Guyana Times - Saturday April 9, 2022

Canada’s Trade Minister to visit Guyana next week P12

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

Issue No. 4974

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022

Guyana-led regional food security vision touching different corners globally – President Ali See story on page 3

…4 mega UAE firms to join 100+ participants in May's Investment Forum & Expo National Day of Fasting & Prayer

Religious community integral part of foundation for “One Guyana” – President Ali …says a united Guyana will lead to prosperity Page 2

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Beware of P17 Nigerians' "romance" scam – SOCU warns Guyanese “Stop causing confusion” – Harbour Bridge manager to motorists P16 Teen wanted for killing P11 Soesdyke man

Man jailed P11 6 years for attempted murder Govt assisting with radiation treatment for cancer patients – P15 Health Minister

Students of Annai Primary School, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) joined in the National Day of Fasting and Prayer (Ministry of Education photo)

Accused ‘Mudwata’ character, Keron Bruce charged for cyberbullying

Page 8

CARICOM leaders support Guyana in ‘20 by 2025 agenda’ Page 7

Men accused of wrapping P9 cocaine pellets on $600,000 bail

Couple busted with ganja in home, vehicle P12

...to cut regional food imports by 25%

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

National Day of Prayer

Religious community integral part of foundation for “One Guyana” – President Ali …says a united Guyana will lead to prosperity

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hurches, mosques, and temples are an integral part of the foundation for the “One Guyana” initiative, led by President Dr Irfaan Ali. This pronouncement was made on Friday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre as

sure that the value system through which they operate uphold always the rule of law, uphold democratic principles, uphold equality, uphold tolerance, uphold peace, uphold patience and compassion; And that we do not waiver on these values,

able of to achieve peace, even with all of its wealth and natural resources, if the people of the country cannot support and build each other up. This, he stated, is fundamental.

“Until we understand this, fundamentally, we can

President Dr Irfaan Ali, along with Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, Mignon BowenPhillips, Chancellor of Judiciary Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir, stands reverently during the National Day of Fasting and Prayers’ interfaith ceremony on Friday

brief address said that for Guyana to achieve peace, love, and harmony, we must first harness the culture of respect, love, and acceptance.

Two Miles Primary School in Bartica, Region Seven

the Government of Guyana and its people observed the first-ever National Day of Fasting and Prayers with an interfaith meeting.

In his address to the proud crowd of people from the three major religious groups in Guyana, President Ali said that churches, mosques, temples, and other religious bodies are the foundation that supports the “One Guyana” initiative. He noted that Guyana as a society must stand on these religious foundations to ensure that the country sees all the wealth that is to come.

“The foundation of prin-

in areas that you are weak, in areas that you should change, and areas that you should strengthen. And in that reflection, we must also renew. We must renew our self-worth, our dignity. We must renew our own self, within, to be better,” he advised.

The President shared that it is his hope that the people of Guyana are reawakened and reopened to a desire for peace and acceptance after the National Day of Fasting and Prayers.

Reawaken and reopen

“It is my hope that today reawake, and reopen a new desire among all of us, to see

Arapaima Primary School in Region Nine - National Day of Fasting and Prayer

get all the wealth that God can bless us with, we can have all the natural resources, but we’ll never be able to have peace, we will never be able to prosper because we will be more worried about how we can get ahead of each other than how we can support each other and build each other up, that is fundamentally what is necessary.

“This period of fasting gives us that opportunity to seek each other out, to engage, pull each up, pray for each other, to support each

“For us to achieve this peace, love, and harmony, we have to develop and harness the culture of respect and love and acceptance, and as we do so, our realisation of this perfect “One” happens,” she said.

President Ali encouraged the Guyanese people to reflect on themselves during this period of fasting, to better their weaknesses, and aspire to change, to better themselves.

“In this period of fasting, we must take some time to

Kawall Primary students praying

Parabara Primary, Region 9 on this National Day of Prayer

ciples that the One Guyana must stand on, the churches, the mosques, the temples, and the religious bodies must be an integral part on that foundation. Because fundamentally, the principles that govern a society that is just are the principles that governs religious undertaking,” the President explained.

The Head of State said that he is convinced that if the “One Guyana” initiative is to be built on a religious foundation that governs the Guyanese people, it will foster a better society.

“I am convinced that if our religious institutions en-

mental elements of the foundation and fabric that will guide us as a society and a country must give birth to the way in which we operate.”

The diverse, colourful interfaith religious event saw a turnout of Guyanese from Guyana’s three major religious denominations who wore their respected religious attire to partake in a nationwide day of fasting and prayers.

The crowd, seated on the lawn of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, cheered along to the presentations from President Ali, Minister Waldron, and religious leaders from all three religions.

but we ensure that these values are fundamental to the foundation of what we share in our congregation, of what we share with the people under our charge, then our country will be stronger, our institutions will be stronger.”

Empowerment

Moreover, the President highlighted the importance of creating unity between the people of Guyana, one that promotes and encourages empowerment and the basic humanitarian act of building each other up. He pointed out that Guyana as a country will never be

Prisoners observing the National Day of Fasting and Prayer

other,” he said.

In this regard, the Tourism, Industry, and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond in her

reflect, reflect on our own sense of purpose, do our own self-evaluation, do some introspection, and don’t be afraid to call yourself out,

a country that is happier, a country that is more united, a country with greater respect for each other, and a country in which funda-

Prayers and musical numbers were also delivered to the audience. After, the three religions parted ways as they went to specific sections of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre to break their fast.

The day of fasting and prayers was called as three significant religious observances are overlapping this month – Muslims are observing Ramadan, Hindus are observing Chaitra Navratri, and Christians are observing Lent.

This rare occurrence offers a meaningful opportunity for Guyanese from all religious persuasions to come together to pray for Guyana.

(Shane Marks)

NEWS

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SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Saturday, Apr 9 – 23:00h – 00:30h and Sunday, Apr 10 – 23:30h – 01:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, Apr 9 – 09:05h – 10:35h and Sunday, Apr 10 – 10:45h – 12:15h.

…4 mega UAE firms to join 100+ participants in May's Investment Forum & Expo

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be light rain showers and light cloud during the day and night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 09:38h and 22:43h reaching maximum heights of 2.08 metres and 1.96 metres.

Low Tide: 15:59h reaching a minimum height of 1.14 metre.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS C

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FREE TICKET

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FRIDAY, APRIL 8, 2022

DAILY MILLIONS

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

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Guyana-led regional food security vision touching different corners globally – President Ali

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali, who is leading the Caribbean Community’s (Caricom) food security initiative, has disclosed that there is widespread interest by global investors in the “25 by 2025” initiative that focuses on achieving food security in the region.

He made this remark at Friday’s launch of the inaugural Agri-Investment Forum and Expo, which will be held in Guyana from May 19 to 21.

Under the theme: “Investing in Vision 25 by 2025”, the event is aimed at promoting and improving the region’s productivity and resilience of its agri food systems, thus, reducing the Caribbean’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

According to the Guyanese Head of State, the initiative is already gaining interest from major potential investors. In fact, he disclosed that during his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last month, where he led the Caribbean Export Development Agency to attend the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF2022), more than 90 per cent of the conversations he had there were on the region’s agricultural sector.

“And as an emerging oil and gas producer, I’m proud to say that 97 per cent of the conversation in the UAE surrounded food security and agricultural development for the region…

And I’m very, very proud of that. Sometimes, we believe things go unnoticed but our vision in Caricom is already touching different corners of the globe,” President Ali stated.

Moreover, he further disclosed that at least 20 international companies including global players in the food trade industry have already confirmed their attendance at next month’s Investment Forum and Expo.

“In the UAE, we have been able to secure in attendance at this forum of four of the largest buyers and distributors of food and agricultural products. They will be coming here to be part of the expo to look at the opportunities. But more than buying and distribution, they invest in the agricultural potential of countries,” the President pointed out.

Among the areas being targeted by these potential Middle East investors are coffee, cocoa, spices and sugar cane.

According to the Head of State, the issue of food security and achieving the “25 by 2025” target is complex and multifaceted, in that it is not only about producing the food but heavily involves finance, technology, partner-

President Dr Irfaan Ali speaking at the launch of the inaugural Agri-Investment Forum and Expo on Friday at the Arthur Chung Conference Center

ship, shared responsibilities, job creation, niche markets, and transport and logistics.

As such, it was revealed that the Inter-American Development Bank’s investment arm – IDB Invest, has also committed to not only be involved in the “25 by 2025” vision but also participate in the May event.

In addition, Republic Bank Limited (RBL) has already set aside funds to support this regional initiative.

To this end, President Ali called on other regional institutions to similarly follow suit.

“We want to see all other financial institutions being part of this by doing exactly the same, making it a mainstream part of their alloca-

tion,” he asserted.

The Guyanese leader went on to revealed that his Government has also secured the support of the Canadian and European Union envoys in Guyana to lend assistance in the area of food security.

“So the appetite is there.

The time is right, we must now embrace it,” he stressed.

While positing that he is not worried anymore about financing for the region’s efforts to achieve food security, President Ali, nevertheless, reassured of Guyana’s commitment to financially support Caricom’s implementation of the 25 by 2025 strategy.

“I’ve heard enough, I’ve seen enough, I’ve listened

enough to know that we can attract the financing to support the vision… [But] it is how we package what we want, and that is what the Caricom Secretariat and the technical team would be doing – working with every single country to package what we want, in a real way not in a selling way. We can’t package something, and when investors come, they take ten months to facilitate the process of getting off the ground. That is superficial.

That is not what we want to achieve,” the President stated.

On this note, Guyanese leader underscored the importance of partnership within the region in order for the food security vision to be fruitful. He contended that if stakeholders across the region work together then Caricom would be successful in meeting the 25 by 2025 target.

“We cannot do this without each other. The region must understand that we are all partners in this. We can’t restrict each other; we can’t be barriers to each other. For it to be successful, we have to facilitate each other. We must have a win-win scenario, and that is what we want to create – build an agricultural system, a food system that is victorious for every single stakeholder involved… We now look forward for the support of all of you in the region, in the private sector, in the field of food production and distribution to work with us,” the Guyanese leader stated.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022

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

Minibus ‘culture’

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nacceptable attitudes of many of the minibus operators have been a sore point over the years, and seem to have worsened despite pleas from the public. Sadly, it’s not just one area of concern, but is wideranging within the service they provide, and to other road users.

Much has been said about the loud and lewd music which all, including schoolchildren, are forced to endure on a daily basis. There is no respite, and any objection by commuters is met with disdain, disrespect, and wanton abuse, in many cases. It appears that there is no consideration by these uncaring operators that they depend on the commuters for their livelihood.

In a country that is slowly becoming more serviceoriented, those who buy are given due importance, as competitiveness increases. Maybe the time for competitiveness in public transportation, which many believe has passed, is now. The provision of this service is bread and butter for the operators and many owners; however, safety for road users and the provision of a better service cannot be continually disregarded.

In an age when the wheel is no longer invented, lessons can be leant from some Caribbean countries that have had the service regularised. Templates can be borrowed from countries that have both private and Government-operated services. The power of choice not just empowers, in this case commuters, but brings competition that generally redounds in better services.

Of course, there is, for some, the argument of preference for what is currently provided by the minibus operators. The bottom line is that they do not speak for everyone. Those who have been shamed for speaking up against loud and profanity-laced music crave for a service or system that would bring them much-needed relief. Same for the elderly, same for those with illnesses, and same for those who are harassed and pressured, sometimes physically, into a minibus.

Some commuters, based on knowledge, tend to choose the minibus they wish to travel in, so as to reduce the likelihood of being exposed to the blaring music, and to some extent avoid being subjected to indiscriminate driving. But sometimes circumstance may not allow for this – given urgencies, weather, and other related factors. There is also the scenario of the appearance of a “peaceful” minibus before the journey commences, but afterwards the music booms, trapping commuters. While some would disembark, others may not, for good reasons.

In fairness to operators, some are trying to provide a proper service, have shown respect to commuters, and abide by traffic laws. They would have, over time, highlighted challenges faced, including those from touts.

While one expectation would be for them to be more vociferous and to advocate for change from within, it appears that the odds are stacked against them. They face peer pressure and pressure to meet their daily target by influential owners of some minibuses, making it difficult for change from within.

Inappropriate mode of dress, running red lights, speeding, not returning change, some drinking while driving, cutting dangerously into the path of other drivers, demanding with their hands out that they must pass or get in front, carrying way in excess of the number of passengers legally allowed, and using roads that are not authorised as per their road service are some of the indiscretions commuters and other road users are forced to endure from some minibus operators.

Importantly, continuous exposure to high-decibel sound is a health risk, and this should be of concern to the relevant authorities with respect to the wellbeing of commuters. This is another front that can be used to bring some order to the situation. The seat-belt law and no smoking in public places are two important initiatives for safeguarding public safety and health that have been implemented.

It must not only be important for the creation of a friendly and caring image to tourists, but fundamentally to Guyanese, who daily toil and make sacrifices here to pay requisites fares.

The overriding consideration must be for the welfare of the commuters.

Dr Irfaan Ali chatting with an exhibitor at the Arthur Chung Conference Center on Friday during the launch of Agri-Investment Forum Expo, which is slated for May 19-21 (OP photo)

Guyanese are proud of development currently taking place

Dear Editor, I believe that most Guyanese who are residing either in or out of Guyana are very proud of the development currently taking place in our country.

That patriotism, even though not always evident, is present, and often on display when there is a gathering of Guyanese or people of like-mind at home or abroad.

People who were born before the beginning of the twenty-first century are familiar with the word ‘potential’; this word is repeatedly used by our policy-makers when describing Guyana from an economic perspective. Well, at long last, the word ‘potential’ has real meaning.

This potential has become an increasing reality, especially in the context of infrastructural and human development, with complementary efforts to brand and market the country as a credible tourism destination. All Guyanese would have been proud of, and arguably benefited from, the Linden Highway, the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the University of Guyana, the various housing development initiatives, the construction of additional modern hospitals (Linden, for example) among other things.

A few years ago, I was visiting Linden with some overseas-based Guyanese

who were travelling on this road for the first time.

There were comments like, “Wow! I never knew that there was such a highway in Guyana.” At no time during the discussions did anyone ask which party was in Government when it was constructed. They saw these initiatives as development for all Guyanese.

Suffice it to say that the love for country goes beyond limited political persuasions and ideologies, and extends to - in the case of overseas-based Guyana - a desire to return and invest in the continued development of this beloved country.

Arguably, in the recent past, there has been an increasing number of Guyanese resettling in their homeland. This, in and off itself, suggests an immense desire to make and call Guyana home, and an interest in its continued development.

It must be said, though, that sometimes our growing development in several sectors is lost or overshadowed by political noise. I understand that during the elections’ campaign period, political parties have manifestos that outline their plans for developing the country, and once in Government, they will constantly remind the public of the success stories. I fully understand that it is the nature of politics.

However, at some stage, the focus must be less on taking credit and more on getting all our people to feel that they directly or indirectly contributed to our country’s development. This latter view is sometimes debatable as politics, as we can all agree that it can be polarising and impacts attitudes and behaviours, especially relative to love of country. Hence, it’s my view that our country is viewed by many Guyanese through the prism of politics, rather than “love of country”.

I remember a time in the not-too-distant past, when Guyanese of both African and Indian descent essentially disowned their country of birth and associated with foreign countries due to perceived political backlash. For example, I’ve witnessed the sad revelation of Guyanese of African descent saying Ghana is their homeland, and Guyanese of Indian descent claiming a Trinidad and Tobago birthright before emigrating to Canada or the USA (I have heard these comments with my own two ears). This, coupled with limited or biased mass media coverage of the country and event-related activities, contributes to the overall low morale of Guyanese, at home and especially abroad, to be proud of the progress made by country.

Take the coverage of

the expansion of the CJIA in the last four years as an example, and you will notice the widespread negative reflection of unplanned delays and other challenges without much rational explanation for same.

Arguably, this impacts perceptions about accountability, transparency, and other values about Guyana. This is where initiatives such as deliberate country-specific public relations and marketing make a huge difference to not only present information in a user-friendly and palatable way, but address myths and misconceptions in order to foster credibility. I honestly believe when people, especially the youth, see Guyana for what it’s worth, and could relate to similar features in the developed countries, they will be proud of their country. This would enhance patriotism, and there will be less desire to emigrate.

Thus, we must be intentional that neither politics nor race must define our love for country.

The point I am making, Editor, is that patriotism and love for one’s country is directly linked to people seeing not only the beauty of nature, but the development projects that not only improve the standard of living of the population, but showcase the country.

Sincerely, Keith Burrowes

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022

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

Tomfoolery of the Opposition seems endless Dear Editor, The headline “APNU/ AFC cannot benefit from its own wrongdoing” is like a common theme where the Opposition is concerned.

Just look at the aftermath of the March 02, 2020 elections and see if you get the drift. I am talking here that, in the face of recorded evidence, the Opposition continually seeks to litigate, when its members are initiators and perpetuators of some of the most egregious crimes where Guyana’s political landscape is concerned.

I see that the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall SC, is rightfully baffled by what is now taking place. I am referring to the legal proceedings filed by the APNU/ AFC Coalition, challenging the passage of the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) law.

Like he said, the “Opposition cannot benefit from its own wrongdoing.” I mean, this seems a trend. One only has to revisit the bucking of the No Confidence Motion and then, even now, referring to

the present Government as the ‘installed’ PPP/C. It is like a joke when I read some of the issues in the current matter. For example, “… the absence of the original Parliament Mace, during the passage of the NRF Bill in December last…,” is now an issue.

We all saw, followed and recorded what took place, and what led to the disputes surrounding the Parliament Mace. The thing was grabbed, tugged, and fought over, and Opposition members sought to wreak havoc in Parliament on that occasion.

Now it is the court for them. I ask: what will the court and all Guyana see when time for ‘proof’ comes up?

Of course, as expected, the NRF Bill was passed after a series of chaotic events that erupted in the National Assembly on December 29, when it was brought up for debate.

The Opposition’s disruptions had escalated into a confrontation between some of their MPs

What is the status of those who disrupted Parliament session?

By Hindus For Selfless Service

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haitra Navratri is a nine-day festival to Goddess Durga’s nine incarnations and is observed every year after Holi. It is also known as Vasant/Spring Navratri, that starts on the first day of the Hindu LuniSolar calendar which falls in March or April. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and each of her nine incarnations is worshipped on successive nights.

Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar and that’s why this Navratri is called Chaitra Navratri. It is also known as Rama Navratri, as Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama usually falls on the ninth day during Navratri festivity.

This year Goddess Durga festival commenced on April 1, 2022, and will conclude on April 10, 2022. The festival celebrates the nine forms of Hindu Goddess Durga and each day is associated with a different colour.

Day 9 – Maa Siddhidatri Colour: Purple On the eve of Ram Navami, Chaitra Navaratri comes to an end. It's the ninth day of the auspicious festival and today we worship Goddess Siddhidatri, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The meaning of her name is: Sidhi which stands for supernatural power while dhatri is known as the giver. There are 8 siddhis.

Maa Siddhidatri is the manifestation of the formless Adishakti. Lord Shiva himself worships Adishakti. On this day devotees worship Maa Siddhidatri for spiritual knowledge.

Maa Siddhidatri sits on fully bloomed pink coloured lotus flower. She is having four hands. In her right hands she is holding discus(chakra), and mace (gada), in her left hands conch (shankha) and lotus. She is also shown riding a lion.

Dear Editor, Parliament will meet next week, at which time new members of the Opposition will be sworn in, but what is the status of those put before the oversight body (Committee of Privileges) after their disgraceful and disruptive conduct and behaviour in the hallowed

chamber, during which they tried to steal the Mace?

Is there still no outcome on the investigation and disciplinary measures to be instituted? After several months, why must this important issue still linger unresolved?

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

and Parliament staff after the Mace was stolen from in front the Speaker. I mean, the evidence is there - quite vivid and incontrovertible.

This time-wasting exercise should carry some heavy penalties.

I like what the AG said, that is, “…the Opposition cannot now challenge the passage of the bill when they had caused the damage…” in the first place, and were wholly responsible for it. All Guyana saw that “They (the Opposition) removed the Mace and attempted to run away with it, but in the process, they were stopped and the Mace broken – all of this was recorded – and they left the sitting.” How ludicrous and preposterous can a group of people be?

It went further, and again, the footage is there to see. It was the Opposition who actually forfeited their belonging on the occasion. The members left the Parliament after they did their damage, and as expected, when the bill was passed in their absence, they are now ‘trying a thing,’ that is: heading to a court of law.

I see that Christopher Jones, in his capacity as a Member of Parliament, is one of the persons who signed the petition, claiming that the bill was passed illegally because the Mace was not in place. A group created a raucous, sought to impede a matter, abstained

from it, and its members are now crying foul.

Let me quickly go back to December 2018, when the No Confidence Motion was being voted on. Then Speaker, Dr. Barton U.A. Scotland, upended the then Government when its side tried to escape a ‘count in process’ that was going against the Government. In this current case, “A substitute Mace was used, authorized by the Speaker, Manzoor Nadir, because they, the Opposition) broke the real Mace. As pointed out, “That Mace was authorised by the Speaker and the Clerk, Sherlock Isaacs, and respected by the Assembly.

As we all know, and as pointed out by AG Nandlall, the Opposition, instead of participating in the proceedings and debating the bill, chose to disrupt the proceedings, and now wants to benefit from its own wrongdoing. This is like a big LOL. Let me remind readers that, universally, there is the pervasive legal principle that no one can benefit from his or her own wrongdoing. So, as I see it, it is a waste of time and money to ask the courts in Guyana to declare a law ‘illegal’ just because one side of the National Assembly ran away with the Mace, breaking it, and now is seeking legitimisation.

Yours truly, H Singh

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SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

By Sylvia Plath

I

n this fun and easy water science experiment, we’re going to make a water filter.

pot

Materials: Two baking pans Empty two-litre bottle Medium-sized flower Coffee filter Sand Pebbles Funnel Dirt Water

Instructions: Put the coffee filter into the flower pot.

Put about two inches of pebbles into the bottom of the flower pot.

Pour sand into the pot until it is about three quarters full.

Use your funnel to add about a cup of dirt to your two-litre soda bottle.

Fill the bottle nearly full

with water.

Put on the cap and shake the bottle to mix the soil and water.

Pour some of the muddy water into one of the pans.

Now set the flower pot in the other pan.

Slowly pour the muddy water into the flower pot and observe the water that comes out into pan.

The water will not be very clear at first. Keep working the water through your filter system and compare it to your control sample of muddy water.

How it works: The pebbles and sand act as a natural filter and will help purify the water.

Make this a science project: Try adding food colouring to the water. Try different amounts of pebbles and sand. (sciencefun.org)

“Mathematics is the language with which God has written the universe” – Galileo Galilei

I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions.

Whatever I see I swallow immediately Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike.

I am not cruel, only truthful ‚ The eye of a little god, four-cornered.

Most of the time I meditate on the opposite wall.

It is pink, with speckles. I have looked at it so long I think it is part of my heart. But it flickers.

Faces and darkness separate us over and over.

Now I am a lake. A woman bends over me, Searching my reaches for what she really is.

Then she turns to those liars, the candles or the moon.

I see her back, and reflect it faithfully.

She rewards me with tears and an agitation of hands.

I am important to her. She comes and goes.

Each morning it is her face that replaces the darkness.

In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman Rises toward her day after day, like a terrible fish.

Summary

Just as the title suggests, the poem is about a mirror in its many forms. It is written from the perspective of the mirror as it comments on its own objective reflection of the things around it. It considers itself wholly truthful, an impartial retelling of the physical appearance of something devoid of preconceptions. The first stanza simply relates the mirror’s basic function, and its regular meditation on the pink speckled wall opposite to it, separated momentarily by the darkness of night cycles and passing faces. The second stanza shows the mirror in the form of a lake. The mirror now relates saddening recurring interactions with a woman who uses the lake as a mirror, trying to see what she is. The mirror (as the lake) reflects her appearance truthfully, triggering great unhappiness and displeasure in the woman, bringing her to tears. The lake and its objective reflection of her fading youth is like an important ritual to her. Daily, she sees old age appear more and more in her features, as though something horrible is rising in the lake each time she consults its impartial reflection. The themes of the poem include appearance vs reality, senescence, time and women. The mood is somewhat reflective and pensive. The tone is matter-of-fact (dignified) based on the mirror’s pride in its impartial reflective properties. (quelpr.com)

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SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CARICOM leaders support Guyana in ‘20 by 2025 agenda’ ...to cut regional food imports by 25%

President Dr Irfaan Ali speaking at Friday’s launch of the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo, which will be held in Guyana from May 19 to 21

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uyana continues to receive the support of countries within the Caribbean Community (Caricom) as it leads efforts to reduce the region’s high food import bill through the “25 by 2025” initiative.

To this end, the country will be hosting the inaugural Agri-Investment Forum and Expo at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) from May 19 to 21 to bring together producers, importers and exporters, investors and other players to promote and improve the region’s productivity and resilience of its agrifood systems.

The event will be held under the theme: “Investing in Vision 25 by 2025”.

Speaking at the launch on Friday, Guyana’s Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, whose Ministry is collaborating with the Caricom Secretariat to host the event, said among the objectives of the forum is to create opportunities that will promote food security in the region.

He noted that this will be one of many initiatives undertaken to pave new pathways that will reduce the region’s almost US$6 billion food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

“It is the intent that this will be a great push to cross-border investment in the Caricom member states for investment to stimulate agricul-

ture diversification, increase production, and achieve food security… This forum provides a unique platform to nurture, develop and expand our partnership base even further. We must seize this opportunity. We – and the rest of the Caribbean region – stand only to benefit,” Mustapha stated.

The two principal objectives of the event are matching bankable agricultural projects with available private and public financing, and making potential investors and other stakeholders aware of new and emerging opportunities in Caricom agriculture, including technological and logistical solutions. It will focus on specific areas in the food value chain including: primary production (farm and field); agro processing (including post-harvesting and marketing); logistics (distribution, shipping, air cargo), and infrastructural development, including in the areas of finance and technology.

According to the Agriculture Minister, “the forum will be a great opportunity allowing for full interaction among those in attendance, and ultimately facilitating the matching between bankable projects and prospective investors”.

Meanwhile, Caricom Secretary General, Dr Carla Barnett pointed out during Friday’s launch that there is

no better time than now to do what is needed to better withstand future crises as a region.

“The time for bold and decisive action is now. This is the clearest opportunity for the Caricom Region to seize control, and chart its own destiny in food and nutrition security.

We must get it right this time if we are to grow our agri sector and develop our economies.

Too often as a Region, we have not been able to take advantage of what is right in front of us and we will do that now,” she stated.

Dr Barnett posited that agriculture remains a major pillar of Caricom Member States’ economies, and has the potential to contribute significantly to economic resilience and drive inclusive socio-economic development across the region.

To this end, she noted that the upcoming forum and expo will provide the perfect opportunity to not only further the development of the region’s agri food systems but also set a solid foundation for a platform that will accelerate and propel intra-regional trade and economic development.

“We have a cadre of hard-working farmers, agro-processors and marketers, all of whom deserve our assistance in the delivery of technological, logistical and financial solutions aimed at raising their levels of competitiveness… The forum and

SVG’s Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves

Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley

Prime Minister of Belize John Briceno

expo will bring together investors and other stakeholders who will share information on the specific opportunities that exist for enhanced commercial activity. It is therefore expected that, coming out of this engagement, there will be concrete investment opportunities that can be pursued and for which the necessary support can be provided,” the Caricom SG asserted.

Another major stakeholder supporting the efforts towards achieving the 25 by 2025 target is the private sector – both locally and regionally. The Guyana’s Private Sector Commission (PSC) and Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited, which is plugging funds into this regional initia-

tive, have lauded the upcoming event.

In fact, the AgriInvestment Forum and Expo will also see participation by other Caricom nations including Belize, St Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG) and Barbados – all of whom have expressed their support for the Guyana-led 25 by 2025 target.

“We have a solemn obligation, to our people, to feed our people…this is now our mission. I trust and pray that those of us who come to Georgetown on May 19 will find it possible, therefore, to pull together all aspects of the plan necessary – from planting, from raring livestock, to logistics, to marketing, to packing and of course, ad-

vertising,” Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley stated during brief virtual remarks at Friday’s launch.

She was joined by SVG’s Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, and current Caricom Chair, Prime Minister of Belize John Briceno, both of whom spoke, virtually also, about the importance of collaboration and urged regional stakeholders to participate in next month’s forum and expo.

Already, some 20 international companies, 33 regional companies and 53 local companies and at least four global institutions have confirmed their participation in the AgriInvestment Forum and Expo.

(G8)

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Accused “Mudwata” character Keron Bruce charged for cyberbullying

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he man allegedly behind the social media cartoon character “Mudwata”, 35-year-old photographer Keron Bruce was on Friday charged with using a computer to embarrass and humiliate a local journalist.

Bruce, of 295 Soesdyke Back Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was arraigned before Magistrate Sunil Scarce at the Diamond/ Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that on January 25, 2021, at Soesdyke, EBD, he used a computer system to disseminate information about journalist/editor Leroy Smith, knowing same to be false.

Police are alleging that the information subjected Smith to public ridicule, contempt, hatred, or embarrassment.

Bruce, who was represented

by Attorney-at-Law Bernard Da Silva, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted $100,000 bail.

He returns to court on April 29. Back in January, Police arrested Bruce along with several other persons on allegations of the cartoon character slandering persons.

Police headquarters said that ranks seized several pieces of equipment from Bruce’s DD Eccles, EBD home. In addition, several voice messages were also collected, which when analysed, matched with the “Mudwata”

under the previous APNU/ AFC Government – to investigate any report made with respect to cyberbullying.

Moving on...

Libel suit

Charged: Keron Bruce

commentary.

His arrest came days after Smith, who is also the owner of the online media outlet, Big Smith News Watch, offered a $1 million reward for the proper identity of the cartoon character. Smith made this offer after a video was posted by “Mudwata” aggressively attacking him. Smith, after the arrest, had stated that several persons had come forward with information about the cartoon character.

As such, a court order was issued to search Bruce’s house for any evidence that would pin him to the character. The Police are obliged under the provisions of the Cyber Crime Act 2018 – a legislation that was passed

Then in February, Bruce filed a $101 million libel suit against Mikhail Rodrigues, better known as the “Guyanese Critic”, whom he has accused of slandering him.

In the lawsuit filed at the Demerara High Court, Bruce claims that on January 29, 2022, Rodrigues, via a Facebook Live which attracted 761 comments, 933 reactions, 33,000 views, and 91 shares, made several false and defamatory statements about him being the person behind the animated character.

Maintaining that he and the “Mudwata” character are not “one and the same”, Bruce said that Rodrigues has not presented any credible evidence to the contrary and therefore this cannot be a “matter of fact”. He said that this has not been proven in a court of law, nor has he been convicted of a crime.

The photographer alleged that Rodrigues’ utterances were for the sole purpose of increasing views, financial gains, followers, reactions, and for his own personal clout. According to him, these comments have caused irrevocable damage to his reputation and have subjected him to public rid-

I

The animated social media character “Mudwata”

icule, contempt, hatred, and embarrassment, and have also brought his career into disrepute.

Bruce told the High Court that he is fearful so much for his life that he has hired a 24hour security service for himself and his family because Rodrigues has threatened to “show up” at his home and go live on Facebook.

Apart from monetary award for damages, the photographer is asking the court to order Rodrigues to publish or cause to be published, an apology to him. He is also seeking a permanent injunction restraining Rodrigues from publishing or causing to be published, the posts or similar words which are defamatory to him. (G1)

Partially-decomposed body of missing man pulled from canal

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he partially decomposed body of a Berbice resident was on Friday pulled from a canal on the East Bank of Berbice. The now dead man reportedly ran away from home on Wednesday.

Dead is 24-year-old Joshua Oliver Surrey of Lot

1304 Glasgow New Housing Scheme, Greater New Amsterdam, Region Six. He was last seen alive on Monday. That is according to his sister Elaine Surrey who lives at a different address in the said housing settlement.

“Mummy just say that

he run out the house and run full speed up the road.

Mummy can’t run as fast as him. So she just walk and she looked up the road.

But she tell the next brother, which is Emanuel, to go and look. Mummy went till to first bridge and look. She searched all over but that Dead: Joshua Oliver Surrey

was it.”

She refuted any report that suggested that her brother running away, had something to do with a misunderstanding with family members.

“He does smoke. He and the brother does smoke.

What they smoke, Mummy can tell you that too.

Whatever he smoke… not everybody got the head to smoke. And as soon as he finish smoking he go off.

Apparently, he smoke… that is what mummy tell me,” his sister related.

According to Surrey, they had been searching for her missing brother since Wednesday.

On Friday morning, the discovery was reportedly made by persons weeding in the area. An autopsy is expected to be performed on his remains in the new week. Surrey leaves to mourn ten siblings and his mother.

…politically? t was the old Greek, Zeno, who pointed out that “you can’t put your foot twice into the same river”. Your foot might be the same, but the river certainly won’t – as the water inexorably flowed on! But in more modern times, it was claimed, “the more things change, the more they remain the same.” So which bit of folk wisdom are we to believe when it’s claimed “our politics are a changin’”?

So, what’s our politics exactly? Back in the eighties, some wag had scrawled the word “politricks” on a wall in Georgetown to answer that question!! Politics in Guyana just meant playing tricks on the people. Of course, that’s when Burnham had imposed his dictatorship over the country – and cynically played games with the FORMS of democracy. Can you imagine running a referendum in 1978 to declare there’d be no need for a referendum AFTER he changed the entire Constitution in 1980??

That’s right…he wanted a blank cheque to declare his dictatorship legit!! And then, even more surreal, he rigged the referendum to claim 90% approval – when foreign observers demonstrated only a 14% turnout!!

Now that reputation of “politricks” has unfortunately stuck with us to this day. We saw it on display in the 2020 elections, and again when the Mace was stolen by the PNC, who are now using that to claim the NRF Act is illegal!! So, dear reader, when your Eyewitness hears about “politics changing”, he takes it with a handful of salt. And that makes him gag!!

So, what’s the source of this purported “change”?

We hear about “youths”! They’re iconoclastic and won’t put up with the shibboleths of the past! But isn’t this what we’ve been hearing for the last half-a-century??

Everyone predicted that after Burnham’s excesses – which decimated his own base – the free and fair elections of 1992 would see the PNC wiped out. If not by the PPP, certainly by the WPA, which was much more grounded in their constituency. But what happened?? A massacre of the WPA, that’s what!! The PNC got the identical 42% they’d received in 1964, when the country had been most polarised by the racial riots!!

So, what’s different about our politics today?? One clue would be to examine whether “youths” behaved any differently during the last elections “politricks”. As far as your Eyewitness could see, it was the same ole, same ole!! Now, maybe with all this oil money flowing in and projects flowing out, that’s sure to lift a lotta boats – including youths of all persuasions – maybe we’ll see that long-heralded change?? Your Eyewitness won’t he holding his breath – and it’s not because he’s asthmatic or anything.

Call him jaded!! …in the US? Well…well…well! The US Senate confirmed President Joe Biden's Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson on Thursday in a historic vote. This paves the way for her to become the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in the nation. With the Senate split into 50 Republicans, 48 Democrats and 2 Independents, it took 3 Republicans to “cross the floor” to pull it off 53-47!!

That speaks to the qualification of Jackson more than softening readers’ relations!! Jackson will now have to wait to be sworn in after Justice Breyer steps down later this summer.

So, the question is: what exactly will change? Well, there’s the aforementioned colour bar breaching. And now there will be four women Supremes. And a liberal disposition. But the Court will remain conservative. So, like with Obama after he won the presidency in 2008, the effect will be more symbolic than anything.

Sadly, many Blacks will once again have their hopes raised, only to see them dashed by the system. …with Russia Another day, another censure. This time, Russia has been suspended from the UN Human Rights Council.

Won’t change anything on the Ukraine War. But maybe Russia will suffer death from a thousand censures?

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

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

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SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Men accused of wrapping cocaine pellets on $600,000 bail

Charged: Ron Reid

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wo men who were initially remanded to prison after they were allegedly caught wrapping cocaine pellets, were each released on $300,000 bail on Friday. Charged with trafficking in narcotics are Ron Reid, 49, and 45-year-old Nigel Dundas.

It is alleged that on March 2, 2022, at West Ruimveldt Georgetown, they had 1.084 kilograms of cocaine in their possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The men made their

second court appearance on Friday before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. During the proceedings, their Attorneys-at-Law renewed applications for bail on their behalf.

Conditionality of the bail requires them to periodically report to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Headquarters until the hearing and determination of their trial. The case will continue on May 20.

Reid is being represented

by Attorney-at-Law Bernard Da Silva, while Attorney-atLaw Everton Singh-Lammy is appearing for the other accused.

CANU said its ranks were conducting search operations at a house in the West Ruimveldt “Front Road” area when the two men were caught wrapping a quantity of pellets with cocaine.

They were arrested and taken to CANU Headquarters, where the more than 100 pellets were weighed in their presence and amounted to 1.084 kilograms. According to

Charged: Nigel Dundas

CANU, the illicit drug, which has a local street value of $1.2 million, would be worth way more than that overseas.

Previously charged

Reid is no stranger to the drug enforcement unit. In fact, on March 2, 2015, he and his common-law wife were arrested with 70 grams of cocaine in their possession. They were later slapped with a drug trafficking charge to which they pleaded not guilty. It was reported that on March 2, 2015, CANU ranks went to the cou-

ple’s home. After they had knocked on the door, Reid’s wife reportedly appeared.

When ranks asked her for Reid, she reportedly tried to engage them in conversation, delaying their gaining access to the house.

A rank then heard a sudden running of water inside the house, and when he stormed in, he found Reid standing in front of a sink that had four cocaine pellets inside. Guyana Times is unaware of the legal status of this matter.

Four years

In 2017, CANU had issued a wanted bulletin for Reid, after his associate, 43-year-old Julius Watkins, was intercepted at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) with 114 cocaine pellets that he had ingested.

Watkins subsequently pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison.

The following day, Reid surrendered.

The court heard that between September 12 and September 15, 2017, Watkins

CANU said that Ron Reid and Nigel Dundas were caught wrapping pellets of cocaine when its ranks swooped down at the house

swallowed 114 pellets laced with a total of 960 grams of cocaine. On the latter date, he was attempting to board an outgoing flight to Canada at the CJIA when CANU ranks noticed him acting suspiciously as he approached the scanning area.

As such, Watkins, a taxi driver at the time, was questioned and taken to CANU Headquarters, where he confessed to swallowing pellets

laced with cocaine.

He was subsequently transported to the Woodlands Hospital, where he excreted the pills containing the illegal substance.

Watkins had sought to justify his actions to the Chief Magistrate by explaining that he was facing a financial crisis and was unable to send his children to school. As such, he said, he had taken the “job” to earn extra money. (G1)

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SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man jailed 6 years for attempted murder Teen wanted for killing Soesdyke man

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24-year-old man who attacked another man and stabbed him several times has been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment for the offence of attempted murder. Anthony Persaud, who committed the offence when he was 18, pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared before Demerara High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds last month. He admitted to wounding Navindra Budhu on March 22, 2016, with the intent to murder him. Police investigations revealed that the men were not known to each other prior to the date of the incident.

Reports at the time were that at about 18:00h on the day in question, Budhu was walking on the University of Guyana (UG) Access Road at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown when Persaud, who was on a bicycle, rode up beside him and attempted to push his hand in his pocket.

Budhu, however, punched Persaud in the face, causing him to lose two of his teeth. Persaud, who was bleeding profusely, then pulled out a pair of scissors from the waist of his pants and stabbed Budhu several times about his body.

The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by public-spirited citizens, while other persons detained Persaud until the Police arrived at the scene.

Budhu’s medical report revealed that he was stabbed six times. He also had to undergo surgery on his abdomen and one of his legs.

Back in March, Persaud’s Attorney-at-Law, Teriq Mohammed, had told the court that his client accepts that he inflicted injuries on Budhu, but has denied attempting to rob him. As a result of this, Justice Reynolds granted Prosecutor Simran Gajraj’s request to have a psychiatric evaluation conducted on Persaud.

During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Forensic Psychiatrist, Dr Meena Rajkumar deemed Persaud fit to stand trial. She, however, noted that his personality traits, immaturity, and paranoid elements “stand out”.

For his part, Budhu shared that the incident has left him traumatised.

According to him, all he desired to do was to live a normal life but this was taken away from him because of the vicious attack. A probation officer who interviewed Persaud told the court that he denied that he had set out to rob the young man.

In his address to the court, Persaud said that he “accidentally” rode into Budhu who, afterward, punched him in the face. As a result, he said, he stabbed the man.

Prosecutor Gajraj asked Justice Reynolds to consider the serious nature and

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Jailed: Anthony Persaud

prevalence of such offences while urging him to impose a sentence that will serve as a deterrent. She said that the sentence should send a strong message to like-minded individuals, that such acts of violence will not be tolerated by the court.

Meanwhile, Persaud’s lawyer said that his client has accepted the prosecution’s facts, adding that his guilty plea was not a “tactical one”. The lawyer reasoned that his client might have been able to make better decisions if he was educated.

For his part, Justice Reynolds told Mohammed that persons in worse situations than his client have gone on to make good of their lives.

In the end, Persaud was handed a six-year jail term.

(G1)

he Guyana Police Force has issued a wanted bulletin for 19-year-old Joshua Williams, who is wanted for questioning in relation to the murder of Joseph Davis.

According to the Police, the teen’s last known address has been given as Swan Village, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway.

The Police have said the murder was committed on March 28, 2022 at Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD), but no other details were divulged.

However, Guyana Times has been informed that the suspect and the victim had had an argument that resulted in a fight, during which Davis was wounded.

He was taken to the hospital, where he was admitted as a patient, and subsequently died.

The Police are urging anyone with information

Wanted: Joshua Williams

that can lead to the arrest of Williams to contact them on the following telephone numbers: 216-0251, 2160254, 444-3429, 225-6978,

225-8196, or at the nearest Police Station. The Police have said that all information will be treated with the strictest confidence. (G9)

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, APRIL 9,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Canada’s Trade Minister Couple busted with to visit Guyana next week ganja in home, vehicle

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a n a d a ’ s International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development Minister, Mary Ng will be leading a business delegation to Guyana next week to explore trade opportunities.

The visit to Guyana is part of trade exploration to examine sustainable business opportunities in clean technology and green infrastructure in Guyana, Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Commenting on her visit to the region, Ng said, “I am thrilled to lead this trade mission, as it will strengthen the long history of collaboration and trade between Canada and Caribbean countries. During the mission, Canadian businesses will network, learn about trade opportunities and build stronger bridges to grow our economies,

Canada’s International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development Minister, Mary Ng

create jobs, and benefit people across our nations”.

In a release from the Government of Canada, it was stated that the Caribbean is rich in diversity, natural resources and shares a mutual interest with Canada in fur-

ther developing green and blue economies.

“Growing Canadian partnerships with members of the Caribbean Community allows Canadians to promote their businesses and for our nations to work together to build sustain-

able recoveries from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Caribbean is poised for a post COVID-19 economic recovery with opportunities for growth in green infrastructure, renewable energy, climate resilience, financial services, extractives, tourism and education.”

The Canadian Government also stated that the trade mission will give new and experienced Canadian exporters the chance to explore the growing number of sustainable business opportunities in clean technology and green infrastructure in the region.

It added that the Canada-Caribbean Trade Mission will help grow partnerships with members of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), promote Canadian businesses in key sectors and help build a path to sustainable recovery from the pandemic.

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The marijuana that was found by Police

anks on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) made a discovery of a quantity of marijuana at Enterprise Gardens, ECD, on Thursday.

Acting on information received, the Police conducted an intelligence-led operation in the area, resulting in the discovery of over six kilograms of ganja in a motor vehicle and in a house.

As a result, a male and a female, who were occupants of the Honda CRV bearing registration number PRR 2824, were arrested.

Police stated that a search of the vehicle unearthed four transparent, bulky, wrapped

parcels containing the cannabis.

They were told of the offence committed, cautioned, arrested, and escorted to the Cove and John Police Station.

Further, a search was also conducted on their home during which one black bag containing two transparent plastic-wrapped parcels with another set of the illegal plant was found in a bedroom.

The cannabis was taken to the Cove and John Police Station where it was weighed and amounted to 5015 and 1000 grams, respectively.

The duo remains in custody pending charges. (G9)

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SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt assisting with radiation treatment for cancer patients – Health Minister

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ealth Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Friday disclosed that Government has been assisting cancer patients who require radiation treatment – something not offered at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The Minister made the disclosure during his daily COVID-19 update.

Anthony explained that once the Ministry refers a patient to the Guyana Cancer Institute for radiation treatment, the Ministry would generally assist the patient, financially, with the radiotherapy.

However, there is a procedure that must be followed.

“There are persons who need radiotherapy while we ourselves do not have the machines to do

the radiotherapy. We would normally refer people to the Cancer Institute which is located in the GPHC compound, that’s a private institution, but once we refer people there, generally, we assist in paying for the cost of treatment at that facility. So, there is a procedure of how to get the assistance, but we would generally pay for our patients to get radiotherapy there,” the Health Minister said.

In addition, he noted that medication assistance is also offered to cancer patients. He mentioned that one of the ways the Ministry helps cancer patients is through the provision of medication. He revealed that this has mostly benefited persons who would have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“If they’re attending the clin-

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

ic at the Georgetown Public Hospital, the medication that they

need we can source that medication. Generally, the medications

are quite costly, but we are able to buy it for our patients. So, I know a lot of breast cancer patients have benefited from the medication that we offer at the hospital,” he said.

Only recently, the Government through the Health Ministry on handed out a whopping $47.4 million to dialysis patients which will assist them with their treatment.

This mechanism comes under the newly-introduced $600,000 per patient assistance that will be allotted yearly. Seventy-nine persons would have collected their cheques during an event at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

In this year’s budget, the Government allocated $180 million to support some 300 dialysis patients who require a series of dialysis treatments. (G2)

16 NEWS “Stop causing confusion” – Harbour Bridge manager to motorists SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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he General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB), Wayne Watson has issued a warning to drivers who commute on the Demerara Harbour, to stop causing confusion by manipulating the lines and lanes to get a quick pass through the traffic.

This came just after several persons took to social media to express frustration with the constant traffic congestion on the East Bank of Demerara corridor.

As such, Watson has advised that drivers be very considerate, knowing the traffic build-up they can cause.

He said irrespective of what portfolio a person holds, he or she must be respectful of the other road users.

DHB Head: Wayne Watson

“The borrers, the bullies… irrespective of what name or title you carry, you have to have an appreciation for the next person using the road. That is the problem. Despite your job title, if everybody respects the other user, things can move smoothly,” he said.

Nonetheless, he stated that even with the traffic build-up, there are systems in place to assist with the free flow of traffic while pointing out that there are certain matters that are out of their control.

“In terms of an incident on the bridge… it depends upon the nature of the issue. For example, this morning there was an airlock. We have mechanisms to get vehicles off the bridge, but because of the airlock, there was no way to tow the truck unless we got the air released…”, he explained.

Only recently on an episode of Police and You, Traffic Officer attached to the Diamond Police Station, Inspector Maniram Jaganandan, spoke of drivers stopping

Traffic Officer, Inspector Maniram Jaganandan

on the East Bank corridor to pick up and drop off passengers, or purchase items.

He said this has to stop because it is causing holdups. He further begged drivers to ensure the free flow of traffic.

“With East Bank traffic, a person just have to stop for one minute and you will see how many vehicles behind that same vehicle that stops for just half of a minute to purchase whatever they want to purchase….”, he said.

The traffic officer also alluded to the fact that traffic congestion can cost the life of someone who needs immediate medical attention.

He said the closest medical facility on the East Bank is the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, and there is usually traffic to get there.

“From the Diamond junction, going back south on the Soesdyke junction its one lane north, and one lane south… it is a challenging situation because if an accident occurs early

in the day, and the traffic is busy there, we have to try our best to get there.”

A week ago, the Guyana Police Force said that in an effort to reduce the traffic chaos and confusion at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken met with Traffic Chief Ramesh Ashram and the DHBC management to reassess the traffic strategy that was put in place to alleviate the traffic woes at the bridge during the peak hours.

During the meeting, Traffic Chief Ashram said more traffic ranks will be visible at specific points along the road, to assess the traffic situation; and in the event of congestion, a decision will be taken to open up an extra lane to ease the traffic flow. (G9)

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SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

UN Human Rights Council vote…

“We are very strong against Russia-Ukraine war” – President Ali reiterates R eiterating the country’s strong objection to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, President Dr Irfaan Ali has defended Guyana’s position on the recent vote at the United Nations: to have Russia removed from its Human Rights Council (HRC).

On Thursday, the UN General Assembly voted to adopt a resolution calling for Russia to be suspended from the Rights Council over allegations of “gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights” as a result of its troop invading Ukraine.

While 93 Member States

voted in favour of the resolution, some 28 countries voted against, and another 58 countries abstained, including Guyana. In fact, several Caribbean Community (Caricom) nations were also among the abstentions.

However, President Ali, on Friday, told reporters that Guyana remains “very

Beware of Nigerians' "romance" scam – SOCU warns Guyanese

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uyanese females are being the primary target of a scam being carried out by Nigerians who are in the country illegally and out of Guyana.

Head of the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Guyana Police Force Senior Superintendent Fazil Karimbaksh on Friday said that Nigerians are collaborating with Guyanese citizens to scam persons.

The SOCU boss in an alert issued on Friday said the aim is to get persons to pay for delivery packages. “…what is referred to as ‘Package Delivery Scams or Romance Scams’ and ‘Pyramid Schemes’” Karinbaksh said in a release on Friday.

The package delivery or romance scammers have emerged more prominently during the Covid-19 pandemic. The scammers target primarily females via several social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp and other Online Dating Sites.

The Senior Superintendent said the modus operandi used by the scammers is to befriend unsuspecting females via the aforementioned digital platforms.

“The scammers create fake profiles of Caucasian men with luxury vehicles and large sums of cash to gain the attention of the victims. After communicating with the victim for some time to build trust with their `new friend’ or `love interest’, the scammer promises the intended victim, some form of assistance.

In most instances, it is supposedly a package containing valuable gift items such as designer clothing, jewelry, televisions, cell phones, money and other electronic devices,” the release said in part.

Victims are usually contacted by a local associate of the scammer, confirming the arrival of the package and requesting their personal contact and other information. The intended victim is subsequently contacted again and requested to deposit money to a specified local Bank Account or send via a Money Transfer Agency or the Guyana Post Office Corporation. They inform the victim that the payment is required to cover brokerage fees, customs duties, penalties and/or shipping charges for the package(s), which was found on inspection to contain high valued items.

Once the payment is made, the scammers discontinue all contact with the victim.

In the light of this SOCU is advising the general public that in the event anyone is approached via Email, Facebook, WhatsApp, SMS, Dating Sites etc., and is promised gifts or Covid-19 related financial or other assistance, not to fall prey to such promises if they are not from a government agency or other legitimate sources.

SOCU is also advising that since it may be a scam, personal information should not be shared. Money should also not be transferred or deposited into a bank account of persons you meet online and do not know very well.

Persons who believe that they may be a victim of the ‘romance or package delivery scam’, are being asked to report it immediately to the nearest police station. (G4)

strong” against the war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He reminded that Guyana had previously voted “yes” on many issues relating to this issue, but this time around, he explained, the country is awaiting the outcome of two sets of engagements – one at the UN level and the other at Caricom - before making a decision.

“We stand solidly with the rest of the world in condemning the war and in asking Russia to go back to diplomacy and in having this war brought to an end; that is without a doubt.

This matter was discussed among heads.

“The UN has launched the process of doing the investigation to come up with the factual basis on what is happening in terms of human rights’ violation…

What we have said is once that report comes out, then the findings of that report must be respected and supported.

“We’re working with Caricom, we are coordinating an information flow also, to understand what is happening in the rest of the region, because this was something that came up very quickly… and it’s weighty decisions,” the Guyanese Head of State

noted.

Consultations among Caricom Heads at two meetings this week did not result in a consensus position on this foreign policy issue.

Meanwhile, the HRC last month established a Commission of Inquiry which has a mandate to investigate all alleged rights’ violations and abuses and related crimes by the Russian military, and to make recommendations on accountability measures.

President Ali on Friday told reporters, “Let me be very clear on this: one, we are strongly in support of every action to bring this war to an end; and two: we are against the invasion of Ukraine and the miliary action.”

The Irfaan Ali-led Guyana Government had joined global condemnation of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine on February 24, and had called for an immediate ceasefire and peaceful resolution of differences between the two European neighbours.

“Guyana is gravely concerned over the recent military intervention by Russia in violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, and calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and

a return to diplomacy,” a February 24 statement from Government has said.

According to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, “Guyana deplores the threat or use of force in the conduct of international relations, and urges a peaceful resolution of the differences that currently exist, in consonance with the rule of international law and the provisions of the United Nations Charter.”

The missive went on to outline that the current military action in Ukraine is contrary to the principles of respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty, and non-interference in the internal affairs of another sovereign state.

“The aggression against Ukraine is a threat to the region and countries everywhere. Guyana supports the efforts of the United Nations SecretaryGeneral to bring a speedy resolution to the situation in Ukraine and cease the threat to international peace and security,” the Government had stated.

Guyana had further indicated that it has been consulting with its international partners on this matter. (G8)

Esso, GAMBI sign investment advisory, brokerage services agreement

From left: Aryoko Dwinanto and Katrina Masters, representing Exxon; and Richard Isava, Ganesh Jaikaran and Delecia George, representing the Guyana Americas Merchant Bank

G

uyana Americas Merchant Bank Inc (GAMBI) on Friday announced that the Trustees of the Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) Retirement Savings Plan

have confirmed the award of a contract to provide investment advisory and brokerage services.

The award of this contract, the company said, is a further demonstration of Guyanese ser-

vice providers supporting the ambitions of operators like EEPGL and the Government to develop a world-class oil and gas industry. GAMBI, a release from the company stated, remains committed to pro-

viding quality financial and investment management services to achieve this goal.

Friday’s announcement sees another successful contract for GAMBI in Guyana.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022

Regional

Brazil’s Amazon deforestation sets Ukraine war ignites protests in Peru as inflation anger goes global 1st-quarter record despite March dip

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M

arcelo Gonzales is tired and angry about rapidly increasing living costs in his dusty village on Peru’s desert coast, where food and fuel inflation inflamed by the war in Ukraine has ignited protests that threaten to destabilise the Government.

The social upheaval in the Andean country underscores how the impact of Russia’s Feb 24 invasion of Ukraine is rippling around the world, with leaders in Sri Lanka and Pakistan also under public pressure over difficult economic conditions.

Inflation in Peru has reached its highest level in a quarter of a century, hammering people already hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic since early 2020.

“The cost of a family’s basic daily needs has brutally gone up,” Gonzales told Reuters, surrounded by hundreds of angry residents in the western village of Villacuri and where people from all parts of Peru come to work at the large fruit plantations nearby.

Last week Gonzales led people from his village, which is about 240km (150

Protesters block the Pan-American highway, one of the key highways essential for food supplies in Peru’s largest cities, during protests sparked by rising fuel and fertiliser costs, due to sanctions on Russia, in Villacuri, Peru April 6, 2022. Picture taken April 6, 2022

miles) south of the capital Lima in the Ica region, to block the country’s most important highway, demanding the Government act to lower prices, especially for essentials such as vegetable oil, chicken, rice and cooking gas.

“We can’t afford rent or to buy things for our kids,” said Maribel Condori, a mother of three in Villacuri.

At least six people have died in clashes with Police, including one in Ica, authorities have said. Officials have so far been unable to reopen

many of the blocked roads, although the Pan-American Highway, which traverses the length of Peru along the Pacific Ocean, is currently open following a 48-hour truce that ends on Saturday.

Peru has also deployed its military in a bid to regain control of its highways.

Earlier this week Castillo imposed a curfew in Lima to try to stifle the protests, but that backfired as thousands took to the streets in defiance. Some looted shops and government buildings.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Suriname confident of supplying meat to Trinidad &Tobago, Barbados

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uriname said it remains confident the Dutch-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country can meet the “huge demand” for meat for its regional neighbours, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Minister, Prahlad Sewdien, said he held talks in Ecuador during the just concluded 37th Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, with his Barbadian counterpart, Indar Weir, and

the Trinidad and Tobago junior Agriculture Minister, Avinash Singh.

Sewdien said there is a “huge demand” and he believes Suriname can meet this need.

Figures show that on an annual basis, the demand from the two Caricom countries is estimated at 5000 tonnes of meat and Suriname has said it will establish and execute a programme to increase livestock and meat production.

Sewdien said the Ministry will invite cattle farmers who are interested in participating in the programme and

that arrangements will be put in place to deal with both the technical and phyto-sanitary aspects of the initiative.

Sewdien also said that there are also export opportunities for certain types of fruit and vegetables to Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

The State-owned Food and Agriculture Industries (FAI) company already exports eight to 10 containers of bananas to both islands on a weekly basis and Sewdien said that the export of pork to Barbados has also gotten off to a good start. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Colombia to extradite drug kingpin Otoniel to US

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olombia’s Supreme Court has approved the extradition of the leader of the country’s largest gang to the US. Dairo Antonio Úsuga, better known as Otoniel, led the Gulf Clan cartel and is wanted in the US on drug trafficking charges.

His capture in October, compared to the fall of Pablo Escobar by President Iván Duque, ended a seven-year manhunt.

The court’s decision, announced on Twitter, ends attempts by Otoniel’s lawyers to halt his extradition.

Colombia’s Justice Minister Wilson Ruiz had pledged to extradite Otoniel to the US after his cap-

ture last year, and Justice Department officials in Washington made a formal request in November.

“Extradition awaits all those who commit international crimes,” Defence Minister Diego Molano said at the time.

But the drug kingpin’s lawyers had argued that Otoniel should have been included in a special tribunal where participants in Colombia’s six-decade internal conflict between Government forces and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) rebels can receive alternative sentences for confessing their participation.

His legal team claimed

the 50-year-old was willing to reveal some details of collaboration between Central Government officials and illegal armed groups in exchange for preventing his extradition.

Prior to his capture, Otoniel was Colombia’s most wanted man and the Government had offered a US$800,000 (£582,000) reward for information about his whereabouts, while the US had placed a US$5 million bounty on his head.

The Gulf Clan operates in many provinces and has extensive international connections, is engaged in drug and people smuggling, illegal gold mining and extortion.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

eforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest fell 15 per cent in March from a year earlier, preliminary Government data showed on Friday, but even with that dip it was enough to drive the most destruction during the first quarter in at least six years.

From January to March, deforestation of the Brazilian Amazon rose 64 per cent from a year ago to 941 square kilometers (363 square miles), data from national space research agency Inpe showed.

That area, larger than New York City, is the most forest cover lost in the period since the data series began in 2015/2016.

Destruction of the world’s largest rainforest has

surged since President Jair Bolsonaro took office in 2019 and weakened environmental protections, arguing that they hinder economic development that could reduce poverty in the Amazon region.

The President’s office and the Environment Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A UN climate panel report on Monday warned that governments are not doing enough to rein in greenhouse gas emissions in order to avert the worst effects of global warming. While fossil fuel use is mostly to blame, deforestation accounts for about 10 per cent of global emissions, according to the report.

“Brazil is an example of what the UN climate report is saying when referring to governments not taking the necessary actions,” said Cristiane Mazzetti, a forest campaigner in Brazil for environmental advocacy group Greenpeace.

Some scientists predict deforestation will continue to rise ahead of Brazil’s October presidential election, as it has ahead of the last three elections.

Environmental enforcement typically weakens in election years and criminals may rush to deforest ahead of a new Government taking office, according to Carlos Souza Jr, a researcher at the institute Imazon. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Chile announces $3.7 billion recovery plan to aid struggling economy

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hile’s President Gabriel Boric announced on Thursday a US$3.7 billion economic recovery plan that includes a hike in the minimum wage, subsidies and financing for sectors of the economy still battling fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key goals of the plan, the President said, include creating 500,000 jobs and raising the current monthly minimum wage of 350,000 pesos (US$434) to 400,000 pesos (US$496) by the end of the year.

“We all know we’re living through hard times

and it’s our duty from the Government to work to alleviate those worries you have,” Boric, a leftist who took power last month, said in a news conference.

Citing rising prices and inflation, he said the Government would freeze public transit fares for the rest of the year and subsidise fuel prices.

Boric, a former student protester, also announced that food scholarships for students would increase by 15 per cent. That was the main demand of the first organised protest during his presidency in March.

The plan also includes subsidies for parents of young children, a one-time payment for culture workers and US$300 million fund for local governments to use for infrastructure.

Boric said the plan was aimed at helping those “who haven’t found private or State help to get ahead,” and will offer financing for smallscale miners and 100,000 small businesses without access to banks. Chile’s central bank last month lowered its economic growth forecast for 2022 and predicted annual inflation could reach 8.2 per cent. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaican cop pleads guilty to transporting cocaine in vagina, stomach; faces up to 40 years in prison

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amaican policewoman Shelian Allen on Thursday pleaded guilty in a federal district court in Fort Lauderdale to smuggling cocaine into the United States, some of which were found in her vagina and stomach.

Allen will be sentenced on June 15 by United States District Judge Rodolfo A Ruiz II. The 42-year-old faces up to 40 years in federal prison, according to a release from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida on Thursday.

Allen was suspended from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) following her arrest in Florida in February relative to lottery scamming and drug trafficking offences.

In relation to the drug-related charges, the release said Allen admitted that on February 3, she arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on a flight from Montego Bay, Jamaica.

An inspection by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revealed that “Allen had a package

Constable Shelian Allen

of cocaine inside her vagina and a package of cocaine inside each of her bra cups,” the release stated.

Further, Allen also had 90 pellets of packaged cocaine inside her stomach, which she had swallowed.

The Jamaican law enforcer was subsequently transported to a hospital where she expelled 90 pellets.

“In total, Allen had over 1000 grams of cocaine on or inside her body when she entered the United States: about 200 in her vagina,

about 143 grams in her bra, and about 690 grams inside her stomach,” disclosed the US Attorney’s Office.

Media reports from the United States in February said she has also been charged with wire fraud and mail fraud. Local and federal agencies, including Homeland Security and the US Postal Inspection Service, which have been conducting investigations, believe Allen is the head of a lottery scamming organisation. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices settle up 2%, post weekly loss on stockpile releases

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il prices rose 2 per cent on Friday but notched their second straight weekly decline after countries announced plans to release crude from their strategic

stocks.

Brent crude futures settled up US$2.20, or 2.19 per cent, at US$102.78 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose US$2.23 to US$98.26.

For the week, Brent dropped 1.5 per cent while WTI slid 1 per cent. For several weeks, the benchmarks have been at their most volatile since June 2020.

Trading was choppy all day and the contracts spiked higher just before settlement as traders covered short positions ahead of the weekend, said John Kilduff, a partner at Again Capital LLC. Member nations of the International Energy Agency (IEA) will release 60 million barrels over the next six months, with the United States matching that amount as part of its 180-million-barrel release announced in March.

"There's some concern that by artificially lowering prices, you are only going to increase demand and that's going to burn off that supply pretty quickly," said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group.

The release could also deter producers, including the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and US shale producers, from accelerating output increases even with oil prices around US$100 a barrel, ANZ Research analysts said in a note.

The commitment of the OPEC+ group of oil exporting nations to output targets have contributed to absorbing an excess of supply in the market, Iraq's State-news agency cited the Oil Ministry as saying on Friday.

PVM analyst Stephen Brennock said doubts remained on whether the supply from emergency reserve releases will address the shortfall in Russian crude.

JPMorgan expects the reserves release to "go a long way in the short term" to offsetting the 1 million barrels per day of Russian oil supply it expects to remain permanently offline.

"However, looking forward to 2023 and beyond, global producers will likely need to ramp up investment to both fill the Russia-sized gap in supply and restock IEA strategic reserves," the bank said in a note.

US producers added 13 oil rigs in the week to April 8, data from oil services firm Baker Hughes showed, a third straight week of gains.

While Russia has found Asian buyers, Western buyers are shunning cargoes since the start of the conflict in Ukraine.

The Kremlin on Friday said Russia's "special operation" in Ukraine could end in the "foreseeable future."

Russia's production of oil and gas condensate fell to 10.52 million barrels per day (bpd) for April 1-6 from a March average of 11.01 million bpd, two sources familiar with the data told Reuters on Thursday.

The US Congress voted to ban Russian oil on Thursday, while the European Union is considering a ban.

Germany might be able to end Russian oil imports this year, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said.

On Thursday, European Union countries approved a ban on Russian coal imports, adding the bloc will now discuss sanctions on oil.

But demand uncertainties kept a lid on prices Friday after Shanghai extended its lockdown to contend with fast-rising COVID-19 infections.

Further pressure came from the strengthening US dollar, after signals that the US Federal Reserve could raise the federal funds rate another 3 percentage points by the end of the year.

Money managers cut their net long US crude futures and options positions in the week to April 5 by 3147 contracts to 266,727, the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ukraine and allies blame Russia for strike on station that killed over 50

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kraine and its allies blamed Russia for a missile attack that killed at least 52 people at a train station packed with women, children and the elderly fleeing the threat of a Russian offensive in the east.

As regional authorities scrambled to continue evacuating the vulnerable, European Union leaders visited Kyiv to offer President Volodymyr Zelenskiy support and expedite Ukraine's path toward EU membership.

Zelenskiy called the strike in Kramatorsk in the eastern region of Donetsk a deliberate attack on civilians.

The town's Mayor estimated about 4000 people were gathered there at the time.

Regional Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said the station was hit by a Tochka U short-range ballistic missile containing cluster munitions, which explode in mid-air, spraying small lethal bomblets over a wider area. Reuters was unable to verify what happened in Kramatorsk.

Men inspecting remains of a missile near a rail station, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kramatorsk, Ukraine April 8, 2022

Cluster munitions are banned under a 2008 convention. Russia has not signed it but has previously denied using such armaments in Ukraine.

In Washington, a senior defence official said the United States was "not buying the denial by the Russians that they weren't responsible", and believed Kyrylenko correctly identified the type of missile used in the attack.

No Sri Lankan, rich or poor, spared as economic crisis worsens

A man is seen resting while waiting in a line to buy diesel near a fuel station in Colombo, Sri Lanka

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it by a deepening economic crisis, people in the informal settlements of the capital, Colombo, say they are eating half of what they used to as food prices have doubled in less than a year.

In middle-class neighbourhoods, meanwhile, owners of cafés, bakeries and salons have had to let go of staff and are facing the prospect of closing shop altogether, with hours-long power cuts and reduced earnings keeping customers away.

“The whole country is destroyed,” said one woman in Colombo’s Nugegoda district. “Even stray dogs live better than us.”

“Everything is expensive,” said another. “We cannot manage.”

Sparked by a foreign exchange crisis, Sri Lanka – an island nation of 22 million people – is grappling with its worst economic downturn in decades.

The foreign currency crunch has left President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Government unable to pay for fuel imports and other essentials. This has resulted in fuel shortages that have caused rolling electricity blackouts of up to 13 hours and brought ground transport in parts of the country to a halt.

Queues for diesel, cooking gas and kerosene are a common sight, with people reporting having to wait in line for days on end to get their rations. Police say at least two people have died while waiting in the scorching heat.

Prices of medicines have also skyrocketed, while the value of the Sri Lankan rupee has plummeted by 30 per cent against the United States dollar this year, making it the worst-performing currency in the world. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

The Russian Defence Ministry was quoted by RIA

news agency as saying the missiles said to have struck the station were used only

by Ukraine's military and that Russia's armed forces had no targets assigned in Kramatorsk on Friday.

Moscow has denied targeting civilians since President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine on Feb 24 in what Russia calls a "special military operation" to demilitarise and "denazify" its neighbour.

The Kremlin said on Friday the "special operation" could end in the "foreseeable future" with its aims being achieved through work by the Russian military and peace negotiators. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Rejuvenation of woman's skin could tackle diseases of ageing

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esearchers have rejuvenated a 53-year-old woman's skin cells so they are the equivalent of a 23-year-old's.

The scientists in Cambridge believe that they can do the same thing with other tissues in the body.

The eventual aim is to develop treatments for age-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and neurological disorders.

The technology is built on the techniques used to create Dolly the cloned sheep more than 25 years ago.

The head of the team, Prof Wolf Reik, of the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, told BBC News that he hoped that the technique could eventually be used to keep people healthier for longer as they grow older.

"We have been dreaming about this kind of thing.

Many common diseases get worse with age and to think about helping people in this way is super exciting," he said.

Prof Reich stressed

though that the work, which has been published in the journal eLife, was at a very early stage. He said that there were several scientific issues to overcome before it could move out of his lab and into the clinic. But he said that demonstrating for the first time that cell rejuvenation is possible was a critical step forward.

The origins of the technique stem from the 1990s, when researchers at the Roslin Institute just outside Edinburgh developed a method of turning an adult mammary gland cell taken from a sheep into an embryo. It led to the creation of Dolly the cloned sheep.

The Roslin team's aim was not to create clones of sheep or indeed humans, but to use the technique to create so-called human embryonic stem cells. These, they hoped, could be grown into specific tissues, such as muscle, cartilage, and nerve cells to replace worn-out body parts. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Nigerian court rules that all terrorism trials be heard in secret

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federal Judge has instructed that all trials of people “suspected of having committed acts of terrorism” in Nigeria will henceforth be held in camera.

In a statement released on Thursday but dated April 5, Catherine Christopher, spokeswoman for an Abuja court, said coverage of any part of such proceedings would be prohibited unless permission was given

by Justice John Terhemba Tsoho.

The statement said the new ruling was designed to ensure the security and

safety of all parties and members of the public and to ensure fair trials.

It warned that anyone who contravened the instructions would be deemed an offender of Section 34(5) of the amended Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2011.

The statement came just a day to the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who is facing charges of treason and terrorism. IPOB, a separatist group, has also been proscribed as a “terrorist” organisation. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

(March 21-April 19)

Share your plans with a loved one.

Being in sync with someone you want to spend more time with will help you devise a plan that brings you closer.

Downtime will give you a chance to rejuvenate.

Stay alert. It's easy to make a mistake when you let your emotions run the show. Sit tight, take care of odds and ends and prepare for what's to come.

Discard or sell what you no longer use.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

Protect your assets, and don't let anyone talk you out of your hard-earned cash. Stick to methods and people you can trust. Pay attention to what's going on politically, economically and personally.

Don't share personal information.

Engage in something creative or inspirational. Put your best foot forward and embrace life and relationships with passion.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Set standards and execute your plans. Refuse to get tied up in someone's pursuit. Be diligent about finishing what you start and exercising your right to do what makes you happy. Make your mark.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Pursue something out of the ordinary, and it will change the way you live and do things moving forward. Personal improvement will lead to compliments; love and peace of mind are within reach.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Take it easy, go over the facts and consider the best way to move forward.

Don't take someone's word as gospel. Do your due diligence and explore your options before spending money on something you don't need.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Don't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Discard what isn't working for you and distance yourself from people who drag you down. Dive into something that motivates you. Pursue your dreams.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Refuse to get caught in someone's lie or give in to emotional manipulation.

Use common sense and stick to something you know you can do that works to your advantage. Protect your assets.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) You have time to think and discover what it is you want before you indulge in someone's fantasy. Keep your emotions in check and make changes at home that encourage you to follow your heart.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

(Feb. 20-March 20)

Think about what you want to do next and set your plan in motion.

Changing how you earn your living will help put your mind at ease and give you hope. Put your heart and soul into your dreams.

Get out and participate in something that inspires you to make a lifestyle change. Making plans will give you something to look forward to and bring you closer to someone you enjoy being around.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022

21

IPL 2022…

Rahul Tewatia hits two sixes off last two balls in spectacular finish for Gujarat Titans

Shubman Gill scored 96

four, but he also didn't last long.

Trying to ramp a Lockie Ferguson bouncer, he was cramped, and ended up offering a dolly to short third man.

And even though each of the first overs featured at least one boundary, Kings could manage only 43 in the powerplay, their lowest in that phase so far this season.

Livingstone tees off Liam Livingstone knows only one way to bat, or so it seems.

He, too, opened his account with a four, and shortly afterwards jumped out of his crease to deposit Darshan Nalkande over

S

his fifty off just 21 balls, and having reached 124 for 3 in 13 overs, Kings looked all set for a 200-run total.

Nalkande, though, jolted them with two wickets in two balls - both Jitesh and Odean Smith holed out to long-on.

M Shahrukh Khan hit Shami for back-to-back sixes before Rashid dismissed Livingstone

Rahul Tewatia roaring after finishing the game

and Shahrukh, to leave them 154 for 7. That soon became 162 for 9.

Rahul Chahar and Arshdeep Singh then added 27 in 2.1 overs, to lift Kings to 189 for 9.

At that stage, it felt like Kings had made up lost ground, but that didn't turn out to be the case. (Cricinfo)

History created in the NBA…

It was ecstasy for Gujarat Titans, but agony for Odean Smith and Punjab Kings

hubman Gill has played yet another sublime innings, scoring a career-best 96 off 59 balls, but it was Rahul Tewatia's two sixes off the final two balls that took Gujarat Titans over the line against Punjab Kings at the Brabourne Stadium.

Chasing 190, Titans needed 62 from the last six overs, with nine wickets in hand. But that one big over, which titled the game in Titans' favour, didn't come until the very end.

With 19 required from the final over, Odean Smith started with a wide to David Miller, but on the next ball, Hardik Pandya got run out while trying to sneak in a bye.

Rahul Tewatia took a single first ball to hand back the strike to Miller, who then pulled Smith over midwicket for four.

Then, with 12 needed, Tewatia smashed the last two balls over deep midwicket to steal the victory. The boundary-rider got his hands on the first one, but couldn't parry it inside. The next was a six the moment it hit the bat, leading to frenzied celebrations from Tewatia.

The Shubman Gill Show In Titans' last game, against Delhi Capitals, Gill had scored a sublime 84 off 46 balls. On Friday, it looked like he was just continuing from there. He hit the first two balls he faced, from Vaibhav Arora, for fours; then he got stuck into Arshdeep Singh.

Punching him past mid-on, pulling him through midwicket, and cutting him in front of cover, he collected three boundaries in his first over.

Mayank Agarwal turned to Kagiso Rabada in the fourth over, and Rabada didn't disappoint.

With his second ball, he got

Matthew Wade to nick one to the wicketkeeper.

B. Sai Sudharsan, though, proved to be an able ally for Gill.

The duo took Titans past 50 in the sixth over, and hit a six each in the next two. Gill brought

Gujarat Titans mobbed Rahul Tewatia after his grandstand finish

up his fifty off 29 balls, steering Titans to 94 for 1 at the halfway stage.

In the next three overs, he hit three more fours, and reached 80 off 45 balls.

Where is the final push?

Gill and Sai Sudharsan added 101 in 68 balls for the second wicket, before Sudharsan skied a Rahul Chahar googly to extracover.

The required rate was still not out of hand, but Arshdeep conceded only six from the 16th over and five from the 18th, to make things difficult for Titans.

Pandya hit two successive fours off Rabada in the 19th over, but the bowler had Gill mistiming a wide full toss to extra-cover. Off his last 16 balls, Gill managed only 18.

However, Tewatia magic saved the day for the Titans.

Rashid Khan finished with figures of 4-0-22-3

Kings' sedate start Earlier, after being put in, Agarwal got Kings off the mark with a four off Mohammed Shami, before Pandya, once again sharing the new ball, got him with a short ball.

Jonny Bairstow, who replaced Bhanuka Rajapaksa in the side, started with a first-ball

long-on.

But then came a slice of luck.

In the ninth over of the innings, Livingstone pulled Rashid Khan towards deep midwicket, where Pandya leapt in the air and took the catch. But as he was landing, his foot brushed the boundary cushion. Livingstone had started walking back, and was almost near the boundary line when he saw the replay on the big screen.

In the next over, he moved across his stumps and helped Nalkande for a six and four off successive balls. He wrapped up the over with yet another four, taking Kings to 86 for 2 after ten overs.

200? 170? No, 189!

All this happened while Shikhar Dhawan had played an innings of two halves. He raced away to 19 off 11 balls, but could score only 16 off the next 19. In the end, Rashid had him caught behind with a googly. It was the fourth time he dismissed Dhawan in T20s, while conceding only 41 runs off 44 balls.

Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma took the attack to Tewatia, and clubbed him for 24 in his first and only over of the innings. Livingstone cruised to

M

VP favourite player Nikola Jokic has become the first player in NBA history to score 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists in a season, having achieved the landmark in the Denver Nuggets' 122-109 home win against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. He had 35 points, 16 rebounds, six assists and five steals in his game-winning performance.

For the season, Jokic is eighth in the league in points per game (27.0), second in rebounds per game (13.7), and eighth in assists (7.9). Of the players who average at least 20 minutes per appearance, Jokic is 12th in usage (30.9), which measures the percentage of his team's possessions that end with him shooting or turning the ball over while he is on the court.

Of the league's top 100 players in usage rate, none are shooting better than Jokic's 66.1 True Shooting percentage, which weights three-point shots, two-point shots and free throws to produce a single number.

Only 12 players have a better True Shooting percentage than Jokic, and of those players, Montrezl Harrell has the highest usage, at a role-player number of 19.8.

Jokic, Denver’s big man, is also the only non-guard in the top 15 in assist percentage, coming in at sixth (38.8), and trailing only Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Chris Paul, James Harden and Dejounte Murray.

As Nuggets teammate Bones Hyland put it: "Dude is really great at basketball."

Hyland was not the only Nuggets representative to shower Jokic with praise when talking with the media after their win, coach Michael Malone has highlighted that he believes the MVP race has been decided.

"The MVP isn't even a competition," he said. "There's other great players. I'm not saying they're not great players. But what Nikola Jokic has done this year – with this team – everything we've had to go through, is just incredible.

"He was good last year, and he's even better this year."

Even Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins was at a loss for how to deal with the threat Jokic poses. "We threw a lot at him,” he said.

"He's the MVP for a reason. He's nearly impossible to guard. He's going to beat you from inside, outside, playmaking. He played at a really high level tonight.”

Meanwhile, Jokic has said he is content to let his play do the talking, saying: "If that's enough [to win MVP], it's enough…if not, you cannot control that.” (Sportsmax)

22

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Project “Cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”

Denesh Chandrapaul on board D

has

enesh Chandrapaul is the latest person to come on board this initiative. He

donated a set of gear for junior players, which includes a bag, a pair of batting pads, a pair of batting gloves, one helmet, a thigh pad, and one bat.

A bag with the gear was handed over to Anil Beharry, one of the owners of this initiative, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida last weekend, as he was participating in the Over50 category of the Florida Cup 2022, representing Wellman Masters.

Speaking on behalf of the initiative, Beharry expressed gratitude to the donor, and added he is positive that a new breed of young players would come through the system, making Guyana and West Indies cricket strong again.

And he said he is convinced that sports in general helps to keep young people off the streets and provides them with

Denesh Chandrapaul with some of the gear

an avenue to a better life.

A former player and executive member of the historic Port Cricket Club (PMCC) - a club that has arguably produced the most West Indian cricketers in the Caribbean – Denesh Chandrapaul was also a professional scorer for the Berbice and Guyana Cricket Boards, and for NCN Radio.

This cricket gear initiative is jointly owned by Anil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the USA. Total cricket-related items collected so far: $130,000 cash, two trophies, 11 pairs of cricket boots, 16 pairs of batting pads, 16 bats, 10 pairs of batting gloves, 19 thigh pads, one wicket-keeping pad, one arm guard, five cricket bags, and one helmet.

To date, 32 young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefited from the receipt of a junior gear bag, two trophies, nine bats, nine pairs of cricket shoes, six pairs

of batting pads and seven pairs of batting gloves.

In addition, the Rose Hall Estate Cricket Club has benefited from a pair of stumps and bails, and two clubs in the Pomeroon area have benefited from two used bats.

Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees, Cotton Tree Die Hard and Rose Hall CCCC have also each received one box of red cricket balls.

Cricket related items, used or new, will be distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country, and club leaders would also assist to identify talent.

The owners of this cricket gear initiative take this opportunity to thank Javed and Imran of West Indian Sports Complex, Option Group of USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish Panday

of P and P Insurance Brokers, Sean Devers, Trevis Simon, Årïêl J. Tïlkú, Aaron Beharry, Leanna Bachan and Imran Saccoor, Devon Ramnauth, Teddy Singh, Romash Munna, Ravi Etwaroo, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra Harkishun, Allan Mangru, Vishal Mahabir, Sherman Austin, Huburn Evans, Rajendra Sadeo and Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Sheik Mohamed of Star Sports Awards and Trophies, and Ajay Gainda of Cricket Equipment Guyana, Peter Ramkissoon, Rabindranath Saywack, Roshan Gaffoor, Ameer Rahaman, Denesh Chandrapaul and Dr Cecil Beharry.

Special thanks are extended to the media for the role they are playing in promoting this venture.

Distribution of cricket gear will continue. Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry on 6236875, or Kishan Das on 1 718 664-0896.

Pink Diamond Promotions launches Father & Son sport event

O

n Thursday April 7, 2022 at the Transport & Harbours Sports Club, Pink Diamond Promotions announced the launch of the ‘Daddy & Me’ Competition, set for June 18, 2022.

This activity is projected to be an annual one to celebrate fathers’ day in the month of June.

This inaugural competition will highlight fathers teaming with their sons in three categories: 7 to 9, 10 to 12, & 13 to 16, as they

compete in several disciplines to be crowned champion. These events include tug-o-war, softball cricket, and obstacle courses.

The competition was set to kick off in 2020, but the situation with COVID-19 put it on hold.

In a statement from founder of the event, Warren Wilson, it was said, “Yes, fathers will have to do a simple physical, which will be conducted by the competition doctor. Once cleared, participants

Founder of the event, Warren Wilson, is seen alongside Events Coordinator Kade Pearce

CPL 2022…

“We will see a different side to Rovman (Powell) this year”

R

- Tallawahs CEO Jeff Miller

ovman Powell is to assume a more involved role as captain of the Jamaica Tallawahs, once the 2022 Hero CPL season gets underway in August.

Powell was appointed captain last season, when the two-time CPL champions struggled to find consistency, and missed the playoffs after winning only four of their 10 matches.

However, come next season, Tallawahs’ CEO Jeff Miller expects Powell to work more closely with the new

coaching staff, headed

by Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

“I think that Chanderpaul, along with the

assistant coaches, has expressed that to Rovman,” Miller revealed in a recent interview with Sportsmax.TV. “We have been having some great meetings, and I think this year we will see that allinclusive where the player, as the captain, is involved in all aspects of team management, selection, etcetera. I think we will see a different side of him (Rovman) this year.”

Turning his attention to Brandon King, who has been brought in to open the batting, Miller said the former Amazon Warrior will be given opportunity to express himself in the coming season.

“Brandon is another dynamic player, and we believe that having Brandon at the

top of the order with Kennar (Lewis) will produce some exciting games, and Brandon also wanted to come home and we gave him that opportunity to play for the Tallawahs and express himself, and we know how Brandon can express himself,” Miller has said.

The CEO also hinted that the international players who have been signed will be very suited for the potentially spin-friendly

Consumables.

It is anticipated that others will come on board as fathers are facilitated with this opportunity for bonding with sons.

Interested participants/ anyone seeking further information can uplift registration forms from the Transport Sports Club, or contact 672-2719 or 657-8793.

will have to be a part of our cardio and fitness sessions leading up to competition day. This is our first event, as 2020 was the year the pandemic hit, so we were unable to pull it off.

“I’m elated to be able to host the competition this year, and excited to see the fathers and their sons in action.”

Wilson also noted that paying attention to the rules of the games is very important, as the fathers are

required to pass a physical test to ensure their eligibility in the competition. The competition is open to all fathers. All eligible participants must attend cardio and aerobics sessions which will be provided by the committee.

All participants must disclose any preceding health conditions, and the organizing committee

reserves the right to refuse entry to any potential participant deemed unfit.

Several corporate entities have been approached for sponsorship, with positive responses to date coming from Trophy Stall, Cole’s Screen Printers, What’s Happening Guyana, and GHSM

St Cuthbert’s whip Young Guns in T20 encounter

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Jamaica Tallawahs CEO Jeff Miller

pitches in Guyana, which will host several matches, including the CPL finals for the next three

years.

“When you see our international players, then you will see why we selected those players, because they will make a difference in Guyana,” said Miller, who also expressed confidence that the Tallawahs would give a good account of themselves in the 2022 season of CPL. “I am confident about the team. Look, we have a dream team support staff Chanderpaul, Sir Curtly Ambrose, we have Andre Coley. We have an announcement to make in the coming days pertaining to our manager, and that will really cement our support staff.”

(Sportsmax)

S

The victorious St Cuthbert’s team

t Cuthbert’s battled Young Guns in a thrilling T20 encounter during the course of the week at St Cuthbert’s Mission, and demolished the visitors by a whopping nine wickets.

Batting first, Young Guns struggled to find the boundaries, as the home team’s members were strict in their line and length, and managed to have the Young Guns reeling at 75-5 in 11.4 overs.

But just as things were looking gloomy for the visitors, Sunil Ramlall and Michael (only name given) gave their team hope when they went on the attack. Neither score nor low run rate bothered the due as they lifted their team out of trouble, and while Ramlall was bowled for 40 off 20, Michael carried on, smashing 30 off 20 deliveries, which enabled Young Guns to post 161-8 from their

allotted 20 overs.

Bowling for St Cuthbert’s, Timothy Andrew took 3-21, while Ronnie Simon, Avinash Poonasammy, Denzil Schuman and Rahual Poonasammy chipped in with one wicket each.

Needing 162 runs off 120 deliveries, St Cuthbert’s went about their chase in a tactical manner, despite losing Rahual Poonasammy for a single run.

David Francis laid the foundation with a patient runa-ball 40, while Stallone Simon contributed 55 runs off 48 balls, but Avinash Poonasammy blasted 41 runs off 12 deliveries to singlehandedly snatch the game away from the Young Guns.

St Cuthbert’s ended on 166-2 in 16.1 overs. Bowling for Young Guns, Joseph Manhorlall took 2-27.

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23

CPL hosting is an integrated effort – President Ali

A

s announced at the National Stadium at Providence, EBD on March 30, 2022, Guyana will,

for the first time ever, be hosting the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final matches, having secured a contract in this regard for three seasons (years): 2022, 2023 and 2024.

President Ali had divulged the importance of the CPL Initiative, while noting that the event would be funded mainly through the Private Sector.

As it relates to the influence of the initiative, President Ali has explained that the event is a powerful regional product, and is one that would drive regional tourism.

“It is a powerful product to attract our diaspora. And to understand the power of that product, from the time you launch it to now, one should talk to the airlines and hotels here, and you will hear what is happening for the month of September; to the extent that we are now working with the Private Sector…,” the President has said.

Addressing the issue of funding, President Ali has declared it an integrated effort that would involve the Private Sector, the Government, and every stakeholder; as it is not only

about the game of cricket, but about building a calendar of events around it.

The President has said, “We’re talking about Carnival, Regional Artistes Night, and the process will start from now, investing in getting artistes in hosting forums to build artistes’ potential to perform.”

Alongside the other mentioned activities, there will be a Regional CPL Dinner and a Hall of Fame Dinner, as the CPL, like the Private Sector and the State, would be investing a lot of resources towards the success of this enterprise.

While uncertain about exactly how much resources the State would plug into “the biggest party in sport”, the President related that, for now, the State would be pro-

Athletics Guyana President Aubrey Hutson

Organiser of the Arrowhead League, Treiston Joseph

he Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), in conjunction with 100 Degrees Sports and FK Sports, launched the first National Track and Field Grand Prix series on Friday morning.

The Arrowhead League would encompass five different track meets, and would be an invitational event that features Guyana’s best athletes.

At a press conference held at the AAG Headquarters, President of the Athletics Association of Guyana, Aubrey Hutson, shared the format of the league. “It’s a five-part series, and it will have a relegation system. For instance, in the 100 metres, if you do not make the finals, then we will bring in a fresh eight sprinters to run the next set of 100 metres; but it will be strictly invitational.”

Hutson also shared, “Outside of the road races, where the senior athletes would come into some re-

wards, there is nothing there for our senior track athletes doing from 5000m all the way down to 100m. We’ve been losing athletes once they come out of high school, and the reason for it is that, once we did our survey, there is nothing rewarding for them to stay,” the AAG boss explained.

Hutson divulged that only the top-16 athletes are expected to be selected in the country at the end of the 100m and 200m events, as those events would comprise heats and a final. Competition for males would consist of 100m, 400m and 5,000m events.

Females would participate in 200m and 800m events, while, moving on to the next round, there will be a reversal of events in terms of gender.

Field events would comprise of javelin and shotput competitions, and only the top three would advance out of the eight competing contes-

T

tants. Activities are expected to be wrapped up in forty minutes.

Hutson also made mention that once facilities in Linden and New Amsterdam come into play, the events can be moved to various facilities and return for the grand finale at a given location.

Organizer of the event, Treiston Joseph of 100 Degrees Sports, shared the thought behind investing in such an event. “The significance of the event is to promote development of the sport on the local front, where athletes can have a competitive environment similar to the Diamond League,” Joseph highlighted.

Meanwhile, Proprietor of FK Sports, Felix Walker, noted the reason for signing on with the event, which he views as visionary. “This is long-term, and, as a company, we are happy to be part of anything that promotes the development of athletes and our young people, and we hope that corporate Guyana can see the vision and come on board,” Walker noted.

In the preliminary round of competition, athletes will be rewarded from first to third. First position would cart off $10,000, second $6000, and third $4000. It is expected that in the grand finale, the athletes would be able to pocket double the rewards.

The first two events of the series will be held on April 30 and May 1 at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, WCD.

Carnival Cricket festivities.

The Hero CPL would facilitate both Men’s and Women’s tournaments for its 10th season in 2022, with St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia being tentatively earmarked as host countries for other preliminary games.

Young credits CPL emerging players’ system for career growth

AAG launches Arrowhead League T …to consist of five legs

viding institutional and planning support.

Aside from the final match, Guyana would be hosting seven group games and three knockout games.

Guyana’s two-week hosting period is expected to interconnect with that of the

CPL’s influence on West Indian players’ growth…

By Brandon Corlette

Local athletics…

President Dr Irfaan Ali

he Caribbean Premier League (CPL) is known for hosting “the biggest party in sport”, but it is also known for showcasing the talents of the Caribbean. Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran and Keemo Paul, among other players, have used the CPL as a launching pad to propel themselves to opportunities around the globe.

Nyeem Young, a 21-yearold all-rounder, has been retained by the Barbados Royals for CPL 2022, having already shown his potential at the CPL in the past two years as an emerging player. This youngster credits the CPL for his growth as a cricketer, and has described the opportunities given to emerging players as priceless.

Young played six matches in CPL 2021, and claimed eight wickets at a brilliant average of 17.50 and a decent economy rate of 9 (given his

death-over bowling), along with a solid strike-rate of 11. Quizzed by this daily publication about the role CPL played in his journey, the fast-bowling all-rounder said: “I think CPL is an amazing tournament.

Having two emerging players in the squad that has to play five games between themselves brings a lot of opportunities within the CPL. Me, as a player, when I first played back in 2020, it was a very exciting time; and it brings a lot of pressure, knowing that you can get a game at some point, and you’re not just going to be there for the whole tournament.

“Having that mindset - that you will have an opportunity at some point, but it is just when – (prepares) your mind to go out there and perform. I think (that) in the Barbados group, I earned a lot of respect in tough phases, because Barbados team had a lot of tough phases that I played; and for me to be thrown in those phases was a challenge, and I really stepped up and I enjoyed

it.

“I learnt a lot in the Barbados group, so that is amazing to me,” Young said.

In a CPL release regarding the Emerging Players system, Jimmy Adams, CWI Director of Cricket, said the CPL allows CWI to identify the best young talents, and provides them with a programme that would hasten their progression to the professional game. That programme has played significant roles in many young Caribbean players’ careers.

Young is currently in Antigua with the West Indies white-ball camp, and he is the youngest player in the training squad. He will turn out for the Royals when CPL bowls off on August 30.

LIST OF PLAYERS AT THE CAMP: Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Justin Greaves, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shai Hope, Brandon King, Kjorn Ottley, Keemo Paul, Anderson Phillip, R a y m o n Reifer, Nial Smith, Devon T h o m a s and Nyeem Young.

Young celebrating a wicket for Barbados Royals

SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2022

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

CPL’s influence on West Indian players’ growth…

CPL hosting is an integrated effort – President Ali

Page 23

Young credits CPL emerging players’ system for career growth Page 23

Local athletics…

AAG launches Arrowhead League

From left: Felix Walker of FK Sports; Aubrey Hutson, President of Athletics Guyana; Treiston Joseph, organiser of the Arrowhead League; and Ava Bamfield of FK Sports

…to consist of five legs

Page 23

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