Guyana Times - Saturday June 5, 2021

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President Ali pledges support for CAPE scholar in university quest Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4669

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021

Govt to table motion to remove Patterson as PAC Chair, cites “bullyism” Page 3

− sitting of National Assembly set for next Thursday Electoral reforms

Revised laws intended to tighten electoral process, rectify deficiencies – AG Page 7

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Forensic audit underway into financial irregularities, procurement breaches at GWI – CEO P13

Suspected bandit shot, accomplice escapes during high-speed chase with P17 Police Drunken driver charged for causing death of GRA security P15 officer

− GECOM’s hiring practices among areas being looked at

Blocked drains, culverts cause massive flooding in ‘Mines’ P14

His Excellency President Irfaan Ali and a team of Government officials, including Education Minister Priya Manickchand and Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar, visited Parika Conversancy Dam, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) to assess the flood situation. In photo, the President interacts with residents of Parika Back.

He also visited other areas in Region Three, including Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara

Liza Destiny FPSO Guyana’s Newly-repaired flash COVID-19 gas compressor being death toll reinstalled – Exxon surpasses 400 − on track for start-up later this month − as 3 more die, 83 new cases recorded Page 16

Page 11

3 to face High Court trial for murder of Better Hope moneychanger, daughter P15 CDC engages UN bodies on floodresponse support P17

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SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Saturday, June 5 – 13:00h – 14:30h and Sunday, June 6 – 13:00h – 14:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Govt to table motion to remove Patterson as PAC Chair, cites “bullyism” – sitting of National Assembly set for next Thursday

Saturday, June 5 – 13:25h – 14:55h and Sunday, June 6 – 14:15h – 15:45h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

Expect thundery showers and light rain showers during the day. There will be light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 13:20h reaching a maximum height of 2.26 metres.

Low Tide: 06:54h and 19:13h reaching minimum heights of 0.95 metre and 0.92 metre.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2021

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Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira

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inister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira is expected to table a motion in the National Assembly for the removal of former Public Infrastructure Minister and current Opposition Member of Parliament, David Patterson, as Chairman of the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

In the motion, Teixeira said “…David Patterson has consistently and openly violated the Standing Orders and has introduced a level of bullyism unbefitting of a Member of Parliament, and, in doing so, bringing the image of the National Assembly into disrepute…”

Patterson has been embroiled in controversy after he admitted to receiving millions of dollars in gift items from agencies and departments under the then Public Infrastructure Ministry, which he headed in the previous APNU/AFC Administration.

As such, there have been widespread calls for the embattled Opposition MP to step down as Chair of the PAC – the parliamentary body that is responsible for scrutinising Government’s spending via the audited reports from the Audit Office of Guyana.

However, the coalition Opposition has been adamant in having Patterson remain the PAC Chairman.

In fact, Teixeira, who is a member of the PAC, had tabled a motion of no-confidence against Patterson at a Committee meeting in February this year but his Opposition colleagues refused to take up his seat, arguing steadfastly for Patterson to be retained.

The Standing Orders stipulate that only the Opposition can chair the PAC. However, when Patterson eventually recused himself to allow the motion, none of his Opposition colleagues took up the chair.

Then at subsequent meetings, Patterson refused to put the issue on the agenda.

In her motion now to the National Assembly, which was filed on Thursday, Teixeira said that the issue even prompted Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, to intervene on two occasions to settle the matter.

According to the motion, it was eventually agreed that the Clerk would seek legal advice from a lawyer who was “not politically aligned” on the interpretation of the Standing Orders in relation to the appointment of the Chairperson, which was obtained and circulated on March 23 but was not put to the Committee despite being on the agenda at the next

meeting on April 12. “…the Chairperson refused to allow a motion for the adoption of the legal opinion circulated by the Clerk and repeatedly ignored and refused to allow motions to go to Item 2 on the agenda and ‘put’ the ‘Motion for the removal of the Chairperson’ instead he overrode every effort to do so and moved to other items on the Agenda,” the motion stated.

Further, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister detailed that at the subsequent PAC meeting, Patterson had “asterisked” the motion for his removal – a move which attracted the attention of the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir. “… on May 3, 2021, the Speaker of the National Assembly wrote the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, copied to all members of the Public Accounts Committee, in which he stated that (i) as Speaker he could intervene in a Committeerelated issue in “ very serious and special circumstances;” (ii) the Chairperson of a Committee does not have the authority to place an asterisk against a Member’s motion, only the mover could; (iii) this action by the Chairperson was a ‘gross violation of the Standing Orders and tantamount to bullyism,’ and, (iv) he compelled the Chairperson to ‘put’ the motion…” the motion pointed out.

According to Teixeira’s motion, Patterson has demonstrated that he has no respect for the Speaker and is unprepared to obey his instruction, given that he has not responded to Nadir’s letter. “…he has disregarded the advice of the Clerk of the National Assembly on sever-

al occasions with regard to the Standing Orders and is resolute in his refusal, using all forms of subterfuge, to allow the motion for his removal to be ‘put’ to the vote,” the Motion further detailed.

To this end, Teixeira said that the given Patterson’s open violation of the Standing Orders of the PAC, among other things, the majority of the members of the Committee have lost confidence in him as the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, and as such, ask “Be It Further Resolved: That this National Assembly approves the removal of Mr David Patterson as the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.”

This motion is expected to the tabled in the National Assembly next Thursday when sittings reconvene after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to challenges posed by the pandemic, the National Assembly has not had a sitting since March 2021.

Reconvening of National Assembly

However, the Parliament Office on Friday issued an Order Paper for an upcoming sitting slated for Thursday, June 10.

The session will be conducted at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where sittings are being held to allow for adequate social distancing.

Already, a number of Parliament staff including Speaker Manzoor Nadir have contracted the virus. In fact, Nadir had discontinued all meetings of Parliamentary Committees and SubCommittees at the Public Buildings after five Parliament members of staff had tested pos-

Embattled PAC Chairman David Patterson

itive for COVID-19 in April.

Nevertheless, a number of other matters are listed on the Order Paper to be dealt with at the upcoming sitting, which is a Private Members session, that is, a day set aside to deal with issues raised by the parliamentary Oppositions.

These include questions submitted by Opposition Members for responses on issues such as contracted employees in the Ministry of Housing and Water; COVID-19 relief disbursement; allocations of house lots; infrastructural works; the Haags Bosch landfill; the Corporate Communications Unit at the Guyana Police Force; among others.

The Parliament Office had earlier this week issued a statement announcing that members of the media will be required to produce proof of their COVID-19 vaccination card or a negative COVID test result before gaining access to the National Assembly sittings.

Additionally, all Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff will also have to follow similar protocols.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 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

Intense rainfall, floods, careless garbage disposal practices

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ver the past two weeks, Guyanese in all ten administrative regions have been battling intense rainfall coupled with high tides, which have been causing major flooding in their communities. The livelihoods of many cattle, livestock and cash crop farmers have been threatened, and many have had to deal with tremendous losses. In many flooded areas along Guyana’s coast, improper disposal of garbage is the source of clogged drains and canals.

Like had obtained in the 2005 floods, our vulnerability has been exposed, causing us to wake up to the reality that we must treat the environment differently.

There is, no doubt, need for more effective public education campaigns on climate change, and to highlight the effects of poor environmental practices. That said, there is also need for more green projects to be implemented at the local level, to encourage communities to work towards achieving a cleaner and healthier environment.

Another issue that must come to the fore is recycling. As this newspaper has said over and over again, scientific research has suggested that, due to lifestyle patterns of citizens, the earth’s natural resources are being depleted too quickly to sustain a healthy balance. The earth’s natural resources are being consumed at a rate that reinforces the idea that we are living for today, and future generations would be paying for the consequences that result from our lifestyle choices.

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

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

A major part of recycling relates to how best we can recycle much of what we use, instead of turning it into unusable waste. For the sake of emphasis, recycling is important as a means of reducing poisonous emissions into the atmosphere, and also to postpone depletion of our natural resources.

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

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

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

As part of efforts to spread the message of recycling, a comprehensive education and public awareness campaign would need to be carried out, using every available means. Following this, the authorities should explore setting up recycling centres across the country, since it makes no sense to preach about recycling if the necessary infrastructural support system is not present.

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

As this publication had previously said, we believe there is need for lifestyle changes among our citizens, and it would be very helpful if the schools, religious organisations, and local Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and municipalities in every region start the conversation with citizens about recycling. This should be done with direct involvement of the decision-makers.

Certainly, everyone prefers products that are manufactured in an ecofriendly manner, and wants a better, cleaner, and healthier environment.

The aerobatic demonstration team of the Italian Air Force, the Frecce Tricolori (Tricolour Arrows), performing over the city on Republic Day, in Rome, Italy on June 2 (REUTERS/Remo Casilli)

Attorney General’s concern welcome

Dear Editor, Just a few days ago, the media circulated what Attorney General Anil Nandlall opined: “AG concerned about decision to grant bail to men ‘busted’ with guns, ammo.” The AG is right on target. I am with him on this.

In fact, I was scanning the internet to garner ‘guns and crimes’ stats in Guyana, and very little came up in terms of ‘figures and types’ over the past two to three years.

Like the AG, I think that gun crimes must be addressed with more force. I hasten to point out that Amnesty International explains that “Gun violence is a contemporary global human rights issue. (And that) gun-related violence threatens our most fundamental human right, the right to life.” In fact, we agree that “gun violence is a daily tragedy affecting the lives of individuals around the world.” The stats show that “more than 500 people die every day because of violence committed with firearms.”

Why must there be a serious approach to gun crimes?

Well, it is simple; the gun is a great controller. A US crime repost detailed that “A gun is normally superior to other weapons readily available for use in violent crime; even in the hands of a weak and unskilled assailant, a gun poses a credible threat, and can be used to kill quickly, from a distance, and in a relatively ‘impersonal’ fashion.”

I add therefore that gun availability facilitates robbery of commercial places and lethal assaults on people who would ordinarily be able to defend themselves against other weapons.

So, Guyana’s AG is right and timely when he lashes

out against a City Magistrate for granting bail to four men found with unlicensed firearms. His reason is most simple, and yet very profound.

He notes that the decision was “…contrary to the modus operandi, and (more so) at a time when crime is being described as a “serious problem” in Guyana.

The details are almost redundant, and concern “…four males, one of whom was found with a 9mm Glock pistol in his crotch, and another three who were found with a .32 Taurus pistol and two matching rounds under the driver’s seat of a vehicle they were in.”

What is scary is not only what were the possibilities inhering in this assembly of men with guns, but what had possibly already taken place.

There is no way we can ascertain what occurred before one is caught with a gun, namely the robbing of compliant and scared citizens, who were forced into yielding.

The other shocking thing is that of the sum for bail- a mere pittance it was. Reading that “Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus granted the defendants bail in the sum of $200,000 each” is almost like a collusion and endorsement.

The AG rightfully fulminated that “To assert that crime is a serious problem in our country may be putting it mildly. To not recognise that gun-related crimes threaten the safety of every citizen would be a forbearance in naivety.” So, I invite my readers to go back and read my opening. The AG is in tandem with a universal seriousness about gun crimes. Yet, here we are, finding a discordant magistrate who is seemingly oblivious of reality, or incapable of understanding what ‘condign’

penal codes are about.

Nandlall, as is his wont, proffered the rationale for his views. He cited the law, “Under Sections 16, 37 or 38 of the Firearms Act, (where) no one shall be admitted to bail unless the prosecution has had an opportunity to intervene, and unless there are ‘special reasons’ for admitting the person to bail, which shall be recorded in writing, and the trial shall be within reasonable time.”

He added that “…there is nothing in the news narrative to suggest the presence of ‘special reasons’ which would have rendered the defendant’s admission to bail.”

So, rightfully, “…as the Executive Officer of the State, under whose responsibility the Justice Sector falls, it is possible for him to relate to the public’s concern and criticism, as well as the negative

impact the decision by the Magistrate may have on the morale of law enforcement agencies.

“Perhaps the State may (‘must’, I say) soon have to resort to the extreme measure of subjecting like decisions of Magistrates to judicial review in the High Court, and lodge complaints with the Judicial Service Commission.”

I remind the public that as at November 2020, there began an audit into the Guyana Police Force (GPF), and, so far, over 100 handguns are missing and over $100M allegedly misappropriated. In this regard, several top ranks in the Force are likely to be questioned in relation to their alleged involvement in the disappearance of the guns.

I can hardly wait.

Yours truly, Matthew Hendrix

Motion to remove Myers, Mingo and Lowenfield timely and proper Dear Editor, I only want to say what I believe is in the minds of right-thinking Guyanese about the way forward for the Guyana Elections Commission and elections in Guyana.

I noticed a report carried in the Wednesday edition of Guyana Times and Stabroek News under the caption “Motion at GECOM seeks removal of Lowenfield, Mingo, Myers”.

I want to say it is about

time that this motion should come up for discussion following the disastrous March 2 2020 elections and the aftermath thereof. The motion brought by the three Commissioners is both timely and proper, appropriate and relevant.

It requires a vote in favour of getting rid of GECOM baggage in the form of Keith Lowenfield, Roxanne Mayers and Clairmont Mingo.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021

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

GCCI in support of fairness and transparency

Dear Editor, I am pleased that the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is in support of ‘fairness and transparency’ here in Guyana. The body wants legal “Moves to hold recalcitrant officers of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) accountable for their partial and perverse actions during the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.”

Let us note that this organisation was an accredited observer of the elections, and so it is quite in order to make such a request.

According to the Chamber, its officials witnessed (first hand) “…several acts of obfuscation, open defiance to the instructions of the Commission and the Courts by agents who are duty-bound to uphold the law.” This kind of recalcitrance must be expurgated with finality.

The GCCI explained that “Their open defiance and abdication of their statutory responsibility placed Guyana in a precarious situation, where attempts at subverting the will of the people could have placed our country in the league of pariah states,” and I add ‘right back into a pre-1992 dictatorship mode’.

In line with the thinking of the GCCI, People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Sanjeev

Datadin detailed that “considering what occurred after polling day on March 2, 2020, the removal of Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers, and Returning Officer for Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Clairmont Mingo is imperative if public confidence in the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is to be restored.”

This ‘idea of accountability and prosecution’ leads to something I am totally in support of; it is where the “GCCI is calling on the leadership of Guyana to ensure that the electoral reform process is undertaken with greatest of urgency.”

The body stressed that “It is imperative that these reforms be undertaken to ensure that the inalienable rights of every citizen of Guyana be protected, and that our (Guyana’s) democracy - a precondition to a growing economy - be fortified in its safeguarding.”

Recently, the work in this specific area has come under some serious attack.

I personally am in support of the move: “the US Department of State supports an 18-month project to strengthen the capacity of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the Attorney General’s Chambers regarding electoral processes, and to encourage civil society organ-

isations (CSOs) to advocate for electoral reform in accordance with regional and international standards.”

This kind of thing is absolutely indispensable, especially with what transpired during the 2020 Guyana Elections.

The project is supposed to be implemented by the International Republican Institute. This body is all about advancing democracy and freedom, but not in a high-handed manner, as it seeks to “…link people with their Governments, guide politicians to be responsive to citizens, and motivate people to engage in the political process.”

The IRI, I add, is a topnotch international democracy-development organisation. Its history is well documented, having done high-class work in more than 100 countries going back to 1983. It is quite broad-based too, having done work in places like Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa.

The Opposition is shunning this kind of slant, but my hope is that the Government would move ahead and seek to block the ‘possible loopholes’ that allowed for all kinds of evil attempts at rigging the last Guyana Elections.

Yours respectfully, Erin Northe

Motion to remove Myers, Mingo...

These officials tried to change the will of the people and the democratic nature of the polls.

They aided and abetted the skullduggery that was happening with the figures at the elections recount.

And who could forget that they defied all instructions from the Chairman of the Commission as they played a game of musical chairs?

I could go on and on about Mingo and his infamous Region 4 declaration, which no doubt would have set the stage for the fraudulent APNU/ AFC Government to steal the elections, leaving the Guyanese people truly stunned and upset.

I am saying that GECOM can’t go on with-

out a large-scale shakeup of the staff. GECOM can hardly now be expected to hold any free and fair election with those officials at the helm. Remove them and you will see GECOM come alive with new optimism, because they now hold the whole Secretariat and staff to ransom.

I do not trust them, and the Guyanese people do not hold them in the same esteem as they did in the past. The motion is just the tip of the iceberg in time to come, as the Local Government Elections are scheduled to be held this year.

GECOM needs new blood, with fresh faces that would not compromise their integrity or the law.

Yours truly, Todd A Morgan

FROM PAGE 4

APNU/AFC’s game is coming to an end Dear Editor, I am reading in the press that “Statements of Poll (SOPs) from five of the 10 Administrative Regions have been handed over to a team from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as investigations continue into attempts to commit electoral fraud at the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.”

I quickly emphasise that this ‘handing over’ is now a legal mandate, something that had to be invoked, as A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) seem most afraid to have any legal issue utilising the all-important SoPs. Concurrently, again gleaning from the press, I am seeing that “Lawyers for the said A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition filed a ‘Notice of Appeal’ against Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire’s decision to dismiss the second elections petition case.”

Now, what boggles the mind is the litany of egregious legal misdemeanours that APNU+AFC have been trying to foist on the nation and the court system in Guyana and across the region. The whole thing is like an assault on public intelligence and a war against basic honesty.

I will just revisit two to emphasise my argument.

First, back in June 2019, our “Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruled that the process through which Reverend Justice (retired) James Patterson was appointed Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) by His Excellency Brigadier

David Granger, President of Guyana, was flawed and in breach of Guyana’s Constitution.”

In fact, the CCJ clearly emphasised a purpose, that is “…the drafting history of Article 161(2), …that changes had been made to it to promote consensus and inclusiveness by involving the Leader of the Opposition in the selection process.”

Granger obviously knew this, but went ahead and ‘did his thing’ in defiance.

Second case in point goes back to June 2019, when again it was our highest legal institution, the CCJ, ruling “that the No-confidence Motion, brought against the David Granger-led APNU+AFC administration was validly passed with the votes of 33 members of the 65-member National Assembly…”, thereby compelling the resignation of Cabinet and the holding of general elections within a time frame.

To allow such a matter to reach all the way to the CCJ was indeed ludicrous.

The way one of the CCJ judges put it was most embarrassing to APNU+AFC. Justice Jacob Wit said that “…no magic was needed in determining what constituted the needed majority, while noting that attorneys for the state sought to work what he called “their legal magic,” with which they succeeded in persuading the local appellate court that a minimum of 34 votes constituted the majority that was required.” What an indictment!

So now it seems that another ‘trying a thing’ from the APNU+AFC Opposition is about to be discarded into the garbage. They are appealing the ‘throwing out of their (second) Elections

Appeals.’

The argument is that “The Learned Judge erred in law when she ruled that the Appellants did not produce evidence in the said Petition, in that being a Petition which claimed that the said March 2 Elections was not lawfully conducted, there was no need for production of any evidence except what was presented, namely, the Declarations as per Regional Returning Officers 1 to 10 and the Recount.”

This is beyond basic common sense. The SoPs, and later the SoRs, constitute the evidence for authentication of any legal or illegal declaration. Both sets of documents were ratified by all of the legally appointed observers. I add that this is what APNU+AFC are shying away from. However, according to Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, the SOPs from Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have already been handed over to the Police.

The Attorney General surmises that by the end of Friday, all the SOPs from Regions Six through 10 would be certified and handed over to the State.

He added that the handing over process is being video-recorded in order to ensure “no wickedness” is being conducted.

I hope that APNU+AFC will either disappear or seek to amend their ways.

They are like a suffocating wet blanket over the nation.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

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SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021

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Foundation

Scientists know for sure that dinosaurs laid eggs.

They have found many dino egg fossils, even some with bones of baby dinosaurs inside them. Unfortunately, these tiny bones are very delicate. And after being buried in rock for millions of years, they’re usually so squashed that it’s hard to tell what they originally looked like. But now a perfectly preserved baby dino skull has been discovered! The skull is only about the size of a grape. It belonged to a baby titanosaur. By studying it, scientists found that the baby had forward-facing eyes, unlike the adults, which had eyes that faced to the sides. And on its snout, it had a small horn!

Gigantic titanosaurs were like long-necked prehistoric cows, spending their days peacefully grazing on plants.

Now scientists have unearthed the most complete skeleton ever found of a giant titanosaur. And it’s a brand-new species! This dinosaur is one of the largest animals that ever lived. It was longer than a blue whale and heavier than 10 African elephants. Its thighbone alone was 2 feet taller than any of the people who dug it up.But as big as the gigantic dino was, scientists studying its bones think it may not have even been fully grown!

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NEWS

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SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Electoral reforms

Revised laws intended to tighten electoral process, rectify deficiencies – AG − GECOM’s hiring practices among areas being looked at

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ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall has stated that the ongoing reform of the electoral laws in Guyana is intended to tighten the legal process and to rectify the deficiencies that led to the five-month impasse following last year’s March 2 elections.

During his weekly social media programme – Issues In The News, Nandlall said that a unit within the AG Chambers is currently working hard on completing a draft of the revised legislation.

“The issues have been identified and the sections of the law that are to be impacted or affected by the reforms have been identified and the process now has begun where the drafting of the proposed amendments are being done as well as new regulations, where possible, are being made,” he noted.

The Attorney General pointed out that these reforms are not intended to create any electoral advantage in favour of any political party.

Instead, he said “They are all intended to tighten our legal process, to tighten the laws as well as to rectify all the deficiencies we have seen exploited by the likes of [embattled Returning Officer Clairmont] Mingo and

[Chief Elections Officer Keith] Lowenfield at the last elections. So that in future elections, we ought not to have such reoccurrence. So, all the lacunas, all the gaps, all the ambiguities, all the areas that were cause for concerns and cast doubts in people’s minds, we are going to clarify all of that in the law. So, the law should be very clear.”

It was previously reported that the Representation of

the People Act (RoPA), which contains laws specific to the conduct of elections and election-related issues in Guyana, is being ironed out to remove ambiguous provisions and include penalties for persons attempting to carry out electoral fraud.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said that a draft Amendment Bill is likely to be in place by the “end of June” following which it will be sent to the various political parties including the APNU/ AFC Opposition, civil society bodies, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the international community. It will also be available for the public to give their input before it is finalised and

presented in the National Assembly, where again it will be debated upon by both the Government and parliamentary Oppositions.

But the Attorney General contended that there can be the best laws and best regulatory framework in place but it

will not work if there are persons in the system who want to breach or violate it in order to commit fraud and rig the elections.

He was making reference to CEO Lowenfield, his deputy Roxanne Myers and Mingo, who along with other GECOM staff, are currently before the courts facing electoral fraud charges from last year’s polls. Mingo had heavily inflated the figures from Region Four – Guyana’s largest voting district – to give the APNU/AFC coalition a lead over the PPP/C. Meanwhile, Lowenfield with the support of Myers presented false figures to the GECOM Commission for declaration as official results of the elections.

“The law is not unclear, Mingo knew [what he had to do]. Mingo has been a Returning Officer for three elections and he knows that he must use the Statements of Poll as the basis for tabulation yet he refused to do that. Lowenfield knows that the report he is to prepare must reflect the votes cast in the ballot boxes and he can’t simply prepare a report of his own. Lowenfield knows that. Lowenfield was CEO in 2015 and he did the right thing [then]... So, it’s not that they don’t know. They delib-

erately did the wickedness that we saw them do. So, the point I am making is that we can have the best law in place but if you have bandits and thieves in the system then the best laws will not work,” Nandlall posited.

On this note, the Attorney General noted that an important component of the reforms must be the hiring process at the Elections Commission.

“That must also be the subject of reform – the vetting process by GECOM. How do you get a job at GECOM? What qualifications one must have? And what is the quality control mechanism that one must have in hiring, and who should be hiring. So, these are all questions that we will have to work out,” he asserted.

Already, the pro-Government GECOM Commissioners have tabled three motions to have Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo removed from the Elections Secretariat in light of their actions following the March 2020 polls.

According to Nandlall, these senior GECOM officials should have already been removed.

“In any other society, in any normal society, a motion or motions ought not to have been required for the dismissal of these three miscreants.

AG and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

The world saw what they did, we saw what they did, courts ruled, condemning what they did and declaring what they did as illegal and unlawful.

In those circumstances, they ought to have been dismissed without cause instantaneously upon the declaration of the [elections] results. But Guyana is not a normal place and GECOM is not a normal institution,” he asserted.

The GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, has given Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo 14 days to respond to the allegations in the respective motions filed against them. A date is likely to be set thereafter for the motions to be heard and debated at the level of the seven-member Elections Commission.

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SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GPF $10M fraud case

Slowe, Washington noshow, forcing adjournment

What’s ahead...

N

C

hairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe and Senior Superintendent of Police Marcelene Washington were a no-show at court on Thursday when their fraud case was called before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus.

Slowe and Washington along with seven other retired and serving senior officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were charged last month in relation to a $10 million fraud over the revising of the GPF’s Standing Orders. The matter was called Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

At the last court hearing, the court was informed that Slowe and Washington are out of jurisdiction.

The others charged are PSC member and Retired Assistant Commissioner Clinton Conway; Retired Assistant Commissioner Claude Whittaker; Senior Superintendent George Fraser; Retired Senior Superintendent Michael Sutton; Superintendent Mark Gilbert; Assistant Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor; and Assistant Superintendent Marlon Kellman.

The first charge stated that Sutton, while performing duties as Finance Officer for the GPF between July 1, 2019, and July 31, 2019, at the GPF’s Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, wilfully misconducted himself when he falsely signed seven payment vouchers as the accounting offi-

The defendants were not required to plead to the indictable charges. Sutton was granted $200,000 bail, while the others were each granted $100,000 bail. The matter comes up again on June 24, when the prosecution will lay over submission for accused persons to be tried summary They are represented by a team of lawyers, including Nigel Hughes, Patrice Henry, Dexter Todd, Dennis Paul, Everton LammySingh, Narissa Leander, and Darren Wade.

Probe

cer, which he was not authorised to do, enabling Slowe, Conway, Whittaker, Fraser, and Gilbert to be paid $1,000,766, without the approval of Daniella McCalmon, the accounting officer, and without any reasonable excuse or justification.

It is further alleged that Slowe, Conway, Whittaker, Fraser, Gilbert, AndriesJunor, Washington, Sutton, and Kellman, between March 1, 2019, and July 7, 2020, at Guyana Police Force Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, conspired together and with other persons unknown to defraud the GPF of $10,056,000 by paying Slowe, Conway, Whittaker, Fraser and Gilbert $10 million without complying with the proper procedures, purportedly to do a review of the Guyana Police Force’s Standing Orders, which had already commenced in July 2018 and been concluded in March 2019 by the Strategic Planning Unit.

Investigations by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) revealed that former Police Commissioner Leslie James had hired Slowe, Conway, Whitaker, Gilbert, and Fraser – all former officers of the GPF – to conduct a complete revision of the Guyana Police Force’s Standing Orders in March 2019.

James did not prepare a budget for the service that was offered. He made no contractual agreements with specifications of what was to be revised and terms of payments. He never even sent for, or received, approval from the Permanent Secretary of the then Ministry of Public Security, nor the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

The payments, amounting to $10 million, should have been budgeted for and approved by the NPTAB. The GPF has a raft of Standing Orders which comprises 104 orders. These very

Standing Orders that James hired the former officers to revise had already been revised by highly qualified and competent policy analysts of the Strategic Planning Unit (SPU) of the Force.

More than $10 million was paid to the former officers, who did not provide the GPF with a completed revised raft of Standing Orders. Payment accounts were prepared individually from March 2019 upon instructions from the Head of the Strategic Planning Unit, Andries-Junor.

Upon his transfer from the unit in November 2019, Andries-Junor instructed the new Head of SPU to ensure she continues making out payment accounts for the said officers. She made out accounts as instructed until February 2020.

An examination of over 60 payment vouchers showed that Washington and Sutton, who were former Police Finance Officers, signed 15 payment vouchers collectively as the accounting officers. They had no authority to do so. The only accounting officer of the Police Force is the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs (former Ministry of Public Security).

The Permanent Secretary gave no such authority to them. As a result of what they did, Kellman entered the information into the Integrated Financial Management and Accounting Systems (IFMAS) although the vouchers were not approved and signed by the substantive accounting officer, McCalmon.

…socio-economically? o…your Eyewitness hasn’t suddenly had a Damascene-like conversion to Marxism! But, really, we gotta accept Marx’s point that we can’t ever separate a society from its economics. Not in the deterministic fashion the carbuncle-ridden revolutionary proposed, but that they do influence each other.

As to whether they do so “dialectically”, I leave that to the PPP’s old guard! You didn’t know about Marx’s painful sores all over his body - but particularly on his butt - which made his life a living hell? Well, he did promise friend Engles: “The bourgeoisie will remember my carbuncles until their dying day.”!!! Gave an edge to his radicalism!!

Anyhow, back to our own dear Mudland that’s so much muddier with the Noah-like floods that landed a double whammy - along with COVID-19 - in the national solar plexus. We need a dose of Roosevelt’s “3-Rs” that got the US out of their Great Depression - RELIEF, RECOVERY AND REFORM. While we’re not in a depression, the oil revenues, which mostly end up in the oil majors’ pockets, mask the fact that the non-oil economy has performed pretty poorly…and in fact shrunk under the fortunately- departed PNC. COVID-19 has already hit our service industry for a loop, and most SMEs are under pressure. The rains and floods are certainly going to devastate the forestry sector and agriculture, especially sugar. Albion - our biggest sugar producer - just announced it might lose all of its canes for the coming crop. And the Meteorological Department just announced that the rains might continue way into August, which would put even rice under threat. While rice needs water, it demands periods of sunshine and dry spells during its growth and ripening spells.

So, now for the 3-Rs. The Government and the Private Sector have done a commendable job with relief up to now, but the need will extend for months, and we can’t let up.

This relief is a critical element of our economic resilience and recovery, but COVID-19 has brought home the fact that we have to reform our approach, both in living together and our way of working. Our lives will now be divided into pre-COVID and post-COVID eras, and our reforms must reflect this seismic moment.

For instance, we’ve been emphasising physical infrastructure as the main thrust of our development plans, but because of the COVID dynamics, we should give equal attention to our digital infrastructure. Working out of the office would become the default option of many firms, but its success would depend on our connectivity.

The Government, wisely, has already deregulated the sector, but, unfortunately, not much has changed.

The Govt will have to become the catalyst! …for Govt feather-bedding?

From all that’s been revealed since the PNC’s rigging attempt failed, another aspect of Burnham’s legacy that Granger sought to fulfill was the former’s bloating of the Public Service with his supporters. Before Volda, there was Burnham: “All my friends are PNC, and we only hire our friends!” One respected academic revealed that while Granger fired 7000 sugar workers, he increased the Public Service by 76% - more than 12,000 workers!! And we all knew who these workers were!

The new administration at GWI announced that GWI had bloated their staff by 700, and more than doubled the wage bill - even while they couldn’t pay their bills, and had accumulated billions in debt! Now comes the revelation that, while all of this was going on, former CEO Van WestCharles spent $30M for Anniversary and Christmas parties as an “investment in workers”!

The PNC’s now claiming victimisation - and of course “racism” - now that GWI will retrench 300 of the bloated staff!

All 700 should’ve been let go! …with vaccine tourism?

There’s a new fad of the rich - vaccine tourism. the rich from across the world are flying to the US, where they can get shots of the COVID-19 vaccines that are unavailable in their countries!

And yes…from Guyana also!

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

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SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Patient allegedly murdered days after being admitted to Psychiatric Hospital

Dead: Rohan Satish Sunthgulm

S

ome three days after he was admitted a patient at the National Psychiatric Hospital at Canje, Berbice, a 41-yearold man who suffered from epilepsy was allegedly murdered by fellow inmates.

On the same day, another patient was reportedly in-

jured during the same confrontation which took place on May 23, 2021.

The dead man has been identified as Rohan Satish Sunthgulm of Canefield, East Canje, while the injured person is Steve Roberts, also of the same village.

Though the incident occurred since last week, it was only made known to the media after the injured person’s grandmother reached out to some reporters.

Roberts, who suffers from a severe speech impediment, could not coherently explain to journalists how he received injuries to his feet and head whilst at the facility.

However, his grandmother Amina Hanif said she was able to get the information from him and related that his face was first covered before he was beaten by

He was then taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital and subsequently admitted a patient at the Psychiatric Hospital. Two days later, on May 23, the family received news that he was injured. This publication understands that he received a stab to his neck, lacerations to his head, and his forehead was badly swollen.

Sunthgulm died whilst

Injured: Steve Roberts

fellow patients.

Guyana Times reached out to the sister of the murdered man, who explained that her brother attended a clinic at the National Psychiatric Hospital because he was epileptic and had injured himself on May 21, 2021.

receiving care at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Meanwhile, in an invited comment on Friday, Regional Chairman David Armogan explained that many of the patients at the National Psychiatric Hospital are violent, often destroying parts of the building.

Armogan said efforts will be made to improve securi-

ty at the institution and noted that since the incident, Police Officers have been making nightly checks.

Regional Health Officer, Dr Vishalya Sharma explained that both incidents which resulted in Roberts’ injury and the murder of Sunthgulm occurred at the same time. She noted that the lone nurse on duty had to flee to ensure his safety.

Based on information received, the victim had laid some pipelines at his aunt’s home which is next door to the suspect’s. This, the Police stated, upset the suspect who accused the victim of digging up the area close to his yard.

This resulted in a heated argument between the two men during which the suspect allegedly took a ham-

mer and dealt his neighbour one blow to his abdomen.

The victim was taken to Skeldon Public Hospital where he was seen and examined by a doctor and subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was further treated.

The suspect was arrested and is presently in custody pending an investigation.

Berbice man assaulted with hammer during disagreement

A

23-year-old male is now in Police custody after he reportedly attacked and assaulted his neighbour using a hammer, during a row over the laying of pipelines.

Police said the incident occurred on Wednesday at around 13:00h at No 51 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

They also reported that the victim is a 33-year-old-male.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Liza Destiny FPSO

Newly-repaired flash gas compressor being reinstalled – Exxon – on track for start-up later this month

A

fter weeks of repairs following recurring technical issues, the newly upgraded flash gas compression system onboard the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel has returned to Guyana and is being reinstalled.

This was revealed by ExxonMobil Guyana’s Advisor on Public and Government Affairs, Janelle Persaud, in an operation update on Friday. The flash gas compressor on the Liza Destiny FPSO has been experiencing technical issues since earlier this year.

“The new, upgraded and or repaired components of the flash gas compression system on the Liza Destiny FPSO have arrived offshore Guyana and are being reinstalled. These include a newly designed third stage discharge venturi and upgraded discharge silencer,” Persaud indicated.

She further noted that the team remains on track to complete reinstallation and start-up of the flash gas compressor later this month.

The third stage discharge silencer, a key component of

Liza Destiny FPSO

the flash gas compression system for the Liza Destiny, has had to be upgraded.

Additionally, a redesigned 3rd stage discharge venturi had to also be manufactured.

These issues had resulted in oil production on the Liza Destiny FPSO in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana being reduced to 110,000 barrels per day (bpd).

In the meantime, the ExxonMobil Guyana Advisor explained in Friday’s update that the oil major continues to safely manage flaring levels to less than 15 million

standard cubic feet of gas per day (Mscfd).

The United States oil giant has come under fire over its increased flaring activities in recent years with environmentalists up in arms over environmental and safety concerns.

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

and raise flare levels.

In response to mounting pressure, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last month recalled and modified the Environmental Permit for the Liza-1 Development Project to include, among other things, a fee of US$30 per tonne of excess carbon emissions that is flared – something that was missing from the permit approved by the previous APNU/AFC Administration.

The other changes to the permit are revised terms and conditions relating to emissions reporting require-

ments, technical considerations for flaring and timelines for flaring events.

As of result of this modification, Exxon will now have to pay the Guyana Government some US1.3 billion for the excess flaring.

The oil major had applied to continue flaring for a 36-day period, which started on May 26.

Based on calculations, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had disclosed that this 36-day flaring will rack up a fee of some US$1.3 million.

“They say they’re flaring about 15 million cubic feet per day now. That would be equivalent to about 1152 tonnes of CO2e (Carbon Dioxide equivalent) …It should take us to 1.3 million US dollars,” Jagdeo told reporters during a press conference last month.

Meanwhile, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat last month said Exxon’s local affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) will switch the manufacturer of the compressor equipment it uses, to ensure there is no flaring during future proj-

ects.

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

General Electric is a US multinational company.

Minister Bharrat explained that this adjustment is needed since both the Liza Unity and Prosperity are each designed to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day – almost twice the amount of the Liza Destiny.

Only recently, Public Advocate on Environmental Justice in the Michigan Department of Environment – United States, Regina Strong, had emphasised the need for governments to play a more stringent role in holding investors accountable to environment best practices.

TURN TO PAGE 15

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

AG seeking stay of CJ’s ruling on Parliamentary Secretaries

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

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ttorney General Anil Nandlall has filed an application with the Guyana Court of Appeal (CoA) for a stay of Chief Justice Roxane George’s ruling in which she declared that the appointments of Vickash Ramkissoon and Sarah Browne as non-elected members of the National Assembly and Parliamentary Secretaries were unlawful.

Justice George in her ruling dated April 20, 2021, held that the appointments violated Articles 113, 186, and 103 (3) of the Constitution of Guyana.

The Chief Justice said that Browne and Ramkissoon cannot be appointed as non-elected Members of Parliament (MPs) since they were named on the List of Candidates presented by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections.

In arriving at her decision, the Chief Justice used the ruling of the Court of Appeal in the case of Attorney General v Morian as precedent. In that case, PPP/C member Dennis Morian had filed a constitutional motion challenging the legality of former APNU/AFC Technocrat Ministers Keith Scott and Winston Felix.

Sarah Browne and Vikash Ramkissoon

Felix, who was at the time the Minister of Citizenship, and Scott, the Minister with responsibility for Labour, were candidates on the coalition’s list in the 2015 General and Regional Elections.

In 2016, Chief Justice Ian Chang declared that both Scott and Felix were unlawfully and unconstitutionally occupying seats in the National Assembly due to their status as elected members.

In January of 2020, the Court of Appeal upheld the late Justice Chang’s decision. Back in December 2020, Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones moved to the High Court challenging Browne and Ramkissoon’s appointments.

Among other things, he had asked the Chief Justice to grant an order compelling the Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir to prevent Browne and Ramkissoon from sitting and participating in the business of the National Assembly. The Chief Justice, however, refused to grant the coercive order, stating that it was left in the hands of the House Speaker to enforce the court’s judgement.

Shortly

Appeal

after

Justice

George rendered her decision, the Attorney General filed an appeal. Among other things, Nandlall contended that the “decision of the learned hearing Judge that a Parliamentary Secretary cannot sit in the Parliament is erroneous and misconceived in law. The decision does not accord with the clear and unambiguous binding language of the Constitution…”

Public Trustee and Official Receiver Prithima Kissoon, in an affidavit, said she was advised by Nandlall and believes that the Chief Justice erred and misdirected herself in law by failing to appreciate that although there are similarities in the two cases, there are also differences in the constitutional regime on the appointment of Technocratic Ministers in comparison to Parliamentary Secretaries.

According to Kissoon, historically, in Guyana, Parliamentary Secretaries were appointed from among members of the National Assembly. She pointed out that the category of persons who may be appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries was expanded in the 1980 Constitution to include persons who were qualified to be elected.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Forensic audit underway into financial irregularities, procurement breaches at GWI – CEO

A

mid several damning revelations into the financial and procurement operations at the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), a forensic audit is now underway to investigate these issues.

At a press conference on Friday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaik Baksh underscored that the probe was necessary into the financial irregularities and procurement breaches within the utility entity. The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) was also called in to investigate.

Over the course of four years, an internal audit would have found that some $1.8 billion was expended to purchase SeaQuest (a water treatment chemical) which involved another company that led to a violation in the procurement laws.

“The first one relates to the SeaQuest. This was a chemical mix which cost us $1.8 billion over four years and it relates to importing this dried mix from a compa-

ny called Aqua Smart in the United States, for which the management saw that they need a middle man. They have a middle company doing the procurement and then mixing, batching the product and transporting it to the regions. A middle man was there, breaching all the tender processes. There has been double charging in the batching, mixing and transportation. Huge sums are involved there,” Baksh pointed out.

Along with this issue, fictitious charges and questionable delivery of goods were unearthed by an internal auditor which will also come under the scrutiny of the forensic investigation. Baksh noted that one person has already been dismissed in relation to this matter.

“There were fictitious charges inserted on transportation invoices. We have had to dismiss one employee.

A clerk was left in charge of this operation and top management was approving.

There was also questionable delivery of goods. For exam-

GWI Chief Executive Officer Shaik Baksh

ple, the clerk was signing on behalf of regional authorities and the internal auditor cannot find any evidence that the product was being delivered to the regions on some occasions. Yet claims were made.”

There are other cases where monies were released to contractors but these works remain unfinished. This specifically speaks to the

AG seeking stay of...

She reminded that in the ninth Parliament, Pauline Sukhai whose name appeared on the List of Candidates for the PPP/C was appointed a Parliamentary Secretary to assist the Minister of Tourism as a non-elected member of the National Assembly, without any objection for the duration of that Parliament

The Public Trustee also reminded that during the tenth Parliament, Joseph Hamilton, now Minister of Labour, whose name did not appear on the List of Candidates for PPP/C or any other List of Candidates, was appointed a Parliamentary Secretary as a non-elected member without any objection for the duration of that

FROM PAGE 12

Parliament.

Having regards to these circumstances, Kissoon submitted that “it cannot be disputed that the appeal is not only grounded in merit but raises fundamental issues of interpretation of the Constitution, as well as, issues integral to Guyana’s parliamentary and constitutional democracy.”

Vlissengen Road to Newtown Kitty project, where the performance bond had expired.

“There was contract splitting also. They breached everything…Vlissengen Road to Newtown. The contract sum was $123 million but the contractor was paid $114 million or 93 per cent of the contract sum and only 11.2 per cent of the pipe-laying process was done…We had no alternative but to go to the court. We have this contractor in court right now and a manager was dismissed,” he explained.

Millions of dollars were also released for the construction of a new building in Region Five but it remains 80

per cent complete.

To compound the current irregularities, there is a backlog of audits, dating back to 2018. In the recently concluded 2017 audit, it was found that $73 million could not be verified. The company is hoping to erase this backlog by the end of the year.

“You have a backlog of unaudited accounts. The years 2013 to 2015, you had a timely reporting, audit and audit reports going to the Parliament and Ministers and so on. But they lagged so as I speak in 2020, we only completed 2017.

We did a lot of work and…the external auditors have issued a qualified opinion of GWI’s financial statement in 2017,”

Baksh said.

Meanwhile, when asked whether the utility company has been making any profits, the CEO responded in the negative. As such, he encouraged consumers to ensure that their dues are cleared.

“GWI is not in a profit-making position. One of the big challenges is the collection of revenues. I went out to the media and pleaded with our customers to make payments. Come forward and pay because we have a service to offer, in terms of treated water especially. The energy cost is over $200 million a month so we need you to pay up your money,” the CEO added.

14 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Blocked drains, culverts cause massive flooding in ‘Mines’ ed.

One of the houses in the Mines

B

locked drains and culverts are amongst some of the leading issues which have led to intense flooding in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Mines communities.

The residents shared their concerns during a recent visit by Prime Minister Mark Phillips and team who were at the time distributing flood relief. A resident of the Old England/Siberian community

stressed that this has been a major issue for years.

“The drains here blocking up, as you can see... When rain fall, the whole place does get flood out.

The water...running over the road and breaking up the road and go to the culvert and go to the river.

The culvert on the one side there, it blocked up, nothing can’t run there so it back up...the culvert need cleaning,” the resident relat-

In the Nottinghamshire community, residents made the call for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to assess and analyse the situation. It was noted that residents are affected by flooding caused by water runoff from the hillside areas.

According to a resident, this has been the situation for more than seven years.

“Now, we got drainage systems that NDIA put here to take off the flooding, but...the drainage canal which supposed to throw the water into the river, if this thing is 10-feet they put a culvert (approximately) 4 feet up - blocking all the water. So the place always deh under water. All of us are farmers and everybody punishing...”, the resident complained.

They noted too that the nearby Surapana Creek is blocked and needs to be cleared.

“Twelve to fourteen inches of water always backing up. The place always flood...Now this Surupana

One of the roads under water in the Mines

Creek full up with sand,” a resident said as they noted that there was an excavator assigned to the community which keeps “breaking down”.

“The water that coming from

the river and the water that coming from the road, all of the water does come and lodge in my yard.

So my yard is a swamp right now,” another resident decried.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

NEWS

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SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 to face High Court trial for murder of Better Hope moneychanger, daughter

T

hree men were on Friday committed to stand trial at the High Court in Demerara for the July 4, 2019 murders of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara moneychanger Aaron Latchman

were committed to stand trial at the next practicable session of the Demerara Assizes.

To face a Judge and jury are 37-year-old Paul Chan called “Anthony”, a bus conductor of Dennis Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown;

Murder accused: From (left) : Lloyd Sadloo, Mark Rufino, Paul Chan, Troy Abrams, and Sean Thomas (who was later discharged)

Dead: Arianna Latchman and her father Aaron Latchman

and his 19-year-old daughter Arianna Latchman.

After a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts, Magistrate Alisha George ruled that a prima facie case was established against the men at the close of the case for the prosecution. Accordingly, the men

44-year-old Troy Abrams called “Rasta Man”, a vendor of Middle Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara (EBD); and 37-year-old Lloyd Sadloo of Mocha Arcadia, EBD. Meanwhile, the case against 41-year-old Sean Thomas called “Yankee”, an electrician of William Street, Kitty, Georgetown, who had

been jointly charged with the three men, was discharged after the Magistrate upheld a no-case submission made by his lawyer last month.

As such, Thomas was informed that he was free to leave the court.

A fifth accused, 25-yearold Mark Rufina, who escaped from the Lusignan Prison sometime between October 20 and October 21, 2020, remains on the run. Following Rufina’s escape, the PI had been stalled for months, as he was jointly charged along with the others.

The chambers of

Drunken driver charged for causing death of GRA security officer

A

taxi driver has been released on $100,000 bail after he was charged for causing the death of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) security officer, Norma Rose in an accident at Number 77 Village Public Road, Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Dhanny Nankoo, 32, was arraigned before Magistrate Renita Singh on Thursday at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court.

He was not required

to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on May 23, 2021, he drove motor car HC 3098, in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of 41-year-old Rose. His case was postponed until July 7, 2021, for reports.

Guyana Times had previously reported that Rose, of Scottsburg, Coriverton, Corentyne, Berbice, was standing at the side of the road when the motor car which was proceeding at a fast rate of speed collided

with her.

Rose was flung into the air and landed on the bonnet of the car before tumbling onto the parapet.

She was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Nankoo, of Port Mourant, Corentyne, was later arrested. A breathalyser test administered on him proved that his alcohol consumption was above the legal limit.

Blocked drains, culverts...

Additionally, residents shared concerns over mosquito infestation due to the floods.

However, the Prime Minister assured the resident that Regional Executive Officer (REO) Dwight John will coordinate with engineers to look at the situation and follow up on the complaints raised by residents.

Over at Coomacka Mines, residents called for the dredging of the river, while explaining that not only those who live at the edge of the river are affected.

A resident pointed out that it also has to do with the slope of the residential lands.

Residents of Three Friends/Maria Elizabeth also cited poor drainage. In one instance, a section of a road was cut off and made impassable, due to extreme flooding.

“We have a creek and so many families using this creek... and when the rain fall it flooding, “a resident cited.

It was further highlighted that farmlands, gardens and livestock are also affected. Community Development Council (CDC) Chairman Vedwattie Chattergoon-Pancham said that residents are affected in one way or another while noting that the floodwaters have risen the highest since 2005.

Meanwhile, Coomacka CDC Chairman, Dexter Harding explained that there is an excavator assigned to the ‘Mines’ communities, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) until next year.

“Every community will have 3, 4 months to have the excavator to do all the maintenance works. Right now,

FROM PAGE 14

it’s in Coomacka...”, he posited.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said Government has recognised the present flooding situation as a “disaster”, as several communities throughout the region and the rest of the country are severely affected.

He assured that Government is working to bring relief to every affected community and will continue to send the necessary support. He also stated that officials from the Health Ministry will continue to monitor the situation.

Phillips further urged residents to keep their children away from the floodwaters. Presently, hundreds of residents are affected by extreme flooding in Kwakwani.

According to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), riverine communities such as Malali and Muritaro are also severely impacted.

the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later advised the prosecution to remove Rufina’s name from the joint charge, to allow for the matter to proceed against the others.

It was reported that on the day of the murder, both Aaron Latchman and his daughter Arianna had just returned to their Lot 58 Robert Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara home when they were attacked by armed men.

It is alleged that the men held the man and his daughter at gunpoint and took them into the upper flat of their home, where they demanded money. Upon receiving a bag that contained an undisclosed amount of

cash, the men shot the money changer and his daughter before escaping.

Shortly after, the businessman and his daughter were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they were both pronounced dead.

Sometime later, a motor car that belonged to the dead businessman, which had been used by the bandits, was found at Front Road, La Penitence, Georgetown.

During a search of the vehicle, an illegal firearm and several rounds of ammunition were found.

Two of the accused killers – Abrams and Sadloo – had previously been arrested and placed before the court for various offences ranging

from robbery under arms to trafficking in narcotics.

Abrams had, in 2016, been found guilty of robbery under arms committed on moneychangers Rayburn Fraser and Osaffo Ward at America Street, Georgetown, on November 3, 2015, and had been sentenced to five years in prison.

Sadloo had, in 2008, been charged with murder. It is unclear at this time what had been the outcome of that matter. However, in 2016, Sadloo had been handed a four-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of trafficking in marijuana.

He had also been previously charged with armed robbery and escaping from lawful custody.

Armed bandit apprehended after robbing businessman, Police

A

n armed bandit and his accomplices were arrested following an armed robbery committed on a 44-year-old businessman and a 30-year-old Police Officer on Thursday.

Police stated that the businessman and the Police rank were at a construction site at Goed Intent, West Bank Demerara (WBD), when they were approached by a man who began to ask questions about the ongoing works.

The suspect was then invited into the house and as such, he used the opportunity to hold the two men at

gunpoint and relieved them of their valuables including mobile phones, jewellery and cash.

The armed man reportedly escaped with one gold band, one Samsung cellular phone, one Blu cellular phone and one wallet containing $114,000 and another $21,000 which was in the man’s pocket.

The suspect, in an attempt to escape, ran into a nearby yard and subsequently joined a motor car. In retaliation, the victims went after him and managed to intercept the car.

At that time, the suspect

exited the car brandishing a gun as he ran into another yard in the area. The area was surrounded by residents and the Police were summoned.

Upon their arrival, the Police searched the area and the bandit was found hiding in the yard. The cash, phones and jewellery were found in his possession. He was arrested and taken to the Wales Police Station where he was placed in custody.

Police have also detained two men who were also in the car when it was intercepted.

An investigation is underway.

Newly-repaired flash...

During a three-week Virtual Report Tour (VRT) on “Combatting the Climate Crisis through US Innovation” hosted by the US Department of State’s Foreign Press Centers (FPC), Strong in response to a question from Guyana Times on how governments can ensure adherence to environmental best practices especially by foreign investors, acknowledged that this can be challenging. But in the same breath, she contended that governments need look at the bigger picture of the impact of certain projects on the environment.

“One of the things that I’ve always found challeng-

ing is because everything’s divided up so much, we only ask for that slice. I think it is incumbent upon us as Government to ask for a bigger-picture look. How does this [project or investment] fit in and where will the impact [on the environment] be? So, asking the right questions up front is [important]. Sometimes people feel like it’s – well, it’s not our role because we’re only regulating this slice, but how will you know the impact of the bigger picture if you don’t ask that question?

So, I would argue that that has to be part of practice. It may not be now, but I think it should become part of the practice as you work with

FROM PAGE 11

industries,” she posited.

Further, Vice President Jagdeo, who was awarded the United Nations “Champion of the Earth” award in 2010 during his presidency for his signature Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), agreed that investors will have to adhere to and follow environment rules.

“It’s a rules-based country… They all have to follow the rules. I don’t think this was just a rule-based thing [but] that’s one thing you have to agree with – people need to follow the rules,” the Vice President had said in response to a question from Guyana Times during his press conference.

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s COVID death toll surpasses 400 – as 3 more die, 83 new cases recorded

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he Health Ministry on Friday reported that three more persons who tested positive for COVID-19 have passed, thus taking the death toll to over 400.

The new deaths are a 36-year-old female from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) who died on May 26 and a 71-year-old from Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) who succumbed later on May 27. This has risen May’s death toll to 99.

The third death is a 75-year-old woman from Region Three (Essequibo

Islands-West Demerara) who died on Wednesday, June 2.

Five persons have died for the month of June thus far.

The death toll now stands at 403.

However, new statistics proved that 83 new cases were recorded over a 24hour period, taking the total positives recorded to date to 17,459. There are 17 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 105 in institutional isolation and 1772 in home isolation. Another six persons are under institutional quarantine.

A total of 15,162 persons

President Ali pledges support for CAPE scholar in university quest

have recovered while 159,067 were tested.

A breakdown showed that eight new cases were recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini), seven in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 40 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), two in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), seven in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 15 in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) and four in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

There are still 282 cases in Region Two (Pomeroon-

Supenaam), 1223 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and 365 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Meanwhile, Guyana has administered over 200,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccines, with no reported case where adverse effects manifested.

This was according to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony who stated that 207,889 or 42.7 per cent of the adult population received their first dose of the vaccine. Fully immunised persons stand at 73,471 or 15 per cent.

Out of this large bracket, no adverse effects surfaced, only common side effects that are associated with vaccine.

“We haven’t had any adverse effects. I want to distinguish adverse effects from side effects. Adverse effects is something that is really unexpected and that’s why when people receive their vaccines, we keep them back for about 15 to 20 minutes to observe them. One of the adverse effects that we normally would look for is anaphylactic shock and so far, we haven’t observed anybody getting those things,” the Minister shared.

A study was done using

immunised persons from different age groups in the country, whereby over 50 per cent did not display any side effects. Between the 18 to 29 age group, there was 17.9 per cent of persons reporting some form of side effects; with 18.7 per cent for the 30 to 39 age group; 11.7 per cent for the 40 to 49 age group; and 15 per cent for the

50 to 59.

“We’ve had people with side effects and we have done a study using about 5000 people in Regions Four, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10.

Of those 5000 persons, we’ve seen about 44.4 per cent reporting side effects, which means that 55.6 per cent did not have any side effects at all.”

TIP training

No one should have to endure indignity and exploitation – Min Persaud tells GDF ranks

President Irfaan Ali and Sherlock Junior Langevine at the meeting on Friday

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday promised to support Sherlock Junior Langevine’s dream of attending Stanford University by offsetting additional expenses of the scholarship awardee.

Guyana’s fourth-best performer at the 20192020 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) was accepted into the university on a US$324,000 scholarship, but there is a financial gap that needs to be filled before he can commence his studies.

The scholarship for the 19-year-old St Stanislaus College alumnus covers 95 per cent of the cost of his attendance at the university.

Earlier this week, though public support, Langevine raised additional funds to offset some of his expenses.

However, during the meeting, the Head of State congratulated the teenager on his accomplishments and promised to support his academic goals at the US university.

“Congratulations on your accomplishments. We wish you well, and we are proud not only about your accomplishments but proud about

your vision and commitment to your future development.

We have learnt about the gap, and we want to ensure you have the resources to complete your studies... We want to support you in this.”

Following a brief interaction with President Ali, Langevine, who hails from Victoria on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), expressed gratitude to the Head of State for his commitment and generosity.

“He is actually quite nice… it was very generous (of the President), and I know he is more or less going to stick to his word. I am very excited that I will be able to afford my undergrad education.”

He further explained that for him, it is a dream come true to be able to attend the prestigious Stanford University and he also took the opportunity to say how gracious the university has been with its financial aid.

Langevine secured 11 ones and 7 twos at CAPE. Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag and the Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues were also present at the meeting at State House.

B

eing frontline workers who may likely come into contact with victims of Trafficking in Persons (TIP), the Human Services and Social Security Ministry wants members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to be able to understand the scourge and how they can effectively respond to it.

To this end, the Ministry has ramped up training for the GDF through its Counter-TIP Unit in a twoday exercise that concluded on Friday. Through it, participants can gain a clear understanding of the anti-TIP laws and are being trained on how to identify and respond to cases of human trafficking.

Subject Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud said that her Ministry is intensifying its focus on TIP and will be expanding its training programmes to include persons likely to come into contact with TIP cases.

“TIP is akin to modern-day slavery and no one should have to endure the indignity and exploitation it brings with it. We work with survivors and will be moving soon to a public awareness drive to encourage everyone to recognise and report it to save persons and allow us to curb the scourge of trafficking. It has no place in a world of freedom and rights

Staff of the Human Services and Social Security Ministry and members of the GDF on the second day of the TIP training exercise

and compassion,” Minister Persaud expressed.

Deputy Director of Social Services Abike Samuels addressed the participants at the opening session, reminding them that they are the guardians of the country’s borders and the persons who defend its territorial integrity.

“We depend on [you] to protect us,” Samuels said, noting that this is the reason the Ministry has chosen to boost the capacity of the GDF in TIP training. Active involvement by all stakeholders, she pointed out, is what is needed to treat the scourge.

The GDF, more than any other institution, has multiple roles and must be fully flexible and integrated. With the requisite knowledge, the

members will be able to help those affected to get the assistance they need.

Annually, significant resources are devoted to the TIP fight which includes training frontline personnel to identify trafficking victims, collecting and reporting detailed information on suspected cases of trafficking, conducting undercover operations in establishments thought to be fronts for TIP, providing support for victims of trafficking, and repatriating victims who are found to be trafficked in the Caribbean.

“The Ministry continues to be committed to leveraging every resource available to confront this threat, to support the victims and hold the traffickers accountable.

We have made tremendous

strides in eradicating the criminal network and to help victims rebuild their lives,” Samuels observed.

Probation and Social Services Officer, TIP Unit, Deneise Ralph offered that the training will equip the GDF with the knowledge and skills they need to do something about TIP. “You are frontline officers and you’ll interface with potential victims of trafficking and in so doing, you’ll be able to help. Maybe you might be that person’s only hope of escaping from the traffickers,” she told the participants.

A representative of the GDF expressed gratitude to the Ministry for organising the training sessions that serve as opportunities for sharing and discussing ways of combatting TIP.

NEWS

17

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GWI featherbedding and terminations

“Where is the efficiency?” Minister Rodrigues asks former GWI Managing Director

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues

M

inister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues on Friday slammed former Managing Director of GWI, Richard Van West-Charles who recently justified the overemployment at the entity as a way of bolstering efficiency.

The increase of 700 employees within five years at the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) had resulted in overstaffing, to which the management took a decision to lay off some 157 persons. Van West-Charles, whose services were terminated with the utility company, claimed that the hiring was done to run the company more effectively.

However, Rodrigues pointed out that there was overlapping of functions within the network, putting a heavy financial strain on the company. She noted that

most of these persons were recently hired in the customer service or the clerical divisions – some of which were performing poorly.

“He spoke about the hiring of these employees to make the company run more effectively. I want to put on record that we have said publicly that we are restructuring the company and that in aligning with our strategic plan, we do not have space for these employees because of the overlapping of functions and some of their employment is deemed redundant.”

She added, “The employees that are being terminated were hired as mostly customer service reps and clerks so they’re lower-level employees with no formal training and the customer service representatives were doing a very poor job because clearly they weren’t responding to the needs of customers. There was no benefit in keeping these people and it was putting a heavy financial strain on the company.”

She clarified that the only criteria used in dismissing these persons is “if they were serving the company or not”. Turning her attention to efficiency, the Minister noted that the company, under the leadership of Van West-Charles, was running in a bankrupt stage and issues faced by consumers across the country went unaddressed.

“When we took of-

the expenditure to facilitate the high employment rate was not sustainable. In fact, the costs had moved up from $96 million to $240 million – an increase of 140 per cent.

To compound the issue, the CEO highlighted that the productivity ratio has seen negative figures. He

Former Managing Director of GWI, Dr Richard Van West-Charles

fice in August 2020, GWI was bankrupt. The former Managing Director, Van West-Charles was operating GWI as through it was his personal bank account. The company owed $6 billion to GPL that had accrued under his leadership. We have already made public, several examples of massive fraud that we have unearthed at GWI. There was exorbitant renting of buildings. There was the Region Five office scandal…Minor leaks in 2020 was 8000. Today, it’s just over 100. Outstanding service applications was over 5000. Today, we’ve reduced that to 500. So, where is the effectiveness or efficiency that Van West-Charles is talking about? I don’t know what he’s talking about.”

Last week, Chief Executive Officer of GWI, Shaik Baksh posited that

Suspected bandit shot, accomplice escapes during high-speed chase with Police

A

The suspected bandit who was shot

n alleged bandit was shot on Thursday afternoon while his alleged accomplice managed to escape during a high-speed chase and shoot-out with Police in Queenstown, Georgetown.

While Police have not issued an official statement on this incident, Guyana Times

was informed that the two men were seen

by Police officers on a motorcycle, and as the ranks approached them, one of the suspects opened fire, and they both subsequently fled the scene.

In return, the Police ranks opened fire and gave the men a chase through the Queenstown area.

This publication was told that during the chase, Police Officers shot and injured one of the alleged bandits, and they lost control of the motorcycle which slammed into a parked car. The two bandits reportedly fell onto the roadway.

Eyewitnesses explained that due to the gunshot wound one of the men received, he was unable to run while his accomplice fled the scene, leaving him behind.

A video seen by this publication showed a group of Police Officers surrounding the suspect and placing him in handcuffs.

Even though the suspect was injured, he was seen trying to resist Police arrest. He was then lifted out of a bushy area by Police and placed on a bridge, where he was heard crying out for pains.

After being placed into the back of the Police vehicle, the suspect was heard pleading with persons on the scene not to video him. “Boss man, Boss y’all move all the camera nah man,” the suspect cried.

It is alleged that the men were about to rob a business in the area when they were spotted by Police.

added that the entire apparatus of the agency is under review to increase productivity and cut costs. These persons were terminated in accordance with the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act. Baksh, who had inherited the utility company in

a poor financial state last year, had managed to reduce debts to suppliers from $800 million to $260 million from September to December 2020. By the end of December 2020 compared to the previous year, revenue also improved by over $1 billion.

CDC engages UN bodies on flood response support

CDC Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig

R

epresentatives of the United Nations (UN) offices in Guyana on Friday engaged a technical team from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to better understand the flood situation and explore possible areas of cooperation.

The virtual meeting chaired by UN Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka, was attended by representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF)

and the International Office for Migration (IOM).

CDC’s Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig said the team discussed how the UN can offer support in data management and technology through the use of satellite images to better understand the geographical impact of water levels.

CDC’s Senior Preparedness Officer, Captain Lakshman Persaud said the intention is to use Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping with satellite imagery to provide real-time information on the impact of the flood in affected communities since this will assist in accessing remote communities in Regions 1, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

The Director General also explored the possibility of the UN supporting the conduct of a socio-economic impact assessment of the flood in the recovery stage. Meanwhile, IOM has offered its commitment to provide support as it relates to the tracking and monitoring of displaced persons in severely affected communities.

Over the past week, the CDC has distributed over 2000 hampers to residents

UN Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka

affected by the flooding across Guyana. Only last week, the body revealed that while several regions across the country experienced severe flooding as a result of the intense downpours, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were the hardest hit.

In Kwakwani, Region 10, houses were completely submerged by the floodwaters thus forcing residents to evacuate. In Black Bush Polder, Region Six, livestock have died and farms are inundated. To date, the CDC is making every effort to reach out to those who are affected.

Labourer remanded over knife-point robbery

A

27-year-old labourer who is no stranger to the law was remanded to prison on an armed robbery charge.

Calvin Belgrave, a labourer of Bent Street, Georgetown, was arraigned before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on June 1, 2021, at Hadfield Street, Georgetown, while being armed with a knife, he robbed Charles Gill of one black Motorola cell phone valued $7000 and $7000 in cash. Belgrave returns to court on July 16, 2021.

Back in 2018, Belgrave

Remanded: Calvin Belgrave

was remanded on a similar charge. It was alleged that on November 2, 2018, at Brickdam and Cornhill Streets, Georgetown, while

being in the company of others and armed with a knife, he robbed Delon Anderson of a Samsung cell phone valued $45,000 along with $2000.

According to facts presented to the court, on the day in question, Anderson was standing on the road when he observed Belgrave and some other men standing nearby. Belgrave approached Anderson and begged him for $100. But when the man told him he had no money, Belgrave reportedly whipped out a knife from his pocket and relieved the man of his valuables.

Anderson reported the matter to the Police and later pointed out Belgrave in an ID parade.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021

Regional

Brazil asks industry to save electricity With over 80,000 dead, Argentines struggle under as drought saps hydro power weight of COVID-19 B

T

he South American country is engulfed in a second wave of the virus that started in mid-February and is pushing hospitals close to saturation point and its citizens to despair.

By late on Friday, Argentina had confirmed 80,411 deaths among its 45 million citizens from the disease, with a total 3.9 million cases.

At present it ranks the third-highest in the world for average daily cases, with more total recorded per capita cases than regional giant Brazil.

The Government has struggled to find a balance between lockdowns and keeping the already embattled economy going, as well as driving a vaccine campaign that was slow to start and medics say won’t manage to drive down infection rates for several months.

“I think deaths could have been avoided if the Government had focused more on vaccines and if people had respected the lockdowns more,” said student

An employee checking the temperature of a woman at the entrance to a school amid a rise in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, April 19, 2021

Martina Dawin, 17.

Others however, think the Government’s priority should have been shielding people from more economic hardship after three straight years of recession.

Argentina is inoculating its citizens against COVID-19 with Russia’s Sputnik V vaccines, the AstraZeneca jab developed with Oxford University and Chinese-made Sinopharm.

Since the campaign started on Christmas Eve last

year, the country has carried out 13.4 million inoculations, though only around 3 million people have received the full double dose.

Argentina’s Health Minister Carla Vizzotti insisted that although the number of deaths remained alarming, the decline in the number of over 60s, who received vaccines first, among them was a sign the country was moving in the right direction. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Violence eclipses upcoming midterm elections in Mexico

W

ith campaigning finished as Mexico’s midterm elections approach, many hope the bloodshed is over in what experts have described as one of the bloodiest election seasons in recent history.

According to Etellekt, a security consultancy firm, at least 89 politicians, including 35 candidates, have been killed in more than 200 days of campaigning. Separately, the firm registered 782 attacks against politicians and candidates, ranging from verbal threats and intimidation to beatings, property damage, kidnappings, at-

tacks on family members and abuse of authority.

Of these, 75 per cent were against Opposition politicians and candidates of the Governments where the offences were committed.

Seventy-five per cent of the politicians that were killed were also members of opposition parties.

“What will mark this election is the violence that arose mainly against opponents of State Governments or the municipalities,” Etellekt Director Ruben Salazar told Al Jazeera.

“It must also be said that 44 per cent of the 89 fatalities were part of the Opposition

coalition against the Federal Government. In sum, what we are witnessing here is political violence, where being part of the Opposition implies [you will be] at greater risk in this country.”

The elections on June 6, considered the largest in the country’s history, will determine 15 of the 32 state governorships, a new lower house of Congress and thousands of mayoral and local legislator posts – more than 20,000 positions in all, according to Mexico’s National Electoral Institute (INE). Nearly 95 million people are eligible to vote. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

razil’s Mines and Energy Ministry met with industry representatives on Friday to discuss how large electricity consumers can reduce demand to ease pressure on the grid resulting from Brazil’s worst drought in 92 years.

The drought threatens electricity generation, which depends heavily on hydroelectric plants, and could hamper wider economic growth this year.

A senior Economy Ministry official said on Friday the energy crisis has also been exacerbated by “structural” problems, making the planned privatisation of state power giant Eletrobras all the more ur-

gent.

In a statement, the Mines and Energy Ministry said it will lead efforts aimed at “emergency and structural solutions” for what experts say will be “demand response” measures.

According to the Ministry, the Brazilian Association of Infrastructure and Basic Industries (Abdib) proposed “a plan that will help industry’s capacity to respond, and increase its energy efficiency actions,” according to the ministry.

Abrace, a group representing large electricity consuming industrial sectors, “stressed the importance of seeking voluntary mechanisms” to reduce demand

Colombia to restart large events as COVID-19 deaths climb past 90,000

C

olombia on Thursday approved the reopening of most large events it had banned to contain the pandemic, even with intensive care units likely to be full until the end of June and more than 90,000 dead from COVID-19.

The South American country has gradually loosened many restrictions imposed in March last year to control the spread of coronavirus and rolled back others for certain locations on Thursday, though medical staff expect cases to remain high.

“Right now, what we are proposing is a safe reopening with conditions that allow us to move gradually, as vaccina-

tion grows and as cities move past this third peak,” Health Minister Fernando Ruiz said in a statement, adding a fourth peak is possible.

Cities with ICU occupancy rates above 85 per cent will continue to see some restrictions, Ruiz said, but other areas will be allowed to bring back events like concerts and sports matches, with audiences capped at 25 per cent capacity. All three of Colombia’s biggest cities, the capital Bogota, Medellin and Cali have ICU occupancy rates above 96 per cent.

A measure which required international travellers to present a negative PCR test

S

Delia Vazquez and her daughter Joseline pose for a photograph inside their home in Chota, Peru, June 2, 2021

roll-outs, Latin America is still in the tight grip of

COVID-19 with daily cases and deaths in the region top-

to enter Colombia will be suspended and in-person classes for preschool through university will restart from July 15 after staff are vaccinated.

The decision came the same day the Health Ministry reported a total of 90,353 COVID-19 deaths. Thursday also saw a new daily death record of 545 and a new high of 28,624 daily reported infections.

Colombia has so far administered more than 10.6 million vaccine doses, including 3.3 million second doses, as part of its plan to vaccinate more than 35 million people this year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US vaccine pledge brings hope to T&T

T

he United States announced on Thursday it will give six million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Latin America and the Caribbean, bringing new hope for an increased number of vaccines coming to our shores.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley was one of four national leaders to speak with US Vice President Kamala

Harris about the donation, in his capacity as Caricom chairman.

The exact amount that will come to T&T is not yet known.

The US Government’s Fact Sheet on the donation said the six million vaccines, comprising mostly Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson, will be shared between Brazil, Argentina,

In Peru’s hinterland, a town battles world’s worst COVID-19 outbreak et among green hills in Peru’s rural north, the town of Chota is close to collapse under the weight of COVID-19 as the Andean nation battles the world’s deadliest outbreak of the virus.

Chota is grappling with raging infections, sharpened by a lack of intensive care unit beds and medical resources. It is on Peru’s “extreme alert” list along with a handful of other rural provinces - all far from wealthy urban centres.

As developed countries from the United States to Europe edge back towards normality with fast vaccine

“without affecting competitiveness”, the Ministry said.

Separately on Friday, special secretary to the Economy Ministry Adolfo Sachsida said the worst drought in almost a century poses an increasing threat to growth this year.

In an online event hosted by the northern state of Ceara’s planning secretariat, Sachsida said the energy problems were also being exacerbated by “structural” issues.

Privatising Eletrobras, the largest electricity company in Latin America, will attract private sector investment and reduce these structural risks, he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ping global charts.

Peru this week almost tripled its official death toll to over 180,000 using revised figures, making it by far the highest in the world per capita and underscoring the havoc the virus has wreaked on the resource-rich continent.

Chota, a town of some 40,000 people in the region of Cajamarca, is reached on roads, at times unpaved, that snake through lush hills. The nearest ICU bed is a threehour drive away.

“This is the worst moment. Many people have died,” Daniel Idrogo, the Secretary General of the local Chota Government, told

Reuters. “The hospital has collapsed.”

Outside that hospital, desperate relatives begged for better care as family members waited inside.

Chances of getting a ventilator were slim, and ICU beds were non-existent. Even the nearest centres that have them are 96 per cent occupied, OpenCovid Peru data show.

The overall death toll in Chota is unclear but Feliciano Altamirano Guevara, a Catholic priest in the town, said around half a dozen Masses a day are being celebrated for the dead or ill. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, Bolivia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Haiti, and other Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries, as well as the Dominican Republic.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley did not respond to questions on this issue. His office, however, issued a statement, acknowledging that he met with Harris.

It said: “Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago and Chairman of Caricom, Dr the Hon Keith Rowley, held a telephone conference meeting with Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris today (Thursday, June 3, 2021). This is the very latest in a series of high-level contacts which the Chairman of Caricom, Prime Minister Rowley has been having with high-level officials of the US Administration in recent weeks.” Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne assured that the Prime Minister “will convey the specifics in due course”.

“Once all the details have been provided by the US Administration,” Browne said. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil hits 2-year high on OPEC+ discipline, demand hopes

O

il extended gains on Friday, with Brent topping US$72 a barrel for the first time since 2019, as OPEC+ supply discipline and recovering demand countered concerns about a patchy COVID-19 vaccination rollout around the globe.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies on Tuesday said they would stick to agreed supply restraints. A weekly supply report on Thursday showed US crude inventories dropped more than expected last week.

Oil extended gains after US figures showed nonfarm payrolls increased by 559,000 jobs last month. The US dollar weakened after the report, making oil cheaper for holders of other currencies and lending support to oil prices.

Brent crude rose 58 cents, or 0.8 per cent, to settle at US$71.89 a barrel, after touching US$72.17, its highest since May 2019.

US West Texas Intermediate crude rose 81 cents, or 1.2 per cent, to settle at US$69.62. The session high was US$69.76, its highest since October 2018.

Oil prices drifted higher after US energy firms this week cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating, for the first time in six weeks, data from energy services firm Baker Hughes showed.

"After much dilly-dallying, Brent appears to have found a new home above US$70," said Stephen Brennock of oil broker PVM. "Summer and the reopening of the global economy is bullish for oil demand in the second half of the year."

Brent rose about 3 per cent on the week while US crude notched gains of nearly 5 per cent. It is the second week of gains for both contracts.

Also boosting oil this week was a slowdown in talks between the United States and Iran over Tehran's nuclear programme, which reduced expectations of a return of Iranian oil supply.

"Energy markets are locked in on Iran nuclear talks that should pick up next week," Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA said.

"The fifth round of negotiations will heat up next week and that should keep oil prices supported as Tehran will stick to their red lines for restoring the nuclear deal."

Meanwhile, US crude output is likely to grow more slowly than expected as shale producers have added only a limited number of extra rigs to boost production, opting to push for higher prices and profits instead.

While rising demand and the fast pace of vaccinations in countries such as the United States have boosted oil, a slower inoculation rollout and high infections in the likes of Brazil and India are hitting demand in high-growth oil markets.

"Not every country in the world is on a full recovery mode yet, but at the moment no hiccup seems able to reverse the bullish momentum ushered in by strong summer demand," Rystad Energy's oil markets analyst Louise Dickson said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Putin plans to offer vaccinations to visiting foreigners for a fee

R

ussia may provide coronavirus vaccinations for a fee to foreigners who travel to the country, President Vladimir Putin told an economic forum on Friday, as Moscow seeks to enhance its global reputation with its Sputnik V vaccine.

Addressing the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin said many people are coming to Russia to get a shot.

"I am asking the Government to study this issue in full by the end of the month, to establish conditions for foreign citizens to get vaccinated in our country for a fee," he said without providing more detail.

The Russian vaccine has been approved by 66 nations and is under review both by the World Health Organisation and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Approval by

in many developed countries.

The Health Minister said last week around 17 million of Russia's 144 million people had received at least one dose.

Those attending the conference were required to have coronavirus tests and wear masks and gloves. Moscow pitches the gathering as the Russian version of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Many other big global events were either cancelled or moved onRussian President Vladimir Putin delivering a speech during a session of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in Saint Petersburg, Russia, June 4, 2021

the latter agency is required for use in the European Union.

The pace of vaccination in Russia has been slower than

Hong Kong Police out in force to prevent Tiananmen commemoration

T

housands of Police were deployed in Hong Kong on Friday and the organiser of the territory’s now-banned annual vigil of China’s Tiananmen Square crackdown arrested, as the authorities tried to prevent people from gathering for any kind of remembrance of the events of 1989.

Hong Kong usually holds a mass vigil to remember those killed when soldiers stormed the square, which was packed with protesters calling for democracy, but Police have banned the events for the past two years blaming the coronavirus pandemic.

This year is the first to be held since China imposed national security legislation on Hong Kong that punishes anything Beijing deems subversion, secession, “terrorism” or collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison.

Police have not clarified whether commemorating the

crackdown, which has been all but erased from history in the mainland, will breach the law, but in a statement late on Thursday said any gathering posed “considerable threats to the public health and lives” and warned that those taking part in “unauthorised assemblies” could face as many as five years in prison.

Some 7000 officers will conduct stop-and-search operations throughout the day, public broadcaster RTHK reported, citing unnamed sources.

Hong Kong was promised political and civic freedoms unknown on the mainland when it was returned to Chinese rule in 1997, but since the National Security Law was imposed nearly a year ago, dozens of activists and pro-democracy politicians, including popularly elected legislators, have been arrested and some jailed.

Others have gone into exile.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Facebook suspends Trump's accounts for 2 years

F

acebook Inc has suspended former US President Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts for two years.

He was barred indefinitely from both sites in January in the wake of posts he made on the US Capitol riots, but last month Facebook's Oversight Board criticised the open-ended penalty.

Facebook said Trump's actions were "a severe violation of our rules".

Trump said the move was "an insult" to the millions who voted for him in last year's presidential election.

Facebook's move comes as the social media giant is

The move by Facebook allows Trump to return to the platform before the 2024 presidential election

also ending a policy shielding politicians from some content moderation rules.

It said that it would no

longer give politicians immunity for deceptive or abusive content based on their comments being newsworthy.

Trump's ban was effective from the date of the initial suspension on January 7, Facebook's Vice President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg said in a post.

"Given the gravity of the circumstances that led to Trump's suspension, we believe his actions constituted a severe violation of our rules which merit the highest penalty available," it added.

"If we determine that there is still a serious risk to public safety, we will ex-

tend the restriction for a set period of time and continue to re-evaluate until that risk has receded."

On his return, Trump will be held to "a strict set of rapidly escalating sanctions," for any violations, Clegg's statement noted.

Facebook says public figures who violate its rules by inciting unrest or violence will be suspended for a month or, in more serious cases, up to two years.

It comes as part of an effort to undo a previous policy of allowing newsworthy political speech despite a potential that it may cause harm. (Excerpt from BBC News)

line amid the pandemic.

Attended by a couple thousand people, the SPIEF is intended to attract foreign investment to Russia, but activity was more subdued this year.

Rosneft, Russia's top oil company, skipped its usual booth, and its CEO, Igor Sechin, decided against running a public panel about the global oil market as he has traditionally done. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Nigeria to suspend Twitter “indefinitely”

N

igeria's Government is suspending Twitter operations in the country "indefinitely", the country's Information Minister has announced.

The ban is due to "the persistent use of the platform for activities... capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence", a statement said.

Twitter said the announcement on Friday was "deeply concerning".

It comes just days after a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari was removed for breaching the site's rules.

The statement from the Nigerian Government did not mention the row over the removed tweet.

But Information Minister Lai Mohammed previously criticised the US social media giant's decision to take it down, calling it "double standards".

The site removed a tweet

sent by Nigeria's 78-yearold President on June 1.

It referred to the 1967-70 Nigerian Civil War and to treating "those misbehaving today" in "the language they will understand".

A Twitter spokesperson said at the time that the post "was in violation of the Twitter Rules".

And in a statement on Friday, the company - which announced its new African headquarters would be based in neighbouring Ghana last month - has said it was "investigating and will provide updates when we know more" about the Nigerian ban. Twitter was still working in Nigeria on Friday evening.

The Government gave no details on how the ban would work in practice, or any explanation of how Twitter had undermined Nigeria's corporate existence. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Rich states haven't done enough for the environment, Pakistan PM says

T

he world's richest countries have not done enough to combat global warming, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday, adding his country had done more than any other in the world to combat rising emissions relative to its economic means.

Pakistan, this year's host of the United Nations' annual World Environment Day on June 5, is among the countries worst affected by climate change, having been regularly hit by devastating floods in recent years, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and destroying swathes of agricultural land.

This year's World Environment Day will serve as the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, calling for urgent action to revive damaged ecosystems.

Under Khan, Pakistan has undertaken a number of restoration projects, includ-

ing a 10 billion tree-planting drive. This week Khan planted the billionth tree in that drive.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) said in a report released on Friday that over the last five years Pakistan had experienced an environmental turnaround after years of decline in its natural capital, but added more needed to be done.

Khan said developing countries like Pakistan had done "more than enough" to combat global warming and climate change despite having limited budgets and an array of problems to deal with such as in education and health.

Aside from ecological restoration projects, Pakistan has also recently become active on the global green finance market, looking to access finance for environmentally friendly projects and decrease its reliance on fossil fuels. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Concentrate on personal changes that make you feel and look your best. Start a routine geared toward fitness and a proper diet.

Engage in activities that build strength, confidence and courage.

A change of plans will TAURUS turn in your favor. Broaden (April 20- your horizons. Get involved in May 20) something that will make you feel good about the contributions you make in your community.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

Reconsider your work ethic and strategy. Don't hesitate to make changes to the way you look or how you do things. Groom yourself for success.

A change of plans will restrict you if you buy into what someone is doing instead of taking the path that offers you peace of mind and personal control. Rely on your intelligence.

Focus on what you can do LEO to improve your health and (July 23overall well-being. Look for a Aug. 22) unique way to spend time that will bring you peace of mind and increased physical endurance.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

You'll accomplish what you set out to do if you take action.

Less talk will help you avoid interference. Listen to your heart; let your emotions carry you in a direction that suits your needs.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Pay attention to what others are offering. Verify the information provided, then proceed in a direction that puts your mind at ease. Protect against health risks. Socialize safely.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Listen to the lessons of experience, and you'll avoid making a financial mistake.

Look at your assets and consider the best way to use what you have to improve your lifestyle.

Don't be fooled by what SAGITTARIUS others do or say when it's (Nov. 23your needs that are importDec. 21) ant. Show discipline when dealing with money, health and situations that are dependent on group unity.

You'll flock to people who

CAPRICORN are fast-paced and live life to (Dec. 22the fullest. Reconnect with Jan. 19) old friends to discover a new way to achieve satisfaction and gratitude. Focus on enlightenment.

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

Look around you, and you'll come up with ideas that will add to your home's comfort and convenience. Put things in order and set up designated spaces for the projects you want to pursue.

Take your mind off what troubles you. Engage in pas(Feb. 20times with people you enjoy.

March 20) Safe socializing will lift your spirits and encourage you to make some healthy lifestyle decisions.

PISCES

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021

21

ICC’s 100% Cricket Future Leaders Programme…

ICC announces names of West Indians selected for mentoring

F

orty women from 29 ICC member countries have been selected for mentoring as part of the ICC’s 100% Cricket Future Leaders Programme, which is designed to support emerging female talent in cricket.

The programme, part of the ICC’s long-term commitment to accelerating the growth of women’s cricket and women in cricket, has received an overwhelming response of more than 300

applicants from 45 different countries.

The initial intake would be split into two batches, and the programme - which has been designed to address the low percentage of women in leadership positions in global cricket, and to build a pipeline of new female leaders in cricket - would get underway with batch one beginning this month.

La Donna Williams, CWI’s Digital Manager, and

Senior Sports Administrator Amanda Reifer

Amanda Reifer, a senior sports administrator, have

Singapore Grand Prix cancelled

– as Formula 1 bosses assess replacement options

T

he Singapore Grand Prix has been called off this year, and Formula 1 is assessing its options to replace the race, BBC Sport has revealed.

F1 and the Singapore authorities have agreed it would not be possible to hold the event in the context of immigration restrictions in the city state.

Other races slated for later in 2021 could also fall prey to the coronavirus pandemic.

Turkey, China, and a second race at Austin in the USA are all under consideration as a replacement for the Singapore Grand Prix.

F1 has declined to comment specifically on the cancellation of Singapore, which had been scheduled for the weekend of 1-3 October.

A spokesperson has said: “We continue to work with all promoters during this fluid time, and have plenty of options to adapt, if needed.”

Singapore is one of the countries that have managed the pandemic and kept infections low by strict immigration restrictions and a comprehensive test-and-trace system. However, authorities in Singapore have decided their control measures are not compatible with thousands of people coming into the country for a grand prix.

What could replace Singapore?

One option being considered by F1 as a replacement for the Singapore Grand Prix is a race at Turkey’s Istanbul Park.

Turkey had been scheduled as a substitute for the

Canadian Grand Prix this month, but had to be cancelled two weeks after it was put on the calendar when a rise in coronavirus cases in that country led to it being put on the UK’s red list of restricted countries.

A revival of the Chinese Grand Prix, which was postponed from its early-season date this year, is also possible.

And F1 has been offered the option by the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas to hold two races. If that happens, the first race would likely be on 15-17 October, the weekend before the US Grand Prix, which is on 22-24 October.

This would be an especially appealing option for F1’s owners, US group Liberty Media.

Which other races are in doubt?

Although F1 is still targeting a full 23-race calendar, the Japanese, Brazilian, Mexican and Australian Grands Prix are all in doubt for different reasons.

Japan is pressing ahead with the Olympics this summer, despite a rise in COVID cases that has led to emergency measures being imposed in the capital Tokyo and in other parts of the country.

Organisers at Suzuka currently expect the race to go ahead, but would undertake a full assessment once the Olympics are over.

Mexico and Brazil in particular have caseloads of the coronavirus that are among the highest in the world, but are determined to hold their races, believing they can pro-

tect F1 personnel by keeping them away from the local population through allocation of specific hotels and organising communal transport to and from the track.

However, if either country were to be put on the UK’s red list, it would make holding a race there highly problematic.

Australia, like Singapore, has taken a zero-tolerance approach to the pandemic by imposing heavy restrictions on travel. The plan for the Melbourne race is for personnel who are vaccinated to be allowed into the country for the race, and be able to escape full-time quarantine at hotels when not at the track.

However, the concern is around what would happen if there was a positive case among F1 personnel while they are out in Australia.

At the moment, one positive case in Melbourne has precipitated a city-wide lockdown, and F1 is concerned that a case in the paddock which so far this season has been handled by the sport’s protocols around isolation would lead to authorities calling off the race.

F1 would likely want reassurances on that front before committing to travelling to Australia.

Vaccinations are also likely to become an issue at an increasing number of races as the season goes on. The sport has known for months that some locations would require vaccines, and is tracking the numbers in the teams and F1 who have them. (Adapted from BBC Sport)

been named among the recipients.

Williams has said: “I am truly excited and honoured to be placed in the inaugural edition of the ICC’s 100% Cricket Future Leaders Programme. I look forward to being mentored

by Gemma Davies, who’s extensively experienced in the field of Digital Content and Communications. As her mentee, I plan to glean from her, and apply these insights to our operations at Cricket West Indies.”

And Reifer has said: “I am extremely humbled and excited to be selected as a mentee for the ICC 100% Cricket Future Leaders Programme.

I want to thank CWI for endorsing my application. I intend to make full use of this opportunity to share all that I will learn to the benefit of West Indies cricket.”

Commenting on the announcement, Claire Furlong, General Manager, Marketing and Communications, has said: “The response from the

CWI's Digital Manager La Donna Williams

global cricket community and all of our member boards has been fantastic. We received an overwhelming number of applications from 45 countries, spanning all five ICC regions.

The first two batches reflect the diversity of our regions and their areas of focus, and all have received outstanding endorsements from their respective member boards.

“The next six months will be incredibly exciting, and we look forward to a productive learning experience for our mentees.”

About 100% Cricket Future Leaders Programme The application is open to all female future leaders of Cricket to apply, and each selectee would be matched with a mentor to support their development growth.

The role of a mentor is to unlock their mentee’s poten-

tial, and help them to be at their best. This could include being a confidential sounding-board in providing advice, guidance, and connections to reach their potential.

The philosophy of the 100% Cricket Future Leaders Programme is to be participant-led, with the ICC acting in support to match the mentees with suitable mentors, and provide guidelines and evaluation frameworks for the participants, and opportunities to network and interact.

The programme would last for a period of six months, and includes a kick-off workshop with Belinda Clark, followed by monthly check-ins and a three-month review, with the mentees and mentors agreeing the frequency and method of communication. (Adapted from Windies Cricket)

NBA playoffs 2021…

The sun has set on the Lakers’ season

D

– as Booker’s Phoenix eliminate champs

evin Booker put on a show, as the Phoenix Suns eliminated LeBron James and NBA champions the Los Angeles Lakers from the playoffs en route to the Western Conference semi-finals.

The sun set on the Lakers’ season and their title defence in the opening round after Booker’s playoff career-high 47 points and 11 rebounds guided Phoenix to a 113-100 win in Game 6 on Thursday.

Booker’s monster double-double, which included eight three-pointers, sealed a 4-2 series victory for the second-seeded Suns in the Western Conference, as they moved through to the semi-finals.

Suns’ All-Star Booker became the first Phoenix player with a 40/10 playoff game since Amar’e Stoudemire in 2010, though he is the first to do it with five-plus threes.

The Lakers welcomed the Suns to Staples Center for the must-win showdown in Los Angeles, where star Anthony Davis had been cleared to return from a groin injury.

According to Stats Perform, the Lakers were 8-2 in home games when fac-

ing playoff elimination since 2000, but their hopes were dealt a blow when Davis’s comeback lasted just five minutes.

The Suns, who were 8-1 in potential series-clinching games since 2000, with their only loss coming against the Clippers in Game 6 in 2006, blew away the Lakers with a 36-14 opening quarter on the road.

Phoenix carried a 60-41 advantage into half-time, and while James tried to spark a Lakers’ rally with 29 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two blocks, it was not enough.

A four-time NBA champion and MVP, it is the first time James has been eliminated in the opening round of the post-season in his illustrious 15-year playoff career.

The nuggets advance

Next up for the Suns are the Denver Nuggets, who claimed their series 4-2 following a 126-115 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers.

MVP favourite Nikola Jokic fuelled the third-seeded Nuggets with 36 points in Portland, where Michael Porter Jr. had 22 of his 26 points in the opening quarter.

The Nuggets have reached the Western Conference semis for the third consecutive season, while Damian Lillard put up 28 points and 13 assists for the Trail Blazers – who led by 14 points in the third quarter, but could not hold on. (Adapted from Sportsmax)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FIBA’s mid-term congress…

– in line with Women in Basketball strategy

T

he FIBA mid-term congress took place virtually today - a first for FIBA - from the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball, and brought together delegates from 161 national federations.

The Guyana Basketball Federation (GABF) was represented by GABF Secretary General Patrick Haynes (1st delegate) via Zoom videoconferencing, while GABF VP of Marketing and Public Relations, Alex Graham (2nd delegate), joined the livestream session.

Online for the mid-term congress were FIBA’s central board members, FIBA’s executive directors from the five regional offices, and the chairs of the FIBA Commissions.

Delegates heard reports on FIBA’s activities since August 2019, when the XXI FIBA Congress took place in Beijing, China. FIBA President Hamane Niang and FIBA Secretary General

Andreas Zagklis both addressed the congress, as did FIBA Treasurer Ingo Weiss and FIBA Foundation Director Florian Wanninger.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach also shared a message with the congress, along with International Olympic Committee Sports Director Kit McConnell and the FIBA Foundation President Horacio Muratore.

During FIBA President Hamane Niang’s address to the congress, he said: “Since March 2020, FIBA has made significant efforts to support the basketball community as best it can, despite an unfavourable environment for playing our sport. In addition to all these efforts, we wanted to continue our action on behalf of you, our members.

“Over the next two years, we will continue our work, based on the strategic objectives that we defined together at the last Congress,

GABF Secretary General Patrick Haynes and FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis

grounding ourselves in the principles of unity and solidarity that have helped us so much during this pandemic.”

The mid-term congress voted to adopt a new version of the FIBA General Statutes, with key amendments aiming to further gender guidelines in line with FIBA’s Women in Basketball strategy, clarify the possibility of holding official meetings by vid-

eoconferences, and confirm that electronic forms of basketball, in particular esports, fall within FIBA’s scope. Other revisions to the General Statutes were also approved during the congress.

The congress also voted to approve the proposal of the Central Board to expel the Peru Basketball Federation (FDPB) according to Article 10.6 of the FIBA General Statutes.

Pakistan announces squads for Tour of West Indies – Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah earn Test recall

M

ohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah have been recalled to the Pakistan Test squad for their series against the West Indies, in which Pakistan would play two Test matches in the Caribbean in August.

Seamer Abbas, who has 84 Test wickets at an impressive average of 22.80, had been dropped for the series against South Africa and Zimbabwe, but the 31-year-old has been rewarded for his productive spell with Hampshire in the County Championship.

Eighteen-year-old paceman Naseem has also been recalled, after struggling with a back injury for much of 2020.

Tabish Khan and Salman Ali Agha are not included in the 21-man squad, which is led by captain Babar Azam, and the involvement of Yasir Shah is subject to his fitness.

Pakistan would also play five T20I matches against the West Indies,

with that tour being preceded by three ODIs and as many T20Is against England.

Wicketkeeper Azam Khan has made the T20I squad for the first time, while Imad Wasim is also included. Haris Sohail and Saud Shakeel are back in the 50-over group, after regaining their fitness.

“We have remained consistent in our selection, and (have) kept the same corps of cricketers who have been in the setup for a while,” Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim has said. “This is an extremely important and critical tour for Pakistan, as we will be playing the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League ODIs against England, as well as the T20Is against England and the West Indies as part of our preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. “The Jamaica Test will count towards the ICC World Test Championship.

As such, keeping in view the above, and in consultation

with Captain Babar Azam and Head Coach Misbahul-Haq, we have tried our best to maintain the winning combinations, but, at the same time, (have) recalled four experienced players and rewarded uncapped Azam Khan for his domestic performance, while also giving him the required confidence for the future challenges.

“Mohammad Abbas has regained his form; Naseem Shah and Haris Sohail have reclaimed the required fitness standards; while Imad Wasim has been recalled, considering the T20 World Cup is likely to be held in the UAE, and he enjoys an excellent record there.”

Test squad:Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Sarfaraz

Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Yasir Shah (subject to fitness), Zahid Mahmood.

ODI squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir.

T20I squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Arshad Iqbal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sharjeel Khan, Usman Qadir. (Sportsmax)

Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Secretary General, gave a comprehensive report on FIBA’s activities, and how FIBA has responded to the pandemic, along with FIBA’s strategic objectives for 2019-2027, focusing on current activities relating to the three strategic priorities for 2019-2023: Empower national federations, Women in Basketball, and enlarge the FIBA family.

Zagklis concluded with

a look to the future at both FIBA’s upcoming lineup of summer events and the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 in Australia.

The FIBA Secretary General said: “We [also] learned that there are advantages coming out of difficult situations, and that FIBA and the national federations have displayed a tremendous operational and execution capacity.”

Zagklis concluded his report by saying: “We should feel empowered by the achievements and the strength of the basketball family, and look forward to our activities that will take our strategic goals even further.”

This was the second midterm congress of FIBA. The first was held in Hong Kong in 2017. The FIBA Mid-Term Activity Report 2019-2021, a supporting document of the FIBA mid-term congress, is available locally.

CWI names 17-man provisional squad for Betway Test Series against South Africa

T

he Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel has named a provisional 17-man squad as preparations continue for the upcoming Betway Test Series against South Africa, but the squad is expected to be further cut down to 13 official members on Monday, June 7.

The two-match Betway Test Series, in which the Sir Vivian Richards Trophy will be contested, will be played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia on June 1014 and June 18-22.

These are the final matches in the current cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, and both teams would be trying to finish

higher in the final Championship table.

Fast bowler Chemar Holder is unavailable due to injury, while 19-year-old fast bowler Jayden Seales is a first-time inclusion in the West Indies provisional squad for a Test Series. The selectors have also revealed that four (4) other young fast bowlers: Keon Harding, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley and Nial Smith, would remain in St Lucia to assist the Test squad with their preparations.

(Adapted from Windies Cricket)

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Guyana out of the running for 2022 World Cup – following 3-0 loss to St Kitts & Nevis

By Jemima Holmes

I

f Guyana had any hope of making it to the FIFA World Cup in 2022, that hope may now be a bridge too far, following their crushing loss to St Kitts and Nevis on Friday afternoon.

In competing against the host team at Warner Park in St Kitts, Head Coach Marcio Maximo again opted for a 9:2 international to local ratio for the starting XI. Captain Matthew Briggs, Liam Gordon, Terrence Vancooten and Miguel Scarlett manned the back line; Bayli SpencerAdams, Daniel Wilson, Pernell Schultz and Stephen Duke- McKenna commanded the middle, with Omari Glasgow also hanging back.

Upfront was Keanu Marsh Browne by his lone self, and Kai McKenzie- Lyle was given another chance at being custo-

dian of the goal.

Contrary to what they might have planned for themselves, the Golden Jaguars had a nightmare start, with a foul in the box in the 8th minute. This led to a penalty, taken by St Kitts player Keithroy Freeman, who was right on the money with a shot that escaped McKenzie-Lyle’s reach.

From that moment, Guyana buckled down in hopes of restricting the home team; but while this may have worked for a few fleeting minutes, Keithroy Freeman returned to play villain in Guyana’s fairytale. The Kittitian caught the defense lapsing in the 35th minute, and connected a lucky shot with the back of the net to register the hosts’ second goal.

The remaining minutes of the first segment went quietly, as the Golden Jaguars worked on their possession and con-

trol.

At the opening of the second segment, Coach Maximo opted for two immediate changes, which saw Trayon Bobb entering in Omari Glasgow’s place, and Job Caesar getting a ‘run’ in place of Spencer-Adams. These changes had no effect on the complexion of the game, as St Kitts went on to net their third and final goal.

A coordinated play from the dual-island team got them between the corner and goal, and professional player Romaine Sawyers was patiently waiting smack in front of the 18-yard box.

The West Bromwich Albion (Premier League Club) player hadn’t much to do but fire a direct shot, again catching McKenzie-Lyle off guard in the 67th.

Maximo’s instantaneous response to that goal was sub-

stituting Duke-McKenna with Kelsey Benjamin in the 69th minute. Five minutes later, Osafa Simpson had his Senior Men’s National Team debut when he was brought on in place of Pernell Schultz.

Hetmyers’ Trust Fund to distribute $3M worth of food hampers

– BCB unveils massive developmental programmes for next 4 months

T

he vibrant Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has unveiled major developmental plans for the game in the Ancient County.

This was done after its monthly executive meeting on Tuesday last.

The executives, under the chairmanship of President Hilbert Foster, have approved a number of plans for off-the -field events, as rain and the COVID-19 pandemic continue to affect hosting of the BCB’s massive cricket tournament programmes.

West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer has collaborated with the BCB and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) to donate $3M worth of food hampers to families affected by flooding across the county. Distribution of the much-needed hampers would be done under the Shimron/ Nirvani Hetmyer Berbice Cricket Trust Fund.

The Hetmyers have contacted BCB President/ RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster with the offer to assist, and he readily agreed.

Distribution of the hampers would begin over the weekend. Almost 1000 families are expected to benefit, and Foster has disclosed that the BCB would be using its network of clubs to reach those most affected by widespread flooding that has affected the entire county.

The Hetmyers have said they have complete confidence in the administration of the BCB, and they desire to make a positive difference in the circumstances of those who have been discomfited by the floods.

The BCB had, in 2021, successfully completed the hosting of 19 finals, but another 23 tournaments are

BCB President Hilbert Foster

on hold. Foster has disclosed that hosting of the BCB SemiProfessional League would be postponed until next year because of the pandemic. He explained that, with rollout of the Government’s vaccination programme, he is confident that cricketing competitions can restart later in the year.

However, there would not be enough time to organise the historic tournament.

The Semi-Professional League would involve 12 first-division teams playing in a semi-professional structure, and for the first time ever in Berbice, players would be receiving a stipend for participating in the league, besides attractive prizes that would be on offer.

Foster has said that the BCB would instead concentrate on coaching programmes across the county; the publication of several documents, including its first-ever coaching manual for youth cricketers; the hosting of several mini academies, and assisting clubs/youth cricketers as much as possible.

A coaching panel headed by Level Three Coach Winston Smith would visit West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje and Upper

Corentyne sub-areas to host one-day coaching clinics for a combined 120 youth cricketers, with special emphasis being placed on physical fitness, batting and bowling.

The BCB would also host four different two-day cricket academies across the county during the month of August.

These coaching outreaches would be held under the Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh Coaching Project. The board is also working on obtaining four more cricket pitch covers.

Foster has noted that the BCB already has one cover, but is working to obtain four more, and has already received financial support for one from a friend of Berbice Cricket who is living in Australia. That person has also committed to raising the necessary funds for the other three. When acquired, the covers would be placed with each of the four sub-associations to enable the BCB to host finals and other major matches without fear of the weather.

First division clubs in the county are also expected to receive assistance from the BCB Patron’s Fund, as would dozens of less fortunate youth cricketers. Patron of the BCB, Natural Resources Minister

Vickram Bharrrat, has already committed to making the fund a success during the period July/August.

Moreover, the BCB would be creating history with the publication of two booklets within the next two months.

The first would be a coaching manual for junior cricketers, which would allow them to train alone at home, and allow them to work on their game on a regular basis.

Foster has said that with COVID-19 affecting the gathering of large numbers of players on a regular basis, the booklet - which would be prepared by a panel of highly qualified coaches - would be a major boost to the county’s coaching effort.

The BCB would also be publishing a 30-page booklet that would highlight 100 of the county’s most promising youth cricketers. The main objectives would be to showcase the large pool of talent in the county, and open more opportunities for the players.

Other projects that have been approved by the executive committee are as follows: Tribute to Umpires; Induction of six awardees into the BCB Administrators Hall of Fame; Father of the Year 2021; and establishment of the Michael Ramdeen Trust Fund, under which former Berbice player Kevin Ramdeen would assist a youth cricketer with a bicycle to attend cricket practice and school. This would be done in memory of his late father, Michael Ramdeen, who had been active in cricket administration in Berbice.

Kevin Ramdeen has committed to assisting a youth cricketer with a bicycle on a monthly basis for the rest of the year, and he plans to make this a long-term project.

Osafa brought a sense of urgency to the match by immediately working to effect a successful play for the Golden Jaguars. The 5 home-based Jaguars positioned in the middle did wonders for the team’s possession and attempts at the goal, showing that it may be a combination that had needed to be examined earlier.

In the 81st minute, Simpson made a spirited attempt at the goal from the corner of the box, and it was barely caught by the St Kitts keeper. Guyana got another chance to change the score-line in the 90th minute through Kelsey Benjamin who was primely positioned in front of the goal, and that was only just deflected by the St Kitts keeper.

What is clear, however, is that the home-based Jaguars

need to work on their finishing. If only they had been sharper in that respect, there would have been a different result than the 3-0 finish in St Kitts’ favour.

St Kitts will now remain at the top of Group F with wins from as many games. Puerto Rico are positioned at second with 4 points. Trinidad and Tobago have the same amount of points as Puerto Rico from a win and a draw, but are edged by Puerto Rico on goal difference. Guyana have now lost 2 games, and have only three points in hand, while the Bahamas are yet to win a game.

Guyana’s final Group F game will be played on Tuesday, June 4, against Puerto Rico. The matchup is set to kick off at 4pm local time.

Former BCB President Anil Beharry donates cricket gear to Pomeroon youths

F

ormer Berbice Cricket Board President Anil Beharry has shown his support for the youths of Pomeroon by donating them a quantity of cricket gear.

Beharry, a former Berbice cricketer, recently handed over the donation to Pomeroon Cricket Committee representative Sherman Austin.

Former national youth player Devon Ramnauth, who is chiefly behind development of the game in

Pomeroon, has expressed delight at Beharry’s contribution.

“I [am] extremely delighted and happy to see people have come on board with the donation of cricket gear,” he said. “Recently, an under-15 competition was launched, and this support by Beharry has been timely. I must say this will encourage the youths to play competitive cricket as well,” Ramnauth, founding member of the Region Two Development Cricket League, has said.

SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2021

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

Pg 23

Guyana out of the running for 2022 World Cup – following 3-0 loss to St Kitts & Nevis

–BCB unveils massive developmental programmes for next 4 months

Pg 23

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