Guyana Times - Saturday June 26, 2021

EU allocates €150,000 to support victims of P16 recent floods in Guyana Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4690

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

Water disasters compound challenges faced by countries vulnerable to climate change – President Ali tells UN Page 3

...says meeting Paris Agreement targets critical to prevent future water disasters

CH&PA allocates 350 house lots to Charity residents in “Dream Realised” housing drive

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

President Ali P11 engages Ghanaian counterpart on oil and gas sector

1 fatality pushes COVID death toll P12 to 459

…109 new cases recorded

Child rapist requests CoA to reduce sentence P11

Page 9 A resident of Charity pulling a number of one of the 350 house lots with the assistance of Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, at Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast on Friday

Exercise Tradewinds Man punches 2021 demonstrates mother to face, commitment to stabs brother regional security, to death after cooperation – PM Phillips he intervenes Relative of slain Henry cousins wanted for murder of Haresh Singh – 2 remain in custody Page 5

Page 2

Page 13

Women get bail for attempting to post narcotics to Mazaruni Prison P8 inmate

US$100M P11 cement factory to create employment in Essequibo

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man punches mother to face, stabs brother to death after he intervenes

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24-year-old man was on Friday morning stabbed to death by his brother at Cummings Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, after he reportedly assaulted their mother by punching her to the face.

Dead is Paul Chase of Lot 101 Cummings Street, Georgetown, while the suspect is 27-year-old Quincy Reynolds.

Police preliminary investigations revealed that on the day in question, as per normal, the two men turned up at their mother’s house to have breakfast. However, while there, the woman reportedly questioned Reynolds about a burnt spot on a mattress.

Dead: Paul Chase

This angered him and as such, he began to shout at his mother in the living room. Reynolds then dealt one cuff to his mother’s face,

causing her to receive injuries to her left eye.

Upon seeing this, the now dead man confronted him and a heated argument broke out between them.

It was at that time, Reynolds armed himself with a knife and stabbed Chase once to the chest and once to the neck. As a result, Chase reportedly collapsed and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Reynolds was arrested with what appears to be a bite mark to his neck.

At the scene on Friday morning, a vendor who witnessed the ordeal told media operatives that she would

Detectives at the murder scene on Friday

usually store her goods at the building which is also occupied by the boys’ mother.

On the fateful morning, she reportedly went to the upper flat of the house to bring down her goods, when she heard an argument among the two boys and their mother.

“One of them [the brothers] was there earlier, and the other one came and he was upstairs… as I was bringing down my goods, I hear the mother rebuking one of them about something that he did... they had the argument to and fro and the mother was talking. The next thing I heard is the next one say, ‘boy why you cuff mommy, how you gonna knock your mother’… then I heard the next one say ‘oh, you going for a knife’,” the vendor related.

The woman said after hearing that, she rushed upstairs and found the mother and her two sons engaged in a heated argument. She said she tried to be a peacemaker by putting Reynolds to sit, just to calm him down.

“I spoke to him and I said I have big children like you, and I told him even if your mother talk to you hard,

there is nothing wrong with that, you need to walk away, you had no right hitting your mother… after that I was just watching them and they still arguing.”

The woman, who did not want to reveal her name, related that in the heat of the argument, Reynolds turned on his brother and began asking him about some money.

“He started asking him about some money and the boy said I don’t have no money to give to you, and he jump up and attack his brother and the boy was wrestling with him and he started stabbing him up…

I started hollering for murder, murder to alert people,” the woman recalled.

Upon seeing this, the Police were summoned to the scene. The eyewitness related that based on the looks of the young man whose body was covered in blood, he was already dead at home. The mother was too distraught and had to be comforted by residents and others who turned up at the scene.

Chase’s body was escorted to Lyken Funeral home awaiting a post-mortem.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JUNE 26,, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Saturday, June 26 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Sunday, June 27 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, June 26 – 05:10h – 06:40h and Sunday, June 27 – 06:00h – 07:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be light rain showers and sunshine during the day. There will be partly cloudy skies at night.

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High Tide: 17:55h reaching a maximum height of 2.54 metres.

Low Tide: 11:27h and 23:40h reaching minimum heights of 0.48 metre and 0.71 metre.

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Water disasters compound challenges faced by countries vulnerable to climate change – President Ali tells UN

...says meeting Paris Agreement targets critical to prevent future water disasters

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rawing from Guyana’s current flood crisis, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday underscored the difficulties water disasters pose to countries that are vulnerable to climate disasters and the importance of ensuring global efforts to combat climate change are not neglected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

He was at the time virtually addressing the plenary session of the 5th United Nations (UN) Special Thematic Session on Water and Disaster.

The Head of State reminded of his remarks at the Regional Consultation organised by the Global Water Partnership in February of this year, where he said that the pandemic “should not divert attention from or diminish the gravity of the threats” posed by other disasters such as hydro-hazards.

“As the recent experience of my country illustrates, water disasters compound the difficulties posed by states which are vulnerable to climate disasters… Addressing the climate crisis is therefore integral to the post-COVID-19 recovery. It would amount to a misadventure on the part of the international community if, in its efforts to rebuild stronger and better after the pandemic, it neglects the potent threats posed by water disasters or ignores the indisputable link between these hazards,” he stated.

During his address, President Ali reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to working with the UN and the international community to press for coordinated global attention and action to combat climate change. As such, he added that it is vital that the international community recognise the impact of the pandemic on developing countries and how these impacts can retard progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to the Head of State, unless the targets that were set at the Paris Agreement in 2015 are realised, the world can expect to experience future water disasters and further setbacks to the Sustainable Development Agenda.

“I commend the United Nations for organising this vital Session, which I believe has an obligation to move the global community towards greater action in addressing climate change as a trigger for water-related disasters…

Guyana, however, remains engaged in working along with the United Nations and the rest of the international community to press for concerted global attention and action to arrest climate change,” the Head of State noted.

President Ali further pointed out that the pandemic and climate change are the foremost extant threats to the

President Dr Irfaan Ali

SDGs. He added that the pandemic has served to magnify the already existing problems within society and in relations between states.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has added to challenges posed to the SDGs. In many small states, the pandemic has reduced the fiscal space needed to propel the SDGs. Not only have these states had to shoulder the burdens of unanticipated and excessive healthcare costs, but the COVID-19 pandemic has also led to economic contraction and massive job losses…,” he outlined.

Against this backdrop, President Ali said that Guyana has committed itself, irreversibly, to a low carbon path to development, in which mainstreaming the SDGs in national develop-

ment while combatting climate change are fully compatible. The template, he pointed out, therefore exists for a postCOVID-19 recovery that promotes climate resilience and commits to the SDGs. However, the Guyanese Leader posited that the pace of the necessary reforms to achieve these objectives, especially for small-island developing and low-lying coastal states, will be dependent on international cooperation and assistance.

Nevertheless, the President acknowledged that the Special Thematic Sessions on Water and Disaster have highlighted the gravity of the threats posed by hydro-hazards and have reaffirmed the importance of addressing climate risks in realising the SDGs.

“The link between climate change and water disasters hardly needs restating. The awareness of the problems exists. What is now urgent is greater international resolve to commit resources to combat the climate crisis. It is now time for action, not debate,” he stressed.

President Ali wished the participants success and expressed the hope that the Special Thematic Session on Water and Disaster would result in greater efforts on the part of the international community to urgently accelerate support for the building of climate resilience.

Friday’s event was held under the theme “Building Back Better Towards More Resilient and Sustainable Post-COVID-19 World” with Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, Tajikistan, High-Level Experts and Leaders Panel on Water and Disasters (HELP) and National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) of Japan as co-hosts.

It focused on sharing experiences and promoting actions to achieve a more sustainable, resilient and climate-adaptive post-COVID-19 world based on the lessons learned from the pandemic. It also provided a tangible step towards accelerating the SDGs and other globally agreed agendas by providing useful lessons, innovative ideas, and common understandings.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 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

Vulnerability of farmers to climate change phenomenon

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he blinding need for oblivion from harsh realities of overwhelming problems is the driver behind many persons seeking to quit life as the ultimate solution to difficult situations.

A person suffering from deep depression needs assurances that solutions can be found. problems are not insurmountable, but coping with extant and future challenges necessitates one staying alive, not take what seems the easy way out, leaving much devastation in the wake of one’s action, especially the grief and guilt that surviving family members have to cope with.

The media reported only this week that a Corentyne, Berbice rice farmer took his own life because of inability to repay his debts as a result of the devastating floods in his fields, which left his family with no source of income in the foreseeable future, and no hope of recovery of his sole means of providing for his family.

Parmeshwar Dindial, the farmer’s son, who resides at Number 60 Village, Corentyne, explained to media operatives that they found his 54-yr-old father, Narine Dindial of Number 58 Village Corentyne, dead in his house on June 11.

Parmeshwar explained that his father had planted about 150 acres of rice, but could harvest only a minimal amount, as most was damaged by flood waters; and the little he reaped proved unfit for human consumption.

Farmers are cultivators who farm either on their own land or on leased land, with or without the assistance of agricultural labourers.

Farm labourers are also severely affected by damage to crops and farmland, with the consequence of farmers being unable to pay their labour force, which results in job loss because the labourers’ primary source of income is through farm (agriculture/horticulture) labour activities.

In a report by the World Health Organization, Guyana was cited as the country with the highest suicide rate in the world — 44.2 suicides per 100,000 deaths, four times the global average.

The WHO report was an attempt to bring global attention to the issue of suicide. The goal was to encourage individual countries to take steps to prevent suicide, considering their specific culture and addressing local risk factors. In early 2015, Guyana became one of only 28 countries to develop a suicide prevention plan in response to the report. The plan identifies factors that could contribute to the country’s high rate of suicide.

Records reveal that approximately 70 percent of the country’s suicides occur in rural regions, where many people assuage their feelings of hopelessness with overindulgence of alcohol to cope with their poverty and economic despair.

Instead, the alcohol exacerbates depression in minds deprived of reasoning powers by alcohol-induced neurosis, precipitating suicidal thoughts.

Caitlin Vieira, a Guyana Government Psychologist and Addiction Specialist, avers that there is a lack of clinics and social support networks in these villages, but that there are plenty of rum shops. She says “Sporting,” Guyanese slang for drinking, is a popular pastime.

Additionally, a study by the Pan American Health Organization reported that nearly 80 percent of Guyanese adolescents had their first drink before the age of 14, and some children try alcohol for the first time in elementary school.

Dysfunction in family constructs and bullying in schools and workplaces also contribute to Guyana’s high suicide rates.

Illicit drug usage has also become a major contributory factor to violent, anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse oftentimes leading to murder and suicide.

It is imperative that Government prioritises the fructification of the suicide prevention plan, because one life lost to suicide is one too many.

Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips; United States Ambassador to Guyana, Her Excellency Sarah-Ann Lynch; Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie and other dignitaries at the closing ceremony for Exercise Tradewinds 2021 at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday

Clean up time for GECOM Dear Editor, What a relief! GECOM, the Guyana Elections Commission, has started its clean-up campaign, and I hope it will take the job to the very end.

The body is just too pivotal to the country, and therefore must not be found in any situation of compromise. This unanimous decision is an auspicious beginning. It is that the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Mr. Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Ms. Roxanne Myers, and the 2020 General and Regional Elections Region Four (4) Returning Officer (RO), Mr. Clairmont Mingo, will proceed on their respective annual leave, effective from Monday, 28th June, 2021.

For now, the CEO will proceed on 42 days annual leave, the DCEO will be on 120 days leave, and Mr. Clairmont Mingo will be on 35 days leave.

This decision will facilitate the Commission’s deliberation on the three motions tabled by the Government-nominated Commissioners, seeking the immediate dismissal of these three, as well as the course of action to be adopted to conclude this process. The Commission is hoping that these discussions would be concluded within the shortest possible time, and I think that this is how most people want it.

This decision has its causative factors going back to June 01, 2020, when the People’s Progressive Party’s Commissioners (Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Robseson Benn) tabled three motions for the “immediate dismissal” of the trio.

We can all recall how the world at large actually witnessed how the RO, in a most ostentatious and bizarre fashion, deliberately obstructed the ratification of the total votes cast in favour of each list in the district, which should have been done by to-

talling the votes recorded in favour of the list in accordance with the Statements of Poll, as is required by the Guyana Constitution. Instead, this officer, seemingly in obedience to a hidden master and voice, ended up using scores that were incongruent and inconsistent with the figures and numbers on the Statements of Poll.

And it was from this ‘trumped up tally’ that all kinds of devious ‘twists and turns’ erupted, which almost jeopardised the results, as there was a five-month delay in the authentic declaration of the President of Guyana following the March 02, 2020 Guyana Elections.

We know, too, that the infamous trio are currently in front of the court, and in some of their allies’ mind, the feeling was that their fate should have first been legally determined, after which GECOM could have then acted. This means that they would have remained in their substantive posts at GECOM. However, in unison, Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick and Robeson Benn thought the accused trio should immediately be removed, so that Guyanese could again place their trust and confidence in GECOM, as it is still a functioning body, even though the March 02 Guyana Elections are now over.

Overall, the legal hurdles in front of CEO Mr. Keith Lowenfield, DCEO Ms. Roxanne Myers and RO Mr. Clairmont Mingo are quite substantial and ominous. They have a few days as their matter is slated for June 29, 2021, and at that time, they will have to answer to some fresh charges of ‘conspiracy to defraud electors’ during the March 02, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

All Guyana witnessed the spectacle, as these three repeatedly attempted to hijack an entire election, and in so doing, brought down self-con-

demnation and disrepute to GECOM. In fact, there is quite a repository of public evidence available and accessible in the public domain to question the integrity of Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo, and their suitability to function during another election in Guyana.

Then, depending on how the legal course ends, these three may not be able to redeem themselves to a position of professional employability.

On the moral and ethical sides, the three have been

condemned so terribly that it has been touted that “…to find nothing wrong with the GECOM trio’s conduct during the elections is to question one’s value system.” The exact words are that “If you are going to defend those kinds of wrongs, those kinds of blatant rigging of elections…trying to steal an entire country, [then] it speaks to [your] value system.”

Yours truly, Matthew Hendrix

How about if M&CC considers spending less?

Dear Editor, I have seen in the press recently that the Georgetown Mayor is complaining that businesses in the city do not pay their fair share of property rates, and he pointed out that the municipality is currently receiving a quarter of what it needs to function.

I would like to make a few suggestions to him. Why does he not make the rate collection more efficient by first ensuring that every property owner in the city receives a demand notice at the beginning of the year, as is required by law, but which is not being done? Why does he not upgrade the methods through which people can pay, like allowing persons to pay online or at a commercial bank?

But here is another alternative: since he is receiving only a quarter of the financing that he needs, how about if he considers cutting the top-heavy, feather-bedded and redundant human resources of the Council down to a quarter of its current strength?

The City Council has been well known over the years for practising nepotism and cro-

nyism, stuffing the Council at all levels with friends, relatives, church colleagues, political comrades, paramours and supporters.

All sorts of schemes were set up to facilitate this state of affairs, such as establishing a warden corps that never made any sense; establishing many new sections and departments, and upgrading existing ones; and creating a ton of high-paying duck soup jobs.

The place is littered with old boys and girls from the party, and with countless operatives from the House of Israel, who have all somehow ascended to the top of the ladder and become sinecures.

This is all money for old rope. There are sweeping layoffs all over the world, but not at the Georgetown Municipality.

Mr Mayor, instead of the Council constantly moaning and trying to get more money out of the battered citizens and businesses, particularly at this time of the pandemic, how about if you guys consider spending less?

Sincerely, Anu Bihari

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

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News

Exercise Tradewinds 2021 demonstrates commitment to regional security, cooperation – PM Phillips

Prime Minister Brigadier (retd) Mark Phillips delivering remarks at Friday’s closing ceremony

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s the curtains came down on Exercise Tradewinds 2021 which was hosted in Guyana, Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips told the 13 other partner nations that their participation in this exercise not only highlights the common concern for regional security, but is also a reassurance of their unwavering commitment towards peace and stability in the hemisphere.

“Exercise Tradewinds is a key fixture in the annual calendar of activities, because it contributes to the strengthening and institutionalisation of our Caribbean Regional Security System and its arrangements.

Exercise Tradewinds fosters regional cooperation since, as countries of the Caribbean sharing the same geo-political space, it also means the sharing of common problems and the fact that we will be more respective to working together to resolve these problems,” he said at the closing ceremony on Friday morning at the National Stadium’s tarmac.

The exercise was sponsored by the United States Southern Command, and is held annually. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was postponed in 2020. Under the aptly-titled theme: “Tailored by the region for the region”, the exercise saw participating ranks joining with their counterparts in the region to conduct joint, combined and interagency training which covered the full spectrum of military operations.

According to the Prime Minister, Exercise Tradewinds has displayed multinational support to the highest, and integration at its best. He commended the planners of the event for ensuring that all the training activities – air, land and sea – took place within Guyana’s territorial space.

“Rest assured that the camaraderie, network and cohesion established during this exercise can only become stronger with time.

to ensure this region never becomes a safe haven for transnational crime,” he posited during Thursday’s reception.

During Friday’s closing ceremony of 2021 Tradewinds Exercise, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess, lauded the event as a success, since there were no casualties or serious injuries, but provided a training environment with a high degree of professionalism.

“While Exercise Tradewinds 2021 would have covered a broad spectrum of elements, this was

ducting Tradewinds 2021 during global pandemic.

Further, Major General Ribas underscored the importance of not just in-person training to strengthen partnerships, but also training together in the region, as he stressed the interconnected relations between the United States and the Caribbean.

“We’re also connected by common threats such as the current threat of COVID-19, natural disasters and illicit trafficking.

We don’t know when the next big crisis will come, but we must continue to train together so that we

GDF Chief of Staff, Brig Godfrey Bess, and Maj Gen Rafael Ribas exchanging plaques to commemorate the end of the two-week exercise

The group leaders of some of the participating nations who received certificates during Friday’s closing ceremony at the National Stadium’s tarmac

Exercise Tradewinds has proven that, as partners, we believe in supporting each other, upholding the rule of law, embracing the democratic principles, and ensuring peaceful co-existence with each other,” Phillips told the partner nations.

The Prime Minister’s remarks have reflected President Dr Irfaan Ali’s sentiments expressed on Thursday evening when he hosted a cocktail reception at State House to honour the heads of the participating delegation.

During the event, the Head of State said partnerships stemming from the multinational military exercise are critical for the overall peace, security and stability of the region. He also encouraged the participating countries to continue their strong networking and the building of integral relationships.

“You must have, at various levels, colleagues who can pick up the phone and talk to each other, and exchange ideas and talk about things,” President Ali stated.

The Guyanese Leader also pointed out that security of the region should always be a priority.

“The overall objective from all of us who participated here is to ensure we build an international coalition to ensure the peace and stability of this region; to ensure the security, and

delivered with a high degree of safety and professionalism… This kind of professional adaptation and application is what delivers cohesion in planning, execution and evaluation. It is what determines overall victory to counter the emerging threats.

With Exercise Tradewinds 2021, we have demonstrated that such delivery is not only possible, but it’s highly likely,” the GDF Chief of Staff outlined.

M e a n w h i l e , SOUTHCOM’s Director for Mobilisation and Reserve Affairs, Major General Rafael Ribas, expressed appreciation to Guyana for stepping up to host the exercise at short notice. In addition to the GDF, he also singled out the assistance of CARICOM and Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in con-

can respond quickly when it does… When we work together as a team, we prepare better, respond sooner, and recover faster,” the SOUTHCOM official asserted.

Meanwhile, similar sentiments were expressed by US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, who witnessed first-hand how Exercise Tradewinds provided a unique opportunity for participating nations to improve interoperability and effectively execute missions together amidst the pandemic and the need to adhere to stringent safety protocols.

During the past two weeks, local ranks collaborated with their overseas counterparts to build capacity, exchange approaches to training, and share respective tactics, techniques and procedures, as well as networking with each other

to form long-term relations.

According to the GDF’s Lead Planner of Exercise Tradewinds, Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd Souvenir, networking was a major accomplishment.

“The training was beneficial for our ranks as well as our partners. A lot of ideas were exchanged, a lot networking was established, and the partnerships were strengthened…

I believe that we as the host were able to strengthen our capacity in the area of hosting,” Lt Col. Souvenir told this newspaper.

Ranks from the GDF as well as the Guyana Police

Force were trained in various military skills, including close-quarters combat.

They were also trained in marksmanship; emergency medical evacuation; search, rescue and recovery responses, and mechanical and engineering repairs for both air and water transportation, among other areas.

Along with Guyana and the USA, ranks from the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Netherlands, Brazil, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago participated.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

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SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

We need pumps to drain flood water – President Ali

...says Guyana has adequate supply of food, other necessities

President Dr Irfaan Ali

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali has refuted reports coming out of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago that Guyana has refused to accept items from that country to aid its local flood relief efforts.

In fact, the Head of State has explained, Guyana made a specific request to the Trinidadian Government for water pumps, which he says are much more needed at this point in time.

“It’s not true [that we refused to accept their flood relief]. We told them that we’re interested in help with pumps to drain the flood water off the land. We’re in dire need of pumps,” President Ali told Guyana Times when contacted on Friday evening for a comment on the issue.

The Head of State point-

ed out that Guyana currently has adequate food and other necessities to supply flood-affected residents, and he questioned the rationale for accepting these items when there are others places, like neighbouring Suriname, which are also facing a flood crisis and are in need of such assistance.

“Suriname needs help too, and Guyana does not want to cry wolf. We wanted, and still need, help with the pumps,” the Guyanese leader contended.

Further, he noted that while Guyana has asked Trinidad for assistance only with pumps, he is confident that the twin-island nation’s assistance would be forthcoming. But, at the same time, Government is also exploring options to ensure it

gets the pumps needed.

“They asked for the specifications for the pumps and we sent those specifications.

So, we are now waiting for them to respond… If they have the pumps, we told them that we’re even willing to rent or buy. But we’re also looking at other partners and agencies, because the pumps are critical not only now to get the water off the lands, but will also be critical in the future – disposable pumps,” President Ali contended.

Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd has informed his Trinidadian counterpart of the specifications of the pumps required by Guyana.

Guyana Times understands that Trinidad has been asked to assist with three diesel-powered, hydraulically-driven axial flow mobile pumps with a minimum total dynamic head of 20 feet, with capacities of 40 cubic feet per second (cfps) to drain over 17,000 gallons of water; 80 cfps to drain over 35,000 gallons, and 120 cfps to drain 53,000 gallons of water.

The Trinidad Guardian on Friday reported that the T&T Government had put together the relief items based on the list Guyana provided to the Caricom Secretariat, but was subsequently informed that the items were not needed; instead, the pumps were re-

quired.

The article quoted Minister Todd as expressing, in a letter, “the sincere gratitude” of the Guyanese people in “the face of the severe flooding affecting regions of Guyana”, but added, “I wish to advise that the critical items at this time is for pumps to meet the urgent demand for enhanced drainage capacity.”

In light of the situation that has risen, Minister Todd told this newspaper on Friday that he would have to discuss with Prime Minister

Mark Phillips whether there is need now to update the list submitted to Caricom.

“I think we can revise [the list], but I will have to address that first with the Prime Minister, who is responsible for the [National Emergency] Task Force,” the Foreign Minister noted.

According to Todd, he has been “in touch” with his Trinidadian counterpart since submitting the specifications for the pumps to him.

Heavy rainfall over the past several weeks has re-

sulted in all 10 regions of Guyana experiencing varying levels of flooding.

However, as the water recedes, the country is preparing the recovery process, and, as such, teams have been fanning out across the country to conduct assessments on the impact the unprecedented floods have had.

A special team from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) is here working with local stakeholders to carry out the assessment.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Women get bail for attempting to post narcotics to Mazaruni Prison inmate

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wo women were on Friday granted bail in the sum of $60,000 each for allegedly attempting to post a quantity of narcotics and crystal methamphetamine to an inmate of the Mazaruni Prison on Wednesday at the Guyana Post Office Corporation.

Andrea De Florimote, 37, a housewife of Victoria Street Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Patrinea Bristol, 46, a vendor of Avocado Drive, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where they pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Andrea De Florimote

Patrinea Bristol

Based on reports received, on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, officers of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) unearthed 6.3 grams of ganja and 5.4 grams of crystal methamphetamine in false walls of two lotion bottles.

The bottles were among head ties, jerseys and soaps in a box that was intended for an inmate of the Mazaruni Prison.

Following the discovery, De Florimote was told of the offence, cautioned, arrested and escorted to CANU headquarters where she was interrogated.

During questioning, the woman told officers that she had collected the lotion bottles from Bristol. As such, she was subsequently arrested and taken to the CANU headquarters where she was questioned.

After investigations, the two women were charged and arraigned for trafficking in narcotics. They are expected to return to court on August 27, 2021.

Reckoning…

S

…with Haitian arrivals o, the issue of Haitians arriving into Guyana has arisen again - and President Ali has imposed a “visa” requirement. Your Eyewitness has written extensively on the phenomenon - arriving 38,000 since 2015! - at our airports, but there’s no record of them leaving. If they were still in Guyana, they certainly would’ve been noticed, so the surmise was they left via “backtrack” illegally to either Suriname or Brazil - places that demanded visas for Haitians to enter. Evidence of this piled up as several busloads of them to those destinations were recorded.

Now, one view is that the Haitians are just desperately poor people trying to better their lot - just as Guyanese had done starting from the days of the Burnham dictatorship, when he destroyed the economy and crime and hunger stalked the land. In fact, the phrase “just above Haiti” was used ubiquitously to describe where Burnham had taken our beautiful country. So we ought to be sympathetic. This argument resonates with your Eyewitness.

But he recognises that we live in an international world order - stress on “ORDER” - and must observe the rules of that order. Back in 2019, the then PNC Government had insisted that the Haitians weren’t being coerced to qualify as “trafficking in persons” (TIP). The UN law on the subject, however, also covers trafficking MIGRANTS – which these Haitians are. The UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) says this about “migrant smuggling”: “Smuggling of Migrants is a crime involving the procurement for financial or other material benefit of illegal entry of a person into a State of which that person is not a national or resident. It undermines the integrity of countries and communities, and costs thousands of people their lives every year.”

In the present incident that precipitated official action: 10 Haitians coming in from Suriname were found bereft of their passports or any other identity papers, which were all taken away by the person who was organising their movement. He was clearly a “coyote” who was part of an organised ring.

But some say that requiring visas would violate our Caricom obligations to Haiti, which promotes the “free movement of citizens” in our territories. But at the 29th intersessional meeting of Caricom leaders, in February 2018, there was an agreement that while Haitians could enter a Caricom country freely by just presenting a passport, they had to prove that they had sufficient financial resources to live during a period of 6 months, without becoming a burden on the country visited. The “visa” requirement - also required by Caricom member Suriname - would save the hassle of turning Haitians back when they arrive in Guyana.

Haitians aren’t banned from Guyana - they just can’t be wards of the state. …with the flood impact This morning, your Eyewitness was shocked to read that a rice farmer committed suicide after being hounded about debts he’d accrued to cultivate the last rice crop - most of which was ruined because of the floods. This should bring home the reality of the desperate lives of most rice farmers, who literally live from rice crop to rice crop. They’re forced to make huge investments in ploughing, broadcasting germinated paddy, fertilising, pest control, harvesting with combines, and milling – but they are never sure what the outcome would be.

In the countries that have taken agriculture above subsistence levels, they’ve instituted crop insurance against floods and other “acts of God”. In the US, farmers are even assured of a base price. The Government must not now just deal with this single tragedy, but address the systemic problem for all rice farmers. Or else we may replicate the experience of India, where annually there are thousands of “farmer suicides”.

We did say our sustainable future is “agriculture”, no? …for Haresh Finally, poor murdered Haresh Singh may have some justice done in his memory. Clearly murdered in retaliation for the murders of the neighbouring Henry cousins, the Police have finally arrested three persons.

Let justice be done.

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

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SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CH&PA allocates 350 house lots to Charity residents in “Dream Realised” housing drive

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal addressing residents of Charity on Friday

T

he Government of Guyana through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) on Friday allocated 350 house lots to residents of Charity in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) at the

Collin Croal explained that the allocation of house lots was another commitment that is being fulfilled to the residents of Region Two. While allocating the house lots, the Minister told residents that $13.9 billion in in-

To date, a total of 4200 house lots have been distributed, and 700 land transports were handed out to allottees.

“The processing of land titles and transport are in a backlog and we are committed that we will work to bring it to the front line for current applicants who are in the system…in this short period we already processed close to 700 land titles/transports. Essequibo has had a backlog in the system while approximately 200 titles will be allocated to applicants.

Infrastructural work has also commenced for the development of thriving housing scheme areas which will see a massive transformation,” Croal added.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues stated that the

The elated residents at the housing drive on Friday at Anna Regina

Anna Regina Town Council.

The house lots were allocated under the “Dream Realised” housing drive which the PPP/C initiated after taking office in August 2020.

In addition to the 350 house lots, another 200 titles and transports were handed out during a planned two-day activity in the region.

On Friday evening, Housing and Water Minister

frastructure and land developmental projects were also awarded to 14 areas which will see a massive transformation.

He nevertheless stated that despite the global pandemic, the Housing Ministry kick-started the biggest housing drive with the aim of executing the PPP/C manifesto promise, which is to distribute 50,000 house lots in five years.

beneficiaries of the 350 house lots are those persons who have applied since 2019.

“We allocate persons a portion of land... we intend you to make most of it with the security of you knowing that you own your land and title... we are here to ensure that the people of Essequibo access good streets, housing area, and street lamps. The plans that we have in allocating housing is to ensure that

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, during her address

our beneficiaries be facilitated with proper infrastructural work so that there will be a high standard of the living surroundings,” Rodrigues stated.

She added that giving the residents the house lots is the first step to owning their own homes and as such encouraged them to take full advantage of loans that are available at the various commercial banks.

In addition, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves told residents that

the agency is making every effort to ensure homeownership becomes a reality for residents on the Essequibo Coast.

Greaves added that the massive housing drive was propelled from a recent visit to the region by President Dr Irfaan Ali while noting that during the two-day affair, 200 titles and transports will be handed out.

The Ministry, he posited, will also process new applications during the outreach.

Further, Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva

told those gathered that the PPP/C Administration has managed to develop the region and country through massive transformational projects.

“When you own your own home... there is a sense of pride that you all [will experience after] today since you are all [allottees], I will like to congratulate you all... the Ministry of Housing and Water managed to allocate 4200 house lots, and its just 2021... we are indeed grateful for the work that our Government has been pushing.”

De Silva noted that allottees had been in the system for too long and as such the Government is working assiduously to fulfil its promises to ensure that Guyanese become home owners.

Natasha De Silva told Guyana Times that she was excited upon receiving a telephone call informing her that she was one of the recipients.

She was asked to provide $50,000 as an initial payment to facilitate processing.

She is expected to commence construction shortly.

10 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Businessman arraigned for discharging loaded firearm

Trio accused of rape − man gets bail for cocaine possession released on bail

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hree men who were accused of rape were granted bail on Thursday when they appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.

In the first case, Kevin Clarke also called “Jickman”, 30, a goldsmith, was arrested on February 27, 2021, after he reportedly sexually as-

saulted a female. The incident reportedly occurred on February 24 last.

He appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. He was granted bail in the sum of $30,000 and will make his next court appearance on September 23 for trial.

In addition, 19-yearold Nicholas Ishri of No 70 Village Corentyne, Berbice, was arrested on March 17, 2021, for indulging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16.

During his court appearance, he was not required to plead to the charge but was nevertheless granted bail in the sum of $75,000 and the matter was adjourned to September 6, 2021, for report.

Finally, Tameshwar Persaud was reportedly arrested on June 23, 2021, and was charged for allegedly raping a child under the age of 16.

He was not required to plead to the charge but was placed on $150,000 bail and was ordered to return to court on July 29, 2021, for report.

C

Steve Bacchus

harged with discharging a loaded firearm at a man with intent to harm him, businessman Steve Bacchus was on Thursday released on $150,000 bail after entering a not guilty plea.

Bacchus appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Police stated that June 18, 2021, at Sophia, Greater Georgetown, Bacchus dis-

Darrell Scott

charged a loaded firearm at Neilson Pratt with intent to maim, disfigure, disable or cause grievous bodily harm.

The matter has been adjourned until August 20.

Bacchus has been ordered to report to the Prashad Nagar Police Station every Monday until the hearing and determination of the matter.

Meanwhile, in another case before the same Magistrate, 57-year-old

Darrell Scott was granted bail on a narcotics charge.

The Lamaha Street, Georgetown resident pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on June 23, at Hadfield Street, Georgetown, he had seven grams of cocaine in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

He was released on $60,000 bail and will also make his next court appearance on August 20.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Ali engages Ghanaian counterpart on oil and gas sector

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resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday afternoon had a telephone engagement with President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, during which the two leaders discussed a host of issues including oil and gas.

According to a missive from the Office of the President, the two Heads of State reaffirmed their strong commitment to the longstanding friendly relations between Guyana and Ghana.

It was noted that Presidents Ali and AkufoAddo committed to advancing and deepening the agenda for cooperation between

President Irfaan Ali

the two countries, including in the oil and gas sector and

on environmental issues, amongst other areas.

During their conversation, they recalled the discussions held during the Ghanaian President’s state visit to Guyana in 2019 when he met with a delegation led by then Opposition Leader and now Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

President Nana AkufoAddo paid a two-day visit to Guyana in June 2019.

Accompanied by a 43-member delegation, the Ghanaian Leader held a series of engagements with the then Government as well as other stakeholders during which he committed to lend assistance to Guyana in the

petroleum sector.

In fact, following a brief engagement with President Nana Akufo-Addo, Jagdeo had told reporters that the Head of State had assured that his commitments were beyond political parties. “(President Nana AkufoAddo) said that the offer is to Guyana and not to any political party. We expressed our appreciation for that because even if the PPP were to get into office, we would still need to get support from like-minded countries and Ghana has always been a good political partner… we appreciate his offer to share their experience and some of their technical advice on is-

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

sues that they’ve had to deal with because it’s important that we have perspective from a practitioner country, developing country and not just from consultants,” Jagdeo had said just over two years ago.

Ghana has been producing and exporting crude oil since 2011, having discovered the resource in commercial quantities back in 2007. Guyana begun producing oil in December 2019 in the Stabroek Block offshore, where there is said to be some 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

The two countries officially established diplomatic relations on May 14, 1979.

North Ruimveldt Multilateral fire

School’s auditorium prepped for students to write CSEC – EDPM to be written at GTI

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he auditorium of the North Ruimveldt M u l t i l a t e r a l Secondary School has been prepared and equipped to allow for sittings of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations following a devastating fire last week.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand visited the institution on Friday, where she met with students and teachers. She noted that the Ministry did all in its power to put the school in a state of readiness to accommodate students for the exams.

“So the ball is now in

Education Minister Priya Manickchand addressing the students and teachers

soar,” the Minister urged.

Along with furniture, electricity has been restored.

Minister Manickchand

The care packages and calculators given to students in preparation for the exams which commence on Monday

your court. Today we hand the baton to you to take it from here. We’ve done everything we could possibly do to keep you in a frame of mind that will allow you to just soar. So go ahead and

added that while the majority of subjects will be written at the school, the students writing Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM) will do so at the Government

Technical Institute (GTI) and that transportation will be provided for those students. She also said that lunch will be prepared each day there is an examination to ensure the students are properly catered for.

A walkway is also under construction for students to access the building safely.

Following the meeting, each student was given a care package containing face masks, a spray bottle, sanitiSer, vitamin support, geometry set, ruler, pencils, pens, erasers and sharpeners to assist them in writing their examinations which begin on Monday.

Calculators were also donated to the mathematics department as a replacement for those that were destroyed by the fire.

Last Monday, the Minister would have met with students and parents to iron out plans that could be implemented to ensure

CSEC students during the meeting on Friday

Head Teacher of the North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary

that students take the examinations comfortably. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and the Guyana Power & Light Inc (GPL) have also been engaged to ensure the building is safe.

Some 65 students were scheduled to write the re

gional examination this year and a majority of them had requested that the auditorium be used. Since the fire at the Mandela Avenue institution, the teaching block was destroyed to a point that it cannot be used at all in the immediate future.

The Minister had also pledged the Ministry’s support to provide any psychosocial support that might be needed by teachers and students of the school.

She had added, “If there is something that drives you even further in this period it must be that the students who wrote their CSEC the week after their school burnt down performed excellently. That must be what drives you.”

Officials from the Ministry would have also engaged the Head Teacher and teachers attached to the school, in order to lend support. On the scene of the fire last weekend, Manickchand had pledged Government’s commitment to rebuild the structure, which housed 512 students and 39 teachers.

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US$100M cement factory to create employment in Essequibo

A

s Guyana braces itself for infrastructural transformation, Vas Energy Inc and the Georgetown Cement Inc have teamed up to invest in a whopping US$100 million cement factory at La Resource, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

A sod-turning ceremony was held at the construction site in La Resource, which signals the commencement of construction of the state-ofthe-art facility that will employ scores of locals.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GO-Invest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop told the gathering that creating jobs for Guyanese tops the agenda for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration and with the recent investment, it will definitely assist

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa; Prime Minister Representative Arnold Adams, Vijay Sukhdeo and GO-Invest CEO Dr Peter Ramsroop at the sod-turning exercise on Wednesday

in making the party’s goals realised.

“Guyana’s economy is booming and there are many job opportunities that will be available for the people in Guyana... Opportunities will be created to join in such work, and they will be made available to all. I recognise that there are communities within our society which, because of disadvantages of geographic location, will need more help than others to join our national advance,” Dr Ramsaroop noted.

He added that as the country’s infrastructure booms, there will be a high demand for cement and lauded the investment, noting that GO-Invest will pay keen attention to the project.

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana,

Dr Srinivasa, who was at the sod-turning event, stated, “I am very much happy to be a part of this sod-turning ceremony...and as I can see thus far... Guyana is set for takeoff. If you take a keen look at cost of importing cement, it will be seen that there is an additional drain in Guyana...

And on the other hand, if your country produces that produce or material there will not only be saving on foreign exchange but also earnings.”

Dr Srinivasa noted that the construction of the cement plant will be a major advantage to residents of Essequibo and will be a platform for employment opportunities. Once in operation, the cement company will be supplying other Caribbean countries.

and he then told her to go home and “wash up”, so she did. In August 2017, Laud raped her again and also performed oral sex on her.

Although he was found guilty, Laud has maintained his innocence. At a sentencing hearing, he had begged trial Judge Jo-Ann Barlow to have mercy on him, since he was the sole breadwinner for his family.

In sentencing Laud, Justice Barlow considered the aggravating and mitigating factors, the circumstances under which the offence was committed, and the victim’s impact statement.

According to Justice Barlow, the only mitigat-

ing factor the court found was the fact that Laud was a first-time offender. Among the aggravating factors, she took into consideration when determining an appropriate sentence was that Laud breached a position of trust since he knew the young girl since she was a toddler.

In the end, Justice Barlow sentenced Laud to 22 years in prison on the first rape charge, and 25 years on the second charge. The sentences are to be served concurrently.

Further, the Judge ordered that Laud be made to undergo counselling for persons convicted of sexual offences.

Child rapist requests CoA to reduce sentence

A

convicted child rapist is back in court asking three Appeal Judges to reconsider his 25-year prison sentence.

Earlier this year, Ivor Laud was found guilty by a jury on two counts of child rape.

Between March 1 and 31, 2015, and August 1 and 31, 2017, in the county of Demerara, he engaged in sexual penetration of a girl when she was just eight and 10 years old respectively.

While he is not challenging his conviction, Laud, through his Attorneys-at-Law Paul and Charlene Fung-aFat, is contending that the sentence is severe given the circumstances of the case.

He contended, too, that the sentence is “manifestly excessive” and that the trial Judge failed to consider any personal or mitigating factors.

Police had stated that between March 1 and 31, 2015,

Laud invited the young girl over to his home under the pretext that he had something to give to her.

The girl reportedly followed him into the house, and they went into the bedroom, where he placed her to lie on a bed and pulled down her pants and underwear.

In her statement to the Police, the young girl detailed that Laud instructed her to hold his penis, and thereafter, raped her.

Child rapist Ivor Laud

After committing the act, the girl said, she saw a whitish substance on his penis,

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SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

1 fatality pushes COVID death toll to 459 …109 new cases recorded

O

ne more person who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has died, thus taking the country’s death toll to 459.

The Health Ministry on Friday reported that a 59-year-old man from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) died while receiving care at a medical facility on Thursday.

On Thursday, the Ministry reported that an 85-year-old woman from Region One and an 81-yearold from Region Four died on Tuesday. Then, a 58-yearold man from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and a 54-year-old woman from Region Four succumbed on Wednesday.

However, new statistics provided by the Ministry showed that Guyana has recorded 109 new cases.

This figure has now taken the confirmed positive cases since the virus was first detected in March 2020 to 19,674.

There are 17 patients seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 99 in institutional isolation, 1473 in home isolation, and one in institutional quaran-

tine. In total, 17,626 persons have recovered completely.

Since the pandemic started, 183,048 individuals were tested – of which 9607 males and 10,067 females were positive.

An analysis showed five new cases were recorded in Region One (BarimaWaini); one in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); five in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 33 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); three in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); 21 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); two in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); 34 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and five in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

In Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), cases are still at 379.

Hospitalisations from COVID-19 have varied, with an average of 18 per day in January; 23 per day in February; 38 per day in March; 66 per day in April and 87 per day in May. For this month, it remains at around 87.

“This is an average between our highest and lowest number, so it doesn’t

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD JUNE 25 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

109

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

99 1473 17

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

1

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

10,067

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

9607

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

19,674

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

17,626

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

230,486

FULLY IMMUNISED

104,605

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

459

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1190

REGION 2

544

REGION 3

2246

REGION 4

9061

REGION 5

657

REGION 6

1508

REGION 7

1245

REGION 8

379

REGION 9

1460

REGION 10

1384

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

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

represent the true numbers that we had per day. A good example is that we have 73 persons in our hospitals, and of those 73, we have 18 in the ICU. Again, it varies by day,” Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony underscored on Friday.

He has reiterated on many platforms that vaccination prevents people from developing the more severe form of the infection, eliminating hospitalisation and death from the equation. In fact, none of the fully-vaccinated persons in Guyana have succumbed because of the novel coronavirus disease.

In terms of vaccination, some 230,486 first doses have been administered, covering 47.3 per cent of the adult population. Out of this number, 104,605 persons, or 21.5 per cent, are completely inoculated.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, or need any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline: 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately, or visit us at www.health.gov. gy.

Relative of slain Henry cousins wanted for murder of Haresh Singh – 2 remain in custody

Murdered: Haresh Singh

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s Police intensify their investigation into the murder of 17-year-old Haresh Singh who was killed in September 2020 following the gruesome murder of Isaiah and Joel Henry, an arrest warrant was on Friday issued for one of the relatives of the slain Henry boys. Wanted is Gladwin Henry of No 3 Village, West

Coast Berbice.

Police on Thursday confirmed that two persons were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the murder of Singh one of whom has since confessed to the heinous crime.

In addition, a Police source had stated that they were looking for one other person since he was implicated in Singh’s murder.

Based on reports received, the now wanted man and the self-confessed murderer, who are relatives of slain Joel and Isaiah Henry, might have taken matters into their own hands following the boys’ death.

It is believed that after a relative of Singh was arrested days after the mutilated bodies of the cousins were found, the wanted man along with others allegedly attacked and killed the 17-year-old as a form of revenge.

Nevertheless, the Police

Wanted: Gladwin Henry

are asking anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of Henry to call the Police on telephone numbers 232-0969, 2320313, 226-1928, 911 or the nearest Police station.

Singh’s body was found in the backdam at Number Three Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), during a protest for justice for the Henry boys, whose muti-

lated bodies were found on a coconut farm at Cotton Tree.

It has been widely speculated that Singh was murdered in retaliation for the murder of the Henry boys.

Members of Singh’s family were initially arrested as suspects in the murder of the Henry teens, but they were subsequently released.

Three persons are currently before the courts for the murder of the Henry boys. In addition, a brother of one of the boys is also before the court for killing his neighbour, whom he claimed was responsible for his brother’s death.

On September 9, 2020, Singh left his home at Number Three Village in the company of his uncles to go to the backdam to work. However, he returned home shortly after by himself to take some water to the estate. It was on his way back to the farm

Murdered: Isaiah Henry and Joel Henry

that he was murdered.

Singh was riding a motorcycle at the time he was chopped to death.

His body was discovered in the backdam next to his motor cycle, which had also been burnt. A post-mortem examination found that Singh died as a result of a brain haemorrhage and blunt trauma to the head, compounded by compres-

sion injuries to the neck.

Following the death of the Henry boys, there was widespread protests across Guyana, demanding justice, and the Police had said they would investigate Singh’s murder with the same intensity that was being employed in relation to the murder of 16-year-old Isaiah Henry and 19-yearold Joel Henry.

14 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12th edition of From goldsmith to GNBS-certified jeweller – Stephen Naraine tells his story Restaurant Week officially opens

Owner of Steve’s Jewellery, Stephen Naraine, received his first certificate from former Executive Director of GNBS Dr Chatterpaul Ramcharran in 1998

Stephen Naraine completing custom-made orders in his workshop at 301 Church Street, Georgetown

S

tephen Naraine has always had an interest in arts and craft.

At a tender age, he would rush home from school to join his uncle – a goldsmith – in his workshop at Alexander Village, Georgetown, and it was these moments that led to the origin of Steve’s Jewellery World.

“Since in primary school, my uncle had a basic workshop and when we came home in the afternoon, I tend to fall in as I was interested in arts and anything done by hand,” he recalled.

After many afternoons and weekends at the workshop, Naraine eventually became versed in making gold jewellery, and in later years he was left in charge of the business after his uncle migrated.

In 1992, Steve’s Jewellery was established with its first location at King Street, Georgetown.

Since then, the business – now located at 301 Church Street, Georgetown – has been manufacturing a wide range of jewellery and custom-made patterns requested by clients.

Confident that the products sold by his business were ready for the next step, Naraine soon began pursuing certification from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to the Guyana Standard (GYS 50:2010) – specification for gold articles.

“At that time, I thought it would be a good thing to be certified for myself

and my business and I was very much interested… although the road to certification was a bit challenging,” the businessman noted.

After several tests and

of 23, 14, 12, 10, and nine karat gold; requirements for findings and solders to be used in the manufacture of gold articles; methods for assaying gold, alloyed gold, solder, findings, and gold articles. It also stipulates requirements for the marking and labelling of gold articles.

The standard, however, does not specify requirements for the design of gold

Naraine poses with his GNBS Certificate at his business location at Church Street, Georgetown

retests, Steve’s Jewellery was certified in 1998 to manufacture gold articles under the requirements of the national standard.

Since then, the business has remained under the GNBS product certification programme. Its products are re-certified annually.

The GYS 50:2010 specifies requirements for the manufacturing, alloying, and testing of gold articles

articles and does not apply to gold articles intended for industrial purposes such as dentistry, electronics, official coins, gold bars and other such uses. The businessman thanked the GNBS for its support during the first assessment period and every year thereafter.

“The support was excellent, no complaints,” he asserted.

Naraine noted that cer-

tification led to customer growth and subsequently the expansion of his business, which now serves persons living overseas as well.

“With certification, we found that our business just went to another level in terms of growth, in sales, in customer service, because we would have had to follow a certain direction guided by the GNBS and we follow those steps…”

“I found that the customers were so satisfied, they sent their families and relatives specifically to us and they did not worry about quality because our quality has been consistent,” he proudly stated.

Because of its consistency, Steve’s Jewellery persisted to win the 2017 National Quality Awards (NQA) in the small business category. The NQA is hosted by the GNBS every two years to award competitive businesses in the manufacturing and services industries for consistently maintaining quality and standards.

To anyone considering the certification of their products or services, Naraine said: “Go right ahead and get the certificate,” as he also extended an olive branch to jewellers who require assistance.

Apart from gold jewellery, the GNBS certifies other locally manufactured products including PVC pipes, concrete hollow blocks, bathtubs, and shower units.

To access the certification programme, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0065, 2190062, or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org.

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond at the launch on Thursday evening

G

uyana Restaurant Week 2021 was on Thursday launched at the Bistro Café and Bar at MovieTowne, Liliandaal, Greater Georgetown, with an increased number of restaurants participating in the 10-day culinary showcase.

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond opened the 12th edition of the event during which she stated that Restaurant Week is an important and critical element of Guyana’s tourism thrust.

“That is why I am happy to see the number of participating restaurants back at 20 – up from the 13 which participated during the last edition of this event. I am also pleased that five new restaurants have signed up this year, for these numbers suggest that restaurants continue to appreciate the value of this initiative,” Minister Walrond noted.

She stated that participating restaurants have been deemed compliant with the COVID-19 protocols and have received conditional approval from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

The restaurants were encouraged to use as much local products as possible. Minister Walrond also urged Guyanese to support the event.

“This Restaurant Week is sure to demonstrate what we can accomplish by applying our creativity, inspiration and passion to the culinary arts. I challenge chefs and bartenders to bring their ‘A’ game and show their versatility in the food and beverage industry… Likewise, I encourage all of Guyana to

Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President Harrinand Persaud

participate in Restaurant Week.”

Meanwhile, President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Harrinand Persaud said the wide range of participating restaurants indicates the country’s growth.

“It shows the progress that Guyana is making.

For sure, next Restaurant Week it is only going to be increasing. I can see that we have a lot of persons who are willing to give their best and to explore the options to offer a variety of food.”

He noted that prospective patrons should make advance reservations since a number of restaurants are already booked out for the coming weekend.

The restaurants will offer lunch at a cost of $3000 and dinner at $5000 or $6000.

The first edition of Guyana Restaurant Week was done in 2014, and was spearheaded by THAG in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority and numerous sponsors.

NEWS

15

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Scores bid farewell to Region 10 Vice Chairman − described as a selfless, dedicated servant

The casket bearing the body of Douglas Gittens at his funeral service on Thursday A section of the gathering at the funeral service in Linden

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egion 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Vice Chairman, Douglas Gittens, who succumbed to COVID-19, was on Thursday given an emotional send-off as scores of persons from all phases of society bid their final farewell.

Gittens, up to his time of demise, served on the Region Democratic Council (RDC) but was a teach-

er and an executive member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon expressed his grief at the sudden passing of Gittens, whom he referred to as a “very special youth”.

He recalled speaking with Gittens via telephone mere hours before learning of his passing, noting that he could not come to

grips with the tragic news.

Harmon described the now dead Gittens as a loving, joyful, friendly and helpful person.

“This was a young man who loved people, and the tributes before me attest to that fact. He was always willing and ready to serve.

Linden, Region 10, must be thankful to the Almighty God for having such a special human being...Douglas

Gittens was a good, young leader in this community; committed to the development of the township and Region 10,” the Opposition Leader stated.

Harmon extended heartfelt sympathy to his family as he pledged to stand by their side and to continue to honour his legacy.

Vice Chairman of the PNCR, Annette Ferguson said Gittens was a true comrade and patriot. She recalled that Gittens, who

UG partners with COAST Foundation to establish subsea training facility

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he University of Guyana on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Caribbean Oceanography Aquaculture and Subsea Technology (COAST) Foundation to collaborate on the establishment of a Subsea Centre of Excellence training facility.

This would now allow the University to deliver worldclass programmes designed to prepare students for careers in Subsea Operations and Engineering.

The MoU was signed by Vice Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin; Dean, Faculty of Technology, Verlyn Klass and Keith Lewis and Aaron Hardowar of (COAST) Foundation.

Professor Mohamed Martin expressed sincere gratitude to COAST Foundation for choosing UG and for understanding how important the national university is to fulfilling the present and future needs of the industry, noting that the Subsea Centre will be the first of its kind at a university in the Caribbean.

“We are excited about the innovative aspects of what you are proposing, we also are not only interested in producing people, we are also interested in advancing ideas and working on solutions because that’s really where the intellectual power and manifest value of the university really lies,” the Vice Chancellor added.

On the other hand, Lewis, who is leading the project, highlighted the significant benefits of having the Centre of Excellence training facility

at UG. “COAST Foundation believes that there is a future for local students to become engineers in the subsea field and support the deep-water development in Guyana,” he highlighted.

“All of the development, past and future in Guyana will be via Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), therefore, we want to ensure that we train local technicians and subsea engineers to support the process,” Lewis expounded.

The Subsea Centre of Excellence will be home to the first Remotely Operated Vehicle simulator in the region which will be the foundation of training and competency development programmes aimed at supporting educational programmes from the Trade School, through Associate, Bachelor’s and Master’s levels.

Through the partnership, the University of Guyana will collaborate with international universities in the US, Canada and Scotland to deliver world-class programmes designed to prepare students for careers in Subsea Operations and Engineering.

In addition to an ROV simulator, the Subsea Centre of Excellence will have an ROV Test Tank, an Electrical Workshop, and HydraulicMechanical Workshop.

A key component of the programme will be a collaboration with the local and international subsea industry corporations to ensure stakeholder buy-in and a sustainable holistic approach to the Transfer of Technology to

Guyana.

Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Verlyn Klass also expressed her gratitude to COAST Foundation for bringing the technology to UG and her enthusiasm at the prospect of how it will benefit the students. She explained that the project started with one of UG’s civil engineering students who graduated and is employed with COAST. She recalled that the student reached out to the University with the hope that UG students would also be exposed to such technology.

Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Elena Trim expressed interest in discussing the certification of students who are involved in the programme.

The signing of the MoU is another strong reflection of UG’s strategic efforts to achieve the goals set out in the 2040 Blueprint and to support the build out of a technically competent workforce to support the booming oil and gas industry in Guyana.

This important MoU enhances and underscores the University’s continued drive to ensure that Guyanese can take full advantage of the local content requirements as well as those spin off opportunities that are emerging rapidly in the local market.

This is a welcome addition to the recent suite of courses offered by the Institute of Energy Diplomacy, and those in the faculties such as the Degree

and Master’s in Petroleum Engineering, Master’s in Renewable Energy from the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, the Master’s in Environmental Management for the Oil and Gas Industry (Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences) and Master’s in Management of Supply Chains and Procurement (SEBI), all being offered from September 2021.

was a teacher by profession, joined the party through its Youth Arm in 2008.

“Comrade Douglas served selflessly and whenever called upon… always exemplified readiness to go beyond the call of duty,” Ferguson told those who gathered at the Christianburg Community Centre Ground in Linden.

Regional Chairman Adams who fought back tears during his tribute said he lost not only his colleague but a friend.

“A stalwart member of the People’s National Congress Reform, he worked tirelessly to advance the party’s mandate...His work and enthusiasm on the campaign trail, in ordinary party outreaches and in every other aspect of activities organised by the PNCR in Region 10 will surely be missed. Service to the people of Region 10 was an extremely important aspect of the life of Douglas Charles Gittens...Douglas Charles Gittens left a memorable impact on everyone he came into contact with...always

eager to be considered a ‘man of the people’, always preferring the company of the average resident...always ready and willing to discuss ways and means in any area,” Adams recalled.

Meanwhile, Head Teacher of the Mackenzie High School, Haslyn Small in his tribute said it was a solemn occasion, as he remembered Gittens as a dedicated teacher, Councillor, budding entrepreneur and an ardent supporter of the Arsenal Football Club.

He recalled that Gittens taught at the CSEC and CAPE levels and was deemed a "Master Teacher" and had the nickname “Mr CAPE” after he was awarded “Best Teacher” for several years.

He further described Gittens as a well-rounded, lovable and likable individual who loved sports. Small related that the staff has lost a very dedicated “champion teacher” who was well respected and respectful.

Gittens, 38, passed away on June 13 after he was diagnosed with COVID-19.

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Unvaccinated persons at higher risk of contracting deadly Delta variant – Dr Anthony warns

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he Delta variant of COVID-19, which has been labelled as severe due to its dominant traits in infections, is causing resurgences and spikes in several countries around the world.

On Friday, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony warned that unvaccinated persons are at very high risk of getting infected and hospitalised.

This variant, which was first detected in India, is said to be the most contagious yet as authorities continue to track the spread which it has caused. In fact, the transmissibility is said to be twice higher than the UK’s Alpha variant.

“This one is very severe and what they have noted is that people who are unvaccinated would be the persons who would be getting

infected with this variant more often. So, unvaccinated persons are going to be at higher risk of getting infected with this particular variant. There is also that possibility that even if you had an infection before, that you can get reinfected,” Dr Anthony outlined.

Since the virus was first detected in the Wuhan province of China, there have been several mutations.

From the first-discovered Alpha strain in the United Kingdom last year, authorities have moved to trace the Beta and Gamma variants.

However, the Delta variant has been dominant in many countries, including the US and UK. It has caused a resurgence of the infections in Portugal and current spikes in Russia.

“This particular strain of the virus would have caused

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

a lot of people getting infected, hospitalised…In some cases, hospitals could not cope with the amount of persons who required hospitalisation and they were

lots of persons who died because they were not able to get the care. This particular variant, because of its transmissibility, would have also spread to a number of coun-

tries.”

He added, “It is causing an increase in cases and it is causing more hospitalisation and possibly more deaths. This particular variant has nine mutations on the spike protein and because of where these mutations have occurred, this particular variant is more transmissible. It is twice more transmissible than the Alpha variant, which was the one in the UK. That is one of the hallmarks. If people get it, it is going to be passed on very quickly.”

It was highlighted that the Polymerase Chain Reaction testing is currently being done in Guyana and would be able to detect these variants. However, vaccines will protect from the worse form of the virus if a person were to contract it. Calls were made for Guyanese to

visit one of the vaccination sites and get their jab.

“Some of the studies that have been done, if you’re fully vaccinated, it protects you from the more severe form of the disease that this particular variant can generate…

In all the countries where they have seen this variant circulating, there is a big push to get people vaccinated. I want to make that call here as well to make sure that people are vaccinated so that we can prevent any variant from affecting our population.”

The World Health Organisation on Friday called for vaccinated people to continue wearing masks, social distance and practice other COVID-19 pandemic safety measures as the Delta variant spreads rapidly across borders.

EU allocates €150,000 to support victims of recent floods in Guyana

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s Guyana continues to grapple with the current flood crisis that has affected all 10 regions, support continues to pour in from the international community with the European Union on Friday announcing that it is allocating some GY$37.3 million (€150,000) in humanitarian funding to assist some 500 persons who have been severely affected by the recent wave of intense floods.

The country has been experiencing higher-than-normal levels of rainfall since May and local authorities estimate that the subsequent extensive flooding has

EU Ambassador to Guyana Fernando Ponz Cantó

affected over 36,000 households across 300 communi-

ties.

With severe weather expected to continue, the main risk is that due to low lying lands and minimal tidal differences, flood waters will recede slowly hence generating stagnant pools that would contribute in increasing the risk of water and mosquito-borne diseases.

Against this backdrop, the EU Delegation in Guyana in a statement on Friday stated that its current humanitarian funding will be channelled towards the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in support of their Disaster

Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) and will be implemented by the Guyana Red Cross society which is present in all affected districts.

The intervention will last for three months and aims at providing immediate support to 500 vulnerable families currently living in temporary shelters in the most

the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism.

Following the CDC’s request, the EU’s Copernicus Emergency Management Service was also activated on June 14, to provide satellite maps of the affected flood areas across Guyana.

Ambassador Ponz Cantó highlighted in Friday’s mis-

diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya or Zika.

Families will also receive hygiene kits, jerrycans, household cleaning kits and water treatment tablets to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases which are likely to increase due to the persistence of stagnating water.

With EU funding, the

severely affected regions of Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region 9) and Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10).

Ambassador of the European Union to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Cantó, in brief comments referred to the meeting between the EU Delegation and the Director General of Guyana’s Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, on June 11, 2021, to facilitate the activation of

sive that, “this humanitarian grant of €150,000 is already complemented by the intervention of the French Red Cross, which was coordinated by the Embassy of France in Suriname and channelled via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.”

The EU funding will contribute to enable the Guyana Red Cross to swiftly provide families with kitchen sets, solar lamps, durable mosquito nets to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne

Guyana Red Cross will identify the 200 most vulnerable families and deliver to them, cash and vouchers so that they can purchase what they most urgently need to help them through the difficult period of dislocation.

In order to mitigate the risks connected to a potential spread of the coronavirus, shelters will be equipped with first aid kits and people will receive 5000 N95 masks and 1000 flacons of hand sanitiser.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CCJ dismisses Blairmont Rice Investments’ appeal – affirms orders of Guyana’s Court of Appeal

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n a judgment rendered on Friday, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has dismissed an appeal from Guyana in the matter of Blairmont Rice Investments Inc v Kayman Sankar Investments Ltd, Kayman Sankar and Company Ltd, and Beni Sankar. In so doing, the CCJ has affirmed the orders of the Court of Appeal.

The regional court heard the appeal on January 26, 2021.

Blairmont Rice Investments Inc (the “purchaser”) and Kayman Sankar Investments Ltd, Kayman Sankar, and Company Ltd, and Beni Sankar (the “vendors”) entered into three contracts in December 2006 for the purchase and sale of lands in Von Better, Berbice.

At the time, the parties understood that the purchase price was to be used to satisfy the vendors’ debt which was owed to the bank.

Payment of the purchase price was spread over nine years with twice-yearly instalments which were to be paid in June and December of each year.

The purchaser did not pay either of its installments for the year 2010, even though the vendors reminded that payments were due.

As a result, by letter dat-

ed January 17, 2011, the vendors communicated to the purchaser that they accepted that the contracts were terminated and would now treat the commercial relationship between the parties as being over.

The purchaser did not accept that the contracts were terminated, and this prompted the vendors to take legal action. At the time when legal action began, the purchaser had been struck off the register of companies.

The High Court decided in favour of the vendors, and the purchaser appealed to the Court of Appeal. That court decided that the payment clause was an “essential” or very important term, and a breach (or failure to comply) with it went to the heart of the contract, causing the contract to be terminated.

The purchaser then appealed to the CCJ, which determined that there were two issues to be addressed.

They are: was the purchaser’s failure to make payment in 2010 so serious a breach as to allow the vendors to terminate the contracts?

And considering that the purchaser was a company that had been struck off the register of companies, could it defend itself legally?

The CCJ, in a majority judgment delivered by Justice Andrew Burgess, de-

termined that the payment clause was an “innominate” or “intermediate” term (this is a term in a contract that could be breached in either a minor or significant way). In coming to this decision, the Court said the question to be asked was what a reasonable person would have understood the parties to mean by use of the language in the payment clause.

In considering the language, it was clear there was a variety of consequences that could be caused by the failure to make the payments. Therefore, the payment clause was an “innominate” or “intermediate” term.

The CCJ then looked at the consequence of the breach and decided that it was a significant one, because it deprived the vendors of the whole benefit of

the agreements. The benefit was that the payments be made in a timely manner to prevent the vendors from losing their properties to the bank.

Given the significance of the breach, the vendors could rightly terminate the contracts.

As to the second issue, the Court decided that a company that has been struck off the companies’ register is not to be treated as if it no longer exists in law; rather, it is to be treated as if its personality in law is suspended.

Company Law in Guyana ensures that companies that are struck off the register cannot escape their liabilities, and therefore a person could bring legal action against a struck-off company so as to hold it accountable.

For this reason, the Court decided that the purchaser could defend the action brought against it by the vendors. The Court said this interpretation of the law is one that is rational, reasonable and fair.

Justice Peter Jamadar, in a concurring judgment, added that innominate or intermediate terms were part of Caribbean Contract Law even though this had not been widely explored in regional case law. He said the classification of terms as “innominate” allows for flexibility and advances the development of Caribbean Law. Justice Jamadar agreed that the payment clause was an innominate term, and breach of it made the central purpose, i.e., the satisfaction of the Vendor’s indebtedness to the bank, unrealisable.

President Justice Adrian Saunders agreed with the result reached by the majority on the first issue, but, in his view, the payment clause was a condition (meaning a term of a contract that is so significant or important that it goes to the “heart” of the contract).

In relation to the striking off the register issue, President Saunders disagreed with the majority.

He found that a struck-off company could not ordinarily bring a legal action, or have a legal action brought

against it. However, section 488 of the Companies Act created an exception, where a person could enforce a liability against a struck-off company once that liability existed while the company was registered.

Section 487(5) of the Companies Act allowed a person with such a claim of an existing liability against a struck-off company to have that company restored to bring legal action against it. The President found that, in the present case, the legal action brought was not an existing liability; rather, it was a case to determine whether a liability even existed, and so the legal action could not fall under the exception created by section 488. The President concluded that the proceedings had no legal effect.

The Court, therefore, decided that Blairmont Rice Investments Inc had standing, and dismissed the appeal, thereby affirming the orders of the Court of Appeal.

The Court also ordered that Blairmont Rice Investments Inc pay the vendors’ basic costs of $ 1,750,250.

Attorneys-at-law Jamela Ali SC, Sanjeev Datadin, and Donavan Rangiah appeared for Blairmont Rice Investments Inc, while Juman-Yassin SC and Teni Housty appeared for the vendors.

“It had to be a problem 3 in custody after robbing with the truck” – mother of Corriverton businessman truck driver who drowned A

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he mother of Sheldon Wilson, the driver who died after the truck he was driving went overboard at the John Fernandes Wharf on Tuesday, believes that her son’s death was as a result of a faulty truck.

Thirty-six-year-old Sheldon Wilson met his demise on Tuesday when the lorry he was operating accidently plunged overboard into the Demerara River.

The man’s mother, Valmai Ramsay, today told Guyana Times that based on the Post mortem examination that was conducted on her son’s body, her son died as a result of drowning.

The woman said this news came as no surprise to her, because she is fully aware that her son had no health complications. She also rejected rumours that her son had committed suicide.

“No sickness! My son never had to go to a doctor…he never sick…he was healthy”, the woman said.

CCTV footage seen by this newspaper showed that the truck slowly rolled off the wharf and into the river.

John Fernandes Limited, in a statement, explained that Wilson was a truck driv-

Dead: Sheldon Wilson

er contracted to transport grain which had arrived at the wharf.

The company explained that among the several trips made, Wilson’s truck was safely loaded, weighed, and was waiting in line to exit the compound.

However, instead of following the other trucks north in slow possession towards the exit gate, Wilson’s truck continued to roll slowly in a westerly direction towards the river.

The company explained that this slow deviation was noticed by JFL personnel,

who raised an alarm to warn Wilson that his truck was heading toward the river.

The company added that the truck was saved from falling into the river by the guardrail on the wharf, at which time workers were able to access the cab and noticed that Wilson was unconscious.

The company said this may have explained his lack of response to their warnings.

Meanwhile, the man’s mother noted that this was the first time her son drove that particular truck and worked with the truck owner.

The woman said she had a feeling that her son should not have gone to work on that day.

“No way! No way! My son didn’t commit suicide. My son ain’t get no problems…

First they say he get fits, now is suicide…the man’s truck had a problem! It’s the truck kill my son,” the mother contended.

Nevertheless, the woman believes her son’s death could have been avoided, and she is calling on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

61-year-old businessman of Line Path, Corriverton, Corentyne Berbice was on Friday robbed of $130,000 cash by three men, one of whom was armed with a handgun. At the time of the robbery, the businessman was leaving his yard.

Police have stated that on the day in question, at about 06:00h, the businessman had secured his home and was leaving his yard when he was confronted by

three unidentifiable males, who tackled him to the ground.

He was then assaulted, receiving multiple injuries to his head and mouth, and then dragged into his yard, after which his hands were duct-taped together.

One of the suspects, armed with a black handgun, demanded money from the victim, and threatened to shoot him if he did not comply with the demand. The suspects then took the busi-

nessman into his home, which they searched and found the cash.

After committing the robbery, the suspects made good their escape on foot, while the businessman was subsequently taken to the Skeldon Hospital to receive medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the Police have said that three men were subsequently arrested and are assisting with investigations.

Wanted: Shemar Jones

Wanted: Clifton Wilson

Ruimveldt duo wanted for fraud

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wo men are wanted by the Police for questioning in relation to obtaining credit by fraud.

They are Clifton Clement Wilson, 26, of Blue Sackie Drive, South Ruimveldt Georgetown and 16-yearold Shemar Javon Jones of Festival City, North Ruimveldt Georgetown.

Police say the duo committed the crime between April 8 and 12, 2021.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the two men is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers 226-7065, 227-1270, 226-7476, 911, or at the nearest Police Station.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

Regional

Costa Rica Attorney General St Lucia welcomes return of cruise lines resigns as sprawling graft S probe gathers pace

C

osta Rica’s Attorney General, Emilia Navas, said on Friday that she was resigning to avoid perceived conflicts of interest during a corruption investigation in which her husband represents some of the defendants.

Last week, judicial authorities revealed they were investigating large-scale “organised crime” involving construction companies and a network of public officials - including a close advisor to President Carlos Alvarado.

Authorities have carried out dozens of raids and arrested at least 30 people in connection with an alleged scheme that caused an estimated US$127 million deficit in the budget for road works from 2018 to 2020.

The two-year investigation has been conducted by Police officers and prose-

cutors reporting to Navas.

But her husband, Francisco Campos, is a defence attorney for the two main companies in focus: H Solis and the transnational Meco.

“So as to not weaken the role of the Public Ministry and not distract from what is essential, the frontal fight against corruption, I have decided to retire,” Navas said in a statement.

She said the investigation had led to a “series of personal attacks and attacks against the institution.”

Navas came to office in 2017 promising to be tough on corruption. Navas had decided herself to not participate in the case due to her family relationship.

A lawyer for the owners of H Solis said his clients were innocent while a lawyer for the owner of Meco said the investigations

t Lucia tourism officials on Friday said the return of the cruise liner, Celebrity Millennium, to the island on Tuesday sets the tone for the gradual reintroduction of cruise tourism since the closure due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Celebrity Millennium is due to arrive with an estimated 400 passengers.

The authorities said that Royal Caribbean Cruises to Port Castries calls are tentatively scheduled for July 13, and August 10 and that other cruise lines will also confirm their itineraries in the near future.

Emilia Navas, Attorney General, speaks to the media about the detention of people suspected of belonging to an international network for migrant trafficking, in San Jose, Costa Rica July 30, 2019

were “flawed with grave irregularities and violations of processes.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Rastafarian distrust of Western medicine contributes to Jamaica vaccine hesitancy

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t a Rastafari farming community high up in the hills above Jamaica’s capital, dreadlocked locals gather at the temple to worship and celebrate with Bible readings and traditional drumming and chanting. No COVID-19 protocols are in place.

This isolated community of around 100 people called the School of Vision has so far escaped the ravages of the pandemic. They credit traditional medicine, like root wine and herbs such as neem, bitterwood and ginger, for helping fend off the virus, and do not want to take the vaccine.

Jamaica has reported

around 16,800 infections and 350 deaths per 1 million people, according to statistics compiled by Reuters - lower than many other countries in the region.

But lockdowns to keep the spread in check have taken a toll on the economy, and in particular on the tourism on which the Caribbean Island relies, and authorities are keen to secure and roll out vaccines to return to normality.

One challenge they face is scepticism of vaccines, which is widely shared among Jamaica’s Rastafari, who tend to distrust Western medicine and institutions, partly due to a long history

of racial injustice.

Although the School of Vision itself is small and fringe, Rastafari - who account for around 5-10 per cent of Jamaica’s nearly 3 million inhabitants - have an outsized influence on society.

Only 32 per cent of Jamaicans said they would take a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a recently published Gallup poll - one of the highest vaccine hesitancy rates worldwide and far below the around 60-70 per cent that World Health Organisation experts have estimated is needed to achieve herd immunity.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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ic that has killed more than half a million people in Brazil, and accusations that it deliberately delayed securing vaccines to fight COVID-19.

Far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who is under growing pressure to explain the deal with Bharat, said on Friday there were no irregularities in the contract for the India drugmaker’s Covaxin shot.

“There is nothing wrong with the Covaxin contract, there is no overpricing,” he said at a news conference in the interior of São Paulo.

The allegations regarding the Bharat contract threatens to damage Bolsonaro’s pledge of zero tolerance for corruption in his Government.

Brazilian Federal Deputy Luis Miranda walks before a meeting of the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee (CPI) to investigate Government actions and management during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, at the Federal Senate in Brasilia, Brazil June 25, 2021

tance, there continues to be engagement with all stakeholders including simulation exercises to continuously evaluate the destination’s capacity to safely execute cruise tourism and guard the response during the various stages of reintroduction,” according to a statement by the Ministry of Health and Wellness.

It said efforts to ensure the safe re-establishment of cruise calls to port Castries were incessant, with regular meetings with the cruise lines, handling agencies, and the locally established Cruise Committee. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Paraguay First Lady in Florida amid search for sister missing in condo collapse

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araguay’s first lady Silvana López Moreira travelled to Florida to accompany her family amid an ongoing search for her sister, who is missing after a condo building collapsed in a Miami suburb, a spokeswoman for her office said on Friday.

The South American country’s Foreign Ministry said Sophia López Moreira, her husband Luis Pettengill and her three young children were among six Paraguayans missing since Thursday after the partial collapse of the 12-story

building.

Rescue workers on Friday were scouring the debris after hearing sounds in the rubble overnight, as officials raised the number of people unaccounted for to 159 and the confirmed death toll to four.

“She travelled to Miami and is there accompanying her parents,” a spokeswoman for her office told Reuters. The spokeswoman declined to comment further on the situation.

President Mario Abdo suspended official activities on Thursday and Foreign

Minister Euclides Acevedo said consulate personnel were visiting hospitals and talking with local authorities to obtain more information on the missing persons.

The first lady’s family owned an apartment at the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida, local press reported. Federico López Moreira, Silvana and Sophia’s cousin, told an Asuncion radio station that the family probably travelled to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Free Bitcoin: El Salvador offers $30 of Bitcoin to boost uptake

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l Salvador President Nayib Bukele doubled down on the country’s new law making Bitcoin legal tender and offered $30 worth of the cryptocurrency to any citizen who signs up for a digital

Brazilian lawmaker denouncing vaccine deal wears bulletproof vest to hearing Brazilian congressman who has denounced alleged wrongdoing in a 1.6 billion reais (US$323 million) COVID-19 vaccine contract signed by Brazil’s Government arrived at a Senate commission inquiry on Friday wearing a bullet-proof vest for safety.

Congressman Luis Miranda and his brother Luis Ricardo Miranda, the whistleblower at the Health Ministry who raised suspicions about the vaccine deal with India’s Bharat Biotech, are the key witnesses in a hearing underway on Friday.

The parliamentary inquiry is looking into the Government’s handling of the coronavirus pandem-

“It’s a great day for vendors, taxi drivers, workers of the duty-free stores at Pointe Seraphine, and the general economy,” said Tourism Minister, Dominic Fedee, adding “this is another step towards the successful reopening of our economy and returning to our normal lives”.

The authorities said that the return of the cruise line bodes well for business linkages and signals the reinstatement of revenue for well over 1000 cruise-dependent income earners.

“Keeping the health and safety of the population of paramount impor-

The coordinator of the Senate inquiry has called for protection for the Miranda brothers, and also for the owners of the Brazilian company Precisa Medicamentos, which acts as an intermediary for Bharat.

The contract is being probed by federal prosecutors and lawmakers to see why the Government struck a speedy agreement with Bharat after COVID-19 vaccine offers from Pfizer Inc at a lower price were ignored.

Luis Ricardo Miranda and his lawmaker brother met with Bolsonaro in March and said they warned him of the suspicious contract, but that nothing was done to investigate the deal.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

wallet.

The Government will create its own Bitcoin wallet called Chivo, which is slang for “cool” in El Salvador, Bukele said during a national address on Thursday night. The funds will be deposited into the account of any citizen who downloads it and registers as a user with their phone number and ID number, he said.

The law making Bitcoin legal tender will enter into force on Sept 7, he said.

Bukele, 39, reiterated his arguments that using the cryptocurrency will help attract investment, boost consumption and cut the cost of sending remittances for millions of Salvadorans working abroad. But bank accounts in dollars will remain in dollars, and salaries and pensions will continue to be paid in dollars, he said.

“Why create this law?

Because Bitcoin has a $600 billion market capitalisation globally and if we do this, investors and tourists who own Bitcoin will come to the country and benefit Salvadorans and the economy,” Bukele said.

Consumers can pay businesses with Bitcoins from their wallets for items listed in dollars. But if business owners want to receive payment in dollars, they can press a button in the Chivo application to convert the Bitcoins immediately to dollars, according to Bukele. “It will be totally optional. The dollar will continue to be legal tender,” he said.

The Chivo wallet will be available to download in September and it will be compatible with other Bitcoin wallets, Bukele said.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil rises for 5th week to highest since 2018 on strong demand

O

il prices climbed to their highest since October 2018 on Friday, putting both benchmarks up for a fifth week in a row on expectations demand growth will outstrip supply and OPEC+ will be cautious in returning more crude to the market from August.

Brent futures rose 62 cents, or 0.8 per cent, to settle at US$76.18 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 75 cents, or 1.0 per cent, to US$74.05.

Those were the highest closes for both benchmarks since October 2018 and put both contracts up over 3 per cent for the week.

"Crude prices rallied on an improving demand outlook and over expectations the market will remain tight as OPEC+ is likely to only deliver a small boost to output at the July 1st ministerial meeting," said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA. All eyes are on the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Russia and allies - together called OPEC+ - who are due to meet on July 1 to discuss further easing of their output cuts from August.

"The producer group has ample space to boost supply without derailing the drawdown in oil stocks, given the rosier demand outlook," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM. On the demand side, the key factors OPEC+ will have to consider are strong growth in the United States, Europe and China, bolstered by vaccine rollouts and economies reopening, according to analysts who said this was countered by rising COVID-19 cases and outbreaks in other places.

The prospect of sanctions on Iran being lifted and more of its oil hitting the market anytime soon has dimmed, with a US official saying serious differences remain over a range of issues over Tehran's compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal.

The lack of an interim agreement between the UN nuclear watchdog and Iran on the monitoring of atomic activities is a serious concern that has been communicated to Tehran, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday.

Iran has not responded to the UN nuclear watchdog on extending a monitoring agreement that expired overnight, the agency said on Friday, hours after Washington warned that not prolonging it would harm efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

"If an Iran agreement is not reached by July 1, we anticipate OPEC+ returning to month-by-month quota setting and announcing a modest production increase for August at its meetings next week," analysts at ClearView Energy Partners LLC said in a report.

Meanwhile, the number of US oil rigs, an early indicator of future output, fell one to 372 this week, according to energy services firm Baker Hughes Co. Despite that small decline, the rig count gained 13 in June, its 10th monthly rise and increased 48 in the second quarter, its third consecutive quarterly rise. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Ex-Police Officer Derek Chauvin sentenced to 22-1/2 years for George Floyd's murder A Minnesota Judge sentenced former Police Officer Derek Chauvin to 22-1/2 years in prison on Friday for the murder of George Floyd during an arrest in May 2020 on a Minneapolis sidewalk, video of which sparked global protests.

A jury found Chauvin, 45, guilty on April 20 of unintentional second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter after a trial that was widely seen as a watershed moment in the history of US policing.

Prosecutors had asked for a 30-year prison sentence, double the upper limit indicated in sentencing guidelines for a first-time offender. The defence had asked for

tate. The Judge agreed that Chauvin abused his position of trust and authority; that he treated Floyd with particular cruelty; that he committed the crime as part of a group with three other offi-

R

espect LGBT rights or leave the European Union, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte told Hungary's premier as EU leaders confronted Viktor Orban over a law that bans schools from using materials seen as promoting homosexuality.

Several EU summit participants spoke of the most intense personal clash among the bloc's leaders in years on Thursday night.

"It was really forceful, a deep feeling that this could not be. It was about our values; this is what we stand for," Rutte told reporters on Friday.

"I said 'Stop this, you must withdraw the law and, if you don't like that

A

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban is seen after the first day of a European Union leaders’ meeting in Brussels, Belgium June 25, 2021

and really say that the European values are not your values, then you must think about whether to remain in the European Union'."

French President

cers; and that he committed the murder in front of children.

Chauvin was helping arrest Floyd on suspicion of using a fake US$20 bill.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

The village of Mikulcice, just outside Hodonin, looked like a war zone by Friday morning

tal by medical services. Initial reports spoke of three deaths but Czech Police said later the number had risen to five.

Tornadoes aren't as rare as you might imagine in Europe - it's thought a few hundred touch down across the continent every year. Exact estimates vary, though, and some almost certainly go unreported as they hit in sparsely populated rural areas. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Emmanuel Macron called it a "cultural battle", acknowledging a deepening rift with increasingly assertive illiberal leaders that is hurting EU cohesion.

"To fight against homophobic laws is to defend individual freedoms and human dignity," he said, adding that Hungary should remain a member of the EU. Unless it rows back, Hungary faces a legal challenge at the EU's highest court. Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said Orban should also be subject to an as-yet untested procedure to cut EU funding for those who violate rules.

The EU is pushing Orban to repeal the law the latest in a string of restrictive policies towards media, judges, academics and migrants.

Seventeen of the 27 EU leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, signed a joint letter reaffirming their commitment to protecting gay rights.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Scientists hail stunning “Dragon Man” discovery

C most every building had been damaged by a bombardment of hail.

The Government said around 1000 homes had been affected and local authorities were working to provide accommodation for people whose roofs had been destroyed.

Michaela Bothová, a spokeswoman for the South Moravian rescue service, told Czech TV that dozens of people had been taken to hospi-

Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin listening to victim statements from the family of George Floyd as he awaits his sentencing for murder in the death of Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, US June 25, 2021 in a still image from video

EU to Hungary's Orban: Respect LGBT rights or leave

Czech Republic: Deadly tornado sweeps through villages

tornado has swept through several villages in the Czech Republic, killing five people and leaving more than 150 others injured.

Thursday night's storm blew the roofs off buildings in the south-eastern Breclav and Hodonin districts, uprooting trees and overturning cars.

Winds of at least 219km/h (136 mph) were recorded and the worst-hit areas were said to look like a war zone.

"It's living hell," said South Moravia regional governor Jan Grolich.

Hail stones the size of tennis balls were reported, and local officials said a string of villages had suffered considerable damage along a 25km (15-mile) stretch of road heading from Breclav to Hodonin, to the north-east.

In the village of Valtice, on the other side of Breclav, Mayor Pavel Trojan said al-

probation.

Video of Chauvin, who is white, kneeling on the neck of Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man in handcuffs, for more than nine minutes caused outrage around the world and the largest protest movement seen in the United States in decades.

In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors from the Minnesota Attorney General’s office wrote that Chauvin’s crime “shocked the conscience of the Nation.”

In a six-page ruling last month, Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill found that prosecutors had shown there were four aggravating factors that would allow him to hand down a longer prison term than sentencing guidelines would dic-

hinese researchers have unveiled an ancient skull that could belong to a completely new species of human.

The team has claimed it is our closest evolutionary relative among known species of ancient human, such as Neanderthals and Homo erectus.

Nicknamed "Dragon Man", the specimen represents a human group that lived in East Asia at least 146,000 years ago.

It was found at Harbin, north-east China, in 1933, but only came to the attention of scientists more recently.

An analysis of the skull has been pub-

lished in the journal The Innovation.

One of the UK's leading experts in human evolution, Prof Chris Stringer from London's Natural History Museum, was a member of the research team.

"In terms of fossils in the last million years, this is one of the most important yet discovered," he told BBC News.

"What you have here is a separate branch of humanity that is not on its way to becoming Homo sapiens (our species), but represents a long-separate lineage which evolved in the region for several hundred thousand years and

eventually went extinct."

The researchers say the discovery has the potential to rewrite the story of human evolution. Their analysis suggests that it is more closely related to Homo sapiens than it is to Neanderthals.

They have assigned the specimen to a new species: Homo longi, from the Chinese word "long", meaning dragon.

The scientists believe that Dragon Man was powerfully-built and rugged.

But little is known about how he lived, because his skull was removed from the site in which it was found. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Take your time to think matters through. Rushing into a move or change isn't in your best interest. More options are heading your way, and the chance to find your passion is within reach.

Take control of your life and focus on what makes you happy and eases stress.

Take advantage of any opportunity you get to spend time with people you enjoy being around.

An unusual lesson will change your life. Don't believe everything you hear, or you will end up backtracking and losing valuable time.

Stay on top of the latest news, and avoid risky situations.

Be open and accessible to those who need your assistance. Helping others will make you feel good and bring you closer to the people you love. A joint venture looks promising.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Live with what you have.

Making unnecessary changes will saddle you with unwanted expenses. Be smart and set a strict budget that will give you peace of mind.

A joint venture may not end well.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Look for a way to make a difference. Get involved in an organization or group that shares your concerns, and offer whatever service, knowledge and experience you can.

Romance is on the rise.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Start a conversation that helps resolve unfinished business. It's time to move forward and make the changes that will offer you the kind of life you want. Let go of what's not working for you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Stick close to home and don't be taken advantage of by others. Make changes that add to your comfort, lower your overhead and ease stress.

A bohemian or minimalist lifestyle will encourage creativity.

Take the plunge and SAGITTARIUS do something energetic. A (Nov. 23healthy attitude will help you Dec. 21) resist temptation. Gravitate toward people who offer mental and physical stimulation.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Entertain ideas that will help you fulfill your dreams.

A change at home that encourages you to pursue a hobby or develop a moneymaking idea you have is favored. Share your intentions.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Do your own thing, regardless of what others do.

You'll get more done if you don't have to deal with indecisive people or opposition.

Give others the same freedom that you want in return.

PISCES

Look for a way to make your surroundings more comfortable. Structure your time to include a little peace and relaxation with a loved one. A suggestion that leads to intimacy will enrich a relationship.

(Feb. 20March 20)

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

21

T20I World Cup begins on October 17 in UAE – final on November 14

T

he 2021 men's T20 World Cup tournament is set to start on October 17 in the UAE, with the final for the 16team tournament scheduled for November 14.

ESPNcricinfo understands the tournament would start days after the IPL final, which is likely to be held on October 15.

ning for the tournament to be held in the Middle East.

As per the current plan, the first round of the T20 World Cup would be split across two groups, and played in the UAE and in Oman.

Round 1, which comprises 12 matches, will be contested by eight teams, from which four (top two from

The Super 12s phase of the T20 World Cup is likely to be held at three venues in the UAE

The remainder of IPL 2021 will be played in the UAE, starting September 19.

While the BCCI is yet to write the ICC officially about shifting the T20 World Cup to the UAE, it has already set the ball rolling in terms of plan-

each group) would qualify for the Super 12s. Four team from this lot of eight - Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland, Namibia, Oman, Papua New Guinea - would then progress to the Super 12s, joining the top eight

ranked T20I teams.

The Super 12s phase, comprising 30 matches, is scheduled to start from October 24. The Super 12s, where teams will be split across two groups of six each, will be played at three venues in the UAE - Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. This will be followed by three playoff games - the two semi-finals and the final.

With Round 1 being co-hosted by one of the venues in the UAE and Oman, the BCCI is confident that would offer enough time to refresh the pitches across the main grounds in the UAE for the Super 12s.

On June 1, the ICC granted BCCI until end of June to give its final word on whether India would be able to host the T20 World Cup. With the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the global cricket calendar last year, the ICC postponed the 2020 World Cup, originally scheduled to be held in Australia, and decided India would host the tournament in 2021, with Australia hosting the 2022 edition.

However, the grim pan-

West Indies are the defending champions

demic situation in India, which has been flattened by a second wave this summer, forced the BCCI to abruptly suspend the IPL at the halfway stage in May. That development instantly cast doubts on whether India would be fit to host the multi-team World T20, after travel between cities was iden-

tified as a prime area of concern for teams getting exposed to outside the bubble during the IPL. The BCCI had shortlisted nine venues for the T20 World Cup, but an ICC team meant to carry out inspection had to cancel its visit in April.

Despite the pandemic numbers climbing down

since the alarming peak of April-May period, public health experts have predicted that India would face a third wave later in 2021. With the ICC deadline expiring in a few days’ time, the BCCI is expected to make its decision public on moving the event outside to the UAE. (ESPNcricinfo)

Golden Jaguars commence training ahead of Guatemala clash

Wimbledon 2021…

Andy Murray faces Nikoloz Basilashvili, Jack Draper plays Novak Djokovic Players listening to Coach Maximo’s instructions

A

Andy Murray played his first singles tournament in three months when he reached the second round at Queen’s last week

T

wo-time champion Andy Murray will play Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili when he returns to the Wimbledon singles next week after a fouryear absence. The Briton has not played the event since 2017, because of injury and the postponement of last year’s edition.

British wildcard Jack Draper will make his Wimbledon main-draw debut against

defending champion Novak Djokovic.

British women’s number one Johanna Konta, a semifinalist in 2017, meets Czech Katerina Siniakova in her opener.

Francesca Jones, another Briton making her main-draw debut at the All England Club, faces American teenager Coco Gauff in her first-round match.

Dan Evans, Britain’s

highest-ranked male player, plays Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez, with Cameron Norrie facing France’s Lucas Pouille.

Norrie, 25, could play eight-time champion Roger Federer in the third round.

Murray, who won the title in 2013 and 2016, is ranked 119th in the world, and has been given a wildcard to play at the All England Club. (BBC Sport)

fter touching down in Miami, USA, on Wednesday, at varying times, Guyana’s senior men’s national team, the Golden Jaguars, engaged in their first training session on Thursday afternoon at The Gardens North County District Park in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Head Coach Márcio Máximo, along with his assistants, Wilson Toledo, Charles Pollard and Wayne Dover, took the players through their paces during a session that allowed the players to get back in the groove after a long day of travelling from different parts of the globe.

Máximo revealed that the session went well, given the circumstance of long travel by the players, but intensity would be back to its usual from today. The team would also be engaged in two warmup matches as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) seeks to ensure that the

team is well prepared for the Guatemala hurdle come July 3.

“I think that the session is normal, because some players coming from cold temperatures and some hot, and it’s their first session after a long trip; so, I think they all reacted well, considering the circumstances.”

Once again, the leading tactician of the team expressed satisfaction with the level of commitment being shown by his charges.

He has underscored that this is the best team available to Guyana, a mixture of young and exciting players along with some experience.

“They all have real desire to represent Guyana; they want to show something, knowing that the times are very challenging, but they are committed to the programme.

We go to the pitch to compete, it’s a tough test but it’s good for us, and important for our players. We will never

give up, we will maintain the intensity and compete, this is our target,” he said.

The warm-up matches, set for June 26 and 28, are very important, according to Máximo, who on behalf of his team expressed gratitude to GFF President Wayne Forde and to the Executives for the hard work they have been putting in for the team. He noted that the matches would allow the Technical Team the opportunity to use all the players they have with a view to selecting the best for the immediate challenge ahead.

“Our main objective is for everybody to get some competitive playing time. I cannot use just one set of players in these matches, I need rotation, to put everybody to play, because against Guatemala we would only have five subs, so we have to give everyone the chance to get some competitive time in these matches, to test them.” (GFF)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

West Indies lock horns with South Africa in electrifying T20I series – Hetmyer not in 13-man squad W ith the stage set in St George's Grenada, defending World T20 champions West Indies will lock horns with South Africa today (Saturday June 26) from 14:00h Eastern Caribbean time in the five-match T20I series.

On the eve of what is

anticipated to be a scintillating series, West Indies captain Kieron Pollard has said his experienced unit is very confident of itself in playing against the familiar South Africa team. South Africa

are ranked higher than the West Indies in this format of the game, but Pollard is not placing much emphasis on this factor.

He said, "For me, I don't look much into that (T20 rankings), it is about how we play our cricket and how we want to play our cricket going forward in the

future. One thing about South Africa is that, yea, they are ahead of us and they are confident, with some of the guys coming from the Test series."

With the West Indies’

triumph against Sri Lanka in the last T20I series, Pollard added, his team would be looking to improve its performance from that last series.

He said the team has been having conversations about what to expect from Shimron Hetmyer, and the team is aware of the goals he is aiming to achieve.

"We are always willing and ready to help him from that aspect; so, as I said before, as an individual, in anything that you do, you need to want it more than anything else. Conversations have been good, it's just a matter of getting opportunities and him coming out and showing what he is made of," Pollard disclosed.

This white-ball captain, who slammed six sixes in an over in his last T20I series, has said the biggest strength of the West Indies team is its power-hitting.

He told media operatives that team members are looking to improve on these strengths and work on their weaknesses.

Pan Am Hockey Cup

Guyana goes down to USA 20-2, Argentina 14-0

T

Trinidadian has said Guyana's Kevin Sinclair has been gelling well with the team, and has been gaining experience.

"It's just a matter for him to grow as an individual," Pollard has said.

The last time Andre Russell, Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo played together on the same team was back in 2015, when West Indies chased down a record 232 against South Africa. This series will be a reunion for “the big boys”.

West Indies announce squad for 1st and 2nd CG Insurance T20 Internationals

C

ricket West Indies Selection Panel has named the 13-member squad for the first and second CG Insurance T20 Internationals (T20I) to be played at the Grenada National Stadium on Saturday and Sunday against South Africa. First ball daily is 2pm (1pm Jamaica Time).

The panel has recalled Andre Russell, the talismanic all-rounder, to the squad as the defending T20 World Champions prepare for the matches.

Russell is a two-time T20 World Cup winner, having been a member of the squads which won the titles in 2012 and 2016. He has played 49 T20Is for the West Indies, and his last appearance was against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in March last year.

Roger Harper, Lead Selector, has said: “Andre Russell will add that ‘X’ factor to the team. He is an impact player with both bat and ball, and lends greater depth in both departments. The aim

is to build on the performance against Sri Lanka earlier this year; to build confidence while determining our best squad and team as we run into the ICC T20 World Cup.” Fully vaccinated fans will be able to buy tickets for the game from the stadium box office and ticket booths on presentation of their vaccination documentation and their national ID. Tickets are available at EC$50 per match.

Fans in the Caribbean can watch the games live on Flow Sports or via the Flow Sports app. Live radio commentary is available on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel and on a number of local radio stations across the Caribbean.

Fans can also follow live ball by ball scoring on the website live match centre, featuring the new live match blog. (Windies Cricket)

Abosaide Cadogan scored both goals for Guyana

goalkeeper Alysa Xavier has tested positive for COVID-19, hence the team was short on resources and did not stand a fighting chance when heading out on the field for either game.

In game one, USA ensured they flexed their muscles to overwhelm the

Argentina were an unstoppable force

of two of the team’s top players definitely showed, but to make matters worse,

players Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Fidel Edwards in the team, Pollard has said that is not a concern to the team.

"We hear the noise, but then looking at it from a logical perspective, if we go with youngsters alone, there will still be noise. No matter what you do, there will be noise," Pollard explained.

While not placing extra importance on specific individuals, the big

Archery Guyana’s Devin Permaul records his best international score at Paris Games

Part of the action between Guyana (black) and USA (red)

he Guyana women’s hockey team suffered horrendous losses in their opening games in the Pan Am Hockey Cup, first against the USA and then against Argentina.

The Guyana women’s side were easily overcome by hosts USA 20-2, and then

by Argentina 14-0.

Guyana has suffered two significant setbacks with the late ankle injury of prolific striker Sonia Jardine and the contraction of COVID-19 by Captain Gabriella Xavier. The loss

Speaking on the availability of Sunil Narine, Pollard said Narine had indicated to the selectors that he might have been available after the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"I am guessing that he might not have gotten the necessary preparation and confidence in his action. I think he indicated that he is still not ready," Pollard noted.

While many are of the view that the West Indies have taken a backward step in including senior

local side, as within the first 27 minutes of the game, the score read 14-

0. Guyana managed some face-saving when they scored two back-to-back goals in the 28th and 29th minutes respectively. But from there on, USA locked in and ensured their attack and defense were on the same level, scoring the other six goals and clipping Guyana’s wings.

Abosaide Cadogan scored Guyana’s two goals, while Hope Rose and Ashley Sessa were the main goal scorers for the USA, with 7 and 5 goals respectively.

In the game against the Argentinians, the Guyana women repeated their horrid display and were again outplayed. Carina Guzman and Romina Zanni each scored twice for Argentina, while their team mate Julia Gomes scored a quartet of goals as they made a difference in a must win game for Guyana.

D

espite the many constraints of competing in the international arena without a network of support, Archery Guyana’s Devin Persaud Permaul has to date recorded his best international score in an international competition.

Unfortunately, in the elimination round, our Guyanese Archer went against a competitor from Thailand, and although the competition came close at 4 vs 4, Thailand was victorious in the end.

Regrettably, this means

the end of a glorious run

by Devin Persaud Permaul in his participation in the Olympic Qualification process.

For the World Cup in the Qualifier, Devin shot an impressive 615, which put his at 106 and just outside the bracket for elimination. According to Devin: “It’s a punishing sport, and can demoralize, but I will push through and continue to get better.”

The Board of Directors wishes Devin Permaul all the best, and urges him to keep pressing on as we

set our sights on Olympics 2024.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fitness is key

23

– Hemraj pushing in overtime, looking for a great year

By Timothy Jaikarran

of youth and experience. I think it's just about us going there and enjoying the cricket and not worry too much, you know that we haven't won a tournament. Just go out there and just express yourself. In terms of the local talent, I think

A

ggressive left-handed batsman Chandrapaul Hemraj, known and loved throughout Guyana, has been pushing himself to the limit of his endurance in his quest to improve his game and show the world what “the new Chandrapaul Hemraj” has to offer.

With a single-minded focus on getting leaner, fitter and stronger, Chandrapaul Hemraj has dedicated himself to aiding the Guyana Amazon Warriors to lift the 2021 Hero CPL Title.

In an interview with this publication, Hemraj detailed what he plans to achieve come this CPL, and the process he has undertaken to ensure that his dreams become reality. Hemraj was asked a series of questions, and this is what he had to say: Q1: Leading up to the CPL, how is your form, and what do you hope to accomplish?

A1: We are not playing a lot of cricket right now, but basically we are just training going into the tournament.

What I’m hoping to accomplish first and foremost is winning

Chandrapaul Hemraj in the nets with coach Esaun Crandon

Hemraj on the go in the nets

the tournament, as that would be the biggest accomplishment.

Personally, I am really looking forward for a good year.

Q2: What role do you expect your fitness to play for you?

A2: Fitness is important. I think there are some things I could control. I can’t control selection, but I think I can control my fitness. I can get stronger, get leaner and better on the cricket field. I'm naturally aggressive. I think it's important for me to click up

on those starts that I've been getting. And hopefully, you know, there’s a balance with my aggressiveness this year.

Q3: What role will your bowling play, and what do you think of the Warriors lineup?

A3: Well, in the last Super 50, I had a decent run with the ball.

Starting the ball and probably, I think, that’s something I've been working on to keep developing going forward. I think we have a very good squad, a very good mixture

Nevis already. So, I think it's important for us to start well.

Q4: As the pitch deteriorates, what does the team plan to do to combat this factor?

A4: Well, I can’t say right now, because we don't know the conditions right Hemraj putting in the work in the gym now in St Kitts; but, as you can see, we it's very important for the local have a lot of spinners, and I boys, because you know we think they are going to play a play more in the Caribbean, we huge role in the tournament. have had a taste of St Kitts and Hemraj has recently

concluded his journey in the MAQ USA T10 League, where he emerged as the leading run-scorer. Hemraj had stellar performances of 60 off 19 balls and 66 off 25 balls in convincing match-winning innings. He also ended the tournament hitting 25 sixes and scoring the most runs – 235, at an average of 58.75 and a strike rate of 235.

In 2020, he played in the US OPEN CRICKET 2020 and walked away with 190 runs, a high score of 87, and an average of 63.33 at a strike rate of 163.79, while playing for the Somerset Cavaliers.

Gajnabi appointed West Indies 'A' Allicock has new cornerman in ANSA McAL Trading Limited vice-captain, five Guyanese in 'A' squad – “This is just the start of a partnership,” says AMTL official

– no Guyanese in T20I squad

Keevin Allicock

A

T

he Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s Selection Panel has named the West Indies Women’s Senior and ‘A’ Team squads for the T20 International (T20I) Series against Pakistan Women.

The West Indies Women’s Senior team will play three CG Insurance T20Is against Pakistan Women from June 30 to July 3, with the West Indies Women’s ‘A’ Team also playing their historic, first ever three-match T20I Series on the same dates.

Antigua’s Coolidge Cricket Ground and Sir Vivian Richards Stadium will host the Series with the ‘A’ Team matches preceding the Senior team matches in back-to-back “double header” fixtures.

Lead Selector for Women’s cricket, Ann Browne-John said, “This series against Pakistan has come at an opportune time because the West Indies players have not been able to face international opponents since September 2020. It’s excit-

ing that not only will the senior team be in action, but for the very first time a West Indies ‘A’ Team will have the opportunity to compete against international opposition.”

She added: “As we prepare for the upcoming five CG Insurance ODI match series, these three T20Is will enable the senior team to ease themselves back into the international arena. The ‘A’ team matches are an excellent chance for some of the younger players who have not been able to find a place in the senior team to show their skills.”

West Indies Women's Squad v Pakistan West Indie A Team v Pakistan The CG Insurance T20I and One Day International (ODI) series will allow for all 28 players to be eligible for selection on both teams. Stafanie Taylor, one of the greatest allrounders of all-time, will again captain the senior team while Reniece Boyce, the experienced wicket-keeper/batter, has been named to lead the

‘A’ Team. The two young players from the Windward Islands - 16-year-old leftarm medium pacer, Zaida James and 17-year-old right-arm medium-pacer, Jannillea Glasgow - both called up for the first time to the West Indies Women’s training squad, have now been selected in the ‘A’ team squad after impressing during the pre-series camp.

The West Indies Women’s teams return to the field in the Caribbean after a 19-month absence due to the impact and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The West Indies Women last played an international match against England in September 2020.

The CG Insurance T20Is and One Day Internationals will be streamed live along with radio commentary via the WindiesCricket YouTube page.

The Guyanese Women in the 'A' squad are Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Cherry Ann Fraser, Kaysia Schultz, and Mandy Mangru. (CWI)

NSA McAL Trading Limited (AMTL) on Friday affirmed their faith in yet another of Guyana’s athletes as part of their corporate responsibility.

This time around, Olympicsbound boxer Keevin Allicock has been on the receiving end of the company’s generosity, with AMTL injecting $150,000 into his journey to Tokyo.

“This is an important moment to show that we support our local athletes, their development, and of course their journeys. We know Keevin has been one of the hardest workers in the room, and this is just our little way of showing him that we appreciate his effort and what he's about to do for our nation,” the company’s Corporate Communications Officer Trieston Joseph explained at the ceremony held at the company’s Beterverwagting, ECD Head Office to hand over support to the boxer.

In continuing his explanation, Joseph said: “So we just want to wish Keevin all the success at the Olympics and in his journey to become one of the best boxers in the world. And we know he has the ability and the capability to do Guyana proud.”

Humbled by this act of corporate generosity, Allicock was overwhelmed with gratitude for the company’s support. He declared: “First off, I want to say thank you to ANSA

ANSA McAL’s Trieston Joseph

McAL for their fine support.

This really is a blessing for me.

And I don't think that this is the end, this is just the beginning of something great. Just a quick shout out to Mr. Troy Cadogan, I want to say thank you for making this possible.”

In an appeal for other corporate giants to ‘get with the programme’ of supporting Guyana’s national athletes, Allicock declared, “I wish the rest of companies that (are) in Guyana can see (they don’t) have to support me as an individual, but there are so many athletes really (needing) support and help.”

Probed about what advice he would give to up-andcoming athletes who wish to emulate his achievements, the bantamweight pugilist said: “You know what, I train hard, I stay disciplined, I trust in God. Because this is the most important thing, putting your trust in God. Listen, you’re gonna get some real rough roads, or you’re going to meet some bad passage in life, like any sports. So, my advice to them is that you need to stay focused, because this is just a process. The years that passed me…(were) a moment to teach me. You know, there was a moment that prepared me for this moment here. It’s about the journey, you know, just don't focus on the destination, you

have to work with the journey.”

Questioned about the extent of ANSA McAL’s support for Allicock, Joseph later explained that this donation is only the tip of the iceberg.

“This is just a start, to be honest. It was short notice, the Association actually reaches out to us. And you know, he's going off to Russia on Tuesday, I believe. So, I mean, it's just a start of a partnership. I'm sure that we will continue going forward when he returns. So, this is a ballpark figure just to say the least,” Joseph said, hinting at another phase of the partnership to come next week.

“But, you know, I think ANSA McAL has been a trend setter right now, at this particular point in Guyana’s sport, where we look forward to having a relationship with our athletes, with our national athletes, because we see the importance not just as development for them, but for the country as well. When they go out into the world for Guyana, then Guyana wins,” Joseph concluded.

In the past few weeks, ANSA McAL has recruited national table tennis player Chelsea Edghill, cricketer Romario Shepherd, and track and field star Emanuel Archibald as the faces of their Smalta, Ginseng Up and Malta Carib brands respectively. (Jemima Holmes)

SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021

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– no Guyanese in T20I squad

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– “This is just the start of a partnership,” says AMTL official

– Hetmyer not in 13-man squad

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