Guyana Times - Monday May 3, 2021

Over 1400 to benefit from improved water supply in Region 8

P16 – as Govt pumps $94M into improving water systems Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4636

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

Guyana's oil production likely to exceed 500,000 bpd by 2024 See story on page 9

– as Hess reveals developmental projects on schedule for completion

Oil revenues to be used to close developmental gaps, implement plans to be globally competitive – President Ali Page 3

Single mothers, children homeless as fire guts Linden home

PRICE

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Man stabbed to death by friend during argument over broken cellphone P10

Berbice couple terrorised, robbed during home P14 invasion Child sex abuse cases exceeded 300 at the end of P18 March Man crushed by pick-up P11 in Corentyne accident Murder suspect who stabbed P18 girlfriend to death succumbs after consuming poison

Family of 3 P2 homeless after fire rips through Tuschen home

India, Guyana to further collaborate on electoral reform, agriculture Page 11

Page 14

Death toll now 299, 114 new COVID-19 cases recorded …active cases surge to 1836

Page 15

Unidentified P8 man dies after complaining of feeling unwell

2 NEWS Family of 3 homeless after fire rips through Tuschen home A MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

family of three is now homeless after a fire of unknown origin destroyed their Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) house on Saturday evening.

According to information received, the fire started sometime around 18:45h.

Guyana Times understands that 34-year-old Savitree Kodai along with her husband and son were two corners away from their home when they were informed that their two-storey wooden and concrete home was on fire. The family reportedly stood helplessly as they watched their

home engulfed in flames.

The Guyana Fire Service was summoned to the scene and the firefighters were able to contain the blaze from spreading to nearby buildings.

An investigation has since been launched to ascertain the cause and origin of the fire. One eyewitness explained that when the fire tenders arrived at the scene, there was nothing the firefighters could have done to save the structure.

Due to high winds, the fire spread quickly, thus giving the family no chance to save any household items. The devastated family is currently seeking refuge at relatives.

The house was completely destroyed

NEWS

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MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Monday, May 3 – 10:30h – 12:00h and Tuesday, May 4 – 00:30h – 02:00h and 11:30h – 13:00h. The Bridge will also be closed for maintenance from 22:30h on Tuesday to 04:30h on Wednesday.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, May 3 – 09:30h – 11:00h and Tuesday, May 4 – 10:50h – 12:20h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

There will be light rain showers during the day and night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 09:12h and 22:13h reaching maximum heights of 2.24 metres and 2.27 metres.

Low Tide: 15:31h reaching a minimum height of 0.98 metre.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021

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FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021 DAILY MILLIONS

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Oil revenues to be used to close developmental gaps, implement plans to be globally competitive – President Ali

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s Guyana’s oil industry continues to boom, the revenues will be used to close existing gaps in various sectors while creating new opportunities so that the country could become globally competitive.

These were the sentiments of the Guyanese Head of State at a recent engagement with the press while noting that the revenues will also be used to better the lives of all Guyanese.

This means ensuring equality in opportunities and newer investments to boost socio-economic development.

“We have made it very clear that the oil revenue must be linked to something broader. The oil revenue must be used to one: strengthen existing opportunities in our country and two: to open up new opportunities. New opportunities for investment, new opportunities for economic growth and new opportunities for social development,” Ali indicated.

Some of the current gaps, he identified, exist within the public system and the delivery of key services in the country. With this under control, Government can also look at bolstering its agriculture sector to become a key player in the regional market.

“In creating those opportunities, we have to ensure that there is equity and that there is no widening between those who have and those who don’t have. The resources have to be used to close that gap, so healthcare, education, food security, housing are all areas that are critical in closing that gap. Whilst we open up new opportunities for ownership of land, farming, agriculture, realising our potential to become the prime supplier of food regionally.”

The Head of State added that oil revenues will also

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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

$67.25/barrel

-1.95

Rough Rice

$245. 97/ton

-0.11

London Sugar

$461.20/ton

-0.26

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1770.60

$1771.60

Low/High Change

$1765.90 +1.50

$1771.80 +0.08%

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

President Irfaan Ali

be expended in creating a strong energy mix for the country, which will create a ripple effect in the manufacturing and services industries. With lower costs, Guyana can be globally competitive in marketing local products.

“We have to look at investments to create the energy mix that would not only satisfy our local demand but that will be part of the energy corridor that is currently being discussed along the Guyana Shield.

Then we have to look at how we’re going to use the resources to open up new opportunities in manufacturing, industrial development just to bring down the cost of energy, lower the cost of production, lower the cost of finished goods so that be globally competitive,” the President outlined.

Keeping with the goal of creating a productive workforce, he foresees a better infrastructure to rid the

current traffic woes in the country. In recent years, the coastal corridor has been plagued with vehicular traffic during peak hours – a loss of both time and money.

“Of course, then we have our national infrastructure.

We cannot continue using thousands of manhours every day in traffic. We have to understand that our country is growing, that the need for infrastructure is expanding so these are areas that we have to target…We cannot increase productivity in this environment.”

In March, the PPP/C Government had confirmed that the country received payment for the fifth oil lift, deposited directly into the country’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF) at the New York Federal Reserve Bank.

“On February 5, 2021, 997,420 barrels of oil were lifted from Liza Destiny with a value of US$61 million with a grand total to date of 5,009,797 barrels of oil worth US$246.5 million.

Inclusive of royalties, the total in the Natural Resource Fund Account now stands at US$267.6 million,” the release said.

In providing a recap, the Ministry explained that Guyana received its first payment of US$54.9 million for an oil lift dated February 19, 2020. Guyana’s second lift on May 21, 2020, was valued at US$35 million.

The third lift, which occurred on August 9, 2020, was valued at US$46 million, while the fourth lift occurred on December 9, 2020, and came in at US$49.4 million in value.

The Stabroek Block off-

shore Guyana is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres).

ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

Exxon has so far made 19 oil discoveries offshore Guyana, discoveries which have been credited with being a major source of cash flow for the oil giant. Only last week, oil was found in Exxon’s Uaru-2 well.

The start-up of Liza Phase 2 remains on target for 2022, as the Liza Unity FPSO prepares to sail away from Singapore to Guyana later this year. The Unity FPSO has a production capacity of 220,000 barrels of oil per day at peak rates.

The hull for the Prosperity FPSO vessel, the third project at the Payara Field, is complete, and topsides construction activities have commenced in Singapore with a startup target of 2024.

These new projects continue to drive investment in the Guyanese economy.

More than 2300 Guyanese are now supporting project activities on and offshore, which reflects a more than 20 per cent increase since the end of 2019. ExxonMobil and its key contractors have spent approximately US$388 million with more than 800 local companies since 2015.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

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

Feeding the nation

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ack in 2013, the news that Guyana was among the 38 countries that have achieved the first Millennium Development Goal ahead of the 2015 deadline – to halve the percentage of persons in the country that were hungry compared to baseline figures from 1990 – was more than gratifying. That we were only one of 18 to have achieved the more stringent World Food Summit goal set in 1996, to halve the number of undernourished persons by 2012, was even more astounding for a country that had been plunged to the level of sub-Saharan Africa by the People’s National Congress (PNC) by 1992, when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) took office.

What our experience demonstrated was that good intentions in this area were simply not good enough. The PNC, in its 1972-1976 Five Year Plan, had explicitly stated their goals were to “Feed, clothe and house” the nation by the end of the plan. But the policies that it undertook proved to be so disastrous that thousands ended up contracting “white mouth” as a visible sign of rampant malnutrition.

Guyanese ruefully learnt that “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”.

We can look at those plans as an object lesson in “what not to do” if we are to achieve the new “Zero Hunger Challenge” launched by the United Nations in 2012 and which we have to concede we haven’t reached. . The first lesson is that farmers must be given incentives to remain on the land. Appeals to “patriotism” will not suffice. One of the pillars of Guyanese food security has been the rice industry since that grain is our main staple by far. Owing to the knowledge of wet rice cultivation brought over from their native north India by the post-1838 indentured labourers, Guyana moved from being an importer of rice (from Myanmar, then “Burma”) to an exporter at the beginning of the 20th century.

The incentive were the profits gleaned by the farmers, enabling them to claw their way up the economic ladder.

The PNC’s plan was supposedly rational – on paper. They would purchase all paddy and rice from the farmers, invest initially in large-scale milling facilities and control all exports. The profits were supposed to be ploughed back into the economy to fund the thrust into manufacture so that the country could climb up the value-added staircase.

The fatal flaw was that the Government and its planners were either too greedy or they overestimated the patriotism of the farmers. Or vindictive. Their price to the farmers was so low that based on the foreign sale price, there was an implicit tax on the rice industry of over 100 per cent. The result, not surprisingly, was that farmers left the industry in droves and those that remained did so because there were no alternative sources of employment. Just as unsurprisingly, when the PPP Government reversed the policies of the PNC and also pumped money into agricultural infrastructure such as drainage and irrigation, production escalated to the present record-breaking 600,000+ tonnes per annum.

The same policy must be followed in all the other areas of food production and the new Irfaan Ali Administration has given its commitment to this end. Guyana’s comparative advantage has always been in its vast areas of available farmland. When sugar was king back in the colonial days, they received the choicest land and irrigation/drainage priorities. With the downsizing of the industry, these lands should be put into alternative crops to satisfy both local and foreign demand for “food security”.

We certainly should not replicate the PNC’s policies to ban foodstuffs because it constitutes a “drain on foreign reserves”. People must be free to eat what they choose. but we cannot be oblivious that the choice between foods which may have the same nutritional value is socially constructed.

Institutions such as Carnegie and our hotels must be more creative in preparing and presenting locally-produced food.

The key to success against hunger, we repeat, is: incentives, incentives, incentives – to farmers.

Researcher Michelle Havlik of Australia retrieves a piece of equipment as she dives in the Red Sea, offshore of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, December 15, 2019. Havlik is part of a team led by Spanish marine biologist Carlos Duarte, who is committed to solving climate change and advising the leaders of the world’s foremost petro-state (Reuters/Lucas Jackson)

Happy Arrival Day Dear Editor, As we celebrate Portuguese and Indian Arrival Day on May 3 and May 5, respectively, we must continue to show our gratitude to our ancestors for their sacrifices which have shaped our present and influence our future.

Berbice is blessed to have the villages of the Portuguese Quarter and Calcutta along the Corentyne Coast. A strong reminder of our indentured immigrant past. Clearly, the beauty of these two cultures remains ever-present in the ancient county.

Thanks to the arrival of the Portuguese and Indians, we have gained independence. The influence and contributions of many sons and daughters of these two

cultures including Minster of Finance Peter D'Aguiar and HE President Dr Cheddi Jagan have spurred significant growth of our nation.

These two esteemed sons of Guyana formed and led their own political parties which championed the cause of the Portuguese and Indian members of our society. This is but a small example of the great heritage that has been rooted in Guyana thanks to the arrival of the Portuguese and Indians.

The recent celebration of Labour Day on May 1 was not only a celebration of today's workers but it was also another form of showing our continual gratitude to the sacrifices made by the Portuguese and Indians

that arrived many years ago to help build the sugar industry of Guyana. It is with this gratitude we continue to show our respect to these fellow citizens who on equal footing have led and built our nation, leading us to where we are today.

They have strengthened our future by continually making significant contributions to the development of Guyana. As another humble son of Portuguese and Indian immigrants, I must also acknowledge the difficulty faced by the Portuguese and Indians in our society despite the many contributions made over the years. The disunity in our society that many attribute to the sugar industry and the redistribution of labour in the 1800s contin-

ues to be a challenge of today yet to be overcome.

For those who do not share nor identify with the heritage of the Portuguese and Indians, I invite you to consider how different Guyana's history would be today without the contributions of these two great cultures. We must not see each other as perpetual rivals, but instead, accept that we each have a positive role to play in our country's development. With this in mind, as we celebrate the arrival of our ancestors to Guyana, let us recommit ourselves towards and continue to strive for unity and shared prosperity in the future Guyana we hope to achieve.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

It is time for all Guyanese to stand up against racism Dear Editor, Ever since the conclusion of elections last year, we have seen the Coalition taking a stance and labelling the Government as being racist.

However, I am of the view that the biggest racists are the ones who like to point their fingers and call others racists.

The APNU+AFC camp is filled with such people.

Time after time again, we see their leaders on social media ridiculing PPP/C supporters as being “trench crapauds”, and yet these same ‘leaders’ have the audacity to claim that they

represent all Guyanese.

Their behaviour reeks of hypocrisy.

Just recently, Amanza Walton-Desir appeared on a live programme with Dr. David Hinds, and she described PPP/C supporters, the majority of whom are of Indo-Guyanese ethnicity, as being “mentally lazy people”. She expressed the view that these supporters find it “burdensome to think for themselves”. Though she did not explicitly say it, it is anyone’s guess which group of persons she was referring to.

It is becoming evident day after day that many

of these so-called leaders within the APNU+AFC hold similar views. Their mindset is one that says that Indians are below them, and are incapable of being independent and critical thinkers. How can these people even claim that they are a party that represents all Guyanese when that is how they view half of the population?

I express my utmost displeasure with WaltonDesir’s comment, and urge all right-minded Guyanese to do the same. Leaders should be able to guide their people in the right direction. They should have

the interest of the people at heart.

Segregating people and having mindsets that place certain groups above others are not good traits. Racism and politics do not go hand in hand.

In my view, the APNU+AFC continues to show its inability to represent itself to Guyana as a progressive party. That is one of its many downfalls.

It is time for all Guyanese to stand up against racism from the very people who promised to unite us.

Respectfully, Erin Northe

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MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

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

CLE celebrates 50th anniversary West Indians should unite in sports Dear Editor, The Council of Legal Education (CLE) in the Caribbean celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Prior to its establishment, would-be lawyers had to journey to the United Kingdom, in the bitter cold and at great expense, to pursue studies in one of the Inns of Court (Middle Temple and Gray’s Inn are two of the well-known ones), but that costly and inconvenient exercise ceased, thus paving the way for hundreds, if not thousands, to read law in the region; and, no doubt, that is the reason why the region is flooded with lawyers.

In the Caribbean law programme, there are no dinners, as required by the English training/tradition.

Only Caribbean-trained lawyers are allowed to practise in the region, but lawyers who qualified outside the Caribbean are allowed to practise in the region after successfully completing a six-month training at one of the three law schools. There was, up to the mid-eighties, a cut-off period in which English trained lawyers could be admitted to practise.

The CLE was created by the Agreement signed by the Governments of Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and the Universities of the West Indies (UWI) and Guyana (UG). The agreement was penned based on an agreement made in 1970 by those countries as well as Antigua, Bahamas, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, St Christopher, Nevis/Anguilla, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent.

The Council was established in order to provide training in the Region (rather than in Britain) for lawyers wishing to practise law in the region. Its establishment

came a year after that of the UWI Faculty of Law, which has departments on each of the three University campuses. The CLE operates three law schools. The Norman Manley (Jamaica) and the Hugh Wooding (Trinidad and Tobago) were established in 1973, and the Eugene Dupuch was established in 1998 in the Bahamas.

I am proud to say that almost every Judge in the region is a product of the CLE. Most jurisdictions, including those of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, has a Caribbean-trained lawyer as Head of the Judiciary.

Sir Tapley Saton, QC, is one of the first graduates of the CLE, and he is now the Governor General of St Kitts & Nevis. Incidentally, he was the first Caribbeantrained Attorney General as well as Queen’s Counsel.

Sandra Mason (now Dame Mason) of the first batch is now the Governor General of Barbados. She was elevated to the highest office after her judicial appointments, especially in the Appellate Court.

Jamaican Denis Morrison, a retired Court of Appeal Judge, was a Rhode scholar.

There were/are a few Prime Ministers, including Dean Barrow of Belize, Kamala Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago, and Kenny Anthony of St. Lucia, who graduated from the CLE. I was in the fifth batch (graduated in 1979 from Hugh Wooding Law School). At that time, UG dealt only with the first year LLB programme, and students had to complete the degree course at Cave Hill in Barbados. Now students can complete the full LLB degree programme at UG. Guyana’s quota of students to the Law School is 25, but steps are being taken

for the intake to be increased.

When I started to practise, the English-trained lawyers did not readily accept the Caribbean-trained lawyers.

They called us Caricom lawyers. It took some time, but we won their admiration.

The profession was fused in 1980 when all lawyers were called Attorneys at law. Prior, it was Barrister and Solicitor.

Today, only a handful of lawyers in Georgetown are English-trained, and they are all Seniors. I refer to Ashton Chase, who is now in his 90s, and Ralph Ramkarran and Eddie Luckhoo, who are in their seventies. Like any other institution, there were/are a few bad apples among the regional graduates - a few were/ are engaged in corrupt practise, excessive drinking, gambling, and sexual misconduct.

A few were even prosecuted, but all in all, the legal profession remains a noble one. In fact, a few Caribbean-trained lawyers are lay preachers, and spread the word of God. Guyanese jurist Aubrey Frazer was the first Director who headed the Norman Manley Law School, with Fenton Ramsahoye as Deputy Director, who was Principal of the Hugh Wooding Law School.

The CLE in the Caribbean has been in existence for more than 42 years, and has trained legal practitioners through the three law schools. The Council comprises the Attorneys General, the Judiciary, the practising bar, the Dean of the Faculty of Law at UWI, the principals of the three law schools. It comprises a Board with a Chairman and 12 members. The current Chairman is Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Counsel Reginald Armour.

Respectfully, Oscar Ramjeet

Dear Editor, It has become rather perplexing that, in spite of the jelling of the West Indies Cricket Team, the nations of the Caribbean refuse to use this model for all sports.

This issue has been mooted from time to time in various Caribbean media, starting almost two decades ago, but it has never been addressed by Caribbean governments, sporting bodies, and Caricom.

In the 2016 Olympics, the English-speaking Caribbean tallied 17 medals. In 2012, that number was 43. A West Indies soccer team stands a chance of competing internationally and possibly winning medals in a way that none of the territorial teams do. Ditto for any other team sports. In athletics, a West Indies team can bring home a significant amount of medals from various world games, the Olympics, and so on, especially given that powerhouse Jamaica will be supplemented by the best of the Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, and the other nations.

There are also other reasons for West Indian participation as a single entity in the international sports arena. For one, it’s much more cost effective, since instead of large numbers of officials that accompany the various teams, there would be one set of officials at any given time, and trips for the boys or girls would be eliminated.

As well, we have seen how cricket brings us together even as we debate, argue and ‘diss’ at the national level in seeking to claim the superiority of our country’s teams. This level of coming together on the one hand and

bantering on the other across the Caribbean will become multiplied with each new West Indian birthed, and this can only be healthy for Caribbeanness.

As well, besides expanding that glue keeping us together, other West Indian teams can also ensure that the cream rises to the top and become internationally sought after, while those just below strive to get to the top as in cricket.

As Ian MacDonald pointed out almost two decades ago, “For 30 years, from 1953 to 1983, there was one other united West Indian sports team: the West Indies Davis Cup tennis team. I know this well, since I played with extreme pride in the very first match for the West Indies in their tie against the United States in Jamaica in 1953, and later captained West Indies Davis Cup teams with even greater pride in the 1960s.

“I think it was a tragedy that the West Indian Tennis Association meekly accepted a sudden ruling by the International Lawn Tennis Federation in 1983 that the West Indies, not constituting a country by their rules, could no longer play in the Davis Cup as a united team.

“Since 1983, there have been a number of years when a West Indian team, drawing on the tennis talents of all the region’s countries, would have done extremely well in the Davis Cup. And, like cricket, other sports can bring international tournaments to the Caribbean, and overall economic benefits, in-

cluding boosting tourism and putting the Caribbean on the global stage, as cricket is doing.

Consequently, there will also be more money to develop sports, including building needed infrastructure and maximising use of currently available ones”.

I quote Mr. MacDonald again: “I cannot understand why more thought has not been given to organising sports other than cricket on a pan-West Indian basis. Nor can I understand why there has not been more debate on this issue in the Caribbean media. A West Indian presence as one nation in the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, the Pan-American Games, the Davis Cup (again), the World Cups in soccer and rugby, and other world and regional events is infinitely worth pursuing. As West Indians draw closer together, we cannot afford to neglect the tremendous emotional charge that can be derived from grassroots identification with sporting teams embracing all of us as one.”

And while some international sports bodies, as pointed out above, will claim that the West Indies cannot participate as one team, since it’s a conglomeration of nations, unified West Indian sports teams can fight this, and more likely than not win out, especially given that Caricom does reflect a ‘one team’ concept in many ways.”

Sincerely, Annan Boodram

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MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

Question 1

Foundation ◄

Page

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark ACT I SCENE I. Elsinore. A platform before the castle.

FRANCISCO at his post. Enter to him BERNARDO BERNARDO: Who's there?

FRANCISCO: Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself.

BERNARDO: Long live the king!

FRANCISCO: Bernardo?

BERNARDO: He. FRANCISCO: You come most carefully upon your hour.

BERNARDO: 'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco.

FRANCISCO: For this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold, And I am sick at heart.

BERNARDO: Have you had quiet guard?

FRANCISCO: Not a mouse stirring.

BERNARDO: Well, good night. If you do meet Horatio and Marcellus, The rivals of my watch, bid them make haste.

FRANCISCO: I think I hear them. Stand, ho! Who's there?

Enter HORATIO and MARCELLUS HORATIO: Friends to this ground.

MARCELLUS: And liegemen to the Dane.

FRANCISCO: Give you good night.

MARCELLUS: O, farewell, honest soldier.

Who hath relieved you?

FRANCISCO: Bernardo has my place. Give you good night.

Exit MARCELLUS: Holla! Bernardo!

BERNARDO: Say, What, is Horatio there?

HORATIO: A piece of him.

BERNARDO: Welcome, Horatio: welcome, good Marcellus.

MARCELLUS: What, has this thing appear'd again to-night?

BERNARDO: I have seen nothing.

MARCELLUS: Horatio says 'tis but our fantasy, And will not let belief take hold of him Touching this dreaded sight, twice seen of us: Therefore I have entreated him along With us to watch the minutes of this night; That if again this apparition come, He may approve our eyes and speak to it.

HORATIO: Tush, tush, 'twill not appear.

BERNARDO: Sit down awhile; And let us once again assail your ears, That are so fortified against our story What we have two nights seen.

To be continued

WORD SEARCH

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MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

8 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Unidentified man dies after complaining of feeling unwell

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yet to be identified man reportedly died on Sunday at a mining camp at Kurubang Backdam, Potaro River, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), after complaining of feeling unwell.

The man was seen about five days ago at 14 Miles in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) seeking employment.

Joseph Jones, a contracted driver in the area recalled the man had asked him for assistance and that he was looking for a job.

“I was fixing my car at 14 Miles to come into Kurubang and I see he out there. So, he come up to me and say he looking for a job. Well, I know people in Kurubang always want people fuh work.

So, I carry he over and I talk to a man and he end up getting a job,” he said.

The driver explained that it was not strange for him to refer persons for employment opportunities within

The unidentified man

the area.

“I drive every day there and I always know people.

So, if someone looking for a work, I would help them out,” he said.

Jones further told Guyana Times that on Sunday morning, he received a telephone call from the man’s employer informing him that he had died.

“They say he take in sick and they bring him from the

backdam to the landing and this morning time he passed away,” Jones explained.

Jones added that when he questioned the owner of the camp as to the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, he was told that the now deceased had complained of feeling sick.

As such, Jones said the employer told him that provisions were made for the man to seek medical attention

but he perished before he could do so.

“But the boss man said he give him a pennyweight of gold to come out to go to the hospital at Mahdia but he passed away,” Jones related.

Meanwhile, Jones said that though he transported the man to the area he is unaware of the man’s personal information and family.

“I was just helping him get a work, but I didn’t really ask he no type of questions. I just flash his picture and send the boss man,” the driver detailed.

The man’s body was taken to the Mahdia Hospital Mortuary, awaiting identification and post-mortem.

Persons with information that may lead to the identification of the man are asked to contact the Guyana Police Force on telephone numbers 225-2661, 227-1152, 2259271, 227-1611, 227-1149, 225-6940, 911 or the nearest Police station.

Snagged...

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...by PNC’s artifice ack in 2018, the PNC Government received widespread condemnation when they drafted and debated a draconian bill on Cybercrime in the National Assembly. The concerns centred on the old Common Law crime of sedition being dragged into social media. Section 18 (1) of the bill stated: “A person commits an offence of sedition if the person, whether in or out of Guyana, intentionally publishes, transmits or circulates by use of a computer system, a statement or words, either spoken or written, a text, video, image, sign, visible representation, or other thing, that (a) brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in Guyana.”

Imagine that!! Anyone criticising the Government and brings “contempt” towards them could’ve been criminally charged with sedition!! So, if in 2020 folks accused the PNC Government of attempting to rig the elections, they could’ve been thrown into the slammer for five years. Since, by then, Granger had already put James Patterson in place at GECOM, this isn’t just idle speculation. Fortunately, Granger and company had to bow to the intense pressure and Art 18 (1) was excised.

But the amended Cybercrime Act (2018) Granger signed into law in August 2018 still enumerated a host of activities disseminated over “computers” as “criminal acts”. As such, these by definition were crimes against the State for which the Police could then take action by arresting transgressors and having them tried summarily in the Magistrates’ courts. In this case, the punishment would be three years’ imprisonment with a fine of $5M. If the person was charged indictably, the matter would go to the High Court and on conviction a fine of $10M and imprisonment of three years would be imposed.

One of the retained acts enumerated in Art 19 (2) declares: “A person commits an offense if he uses a computer system (a) to publish or transmit electronic data...with intent to humiliate, harass or cause substantial emotional distress to another person.” Now what this did was to make defamation that is usually pursued as a civil matter by the party impugned for damages now become a criminal matter that brings in the Police and jail time!!

And this is what has now been tested when Sports and Culture Minister Ramson went to the Police to point out he’d suffered “emotional distress” after a Facebook broadcaster called him a “terrorist” and a “murderer”.

The fella – a fervent supporter and defender of the PNC – was arrested and placed on $100,000 station bail. As these matters go, he’ll soon be charged and brought before the courts.

As old people say, “All smart fly does end up in cow backside”!! ...by abusing “free speech” Your Eyewitness is quite pleased that Minister Ramson – the scion of a noted legal luminary and a lawyer himself – raised the matter. With the cybercrime law on the books, he was amazed that so many persons were getting away with “verbal murder” over cyberspace.

Especially with a host of Facebook hosts pushing the PNC’s scorched-earth policy against the PPP. Now, in democracies, we must acknowledge the sanctity of “free speech”. But as with every right, this right isn’t unlimited and must be balanced against the rights of other citizens. There’s the old saw: “the right to swing your arms ends at the tip of my nose”! Or as expressed by a US court, you don’t have the right to yell “FIRE!!!” in a crowded theatre. Free speech shouldn’t be incendiary speech!

When a public figure’s involved, there’s some wriggle room under the doctrine of “fair comment”. But it’s nullified if the statement is made with "actual malice... with knowledge of or reckless disregard for its falsity”.

Which the Facebook warrior clearly displayed! ...and bullet dodged?

Imagine the broadcaster – who claimed Ramson was “a murderer and terrorist”, because the latter’s “boss” was one – is a former Presidential Guard!

Ramson’s boss is the President!

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

NEWS

9

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s oil production likely to exceed 500,000 bpd by 2024 − as Hess reveals developmental projects on schedule for completion

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ith the Liza Phase 2 and Payara developments on track for their scheduled completion and the Liza Phase 1 development averaging 120,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), Guyana’s oil production is likely to exceed 500,000 bpd by 2024.

This was revealed based on the figures and development schedules quoted

by Hess Chief Operating Officer Greg Hill. Hill, whose company is a co-venture partner of ExxonMobil in the Stabroek Block, was

at the time participating in the 2021 first-quarter earnings call.

He explained that at the Liza Phase 2, the project is progressing according to plan. According to him, approximately 90 per cent of the overall installation work is completed. This means that first oil for Liza Phase 2 remains on track for early 2022.

“The Liza Unity FPSO, with a production capacity of 220 thousand gross barrels of oil per day, is preparing to sail from the Keppel yard in

Singapore to Guyana midyear,” Hill also explained during the call.

The Payara development, meanwhile, is also progressing. According to Hill, 38 per cent of the overall work on this project, which will utilise the Liza Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, has been completed.

“The project will utilise the Liza Prosperity FPSO, which will have the capacity to produce up to 220 thousand gross barrels of oil per day. The FPSO hull is com-

Ramesh Persaud retires from helm of IPED − new CEO, Board praise robust leadership

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he Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) on Sunday announced that its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Persaud has left the organisation after 11 years of service.

During his tenure, Persaud transformed IPED in significant and substantial ways. In the last decade (2011 to 2020), the value of the loans increased by $2 billion to $3.4 billion from $1.45 billion. He oversaw the disbursement of 50,00 loans valued a total of $30 billion.

Persaud also expanded the organisation’s physical footprint, adding six new branches and making it easier for clients to do business with IPED. At the same time, the clients enjoyed a substantial decrease in their interest rates. Through these developments, IPED helped create 10,000 jobs annually

Former IPED CEO Ramesh Persaud

through the micro, small and medium-sized businesses it supported.

In the recent farewell ceremony with staff and Board members, incoming CEO Jagdesh Haripershad thanked Persaud for providing “robust leadership that was always complemented by kindness, caring, good guidance, and constant encouragement”.

Board member Major

General (retired) Joe Singh made what was described as “wonderfully-appropriate remarks in acknowledging the quality of leadership and service displayed by Persaud throughout his tenure and the high esteem in which he is held by the Board”.

Anticipating a continued relationship between IPED and the outgoing CEO, Board member Ian McDonald said, “We know Ramesh will always be a friend of IPED. Ramesh has been a remarkably efficient, inspirational and creative CEO, very good for small businesses in Guyana.”

Friday, April 30, 2021 was Persaud’s last day on the job before leaving for what he described as “another opportunity to learn and lead in the Private Sector”.

Persaud will continue to serve IPED as a member of its Board of Directors.

Hess COO Greg Hill

plete and topsides construction activities have commenced in Singapore. First oil remains on track for 2024,” Hill explained.

When it comes to the Liza Phase 1 project, which is already on stream and producing oil, Hill acknowledged that this project has faced some challenges in the form of the malfunctioning flash gas compressor on board the Liza Destiny FPSO. After being sent all the way to Germany for repairs for several weeks and only returning recently, Exxon had announced last month that the gas compressor on the Liza Destiny had once again failed, resulting in oil production having to be reduced to 30,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).

Exxon had revealed that

as it was conducting the final testing phase of the reinstalled flash gas compressor and other components of the system on the Liza Destiny FPSO, it encountered an additional problem with the discharge silencer.

The US oil giant noted that a team from SBM Offshore, Germany manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions and ExxonMobil were on site to assess repairs with support from engineering experts in Europe and the USA. However, Exxon has since raised its oil production output to between 100,000 and 110,000 barrels of oil per day. Additionally, Exxon has committed to flare no more than 15 million cubic square feet of gas per day.

“Production is currently averaging between 100 thousand and 110 thousand gross barrels of oil per day and is expected to stay in that range while repairs are made to the silencer. Upon reinstallation and restart of the flash gas compression system, expected in approximately 3 months, production is expected to return to or above nameplate capacity of 120 thousand barrels of oil per day,” Hill said.

“For the second quarter, we now forecast net production to average between 20 thousand and 25 thousand barrels of oil per day and our full-year 2021 net production to average approximately 30 thousand barrels of oil per day,” Hill further explained.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

10 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 3,, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man stabbed to death by friend during argument over broken cellphone By: LaWanda McAllister

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n East La Penitence, Georgetown youth was stabbed to death by his friend on Saturday at Back Circle, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, during an argument over a cellphone. The dead man has been identified as 29-year-old Jomal Adams of Lot 35 Cooper Street, East La Penitence.

Based on information received, the two men were involved in a heated argument during which the suspect armed himself with a pair of scissors and dealt the now dead man several blows to his chest. In an attempt to escape his attacker, the victim started to run but the suspect went after him. After catching up with Adams, the suspect continued to stab him to his back.

Adams managed to run into his yard but collapsed on the ground. Upon seeing this, the suspect made good his escape. He reportedly dropped a pair of scissors suspected to be the murder weapon.

Adams was picked up and taken to Georgetown Public Hospital where he underwent

emergency surgery but later succumbed.

A stab wound was reportedly seen to his left side chest and another to his right-side upper back. Lacerations were seen to his feet and hands.

Doctors would have removed the metal part of the scissors from the victim’s back and handed it over to the Police as they continue their investigations.

The now dead man’s body is at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary awaiting post-mortem.

However, when Guyana Times visited the home of Adams on Sunday, his mother, Dionne Adams said that the news of her son’s death came as a shock to her because the man who committed the crime is her son’s close friend.

“I get a call around 8 o’clock that buddy jook up Jomal and they gone with he to the hospital. Buddy and he [the dead man] were watching some blues on some phone and he [Adams] made the phone fall down and crack up. He was waiting to get pay yesterday [Saturday] to look after the phone… they said he rushed

Dead: Jomal Adams

to my son about the phone, and meh son say brods before the day out you will get your money for the phone,” the woman said.

The grieve-stricken mother related that shortly after, her son was washing his clothes when the suspect dealt him several stab wounds about his body. It was then he ran and subsequently collapsed. At the time, Adams was at his friend’s home. The suspect is currently on the run.

His mother said her son had just returned home after spending about a year working in the interior.

“When we go to the hospital he was talking and so and

the doctor told me that I have to sign for him to do a surgery. He told me that he was stabbed to the heart which is difficult part but they will take him to the do the surgery to see what the best they can do for him…”.

“He [the now dead man] said doc you told my mother you will try your best to see what you can do for me and you will try to save my life. He said doc please try your best, please try and save my life,” the woman explained.

Adams said by the time she went home to prepare food to take back for her son, she was

is my eldest son and his second brother got killed too back in 2015… this boy and he is real good friend but I don’t know what really happened. Some friend I heard was tell the boy [the suspect] things about my son and the boy mussy act up… all I want is justice for my son because I never get for the first one and I need to get for this one,” she said.

In 2015, Adams’s brother Kellon Hinds was shot dead after he was attacked by three armed men in a yard at East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The men discharged rounds at Kellon Hinds which

The murder weapon and the phone that caused the argument

informed that he did not make it out of the surgery.

“I feel real bad because that

struck him about his body and they escaped. The young man was pronounced dead on ar-

Wanted: Rondell Richardson

rival at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Following the incident, a 23-year-old man was charged with the murder.

Meanwhile, the Police on Sunday issued a wanted bullet for 29-year-old Rondell Richardson for questioning in relation to the murder of Adams.

The Police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Richardson to contact the Police on telephone numbers 227-2603, 226-6978, 268-2328, 2682298/2222, 911 or the nearest Police station.

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence, they said.

11 India, Guyana to further collaborate on electoral reform, agriculture NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 3,, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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ndian High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency Dr K J Srinivasa has signalled his country’s interest in collaborating with the Government of Guyana in several key areas including electoral reform.

India will be celebrating 75 years as an independent nation on August 15, 2022, and as a form of celebration, the Indian Government will be organising a number of events across the world.

However, as Guyana prepares to observe Arrival Day on Wednesday, the High Commission in association with the University of Guyana recently organised a virtual symposium on India-Guyana relations from 1838 to 2021.

It was during that initiative, the diplomat related that apart from technical assistance in electoral reform, India can also lend a helping hand with Electronic Medical Patient Record (EMR) System, the deputation of sugar and legal experts, technical and training support in the semi-precious jewellery industry, sustainable aquaculture management, media and air force training.

There are also plans to upgrade the Centre of Excellence in Information

Some of the participants at the symposium

Technology to a Caricom centre.

Nevertheless, during the symposium, the Indian High Commissioner recalled some of the initiatives in which his Government has collaborated with Guyana.

These include the construction of a cricket stadium at Providence, installation of traffic lights in Georgetown, supplying heavy-duty irrigation and drainage pumps, infrastructure/road construction from Diamond to Ogle, transport/ferry for the North-Western part of Guyana, healthcare/upgrade of hospitals in Bartica,

Suddie and West Demerara, supply and installation of heavy-duty irrigation/drainage pumps, supply of solar energy/household solar panels for 30,000 houses in hinterland/rural communities.

Meanwhile, during one of his weekly programmes “Issues in the News”, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall had posited that the Administration has committed to reviewing the Representation of the People Act (RPA) and other key pieces of legislation with the aim of reforming them in order to cover all the

Man crushed by pick-up in Corentyne accident succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver but there were no traces of alcohol in his system.

The vehicle which was involved in the accident was impounded as the investigation continues.

The pick-up which crushed Michael Hendriques

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orty-two-year-old Michael Hendriques of No 19 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was on Saturday evening crushed to death after he was reportedly run over by a 4-runner.

The accident, according to the Police, occurred at about 18:40h at White Bridge Access Road, Kendall’s Village, East Coast Berbice (ECB).

At the time of the accident, the pick-up was said to be driven by a 49-year-old man.

According to information received, the motor pick-up bearing registration number PXX 3661 was proceeding along the roadway when it is alleged by the driver that made a turn and stopped.

He was at the time trying to

get onto the other lane.

However, he told Police that he reversed the vehicle and again, as cautionary practice, he stopped after which he continued his journey.

At that time, the driver claimed that he felt as though the vehicle ran over something on the eastern side of the access road.

As a result, he stopped the vehicle and exited to make inquiries. To his shock, he saw a male lying on the eastern side of the access road in an unconscious state with injuries to his head.

Without hesitation, the driver picked up the injured man and took him to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he

loopholes that have been exploited over the five months after the March 2 General and Region Elections in Guyana

He had disclosed that the Canadian Government laid out a multiplicity of opportunities in the legal sector for Guyana to take advantage of and during a meeting with the former High Commissioner, Lilian Chatterjee, he raised the need for experts to assist in the electoral reform process.

Some of the key areas that Government is looking to reform include: ensuring Statements of Poll (SoPs) are published by the respective political parties on a website and made public within hours after receiving them; ensuring there are oversight mechanisms to scrutinise the work of the Returning Officers (ROs) in order to guard against the declaration of false results; and also to scrutinise the employment procedures and practices at the Guyana

Elections Commission (GECOM), so as to ensure the best quality candidates are recruited to work during elections, as well as to have fixed qualifications, character references and testimonials for high ranking staff at the electoral body.

Moreover, Nandlall highlighted that they are looking to implement a regime of offences that would carry heavy penalties for electoral wrongdoings so that persons would be deterred from taking such actions during the elections.

The United Nations Development Programme had informed Guyana of the extensive technical support the UNDP can offer on a myriad of various governance issues, including, but not limited to, strengthening of democracy, justice reform, and electoral reform.

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021 |

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

14 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 3,, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Single mothers, children homeless Woman accused of chopping neighbour as fire guts Linden home

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Sunday afternoon fire has completed gutted the home of two female security officers in the mining town of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), leaving 11 persons to make alternative living arrangements.

The fire reportedly start-

gets $30,000 bail

were at home.

The two women, Latoya and Shellon Kato who are cousins, recalled receiving news of the fire from their children who claimed that the fire started in one of the back bedrooms which was locked.

According to information

A The fire moments after it broke out

The interior of the house after the blaze

ed in one of the rooms in the Lot 146 Dageraad Avenue, Mackenzie, Linden home and quickly razed through the flat wooden and concrete building.

At the time of the fire, both women who lived in separate apartments were at work, but their children

received, the children reportedly heard a loud explosion in the room prior to the house going up in flames. As a result of the rapid spread of the fire, nothing was salvaged from the burning building.

The children, however, managed to escape from the

burning house without injuries. Fire tenders from the Linden Fire Station, located a short distance away, managed to contain the blaze.

The women related that it was the second time the family home had gone up in flames, noting that the first time was about 20 years ago.

Latoya had lived at the now-destroyed home for the past 16 years. Other family members were also occupying the home prior to the

fire.

The women, clearly traumatised, appeared on the scene sometime after the Fire Service managed to extinguish the blaze. They were both inconsolable.

"All me freezer, everything burn up... She lost a lot; I lost a lot. Everything burned, the beds, everything," Latoya related in tears. An investigation has been launched into cause of the inferno.

55-year-old woman, accused of chopping her neighbour about his body was on Friday last granted bail when she made her first court appearance.

Sharon Allen was brought before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where she denied both of the charges against her.

The first charge alleged that on April 15, 2021, at Guyhoc Park, she unlawfully and maliciously wounded Denzil Sobers. It was further alleged that on the same day, she made use of threatening behaviour toward Sobers.

The defendant’s attorney, Patrice Henry told the court that his client was only acting on her motherly instincts; that is to protect

her son.

He explained that on the day in question, Sobers had a misunderstanding with Allen’s son. He added that Sobers then stormed into the woman’s home to attack her son and as such, she intervened.

Meanwhile, the Police prosecutor stated that on the day of the alleged incident, Allen dealt Sobers several chops with a cutlass. As a result, Sobers was taken to the North East La Penitence Health Centre where he received treatment for his injuries. Allen was later arrested and charged.

Allen was granted $25,000 bail for the unlawful wounding charge and $5000 for her second charge, totalling her bail to $30,000.

The matter was adjourned to June 3, 2021

Mazaruni Prison escapee recaptured in Berbice

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obbery convict Kevin LaFleur, who escaped from the Mazaruni Prison in April 2021, has been recaptured, a statement from the Guyana Police Force said.

Acting on information, a party of policemen went to a home at Ankerville Port Mourant, Berbice, and arrested LaFleur, who gave his name as Mark Thomas.

He was arrested and escorted to the Central Police Station, New Amsterdam, where he is being processed.

It was reported that at about 03:15h on April 9, 2021, LaFleur, of Providence Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), escaped into the bushes aback the prison. In a statement, Police said prison officers searched the area but did

Captured: Kevin LaFleur

not locate the escapee. As such, a Joint Services team was called in to hunt the escapee.

LaFleur was serving a 56-month prison sentence after he was convicted for

robbery under arms.

In February, 25-yearold Imran Ramsaywack of Adelphi Village, East Coast Berbice (ECB); 44-yearold Kenrick Lyte whose last known address is Grant Good Intent, Lower Pomeroon River; 22-yearold Samuel Gouveia of Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and 22-year-old Rayon Jones of Timehri, EBD, escaped from the Mazaruni Prison.

On that occasion, during the unlocking of the Solitary Division which was supervised by four prison officers, it was observed that the padlock to the entrance gate was tampered with, and checks revealed that two bars within the cell had been cut. It was

Berbice couple terrorised, robbed during home invasion

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No 69 Village, Berbice couple was left traumatised after they were reportedly robbed by two men armed with cutlasses, who invaded their house in the wee hours of Sunday.

Based on reports received, the couple secured their home and retired to bed at about 20:30h but at about 00:05h, the male was awakened by a noise and upon checking, he was confronted by two masked men

armed with cutlasses in his bedroom.

The men reportedly demanded cash and jewellery during which they terrorised the couple to comply.

However, the woman, out of fear for her and her husband’s life, handed over one gold band and two gold finger rings valued over 1 million, one silver chain, one silver band and one silver ring.

The items were reportedly hidden in the said bedroom.

After collecting the items,

the men made good their escape. The couple reportedly raised an alarm and neighbours rushed to their assistance.

They were taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital where they were treated.

The wife was sent away while the husband remains a patient at the said institution for observation. His condition is regarded as stable.

The matter was subsequently reported and an investigation was launched.

On the run: Samuel Gouveia

then that prison officials realised that the four prisoners had escaped.

Following their escape, Ramsaywack and Jones were killed during a shootout with Police on March 22, 2021, at the Better Hope Backlands, ECD. Police said Lyte and Gouveia are still on the run.

Ramsaywack was sentenced to death after being found guilty of the murder of a United States-based

Buxton woman, Samantha Benjamin, in 2015. Lyte was also on death row for the murder of Essequibo pensioner, 72-year-old Osmond Fiedtkou.

Jones was sentenced to 28 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter over the unlawful killing of Timehri, East Bank Demerara mechanic Puranand Baljit, who was stabbed to death during a robbery at his home. Gouveia, on the other hand, was convicted of manslaughter for the 2015 killing of gold miner Santee Solomon.

The Guyana Police Force, in its efforts to recapture Lyte and Gouveia, is appealing to members of the public, relatives, and friends to give any relevant information as to the whereabouts of these escapees so that they can be captured and returned to the prison.

The Joint Services is encouraging all law-abiding citizens to report to the

On the run: Kenrick Lyte

nearest Police station or call 455-2238, 455-2222, 455-2241, 226-4585, 2252700, 225-3650, or 911, should they see the escapees.

All information will be treated with strict confidence.

Also, an appeal is being made to the escapees to surrender to the Police or relevant authority to avoid any serious confrontation that is likely to result in the use of force.

Miner found murdered in NWD

A miner, who was only identified as Anil, was on Saturday found dead at Perseverance, North West District (NWD) Region One (Barima-Waini).

The Police stated that an investigation has been launched into the miner’s death which reportedly oc-

curred at about 23:00h.

While information is not forthcoming in relation to exactly what transpired, the Police related that the now dead man was taken to the Port Kaituma District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body is at the Port Kaituma District Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

The Police also confirmed that the alleged suspect, a Venezuelan national, was arrested and is being questioned in relation to the murder.

NEWS

15

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Death toll now 299, 114 new COVID-19 cases recorded …active cases surge to 1836

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he Health Ministry on Sunday stated that another person who was tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has died, thus bringing the total deaths to a whopping 299. This is the second death that has been reported for the month of May. The latest fatality is a 75-year-old female from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) who died on May 1 while receiving care at a medical facility.

On Friday, two females: a 71-year-old from Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and a 73-year-old from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) also succumbed. A 57-yearold female from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) died on Thursday.

However, Guyana’s active COVID-19 cases now stand at 1836, after 114 new positives were detected in one day.

New statistics revealed

by the Ministry on Sunday revealed that the overall positive cases have risen to 13,518 – 6785 males and 6733 females.

Some 14 patients remain in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 95 are in institutional isolation, 1727 are in home isolation and 15 in institutional quarantine.

The country has seen 11,383 recoveries.

Of the new positives, four were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini); one from Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); 26 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); 38 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); 14 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); one in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), 14 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), one in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and 15 in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

The total cases in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remained at 542

host or attend a cinema except for drive-in movies; private party, banquet hall, bar, public swimming pool or water park, wake or vigil, club, meeting fraternity or any other social activity.

For the past month, the number of COVID-19 cases and the death toll rose as local authorities continue to battle with a new wave of the novel coronavirus that is seeing a higher number of young people contracting the virus, and infected persons becoming sicker with some requiring hospitalisation.

If persons are experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with a positive person, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 2267480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www. health.gov.gy.

after there were no increases.

For the month of May, the Health Ministry informed that the gazetted COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 17) state that the 22:30h to 04:00h curfew remains in effect.

Only essential services are authorised to operate on a 24-hour basis. Other services are expected to close operations by 21:30h.

Casinos were also given the greenlight to operate.

No one is permitted to

11 cops facing charges over multimillion-dollar scam at Police Force

Deputy Police Commander, Superintendent of Police Lorraine Saul

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s the probe into the alleged multimillion-dollar fraud at the Guyana Police Force (GPF) continues, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) has already charged close to a dozen cops, including seven high-ranking officers. While some of them have been released on bail pending trial, the others are yet to appear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for the charges to be read to them.

Deputy Police Commander, Superintendent of Police Lorraine Saul; Police Finance Officer, Superintendent of Police Marcelene Washington, and Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Police Frank Jackman-Wilburg have been charged in relation to monies expended for supplying meals to ranks.

The first charge stated that the trio, between November 2, 2020, and December 3, 2020, at the GPF Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, conspired with each other and with other persons, while being officers employed by the GPF, to falsify a feeding account of $2,246,400,00 for meals

Police Finance Officer, Superintendent of Police Marcelene Washington

Corporal Jenneka Carmichael

purportedly provided by the Felix Austin Police College Mess Hall to ranks who performed fixed-point duties at the Mounted Branch between October 16, 2020, and October 31, 2020.

It is further alleged that the trio, on November 2, 2020, and December 3, 2020, at the GPF Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, conspired with each other and other persons, while being officers employed by the GPF, to falsify a feeding account of $1,440,000,00 for meals purportedly provided by the Felix Austin Police College Mess Hall to ranks who performed fixed-point duty at the Mounted Branch between October 16, 2020, and October 31, 2020.

The charges were not

Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Police Frank Jackman-Wilburg

Constable Tatayana Smith

read to co-accused who are out of the jurisdiction. These matters will be called again on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

M e a n w h i l e , Superintendent Saul along with Assistant Superintendent of Police Kurt Smith were charged with falsifying GPF payment accounts. The first charge stated that between December 18, 2020, and December 28, 2020, at Georgetown, they conspired with each other and other persons, while being officers of the GPF, to falsify a payment of $1,350,000 to show that meals were supplied to ranks of the Riot Unit training during December 1, 2020, and December 15, 2020.

Former Deputy Finance Officer Roxanne Griffith-Adams

Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Kevin Adonis

Assistant Superintendent of Police Kurt Smith

Sergeant Micheal Corbin

Sergeant Jermain Fraser

Corporal Rawl Haynes

The other charge alleged that between December 18, 2020, and December 28, 2020, at Georgetown, they conspired with each other and other persons, while being officers of the GPF, to falsify a payment account of $465,000 to show that meals were supplied to ranks of the Riot Unit training during December 1, 2020, and December 15, 2020.

Former Deputy Finance Officer Roxanne GriffithAdams, along with Superintendents Saul and Washington are accused of falsifying GPF accounts.

SOCU is alleging that between Monday, November 2, 2020, and Tuesday, November 24, 2020, with intent to defraud, Saul, Washington, and GriffithAdams conspired with each

other and with other persons, while being officers employed by the Guyana Police Force, to falsify a feeding account in the sum of $1,152,000.

In March, retired Assistant Commissioner Kevin Adonis and three junior Police ranks were slapped with a $19 million larceny charge. Apart from Adonis, of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD), the others charged are Sergeant Jermaine Fraser of 4116 Phase One Westminster, West Bank Demerara (WBD); Sergeant Michael Corbin of First Avenue, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, and Corporal Rawl Haynes of Hydronie, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

Particulars of the first

charge stated that between March 26, 2019, and March 29, 2019, at Georgetown, Adonis, Fraser, Corbin, and Haynes conspired with each other and with persons unknown, while being public officers employed by GPF, to steal $19,030,767.

It is alleged that Corbin, on March 26, 2019, at the GPF Finance Office, input electronic data, that is to say, a payment voucher entry for $19,030,767, resulting in inauthentic data, with the intent that it be considered or acted upon by the Finance Ministry’s Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) staff as if it were authentic, regardless of whether or not the said data was directly readable or intelligible.

TURN TO PAGE 16

16 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over 1400 to benefit from improved $30M water system commissioned at Chiung Mouth water supply in Region 8 − as Govt pumps $94M into improving water systems

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry Susan Rodrigues turns the knob to the 30 million water system at Chiung Mouth, Region Eight

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new water supply system to the tune of $30 million was on Friday commissioned at Chiung Mouth, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), which will see residents for the first time accessing potable water.

The water system was commissioned by Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues.

In February 2020, prior to being appointed to her post, Minister Rodrigues visited the village and pledged to address the water concerns of the villagers. Following her appointment, the Minister returned in October 2020, to announce the realisation of the Chiung Mouth Water System as one of the first items on her agenda.

With Friday's visit being her third time in the village, the Minister expressed her gratitude to Guyana Water Incorporated's Hinterland Director, Ramchand Jailal and his team as well as the Contractor - R Kissoon Contracting Services for their dedication in completing the well.

Rodrigues further explained that although the

work was not done within the specified deadline which was set for December 2020, this was unavoidable due to the challenges posed by the inclement weather, which caused the rig to become stuck en route to the project site.

Despite the challenges, she stressed the importance of turning a commitment into a reality, regardless of how long it takes.

On the other hand, the GWI executive explained that residents had been without access to potable water for several years due to an aged water system becoming non-functional. He explained that the old well was too shallow and therefore it did not last long.

As such, the villagers depended heavily on water from creeks, which are located long distances away from the community. They also practiced rainwater harvesting.

Managing Director of R Kissoon Contracting Services, Rudranauth Roopdeo highlighted the many challenges experienced in executing the project, specifically as it relates to transporting the drilling rig and other machinery

into the community.

The contractor executed the project under the guidance of GWI and villagers were also employed to assist with some of the manual labour.

Chiung Mouth, which has a population of close to 200 people, now has access to potable water at their homes. The overall project entailed the drilling of a potable water well to a depth of 120 metres, construction of a concrete base on a hill and installation of a storage system, installation of a photovoltaic (solar) pumping system, the laying of more than 3000 metres of pipelines for a distribution network and 18 individual service connections.

The full scope of the project was completed on March 31, 2021, allowing residents of Chiung Mouth to begin benefitting as of that date.

Toshao of the village, Euseutact Augustine was elated to see and experience the realisation of the new water system, while Region Eight Chairman, Headly Pio also thanked the Minister and other parties involved for seeing it to completion.

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry Susan Rodrigues addressing residents during the outreach

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h e Government of Guyana has pumped a total of $94 million into the construction of water supply improvement projects in Regions Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The contracts were inked among GWI, the Toshaos of the benefitting villages and the Contractor, R Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal Kissoon Contracting contracts to a contractor on Saturday Services. ects will be extraordinary.

These include projects at She noted that priority Kaibarupai at a cost of $34.7 areas are identified followmillion, Monkey Mountain ing a needs analysis and reto the tune of $32.7 million gardless of who supported and one at Taruka totalling the PPP/C during the elec$26.6 million. tions period, resources will During one of the signbe distributed in an equitaing ceremonies, Permanent ble manner across regions.

Secretary of the Housing and Meanwhile, Minister Water Ministry Andre Ally Croal said Government is reiterated Government's committed to bridging the commitment to meeting gap between the coastland their needs, noting that and hinterland.

Saturday's contract signing He added that as the is an indication of same.

Guyana Water Inc works to In addition, Minister supply more communities within the Housing and with improved water supply, Water Ministry, Susan his Ministry will ensure the Rodrigues said although the requisite funds are available Government is expected to to execute same. look after its citizens, the He called on the benefiimpact of the various projciaries to take up ownership

11 cops facing charges over multimillion-dollar scam...

According to the final charge, Haynes, on March 29, 2019, at Georgetown, while being a public officer employed by the Guyana Police Force, stole 19,030,767. On the first charge, the ranks were instructed to post $150,000 bail each. Corbin was released on $100,000 bail on the computer-related fraud charge, while Haynes was granted $50,000 bail on the last charge.

Corbin and Fraser are presently interdicted from duty. They were stationed at the Votes Section of the Police Finance Office.

Haynes is stationed at the Tactical Service Unit, while Adonis is a retired Assistant Commissioner and was the

Commander for Regional Division Number Seven.

It was reported that in March 2019, while performing duties at the Votes Section of the Police Finance Office, Headquarters, Eve Leary, Corbin and Fraser were responsible for inputting approved information from payment vouchers in the IFMIS, which resulted in the Finance Ministry cutting cheques.

On March 26, 2019, Corbin reused a payment voucher with supporting documents for fuel purchased from GuyOil to input information in the IFMIS. Fraser, on the other hand, approved the said information, resulting in cheque # 07-220086 for $19,030,767

being made payable to the Officer in Charge of Police F Division. The cheque was uplifted from the Finance Ministry and lodged at the Police Finance Office.

Adonis endorsed the said cheque, and Haynes, who was not authorised, and was not the finance representative for Police F Division, encashed the cheque at the Bank of Guyana using Adonis’s national identification card. No record was made of the cheque or to whom the money was disbursed at F Division. An audit was conducted by the Auditor General, who recommended a Police probe.

Last month, Corporal Jenneka Carmichael and

Constable Tatayana Smith were charged with intentionally deleting information from the Force’s computers. The information they are accused of deleting is linked to the ongoing fraud probe. Constable Smith, 21, resided at Third Street Alberttown, Georgetown, while 26-year-old Corporal Jenneka Carmichael lives at Onderneeming, West Coast Berbice.

The first charge alleged that between January 28, 2021, and February 4, 2021, at the Guyana Police Force Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, Carmichael and Smith intentionally, and without lawful excuse or justification, deleted electronic data from the GPF

hands over one of the inked

of the water supply systems by properly maintaining them.

The aim of these projects is to provide residents of the outlined communities with adequate and convenient access to potable water. The scope of works includes the drilling of wells, installation of well pumps and photovoltaic systems, construction of elevated storage and installation of storage tanks and the installation of distribution networks and service connections.

Each project is expected to last for a duration of three months. Upon completion, over 1400 persons are expected to benefit from an improved water supply.

FROM PAGE 15

computer that was in the Administrative Office of the Felix Austin Police College Mess. They were each released on $150,000 bail.

Reports are that an investigation was conducted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), an arm of the GPF after information was received that falsified accounts in regard to feeding were stored on the computer in question. But before SOCU ranks could have accessed the computer, all account files in regard to feeding were deleted. The defendants are said to be the only ranks that operated the computer.

In 2020, Sergeants Fraser and Corbin were charged with a similar of-

fence.

At that time, they were each released on $250,000 bail. The charge against them stated that on April 4, 2019, at Eve Leary, Georgetown, while being a clerk or servant of the GPF, they falsely entered $12,565,000 into the IFMIS without the existence of payment vouchers.

Both of them had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Late last year, several senior officers were sent on administrative leave as investigators probed the alleged misappropriation of $150 million from the Police Force’s Finance Department. It is unclear at this time what is the status of those investigations.

NEWS

17

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TIGI goes after daily ExxonMobil/Govt updates − following stakeholder meeting with Exxon top brass

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n light of the arrangement whereby oil giant ExxonMobil provides daily updates on operations offshore Guyana to the Government, Transparency Institute Guyana Incorporated (TIGI) has since written to the Government to get their hands on that data.

According to the letter seen by this publication, TIGI Secretary Alfred Bhulai wrote to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat requesting that his

Ministry provide information on Exxon’s operations to the organisation in the form of a spreadsheet.

It was not specified whether this data surrounds oil production on the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel or Exxon’s exploration efforts.

According to Bhulai, however, TIGI was told by Exxon Country Manager Alastair Routledge himself during a stakeholder meeting that the Government would have

all the information.

“So, we should like to take up Mr Routledge on the transparency and accountability by asking you, our Government, to provide us the information we seek. Just fill in the table in an Excel sheet,” Bhulai explained.

“The technical operations manager at the same stakeholder meeting said it was complicated but the data has to be there for obvious control purposes, so I am adding a simplified

Local entrepreneur on mission to bring food security to Kwakwani

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CEO of Green Valley Organics Maleka Russell

aving successfully completed the US Department of State’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship Program, Maleka Russel, the owner of Green Valley Organics is ready to take on challenges within the agricultural sector.

The 26-year-old entrepreneur in an interview with Guyana Times said that she will commence by tackling the lack of produce in her home town, Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

“Currently, we still bringing in things from Georgetown and Linden. If we produce more here, we could sell more and definitely have more finances,” she explained.

Russell said that though increasing production will cost more, she will jump this hurdle by forming a community-supported agricultural system.

“Coming up with a women’s farmers group, were going to come up with a plan on how we are we are going to supply these vegetables to people with the community,” she explained.

The young woman said that having increased sales jointly, Green Valley Organics would be able to acquire more shade houses and the necessary equipment needed to increase production gradually and in turn tackle food secu-

ter seeing them I developed a likeness for it,” she explained.

Nevertheless, she told Guyana Times that as she took up the mantle, she wanted more out of her business and as such she took the leap and applied for the programme in the latter part of 2019.

She explained that despite delays that came with the pandemic, she commenced training open-minded and willing to grasp all the knowledge being shared.

“Everyone was there not to fight, but just to see how much we could learn from one another,” she said.

Russell posited that from the YLAI programme she has gained incredible and extensive leadership skills that she will incorporate to ensure the sustainability of her business.

“We’ve been taught so much, leadership, how to

Russell’s certificate of completion

rity issues within Kwakwani.

Meanwhile, speaking on the birth of her business, Russel said that she became intrigued with farming from a young age.

“I have parents and grandparents who are farmers, so I was into it from small. They didn’t have much opportunities for school so it was a way of life for them. However, af-

manage finance and even so many other critical areas… it was truly an amazing experience… and even now I would never limit my self based on lack of funds,” she explained.

Green Valley Organics was launched in 2016, and has been supplying residents of Kwakwani with fresh locally grown vegetables ever since.

scheme of some of what the table requires. Both the scheme and the table are based on the law of conservation of matter and energy.”

According to the TIGI Secretary, a request was made from Esso Exploration Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) for a process flow diagram of the operations as well as the recording of the stakeholder meeting.

“Should you require elucidation of our request for information and the importance of having it, please contact us forthwith,” Bhulai further explained.

Guyana has been receiving regular updates from ExxonMobil. However, in the wake of the malfunction of its gas compressor on board the Liza Destiny FPSO, the Natural Resources Ministry itself had announced that it was receiving daily updates on the situation from Exxon.

After being sent all the way to Germany for repairs for several weeks and only returning recently, Exxon had announced last month that the gas compressor on

TIGI Secretary Alfred Bhulai

the Liza Destiny had once again failed, resulting in oil production having to be reduced to 30,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd).

Exxon had revealed that as it was conducting the final testing phase of the reinstalled flash gas compressor and other components of the system on the Liza Destiny FPSO, it encountered an additional problem with the discharge silencer.

The US oil giant noted that a team from SBM Offshore, Germany manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions and ExxonMobil were on site to assess re-

pairs with support from engineering experts in Europe and the USA. However, Exxon has since raised its oil production output to between 100,000 and 110,000 barrels of oil per day. Additionally, Exxon has committed to flare no more than 15 million cubic square feet of gas per day.

“We have reduced production to a minimum level that mitigates formation of hydrates in subsea systems, maintains gas injection and fuels gas to the power generators, and minimises flare,” the company had said.

Housing Minister inspects EBD housing projects

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ousing and Water Minister Collin Croal said he is pleased with the pace of the ongoing works for Government’s housing development programme on the East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The Minister visited several sites on Friday, where he inspected the projects and interacted with contractors.

His first stop was at Providence 115, where works are ongoing on the road network, drainage and water connection.

“We have ongoing works for like $246 million that should bring the road network for the crusher run and of course, you must run the pipes for the water so that we don’t have to dig it up again. The completion timeline for this is sometime in August and that will allow access to about 215 allottees,” Minister Croal said.

Over at Prospect, 100 two-bedroom, low-income homes, measuring 600 square feet, are under construction.

Croal said he is pleased that the project is also providing jobs for Guyanese. At least five persons are working on each home that is being constructed.

Currently, four contractors are clearing the land for allocations at Prospect Phase III, after which works will commence for the road network. Upon completion, close to 600 house lots will be available to citizens.

Meanwhile, works are also ongoing at the Little Diamond project, which has six lots. Land preparation and alignments are being carried out by surveyors on

One of the low-income houses being constructed on the EBD

five of those lots, while the access road has been completed for the sixth. Further works will start in the new week.

“For this area alone, we are talking about investments about $1.1 billion, and that is for the basic infrastructure work, land preparation, road network and the water and drainage connection,” the Minister posited.

When completed, the area will benefit 729 allottees.

In addition, the Minister visited Great Diamond, where contractors are developing ten lots. So far, work has commenced on nine of them. The tenth was re-tendered and Cabinet has given no objection to that contract.

“We are talking about $1.6 billion dollars in land preparation and the basic infrastructure work, that’s inclusive of the roads and drainage networks putting the road to crusher run and to allow commencement for construction for the individuals to access the area.”

Further, he added that more surveyors were recruited to ensure that the works are completed in a timely manner.

Minister Croal also visited the site of the recently built Great Diamond to Mocha access road. While the road has been completed, a bridge is still needed to connect directly to the Mocha access road. The land has already been cleared for this and the Minister pledged to engage the contractor on completing the bridge as soon as possible.

“You already have that portion between Providence to Eccles that you can access and then ongoing to the final phase it’s the Eccles to the Mandela four-lane, so that – we’ll do a separate visit.

The land clearance is almost complete and work has basically commenced. In the new week, the work to be done on the hard surface will commence and those are six lots so we are pushing them.”

The Minister noted that thousands of people are waiting to use the road, which will ease traffic congestion along the East Bank corridor. The Government, through the Ministry of Housing and Water, is working to provide 50,000 house lots to Guyanese within five years.

18 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Murder suspect who stabbed Shopkeeper busted with ganja in home girlfriend to death succumbs A after consuming poison 31-year-old shopkeeper of Nigg Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), was arrested on Sunday after he was found with a quantity of cannabis in his house.

Reports are Police conducted a raid on the home of the man during which a transparent plastic bag containing a quantity of cannabis was found hidden behind a freezer.

The suspect claimed ownership of the suspected cannabis and he was taken to the Whim Police Station along with the drug where it was weighed in his presence and amounted to 21.8 grams.

He was placed into custody pending investigations.

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Murderer: Lawrence Brummell

ifty-year-old Lawrence Brummell, a plumber of Williamstad Street Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, who brutally murdered his 44-year-old girlfriend, Nicola Wilson at her D’Urban Street, Lodge home on Saturday evening, succumbed after he ingested a poisonous substance.

He died while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital at about 09:30h on Sunday.

His body was taken to the hospital mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

The suspect reportedly attacked and stabbed Wilson to her chest and face during an argument on Saturday evening.

Wilson, a mother of four and the owner of Blue Flame snackette located at Vreed-en-Hoop on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD),

Murdered: Nicola Wilson

was stabbed multiple times to her body and left in a pool of blood on the stairs.

It remains unclear as to what spurred an argument between the two who shared a relationship for more than 10 years, but the dead woman’s 14-year-old son who witnessed the incident said he heard his mother scream and when he went to investigate, he saw the suspect choking her.

The teenager recalled that the man then whipped out a knife and stabbed Wilson in the region of her heart and face. The teen also told the media that the suspect oftentimes hit his mother.

The teen reportedly tried to save his mother, but the suspect attempted to harm him too, and he had to retreat.

Brummell and Wilson had no children together.

However, a neighbour who witnessed the entire ordeal said he was at home when he heard screams and upon going into the yard next door, he saw the suspect stabbing the woman.

The knife was reportedly left in the woman’s chest as she collapsed on the veranda of the house. The suspect then went into his car and drove away.

It was also alleged that the suspect was accusing the woman of having an affair. But her sister, Sony Wilson, said Nicola was preparing to attend her sister’s birthday party that was held on the WBD at the time when she met her demise.

After waiting for the now dead Wilson, the family received a telephone call that she was brutally stabbed by her lover. Upon their arrival, they found her lifeless body.

The ganja that was found in the shopkeeper’s home

Child sex abuse cases exceeded 300 at the end of March

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s of March 2021, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) was examining 334 cases of sex abuse across the 10 administrative regions. Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) has recorded the highest number of cases followed by Region One (Barima-Waini).

In light of increasing child rape reports recorded in Region One, Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA), Ann Greene during a recent interview with this publication disclosed that a special team will soon be heading into the area to conduct awareness sessions.

Acknowledging that reports of child sex abuse have increased in Region One, Green said, “It has increased in terms of reports.

When you do more activities in an area you can get more reports. It does not say that child abuse has increased now more than how it was.”

According to Greene, CC&PA has opened a child advocacy centre in the Barima-Waini region and is on the verge of opening another.

“We are soon leading a special team; we will be going in to do a special awareness in the areas where the increase is showing. [We want to get the] community on board. Child protection is everyone’s business.

But the people in the community have to be much more vigilant to get these paedophiles and these child molesters. We have to change the attitude towards child sexual abuse.”

The CC&PA Director noted that it is the community members who have to stop child abuse and “stand up and watch out for children.”

Against this backdrop, she related that trained professionals will address certain social norms and teach communities in the region about sexual regulation.

“A child should know early that sex is not supposed to be between daughter and father, brother and sister, uncle and aunt and all of that…,” Green said as she explained the concept of

CC&PA Director Ann Greene

sexual regulation. She further acknowledged that there is a high level of sexual activity in Guyana’s hinterland regions which calls for increased collaborations with the Guyana Police Force.

While Greene admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic has to some extent affected the functioning of the CC&PA, she noted that given the mass vaccination campaigns, the agency will be ramping up its efforts to rid every community of child sex abuse.

Child rape reports

Child rape reports from Region One continue to increase based on information released by the Guyana Police Force. Thus far for 2021, there have been several reports of rape allegedly committed on underage girls by grown men, including close relatives.

In some instances, it was reported that the rape resulted in pregnancy. In late February, a close relative of a 10-year-old girl was arrested by the Police after he allegedly raped her while she was left in his care.

The child was reportedly left unconscious after the incident.

Based on a Police report, after the man committed the act, he reportedly threatened to kill the child if she reported the matter to anyone. Nevertheless, the violated child confided in her grandmother, who immediately lodged a report at the nearest Police station.

Also in February, it was reported that a 12-year-

old girl from North West District (NWD) was pregnant after she was allegedly raped by a man over a period of time. It was reported that the incident took place in 2020. The Police, at the time, confirmed that the girl was five months pregnant.

In March, a security guard from Region One was taken into Police custody for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl. Reports are that the incident occurred at Matthews Ridge, NWD, between January 1 and January 31. Police said that the teen and suspect are known to each other.

According to the Police, the suspect reportedly took the 14-year-old to his home and engaged in sexual intercourse with her. Ranks of the Matthews Ridge Police Station went to the suspect’s home and found the suspect and the teen together.

Meanwhile, in early April, the Police Force announced that an investigation into the rape of two underage girls in Region One was ongoing. Police said that the two girls under the age of 16 had been raped by adult males on different occasions. One of the girls was allegedly raped several times by a close family member.

According to Police, the suspect began engaging in sexual activity with the minor during December 2020 and committed the offence several times after. The girl eventually confided in a female relative, who immediately reported the matter to the Police.

In the second incident, the Police said the child alleged that on April 6, she was sexually assaulted.

The victim immediately informed a parent who subsequently reported the matter to Police. At the time of the report, checks were made for the suspect, but he was not found.

About a week ago, the GPF said that its ranks in Region One are currently investigating another sexual activity with a child by a family member.

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS US oil imports from OPEC plunge to lowest since 1973

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he OPEC+ production cuts, lower overall oil demand, and declining demand for foreign-sourced lighter crudes resulted in 2020 in the lowest annual American crude oil imports from OPEC in data going back to 1973, the Energy Information Administration’s “This Week in Petroleum” note showed.

Last year, US crude oil imports from OPEC producers averaged just 816,000 barrels per day (bpd), the EIA has estimated. The OPEC+ production cuts and the deliberate efforts from Saudi Arabia to reduce shipments to the most transparent market, the United States, played a role in last year’s record-low American oil imports from OPEC. The other key reason was that the surging US oil production in recent years—which made America the world’s top oil producer—was mostly of light and medium grades, so demand for such grades from OPEC or elsewhere in the world has significantly dropped since 2005.

While oil imports from OPEC hit the lowest on record, US purchases of Canada’s heavy crude have grown and continue to remain high, the EIA data showed.

American imports from non-OPEC members, especially from Canada, have remained relatively high despite soaring domestic oil output, because of the heavy variety of Canada’s oil which the US shale patch doesn’t produce.

Between 2005 and 2020, US crude oil imports from Canada more than doubled to an average of 3.6 million bpd. As a result, Canada’s share of total US crude oil imports increased and reached a record-high share of 61 per cent last year, the EIA said.

“The comparatively stable US crude oil imports from Canada are mostly the result of longer-term trends in Canada’s crude oil production and refining economics,” the EIA said.

Total American crude oil imports have dropped by 42 per cent since their peak in 2005, and averaged 5.9 million bpd in 2020, the lowest level since 1991, according to EIA’s data. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Afghanistan: Roaring tanker fire kills 7, injures 14 in Kabul

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searing blaze that raced through fuel tankers on the northern edge of the Afghan capital of Kabul has killed seven people and injured 14 others.

Investigators combed through dozens of smouldering tankers on Sunday and a petrol station caught in the flames that roared through the area late Saturday, said Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian.

Arian said authorities were still investigating how the fire started and did not yet know the cause, but he ruled out a “terrorist incident”.

It came on the same day the United States and

Residents view vehicles and a house damaged in a fire that consumed oil tankers and vehicles in Kabul

NATO officially began the final phase of a withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending a nearly 20-year military engagement.

All of the 2500 to 3500 US soldiers and about 7000

NATO allied forces will be out of Afghanistan at the latest by September 11, the 20th anniversary of the attacks in the US that first brought them into the country.

Arian said the fire began when a spark set a fuel tanker ablaze. Several tankers nearby were quickly engulfed, sending giant flames and plumes of smoke into the night sky before the fire moved on to several homes and a nearby gas station.

Several structures were destroyed and electricity to much of Kabul, which usually has only sporadic power, was knocked out.

The wounded were being treated mostly for burns in local hospitals. Truck drivers on Sunday blocked the road leading to the area, demanding the Government provide compensation.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

South Africa to ban lion breeding for cub petting

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outh Africa has revealed plans to clamp down on breeding lions for hunting or so tourists can pet cubs.

The move comes after the results were published from a two-year study into the controversial practice of captive lion breeding.

It found that the practice risked conservation efforts and harmed wild animals.

South Africa's Government accepted the panel's recommendations

which could anger the hunting industry.

"What the majority report says, with regards to captive breeding of lions: it says we must halt and reverse the domestication of lions through captive breeding and keeping," Environment Minister Barbara Creecy said.

"We don't want captive breeding, captive hunting, captive petting, captive use of lions and their derivative."

But she said the regulated hunting of lions raised in the wild would be allowed to continue. It provides a lucrative source of tourism revenue.

The panel was tasked with reviewing policies and regulations on lions, leopards, rhinos and elephants.

On rhino horn and ivory stockpiles, the panel recommended negotiations with other southern African countries before determining whether they

can be disposed of.

Upwards of 8000 lions are thought to be in captivity in South Africa, compared with about 3500 in the wild.

Proponents of captive breeding say it could help protect wild animals from breeding, but critics see it as cruel and exploitative.

Global animal charity World Animal Protection called the announcement "a win for wildlife". (Excerpt from BBC News)

Washington denies Iran state media report saying Chad military council names prisoner swap agreed transition government

An overnight curfew was clamped on April 20, hours after the military announced that Deby had died [Christophe Petit Tesson/ Pool via Reuters]

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he military council that took power in Chad last month after the shock death of veteran leader Idriss Deby has named a transition government, the army spokesman said.

Deby’s 37-year-old son Mahamat, who took the helm of the so-called “Transitional Military Council (CMT)”, named a Government on Sunday comprising 40 Ministers and Deputy Ministers and created a new national reconciliation Ministry, military council spokesman Azem Bermandoa Agouna said in a televised statement.

The new Ministry is to be headed by Acheick Ibn Oumar, a former rebel chief who became a diplomatic adviser to the presidency in 2019.

Longtime opposition politician Saleh Kebzabo was

not named to the transition Government, but he issued a statement saying he “recognised” it.

Two members of his party were given portfolios.

Another opposition figure, Mahamat Ahmat Alhabo, will be Justice Minister in the country of around 16 million.

Earlier on Sunday, the military announced the lifting of an overnight curfew introduced after Deby’s death.

An overnight curfew, barring people from leaving their homes between 6 pm (17:00 GMT) and 5 am (04:00 GMT), was introduced on April 20, hours after the military announced that Deby had died from wounds sustained in fighting with rebel forces. The start of the curfew was later pushed back to 8 pm (19:00 GMT). (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

T

he United States on Sunday denied a report by Iran's state television that the arch-foes had reached a prisoner swap deal in exchange for the release of US$7 billion frozen Iranian oil funds under US sanctions in other countries.

Iranian state television said on Sunday that Tehran would free four Americans accused of spying in exchange for four Iranians held in the United States and the release of the frozen Iranian funds.

The US Government denied that an agreement has been reached. Iran's envoy to the United Nations, Majid Takht Ravanchi, said the report could not be confirmed,

adding that Tehran has always called for a full prisoner exchange with Washington.

The state TV, quoting an unidentified Iranian official, also said British-Iranian national Nazanin ZaghariRatcliffe would be released once Britain had paid off a debt on military equipment owed to Tehran.

A British Foreign Office official played down that report.

Iran and world powers are holding talks to revive the 2015 nuclear accord that Washington abandoned three years ago and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

Iranian officials told Reuters last month that an interim deal could be a

way to gain time for a lasting settlement that involved unfreezing Iranian funds blocked under US sanctions.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Ned Price said, "Reports that a prisoner swap deal has been reached are not true."

Tehran and the powers

have been meeting in Vienna since early April to work on steps that must be taken, touching on US sanctions and Iran's alleged breaches of the 2015 deal, to bring Tehran and Washington back into full compliance with the accord. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ual abuse, discrimination against women and misconduct in Parliament.

The spending targets families with more than one child in daycare, boosting subsidies for those with two or more children aged up to five years old to a maximum 95 per cent subsidy for their second and subsequent children.

"Today's measures... are targeted, and they are an investment in making our economy stronger and boosting female working participation," Treasurer Josh

Frydenberg told reporters in Canberra.

Parents who "want to work an extra couple of days. Right now, they have all of that additional income from their wage eaten up in additional childcare cost. This will remove that disincentive," he said.

Before the coronavirus pandemic pushed Australia's A$2 trillion economy into recession, Morrison's Government had pledged to bring the budget to black.

But on Thursday, the

Government provided a foretaste of its spending plans due to be announced in its yearly Budget on May 11, abandoning its "debt and deficit disaster" rhetoric for a focus on jobs.

Treasury estimates the additional spending will encourage up to 300,000 in additional work hours a week equivalent to 40,000 people working an extra day a week and boost Australia's economic output by about A$1.5 billion a year, Frydenberg said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

A staff member removes the Iranian flag from the stage after a group picture with Foreign Ministers and representatives of the US, Iran, China, Russia, Britain, Germany, France and the European Union during the Iran nuclear talks at the Vienna International Center in Vienna, Austria July 14, 2015

Australia to spend US$1.3B on childcare, enticing women back to work

A

ustralia's conservative Government will increase childcare subsidies, officials said on Sunday, in a pre-budget announcement that pledges A$1.7 billion (US$1.31 billion) to boost female participation in the workplace.

The promised spending comes ahead of a Federal election expected in the next 12 months and follows polls showing Prime Minister Scott Morrison's approval ratings have sunk, amid growing anger over allegations of sex-

20

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

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ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

Be a good listener, and verify the information you receive before passing it along.

An opportunity will have hidden ramifications that need adjusting before you move forward. Work alone, if you can.

Take care of responsibilities without complaining.

(April 20Don’t exaggerate or make unMay 20) realistic promises. Control your emotions to avoid coming across as erratic or unprofessional.

TAURUS

DILBERT

Listen and observe. Keep GEMINI your plans to yourself. An op(May 21June 20) portunity looks inviting but will require your undivided attention. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Focus on what’s important.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

Charm coupled with intelligence will help you win support. Take a unique approach to whatever you do. Take matters into your own hands and show off your leadership skills.

Be careful how you handle LEO others.

Don’t reveal your inten(July 23Aug. 22) tions, or someone will try to take charge. Invest time and money in your skills, and nurture relationships with important people.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

You will pick up valuable information if you sign up for a course, talk things over with a friend, relative or colleague or connect with someone who can help you expand your horizons.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Look for a way to improve your surroundings without going into debt. Don’t get involved in a joint venture that is risky or expensive. Avoid indulgence. Do the work yourself.

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Personal problems will mount if you are honest about your feelings and desires. Deal with demanding people without hesitation. It’s time to set the record straight. Stick to the truth.

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You’ll have some good SAGITTARIUS ideas. Refuse to let someone (Nov. 23interfere with your plans. An Dec. 21) affordable, straightforward approach will ensure success.

It’s time to make some long overdue changes.

CAPRICORN Take charge and be responsible for your happiness. Make (Dec. 22a lifestyle change that will help Jan. 19) eliminate unnecessary debt and set your mind at ease. Love and romance are on the rise.

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

Look at the logistics and cost of a planned project. Don’t get into an argument with a friend, relative or neighbor over something you cannot change. Focus on self-improvement.

You are overdue for a change, but before you make a (Feb. 20move, consider what you could March 20) be giving up. Time is on your side, and using reason and intelligence will prevent you from making a mistake.

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MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

21

Buttler's maiden T20 century extends SRH misery E

ngland's Jos Buttler hit 124 from 64 balls – his first Twenty20 hundred – as Rajasthan Royals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Buttler made a relatively slow start, but accelerated in stunning fashion, striking 11 fours and eight sixes.

The opener scored 35 from his first 33 balls and then 89 from his next 31 to power Rajasthan to 2203. Sunrisers faded after England's Jonny Bairstow fell for 30 in reply, ending on 165-8 in a 55-run defeat.

They dropped Australia's David Warner a day after removing him as Captain. The knock by Buttler, who eventually played on off Sandeep Sharma in the penultimate over, is the highest score by an England player in the IPL. He is the fourth England player to hit an IPL ton, following Kevin Pietersen, Ben Stokes, and Jonny Bairstow, and passed his previous T20 high score of 95 not out. "I'll finally stop getting [former England Captain] Alastair Cook telling me he has one more T20 hundred than me," Buttler said.

Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara, part of the Royals' management, said:

"It was an outstanding innings. He is one of the best T20 openers in the world."

Rajasthan jumped to fifth in the table at the tournament's halfway stage, two points off the play-off places while Sunrisers remained bottom.

Elsewhere, Punjab Kings and India batsman KL Rahul, the leading run-scorer in the tournament, has been hospitalised with acute appendicitis and will undergo surgery.

“It has been a struggle” – Buttler finds stunning form

Buttler's start to the IPL had been quiet with scores of 41 and 49 interspersed with efforts of five, eight, two and 25. "I haven't been feeling in my best form for a while now," Buttler said. "It has been a little bit of a struggle.

"Sometimes I'm guilty of trying to get back into form too quickly and not giving myself a chance. I managed to do that today and I got better as the innings went on."

In his patient start, he hit narrowly short of longon and should have been out lbw on six, but Sunrisers had already wasted their review.

After reaching 50 from 39 balls with a straight six,

he continued to punish the bowling, including taking 21 from Mohammad Nabi's over of offspin. He shared a stand of 150 with Captain Sanju Samson, who made 48 and is one of the two other centurions in this year's IPL. Bairstow took Sunrisers to 70-1 in reply, but after he hit spinner Rahul Tewatia to long-on, wickets fell at regular intervals. (BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD RR INNINGS Jos Buttler b Sandeep Sharma Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw b Rashid Khan Sanju Samson (c)†c Abdul Samad b Shankar Riyan Parag not out David Miller not out

A

Meanwhile, after late stops for both Bottas and

Verstappen to try and claim the fastest lap bonus point, it was ultimately Bottas who got the job done, after Verstappen had a faster lap deleted for a track limits infringement.

Sergio Perez still has yet t o finish on the podium as a Red Bull driver, but at least claimed his best result of the year with P4, ahead of Lando Norris, the McLaren driver, having now finished in the top five at every race this season so far.

Norris in fifth led the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc in sixth, while the Alpine pairing of Esteban

12 48 15 7

Extras (lb 5, nb 1, w 8) 14 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 11.00) 220/3 Did not bat: Anuj Rawat, Rahul Tewatia, Chris Morris, Kartik Tyagi, Chetan Sakariya, Mustafizur Rahman Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2.6 ov), 2-167 (Sanju Samson, 16.4 ov), 3-209 (Jos Buttler, 18.6 ov) BOWLING Bhuvneshwar Kumar Sandeep Sharma Rashid Khan Khaleel Ahmed Vijay Shankar Mohammad Nabi

4-0-37-0 4-0-50-1 4-0-24-1 4-0-41-0 3-0-42-1 1-0-21-0

Jos Buttler on the charge during his century

Hamilton takes victory in Portugal after crucial overtakes of Verstappen and Bottas brilliantly-managed race from Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton saw him take his second win of the 2021 season at the Portuguese Grand Prix, the Briton finishing ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, as Hamilton’s polesitting teammate Valtteri Bottas came home third.

With Hamilton starting second on the grid, an early Safety Car after Kimi Raikkonen had crashed into his Alfa Romeo teammate Antonio Giovinazzi saw the seven-time champion drop to third behind Verstappen at the Lap 7 Safety Car restart.

But Hamilton then fought back brilliantly, passing Verstappen back for P2 four laps later before claiming the lead with an incisive pass on Bottas into Turn 1 on Lap 20 of 66 – eventually coming home for his 97th F1 victory, and extending his lead at the head of the drivers’ championship.

Like Hamilton, Verstappen maintained his record of finishing all three races of 2021 so far in either P1 or P2 – but had to be satisfied with the latter result, the Dutchman able to pull away from Bottas in the latter stages of the race after the Finn suffered a sensor issue on his power unit, but having been unable to do much about Hamilton at the front.

124

Ocon and Fernando Alonso completed the team’s fine weekend with P7 and P8 – Alonso in particular having driven brilliantly in the race’s latter stages.

After starting a “grim” P16, McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo fought back to P9 at the chequered flag, with AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly taking 10th after a late pass on Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.

At the front though, the story of 2021’s fascinating Red Bull vs Mercedes battle had another chapter added to it at Portimao – with the wind now in the sails of the Silver Arrows.

(F1)

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD INNINGS (TARGET: 221 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Manish Pandey b Mustafizur Rahman 31 Jonny Bairstow †c Anuj Rawat b Tewatia 30 Kane Williamson (c) c Morris b Kartik Tyagi 20 Vijay Shankar c Miller b Morris 8 Kedar Jadhav b Morris 19 Mohammad Nabi c Anuj Rawat b Mustafizur Rahman 17 Abdul Samad c Anuj Rawat b Morris 10 Rashid Khan c Morris b Mustafizur Rahman 0 Bhuvneshwar Kumar not out 14 Sandeep Sharma not out 8 Extras (lb 1, w 7) 8 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.25) 165/8 Did not bat: Khaleel Ahmed Fall of wickets: 1-57 (Manish Pandey, 6.1 ov), 2-70 (Jonny Bairstow, 7.6 ov), 3-85 (Vijay Shankar, 10.4 ov), 4-105 (Kane Williamson, 12.5 ov), 5-127 (Mohammad Nabi, 14.2 ov), 6-142 (Abdul Samad, 16.3 ov), 7-142 (Kedar Jadhav, 16.6 ov), 8-143 (Rashid Khan, 17.2 ov) BOWLING Kartik Tyagi Mustafizur Rahman Chetan Sakariya Chris Morris Rahul Tewatia

4-0-32-1 4-0-20-3 4-0-38-0 4-0-29-3 4-0-45-1

Manchester United v Liverpool game postponed after fan protest

M

anchester United's game against Liverpool has been postponed after about 200 fans broke into Old Trafford to protest against the Glazer family's ownership of the club. The fixture was scheduled to kick off at 16:30 BST on Sunday.

"This is a collective decision from the Police, both clubs, the Premier League and local authorities," said the Premier League.

Talks will now take place about rearranging the game. Fans had gathered outside the ground and scores of green and gold flares – the colours of United's first shirts when they were Newton Heath, and of the original antiGlazer protests in 2010 – were set off at 14:00h.

Supporters are currently not allowed into grounds because of the coronavirus pandemic, but United fans got on to the Old Trafford pitch to protest and, even though they were removed, some then made it back on to the grass later on.

"The security and safety of everyone at Old Trafford remains of

paramount importance," added the Premier League.

"We understand and respect the strength of feeling, but condemn all acts of violence, criminal damage and trespass, especially given the associated COVID-19 breaches. "Fans have many channels by which to make their views known, but the actions of a minority seen today have no justification.

"We sympathise with the Police and stewards who had to deal with a dangerous situation that should have no place in football."

Both clubs had submitted their team line-ups for the fixture, but neither left their hotels to go to the ground. "Our fans are passionate about Manchester United, and we completely acknowledge the right to free expression and peaceful protest," said Manchester United.

"However, we regret the disruption to the team and actions which put other fans, staff, and the Police in danger.

"We thank the Police for their support and will assist them in any subsequent investigations."(BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2021

Hetmyer finishes in style as Rabada, CLASSIFIED ADS Dhawan take Delhi Capitals up top TAXI SERVICE

Dhawan, Shaw carry on the fireworks And the Capitals batting is built to hit through the line. Before this match, three of the top four powerplay scores in this IPL belonged to Capitals. They duly made a fourth entry in the top five with an unbeaten 63 in the first six overs. Believe it or not, it came after Riley Meredith troubled both Dhawan and Shaw in his first two

ner Harpreet Brar, but he left the job to a man in the T20 form of his life. Dhawan might not be brightest star while Shaw is around, but what a side won't do to have a second fiddle who is averaging 54.28 with a strike rate of 134.27.

The start gave Dhawan and Steven Smith some breathing space as they added just 34 in the first five overs of their partnership.

Dhawan, though, settled

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SCOREBOARD

O

PK INNINGS Prabhsimran Singh † c Smith b Rabada Mayank Agarwal (c) not out Chris Gayle b Rabada Dawid Malan b Patel Deepak Hooda run out (Hetmyer/Patel) Shahrukh Khan c Hetmyer b Avesh Khan Chris Jordan c Lalit Yadav b Rabada Harpreet Brar not out

Capitals are the table leaders (IPL/BCCI phtos)

n his Indian Premier League (IPL) captaincy debut, Mayank Agarwal scored 60 per cent of Punjab Kings' runs in fewer than half the balls, but his unbeaten 99 was not enough to push his side to a total that would challenge Delhi Capitals in the chase. Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan broke the back of the chase in the powerplay, and Dhawan went on to seal the win, reclaiming the orange cap as he did so. A sixth win in eight matches took Capitals to the top of the table.

Replacing KL Rahul, who had to be pulled out because of appendicitis, Agarwal found himself in a Rahul-like predicament.

Losing wickets at the other end added extra slowness to his apparent role of batting through the innings, but a Rahul-like finishing kick took him from 40 off 34 to 99 off 58. However, as with Rahul, you need at least one quick contribution from the other end to make the strategy work. Agarwal found none, with IPL debutant Dawid Malan's run-aball 26 being the only other contribution to talk of.

Ishant circles the prey, Rabada swoops in

I s h a n t Sharma, an under-rated part of Capitals' success, began the match with a maiden to Prabhsimran Singh, moving the ball either way to tie up the batter. With just 15 off the first three overs, Capitals knew there was an opportunity around.

On came Kagiso Rabada and for the first time in the IPL took two wickets in the powerplay. The under-pressure Prabhsimran found mid-off, and Chris Gayle missed a swinging full toss that hit the top of off. Kings 39 for 2 at the end of the powerplay.

Two men drop anchor

Against two fingerspinners, Lalit Yadav and Axar Patel, Agarwal and Malan failed to transfer the pressure back on to the bowlers.

Only one boundary came in the next five overs. The spinners denied them the rank bad ball, and the batsmen were not too keen to take risks on good balls.

Malan began the 12th over at 11 off 17, but a bowling change to pace brought

some freedom for him. The freedom was short-lived as Patel came back to knock his leg stump over. The run-out of Deepak Hooda followed to make it 88 for 2 in the 14th over.

Agarwal takes off

At this point, Agarwal had faced only 29 of the 81 legal deliveries bowled for a debate-inducing 35. Not only did he turn around the share of strike in the remaining innings, Agarwal corrected the strike-rate too. He faced 29 of the remaining 39 balls, sending nine of them past the fence and scoring 64 additional runs. The remaining 10 balls brought two wickets and 10 runs. The hitting was breath-taking, but it was also evidence that the pitch was easy enough to hit through the line of the ball.

12 99 13 26 1 4 2 4

Extras (lb 2, w 3) 5 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.30) 166/6 Did not bat: Riley Meredith, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Prabhsimran Singh, 3.3 ov), 2-35 (Chris Gayle, 5.2 ov), 3-87 (Dawid Malan, 13.1 ov), 4-88 (Deepak Hooda, 13.3 ov), 5-129 (Shahrukh Khan, 17.2 ov), 6-143 (Chris Jordan, 18.6 ov) BOWLING Ishant Sharma Marcus Stoinis Kagiso Rabada Avesh Khan Lalit Yadav Axar Patel 4

4-1-37-0 1-0-6-0 4-0-36-3 4-0-39-1 3-0-25-0 4-0-21-1

overs. Against other bowlers, though, Shaw ran riot and Dhawan followed suit.

Shaw hit three sixes and three fours in the powerplay, and Dhawan managed four fours. It included a first-ball six off Kings' key bowler in the middle overs, Ravi Bishnoi.

Dhawan carries on

Shaw perished trying to dominate everyone, bowled first ball by left-arm spin-

DELHI CAPITALS INNINGS (TARGET: 167 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Prithvi Shaw b Harpreet Brar Shikhar Dhawan not out Steven Smith c Malan b Meredith Rishabh Pant (c)† c Agarwal b Jordan Shimron Hetmyer not out

39 69 24 14 16

Extras (lb 2, w 3) 5 TOTAL (17.4 Ov, RR: 9.45) 167/3 Did not bat: Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma, Avesh Khan Fall of wickets: 1-63 (Prithvi Shaw, 6.1 ov), 2-111 (Steven Smith, 12.6 ov), 3-147 (Rishabh Pant, 16.3 ov) BOWLING Riley Meredith Mohammed Shami Ravi Bishnoi Chris Jordan Harpreet Brar Deepak Hooda

3.4-0-35-1 3-0-37-0 4-0-42-0 2-0-21-1 3-0-19-1 2-0-11-0

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW! any nerves in the dugout by unleashing his slog sweep against Bishnoi. It did not matter which way Bishnoi turned it; Dhawan took 25 off the 12th and 14th overs, making it 41 required off the last six even though he lost Smith in between.

If there was any doubt this was a done deal, Shimron Hetmyer removed it with two sixes and a four to end it in the 18th over.

(ESPN cricinfo)

Massy Motors golf tournament comes off in fine style

N

aro Ganpat emerged as winner of the Massy Motors Golf Tournament on Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Course, East Coast Demerara.

In a field of 44 in the 18hole tournament, Ganpat had the best net overall (hc 9 gross 78 net 67) and won on having a better back nine than Mike Guyadin (hc 11 gross 78 net 67).

The other top results are: Best net overall, 3rd – Naresh Sarwan (hc 16 gross 84 net 68) Best net front nine –

Anand Persaud 28 Best net back nine – Naro Ganpat 32 Massy Director Laknarine Shivraj, along with staff members Samantha Fernandes and Lindon Williams, assisted in the distribution of prizes and Holiday brand snacks.

The top performers of the tournament along with Massy representatives

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Dynamic Hicks brothers dominate Crawford 45-miler er with hands raised, to claim first and second position. After a huge gap, Mario Washington came in third position while veteran Syborne Fernandes pedalled in fourth and Ralph Seenarine pedalled in fifth.

The Hicks took five sprint prizes each. In the junior category, David finished first, Washington pedalled in second position while Jeremiah Joseph rode third. Fernandes and Fitzroy Tang emerged as the top riders in the veterans category.

As it happen

Mario Washington rode in third

Story and Photos By Brandon Corlette

I

n overcast conditions in the Ancient County, Berbice, the dynamic duo of Andrew Hicks and David Hicks blazed the trail together to dominate the 45-mile Marcel Crawford Memorial race, stopping the clock at one hour 57 minutes.

The race, which began at Sukhpaul Gas Station in New Amsterdam, turned at Number 51 Police Station and finished at Alness Village, in front of the late Marcel Crawford's residence. The impressive Hicks brothers came in togeth-

Twenty-three starters shaped up at the Sukhpaul Gas Station, where the battle for supremacy began.

Owing to rainfall in the New Amsterdam area, the race, which was initially set to pedal off at0 8:30h, commenced at 09:10h.

After the starting pack held their own, the younger of the Hicks siblings, David, broke away at Number 19 and his brother followed suit and set the tone early. The duo maintained the pace and while passing Alness, the Hicks took a huge lead over a pack of seven which included village boy Andre “Padlock” Green.

That gap was maintained by the Hicks brothers, who came in with hands raised.

Veteran Junior Niles was not part of the race, but he was seen riding, conducting

tle sunshine and more cool conditions. The disciplined duo said they were training for the national championships and they were aiming to gain condition for that event. Andrew said this was a great win and he was hungry for a win after all his hard work. He is aiming to gather momentum for the upcoming races in Guyana.

"Once I find condition, you will see more like this," Hicks added.

Meanwhile, the sponsor of the race, Franco Crawford said this first memorial race was the beginning of more. He revealed

The cyclists at the presentation along with officials and sponsors of the race

Syborne Fernandes won the battle against Ralph Seenarine

Andre “Padlock” Green had an ordinary showing on his return to cycling

training.

Upon the return, the pack of seven which included Green, Seenarine, Fernandes, Tang and company shifted gear at Eversham village.

Washington edged away

and the breakaway began.

The young Washington of the Flying Ace Cycling Club then left the pack behind.

Reactions

After the race, the Hicks brothers spoke to Guyana

Times Sport exclusively and expressed delight with their performance. "The race was not that bad, but the wind was tough. We had our plan to ride away as soon as we reached Number 19, where we just inter-changed and carry the pace up," Andrew said.

Meanwhile, his brother David said the race was like normal training and the weather was good, with lit-

that the next event would be open to all cyclists in Guyana and the race would conclude at the street of the Alness Turf Club, which is more safe and secure to finish the race, in contrast to the Alness turn. Franco, who is based in London and is the nephew of the late Attorney Marcel Crawford, also thanked all the supporters.

CWI CEO reveals plans for

Regional Commonwealth Qualifiers M

CWI CEO Johnny Grave

id-September has been outlined as the prospective time frame when the Female Regional Commonwealth Cricket Qualifiers will take place.

T20 Women’s cricket will feature at the Commonwealth Games for the first time, and cricket for the second time, after a men’s One-Day International (ODI) competition, which was staged in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 was won by South Africa.

Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, England and a nation from the Caribbean have been given places for the women’s event at 2022 Commonwealth

Mid-September has been outlined as the prospective time frame when the Female Regional Commonwealth Cricket Qualifiers would occur

Games in Birmingham.

Alongside the hosts England, the other nations to qualify were determined based on the T20I rankings on April 1, 2021, but athletes from the Caribbean in the Games represent their individual countries so a qual-

ifying tournament for those nations will decide which team take the West Indies’ spot.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Johnny Grave made the revelation about the hosting of

the qualifiers while speaking on the Good Morning JoJo Sport show on Thursday.

“We are hoping to have our women’s regional tournament later this year. We have earmarked the September window in the women’s calendar for that to take place,” Grave revealed.

The format for the qualifiers will take on a peculiar style according to Grave, especially if the Leeward or Windward Islands teams are victorious.

“At the moment, it would be the six regional teams. If in the case the Windward Islands and Leeward Islands won the tournament, then the country that has the most players within that Windward and Leeward side would then get the ticket to go through to the Commonwealth Games to represent the West Indies. It’s not a perfect model, but at the same time, we had to come up with something different than just picking the winner of the T20, which in the case of West Indies was Barbados,” Grave added.

Information on the event was disseminated to member associations. The 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will attract 4500 athletes from 72 nations and territories, is scheduled to run from July 28 to August 8 next year. (Antigua Observer)

MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021

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

Dynamic Hicks brothers dominate Crawford 45-miler

Mario Washington rode in third

See story on page 23

The dynamic Hicks duo dominated the field

CWI CEO reveals plans for Regional Commonwealth Qualifiers Hetmyer finishes in style as Rabada, Dhawan take Delhi Capitals up top See story on page 22

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