Guyana Times - Saturday January 16, 2021

P16

Region 1 begins virtual learning for dorm students Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4530

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

Trio remanded for brutal murder of Henry cousins ...President ...

President lauds Police for solving murders

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

APNU/AFC P14 anticipates “favourable ruling” on 2nd election petition – Harmon

Pages 9 & 11

Total, Apache strike 4th oil discovery offshore P14 Suriname

Murder accused: Akash Singh

Murder accused: Vinod Gopaul

Murder accused: Anil Sancharra

Govt pushing for increased productivity, ease of doing business at local organs – President Ali Page 3

…as Mayors, Deputy Mayors sworn in

52-year-old cook killed by falling P2 tree 2nd dolphin washes up on Essequibo P11 foreshore

Top Cop revokes promotion of P12 junior Police ranks President Irfaan Ali, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall, and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, with newly sworn in Mayors of the 10 municipalities

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

Case management hearing postponed to January 25 See story on page 7

Guyanese officials “very concerned” about COVID-19 variant in Brazil

…60 new cases detected; whopping 28 recorded in Region 4 Page 13

Haslington man busted with illegal firearm in interior P2

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

52-year-old cook killed by falling tree Haslington man

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he family of a 52-year-old woman received the shock of their lives on Wednesday after learning that she was crushed to death by a falling tree at Nessano Backdam, North West District (NWD), Region One (BarimaWaini).

The dead woman was

identified as Domelley Cyrus of Port Kaituma Water Front, NWD. Based on reports received, the now dead woman had only started working as a cook in a camp on Sunday last.

However, on the day in question, the owner of the camp told Police that he

along with his other employees left Cyrus at the campsite and went to work at around 14:00h.

He said while working he received a telephone call stating that a tree had fallen on his camp and was summoned to the scene. He and his crew left their work and went to the scene where

they observed the motionless body of the woman lying under the fallen tree.

The woman was picked up and taken to the Port Kaituma Hospital but it was too late. She was pronounced dead on arrival. It is still unclear what caused the tree to fall but an investigation has been launched.

busted with illegal firearm in interior

Miner allegedly drowns in old mining pit

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he body of 31-year-old Albert Nurse of Lot 683 South Amelia’s Ward Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) was found at Banana Landing Backdam, Middle Mazaruni River in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) on Tuesday last.

It is believed that the man might have fallen into an old mining pit and drowned. Based on reports received, the now dead man had displayed a strange behaviour prior to his demise.

One of his colleagues reportedly told detectives that one day prior to the man’s discovery, he saw him lying in a hammock in the mining camp.

He further stated that he

attempted to speak with the man but he ran out of the mining camp and was not seen again, until his body was found in an old mining pit about 200 feet away.

The body bore no marks of violence but the Police are continuing their investigations.

In the latter part of September 2020, a 39-year-

old miner was killed after the boat in which he was travelling collided with a log at Bush Cow Landing, Imbaimadai, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

It was reported that the deceased and four others were in a wooden boat captained by a twenty-fouryear-old miner of Kabauri village when the accident occurred. They were said to be heading to Beanamarupai Backdam from Imbaimadai Landing.

However, while in the vicinity of Bush Cow Landing, the boat allegedly collided with a floating log. As a result of the impact, he was thrown out of the boat and landed in the river.

A search party was launched to locate the victim. The search continued the following day and it was then the body was discovered a short distance from the mishap.

The .32 Taurus pistol with matching rounds that were found on the 21-year-old

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26-year-old man of Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was taken into Police custody after he was caught with an illegal firearm and matching ammunition on Thursday at the Tiger Creek area, Purini Road, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Police preliminary investigations revealed that the now dead man was found with a .32 Taurus pistol and two live rounds of matching ammunition during a search on his person.

Reports stated that ranks were on patrol duties in the area when they observed the man sitting in front of a shop.

As a result, the ranks approached him and conducted a search during which the gun and ammunition were discovered stashed in a haversack he was carrying at the time.

He was subsequently arrested and is assisting Police with their investigations.

Only recently, a 61-yearold Charlotte Street, Bourda, Georgetown resident was nabbed with a .38 revolver and five matching rounds of ammunition on the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

Police in their release said at the time of the discovery, the suspect was driving a car and acting in a suspicious manner.

As a result, a party of policemen, led by a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer decided to stop him and conduct a search on his person and the vehicle he was driving.

It was during the search that the illegal weapon and ammunition were discovered. The Georgetown resident was arrested and taken into Police custody.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, January 16 – 04:30h – 06:00h and Sunday, January 17 – 04:30h – 06:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, January 16 – 06:25h – 07:55h and Sunday, January 17 – 06:50h – 08:20h.

Govt pushing for increased productivity, ease of doing business at local organs – President Ali …as Mayors, Deputy Mayors sworn in

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light rain will prevail during the day. There will be partly cloudy skies during the night.

Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 06:35h and 06:50h reaching maximum heights of 2.5 metres and 2.58 metres.

Low Tide: 12:23h reaching a minimum height of 0.72 metre.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021

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02 07 08

14 17 25

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28 Bonus Ball

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

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COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

US$ $55.10/barrel $235.67/ton $461.70/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change % -2.40 -0.47 -0.58

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1828.60

$1829.60

Low/High Change

$1822.50 0.00

$1856.60 0.00%

President Irfaan Ali and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, posing with newly sworn in Deputy Mayors of the various municipalities on Friday

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he red tapes and barriers associated with transacting business are common challenges faced by Guyanese, but Government has charged local organs to collaborate and work towards one collective goal of enhanced productivity and ease of business.

President Dr Irfaan Ali shared this position on Friday, during the commissioning of oaths to Mayors and Deputy Mayors from the 10 municipalities. He used the platform to highlight that along with an infrastructural transformation, the idea is to enhance governance, transparency and reliability of service.

Amid this, he noted that Government is seeking to establish a greater relationship with local organ bodies across the country, especially in light of the significant macro development plans that are in the pipeline for Guyana.

“The macro development agenda is critical because, in most instances, it has a direct impact or direct link to what you do at the municipalities and Town Councils.

Guyana is embarking on a transformative agenda – an agenda that will see key and critical infrastructural links being created, rehabilitated and reestablished in some cases. These transformative infrastructures are aimed at increasing productivity, increasing efficiency and reducing the cost of doing business, creating employment and enhancing the livelihood and welfare of people all across our country,” Dr Ali positioned.

For this, stakeholders can expect a better level of engagement between Central Government and all local organs. The Head of State said it is imperative for the local bodies to conceptualise a common development course.

“It is imperative that we all, not only embrace a common development trajectory but that we consult, that we talk and we share ideas to ensure that at the end of the day, the people of Guyana get the best service that we can deliver of them.”

He acknowledged that these local organs are challenged by several factors, which Government is closely examining. These include tax collection, outstanding audits and sustainability of the

The Mayors and their Deputies before the swearing-in ceremony at Office of the President on Friday

Councils among others. Apart from direct investments from the Administration, the governing laws and regulations must match the current dynamics.

“The level of commerce, sophistication of investment has changed tremendously. The type of office building has changed but the laws have remained constant. The regulations have remained constant. The building codes have remained constant.

These are the things that Central Government will be working on so that we can bring the laws, regulations and codes up to speed with

the changing dynamics that exist,” the President said.

A major deficiency, he said, is the length of time for approval of building permits which can take years in some instances. Now, efforts will commence to have a single approval system that is recognised with international standards.

“It stays at some City Councils for two or three years. So, what we need to do now is work collectively and create a single-window approval system in keeping with international best practices. Very shortly, we will be engaging you on the mod-

ernisation of the institutional structures, the legislative infrastructure to establish a single-window system for building permits and construction plans. That will greatly enhance our competitiveness and improve our ease of business status,” the officials were told.

Those who took the oath of office in the presence of Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall; and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira are Mayor Rajendra Prabhulall from Anna Regina and his Deputy, Lorna Fitzallen; Mayor Winifred Heywood for New Amsterdam and his Deputy, Wainwright Mc Intosh; Mayor Ubraj Narine for Georgetown and his Deputy, Alfred Mentore; Mayor Winston Roberts from Corriverton and his Deputy, Imran Amin; Mayor Gifford Marshall from Bartica and his Deputy, Arita Peggy Embleton; Mayor Waneka Arindell from Linden and her Deputy Wainewright Odida Bethune; Mayor John Macedo from Lethem and his Deputy, Debra Evadne King; Mayor Chris Phang from Mabaruma and his Deputy, Carolyn Adelva Robinson; Mayor Dave Budhu from Rose Hall and his Deputy, Roydel Lewis and Mayor David Adams from Mahdia and his Deputy Juewayne Mendonca-Burrowes.

Article 71 of the Constitution states, “Local government is a vital aspect of democracy and shall be organised so as to involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live”.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

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

Better, cleaner & healthier environment

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he issue of recycling is becoming a major concern for both the general public and the economy. Scientific research has suggested that, due to lifestyle patterns of citizens, the earth’s natural resources are being depleted too quickly to sustain a healthy balance. The earth’s natural resources are being consumed at a rate that reinforces the idea that we are living for today, and future generations will be paying for the consequences that result from our lifestyle choices.

For years now, calls for citizens here to dispose of their waste in a responsible manner have fallen on deaf ears, and the buildup of garbage in and around the city continues to be repeated.

Governments and businesses all over the world are realising how serious the problem is, and are taking steps towards putting policy mechanisms in place to ensure that the environment is protected from various forms of pollution. Recycling, along with reducing consumption, has proven to be an effective way to counter the damage we have been doing to the earth for centuries.

A major part of recycling relates to how best we can recycle much of what we use, instead of turning it into unusable waste.

For the sake of emphasis, recycling is important as a means of reducing poisonous emissions into the atmosphere, and also to postpone depletion of our natural resources.

Guyana has indeed taken some time to get “on board”, while many companies and individuals in other parts of the world are improving their recycling habits by coming up with more ways to reduce and reuse what they use. In essence, while there has been much talk about the need to recycle certain products to save our environment from further damage, in a practical sense, the concept has not as yet taken much root here. Only a handful of companies have shown that they are really serious about moving in this direction. For example, in a bid to support the efforts to sustain and maintain a clean and healthy environment through the provision of proper disposal mechanisms and technology, one local company had launched a line of bio-degradable products, called Eco Pak. The Eco Pak products consist of bio-degradable table wares, including bowls, boxes and cups, which are all environmentally-friendly products because of the materials and the process utilised to manufacture them.

The PPP Government had, in the past, made an offer of taxfree concessions to individuals and businesses willing to invest and set up recycling plants for plastics and Styrofoam. This was viewed as a good start, and from all indications, a few companies had expressed an interest in taking up the offer. However, we are not certain how far these companies have gone ahead with actual implementation of the project ideas.

That being said, if we are serious about maintaining a healthy and clean environment, consumers must demand that businesses engage in practices that are more eco-friendly. For example, consumers must be encouraged to purchase from companies that manufacture more eco-friendly products.

As part of efforts to spread the message of recycling, a comprehensive education and public awareness campaign would need to be carried out, using every available means.

Following this, the authorities should explore setting up recycling centres across the country, since it makes no sense preaching about recycling if the necessary infrastructural support system is not present.

In addition to its positive impacts on the environment, recycling brings in a lot of money for many countries. Companies make huge sums from basically utilising the materials that would otherwise have been thrown away.

As this publication had previously said, we believe there is need for lifestyle changes among our citizens, and it would be very helpful if the schools, religious organisations and local Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and municipalities in every region start the conversation with citizens about recycling. This should be done with direct involvement of the decision-makers. Certainly, everyone prefers products that are manufactured in an eco-friendly manner, and wants a better, cleaner, and healthier environment.

President Irfaan Ali took time out for a photograph with a group of young people during his outreach to the mining town of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Thursday. During his meeting with the youths, he encouraged them to get into various fields that would benefit their communities and to an extent Guyana (Office of the President photo)

Understanding American Impeachment

Dear Editor, Guyanese are overwhelmingly in favour of impeachment for Donald Trump; but, as commented upon by Guyanese, there appears to be some misunderstanding of the concept of impeachment for President Donald Trump. Most Guyanese I spoke with in Guyana and in the diaspora don’t really understand the concept of impeachment as is set out in the US Constitution. They are of the mistaken belief that impeachment equals the removal from office.

“Trump done, bai! Congress impeach him! He gone!” they say. Many Americans of other ethnicities also hold the same belief.

A clarification of the meaning of the concept is warranted.

Impeachment is not removal from office.

I happened to have studied US Constitutional Law when I was doing a PhD in Political Science and MS in Educational Administration.

Constitutional law was mandatory for both disciplines; thus, I have knowledge of the process.

Trump was impeached by the US House of Representatives on Wednesday. His trial goes to the Senate for a hearing and a verdict. If found guilty, he will be removed from office.

The standards for a guilty verdict are very high, almost impossible to achieve.

No American President was ever found guilty by those standards and removed from office. Will President Trump be found guilty?

A guilty verdict means immediate removal from office. With only a few days remaining in his four-year term, it is the analysis of this writer that, in all likelihood, the answer to the question of removal from office is “no”; he will be allowed to complete his term on Wednesday morning, and fly out to Miami, as has been the norm with previous Presidents.

They fly out to their home state (of their choice) on a last flight on Air Force One. Obama had flown to Miami, although his home state is Illinois.

Impeachment is simply the equivalent of an indictment in a court of law.

It means an allegation or a charge has been made against the President. The House examines all the evidence of the charge, and a discussion is held. That is followed by a vote among the 435 elected members of the Lower House. A simple majority vote is needed for an indictment; some 232 members vote for impeachment. The matter is then sent to the Senate, where a trial will take place. A conviction requires a ‘yes’ vote by 67 members (two-thirds’ majority) of only the elected 100 members of the Upper House. That is a most difficult task. No American President has ever been convicted (removed from office).

Trump is the only President in the history of the US to be impeached more than once. He was impeached last year, but was not convicted, and thus has

remained in office. That vote took place along partisan lines – Democrats voted to impeach and remove him from office, while Republicans voted to exonerate him. The Democrats had the majority and voted to impeach him.

The current impeachment charges Trump for “high crimes and misdemeanors,” and for “inciting violence against the Government of the United States.” A dozen Republicans this week voted along with Democrats to impeach Trump. What happens Next? It is not clear if the matter will be brought up for a trial. The clock is ticking, and the Senate may run out of time. A trial and a vote must be held before Tuesday, Trump’s last full day in office. Given the limited time, with a trial taking at least two days, the Senate may ignore the process.

For a trial to take place, the Majority Leader of the Senate has to schedule the hearing. Currently, it is Republican Mitch McConnell. He may not want to touch the matter, fearing the political fallout for himself and his party. He may simply ignore the request for a trial, saying time does not allow for it, or find some other means to delay the process, which would lead to a natural death of the impeachment.

Once President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in on Wednesday morning, all incomplete matters of the preceding administration are dead.

McConnel has been silent on his plan. McConnel’s Majority leadership comes to an end after the swearing in of the next Vice President on Wednesday.

The Senate is tied 5050. The Vice President, who is ‘the Chair’ of the Senate, casts a tie-breaking vote. The Republican Mike Pence is the VP until Tuesday, and he will side with Republicans.

Kamala Harris, a Democrat, will hold that position from January 21.

Currently, all the Democrats (50) plan to vote for conviction. Ten Republican Senators plan to support the move to expel Trump from the Presidency.

The indictment is short of seven votes for a conviction. Even if two other Republicans support the vote, five more Senators would be needed to remove Trump from office. If the vote is successful, the Vice President is sworn in as the next President. That would be Mike Pence. He would inherit all the perks of office, including a hefty $200K annual pension and security just for being President for a few days, or even a day.

McConnell will decide Trump’s fate. In all likelihood, he will not schedule a trial, and will let the clock run out. He could also hold a debate without scheduling a vote; he has that power to block a vote.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram (Political Scientist)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

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President, Cabinet visit to Region 10

Dear Editor, On Thursday January 14, 2021, President Irfaan Ali, with members of his Cabinet, did the first Presidential Cabinet outreach in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), and this has given a clear indication to every Guyanese that the PPP/C Government cares about the welfare and development of each and every region of Guyana.

Region 10 Chairman Deron Adams, in welcoming the President and his delegation, assured that the region would work hand-in-hand with the Government to realise the aspirations of the communities in terms of development. He also highlighted several immediate needs of the region, including access to housing, financing for small businesses, improved access to primary healthcare, and the formulation of an Economic Implementation Plan, among other things.

After listening to issues raised by representatives of various groups in the region, at the Watooka House in Linden, the President engaged members of the public and representatives of various groups, including the Women’s Group, Farmers

Group and Forestry Group, youth groups, the mining sector, Private Sector, business community and the general public.

President Ali acknowledged the needs of the community, particularly in relation to access to housing. On this note, he said that, over the years, there has been a sloth in the development of the housing sector, as the investment was not there to satisfy the demand in the region.

He also announced plans to develop an online portal to allow young people who have specific training needs in all areas, including the hospitality sector, to register their interest. This would allow youths to benefit from opportunities that would arise in all sectors.

The President indicated that he would instruct Ministers Charles Ramson and Joe Hamilton to launch an online portal, and encourage young people who are interested in hospitality training to register themselves thereon.

Provision would be made for 200 youths from Linden who want to be trained in the hospitality sector to so do.

President Ali informed residents of Region 10 that his Government would also be moving to establish a National Tourism Hospitality Institute. The online portal would therefore support that initiative.

The President assured all that Government would place heavy emphasis on strengthening the human resource capacity across the country, including in communities in Region 10. He informed his audience of the many opportunities to come in housing, training, investment and entrepreneurship, and encouraged young people to form themselves into consortiums and to work together.

He declared that Government is ready to work with the groups to prepare them to take advantage of all of the opportunities on the horizon, and announced that Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, would be visiting every youth group in Region 10 with intention to craft a master plan before the 2021 Budget is presented.

He assured Lindeners that Government remains committed to ensuring that all of Guyana, including

Region 10, benefit from development plans underway, and he promised to revitalise the housing and agriculture sectors in the region.

The President said, “I want to assure you that we are going to put back resources, to put back the energy, the vibrancy, into housing, and to create the opportunities that housing once created in the region.”

President Ali also pointed to the importance of involving the Ministers of Government in formulation of a collective response to the needs of the communities. He said his Government is not concerned about the politics, but is concerned about the people’s welfare.

President Irfaan Ali promised that by this October, his administration would build 1,000 houses in Region Ten, 50 of which would be for young professionals. He said those homes would be for doctors who are working in the region. President Ali told the doctors that officials from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) would return to the region on Monday with representatives from the banking institutions to fast-track the prequalifica-

tion process.

Already, the APNU+AFC has said that announcement is in response to its call, and that it would ensure Government keeps its promise this time.

The APNU/AFC must be ashamed to make any such comment. At no point in his five-year term did former President David Granger take the time to visit the residents of Region 10 to see what they need and ensure that it is delivered.

President Ali, on January 14, 2021, demonstrated to Guyana and the world why he has been elected President of Guyana. His Government and Cabinet have made it very clear that their only intention is to serve the people of this country, and serve all the people of this country.

The people of Region 10 do not only have their Government’s commitment, but can rest assured that they have a President and Cabinet and Government that are ready to fulfill their mandate and commitment to uplifting the people’s lives and making them better.

I assure you that this Government is ready to work with every single Guyanese.

Our President is unconcerned with the politics of any community, but cares about the welfare of the people of all the communities.

President Ali has said his Government’s intention is to work with farmers to develop a master plan through which they can increase their respective productive capacities in agriculture. This master plan would also touch on the other sectors of the economy.

President Ali has also assured that creation of employment within Region 10 communities is high on his Government’s agenda, and will be supported by developments in ICT, particularly with the establishment of a call centre in the region. The plan, he said, includes training youths and women to construct the houses, and sourcing construction materials from the region.

The President also encouraged Region 10 health workers to work collaboratively in delivering optimal healthcare services to the residents of the region.

It was indeed a day to rejoice in Region 10.

Sincerely, David Adams

Creating a rail system should be considered in the upcoming budget

Dear Editor, The plans to establish new highways and bridges for automobile usage in the upcoming budget is a sign of a healthy ambition in our new Administration.

The economic reality before us does provide much insight into the shift occurring globally in more developed nations across Europe and Asia. For the movement of goods and people, it has been shown that the railway is a much more economically feasible option over the long term, when compared to the road system. It allows for agriculture, manufacturing, and other productive-sector development, while also providing a less expensive means of transportation for citizens and visitors to those nations.

The lower impact on the climate due to reduced greenhouse gas emissions is also very significant, and should be incorporated into our Green State Development Strategy.

The year 2025 is not far off, and the President-elect of the USA plans to reaffirm that country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement.

That would re-energise the global community’s efforts

to accomplish the near-term climate change goals. We, as a nation, must also do our part, and raise the bar on our internal expectations.

The current Administration would benefit from taking a closer look at installing a rail system that connects our regions and towns. In the interim, a national transport system that also incorporates an improved ferry infrastructure would help to reduce the overall cost while allowing for more ecotourism. The upkeep of such a national transportation system would cost less over the long term, and that system should be able to withstand the elements much better than a road network would in our tropical climate. The ravages of the rainy season over the years have shown the pitfalls and expenses associated with upkeep of the current roadways. The ongoing move to electric and autonomous automobiles would require very high standards and extremely reliable road and electricity networks. These are areas that Guyana has struggled with over the decades, and the rail system would allow us to bypass these is-

sues while still achieving the reliability, dependability, comfort, and low energy consumption goals that the automotive industry is pursuing.

We must admit that the British had it correct the first time, and there is no shame in being able to reverse the errors of the past.

If it were still in place today, our rail system would have been the second oldest in the world. Restoring our rail system to its former glory would re-estab-

lish its heritage, which we can leverage in our tourism sector. This would also hold true in the case of an expansion of the system, as is being proposed.

Our farmers, workers and the economy would thank the Parliament if such a transportation system were put in place. The roads would also become much safer and less congested. The tourism sector would have much more to offer in sightseeing, and the everyday commuters would

Y

ou must fill yourself with holy thoughts. That is the purpose of sacred festivals.

Sankramana is the time when the inward j o u r n e y towards a pure and unsullied heart is made.

Just as the Sun embarks on his northward journey, Sankranti is the day on which the intellect should be turned towards the Atma for Self-Realisation. Men and women have to change their vision, their thoughts, their words and their conduct. This is the meaning of Sankramana.

Unless you purify yourself, what can any number of Sankrantis mean to you? Sankranti promotes mental transformation. It illuminates the minds of people. It induces unfoldment of innermost feelings. It brings about the manifestation of the invisible Atma within everyone. Sankranti is pregnant with such immense significance. Sankranti should be hailed as the harbinger of unity and peace. This was an immemorial message of the Vedas. (Divine Discourse, Jan 15, 1996)

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation

have more money in their pockets as a result of the savings.

The economic multiplier from establishing a rail and train system and the increased employment this would generate would be substantial, as has been shown historically. It has always been a great catalyst to an economic boom.

Overall, it is a much better and more reliable infrastructural development option than that of the automobile & road system.

I am looking forward to the presentation of the upcoming budget and the clarification brought about by a constructive debate of the projects associated with such infrastructural investment options. Each dollar spent must have the greatest positive long-term impact possible. We are on the cusp of building a sustainable and successful future for our nation.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

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Foundation Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

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fox was caught in a trap one fine morning, because he had got too near the farmer's hen house. No doubt he was hungry, but that was not an excuse for stealing. A cock, rising early, discovered what had happened. He knew the fox could not get at him, so he went a little closer to get a good look at his enemy.

The fox saw a slender chance of escape.

"Dear friend," he said, "I was just on my way to visit a sick relative, when I stumbled into this string and got all tangled up. But please do not tell anybody about it. I dislike causing sorrow to anybody, and I am sure I can soon gnaw this string to pieces."

But the cock was not to be so easily fooled.

He soon roused the whole hen yard, and when the farmer came running out, that was the end of Mr Fox.

WORD SEARCH

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

Case management hearing postponed to January 25

Guyana’s Agent, Carl Greenidge

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he case management conference before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) initially scheduled for Friday has been postponed for the next two weeks, according to Guyana’s Agent on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy, Carl Greenidge.

“The case management has been postponed for reasons we are not aware of.

[It’s] been postponed for the 25th of this month [January],” Greenidge told this publication on Friday.

He explained that they were informed of this postponement last week.

While Greenidge could not say whether the change had anything to do with last week’s decree issued by the Nicolás Maduro Government, which has renewed claims to Guyana’s maritime border west of the Essequibo Coast, it would appear as though the postponement was made upon the request of Venezuela.

President Maduro claimed that he had asked the ICJ to postpone the hearing for three months but they only postponed it for 10 days.

Venezuela had claimed that it is being short-changed by the ICJ and that it has not given them sufficient time to prepare for the hearing of the case.

Nevertheless, Guyana’s Agent noted that at the upcoming case management conference on January 25,

The International Court of Justice

the Court will decide on the time to be allotted to each of the parties, they will find out whether Venezuela will participate and they will also give an opportunity to clear up any matters to deal with the procedures which the parties or the court may have.

Guyana approached the World Court seeking a final and binding judgement to reinforce that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties, and legal affirmation that Guyana’s Essequibo region, which contains much of Guyana’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

However, last week, the Maduro regime issued a decree claiming for Venezuela, sovereignty and exclusive sovereign rights in the waters and seabed adjacent to Guyana’s coast, west of the Essequibo River – a move which President Dr Irfaan Ali has staunchly rejected.

The Guyanese leader declared last Saturday that Venezuela’s maritime border claim is a “legal nullity” that will not be recognised by Guyana or any other State in the world. He added that while this latest move by the Spanish-speaking nation is “deeply disturbing”, it will not deter Guyana’s resolve to seek a final and binding

resolution at the ICJ. “We have always chosen a path of peaceful resolution of the Venezuelan issue within international law… I remind that sovereignty over this coast, and the land territory to which it is attached, were awarded to Guyana (then British Guiana) in the 1899 Arbitral Award, whose validity and legally binding character Guyana is confident the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will uphold unequivocally,” President Ali had asserted during an address to the nation.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s action has also been widely rejected here by the parliamentary Opposition, other political parties, civil society bodies and bilateral partners as well.

In fact, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon on Friday reiterated the APNU/ AFC Coalition’s condemnation of the recent decree, adding that it is illegal and can only serve to ferment tension in a territorial controversy that is being peaceably resolved at the World Court.

“The APNU/AFC stands resolute in its solidarity with any reasonable actions that is taken by the State to safeguard Guyana’s sovereignty… We urge the Venezuelan Administration to utilise the International Court of

Justice as the forum to present its case and to cease and desist from issuing these arbitrary decrees,” Harmon stated during a press conference.

Guyana’s March 2018 application to the ICJ was filed based on the recommendation of the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, following a failed good offices process between the neighbouring states.

In a majority decision on December 18, 2020, the ICJ ruled that it has jurisdiction to adjudicate over the border controversy case.

This was after Venezuela, which has refused to participate in the legal proceedings, wrote the court to say that the UN SG exceeded his authority under the 1966 Geneva Agreement when he referred the case to the ICJ, and therefore the court lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the matter.

The ICJ found that both Guyana and Venezuela con-

sented to judicial settlement when they signed the Geneva Agreement since the judicial process via the ICJ is one of the means available to the Secretary General in determining the controversy. Hence, the Court’s decision is binding on both parties.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s Attorney General Anil Nandlall opined during his weekly programme – Issues In The News – early this week that Venezuela is refusing to submit to the ICJ’s jurisdiction because it knows that if the matter is fairly adjudicated in accordance with international law, norms and practices then the Spanish-speaking country will not have a case.

He explained that the ICJ was established to resolve international disputes among territories around the world via a legal conciliatory and judicial styled and fashioned method. It was expected, he added, that countries would willingly submit themselves to the jurisdiction of these tribunals and organisations in order to settle territorial disputes.

“Unfortunately, Venezuela, in abrogation of international law and in violation of all the treaties that they would have signed on to which would have mandated them to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of these tribunals, is now refusing itself to the jurisdiction to the court,” Nandlall stated.

The Attorney General went on to note that while it is within the sovereign rights of nations not to submit to treaties or international organisations such as the World Court if they do not wish to – which, he said,

President Nicolás Maduro

is an incidence of sovereignty – one would expect that a country would have “solid grounds” for not submitting to the jurisdiction of these international tribunals.

“Venezuela has not stated a sensible or plausible reason why it is not subjecting itself to the Court’s jurisdiction. So, the Court had to do the next best thing and assess the conduct of Venezuela in order to determine whether that conduct amounted to submission to the jurisdiction of the Court.

One cannot participate in a process and then when the process culminates or reaches such a level that involves the court taking control of it, one is not allowed – either by municipal law or by international law – to extricate one’s self and deny the existence of a consistence course of conduct moving in a particular direction,” the AG pointed out.

According to Nandlall, those were the principles of law considered by the ICJ during its decision last month.

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Chappy” found guilty of wounding son’s father-in-law

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ompton Fecker, also known as “Chappy,” who was indicted for attempt to commit murder, was on Friday found guilty of the lesser count of felonious wounding by a 12-member jury.

Fecker, who was released on bail pending trial, was remanded to prison following the guilty verdict.

He now awaits sentencing which will be passed on February 3, 2021, by Justice Brassington Reynolds.

At the commencement of the trial this week, State Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial presented the indictment which read that on March 19, 2015, in the county of Essequibo, with intent to commit murder, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Alvin Melville, his son’s father-in-law, with intent to commit murder.

Guilty: Compton Fecker

The prosecutor also presented an alternate indictment for felonious wounding. That one stated that on March 19, 2015, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Melville, with intent to maim, disfigure, dis-

able or cause grievous bodily harm to him. The jury returned a guilty verdict for the lesser count. Fecker was represented by Attorney-atLaw Adrian Thompson.

In her opening remarks, the Prosecutor directed the

jury that if there was not sufficient evidence to convict Fecker on the attempted murder charge, they should then consider the evidence in relation to arriving at a verdict for the lesser count.

The facts of the case are that Fecker and Melville are known to each other. Melville’s daughter and Fecker’s son shared a relationship. On the day in question, the men had an argument during which Fecker pulled out a hammer and dealt Melville several blows to the head.

The injured man collapsed to the ground and was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital. Due to the extent of his injuries, he had to be transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he remained hospitalised for days.

Armed bandits attack drunken men, rob elderly woman

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rmed men on Friday stormed the home of an 83-year-old

woman at Onderneeming Sand Pit, Essequibo Coast in Region two (Pomeroon-

Supenaam), carting off with valuables and cash.

Police stated that the

incident occurred at about 01:20h at the residence belonging to Parbattie Sooklall.

Based on reports received, two occupants of the house, 52-year-old Ricardo France and 46-year-old Richard Patterson, were consuming alcohol with one of the doors open.

They were confronted by two men - both wearing face masks and one was armed with a handgun and the other with a cutlass.

The man with the cutlass began assaulting both France and Patterson while the other suspect went to the elderly woman’s room where he demanded that she hand over her valuables.

Fearful for her life, the woman complied and handed over a quantity of jewellery and $150,000 cash. The man, after collecting the loot, escaped.

The Police were contacted and an investigation has been launched.

The long arm…

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…of the law hile your Eyewitness has been critical of the Police for their casual, petty shakedown of motorists and other misdemeanors against the citizenry, he’s always maintained that much of their challenges are political in nature. And in this respect, they merely reflect what’s immanent in every institution of our dear, old mudland. One of Granger’s first acts, upon assuming office, was to sweep out the entire top brass of the Force and replace them with presumed loyalists.

So, with the PPPC back in the saddle, and rectifying the injustices by bringing back most of the old officers who’d proven their mettle, your Eyewitness was sure the Force would solve the mystery of who’d butchered those poor young men of W/Berbice. In the matter of solving local crimes, it invariably comes down to intelligence (snitching?) on what went down in the community. After all, when was it that a local crime was solved using “forensics”?? That’s just something we see on CSI and other crime shows!

Guyana’s a small place; folks talk eventually, because “mattie tell mattie and friend tell friend”. The Police eventually get wind, especially after the Crime Chief of the said Police Force insisted they keep their ears on the ground. So, your Eyewitness was greatly relieved - but not surprised - when this newspaper scooped the news that three persons had been arrested for the Henrys’ murders, and confession had been obtained from them.

Unlike the usual “confessions” that were literally beaten out of suspects, this time, the Police videoed the “spilling of the guts” on this most gruesome crime, and showed it to reporters. And, as had been surmised by many - excluding Granger, of course, who insisted it was “political” - the murders were linked to marijuana that’s widely grown in the backlands of remote rural communities. The confessor was 19-year-old Akash “Monkey” Singh, who fingered two other accomplices, his cousin Anil Sancharra (33) and Vinod “Maaga” Gopaul (34).

Maaga is a hardened criminal who’d shot and killed his father at 14, engaged subsequently in numerous crimes in the Berbice area, and escaped from jail on two occasions.

Seems he and the others had established a ganja farm in the backlands of W/Berbice, but this had been destroyed and the Henry cousins had been fingered, and then murdered.

Young Akash insisted he’d been forced to participate in the hacking, and it was he who carved the “X” on each of the heads. His story was corroborated by the fact that he was able to lead investigators to the original crime scene, which all investigators surmised but couldn’t locate.

The DPP has recommended murder charges be laid, and the killers must get the death penalty. And preferably hanged until they’re dead. …needs direction In the wake of the solid investigation - to which the DPP immediately gave her imprimatur by requesting charges be filed - several questions were raised in your Eyewitness’s head. For example, “How come Maaga (as in “scrawny”) was allowed to roam free after all his criminal activities?

After the patricide in 2004, he was charged for murder, but escaped, in 2007 and then again in 2011, from the New Amsterdam Prison and fled to Suriname.

He returned in 2014, and had been positively identified in a spate of robberies in Numbers 48-49 Villages on the Corentyne. Villagers had staged a protest, insisting that the Police were in cahoots with him. He was apprehended only when villagers in Black Bush Polder raised an alarm after he went to a wake with an assault weapon. It’s not known how he was freed, but he was sentenced in absentia in 2019, and then arrested in a cordon-and-search operation.

But we know he was out and about for him to be planting ganja, and then allegedly murdering the Henry boys.

What gives? …tying up loose ends There must be a speedy trial, to remove all doubts as to whether Akash’s account of the murders is true. This should bring closure to the bereaved families.

The Police must now solve Haresh Singh’s murder.

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

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Ali says 2021 budget is being fine-tuned, to be presented soon

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here is a short wait until the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government presents its 2021 budget to the National Assembly. This was revealed by President Dr Irfaan Ali, who stated that the budget is being fine-tuned to ensure everyone benefits.

“We’re working presently. We haven’t fixed a date as yet but we’re working presently on Budget 2021 and it’s not a long wait.”

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government took office in August 2020 and was able to produce a budget the very next month. It was previously announced that eyes were on February 2021 to produce its next budget.

It is said that Budget 2021 will continue fulfilling the grandiose plans contained in the party’s manifesto, including its plans to deliver 10,000 house lots every year and to expand Guyana’s infrastructure.

Earlier this month, Attorney General Anil Nandlall said it promises “greatness” for Guyana and

President Irfaan Ali

its people as the PPP/C embarks on its first full year in office.

“In 2021, we will be laying the foundation for the transformational projects that not only will keep the PPP in office for a very long time, but will transform this country,” the AG was quoted as saying.

The commencement of the construction of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge is among several projects

set to take centre stage this year. Major highways across the East and West Coasts and East Bank of Demerara will also be commissioned.

Preparatory work is also set to start for the construction of the highway to Brazil and the Deep Water Harbour in Berbice. He also said more airlines are expected to debut their service to Guyana, while new, large oil companies will start op-

erations here.

“This is the year that will see the minimum three to four international hotels begin construction. Another Marriott, Best Western, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Sheraton; all those names are already here. We will begin to mould and breathe life into our manufacturing sector, and we will be investing in manufacturing and processing products…

Look at the budget. Tens of thousands of projects are unfolding. This is the year the boom will begin. That is how the PPP plans to unfold governance this year,” the Attorney General had stated.

Recently, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr Ashni Singh also noted the tremendous benefit Guyanese will receive from Budget 2021.

“The Budget will outline the medium and long-term vision for the country; vision of our Government in the long-term for the country, and then the Budget will initiate a lot of these

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

programmes and policies and projects. A lot of the big projects that we have been speaking about, you will see them being initiated in Budget 2021, setting the stage for the realisation of the medium-term vision that we have for the country.”

This year’s budget will be the first full-year national economic plan presented by the PPP/C Government since taking office in August

2020.

The $329.5 billion budget that the Government presented in September of 2021 was a much-needed emergency budget that covered the remainder of the 2020 fiscal year. Prior to that, the last budget the country had under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government was in November 2018.

while roads were blocked and vehicles were torched by residents of the area.

According to post-mortem results, the Henry teens died as a result of haemorrhage and shock owing to the extent of their wounds; their spines were also severed.

The Government had taken certain extraordinary steps in an effort to solve the crime, including inviting a Caricom Regional Security System (RSS) team to assist with the investigation. The team sub-

sequently recommended that the Police do an additional probe.

Meanwhile, Dr Louis Fondebrider, an expert from the Argentine Team of Forensic Anthropology, had recently visited Guyana in a bid to determine if any support could be given towards solving the murders.

Then this week, the Police were able to secure a confession, thus leading to the arrest and arraignment of three men for the heinous crime.

President lauds Police for solving Henry boys’ murders

Murdered: Isaiah Henry

Murdered: Joel Henry

fter months of sleepless nights and intense investigations, the Police were able to bring the perpetrators who brutally murdered 16-year-old Isiah and 19-year-old Joel Henry to justice - a development that was welcomed and praised by His Excellency, President Dr Irfaan Ali. President Irfaan Ali has lauded the work of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) under the leadership of Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum for finally bringing closure to the case. This, he positioned, was a matter of national importance.

On Thursday, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended that 19-yearold Akash Singh of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); his stepbrother, 33-year-old Anil of D’Edward Village, WCB, and 34-year-old Vinod Gopaul of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice, be charged for the heinous crimes.

“As I have always said to the media and Guyana, I have full confidence in the Police Force, in the ability of the

Crime Chief and his team. I’m very happy that we’ve made such great progress on this

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matter. This was very important for us nationally and now it’s a big step out and I’m very happy,” President Ali told the media on Friday.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon also commented on the latest update in the Henry boys’ case, saying that he hopes the Police have gotten the right persons who committed the gruesome murders.

“Since this matter is at this very delicate stage, I would just want to say that I hope they have the right people,” he said.

Last year, on September 6, the mutilated bodies of the Henry cousins were found in the backlands of Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice – almost

two days after they had left their Number Three Village, WCB home to pick coconuts in the backlands, but never returned home.

Their butchered bodies were found in clumps of bushes partially covered in mud, after relatives went in search of them.

The news of their deaths sparked protests across several villages along the West Berbice corridor, and commuters and other innocent persons were beaten and robbed,

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ECD woman arrested GPF ranks rescue man “praying to his God” from following discovery of drowning in Atlantic Ocean ganja in shoulder bag

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The two Police ranks pulling the man out of the water

rgent response by two ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Thursday saved an unconscious man from drowning in the vicinity of the Kitty Seawall.

According to information received, the man was later identified as Mark Phillips, 44, of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

On Thursday, Dion Bascom in a social media post said he along with another person were passing the seawall heading to “base” when he noticed a man drifting on a piece of mud into the Atlantic Ocean.

He said he believed something was amiss since the man was not moving. As a result, Bascom along with his friend went as close as they could have and called out to the man, but there were no answers.

ers that the man was still alive.

“Shortly after a Police patrol pulled up and a sergeant and one of his colleagues took off their boots and went in the water and got him. He was still alive but he couldn’t move so they bring him out…” Bascom said.

Video footage seen by this publication showed the officers carefully pulling the man out of the water. Persons were heard praising the men for their bravery.

Eventually, the officers managed to pull the man to shore.

An ambulance arrived shortly after, and paramedics began to revive the man.

He was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was admitted a patient.

Police said Phillips is a known psychiatric patient at the Georgetown Hospital. The man reportedly told his doctor that he was lying in the sea

The man lying on the mud in the ocean

Shortly after, other public-spirited citizens came to the scene, and one person went into the water to check on the man.

Upon his return, he told the oth-

praying to his God when the Police interrupted him.

His condition is listed as stable.

The ganja that was found in the 38-year-old’s possession

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38-year-old woman was on Thursday arrested after she was found with a quantity of ganja during a cordon and search exercise conducted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) at Unity, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

During the operation, ranks received information and went to a house in Unity, ECD, where a search was conducted during which a quantity of marijuana was found in a shoulder bag.

As a result, the 38-year-old female was arrested and is currently in Police custody assisting with investigations. The cannabis was subsequently weighed in her presence and amounted to eight grams.

Last week, a 47-year-old Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD) businessman and his 36-year-old wife were arrested after more than 4 kilograms of ganja was found on their premises.

It was reported that Police acting on information received went to the

home of the businessman and executed a search on his Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD) property.

During the search of the lower flat of the building, the businessman opened a blue plastic barrel where a black garbage bag was discovered.

Upon checking, the ranks found three bulky transparent parcels containing 4.236 kilos (9.3lbs) of ganja.

He was told of the offence during which he admitted ownership of the illegal drug.

Further, a search was carried out at the back of his yard during which a cannabis sativa plant measuring about two and a half feet in height was found under a golden apple tree.

The businessman, Ryan Joseph called “Decky” was arraigned before Magistrate Crystal Lambert when he appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court.

He reportedly pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded to prison until January 25, 2021.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Trio remanded for brutal murder of Henry cousins

Murdered: Isaiah Henry

Murdered: Joel Henry

he three men accused of the gruesome killings of Joel and Isaiah Henry, the two cousins whose mutilated bodies were discovered in the backlands of Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice (WCB), last September, were on Friday arraigned for the heinous crimes.

The men - Akash Singh, 19, called “Monkey,” of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); his stepbrother, 33-year-old Anil Sancharra, called “Dan pole” and “Rasta,” of D’Edward, WCB; and 34-year-old Vinod Gopaul called “Magga,” of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice, made a virtual appearance before Magistrate Peter Hugh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Singh had to answer to two counts of murder – one for Isaiah and the other Joel. Sancharra and Gopaul, on the other hand, were charged jointly for the two murders. They were not required to plead to the indictable charges.

Police stated that the murders took place between September 5 and 6, 2020.

The accused will make their next court appearance on February 2, 2021, at the

Blairmont Magistrate’s Court.

During his appearance at the city court, Sancharra declared that he was innocent, stating that the Police only found him with marijuana.

Meanwhile, Gopaul said that one of his co-accused implicated him in the crime for which he protested his innocence. “And this brother calling my name; is not me…honestly to God.” He also denied knowing the Henry cousins.

However, the three men were escorted to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts by ranks of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and upon exiting their respective vehicles, two of them shouted that they were wrongfully framed.

But after spending some time in the holding bay, they were taken back to the CID Headquarters. The reason is unknown. But at about 13:00h, the men were taken to the court for a second time - this time they were arraigned and remanded for the murders.

Again, as they left the holding bay and made their way to the vehicle, Gopaul and Sancharra held out that they are innocent and

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Murder accused: Vinod Gopaul

called on the Police to find the right persons.

Following months of investigation, the Guyana Police Force was able to crack the case with the arrest of the three men.

Having obtained confessions, Police sent a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which advised that the men be charged for murdering 16-year-old Isaiah and 19-year-old Joel.

Singh was arrested on Sunday last, after Police received information. The others were then taken into custody the following day.

In addition to the video confession from Singh, the Police also obtained statements from two separate persons, including a relative to whom he had confessed to killing the “two boys” on separate occasions.

In the hour-long confession video, Singh told the Police that he had accompanied Gopaul and Sancharra to the West Coast Berbice backlands sometime in August 2020 to cultivate cannabis.

They then left the area and returned in September,

Murder accused: Akash Singh

but when they arrived at the farm, it was destroyed – everything was sprayed with gramoxone – a chemical herbicide.

According to Singh, Gopaul and Sancharra declared that they would chop up whoever destroyed their ganja farm. They then went to the individual who gave them the ganja plants, but on their way, they met the man’s worker who said their ganja was also destroyed and weeds stolen, and started to assault them.

The three murder accused related that their farm was also destroyed.

At that point, Singh said, the man told them that two “wicked black boys” does go in the backdam and destroy their “things”, and eat out their foods. Singh said that he heard Sancharra and Gopaul plotting about what they would do to whoever destroyed their farm.

Singh told investigators that he saw Gopaul and Sancharra with two boys, and gave descriptions matching the Henry cousins. Singh said at that point the “tall one” get up and Gopaul dealt him a

Murder accused: Anil Sancharra

chop to the neck with a cutlass and he started to bleed.

He recounted that Sancharra then dealt the other cousin a chop to his neck also. He related that the two men kept firing chops about the bodies of the two young boys.

Singh related that after his accomplice threatened to kill him, he also took a cutlass and started chopping at the two teens, and he marked an “X” on the forehead of one of the boys while Sancharra did the same to the other boy.

He then told the Police that Sancharra and Gopaul left the camp with the bodies on a horseback, while he stayed back at the camp.

This is consistent with initial Police findings that the area where the bodies of the teenagers were found was not the prime crime scene, but they were merely dumped there.

After his confession, Singh took investigators to the camp, and he pointed out where the murders took place. The case was handled by ranks of the Police Force’s Major Crimes Unit.

During the investigation, Police had arrested and questioned over a dozen persons.

A post-mortem report revealed that the cousins died as a result of haemorrhage and shock due to multiple incised injuries; their spines were also severed. Following the killings, massive protests erupted across the country, especially in West Coast Berbice where the two young men resided.

Days later, 17-year-old Haresh Singh was found murdered in Cotton Tree.

His death is believed to have been a retaliation to the murders of the Henry boys since it was reported that he was a relative of one of the men who was initially arrested for questioning into the murder.

Now that the Police have charged three persons, detectives are expected to carry out further investigations to determine the veracity of the claims made by Singh. In addition, they are to hunt and arrest another suspect who was implicated during the confession.

2nd dolphin washes up on Essequibo foreshore

Environmentalist Annette Arjoon

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ays after a dead dolphin washed up along the Essequibo foreshore,

another was found on Friday suspected to have died after coming into contact with a fishing net in the Essequibo River.

This has, however, sparked some concerns by environmentalists including Annette Arjoon-Martins, who took to social media to report the discovery which was made at Johanna Cecilia, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam). From the photos posted, it is evident that the animal was bleeding.

In an invited comment, Arjune stated that both dolphins were Sotalia Guianenis species. She further stated that since the carcass of the first dolphin was still fresh, they were able to identify to be a male. However, the second carcass had already been attacked by carrion crows and as such, identifying its sex proved difficult.

The environmentalist noted

The dolphin that was spotted at Johanna Cecilia

that at this time, she is unable to provide any additional information relating to the cause of death since they have not completed research and testing.

“Without proper investigations, it would be difficult to determine cause of death so I am hoping that for 2021 our institutional capacity to respond speedily and carry out such relevant investigations will be considerably enhanced,” she added.

On Tuesday last, it was reported that a dolphin was found along the Perth foreshore, Essequibo Coast. The animal was spotted by residents and passersby.

There was blood visible on the mammal as well as marks along the mouth, indicating that it had been trapped in a fishing net. The creature measured several feet in length.

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Top Cop revokes promotion of junior Police ranks

Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

olice Commissioner Nigel Hoppie has revoked the promotion of several junior ranks who were promoted on January 1, 2021.

While the reasons are still unknown, this came just after Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George granted an order on December 31, 2020, blocking the promotion of several Police ranks to Assistant Commissioner by the Police Service Commission (PSC) until hearing complaints of discrimination levelled

by Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus.

The matter would have started when Senior Superintendent Calvin

Brutus complained to the High Court that he is being bypassed for promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, even though he was recommended for promotion by the Commissioner of Police.

In his claim, he stated that he was being overlooked for promotion owing to frivolous allegations of indiscipline levelled against him for which he has not been called to defend himself.

Earlier in the week, Chief Justice George had adjourned the hearing of senior ranks’ promotion until February 5, 2021, after Attorney General Anil

P

Nandlall told the court that the Police Service Commission (PSC) is willing to solve the issue outside of the court.

On January 1, the Guyana Police Force announced the promotion of several Police ranks at the Force’s annual junior promotions party.

It was then, a supplementary list of persons who were also named as promoted was released.

Guyana Times understands that it was some of those officers on the supplementary list that had their promotions revoked.

Following the announcement of the revocation of the officers’ promotion, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn said he would be reviewing the lists of junior and senior Police ranks who were recently promoted by the GPF. “The matter is under some review, and we will come up with a fix to the is-

One of the letters dispatched by Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie

sue… there was a meeting with the Commander of the Police Force, and the matter is under discussion,” Minister Benn told the media on Friday.

The Home Affairs Minister said there has been some failure in communication within the administration, which contributed to this issue.

“I will request all lists for review so I too will have a better understanding of what obtains and a discussion as to how it is done,” he posited.

Guyana Times understands that those persons who were stripped of their promotion were not on the initial list but were added on sometime after the act-

ing Police Commissioner, Nigel Hoppie, would have reviewed same.

On Thursday, several letters were dispatched by Commissioner Hoppie to Commanders and Senior officials indicating the rescinding of the promotions.

Some ranks have taken to social media venting their frustration.

Outdated Food & Drug Act, Regulation under revision

Director of GA-FDD, Dr Marlan Cole

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irector of the G o v e r n m e n t Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GAFDD), Dr Marlan Cole said that the outdated laws and regulations governing the body which falls under the purview of the Health Ministry are being reviewed.

It is hoped that the process will be completed in about six months, which will see consultations with the general public, including importers of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and manufacturers as well.

The official made this disclosure on Friday during a meeting hosted by GA-FDD for food importers at the National Cultural Centre.

The meeting sought to address matters concerning the importation of food products which include those from Florida, Waivers, and ASYCUDA System. The GAFDD, which was established in the late 19th century, is governed by the Food and Drug Act of 1971 and the Food & Drug Regulation of 1977 to address safety and trade-related issues for food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices.

To this end, the Department is mandated to ensure that items to which the Act and Regulation apply are safe and pass quality checks to enter regional and international markets.

For his part, the Former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), who now serves as Chairman of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Board, Ramesh Dookhoo underscored that the Food and Drug Department is an extremely powerful and important department.

“So as business people we should respect this Department for what they stand for and respect international norms for what they stand for on manufacturing, distributorship, and in other kinds of non-importing participants in the food supply chain,” he told importers.

Noting that food “is a

Ramesh Dookhoo

very serious thing all over the world, Dookhoo urged importers, “if we want to get involved in the importation and distribution and have sole distributorship and manufacture food in Guyana, we have to do it responsibly. It is not the commercial benefits of importing food alone. We have a responsibility to the people consuming that food.”

According to him, rules and regulations governing the sector must be adhered to at all times. Moreover, he called on the Government to make the Food and Drug Department highly certified and highly independent, and to give it the necessary tools to execute its functions.

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese officials “very concerned” about COVID-19 variant in Brazil

…60 new cases detected; whopping 28 recorded in Region 4

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

H

ealth officials in Guyana are already assessing the challenges that will impact the medical sector if the new variant of COVID-19 that was detected a few days ago in Brazil makes its way into the country.

Speaking during the daily update on Friday, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said this poses concern since it is a more transmittable form of the coronavirus.

He said, “We are very concerned…If this is more transmittable, then more people are going to get infected and if more people get infected, then we can assume that we’ll get a higher percentage of them coming into the hospital needing ICU care. These are going to be the challenges if this variant circulates in our coun-

try.”

On the aspect of closing borders with neighbouring Brazil, he informed that the land border has been closed for some time. In fact, the Takutu Bridge which connects Guyana to Brazil is only open for the exchange of goods one day per week.

“The bridge over the Takutu [River] has been closed. We do allow on Thursdays very limited amount of interaction where goods can come over from Brazil and goods from Guyana can go across to Brazil. That is properly supervised by the health authority of both countries.”

There have been instances of persons coming into Guyana illegally, prompting efforts from the Joint Services to patrol the border regions. Brazilians have also bolstered their surveillance efforts.

While more investigation is underway to get a clearer “clinical picture”, the Pan American Health Organisation had said that it might have already spread to several South American territories. Genetic sequencing would have placed it in these countries, an indication that precautions should be taken even more seriously.

“PAHO has estimated that the variant might be in a number of South American countries. The reason why they would have said that is

because they have a network of 21 laboratories that have been doing genetic sequencing and they’ve detected this variant in some of those countries. That variant is in Brazil for sure and one of the characteristics of that - it is more transmittable, meaning that you can get it more easily. That is why we will have to take precautions,” the Minister positioned.

The only preventative measures against the new variant is to wear masks, sanitise and practice proper handwashing at all times. Apart from the variant in Brazil, two others were detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon on Friday said that stronger measures than the ones which currently exist should be implemented to clamp down on movement and travel from these high-risk areas.

60 new cases detected

Another 60 cases of the coronavirus were detected during a 24-hour testing period, thus bringing the total number of cases up to 6805.

As deaths remain at 170, there are four persons in the Intensive Care Unit. In the facilities, there are 55 persons in institutional isolation and 34 in institutional quarantine. Some 493 are also in home isolation. With 3492 males and 3313 fe-

males contracting the virus, 6083 of these cases have recovered completely. To date, 44,143 persons have been tested.

However, three of the new cases were recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini); six in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); six in Region Three (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo); 28 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); one in Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica); nine Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); six in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and one in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The cases in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) remain constant at 563 and 403 respectively.

The Health Minister shared some insight on modifications that were made to the National Emergency Measures to allow for indoor dining. He noted that permission must be sought from the National COVID-19 Task Force Secretariat, after which the Guyana Tourism Authority will assist with certification.

He explained, “The measures, we have changed them slightly. There is a slight tweak and that is, we want to provide some form of indoor dining. Before an establishment can be granted permission to do indoor dining, they have to go through cer-

tain checks. The Task Force has been working with the Guyana Tourism Authority and that authority is going to assist in going to every indoor restaurant and they’re specific guidelines for compliance.”

An evaluation will be done to measure the premises and assess seating arrangements, to determine how many persons can be facilitated at 40 per cent capacity.

“Once that checklist is complied with, then that facility will be licensed to do indoor dining. If the facility has capacity to seat 100 persons, then we are only allowing 40 per cent occupancy.

You’re not going to have full capacity.”

A sign will be posted at the establishment, indicating how many persons should be accommodated. If there is a breach, permission would be withdrawn.

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APNU/AFC anticipates “favourable ruling” on 2nd election petition – Harmon T

he APNU/AFC coalition is eagerly awaiting next week’s ruling by Chief Justice Roxane George, who is expected to decide the fate of the second elections petition filed which seeks to vitiate the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The petition is being challenged by Attorney General Anil Nandlall with the support of People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo, who are asking the High Court to strike it out.

In the November 10, 2020 application, Nandlall asked that the second election petition filed by the coalition be dismissed on the grounds that it was served in breach of the requirements under Section 2 of the National Assembly Validity of Elections Act. Justice George is expected to rule Monday on the preliminary arguments relating to the defective service of the petition and whether former President and Leader of the APNU, David Granger is a necessary party in the proceedings.

According to Leader of the Opposition Joseph Harmon during a press conference on Friday, the APNU/AFC is anticipating a favourable ruling.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

“We do expect a favourable ruling but it is the court that will make that determination and so we don’t want to prejudge what the Judge is going to say.

“But once there is a favourable ruling, we look forward to the substantive hearing of the petitions before the court. So, what we expect is some timelines will thereafter be set for the substantive trial. If, in fact, there is an adverse ruling on one of the petitions, I believe if that is so then we have the right to appeal,” he posited.

Harmon further stated that the coalition is looking forward to the substantive

cases being heard by the court so that the contentions in their petitions can not only become a record of the court, but also known to the international community.

“What we want is for the substantive matters which we have raised in both petitions to be heard by the court and so it becomes a record of the court and the people of the world, because some of them who are not listening to us while we were raising all of these concerns during the 33 days of recount but I suppose they will listen to us now because of some similarity of what took place here and what is taking place in another part of the world,” he stated.

Lawyers for petitioners Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse have urged the Chief Justice during the December 1, 2020 hearing to overlook the deficiencies in the service of the petition on Granger, who is the second respondent and Head of the APNU/AFC List of Candidates, hence, spare their petition from being tossed out.

The former President was served on September 25, 2020, which is 10 days after the petition was filed on September 15. As such, Trinidadian Senior Counsel

Total, Apache strike 4th oil discovery offshore Suriname

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ew operators of Block 58 offshore the coast of Suriname, Total and Apache Corporation, have announced that they made a new significant oil and gas discovery at the Keskesi East-1 well.

In a statement on Thursday, the operators said this is the fourth discovery in the Block offshore the Suriname Coast with previous oil finds at Maka Central, Sapakara West and Kwaskwasi.

The Keskesi East-1 well was drilled by a water depth of about 725 metres and encountered a total of 63 metres net pay of hydrocarbons, comprised of 58 metres net black oil, volatile oil, and gas pay in good quali-

ty Campano-Maastrichtian reservoirs, along with 5 metres of net volatile oil pay in Santonian reservoirs, where wireline logging has just been performed. Drilling is still ongoing for deeper Neocomian-aged targets.

“We are delighted to announce this new discovery, which confirms this first exploration campaign as a full success and adds to the proven resource base,” said the Senior Vice President of Exploration at Total, Kevin McLachlan.

He added, “We are also excited, as new operator of the block, to start the appraisal operations designed to characterise the 2020 discoveries, while in parallel start a second exploration

campaign on this prolific block in 2021.”

Total assumed operatorship of Block 58 on January 1, 2021, with a 50 per cent working interest. Upon completion of the operations on Keskesi East-1, the Noble Sam Croft drillship will be released.

Block 58 is connected to the Canje Block offshore Guyana, where exploration activities have commenced.

Only last week, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), a subsidiary of United States oil giant ExxonMobil, announced it started drilling an exploration well in the Canje Block offshore Guyana in what will be the first foray into that block in search of oil.

The Bulletwood-1 well is the first well to be drilled in the Canje Block and was spudded by the Stena Carron drillship which commenced drilling on December 31, 2020, in a water depth of 2846 m.

The Canje Block lies 180 km offshore Guyana in deep to ultra-deep waters with an area of approximately 4800 sq km. The operator of this block is ExxonMobil with a 35 per cent interest while Total also has a 35 per cent, JHI a 17.5 per cent, and Mid-Atlantic Oil & Gas Inc a 12.5 per cent interest.

Chief Justice Roxane George

John Jeremie urged the High Court to disregard the date on the acknowledgement of service and focus on the date on the affidavit.

However, when questioned by Justice George who made the error, the lawyer could not say.

In fact, during a case management hearing in October 2020, the Chief Justice had pointed out that service of the petition on Granger was “out of time”.

She had noted that according to the rules, the petition must be served within five

days of filing on the respondents, but the court records show that the petitions were served until September 25.

Nevertheless, during the December hearing, AG Nandlall had lambasted the petitioners’ lawyers in court for proving unable to explain the mix up regarding the date of service and went on to reiterate that the Chief Justice should dismiss the petition.

Granger’s legal team had made efforts to extricate him from the case by using Section 27 of the Validity of Elections Act and gave notice that he would not be contesting the petition.

But Nandlall argued that by using this Act, Granger himself has acknowledged that he is a properly named party in the case.

Section 27 (2) of the Validity of Elections Act states “A respondent who has given the prescribed notice that he does not intend to oppose the petition or for whom any person has been substituted shall not be allowed to appear or act as a party against the petition in any proceedings thereon.”

“A respondent, your honour, must mean a properly named respondent. So, by

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

filing that notice to say that he is not opposing that petition, Mr Granger has implicitly or rather, expressly accepted that he is a properly named respondent. That is what the Section gives him the power to do… Mr Granger cannot contend that he is not a proper party in the petition and then use a mechanism in the Act that is directed to proper respondents. He cannot have it both ways, your honour,” Nandlall had contended in court.

GWI to increase treated water in coastal areas to 85%

GWI CEO Shaik Baksh meeting with officials

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he Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has crafted a new five-year strategic plan for the period of 2021-2025.

Included in the plan is a target to achieve 85 per cent treated water coverage in coastal areas as compared to 53 per cent in 2019.

According to the utility company, this plan also sets out to achieve 100 per cent access to potable water countrywide by 2025. Based on baseline data from 2019, 96 per cent of the population has access to potable water.

The programmatic areas of the plan are organisation and management, non-revenue water, water production, distribution and quality, finance and customer services, and sanitation.

One of the key performance indicators of the strategic plan is 85 per cent metering by 2025 compared to

53 per cent in 2019. Already, GWI is expected to receive 26,000 meters by April 2021, upon which time installation will commence.

Water meters not only aid customers in the monitoring of their water consumption but also allow the company to control the demand for this valuable resource.

Other performance indicators include reducing non-revenue water from 70 per cent in 2019 to 55 per cent in 2025, achieving 100 per cent billing for customers and 100 per cent resolution to customer services and sewerage-related complaints.

According to GWI’s Chief Executive Officer, Shaik Baksh, quarterly reports will be submitted to the Board of Directors on the achievements of the targets.

“The strategic plan pro-

vides enhanced strategic focus to achieve improved operational efficiency and productivity in the face of expanding economic opportunities and improving quality of life for all Guyanese,” he stated.

On Friday, Baksh met with managers from across the regions to give them the charge for 2021 and to discuss the strategic plan and how its targets will allow the company to fulfil the mandate of the Government.

He told the managers that both the Government and the Board of Directors have high expectations of GWI. The CEO spoke of the need for better coordination and a stronger relationship between the operations and customer services teams in the respective regions to effectively cater to the needs of the customers.

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SEN committed to improving LFU launches Economic Development Programme in Linden quality of life of persons with special education needs T

Coordinator of the Regional Special Education Needs/Disability Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Keon Cheong

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he Special Education Needs Officers and the Technical Staff of the Regional Diagnostic Centre at Turkeyen on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to improving the quality of life of persons with special education needs within the school system, and by extension Guyana.

National Special Education Needs (SEN) Officer, Savvie Hopkinson said that from the onset of the global pandemic caused by the coronavirus, the officers within the SEN sector of the Education Ministry have been compelled to revisit the way they function and engage in their various capacities within the Ministry.

She said that after the Ministry’s SEN Conference

ant area since the pandemic started since parents had to take on the role of classroom teachers.

She said that efforts must be accelerated in this area through virtual forums and home visits.

“We are set upon finding ways of maintaining and eventually accelerating the development of students through the departure from old forms and pedagogy to boldly embracing those principles and practices that yield expected results for personal fulfilment and national goals,” Hopkinson stated.

Director of the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD), Quenita WalrondLewis told the officers that the vocation that they have

that NCERD will support the officers’ walk through advocacy, access, equity and quality as they continue to make a positive impact in the education sector and the country at large.

However, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration) (ag), Fazia Baksh related that educating a child is not just about writing examinations but moulding the child and equipping them with the skills that will enable them to lead very successful lives.

She said that though some persons take education for granted, it is the right of all students, regardless of their background, ability or disability.

“The inclusion of students with special education needs and disability is a process of meshing general and special education reform initiatives and strategies to achieve a unified system of public education. All children and youth should be active and participating members of the school community that provides quality education through effective teaching and support,” she added.

She encouraged the SEN officers to continue to use existing resources and tools in new ways to develop systems and practices that will provide benefits in the future.

She said that the Ministry of Education will continue to support their efforts and pro-

Special Education Needs officers and the Technical Staff of the Regional Diagnostic Centre at Turkeyen during Friday’s event

on Thursday, it was recognised that the SEN sector could not continue to utilise old strategies to undertake today’s tasks and expect to effectively meet tomorrow’s challenges.

Hopkinson told the SEN officers that it is required for them to revisit their work, review strategies and counter the new environmental challenges.

Further, for 2021, she expounded on some of the activities and areas which will be given attention such as virtual training, SEN awareness campaigns, blind and deaf education, adopting acceptable measures during COVID, coping with home-schooling, mental health and stress management, sign language and parent education.

As it relates to parent education, Hopkinson noted that it has been an import-

chosen is a blessing.

“Not everyone can answer this particular call.

Your hearts are big, your minds are focused and aware and you have a consciousness that taps into everything that is good and right in humanity when you can see our most vulnerable as deserving, see our most challenged as capable and able and commit your life and work to levelling playing fields, breaking down barriers and building bridges every day.”

Further, she highlighted that advocacy is important since issues of access, equity and quality fall on deaf ears if no one is pushing for change.

She explained that collectively, the officers’ voices can become a “thunderous roar” for those who are silenced or disenfranchised.

Walrond-Lewis posited

vide the resources needed to sustain this period of online interactions.

According to Coordinator of the Regional Special Education Needs/Disability Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Keon Cheong, the initiative to have the event was planned to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2020 that was observed on December 3, 2020, under the theme “Building back better toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable postCOVID world.”

He told the officers that Guyana has come a far way over the past few years as a result of their work which cannot be ignored.

During Friday’s session, the Regional Officers from Districts Three, Four, Five, Six, 10 and Georgetown shared on the work done in their Districts and the plans for 2021.

he Linden Fund USA (LFU) has launched a new Economic Development Programme, through its Linden Fund Guyana Office as a means of supporting economic recovery in Linden.

LFU in a statement to the press noted that the “essential programme will serve as a catalyst for development in the community, especially as the International Monetary Fund has projected 8.1% growth in Guyana’s economy over 2021”.

Under the initiative, the body said it will provide expert leadership in ensuring that the community of Linden can capitalise on this growth, securing the development and expansion of businesses, job creation and an increased cash flow around the community.

The programme comes on the heels of the announcement of major infrastructural development works in the region led by the Government of Guyana, with support from the Caribbean Development Bank. This infrastructural work will oversee the upgrade of the Linden to Mabura Road, estimated at approximately US$190 million.

The upgrade will serve as a catalyst of growth in the community, promoting an increase in the movement of goods and services between the two locations and further afield. LFU said it intends to work to ensure that development in Linden provides an environment for local growth in tandem with national growth, especially as Guyana transforms into a major oil-producing and exporting nation.

Through its Linden office, the LFU will focus its efforts on community engagement, small business growth and workforce development.

According to the LFU, there will be a concerted effort to leverage diaspora relations

Onika Stellingburg

and local partnerships with all stakeholders to support the development and direct investment into businesses and projects in the community.

Established in 2009, the LFU has an impressive track record of impactful projects including the mobilisation of over $129.2 million in financing and materials for projects focused on health, community development and education.

These actions are expected to expand as the organisation sets its sights on partnership and engagement with international oil and gas companies now residing in Guyana, the offices of the Mayor of Linden, Regional Chairman, the Linden Technical Institute and all other stakeholders from the various sectors across the country.

Managing community and stakeholder engagement is Onika Stellingburg, who serves as Economic Development Programme Manager.

Stellingburg has previously served as an Advisor on Renewable Energy, Sustainable Development and Forests at Guyana’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. She is an expert climate change negotiator and is also skilled in stakehold-

er engagement, international policy development and multilateral diplomacy. She has substantial experience working with the Government of Guyana, mainstreaming sustainable development into multi-year national budgets and ensuring projects and initiatives developed were aligned with national and international plans.

Stellingburg has also previously served with the Caribbean Regional Youth Council, where she worked in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank, the Commonwealth Secretariat, International Labour Office and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to execute an immersive 3-day conference focused on decent work and economic growth, mobilising US$180,000 to oversee the execution of this conference.

According to the LFU, initial upcoming action of the new Economic Development Programme is expected to be a business diagnosis survey and quarterly economic development forums to connect businesses with investors and other interested partners. These activities will help LFU to identify needs, challenges and areas for growth across Linden. The data will then be used to drive project development, partnership pursuits and the investment of resources in the community.

The mission of the Linden Fund USA is to play a leadership role in the revitalisation of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), which includes Linden and its surrounding communities. The LFU intends to form strategic partnerships with other entities with similar interests as well as to provide funding for projects, programmes and initiatives that promote and enhance the academic, social, medical and economic standing and wellbeing of Region 10.

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Enrico Woolford sues NCN for $7.8M; claims unpaid gratuity, vacation allowance

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eteran journalist Enrico Woolford, whose employment as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Communications Network (NCN) was terminated by the PPP/C Government, is suing the State-owned media entity for $7.8 million in unpaid benefits, including gratuity and vacation allowance.

In court documents filed last week by his Attorneyat-Law Eusi Anderson, Woolford outlined that by way of a written contract of employment, he served in the capacity from April 1, 2018, to July 31, 2020, when he and NCN mutually agreed not to renew the contract. The veteran broadcaster said that he was earning a monthly salary of $800,000.

Besides that, he said that he was entitled to the following allowances: travel $80,000; housing $50,000; entertainment and duty $40,000 each; security $30,000; refreshments $10,000; gratuity 22 ½ per cent of his salary paid every six months; vacation allowance equivalent to

one month’s basic salary and a cell phone allowance up to $15,000.

According to Woolford, during his employment, he was unable to exhaust all of his contractual benefits and at the date of effective termination, he was entitled to vacation allowance and gratuity for specific periods in 2018, 2019, and 2020, amounting to $7,796,688.

In filings at the High Court in Demerara, Anderson submitted correspondences between his client and Human Resources Manager at NCN Lissette Nurse, who acknowledged that his client was entitled to the sum, and promised that he would be paid monthly instalments of $1,299,488 given the company’s financial position.

But according to Woolford,

the hospital.

This publication understands that the ambulatory staff are not employed by the hospital but are contracted staff through the Ambulance Brigade.

The employees, mainly women, are presently calling on the relevant authorities to look into the situation as they fear being on the breadline.

Some of the workers have disclosed that they are single parents and pointed to the unavailability of jobs in the community, more so with the COVID-19 pandemic.

They have indicated that the person in charge is dealing with the issue of the letter which was allegedly sent and feedback on the way forward is expected within the new week.

The staff have also voiced concerns, stating that they were told that Patient Care Assistants (PCA) will be trained in their places. When contacted, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the LHC, Rudy Small noted, “What I can tell you is the ambulance service will continue at the hospital and will be done by highly trained LHC staff”.

Fate of over 20 Linden ambulatory staff in limbo

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he fate of over 20 Linden ambulatory staff attached to the St John’s Ambulance Brigade in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) is presently in limbo as plans are afoot to terminate their contracts.

A number of ambulance attendants are currently voicing concerns, alleging that they were recently made aware of a letter sent to a supervisor, allegedly by the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) stating that the services of the Ambulance Brigade will no longer be needed due to overstaffing at

“Despite repeated promises to make these payments in instalments commencing on September 30, 2020, by [NCN] and the dispatch of pre-action protocol correspondence, [he] has not received a penny of these benefits.”

On this note, he contended, among other things, that NCN has refused to pay him the benefits and that there is no excuse in law for its repeated failure to pay the said benefits almost several months after they become due and payable. “I have not consented to any delay in payment or waived my rights to these sums in any form whatsoever. I am advised by Counsel and do verily believe [NCN] has no defence to this action,” Woolford noted in an affidavit in support of his claim.

Having regards to the forgoing, Woolford is asking the court for a declaration that he is entitled to the benefits,

pursuant to the terms of his employment contract. He is also seeking an Order compelling NCN to pay him the accrued vacation allowance and gratuity; interest according to the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act; costs; and such further or other order the court deems just.

This lawsuit is fixed for hearing before Chief Justice Roxane George.

Woolford was hired as CEO of the State-owned media entity by the former APNU/AFC Government.

Shortly after the PPP/C took Government, Public Affairs Minister Kwame McCoy in a letter dated August 12, 2020, informed Woolford that his appointment as a Director on the Board of Directors of NCN was terminated with immediate effect.

Imran Khan, another AFC Executive, was also laid off as Director of Public Information (DPI). According

to his contract, Khan was earning a salary rivalling Woolford’s. He earned a basic salary of $701,767 per month; a duty allowance of $100,000 per month; an entertainment allowance of $15,000 per month and a travel allowance of $25,000 per month, all non-taxable.

Also, he had his cell and residential phone and internet paid for by the State.

He was also provided with Government quarters and 24-hour security, as well as having his electricity and water paid for by the State.

Since being sworn in on August 2, 2020, President Dr Irfaan Ali has taken a tough stance against political appointees, who this publication understands proliferate throughout the various Ministries. Since the PPP/C Government took office, several political appointees tendered their resignation and several others were advised accordingly.

Region 1 begins virtual learning for dorm students

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Students tuned into their Zoom class [Photo credit: Education Ministry]

he Education Ministry has confirmed that Region One (BarimaWaini) hosted its first virtual Mathematics lessons via the Zoom platform at the Santa Rosa Secondary School.

The class was hosted in the school’s refurbished computer lab that is equipped with the newly installed smartboards. The lesson was conducted by the Santa Rosa Secondary School’s math teacher and was streamed for 25 dormitory students.

The virtual classroom session consisted of students from Santa Rose, North West and Port Kaituma Secondary Schools. The classes will be held weekly, according to the Ministry.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck Guyana, schools across the country were closed on March 16, 2020, for the health and safety of teachers and students. Consequently, the Ministry had to develop new ways of teaching.

Back in September 2020 the Education Minister,

A snippet of the Zoom class [Photo credit: Education Ministry]

Priya Manickchand, had announced the recommencing of school via TV, radio and online classes. At that time, the Minister had stated that schools within the hinterland region would be provided with adequate workbooks, textbooks and materials to facilitate learning where electricity and internet access are limited.

However, on November 9, 2020, schools were partially opened for face-to-facelearning. Grades 10, 11 and

12 and those attending practical, technical and vocational institutes were given approval to return to school.

The Minister indicated that the decision was made after most parents wanted schools to reopen at the level of the exam classes including Grade Six. Most teachers also wanted face-to-face interaction with their CSEC and CAPE classes. The Minister said at the time that all COVID-19 protocols were being followed.

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Tourism Authority to monitor restaurants for dining compliance — indoor dining at 40% of capacity — 1-month closure for breaches

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he Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has been tasked with ensuring compliance with the amended COVID-19 order which now allows restaurants to have indoor dining of up to 40 per cent of their capacity.

The GTA said restaurants which qualify for indoor dining will be monitored and those which breach the regulations will be shut down.

Director, Carla James, in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Friday, related that eateries must apply to the Authority for permission.

They must also submit their Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) which must align with the COVID-19 measures, and

other health and sanitation protocols.

Once the documents are submitted, the GTA would do a desk review and advise the entity of any deficiencies that need to be addressed. This would be followed by an onsite inspection of the premises to verify that the establishment has everything in place relating to the COVID-19 guidelines, and that they reflect the information provided in their SOPs. “Once that is done and they meet all the requirements, we will then grant them conditional approval to open at 40 per cent capacity.

Patrons must look out for sign that will be placed [on the establishment] once the property is approved,” James said.

The Director also noted that the GTA will be supporting the businesses by publicising their names so citizens would know where they can dine safely.

Breaches

James said monitoring is key to ensuring that the systems in place are working effectively and the GTA is taking a firm stance on breaches.

“Businesses who are in breach will be banned from reopening for a month and we know that this [is] something that they will not want because they want to remain open to have some revenue coming out their business because they have not been able to operate for quite a number of months. We hope that they

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Carla James

do everything that they can and follow the rules so that we don’t have to ban anyone so to speak from operating.”

The GTA intends to employ various methods of monitoring, including making unannounced visits for inspections. The Authority will also be conducting a survey where patrons can provide

feedback.

On monitoring

Since the GTA’s mandate to ensure safe dining is countrywide, it will be liaising with agencies such as the Mayor and City Council, the Department of Health and regional health officers to ensure continuous monitoring.

The inspection of premises for applications that have been submitted will begin today.

According to the amended measures, tables are to be spaced six feet apart from each other and no more than four persons are to be seated at a table, and they should be at least three feet apart.

The amendment also states that staff at the restaurants shall wear a mask fitted to cover the nose, mouth and chin at all times and shall sanitise dining tables and chairs after use by each customer.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony announced the amendments to the Order on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister briefs NDIA expends $2M on Brazilian counterpart on desilting of Somerset outfall Venezuela’s new decree – Budget 2021 to set framework for comprehensive upgrade of countrywide D&I system

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esidents on the Essequibo Coast are benefiting from a number of drainage and irrigation works as Government continues to put systems in place to mitigate flooding in the region. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), on Tuesday last, completed clearing and desilting of the Somerset outfall channel. This channel is said to drain excess water from the Somerset main canal, as well

commercial and farming areas experiencing instances of flooding.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said the Ministry is currently engaged in a number of ongoing projects of this nature around the country.

“The NDIA is currently executing a number of projects that involve desilting and clearing of a number of outfall channels and canals. Most of these structures have not

NDIA machine while working to desilt the Somerset outfall channel

as the Tapakuma Lake.

The works, which were executed to the tune of $2 million, ties into a series of drainage works being done in the region to bring relief to persons who were affected by flooding over the past few weeks. Heavy rainfall coupled with a lack of much-needed maintenance works to a number of canals and drains in both residential and commercial areas in several parts of Charity and Pomeroon, resulted in many residential,

been maintained for a number of years and that has contributed to a lot of the flooding farmers have experienced during the rainy season,” Minister Mustapha said.

The Minister further disclosed that farmers across the country can look forward to a number of works being executed once the 2021 budget, which is scheduled to be presented in the National Assembly next month, is passed.

“NDIA, which is one of the

most important agencies under the Ministry’s umbrella, has been operating without a clear work programme for a number of years. No groundwork was done to know what works were needed in these farming communities.

During my many community outreaches since becoming Agriculture Minister, the most pressing issue was the lack of proper drainage. Buildup in these outfall channels and canals contributes to the poor drainage experienced in these communities. Without a proper work programme, Central Government cannot make funds available to carry out these works. Since taking office, I’ve instructed the NDIA to go into the communities and see what needs to be done, develop a work programme so that we can make proper representation for these works to be done,” Minister Mustapha said.

This, he said, will set the framework for a comprehensive upgrade to the nation’s D&I system. Minister Mustapha went on to say that with rising sea levels and somewhat unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change, the Government is keen on improving the current drainage system in an effort to mitigate instances of flooding. Last year, the National Assembly approved some $18.4 billion for the development of the agriculture sector, of which $9 billion was allocated to the NDIA for drainage and irrigation works across the country. Prior to 2020, the agriculture sector saw a constant decline in budgetary allocations, which resulted in notable contractions to what is considered one of Guyana’s most important productive sectors.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, on Friday during a virtual meeting with His Excellency Ernesto Araújo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil

M

inister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd on Friday had a virtual meeting with His Excellency Ernesto Araújo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federative Republic of Brazil, to brief him on recent actions taken by Venezuela against Guyana, in particular, the recent decree issued by Venezuela.

He emphasised Guyana’s position of a peaceful resolution to the border controversy and further conveyed President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s stance of relying on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a solution to the long-protracted situation.

Minister Araújo, in turn, reiterated that his Government did not recognise the validity of the decree as it was issued by an “illegitimate Government.”

Brazil views such actions from the Venezuelan regime as troubling. The Brazilian Foreign Minister reaffirmed his support to Guyana and urged for a peaceful resolution through the ICJ to ensure the peace

of the region is not jeopardised.

The two Ministers took the opportunity to reiterate their commitment to

cooperation on developmental areas recently discussed during the visit of Minister Araújo to Guyana in November 2020.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

Regional

Guatemala detains hundreds C’bean to commence vaccine deployment under COVAX facility by March of migrants at border as US-bound caravan grows T

T

he Guatemalan military has detained hundreds of migrants at its border as thousands of Hondurans, including many families with young children, continued to walk north on Friday as part of a caravan hoping to reach the United States.

The Guatemalan military detained 600 migrants at the border crossing point in Corinto and transferred them to immigration authorities on Friday, according to military spokesman Ruben Tellez.

Separately, Guatemalan authorities returned 102 Honduran migrants back to Honduras on Thursday, after the first groups in the caravan set off from San Pedro Sula.

The Red Cross estimates that up to 4000 people could join the caravan, as Honduras reels from violence and an economy shattered by hurricanes and coronavirus lockdowns.

“We’re suffering from hunger,” Oscar Garcia told Reuters as he made his way toward the Guatemala border. The banana plantation worker said his home was destroyed in November’s hur-

Hondurans walk past Police officers at a Police checkpoint in a new caravan of migrants, set to head to the United States, in Cofradia, Honduras January 15, 2021

ricanes, and that he’s fleeing north hoping to earn enough to send money back to support his mother and his young daughter.

“It’s impossible to live in Honduras, there’s no work, there’s nothing,” he added.

The first migrant caravan of the year comes less than a week before US Presidentelect Joe Biden takes office.

While Biden has promised a more humane approach to migration, in a departure from outgoing President Donald

Trump’s anti-immigrant policies, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico are coordinating their own security and public health measures aimed at curtailing irregular migration across the region.

That will likely be a relief for Biden, whose aides have privately expressed concerns about the prospect of growing numbers of migrants seeking to enter the United States in the early days of his Administration. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Colombia to keep land, river borders closed until March

C

olombia will keep its land and river borders closed until March 1 as it tries to curb the spread of coronavirus, its migration agency said on Friday, following a decision to extend a socalled selective quarantine through February.

International air travel, which resumed in September, will not be affected by the decision to close the mentioned borders, agency director Juan Francisco Espinosa said in a video message.

“We know this is a sacrifice for everyone but right now we need to keep taking care of ourselves,” Espinosa said.

The Andean country, which closed its borders in March last year, was due to open its borders on Saturday.

It is the top destination for Venezuelan migrants fleeing the long-running social and economic crisis at home.

More than 1.7 million Venezuelans are currently in Colombia, according to figures from the agency.

Humanitarian corridors on the border will remain open, and border crossings of goods will continue, Espinosa said.

On Wednesday Colombia took the decision to extend a so-called selective quarantine until the end of February, in line with its health state of emergency.

The country has reported over 1.8 million coronavirus infections, as well as more than 47,000 deaths. (Excerpt from Reuters)

he deployment of COVID-19 vaccines in the Caribbean and other countries across the Americas, under the World Health Organisation (WHO) COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility, is anticipated to get underway by the end of March.

Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) Director, Dr Carissa Etienne, made the disclosure during a digital media briefing on Wednesday.

An initial two billion vaccine doses have already been secured from Pfizer Incorporation under COVAX for distribution globally in 2021, with another 1.3 billion programmed for 2022.

The two billion doses are

expected to cover the first phase of the vaccination rollout targeting 20 per cent of beneficiary countries’ vulnerable populations, including healthcare workers, persons with underlying conditions, and the elderly.

Pfizer is also expected to provide one million vaccines to be used in some regional countries under a proposed pilot arrangement in February.

Dr Etienne said the COVAX facility will provide access to a basket of 15 vaccines, noting that the Pfizer vaccine is the only one already prequalified by the WHO. Pfizer was issued with a licence to facilitate emergency use of the vaccine, which has already been distributed in a number of

countries globally.

Dr Etienne further pointed out that there are more than 100 additional vaccine candidates in the COVAX facility pipeline.

Meanwhile, the number of vaccine manufacturers attaining prequalification and emergency licensing under the COVAX Facility could shortly increase to at least three.

Dr Barbosa said WHO has also commenced prequalification negotiations with the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Russia, which manufactured the Sputnik V vaccine, and Chinese biopharmaceutical company, Sinovac, manufacturers of the Coronavac vaccine.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Haiti braces for unrest as opposition demands new President

H

aiti braced for a fresh round of widespread protests starting Friday, with opposition leaders demanding that President Jovenel Moïse step down next month, worried he is amassing too much power as he enters his second year of rule by decree.

“The priority right now is to put in place another economic, social and political system,” André Michel, of the opposition coalition Democratic and Popular Sector, said by phone. “It is clear that Moïse is hanging on to power.”

Opposition leaders are demanding Moïse’s resignation and legislative elections to restart a Parliament dissolved a year ago.

They claim that Moïse’s five-year term is legally ending — that it began when former President Michel Martelly’s term expired in

Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise speaks during an interview at his home in Petion-Ville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, February 7, 2020

February 2016. But Moïse maintains his term began when he actually took office in early 2017, an inauguration delayed by a chaotic election process that forced the appointment of a provisional President to serve during a yearlong gap.

Haiti’s international

backers have echoed some of the opposition’s concerns, calling for parliamentary elections as soon as possible. They were originally scheduled for October 2019 but were delayed by political gridlock and protests that paralysed much of the country, forcing schools, businesses and several Government offices to close for weeks at a time.

Some in the international community also condemned several of Moïse’s decrees.

Moïse has faced numerous calls for resignation since taking office, with protests roiling Haiti since late 2017. The demonstrations have been fuelled largely by demands for better living conditions and anger over crime, corruption allegations and price increases after the Government ended fuel subsidies. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Paraguay approves emergency use of Sputnik MoU signed to help arrest vaccine, Russian Sovereign Wealth Fund says gun violence in Caribbean

P

araguay has become the latest Latin American country to approve emergency use of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus, Russia’s RDIF sovereign wealth fund said on Friday.

The green light from Paraguay does not require additional clinical trials in the country, RDIF said in a statement. Argentina, Venezuela and Bolivia have also approved use of the vaccine while Chile is in talks about doing so.

“We expect that more countries in the region will approve it soon and are ready to create new partnerships to pool efforts in the fight against the pandemic,” Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the fund, said in the statement.

Efficacy of Sputnik V is

T

more than 90 per cent, with full protection against severe cases of COVID-19, the statement said.

“Supplies of the vaccine will be facilitated by RDIF’s international partners in India, China, South Korea and other countries,” it added.

More than 1.5 million peo-

ple have already been vaccinated with Sputnik V, it said.

The vaccine has also been approved in Russia, Belarus, Serbia, Algeria and Palestine.

“The process to approve the vaccine in the European Union has been initiated,” the statement said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

he Caribbean C o m m u n i t y Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (Caricom IMPACS) and the Small Arms Survey (SAS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will support the region’s efforts to improve its capacity to prevent the illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons.

The MoU, signed on Wednesday to formalise existing cooperation between the two entities, also seeks to enhance Caricom member states’ implementation of commitments under international and regional arms control instruments, with a particular focus on advancing

more evidence-based policy to reduce armed violence in the region.

As the Caribbean Community carries vital experiences on working to prevent the illicit circulation of small arms, and as the Small Arms Survey has worked on regional efforts on this topic in other parts of the world, this MoU will solidify an already existing mutually beneficial partnership.

The Small Arms Survey is a global centre of excellence, which generates impartial, evidence-based, and policy-relevant knowledge and analysis on small arms and armed violence and acts as a resource for governments, policy-makers, researchers, and civil

society.

The Trinidad-based IMPACS is an institution of Caricom with primary responsibility for the implementation of the Caricom Crime and Security Agenda. Under this MoU, the partners agree to assist each other in realising their respective strategic objectives in general. The nature of the collaboration will be both consultative and substantive, with the partners working together on common policy issues. Caricom IMPACS and the Small Arms Survey can also develop and implement joint programmes, projects, or initiatives along agreed lines. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil drops over 2% on China lockdowns, US stimulus concerns

O

il prices fell more than 2 per cent on Friday, with both contracts posting a loss on the week as concerns about Chinese cities in lockdown due to coronavirus outbreaks tempered a rally driven by strong import data from the world’s biggest crude importer.

Brent fell US$1.32, or 2.3 per cent, to settle at US$55.10 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate crude settled down US$1.21, or 2.3 per cent, at US$52.36 a barrel.

Both benchmarks, which hit their highest in nearly a year earlier in the week, posted their first weekly declines in three weeks, with Brent down 1.6 per cent on the week and US crude down about 0.4 per cent.

While producers are facing unparalleled challenges balancing supply and demand equations with calculus involving vaccine rollouts versus lockdowns, financial contracts have been boosted by strong equities and a weaker dollar, which makes oil cheaper, along with strong Chinese demand.

These positives were called into question on Friday as the dollar rose and China ramped up lockdown measures.

A nearly US$2 trillion COVID-19 relief package in the United States unveiled by President-elect Joe Biden may increase oil demand from the world’s biggest crude consumer. Still, some analysts said the move may not be enough to stoke demand.

“In terms of being able to talk about demand, Asia was the only bright spot,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital Management in New York. “This renewed lockdown is striking at the heart of the demand picture in Asia. It’s trouble.”

Crude imports into China were up 7.3 per cent in 2020, with record arrivals in two out of four quarters as refineries increased runs and low prices prompted stockpiling, customs data showed on Thursday.

But China reported the highest number of daily COVID-19 cases in more than 10 months on Friday, capping a week that has resulted in more than 28 million people under lockdown as it suffered its first coronavirus death on the mainland since May. “The COVID-19 pandemic’s spread is taking centre stage again and traders are getting increasingly worried about the long duration of European lockdown and about the new restrictions (in) China,” Bjornar Tonnage from Rystad Energy said.

“The market is structurally bullish, but it may be getting too ahead of forward-looking fundamentals.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Global COVID-19 death toll tops 2 million

T

he worldwide coronavirus death toll surpassed 2 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, as nations around the world are trying to procure multiple vaccines and detect new COVID-19 variants.

It took nine months for the world to record the first 1 million deaths from the novel coronavirus but only three months to go from 1 million to 2 million deaths, illustrating an accelerating rate of fatalities.

So far in 2021, deaths have averaged over 11,900 per day or one life lost every eight seconds, according to a Reuters tally.

By April 1, the global death toll could approach 2.9 million, according to a forecast from the Institute for Health Metrics and

Health workers carrying the body of a man who died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for his cremation at a crematorium in New Delhi, India, June 4, 2020

Evaluation.

Given how fast the virus is spreading due to more infectious variants, the World Health Organisation (WHO)

warned the worst could be ahead.

“We are going into a second year of this. It could even be tougher given the trans-

mission dynamics and some of the issues that we are seeing,” Mike Ryan, the WHO’s top emergencies official, said during a Wednesday event.

The United States has the highest total number of deaths at over 386,000 and accounts for one in every four deaths reported worldwide each day. The next worst-affected countries are Brazil, India, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

Combined, the five countries contribute to almost 50 per cent of all COVID-19 deaths in the world but represent only 27 per cent of the global population.

Europe, the worst-affected region in the world, has reported over 615,000 deaths so far and accounts for nearly 31 per cent of all COVID-related deaths globally. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Uganda’s Wine claims poll win despite lead for Museveni

U

gandan opposition leader Bobi Wine on Friday claimed victory in presidential elections, rejecting as a “joke” early results that gave incumbent President Yoweri Museveni a wide lead.

The electoral commission said on Friday that with 6.8 million ballots counted, or 37 per cent of registered voters, Museveni had won 4.05 million, or 62.2 per cent, while main opposition candidate Wine had 1.99 million votes (30.6 per cent), the electoral commission said just after 9 pm (1800 GMT).

The next batch of results was due to be released at 9 pm when a nationwide curfew in place since March due to the

COVID-19 pandemic kicks in.

Bobi Wine, the 38-year-old former musician-turned politician has emerged as the main challenger to 76-yearold Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.

“We secured a comfortable victory,” Bobi Wine told reporters in Kampala, the capital. “I am very confident that we defeated the dictator by far,” Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, said.

The opposition leader, who has been arrested multiple times during the campaigning, earlier said the presidential election was marred by ‘fraud and violence’ without providing any evidence.

Bobi Wine said he would de-

Bobi Wine, the 38-year-old former musician-turned politician, has emerged as the main challenger to 76-year-old Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 [Abubaker Lubowa/Reuters]

tail election irregularities by the ruling party once the internet was restored. The internet remained down for a third day as vote counting continued.

Meanwhile, the Government dismissed the opposition leader’s allegation and called on him to present evidence of his claims.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Dutch Rutte Government resigns Dozens killed, hundreds injured as over child welfare fraud scandal quake hits Indonesia’s Sulawesi

M

ark Rutte's Government has stepped down after thousands of families were wrongly accused of child welfare fraud and told to pay money back.

Families suffered an "unparalleled wrong", Dutch MPs decided, with tax officials, politicians, Judges and civil servants leaving them powerless.

Many of those affected were from an immigrant background and hundreds were plunged into financial difficulty.

Rutte submitted the Cabinet's resignation to the king.

"Innocent people have been criminalised and their lives ruined," he then told reporters, adding that responsibility for what had gone wrong lay with the Cabinet.

"The buck stops here."

The "unanimous" decision, taken at a Cabinet meeting in The Hague, comes at a key moment in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Netherlands has gone

A

After a Cabinet meeting the Dutch leader cycled to the palace to submit the Government's resignation to King Willem-Alexander

into lockdown and Ministers have been considering stiffer measures to halt the spread of infection.

The Government will stay on in a caretaker role to tackle the pandemic until parliamentary elections in March but Economics Minister Eric Wiebes has quit with immediate effect for his role in the scandal. Asked whether the Cabinet's resignation was merely symbolic, Rutte was adamant that it was not.

This is not the first time a Dutch Government has resigned en masse in a gesture

of collective responsibility.

In 2002, the Cabinet stood down after a report criticised Ministers and the military for failing to prevent the massacre of Muslims at Srebrenica during the Bosnian war seven years earlier.

The scandal began in 2012 and the number of parents involved could be as high as 26,000. Some openly called for the Government to step down, saying they had lost faith in the ability of the Cabinet to clean up the system. (Excerpt from BBC News)

t least 42 people have been killed and more than 600 injured after a magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck and toppled buildings in Indonesia’s Sulawesi island in the early hours of Friday.

The epicentre of the quake was six kilometres (3.73 miles) northeast of the city of Majene, at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles).

At least 15,000 people have been displaced following the quake.

North of Majene, more than a dozen patients and staff are trapped beneath the rubble of a hospital that was flattened by the quake.

“The hospital is flattened – it collapsed,” said Arianto from the rescue agency in Mamuju city, who goes by one name.

The disaster mitigation agency said a hotel and the office of the West Sulawesi Governor were also severely damaged, and electricity supplies were also down.

Some roads and bridges

Residents inspect earthquake-damaged houses in Mamuju, West Sulawesi, Indonesia on Friday

were also damaged slowing down the rescue operation.

Several thousand panicked residents fled their homes to seek safety after the quake, which did not trigger a tsunami warning but was felt strongly for about seven seconds, the statement said.

An expert from the country’s meteorology, climatology, and geophysical agency, BMKG, warned that aftershocks could trigger a possible tsunami.

In an online press conference, BMKG Prof Dwikorita Karnawati has advised residents in the area to take precaution and move to higher ground.

Hours earlier, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck in the same district, damaging several houses.

Straddling the socalled Pacific “ring of fire”, Indonesia, an archipelago of high tectonic activity, is regularly hit by earthquakes.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Help a cause or someone going through hard times.

Your kindness will lead to you receiving information that changes the way you feel about a peer or co-worker. Romance is favored.

You’ll pick up information quickly. An emotional matter will escalate if you let someone manipulate you or dump responsibilities in your lap. Stand up for your rights.

You’ll have a unique perspective regarding a project.

Your ability to envision the way you want things to turn out will help you convince others to help you achieve your goal.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

You’ll come up against some tough competition.

Don’t expect everyone to play fair. Unpredictable situations will develop, leaving you feeling uncertain about your future. Stop fretting.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Efforts to gain social media popularity will escalate.

A chance to show off what you’ve accomplished and to impress a loved one will develop. Don’t hesitate to share your feelings.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Stop looking back and start moving forward. Use your imagination, be innovative and let your intellect lead the way. A positive change at home will occur if you call the shots.

SCORPIO

Someone from your past will come to mind. Reach out, and you’ll pick up right where you left off. Share your feelings and long-term plans, and it will spur you to make big changes.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Pay close attention to detail. Call for expert advice when you have doubts about something. Hard work will pay off and help you find a unique way to overcome a dilemma.

Listen to others, but SAGITTARIUS don’t believe everything you hear. Verify information, (Nov. 23and be articulate if you don’t Dec. 21) want your words misinterpreted. Spend more time on self-improvement. Don’t act in haste.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Take a moment to reevaluate your relationships.

Consider the best way to add to your skills and knowledge and raise your profile.

Engage in something that requires insight and your personal touch.

Don’t ask for too much or you will end up disappointed. Stick to your original plan, and you will be able to reach your goal without interference. Keep a steady pace.

Refuse to let anyone mess with your mind.

Follow through with your intentions without drawing attention to yourself. Be secretive about your personal life and plans.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

21

Health experts back COVID-19 protocols of Australian Open – as frustrated Victorians remain stranded interstate

H

ealth experts have cautiously endorsed the Victorian Government’s decision to push ahead with hosting the Australian Open. They say the positive COVID-19 test recorded by former world number one Andy Murray before arriving at the tournament shows the protocols are working.

As Victoria recorded no new case of the virus for the 9th day in a row on Friday, the state’s Health Minister, Martin Foley, confirmed that both Murray and American Madison Keys had returned positive coronavirus tests, and would be unable to travel to Melbourne without first returning a negative test.

“Mr Murray and the other 1,240 people as part of the programme need to demonstrate that if they’re coming to Melbourne, they have returned a negative test,” he said.

“Should Mr Murray arrive, and I have no indication that he will, he will be subject to those same rigorous arrangements as everyo n e

else,” Foley has said.

The decision to allow the Grand Slam to go ahead while thousands of Victorians remain stranded interstate due to the closed border with New South Wales has drawn criticism from some quarters, including from the state’s Opposition. On Friday, the state’s Opposition Leader, Michael O’Brien, accused the Government of treating foreign tennis players better than stranded Victorians.

“For [Premier] Daniel Andrews to prioritise bringing tennis players from C O V I D hotspot countries to

the virus is raging,” Joyce said in a statement on Friday. “But at the same time, to deny people who actually

Andy Murray

P

Australia, rather than bringing home Victorians who are stuck interstate, it’s worse than a double-fault, it’s a double-standard,” he said.

Qantas’ Chief Executive Alan Joyce also hit out at the Victorian Government for allowing overseas sports stars to fly in from places where the virus was “raging”, but not from Sydney, which has recorded no case of community transmission for two days in a row.

“Victoria’s approach to Sydney seems to be out of proportion with the actual risk. And that makes it hard to reconcile the decision to allow over 1,000 people in from overseas for the Australian Open, from countries where

live in the state the right to return, with some basic precautions that reflect the extremely low level of community transmission in Sydney, is bizarre at a policy level and devastating at a social level.”

He said Qantas had been forced to cancel nearly 3,000 flights between Melbourne and Sydney, due since 20 December, because of the border closure.

But health experts say the protocols put in place by both the Government and the sport’s governing body, Tennis Australia, have given them confidence the event could go ahead successfully.

“You can never get the risk down to nothing.

There’s always going to be a little bit of risk in holding an event like this, but you can only judge the Victorian Government on its history; and they have been, some would say, ‘over the top’ in their cautious approach so far, and there’s no way they’ve suddenly changed that,” La Trobe University Epidemiologist Hassan Vally told the Guardian.

Players began arriving in Melbourne on Thursday, ahead of a mandatory twoweek hotel quarantine.

Unlike other arrivals, the roughly 1,200 players and support staff would be able

to leave their rooms for a daily five-hour window for practice.

Event organisers have changed ticketing for the tournament by scrapping the traditional ground pass in favour of a “zone” system.

Melbourne Park would be split into three zones to limit movement within the venue, and physical distancing measures have been introduced within arenas and in queues for food and drink.

Catherine Bennett, an Epidemiologist from Deakin University, has said the positive tests recorded by both Murray and Keys prior to arriving in Australia were “a positive sign the screening prior to departure is working”.

“The whole thing has been scrutinised quite closely by the Health Department, and we know they’re quite concerned and conservative about what they will accept as a safe protocol; and that, I think, is reassuring,” she said. “They seem to have found that line that everyone thinks that it’s both safe to come to and that the Health Department thinks it’s safe to hold. The risk in all these things, of course, is that if it goes awry, it’s very public that things haven’t worked, and I think that in itself would have meant meticulous preparation, and now operation as this whole

thing rolls out.”

Mary-Louise Mc Laws, an Epidemiologist from the University of NSW, has said she believes it “would be better to postpone all mass events that have the chance of infection seeding the community from quarantine”.

“But as authorities are determined to go ahead with events like the cricket and tennis, then they need to tighten up potential seeding events by requiring staff at quarantine hotels to wear a mask and eye protection inside at all times,” she said.

Thousands of Victorians remain stranded in NSW even after the state reopened its borders to regional parts of the state this week. NSW recorded zero new cases of the virus for the second day in a row on Friday, but Foley has said the Government is not ready to reopen the border to Greater Sydney.

“We’re more than confident that our colleagues in NSW are mopping this up, but there have been chains of unknown transmission for many weeks now in Sydney,” he said. “I understand the frustrations and the dislocation this is causing, but even more so, I understand the frustration and dislocation that another cluster outbreak in Victoria would cause,” he has said. (Adapted from the Guardian)

PEP Guardiola calls for COVID-19 perspective in UK

ep Guardiola does not want Premier League footballers to become scapegoats for the ongoing coronavirus crisis in the UK. The league and the Professional Footballers’ Association have this week both issued directives urging players to abide by COVID-19 protocols when celebrating goals. Those interventions came after England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said footballers should stop making “avoidable” contact with one another after goals have been scored.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was recently criticised for defending his fullback Benjamin Mendy after Mendy had celebrated New Year’s Eve with three people from outside his household, in contravention of the UK Government’s coronavirus guidelines.

Kyle Walker and Phil

Foden have also erred during the pandemic; but, speaking at a news conference to preview Sunday’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace, Guardiola insisted that the behaviour of footballers - both good and bad should be viewed in a wider context.

“We want to follow the protocols; I understand how sensitive everything is, (but) I don’t think the problem in the UK now is because of the players,” said the former Barcelona boss, who lost his mother to coronavirus last year. “We can do as much as we can, as best as possible. When someone breaks the rules, like sometimes happens, it’s not good.

“All the clubs have been clear: We know about the situation. Hopefully, we cannot

score a lot (of) goals, we can be careful, like in the beginning, not to hug much; but sometimes it’s difficult - if you lose the emotion, it’s difficult,” he explained.

“On the other side, I understand: A lot of businesses cannot do their jobs,

they are closing; we are fortunate we can play football and do our job.

All the clubs, all the managers, doctors, all the clubs in Premier League,

C h a m p i o n s League, Championship, League One and League Two want to follow the rules. We are concerned about how difficult and how important the situation is in the UK. A lot of people are dying, unfortunately, and are infected every day”, he declared. “ W e a r e

Government and the scientists inform us what to do.

But, please, the situation in the UK is not because of the football players. Don’t blame absolute responsibility on the players. It is a pandemic situation all around the world.”

Eric Garcia is available to return for the Palace game after a positive coronavirus test, although reports in Spain suggest the young defender could

going to do our best to follow the new rules.

T h e

complete a long-mooted move to Barcelona this month.

“I hope not, but maybe the people in Barcelona know better, more than me,” said Guardiola, who has conceded that the 20-year-old’s departure is a possibility.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, but maybe it’s

going to happen.”

City have a game in hand on the top two, after going eight games unbeaten in the Premier League; and could make up further ground this weekend as champions Liverpool host leaders Manchester United at Anfield.

Nevertheless, they have taken one point from their previous two home matches against Palace, and Guardiola is duly wary of Roy Hodgson’s side.

“A team like Crystal Palace knows exactly what they have to do,” he added.

“They are so, so clever. We saw it [in Thursday’s 0-0 draw] against Arsenal. They can produce a lot of quality up front. It was really tough the last seasons here, when we lost and we drew, but we will try to convince the players to do our job,” Guardiola has said. (Adapted from Sportsmax)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

Holder ‘lost’ as a Captain CLASSIFIED ADS – but is a good player, says Sir Andy Roberts

S

ir Andy Roberts has described all-rounder Jason Holder as a “damn good cricketer”, but says he is “lost” as a captain, and should look to the coaching staff for help during matches.

Pointing to Holder’s field placements, the outspoken legendary former West Indies pacer has slammed Holder as being too “defensive-minded”, contending he needs to employ a

more aggressive approach, especially when conditions are suited to fast bowling.

“I would like to know: How do we judge a captain?” Sir Andy has queried.

“Do we judge him by his win-loss record, or do we judge him by his performance on the field, or do we judge him on how well he interviews?

“I think Jason Holder as a captain on the field is lost. I

don’t think he is aware of what is going on on

the field. Because if I win a toss as a captain, and before lunch on a green top pitch, (and) I am having a man on the point boundary, then I am lost!” Sir Andy contends.

“That’s the first thing!

His field placing [leaves] a lot to be desired, and I believe the time should come where he takes instructions from the coaches, who can see the game better than he can,” Sir Andy has said.

Not for the first time has Holder’s captaincy been put under the microscope following last December’s chastening two-Test series in New Zealand, when West Indies lost both matches inside four days by innings’ margins.

Earlier in 2020, Holder presided over a 2-1 series defeat away to England as, for the first time in a decade, the West Indies surrendered the Wisden Trophy they had recaptured.

Overall, Holder has led West Indies in 37 of his 45 Tests, but has won only 11, while losing 21. However, the 29-year-old remains one of the world’s leading performers in the Test format, where he was the top-ranked all-rounder for nearly a year recently.

He is now ranked third in the all-rounders’ charts, 11th in the bowling rankings, and 43rd in the bat-

The iconic Sir Andy Roberts

ting rankings.

While endorsing the Barbadian’s remarkable ability as a cricketer, Sir Andy has said Holder’s prowess as a captain needs to be improved. “A captain is only as good as the men (whom) he leads, so there has to be something wrong with the 11 guys on the field, and (they) cannot pinpoint certain things to the captain,” Sir Andy told Starcom Radio’s Mason and Guest cricket programme.

“I would give him an ‘A’ grade for his interviews; he interviews very well. He’s a damn good cricketer, but he needs to be more aggressive in his approach as a captain.

He’s too defensive-minded,” Sir Andy has concluded.

Sir Andy has also chided Holder for recently citing

the fatigue stemming from the bio-secure bubbles associated with touring amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Pointing to the Barbadian’s recent participation in the Australia Big Bash last month, and subsequent decision to opt out of the Bangladesh tour, Sir Andy said exhaustion for Holder and other players could not be used as an excuse.

“I am disappointed with their excuses: because they’re tired of being in the bubble; but everywhere they travel [for other T20 tournaments], they go into a bubble,” said the icon.

“If - after he came back from New Zealand and he said he was tired – he (had) played two Test matches, he (had) bowled a few overs, and he (had said he) came back to the Caribbean to rest, then I wouldn’t have a problem. But when you left New Zealand, you went to Australia to bowl 16 overs!

And (now you want) to tell me that you’re tired? You’ve got to come better than that! You have to find better excuses than that!” charged Sir Andy. (Adapted from CMC)

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Jamaica moving to streamline national sporting bodies Houston Rockets beat – move intended to finalise transformation San Antonio Spurs for 1st away win

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange

T

he Jamaica Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said her Ministry would be moving to finalise the transformation and streamlining of that country’s national sports entities during this calendar year.

The national sports entities are: The Sports Development Foundation, Independence Park Limited, and the Institute of Sports.

Minister Grange gave the update during a meeting of the Board of Directors of Independence Park Limited on Wednesday. She said the transformation is aimed at creating a more efficient and

effective Government sport system.

Minister Grange has urged the new Board to pick up the pace of project implementation. She has said it is vital that the National Stadium and the Trelawny Stadium Infrastructure Development project, which was affected by delays caused

by COVID-19 and weather conditions, gets back on track as soon as possible.

The proposal for the redevelopment and upgrading of the National Stadium and Trelawny Stadium is going through all the required stages of the Public Investment Management Secretariat, including submission of a com-

prehensive project proposal, architectural drawings, and the development of a 5-year Business Plan. The project is now at the final stage, which includes submitting financial projections before it can be recommended to the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service for funding.

The members of the Board of Independence Park Limited are: Dr. the Honourable Michael Fennell (Chairman), Mr David Shirley (Deputy Chairman), Mrs Annmarie Heron, Assistant Commissioner Terrence Bent, Lieutenant Colonel Dameon Creary, Mr Lenford Salmon, Mr Carlton Dennis, Ms Audrey Chin, Mr Edward Barnes, Dr Peter Charles, Ms Shaneek Clacken, Ms Stefani Dewar, and Major Desmon Brown, General Manager (ex officio). The members have been appointed to serve for two years.

The new Board has been constituted in keeping with the National Policy for Gender Equality, which is to ensure that a minimum of 30 per cent of either sex makes up the composition of Government Boards.

(Sportsmax)

T

he Houston Rockets began life after James Harden with a first away win of the season at the San Antonio Spurs.

Christian Wood scored 27 points and had 15 rebounds as the Rockets came from behind to win 109-105.

Harden, top scorer in the NBA for the past three seasons, left the franchise to join the Brooklyn Nets in a multi-team deal this week.

Victory for Houston followed two consecutive home defeats by defending NBA champions Los Angeles Lakers.

Asked about the side's mentality following Harden's departure, Wood likened their resilient spirit to that of the late Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant.

"We have the Mamba mentality,” Wood said.

"We are all dogs out there.

Everybody wants to come out and play hard," he declared.

Harden, 31, The NBA’s

Most Valuable Player in 2018 and eight times an all-star, had reportedly grown frustrated at Houston. Before moving to Brooklyn, he said the Rockets were "not even close" to the league's top competition.

Elsewhere on Thursday, Chris Boucher equalled his career best with 25 points and 10 rebounds as the Toronto Raptors held off the Charlotte Hornets 111108.

In Philadelphia, Shake Milton came off the bench to score a season-high 31 points, while Tobias Harris added 18 as the 76ers cruised past a depleted Miami Heat 125-108.

Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis combined for 48 points as the Indiana Pacers secured a 111-87 away win at the Portland Trail Blazers.

Nikola Jokic scored 23 points and Jamal Murray scored 17 as the Denver Nuggets beat the Golden State Warriors 114-104.

(BBC Sport)

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23 What will this 'Hope-less' Windies ODI batting group bring to Bangladesh?

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

By Brandon Corlette

T

he West Indies One Day International (ODI) team will start the tour to Bangladesh on January 20 with the first of three ODIs. It will certainly be a newlook team taking the park in Dhaka; and, as usual, West Indies’ batting will be under the microscope. In previous series, the batting had been poor, but with an inexperienced batting group that has been described as talented by West Indies ODI vice-captain Sunil Ambris, the outcome of this encounter remains to be seen. It would be important for batsmen to click collectively for West Indies to compete against Bangladesh.

"We have a talented bunch

of guys that, once they stick to that they know, will turn out okay in the series," Ambris

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

West Indies have played Test matches and

an ODI in March 2020 against Sri Lanka. That seems a lifetime ago, and guess who was the leading batsman on that tour, Shai Hope.

The right-hander scored 238 runs at an average of 79.3 in the three-match series, with one century and two half-centuries.

Hope has also been outstanding in the last series against Bangladesh, which was played in Ireland; he scored 470 runs in five matches. The last time West Indies played an ODI series in Bangladesh, in 201819, Hope scored 297 runs in the three-match series, which included two classy centuries.

Bangladesh in Certainly, this West Indies n io ss se e practic tion during a ODI batting group will be Hopeac in am te I D es O T20s in their last tours less.

The West Indi said during his to England and New Zealand.

In terms of matches played media interaction on Friday last. The Caribbean team last played among the batsmen in the

“We have the best players to choose from,” says Coach Crandon Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

G

ood teams on paper do not necessarily win tournaments. With most of the West Indies regulars opting out of the West Indies tour to Bangladesh, franchises around the Caribbean will be boosted by some of these senior players. This is the case for the

Devendra Bishoo and Ronsford Beaton leaving the field of play after the heavens had opened up

Christopher Barnwell going big at LBI in the team's simulation

Jaguars as well, with the likes of Shimron Hetmyer and Romario Shepherd being available for Super50 selection.

On this occasion, the selectors have a strong group from which to select a 15-man squad that would play in the Regional Super50 Cup, set to bowl off on February 7. Guyana Jaguars Head Coach Esuan Crandon has said that in previous seasons, Jaguars had good teams in the Super50, but the formula to win the tournament has still not been discovered.

"Over the years, we had good teams in the Super50, but we have not managed to pull it together and win, which is the most important thing. Good teams on paper do not win you competitions, but I think we have the best players available in the country to choose from," Crandon has said.

With Raymon Reifer and Veerasammy Permaul, both

senior men in the Jaguars team, being unavailable due to West Indies duties, Crandon noted, this is an opportunity for other players to step out and distinguish themselves.

"Sometimes when you lose, you gain sometimes. I am seeing the opportunity coming for a youngster or two in the upcoming tournament," he said.

With the likes of Hetmyer and Shepherd set to play in the upcoming practice matches at LBI, Crandon has said it is good for the young players, since these two players bring a wealth of experience to the table.

"That can bring a lot of intensity and energy to our sessions, to have those guys that bring that professionalism," Crandon disclosed.

Speaking about the selection of Keemo Paul, Crandon said his availability is unclear.

The Jaguars will have three practice matches, starting at LBI from Monday, January 18. The

Jaguars Head Coach is expecting to witness some high-quality cricket as the team continue preparing for the competition.

"We should expect highquality intensity at the practice matches with regards to fitness levels. Hopefully, we get good weather, and I am anticipating keenly contested practice games," Crandon explained.

Romario Shepherd is expected to be added to one of these squads for the three practice matches. The squads for the practice matches are as follows.

Hetmyer’s team comprises Chandrapaul Hemraj, Raymond Perez, Kevlon Anderson, Shimron Hetmyer (Captain), Sherfane Rutherford, Akshaya Persaud, Kemol Savory, Bhaskar Yadram, Kevin Sinclair, Demitri Cameron, Keon Joseph, Clinton Pestano, Anthony Adams, Vishaul Singh, Mavindra Dindyal, Steven Sankar, Sachin Singh and Ricardo Adams.

Johnson’s team comprises Trevon Griffith, Tevin Imlach, Leon Johnson (Captain), Jonathan Foo, Christopher Barnwell, Assad Fudadin, Anthony Bramble, Quinton Sampson, Gudakesh Motie, Ramaal Lewis, Nial Smith, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Devendra Bishoo, Andre Stoll, Totaram Bishun, Richie Looknauth and Kelvin Umroa.

Mohammed-led ODI team.

Powell has played in 34 ODIs and has scored one century and two half-centuries at an average of 23.92. Captain Mohammed played in 28 ODIs and has scored 551 runs at an average of 23.9 with a high-score of 91, including f o u r

century and two fifties.

West Indies vice-captain Ambris has a decent ODI record against Bangladesh, and with the first-time assurance of starting this series, he will be aiming to score runs and cement his place in future ODI teams.

While addressing the media, the excited Ambris said he is aiming to score at least one century in this ODI series.

The likes of Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton, Kyle Mayers, Andre McCarthy and Kjorn Ottley, who may play roles with the bat in the upcoming ODI series, are still without debuts at the ODI level. The West Indies will not be able to rely on experience, but how much talent does this inexperienced batting group have to combat the Bangladesh ua Da bowling? while Josh s e v West Indies ODI Squad: Jason lo g e nd h th is seen wit e backgrou n th to in il Mohammed (captain), Sunil s m d a n H ta th s Jahmar Rayon Griffi d n Ambris (vice-captain), Nkrumah a n o s k Silva loo Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar fifties.

The current West Indies Hamilton, Chemar Holder, Akeal ODI team, Rovman Powell, who batting group are unable to boast Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle does more batting that bowling, stellar ODI records, but in a short Mayers, Andre McCarthy, Kjorn has 34 matches under his belt, career, Ambris has had 13 ODI Ottley, Rovman Powell, Keon but his record is not impressive. caps and has scored 447 runs at Harding, and Raymon Reifer.

Powell will be eager to play an average of 44.7, including one an integral role in the Jason

Hayden Walsh ruled out of Bangladesh ODI Series – after testing positive for COVID-19

W

est Indies leg-spinner Hayden Walsh has been found COVID-19 positive after being tested twice in the last two days in Dhaka. He has been ruled out of the ODI series against Bangladesh, and the tourists haven't yet named a replacement.

Walsh, who is asymptomatic, had tested negative upon arrival in Dhaka on January 10, but tests on Wednesday and Thursday came back

positive, a n d he is now in self-isolation until he gets two negative results.

According to a CWI statement, he had no contact with the other squad members. “In accordance with the established medical protocols, Walsh remained isolated from the West Indies squad, and is now under the care

and super vision of the Team Physician, Dr Praimanand Singh," the CWI statement read. "All other members of the West Indies touring squad returned second negative COVID-19 tests, after undergoing four tests within the last 11 days."

Both the West Indies Test and ODI squads began training on Thursday, after three days

of room isolation at the team hotel in Dhaka. Bangladesh's 24-member preliminary ODI squad is also staying at the same hotel.

Walsh, who has played a combined 10 ODIs and 17 T20Is for West Indies and the United States of America, was the senior spinner in the squad, and was expected to form a spin-bowling partnership with newcomer Akeal Hosein in the ODI series.

The two West Indies squads will continue training in separate groups from Friday, before the ODI squad travel to BKSP on January 18 to play their only warm-up game.

The first two ODIs of the series are in Dhaka on January 20 and 22, while the third ODI is in Chattogram on January 25.

(ESPNCricinfo)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021

Page 23

– after testing positive for COVID-19

Page 23

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

Ministry must abide by Int'l Sporting Rules – Olympic Association to Sport Minister Dear Minister, I write to you on behalf of the Guyana Olympic Association and in relation to several concerns that have been raised by Associations in relation to the Press Release that was released by your Ministry and which was published in the Stabroek News of the 7th December, 2020.

The release purports to among other things state the objectives of your Ministry in relation to sporting activities, organizing and hosting of such activities/competitions, the approval and or no objection for the hosting/ organizing of sports events, sanctioning of Clubs or participants and the role of your Ministry in the development of sports and in the working relationship with Sports Federations/ Associations.

The Guyana Olympic Association is comprised of over twenty National Federations/Associations and all of these Federations/Associations are affiliated with their International Federation s. These Int ern ational · Federations are all affiliated to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The IOC is the organizer of the Olympic Games and which games is the pinnacle for which athletes desire to compete and win medals. The IOC recognize all of the affiliated International Federations as being responsible for their sports world- wide and for them to make all their respective ru les with respect to competitions, qualifications to compete at the Olympics and other competitions, disqualifications, constitutions and several other factors.

Guyana competes at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games , Pan Am Games, Central and Caribbean Games, South American Games and the Islamic Games. All of the afore­ mentioned Games Organizers, except the lslamic-.b ames, recognize the IOC and are guided by the Olympic Charter. The Olympic Charter is the codification of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, Rules and Bye-Laws adopted by the IOC. One of the three main purposes of the Olympic Charter is as follows"In addition, the Olympic Charter defines the main reciprocal rights and obligations of the three main constituents of the Olympic Movement, namely the IOC, the International Federations and the National Olympic Committ es, as well as the Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games, all of which are required to comply with the Olympic Charter".

Amo ng the Fund ament al Principles of Olympism which are stated in the Olympic Charter as: (4) The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. that sport (5) Recognizing occurs within the framework of society, sports organizations within the Olympic Movement shall apply political

KA Juman-Yassin, President, Guyana Olympic Association

neutrality. They have the rights and obligations of autonomy, which include freely establishing and controlling the rules of sports, determining the structure and governance of their organizations, enjoying the right of elections free from any outside influence and the responsibility for ensuring that principles of good governance be applied.

(7) Belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter and recognition by the IOC. National Feder at ion s/ Associations are guided by their respective constitutions, rules and bye-laws and do not compel clubs or persons to belong or be affiliated to them. It is voluntary and clubs and persons when they join or become affiliated to a National Federation/Association agree to abide and be bound by the const it ut ions, rules and bye­laws. As far as I am aware all clubs and persons who are affiliated or join, are totally aware of their obligation s.

National federations/Associations make rules for the administration of their respective sports and they are for the most guided by the principles of their International Federations. The constitutions of National Federations/ Associations are mostly approved by their respective Intern at ional Federation. The constit ut ion of the Guyana Olympic Association has been approved by the IOC. These ru les include the regulations for the running of competitions, qualification, selection etc. If an entity or a group of persons wish to organize an event under the umbrella of a National Federation/ Association then they must follow the rules that govern. If they do not then the event will not be approved and as a result consequences may follow and affect that entit y, group of persons and the participants of the event. If anyone is allowed to organize an event in a sport without the approval of the recognized body then chaos will arise. These events may not be run within the recognized rules or safe-guards, there may be gambling, use of prohibited substances, unsafe area of competition, person s who may have been suspended or banned participating, persons may lose their amateur status because of t he prizes etc.

The occurrence of any of the afore-mentioned unfortunate events

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr

happening can and most likely cause a lack of respect to the established rules and accords which International Federations expect from their affiliates. This can result in National Associations in Guyana being reprimanded, suspended, fined or expelled from their International Federations which will result in our athletes being unable to compete at games where that International Federation is involved. If there is a free for all, without established rules, then such a position will not be accepted or condoned by the Guyana Olympic Association and its affiliated members.

I have seen your enthusiasm and work in the short time that you have been appointed Minister and we look forward to forging a concrete partnership with you and your Ministry for the development of sports and our young people. I and all our members wish and are working to establish a program where our athletes can be supported, if not fully, then to a great extent so that their dreams and that of all Guyanese can be realized.

I would suggest that if you wish, we can meet with my executive or with Associations to discuss the way forward so that there may not be any friction to affect the smooth operation of our continued co-operation. If any person or group has a grouse with a National Federation/Association then a look at the circumstances can discern the reason and an appeal can be made within the rules to resolve the matt er. Rules should be respected by persons in sports and I sincere ly hope that this communication would clear up the ambiguities which the statement from your Minist ry has seemed to cause. The autonomy and independence of recognized National Federations/Associations must be recognized and if they should do anything detrimental to their sports or athletes then they should be called to account wit hin the parameters of their constitution or an appeal can be made to their International Federation. I nor the Guyana Olympic Association will not condone or encourage any behavior or conduct that is inimical to the good of sports or our athletes.

Best Regards, Mr KA Juman-Yassin President Guyana Olympic Association

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