Guyana Times - Monday, May 16, 2022

El Dorado Trading, S Jagmohan Construction Company donate 10 vehicles to GPF P10

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

Issue No. 5010

THE BEACON OF TRUTH MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

PRICE

Local Content Act

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyanese being sought out by foreign companies to forge partnerships – VP Jagdeo ...says ... says Act a gamechanger for Guyanese

MoE urges P9 untrained teachers to become certified

See story on page 3

– suggests enrolment at CPCE

NY-based P15 Guyanese singer gunned down in New Jersey

Over $280M invested to improve GPF infrastructure in Regions 2 & 3 Page 12

P15 Police negligence tops complaints received by OPR

– 197 complaints received thus far for 2022

– as 2 new modern Police stations, 2 outposts commissioned The newly-constructed $215.1 million Anna Regina Police Station, which was on Sunday commissioned by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, acting Top Cop Clifton Hicken, and other officials, including Permanent Secretary Home Affairs Ministry Mae Toussaint Jr Thomas

Albion $1.5B packaging Works moving apace plant moves closer on new Eccles-to– as 4 firms submit bids Diamond 4-lane road – Min Croal

“Since this P8 happened, I have loved nobody; I don’t have any feelings” – rape survivor …calls for culprit to be given maximum penalty

Page 7

Page 7

Ex-Police Officer feared dead after boat capsizes in Canje River Page 11

Alcohol “planted” in Police vehicle during operation in Reg 5 – P14 Commander

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MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Monday, May 16 – 03:30h – 05:00h and Tuesday, May 17 – 03:30h – 05:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, May 16 – 16:40h – 18:10h and Tuesday, May 17 – 17:30h – 19:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be heavy rain showers and light cloud during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies and light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 16:53h reaching a maximum height of 2.76 metres.

Low Tide: 10:25h and 22:39h reaching minimum heights of 0.3 metre and 0.5 metre.

SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS H

02 03 05

11 16 22

FREE TICKET

04 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

01 06 10 21 23

Local Content Act

Guyanese being sought out by foreign companies to forge partnerships – VP Jagdeo ...says Act a gamechanger for Guyanese

D

escribing the Local Content Act that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government passed last year as a gamechanger for Guyanese, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has revealed that foreign companies are now actively seeking out local companies with which they can form a partnership.

Jagdeo made this revelation during an appearance on a diaspora broadcast programme. According to Jagdeo, the Government saw the passage of local content legislation as a way of making sure that Guyanese could reap the benefits of the oil and gas industry.

The Vice President noted that even today, Guyanese individuals and companies are reaping those benefits and that foreign companies looking to invest in Guyana are actively seeking partnerships with locals.

“We had to get a legislative framework. We passed a tough law now, that created huge opportunities for Guyanese and Guyanese companies. And you should ask the people, the Guyanese companies here now, that the foreigners are busy now running them down. When they were treating them with disdain because now there’s a benefit to partnering with a Guyanese company.

“And in fact, we have special carve-outs. For example, transportation, and rental of buildings that run into hundreds of millions of US dollars of business, can exclusively be done by Guyanese.

Security services all of those issues,” Jagdeo explained.

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DRAW DE LINE

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PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$111.55/barrel

+3.68

Rough Rice

$316.49/ton

+1.49

London Sugar

$535.10/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1812.40

$1813.40

Low/High Change

$1809.70 +0.20

$1815.00 +0.01%

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MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Describing the Local Content Act signed into law last year as a gamechanger, Jagdeo noted that this law completely changed the landscape and how foreign companies interact with Guyanese companies. This, he noted, is a promise fulfilled by the Government.

“I urge your viewers to look at how powerful that legislation is and how it has changed the landscape in terms of shifting things to Guyanese and Guyanese companies in the private sector and building capacity and employment opportunities,” Jagdeo said.

The Local Content Act lays out 40 different services that oil and gas companies and their subcontractors must procure from Guyanese companies by the end of 2022. For instance, these companies must procure from Guyanese companies 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services; 90 per cent janitorial services, laundry and catering services; 95 per

cent pest control services; 100 per cent local insurance services; 75 per cent local supply of food; and 90 per cent local accounting services.

These are just a few of the services highlighted in the first schedule of the Local Content Act. The Local Content Act mandates penalties for oil and gas companies and their sub-contractors who fail to meet the minimum targets of the legislation, as well as those who are in breach of the Act. These fines range from as low as $5 million to as high as $50 million.

Meanwhile, the Government has also set up a Local Content Registry, in keeping with the Local Content Act which mandates the creation of a Local Content Register of Guyanese nationals for employment, and a register of Guyanese nationals and companies from which goods and services may be procured. In keeping with this mandate, two registration

options are available; namely, supplier registration and employment registration.

Government has explained that, by using the Supplier Registration Portal, a Guyanese national or Guyanese company can apply for, and be issued with, a Certificate of Registration from the Secretariat for the supply of goods and/or the provision of services for petroleum operations in Guyana.

There are five steps for applicants to take in order to register, and those include the submission of applications by either electronic or hardcopy, which is then followed by acknowledgement of receipt along with a reference number for the application, and the review process would be initiated. Step three would see the relevant checks and balances conducted to either approve or deny the application.

If approval is granted, step four kicks in, which would see the issuance of a Certificate of Registration from the Local Content Secretariat for the provision of goods and/or services within the petroleum sector. The fifth step of the registration process would see the companies or individuals being granted access to the Supplier Registration Portal or the Employment Portal, to be able to access the available opportunities within the sector. The certificate is renewed annually on the date of its issuance.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MAY 16, 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

Digital siege of governance

E

arlier in the month, Guyana commemorated World Press Freedom Day ostensibly under the theme “Journalism Under Digital Siege”. Internationally, there were a spate of reports that described Governments’ use of the super-stealthy, zero-click spyware “Pegasus”, which was, for instance, used by Saudi Arabia to spy on Jamal Khashoggi, who was later killed in Turkey. The Guyanese media fraternity understandably raised the issue of our Government’s position on utilising such spyware (which can commandeer confidential information on smart devices) to go after Journalists who are suspected of being antiGovernment.

President Irfaan Ali firmly declared that his government would never resort to such action, since it is fundamentally antithetical to their democratic tenets. However, it is up to Guyanese Journalists to perform their job and ensure that the Government does not violate its declared policy. But there is another threat that Journalists ought to be concerned about and this one comes from the fast-evolving “digital” social media which have upended traditional journalism and can place good governance under “digital siege”. President Ali highlighted this danger, which appeared to have slipped under the radar of the mainstream media.

This tension in the relationship between the media and politics developed over the past few decades and has been dubbed the “mediatization of politics” and also needs to be placed on our media agenda and addressed. From the provenance of the media as pamphlets in the 18th century, its practitioners became known as the “Fourth Estate” and were considered as an indispensable aspect of modern, democratic governance. The press, which would be joined eventually by radio and TV, would “inter-mediate” information on the activities of the leviathan to the “people”. The media, then, in curating what they considered “news” for the next two hundred years engaged in “mediation” of what the people ought to know. This was a tremendous power that obviously had far-reaching consequences.

One consequence was the ongoing feedback effect between media logic and political logics. As one scholar pointed out there is, “the distinction between ‘politicised media’, seen as an imbalance in the direction of a circumscribed media system, and ‘mediatised politics’. The latter is seen as a situation in which politics has ‘become colonised by media logics and imperatives’, which are driven by “coverage without responsibility”. The challenge is that politics also has its own internal logic -- the drive to agglomerate ever greater support for one’s party’s position to secure votes at elections. The question is to what extent does the present media logic trump and colonise political logic. According to one theorist, “media logic consists of a form of communication; the process through which media present and transmit information.

Elements of this form include the various media and the formats used by these media.“ These formats are constantly changing as the medium develops and proves McLuhan point that “the medium is the message”.

The new media over digital platforms can now be received directly into smartphones and other such devices without any “mediation” or responsible curating and often without the consent of the receiver. Yet there is very little oversight and monitoring of these platforms and news. There was the enactment of a Cybercrime Act, but this ignores irresponsible political messaging.

Politicians have always been aware of the power of media and have customised their messages to satisfy this media logic. For instance, “if conflict has important news value when Journalists produce news content, then clearly outlining an enemy becomes part of the rules of the game for a politician who is seeking visibility in news media.” With the rise of social media and its freewheeling, personalised style that directs its attention to specific audiences, no holds are barred as there is no appreciation of overarching societal obligations in this new media logic.

In Guyana, we have already seen politicians who will cater to this common lowest denominator logic of mediatization via social media, which will inevitably further fracture our society.

Will the mainstream media close their eyes to this threat to good governance?

Kalash tribe women wearing traditional dresses take part in the “Chilam Joshi” festival celebrating the arrival of spring at Bumburet village, Pakistan (AFP)

And the circus continues!

Dear Editor, Where are the Russians?

Where are the SoPs for Region 4? Where are the dead? These are some of the questions/statements that surfaced soon after election 2020. It behoves anyone with even half a brain to ask the rhetorical question is Guyana a real place, or is Guyana a circus, which is it?

The first question posed to you, Ramjattan seems to be clairvoyant and has paranormal or as we commonly say, “see far vision". Of all the people on God's green earth, he was the only one equipped with those unique qualities of seeing Russians.

Interesting! While I might be tempted to go on the theory of him having those "jumbie seeing" skills, I must tell you that his viewing of Russians hacking into our electoral machinery here is quite laughable.

To begin with, the conduct of elections in Guyana is done by hard copy or a rigid paper system of voting, as such that asinine statement of Russians hacking into our system just does not make any sense, even if you were a special needs person.

We move over to the disappearance of the Region 4 SoPs. Now, the question is where are those Statements of Poll? Did they somehow mysteriously vanish? Where did they go? Elections were held and there was the delivery of SoPs for all the other nine (9) regions - You are talking about all nine far-flung regions - then why is the region closest to the GECOM Headquarters missing? And the answer comes back again, this anomaly existed because

there was an active rigging campaign on and hiding the Region 4 SoPs was integral to it.

Here we see the manifestations of barefaced rigging and the Lowenfield, Volda Lawrence, Mingo mangle.

Where did Lowenfield get those numbers from and by what law did he arrive at that computation? Was he too of a clairvoyant mind to come up with those figures?

Why was the signature of a Government Minister and not the GECOM Chairman on the declaration of results? Questions and more questions?

Further to it, the matter is in court, that is, seeking the court's jurisdiction into accepting the flawed results. In my book this is most stupendous, in that a party that has clearly lost an election can turn again and seek a legal stamp of approval for it. This is all happening here in beautiful Guyana.

Well, you cannot stop the PNC for being, because they are still harping on the worn-out theme of dead people voting in the last election. Now, this is an area I cannot comment much on because I am not equipped with those supernatural qualities of seeing or communicating with dead people, however, the PNC can attest to such phenomenal attributes by seeing one of their members were heard talking to the dead at a funeral. Who knows, that person might be called up to give evidence of her paranormal experience with the dead, when and if that court matter comes up for hearing.

While the foregoing

makes for good entertainment, I am looking at the broader picture, that is, how the civilised world looks at us. I can without fear of contradiction say that the openworld sees us as a nation of base individuals carved out

of the woodwork of and one who thrives in. Is this the way we want others to think of us? I think not.

Sincerely, Neil Adams

NIS challenges: My heart bleeds Dear Editor, I know the Government of Guyana of Excellency, Dr Irfaan Ali will find ways and means in time to solve the NIS crisis, it is painful to know that we have reached this stage. As readers might have observed letters as recent as when Hon Minister Ashni Singh was on a campaign on behalf of His Excellency and my numerous other letters and articulations I made in the print, electronic and social media in recent years.

I expected this to happen as an “old head” in the security industry spanning 42 years, in which I witnessed the gross vagaries of stupidities in managing the NIS collections, disbursements, enforcements contributions and albeit with fraud by many employers, self-employed and I am ashamed to say, many security services and agencies as well.

It is also a fact that whoever steals the NIS contributions from my experience are very slick in stealing the PAYE, taxes, and the VAT. In most cases these same kinds of companies in security, rice milling, saw milling, distribution and other such

businesses, will not pay or fulfil their annual tax obligations and in my opinion, many get away with murder. Then declare bankruptcy and escape with mass murder.

NIS is a necessary component of life and existence in this country, for employees and even self-employed. It pains my heart that we are in this despotic situation in Guyana at this juncture. Being more familiar with the security industry I will make some comments on that and of course the same comments apply to any other industry, particularly the rice milling industry and the saw milling industry.

Security companies names were published over and over and they were still able to get compliance through the backdoor system at NIS. This is a fact I know and can swear to via an affidavit. Having made promises to repay the NIS, they never did and stole hundreds of millions of NIS contributions and then declared bankruptcy, changed their name, and went on with their sweet dandy life milking the system again to fool the NIS. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

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

NIS challenges: My...

The fight for cremation

By Guyanese

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of

Indian Ancestry Association

ighty-six per cent of the 239,000 Indian Indentured immigrants who came to Guyana were Hindus and they generally observed the sacraments of that religion. One of the most important was the final one at death when most are cremated so that the soul that is eternal will more easily leave the body to be reincarnated.

Open-air cremation

However, in Guyana, the Government made cremation illegal and Hindus were forced to dispose of their dead through burial.

While in general the British colonial authorities had an implicit policy of assimilation to British culture for all residents in their colonies, this explicit rule was very far-reaching. The authorities never considered the trauma caused by this abrupt disruption of this fundamental practice to the surviving family members. Over time, the community adjusted to the new practice, and even adopted the “wake” and other customs that had become the norm in Creole society.

Dr Jang Bahadur Singh was a medical doctor who was also a founder of the Guyana Maha Sabha, President of the BG East Indian Association, and a member of the Legislature. He was the leader who campaigned for many years for the ban on cremations to be removed through all avenues open to him in his wide range of activities.

As a member of the Legislative Council, he introduced a bill in 1955 to permit cremations, which, unfortunately, was not passed. There had been intense discussion centred on the issue with the arrival of Swami Purananda.

However, at his death on November 6, 1956, the colonial authorities permitted his cremation as an exception, which took place on November 8, 1956 on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean by Plantation Ogle. The legislation was eventually changed in 1960 to permit cremation.

His funeral is regarded as a historic event, as a cornerstone for Hindu-Guyanese civil rights’ struggles.

He was the first person to be cremated in the colonial country, an event that was witnessed by thousands of people. The Daily Argosy reported it to be “the largest funeral ever witnessed in the country”. (Dindayal, 2013).

Modern electric crematorium at Le Repentir

DID YOU KNOW? •

Unlike most ordinary Hindus, Sadhus, saints, are buried in the padmasaan (folded legs) position. Their souls are believed to be free of the body through their austerities.

•

In the last few decades, cremations among non-Hindus have been increasing astronomically. In the US, 57 per cent of deceased persons are now cremated.

I know another company that claimed it had close political connections had its firearms seized several times and whose name was always published or taken to court for major labour infractions and NIS frauds.

However, he would always be able to hoodwink the entire Government, the NIS and the income tax department. The income tax department even seized his books and others on several occasions. Bereft of name and honour in the industry he usually tenders below costs along with that bankrupted one who changed its name. They are able to win major security contracts and NPTAB appears to just be looking for the lowest rates, not honour, longevity, dignity and skills of the fulfilment of obligations but lowest rates and at times some influence, it is said.

So how do they do it?

They will steal the NIS; sometimes employ people from the Palms and Dharm Shala and from the streets and use them temporarily, even putting firearms in their hands and in the end if employing hundreds of persons pay for fifty (50) or twenty-five (25) or a hundred (100), then apply for compliance. The scheme and people will suffer.

Many new security services have popped up tendering below costs. If NPTAB were to do their math and award contracts of hundreds of prospective employers when they have had no experience or employees, these companies would definitely have to resort to the theft of VAT, NIS, PAYE and fool the GRA and NIS as best as

they can and escape with murder.

I had suggested years ago that the law of NIS, the enforcement and prosecutorial laws were very weak and needed to be enhanced.

However, the NIS and GRA supervision fall under the Police now. They can easily be charged for fraud. I have seen people who have made promises on both sides (NIS and GRA) and have never fulfilled their promises. So, what to do?

I would challenge the NIS and the GRA to study areas such as Mahdia, Region 8 and Bartica along with the sites we service in Region 4 in the Government regional security system.

Our understanding is, the VAT was unpaid, the PAYE taxes were not relative and the NIS was not paid. Compare the number of persons we have working in these districts along with the companies that serve these districts in the past. Therein, you will find the necessary anomalies and possible frauds. Our VAT, PAYE taxes and NIS are paid to the letter of the law and consequently we at RK’s Guyana Security Services cannot tender below costs. We must keep our head above water so that our ranks will be able to enjoy their benefits and the Government gets what they deserve in accordance with the law. We are willing to open our books, and our records to the GRA and the NIS to help them.

Recently a major contract that we managed for maybe 12-15 years was divided into lots and awarded to other companies, nothing was awarded to RK’s even though we locked down

these places so excellently to the point of perfection that we never suffered any losses or theft. My point is that these same new companies who are taking over may start to manipulate the VAT, the PAYE and the NIS, this I know from experience. So be on the lookout and compare.

We saw one so-called security company coming from out of the blues being awarded Region 6 during the 2016 era, while RK’s had won it in reality and in Region 5 as well. However, that company never paid their workers properly and paid them as they pleased and not to the law. The gentleman that was managing that company is a narco escapee from the United States of America who claimed that he was receiving protection from the Ministry of the Presidency and dared anyone to do anything about it. He never even paid the workers’ NIS, he left them in limbo. So, understand why NIS is in trouble and why the GRA would pressure us, the honourable ones, to make up for the shortfall of others.

I have seen many employees of security services and other companies that ended up living in the streets, becoming vagrant beggars because of dishonest security providers. I know also the employees of these security services currently employing labour who will usurp the NIS of their workers, will cause suffering on their workers, who will be unable to enjoy the benefits of their labours.

Under the NIS scheme, they will become, in my opinion, wards of the State

FROM PAGE 4

since they would look upon the Government to finance their lives. It happens when employers do not pay the NIS for their workers. In our case and that of some of my decent and elegant colleagues such as PGS and GEB, we have special insurance as a gift to the workers to cover them on a 24-hour basis on or off the job for accidents, accidental dismemberment and deaths.

I find it totally unfair that employers would steal the workers’ benefits and life protection, which should cover them in the event of illnesses and that of their family in the event of death and old age.

I wish that there was a different system to award contracts other than lowest tenders as there will always be these desperate “wheeler-dealers,” who care nothing about their employees and only about themselves.

I pen this letter with pain and sadness in my heart knowing that we had to surrender all the lots of this major security contract covering Georgetown, West Coast Demerara, Essequibo, West Coast Berbice and Linden. It is painful to us to have had to hold in some cases for hours to be relieved for companies who don’t even have employees who could not even be on time. They were unable to take over the contract and in one case for two weeks, in another case for two days. These are the kinds of companies who in my opinion will massacre the GRA, the VAT, and the NIS. Sincerely, Dr Roshan Khan Sr

Monday, May 16, 2022

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

(Sign on) Inspirational Time Cartoons Evening News (RB) Cartoons Stop Suffering Stay Woke Barefoot Contessa Prime Series - Blippi's Educational Adventures for Kids House Hunter Renovation Paternity Court Divorce Court Indian Movie - Garam Masala (2005) The Evermoor Chronicles S1 E17 Indian Soaps Lost in Space S3 E7 The Young & The Restless Monday Night Giveaways with DJ Stress The Evening News Love & Laughter The 100 S2 E14 The Resident S1 E12 The Ranch S3 E9 Whose Line Is It Anyway? S12 E9 Sign off

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MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄ CONTINUED FROM SATURDAY

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n this fun and easy science experiment, we’re going to show you how to use a balloon to power a water fountain.

NB: Adult assistance and/or supervision required.

Materials: Empty 2-litre soda bottle Balloon Straw – a bendable straw works best Putty Sharp nail, pin, or knife Funnel Tray or wash bin to collect the water Optional – food colouring Instructions: Have an adult poke a hole in the bottle big enough for the straw to just barely fit through.

Put the hole about a third of the way from the bottom of the bottle.

Slide the straw through the hole. Leave about half of the straw sticking out of the bottle.

Make sure to point the end of the straw up.

Use the putty to securely seal the area around the straw.

Place the bottle in the tray.

Use the funnel to fill the

bottle with water until it reaches the level of the straw opening.

If you go higher than this, the water will come out of the straw.

Optional – add a drop of food colouring.

Blow up the balloon. Pinch the balloon, but do not tie it closed.

Stretch the mouth of the balloon over the opening of the bottle being sure to keep the balloon pinched closed.

Release the balloon and observe what happens.

How it works: The water in the bottle has air pressure pushing down on it. When the balloon is released, the air pressure on top of the water increases. This increased pressure forces the water out of the straw and creates the balloon-powered water fountain.

Make this a science project: Try this easy balloon experiment with different sized balloons. Try smaller plastic bottles with bigger balloons. Try straws of different diameters like big milkshake straws or small stir stick straws.

(Sciencefun.org)

“Books and doors are the same thing. You open them, and you go through into another world.” – Jeanette Winterson

SCENE II. Another part of the island.

STEPHANO What is this same?

TRINCULO This is the tune of our catch, played by the picture of Nobody.

STEPHANO If thou beest a man, show thyself in thy likeness: if thou beest a devil, take't as thou list.

TRINCULO O, forgive me my sins!

STEPHANO He that dies pays all debts: I defy thee. Mercy upon us!

CALIBAN Art thou afeard?

STEPHANO No, monster, not I. CALIBAN Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.

Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices That, if I then had waked after long sleep, Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming, The clouds methought would open and show riches Ready to drop upon me that, when I waked, I cried to dream again.

STEPHANO This will prove a brave kingdom to me, where I shall have my music for nothing.

CALIBAN When Prospero is destroyed.

STEPHANO That shall be by and by: I remember the story.

TRINCULO The sound is going away; let's follow it, and after do our work.

STEPHANO Lead, monster; we'll follow.

I would I could see this tabourer; he lays it on.

TRINCULO Wilt come? I'll follow, Stephano.

Exeunt

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Albion $1.5B packaging plant moves closer – as 4 firms submit bids

A

tender that was out for the construction of a packaging plant at the Albion Sugar Estate, which will further the Government’s drive to make the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) profitable and also provide more employment, has received four bids.

According to the tender details, there is an engineer’s estimate of $1.5 billion for the project which attracted bids from four companies.

Incidentally, all of the bids exceeded the engineer’s estimate, with the closest one, Yunas Civil and Building Construction Services, coming in at $1.8 billion.

The next lowest bid was from LGS Barnes Gen Building, Construction and Civil Engineering. Their bid came in at $2.2 billion. The third lowest bid was from APMCL Guyana, which bid $2.9 billion. Kee-Chanona Limited, a Trinidadian company, had the highest bid of $3 billion.

GuySuCo had advertised

earlier this year for contractors to construct a building at the Albion Estate in Berbice, which would house the packaging plant. It had been intended for the packaging plant at Enmore to be relocated.

In February, it was announced that Government has leased the packaging plant, located at the Enmore Estate, to local company Guysons Engineering which has partnered with US-based K+B Industries to form the GKB joint venture that will be establishing the Enmore Manufacturing Facility to cater to the oil and gas sector.

As part of the agreement, the company would retain all the workers of the packaging plant and conduct training so that they can be absorbed into the new operations – something which the workers lauded.

Guysons K+B Industries has committed to invest in the people of the East Coast corridor, plugging an “unmatched” US$37.5 million (G$7.5 billion) to establish

the Enmore Manufacturing Plant, a state-of-the-art oilfield services facility. The company had clarified that its lease is for the Enmore Packaging Plant and not the Sugar Estate – a site that was recommended by Government.

The packaging facility is approximately 100,000 sq feet and its transformation would take an estimated 18 to 24 months. GKB said the packaging plant could be repurposed and become operational, almost immediately, preserving jobs currently held at the Plant, with a guarantee of 150 employees by the end of the first year and 500 in five years.

According to the company, a minimum of 50 acres of land is required to effectively deliver OCTG (oil country tubular goods) and Premium Accessory Services to the local oil and gas sector. These services are currently being outsourced to companies in Trinidad and Tobago, United States, and other countries.

“This initiative would in-

The Albion Sugar Estate

crease commercial activity on the East Coast corridor and tap into considerable foreign exchange-earning potential, bringing greater oil and gas revenues to Guyana.

Significantly, this would be the first time ever that these services are provided in-country… GKB endeavours to train residents of the East Coast corridor.”

“We have committed to rehiring 100 per cent of the workers currently employed at the Enmore Packaging Plant. We will see to it that our expansion uplifts economically-depressed communities of the East Coast corridor with sustainable jobs which will serve as a revitalising lifeline for its youth and laid-off sugar workers… The

capacity building and job creation potential of this project and its spillover effects cannot be understated,” the company had said.

It further noted that it has agreed to strict land development timelines and milestones over the first three years that will be monitored as the phased development occurs.

Works moving apace on new Eccles-to-Diamond 4-lane road – Min Croal

H

ousing Minister Collin Croal on Sunday reported that works on the alternative Eccles to Diamond fourlane road along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) is progressing well.

Contracts to the tune of $13.3 billion were awarded to 12 contractors last December to construct a four-lane road that will run from the Eccles Dumpsite Road all the way to Great Diamond, connecting to the already completed Eccles to Mandela Avenue Highway.

Speaking with Guyana Times, the Minister indicated that the works at the 12 lots are at various stages but are moving apace.

“We’re pushing ahead.

All the lots have finished the land clearing and most

Housing Minister Collin Croal

of them now are at the sand-filling and compaction stage,” the Housing Minister stated.

This new alternative road project had encountered a challenge at the lot covering the boundary between the Mocha-Herstelling section, where there were about 35 residential buildings. The Housing Ministry has since engaged those persons to be relocated.

Already, the Ministry has wrapped up the process with over 30 homeowners and the process is ongoing “smoothly” with four others. They are being relocated nearby to the new housing schemes at Herstelling and Farm, along the East Bank corridor.

Croal indicated that the contractor at that lot has already commenced preliminary works in other areas.

He said once those persons are relocated, then works will be done at that section.

“That [relocation section] is just a portion of the fourlane road. So, that contractor in that lot – there are other works they are embarking on and they have started.”

According to Minister Croal, the works are on schedule and it is anticipated that the project will be com-

Work ongoing at the alternative Eccles-to-Diamond four-lane road

pleted ahead of its one-year deadline with Lot 1 – which starts at Eccles Dumpsite Road, where a roundabout is being built to connect to the Eccles to Mandela Avenue Road – being the first to be finished.

But even as the Government is working to expand the road network, especially along the East Bank corridor which leads to the country’s main port of entry – the Cheddi Jagan International Airport – and is a major land connection between Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and Four (Demerara Mahaica), persons continue to be reckless on the roadways.

Only Saturday night, a vehicle speeding along the Eccles-Mandela Highway missed the turn on the Eccles Dumpsite Road and ran over the trench, ending up almost on the other side of the road.

Minister Croal told this newspaper that the Police have already been informed that the driver will have to repair the protective barrier that was damaged by the

car. He added that additional lighting will be installed along the road to prevent a reoccurrence of such incidents.

At the commissioning of the Mandela to Eccles Highway in April, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced several modern security features including cameras to detect speeding and other traffic offences in order to maintain law and order on the roadway.

However, one of the most striking features of the new highway is its modern security system, which President Ali explained is aimed at preventing the loss of lives along the new road.

This new security system, which is currently installed at Houston, Greater Georgetown, is able to track vehicles and drivers on the highway thus removing the need for Police officers on the road using the “speed guns”.

There will be a monthly print out of tickets against those delinquent road users and the document will be sent to their addresses.

Those persons will then be

required to clear their tickets with the GRA and failure to do so would result in the non-renewal of their registration and road licence.

According to Minister Croal, preparatory works are being undertaken to install the camera along the highway.

Meanwhile, President Ali had related that the Government will soon be making the necessary adjustments to the relevant traffic laws to cater to the use of this system as well as putting in place new and stricter penalties for errant drivers.

In fact, only Saturday, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall published draft amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, as well as the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill. These proposed changes were approved by the Cabinet on Thursday with a view to toughening up on the penalties that drunk drivers – and the bars that serve them – face.

8 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Since this happened, I have loved nobody; I don’t have any feelings” – rape survivor …calls for culprit to be given maximum penalty

F

or a 24-year-old rape survivor, her life would never be the same as her mind continues to replay the tormenting events of the night she was held at knifepoint and raped.

On the night of December 17, 2013, at the age of 16, she was preparing to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations and was walking home from a friend’s birthday party when a knife-wielding man pulled her into a clump of bushes and raped her.

The man, manslaughter convict, Corwyn Arthur, of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), dealt her several cuffs to her face, held a knife to her neck, and threatened to take her life while committing the unlawful act.

Arthur, otherwise known as “Cross Eye” was, in March, found unanimously guilty by a jury of sexually abusing the woman.

Although almost nine years have passed since the incident, The young lady shared that she is still forced to live with those memories.

Instead of going through a trial, she said she wished Arthur would have pleaded guilty to the crime.

“I still have a mark on my forehead from him hitting me and pulling me through the bushes. I wish none of it hap-

go face everybody. It was hard for me. A lot of days I wasn't even in my right mind; I was just sailing. A lot of times I was just thinking about all the things the individual told me and thanking God for life; I could have died.”

Stigma

Rape/manslaughter convict Corwyn Arthur

pened,” she shared in her victim impact statement that was presented to the High Court last Friday.

According to her, people would see the mark on her face and ask her “like you had a bad fight”. But their endless questioning would bring back so many terrifying memories that she would just laugh them off.

“I have no feelings”

“Since this incident happened, I have never loved anybody. I don't know why; I have no feelings. I have a son; he is five months old and it's so hard to love him and show him all the love. It's so hard for me to show my son all the love because he deserves it,” she said. In addition, she con-

stantly questions how a man could do something “so bad to hurt you and take all the feelings away from you”.

The young woman who now has a five-month-old baby expressed that she never thought something this bad would happen to her. “You never know one day you're all happy and then it could just happen to anybody. I never thought it could happen to me; he just took all of my happiness from me.”

After she was brutally raped, the young woman said she did not want to go back to school because everybody was talking about it and had their “own story”. “I was scared to go back to school. I eventually went because I had to go to lessons. I made up my mind to

“I couldn't talk about my story until now. It was hard being around males because all I could think about was, that I am going to get hurt.

If I talked about what I went through, I wanted nobody to pity me,” she wrote in her victim impact statement.

According to her, her late mother and her sister helped her to get through the ordeal.

She said what happened to her has made her sister overprotective. She noted that it was also hard for her mother because people were saying that she was infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Until now, she shared that people still talk about it, and the males in her community would shun her. “…it was something I had to deal with. My mother was very helpful, and she told me I know my truth and I know my story. A lot of times it would get to me, but I still never let negativity and what people say get to me. I never let it get to me to kill myself.”

Justice

Now that she has finally received justice, she is a little sad that her mother is no longer here to see it. She said her mother went with her to every court hearing and listened to her. “I never received counselling, but my mother was a big help because she would ask me a lot of questions and have me talk about my feelings.

Talking to my mom at first, I used to cry all the time.”

By constantly talking to her mother about what happened, she was, however, able to tell her friends her story. But this, she noted, was not an easy task for her. The young woman has since implored the court to give Arthur, who is also facing another rape charge, the maximum penalty. The rape convict will be sentenced on May 23 by Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Jailed

Arthur is currently serving a 15-year jail term for stabbing his ex-lover’s husband to death in 2018. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge, admitting that on May 10, 2018, he unlawfully killed 40-year-old taxi driver Claude De Jonge, also known as “Sonno”, of South Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

It was reported that De Jonge was stabbed to death while at the home of his girlfriend, who reportedly once shared a relationship with Arthur. De Jonge was found lying motionlessly in a pool of blood next to the front door of the house. At the time, he was clad in trousers and his body bore several stab wounds to the neck, shoulders, and abdomen.

Death of…

R

…privacy ecently, there’s been a whole lotta indignation and foot stamping about social media and journalism on the actions of the Government and vice versa. But could somebody please spare a thought about what that same social media – and more to the point the technology behind it – is doing to us poor working-class slobs?? As a card-carrying member of that fraternity, your Eyewitness is frankly terrified – and he’s not exaggerating. ‘Cause, frankly, Dear Reader, nobody seems to give a damn!

In the beginning (less than a decade ago), it all started quite innocuously. Your Eyewitness might be talking to his (much) better half about say, that pair of shoes he wanted to buy for her birthday. And within minutes, he started to see ads or some sorta info about shoes on his (too) smartphone. At first, he thought it was a coincidence…but after 100 times?? Dullard he might be, but even he realised something strange was afoot in the kingdom of communications.

Digging into it, he realised his phone’s been eavesdropping 24-7, even when he wasn’t using it. Like Big Brother, it was now monitoring him continuously in real time – all the time!! Even though WhatsApp assured him it was “encrypted at both ends”, they forgot to tell him that the company’s owners (Facebook) was listening in and using the data for its own purposes! Which was to make money…but who knows what the buyer of the info did with it?? What this means is all our emails are effectively “hacked”, our financial information accessed, every transaction visible, money tracked, all in real time.

Now it’s not only the big tech ones doing it! How about those magazines or newspapers you wanna read and they ask you very nicely that you’ll also be downloading some (sweet!) “cookies” – to help them to serve you better?? Do you know what data they’re collecting and who they pass it on to – for a fee? Now what makes this data collecting even more insidious is what’s behind it. Do you think it’s some smartalec hacker getting his jollies off by peeping into your affairs??

No siree Bob!! All this mind-boggling data coming from BILLIONS of users are screened and mined by all sorts of hyper smart devices run on Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms – now evolved (and self-evolving) to analyse the data waaaay better that any human can.

For sure no human brain can process so much data!! So, Dear Reader, these programmes now know you better than you know yourself? While we may rationalise our behaviour that AI programme can cut through all of that much in a microsecond!!

1984 is long gone. Look out for 2022!! …good manners Even though we’re all wrapped up in social media surely, Dear Reader, you’ve noticed the disappearance of good manners. Gone are the days when, like your Eyewitness was taught, “manners maketh man”. It’s now “BAD manners maketh man – and woman”!! Folks now go out of their way to be rude. Back in medieval times when life was grimy, brutish and short, manners were cultivated in the courts of the rulers – king or queen.

So is our reversion to churlish behaviour due to our leaders behaving worse than louts in rum shops – when they’re supposed to be discussing our nation’s business?

While it was expected that there’d be a certain level of cut and thrust in the repartee during parliamentary sittings, the rule was “A gentleman is never rude unintentionally.” That is, there was always some thought guiding the verbal jousting so that it would be seen as “wit” and not “gutter ignorance”!!

Like Churchill accused of being a drunk, replying, “Madam, tomorrow I’ll be sober, but you’ll still be ugly!” …political horse-trading This utopian insistence by the Opposition that “everybody must be at the table” through racial horsetrading is now unnecessary: either party can win the elections.

Unlike Granger, they should simply reach across the divide.

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

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

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MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MoE urges untrained teachers to become certified – suggests enrolment at CPCE

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hief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson has urged untrained teachers in the public education system to enrol at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), warning that failure to do so could result in their termination.

As part of efforts to enhance the country’s education sector, Education Minister Priya Manickchand had previously announced the Ministry’s plans to have all teachers in the system trained.

In a memorandum issued last week to the Regional Education Officers in the 10 Administrative Regions across Guyana and in Georgetown, CEO Hutson urged that the untrained teachers get enrolled at the CPCE in order to be certified.

“The Ministry of Education wishes to advise that all untrained teachers in the system including those currently employed, must enrol at the Cyril Potter College of Education without delay at the appropriate level and programme,” Hutson related in the correspondence.

According to the document, which was posted to the Ministry’s Facebook page, this measure is in keeping with objectives to have all teachers trained and is necessary since it aids in the attainment of the mandate of the Ministry’s Education Sector Plan (2021-2022).

Specifically, with regard to improving accountability and efficiency in the classroom; improving performance at all levels and reducing inequities in the classroom.

The Chief Education Officer further cautioned in the memo that “Failure to enrol as advised… may result in the Ministry’s inability to continue the employment of the persons so failing.”

Back in December, Minister Manickchand had revealed her Government’s plans to have 100 per cent trained or in-training teachers by the end of its current term in office.

“There are teachers who are in the system right now that are untrained and we have said to every teacher who is presently teaching in the classroom right now untrained, that each teacher needs to be trained… There are two types of untrained teachers teaching, those who have qualifications that can get them into the college but never really bothered, probably because of economic and other reasons, and there are teachers who are in the classroom who do not have the eligibility criteria to get into the college… We are upgrading those teachers so that they can get into the college,” she had stated.

The Minister pointed out that there has consistently been about 70 per cent of trained teachers in the system for the past 15 years.

However, it is anticipated

that this figure would be significantly increased with the CPCE going fully online.

In fact, there was a surge of 2500 new students last year after the online training was introduced at the college.

“CPCE will be expanded further. The Cyril Potter College of Education is the only teacher training college in the country. Usually, about 535 students are accepted for face-to-face learning every year. This year, because we have gone online,

we have more than 2500 students who have begun their first-year learning. That means in four years, when teachers around the world are going to see diminished numbers, Guyana is actually going to defy that. We’re actually going to put out more teachers,” Manickchand had stated.

She had also pointed out that there was a “remarkable” drop in the number of hinterland teachers admitted to pursue the Trained Teachers Certificate (TTC)

Education Minister Manickchand

Priya

programme. However, this is justified with a higher num-

ber of persons enrolling in the Associate’s Degree programme, offered by CPCE instead since it was offered online.

“We’ve seen a remarkable drop in the number of teachers in the hinterland doing the TTC programme. That causes some worry. When we checked, what it really was, was the reason for celebration not worry. The teachers who were forced to do only the TTC are now doing the Associate Degree programme because they have the qual-

Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson

ifications. We just never offered it to them before,” the Education Minister noted.

10 NEWS El Dorado Trading, S Jagmohan Construction Company donate 10 vehicles to GPF E MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

l Dorado Trading, the top gold producer for 2021 on Sunday handed over 10 brand new vehicles to the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The handing over ceremony coincided with the opening of the $215.1 million Police Divisional Headquarter at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

At the commissioning, principals of the mining company, Tamesh and Suresh Jagmohan, owners of S Jagmohan Construction & General Supplies Inc were happy to make the donation - one that will assist the GPF in executing its duties in a more efficient manner.

Businessman Tamesh Jagmohan handing over keys to Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn in the presence of Suresh Jagmohan

The cost of the 10 vehicles which include Lexus SUVs, Wagon, and Sedans exceeds $25 million.

“You will recall that there was a call for additional vehicles to be added to the current fleet on

The cars that were handed over to the GPF

the Essequibo Coast, to assist in the daily operations of the Force here. Our two companies answered that call on the spot and here we are fulfilling that commitment made,” the Jagmohans related upon handing over the vehicles.

They added that Essequibo Coast is dear to them and over the past two decades, they have been doing their best in the region to increase disposable income to residents in the form of job creation in the mining, manufacturing and agriculture sectors.

“We have partnered with the Guyana Police

Minister Robeson Benn along with Suresh and Tamesh Jagmohan, acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken and other senior Police ranks

Force over the years to ensure that Essequibo Coast continues to be one of the safest regions in Guyana.

Additionally, our two companies have also supported the Force for over two decades in every other region in Guyana,” the businessmen added.

The Jagmohans expressed best wishes to the Police Force while adding that with the additional 10 vehicles, keeping Essequibo safe can be

achieved. Further, they encouraged the Police Force to take good care of the vehicles with appropriate maintenance.

Only recently, President Dr Irfaan Ali said his Government will continue to support the efforts of the Guyana Police Force in strengthening its relationship with the public.

While commending the progress made thus far in this regard, the Head of State said the concept

of “One Guyana” depends heavily on a country that is secure and stable, and with persons who believe that those who are entrusted with their security are professional.

The cooperation between the Police and the public, President Ali noted, is vital to effective law enforcement. He said last year, a high percentage of Police actions were based on intelligence gathering which proved to be fruitful.

NEWS

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MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ex-Police Officer feared dead after boat capsizes in Canje River A

n ex-Police officer is feared dead after the boat in which he was travelling along with four others capsized in the Canje River, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) on Sunday.

Missing is 29-year-old Kevin France of Manchester Village, Corentyne.

Based on reports received, France along with two of his cousins, aged 28 and 35, along with a 52-year-old man and the boat operator, 62, boarded a 14-foot boat - “Simplicity” - that was powered by a 50hp outboard engine and were heading to Banib along the Canje River.

The men were reportedly heading to the area to check on cattle belonging to a businessman.

However, in the vicinity of New Forest Village, two boats were seen heading in their direction. As the boats passed, the heavy waves caused the boat that they were in to capsize.

Kenton Tyndall, Manley Grant, Paul Tyndall, and Cecil Chisholm managed to swim to shore after which they realised that France was missing. A search was conducted for him but he was not found.

Police have since taken the four men into custody for further questioning.

France’s aunt, Natasha Williams, with whom he lived, stated that her nephew left home shortly after 6:00h on Sunday with the intention of travelling up the Canje River to do some work. She explained that she received information that there was an accident and the others were able to swim to safety except her nephew.

“They went the day before and they left the same time in the morning and they came back after two in the afternoon,” the woman said.

According to the woman, France could not swim. She noted that his first trip to the Canje River was on Friday.

“My cousin, they have cows and plant a farm up the Canje Creek. So, he wanted someone to go and work there. Like the cousin carry him to see the place.”

After leaving the Police Force, France was employed with a private security firm but after spending a short time, he left.

France would have been celebrating his 30th birthday today.

“He had plans, because his mother is overseas and she sent a box with stuff for him, so, Friday morning he came upstairs and he was showing us the clothes that we will wear on his birthday – Monday,” his Aunt revealed. France is a father of a 4-year-old child.

Police are continuing their investigation while the search continues for him. This comes less than three weeks after Shellon Williamson, 27, a mother of three, and 29-year-old Richard John, both of Mimi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New

Missing: Kevin France

Amsterdam, went missing after the boat in which they were travelling sunk in the same river.

It was reported that the duo and two others were in the boat when they were in-

tercepted by members of the Coast Guard.

The law enforcement officers reportedly tied the boat to a pontoon which eventually started to sink and ultimately pulled the vessel thus causing it to capsize and eventually submerge.

The captain and his two brothers were able to get out of the boat and swim to safety. Realising that Williamson was still in the boat, John returned to the boat and was not seen again. One day after, John’s body was pulled from the river.

The area where the boat capsized

12 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 16,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over $280M invested to improve GPF infrastructure in Regions 2 & 3

– as 2 new modern Police stations, 2 outposts commissioned

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and other officials assist a student to cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the Anna Regina Police Station

A

s the Government of Guyana continues to fulfil its mandate to modernise the Guyana Police Force (GPF), two new Police stations and two Police outposts were commissioned on Sunday.

The Police stations commissioned were at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), and Anna Regina in Region Two while the outposts were at Lima Sands and Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast.

Parika Police Station was the first to be commissioned by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn along with acting Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken. This facility was remodelled at a sum of $60 million. It was designed to be public-friendly and will house a domestic violence room, juvenile-friendly holding area, child-friendly area, witness protection room, a case management room, a case management

system, an integrated crime information system, and offices.

The second spanking new multipurpose building was commissioned at the Anna Region Police Station. This facility was constructed to the tune of $215.1 million and will serve as the Regional Division Number Two Headquarters.

It also houses several departments and facilities including a do-

Minister Robeson Benn, acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken, Home Affairs Ministry Permanent Secretary Mae Toussaint Jr Thomas and other senior Police officials at the Parika Police Station on Sunday

mestic violence room, juvenile-friendly holding area, child-friendly area, witness protection room, a case management room, a case management system, an integrated crime information system, and a listening room. The Traffic Department and the Criminal Investigations Department will also be in the building.

Additionally, it hous-

es the Anna Regina Immigration Service which provides decentralised immigration services to residents of Regions One and Two. With its modern exterior and interior design, the state-of-the-art holding facility will present a more public-friendly setting while providing a befitting working environment which will tremendously

aid in boosting the security capabilities of the GPF to efficiently and effectively combat crime.

Minister Robeson at the event stated that the building serves to provide service and protection to the citizens since the ranks will be better able to serve them in the new, spacious, modern, and comfortable facility.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over $280M invested to improve GPF...

FROM PAGE 12

"The Ministry of Home Affairs is working with programmes and related projects for enhancing significantly the building, infrastructure, the capital asset of the Guyana Police Force," the Minister added.

Meanwhile, with an unwavering commitment to providing safer, more secure communities, two Police outposts were also commissioned and handed over to the communities of Lima Sands and Onderneeming Sand Pit. At Lima Sands, the building was designed and installed at a cost of $4.5 million. The increased Police presence will enable effective policing in the community and its environs. Residents will now be able to go about their daily activities without hindrance, according to the Home Affairs Ministry.

The cost to construct the Onderneeming Police Outpost was not released.

These projects are part of a $3 billion Citizen

Onderneeming Sand Pit Police Outpost

Security Strengthening Programme which is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

To date, 12 Police stations were completed and seven are under construction.

The completed Police stations include Port Kaituma and Mabaruma in Region One; Aurora and Suddie in Region Two; La Grange and Parika in Region Three; Cane Grove in Region Four; Albion, Whim and Mibicuri in Region Six; Issano in Region Seven; Annai and Aishalton in Region Nine and McKenzie, Wismar and Kwakwani in Region 10.

Lima Sands Police Outpost

14 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 16,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Alcohol “planted” in Police Judiciary opens bids for vehicle during operation construction of 2 more magistrate’s courts in Reg 5 – Commander

F

ollowing a video that has been circulating on social media of a bottle of beer in a Police patrol vehicle during an operation in Regional Division Five (Mahaica-Berbice) on Saturday evening, the Commander has refuted the claims that the cops were drinking on the job.

The video that was publicly circulated had shown a beer bottle inside the cup holder of the vehicle while the ranks were on duty.

The video was taken at the Level Up Bar located at Bath Settlement in Region Five.

However, Regional Commander Kurleigh Simon explained that on the night the video was taken, ranks responded to a complaint of noise nuisance which was made directly to him. He said he had ordered ranks to immediately proceed to the scene to conduct an investigation.

“It is not the first time that there was a confrontation between the Police

The Heineken bottle that was seen inside the cup holder of the patrol vehicle

and citizens at the very location. Previously persons had to be arrested for disorderly conduct. The bar (Level Up) owner has also complained about patrons playing music from their vehicles resulting in her establishment being stained.”

“This was done at a meeting between bar/night club owners, promoters,

and the Division's hierarchy after the COVID restrictions were lifted,” the Commander reported in a subsequent release to the media.

Based on the video, the patrol vehicle was left unattended, while the cops went into the bar. The keys were also left in the vehicle.

As such, the Division Commander said that the video is malicious and is aimed at besmirching the Police for doing their duty.

Since the incident, an initial investigation (breathalyser test) has proven that the ranks had no trace of alcohol in their system. “…it has been noted that the Police acted negligently in leaving the vehicle unattended which allowed person(s) to plant the beer bottle and make the video,” the report stated.

To that end, Police said a review of their operations will be done.

Investigations are ongoing.

T

The Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court that was recently commissioned by the Judiciary of Guyana

he Judiciary of Guyana has announced the opening of bids for the construction of two magistrate’s courts – one at Cove and John, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and another at Mahaicony, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

An advertisement published on the Supreme Court of Judicature’s Facebook page said that interested bidders can peruse the bid documents at the court’s Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown office before purchasing the complete set of the bidding documents for $8000.

All bidders should submit their bids together with the bid security of two per cent of the bid price not later than June 9, 2022, to the Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Ministry of Finance, Main and Urquhart Street, Georgetown.

Bids submitted after this date will be rejected and returned to the bidders unopened. Bids will be opened on the aforementioned date by NPTAB in the presence of bidders’

representatives.

The Judiciary has been taking steps to ensure that justice is delivered on time regardless of where citizens live by constructing and renovating magistrates’ courts. In 2016, the Judiciary demolished the ageing building which had housed the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court which was situated in the compound of the Sparendaam Police Station. The court was re-commissioned in February of the following year and its quota of magistrates was increased from one to two.

Then in 2017, the Judiciary opened the Upper Demerara Magisterial District – the country’s tenth Magisterial District.

Three years later, it commissioned the Diamond/ Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). Before this $132 million court was opened, the Providence Magistrates’ Courts served the entire EBD corridor from Agricola to Timehri.

The Judiciary has also commissioned a Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Court, a Children’s Court, and

Sexual Offences Courts in each of the three counties. Last month, it commissioned a $37 million Magistrate’s Court at Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice). And last week, 12 Juvenile Drug Treatment Courts were launched throughout the magisterial districts.

The Judiciary has been praised for decentralising the magistracy given the country’s geographical layout, which makes travelling and communication very challenging at times. Recognising that the stability and strength of the justice sector are paramount to public trust and investor confidence, $4.5 billion was set aside by the Government in the 2022 budget to fund various works for advancing the justice sector.

Of this sum, $1.3 billion will fund the completion of the Port Kaituma, Mabaruma, and Vigilance Magistrates’ Courts. It will also fund the construction of magistrates’ courts and living quarters for judicial officers at Friendship and Timehri on the EBD.

NEWS

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MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police negligence tops complaints received by OPR – 197 complaints received thus far for 2022

T

he Office of P r o f e s s i o n a l Responsibility (OPR) which investigates complaints made by the public against serving Police ranks has seen an increase for 2022 when compared to the same period in 2021.

This is according to the Head of the OPR, Assistant Superintendent of Police Elston Baird during a recent programme during which he related that the increase in complaints reflects the confidence of the public in the OPR’s ability to execute its duties.

“Persons coming in more often and lodging complaints

attribute to the fact, I believe, they have the confidence the Office of Professional Responsibility can provide the necessary satisfaction that they are looking for.”

While 197 complaints were reported for this year thus far, only 97 were recorded last year.

Baird stated that Police neglect and assault are some of the most prevalent among the complaints received.

“Police failure to take action in matters that are reported that we would classify as Police neglect of those are some of the prevalent matters persons go to the station lodge their complaints,

NY-based Guyanese singer gunned down in New Jersey

NY-based Guyanese artiste Curt “Ceejay” Johnson

N

ew York-based Guyanese artiste Curt “Ceejay” Johnson was gunned down on Sunday morning during a robbery as he was leaving a party in New Jersey. The singer/producer, according to information received, was shot multiple times He reportedly died immediately on the spot. As news spread about the shooting, several Guyanese artistes living in the United States have come forward condemning the murder.

Adrian Dutchin when contacted told Guyana Times that he was still in a state of shock and disbelief.

He noted that based on information he gathered, the young man was at another party earlier in the night and after leaving, he stopped by the club. “Apparently, as he was leaving, the perpetrators saw him wearing a fat gold chain and attempted to rob him but Ceejay put up a fight… It was while putting up a resistance, he was shot several times.”

Dutchin related that the young man was loved by many and would have produced songs for many including Fugo, Big Uncle, Gucci Boss, and others. “He will definitely be missed… he was a talented young

man - one who was hardworking and was practically one of the best when it comes to rhythms.”

The former X-2 singer recalled Ceejay performing at one of his events.

“You said you wanna do a soca song but only wanna do it with me. I told you I will come to your studio and we will work it out. Now for me to typing gone too soon, I’m in tears bro”, Ian Fojo Corbin wrote on his Facebook page.

Fojo, a songwriter, stated that “Ceejay” will forever be remembered. He said the death has hit him hard since the two met recently to discuss some collaborative work.

In another section of the media, Gaddiel Henry reflected on one of the latest releases from “Ceejay”, a song titled “Goodbye”. He said he never realised that the young singer was really saying goodbye to everyone in that song.

“Great artiste with a great soul. It was a pleasure working with you my brother and we got the opportunity to share that conversation and God knows his doings,” local rapper Esan Benzy shared on his Facebook page.

Atlanta-based Guyanese designer Shawn McAllister of Demroc Clothing remembered “Ceejay” as being very supportive of his clothing line and recalled when the two first met, the singer bought several of his pieces to wear in a music video.

Johnson was listed among the group of Guyanese singers to perform at the Guyana Day celebrations in New York in August.

He migrated to the US in 2002 and got involved in the music industry almost immediately, launching his own record label and a number of singles over the years.

He leaves to mourn his wife and only child among other relatives and friends.

Police fail to act promptly on those reports or if persons believe that they’re not getting the kind of justice, they feel that the Police are not being fair in their investigations circumstances like those persons would come to the office and make complaints.”

“We have complaints from persons of allegations of assault against the perpetrators and against members of the public…those are some of the prevalent reports we would have received but mainly the neglect of duties,” ASP Baird added.

In terms of Police brutality which was a major issue last year, the OPR Head related that the number of complaints this year is on par. Feedback to the public by ranks while conducting their duties is another area where some issues arise.

OPR Head Elston Baird

“One of the things that I find that are responsible for some of these complaints, Police are taking action, not that they are not taking action, but sometimes we fail to give feedback, feedback seems to be one of the issues.

Let’s say we’re investigating a matter of breaking and

enter and persons arrested, they are not sure [which] process where the matter is at so sometimes the failure for us to contact them and inform them, they would suspect something seems suspicious and then they would come to the OPR,” he explained.

“So, I want to encourage our officers to provide feedback it wouldn’t take much if you just call the complainant and let them know, this is the stage we’re at with your investigations and they would be much satisfied,” Baird added.

However, the OPR Head further related that in some cases not all of these complaints by the public are serious and are not subject to investigations.

“I believe some of the complaints mentioned, those where persons are exoner-

ated no doubt when those reports are made not all of those complaints are subject to investigation. We sometimes listen to the complaints and we will engage the respective divisional Commanders and we will have those matters forwarded to them,” he said.

Baird encouraged members of the public to continue showing confidence in the OPR and continue to report their complaints, which can be done by letter, email, and telephone among others.

“Complaints can be made in different ways, you can either come in, what we call the walk-in complaints…you can also send a letter to us or you can also call in by phone…or you could also email us. In addition to that, person can also go to the Commissioner and lodge their complaints directly.”

FFTP donates birthing, diaper kits to GPHC

F

ood For The Poor Inc on Wednesday donated over 25 boxes of birthing and diaper kits to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Receiving on behalf of the medical facility were Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, and acting Chief Executive Officer Robbie Rambarran.

Director of Procurement and Fulfilment Food For The Poor FL Inc, Javier Ramirez at the handing over ceremony related that he was happy to collaborate with GPHC in ensuring that Guyanese receive the best healthcare.

Dr Anthony thanked Ramirez while adding that he is extremely grateful for the recent input and partnership and also values the various contributions over the past years.

CEO Rambarran also endorsed the sentiments and expressed his appreciation to Food For The Poor for their continuous support to the GPHC whether by donating, medical equipment,

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, accepting the donation on behalf of the GPHC

medical and lab supplies, or tokens.

The GPHC continues to receive donations from various organisations, both locally and internationally. Just last week, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) hand-

ed over the second phase of computer gifts to GPHC, making a total of 46 desktops and their corresponding UPS, one laptop, and 15 tablets.

PAHO/WHO’s representative, Dr Janice Woolford, a specialist in children, ad-

olescents, and women’s health, said that PAHO was pleased to partner with the GPHC and the Maternity Ward, especially with the improvement of the health information system in terms of the perinatal data system.

Active COVID cases increase as 45 new infections detected; 2 in ICU

T

he Health Ministry on Sunday reported that 45 more persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus within a 24hour period from 1037 tests conducted.

According to the Health Ministry’s updated COVID-19 dashboard, the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana is now 63,849.

But only 319 of these are currently active cases. This includes two patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining persons in isolation,

that is, 10 in institutional isolation and the other 307 persons in home isolation.

One other person is also in institutional quarantine.

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 death toll remains at 1228 while the number of recovered cases is now 62,302 – one more than the figure reported the previous day.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Guyana over two years ago, a total 611,943 tests have been conducted countrywide and of this, some 29,389 males and 34,460 fe-

males were found to be positive.

Of the 45 new cases recorded on Sunday, one was from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 20 cases from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), two from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), 21 cases from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and the remaining one case from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony last week attributed this raise in COVID-19 cases to the BA.2 subvariant of the Omicron

strain here.

After a prolonged period of declining cases, the Guyana Government, back in March, removed most restrictions as the country moves to recover from the pandemic and return to normalcy.

But 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.

16 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sister LeAnn Hamilton – her journey to becoming a professional nurse

Sister LeAnn Hamilton B y S hane M arks

A

merican nurse theorist and nursing professor, Jean Watson once said that “Nurses are a unique kind.

They have this insatiable need to care for others, which is both their greatest strength and fatal flaw.” It is on this thought, that 30-year-old LeAnn Hamilton, an emergency nurse who has eight unbroken years of service can be described.

Sister LeAnn Hamilton sat down with Guyana Times to give us a firsthand look into her eight years of being a professional nurse.

Eight years is a long time in any profession, but this young woman didn’t always want to be a nurse, or so she thought. As a child, Hamilton developed a fondness for animals.

So much so that it unsettled her to see them in any form of pain. The young woman had wanted to become a veterinarian.

She said, “I remember I always used to look after these animals, when they would get sick or have wounds or so, I would find myself, as a child, looking after them, bandaging them with whatever, even if it was a little piece of cloth. So, I actually thought I wouldn’t become a veterinarian. On the contrary, I became a nurse.”

But her aspiration was not that far off. She recalled, “When I was in high school, upon completion, I remember two of my friends, we were speaking about professions, we were thinking along the lines of nursing.”

GPHC Accident and Emergency Department Ward Manager (ag) LeAnn Hamilton

Sister LeAnn, who is a trained Emergency Nurse and acting Ward Manager for the Accident and Emergency Department at the Georgetown Public Hospital Cooperation (GPHC), said that she has always been empathetic towards everything and everyone she met, as a child and now more so has a nurse.

“I always knew I had it in me to just care,” Hamilton said, smiling.

She continued, “Caring is definitely within me, not only in the scope of nursing but generally because I believe that treating everybody as one, equally, you need to be impartial, that’s when I knew I wanted to become a nurse.”

It has always been “a passion for me,” she said.

Hamilton is an emergency nurse specialist who was a part of the first batch of nurses who benefited from a training programme offered by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center – a university in Nashville, Tennessee.

She proudly told this publication, “I am actually an emergency nurse specialist. I was a part of the first batch of emergency nurses to be trained.”

The trained nurse explained that the training has helped her learn and hone her skills as a nurse, which in turn helped her

to be a better nurse.

“That has helped me so much, this was done with Vanderbilt Hospital, and it has brought out some skills that you didn’t know you could’ve portrayed before. It helped to sharpen your nursing skills. It helped you to give better patient care,” she admitted.

Hamilton has been an emergency nurse since the inception of her nursing career. She said that “Emergency is home - my home, I was birthed here, as a nurse, and I do not regret it.”

“It’s a very beautiful profession,” she said.

“It opens your eyes to so much more. I don’t think I would’ve ventured into any other field because it’s a passion for me.”

It is expected, as a nurse of the Accident and Emergency Department, there would’ve, at some point, been a case that Sister LeAnn couldn’t handle. On the contrary, she said that she is still waiting for something to surprise her.

“To be honest, I am still waiting. I am still waiting for something to actually get to me or throw me off balance as a nurse.

I am just here for it, the adrenaline rush is there,” she light-heartedly joked.

“Nothing has thrown me off-guard yet. Everything

that I see just makes me more profound in what I do.”

Nevertheless, she had a hard time separating her work from her personal life at the beginning of her career. She said that she used to dream about the things she witnessed during the day at work.

This made her an overthinker in “a bad way,” she said. This took some time to get used to, but now, she is beyond capable of balancing her personal and work life, she admitted.

“It probably made me an overthinker in a bad way, but I juggle life better now. Work is work. You have to have a social life.

You have to be able to release your mind and have mental stability. My work actually aids in helping me to be happy because I work, I accomplish whatever goal I wanted to accomplish for the day with the other team members, and you go home and you just relax. That’s what I do now,” she said.

COVID-19 pandemic

Nurses across the world felt the impact of the sudden COVID-19 pandemic more than anyone.

“The two years, when the pandemic started…we did not know what to expect, we had zero clue,” Hamilton said. “We knew what the other parts of the

world told us from their experience.

However, though the nurses were faced with the sudden uncertainty of the then-new virus, it did not stop Hamilton and her fellow nurses from caring for their patients. The pandemic even made them more empathic.

“Caring for patients; it did not deter us from giving the care that we know each and every patient needs. It probably made us more empathic because you see so many persons losing their lives.”

The COVID-19 pandemic had caused Hamilton to develop social anxiety because of the isolated lifestyle she had to adapt to.

“Personally, I know have a bit of social anxiety because you’re accustomed to being indoors now, being a couple of feet away from persons when you go to the supermarkets or when you go to any other places.”

Losing patients

Watson’s quote becomes a striking reality when she said nurses have an “insatiable need to care for others, which is both their greatest strength and fatal flaw.”

During her eight years of being a nurse, Hamilton has lost a few patients along the way, and it has taken a toll on her.

“When you do get involved with patients on a daily basis, sometimes, in all honesty, you probably might meet this patient for fifteen minutes or so, working on them, but it might be a child. It gets to you sometimes. We cry for patients we would’ve only known for half an hour,” she sadly said.

Counselling is provided for nurses who may need to deal with their suppressed grief, but “there are some things you need to deal with on your own that you probably would not want to have others know,” Hamilton said.

Not enough nurses

Nurses are vital for the healthcare sector to function at its best, but it is generally known that nurses are not appreciated

enough for the hard work and dedication they put into their profession. But Hamilton understands the frustration of persons who may not appreciate the efforts of nurses due to their experiences of long waiting periods to receive medical assistance. She said that this is due to the staggeringly low nurse-to-patient ratio.

“Most times there is a build-up of patients. The nurse-to-patient ratio is way less than it should be because I’m sure everybody knows now, that we’re losing our nurses, we’re short of nurses, so the frustration that patients would portray towards us is because they’re tired, they’re waiting, and I understand that.

“We understand that you’re frustrated, we’re doing our best. Even though it might not show that we’re short (of nurses) because we’re working very tediously every day trying to get everything done in such a short span of time for everybody,” she said.

Recently, it has been brought to the public’s attention that the GPHC may be short staffed – which was pointed out

by Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony – due to long waiting periods to receive medical assistance.

Hamilton believes this shortage of nurses is a side effect of not enough financial investments into the wages for nurses.

She said, “Finance I think is one of the reasons, it is probably the reason nurses are leaving.

They’re looking for betterment…betterment in the way of being paid because the period of time that you are working for decades or just a few years, you got to have foresight, you’re going to be looking into the future saying “I need a house by the time I’m 30.” But, to buy a car on my salary, I probably have to save up to about four years.”

Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare sector and they should be treated with respect. They care for their patients and also for the patient's family and their colleagues.

NEWS

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MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 1 Commander tackling drugs in schools Murder, sex offences top cases for trial at Essequibo Assizes

Region One Commander, Superintendent Himnauth Sawh

J

ust one week after Guyana opened a special court to help juvenile drug addicts, Commander for Regional Division One, (Barima-Waini) Superintendent Himnauth Sawh has embarked on a mission to tackle illicit drugs.

The Commander and his team visited the North West Secondary School on Friday last, where he interacted with teachers and students of the school.

While there, he lectured students on a number of topics including the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, types, and use of illicit drugs, along with immigration services.

He then engaged students with an academic exercise where he rewarded the winning class with prizes.

M

The High Court in Essequibo Commander Sawh lecturing the students at North West Secondary School

Only last Tuesday the Judiciary of Guyana launched 12 courts to deal specifically with juveniles who are substance abusers.

These courts are located in Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Whim, Fort Wellington, Linden, Lenora, Wales, Vreeden-Hoop, Suddie, Charity, Sparendaam, and Vigilance.

The mission of the initiative is to reduce crime and substance use among adolescents through therapeutic interventions and judicial supervision.

These will also include youths who are charged with minor or nonviolent criminal offences and may have serious drug abuse disorders. The courts will offer treatment for this kind of disorder The treatment plan has four stages which will last for about 10 months or more. It

will also be supervised by a team. These include a state counsel, probation and social officers, drug abuse treatment providers, the case manager, representatives from the Ministries of Education and Health, and family members.

Also, last month, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) said it will be working closely with other sectoral agencies and the Education Ministry to tackle the issue of illegal drugs making their way into schools.

The Head of that drug enforcement body, James Singh noted that his unit has welcomed the collaboration with the joint services to ensure that the schools are rid of drugs, especially ecstasy pills. In the past, those pills have been found in secondary schools.

Four days ago, four schoolgirls of the Patentia Secondary School in Region Three were hospitalised after they allegedly consumed an illegal drug.

The incident is currently being investigated by the Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Education.

Reports are that the girls are being treated at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

Up to press time on Sunday, Police could not confirm the type of drugs the girls consumed, and have not yet issued a report.

In 2019, Police uncovered an organised ring, the players of which were engaged in trafficking of the daterape drug ecstasy by utilising school-age girls in the trade.

This had come to light after a Stewartville Secondary School girl had gone missing.

urder and sexual offences account for the bulk of cases listed for trial at the Essequibo Criminal Assizes. A new session opens on Tuesday at the High Court in Suddie, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Of the 65 matters listed for trial, sexual offences account for 39 of the cases. There are 11 cases for the capital offence of murder and another six cases for manslaughter.

There are eight cases for attempt to commit murder and one for causing grievous bodily harm with intent to commit murder.

Of the sex charges, rape of a child under 16 dominates with 19 cases, followed by sexual activity with a child under 16, with eight cases. There are another 12 rape cases.

At the October 2021 Essequibo Criminal Assizes, five matters —two for sexu-

al offences and one each for attempt to commit murder, murder, and manslaughter — were completed.

In the two separate sexual offences matters, the juries returned unanimous verdicts of not guilty for the accused persons. In the matter of attempt to commit murder with an alternate count of wounding with intent, the virtual complainant told the court he did not wish to proceed with the matter.

As such, the trial Judge directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. The Judge also directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty for the accused in the murder trial, after she upheld a no-case submission.

The accused indicted for manslaughter was acquitted by a jury verdict of not guilty. The Essequibo Assizes remain in progress until today.

HEALTH TIPS

Dr. Tariq Jagnarine Family Medicine and Endocrinology

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alaria Day 2022 “Harness innovation to reduce the malaria disease burden and save lives.”

Malaria is a life-threatening disease that’s typically transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite, and when this mosquito bites, the parasite is released into the bloodstream of its victim.

Once the parasites are inside the body, they travel to the liver, where they mature. After several days, the mature parasites enter the bloodstream and begin to infect red blood cells.

Within a period of 48 to 72 hours, the parasites inside the red blood cells mul-

MALARIA IN GUYANA

tiply, causing the infected cells to burst open. The parasites continue to infect red blood cells, resulting in symptoms that occur in cycles that last two to three days at a time.

Malaria is typically found in tropical and subtropical climates, where the parasites can live. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that, in 2020, there were 241 million malaria cases, and 627,000 malaria deaths worldwide.

Currently, Guyana represents about 3% of cases in the Americas. We have about 20,000 cases of malaria annually, primarily in the hinterland regions.

at birth. This is known as congenital malaria.

Malaria is transmitted by blood, so it can also be transmitted through: * An organ transplant * A transfusion * Use of shared needles or syringes

Causes of Malaria

* Shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe * High fever * Profuse sweating * Headache * Nausea * Vomiting * Abdominal pain * Diarrhoea * Anaemia * Muscle pain * Convulsions * Coma * Bloody stools

Malaria can occur if a mosquito infected with the Plasmodium parasite bites an individual. There are four kinds of malaria parasites that can infect humans: * Plasmodium vivax, * P. ovale, * P. malariae, and * P. falciparum.

P. falciparum causes a more severe form of the disease, and those who contract this form of malaria have a higher risk of death.

An infected mother can also pass the disease to her baby

Symptoms of Malaria

The symptoms of malaria typically develop within 10 days to 4 weeks after the infection. In some cases, symptoms may not develop for several months.

Some malarial parasites can enter the body and be dormant for long periods of time.

Common symptoms of Malaria include:

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is done through a review of the pa-

tient’s health history, including any recent travel to tropical climates. A physical exam would also be performed.

The doctor would be able to determine if the patient has an enlarged spleen or liver. If the patient has symptoms of malaria, additional blood tests may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis.

Those tests would: * Confirm malaria * Type of malaria * If the infection is caused by a parasite that’s resistant to certain types of drugs * If the disease has caused anaemia * If the disease has affected the vital organs

Life-threatening complications of Malaria

Malaria can cause a number of life-threatening complications. The following may occur: * Swelling of the blood vessels of the brain, or cerebral malaria * An accumulation of fluid in the lungs, causing breathing problems, or pulmonary edema * Organ failure of the kidneys, liver, or spleen * Anaemia due to the destruction of red blood cells * Low blood sugar

Treatment

Malaria can be a life-threatening condition, especially if the patient is infected with the parasite P. falciparum.

Treatment for the disease is typically provided at a clinic. The doctor would prescribe medications based on the type of parasite that the patient has. In some instances, the medication prescribed may not clear the infection, because of parasite-resistance to drugs. If this occurs, the doctor may need to use more than one medication, or change medications altogether to treat the condition.

Additionally, certain types of malaria parasites, such as P. vivax and P. ovale, have liver stages in which the parasite can live in the body for an extended period, and reactivate later, causing a relapse of the infection.

If the patient is found to have one of these types of malaria parasites, the patient would be given a second medication to prevent a relapse in the future.

Prognosis

People with malaria, who receive treatment, typically have a good, long-term outlook. If com-

plications arise as a result of malaria, the outlook may not be as good.

Cerebral malaria, which causes swelling of the brain’s blood vessels, can result in brain damage.

The long-term outlook for patients with drug-resistant parasites may also be poor. In these patients, malaria may recur. This may cause other complications.

Tips to prevent Malaria

There’s no vaccine available to prevent malaria. Talk to a healthcare worker if you are travelling to an area where malaria is common, or if you live in such an area.

Health workers may prescribe medications to prevent the disease. These medications are the same as those used to treat the disease, and should be taken before, during, and after a trip to an area where malaria is common.

Talk to a doctor about long-term prevention if you are living in an area where malaria is common.

Sleeping under a mosquito net may help prevent being bitten by an infected mosquito. Covering the skin or using bug sprays containing DEET may also help prevent infection.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

Regional

Honduras arrests accused New Venezuelan Ambassador drug cartel leader sought thanks T&T for its support

by US for extradition T

H

onduran authorities arrested accused cartel leader Herlinda Bobadilla on Sunday, following an extradition request for her and her sons by the United States.

Police arrested Bobadilla after an “intense confrontation” during which her son Tito Montes Bobadilla was killed, according to a tweet by National Police Commissioner Gustavo Sanchez Velasquez. Three other people were also arrested, Sanchez said without naming them. Police did not provide further details of the incident.

The United States has accused Bobadilla of being a leader of the powerful Montes drug-trafficking organisation, which it says receives cocaine in the Central American country from South America ultimate-

Herlinda Bobadilla

ly destined for the United States.

Earlier this month, the United States offered a US$5 million reward for information leading to her arrest, or for the arrest of either of her sons Tito Montes Bobadilla and Juan Carlos Montes Bobadilla, who re-

mains on the run.

Another of Bobadilla’s sons, Noe Montes Bobadilla, was arrested in 2017 and extradited to the United States, where he was sentenced to 37 years in prison for drug trafficking.

In April, Honduras extradited former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez to the United States on drug and weapons charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

On May 10, former Honduran Police Chief Juan Carlos “El Tigre” Bonilla was extradited to the United States where he faces drug-related charges.

Bonilla was Police Chief between 2012 and 2013.

Honduras has so far extradited at least 30 of its citizens to the United States for charges related to drug trafficking. (Reuters)

Peru’s economy grows 3.79%

P

eru’s economy grew 3.79 per cent in March compared with a year earlier, the country’s statistics agency said on Sunday, with most sectors of the economy showing improvement, while the key mining industry shrank due to social conflicts hitting pro-

duction.

Peru is the world’s number two copper producer, but protests from Indigenous communities in the Andes demanding higher benefits from the mining industry have affected production.

In March, Southern Copper Corp’s Cuajone

copper mine was halted throughout the month.

The economic growth is lower than the four per cent the central bank had forecast in a press conference on Friday.

Peru’s Finance Ministry expects the economy to grow 3.6 per cent in 2022.

(Reuters)

Mottley orders audit of Transport Board

A

n audit has been ordered of the operations of the Barbados Transport Board.

This was one of the major decisions coming out of a high-level meeting Friday evening at the Barbados Workers’ Union’s Solidarity House headquarters.

It was led by Prime Minister Mia Amor

Mottley; Deputy Prime Minister and Transport and Works Minister Santia Bradshaw, and other Government officials with management of the Transport Board to discuss a number of issues.

Sources told the Sunday Sun the meeting, which lasted more than three hours, also included representatives of the United

Commercial Autoworks Limited; United Transport Cooperative (UTC), which is part of the Transport Augmentation Programme (TAP), and employees of the Transport Board. All of them are represented by the BWU and General Secretary Toni Moore and consultant to the union, Sir Roy Trotman were also in attendance. (Nation News)

Jamaica transitioning to a paperless society through PKI – Minister

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overnment is continuing its buildout of Jamaica’s public key infrastructure under the provisions of the Electronic Transactions Act. The provisions of the Act allow a certifying authority to carry out the functions of issuing and regulating the use of public and private key infrastructure.

A Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) refers to a system for the creation, storage and distribution of digital certificates, which are used to verify that a particular public key belongs to a certain entity.

“The implementation of the PKI system is intended to revolutionise the way we do business and facilitate the creation and use of digital signatures for electronic transactions,” said Daryl Vaz, the Minister of Science, Energy, and Technology.

He added that this was “critical for the transition to a paperless society”.

Vaz made the comments during his recent contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives.

The Minister explained that Jamaica’s national PKI incorporates policies,

institutions and technologies that will manage the distribution, authentication and revocation of digital certificates – the digital equivalent of a handwritten signature or seal.

He noted that as of December 2021, eGov Jamaica was designated the certifying authority for the national PKI under the Electronic Transactions Act. He said the entity was poised to transition to the Information and Communication Technology Authority and as such, its designation at this time was most appropriate. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

he new Venezuelan Ambassador has thanked Trinidad and Tobago for its support of his country, especially over the last few years. Álvaro Enrique Cordero, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, met with Senator Dr Amery Browne, Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister, at the Ministry’s offices in St Clair, on Friday.

“Ambassador Sánchez utilised the opportunity to express sincere gratitude to Trinidad and Tobago for its support for the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, underscoring the strong position taken by the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Caricom against attempts to promote the exclusion of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela from the world stage,” said a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

It added: “During the cordial exchange, Minister

New Venezuelan Ambassador Álvaro Enrique Cordero and T&T Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister, Dr Amery Browne

Browne highlighted the very good cultural and people-to-people relations between both countries, the increasing importance of Spanish for enhancing the relationship of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago with the wider Latin American region and the importance of continued energy cooperation.”

Ambassador Sánchez had presented his Letters of Credence to President Paula-Mae Weekes, on May 4, while Minister Browne was on official overseas travel. Friday was the first opportunity for the Minister and Ambassador to meet at the Ministry, the release explained. (Trinidad Guardian)

San Juan man shot dead, 2 wounded in Police-involved shooting

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shootout between suspects and the Police in San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago ended in one man dying and two others – one a Police Officer – being wounded.

The deceased was identified as Kendell Paul, of Maraj Street, El Socorro, San Juan. The two wounded men were identified as 32-year-old Kevon Henry, also of Maraj Street, El Socorro, San Juan, and PC Cadore of the North Eastern Division Crime

Patrol Unit.

A Police report said officers of the North Eastern Division Crime Patrol Unit, including PC Cadore and PC Constantine, were on patrol when they got information that led them to Boundary Road.

Constantine saw a black Nissan Tiida driving south on Boundary Road, and the officers intercepted the car.

Cadore got out of the Police car and approached the Tiida when he saw Paul pull out a firearm and shoot

at him. He was hit in the right hand. Constantine got out of the vehicle and also opened fire on the car, wounding both occupants.

The three wounded were taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex where Paul died.

Henry was treated and is said to be in stable condition. Cadore was treated and released.

Investigators recovered a black Beretta pistol from the scene. (Trinidad Newsday)

Survivor search continues after migrant boat capsizes near Puerto Rico

US Coast Guard and partnered agencies respond to the capsized vessel

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he search for survivors continues after a boat on an illegal voyage carrying Haitian migrants overturned near Puerto Rico.

The US Coast Guard, US Customs and Border Protection, and the Puerto Rico Police are responding.

At least 11 people have died

and 38 were rescued so far.

A US Customs and Border Protection aircraft spotted the capsized vessel and people in the water on Thursday about 11 miles north of Desecheo Island, a small, uninhabited wildlife refuge off Puerto Rico’s western coast.

The Coast Guard and

Customs and Border Protection responded along with the marine units of the Puerto Rico Police Department. The Coast Guard launched multiple helicopters from Air Station Borinquen and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter Joseph Tezanos as part of the rescue operation.

Following a search overnight, the number of survivors increased from 31 to 38, according to an update from the Coast Guard Friday morning. Eight of the survivors are hospitalised, while the death toll remained unchanged, it said.

Most of those rescued – 36 – are Haitian nationals, and two are Dominican nationals, the Coast Guard said.(Miami Herald and ABC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

19

Around the World

Battle rages for Ukrainian region of Donbas

OILNEWS OIL NEWS R Saudi oil giant Aramco’s 1st-quarter profits surge 80%

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il giant Saudi Aramco said its profits soared more than 80 per cent in the first three months of the year as the State-backed company cashes in on the volatility in global energy markets and soaring oil prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The bumper first-quarter earnings by the firm formally known as the Saudi Arabian Oil Co show a record net income of US$39.5 billion, up from US$21.7 billion during the same period last year.

The surge was “primarily driven by higher crude oil prices and volumes sold, and improved downstream margins”, Saudi Aramco said in a press release on Sunday.

“Energy security is vital and we are investing for the long term, expanding our oil and gas production capacity to meet anticipated demand growth,” said Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser.

Resurgent economic activity and the relaxation of global coronavirus restrictions had already revived demand for hydrocarbons and delivered strong annual results for the State-backed company last year.

In March, Aramco reported a 124 per cent net profit surge for 2021.

Oil prices rallied to a 14-year high of US$139 a barrel in March immediately after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, although they later receded as Russian oil continued to flow and new lockdowns hurt oil demand in China.

International benchmark Brent crude traded at over US$111 a barrel on Sunday.

Aramco overtook Apple as the world’s most valuable company as higher oil prices pushed its shares to record levels last week, with the company’s market cap at US$2.43 trillion.

The company, the kingdom’s “crown jewel” and a key source of Government revenue, faces security challenges related to an ongoing war by a Saudi-led military coalition against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have repeatedly targeted Saudi Arabia, including Aramco sites.

Bottom of Form In 2019, Houthi-claimed aerial assaults on two Aramco facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia temporarily knocked out half of the kingdom’s crude production.

A March attack by the rebels on Aramco facilities caused a “temporary” drop in production.

In early May, Saudi Arabia reported its fastest economic growth rate in a decade, as a booming oil sector fueled a 9.6 per cent rise in the first quarter over the same period of 2021.

The world’s biggest oil exporter has resisted US entreaties to raise output in an attempt to rein in prices that have spiked since the Ukraine war began. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

ussia pummelled positions in the east of Ukraine on Sunday, its Defence Ministry said, as it sought to encircle Ukrainian forces in the battle for Donbas and fend off a counteroffensive around the strategic Russian-controlled city of Izium.

At a meeting in Germany, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) said Ukraine could win the war, calling for more military support and fast-track approval of expected bids by Finland and Sweden to join the alliance.

Ukraine has scored a series of successes since Russia invaded on Feb 24, forcing Russia's commanders to abandon an advance on the capital Kyiv before making

A view shows residential buildings destroyed during UkraineRussia conflict in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine, May 15, 2022. Picture taken with a drone

rapid gains to drive them from Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-biggest city.

Moscow's invasion, which it calls a "special operation" to disarm Ukraine and protect it from fascists, has jolt-

ed European security. Kyiv and its Western allies say the fascism assertion is a baseless pretext for an unprovoked war of aggression.

The President of Finland, which shares a 1300 km (800

mile) border with Russia, confirmed on Sunday that his country would apply to join NATO, a major policy shift prompted by Russia's invasion. Sweden's ruling party followed suit.

Since mid-April, Russian forces have focused much of their firepower on trying to capture two eastern provinces known as the Donbas after failing to take Kyiv.

An assessment by British military intelligence said Russia had lost about a third of the ground combat force deployed in February. Its Donbas offensive had fallen "significantly behind schedule" and was unlikely to make rapid advances during the coming 30 days, the assessment said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Buffalo shooting: Gunman deliberately sought black victims – Mayor

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he man suspected of shooting dead 10 people at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, deliberately sought a site with a high black population, authorities say.

The suspect, Payton Gendron, 18, drove more than 320 km (200 miles) to carry out the attack, Police say.

The attack is being investigated as an act of racially motivated violent extremism.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said the suspect arrived intending to take "as many black lives as possible".

Questions are being asked about how he was able to carry out the attack when he was already on the radar of authorities.

Gendron had previously threatened a shooting at his high school last June, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press.

The gunman was arrested after the shootings outside the Tops Friendly Market store

A 180-page document seemingly authored by Gedron has emerged, in which he describes himself as a fascist and a white supremacist.

The shooting has stunned the local community. One

of those attending a vigil on Sunday said "it just hurts, why somebody would do that", Reuters reported.

Of the 13 people shot, Police said 11 were black. Among those reported killed were a

man buying cupcakes for his son's birthday and a woman who had gone shopping after visiting her husband at a nursing home.

The attacker, dressed in military gear, drove into the car park at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo at about 14:30 EST (19:30 BST) and began livestreaming the rampage.

A security guard fired several shots back but the gunman's bulletproof vest stopped one that hit him, Police said.

He then killed the guard and stalked through the store firing at other people.

Gendron was arrested after the attack and has pleaded not guilty to murder charges.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Lebanon holds 1st Parliament election since financial collapse, blast

Turkey sets demands, L not opposed to Finland, Sweden NATO bid

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ATO and the United States say they are confident Turkey will not impede the membership of Finland and Sweden in the Western military alliance, despite Ankara expressing reservations.

Turkey laid out demands on Sunday on the sidelines of a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Berlin, saying it wanted the two Nordic countries to end support for Kurdish militant groups present on their territory, and to lift the ban on sales of some arms to Turkey.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said his talks with Swedish and Finnish

counterparts in Berlin had been helpful.

The two countries had made suggestions to respond to Ankara’s concerns, which Turkey would consider.

Cavusoglu added that he had provided proof that “terrorists” were present on their territory.

He singled out Sweden in particular, saying the Kurdish militant group the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), banned as “terrorist” by the US and European Union, had held meetings in Stockholm over the weekend.

Nevertheless, he said, Turkey did not oppose the alliance’s policy of being

open to all European nations that wish to apply.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he was confident “that we will be able to address the concerns that Turkey has expressed in a way that doesn’t delay the membership”.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declined to go into details after closeddoor conversations on the issue in Berlin, but echoed Stoltenberg’s position.

“I’m very confident that we will reach consensus on that,” Blinken told reporters, adding that NATO was “a place for dialogue”.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

ebanese voted on Sunday in the first parliamentary election since the country's economic collapse, with many saying they hoped to deal a blow to ruling politicians they blame for the crisis even if the odds of major change appear slim.

The election is seen as a test of whether the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah and its allies can keep their assembly majority amid soaring poverty and anger at parties in power.

Since Lebanon last voted in 2018 it has suffered an economic meltdown that the World Bank says was orchestrated by the ruling class, and a massive explosion at Beirut's port in 2020.

But while analysts believe public anger could help reform-minded candidates win some seats, expectations are low for a big shift in the balance of power, with the sectarian political system skewed in favour of estab-

Women pose as they hold their Lebanese passports and show their ink-stained fingers after casting their vote in Lebanon's parliamentary election, in Beirut, Lebanon, May 15, 2022

lished parties.

"Lebanon deserves better," said Nabil Chaya, 57, voting with his father in Beirut.

"It's not my right, it's my duty - and I think it makes a difference. There's been an awakening by the people.

Too little too late? Maybe, but people feel change is necessary."

The meltdown has marked Lebanon's most destabilising crisis since the 1975-90

civil war, sinking the currency by more than 90 per cent, plunging three-quarters of the population into poverty, and freezing savers out of bank deposits.

Turnout was 41 per cent, excluding 60 of 1752 polling stations, according to Interior Ministry figures, suggesting lower participation than in 2018 when the figure was around 50 per cent. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Explore the possibilities and implement updates. Stay on top of technology and industry standards; you'll gain respect. Make changes to improve your position or apply for something new.

(March 21-April 19) Look at things from every angle and decide what's best for you. Don't jump on someone's bandwagon. Pay attention to detail and maintain a level head when dealing with authority figures.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

Leave nothing to chance. Stop worrying about others. Put your energy into expanding your interests, skills and creative ideas. A disciplined attitude will keep you in the game.

(May 21-June 20) Pay attention to detail and do things that encourage others to help. Keep the momentum flowing and your options open. A joint venture will ease stress and give you financial freedom.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Broaden your outlook, pick up skills and learn something that will help you raise your earning potential. Set high standards and discuss plans with someone you can rely on for good advice.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Take nothing for granted. Control your emotions and put yourself in someone else's shoes before complaining or criticizing. Focus on personal growth instead of trying to change others.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Do something you feel passionate about, and you'll find a way to make it profitable. Invest time and money into updating your skills and marketing what you have to offer.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Participate, network and listen to what others say. The information you gather will help you develop a solid plan.

Don't let anyone limit you or prevent you from making progress.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Your emotions will be difficult to control. A designated space for a certain project will ensure your success. Selfimprovement, fitness and a relaxing break are encouraged.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Avoid crowded venues or people who don't respect your privacy. A renovation or change you make to your home or lifestyle will encourage you to free up time to do what makes you happy.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Trouble will surface if you are too open about your thoughts. Keep your secrets to yourself and go about your business. A physical change will give you a needed boost.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Don't sit back; go after what you want and don't stop until you are happy with the results. Expand your interests, but don't overspend. Do the work yourself and take credit for what you accomplish.

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

21

IPL 2022

Padikkal, Boult and Ashwin help Royals leapfrog Super Giants to No 2 R

ajasthan Royals are happy to have four No. 11s in their line-up. And this is why. Each of them – led

by Trent Boult – produced a match-winning contribution and this one will taste ever so sweet because it takes them so close to a place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) play-offs. They knocked the stuffing out of Lucknow Super Giants, who in all likelihood will be one of the teams they will meet in those knockout matches later this month. So this win – defending 178 – isn't just that, it's something to carry forward.

A young batter with a power game is one of the most exciting things in cricket. Yashasvi Jaiswal (41 off 29) certainly lived up to that billing Sunday night.

At one point, he was beaten by Avesh Khan, the ball storming past his outside edge as if it was offended that he had even tried to hit it. In the next over, as if deciding enough was enough, Jaiswal made the darn thing disappear.

That six into the crowd behind square leg in a Dushmantha Chameera over that cost 21 runs, combined with Sanju Samson's takedown of Ravi Bishnoi in the eighth over, threatened something special.

It's good to have options

This game was all about punch and counterpunch. first part of that equagiven. Batting teams e t seldom hold a

The tion is a in T20 crickback.

But for bowling team to respond, it takes either a lot of effort, or a lot of options.

Five balls after Samson owned Bishnoi, he fell to Jason Holder. So in came Devdutt Padikkal, who hit five of the first 10 balls he faced to the boundary. One ball after that run-spree, Ayush Badoni dismissed Jaiswal.

KL Rahul used eight bowlers, all of whom combined so well that by the start of the 17th over, the opposition's finisher James Neesham was batting with just R Ashwin for company and those four No. 11s to come.

A mix-up, and a botched attempt by the less recognised batter to sacrifice his wicket, left Ashwin and Boult at the crease with 14 balls still remaining, but they managed to biff 26 off those 14 balls.

Who needs batting depth?

Lightning Boult

R Ashwin celebrates (IPL/BCCI Photos)

The Royals new-ball phenom took two wickets in the third over – de Kock caught off a long hop and Badoni lbw with mesmerising inswing.

Prasidh Krishna

took out Rahul from the other end – cramping the batter for room as he tried to play the cut – and that virtually was the game.

Super Giants have relied heavily on their captain this season. More than 30 per cent of their runs (421) in winning causes have come off his blade. But here, he was gone with 14.3 overs still to play.

Chahal v Hooda

Super Giants were on the mat. They were 34 for 3 at the end of the powerplay. They hit just five boundaries in the eight overs that followed. Royals were squeezing the life out of them thanks to Ashwin (4-0-24-1) and Obed McCoy (2-0-16-0).

Deepak Hooda (59 off 39) tried to break free of this strangle and he chose to do so against the highest wicket-taker in IPL 2022. Yuzvendra Chahal was hit for a six and a four to start the 11th over. But this is not a bowler who backs down. He didn't against Glenn Maxwell. He didn't against Kieron Pollard. He didn't against MS Dhoni.

And he didn't against Hooda either. The game itself was long since over, but this head-tohead was still simmering.

Hooda has been one of the IPL's perennial itinerants, never establishing his place in

kind of trust, you will never want to let them down.

Hooda did what he could but in the end, it was just too much. He charged at Chahal once again in the 16th over, but this time the legspinner angled the ball into his pads, denying him the room to free those hands, and had him stumped off an inside edge.

Everyone just went through the motions after that.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Deepak Hooda made another fifty

Jason Holder continues his good work for LSG

West Indian Obed McCoy took two wickets on return

a n y of the teams he's played for.

A player with so many gifts, foremost among them his long reach and plenty of power, should be dominating this tournament.

But on occasion his decision-making has let him down.

At Super Giants, it seems he's been given the confidence to play the way he likes. He's been given responsibility too, batting at number three. When you've spent a long time on the fringes, and suddenly someone comes along Devdutt Padikkal and gives you that on the charge

SCOREBOARD

Trent Boult was the star of the show

Rajasthan Royals Innings Yashasvi Jaiswal c & b Badoni 41 Jos Buttler b Avesh Khan 2 Sanju Samson (c)† c Hooda b Holder 32 Devdutt Padikkal c Pandya b Ravi Bishnoi 39 Riyan Parag c Stoinis b Ravi Bishnoi 19 James Neesham run out (Rahul/ Ravi Bishnoi) 14 Ravichandran Ashwin not out 10 Trent Boult not out 17 Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 2) 4 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.90) 178/6 Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Jos Buttler, 2.2 ov), 2-75 (Sanju Samson, 8.5 ov), 3-101 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 11.2 ov), 4-122 (Devdutt Padikkal, 13.4 ov), 5-149 (Riyan Parag, 17.1 ov), 6-152 (James Neesham, 17.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohsin Khan 4-0-43-0 Dushmantha Chameera 3-0-35-0 Avesh Khan 3-0-20-1 Jason Holder 2-0-12-1 Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-31-2 Marcus Stoinis 1-0-15-0 Ayush Badoni 1-0-5-1 Krunal Pandya 2-0-16-0

LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS INNINGS (Target: 179 runs from 20 overs) Quinton de Kock † c Neesham b Boult 7 KL Rahul (c) c Jaiswal b Prasidh Krishna 10 Ayush Badoni lbw b Boult 0 Deepak Hooda st †Samson b Chahal 59 Krunal Pandya c Parag b Ashwin 25 Marcus Stoinis c Parag b Prasidh Krishna 27 Jason Holder c †Samson b McCoy 1 Dushmantha Chameera b McCoy 0 Mohsin Khan not out 9 Avesh Khan not out 1 Extras (lb 3, w 12) 15 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 7.70) 154/8 Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Quinton de Kock, 2.1 ov), 2-15 (Ayush Badoni, 2.2 ov), 3-29 (KL Rahul, 5.3 ov), 4-94 (Krunal Pandya, 13.1 ov), 5-116 (Deepak Hooda, 15.6 ov), 6-120 (Jason Holder, 16.4 ov), 7-120 (Dushmantha Chameera, 16.6 ov), 8-151 (Marcus Stoinis, 19.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Trent Boult 4-0-18-2 Prasidh Krishna 4-0-32-2 Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-42-1 Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-24-1 Obed McCoy 4-0-35-2

22 Guyana Harpy Eagles depart to Trinidad for CWI Regional Four-Day MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– Crandon continues to call for big runs from batsmen

By Brandon Corlette

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he Guyana Harpy Eagles departed Guyanese shores on Sunday to play in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Four-Day championships starting on May 18 in Trinidad and Tobago, and Head Coach Esuan Crandon continued his call for the batsmen to score big. " T a g e n a r i n e Chanderpaul put his hands up and scored a huge century; that is what we were asking our batters to do, to score heavy. Once you have a start, go big. We had some other guys that had half-centuries, but we wanted them to kick on and go big. That is what we expect from them in upcoming games. If they really want to represent the West Indies, they have to score big runs. I am pleased with the little progress made thus far, but I am disappointed with some of them that gave it away easily. It is a work in progress," Crandon said in a recent press conference.

At this point the call for batsmen to score big is almost a "recurring decimal".

After two rounds, Vishaul Singh is the leading batsman with 143 runs. He has a high score of 93, and averages 35.75.

Anthony Bramble has 129 runs, and Chandrapaul Hemraj has 124 runs. Crandon is also calling for batsmen to be

more responsible.

"Batting is high on the list, we have to get good starts and convert them into big scores. Guys need to develop their mental capacity to bat longer. I think our batters must take more responsibility and play their roles.

They were selected to score runs, so we want t h e m to score runs," he said.

Veerasammy Permaul is the leading Guyanese bowler with eight wickets in the two rounds, and Crandon is calling for more consistency from his bowlers. "From a bowling perspective, we are going to look more at consistency. Hitting good areas: we want to utilise the new ball well and open early doors to put batters under pressure.

We want to back up well in the field, especially in the slip cordons

Last season, Barbados dethroned Guyana in the truncated Four-Day tournament

and guys around the bat," Crandon said.

Fitness has been an issue in the Caribbean, but from a Guyanese perspective, the players have shown improvement. "In terms of numbers, we would have made some strides, and I am expecting to see a fitter Harpy Eagles team on the field. I am expecting to see better decision-making. I strongly believe that once you have fitter players ;they are able to function well and sustain that focus for longer periods," Crandon noted.

At this point in the championships, the Guyana Harpy Eagles are

Head Coach Esuan Crandon

fourth with 21.4 points, and starting well will be essential.

"In every game you want to start well. Barbados is no different. We found ourselves in a different position. Whereas, we are chasing behind the championship now. We have to take it step by step. We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves. Sometimes when you chase things like that, you look too far and you do not do the small things well. We have to plan well and execute well. We have a template that we use, and we will back that," Crandon said.

Guyana Harpy Eagles

squad: Leon Johnson (Captain); Keemo Paul (Vice Captain); Chandrapaul Hemraj; Tagenarine Chanderpaul; Tevin Imlach; Vishaul Singh; Akshaya Persaud; Anthony Bramble; Veerasammy Permaul; Gudakesh Motie; Nial Smith; Demetri Cameron; Antony Adams; Kevin Sinclair and Ronsford Beaton. The officials accompanying the team are Manager Albert Clements (Smith); Head Coach Esuan Crandon, Assistant Coach Ryan Hercules, Cricket Analyst Keshava Ramphal and Physiotherapist Angelica Holder.

Shami, Saha lead the way as Gujarat beat CSK the 14th over.

Saha crossed his half-century and GT required 17 off the final four overs. David Miller joined Saha at the crease and GT wrapped up the chase with five balls to spare and registered a seven-wicket victory. Earlier, CSK, who opted to bat first, made four changes – N Jagadeesan, Prashant Solanki, Mitchell Santner and Pathirana were named in the XI. Mohammad Shami provid-

SCOREBOARD

Gujarat Titans are confident of securing a top two spot

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he Gujarat Titans (GT) continued their winning run in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 after beating the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by seven wickets on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. An unbeaten 67* at the top by Wriddhiman Saha guided GT to a resounding seven-wicket victory as they successful-

ed an early breakthrough for GT after Devon Conway was caught behind.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ali upped the scoring rate and added three sixes inside the powerplay as CSK were 47-1 after six overs.

The fifty partnership was up for the second wicket before Sai Kishore dismissed Ali, who holed out at deep mid-wicket in the ninth over. GT kept things tight with the ball after CSK were 73-2 at the halfway

ly chased down the target with five balls to spare.

Chasing 134 for victory, GT were off to a positive start after Saha creamed three fours in the first over.

The wicketkeeper-batter was given a reprieve in the third over off Mukesh Choudhary. Saha smacked his first six of the innings in the fifth over.

The fifty partnership was up for the opening

wicket after Shubman Gill struck consecutive fours and GT were 53-0 after six overs. Matheesha Pathirana broke the partnership after Gill was trapped lbw and GT were 81-1 at the halfway stage. Moeen Ali provided the second breakthrough after Matthew Wade was caught at longon. Pathirana claimed his second wicket to dismiss GT skipper Hardik Pandya in

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS INNINGS Ruturaj Gaikwad c Wade b Rashid Khan 53 Devon Conway c †Saha b Mohammed Shami 5 Moeen Ali c Rashid Khan b Sai Kishore 21 Narayan Jagadeesan not out 39 Shivam Dube c †Saha b Joseph 0 MS Dhoni (c)† c Yash Dayal b Mohammed Shami 7 Mitchell Santner not out 1 Extras (lb 2, nb 1, w 4) 7 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 6.65) 133/5 Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Devon Conway, 2.1 ov), 2-65 (Moeen Ali, 8.4 ov), 3-113 (Ruturaj Gaikwad, 15.6 ov), 4-114 (Shivam Dube, 16.3 ov), 5-130 (MS Dhoni, 19.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohammed Shami 4-0-19-2 Hardik Pandya 2-0-8-0 Yash Dayal 3-0-27-0

Rashid Khan 4-0-31-1 Alzarri Joseph 3-0-15-1 Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore 4-0-31-1 GUJARAT TITANS INNINGS (Target: 134 runs from 20 overs) Wriddhiman Saha † not out 67 Shubman Gill lbw b Pathirana 18 Matthew Wade c Dube b Ali 20 Hardik Pandya (c) c Dube b Pathirana 7 David Miller not out 15 Extras (b 4, lb 2, w 4) 10 TOTAL 19.1 Ov (RR: 7.14) 137/3 Fall of wickets: 1-59 (Shubman Gill, 7.1 ov), 2-90 (Matthew Wade, 11.2 ov), 3-100 (Hardik Pandya, 13.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mukesh Choudhary 3-0-28-0 Simarjeet Singh 3-0-26-0 Mitchell Santner 4-0-24-0 Prashant Solanki 4-0-18-0 Matheesha Pathirana 3.1-0-24-2 Moeen Ali 2-0-11-1

mark. Gaikwad continued to attack and was joined

by Jagadeesan. The fifty was up for Gaikwad before Jagadeesan slammed his first maximum of the innings as CSK were 109-2 with five overs to go.

Rashid Khan claimed the important wicket of Gaikwad, who was caught

by Wade in the deep. Shivam Dube was out caught behind in the next over, bowled by Alzarri Joseph. The next two overs produced only 11 runs before Shami scalped his second wicket to dismiss the CSK skipper in the final over as CSK posted 133-5 in their innings. (IPL)

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23 Campbell, John are top riders at three-stage cycling MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– Spencer is female champ, Grant-Stuart top veteran, Sookhai top junior

Team Evolution rider Curtis Dey placed third overall Akil Campbell and Jamual John came together for the finish

Arjoon Sookhai was the top junior rider

Story and Photos By Brandon Corlette

T

he man who plies his cycling trade in Trinidad, Akil Campbell was crowned the overall winner of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) Independence threestage cycling race. The Team Foundation rider finished the three stages in seven hours, 18 minutes, and 19 seconds.

His team-mate, the consistent Jamual John finished second with a time of seven hours, 22 minutes and 32 seconds. Both Campbell and John came together for the finish, in the third and final stage from Linden to Georgetown.

Linden's Clivecia Spencer was the top female rider, as she won the first two stages and was the lone female starter in the final stage.

Walter "One Hand" GrantStuart was the top veteran while Arjoon Sookhai was the top junior rider.

Under overcast conditions, interrupted by occasional showers, a reduced

Walter "One Hand" Grant-Stuart was the top veteran

number of cyclists started in Linden. As the riders raced towards Homestretch Avenue for the finish, John and Campbell broke away from the peloton at Umbrella Hill. The duo displayed a high level of fitness and skill to maintain the lead and cruised to the podium.

Team Evolution's Curtis Dey came third in the final stage and he was also the third-place rider in the senior category, across three stages. He had a time of seven hours, 28 minutes, and 36 seconds. Team Alanis rider Kemuel Moses had the fourth best timings while

Andrew Symonds: Former Australia cricketer dies aged 46 in car crash

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ormer Australia cricketer Andrew Symonds has died aged 46 after being involved in a car crash.

The all-rounder played 26 Tests, 198 One-Day Internationals and 14 Twenty20s for Australia between 1998 and 2009.

A powerful batter, canny bowler and fine fielder, Symonds was part of two 50-over World Cup wins and Australia's Ashes victory over England in 2006-07.

Queensland Police said early information indicated Symonds' car "left the roadway and rolled".

A statement added: "Emergency services attempted to revive the 46-year-old driver and sole occupant, however, he died of his injuries. The forensic crash unit is investigating."

Symonds' wife Laura told the Brisbane Courier Mail: "We are still in shock –

Andrew Symonds

I'm just thinking of the two kids."

Cricket Australia said it was "shocked and saddened by the news".

Born in Birmingham, England, but raised in Australia, Symonds played county cricket in the United Kingdom for Gloucestershire, Kent, Lancashire and Surrey. He also played for Queensland for 17 seasons, and for

Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Symonds' exploits with Gloucestershire, who he had initially represented as a domestic player, earned him a call-up for an England A tour in 1995 - but he declined the offer and chose to pursue his ambitions to play for Australia, making his ODI debut three years later.

He had jointly held the record for most sixes hit in a County Championship innings – he hit 16 in a knock for Gloucestershire against Glamorgan in 1995 – until Ben Stokes bettered his total last week. His passing is another significant loss for Australian cricket, following the deaths of former wicketkeeper Rod Marsh and legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne earlier this year. (BBC Sport)

Jason Cameron, David Hicks, Deeraj Gharbarran,

Walter Grant-Stuart, Marcus Keiler, and Andre Green rounded out the top 10 riders in the senior category.

Grant-Stuart had the best time among veterans – seven hours, 33 minutes, and two seconds. Robin Persaud had an overall time of seven hours, 39 minutes, and 20 seconds while Paul Choo Wee Nam had the same time.

Both veterans had come in second overall.

Junior riders started the final stage at the first toll and the top junior, Sookhai, had an overall time of five hours, 58 minutes, and 15 seconds. Sherwin Sampson crossed the finish line four seconds later while Dimitri Madamsick came in third overall with a time of five hours, 59 minutes, and 54 seconds. Ahjani Cutting placed fourth in the junior category, with a time of five

Clivecia Spencer was the best female rider on show

hours, 59 minutes, and 57 seconds.

For the seniors, the threestage race stretched over some 165 miles across the two days. After emerging victorious, Campbell said it was a good race for him and it was his first race of the year.

"I came over here to race with John and we pulled off one-two," Campbell noted.

He said that good teamwork ensured a dominant Team Foundation win in the threestage, despite Raynauth "Obeah Man" Jeffrey having a poor showing in the second stage, and not riding in the final stage.

When asked about the conditions in the final stage, the Trinidadian Campbell said: “I really do not like the East Bank road. John had to bring me home, but it worked out good."

MONDAY, MAY 16, 2022

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

Campbell, John are top riders at threestage cycling

– Spencer is female champ, Grant-Stuart top veteran, Sookhai top junior

Pg 23

John and Campbell dominated the event

Guyana Harpy Eagles depart to Page 22 Trinidad for CWI Regional Four-Day

– Crandon continues to call for big runs from batsmen

Guyana Harpy Eagles upon departure

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