Guyana Times - Saturday, May 15, 2021

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Issue No. 4648

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

US Govt gives Guyana US$1.5M to support HIV fight

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

BoG Governor warns local P7 banks to be diligent against fraudsters

Page 3

Trevor Benn P8 slapped with 3rd misconduct in public office charge

Faulty gas compressor, flaring

ExxonMobil looking at safe start-up in June

Page 7

Over 45 farms affected, animals die as Region 9 battles flood

Page 16

COVID death toll reaches 335 with 2 more deaths

Electoral fraud cases

Page 13

CJ to hear DPP, Top Cop's arguments for copies of SoPs, SoRs

Page 12

…143 new positives, 14 in ICU, 1816 active cases

…as Lowenfield seeks to prevent documents from being released – AG

…over sale of State land to Cevons Waste Management

Govt to P17 examine new efforts to assist persons with disabilities Essequibo P10 Coast man charged for killing brother

1.8KG ganja unearthed in NA Prison P17 Govt aiming for equal facilities, resources across secondary P10 schools – Manickchand

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BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Saturday, May 15 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Sunday, May 16 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, May 15 – 05:35h – 07:05h and Sunday, May 16 – 06:15h – 07:45h.

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

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There will be sunny intervals and thundery showers during the day. Expect partly cloudy conditions at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 06:13h and 18:44h reaching maximum heights of 2.59 metres and 2.41 metres.

Low Tide: 12:16h reaching a minimum height of 0.62 metre.

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US Govt gives Guyana US$1.5M to support HIV fight

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he United States Government has renewed its support towards the fight against HIV in Guyana with a grant of US$1.5 million geared at assisting the country to cross the finish line in controlling the HIV epidemic here.

The grant is part of the US President Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) under which Guyana has already benefitted from some US$185 million for HIV prevention, testing, care, and treatment programmes since 2004.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch said the partnership between the two countries on the HIV epidemic has saved lives.

Ambassador Lynch noted that this new grant will support the Ministry of Health and civil society partners until September 2022 in their fight against HIV. She noted that Guyana has made significant strides on this front with over 90 per cent of persons living with HIV knowing their status, which is critical for them to have access to life-saving HIV treatment.

However, in the same breath she pointed out that much more needs to be done in the area of treatment.

“With treatment, individuals’ health can be sustained, and the levels of virus can be reduced so low that the virus cannot be transmitted to others. However, of every four individuals diagnosed, only three are on treatment. This is not enough – and lives are at stake. Therefore, our priority must be to increase treatment coverage, aiming to ensure that everyone diagnosed with HIV is immediately linked to life saving treatment services.

We believe strongly that services must be client-centred, meeting individuals where they are, with what they need.

Our PEPFAR support will help strengthen this, including for the most vulnerable,” the US diplomat posited.

Against this backdrop, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony reassured the US diplomat that this US$1.5 million grant will be injected into addressing HIV treatment and other critical areas, where efforts have been lagging due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have developed a strategy of introducing self-testing and so we want to roll that out and we’re going to do more on that to roll it out. But this is going to ensure that we get more people to test and to know their status… We are aiming to get more people into treatment and therefore, we are going to work – using some of the resources from this grant – to get some of the people who were on treatment and fell off, to get them back on treatment. And also, for some of the people who know their status but were not linked to treatment sites, we’ll be able to do some of that as well. So, we’ll be able to increase those numbers to get closer to the desired numbers that we’re looking for… but that’s go-

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and US Ambassador SarahAnn Lynch at Friday’s press conference, where the US$1.5 million PEPFAR grant was announced

ing to take a lot of work,” the Minister posited.

Dr Anthony went on to outline that another area they will be using this grant for is to ensure that those HIV persons on treatment become virally suppressed and unable to transmit the infection.

But the Health Minister noted that one of the challenges they have been facing is not being able to do viral loads for all the patients who need it.

As such, he said monies will be directed into addressing the viral loads needs.

Additionally, efforts are also afoot to eliminate motherto-child HIV transmission. He explained that there are still a few cases of HIV transmission from mothers to their unborn child, and one way they are looking to eliminate this is testing exposed babies with dry blood spots.

“For a number of years, Guyana was not able to do that properly and so we are now introducing this process of dry blood spots. And this grant is also going to help us with that. We also have taken a de-

cision to provide PrEP (medicine people at risk take to prevent getting HIV) for all persons to who want PrEP. Before this was quite limited to discordant couples so we want to now make sure that anyone who feel at risk, they could come into any one of our clinics and get PrEP. Again, we’re going to get some assistance through this grant,” Dr Anthony stated.

On this note, the Health Minister acknowledged that a lot of work has to be done in order for Guyana to achieve its 90-90-90 UNAIDS goal, which aims to ensure that 90 per cent of all people living with HIV will know their status, 90 per cent of all people diagnosed will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 90 per cent of all people receiving ART will have viral suppression, all by 2020.

However, Minister Anthony said because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Guyana was unable to achieve all three of the 90s.

“In terms of testing, getting people to know their sta-

tus, about 93 per cent of those persons who have been tested know their status… We want 90 per cent of those patients who know their status to be on treatment and unfortunately, when we look at our 2020 statistics, we only have about 74 per cent of those patients who have been on treatment.

And of those who have been on treatment, we want at least 90 per cent of them to be virally suppressed and in 2020, we’re seeing only about 69 per cent of those patients have been virally suppressed,” he noted.

The Minister further added, “So for us to really work to achieve the 90-90-90, and even to get to the 95-95-95 by 2025, there is still a lot of work to be done. And that’s why it’s so important that this grant is coming at this time… It is going to help us to focus on all three of these 90s and try to get us close to where we ought to be, and even aspire to get to the 95s.”

Dr Anthony went on to laud the partnership between Guyana and the US because of which local capacity has been tremendously enhanced to fight against the HIV epidemic.

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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

Professionalising the GPF

O

ver the years great effort have been made to reprofessionalizs and re-capitalize each arm of the joint services. Gradually, the ranks, with rare exceptions, began taking pride in their uniform and profession, with dire consequences for the criminal population.

Governments changed and there was a paradigm shift in the actions/inactions of the various of ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), again with rare exceptions, in direct correlation with the multiplicity of infractions of the law by lawmakers then in Government who were trampling on the Constitution in myriads of ways.

Subsequent to PPP/C’s accession to the nation’s administrative offices in August of 2020, the new government, through strategic placement of senior ranks, once again embarked on a dynamic crusade to create a people-friendly, proactive police force.

However, every organization is a microcosm of the wider society, and the GPF is no different. Inasmuch as the society at large has criminals rampaging in every community; so, too, there are rogue cops defaming the entire Force and creating distrust between law-abiding citizens and the GPF. The rogues take bribes. In the past some ranks have been accused, rightly or wrongly, of loaning their weapons to bandits and of setting free persons, who were captured with great effort and at great risk to their fellow officers.

They have even been accused of perpetrating criminal activities themselves, and it is only just that, when caught, they should be dealt with in more punitive ways than those meted to civilians, because they are supposed to be guardians of the laws of the land and protectors of the society, so their felonious actions are tantamount to crimes against the State, and consequently treasonous.

Some of these ranks disgrace their uniform, and the organisation to which they belong. They bring disrepute to the entire force with their criminal actions and should be dealt with condignly by their own counterparts in the service, as in a case where one policeman nabbed three bribe-takers.

The minibus conductors know all the traffic policemen who take bribes, and their stories of persecution by those delegated to protect travelers from lawless road-users who commit traffic violations that endanger lives are many. Amnesty should be offered to those who were coerced into paying bribes by the disreputable brigade of lawmen in exchange for their providing crucial and credible evidence in court.

The law banning music from minibuses is constantly being flouted, even within hearing of police ranks, most of whom ignore the cacophony because they themselves feel that music, even the cacophonous and vulgar variety is no crime but is instead very enjoyable and should be tolerated, with anyone objecting being deemed troublemakers. In this regard they abdicate their responsibility of being guardians and enforcers of the law, regardless of personal opinions and preferences.

The travelling public is still being held to ransom because if they complain about loud and crude music, speeding or overcrowding they are most often abused and sometimes even ejected from the bus.

Sometimes, instead of respecting and heeding a request to turn down or off raucous and vulgar music the volume is turned up to excruciatingly higher decibels. The public sometimes have no recourse but to endure the assault on their hearing organ, just to reach their destination.

The rogues in the GPF have to be weeded out by loyal and honest members of the force themselves in sting operations, cognizant of the fact that defamation ensuing from the criminal actions of even one rogue cop impact the reputation of the entire force, not merely the renegades. The distrust of the public for police intensifies rather than wanes and there are numerous instances when members of the public, fearing a negative response, prefer to suffer in silence rather than report crimes committed against them.

The trickle-down effects of crimes committed by rogue cops affect every police rank, even those who have performed heroically in the line of duty, risking and sometimes losing their lives , who have given service to their country and their countrymen beyond the call of duty; so it is incumbent on those honest, dedicated and professional police ranks to identify, isolate and eliminate the criminals within their midst so that the GPF once again becomes a highly efficient, trusted lawenforcement body that fulfills its mandate by protecting and serving the nation.

A boy pulling a cart carrying his brother and their belongings as they flee their home near the site of a tower building destroyed in earlier strikes in Gaza City (Reuters photo)

Ulterior motive of Guyana’s Opposition Dear Editor, First it was because of care and concern for the environment, and by extension the people of this country, that we must shut down the Amaila Falls HEP. Those were the words of the Opposition PNC post-2011. They were so concerned for the people’s welfare that the governing PPP/C Government of the day had to shelve that project.

Even while they were in Government, they never paid any attention to this project, one that was given the international allclear as an environmentally friendly project, and one that would greatly reduce our energy bill. Thus, as a result of the PNC’s relentless assault on that PPP/ C-initiated project, Amaila Falls, the project never saw a startup nor a completion date. And this has been the myopic approach of the PNC ever since.

Fast forward to 2021 and we see the same theory resurfacing. This time, it is the destruction of the mangroves at Malgre Tout/ Versailles. Please save the mangroves! Please save the people. They lament the uprooting and “wanton destruction” of the mangroves by the TriStar developer, which they contend would cause the floodwaters of the Atlantic Ocean to come rushing in and inundate all the surrounding villages within the developmental work area. Then cry me a river that this party can be

so overly concerned about the safety and wellbeing of our country! I am so moved by their call!

From experience, when the PNC party is so involved in something - anything for that matter - one is tempted to ask the question: Is it sheer concern for the people and the ecosystem that they seek the cessation of this project, or is there some other ulterior motive?

I am more inclined to believe there is a motive behind it.

Their motive is that no project initiated by this present Government should succeed, it is as clear as the noonday sun.

I know the newspapers are not fond of my use of the term Sympathetic Judas, but I will use it anyway. Isn’t this latest call by the Opposition a cry of a Sympathetic Judas?

I think this aptly describes the PNC’s latest actions. With no futuristic plan of their own, and no developmental goals in mind, how can they lay claim to anything sensible in their latest quest on the mangroves? It sure boggles the mind, if I should say the least.

The developer is preparing a shore base, which is a wholesome, environmentally-friendly and structurally sound economic venture. Yes, along the way, a few mangroves would be destroyed, but these will be adequately taken care of by aggressive coastal af-

forestation and land reclamation programmes already in the pipeline by the PPP/C. So, what’s the problem? What’s the hue-andcry?

The PNC’s problem is that they cannot face the fact that this country is on a forward upward trajectory that cannot be stopped, at least not now or ever. So, in their quest to gain some relevance in a present-day Guyana, they are harping on these supposed pitfalls that might lie in the way.

Utter hogwash! In the pursuit of progress, there might be a few difficulties along the way, but nothing to be alarmed about. So,

my advice to the poorly-informed PNC is: No, thanks!

If I might further add, this inordinate concern is nothing more than a shoring up of their fractured ego. This party have lost the election, and do not want to accept it, so, in their haste to regain some degree of relevance, they have resigned themselves to a life of being an obstructionist. However, this backward and intellectually bankrupt approach will not work. Guyana will move ahead irrespective of their negativity.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Vic Persaud: a man of natural good humour and cheerfulness

Dear Editor, The death of Mr Eshwar Vevekanand ‘Vic’ Persaud at the age of 82 has robbed the country of the services of a conscientious stalwart and scrupulous Public Servant.

Mr Persaud, with more than sixty years in the Public Service as an accountant, Foreign Service Officer, Chief of Protocol, and Advisor on Protocol Affairs, accumulated vast experience and expertise in his field. He was a mentor to new entrants to the Service, and was a reservoir of knowledge on gov-

ernmental affairs.

Mr Persaud had had the privilege of serving every Executive President of Guyana, from Mr. Forbes Burnham to Mr. Irfaan Ali. A man of natural good humour and cheerfulness, he will be remembered fondly by all who had known him in the Public Service.

I extend sincere condolences to Carol, his widow, and children at this time of their bereavement.

Sincerely, David Granger Former President

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GHRA has no moral rectitude to Vic Persaud was pronounce on anything electoral a professional

Dear Editor, Let me preface my views on the Guyana Human Rights Association’s call about abandoning the International Republican Institute’s project. Overall, this GHRA is not just a failed entity, it is biased and pro-opposition to the core.

“The blow-blow still blowing,” on Nov 11, 2020 (Peeping Tom) emphatically states that “The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) is a blow-blow organization… (as) during the election crisis, not a whisper was heard from the GHRA. It did not condemn the attempts to rig the elections - a human rights issue. Its deafening silence led to the assumption that the GHRA had become defunct.”

In “Trumpism or Burnhamism” (Nov 17, 2020 Freddie Kissoon), the author states that “Guyana has a group named the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and an organization titled, Guyana Transparency Institute. These two entities were completely silent for those five months.

“A country goes through one of its deadliest moments in its evolution and these two bodies just barefacedly refused to discuss the danger of rigged elections for democracy and the country’s future. After the factual election results were accepted by Guyana and the world, the GHRA arose from its slumber.” wow! This is incontrovertible rhetoric that gets worse. Why? “The said GHRA took to the press in its call for forensic experts to come from Argentina to investigate the murder of

the three youths in Cotton Tree in Region Five” in such a way as though the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) were to be blamed and were responsible for some kind of heinous racial crime. Shame on the GHRA. Now, Readers, I repeat a most obvious question: “How can any society show any respect to the GHRA? How can any young mind tolerate such a deeply disturbed entity?

So now, the toothless and voiceless GHRA, in a most anti-Government and undemocratic gesture, is questioning the IRI in its requested role to help in ‘Electoral Reform in Guyana,’ an area which needs buttressing, as was seen when the A Partnership For National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) sought to rig the March 2020 Elections.

I thoroughly condemn the GHRA. Its notion is fallacious too, saying that “… if (the 18-month project) launched prematurely, the reform process will inevitably become embroiled in the endless bipartisan recrimination over the last elections, rather than address the decades of structurally dysfunctional elections.”

First, how can this project be prematurely launched? Why wait? Was the GHRA blind during the five-month election impasse? What the Coalition Opposition ‘carried on with’ was so disgusting to one and all, locally, regionally and internationally, that Electoral Reform to preclude such a repeat is not only necessary, but urgent.

Secondly, this project is not an in-closet operation conducted by some overnight entity.

The Opposition members were invited, and still they are not satisfied, even with being a part of initial talks, seemingly wanting to be the architect of such a venture.

Then the International Republican Institute (IRI) is not some mediocre body.

It is a top-rated international democracy-development organisation, noted for being non-partisan and non-governmental.

Its history is most illustrious, having done high class work in more than 100 countries going back to 1983. It has contributed significantly to electoral work in places like Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa, and currently has offices in 40 countries worldwide.

Preposterous indeed are the remarks of the GHRA. Now the GHRA, in the role of the Opposition, in wanting to be the crafters of the Electoral Reform, says that “If external electoral assistance is needed in Guyana, Caricom in general and Jamaica in particular would be the place to start.”

Well, let me do a bit of revisiting back to June 2020.

Guyana’s then caretaker David Granger-led administration had publicly denounced the Caribbean Community (Caricom) national vote recount report during its participation in a meeting of the Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS). During the same period, then Foreign

Affairs Minister Dr. Karen Cummings, in reacting to remarks by the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) Prime Ministerial candidate, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, had said that the Caricom recount did not reflect the overall scrutiny of the 2,339 boxes of ballots.

“In our estimation, it was not a representative sample even though the Caricom team of scrutineers had stated that despite some reservations, the votes counted could be used to declare the results as they reflected the will of Guyanese.”

And let us not forget Chief of the OAS Electoral Observer Mission to Guyana, former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who actually chronicled the electoral process had declared that the recount confirmed that efforts had been made to inflate the declaration for Region/District Four.

“These results, but for minor adjustments, reflected the results contained in the original statements of poll, and conclusively established the extent to which the figures for Region Four were altered to give the APNU+AFC coalition an overall majority”.

Now, since even the OAS and Caricom were objects of derision by the APNU+AFC coalition, then Guyana has to move ahead. The incumbent is the legally chosen and declared governing body running the country, and it must not stop at every bit of time-wasting effort by the Opposition.

Sincerely, Todd A Morgan

Amanza Walton-Desir’s statement is regrettable Dear Editor, One’s own thoughts are one’s world. What a person thinks are what he becomes — Maitri Upanishads (1500 BC).

It seems there is no end in sight over the controversy created by Ms Amanza Walton-Desir, a leading APNU+AFC Member of Parliament. Her caustic remarks that PPP supporters, who are mainly IndoGuyanese, are mentally lazy and are not capable of thinking for themselves have opened deep wounds within the Indian community throughout Guyana.

A lawyer by profession and a loyal supporter of the APNU+AFC, Miss Desir should have been more sensitive to the divisive wounds on race. For her

to make such statement is not only inflammatory, but such incendiary narrative has created turmoil between her proponents and her opponents in Guyana, which remain a racially divided country, especially during elections.

Instead of apologising for her comments, Ms Desir has brazenly and shamelessly accused those who criticised her of being acolytes of the PPP. Clearly, her statement is misguided and highly irrational.

My hope is that she would express her profound remorse to those whom she has offended, and would refrain from making such statements in future.

Ms Desir’s statement could alienate IndoGuyanese support from

APNU+AFC and jeopardise her rise as a young political star in the coalition. Most Guyanese are forgiving, so if she decides to apologise, I am almost certain that it would bring an end to the issue, and keep her in good standing, not only among Indo-Guyanese, but among the entire populace.

It is wise for her to do so.

No credible and decent person would support Ms Desir’s injudicious and intemperate assertions. To do so would simply cast them in the same mould as race-baiters. Their support for her would only serve to worsen race relations in the country, and precipitate more racial division between the two main races.

That said, I would like to see the leaders of both parties put an end to this regrettable narrative.

For more than 60 years, race-baiting politics have divided the nation, and I am hoping that it would come to an end sooner, rather than later. It has stymied the country’s development and dampened the spirits of our youths, who are 65 percent of the country’s population. We are in the 21st century, and I must say that it pains my heart to see our political leaders continue to saddle our youths with this type of ethnic division as a political scheme to gain power.

Sincerely, Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine

Dear Editor, I am saddened to learn of the passing of Vic Eshwar Persaud (Times May 14). I always thought fondly of him, and had queried about his health, since I had not seen him for several years.

He was a wonderful guy, a professional (protocol duties) in every sense of the term. He carried out instructions, but he also offered advice (on etiquette, decorum, attire, etc.) on how engagements should be conducted. These were largely accepted at ceremonies by his bosses.

Vic was a diplomat par excellence. He was a giant in that field, with no comparison. He was an institution, having meandered around all Presidents. He was very talented and experienced in protocol ceremonies. He was the best protocol officer in the country. Of course, there were not many before or after him for a comparison. And he was held in high esteem by politicians of all stripes.

The people of Port Mourant and Rose Hall Town who knew him were/are proud of his achievements.

Although we attended the same school (from different eras) and were from neighbouring villages (I from Port Mourant and he from Rose Hall Town), we did not meet during my youth. At least, I do not recall meeting him, although I remember his family having on the main road a shop that I frequented when I was a student at Chandisingh High School. He is much older than me.

I had occasion to meet Vic in Guyana during the Cheddi Jagan Presidency, and subsequently in New York during the Jagdeo Presidency, and several times thereafter in Guyana at social functions, including at celebrations for India Republic Day and Holi.

We exchanged ideas and thoughts about growing up in Port Mourant and about governance.

In an introduction, he said he knew of me through the students’ strike at Chandisingh High School in 1976, and through my voluminous writings since then. He remarked: “You are the chap who write in the papers and conduct polls. I always wanted to meet you. I thought of you being a much older person. Thank you for all the updates about Guyanese in America”.

Upon learning that I was from Ankerville, he asked, and reminisced, about older folks from Port Mourant whom I knew since I was a little boy. I was amazed about the number of people he knew in Free Yard, Bound Yard, Ankerville, and

Haswell (Babu Jahan) including my father, several of my uncles and aunts, and neighbours. He said he used to visit Port Mourant frequently, and knew the Jagans, who lived just a few streets from me.

While never partisan in his politics, and not publicly showing a preference for one party over the other, Vic was an indefatigable supporter of democracy (free and fair elections and a free press). He saluted those of us in the diaspora who fought for the restoration of democracy in the homeland.

“You all did great work for Guyana. We owe a debt of gratitude for helping to restore democracy in our homeland”.

Vic was disappointed with the governance of the coalition, and of the behaviour of Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan, whom he felt would have known better. The two were a let down to their own and traditional PPP supporters.

Privately, Vic condemned the racism that he said was widely practised, but, as a diplomat, he opted to be silent.

Vic was saluted for his work by every President. He was honest and hardworking, and conducted himself appropriately. He was very responsible in his behaviour, even when he had occasion to take a drink.

Protocol activities are hectic, and can be very taxing, both physically and mentally, and energy-draining, but Vic never complained. He loved his work, and he was always cheerful, with a signature bright smile. He was a serious and disciplined man when it came to duties, but he also had a sense of humour, and had a laugh with guests and people he knew or he considered friendly enough, and he would take a drink with them.

He loved Bollywood songs – old classical ones of yesteryear.

He cracked a few jokes when we were in company, as he liked to do. And he opened to me about politics, since he took me in confidence. He was very witty, sociable, warm, and friendly. And he was not afraid to mix with friends and ground with the lower classes and people of all political persuasions. He had many, many friends, including across the political aisle.

Vic would be sorely missed for his decency, reliability, honour, dignity, integrity, humility, and friendliness – qualities he practised every day on the job.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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BoG Governor warns local banks to be diligent against fraudsters

BoG Governor Dr Gobind Ganga

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overnor of the Bank of Guyana (BoG), Dr Gobind Ganga is warning local commercial banks to exercise due diligence to avoid any acts of fraud.

His warning comes on the heels of a commercial bank recently processing forged cheques amounting to some $23.8 million from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

Commissioner General of GRA, Godfrey Statia has since written the Bank of Guyana Governor on the issue, stating that this fraud is clearly a case of collusion or gross negligence on the part of the bank.

Speaking on the issue, Dr Ganga told Guyana Times on Friday that he has met with the executives of the commercial bank in question and cautioned them to be diligent against such acts in the future.

“I have spoken with the bank involved and I have indicated to them that there is need to have more training and more awareness in terms of how one looks at certain cheques and other instrument of payments,” the Central Bank Head said.

He added, “You really have to be on your Ps and Qs with respect to those who try to beat the system with this kind of fraud. We haven’t had much

in recent times but it’s an eye opener, obviously, that you have to be on the lookout.”

The Guyana Police Force has been called in to investigate the fraud and according to Dr Ganga, the Police are actively involved in the probe.

“The matter is under investigation and the Police is actively going after those who were involved. They have been looking at tapes at the commercial bank and they have been looking at the cheques that have been forged. So, they are going after the perpetrators,” he stated.

The BOG Governor noted that such acts of fraud are prevalent at various commercial banks. As such, he noted that from the Central Bank’s end, “We continue to ensure that we have high standards in terms of the quality of cheques that are in the system, and we encourage [commercial banks] to ensure that due diligence is being done when you are intermediating a cheque or any form of payment.”

This recent issue was unearthed earlier this week after an employee of the bank called GRA to confirm the issuance and the amount on the cheque that was attempting to be cashed. That was the fourth cheque as three others were already cashed.

Guyana Times was told that the cheques were cashed at different branches of the bank in question – one at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, and the other at its Regent Street, Georgetown location.

In his letter to the BoG, Statia confirmed that the cheques were forged since GRA cheques are stamped “not negotiable” which means that the banks are not allowed to cash them but deposit it into the payee’s account.

Further, it was pointed out by the GRA Head that the sig-

natures of the payee on the cheques in question do not clearly match that on their ID cards. It was against this backdrop that Statia said the fraud was perpetrated as a result of negligence at best or collusion at worst on the part of the commercial bank.

He added that the fact that the bank employee would call to verify the authenticity of the cheques shows that there are rules and operating procedures in place to minimise or prevent such occurrences.

Further, the GRA Head requested the BoG to ensure

such requests not be accepted from its account, and that the commercial bank is liable for the fraud.

Guyana Times was told that the $23.8 million that was debited from GRA’s account in the fraudulent transaction will have to reinstated.

The Police had arrested three persons – a man and two women – as part of the investigations. However, calls to Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on Friday to verify whether these persons are still in custody were unsuccessful.

Faulty gas compressor, flaring

ExxonMobil looking at safe start-up in June

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nited States oil giant, ExxonMobil Guyana plans to have its faulty equipment repaired and reassembled for a “safe start-up” of operations on the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel offshore Guyana in June.

This was indicated by Exxon’s Advisor on Public and Government Affairs, Janelle Persaud, in an update on repairs to the flash gas compressor, which is experiencing recurring technical issues.

“Repairs and upgrades to the third stage discharge silencer, a key component of the flash gas compression system for the Liza Destiny, are being progressed by MAN Energy Solutions at a facility in Houston, Texas. The manufacture of a redesigned 3rd stage discharge venturi has been completed and it is being shipped to Guyana. Current plans are for the equipment to be back in country and reassembled for safe start-up in June,” Persaud said on Friday.

In the meantime, she said ExxonMobil Guyana’s Production Manager, Mike Ryan, visited the MAN workshop in Houston this week to meet with the leadership team, technical experts and repair personnel, and have a firsthand

look at the progress of repairs.

While repairs are ongoing, operations at the Liza Destiny continue safely with producing between 100 and 110 thousand barrels of oil per day (bpd) with a flare level below 15 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.

“ExxonMobil Guyana remains fully committed to resolving these technical challenges as quickly as possible, and remains engaged with relevant Government agencies to ensure operations are executed safely taking environmental, technical and economic factors into consideration,” Persaud said.

Only Thursday, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and Exxon’s local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), signed a modified Environmental Permit for the Liza 1 Development Project in the Stabroek Block to include, among other things, a fine of US$30 per tonne of excess carbon emissions.

The Liza 1 Environmental Permit was recalled and modified to include specific regulatory requirements for flaring of associated gas offshore Guyana, in accordance with the EPA’s legislation. These were missing from the origi-

nal permit that was issued under the previous APNU/AFC Administration.

Due to recurring technical issues onboard the Liza Destiny FPSO vessel, the oil company recently resumed flaring. This is following intermittent periods of flaring since December 2019.

The oil major was projected to exceed the 14 billion standard cubic feet (Bcf) of gas estimated to be flared by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project on May 13, 2021.

Government has since been under heavy pressure to clamp down on Exxon over its excessive flaring.

Against this background, the EPA said it has been engaging EEPGL in discussions regarding the technical and legal issues regarding modifications to address flaring, and signed the modified permit.

Among the changes are revised terms and conditions relating to emissions reporting requirements, technical considerations for flaring, timelines for flaring events and an obligation for the company to pay for the emission of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) as a result of flaring in excess of these timelines.

Exxon has come under fire

over its increased flaring activities in recent years with environmentalists up in arms over environmental and safety concerns.

Earlier this year, the company had sent its gas compressor for repairs in Germany after it developed technical issues resulting in increased flaring. But after being reinstalled in April, technical issues were still encountered, forcing the company to significantly drop production.

Meanwhile, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat earlier this month said EEPGL will switch the manufacturer of the compressor equipment it uses, to ensure there is no flaring during future projects.

“This now has forced us to enter into engagements with Exxon to ensure that the Unity FPSO that is coming later in this year, and then Prosperity in early 2024, that we don’t have this issue with those FPSOs… So, we have gotten that assurance that General Electric (a US multinational company) will be used as the manufacturer to ensure that the compressor, there is not a recurring problem on those FPSOs with the gas compressor,” Bharrat told reporters last week. (G8)

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SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Trevor Benn slapped with 3rd misconduct in public office charge …over sale of State land to Cevons Waste Management

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ormer Head of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), Trevor Benn was on Friday slapped with a third charge for misconduct in public office over the sale of State land to Cevons Waste Management Limited. Benn was arraigned before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Particulars of the charge state that between October

1, 2018, and August 31, 2020, at GL&SC, Georgetown, while being a public officer, he wilfully misconducted himself by executing a sale of a parcel of land held under Transport No 336 of 1925, that portion known as Area C being a portion of Track B, Plantation Le Repentir containing an area of 1.356 acres and being shown, laid down and defined on a sketch plan dated September 3, 2015,

by Sworn Land Surveyor, Shaquile Mayer.

The charge further states

that Benn caused Cevons Waste Management to pay $80 million to GL&SC for the said land, knowing that at the time he did not have the authority to sell the land, the said wilful misconduct amounting to a breach of the public trust, without any excuse or reasonable justification. Benn was released on $100,000 bail. His next court date is June 18.

Previous charges

Last month, Benn was slapped with a simiFormer GL&SC Head Trevor Benn

lar charge over the sale of State land to a former Board Member of the GL&SC, Wilfred Brandford, who is also the owner of Car Care Enterprise.

That charge alleges that between December 1, 2018, and August 31, 2019, at GL&SC, Georgetown, while being a public officer, Benn wilfully misconducted himself by executing a sale of two parcels of land, known as Parcel 4725, being a mutation of Parcel 4716 L.R.B No XXX and Parcel 4805 being the mutation of former Parcel 4779, all being a portion of Middle Walk, Plantation Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

The charge alleged that Benn caused Brandford to pay the sum of $13.5 million to GL&SC for the said lands, knowing at the time he did not have the authority to sell the lands, and knowing that the said plot of land had been earlier valued at the sum of $60.8 million, the said wilful misconduct amounting to a breach of the public’s trust, without any excuse or reasonable justification.

Bail was granted to him in the sum of $100,000 on this charge.

On March 12, 2020, Benn faced a charge of misconduct in public office in relation to the leasing of some six acres of unmarked lands at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

That charge stated that between January 1, 2018, and March 31, 2020, while being a public officer at the Lands and Surveys Commission, Benn wilfully misconducted himself by causing $27 million to be paid by Janico Vide Industrial Engineering Limited for the lease of six acres of land at Plantation Ogle, East Coast Demerara, knowing at the time that the GL&SC did not have the authority to lease the land. “…and thereby granted a provisional lease on March 27, 2020 to the said Janico Vide Industrial Engineering Limited without any description, the said wilful misconduct amounting to a breach of the public’s trust, without any excuse or reasonable justification,” the charge further stated.

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Protection...

D

…against COVID-19 already? oesn’t seem like the Americans learnt much from India in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not from the latter’s ARTICULATION of its “Vaccine Maitri”, or Vaccine Friendship strategy, but from the Americans’ subsequent EXPERIENCE with the virus. As has been well ventilated in our letters’ columns recently, during 2020, when America, Britain and Italy were reeling from the devastation, India was doing comparatively well, infection and death-wise.

The Western countries’ health systems became overwhelmed and overrun, as dead bodies were stored in refrigerated containers outside hospitals, waiting for cremation and burial sites to become available.

Respirators couldn’t be supplied fast enough, and patients had to be arbitrarily triaged.

Thousands who died in the ubiquitous American “nursing homes” for old folks had to be disposed of, and have never found their way even in the gross (really gross!) national statistics. The US still lead the world in the total number of deaths from COVID-19, with an astounding 584,000 (still more than double India’s) from 33 million infections - fully 10% of their population.

Much of the blame for those figures could be laid at the feet of Donald Trump’s Republican administration and have been so laid by the Democrats who succeeded him. But it did smack of schadenfreude when India announced it would be shipping out vaccines free of cost to selected countries as a show of solidarity and friendship. And more to the point, India emphasised that the said Western countries had pretty much gamed their supply of vaccines and refused to even sell them to the poorer countries. The horror! The horror!

But this time in America!

This kind of generosity had been carefully cultivated by the Western nations - especially vis-a-vis Africa and India. Who was this upstart “hungry belly” India to show them up? Well, now that India has been hit by a variant that spreads faster and is deadlier than the original virus, and India is reeling under its second wave of infections, the Western press are having a feeding frenzy highlighting the Indian disaster. One favourite image that exoticises the situation is of bodies being cremated in all sorts of locales, like parking lots. Well, predominantly vegetarian India doesn’t have the US number of refrigerated trucks that usually store slaughtered animals for shipping. And bodies have to be cremated immediately!!

Anyhow, the Americans have now decided to make their show of bravado - they announced that vaccinated persons don’t have to wear masks in public, and even indoors. The lesson from India to this Eyewitness, that’s being missed, is that it just doesn’t have enough experience with this virus to act as if the virus has been defeated!

It does seem that the Americans are tempting the gods. And we know how the gods respond! …from missiles The old nursery rhyme goes, “Sticks and stones may break my bones…”, but from what’s going down between Israel and Palestine, it does seem that even “sticks and stones” - in the form of missiles from the Palestinians - can break the Israelis’ bones. The latest round of violence started when the Israelis proceeded to evict 6 Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem - which the Israelis have been trying to make “all Jewish”.

Scuffles with Jews when Palestinians tried to enter one of their holy sites during Ramadan escalated into frustrated Hamas personnel firing missiles from the West Bank into Jewish settlements. Israel retaliated with air strikes. The body count up to now is 115 Palestinians dead versus 8 Israelis. What gives? Are the Palestinian missiles firecrackers?

Hardly. Israeli protection is from a very sophisticated missile defence system called “Iron Dome”, which is able to hone in on incoming missiles and simultaneously fire anti-missiles that just blow them out of the sky.

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

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SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt aiming for equal facilities, resources Essequibo Coast man across secondary schools – Manickchand charged for killing brother

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ducation Minister Priya Manickchand has given a strong commitment towards having equitable resources and facilities at every secondary school so that students can perform to their best ability despite their placement.

Speaking with the media on Friday, she underscored that the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) is required as a placement examination to enter the secondary programme. But with Government’s vision of equalising the bar throughout the country, it will not matter where children are placed since they will access the same resources.

“NGSA is something that we have to sit, something that we have to write.

Not because we want to test children and find out who is bright and who is not. It is a placement exam. We have to find out where to put children…We are currently examining how we can ensure that it doesn’t matter which high school you get. In this Government, I’m telling you we are closer rather than further from the place of saying to you it doesn’t matter which high school you

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

get, you will be able to do as well as if you got the Queen’s College,” the Minister outlined.

The equity would come in the form of adequate laboratories and facilities, trained teachers, and study material as any other school.

This, she noted, can impact how students perform at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level.

“We’re trying to work to do that, to make sure that there is equality of service, of trained teachers, of facility, of labs across the high school setup. So, it doesn’t matter which high school

you get. You can do well and you can perform well.

[Queen’s College] is 180 years. We can’t make another high school 180 years old. There is tradition and then there is service, quality, resources, facility and if we equalise that we give as resources, then it wouldn’t matter anymore which high school you got.”

Throughout the pandemic, the Minister revealed that authorities were able to evaluate the education system to determine if the current strategies work.

While the Grades Two and Four examination was birthed to determine wheth-

er students are literate, she said considerations are being made as to whether it should be continued.

For 2020 and 2021, a decision was taken to cancel the Grades Two, Four and Nine examinations.

“COVID also gave us a really nice opportunity to look at ‘were we doing things robotically, routinely, what was intended and are we getting the effect of that intention’…The Grades Two and Four started out because we wanted to make sure our children were literate. Have we seen an increase in the level of literacy because of those two exams or did they become just two exams? There’s some of those things that we’re currently examining in the Ministry,” Manickchand positioned.

Since mid-March last year, schools have been closed as a measure to ease the spread of the coronavirus. Online platforms and worksheets were enabled as the new tools to reach students. For now, only Grades 10 to 12 and the technical vocation students are allowed for in-class activities.

(G12)

T

wenty-two-year-old Rameshwar Gouveia of Fairfield Village, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), was remanded to prison after he was slapped with a murder charge.

Gouveia was charged for killing his brother, Ganga Persaud. He appeared before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on May 9, at Fairfield, Essequibo Coast, he allegedly murdered Persaud, 32.

Gouveia was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was remanded to prison until June 3.

An autopsy conducted on the body of Persaud revealed he died from a perforation to his lung and artery due to the lone stab wound he received.

The autopsy was conducted on Thursday at the Suddie Mortuary by Government Pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh.

Persaud, a labourer, was on Monday killed at his mother’s home. Reports are Persaud, the defendant and another brother who was visiting from Wakanaam were drinking when the visiting brother and his wife were involved in an argument that led to a drunken brawl.

Charged: Rameshwar Gouveia

According to reports, the defendant allegedly armed himself with a rum bottle and lashed Persaud to his head while the other relative attempted to make peace.

Persaud and the defendant exited the house via the front door and back door, respectively. Shortly after, the suspect started shouting and it was discovered that his brother had fallen to the ground.

The other relatives rushed towards Persaud as he lay motionlessly in a pool of blood. The suspect then fled the scene and hid in the backdam.

Subsequently, he was handed over to the Police by his mother.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NGSA Booster programme brings “a tutor in every home” …similar lessons being created for CXC students

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he Education Ministry’s Booster programme for students writing the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) brings a virtual tutor in every home, providing practice and lessons to help them succeed.

The programme, scheduled to start on Monday, was officially launched on Friday at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

There will be airings and rebroadcasts on the Guyana Learning Channel and supported by other mediums, such as Youtube, other forms of social media and cable networks.

On weekdays, the lessons will be aired from 10:30h to 15:30h, with rebroadcasts from 17:00h to 19:00h, and on weekends. The topics will be released beforehand so parents can plan ahead on the areas of importance for their children. Televisions and solar panels have been procured for areas that cannot access these signals.

Director of NCERD, Quenita Walrond-Lewis indicated that local teachers who are experts in curriculum delivery are presenting this information to the students. This initiative forms part of Government’s drive to ensure continuous learning as classrooms remain closed.

“We are embarking upon an innovative, continued response to COVID-19 and

before this can happen.

However, Manickchand cautioned that with the increasing number of cases every day, it is a risk for students and teachers.

“We’d like to go to the class but the reality is if we allow our students to go back into the classroom, we are immediately putting 15,000 children on the road who are using transportation…and about 1000 teachers back into the classroom because we won’t be able to sit in the same numbers in the class. We would have to split up,” she emphasised.

Minister Priya Manickchand with teachers and stakeholders involved in the NGSA Booster programme

student support in this virulent time. We are not giving up on our students. In fact, we’re accelerating the ways in which we try to support our students and their devoted, dedicated teachers…This forum will allow us to bring essentially a tutor into every home. You will find that the teachers are our teachers. They are Guyanese teachers. They are teachers who are experts in our curriculum content and they are expert deliverers of sound education,” Walrond-Lewis shared.

Head of the Learning Channel, Aniesha Mohamed also outlined that a plethora of resources was plugged into this project in order to increase knowledge retention and engagement with

students.

“This programme dedicates a pool of resources for children sitting the exam to participate in. The objective was to find a way to make the lessons engaging as we possibly can’t replicate the classroom style of teaching via television. We took all of that into consideration and set out to select some of the best locally trained teachers, qualified video editors and a technical team to put together lessons that are not only beautifully presented and edited but engaging,” the GLC Head insisted.

Learning must continue

Education Minister Priya Manickchand lamented that it has been a difficult process in delivering education

without a classroom setting, but learning must continue.

The Minister underscored, “In the first five months of that quitting of normalcy, nothing happened and nobody complained because people felt, including me, what more could these people do. Everything was turned on top of its head. But we came into Government and we realised that this COVID is going nowhere.”

She added, “Everybody said COVID is not going anywhere for now so we had a choice…We came up. We rose up and we responded.

We responded robustly, not with one thing or another; not for boys and not girls; not for Georgetown people but forgetting the hinterland people. We responded across this country.”

Presently, the Ministry is also working to create a similar booster programme for students writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

When asked about a possible reopening of school for Grade Six students, she noted that the Health Ministry has to give a green light

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 death toll reaches 335 with 2 more deaths …143 new positives, 14 in ICU, 1816 active cases

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n Thursday, the novel coronavirus claimed two more lives, thereby raising the country’s death toll to 335. For May so far, 36 persons have died.

The Health Ministry announced the deaths on Friday as two males: a 69-year-old from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and a 70-year-old Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

They both died while receiving care at a medical facility.

Prior to this, another two males: a 64-year-old and a 55-year-old from Region Four died on Wednesday.

For the week thus far, there were 10 reported deaths.

Within one day, 1364 persons were tested and 143 tests returned positive.

The total confirmed cases in Guyana is now 14,998 – a breakdown of 7497 males and 7491 females.

Active cases are at 1819: with 14 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 113 in institutional isolation, and 1692 in home isolation. Nine individuals are in institutional quarantine. Meanwhile, there have been 12,834 recoveries.

New cases

New cases emerged from Regions One (Barima-Waini); Two ( Pomeroon- Supenaam) Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six

Those that you get for your first dose is a different vaccine and those that you get for your second dose is different one. It’s not like the others we’ve been giving where you use the same vaccine for first and second dose,” he stressed.

Active cases

From the active cases in Guyana, 83 persons are hospitalised. Hotspot figures are 31 active cases in Tuschen, 24 in La Parfaite Harmonie, 17 in Canal Number Two for Region Three. For Region Four, it is 46 at Diamond, 30 at Grove, 28 at Herstelling, 25 in Sophia, 18 in Kitty, 17 in La Penitence, 16 in Mon Repos and 15 in Non Pariel.

There was a spike in

cases at New Amsterdam, Region Six, with 77 cases while Skeldon has 30 cases. Over in Bartica, Region Seven, authorities are monitoring 81 persons. Two sites in Region Nine have 31 cases each. Amelia’s Ward and Wismar, Region 10, have 47 and 44 active positives respectively.

“We have been actively monitoring and the regional teams are the ones that do the monitoring, testing and making sure that people are isolated. Most of these cases are mild. We have 83 persons right now who are in hospital, 55 of those are at the Ocean View Hospital, nine at West Demerara, four at Mahaicony, five at New Amsterdam, three in

Bartica, two in Mahdia and six in Linden,” Dr Anthony detailed. (G12)

Trevor Benn slapped with...

He was released $200,000 bail.

(East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

In the recent coronavirus update, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony informed that 33.6 per cent of the adult population turned up at vaccination sites to take their first shot. This translates to 163,534 persons.

The achieved second doses are 21,203 or 4.4 per cent of

the eligible bracket.

While the AstraZeneca vaccine spans 12 weeks between the two jabs, Sputnik V and Sinopharm is approximately four weeks. He said by now, the second dose is due for a number of persons.

Another 68,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine are expected to arrive in the country shortly to cover both first and second shots.

“With Sputnik V, its two different types vaccines.

SOCU probe

on

The former GL&SC Head was arrested in March as the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) was called in to probe the leasing of the State lands. Benn has since maintained his innocence, and has been labelling the charges against him “nonsensical”.

Concerning the leasing of lands to Janico Vide Industrial Engineering Limited, it is unclear what the $27 million payment was for, since a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Benn and the company also included a rental fee of $200,000 annually for six acres of land, which was leased for 50 years.

The MoU states, “The purpose of this MoU is to… confirm the intent and commitment of the GL&SC and the Company for the leasing of the said 6 acres of land, owned by the Government of Guyana as part of the stock of State land, and upon pay-

ment of $27,000,000,00…for the development of commercial, industrial and real estate activities.”

But there is no procedure under the State Lands Act that allows for a MoU to be signed before a lease or provisional lease is granted. Moreover, acting Commissioner of GL&SC, Enrique Monize had stated in correspondence to Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, that upon research, he was unable to determine any vacant, available land under the control of the Commission at the location agreed upon.

This issue came to light following the examination of the transaction by the current GL&SC administration after they received a legal notice from the company’s lawyers in December 2020, demanding the six acres of land be handed over.

Based on the ‘agreement’ signed, Janico Vide Industrial Engineering Limited, which is located at Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was obligated to make the payments in two instalments of $13.5 million –

FROM PAGE 8

the first upon the signing of the MoU and the balance in November 2017, or upon the receipt of the lease.

In a letter dated December 22, 2020, the law firm of Hughes, Fields & Stoby disclosed that “… it was agreed by the MOA (Ministry of Agriculture) that the consideration for the said lease would be the sum of $27M…” The lawyers noted this sum was paid in full as per the MoU; that is, the first payment on May 4, 2017, and the second on March 27, 2020.

Despite this, however, the lawyers said, the company has not received the lands.

Shortly after, the Police were called in to investigate the matter.

Benn was appointed Head of the GL&SC under the previous APNU/AFC Government.

In August 2020, President Dr Irfaan Ali revoked several key powers of the Land Commissioner, which included the authority to rent public lands and grant new leases, and licences. (G1)

NEWS

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SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Electoral fraud cases

CJ to hear DPP, Top Cop's arguments for copies of SoPs, SoRs …as Lowenfield seeks to prevent documents from being released – AG

Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC

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ECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield on Friday applied to the High Court to be added as a respondent in an application filed by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, and Commissioner of Police Nigel Hoppie, who are both requesting certified copies of the Statements of Poll (SoPs) and Statements of Recount (SoRs) from the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Chief Justice Roxane George on Friday convened a hearing in the matter during which Lowenfield’s lawyer Nigel Hughes was granted leave to file an affidavit in support of the intended respondent. The lawyer was also granted leave to serve the relevant documents on the other parties on or before May 19, 2021. Justice George will entertain arguments in the case on May 24, 2021, at 13:30h after which she will fix a date for ruling.

At this time, the named respondents in the case filed by the DPP and Top Cop are Attorney General Anil

Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

Nandlall, SC, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), and Registrar of the Supreme Court of Judicature Sueanna Lovell.

This decision by Lowenfield, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has since said, is aimed at persuading the court that the Statements of Poll should not be released.

“In short, Mr Lowenfield wants the High Court to prevent relevant and probative evidence against him from being made available to the Prosecution in his criminal trial!! Another

attempt to block the SoPs from being made public!!

Another record breaker...,” the Attorney General said on Friday.

Ahead of the hearing into APNU/AFC election petition #88 which was dismissed last month, the Chief Justice ordered GECOM to hand over the original copies of the SoPs and SoRs to the Registrar of the Supreme Court for safekeeping. This order was duly complied with.

Following the conclusion of the March 2020 General and Regional Elections which were em-

Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo

broiled in controversy, several high-ranking GECOM officials were investigated by the Guyana Police Force.

Apart from Lowenfield, the others are Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DECO) Roxanne Myers, and Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

Police later sent a file to the chambers of the DPP which recommended charges for the trio.

Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo were subsequently charged with several counts of misconduct in

Chief Justice Roxane George, SC

public office in relation to their conduct at the national elections.

Lowenfield was also charged with forgery for allegedly uttering forged documents on two occasions purporting to show that they were a true report of all the votes cast at the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The three officials were all released on monetary bail pending the hearing and determination of their trial.

Prove offences

In her application requesting certified copies of the SoPs and SoRs, the DPP said that after charges were laid against the trio, she advised and instructed the Police to obtain certified copies of the SoRs and SoPs from GECOM as part of its probe and gathering evidence for presentation in court.

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14 NEWS

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cocaine, ganja unearthed during Police raids P olice unearthed a quantity of cocaine and ganja during two separate raids at Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara and Rosehall Town, Corentyne, Berbice.

In the first instance, reports are Police ranks conducted a search on the home of a 54-year-old businessman of Sharpal Street,

Rosehall Town, Corentyne, Berbice, on Thursday, where 174 pieces of white rock-like substances, suspected to be cocaine, along with one digital scale and $1350, were found on a table in his house.

The man was arrested and taken to Central Police Station where the cocaine was weighed and amounted to 116 grams. He is pres-

The ganja that was found in the plastic bag at Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara

ently in custody pending charges.

Also, on Thursday, Police while on mobile patrol on Norton Street, Bagotstown, observed a man in dark clothing with a black plastic bag in his hands.

Upon noticing the Police patrol, the man began running, heading through a yard on the eastern side of Norton Street.

Ranks gave chase but the man dropped the plastic bag and made good his escape.

It was later picked up and searched and 28 small transparent zip lock bags with leaves seed and stems suspected to be cannabis, along with a small quantity of empty zip lock bags and a scale were found. The ganja was later weighed and amounted to 83.8 grams.

A week ago, a Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD) businessman was arrested following the discov-

ery of over two kilograms of marijuana in his home.

Based on reports received, a team of Police ranks, acting on information, went to the home of the 65-year-old businessman of Middle Walk, Buxton, ECD, and conducted a search.

During the search, a large transparent zip lock bag containing a quantity of cannabis was found in his possession.

Police then conducted a search on the businessman’s premises where another two transparent zip lock bags were found in a drawer in the kitchen area with ganja.

In addition, Police unearthed another bag hidden in a refrigerator with the illegal substance. He was arrested and escorted to the Vigilance Police Station where the narcotic drug was weighed and amounted to 2.242 kilograms.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

High Court refuses permanent stay of murder charge against “Two Colours”

…orders DPP to present indictment by June 13

Murder accused: Lennox “Two Colours” Wayne

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inding no basis to grant a permanent stay of the murder charge against Lennox Wayne who claimed that his constitutional right to a fair trial within a reasonable time has been infringed due to the delay in his retrial, High Court Judge Navindra Singh on Friday dismissed a constitutional motion filed by the murder accused.

In doing so, Justice Singh ordered the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, to present the indictment against Wayne for the offence of murder at the High Court in Demerara within 30 days of his ruling. Wayne, called “Two Colours”, was ordered to pay $200,000 in court costs to Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC - the lone respondent in the matter.

On September 3, 2014, Wayne was arrested and jointly charged on September 8, 2014, with Melroy Doris, a taxi driver, for the murder of Lusignan, East Coast Demerara cosmetologist, Ashmini Hariram, who was gunned down after disembarking a minibus in her community.

A Preliminary Inquiry was thereafter conducted and at its conclusion, Wayne and Doris were committed to stand trial for murder at the Demerara Criminal Assizes on November 16, 2015. Their

Confessed killer: Melroy Doris

trial commenced on April 6, 2017, before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow who on May 2, 2017, declared a mistrial after the jury was unable to arrive at a unanimous verdict.

Accordingly, the two murder accused were further remanded to prison pending a retrial at the June 2017 session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes.

On February 25, 2021, Wayne, through his lawyer, Nigel Hughes filed a constitutional motion and therein complained that his right to a fair trial within a reasonable time as guaranteed under Article 144 of the Constitution of Guyana has been infringed by the excessive delay in his retrial.

Not infringed

In his written judgement, Justice Singh pointed out that Wayne’s claimed period of delay in his retrial is from the end of his trial in May 2017, to the filing of the constitutional motion on February 25, 2021. The Judge found that the period of possible delay was 33 months given the fact that the retrial could not have been conducted until the next practicable sitting of the Assizes in June 2017.

The Judge said consideration also had to be given to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in the suspension of jury trials from March 2020 until October 2020.

The Judge also noted the fact that the DPP indicated that she was ready to proceed with Wayne’s retrial in January 2021. Moreover, he said it was necessary to assess where the murder accused’s conduct waived his right for any or all of the delay.

According to Justice Singh, in April and October 2020, Wayne indicated to the DPP that he wanted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, and on both occasions, before Justice Priya Sewnarine Beharry could have considered such a course of action, he had a change of heart.

Justice Singh said that trials of indictments consisting of multiple accused commenced in January 2021 and once again Wayne indicted to the DPP that he wanted to plead guilty to the lesser count, however, when the matter was called before Justice Brassington Reynolds, he changed his mind.

Having regards to the foregoing, Justice Singh found, “…[Wayne] in indicating his willingness to plead guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and actively engaging in discussions about such a plea with the DPP, effectively waived any period of delay prior to such indication.”

Wayne’s counsel submitted that he was ready to proceed with the trial during the time that discussions were ongoing with his client and the DPP and therefore the DPP was still charged with the responsibility of proceeding with the retrial.

Justice Singh said this argument was untenable since there is a process involved in the preparation of a trial, least of all, notifying the witnesses of their obligation of being available to testify, and therefore the DPP cannot be expected to be in a state of preparedness to instantly commence. “…[Wayne’s] indication of willingness to plead guilty to the lesser offence, there-

Dead: Ashmini Hariram

fore, forego a trial is diametrically opposed to his claim that his right to a trial within a reasonable time has been infringed, particularly when he shortly thereafter instituted this FDA [motion].”

In conclusion, the High Court Judge held that the murder accused’s “right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time as provided for in Article 144 of the Constitution has not been infringed.”

“The court finds that a period of 33 months for a retrial is not unreasonable. It is reasonable to afford the scores of other accused persons listed their trial in balancing the rights of all accused persons to a trial within a reasonable time.”

Unjustified

Further, Justice Singh found that no justifiable reasons were advanced for the granting of a permanent stay of prosecution of the pending charge for the offence of murder against Wayne.

In his application, the murder accused contended that the delay in his retrial was sufficient ground for a permanent stay of the charge.

The Judge, having found that there was no delay, relied on case laws which he described as “profound” and “uncomplicated” in setting out the applicable principles for courts to consider in de-

termining an application for a stay of criminal proceedings.

Based on his findings on the issue, he held that a proper application of the case laws “leads to the irrefutable conclusion that there is no justifiable reason for this court to grant a stay of prosecution of the pending charge for the offence of murder against [Wayne].

“As long as a fair trial is possible it is in the public interest that cases should be tried,” he underscored.

As such, the court refused Wayne’s application for a permanent stay of the criminal charge against him.

Plea deal not prejudicial

Before Justice Brassington Reynolds, Doris pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter on March 11, 2021, and was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.

Wayne’s lawyer had submitted that the DPP acted unlawfully in reaching a plea deal with Doris since the offence to which he pleaded guilty is not disclosed on the evidence. The lawyer further argued that his client would be further prejudiced if Doris is called as a State witness.

Noting that the offence of manslaughter is a lesser offence included in the offence of murder, which simply does not have the element of intent, Justice Singh held that counsel’s submission that Doris’ plea is unlawful because the offence of manslaughter is not disclosed in the facts that the State relies on to prove murder is “disingenuous and untenable.” “…evidence that can result in the conviction of an accused person must be prejudicial to that person, so, the submission that should Melroy Doris testify as an eyewitness, this would result in prejudice to [Wayne] and put him at real risk of getting an unfair trial is illogical.”

Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC

Main witness

Wayne is the State’s main witness in the case involving long-serving former Police Sergeant Leyon Lindo, who is awaiting trial on a charge of conspiracy to commit murder. It is alleged that between July 8 and July 10, 2014, at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, Lindo conspired with Wayne to murder businessman Mohamed Khan.

The businessman went missing on August 21, 2014.

A month later, on September 22, 2014, his headless body was found at Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara.

According to reports, Wayne provided Police with a statement in which he claimed he conspired with Lindo to kill Khan.

It was reported that 54-year-old Khan had earlier escaped another execution when a gunman, who reportedly turned out to be Wayne, shot him in his abdomen.

Wayne had claimed that he was contracted by Lindo to kill Khan for a fee of half a million dollars.

Media reports state that there was a falling-out between the two after Lindo failed to honour his end of the bargain when the execution failed. Lindo has been released on bail pending the hearing and determination of his trial. (G15)

Massy opens mini supermarket at Montrose

M

assy Stores Guyana launched its first ever “Massy Stores Mini Supermarket” at their D3 Starlight Square Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD) location.

This is now the third location of the Massy Stores branch with the other two locations at Providence and Turkeyen.

It was also noted that the Mini Supermarket will be a convenience type store occupying less retail space than its larger counterparts in Providence and Turkeyen.

The new location offers a curated assortment of essential items namely prepared meals, fresh produce, frozen foods, meats, alcohols,

household items and OTCs to name a few.

Addressing the small gathering was Massy General Manager Robert Singh, who noted that Massy Stores has a total of 48 locations across the Caribbean.

Singh went on to boast of the variety and versatility of the Massy Stores brand. He also related that throughout the pandemic, the stores have maintained that safety is their number one priority. He also reiterated that the Mini Supermarket is designed for customers who want to shop for a smaller amount of goods as it provides easy and quick access as it is well-stocked and available at the said loca-

tion. Singh also said that the location will continue to provide excellent service and will be up to par with the Turkeyen and Providence

branches and. He was optimistic that there can be more expansion in the coming future.

“Our lifestyles are be-

coming more hectic and fast-paced and convenience is now, more than ever, of great importance to shoppers. We appreciate that whole we have larger stores in Providence and Turkeyen which more than adequately cater for shoppers who purchase many items - those who stock up for the household each month - there are also times when shoppers just need to regularly replenish the basic items. This new format caters for those convenience shoppers with smaller baskets,” commented Massy Group Executive responsible for the Massy Mini at Montrose, Christpen BobbSemple.

“While we are offering a new format in a smaller retail space, it is important to note that the values which we uphold will not change.

We will continue to maintain our standards of quality, delivery of exceptional and an assortment which can only be found at Massy Stores,” he added.

Massy Mini Supermarket will also be an additional location where customers can earn and redeem Massy Points when they swipe their Massy Card. The Massy Card is a major benefit to customers who can use their points to pay for groceries. Customers can sign up for a Massy Card by visiting massycard.com.

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over 45 farms affected, animals die as Region 9 battles flood

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egional Executive Officer of Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) Karl Singh on Friday said that the region is currently battling severe flooding follow-

Some of the flooded areas in Sand Creek and Shea Village, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) (Jason Caitan photos)

ing three consecutive days of heavy downpour.

In a brief interview, the REO noted that at least 48 farms were inundated and several animals have died as a result of the stormy weath-

er.

Two of the main affected communities are Sand Creek and Shea Village.

When contacted, Toshao of Shea Village, Jason Caitan explained that on

CJ to hear DPP, Top Cop's...

Wednesday morning, residents discovered seven sheep dead. He explained that due to the heavy rains, several sheep sought shelter under a structure which collapsed during the thunder-

storm.

Approximately 12 sheep were rescued but some were injured. Reports are that several households are flooded while some persons are stranded and unable

to return home since some roadways have become impassable.

The REO noted that Central Government has since sent food hampers to the area to assist villagers.

al fraud charges. There are also electoral fraud charges against GECOM clerks Denise Bob-Cummings and Michelle Miller and GECOM Elections Officer Shefern February and Information Technology Officer Enrique Livan.

They, too, have been released on bail.

Lowenfield’s report claimed that the APNU/ AFC coalition garnered 171,825 votes while the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) gained 166,343 votes. How he arrived at those figures is still unknown.

The certified results

from the recount exercise supervised by GECOM and a high-level team from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) pellucidly showed that the PPP/C won with 233,336 votes while the coalition garnered 217,920.

The recount exercise also proved that Mingo heavily inflated the figures in Region Four – Guyana’s largest voting district – in favour of the then caretaker APNU/AFC regime. The DPP has since hired a team of special prosecutors consisting of about six attorneys-at-law to prosecute the electoral fraud cases on behalf of the State.

FROM PAGE 13

According to Ali-Hack, the SoPs and SoRs are necessary for the fair hearing of the charges as they constitute relevant evidence for the prosecution to prove the commission of the offences for which Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo are charged.

Pursuant to the Representation of the People Act, the DPP pointed out that SoPs are public records for which there is no restriction such as privacy, privilege, or secrecy. As such, she submitted, “There is no restriction to the Police obtaining them.”

“By the common law

and statute, namely Section 50 of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, the Commissioner of Police and any member of the Police Force have the lawful right to collect and recover all documents and property which are relevant to the investigation and prosecution of any criminal offence,” the DPP further submitted.

After the elections concluded, Ali-Hack deposed that two election petitions were filed with the High Court and that on January 18, 2021, the Chief Justice ordered that the SoPs and SoRs in possession of Lowenfield be lodged with

the Registrar of the High Court for safekeeping.

The Top Cop later wrote to the Registrar requesting certified copies of the documents but was informed by her that she is unable to provide them without a court order.

The DPP said that unofficial copies of the documents are in the public domain, and she believes that the original documents will confirm and show that certain numbers of cast votes were recorded on those documents and that together with other evidence will show that those charged deliberately ignored those re-

corded figures and made false declarations in furtherance of their conspiracy.

Considering this, the DPP wants the Chief Justice to grant an order compelling the Registrar of the Supreme Court to make certified copies of the documents in her possession and forthwith deliver them to the Attorney General and GECOM.

Others charged

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairperson Volda Lawrence and APNU/AFC activist Carol Joseph are also before the courts on elector-

NEWS

17

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man confesses to killing Kuru Kururu bus driver

O

ne of the three persons who are said to be family members of a woman who had previously shared a relationship with 38-year-old Marcus Thomas, who was hacked to death, has confessed to killing the man.

The three were arrested on Thursday at Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), for the murder of the Route 42 minibus driver formerly of Coverden, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Thomas was chopped to death moments after he exited his vehicle at Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

After making three attempts on the man’s life in the past, the attackers finally had their way on Tuesday, by taking him out with brutal chops about his body.

Guyana Times had pre-

viously reported that within seconds after exiting his minibus, Thomas was attacked by the suspects who are no longer his in-laws.

Based on reports, the victim and the three men had a feud over an old grievance back in 2020.

A reliable source told this publication that the feud between Thomas and the men began just after Thomas had caught the woman he shared a relationship with in bed with

a cousin. Since then, the men reportedly continued to threaten the man’s life.

The most recent attempts on the life of Thomas were back in August 2020.

The suspects had allegedly chopped him to his belly and head, and he had to be rushed immediately to the hospital.

Following the incident, two of the suspects who had committed the act were arrested but were later released on bail. The third

suspect succeeded in eluding Police.

Thomas’ sister had told Guyana Times that she was at home when she received the news of her brother’s death, and said the incident might have stemmed from the old grievance.

Regional Commander, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Siwnarine told Guyana Times on Friday that Police received information that the suspects were hiding in Parika, EBE, and ranks reportedly went to the location, and the men were apprehended.

They are currently in Police custody assisting with investigations.

Commander Siwnarine also said they are awaiting response from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to proceed with charges.

Deadly biscuit argument

Labourer died from fractured skull – PME

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he autopsy conducted on the body of 24-year-old Kurt Elvis Stephany of Henrietta Village, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), revealed that he died as a result of a fractured skull.

Stephany was hit to his head on May 6 during an argument over biscuits at a snakette in his home village.

The autopsy was conducted on Thursday by a Government pathologist at the Suddie Mortuary.

Stephany succumbed to his injuries at about 01:00 on May 13 at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Reports out of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are that Stephany had been involved in a heated argument with another resident of Henrietta at about 08:15h on May 6 at a roadside snackette. Police have since said the argument arose over a packet of biscuits.

According to reports,

Dead: Kurt Stephany

Stephany first attacked the suspect with a piece of

wood. However, the suspect disarmed him, and, with the same piece of wood, dealt a lash to Stephany’s head.

Stephany was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital in an unconscious state.

However, as a result of the severity of his injury, he was transferred to the GPHC, where he remained until his death on Thursday morning.

The suspect is currently in Police custody pending charges.

Robbery suspect swallows “lighter head”

A

28-year-old robbery suspect has been hospitalised after he was found by Police in a motionless state at the Reliance Magistrate’s Court, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) lockups on Thursday.

It was reported that the robbery suspect was taken to the Reliance Magistrate’s Court to answer the charge laid against him. He was placed in to the lock-ups later in the day, and was waiting to be transported to the New Amsterdam Prison.

At 15:25h, Police said they were alerted by an-

other prisoner saying “officer this boy swallow a razor blade”.

Upon investigating, the man was found lying on the ground in the said lockups. He was then escorted to New Amsterdam Public Hospital where an X-ray detected nothing.

He then indicated to the doctor on duty that he did not swallow any razor blade but rather a part of a lighter head.

He was treated for vomiting and is presently admitted at the said hospital under observation and guard. (G9)

Over 1.8kg ganja unearthed in NA Prison

A

n investigation has been launched after a quantity of ganja and packets of cigarettes were on Friday discovered at the New Amsterdam Prison.

Reports are that at about 12:30h, the narcotics and 19 packets of cigarettes were unearthed at the prison.

Prison officials told the investigators that the items were found abandoned in the prison’s compound.

The narcotics were handed over to Police to be weighed. The narcotics amounted to 1 kilogram 887 grams.

Meanwhile, ranks of the Guyana Police Force on Thursday morning conducted a raid exercise in Timmers Dam Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, where three persons were arrested for possession of narcotics and stolen items along with the offence of robbery.

Based on reports, ranks had visited the home of a 24-year-old labourer of Timmers Dam Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, where a search was conducted on his home and 497 grams of cannabis was found.

Both him and a 28-yearold female were arrested and placed into Police custody.

At the home of a male suspect of Mount Sinai Village, West Canje, Berbice, a search was also conducted where he was found with a stolen phone. He was subsequently arrested.

A 29-year-old male was also found with several cellular phones and tablets.

They were all collected and lodged at the Police station.

The 29-year-old is accused of having a phone in his possession from a recent robbery. (G9)

Govt to examine new efforts to assist persons with disabilities …security concerns of Guyana Society for the Blind to be addressed

H

uman Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud on Friday met with disability rights activist Ganesh Singh to discuss major improvement plans that the Ministry has on stream for the disability community, especially as it relates to training.

During the meeting at her Lamaha and East Streets office, Persaud spoke with Singh on security concerns by members of the Guyana Society for the Blind, especially in the context of Singh’s robbery earlier this week.

Persaud gave an undertaking that the Ministry will be looking to see what assistance it can give to as it relates to concerns about a safe venue. A release from the Ministry following the meeting stated that Singh, who is also the Programme Coordinator of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons

with Disabilities, will play a huge role in helping the Ministry determine the way forward regarding new efforts for persons with disabilities.

“It was a very, very productive meeting and I was actually taken aback with the Minister’s vision for disability. It’s clear and in sync with what we want so I am optimistic and very excited to work along with this Ministry,” Singh expressed following the meeting, adding that Persaud is very practical about the way things are done.

Singh was able to share his ideas on programmes that the Ministry wants to roll out for teenagers, young adults, and those in the disability community who may not have had access to any formal training.

Meanwhile, as Blindness Awareness Month is being observed in May, President of the Guyana Society for the

Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud and Permanent Secretary Shannielle Hoosein-Outar meeting with GCOPD Programme Coordinator Ganesh Singh

Blind, Cecil Morris said mainly virtual activities are planned owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, he called attention to the issue of security for the members of the society and noted that a number of blind persons have been robbed over the past few months, both in the compound and while

on their way into the compound. “This security issue has been an ongoing one with no concrete solution from the authorities. The area is known to have a lot of thieves,” he pointed out.

Explaining some of the other issues at the society, Morris said for the past two years, the building has been flooding even

when there is limited rainfall. Also, the sewerage system that is connected to the building is blocked and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) field workers are unable to find the blockage or the plan for the area. As a result, there is constant back up of waste materials.

Additionally, vagrants

and other citizens use the area, mainly the driveway to the compound, as a dumpsite, and yet another issue is the absence of adequate funding to manage the organisation and provide services to the membership.

The Guyana Society for the Blind is a national organisation of and for the blind and is governed by an act of Parliament. The organisation has been in existence since 1953 at its present location and has been providing services to the blind community in various areas.

The GCOPD, on the other hand, is a collaborative forum which was established in January 2008 and is made up of representatives of different organisations for persons with disabilities. Its members meet regularly to support each other with the objective of building a stronger disability movement in Guyana.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

Regional

Black Brazilians protest against Activists, politicians and TV hosts jostle to rewrite Chile’s Constitution racism and Police violence

T

housands of black Brazilians have demonstrated against racism and Police violence, on the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the country.

Protesters in Rio de Janeiro held candles and signs reading “Don’t kill me, kill racism”, a week after a Police raid in a slum left dozens dead.

In São Paulo, messages read: “Black people want to live.”

Black people are three times more likely to be killed by Police in Brazil, experts say.

The protesters accused far-right President

Jair Bolsonaro of genocide through Police violence. He supports hardline policies to combat crime, including raids in areas where the majority of residents are black and poor.

The demonstrators also demanded the speeding up of the vaccination campaign for COVID-19, as the disease has been more deadly for black people in the country, one of the world’s hardest hit by the pandemic.

In Rio, protesters condemned last week’s 28 deaths in the Jacarezinho favela during an operation that Police said targeted suspected drug traffickers, and called for justice. It was

the deadliest Police raid in the city’s history.

Residents accused Police of abuses, while human rights activists said there was strong evidence of extrajudicial executions, with officers killing people who wanted to surrender or posed no threat. Some of the victims, they said, were not even under investigation.

Demonstrators marched through the centre of the city, holding messages saying: “Who do the police protect?” and “No bullet, no hunger, no Covid”. One banner had pictures of men killed in Police operations.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

T&T Chamber: We may need to extend the lockdown

T

he Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce (T&T Chamber) is recommending limited curfews and that the current lockdown be extended for another week, to evaluate the impact of actions being taken by businesses to reduce community spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The recommendation is one of several put forward by the T&T Chamber in a news release issued on Friday.

According to the Chamber, “it takes two weeks to see the impact of the actions taken”.

The Chamber said such a move would be an interim measure, and it has the

support of 85 per cent of its membership.

It also noted the move by some businesses to temporarily close their “essential” services to reduce the risk of COVID spread.

“This action is commended; however, we have to ensure our citizens have access to essential services,” the T&T Chamber said. “No one is safe until everyone is safe.”

T&T Chamber reported on a survey it recently conducted among its membership, which showed that 80 per cent of those surveyed are equally concerned for lives and livelihoods.

In order to immediate-

ly reduce COVID spread, in addition to extending the lockdown by another week, the Chamber suggested implementing limited curfews, which 90 per cent of its membership believes is necessary.

“Implement a limited curfew from 9PM – 5AM on weekdays, and 5pm – 5am on weekends to reduce casual movement of individuals.

Only people who work in industrial operations, which need to operate on a shift basis, should be allowed movement during the curfew period with a letter from their employer,” the Chamber said. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Latin America’s female scientists pack a big punch despite glass ceiling

Silvina Sonzogni (right), research member of the CONICET (National Scientific and Technical Research Council), works next to student Eliana Rozowykwiat at the laboratory of Neurogenetics of the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina, May 13, 2021

L

atin America’s female scientists and researchers are packing a big punch despite a hardto-break glass ceiling for top roles in academia and business, reflecting how women are on the march in a region often seen as a bastion of macho male culture.

A report by UNESCO and UN Women shows they account for 45 per cent of female researchers in Latin America and the Caribbean,

compared with around 29 per cent globally, the highest anywhere in the world, although there are still gaps in some specialities.

“Women are advancing in careers that were previously very masculine or totally male-dominated,” Gloria Bonder, Director of the UNESCO Regional Chair for Women, Science and Technology in Latin America, told Reuters by telephone.

Latin America’s women are soaring in the social and medical sciences, though they are less represented in some of the so-called STEM subjects: science, technology, engineering and mathematics, considered key areas of future development.

While more Latin American women graduate than men and there is almost parity of researchers, women account for only 18 per cent of deans at public universities, and in the corporate sector, women account for just 27 per cent of executives.

Many governments, universities and research institutes in the region have implemented programmes in recent years to promote gender equality and prevent discrimination. But many women still face obstacles to advance in scientific careers.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which has put a spotlight on the importance of scientific endeavour, has also sharpened challenges for women, including the complex juggling act of succeeding at work while often doing more childcare than male counterparts. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cristobal Bellolio, hoping to be elected when Chileans vote to pick Constitutional Assembly members to draft a new Constitution, gestures to people while campaigning on a street in Santiago, Chile, May 12, 2021

O

n a crisp spring day in 2019, Cote Cumplido took up a banner and joined more than a million people marching through the streets of the Chilean capital Santiago to demand greater equality and major changes to its political system.

Now the 33-year-old is handing out flyers with her own name on them on, hoping to be elected this weekend to a body of representatives who

will over the next year lead a historic rewrite of the Andean country’s Constitution.

“Those protests were like an avalanche, the expression of a fury that built up over years at the neoliberal system,” said Cumplido, a historian at Chile’s National Library who describes herself as a feminist and says she wants greater citizen representation in politics.

“We need to deepen de-

mocracy, make it more agile, more in tune with what’s happening today and that has really driven my conviction that we need a new Constitution.”

Today and Sunday, Chileans will vote to pick 155 constitutional assembly members to draft a new Constitution to replace Chile’s charter, which was drafted during the 19731990 dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet.

The historic process is being eyed nervously by investors who have found safe haven in a turbulent region in Chile’s free-market system, and with high hopes by the 78 per cent of the people who voted in favour of such change in October last year.

Cumplido is among 1,278 prospective candidates, who include politicians, activists, academics, fashion models, TV personalities and journalists.

Half of the assembly will be male and half female, while 17 seats are reserved for representatives of Chile’s indigenous communities.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Women in Mexico use mobile apps during at-home abortions

I

n the middle of the global pandemic crisis, Maria Muñoz, a 26-year-old journalist, found herself facing an unwanted pregnancy in Mexico City. Fearful of contracting COVID-19 at a hospital or clinic she decided to abort at home, with assistance coming via the popular messaging service, WhatsApp. An increasing number of women in Mexico are turning to online support networks that advise them on how to use misoprostol, an over-thecounter ulcer medicine, to abort.

Maria found about this network through a friend, contacted them and was

added to a WhatsApp group alongside psychologists, and what they call “abortion accompaniers”. They checked in with her frequently to see how she was feeling, sent her infographics on where to get misoprostol, how to take the pills, what she should eat beforehand and sent her reminders so she would keep to the proper administration schedule.

In 30 Mexican states, women’s options to abort are very limited. The legal termination of pregnancy is only permitted under certain circumstances including rape or health factors that put the woman’s life at risk. Abortion was legalised in Oaxaca in

2019 yet very few clinics provide it as a service, making women’s access there basically non-existent.

The reproductive justice collective Morras Help Morras, which translates to Girls Help Girls, has assisted women across Mexico to terminate their pregnancies.

The group receives on average nine to 10 requests a day from women interested in terminating their unwanted pregnancy at home, said Sofia, the organisation’s co-director, who did not want to share her last name as she could face legal repercussions. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Staunch J’can Trump supporter wins GOP nod for Virginia Lieutenant Governor

“F

rom the time my family arrived in America from Jamaica, we have realised and appreciated the opportunity that the US provided us,” said an exultant Winsome Sears, after beating out five others for her party’s nod to run for lieutenant governor of Virginia.

“However, we never could have imagined that would include the possibility of being the second-in-command of the home of the American and world’s longest-standing democracy,” Sears rejoiced in a statement following the announcement of her victory.

Sears took the nomination with 54 per cent of the weighted votes at the end of the fifth ballot counting from

Saturday’s state GOP convention, to narrow the crowded field and become only the first black woman to emerge as the Republication Party’s choice for the position.

A win in November would put the former marine pilot and owner and operator of a plumbing, electrical and appliance repair business next to the Virginia Governor.

Seven of the state’s last 14 Governors previously served as Lieutenant Governor.

Winsome Earle Sears, 57, emigrated from Jamaica at six and grew up in the Bronx, New York. She took the scalps of two prominent state legislators on the way to her history-making win, The Associated Press said.

Virginia is described as blue, with Democrats win-

ning the former Republican stronghold since 2004. No Republican has won a statewide election there since 2009, and President Joseph Biden won last November’s polls by double-digits, the first Democrat to do so since 1988.

Sears, while exuding confidence about winning in the fall, will face the push back against Donald Trump whom she staunchly backed in the general election.

During the nomination campaign, she criticised the Democrats who run state government for restrictions on churches and “mom and pop” businesses during COVID-19, describing herself as “unapologetically prolife”. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices jump as major US fuel pipeline restarts, but COVID concerns cap gains

O

il prices rose on Friday, reversing some of the previous day's sharp losses as stock markets strengthened and the US dollar slipped, though gains were capped by the coronavirus situation in major oil consumer India.

Colonial Pipeline said late on Thursday it had restarted its entire pipeline system and had begun deliveries in all its markets.

The line is the major conduit from Gulf refineries to the US East Coast.

"Oil is rallying because supply is moving again, whether it is through the pipeline or the Mississippi river," said Phil Flynn, senior analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. "Tempering the excitement is ongoing concern about COVID cases in India."

The US capital was running out of gasoline on Friday despite the pipeline restart.

Gas station outages in Washington, DC, climbed to 87 per cent, from 79 per cent the day before, tracking firm GasBuddy said.

Brent crude oil futures were up US$1.54, or 2.3 per cent, at US$68.60 a barrel by 12:58 pm ET (1658 GMT) and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up US$1.45, or 2.3 per cent, at US$65.27.

The two contracts lost about 3 per cent on Thursday.

Global equities rose and the dollar slipped on Friday after US Federal Reserve officials said there would be no imminent move to tighten monetary policy in the world's biggest economy.

As oil is priced in dollars, a weaker greenback makes the commodity cheaper for holders of other currencies, potentially spurring demand.

The US Commerce Department said April retail sales stalled following a 10.7 per cent surge in March, an upward revision from the previously reported 9.7 per cent increase.

Oil prices have come under pressure this week from surging coronavirus cases in India as well as worries that the highly transmissible variant first detected there is spreading to other countries.

India on Friday reported 343,144 new coronavirus cases, taking its overall tally past the 24 million mark, while deaths from COVID-19 rose by 4000. "[Brent's] renewed failure to exceed US$70 is likely to have sparked selling by speculative market participants, especially as operation of the Colonial Pipeline is being ramped up again in the US," Commerzbank said.

US President Joe Biden reassured motorists that fuel supplies should start returning to normal this weekend, even as more filling stations ran out of gasoline across the Southeast nearly a week after a cyberattack forced a shutdown at the nation's main fuel pipeline. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Israel pounds Gaza to curb Palestinian militants, but rockets still fly

A

s the war between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip lit up the skies and sent civilians running for cover for a fifth night running on Friday, diplomats stepped up efforts to try and end the violence.

As Gazans marked a grim Eid al-Fitr feast marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan and Israel began a holiday weekend with no sign of an end to fighting, casualties spread further afield, with Palestinians reporting 11 killed in the West Bank amid clashes between protesters and Israeli security forces.

The Israeli military said more than 2000 rockets had been fired from Gaza into Israel since the start of the conflict, around half of

W

tries wanted to vaccinate children and adolescents, but said "right now, I urge them to reconsider".

Last week, US President Joe Biden laid out plans to begin coronavirus vaccine shots for 12- to 15-year-olds as soon as possible. He also said he hoped that 70 per cent of US adults would receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by July 4, when American families are expected to come together to mark Independence Day. Meanwhile, Canada has authorised the use of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for children aged between 12 and 15.

In Switzerland, some places began offering COVID vaccination appointments to 16-year-olds last week.

But while nearly all of Europe and the Americas have begun vaccination cam-

which were intercepted by missile defence systems and 350 fell into the Gaza Strip.

At least 126 people have been killed in Gaza since Monday, including

31 children and 20 women, and 950 others wounded, Palestinian medical officials said.

Among eight dead in Israel were a soldier pa-

Several Afghan worshippers killed in blast at mosque near Kabul

A

t least 12 people have been killed and more wounded in an explosion at a mosque on the outskirts of Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, according to Police.

The blast during Friday prayers in Shakar Dara district came on the second day of a three-day ceasefire agreed between the Afghan Government and the Taliban on the occasion of the Eid alFitr religious holiday. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Kabul Police spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz said explosives had been placed inside the mosque beforehand, adding that authorities had opened an investigation.

“The death toll has jumped to 12 killed including the imam of the mosque and 15 others are wounded,” said

COVID: Delay child vaccinations and share jabs with COVAX, says WHO ealthier nations should postpone plans to give children and teenagers COVID vaccines and instead donate supplies to low-income countries, the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Friday urged countries to supply more vaccines to the global fair-access scheme COVAX. The international distribution of COVID vaccines remains vastly uneven.

Since the first vaccines were approved in December, wealthier countries have bought up most of the supply.

Many are racing to vaccinate as much of their population as possible.

Speaking at a virtual conference in Geneva on Friday, the WHO's Dr Tedros said he understood why some coun-

Palestinians gather at the site of destroyed houses in the aftermath of Israeli air and artillery strikes as cross-border violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants continues in the northern Gaza Strip, May 14, 2021

trolling the Gaza border and six Israeli civilians, including two children, Israeli authorities said.

Ahead of a session of the UN Security Council on Sunday to discuss the situation, Biden Administration envoy Hady Amr, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Israel and Palestinian Affairs, flew in on Friday.

The US Embassy in Israel said the aim of his trip was "to reinforce the need to work toward a sustainable calm."

Israel launched day-long attacks to destroy what it said were several km (miles) of tunnels, launch sites and weapon manufacturing warehouses used by the militants in an effort to halt the rocket attacks.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

The WHO's Dr Tedros has warned that the second year of the pandemic is likely to be deadlier than the first

paigns, a few countries in Africa are still to get started.

The COVAX scheme was developed with the aim of first vaccinating 20 per cent of the population in the 92 poorer countries that signed up, starting with health workers.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Ferdaws Framurz, a spokesman for Kabul Police, updating an earlier toll.

An image circulating on social media showed three bodies lying on the floor of the mosque, where there seemed to be minor damage.

The explosion happened a day after at least 11 people were killed in four separate incidents across Afghanistan

that shattered the relative calm of the ceasefire agreed between the Government and the Taliban.

Although there were no reports of direct fighting between the two warring sides as they observe the temporary ceasefire, roadside bombs continued to inflict casualties on civilians.

The blast comes after

Afghan officials on Friday said the United States had pulled out completely from a major southern air base in the former Taliban stronghold of Kandahar.

US airstrikes were launched from the base just last week to help Afghan forces push back a major Taliban offensive. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Putin says Ukraine is becoming “anti-Russia”, pledges response

P

resident Vladimir Putin said on Friday that neighbouring Ukraine was becoming “anti-Russia” and that Moscow would be ready to react to what he said were threats to its own security. Putin was speaking a day after a Ukrainian court placed Viktor Medvedchuk, a prominent pro-Russian politician who says Putin is godfather to his daughter, under house arrest.

Medvedchuk, who has promoted closer ties with Moscow and acted as an intermediary between Moscow and Kyiv in the past, is being investigated over treason allegations he calls politically motivated.

Putin, in remarks to a meeting of Russia's security council, called what was happening in Ukraine a “cleansing” of the political space and accused the Ukrainian authorities of targeting people who favoured better ties with Russia and supported a peaceful settlement in eastern Ukraine where Ukrainian forces have been fighting Russian-backed separatists since 2014.

"Judging by everything, and this is very sad, Ukraine is slowly but surely turning into some kind of polar opposite of Russia, some kind of anti-Russia, and into a platform from whose territory it seems we will constantly re-

ceive news requiring our special attention from a security point of view," said Putin.

Referring to what he described as a selective and politically motivated crackdown in Ukraine on certain individuals doing business with Russia, Putin said Moscow would not stand idly by.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday the crackdown on Medvedchuk, which began in February when he and several associates were sanctioned and three television channels owned by an ally were forced off air, was a legal way of choking off what he described as his malign influence. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Lightning strike may have killed 18 wild elephants in India, officials say

A

herd of eighteen wild Asiatic elephants were found dead in India’s eastern state of Assam, possibly because of a massive lightning strike, local officials said on Friday.

Fourteen adult elephants were found dead by villagers on Thursday, and another four bodies were found scattered on the foothills of the Kundoli reserve forest area of Assam, 160 kilome-

tres from the state capital of Dispur, local wildlife official MK Yadava told Reuters.

The state government ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident on Friday, Assam's forest and wildlife minister Parimal Suklabaidya said.

"A preliminary report suggests the deaths could be due to lightning although we need to find out through forensic tests if there could be

any other reason like poisoning or disease," the minister added.

Locals who found the elephants said the animals could have been killed by a lightning strike late on Wednesday, a local forest ranger said, adding he had seen burnt trees in the area.

The ranger declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

20

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Use charm, not force, to get your way. Focus on self-improvement and personal growth. If you are fun to be with, everyone will want to be with you. Less complaining and more romance are in your best interest.

Don't hesitate. Ask questions, make decisions and get (April 20- things done. Put your energy May 20) into learning and networking, and opportunity will follow.

It's up to you to get the ball rolling.

TAURUS

DILBERT

Examine your options, update your qualifications and (May 21- look for opportunities that will June 20) lead to greater satisfaction and earning potential. Time spent with a loved one will encourage you to change your lifestyle.

GEMINI

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

Networking will lead to a generous offer. Make sure that you have your facts and expectations straight. A partnership is encouraged, as long as equality is maintained.

Stop worrying about what LEO others do and concentrate on (July 23what you want to achieve. Put Aug. 22) your heart into something that moves you. Helping others will make you feel good and boost your reputation.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Don't let anyone sweet-talk you into something excessive.

Do something constructive that will benefit you or those you love. Learn from experience to avoid being put in a vulnerable position.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

A little charm will go a long way. Choose to be amicable, and you will ward off an emotionally challenging conversation. Concentrate on personal growth, educational pursuits and romance.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Someone will offer insight into new possibilities. Don't fear traveling into unknown territory. A change to how or where you live will give you the boost you need to grow emotionally.

Stick to what and who SAGITTARIUS you know and trust. Distance (Nov. 23yourself from people who are Dec. 21) bad influences or who promote indulgent behavior. Add structure and stability to your life.

Take control. Put in the la-

CAPRICORN bor required to make your space (Dec. 22more comfortable. Work in conJan. 19) junction with a loved one, and it

will encourage a stronger bond.

Using your skills differently will lead to an opportunity.

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

Pay attention to what everyone is doing, and choose what to do based on your needs. Worry less about what others think and more about what makes you happy. Romance is favored.

Don't share personal information. Consider what you (Feb. 20March 20) enjoy doing most and find a way to incorporate it into how you earn your living. Changes at home will help you set up an effective workspace.

PISCES

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

21

NBA round-up

Suns get by Blazers on Devin Booker's late free throws reer-best 35 points scored by Toronto's Stanley Johnson, who also had 10 rebounds.

The depleted Raptors, who already were eliminated from playoff contention, have lost five in a row.

Lauri Markkanen added 20 points off the bench, and Nikola Vucevic tallied 16 points and 16 rebounds for the Bulls, who kept their faint chances for the play-in tournament alive.

Knicks: 102; Spurs: 98

Alec Burks scored a season-high 30 points, including the tiebreaking three-point play with 3:16 remaining, as New York overcame a 17-point deficit and eked out

D

evin Booker made two free throws with 2.4 seconds left as the Phoenix Suns edged the Portland Trail Blazers 118117 on Thursday night.

Chris Paul recorded 26 points and seven assists, and Mikal Bridges added 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Suns, who moved one game behind the Utah Jazz in the battle for top seed in the Western Conference.

Damian Lillard scored 24 of his 41 points in the 4th quarter for the Trail Blazers, who had a five-game winning streak snapped and failed to clinch a main-draw playoff spot.

Portland is in sixth place in the West, a half-game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers in its bid to stay out of the play-in round.

CJ McCollum added 27 points for Portland. Lillard scored at least 30 points for the seventh straight game.

Cameron Payne scored 21 points and Booker added 18 for the Suns. Phoenix centre Deandre Ayton (knee) missed a game for the first time this season.

Heat: 106; 76ers: 94

Jimmy Butler scored 21 points, and Miami took a big early lead and never looked back in a win over visiting Philadelphia.

The result kept Philadelphia from clinching the top playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Sixers, who took their second loss in a row, would clinch first place with a win over the visiting Orlando Magic on Friday night.

Tobias Harris led the 76ers with 21 points. The Heat earned their fourth straight win, and prevailed for the seventh time in eight games. Miami, tied for fifth in the East with the New

York Knicks, has two games left as it tries to climb past the fourth-placed Atlanta Hawks. The Heat got 18 points apiece from Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.

Adebayo added 12 rebounds and eight assists.

Hawks: 116; Magic: 93

Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 27 points as Atlanta continued its home dominance with a victory over Orlando.

Bogdanovic, who was uncertain to play because of a hamstring injury, made 9 of 12 shots from the floor, and sank four 3-pointers. Trae Young added 18 points and seven assists for the Hawks, who have won 10 in a row at home.

R.J. Hampton collected 18 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Magic, who have dropped five in a row.

Bucks: 142; Pacers: 133

G i a n n i s Antetokounmpo's 40 points, 15 rebounds and six assists led visiting Milwaukee to a win in Indianapolis and its first season sweep against Indiana since 2010.

Khris Middleton scored 22 points and Brook Lopez had 21 points and eight rebounds for the Bucks, who pulled to within one game of the second-placed Brooklyn Nets in the Eastern Conference.

Justin Holiday led the Pacers with 26 points, hitting eight 3-pointers.

Indiana remained tied with the Charlotte Hornets for eighth place in the East.

Grizzlies: 116; Kings: 110

Kyle Anderson ignited a 12-0 finish with a pair of hoops, including a 3-pointer, and Jonas Valanciunas posted a double-double as

Memphis formally eliminated visiting Sacramento from playoff contention.

Dillon Brooks scored a team-high 30 points and Valanciunas recorded 24 points and a game-high 13 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who assured that their position in the NBA play-in tournament -- either eighth or ninth -- would be determined in the season finale on Sunday at Golden State.

The Kings, a play-in longshot whose hopes were kept alive when the San Antonio Spurs were beaten by the New York Knicks earlier on Thursday, came up short despite a career-best 31 points from Justin James.

a victory over visiting San Antonio.

Playing only for the third time in 14 games due to COVID-19 and a knee injury, Burks scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. Julius Randle added 25 points to go along with nine rebounds and nine assists, and RJ Barrett chipped in 24 for the Knicks, who won for the 14th time in 18 games.

DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points with eight rebounds and four assists as the Spurs lost for the eighth time in 10 games. San Antonio, however, clinched a play-in berth when the Sacramento Kings lost to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Clippers: 113; Hornets: 90

Paul George amassed 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Los Angeles put together an overwhelming second-half stretch to beat host Charlotte.

Reggie Jackson poured in 19 points, Kawhi Leonard posted 16 points with nine assists, and Marcus Morris Sr. scored 15 for the Clippers, who improved to 2-0 midway through a fourgame road trip to complete the regular season.

LaMelo Ball racked up 18 points and Bismack Biyombo had 13 points for the Hornets, who took their third loss in a row. (Reuters)

Nadal beats Zverev in Italian Open quarterfinal match in Rome

Nuggets: 114; Timberwolves: 103

Nikola Jokic helped his cause in the Most Valuable Player race with 31 points and 14 rebounds, leading Denver to a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis.

The Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards strengthened his bid for NBA Rookie of the Year with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Karl-Anthony Towns wound up with 20 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota, which cut a 13-point, third-quarter deficit down to three heading into the final period.

Denver got a balanced scoring effort, with six players recording at least 12 points. Markus Howard and Vlatko Cancar both scored career highs off the bench, with 15 and 14 points respectively.

Bulls: 114; Raptors: 102

Zach LaVine scored eight of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, as Chicago defeated visiting Toronto.

The Bulls overcame a ca-

R

Rafael Nadal is aiming to win the Rome title for a record-extending 10th time

afael Nadal has responded to doubts over his form with a straight-sets’ win against sixth seed Alexander Zverev in the Italian Open quarterfinals.

The Spaniard, who saved two match points before beating Denis Shapovalov in a marathon match on Thursday, was much improved in a 6-3 6-4 victory. It was a measure of revenge for the second seed, who lost to Zverev in the Madrid quarterfinals last week.

The 34-year-old Nadal will now face American world number 47 Reilly Opelka, who reached the semifinals of a Masters 1,000 for the first time by beating Argentina's Federico Delbonis.

"I'm surprised! Clay's not really my thing, not an American thing. It's probably just a fluke," said Opelka, who entered the tournament on a six-match losing streak.

Later, Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic

faces Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, while Russian seventh seed Andrey Rublev meets Italian Lorenzo Sonego in the final last-eight match.

Overcoming Zverev and a worrying tumble Nadal is bidding for his first Masters 1,000 title of the season on his favoured clay surface, having lost to Rublev in the Monte Carlo quarterfinals, and then going down to Germany's Zverev at the same stage in Madrid.

Other than last year, when Monte Carlo and Madrid were not played because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nadal has reached at least one of the three claycourt Masters’ finals in every season since 2005. With Opelka next, Nadal is the overwhelming favourite to reach Sunday's final, after ending a run of three straight defeats against 24-year-old Zverev.

"I'm happy! I played a sol-

id match, with not many mistakes," said 20-time Grand Slam champion Nadal. "I was able to control the game a little bit more than Madrid."

There was an injury concern for Nadal, however, when he tumbled to the court in what proved to be the final game of the opening set.

Nadal turned his ankle on a raised service line as he stretched forward for a drop shot, and, with the stadium falling silent in concern, was sprawled out on the clay for a few moments afterwards.

He was able to climb to his feet, and did not require any treatment, responding by fighting off a break point to hold serve and seal the opening set. A single break of serve - for a 3-2 lead - was enough for Nadal to clinch the second set and match, although he had to dig deep and remain composed to stop Zverev from taking any of seven break points in that set. (Adapted from BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

Issue of no Guyanese male being offered a CWI contract

Hilbert Foster declines comment as Roger Harper explains

By Brandon Corlette

S

ince Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced that no Guyanese has been offered an International Retainer Contract on its men’s team, the town has been abuzz with talk. The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has launched an investigation into the matter, and concern has been expressed about the non-selection of either or all of the following players: Romario Shepherd, Shimron Hetmyer, Keemo Paul and Veerasammy Permaul.

A GCB release has indicated that the board was unaware of that development, and had not been informed of the criteria used in awarding International Retainer Contracts, nor was any reason given for the non-awarding of an International Retainer Contract to the four named Guyanese cricketers.

In recent developments, West Indies Lead Selector Roger Harper, who is also

GCB Vice-President and Director at CWI, Hilbert Foster

an executive of the GCB, disclosed that the GCB was aware of those contracted and non-contracted CWI men’s players. Harper made this disclosure on a fairly recent Mason and Guest radio programme, and then reiterated this assertion on the Sean Devers Sports Watch on the following day.

While most Guyanese are awaiting a response from the Bissoondyal Singhled GCB, Vice-President and CWI Director Hilbert Foster has said he would not comment on the matter.

“I am not authorised to

discuss CWI matters in public,” Foster told this daily publication.

When asked by this reporter about the conversation with the GCB in relation to no Guyanese being offered contracts, Harper asserted: “Before the contracted list is made public, it is presented to (the) CWI Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors include two Directors from each territory.

Harper explained that reasons are presented for the awarding of a contract to each player, and reasons are likewise presented when any player who had been contracted in the preceding year does not get his contract renewed in the current year. Further, he pointed out that Guyana had two Directors at that meeting as well.

“So, I think you need to ask the Guyana Cricket Board the question directly,” Harper added.

He also said that he and CWI Director Jimmy Adams

West Indies Lead Selector and GCB executive, Roger Harper

had presented the contracts to the relevant players.

Both Singh and Foster are newly elected directors, this CWI meeting was their first, and they had attended virtually.

Harper, who came out with all guns blazing again on the Sean Devers Sports Watch, said: “Opportunities were there for them (the CWI Directors from GCB) to ask whatever questions they needed to ask. I think (that), as a new board, what you need to do is try and get au fait with how things

work with criteria and other things in place, and then take it from there. There is no quota system which says each territory should get a certain amount of contracts.”

Harper added: “If we look at these things in detail, Sheldon Cottrell had an A+ contract the year before, and he does not have a contract [now]. The now Test captain, Kraigg Brathwaite, was vice-captain, and last year he did not have a contract.

“I find it strange that people are making it something personal that Guyana does not have any people contracted. This is nothing unique to Guyana! People have lost their contracts for various reasons, and it just happens (that) in this case, it just worked out that no one from Guyana (got a contract) for various reasons, and some of them (are) of their own making.”

Based on what is said by the GCB and Harper, the suggestion is that the relationship within the GCB is still coming into its own.

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RHTY&SC/BCB Basil Butcher Memorial Trust Fund donate to GCA and ECB

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

T

he Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), in collaboration with the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)and the Basil Butcher Memorial Trust Fund, on Thursday continued their assistance to youth cricketers across Guyana by donating four bicycles each to the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) and the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB).

The two organisations also received a combined total of 24 school bags as part of the RHTY&SC’s “Say Yes to Education” programme.

BCB President and RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, at a simple

Esuan Crandon handing over the donation to Atto Christiani of the ECB

presentation ceremony held at the world famous Bourda Cricket Ground, declared that the club, with cooperation from the BCB, had established the Fund in early 2020 in tribute to the legendary West Indies middle order batsman. After a long illness, Butcher died in the United States in December 2019, and was buried in his home village of Port Mourant on the Corentyne.

Last year, the 11 cricket teams of the club distributed millions of dollars’ worth of cycles, cricket gear, uniforms, clothing, footwear, food hampers, office materials and educational grants to less fortunate youths, public institutions, churches, and

sports organisations across the country of Berbice in memory of Basil Butcher.

The 2021 edition of this Fund was launched several weeks ago, and recently donated four bicycles to youths in Linden, where Butcher lived for most of his life after retiring from cricket in 1969.

Foster, who is also Vice President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and is a CWI Director, has said many youths are unable to attend cricket practice or school, as their parents are unable to stand the cost of transportation. In this regard, the Basil Butcher Memorial Trust Fund is seeking to assist as much as possible.

This Fund is aiming in

2021 to share out one million dollars’ worth of bicycles, and would also be placing special emphasis on promoting the importance of education.

As BCB President, Foster is calling on the youths to take proper care of the bicycles, and has committed the two organisations to providing even more assistance in the future.

He reminded the youths of the importance of having a good education, and the need to be disciplined at all times. Foster also committed to working along with the executives of the Essequibo Cricket Board, in his capacity as Chairman of the GCB Cricket Development

Committee, to lift the standard of cricket in Essequibo.

National Coach Esuan Crandon, a longstanding member of the RHTY&SC, handed over the donations to Shaun Massiah and Atto Christiani of the GCB and ECB respectively, and both organisations expressed gratitude for the timely gesture.

The Late Basil Butcher had played 44 Test matches for the West Indies between 1958 and 1969, and had been widely considered to be one of the best batsmen Guyana has produced. He scored 3104 runs at an average of 43.11, and registered seven centuries and sixteen half-centuries.

2237230-1

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SATURDAY, MAY 15 , 2021

23

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MACORP donates customised tee signs to Lusignan Golf Club – MACORP CEO says, “We will continue to render support”

By Timothy Jaikarran

I

n a simple handing-over ceremony, Machinery Corporation of Guyana Ltd (MACORP) handed over a total of 21 customised tee signs to the Lusignan Golf Club on Friday.

Speaking on behalf of MACORP, CEO Guillermo Escarraga delivered the feature address, and stressed on the importance of supporting the Lusignan Golf Club.

“We want to congratulate the Lusignan (Golf Club) executives on the work they have been doing, this course is magnificent.

The Lusignan Golf Club is currently improving this ground for golfers to come and enjoy quality play, and to show golfers what it takes to come and play.

“This handing over of

MACORP CEO Guillermo Escarraga

LGC President Patanjilee Persaud

signs is just a testimony of what can be done when we work as a team. We have been working with LGC for 15 years, and we at MACORP continue to be proud of being an integral part of what takes place here. We will continue to render support to LGC, so more players can come and enjoy; and they can count on our support in anything

they need in the future. We want to be a part of this management,” Escarraga declared.

What MACORP has done with the introduction of tee signs is that it will tell the players the distance from one flag to the other. It basically gives the player the information of what has to be done when they are at whichever hole.

Also speaking at the simple ceremony was Lusignan Golf Club President Patanjilee Persaud, who praised the MACORP Group for their investment in the club.

“We just want to say a big ‘thank you’ to MACORP. (They) are more than just a friend. There is a saying: ‘you go all in’, and with MACORP, they go all in when it comes to the LGC. They have always stood by us, and we are appreciative of them. We want to express deep gratitude as we could not make it this far without MACORP” Persaud declared.

Persaud added that, 15 years ago, MACORP joined with the Lusignan Golf Club, and has continuously supported the club. He reiterated that MACORP is known for its support of

One of the 21 signs donated by MACORP

community service projects and sports in Guyana.

MACORP is the only

authorised Caterpillar Guyana.

dealer for products in

CWI confirms busy home schedule with South Africa, Australia and Pakistan tours – Pakistan to play at Providence on July 31, August 1 and August 3

Team Pakistan

Team Australia

C

ricket West Indies (CWI) today announced an action-packed schedule for the West Indies Men, featuring three consecutive international home tours against South Africa, Australia and Pakistan from June to August 2021.

The Test and T20 International (T20I) series against the Proteas, rescheduled from 2020, will start the international summer.

The world-renowned tourism destinations of Saint Lucia and Grenada will be the West Indies host venues.

South Africa are due to arrive in St Lucia on June 1, and will play two Test matches at The Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, followed by five T20Is at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium from June 26 to July 3.

CWI is grateful to the Governments of St Lucia and Grenada for agreeing, at relatively short notice, to host the touring South Africans. This will be the first time since 2010 that

South Africa would be playing bilateral cricket in the West Indies.

Then from July 9 to 24, Australia whiteball tour of the West Indies would also begin at St Lucia’s Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, where five T20Is would be hosted. The Aussies then move on to Barbados for three day/night CG Insurance Team South Africa One Day Internationals (ODIs) at the world-faNational Stadium from 31 mous Kensington Oval.

July to 3 August.

The CG Insurance ODIs The West Indies and provide the opportunity for Pakistan teams will then West Indies to secure more travel to Jamaica for two points in the ICC ODI Super back-to-back Test matches League, as they strive to at Sabina Park from August qualify automatically for the 12 to August 24, which 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup would end four days prior to following the recent 3-0 victhe start of the Caribbean tory against Sri Lanka.

Premier League in St Kitts.

Pakistan are schedThis schedule features uled to arrive in Barbados a total of fifteen T20Is for on July 21 ahead of their the reigning ICC T20 World five-match T20I Series. The Champions, as the West first two matches would be Indies continue the buildplayed at Kensington Oval up to their title defense at before the Aussies travel to the ICC T20 World Cup, Guyana to play the concludin October and November ing three T20Is at Guyana’s 2021.

West Indies have a packed home schedule for the 2021 season

CWI CEO Johnny Grave has said: “Following the successful hosting of the all-format series against Sri Lanka earlier this year, we are delighted to announce that we are set to welcome South Africa, Australia and Pakistan to the West Indies.

“To host three international teams back-to-back in five territories is unprecedented, and putting these fixtures together was an enormous COVID-related logistical challenge.

“We must thank the visiting teams for agreeing to travel at this challenging period for world cricket, and

we are especially grateful to our regional governments who are playing such a vital role in partnering with CWI to ensure that international cricket can be hosted safely, while providing entertainment for our loyal fans and income for our cricketers and cricket communities.”

CWI has also been working closely with territorial cricket boards, along with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sport, in all the host countries to orchestrate all the logistics and agree the safety and medical protocols for the tour.

All players, support staff

and match officials will stay, train and play in a bio-secure environment, with regular COVID-19 PCR testing taking place, with assistance from the Ministries of Health and from CARPHA. It is not yet determined whether fans would be able to attend matches in person. However, they would be able to follow the action live on TV in the Caribbean with Flow Sport, live on radio with Vibes FM and their partner radio stations, and via ball-by-ball updates and the new live blog in the match-centre on www.windiescricket.com. (CWI)

SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2021

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

RHTY&SC/BCB Basil Butcher Memorial Trust Fund donate to GCA and ECB CWI confirms busy home schedule with South Africa, Australia and Pakistan tours – Pakistan to play at Providence on July 31, August 1 and August 3 Page 23

Page 22

MACORP donates customised tee signs to Lusignan Golf Club – MACORP CEO says, “We will continue to render support”

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