these price-

less ecological, economic, social and health benefits, global deforestation continues at an alarming rate.

While commitments to halt the wanton destruction of trees have rung out “loud and clear”, and slowing has been registered in some regions, “each year we still degrade and destroy some 10 million hectares of forest”, he said.

“It is essential that the world implements the recent Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use and other instruments designed to protect our forests,” underscored the Secretary General.

He said now was the time for “tangible and credible action on the ground”.

This means ending the unsustainable consumption and production patterns that jeopardise forests and providing support to sustainably manage forests in the countries and peoples who need it.

“On this International Day of Forests, let us recommit to healthy forests for healthier livelihoods,” Secretary General Guterres concluded. (UN News)

Biden Administration rules Myanmar army committed genocide against Rohingya

T

he Biden Administration has formally determined that violence committed against the Rohingya minority by Myanmar's military amounts to genocide and crimes against humanity, US officials told Reuters, a move that advocates say should bolster efforts to hold the junta that now runs Myanmar accountable.

Secretary of State, Antony Blinken will announce the decision today at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, US officials said, which currently features an exhibit on the plight of the Rohingya.

It comes nearly 14 months after he took office and pledged to conduct a new review of the violence.

Myanmar's armed forces launched a military operation in 2017 that forced at least 730,000 of the mainly Muslim Rohingya from their homes and into neighbouring Bangladesh, where they recounted killings, mass rape, and arson. In 2021, Myanmar's military seized power in a coup.

US officials and an outside law firm gathered evidence in an effort to acknowledge quickly the seriousness of the atrocities, but then Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo declined to make a determination.

Blinken ordered his own "legal and factual analysis", the US officials told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The analysis con-

Rohingya refugees sit on wooden benches of a navy vessel on their way to the Bhasan Char island in Noakhali district, Bangladesh, December 29, 2020

cluded the Myanmar army is committing genocide and Washington believes the formal determination will increase international pressure to hold the junta accountable.

"It's going to make it harder for them to commit further abuses," said one senior State Department official.

Officials in Myanmar's Embassy in Washington and a junta spokesperson did not immediately respond to emails requesting comment on Sunday.

Myanmar's military has denied committing genocide against the Rohingya, who are denied citizenship in Myanmar, and said it was conducting an operation against terrorists in 2017.

A United Nations fact-finding mission concluded in 2018 that the military's campaign included "genocidal acts", but Washington

referred at the time to the atrocities as "ethnic cleansing," a term that has no legal definition under international criminal law.

"It's really signalling to the world and especially to victims and survivors within the Rohingya community and more broadly that the United States recognises the gravity of what's happening," a second senior State Department official said of Blinken's announcement.

A genocide determination does not automatically unleash punitive US action.

Since the Cold War, the State Department has formally used the term six times to describe massacres in Bosnia, Rwanda, Iraq and Darfur, the Islamic State's attacks on Yazidis and other minorities, and most recently last year, over China’s treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslims.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

for Mariupol surrender

Chinese Wang Yi

C

Foreign

Minister

hina stands on the right side of history over the Ukraine crisis as time will tell, and its position is in line with the wishes of most countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said.

"China will never accept any external coercion or pressure, and opposes any unfounded accusations and suspicions against China," Wang told reporters on Saturday evening, according to a statement published by his Ministry on Sunday.

Wang's comments came after US President Joe Biden warned his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, on Friday of "consequences" if Beijing gave material support to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

During the video call, Xi told Biden the war in Ukraine must end as soon as possible and called on NATO nations to hold a dialogue with Moscow. He did not, however, assign blame to Russia, according to Beijing's statements about the call.

Wang said the most important message Xi sent was that China has always been a force for maintaining world peace.

Civilians trying to flee Mariupol on March 18

"We have always stood for maintaining peace and opposing war," Wang said, reiterating that China will make independent judgements.

"China's position is objective and fair, and is in line with the wishes of most countries. Time will prove that China's claims are on the right side of history."

Also on Saturday, Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng said that sanctions imposed by Western nations on Russia over Ukraine were increasingly "outrageous".

The United States and its European and Asian allies have imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia for the February 24 invasion of its neighbour, which they call a war of aggression by President Vladimir Putin.

He says he launched a "special operation" to demilitarise and "denazify" Ukraine.

While saying it recognises Ukraine's sovereignty, Beijing has repeatedly said that Russia has legitimate security concerns that should be addressed and urged a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Ukraine rejects demand for surrender

Iryna Ukraine’s

Vereshchuk, deputy Prime

Minister, has rejected a Russian call for Ukrainian forces in the besieged city of Mariupol to lay down their arms, saying “there can be no question of any surrender”.

In comments to Ukrainska Pravda, Vereshchuk said the Russian forces were demanding a surrender before they allow the evacuation of civilians.

She described the demand as “real hostage-taking”.

Russia's Ministry of Defence had called on the embattled city to surrender by 05:00 local time (03:00 GMT) this morning.

According to Russia's State-owned Ria Novosti news agency, the Ministry said that it would open humanitarian corridors to allow residents to leave by 10:00 local time (08:00 GMT) if it received a written response to the proposal.

Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, the head of Russia's National Centre for Defence Management, was quoted by Ria Novosti as saying that local officials would face a "military tribunal" if they don't agree to the surrender terms. (Excerpts from Reuters, Al Jazeera and BBC News)

Convicted Jamaican drug smuggler sentenced to 10 years in Antigua

T

he authorities in Antigua and Barbuda have sentenced a Jamaican man to 10 years in prison on drug-related charges.

The Police report that Everton Pinnock was convicted on three drug-related offences following a drug bust in July 2020 when Pinnock, who was then 55 and another man, Patrick Burrell, 49, were jointly charged with possession of 59.75 pounds of cannabis, drug trafficking, and importation of cannabis.

The controlled substance was found in vacuum-sealed packages hidden inside television boxes which were in a container addressed to Burrell.

Pinnock was reportedly working for and living with Burrell at the time of the offence; however, the charges against Burrell were subsequently dropped owing to a lack of evidence against him.

But Pinnock's matter made it to the High Court where he stood trial before Justice Stanley John.

In his testimony, Pinnock, now 56, claimed that the drugs were sent to him in a barrel by his nephew, but he was not informed until it had been sent.

At some point, he introduced Burrell to his sister who lives in the United States and she began sending items to him.

Pinnock claimed that on one of the occasions his

nephew called him and told him he had sent some weed in a barrel and it was in transit.

His Police statement also indicated that he had spoken to his nephew in an earlier conversation and told him that he knew someone from whom he sourced weed.

The accused's lawyer Wendel Robinson's main argument in closing was that Pinnock did not arrange for the drugs to be sent, but was told about the dispatch after the fact.

The prosecution rebutted saying that the very fact that Pinnock admitted that the drugs belonged to him and were sent to him is enough to convict. (Excerpt from CMC)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022

Regional

Brazil High Court revokes T&T: Active COVID cases drop Telegram suspension after it below 10,000 for 1st time in months blocks disinformation accounts F

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro

B

razil’s Supreme Court revoked on Sunday an order suspending the use of messaging app Telegram in the country after the company complied with court requests to block accounts that allegedly spread disinformation, according to a statement on the court’s website.

On Friday, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de

Moraes ordered the suspension, saying Telegram had repeatedly refused to adhere to judicial orders to freeze accounts spreading fake news or comply with the country’s laws.

Telegram founder Pavel Durov responded by apologising for the company’s “negligence” in replying to court orders.

Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and his supporters have increasingly relied upon Telegram as a form of mass communication as larger tech companies like Meta, which owns messaging app WhatsApp, Alphabet Inc’s Google and Twitter have adhered to Supreme Court orders to drop offending accounts over allegedly spreading disinformation.

Moraes had given a Sunday deadline for Telegram to comply with its orders, including freezing accounts belonging to Allan dos Santos, an activist linked to

Bolsonaro.

In the Supreme Court statement, Moraes said Telegram had shown “full compliance”.

“I revoke the decision of complete suspension of the operation of Telegram in Brazil,” he added.

Telegram has appointed Alan Campos Elias Thomaz as its legal representative in Brazil, the court statement said, fulfilling a key request.

Moraes’ move further stoked debate about freedom of speech in politically-polarised Brazil in the latest chapter in the crusading Justice’s battle with Bolsonaro and his allies.

The Justice has been leading a series of Supreme Court investigations into Bolsonaro and his supporters for disseminating fake news – probes that have enraged many on the right and raised questions about judicial overreach. (Excerpt from Reuters)

or the first time in several months, active COVID-19 cases in Trinidad and Tobago have dropped below the 10,000-person mark, and currently stand at 9887.

In its update for Sunday, March 20, 2022, the Health Ministry also reported that 219 people have tested positive for COVID-19, based on samples taken between March 17 and 19, 2022.

However, the Ministry also reports four new deaths from the disease, with three of the deceased having mul-

tiple comorbidities, and one person having no known comorbidities.

Three of those reported dead from COVID-19 today are elderly males; one deceased person is an elderly female. Among the comorbidities from which they suffered are heart disease, a history of stroke, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.

The Ministry notes that these latest deaths have pushed up the national death toll to 3712 lives lost.

As of Sunday, March 2022, some 135,097 peo-

ple have tested positive for COVID-19 in Trinidad and Tobago since pandemic tracking began in March 2020.

Currently, some 707,418 people in the country are fully vaccinated, having completed either a one-dose or two-doses regimen of a COVID-19 vaccine.

And some 143,027 people have received their booster doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, as of Sunday, the Ministry’s update reports.

(Trinidad Guardian)

British royals dance, make chocolate in Belize as tour brightens

Hydrogen project for Barbados

A

French company is seeking to develop the largest hydrogen power project in the Caribbean here in Barbados.

Aidan Rogers, the Strategic Advisor to Hydrogene de France (HDF), said the solar photovoltaic project would be located at Harrow’s Plantation, St Philip, and they would be combining the solar project with sheep farming.

Rogers said HDF had partnered with Rubis Caribbean Holdings which bought 51 per cent interest in the project, noting they were currently in discussion with the Barbados Sustainable Energy Cooperative Society in terms of offering them 30 per cent interest, in order to satisfy Government’s local participation requirement.

He added that 16,000 households would also bene-

fit from the project which is earmarked at US$270 million.

In relation to concerns from Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society, James Paul, that too much agricultural land was being utilised for solar farming, Rogers said Barbados’ energy policy provided for the amount of land to be used. (Nation News)

More officers to be deployed to monitor developments – Holness

T

he number of officers who monitor and supervise developments will be increased to ensure the process is done in an orderly manner.

This was disclosed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who further advised that various technological solutions will be employed to improve monitoring, inspection and enforcement as it relates to developments.

Holness, who was making his contribution to the 2022/23 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Thursday, March 17, noted that while he is pro-development, it must be done in compliance with correct procedures.

“I believe in orderly development…(but) there is a concerning level of disorder in development in Jamaica. If the transformation of our skyline, business districts and residential communities is to be sustainable and aesthetically pleasing then it cannot be done in a disorderly way,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted

Britain’s Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, laugh as they spend time with the locals during their visit to Hopkins, a small village on the coast which is considered to be cultural centre of the Garifuna community in Belize, amid a tour of the Caribbean, March 20, 2022

B

ritain’s Prince William and his wife Kate danced with Belizean villagers and helped make traditional chocolate on Sunday as the second day of their Caribbean tour passed off smoothly following an awkward start to the weeklong trip.

The arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the Central American country coincides with the celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s 70th year on the throne and comes at a time of growing scrutiny of past British conduct in the Caribbean.

Before the couple had even left Britain, a local protest prompted organisers to change their planned itin-

erary on Sunday in Belize, which was known until 1973 as British Honduras.

Their visit takes place nearly four months after Barbados voted to become a republic, cutting ties with Britain’s monarchy but remaining part of the Britishled Commonwealth of Nations.

An event for the duke and duchess planned for Sunday morning in the southern village of Indian Creek was cancelled after a few dozen residents staged a protest on Friday.

Villagers said they were upset that the couple’s helicopter was given permission to land on a soccer field without prior consultation. Locals

are also in a land dispute with a conservation group backed by the royal family.

On Sunday, a few dozen villagers of Indian Creek staged a counter-protest, apologising for the earlier incident and holding up placards with messages like “I want you back Prince and Princess” and “welcome Duke and Duchess of Cambridge”.

By then, the royal couple were on their new itinerary, which saw them embark on the Che’il Mayan Chocolate tour nearby. William and Kate both ground cacao seeds on the ka’ah, a traditional stone tool used by both Q’eqchi’ and Mopan Mayas.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

New Senate Vice President in Trinidad

N Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness

that there needed to be greater clarity, and tightening of gaps in the legislation governing development, particularly the approval process.

He said there also needed to be greater coordination and collaboration between the various agencies and arms of Government.

In relation to legislation, Holness pointed out that the Town and Country Planning

Act, which was put in place in 1957, needed to be upgraded.

“I have told both the Head of the National Environment and Planning Agency and the other stakeholders that the process of reviewing the act should begin and we need to do it quickly and move through with recommendations for its amendment quickly,” he said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

ew Senate Vice President Muhammad Yunus Ibrahim has only sat in the Upper House for less than a year, but welcomes the Prime Minister’s confidence in him to serve in the position.

In a surprise Cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday, Dr Rowley appointed Ibrahim and made his predecessor Nigel de Freitas Minister in the Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries Ministry with responsibility for Lands.

Born and raised in Port of Spain, Ibrahim has been a member of the People’s National Movement for sev-

eral years and was appointed a Government Senator on June 11, 2021.

He is the nephew of T&T’s first Senate President under the republican Constitution, the late Dr Wahid Ali, who served in the position from 1971-1986.

The Parliament website says Ibrahim made his maiden contribution on October 19, 2021, during debate on the Finance (Supplementation and Variation of Appropriation) (Financial Year 2021) Bill.

While relatively new to the Senate, Ibrahim said he understands the importance of his new duties and will do

his best to serve the country.

In an interview last week, he told Newsday, “Since I’ve been in the Senate it has been a steep learning curve, but it has not been impossible.”

He said he understood the seriousness of his new position, “as it is an adjudicating position for debates and for the managing of the parliamentary processes”.

“It is a very significant role...in the process of democracy to allow balance and to allow fairness for the purpose of debating bills and to bringing matters of importance to the country.” (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil supply shortage fears add to price volatility

R

enewed anxieties about global supply shortages are pushing oil prices higher again, the latest sharp moves in three weeks of extraordinary market volatility since Vladimir Putin ordered Russian tanks into Ukraine. The international oil benchmark Brent crude settled at US$107.93 a barrel on Friday, up more than 9 per cent for the preceding two sessions. The price was well below a US$139 peak reached on March 7, but still about US$10 a barrel more than before the Russian invasion. Calculating the supply effect of punitive sanctions on Russia, the world’s largest exporter of crude and petroleum products, has been complicated by hopes for peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv and the possibility of eased restrictions on the oil exporters Venezuela and Iran. Lockdowns to contain a new surge of COVID-19 in China, the world’s largest petroleum importer, will diminish some consumption.

“Oil price volatility goes hand in hand with wars involving big oil producers,” said Bill Farren-Price, a director at Enverus, an energy consultancy. “Supply risk is one thing, but doubts about demand pull the other way. The next big waymarkers will be Europe’s approach to Russian energy sanctions and the Iran nuclear talks, which could prompt a flood of Iranian oil. It’s a giant oily price see-saw.” Oil prices leapt after the International Energy Agency said on Thursday that Russian crude production could fall by as much as 3 million barrels a day from April, or 3 per cent of the world’s total. The agency, a watchdog for western nations, warned the world could be on the cusp of “the biggest [oil] supply crisis in decades”. But price gains will be limited until traders can quantify the extent of Russian supply losses, said other analysts. Russia’s oil production had actually risen so far in March, said Florian Thaler, chief executive of OilX, which tracks global petroleum flows. Sales of refined products had begun to dip, but crude oil exports remained robust, he said. EU countries and others including China continue to buy Russia’s oil, despite the US ban. Thaler said India, which normally imports about 150,000 b/d of Russian crude, could increase that to more than 500,000 b/d in April. Russian crude exports were now selling at prices well below Brent to attract buyers, said analysts at Morgan Stanley, “and history suggests that when sufficiently discounted, crude tends to find a market”. Any loss of Russian output would squeeze a fragile market in which global oil supplies were already failing to keep pace with surging post-pandemic demand, said analysts. On Thursday, Morgan Stanley raised its Brent price forecast for the third quarter by US$20 a barrel to US$120 a barrel. Goldman Sachs has raised its forecast to US$135 a barrel for the year, but said Brent could reach as high as US$175. Commercial oil stocks in rich countries were rapidly declining as supplies fall short of demand, the IEA said this week. Western countries have also released oil from emergency reserves in a bid to cool oil prices that remain more than twice as high as their long-term historical average. Some analysts have said that a price jump caused by an emerging supply shock could destroy oil demand, eventually driving down prices. The Ukraine crisis alone could “appreciably depress global economic growth”, the IEA said.

It cut its forecast by about a third for how much more crude the world would use in 2022. Thaler at OilX pointed to China, where he said imports and demand from refineries were now trending much lower than in 2021. By contrast, consumption in the US, the world’s biggest petroleum market, has remained close to historic highs above 20 million b/d in recent weeks despite record domestic petrol prices. (Excerpt from Financial Times)

In Mariupol, children bear the brunt of Vladimir Putin's war

I

n his hospital bed, little Artem stares into space.

He clutches a small yellow toy tractor but says nothing as specialist nurses monitor his condition. The Russian shell that blasted shrapnel into his belly also badly wounded his parents and grandparents as they tried to flee Mariupol. A victim of Putin's war and he's not yet three years old.

In the next bed to Artem lies 15-year-old Masha, also from near Mariupol. Her right leg was amputated after it was torn apart by the blast from a Russian shell last Tuesday.

The very worst of Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine and what the relentless Russian bombardment has done to the people trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol,

Masha is among the hundreds of Ukrainian civilians injured in Russian shelling over the past three weeks

can be seen at the Regional Children's Hospital in the nearby city of Zaporizhzhia.

Hundreds of people have been evacuated here. Their physical wounds are obvious and may, to an extent, heal.

The psychological trauma will live with them forever.

At least 6 people dead in Bangladesh ferry accident

A

t least six people have died after a cargo vessel hit a ferry carrying dozens of people along a river outside Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka.

Fire Service official Rozina Akhter said they could not determine how many were on board the ferry.

Local media reported between 30 and 50 people were on the ferry when the collision occurred in Narayanganj, just outside Dhaka, on Sunday.

Rescue workers from the Fire Service and Civil Defence department found the bodies of two children, two women and a man in the water. Another victim died at a hospital.

Police said nearly two dozen people managed to swim ashore after the MV Ruposhi-9 inland cargo carrier ran over the MV Afsaruddin.

Footage aired by local media showed people shouting in alarm and jumping into the waterway as the boat quickly sank.

District administrator Monjurul Hafiz said coast guard personnel and divers were assisting with rescue efforts.

Ferry accidents are common in Bangladesh, with experts blaming poor maintenance, lax safety standards and overcrowding.

According to official records, more than 3600 people died and nearly 500 went missing in more than 550 accidents on waterways in Bangladesh between 1991 and 2020.

In December, nearly 50 people were killed and more than 70 injured when a ferry caught fire in the southern rural town of Jhalokati.

Top of Form Bottom of Form A ferry sank in Dhaka in June 2020 after a collision with another vessel, killing dozens of people.

At least 78 people died in February 2015 when an overcrowded ship collided with a cargo vessel in a river west of the capital. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

6 killed after car drives into crowd in Belgium

A

t least six people have been killed after a car drove into a crowd of carnival-goers in southern Belgium.

The incident happened in the small town of StrépyBracquegnies, about 30 miles (50km) south of the capital Brussels.

The car drove at high-speed into dozens of people who were preparing to take part in a traditional parade on Sunday morning.

Around 40 people were injured and several are in a serious condition, the town's Mayor said.

"There were about 150-200 people who were following the parade and [the] car arrived from behind and drove into the crowd," Jacques Gobert said. "It continued for another 100m (328ft)," he added. "It should be considered a national catastrophe."

The exact circumstances of the attack are being investi-

gated, but Police said a terror attack had been ruled out.

"It is an accident, a tragic one. The car hit the group and tried to carry on but it was quickly stopped by the police," Police spokeswoman Cristina Ianoco told the BBC. "The driver and the other people in the car have been detained," she added. They have not been identified.

Police denied earlier reports in some Belgian media that the crash, which happened at

around 05:00 local time (04:00 GMT), followed a high-speed police chase.

"What was supposed to be a great party turned into a tragedy," she added.

Belgian towns and villages host traditional street carnivals around the period of Lent. The event in StrépyBracquegnies, like many others, features a parade with participants dressed up comical figures. (Excerpt from BBC News)

"I hate Russia," says Dr Borzenko, without a flicker of emotion on his face.

"The girl who lost her leg (Masha) was so traumatised she wouldn't eat or drink for days. She couldn't mentally handle what had happened.

We had to feed her intrave-

nously."

"Another boy," says the doctor, "a six-year-old, with shrapnel in his skull described - without any tears or emotion - watching his mother burn to death in their car after it was hit.

Two days later he said 'dad buy me a new mum, I need someone to walk me to school'."

What is happening in Mariupol is a humanitarian disaster, even - perhaps - a war crime. An estimated 90 per cent of the city's buildings have been damaged or destroyed. After last week's destruction of a theatre where more than 1000 people were sheltering, reports today that an arts school, with 400 people inside, has also been attacked.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Fear of political turmoil as Pakistan PM faces no-confidence vote Pakistan’s Parliament will convene on Friday to take up a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Lower House Speaker’s office said on Sunday, heightening fears of political turmoil in the country.

An alliance of opposition parties filed the motion against Khan earlier this month, saying he had lost his parliamentary majority after more than a dozen defections from his party.

Under the Constitution, the Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament is required to convene the session within 14 days of receiving the motion, a deadline which would fall on Monday.

But a statement from the Speaker’s office said the date

was pushed back several days because of a conference of Islamic countries in the capital Islamabad scheduled for March 23.

Without the coalition partners and the dissidents, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf (PTI) party, which has 155 seats in the Lower House, would fall short of the 172 needed to retain power.

The joint opposition has a strength of nearly 163 but could build a majority if most of the defectors effectively join its ranks via a no-confidence vote.

The opposition accuses Khan of mismanaging the economy and foreign policy.

No Pakistani PM has ever completed a full term.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Millions in China’s northeast placed under COVID-19 lockdown

C

hina has imposed stay-at-home orders on millions more people in the country’s northeast, as it tries to tackle its biggest coronavirus outbreak in two years.

The country has largely kept the virus at bay since it brought to heel its initial outbreak in 2020 using targeted lockdowns, mass testing and travel restrictions.

However, the Omicron strain of COVID-19 has taken hold in multiple cities across China.

Jilin, the second-biggest city in Jilin province, will lock down about 4.5 million inhabitants for three days from tonight, local authorities announced.

More than 4000 new infections were reported across China on Sunday, with two-thirds in Jilin province, which borders Russia and North Korea.

Changchun, Jilin province’s capital, said Saturday it would also tighten re-

strictions for three days.

On Saturday, China reported its first two COVID-19 deaths in more than a year. The deaths, both in Jilin province, bring the country’s coronavirus death toll to 4638 since the start of the pandemic.

Both fatalities occurred in elderly patients and were the result of their underlying conditions, Jiao Yahui, an official with the National Health Commission, told a news briefing on Saturday.

One of them had not been vaccinated for COVID-19, she said.

Since March 11, Changchun’s nine million people have only been allowed out once every two days to buy food.

The new measures mean only medical personnel and other anti-epidemic workers will be authorised to leave their homes. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Keep an open mind, but don't blindly follow orders. Continue to be a pioneer, knowing that you can handle whatever comes your way and turn it into something extraordinary. Challenge yourself.

(March 21-April 19)

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

Mistakes are likely if emotions are running high. Put your energy into taking care of your responsibilities. A clean slate will help you get a clear picture of what's possible. Avoid vulnerability.

Take note of what's happening around you. Don't make decisions based on assumptions. Look inward and consider what you can do to improve your status and physical well-being.

(May 21-June 20) Avoid unnecessary expenditures and impulsive acts. Go with the flow and use your intelligence to get what you want. A partnership will offer more than anticipated.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Ask questions if you feel uncertain or confused. An emotional situation will lead to a wrong decision. Bide your time and put your energy into educational pursuits and personal growth.

(July 23-Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

It's up to you to bring about change if you aren't happy with the way things are going. Don't wait around for someone to outmaneuver you. Follow your intuition and seek out like-minded people.

Safeguard your cash and refuse to make a move based on someone else's actions. A healthy routine will keep you fit and give you the strength and confidence to do the things that bring you joy.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Follow the path that intrigues you, not the one everyone else takes. Don't let old ways hold you back when you want to experience what life has to offer. Work to realize your ideas.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Ask an expert for advice if you need it. A false lead can set you back financially if you don't do research before getting involved in a scheme. Avoid overthe-top individuals.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

LAST PUBLISHED WORD-- PREMIUMS

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Put your money to work for you.

Invest in something that will help you advance. An opportunity to use your skills uniquely will pay off. A change at home or work will tax a meaningful relationship.

Keep your thoughts and intentions to yourself. Don't let a change someone makes alter your plans. Listen attentively, and you will discover valuable information. Avoid risky situations.

Your position is better than you think. Reach out to someone who owes you or has skills you can use to your advantage. Pay attention to investments.

Play your cards close to the vest.

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022

21

Charles Leclerc wins as both Red Bulls retire C

Charles Leclerc

harles Leclerc won a close battle with Red Bull's Max Verstappen before taking a classy victory as Ferrari took a one-two in a dramatic season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Leclerc and Verstappen staged a thrilling wheel-towheel dice after their first pit stops, swapping places five times in two laps before Leclerc moved ahead.

The closing laps were packed with drama, with a safety car period and then reliability problems forcing Verstappen's retirement promoting Carlos Sainz to second.

And then the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez suffered an engine failure at the first corner of the final lap leaving Lewis Hamilton to take the final podium place for

Mercedes.

Hamilton had looked set for fifth place as Mercedes' pace problems became ever clearer during the race but Red Bull's nightmare provided the seven-time champion an unexpected boost.

The irony that Hamilton gained from Red Bull's misfortune in the first race after he lost the world title in the controversial climax to last season will be lost on few.

Leclerc's victory was out of the top drawer and underlined his quality as one of the leading lights of the new generation.

And if Ferrari can stay competitive throughout this long, 23-race season, he will be a serious contender for the championship.

Verstappen should have taken second place, but he suffered as Red Bull's day

imploded in the final three laps. The Dutchman tried his best, fighting vigorously with Leclerc after their first pit stops, but ultimately losing out in the fight, and was looking set for a frustrated second place before his race unravelled.

He had already started to complain about heavy steering, and then a lap into the final sprint after the safety car, he asked what was happening with the battery. He slowed and pulled into the pits with three laps to go.

Sainz moved into second and Perez was left holding off Hamilton for third place.

The Mexican was also suffering problems, but was managing to keep Hamilton just at bay when he spun at the start of the final lap as the engine suddenly stopped and Red Bull went from second and fourth to nothing in a few moments.

Team principal Christian Horner said he did not yet know what had gone wrong, but it "looks like an issue in

PSG suffer heaviest defeat of the season

P

aris St-Germain's dismal Ligue 1 defeat at Monaco was "unacceptable" and a "sporting shame" says Manager Mauricio Pochettino. The runaway league leaders were second best throughout and deservedly fell to their heaviest defeat of the campaign.

The result also brought up a fourth loss in their last six matches in all competitions.

"The way we lost is not acceptable at this level of competition," Pochettino said.

Wissam Ben Yedder scored twice for the hosts, flicking in a near-post cross and converting a late penalty as he moved two goals clear of PSG's Kylian Mbappe as the top goalscorer in Ligue 1 with 17 goals. In between, he created Monaco's second, with Kevin Volland turning his shot past the wrong-footed PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, with Pochettino clearly angered by the manner of his team's collapse.

It also followed their recent exit in the last 16 of the Champions League, letting slip a 2-0 aggregate lead to lose 3-2 at Real Madrid.

"We can't start a game the way we started this one," added Pochettino. "You have to get out of the frustration of elimination in the Champions

the fuel system" for both cars.

Verstappen said: "It looked like there was no fuel coming to the engine and everything just turned off so I just rolled into the pit lane."

After snatching pole position from Verstappen with the very final lap of qualifying, Leclerc held off the Dutchman's charge at the first corner and consolidated his lead through the first stint.

The Monegasque was 3.7 seconds in front by the time Verstappen made his first pit stop, but when Leclerc stopped the next time around, the Red Bull was right on the Ferrari's tail.

The defining period of the race followed.

Verstappen tracked Leclerc for a lap before diving down the inside into the lead into Turn One at the start of lap 17. Leclerc repassed Verstappen around the outside into Turn Four, cutting across Verstappen as he edged ahead, but remained under threat.

Verstappen passed again at Turn One the next time around, and again Leclerc re-took the lead into Turn

League. You have to think about giving the best of yourself.

"We lacked the fighting spirit against a team that wanted to react after being eliminated [from the Europa League].

"It's unacceptable to start the match like that. There is sporting shame. It can't be repeated. We can still lose matches, but what happened shouldn't – and can't happen again because it's serious.

"The spirit and the performance must be collective. We must stop looking for excuses and finding pretexts."

With Lionel Messi absent owing to illness, Mbappe provided PSG's only real threat.

But he had few chances to impress as the players behind him were out-fought and out-

thought by their, seemingly, more motivated opponents.

"We could win 8-0 and nobody would care, they'd just be thinking about the Champions League," Mbappe said. "We need to remain professional, think of our families."

PSG Captain Marquinhos described the defeat as a wake-up call. "If we carry on like that the title will be in danger. We have been warned," he added. "We came here to win and have fun, but that was a catastrophe."

PSG still remain well clear at the top of the table with 65 points from 29 games, 15 points ahead of Rennes, and also Marseille and Nice, who met later on Sunday. Monaco move up to seventh on 44 points. (BBC Sport)

fourth for Mercedes ahead of the revived Haas of Kevin Magnussen and Valtteri Bottas' Alfa Romeo, a strong drive from the Finn after a dreadful start dropped him right down the field from his sixth place on the grid.

The new rules introduced this year with the aim of closing up the field and making overtaking easier have certainly shuffled the pack, with Mercedes and McLaren the biggest losers and Ferrari and Haas gaining most.

But the race did not provide sufficient evidence for a definitive conclusion to be drawn as to whether their prime intentions have succeeded.

Leclerc was quick, composed and clinical, and raced beautifully. He controlled the race with consummate skill and fought off Verstappen with just the right amount of aggression to take a well-deserved first win since 2019

What happens next?

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix next weekend –- last year's maiden race on the fast Jeddah street circuit was dramatic. (BBC Sport)

Venezuela's Rojas sets triple jump world record

V PSG had not been beaten by three goals or more since their 5-1 defeat to Lille in April 2019

Four, this time diving to the inside. Verstappen tried again into Turn One for a third time the next time around, but locked his front tyre, and slid straight on, allowing Leclerc to retake the lead.

From there, the Ferrari driver eked out his advantage again, building a lead of close to five seconds. After that, the Ferrari driver had just that bit too much pace for Verstappen.

Realising they had nothing to lose, Red Bull threw the dice with just over 10 laps to go, fitting soft tyres to Verstappen's and Perez's cars for a final sprint to the flag. Ferrari chose not to follow Verstappen in with Leclerc, but the new dynamic had no time to play out as Pierre Gasly pulled off with his Alpha Tauri in flames and the safety car was deployed.

Leclerc judged the restart beautifully, while Verstappen's attempt to harry Leclerc before he bolted from the last corner backfired and he came under pressure from Sainz.

He held him off, only for his race to unravel.

George Russell took

enezuela's Yulimar Rojas bettered her own women's triple jump world record with a leap of 15.74 metres to win gold at the World Indoor Championships on Sunday.

The Olympic champion beat her previous outright best of 15.67 metres set at the Tokyo Games last year, as well as her indoor record of 15.43 metres, set in 2020.

Rojas jumped over 15 metres four times in the final in Belgrade, landing the record on her sixth and final attempt.

Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk of Ukraine won silver with 14.74 metres, a personal best. The bronze went to Jamaica's Kimberly Williams with 14.62 metres.

Rojas, 26, has been a dominant force in the discipline since the 2016 Olympics, where she won silver, before winning the outdoor world title a year later and repeating the

feat in Doha in 2019. On Sunday, she won her third straight world indoor triple jump gold, adding to successes in Portland in 2016 and Birmingham in

2018.

Rojas said last year she had set her sights on going beyond 16 metres.

(Reuters)

22

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

West Berbice Cricket Clubs benefit from Faizal Jafferally MP Trust Fund

"Y

– Jafferally hails cricket development in the county as unmatched

ou are a true friend of Berbice cricket and I am very proud to work along with you to improve the level of the game in the county, especially in the West Berbice area. You are an inspiration to us in the BCB and I look forward to working with you in the future to make sure that all our players are given the equal opportunity to develop themselves. West Berbice cricket is on the move and you are one of the main reasons for this."

Those were the words of BCB President Hilbert Foster as he addressed a simple ceremony at the Cotton Tree Ground to launch the first edition of the Faizal Jafferally MP Trust Fund.

The fund is sponsored

by Jafferally, a People’s Progressive Party Member of Parliament, and targets the development of clubs in the West Berbice area.

Foster stated that he had approached the proactive MP foe assistance in getting the fund set up and had received a positive reply in less than 12 hours.

He stated that one of the main objectives of his administration was to assist clubs as much as possi-

ble, to fulfil their mandate of producing high-class players who would go on to represent the county, Guyana and the West Indies. He recalled that clubs and players in the area have benefitted from a wide range of items from the BCB and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sport Club (RHTY&SC),MS, under his leadership.

The items include cricket gear, cricket balls, catching cribs, grass cutters, bicycles, scorebooks, uniforms, educational grants, school bags, educational materials and water pitchers. Numerous players have also benefited from their own personal gear and from the Board’s comprehensive coaching programmes.

The BCB President also unveiled plans for the legendary Sir Andy Roberts to visit the area shortly as West Berbice is well known for its tradition of fast bowling. Foster expressed thanks to MP Jafferally for his continued support of his administration.

The MP has also sponsored a cricket tournament on an annual basis in the area and assisted to attract other sponsors.

Foster used the opportuni-

MP Faizal Jafferally hands over items to the Fort Wellington Secondary School

ty to announce that several other tournaments are on the cards for the area, including two more senior contests, as well as an Under-15 and an Under-23 tourney. In addition, the BCB would be expanding its coaching programme in

the area and offering even more assistance to players.

A total of 24 youth players from West Berbice would soon receive an item of personal gear while 30 would benefit from computer training in a joint project with the Office of

the Prime Minister.

Jafferally, in well-received remarks , stated that he was very pleased with the current development of cricket under the administration of Foster, whom he described as a visionary and transparent leader. He committed himself to assisting Berbice cricket as much as possible once Foster remained in charge, and also hailed the leadership of David Black in the West Berbice area.

He urged the BCB and the West Berbice Cricket Association to host a special awards ceremony for the area and committed himself to donating five laptops to outstanding students who would be selected by the BCB in a transparent way.

Each of the teams received a box of red cricket balls, a pair of wicket-keeping gloves along with a pair of inners. The RHTY&SC also handed over a scorebook to each of the clubs present at the meeting. Among the clubs that benefited were Bath, Cotton Tree, Achievers, Bush Lot Sports Club, Bush Lot Rising Stars, Paradise and De Edwards.

The BCB also handed over a box of cricket balls and

Curtis Dey wins Jagan Memorial race James moves up to 2nd on all-time T scoring list eam Evolution's Curtis Dey emerged as the winner of the 45-mile Cheddi Jagan Memorial cycling race on the West Bank of Demerara, stopping the clock in one hour, 45 minutes and 35 seconds.

The event pedalled off at Schoonord, West Bank Demerara (WBD) and proceed to Bushy Park, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) before returning to the starting point for the finish.

In the senior category, Dey was followed by Team Kaieteur Attack Racing duo Deeraj Ghabarran and Andre “Padlock” Green (third).

Christopher Griffith of Team Evolution came in fourth

Clivecia Spencer was the top female rider on show

L

Mario Washington won the junior category

followed by Geron Williams and Paul DeNobrega.

Berbician Mario Washington was the top junior rider followed by Alexander Leung and Sherwin Sampson.

In the veterans’ category, Robin Persaud of Team Carlton Wheelers emerged as victor followed by Alexis Mendes of Team Kaieteur Attack Racing and Paul Choowee-nam of Team Alanis.

Linden's Clivecia Spencer of Team Coco's was the top female rider followed by Denise Jeffrey of Team Evolution and Marica Dick of Team United We Stand.

The event was sponsored

by Mohamed’s Enterprise and Joe Jagmohaman, and organised by Coach Hassan Mohamed, MS.

eBron James moved up to second on the NBA's all-time scoring list on a bittersweet night after dropping 38 points on the Washington Wizards in a 127119 loss for the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday.

James, who started his NBA career in 2003, needed 21 points to pass Karl Malone (36,928 points). The 37-yearold now has 36,947 points in the regular season, having played 113 games fewer than Malone.

James reached the milestone with a lay-up in the second quarter and acknowledged the crowd who gave him a standing ova-

tion. But his night was spoilt by the Wizards who bounced back from a 16-point deficit to beat the Lakers, who are ninth in the Western Conference.

"Obviously, at some point I'll be able to look back at this moment but right now, the feeling I have, I can't separate it," James said.

Former Milwaukee Bucks and Lakers centre Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a six-time NBA champion, tops the scoring list with 38,387 points – a record that has stood for 33 years since he retired in 1989.

"I will not allow myself to think about it. I've always just played the game the way I've been playing it over the years," James added. "These things have just happened organically by just going out and playing the game the right way... I hope to accomplish that at some point in my career, but I won't think about it too much."

James, a fourtime NBA champion and 18-time All-Star, is under contract with the Lakers for next season, which will be his fifth with Los Angeles and 20th overall. (Reuters)

a scorebook to the Fort Wellington Secondary School while the Cotton Tree Primary School collected a cricket nursery kit.

223-7230-1

(Ext 55)

CLASSIFIED ADS ACCOMMODATIONS Aracari Hotel, West Bank Demerara (Versailles – between Harbor Bridge and Vreed-en-Hoop) – AirConditioned Comfort. Amenities include TV, Restaurant, Bar, Swimming Pool, Gym. Free Parking, Free WiFi. Spend 7 nights and get 1 Free. Rates from $45 US. Breakfast included. Long term rates available. Phone: 264-2946-9. www. aracariresort.com

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Restaurant for Rent – West Bank Demerara (at Aracari Resort, Versailles – between Harbor Bridge and Vreed-en-Hoop). Turn Key Business. Covid-19 Reduced Capacity 60; furnished and equipped.

Phone 264-2946; 626-5290

CAYMAN ISLANDS EMPLOYMENT Upholsterers and Drapery Makers/ Seamstresses NEEDED! Applicants should possess 5 years' experience.

Statutory benefits Inquiries: trimworksttd@outlook.com 1-345929-4038

ENTERTAINMENT Swimming Pool Family Fun & Picnic – Crystal Clear Pool. Kids and Adult Sections. Very Safe. Aracari Resort : West Bank Demerara (Versailles, between Harbor Bridge and Vreeden-Hoop)- Every Weekend. DJ Music.

Groups and Excursions welcome.

(Fee applies)- Phone: 264-2946-9.

WANTED Person to cook and manage restaurant in Charity, Essequibo.

Accommodation provided. Attractive Salary. 223-5273/223-5274

MONDAY, MARCH 21Z, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Brathwaite thwarts England bid for victory K

raigg Brathwaite thwarted England's bid for victory with another resolute batting display as the second Test ended in a draw in Barbados.

Brathwaite added an unbeaten 56 to his marathon firstinnings 160 as West Indies ended up 136 for 5 in their second innings on a final day which featured greater tension than expected.

England fancied their chances before Brathwaite reprised his immovable object routine on his home ground and was well supported by Joshua Da Silva's 30 not out after England had set West Indies 282 to win in a minimum of 65 overs after declaring during lunch on 185 for 6 in their second innings.

Three wickets in the middle session gave the visitors hope as they sought what had seemed an unlikely result after a couple of attritional days in which Brathwaite batted for nearly 12 hours, put on 183 runs off 411 balls with Jermaine Blackwood and where runs and wickets were at a premium. In all, Brathwaite scored 216 runs for the match, facing 673 balls, more than any other West Indies batter in Tests, and spent almost 16 hours at the crease.

After Saqib Mahmood and Jack Leach combined to reduce West Indies to 39 for 3 inside the first 13 overs of their second innings, Brathwaite and Blackwood were reunited once more and by tea on the final day, West Indies were 65 for 3, the pair having chewed up 108 balls for an unbroken stand of 26 and leaving England 35 scheduled overs in which to take seven wickets.

Two more wickets to Leach, who bowled well all match, stoked England's ambitions, but with

Jack Leach extracted turn and bounce (Getty Images)

Brathwaite having put a result out of the question, he and Joe Root shook hands with about 15 minutes left in the day and the three-match series still 0-0.

Leach sent down 69.5 overs for his 3 for 118 in West Indies' first innings and he added 3 for 36 off 25 overs in the second. He entered the attack in the sixth over and struck with one that spun sharply to remove John Campbell, caught

by Alex Lees at short leg, although it took an England review to overturn umpire Joel Wilson's notout decision, with replays showing the ball had kissed Campbell's glove before hitting the pad.

Similarly, Mahmood had success with the last ball of his opening over, thanks to a juggled slips catch off Shamarh Brooks, the ball bobbing up towards second slip, where Zak Crawley could not hold on as he went to ground and parried it into the air for Root, running behind him from first slip to collect it in his fingertips.

Mahmood then had Nkrumah Brooks out via a much more straightforward catch to Root at slip to leave West Indies looking rattled and England jubilant.

But that brought Brathwaite and Blackwood together along with the memories of their earlier stand, and the contest was intricately poised.

Then Leach had Blackwood caught by Jonny Bairstow, kneeling at gully, off one that drifted in before bouncing sharply and turning away, finding the outside edge to end their partnership on 50 from 150 deliveries.

On his knees in the dirt alongside Root as England crowded the bat, Bairstow could not have looked happier in a fitting vignette for what had been a gritty contest characterised by days of hard toil for batters, bowlers, and fielders alike.

England's mood lifted another notch when Jason Holder departed for a 24-ball duck, spearing a rare poor delivery from Leach, short and wide outside off stump, towards short cover, where Dan Lawrence took a sharp catch diving low to his left.

But as Brathwaite managed to find the rope through a gap between the close-in fielders on the leg side to bring up his half-century off a sharply-rising

GMR&SC Return to Quarter Mile…

Lawrence ball, England's prospects faded.

Earlier, fifty partnerships for the first and fifth wickets built England's lead, with Crawley and Lawrence reaching the 40s. Some enterprising yet unselfish batting interspersed by a couple of rain interruptions gave way to England biding their time before another squall arrived to bring lunch forward by a matter of minutes.

Having resumed 136 runs ahead on 40 for 0, the tourists lost three wickets inside the first half hour. In their attempts to raise the tempo, Lees and Root came undone slog-sweeping Veerasammy Permaul to deep midwicket. Alzarri Joseph then had Crawley beautifully caught

by Jayden Seales, who ran in from long leg and dived forward to pouch the chance in mid-air.

When the players left the field for about 10 minutes as a rain shower swept through, England were 76 for 3, leading by 172 and with hopes of Lawrence and Ben Stokes piling on some quick runs at the resumption. When they returned, Stokes crashed a four through extra cover and lofted the next ball over deep midwicket for six in one Kemar Roach over which went for 17 runs in all. In the next, Lawrence thumped Joseph in the same direction for a maximum before a second shower arrived, this time halting play for around 40 minutes.

Stokes fell shortly after the re-start while Roach and Joseph looked to keep a lid on things by targeting a yorker length.

But Lawrence and Bairstow picked their moments, the latter bludgeoning consecutive sixes off Joseph over deep backward square and down the ground, then Lawrence smashed Seales'

23

first ball of the day into the stands at long-on.

Bairstow departed shortly after raising their fifty stand, having added 29 runs from just 25 balls, when he sent Seales' fifth ball to Roach, running in from long-off and stooping low to take the catch, while Lawrence fell trying to heave Seales away and holing out to Joseph at longon to end with 41 runs from 39 balls. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD England 2nd Innings Alex Lees c Joseph b Permaul 24 Zak Crawley c Seales b Joseph 40 Joe Root (c) c Campbell b Permaul 9 Dan Lawrence c Joseph b Seales 41 Ben Stokes c Brathwaite b Roach 19 Jonny Bairstow c Roach b Seales 29 Ben Foakes †not out 11 Chris Woakes not out 9 Extras (b 1, nb 1, w 1) 3 TOTAL (39.5 Ov, RR: 4.64) 185/6d Did not bat: Matthew Fisher, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood Fall of wickets: 1-51 (Alex Lees, 17.5 ov), 2-67 (Joe Root, 21.2 ov), 3-74 (Zak Crawley, 22.3 ov), 4-110 (Ben Stokes, 27.5 ov), 5-161 (Jonny Bairstow, 34.5 ov), 6-167 (Dan Lawrence, 36.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Kemar Roach 8-3-31-1 Veerasammy Permaul 10-0-29-2 Jayden Seales 6-0-34-2 Kraigg Brathwaite 1-0-5-0 Jason Holder 8.5-1-40-0 Alzarri Joseph 6-0-45-1

WEST INDIES 2ND INNINGS (TARGET: 282 RUNS) Kraigg Brathwaite (c) not out 56 John Campbell c Lees b Leach 10 Shamarh Brooks c Root b Mahmood 4 Nkrumah Bonner c Root b Mahmood 3 Jermaine Blackwood c Bairstow b Leach 27 Jason Holder c Lawrence b Leach 0 Joshua Da Silva † not out 30 Extras (b 1, lb 2, nb 2) 5 TOTAL (65 Ov, RR: 2.07) 135/5 Did not bat: Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Veerasammy Permaul, Jayden Seales Fall of wickets: 1-14 (John Campbell, 5.6 ov), 2-23 (Shamarh Brooks, 8.6 ov), 3-39 (Nkrumah Bonner, 12.1 ov), 4-89 (Jermaine Blackwood, 36.5 ov), 5-93 (Jason Holder, 44.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Chris Woakes 4-0-11-0 Matthew Fisher 2-1-4-0 Jack Leach 25-13-36-3 Saqib Mahmood 8-2-21-2 Joe Root 6-3-15-0 Ben Stokes 7-2-9-0 Dan Lawrence 13-4-36-0

GFF hosts M-FAP competitions workshop ahead of return to play

…contemplates debut of new car

T

here is less than a week to go before the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) makes its grand return with the “Return to Quarter Mile” event on Sunday, and racers are shaping up nicely as they look to beat a tough field of competitors.

March 27 is designated as D-Day for the racers, with the South Dakota Circuit undergoing major preparation work ahead of the event.

Hands down, Team Mohamed’s will be one of the standout racers on Sunday, and currently spearheading the works at the team’s Enterprise camp is principal and owner Azruddin Mohamed.

“We are glad to see drag racing return to the South Dakota after having such a long layoff. As soon as we got the word, we began putting things in place to begin track preparation immediately after the club’s circuit race event,” the renowned racer and philanthropist said in an invited comment.

He went on to elaborate, “What we are doing is correcting some amount of damage that an errant racer had caused earlier in the year and then we will begin laying rubber up and down the 1320 to ensure that there is maximum grip.”

The GFF M-FAP competitions workshop featured match day protocols

T Azruddin Mohamed alongside one of his high speed machines

“The reason we are doing this is to ensure that on the day, the highest level of competition can be achieved for spectators and fans.”

Home to the fastest machines locally including the Godzilla and Goliath Nissan GTRs, the team are also planning to showcase its newest ‘monster’, a fully-built rail car.

“I don’t want to speak too much about the actual cars yet.

They have been ready for quite some time now and I feel that if all goes well Sunday, we may see another track record, but only then can we know,” Mohamed added.

The current strip record held by the Godzilla GTR stands at 7.5 seconds in the 1320.

Tickets will go on sale from

March 24 at the GMR&SC’s Albert Street and Thomas Lands venue; Mohamed's Enterprise, 29 Lombard Street, Georgetown; Motor Trend Service Center, Area L Foulis Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD); West Coast Customs Wash Bay, Vreeden-Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD); Massive Audio, Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); Homeline Furnishing, 592 New Amsterdam, Berbice; Sukhpaul's Business Enterprise & Auto Sales, Lot 7-8 Strand, New Amsterdam, Berbice and Sukhpaul's Service Station, Corriverton, Berbice.

Adult tickets will cost $2000 while children’s cost $500.

Meanwhile, competition is expected from Suriname with a total of 10 cars so far confirming participation.

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) provided in-depth training for its members in competition management at the GFF National Training Centre this weekend, offering technical insights from its experience of managing CONCACAF fixtures and enabling the football community to share its collective expertise.

All nine GFF regional associations participated in the theoretical and practical workshop, which was designed to ensure high standards in nationwide competition delivery and to smooth the way for the full return of play in April following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

“Through the Members Financial Assistance Programme, or M-FAP, the GFF is giving unprecedented financial, technical and logistical support to its members by revolutionising the way FIFA and CONCACAF funding is distributed in Guyana,” said GFF President Wayne Forde.

“Thanks to M-FAP, all of our members have the financial resources they need to stage the

full slate of GFF competitions this year, while technical workshops, such as these, offer the capacity building and training required to make the most of that significant investment in football,” Forde added.

The workshop, led by GFF Assistant Technical Director Bryan Joseph, featured classroom sessions covering all aspects of competition management, from match day protocols and fan experience to health and safety, followed by practical youth football match sessions to put the new learning into practice.

“The sessions were fantastic – as they keep doing this from week to week in their respective regional associations, we’re really going to see the impact on the ground,” Joseph said.

Given the breadth and depth of football experience in the GFF membership, participants were also encouraged to share their own knowledge to optimise the learning impact of the workshop.

“I must say kudos to the GFF for organising such a programme – the theory was extremely

informative,” said Dellon Adams, Executive Member of the East Coast Demerara Football Association. “Putting it into practice was challenging, but it also brought to bear the realities that we have to face on the ground.

The experience was excellent.

Going back to my association, I endeavour to offer more help and assistance in getting our tournaments organised.”

The workshop featured insights from GFF President Forde, Golden Jaguars Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz and GFF Members Services Officer Franklin Wilson, and drew on the GFF’s experience from its involvement in CONCACAF competitions and international matches in recent years.

“It’s a positive step where the GFF is concerned to promote such an activity,” said Lomel Johnson of the Georgetown Football Association. “Getting back to the field of play, we will have betterorganised football throughout the country. I want to compliment the GFF for putting on such a seminar – the presenters did an excellent job.”

MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022

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

Brathwaite thwarts England bid for victory

Page 23

Pg 22

Page 22

West Berbice Cricket Clubs benefit from Faizal Jafferally MP Trust Fund – Jafferally hails cricket development in the county as unmatched

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.