Guyana Times - Monday, May 9, 2022

P14

Mothers, daughters sparkle in return of Mother and Daughter Pageant Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 5003

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

Pres Ali discusses development of bauxite industry with Brazil …highlights importance of aluminium in clean technology applications Page 3

Mother’s Day Over 800 applications outing turns received for part-time deadly Page 16

…painter drowns in creek

jobs in Region 10 - VP Page 2

India commits to helping Guyana strengthen Defence Force Page 9

…to increase military scholarship quota

Taxi driver fakes kidnapping to pay for ganja he abandoned in car Page 8

Mother’s Day celebration

PRICE

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: WCB freak storm

Building P15 materials to be available for affected residents – CDC …as CIOG distributes food hampers

2014 Skull City murder

Woman asks P12 court to overturn her 40year sentence

13 new COVID-19 cases recorded, P13 1 in ICU Businessman to serve 4 years in jail for fatally shooting teen

P10

Live maintenance, capacitor bars among strategies P7 for GPL to improve service …company expresses concern over vehicular accidents causing outages

Members of St Sidwell’s Anglican Church celebrating mothers on Sunday during a mother-children fashion display (St Sidwell’s Anglican Church photos)

“There will be no discrimination” – Region 1 P10 Commander

2 NEWS Over 800 applications received for part-time jobs in Region 10 – VP S MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ince the announcement that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government would be creating 800 temporary jobs in Region 10 to help cushion the impact of cost of living spikes, approximately 900 applications have come flooding in.

This was recently revealed

by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who assured that persons will start receiving their new jobs soon. Jagdeo also pushed back A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), who he said have been criticising the initiative despite their lack of job creation during

their time in office.

“In the same Region 10, we already have about 900 applications and most likely we’ll have to do more than the 800, for the part time jobs.

Already people have been applying. They sought to disparage it and say, Jagdeo’s lying again about the jobs that will be created. Of course, the applications had to go out. And so, we’ve already been receiving the applications.”

“In five years, they didn’t create 500 jobs in Linden. In fact, they took away the jobs by closing the call centre that we had built and was working.

Took away jobs from Linden.

And they want, in three weeks, because I said in three weeks’ time we’re going to get the document out, that oh he’s lying because three weeks have passed and we didn’t see the 800 jobs,” Jagdeo said.

Jagdeo noted that now that the applications had been received by the Government, it would only be a matter of time before those people are appointed, in keeping with the commitments made by the Government.

Government had previously announced that 3000 part-time jobs will be provid-

File photo: Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo during a recent Linden outreach

ed across the country. Jagdeo, who has been going on countrywide outreaches over the past few months, had said 1000 of those will be in Region Five. Recently while in Region Six, the Vice President announced that 800 of the parttime jobs will be going to that region.

Government has also said it will make available 200 small grants valuing up to $250,000 for budding entrepreneurs to either start or expand their businesses. According to the Vice President, this financial assistance will be made possible through the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry.

An estimated 50,000 jobs were lost from different sectors during the reign of the previous APNU/AFC Administration, the majority from the sugar industry.

Additionally, between 35,000 to 40,000 persons were made jobless when the country was locked down for about one year.

In the period leading up March 2020 National Elections, the now ruling PPP/C while on the campaign trail had promised to create 50,000 during its five-year term. The party had promised that sugar workers would have gotten back their jobs.

However, according to the Vice President, there is a lack of skilled labour and Government is putting things in place to address this. This is being done by offering training for persons. The former Head of State pointed out that while there is a labour shortage in Region Four, Region Five and Six have a shortage of skilled labour.

When it comes to Linden, the Government had inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last year, for the re-establishment of a call centre in the mining town which would create some 250 jobs.

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh had participated in the ceremony in Linden, which saw a MoU being signed between the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) and Midas Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Inc for the expansion of the BPO to the Mining Town.

With the expansion of the business to that region, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Midas, Malcolm Sobers explained that 50 to 75 persons would be recruited by October 1 while by year-end that number would increase to 150, then further moved to 250 by June 2022.

NEWS

3

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Monday, May 9 – 23:00h – 00:00h and Tuesday, May 10 – No closure.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, May 9 – 09:55h – 11:25h and Tuesday, May 10 – 11:15h – 12:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

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

Winds: North-Westerly to North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 10:38h and 23:36h reaching maximum heights of 2.09 metres and 2.08 metres.

Low Tide: 16:54h reaching a minimum height of 1.08 metre.

SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

10 11 14

19 24 25

FREE TICKET

05 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

05 06 15 17 25 LUCKY 3

5

1

2

7

Afternoon Draw

5

9

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

03 05 06 08 13 14 16 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2022

02 03 05 07 17 13

02 03 06 12 17

9

3 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

9

2 Evening Draw

FP Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$112.39/barrel

Rough Rice

$306.36/ton

+0.15

London Sugar

$530.00/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

+1.33

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1880.20

$1881.20

Low/High Change

$1877.60 -2.90

$1886.90 -0.15%

Pres Ali discusses development of bauxite industry with Brazil …highlights importance of aluminium in clean technology applications

W

ith Guyana looking to enhanced partnerships with its South American neighbours in order to promote sustainable development, President Dr Irfaan Ali has urged Brazil to help with the further development of the bauxite industry here especially given the mineral’s importance to the clean energy agenda that the two countries are pursuing.

The Head of State advocated for this on Friday last during a one-day State visit by his Brazilian counterpart, President Jair Bolsonaro. The two leaders had extensive discussions on a wide range of topics.

In a joint statement following a high-level caucus between Guyanese officials and the delegation from the Portuguese-speaking nation, it was revealed, “President Ali invited Brazil to consider cooperating with Guyana in the development of the bauxite industry in light of the changed energy situation and the importance of aluminium in clean technology applications.”

This is not the first time the Guyanese leader has brough up bauxite with his Brazilian counterpart. During a teleconference between the two Heads of State back in January, President Ali had pointed out that expanding opportunities in other non-oil natural resources sector such as bauxite will create an opportunity for a direct link to northern Brazil and the Atlantic that can “create an excellent platform for us to develop an integrated project”.

Currently, it is estimated that the potential value of Guyana’s total bauxite reserves is close to US$1 billion.

Back in December, President Ali had told residents in Berbice that there are massive bauxite deposits in the region as well as on the other side of the Corentyne River in Suriname. This, he had noted, would make a smelter not only possible but economically and financially viable.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat has previously indicated that investors are eyeing Tarakuli bauxite deposits near Orealla, in Region Six. He had stated that Tarakuli is one of the largest such bauxite mines remaining in Guyana that is untouched and of high quality. This, he said, was another reason for the country to establish an aluminium plant.

“The aluminium plant will add value to our ore, because, for too long we have been exporting raw materials; we haven’t been exporting value-added products, and you would know when you export value-added products, you earn maybe ten times more than when you export the raw material,” Bharrat stated.

Meanwhile, having recorded a 3.8 per cent decline in the output of bauxite mining last year, it is projected that the sector would recover this year

President Dr Irfaan Ali with his Brazilian counterpart President Jair Bolsonaro during his visit to Guyana last Friday

and grow by some 25.4 per cent.

In fact, during the 2022 Budget Presentation, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh had disclosed that one of the two bauxite miners in Linden, Region 10, plans to expand their investment this year by injecting a whopping US$16 million capital investment into the industry.

President Ali’s invitation for Brazil to invest in Guyana’s bauxite industry as a pathway to foster clean energy falls into play as the two countries along with Suriname pursue an energy corridor.

The three neighbouring leaders had met back in January in Paramaribo for trilateral talks during which this matter was discussed.

During Friday’s meeting, both Presidents Ali and Bolsonaro further discussed collaborating in the oil and

gas industry with a focus on renewable energy.

“We’ve discussed working together on natural gas strategy and how that can be integrated in the development of Brazil and how we can coordinate and cooperate in this area. The potential of hydro renewable energy and to look at this in a holistic frame in terms of energy production.

We also discuss areas that we can see cooperation in oil and gas. The experience of Brazil in the management of the oil and gas industry itself is immense,” the Guyanese Head of State noted.

Moreover, it was noted that the neighbouring leaders recognised that the unfolding developments in the energy sector in their respective countries provided scope for an expanded bilateral agenda in energy cooperation, including environmental aspects. They acknowledged the valuable

cooperation that was ongoing through the exchange of experience and knowledge.

Further, during the meetings on Friday, President Ali reiterated Guyana’s invitation for Brazilian investment in the energy sector.

In response, President Bolsonaro reassured that he will be encouraging businesses in the Portuguese-speaking nation to explore and take advantage of the many investment opportunities available in Guyana.

Via a translator, the Brazilian Head of State remarked, “We encouraged all of those who are interested in investing in Guyana. Of course, after this visit, we will further encourage and incentivise members of the Brazilian business community to further invest in Guyana.”

The Brazilian leader went on to note that Friday’s visit in Georgetown was “very promising” to both countries and their people.

“Guyana has a bright and promising future ahead, especially given its major oil and gas potentialities, but also because of the way your Government has fostered closer and closer relations with Brazil. We are, and stand as, partners. And I’m quite certain that, Mr President, fruits will be reaped as a result of this visit…,” Brazil’s President said via an interpreter.

Meanwhile, it was noted that in the coming weeks, a bilateral virtual seminar involving the business community of both countries will be coordinated by the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil) with a focus on new opportunities in Guyana’s oil and gas sector.

(G8)

4

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

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

Arrivals impact

T

here is no question that the Arrival of Indians on May 5, 1938 was a seismic event in the history of our country. After the horrors of slavery, which the Europeans justified by claiming that Africans were not fully human, they were slowly forced to re-evaluate their legal imposition of chattel slavery and abolish it finally on August 1, 1838. The British planters made it very clear that they would not tolerate the freed Africans bargaining for wages and reintroduced the institution of Indentureship that had been used in the 17th and 18th centuries to induce European labour into their American and West Indian colonies. As such, they brought in indentured labour from Madeira (Portuguese), Barbados and other small islands where the freed slaves did not have much bargaining power for lack of alternative means of livelihood. In 1847, the exslaves’ strike for higher wages after a 25 per cent reduction was broken by the 15,747 Portuguese, 12,898 West Indian (mainly Barbadians), 6957 African indentureds and 8692 Indians brought in to work for the lower wages. Unlike what is popularly preached today, Indians were the minority of the unwitting “strikebreakers”.

The Indian immigrants were eventually also joined by Chinese indentureds but they formed the bulk of the labour force until Indentureship was abolished after the last ship <<<SS Ganges>>> in 1917. What is often forgotten is that the Indian indentured did not just undercut the wages of the freed Africans but that of the 165,000 who remained and their descendants. Consequently, the wage of one shilling per day for males to perform a task that took from dayclean to sundown was the same throughout the 79 years of Indentureship, even as inflation eroded its purchasing power. Yet even after the abolition of Indentureship, African Guyanese into the present express resentment as if Indians deliberately “undercut” their wages. It is time that we all accept that we were pawns on an imperial chessboard.

Another move that the Colonial state made was to pit one group against another. By 1838, exactly 5000 WI indentureds had entered Guyana mostly from Barbados.

And when the state decided to form a Police Force to stave off any rebellion by the freed slaves, they hired almost exclusively Bajans. This hiring practice continued for decades until gradually they realised there would be no local rebellion from freed locals. However, the Indian immigrants were now defined as potential rebels and they were excluded through the artifice of physical criteria such as height and chest measurements which they could not fill.

This skewed ethnic recruitment has sedimented structural debris in the Indian Guyanese populace, which the PNC 1964-1992 regime further augmented, that proved to be problematic into the present.

Another sore point arising from Indian arrival is the claim that Indian immigrants received “free land”. What actually happened was that unlike the case in European Indentureship, a land grant was not one of the terms of Indian Indentureship but rather a return trip to India that was worth $60. As the planters did not want to bear this expense, five years after Indentureship was resumed, the Government passed an ordinance that offered “to grant to such immigrant (who completed his five-year Indentureship) out of the Crown lands of the colony a piece or parcel of land equal in value, at the upset price of Crown lands, to the amount of the cost of such return passage, such immigrant shall have the same in lieu of his right to a free passage.”

However, because the quality of land and its drainage were invariably so poor, over the course of Indentureship, of the 163,964 Indian immigrants that remained in Guyana and qualified, a mere 3134 (1.9%) exchanged their return passage for land on five settlements developed from the emigration fund.

The largest impact was generated in the development of political representation in the run-up to taking Guyana to independence. The inchoate cleavages became manifest and remain so in the mobilisation for elections.

Public Service Minister Sonia Parag presents a new mother of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) with a hamper for Mother’s Day (Public Service Ministry photo)

The strength of a mother

By Dara E Healy

N

ever treat your mother bad, never make her sad Make your mother happy and glad, she'll never wish you bad – Sundar Popo If you are lucky and you still have your mummy Remember what Sparrow say Forget them jagabats and all them jezebel And make sure your mummy okay – Mighty Sparrow In fulfilment of our ancient rituals, we may offer molasses and beautiful flowers to Yemoja, the ocean goddess, also honoured as mother to the Orisas. Or, we may sing praises to Ganga Mai, sacred waters which provide life, protect our loved ones and serve as a source of spiritual comfort.

Across the ancient world from the Egyptians to the Maya and the Indigenous peoples of the Caribbean, the word mother is a powerful one. Certainly, among the Indigenous communities in TT, we know that women hold an honoured place, given the respect paid to the position of queen in both the Nepuyo and Warao communities.

Amidst the turmoil of our world we have an opportunity to pause for a brief moment and reflect on the significance of Mother’s Day. In the Caribbean, many

of our communities rely on matriarchal and extended families.

Well documented by our novelists and playwrights in works such as VS Naipaul’s <<<House for Mr Biswas>>>, <<<Crick Crack Monkey>>> by Merle Hodge or <<<In the Castle of My Skin>>> by George Lamming, though they are not perfect, women and mothers are a source of knowledge and wisdom.

Calypsonians also pay homage to mothers. “Proverbs”, Mighty Bomber’s brilliantly hilarious piece, explores the wisdom of his grandmother who shared her knowledge through local sayings, only to be misunderstood by Bomber when he attempts to follow her advice. In the song, according to the wisdom of his great-great-grandmother, he should have faith because “Good things does come to those who wait.” Unfortunately, after making a date with a nice lady to meet at the Strand, eventually, “… she and she sweet man walk up to me/She say, Bomber, my dear, I am so sorry/She man pull out a bullpistle/Tell me, ‘Run fast!’/After waiting so long, I get a good cut ar–.”

In the world of calypso, the power and significance of the mother are well recognised. I was surprised to find there are several songs called A Mother’s Love. In his

version, Mighty Sparrow pours scorn on sons who disrespect their mothers, insisting that mothers should be celebrated every day. He warns, “You treated her crude and for your ingratitude/ Someday you will have to pay/Because retribution meets every man/Who treats his mammy that way.”

Mighty Destroyer also makes it clear that vengeance will come from the very heavens against people who ill-treat their mother. “Children your mother you must consider/Try and be moderate in your behaviour/You must be loving and generous/And your days will be prosperous/…Don’t give her any back chat or insolence/Boy you would be punished by the omnipotent.”

The Mother’s Day that we commemorate in May was started in the United States in the early 1900s. It was meant to honour the work of women and mothers in keeping families together and to help women achieve better maternal health.

Eventually, Ann Jarvis, the woman who fought so hard for this day, lobbied to stop it due to extreme commercialisation of the celebration.

It is not difficult to understand her disappointment. In many ways, women and mothers continue to struggle. As far back as the 1940s, Lord Invader in “Rum and

Coca-Cola” commented on the social challenges faced by “mothers and daughters working for the Yankee dollar.” By the 1970s, women calypsonians began to speak out about female freedom.

Singing Francine sent a message to women that “you could run away too,” and later, Calypso Rose embodied that sense of independence with “Leave Me Alone”.

In 2022, the celebration of Mother’s Day is tinged by increasing family violence, trafficking and exploitation of women and girls. This is exacerbated by persistent inequities in vulnerable communities, which often impact women more severely. Mighty Destroyer referred to mothers as “the master key of this world” because they hold the answers to our survival.

In our ancient traditions we recognise the value of Mother Earth, Ma Ile or Prithvi Mata.

We understand now that ill-treating her will end in catastrophe for us all.

Similarly, let us remember the value of our mothers. Pour libations and make offerings for their sacrifices, their lives and their love. Give thanks for mothers and aunties and grandmothers. Give thanks. (T&T Newsday) (Dara E Healy is a performance artist and founder of the Indigenous Creative Arts Network – ICAN)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

5

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

The descent of the trade union movement in Guyana

On the Plantation

By Guyanese of Indentured Ancestry Association (GIAA)

A

fter the ship landed in Guyana before being taken to their designated plantations, the Indian Indentureds were taken to the Depot in Kingston and from here they were dispatched to their designated

Logies on sugar plantation

plantations. On the plantation, they were allocated to rooms in logies with each family to a 14’ x 10’ room. There was no privacy since the walls did not reach the roof.

Water was sourced from nearby irrigation canals while latrines were over drainage canals.

Each plantation was supposed to have a hospital for the sick.

One of the more candid accounts of Indian indenture in British Guiana was by Joseph Beaumont, the colony's Chief Justice (1863-68).

“Practically an Immigrant is in the hands of the employer to whom he is bound. He cannot leave him; he cannot live without work; he can only get such work and on such terms as the employer chooses to set him; and all these necessities are enforced, not only by the inevitable influence of his isolated and dependent position, but by the terrors of imprisonment and the prospect of losing both favour and wages.”

Of the system itself, Beaumont asserted: “This is not a question of more or less, of this or that safeguard, of an occasional defect here, or excess there.

But it is that of a monstrous, rotten system, rooted upon slavery, grown in its stale soil, emulating its worst abuses, and only the more dangerous because it presents itself under false colours, whereas slavery bore the brand of infamy upon its forehead”

Ruimveldt Sugar Factory

DID YOU KNOW? - The Depot in Guyana for immigrants is the building next to the Marriott in Kingston that now houses NCERD. All immigration records, including birth and death certificates, were kept here until 1959 when they were transferred to the GRO and Archives.

Shouldn’t this become a heritage site?

- The word “Logie” is an Amerindian word meaning “barn” – to store coffee.

Dear Editor, The trade union movement in Guyana was founded by Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow in 1919. The trade union movement was once a powerful force in our country. Pre-Independence, the People’s Progressive Party were twice the victim of the trade union movement.

In 1953 with the Guiana Industrial Workers’ Union.

Later in 1964, the People’s National Congress-aligned Trade Union Congress organised a strike which subsequently led to British intervention and the introduction of the proportional representation system.

However, today majority of the trade unions in Guyana have lost their way.

These entities are plagued with poor leadership, disunity and the age-old problem of political affiliation.

The trade union movement in Guyana has long been associated with politics. However, never before have such pitiful attempts at trade unionism appeared in Guyana. This has resulted mainly due to ingrained union leadership.

The main objective of Labour Day celebrations has been lost in time. Last Sunday was Labour Day and the disunity among the trade unions laid bare for all to see. Many of these unions are political pawns whose priorities are based on political allegiances and sympathies; rather than the best interest of the workers they regularly purport

to represent. This is shameful and unacceptable. These union leaders have become so emboldened as to openly demonstrate their political loyalty. The many members who prop up these failed unions, should demand better from the union leaders.

Many have noticed the bizarre position of the Guyana Public Service Union who failed to participate in the annual May Day march and rally. Whether the GPSU has become a pro-Government union remains to be seen. Though a few observers are surprised by this stance this letter writer is not. Union leaders have sold out the workers they represented before for stranger reasons.

The Guyana Public Service Union failed miserably to hold the People’s National Congressdominated coalition accountable to an agreement they made with the Granger-led Government in 2015 for salary increases in 2016, 2017 and 2018. In doing so, the GPSU failed in representing the workers simply because the GPSU is political arm of the People’s National Congress Reform and cared little about the workers but more for its political masters.

The GPSU had asked the failed coalition of convenience (APNU/AFC) for salary increases in 2016, 2017 and 2018 of a flat payment of $75,000 per month to all public servants together with a pay increase of 25

per cent across the board for 2016 and a flat payment of $7000 per month and 20 per cent increase across the board for 2017 and $9000 per month and 20 per cent increase across the board for 2018. This never happened, not even close to the proposed figures, with only single digit increases; lest we forget.

The representation provided by GPSU is woefully incompetent to say the least.

Over time this union and many other trade unions in Guyana have lost the confidence of its members and non-members alike. This is public knowledge. Most notably are the Guyana Teachers’ Union, Guyana Trade Union Congress and the Guyana Public Service Union. These unions are all political arms of the People’s National Congress Reform; a tainted political faction, anti-progressive in nature, racist in intent and outright dangerous to the national harmony of Guyana.

The trade union movement should be about defending and advancing the rights, struggles and overall interest of the workers. The disinterest in the rights and conditions of many workers are obvious by the actions of many of the union leaders.

The lack of impartiality by these union leaders and the playing of politics with the lives and livelihood of people is distasteful. This is as many of these union leaders are political hopefuls. This surely spells disaster for the

future.

For years the Guyana Public Service Union has brought itself and its almost comical representation into question. Firstly, the GPSU as an entity and I dare to say ‘a political entity’ is in dire need of leadership.

The President of the Guyana Public Service Union is Mr Patrick Yarde and his Vice President is Ms Sharon Gardener. The failing of this union comes directly from the top. The leadership is of GPSU is completely useless and ineffective. As a result, the union has been seeing a drastic decline in membership over the past few years.

Patrick Yarde has been the President of the GPSU for well over thirty years now. As a result, the GPSU has become stagnant and visionless. Numerous calls have been made for the resignation of Patrick Yarde over the years. He remains unmoved by these pleas.

What is his obsession with power I may not know, but it’s clear that the current leadership of the GPSU has no interest in what happens to public servants. After all even Fidel Castro stepped down.

The leadership of Patrick Yarde has failed. The trade union movement in Guyana should get its act together, as it has obligations to its members to represent their interest impartially.

Sincerely, Nkosei Williams

Monday, May 9, 2022

06:00 (Sign on) Inspirational Time 06:30 Cartoons 07:00 Evening News (RB) 07:30 Cartoons 08:00 Stop Suffering 08:30 Stay Woke 09:00 Pioneer Woman 09:30 Prime Series - Blippi's Educational Adventures for Kids 10:00 House Hunter Renovation 11:00 Paternity Court 11:30 Divorce Court 12:00 Indian Movie - Rustom (2016) 14:30 The Evermoor Chronicles S1 E12 15:00 Indian Soaps 16:00 Lost in Space S3 E2 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 Monday Night Giveaways with DJ Stress 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Love & Laughter 21:00 American Idol (ABC) 23:00 The Ranch S3 E6 23:30 Whose Line Is It Anyway? S12 E5 00:00 Sign off

6

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

I

n this fun and easy science experiment, we’re going to explore and investigate chemical reactions by making the shell of an egg disappear leaving a rubber egg behind.

Materials:

Vinegar Egg Small glass or cup

Instructions:

Place your egg in the glass.

CONTINUED FROM SATURDAY

Re-enter ARIEL, invisible ARIEL My master through his art foresees the danger That you, his friend, are in; and sends me forth-For else his project dies--to keep them living.

Sings in GONZALO's ear While you here do snoring lie, Open-eyed conspiracy His time doth take.

If of life you keep a care, Shake off slumber, and beware: Awake, awake!

ANTONIO Then let us both be sudden.

GONZALO Now, good angels Preserve the king.

They wake ALONSO Why, how now? ho, awake! Why are you drawn?

Wherefore this ghastly looking?

GONZALO What's the matter?

SEBASTIAN Whiles we stood here securing your repose,

may see tiny bubbles forming on the side of the eggshell and float to the surface. The reaction will eventually dissolve the eggshell.

Cover the egg with vinegar.

The membrane of the egg will Wait six to seven days.

The shell of your egg will have remain and the egg will have a disappeared. You may have to rinse rubbery look. Carefully investigate some of the shell residue from your the egg, but understand it can still easily break and make a mess. egg.

How it works:

The eggshell is made of calcium carbonate. A chemical reaction occurs with between the vinegar and calcium carbonate.

This reaction will create carbon dioxide. If you look closely, you

Even now, we heard a hollow burst of bellowing Like bulls, or rather lions: did't not wake you?

It struck mine ear most terribly.

ALONSO I heard nothing.

ANTONIO O, 'twas a din to fright a monster's ear, To make an earthquake! sure, it was the roar Of a whole herd of lions.

ALONSO Heard you this, Gonzalo?

GONZALO Upon mine honour, sir, I heard a humming, And that a strange one too, which did awake me: I shaked you, sir, and cried: as mine eyes open'd, I saw their weapons drawn: there was a noise, That's verily. 'Tis best we stand upon our guard, Or that we quit this place; let's draw our weapons.

ALONSO Lead off this ground; and let's make further search For my poor son.

GONZALO

Make this a science project:

Leave the egg for several weeks in the vinegar. Place the vinegar and egg in the refrigerator to see if temperature effects the experiment. (sciencefun.org)

Heavens keep him from these beasts!

For he is, sure, i' the island.

ALONSO Lead away.

ARIEL Prospero my lord shall know what I have done: So, king, go safely on to seek thy son.

Exeunt SCENE II. Another part of the island.Enter CALIBAN with a burden of wood. A noise of thunder heard CALIBAN All the infections that the sun sucks up From bogs, fens, flats, on Prosper fall and make him By inch-meal a disease! His spirits hear me And yet I needs must curse. But they'll nor pinch, Fright me with urchin--shows, pitch me i' the mire, Nor lead me, like a firebrand, in the dark Out of my way, unless he bid 'em; but For every trifle are they set upon me; Sometime like apes that mow and chatter at me And after bite me, then like hedgehogs which

“The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth” – John F Kennedy

Lie tumbling in my barefoot way and mount Their pricks at my footfall; sometime am I All wound with adders who with cloven tongues Do hiss me into madness.

Enter TRINCULO Lo, now, lo!

Here comes a spirit of his, and to torment me For bringing wood in slowly. I'll fall flat; Perchance he will not mind me.

TRINCULO Here's neither bush nor shrub, to bear off any weather at all, and another storm brewing; I hear it sing i' the wind: yond same black cloud, yond huge one, looks like a foul bombard that would shed his liquor.

If it should thunder as it did before, I know not where to hide my head: yond same cloud cannot choose but fall by pailfuls. What have we here? a man or a fish? dead or alive? A fish: he smells like a fish; a very ancient and fish-

like smell; a kind of not of the newest PoorJohn. A strange fish!

Were I in England now, as once I was, and had but this fish painted, not a holiday fool there but would give a piece of silver: there would this monster make a man; any strange beast there makes a man: when they will not give a doit to relieve a lame beggar, they will lazy out ten to see a dead Indian. Legged like a man and his fins like arms! Warm o' my troth! I do now let loose my opinion; hold it no longer: this is no fish, but an islander, that hath lately suffered by a thunderbolt.

Thunder Alas, the storm is come again! my best way is to creep under his gaberdine; there is no other shelter hereabouts: misery acquaints a man with strange bed-fellows.

I will here shroud till the dregs of the storm be past.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Live maintenance, capacitor bars among strategies for GPL to improve service …company expresses concern over vehicular accidents causing outages

T

he Guyana Power and Light (GPL), which has been catching flak for service interruptions, and only recently made an appearance before the Public Utility Commission (PUC) regarding its service, has a number of strategies it is pursuing to better improve power distribution.

During its recent appearance before the PUC, the power company’s Operations Division Director, Bharat Harjohn, explained that the installation of capacitor bars will better regulate power along the grid. According to him, this should be concluded by mid-year.

“We’re presently looking at installing capacitors on the distributor side of the grid, that is on the feeders.

We’ve started that process.

We have a couple more that will get done. So hopefully by mid of this year, we’ll put in place some of the distribution feeders,” he explained.

“Like for example, the ones on the West Coast and East Coast, those highly-populated areas where we have these long feeders, we’re installing these capacitor bars to improve the

Example of a recent accident that caused service interruptions

voltage level,” he said.

He explained that they assess every outage and what can be done to alleviate it. While he acknowledged that the grid is not optimal, they are looking at ways they can use the existing configuration and better manage it to reduce interruptions.

According to Harjohn, the power company will embark on more maintenance works when the weather permits. He also expressed concern over vehicular acci-

dents which have at times caused power outages.

This was evident only days ago, when a bus slammed into a utility pole at Vlissengen Road and Sandy Babb Street.

The accident caused power outages to sections of Georgetown and Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara).

“Despite the challenges we get in terms of our internal resources, we’re gonna use contractors, we’re gonna start looking at doing

live line maintenance so that we don’t have to take the power off the customer.

We can change a cross arm, we can change an insulator, with the feeder being live.”

“Vegetation management is a continuous effort.

Because as we know for a feeder trip is very higher in terms of outages. And one

of the reasons for that is the conductor touching tree branches. We have unbalanced loading on the feeder, causing some of these trips. And vehicular accidents. For this year we’ve seen a lot of vehicular accidents causing feeders to be out and we have power outages,” Harjohn also said.

Last year, plans were announced for GPL to invest US$293 million to improve its transmission and distribution infrastructure – a project that will see the utility company juggle rebuilding the entire network while maintaining service as much as possible.

Dindyal had explained that GPL is planning to overhaul its systems, presumably the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS). It is a project that will end up costing approximately US$293 million, for which they are currently seeking financing, but which will ultimately benefit consumers.

The CEO had also noted that the Inter-American

Development Bank (IDB) has historically been GPL’s go-to source for financing.

He said that while other financial institutions have expressed an interest in funding the project, GPL will be looking at the terms being offered and choosing the most sustainable option.

At the PUC hearing of March 29, which reviewed GPL’s Operating Standards and Performance Targets for last year, it was revealed that consumers experienced an average of 103 power outages for 2021, when the maximum number of outages consumers should experience on average, according to the standard, is 90.

It was noted that consideration for the impact the company’s failure to reach its targets has on consumers, determines whether any penalty will be levied on the company. It was revealed in the report coming out of the hearing that PUC decided not to impose any penalties. (G3)

8 NEWS Taxi driver fakes kidnapping to pay for ganja he abandoned in car MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A

23-year-old taxi driver is now evading Police after he allegedly faked his kidnapping to pay for a quantity of ganja he abandoned.

The man had reportedly run away from cops in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and abandoned his car which contained a large amount of marijuana.

Police said the incident occurred on April 22.

At the time the cannabis was found, the man was allegedly transporting the drug for another person.

Guyana Times was informed that the man’s vehicle was stopped and searched by Police ranks and the drug was discovered.

Upon seeing this, the man buckled from the scene and made good his escape.

Shortly after, Police said, “the person he was transporting the cannabis for de-

manded that he (the taxi driver) paid him $1 million for his losses”.

This caused the taxi driver to allegedly conspire with others to fake his kidnapping.

It was also reported that at around 14:35h on Saturday, the man’s 21-year-old fiancée of Essex Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, went to the Police and reported that on Thursday last at about 07:50h her partner left home to drop a passenger to Georgetown.

The passenger, Police said, is known to her as “Buckboy”.

The woman said she called her fiancé at 21:24h and he told her that he was at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice, and had to turn back to make a pick up at Bath Settlement. That was the last she heard from him.

At about 01:30 h on Friday, she said her landline phone rang and a male voice at the other end told her that he had narcotics in her fiancé’s car and he wanted $1 million for it.

She said she was also threatened that if she did not pay the money, “she will find his body at the road corner.”

The woman said she told the male caller that she did not have that amount of money, and requested to speak to her fiancé, but the person ended the call.

However, on Saturday at about 10:09h, she checked her phone and saw a number of photographs of her fiancé on a bed with his hands and feet tied up with a yellow rope. The photos were sent to her from her fiancé's phone.

She also received some text messages demanding

$500,000. She told investigators she was also warned against making contact with the Police or it would be worse.

The passenger – “Buckboy” – who was in the car with the taxi driver, is currently in custody and is being interrogated.

Investigations are ongoing.

For the past two months, Police have been grappling with fake kidnapping reports. In the month of March, there were three fake kidnapping reports in three days.

The most recent case was that of an 18-year-old who claimed that she was abducted at Jimbo Bridge, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), by persons unknown.

The teen was eventually found at the Kitty seawall, and was interviewed at the CID Headquarters, Eve Leary, by investigators and admitted that her kidnapping story was fake.

She told investigators that she contacted one of her friends via cell phone and asked her for a place to stay for a few days. She said that she told her friend she was feeling flustered and was drifting further into depression.

The teen then left her home to conduct business for a relative after which she met with her friend in Georgetown who gave her the keys to the house.

She then proceeded to her friend’s house. She stated that while in the house she was feeling mentally and physically tired, so she inflicted injuries on her stomach, legs, arms, and back with her fingernails.

The teen also said that she took a pair of scissors and cut off her hair, and scratched her face because she was feeling the same way. Asked about burn marks visible on her skin, the teen said that she had inflicted those on herself with a metal comb.

She told investigators that she left the house, joined a taxi that was provided to her by her friend, and proceeded to the Kitty seawall, Georgetown, in hopes that someone would see her and call her parents.

She said that it was while at the seawall she decided that she would tell her parents that she had been kidnapped. (G9)

Changeable…

O

…weather and reaction n Saturday there was a squall over Bath on West Coast Berbice that took the residents by complete surprise. A few roofs were blown away…a couple houses were flattened and electric poles fell to the ground. We get these every now and then on different parts of the coast. So, while it had to’ve been traumatic to the affected residents, no need to panic. Ain’t that right? Well, not necessarily. Look around right here in our dear mudland. The floods are coming with increasing frequency because of the increased rainfall and we’ve been assured that rising seas will put our entire coastland under water in a few decades. Living in a trench between a Seawall and a back dam, how long can we literally keep our heads above water?

How high can we raise the sea walls? How many 7-gate sluices can we build? And it’s not just us…the same dynamics’ been playing out across the world.

Read about the heat-wave-of-all-heat-waves that just swept across India and Pakistan? The drought in California? One March study says, “The world has experienced 350-500 medium-to large-scale disasters every year over the last 20 years. This is five times higher than the previous three decades…And the world will face about 560 disasters every year by 2030.” How does that sound to you??

So, what do we do, Dear Reader? Your Eyewitness will tell you what he thinks. Even though we’ve all gone through that mill called the “plantation” – in which it didn’t make sense to look too far into the future – it’s time we get with the programme and dump that attitude! The colonial powers could rule us for centuries because they planned for centuries into the future. Ever seen those parks in England? Those trees were planted centuries before and those who planted them were long gone!! So what’s the plan for our “tree planting” that our descendants can enjoy in hundreds of years to come??

Well, let your Eyewitness make this clear. While we look far ahead, we still gotta keep an eye on what’s right in front of us. Lest it be a hole in which we plunge and break our necks!! So we still gotta continue trying to keep out the seas and drain our coast, OK? We still gotta improve our infrastructure…create those industrial estates, etc. We still gotta eat, no?!!

But in addition, we literally also gotta move to higher ground!! And it’s in this vein we gotta hand it to Pres Ali with his proposal to create “Silica City” way up into our Hilly Sand and Clay Belt.

That’s a real “see far” move that’s a game changer!! …but it’s been done On this move, we should start small – as the Pres has proposed. But the plan must strategically cater for Silica City to become the capital for our new One Guyana. We can’t pretend that Georgetown isn’t going to be underwater within a few decades. Have we forgotten that in 1960 Brazil built a new city – Brasilia – as its capital in the middle of the jungle?? Even as Rio and São Paulo were already two of the most vibrant cities in the world?

So, we must think big. Have you even wondered how come Washington DC has such wide boulevards and open spaces when it was built over 200 years ago in the age of horse and buggy?? They built for tomorrow, baby!! Our country’s is as big physically as England?

And all they started their WI empire with was a dinky little island in the Caribbean named St Kitts!!

And we now have oil to join our gold, diamonds, bauxite and forests to put us on top of the world!!

…voters’ lists To tye BP’s suggestion on cleansing the deceased, a GECOM PNC Commish says some migrated deaths might still linger. So, isn’t this just a variation on how the migrated should be handled?

His suggestion?

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

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

NEWS

9

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

India commits to helping Guyana strengthen Defence Force …to increase military scholarship quota

E

mphasising that India is the world’s third-largest military power, High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa has said that his country is committed to helping Guyana strengthen its security capabilities by providing scholarships for Guyana Defence Force (GDF) officers.

Last year, the Government of India for the first time provided 19 such scholarships which saw local soldiers undergoing various military training in India. Of the 19 scholarships, 10 were allotted to army ranks, five to the Air Corps, and the rest to the Coast Guard. The scholarships were offered under the Indian Government’s Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC).

During a recent exclusive interview with Guyana Times, Dr Srinivasa disclosed that 10 GDF ranks have already completed various courses, while two others have left for India.

He explained that the courses will be completed over various months. Given the good response to the scholarships last year, the Indian High Commissioner said that from mid-2022 to next year, the Government of India will be increasing the number of military

India is increasing the number of military scholarships offered to GDF ranks

scholarships from 19 to 28.

According to him, GDF Major Sven Douglas was recently trained in the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping train the trainer programme. “Guyana has never participated in the UN training, so we are training Guyanese officers to train the troops here…,” Dr Srinivasa added.

Major Douglas, who graduated with the highest examination score, was awarded the prize for Best Foreign Officer. The diplomat described the training exercises as a “growing collaboration” between

Guyana and India. He said, “…because India is the third-largest military power in the world. And we have advanced forces, in the army, the air force and the navy we are every good in that. We believe in sharing the training with our friendly countries across the world. It is a part of our social cooperation.”

The diplomat noted that the value attached to the Indian education system is very high. He also expressed how proud he is of scholars returning to contribute to the development of Guyana. In addition to

military training, the GDF and Guyanese have ben-

efitted from courses offered through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme.

Since taking office, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali has openly committed to providing increased training for the GDF, Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Fire Service (GFS), and Guyana Prison Service (GPS) ranks. Over the years, GDF ranks have benefitted from various military training such as emergency medical evacuation, marksmanship, medical evacuation, recovery response, search-and-rescue, and engineering. GDF ranks have also been sent on exchange programmes in the United States and

Caribbean countries.

The GDF recently deployed 50 ranks from various units to Exercise Tradewinds (ETW) 2022, which will be held from May 7-21 in Belize. In February, the Texila American University (TAU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the GDF which will see ranks benefitting from free training.

Moreover, Guyana is moving to increase patrols on its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and has already paid $2.3 billion for a patrol vessel that is being constructed by the United States company, Metal Shark. A whopping $47.9 billion was allocated to the security sector in the 2022 national budget. (G1)

10 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GEA puts out tender for electric vehicle charging stations …pilot project to be rolled out in Regions 3, 4, 6

T

he Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has put out a tender for the supply and delivery of six 22-25 kilowatt (kW) electric vehicle charging stations, as part of a pilot project in Regions Three, Four and Six for commercial use by drivers with electric/ hybrid vehicles.

According to the tender documents, drivers will be required to set up an account beforehand and use a RFID card or smartphone app in order to access the service. It was noted that drivers could be charged either prepaid (price per charging time) or post-paid (cost per energy consumed).

Bidders will be required to submit their bids, together with bid security of 2 per cent of the tendered amount,

by May 31, 2022, at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). Once the contract is signed, the successful firm will have 120 days to deliver the goods.

GEA made it clear in the contract document that 36 months’ complete system warranty must be applicable from provisional acceptance date. The supplier will also be required to provide at least three years of after sales service locally.

“The supplier warrants all goods supplied under the contract are new, unused, and of the most recent or current models, and that they incorporate all recent improvements in design and materials, unless provided

Unlike combustion vehicles, electric vehicles are propelled by electromagnetism and propelled by an electric motor. It is charged using electricity, eliminating oil changes and other features distinct to gasoline or diesel vehicles.

Dr Sharma had expound-

An example of an EV charging station

otherwise in the contract,” it was explained.

“The supplier further warrants that all goods supplied under this contract shall have no defect, arising from design, materials or workmanship or from any act or omission of the supplier, that may develop under normal use of the supplied goods in the conditions prevailing in the country of final destination.

According to the GEA, the project will be provided with a six months defects liability period that takes effect from the date possession of the charging stations passes to GEA’s hands. During this period, the supplier will be responsible for any remedial works or even replacements that must be done to the goods.

The project also requires that the contractor submit evidence of their financial ability in the amount of 30 per cent of the bid price. This can be in the form of a bank statement or letter of credit from a

commercial bank. A bid security of two per cent of the tendered sum is also required.

Bidders must also submit letters stating whether they have any terminated or abandoned projects on their record, as well as an implementation schedule for the charging stations. Additionally, the successful supplier will be responsible for all applicable taxes, duties and licence taxes.

Recently, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GEA, Dr Mahender Sharma had promised that in order to create an environment for increased usage of electric vehicles in Guyana, his agency would be establishing a new electric mobility road and six charging stations.

He had shared that there are some 116 electric vehicles in operation in Guyana.

Encouraging Guyanese to consider a transition from internal combustion vehicles, he had also lauded the benefit of cheaper operation.

ed that no duty is imposed on the importation of renewable equipment, such as solar panels, wind power generators and others used to generate electricity from renewable energy.

Last year, the GEA informed that Guyana has saved some $488 million in

energy costs, with the installation of solar panels on Government buildings across the country over a span of seven years. Some 291 buildings sport the environmentally friendly and cost-effective power generation mechanism. (G3)

Businessman to serve 4 years in jail for fatally shooting teen …as time served deducted from sentence

B

usinessman Junior France will have to serve four more years in prison for killing a teen miner. Initially indicted for the capital offence of murder, France, 44, of Tabatinga, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), was convicted on the lesser count of manslaughter.

Following a trial before Essequibo High Court Judge Jo Ann Barlow, the jury found him unanimously guilty of unlawfully killing 17-year-old Dane Jerrick, a miner of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on May 17, 2020. During a sentencing hearing last Friday, France was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. Since he had been on remand since May 2020 and was credited for time served, roughly two years will be deducted from his sentence. The business-

Jailed: Junior France

man has also compensated the dead teen’s family; however, the sum of money paid is not known.

France was represented

by Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes and Ronald Daniels, while State Counsel Tiffini Lyken had appeared on behalf of the prosecution.

It was reported that at about 03:30h on the day in question, at Puruni

Landing, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Jerrick was shot in the lower back by the businessman.

The teen’s uncle had told Guyana Times that family members were told that his nephew and a driver had an argument which had quickly escalated into a scuffle, during which Jerrick had attempted to escape the blows, but someone in the crowd had identified him as a thief.

The businessman, who was in close proximity to the scene, had reportedly drawn his weapon and shot Jerrick. It was reported that after the shooting, an angry mob had stormed the businessman’s shop and carted off a quantity of goods. The mob had even attempted to burn the building down, but only managed to scorch a section of the shop.

“There will be no discrimination” – Region 1 Commander

S

peaking on the issue of foreign nationals living in Guyana being discriminated against at times and deprived of justice because they are not Guyanese, Regional Commander of Region One (Barima-Waini), Superintendent Himnauth Sawh said it will not happen under his watch in the region.

The Commander said irrespective of nationality, justice must prevail according to the laws and Constitution of Guyana.

“It is a right and is deserving of our foreign partners.

We will maintain balance in this region…”, he said.

He said to foster this, he will ensure that their education programmes continue to aggressively educate his ranks. “… we want those who are ignorant to be brought up to speed with the requisite knowledge,” he posited.

Commander Sawh said he is currently working with stakeholders, primarily those who provide language services, to help with the issue of the language barrier in certain areas in the region.

“Whenever we have con-

frontations with persons of different languages, we can ensure that the requisite skillset is brought on board so that nobody is disenfranchised,” he explained.

He also said it is important for Guyana as a country that shares a border with Venezuela, to be very neutral and fair when it comes to dealing with certain cases. The Commander also expressed elation at the Government’s initiative to lend assistance to Venezuelan nationals.

“We do understand what is happening in Venezuela and I am very happy that our Government has taken a posture where we provide services to everyone equally…

People will always say what they want to say, but we the Police must understand our roles and responsibilities.”

“We have taken an oath to serve and protect the people of Guyana, and under my watch, there will be no segregation,” he said.

The head of the region said there are several foreign nationals who are vulnerable and when they are found, his ranks try their best to render assistance as fast as possible.

“We engage our stake-

Region One Superintendent Sawh

Commander, Himnauth

holders to provide food supplies and other commodities that will help to bring relief.

At the same time, we engage the requisite authorities…”, he said.

Commander Sawh also assured the public that he will continue to maintain his stand, and never turn a blind eye to unfair treatment and discrimination.

“We will deal with it frontally, we will do our assessment, we evaluate the security risks, but at the same time simultaneously, we will engage the requisite authorities with responsibilities for these situations.”

11 Over 300 Walton Hall residents to get land titles after decades A NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

n outreach led by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), on Saturday, saw decades-old land issues at Walton Hall and Jib villages on the Essequibo Coast being addressed.

The Attorney General was accompanied by Housing and Minister Water Collin Croal, Regional Vice Chairman Humace Odit, and Prime Ministerial representative Arnold Adams.

At the first stop in Walton Hall, AG Nandlall announced that over 300 families will receive land titles/transport for lands they have been occupying for decades. This process will be facilitated by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) and the Office of the Public Trustee,

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal assisting a resident of Walton Hall with a land issue

which falls under the Attorney General’s chambers.

Minister Nandlall explained that the lands were previously owned by a cooperative society whose mem-

Residents of Jib, Region Two, being assisted by members of the team

bers passed away and therefore, the intention is to move the transport from a singular transport vested in the name of the co-op into individual transports for persons who are occupying land.

“The first step in the process is to get the lands surveyed, do a plan, individual plan to demarcate exactly where you are living, and then to begin the process…what is of crucial importance is that you indicate to the persons who drawing the plan the name that you will like the transport to be issued in,” he told the residents, according to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report.

Similar issues were addressed at Jib village, where residents are occupying lands owned by the late AP Singh.

A large portion of those lands

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, addressing the residents of Walton Hall, Region Two

are under the administration of the Public Trustee, since Singh had no relative laying claims to the lands. A small portion falls under the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

Minister Nandlall has assured the residents that the process of regularisation will commence, which will see persons being issued legal documents for their lands at a minimum cost.

“We (Government) found a mechanism to allow the public trustee to come into the picture to help with the transaction, while at the same time achieving the objective, which is two-fold, giving you your title principally and giving your

title at the lowest possible cost,” he explained.

The Attorney General, however, noted that the residents have a major role to play in ensuring the process proceeds smoothly. He impressed upon them to ensure full cooperation with the GLSC and ensure they present themselves to sign the relevant documents necessary to move the process forward.

Minister Croal also stated the Government’s commitment to ensure land-related issues across the Essequibo Coast are resolved in a timely manner. He said that the necessary policy mechanisms are being implemented in this regard.

In the Jib/Paradise area, he reassured the residents that the team at CHPA will work with them to ensure that the occupational surveys are completed in a timely manner, after which they will be issued with their titles/transport.

“At the end of the day, we want you to have that document that signals ownership so that you can do other things with it like getting a loan for expansion, and that is why we are here today,” the Minister noted.

Representatives of the GLSC, Office of the Public Trustee and CHPA were also on the ground providing guidance to residents on the process.

12 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 9,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2014 Skull City murder

Woman asks court to overturn her 40-year sentence its case against Ragnauth who is being represented by Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes and Narissa Leander. The matter was heard by a three-Judge bench led by Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards and Justices of Appeal Dawn GregoryBarnes and Rishi Persaud.

sides. And to put something in the jury’s mind that is not warranted by the evidence, the prosecution believes that that would not be safe or wise for the trial Judge to do…,” said Prosecutor Backer. The court has reserved its decision.

Facts

Miscarriage of justice

Vishwantie Ragnauth and her now dead husband Nyron Thakurdyal being escorted to the lock-ups

by Police shortly after they were found guilty of the capital offence (File photo)

A

40-year-old woman has moved to the Court of Appeal of Guyana to quash her conviction and 40-year jail sentence for the 2014 murder of her uncle, Sunil Ramsundar which occurred on Boxing Day 2014 at Skull City, Patentia, West Bank

Demerara (WBD).

Vishawantie Ragnauth and her husband, Nyron Thakurdyal were both found guilty in June 2018 by a jury of murdering Ramsundar, 39. They were each sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment by Demerara High Court Judge Sandil Kissoon.

Shortly after, the couple filed an appeal against their conviction and sentence.

When the case recently came up for hearing, the appellate court was informed that Thakurdyal, a father of six, has passed away.

Nevertheless, the prosecution is going ahead with

The lawyers are contending that the trial Judge’s failure to adequately put their client’s defence to the jury is sufficient reason for the court to overturn her conviction and sentence.

Given what transpired on that fatal day, Leander argued that the defence of provocation was available.

She said, “There was sufficient evidence on which the trial Judge ought to have put the defence of provocation to the jury. In those circumstances, provocation did arise. The trial Judge ought to have directed the jury on how to treat that bit of evidence given a finding that [Ragnauth] was reasonably provoked. The trial Judge failed to give the jury any directions on that issue. It is our respectful submission that the failure to give those directions resulted in a miscarriage of justice.”

In relation to the defence of accident, counsel argued that Justice Kissoon failed to direct the jury on how to treat this defence. To make her point, she said that her client is maintaining that Thakurdyal came about his injuries as a result of falling onto a fence. Leander reminded that during the couple’s trial, a pathologist testified that the fatal injury the now dead man received to his neck could have been caused if he had fallen onto a fence with an object protruding.

In light of the doctor’s opinion, Leander submitted that the trial Judge failed to analyse this piece of evidence in his summation. She further said that Justice Kissoon did not direct the jury that it was not for the defence to establish that the injury was accidentally sustained but rather for the prosecution to negate that defence. According to Leander, an eyewitness testified to seeing Ragnauth and her husband cuffing away at Thakurdyal. She, however, pointed out that the witness did not testify to seeing the couple armed with a knife or any other weapon.

“Based on the injuries in the post-mortem report, it is our contention that those injuries are not consistent with what the eyewitness said… “If she [the eyewitness] saw all of these cuffing motions and the State is contending that a knife was

Dead: Sunil Ramsundar

used, there would have been more than one stab wound based on the eyewitness’s testimony,” Leander submitted.

Very dangerous

For her part, the Chancellor asked Backer if it would not have been prudent for Justice Kissoon to put the defence of self-defence to the jury irrespective of who started the fight assuming that a situation arose whereby Ragnauth and her husband feared that there was a need to defend themselves and at that point, they would not have stopped to measure the extent of the attack.

Prosecutor Backer replied, “If there was evidence capable of supporting that these people may have been acting in self-defence then that would be the case.

But the prosecution is saying that based on the evidence the circumstances are that [Ragnauth] approached [Thakurdyal] and pushed him, she was the one who would have taken things to that physical level.”

Although the evidence points to him pushing her back and holding onto her arms, she said there is no other evidence to suggest that he did any other thing to her. “There is no evidence that he did anything else other than quarrel. On the evidence, there is nothing to suggest that these people felt that they needed to defend themselves to the extent of stabbing somebody in their neck.” Given these circumstances, Backer insisted that their actions were not “necessary”.

According to the State counsel, the defence of provocation was not available to Ragnauth. She added, “If anybody was provoked, it would have been the deceased; that’s how the prosecution sees the evidence.” As such, she argued that there was no reason for this to be put to the jury.

“It would be very dangerous for a trial Judge to go around giving a jury options… there is provocation, there is manslaughter, there is self-defence, if they do not legitimately arise on the evidence. We must consider at all time fairness to both

The facts of the matter stated that Ramsundar was killed after he attempted to settle a dispute between his sister, his niece, and his niece’s reputed husband.

Around 22:00h on that fateful night, Ramsundar’s sister was being assaulted by her daughter – Ragnauth - and her partner, Thakurdyal. At that time, the now-deceased man asked his sister why she was crying, and upon learning about the assault, the man approached his niece for an explanation.

However, this quickly turned into a heated argument, during which Ramsundar was stabbed about his body. Thakurdyal held down the man while his wife stabbed him.

Ramsundar collapsed on the spot and was pronounced dead on arrival at the West Demerara Regional Hospital. After the duo stabbed the man, they ran away and flagged down a passing car.

That vehicle happened to be that of an off-duty policeman who reportedly heard Thakurdyal telling someone via his cell phone that he just “jook up” someone. The cop then drove them to the Wales Police Station where they were subsequently arrested. At the time of his arrest, the late Thakurdyal was reportedly found with a knife in his possession.

Meanwhile, the pathologist in his testimony gave Ramsundar’s cause of death as shock and haemorrhage; and a stab wound to the neck. The pathologist had told the jury that there were also injuries to his right forearm, right chest, left part of the neck, and jaw, noting that a puncture to an artery caused excessive blood loss.

Probation reports presented to the court back in 2018 revealed that Thakurdyal had migrated with his family to the United States in 1985 but was deported on a narcotics possession charge in 2003.

He then lived for nine years in the Bahamas where he did construction work.

Ragnauth, whose past was described as “abusive”, is a mother of three. It was revealed that she was verbally and physically abusive to her partners and during her second relationship, her husband whom she married according to Hindu rites, fled the home due to her abusive nature. (G1)

NEWS

13

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

13 new COVID-19 cases recorded, 1 in ICU T

he Health Ministry has reported that 13 more persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours.

According to Sunday’s updated COVID-19 dashboard, the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana has now gone up to 63,583.

Of this, however, only 138 are currently active cases, that is, one patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining persons in isolation, that is, one person in institutional isolation and the remaining 136 persons in home isolation.

There are also four other persons in institutional quarantine.

On the other hand, the COVID-19 death toll in Guyana remains at 1228, while some 62,217 persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus to date.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Guyana over two years ago, a total 604,408 tests have been conducted countrywide and of this, some 29,282 males and 34,301 females were found to be

positive.

Of the 13 new cases recorded on Sunday, three were from Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), nine cases from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and the remaining one case from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

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

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

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

Latest figures show that so far, more than 440,628 or 85.9 per cent of adults have taken a first

dose, while some 339,960 or 66.3 per cent of persons 18 years and over are fully vaccinated.

For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, just over 34,500 or 47.5 per cent of them have received their first dose, and of that amount, some 25,301 or 34.7 per cent are fully immunised.

In addition, in excess of 62,900 persons have returned for their booster shots thus far.

According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recent figures, some 513,955,910 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 6,249,700 deaths.

In the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 153,611,428 while the death toll in the region has gone up to 2,728,205.

As it relates to vaccination against COVID-19, the WHO also reported that a total of 11,562,157,794 doses have been administered worldwide. (G8)

Woman found guilty of trying to extort $10M from ex-boyfriend

Guilty: Princess Williams

T

he 20-year-old woman who was charged with trying to obtain $10 million from her ex-boyfriend by threatening to make a false rape report against him has been found guilty of the crime.

Princess Williams of Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was ini-

tially charged last year March. She had denied the charge which stated that between January 4 and January 7, 2021, at Georgetown, with intent to extort $10,000,000 from Kenrick Thomas, she threatened to accuse him of raping her. She had been placed on $100,000

bail. Williams’s trial was conducted by Magistrate Rondel Weever, who on Friday, found her guilty as charged.

As such, Williams was remanded to prison pending sentencing which is fixed for June 6 when a probation report on her will be presented at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

It was reported that Williams and Thomas had shared a relationship for four months. She last visited Thomas’s residence on January 4, 2021. However, they got into an argument which led to one of them ending the relationship.

Following the breakup, Williams sent a voice note to Thomas, claiming that he had raped her.

She further gave him an ultimatum to either pay her $10 million or she would make a report to the Police. After receiving the threats, Thomas lodged a report with the Police. (G1)

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD MAY 8, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

13 1 136

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

1

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

4

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,301

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,282

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

63,583

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

62,217

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

2520

REGION 2

2500

REGION 3

8080

REGION 4

31,453

REGION 5

2384

REGION 6

5824

REGION 7

2424

REGION 8

886

REGION 9

4038

REGION 10

3474

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

438,399 337,197 1228

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

14 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 9,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mothers, daughters sparkle in return of Mother and Daughter Pageant

Star Rental Middle Category winners, Natoya Hamilton and her daughter Nia

By Shane Marks

A

fter a forced twoyear hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mother and Daughter Pageant returned to the National Cultural Centre on Saturday evening for a night of pageantry in anticipation of Mother’s Day. On Saturday evening, the National Cultural Centre was transformed into a red-carpet affair as the excited audience filled the seats for the 29th edition

of the Mother and Daughter Pageant 2022, under the theme “The Inescapable Spring of Love.”

Twenty pairs of mothers and daughters took the stage separated under three categories; GTT’s Junior, Star Rentals Middle, and Chung’s Global Inc Senior Category.

Decked and embraced by stunning gowns and trend-worthy outfits, the ladies competed for the judges’ scores and the audience’s cheers using their creative-

GTT's Junior Category winners, Yonnette Holder and her daughter Kayla (Tourism Guyana photo)

ness, uniqueness and their vogue-like modelling ability.

Competing under GTT’s Junior Category was Roshini Boodhoo-Persaud and her daughter Jeeya, Yonnette Holder and Jayla, Judith Sullivan and Jayda, Priya Baldeo and Arianna, Tesia Ellis and Xael, and Alana Gravesande and her daughter Ciara.

Yonnette Holder and Jayla took the coveted first place spot in the junior category with mother and daughter pairs Judith Sullivan and Jayda, and Priya Baldeo and daughter Arianna copping second and third places, respectively.

Yonnette and Jayla’s unexpected wardrobe change during their presentation to the judges is what earned them the “crowd favourite” of the night.

Faith Chesney-Sampson and daughter Janeyka, Natoya Hamilton and Nia, Ernella Garner and Erndestia, Vivette Boyer and Ja’Na, Tashika Fisher and Tashika, and moth-

Chung's Global Inc Senior Category winners, Melissa Smartt and her daughter Irwena (Tourism Guyana photo)

er and daughter Alana Gravesande and Nafonah were contestants under the Star Rentals Middle Category.

Natoya Hamilton and daughter Nia stole the show with their graceful stage presence and breath-taking ‘tea party’ attire, taking first place amongst second place winners Faith Chesney-Sampson and third place winners Ernella Garner and Erndestia.

For the much more mature category, contestants Sally Gail Mathoo and Sallyandra, Indira Mangru and Dhanwantie, Melisa Smartt and Irwena, Alicia Lawrence and Kayla, Tian Edwards and Teija, Sookrane Boodhoo and Roahini, Tessa Persaud and Dianty, and Faith ChesneySampson and daughter Janaye were competing under the Chung’s Global Inc Senior Category.

Mother and daughter Melissa Smartt and Irwena were crowned winners of the category. Sookrane Boodhoo and Roshini arrived in second place with

Faith Chesney-Sampson and daughter arriving in third.

The pageant was judged by an eight-member mother and daughter panel – Visva and Kiran Mattai, Duanne and Dueva Lewis, Natasha and Victoria Najab and chief judges Rev Jacquelin and Melissa Bourne.

The National Cultural Centre’s seats were filled with mothers, daughters and sons who came out in support of the efforts of Guyana's largest pageant competition, produced by Ingrid Fung and Dr Sulan Fung.

The surprise of the evening that seemed to entertain the audience in between segments was the appearance of sons with their mothers.

The likes of bodybuilder Kerwin Clarke, local musician Drew Thoven, sports journalist Rawle Toney, politician Daniel Seeram, fashion designer Quinton Pearson and famous gospel singer Samuel Medas pleasantly entertained the crowd.

NEWS

15

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WCB freak storm

Building materials to be available for affected residents – CDC

…as CIOG distributes food hampers

F

ollowing a storm between Friday night and Saturday morning that affected residents of Bath Settlement, Region

tative Fizal Jaffarally, the supplies have already arrived in the region. He explained that there are fifty food hampers and fifty

Five (Mahaica-Berbice), the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has been able to assess the damages and is expected to distribute one hundred hampers to affected residents.

Nineteen buildings situated at Plantation Hope and Experiment were severely affected.

The CDC is expected to distribute 100 hampers to affected families today.

According to regional parliamentary represen-

cleaning hampers.

Between Friday night and Saturday morning, heavy winds coupled with rain removed zinc sheets from several buildings while flattening two. There were varying degrees of damage to properties and structures, mainly roofs and fences.

According to the CDC, a cone-shaped bout of wind was seen moving temporarily overhead.

In a release, the CDC

noted that the assessment team initiated its assess-

ment at the Northern end of the impacted area.

“During their assessment it was noted that almost two kilometres (1.2 miles) of property were affected along a straight path heading northeast to southwest,” the release said in part.

The community primarily consists of farmers and as such; some crops, chick-

en pens and storage sheds were also significantly impacted. One resident reported that a number of her baby chickens died as a result of the storm.

Residents of Bath Settlement also reported that many household appliances, furniture, mechanical and electrical equipment, clothing, school supplies and a motorcycle all suffered extensive damage.

Zinc sheets were seen scattered sporadically in several yards, belonging to several properties throughout the area, the CDC said.

According to the CDC, a quantity of food and cleaning hampers have been delivered to the Regional Chairman and are being distributed.

Additionally, efforts are underway to assist those persons impacted by Saturday’s storm and they can begin to receive replacement sheets today, the CDC said.

On Saturday Public Service Minister Sonia Parag reassured that assistance will be provided to the affected residents through the Office of the Prime Minister among other agencies.

Many have since been

forced to seek alternative means of preparing food and there are reports that two persons have to be relocated after their properties were damaged.

CIOG

Meanwhile, on Saturday the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) distributed 50 food hampers to affected residents.

The storm, which started before midnight, was coupled with heavy rainfall, thunder and lightning resulting in utility poles being moved and electrical wires coming into contact with fences causing sparks.

Meanwhile, the Hydrometeorological Office through the Ministry of Agriculture has advised all residents countrywide to prepare for consistent rainfall as the rainy season is in full effect. Between 30mm (1.1 inches) and 70mm (2.7 inches) of rainfall is expected over the next twenty-four (24) hours. Persons are urged to contact their local authorities if they are impacted in any way or the National Emergency Monitoring System. (G4)

16 NEWS

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NDIA working to clear drains across Mother’s Day outing turns deadly Berbice as flood warning issued …painter drowns in creek

W

ith the Hydromet Office issuing a flood warning for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will be conducting works to unclog drains in Port Mourant and other communities along the Corentyne Coast.

This assurance was given by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Saturday when he met with residents at Port Mourant.

He said Government, through the NDIA which falls under his Ministry, is working to mitigate flooding across the Berbice Coast.

With Guyana stepping into the May-June rainy period, Mustapha along with a team from the Ministry met with residents to listen to the issues affecting them.

According to a report from the Department of Public Information (DPI), Mustapha informed the residents that based on data gathered by the Hydromet Department, this year’s rainy period will have conditions similar to that of 2021.

He disclosed that the Ministry has been working with the various regional bodies to put systems in place to avoid a repeat of what took place last year.

“Right now, we are experiencing a very high intensity of rainfall. I’ve received reports that the internal drains are clogged up. Even if we clear the main canals, if the internal drains are clogged up the water will not drain. I will ask our engineers to organise and send a small team back to the area to look at the drainage issues. I will also assign a small machine to clean all the drains as soon as the recommendations from the engineers [are received],” the Minister was quoted by DPI as saying.

Residents who turned up to the meeting at Ankerville told the Minister that they see the efforts being made at the level of the Central Government to improve the lives of the citizens and called on the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils to step up and play their part.

The residents also complained that when reports are made to the NDC, no action is taken and that the

Works being done on Saturday to clear the outfall at Kilmarnock Village, Corentyne

persons who were appointed Councillors have not been working in the best interest of those residing in the community.

Minister Mustapha explained that the Government was aware that there were issues with many NDCs and that they are committed to assisting as many of these bodies, which do not have the resources to function because many persons have not been paying their rates and taxes.

However, the Minister maintained that this should not stop the NDC from performing its functions, adding that the Central Government will assist with works in the communities.

“Both the President and the Vice President have been imploring this, since the inception of NDCs; that those Councillors should go out into the communities and meet with the people. We know that revenue collection remains an issue for the NDCs but that doesn’t mean that Central Government wouldn’t act.

We will try as much as possible to assist with community issues. You also complained about your streets. When the President and Vice President were here, they said that these small internal streets would be done. The Ministry of Public Works is now doing force account whereby the Public Works team is doing the work themselves. All these small alleyways and parapets are being done in concrete asphalt. That programme has already commenced in the 5274 area,” the Minister said.

Residents also complained about being attacked by bees in the area. They informed the Minister that there are many vacant lots in the area with overgrown bushes that have become a haven for bees.

While addressing this concern, Minister Mustapha noted that similar cases are being reported across the country.

He told the residents that the vacant lots are often owned by persons residing overseas and that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has been working to address the issue. He said that the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has been working to ensure these areas are clear of garbage and old machinery because bees tend to develop hives in these environments. Residents also raised issues about the ongoing flood-relief programme and told the Minister that many persons are still awaiting relief.

Minister Mustapha assured that many persons from the region are still on the list to receive assistance and that his Ministry is working with the Ministry of Finance to complete the distribution of funds soon. While acknowledging that there were issues with the distribution process, Minister Mustapha said that action has been taken against persons who were found guilty of colluding with residents to defraud the Government. He also assured residents that once they suffered losses they will receive assistance from the Government.

Meetings were also held in Bound Yard, Area R, and Miss Phoebe where residents raised similar concerns.

Minister Mustapha assured those in attendance that the Ministry would work with the regional officials to have these issues and concerns addressed as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, in addition to Region Six, the Hydromet Department also put out a flood warning for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

It said on Saturday that “cloudy to overcast skies with continuous moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers” is being observed in the two regions.

A

mother has lost her 21-year-old son to drowning on Mother’s Day after he went for a swim at a creek on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

Dead is Delong Jacobs, a painter of Litchfield, West Coast Berbice.

The incident occurred at around 15:00h at Chanta Creek Linden-Soesdyke Highway.

Guyana Times understands that the young man went to the creek with a group of family members on an outing. It was reported that Jacob first changed his clothes, and went into the water without anyone knowing.

About 10 mins later, his cousin said that she

changed into her swimwear, and went into the water where she was there for a short period. The woman said while there she felt something resembling that of a human body touching her feet and raised an alarm.

Upon checking, they discovered it was the body of the young man in the water. He was taken out of the water, and CPR was performed on him. During that time, family members said the man threw up water.

He was immediately rushed to the Diamond Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police have since launched an investigation. (G9)

Inspection done on major infrastructural works in Region 7

L

ocal Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall has expressed satisfaction over the quality of infrastructural works being undertaken in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The Minister, along with Regional Executive Officer (REO) Kerwin Ward, and team visited several project sites re-

cently, including ongoing road works at Eighth Street, Bamford Point and Mongrippa Hill.

Minister Dharamlall told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that he hopes contractors continue to provide quality work as they will be held accountable by Government.

This, he said, will allow the region to provide similar services to other communities in keeping with Government’s promise to enhance the lives of citizens.

“The region is spending about $66 million on roads within Bartica, and this is in conjunction with what the Ministry of Public Works is planning to do this year.

“So, Bartica is one of those areas where we are doing significant work.

This year we are spending about $3.7 to $3.8 billion in Region Seven and in addition to lower Mazaruni, we also doing quite a lot of infrastructure work in the Upper Mazaruni, building bridges to link different ar-

eas and villages,” Minister Dharamlall noted.

There are a few minor works to be done with regard to drainage and road shoulders to conclude these works.

The Minister also examined the progress of the river defence project at Agatash.

“The intention is to do the entire waterfront, and so this year, we are doing about 120 feet. We have done a portion already last year…so every year we are going to continue to do portions of it as the budget constraints determined to do so. It is significant work which Government has committed itself to do to boost community development countrywide,” he told DPI. Some $10 million will be used for these works which the Minister stated will be completed by month-end.

He added that this is just the beginning of what Government intends to do to beautify and enhance the Agatash community to improve the lives of residents there.

NEWS

17

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ukraine war: First ladies meet Canada's Trudeau new weapons as US announces new sanctions announces for Ukraine in visit to Kyiv

U

S First Lady Jill Biden has met her Ukrainian counterpart Olena Zelenska in Ukraine as Washington announced further sanctions on Moscow.

The two first ladies met at a school in the border town of Uzhhorod.

It was Mrs Zelenska's first appearance in public since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February.

The US imposed new sanctions - including visa curbs on 2,600 Russian and Belarusian individuals - in response to the Russian invasion.

Three Russian TV stations and executives from Gazprombank were also sanctioned by Washington.

Meanwhile, G7 leaders said they were committed to phasing out or banning Russian oil.

The meeting between the two first ladies took place at a school which is currently being used as a temporary shelter for displaced people.

Mrs Biden said she wanted "to show that the people of the United States stand with the people of Ukraine", adding that the war - now in its third month - had been "brutal" and had to stop.

Mrs Zelenska said it

Olena Zelenska, left, and Jill Biden met at a school in the border town of Uzhhorod

had been a "courageous act" to visit Ukraine while it was at war.

She added that the visit, on Mother's Day in Ukraine and in the US, was very symbolic.

"We feel your love and support during such an important day."

The two women later sat down and played with some of the dozens of children who are currently housed at the school, making tissue paper bears - the symbol of the local province.

The announcement of new sanctions came after G7 leaders held a video call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

A senior US official said the new US sanctions would hit 27 Gazprombank executives. However, the

measures do not freeze the firm's assets or outlaw transactions with it.

It is unclear who is on the list of 2,600 Russian and Belarusian individuals to be hit with visa restrictions.

The US announcement came at the end of a day of diplomatic events, which included visits to Ukraine by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the speaker of the German Bundestag and Mrs Biden.

Trudeau announced that Canada was sending new weapons and equipment for Ukraine's army, as well as imposing its own range of new sanctions on Russian individuals and companies.

"What Putin needs to understand is that the

West is absolutely determined and resolved to stand against what he is doing," Mr Trudeau later told Reuters in an interview.

"His illegal war, his escalations, his crossing of red lines by choosing to further invade Ukraine means that we will do as a world everything we can to make sure that he loses."

The EU is currently finalising a sixth round of sanctions on Russia but has so far been unable to agree on the measures, including a phased ban of Russian oil.

Diplomats said Hungary was still preventing progress on finalising the measures.

EU countries are split on how soon they can wind down dependence on Russian energy supplies. Europe gets about 40% of its natural gas from Russia.

The new US and Canadian sanctions were announced on the eve of Victory Day in Russia, which celebrates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany.

In a statement, the G7 denounced Russia's President Putin, saying that "his actions bring shame on Russia and the historic sacrifices of its people". (BBC)

C

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

anadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced new weapons and equipment for Ukraine on Sunday after an unannounced visit to Kyiv, the capital.

Trudeau, addressing a news conference after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, also said Canada was imposing new sanctions on Russian individuals and entities in connection with Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

"Today, I'm announcing more military assistance, drone cameras, satellite imagery, small arms, ammunition and other support, including funding for demining operations," Trudeau said.

"And we're bringing forward new sanctions on 40

Russian individuals and five entities, oligarchs and close associates of the regime in the defence sector, all of them complicit in Putin's war," in a reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Trudeau visited the town of Irpin outside Kyiv, the focal point of fierce battles between Ukrainian and Russian troops before the Russians withdrew late in March.

He said Canada was reopening its embassy in the Ukrainian capital.

Canada was also providing $25 million to the U.N.'s World Food Programme as part of efforts to uphold food security and would remove trade tariffs on all Ukrainian imports to Canada for next year. (Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

Regional

Costa Rica’s new President takes office, vows to tackle debt

N

ew Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves vowed to keep up with payments to relieve years of mounting debt in his inaugural address on Sunday, the first day of his four-year term.

Chaves previously said he would rework a US$1.78 billion financial support package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in a bid to consolidate finances in the country with the heaviest debt load in Central America, at 66.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product.

“The country is responsible for its debts. We have never failed to pay, we will do what we have to do to honour our obligations,” Chaves said in a speech after being sworn in.

About three quarters of Costa Rica’s US$42.62 billion total debt is internal

Rodrigo Chaves is sworn in as Costa Rica’s new President during his inauguration ceremony at the hall of the Legislative Assembly in San Jose, Costa Rica, May 8, 2022

while the rest is external.

Chaves, an anti-establishment former World Bank official, won a run-off election in April with nearly 53 per cent of the vote.

Echoing his campaign

speeches, Chaves said he will also work to reduce the cost of living, fight corruption, and build bridges with rival parties that dominate Congress.

(Reuters)

Tobago: IDA wants THA Minority Leader, Education Secretary to apologise for offensive remarks

T

THA Minority leader Kelvon Morris

obago’s newest political party, the Innovative Democratic Alliance (IDA), wants Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Minority Leader Kelvon Morris and Secretary of Education, Research and Technology Zorisha Hackett to apologise to each other and Tobagonians for recent public comments which have been described as sexist and offensive.

The IDA said their comments revealed what it called the “naivety of youthful leadership”.

In a statement issued by the party’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Kaye Trotman on Thursday, the IDA described as “distasteful,” Morris’ response to Hackett’s handling of the issues surrounding the

Mexican President says no country should be excluded from Americas Summit

Pentecostal Light and Life Foundation.

“His comments implying her being a fashionable individual as contributing to her inability to perform her functions is an apparent sexist remark since one wonders if the same would have been said of a male counterpart exhibiting the same behaviour,” the party said.

“We recently celebrated International Women’s Day 2022 with the theme, “Break the Bias” yet here we are in one of the highest offices in our workspace on the island displaying biases we should be dispelling.

“The question is asked of the minority leader, ‘Where was your emotional intelligence to guide you into not making such an unforced error?’ There must have been more ap-

propriate words and expressions to get your point across. Giving into cheap rhetoric for political mileage is not the trait of an inspiring leader.”

Of even greater concern, the IDA said, is the disingenuous nature of Morris’ comments pointing to Hackett’s incompetence as the reason for all Tobago schools not being ready for reopening on time on April 19, although they were closed for two years (during the pandemic), which would have given enough time for remedial works to be done.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador attends a wreath-laying ceremony at the Jose Marti monument in Havana, Cuba, May 8, 2022

M

exican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Sunday during a visit to Cuba that he will emphasise to his US counterpart Joe Biden that no country should be left out of the US-hosted Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles in June.

“Nobody should exclude anyone,” Lopez Obrador said at a public event.

The US Government has stated that Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s Government were unlikely to be invited, because the

summit is meant to showcase democracy in the hemisphere.

Lopez Obrador in his remarks in Cuba’s capital also said he would keep pushing for the United States to lift its decades-old embargo against Cuba.

Last week, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said the United States decided to exclude Cuba from summit preparations, a setback for relations just days after the long-time rivals held their first high-level talks in four years.

Barbados PM offers support to Cubans after bombing

P

rime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has expressed solidarity with the Government and people of Cuba, and offered any assistance Barbados can render, following a hor-

rific explosion in downtown Havana on Friday.

Reports from the Cuban capital indicate that about two dozen people were killed and scores injured in the gas explosion at the

Cannabis lounge opens in St Vincent

T

he first cannabis consumption lounge in St Vincent and the Grenadines opened late Friday at the Coconut Grove Beach Club, with people obtaining permits to buy cannabis products for a year, after an onsite consultation with a physician.

“Today, we’re launching Greenhouse Café, which is a cannabis consumption lounge, the first of its kind in St Vincent and in the Eastern Caribbean,” Marie Helene Tremblay, General Manager of Medicinal, a medical marijuana company, told the Caribbean

Relations have remained tense with Cuba’s Communist government under US President Joe Biden, whose administration has alleged human rights violations against those who protested in widespread rallies on the island last July.

The United States has also been at odds with Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, a former Marxist guerrilla, who won a fourth consecutive term in November after jailing political rivals and cracking down on critical media.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Media Corporation (CMC).

The launch was held at Canash Bay. Tremblay, who holds a doctorate in organic chemistry from Georgia Institute of Technology, said that her company decided to conduct a clinic during the launch “so that we give access to cannabis and easier access to cannabis”.

Therefore, the company invited Dr Roger Duncan, who is also medical officer of health; Dr Jose Davy, the Government’s infectious disease specialist and Dr Francois Truchot, one of the nation’s leading dentists, to do consulta-

tion with patients.

“Once the patient has a prescription for medicinal cannabis, they then can go see the Medicinal Cannabis Authority to obtain their cannabis ID card that is valid for a year in St Vincent,” Tremblay said, referring to the State agency that regulates the medicinal cannabis.

“Once they have their ID card, they can come and purchase their products here directly at our dispensary and consume as well here while enjoying the night in front of the beach,” she said.

(Excerpt from CMC)

historic Hotel Saratoga.

“Let me first express my sincere regret, great sadness and solidarity with you regarding the unfortunate gas-related explosion which took place in the centre of your lovely city Havana . . . . I have heard the media reports, with accompanying frightening images, that confirm loss of life and great damage done,” Mottley said in a letter dispatched on Sunday to Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez.

“I understand the pain you must feel when unplanned and unwelcomed events, like this one today, occur. We often ask why?

Yet, these tragic events also build resilience and determination in us that help to both give strength to move forward beyond them and to take the necessary action to avoid them happening again.

“Let me assure you that Barbados stands ready to give any assistance you may need as you attend to this matter and I wish you every success in your response actions.” (Nation News)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Saudis cut oil prices from record highs amid China lockdowns

S

audi Arabia cut oil prices for buyers in Asia as coronavirus lockdowns in China weigh on demand, countering uncertainty around Russia’s supplies as the Ukraine war drags on.

Saudi Aramco is lowering prices for the first time in four months. The State-controlled company dropped its key Arab Light crude grade for next month’s shipments to Asia to US$4.40 a barrel above the benchmark it uses, from US$9.35 in May. That’s in line with a Bloomberg survey of refiners and traders from late April that forecast a US$5 decrease.

Aramco also lowered all grades for the north west Europe region and almost all for the Mediterranean. Prices for US customers were kept unchanged from May. Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, raised its prices to record levels in the past two months after crude futures surged above US$100 a barrel when Russia invaded Ukraine. Russian flows have already fallen and may drop further as the European Union moves closer to formally sanctioning energy supplies from the country.

While the war has tightened the global oil market, Beijing’s COVID Zero strategy has led to China’s largest demand shock since the early days of the pandemic.

Consumption of gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel last month was expected to slide 20 per cent from a year earlier, Bloomberg reported on April 22.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang warned in a statement on Saturday of a “complicated and grave” employment situation as the Government tries to contain COVID. China’s leaders doubled down on their strategy last week, warning against any attempts to question the approach even as economic activity contracts amid factory closings and supply-chain disruptions.

Still, the biggest independent oil trader said on Sunday that China’s measures were working as far as stopping the spread of the virus is concerned.

“It’s obviously a terrible situation for citizens of Shanghai and entire parts of Beijing have been told to work from home,” Mike Muller, Vitol Group’s head of Asia, said Sunday on a podcast produced by Dubai-based Gulf Intelligence.

“But it hasn’t spiralled or snowballed into something really, really dramatic. Therefore, people have not worsened their demand-loss projections from China.”

Aramco’s decision comes days after OPEC+, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, agreed to continue increasing crude output only gradually, adding 432,000 barrels a day to the market in June. The 23-nation group has struggled to meet even that modest target.

Saudi Arabia sends more than 60 per cent of its crude exports to Asia, with China, Japan, South Korea and India being the biggest buyers. (Excerpt from Bloomberg)

Ukraine war: Dozens feared dead after bomb hits school

D

ozens of people are feared dead after a bomb hit a school in east Ukraine, where Government forces are battling Russian troops and separatists.

Luhansk region's Governor, Serhiy Haidai, confirmed two deaths, saying 60 people were feared dead under the rubble of the school in Bilohorivka.

About 90 people had been sheltering in the building and 30 were rescued, seven of them wounded, he added.

Haidai said a Russian plane had dropped the bomb on Saturday.

His accusation could not be verified independently and there was no immediate response from Russia.

Luhansk has seen fierce combat as Russian troops and separatist fighters seek

T

ing so far, of whom 45 had to undergo dialysis and four suffered vision impairment.

Police announced earlier this month eight people were arrested on suspicion of producing and distributing alcohol after it was found in their homes during searches.

Producing, selling, and consuming alcohol is strictly forbidden in Iran – with some exceptions for religious minorities – and those caught with it face the punishment of flogging.

Those who drink it have suffered blindness or major organ damage because

to surround Government forces, just over two months since the start of the Russian invasion.

Much of Luhansk, which along with Donetsk forms part of the Donbas region, has been under the control of the separatists for the past eight years.

Bilohorivka is close to

the Government-held city of Severodonetsk, where heavy fighting was reported in the suburbs on Saturday.

One Ukrainian newspaper, Ukrayinska Pravda, says the village became a "hot spot" during fighting last week.

The blast brought down the building which caught

Hong Kong's John Lee: Ex-security chief becomes new leader

John Lee has been named as Hong Kong's new leader after running uncontested

J

ohn Lee has been named Hong Kong's new leader, after a closed voting process in which he was the sole candidate.

His appointment is being widely seen as a move by the Chinese Government to tighten its grip on the city.

Known as a staunch Beijing supporter, Lee over-

10 dead in Iran after drinking homemade alcohol he number of deaths of people who drank poisoned homemade alcohol in southern Iran rose to 10 and several more were in critical condition.

Nine men and one woman have died in the coastal city of Bandar Abbas and 19 more have been hospitalised with four in critical condition, Fatemeh Nowruzian, spokeswoman of Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, told the semi-official Tasnim news website on Sunday.

Nowruzian added 75 people were taken to hospitals with signs of alcohol poison-

Rescuers in Bilohorivka

fire and it took firefighters three hours to extinguish the blaze, according to the Governor, writing on Telegram.

He said almost the entire village had been sheltering in the basement of the school.

The final death toll would only be known when the rubble had been cleared, the Governor said.

Elsewhere in the country, Ukrainian fighters at a steelworks in the port of Mariupol have told the world they will not surrender to Russian forces and have appealed for help to evacuate their wounded.

Russia has besieged the area for weeks, calling on defenders from the Azov battalion to lay down their arms. (Excerpt from BBC News)

of poisoning from unsafe homemade alcohol over the years. Nowruzian did not identify the toxic substance that caused the most recent deaths. In the past, people have died because of lethal levels of methanol added to homemade beverages.

Used in making anti-freeze, solvents and fuel, methanol is colourless and odourless, and is sometimes added by bootleggers to their concoctions to increase alcohol content. But it can cause organ damage, blindness, and ultimately death even in little amounts. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

saw the sometimes violent crackdowns on pro-democracy protestors in 2019.

Lee replaces outgoing chief executive Carrie Lam, who had served since 2017.

Hong Kong's leaders are selected by a closed-circle committee of around 1500 members, who are nearly all pro-Beijing loyalists - although this time there was only one contender for them to elect.

Lee, who was the former Chief Secretary and the city's second-highest ranking official, was always tipped to be

the favoured replacement for Lam who earlier announced that she would not seek a second term in office.

But although Lee has Beijing's backing, he is deeply unpopular for his role in overseeing the crackdown on protestors during demonstrations over a controversial Extradition Bill in 2019.

Lee continued to back the Bill despite the unrest, and came under intense criticism for sanctioning the Police's use of water cannons, rubber bullets, tear gas and occasionally live ammunition

to disperse protestors.

In 2020, he also backed the imposition of a controversial national security law which criminalised most forms of political protest and dissent, and reduced the city's autonomy.

Lee maintained that the law would help restore "stability from chaos".

His role in the implementation of the law led to US sanctions against him and a dozen other officials, and a YouTube block on his 2022 election campaign. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Sri Lanka in talks for US$100 million emergency funding from Beijing-backed bank

T

he China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank is considering granting US$100 million in emergency support to Sri Lanka, the country's Finance Ministry said on Sunday.

Sri Lanka has requested foreign-exchange liquidity support for State banks from the lender, it said in a statement.

Hit hard by the pandemic, rising oil prices and populist tax cuts by the Government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the South Asian island's economy is in crisis, with usable foreign reserves down to US$50 million, Finance Minister Ali Sabry said last week.

Shortages of imported food, fuel and medicines have brought thousands onto the streets in over a month of mostly peaceful protests.

Rajapaksa declared a second state emergency in five weeks on Friday.

The multilateral AIIB, founded in 2014 to promote infrastructure invest-

A man counts Sri Lankan rupees at a money exchange counter in Colombo September 4, 2015

ing throughout Asia, draws most of its funding from China.

China is Sri Lanka's largest bilateral lender, with an outstanding balance of US$6.5 billion mostly lent over the past decade for large infrastructure projects, including highways, a port, an airport and a coal power plant.

Beijing has extended Sri Lanka a US$1.3 billion syn-

dicated loan and a $1.5 billion yuan-denominated swap to boost its reserves.

The two countries are in talks for a US$1.5 billion credit line and a fresh syndicated loan of up to US$1 billion.

Colombo said this month that talks had started on refinancing Chinese debt after Sri Lanka suspended some of external debt repayments in April. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Keep your plans to yourself; if you reveal too much information, someone will look for a way to interfere. Use your charm to keep the peace. Work on projects that directly benefit you.

(March 21-April 19) Take stock of what you have and what you can discard. Cleaning house will give you a new lease on life. Don't give up on your dreams because of the work entailed. Follow your heart!

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

Remember mistakes and regrets before making a questionable move. Refine your strategy to fit current trends.

Concentrate on doing a good job, and the rewards will be gratifying.

(May 21-June 20) Use your resources wisely. Call on those who are quick to respond, and offer unique suggestions. Stop worrying about things you can't change. You'll win someone's monetary support.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Work with what's available. Don't vie for someone's attention. Keep your wallet in your pocket. Trying to buy love or favors will lead to unwanted changes.

Assess your emotional well-being.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Avoid emotional traps and people who use manipulative tactics to take advantage of you. Pay attention to what things cost and look for a way to reduce expenses instead of adding to them.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Put some thought into fixing up your space. Working alongside someone who shares your values and beliefs will give you the boost you need to be successful.

Work on self-improvement.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) A creative endeavor will keep you busy and out of trouble. Don't give in to pressure. Attend industry events and share information with people who can help you advance.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Problems with friends, relatives or peers will emerge. Keep your thoughts to yourself and don't believe everything you hear. An exciting opportunity will come with financial rewards.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Pace yourself to avoid fatigue. A change at home will be welcome but costly. Put your plans and a budget in place before you begin. Call in favors if it will help you get what you want.

SATURDAY'S WORD -- ORTOLAN

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Stick close to home and to people who bring out the best in you. Do what makes sense and say no to anyone prompting you to make unwanted changes. Concentrate on home improvement and good health.

A change in how you handle money and resources will be detrimental to what you are trying to achieve. Keep things moderate and straightforward.

Stick to the truth and to a budget.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

21

Conway, Moeen boss Delhi Capitals as Chennai Super Kings move out of bottom two

T

he Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were back to winning ways in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 after defeating Delhi Capitals (DC) by 91 runs on Sunday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. A hundred-run opening partnership between Devon Conway (87) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (41) powered CSK to a mammoth total of 208-6 before Moeen Ali’s three-wicket haul reduced DC to 117.

Chasing a mammoth target of 209, DC lost the early wicket of Srikar Bharat, who was caught at first slip after adding two fours at the top. David Warner was on the charge with two maximums, but then Maheesh Theekshana scalped the second wicket of the innings after Warner was trapped lbw in the fifth over.

Mitchell Marsh started his innings well with a four and six. Skipper Rishabh Pant, who was the next batter at the crease, creamed three fours in a row and DC were 59-2 at the end of the powerplay. However, the 36run partnership came to an end after Moeen scalped his first wicket to dismiss Marsh, who was caught at long-on.

Moeen scalped two more

next over as the left-handed batter holed out to the deep.

CSK skipper, MS Dhoni immediately got into the act by dispatching a six followed by a four. Ahmed scalped his second wicket to dismiss Ambati Rayudu. Dhoni

hit his second six and CSK crossed the 200-run mark in the final over. Nortje then took two wickets in consecutive deliveries to dismiss Moeen and Uthappa before CSK finished with 208-6 in the first innings. (IPL)

SCOREBOARD

CSK are out of the bottom two

wickets to dismiss Pant and Ripal Patel. While the DC skipper was castled by the off-spinner, Patel holed out to the deep. DC were 7 down after Mukesh Choudhary then claimed two wickets in the 11th over. The left-arm pacer knocked Axar Patel’s stumps while Rovman Powell was caught behind. Simarjeet Singh scalped his second wicket to dismiss Kuldeep Yadav, who was caught by Robin Uthappa in the 16th over.

Shardul Thakur made a useful 24, which included two fours and a six. However, Dwayne Bravo wrapped up the innings by dismissing Thakur and Khaleel Ahmed

on consecutive deliveries as CSK won by 91 runs. Earlier, CSK, who were put in to bat first, made one change – Shivam Dube replaced Ravindra Jadeja in the XI. CSK openers – Gaikwad and Conway – were off to a fine start with the bat. Gaikwad crunched the first six of the innings while Conway was up and running with two fours. He whacked consecutive sixes in the fifth over and the fifty partnership was up for the opening wicket. CSK were 57-0 at the end of the powerplay. Conway notched his half-century after the left-handed opener clubbed two sixes and a four against Yadav.

CSK were cruising at 1000 at the halfway stage after Conway creamed three fours in a row against Yadav.

Then, Gaikwad mistimed a pull shot and was caught off Anrich Nortje’s bowling which brought an end to the hundred partnership.

Conway continued to attack the DC spinners and CSK were in the driver’s seat at 131-1 after 13 overs.

Dube, who joined Conway, quickly moved to 32 off 18 deliveries after whacking two sixes and a four against Thakur. DC finally claimed Conway’s wicket after the opener was caught behind off Ahmed’s bowling. Mitchell Marsh dismissed Dube in the

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS INNINGS (20 overs maximum) Ruturaj Gaikwad c AR Patel b Nortje 41 Devon Conway c †Pant b Ahmed 87 Shivam Dube c Warner b Marsh 32 Ambati Rayudu c AR Patel b Ahmed 5 MS Dhoni (c)† not out 21 Moeen Ali c Warner b Nortje 9 Robin Uthappa c sub (KL Nagarkoti) b Nortje 0 Dwayne Bravo not out 1 Extras (nb 1, w 11) 12 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 10.40) 208/6 Fall of wickets: 1-110 (Ruturaj Gaikwad, 10.6 ov), 2-169 (Devon Conway, 16.3 ov), 3-170 (Shivam Dube, 17.1 ov), 4-187 (Ambati Rayudu, 18.2 ov), 5-203 (Moeen Ali, 19.2 ov), 6-203 (Robin Uthappa, 19.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Shardul Thakur 3-0-38-0 Khaleel Ahmed 4-0-28-2 Anrich Nortje 4-0-42-3 Axar Patel 3-0-23-0 Kuldeep Yadav 3-0-43-0 Mitchell Marsh 3-0-34-1

DELHI CAPITALS INNINGS (Target: 209 runs from 20 overs) David Warner lbw b Theekshana 19 Srikar Bharat c Ali b Simarjeet Singh 8 Mitchell Marsh c Gaikwad b Ali 25 Rishabh Pant (c)† b Ali 21 Rovman Powell c †Dhoni b Mukesh Choudhary 3 Ripal Patel c Conway b Ali 6 Axar Patel b Mukesh Choudhary 1 Shardul Thakur c †Dhoni b Bravo 24 Kuldeep Yadav c Uthappa b Simarjeet Singh 5 Anrich Nortje not out 1 Khaleel Ahmed b Bravo 0 Extras(lb 2, w 2) 4 TOTAL 17.4 Ov (RR: 6.62) 117 Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Srikar Bharat, 1.5 ov), 2-36 (David Warner, 4.2 ov), 3-72 (Mitchell Marsh, 7.3 ov), 4-75 (Rishabh Pant, 9.1 ov), 5-81 (Ripal Patel, 9.4 ov), 6-82 (Axar Patel, 10.1 ov), 7-85 (Rovman Powell, 10.5 ov), 8-99 (Kuldeep Yadav, 15.2 ov), 9-117 (Shardul Thakur, 17.3 ov), 10117 (Khaleel Ahmed, 17.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mukesh Choudhary 3-0-22-2 Simarjeet Singh 4-0-27-2 Maheesh Theekshana 4-0-29-1 Dwayne Bravo 2.4-0-24-2 Moeen Ali 4-0-13-3

Clinical RCB hand SRH 4th successive loss

T

he Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) registered their seventh victory in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 after defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by 67 runs on Sunday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

A splendid Captain’s knock by Faf du Plessis (73*) propelled RCB to 1923 in the first innings before Wanindu Hasaranga’s outstanding fifer guided the team to a comprehensive victory. Chasing 193 to win, SRH lost two wickets in the first over.

Skipper Kane Williamson was run-out without facing a ball courtesy of a direct hit from Shahbaz Ahmed. Glenn Maxwell castled Abhishek Sharma to scalp his first wicket. Aiden Markram and Rahul Tripathi counter-attacked and led the recovery as SRH were 39-2 at the end of the powerplay.

The fifty partnership was up for the third wicket after Tripathi got a reprieve in the eighth over.

RCB thumped SRH

Hasaranga struck immediately after Markram was caught at deep mid-wicket by Virat Kohli. Tripathi added two fours and SRH were 69-3 at the halfway stage. Nicholas Pooran smacked two fours and a six before the left-handed batter miscued a shot and was caught off Hasaranga’s bowling. Tripathi reached his half-century at the other end with a maximum.

The SRH opener was given a reprieve, but RCB picked up their fifth wicket after Jagadeesha Suchith was stumped off

Hasaranga’s bowling.

Josh Hazlewood scalped two wickets in consecutive deliveries, including the big wicket of Tripathi, who was dismissed on 58. Hasaranga claimed a five-wicket haul after getting the wickets of Shashank Singh and Umran Malik in the same over. Earlier, RCB, who elected to bat first, remained unchanged from their previous game.

SRH got off to a perfect start with the ball after Suchith dismissed Kohli on the first ball of the

match. RCB recovered well after that early wicket and moved to 47-1 at the end of powerplay. Both Rajat Patidar and du Plessis were up and running with two fours and a six each.

The fifty partnership was up for the duo. Twenty runs came off Umran Malik’s first over after du Plessis smacked two fours and a six. Patidar got a reprieve and RCB were 93-1 at the halfway stage.

Skipper du Plessis reached his half-century in the 12th over and the hundred partnership was up for the second wicket.

Suchith then claimed his second wicket and put an end to the partnership after Patidar was caught at deep mid-wicket. The new batter, Glenn Maxwell added two fours and a six, including his trademark switchhit. RCB were 125-2 with five overs to go. Maxwell hammered his second six straight down the ground off Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s bowling.

The 150 was up for RCB after du Plessis and Maxwell hit a four each

in the 18th over. The fifty partnership was then up for the third wicket before Maxwell holed out to the deep off Kartik Tyagi’s bowling. Dinesh Karthik

provided an excellent finishing touch after whacking four sixes and a four which helped RCB post 192-3. (IPL)

SCOREBOARD

RCB Innings Virat Kohli c Williamson b Suchith 0 Faf du Plessis (c) not out 73 Rajat Patidar c Tripathi b Suchith 48 Glenn Maxwell c Markram b Kartik Tyagi 33 Dinesh Karthik † not out 30 Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 6) 8 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.60) 192/3 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Virat Kohli, 0.1 ov), 2-105 (Rajat Patidar, 12.2 ov), 3-159 (Glenn Maxwell, 18.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Jagadeesha Suchith 4-0-30-2 Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-0-34-0 Fazalhaq Farooqi 4-0-47-0 Kartik Tyagi 4-0-42-1 Umran Malik 2-0-25-0 Abhishek Sharma 2-0-13-0 SUNRISERS HYDERABAD INNINGS (Target: 193 runs from 20 overs) Abhishek Sharma b Maxwell 0 Kane Williamson (c) run out (Shahbaz Ahmed) 0 Rahul Tripathi c Lomror b Hazlewood 58 Aiden Markram c Kohli b de Silva 21 Nicholas Pooran † c Shahbaz Ahmed b de Silva 19

Jagadeesha Suchith st †Karthik b de Silva 2 Shashank Singh c Maxwell b de Silva 8 Kartik Tyagi c Patidar b Hazlewood 0 Bhuvneshwar Kumar c du Plessis b Patel 8 Umran Malik lbw b de Silva 0 Fazalhaq Farooqi not out 2 Extras (lb 3, w 4) 7 TOTAL 19.2 Ov (RR: 6.46) 125 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Kane Williamson, 0.1 ov), 2-1 (Abhishek Sharma, 0.5 ov), 3-51 (Aiden Markram, 8.2 ov), 4-89 (Nicholas Pooran, 12.1 ov), 5-104 (Jagadeesha Suchith, 14.2 ov), 6-114 (Rahul Tripathi, 15.4 ov), 7-114 (Kartik Tyagi, 15.5 ov), 8-114 (Shashank Singh, 16.3 ov), 9-114 (Umran Malik, 16.4 ov), 10-125 (Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 19.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Glenn Maxwell 2-0-13-1 Josh Hazlewood 4-0-17-2 Shahbaz Ahmed 2-0-20-0 Mohammed Siraj 3-0-27-0 Mahipal Lomror 1-0-7-0 Harshal Patel 3.2-0-20-1 Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva 4-1-18-5

22

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Magnum Futsal Independence Cup…

Bent St, Sparta, Back Circle, Gold is Money are semi-finalists A

nd then there were four! Despite the adverse weather conditions, a large gathering braved the elements and descended on the National Park to witness the progression of defending champions Bent Street, Sparta Boss, Gold is Money, and Back Circle to the semi-final round in the Magnum Independence Cup. The die has been cast!

Sparta Boss will resume their bitter skirmishes with fierce rivals Bent Street while traditional giants Back Circle and Gold is Money will add another chapter to their storied rivalry.

The sporadic showers which highlighted Saturday evening’s proceedings did not deter the enthusiasm of the respective fandoms, in their bid to provide moral support.

Back Circle, a team noted for their large following, overcame an equally popular North East La Penitence outfit 4-3 in a fixture that set the tone perfectly for the night’s proceedings given the competitive expectations for the fixtures.

Jermaine Beckles was the main protagonist for the aforementioned victors, crafting a hat-trick in the come-from-behind result with conversions in the eighth, 29th, and 39th minute respectively. Playing his part was Dillon Kelly, compliments of a 28th-minute strike.

For the vanquished North East La Penitence unit, Jaleel Hamilton fash-

A glimpse of the action between Gold is Money and Showstoppers

ioned a brace in the eighth and 24th minute while Benjamin Opara netted one in the 14th minute.

The Gold is Money and Showstoppers match-up, which ended 9-7 in favour of the former, was a thrilling contest that perfectly followed the standard laid by previous matches. Several tied scores and come-frombehind intervals underlined the emotional rollercoaster which was thrust upon the teams, and their respective support groups.

Jamal Pedro orchestrated the win for the West Ruimveldt giant, crafting a helmet trick in the first, 29th, 36th, and 37th minute. Recent recruit Deon Alfred provided the perfect foil with a hat-trick in the fourth, sixth, and 30th minute, while Darren Benjamin and Randolph Wagner played their part via conversions in the 21st and 35th minute.

For the defeated, the ever-improving Stephon Jupiter made his presence felt with a hat-trick in the

10th, 13th, and 22nd minute, while the physical Delon Lanferman bagged a double in the 19th and 30th minute. Adding solitary strikes in the 26th and 39th minute respectively were Olvis Mitchell and Dexroy Adams.

Continuing in the same vein, holders Bent Street overcame a 1-3 deficit to defeat East Coast Demerara heavyweights Melanie 5-4.

Although somewhat depleted in their numbers, Bent Street displayed their champion credentials, proverbial badges that have laid the foundation for two titles in the history of the event.

Jermaine Scott fashioned two goals in the 17th and 26th minute, while the dapper Pernell Schultz recorded a double in the 29th and 30th minute.

Captain Daniel Wilson played his part with a ninth-minute strike.

For Melanie, Teshawn Gordon registered a double in the fifth and 22nd minute while the duo of Dwight Peters and Teon Stewart

Defending champions Bent Street

scored in the 16th and 27th minute respectively.

On the other hand, Sparta Boss bucked the trend of the night’s proceedings with a commanding 9-0 result over Future Stars, a performance that sends a clear warning to the remaining aspirants of their ultimate intention and overall quality.

Jermaine Junior spearheaded the demolition with a five-goal blitz in the eighth, 22nd, 26th, 29th, and 30th minute. The supporting cast of Job Caesar, Sheldon Shepherd, Ryan Hackett, and Kelsey Benjamin scored in the 12th, 24th, 25th, and 27th minute respectively.

Meanwhile, the losing quarter-finalists will compete in the Magnum Plate Championship. The

Shimron Hetmyer leaves IPL 2022 for the birth of his child

S

himron Hetmyer has left the Rajasthan Royals to return home to Guyana for the birth of his first child. "My stuff is still left in the room," the 25-yearold said, indicating that he will be returning to India to see out the rest of the IPL. Royals are in third place and are looking like one of the better-placed teams to make the play-offs, which are set to begin on May 24.

Hetmyer has been a huge contributor to the Royals' surge up the points table. As the team's finisher, he has scored 291 runs at an average of 72 (he has remained unbeaten in seven out of 11 innings). A more telling statistic of his influence is his death-overs (17-20) strike rate. At 214.28, he is among

eventual winners will receive $40,000. Melanie will oppose Future Stars at 19:00h, while North East La Penitence will lock horns with Showstoppers from 19:30h.

Winners of the quarter-final ties will progress to the semi-final round slated for May 14 at the same venue. The winners of the tournament will collect the package of $700,000, and the championship trophy, while the runners-up will receive $400,000 and the corresponding accolade. The third- and fourth-place finishers will walk away with $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.

The other sponsors of the event are MVP Sport, Nigel Hinds Financial Services, Andrews Supermarket, Bold

Expressions Barbershop, Fireside Grill ‘N’ Chill, Star Party Rentals, and Lucozade.

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

BOND FOR RENT Public Road Mc Doom. negotiable. Call : 613-0007.

Price

BUS SERVICE Need a bus? Call Us. Matthews Bus Service and Tours. Call: 6392663/673-2348.

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

Phone 264-2946; 626-5290

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

Groups and Excursions welcome.

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

FOR RENT

the top five most destructive finishers this season (min 30 balls).

Hetmyer left Mumbai on Sunday morning on the back of another high-impact cameo – 31 not out off 16 balls against Punjab Kings that helped seal a chase of 190. James Neesham, Daryl Mitchell, Karun Nair, Rassie

van der Dussen and Nathan Coulter-Nile are all likely to be in the mix to take his spot in the batting order.

Royals have three games left in the league stage – Delhi Capitals on May 11, Lucknow Super Giants on May 15, and Chennai Super Kings on May 20. (ESPNcricinfo)

Supermarket Space for Rent. Public Road Mc Doom. Price negotiable.

Call : 613-0007

VACANCY R.A Soda Factory, Rossignol, West Coast Berbice. Tel.# 330-2399, 330-2852, 656-7456, 6922981. Male and Female Workers, Accountant, Bond Clerk, Machine Operator, Drivers.

VEHICLE FOR SALE Rav. 4 for sale. Not working. $800,000. Call : 648-9248.

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Brandon Corlette

F

or most Guyanese cricketers it is difficult to represent Guyana at the senior level without national youth representation.

In the case of this lad, he only played for Berbice Under19s, and through hard work and determination, he has found a way into the national senior team.

This is the story of the 25-year-old Demetri Cameron, the construction worker who made it to the Guyana senior team.

"Words cannot explain the feeling right now. I have been trying for so long now and I finally got the breakthrough to be in the Guyana Harpy Eagles team. It is a

By Brandon Corlette

Cameron is among the fittest and most promising fast bowlers in Guyana

wonderful feeling. It has been years now I have been trying; hard work finally pays off," Cameron said.

The right-arm Berbician fast bowler, who has an action that mirrors that of South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, started his journey at the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club. But be-

know that I do construction work, it is really tough, playing cricket and focusing on work. Some days when I come from work, I do not feel like going to the gym or the cricket field.

Sometimes I leave work early, to make the sacrifice knowing that it will pay off some day. Thankfully, I finally got my reward and I am grateful for it."

How did the nickname Rabada come about?

"I used to play for Port Mourant and I had a friend named Joshua. I was bowling an afternoon. He came and asked me if I knew a South Africa U-19 fast bowler (at that time) named Rabada.

I said I did not know of him, he then said I got the same action as

him. When I started playing franchise, everyone saw me bowling like him, so that is how I got the name," he explained.

The hardworking young man says he aims to play for West Indies at the highest level, but first he wants to make a name for himself in the national set-up. "I want to play for Guyana as long as possible.

I want to do good for my country, myself and all the people that supported me," Cameron said.

In addition to Cameron, Ronsford Beaton, Keemo Paul and Nial Smith are the fast-bowling options for Guyana who will be playing the Regional FourDay tournament in Trinidad from May 18.

– Imlach to open batting in upcoming rounds

T

he Guyana Harpy Eagles on Friday last announced the squad for the remaining rounds of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Four-Day championships.

The 15-man squad will play defending champions Barbados Pride from May 18 at Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, Guyana Harpy Eagles Lead Selector Ravindranauth Seeram provided clarity on the team selected.

Speaking on the inclusion of Ronsford Beaton and Demetri Cameron who got a maiden callup, Seeram said: "They bowled well at the trials.

According to the release from the team, when they returned (Keon) Joseph was not really a team man in the tournament in Trinidad, although he was left out of the 13, his behaviour towards the team was not great. That is one part of not having him selected.

fore that, he started playing cricket at age five. He says, “My first real cricket match was at age 10, I played in an Under-13 match against Canje.” Like Nial Smith and other Guyanese cricketers, Cameron went on to develop his skills in Trinidad and Tobago, playing club cricket.

He described that

experience as a great one. "Players treat you as an international player. When you go over there is something special.

It is a good achievement, some guys did not have that opportunity, so I am thankful for those experiences."

Cameron, who left the Rose Hall Town team and then played for Port Mourant, from where he played for Berbice Under-19, is now with the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club.

He has also played for Barrakpore United, Diamond Sports Club, and Cosmos.

Having a successful life is about having good balance. For Cameron, this is how he balances life as a construction worker and cricketer. "For those who know me,

23

Guyana Harpy Eagles Lead Selector Ravindranauth Seeram

"Beaton bowled well.

Against the (ACS) team from the United States of America, he was probably the best bowler we had on show. Then came into the trial game, he was good again. He bowled with pace. Cameron, same thing, he bowled well in all the trial games he played.

I was not at all the trial games, but according to other Coaches (selectors), he bowled well, so that is why we selected him," Seeram said.

He noted that Clinton Pestano, who played in the first two rounds, was left out due to injury. "What happened i s that when he

went with the national team, he went with an injury, which the Coach and Manager did not know of, but during the two games he was seen struggling bowling. When he came home back, he did not do work on that part. The injury is still there, but he does not want to say, so that is why he was left out."

From the showing in the opening rounds, the Guyana Harpy Eagles’ batting has been poor. Vishaul Singh is the leading batsman with 143 runs. He has a high score of 93, and averages 35.75. Anthony Bramble has 129 runs, and Chandrapaul Hemraj has 124 runs. When asked if the Harpy Eagles saw the need to select more batsmen in the current squad, Seeram said: "We thought about Matthew Nandu, but there are two batsmen in the team that were not given a break in Tevin Imlach and Akshaya Persaud. We thought it was now time for them to come into the team."

He added that the batting form of 25-year-old Tagenarine Chanderpaul has been a concern. The young Tiger recorded scores of 30, 28, 05 and 04 in the opening rounds.

"The main concern was Tagenarine Chanderpaul was not getting runs, but we select him based on his experience. But what will happen is that Tevin Imlach will open the batting with Chandrapaul

Vishaul Singh and Leon Johnson are the senior batsmen in the team

Hemraj, and if he does fail, then Tage (Chanderpaul) can come in back. Although Tage is there, Imlach may be considered the opener," Seeram disclosed.

Despite the players showing improvements at the yo-yo test, Seeram was still not fully satisfied with all the players’ fitness.

"No, I am not satisfied at all. I think Keon Joseph did not run in the required time, Nial Smith was a bit of a concern, but overall the boys stood out. In the yo-yo test, some did not stand out. Vishaul Singh’s running was poor, but the Coaches need to run overall fitness often."

Five-time winning Captain Leon Johnson has had his struggles with

the bat. In his last six innings in First-Class cricket, the classy left-hander had scores of 09, 03, 28, 21, 02, and 00. The selectors and most Guyanese cricket fans are hoping that the skipper can bounce back.

According to Seeram, "The Cricket Board just had a debrief with Johnson when they came back after he played the two games. But we all know he is struggling, but because of the five years he had won as captain, that is the reason why we are giving him a chance to regain that winning formula.

Hopefully, he can do it."

The Guyana Harpy Eagles will play Barbados Pride from May 18 to May 21, 2022, at the Queen’s

Park Oval; Jamaica Scorpions, May 25-28, 2022, at Diego Martin and Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, June 1-4, 2022, at Queen’s Park Oval. The Harpy Eagles are currently in fourth place in the point standings on 21.4 points.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles squad for the remaining rounds is: Leon Johnson (Captain); Keemo Paul (Vice Captain); Chandrapaul Hemraj; Tagenarine Chanderpaul; Tevin Imlach; Vishaul Singh; Akshaya Persaud; Anthony Bramble; Veerasammy Permaul; Gudakesh Motie; Nial Smith; Demetri Cameron; Antony Adams; Kevin Sinclair and Ronsford Beaton.

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2022

A

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

Several clubs received kits following UDFA’s launch

s was predicted by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Regional Member Associations (RMAs) have, over the weekend, been rolling out their plans for their Senior Men’s Football League, slated to kick off across the country on May 15.

Essequibo/Pomeroon FA Seven clubs affiliated to the Essequibo/Pomeroon Football Association (EPFA) are set and ready to battle for supremacy in their senior league, which was unveiled on Thursday last. President Magzene Stewart at the

continued development of the game on and off the field of play and as a member, we would not be left out. So come out, do your best, and let the games begin.”

The competing clubs are Queenstown, Mainstay Gold Star, Hood Hope, Henrietta, Dartmouth, Wakapao, and Tapakuma.

Each of the clubs was presented with balls, bibs, and cones, compliments of the GFF and the EPFA. Rupununi FA: 26 clubs to do battle Not to be outdone, the Executive and General Council of the Rupununi

the GFF, which has been working with us to take the development of the game to higher levels. It’s going to be very challenging for us as you know that this Association is very vast, but we are up to the challenge and together, we will make this happen, and successfully so.”

President Williams also disclosed that given the expansive area of GFF’s largest RMA, they did launches in various areas.

Clubs in the North held theirs at Annai; Aishalton was the venue for clubs in the Deep South.

East Central clubs held theirs in the village of Nappi,

EBFA Executive Members along with Club Reps following their Senior League Launch on Saturday last

launch challenged the clubs to bring their best to the playing field as the top two clubs would be rewarded by being involved in a national play-off with their peers from the other RMAs. “I, first of all, would like to commend each of you for answering the call to compete in this league that will create history as it would be the first time that all nine Regional Associations would be kicking off their senior leagues at the same time.

“The Guyana Football Federation, I can assure you, have been fully supportive of all that’s happening in the

Football Association (RFA), another of the nine RMAs affiliated with the GFF, on Saturday last unveiled its plans for this shortened Senior League season.

RFA President Norbert Williams disclosed that they were super excited to be part and parcel of rolling out their senior championship along with the other RMAs on May 15, which will be a historical day for the sport and the game.

“We here in the RFA, like our colleague Associations, are very pleased and excited to be a part of this monumental initiative by

with Central Lethem hosting the RFA launch.

A total of 26 clubs drawn from six districts will be battling for the right to be called champions of the RFA. These are the competing clubs: North – Surama, Challengers, Paiwomak Warriors, F.C Basin, Falcons, Spartans, Strikers East Central Rupununi – Flash, Galaxy Warriors, Kanuku Harpies, Kanuku Warriors, Hiawa Undertakers, Moco Moco, Terminators Central – Far East United, Gladiators, Tabatinga, Snatchers, Guyana Rush

Rupununi Football Association’s launch in Central Lethem

Saints, Rising Stars Deep South – Titans United, Snipers South Central – Potarinau Sky Kings, Shirriri South Pakaraimas – Seven K, United The League will commence on Sunday at the Tabatinga Sports Complex in Lethem, Central Rupununi, and conclude on August 13, 2022, at Aranaputa Sports Ground in the North Rupununi. Each of the registered clubs was presented with equipment from the GFF. East Bank FA: St Cuthbert’s/ Pakuri Warriors to debut Fierce clashes will be the order of the day when the East Bank Football

clubs contesting the nineRMA leagues which will all kick off on Sunday across Guyana.

Present were Agricola Red Triangle, Diamond United, Friendship, Grove Hi Tech, Herstelling Raiders, Kuru Kururu Warriors, Samatta Point Kaneville, Soesdyke Falcons, Timehri Panthers, Swan and St Cuthbert’s/ Pakuri Warriors.

There will be a technical meeting of all the clubs via Zoom on Tuesday evening.

Upper Demerara FA Some 13 clubs affiliated to the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) will battle from Sunday, May 15, when the 2022 UDFA/GFF League

at $800,000 for the winners, with the second-placed team receiving $400,000, third $200,000 and fourth $100,000 – are secured.

He called for the support of the clubs and fans, and welcomed Sub Region Two Club Kwakwani Strikers back into the competitive fold as Elite club Milerock FC also was named as one of the clubs which will vie for supremacy. Bethune said: “With the support of the clubs, we know that this league will be a success.”

This tournament is expected to run simultaneously with those of the other GFF-affiliated associations as it fits into the Federation’s Member Football

EPFA President Magzene Stewart takes time out for a pic with fellow EPFA Executives and club representatives following the launch of their Senior League

Association (EBFA) kicks off its 2022 Senior League on May 15. While no venue has been confirmed, EBFA President (ag) Orien Angoy has expressed joy that they were finally able to get back into competition following a two-year hiatus owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Representatives from the 11 participating clubs converged at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence on Saturday last to be briefed on plans as well as receive the equipment donated by the national federation for

starts at the Mackenzie Sports Club.

This disclosure was made by UDFA President Wainwright Bethune when a briefing took place at the boardroom of the Linden Town Council last Saturday.

Bethune acknowledged that this return of competitive football in the Upper Demerara area was made possible by funding provided by the GFF for operational costs while the association will be seeking corporate sponsors to ensure the prize monies— which are tagged

Associations Programme (MFAP) scheme of play, which takes responsibilities for all the operational costs of these tournaments.

The competition will be among Milerock , Kwakwani Strikers, Hi Stars, Coomacka United, Botafago, Blueberry Hill United, Amelia’s Ward Panthers, Winners Connection, Topp XX, Eagles United, Net Rockers, Capital FC, and Silver Shattas who received kits inclusive of bibs, cones, and balls at the end of the briefing, compliments of the GFF.

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