Guyana Times - Saturday March 13, 2021

Over 20,000 GWI EBD P12 consumers to benefit from improved water service

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

Issue No. 4586

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021

PRICE

Sophia deadly home invasion

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

“They took the only boy in our family” – sister of murdered 10-Y-0 See story on page 16

President Ali encourages Nation to take COVID-19 vaccine See story on page 3

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday took the jab from heath officials at State House, Main Street, Georgetown

GTA records $98.4B in P11 economic loss due to COVID-19

…75% decrease in international visitors’ arrivals

School girl P17 robbed by armed bandits on way to school MoH takes P14 COVID-19 vaccine to geriatric homes …cases surpass 9000 with 76 new positives

...as ... as Govt continues to explore avenues to acquire additional doses

Former GL&SC Head slapped with “misconduct in public office” charge See story on page 9

— released on $200,000 bail

Fmr Pres Ramotar wins $20M defamation against KN

Page 13

...to also pay $2.4M in costs for oil blocks allegations

Rose Hall Martyrs’ heroism remains ever-present – GAWU Page 17

“Ganja-laden” slippers found at Lusignan P17 Prison

Overseas-based Guyanese found dead on bed P2 Man jailed 18 P17 months for stealing attorney’s car

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Overseas-based Guyanese found dead on bed

A

Police investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the death of Jerol Sooroojnauth, an

overseas-based Guyanese whose body was discovered in his Port Mourant, Berbice, Corentyne home on Thursday.

Based on reports received, the now dead man’s wife found him lying motionlessly on his bed in the wee hours of Thursday.

She immediately raised an alarm and the matter was promptly reported to the Whim Police Station. The man was subsequently taken

to the Port Mourant Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police confirmed that Sooroojnauth and his wife travelled to Guyana on March 1, 2021, to spend some time. His body was taken to Ramoo’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem.

Earlier in the week, it was reported that the lifeless body of 51-year-old Deonarine Ishtar, also called “Ravi”, a labourer of Smithfield, New Amsterdam, Berbice, was pulled from the Canje River.

It was reported that the now dead man was with other men at Tucber Park in New Amsterdam, awaiting the arrival of a boat that would transport two sheep

into the Canje River, when he reportedly took off his clothes and told the others that he was going to take a swim.

While the others went about their business, Ishtar went into the water and swam to the other side of the Canje River, where he reportedly held on to some grass near the river’s bank.

However, about 20 minutes after, the boat arrived and the men went across the river to collect Ishtar, but instead, they found his motionless body floating in the water.

His body was placed in the wooden boat and taken to shore. Police were contacted, and upon inspecting the body, there found no marks of violence.

Berbice youth busted with ganja during Police operation

A

2 0 - y e a r - o l d Rose Hall Town, Corentyne man was on Thursday busted with a quantity of cannabis during a cordon and search exercise in the said village.

Based on reports received, a team of Police ranks established a roadblock with the aim of searching for narcotics, wanted persons and stolen items, arms and ammunition.

However, during the operation, the young unemployed youth was stopped and searched during which a quantity of ganja was found on his person. He was cautioned, told of the offence and taken to the Whim Police Station where the ganja was weighed and amounted to 21.5 grams.

He has since given a written statement claiming ownership of cannabis.

He was arrested pending charges.

Just over a week ago two men who were implicated in several armed robberies were among five persons arrested during cordon and search operations in several areas in Georgetown.

The areas targeted were Alberttown, Kitty, A, D and C Fields Sophia, Plum Park, Guyhoc Park, East Front Road, Back Circle, Albouystown, Leopold Street, Stabroek Market, Rasville and Broad Street, Charlestown.

During the operations, several drug blocks, houses, motor vehicles and persons were searched.

The operation unearthed a quantity of cannabis, three motorcycles (CB1, Honda Wave and a 150 Suzuki), one pedal cycle and a quantity of tobacco leaves (flonto).

NEWS

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SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, March 13 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Sunday, March 14 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, March 13 – 16:30h – 18:00h and Sunday, March 14 – 17:00h – 18:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Expect light rain showers and light cloud during the day. There will be light rain showers at night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 16:56h reaching a maximum height of 2.68 metres.

Low Tide: 10:31h and 22:49h reaching minimum heights of 0.58 metre and 0.55 metre.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS I

06 08 09

17 20 28

FREE TICKET

26 Bonus Ball

FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 2021 DAILY MILLIONS

14 15 18 24 26 LUCKY 3

6

6

3

2

Afternoon Draw

6

9

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

03

06

08

13

14 18 20

PAY DAY

SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, MARCH 5, 2021

04 11

13 14

13

17

08 10

11 15

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$69.63/barrel

+2.48

Rough Rice

$233.91/ton

-0.15

London Sugar

$463.10/ton

+2.32

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1727.90

$1728.90

Low/High Change

$1698.70 -0.00

$1730.90 -0.00%

President Ali encourages Nation to take COVID-19 vaccine

...as Govt continues to explore avenues to acquire additional doses

A

s the Government continues to roll out its COVID-19 vaccination campaign, President Dr Irfaan Ali, First Lady Arya Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo all received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The officials were inoculated at State House by medical personnel on Thursday evening.

In a statement after taking his first dose of the COVID-19 jab, President Ali urged all Guyanese to do the same.

“Whilst it is not mandatory, I want to urge you, as far as possible, to consider taking the vaccine. I’m sure that it will help us as we all work together in getting ahead of this pandemic,” he noted.

The Head of State further reassured the populace that his Government is sparing no resource to have every single Guyanese vaccinated before the end of the year.

“Only [Thursday], I had engagement with the Organisation of Islamic Conference. We continue to reach out directly to suppliers of the Russian vaccine (Sputnik V), Sinopharm, Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca. We've also reached out to other suppliers in the UAE, because you know it is becoming a global shortage in getting the vaccines itself,” he noted.

According to President Ali, “It is important for us to ensure that we explore every avenue, having access to these vaccines in a speedy manner, and ensuring that it fits into our plan of having the entire country vaccinated before the end of the year, so you can rest assured that we will continue to work aggressively on this.”

In fact, he disclosed that Government is expecting another batch of vaccines shortly, which will be rolled out in a phased manner to Guyanese.

Meanwhile, in a post on her Facebook page, the First Lady called the COVID vaccine a light at the end of the tunnel.

“I am grateful to the scientists, researchers and healthcare workers who have made this moment possible. When it's your turn to receive a vaccine, please do your duty and take it. The vaccine reduces transmission, deaths and hospitalizations. The vaccine saves lives and reduces the burdens on our healthcare systems,” she stated.

However, Mrs Ali reminded that there is still a pandemic and implored citizens to continue to wear masks and maintain social distancing until the coun-

First Lady Arya Ali also received her COVID vaccine on Thursday

try reaches herd immunity.

“The end is near and we cannot let our guard down prematurely,” she cautioned.

Guyana rolled out the administration of the COVID-19 vaccines to frontline workers on February 11, after receiving 3000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from Barbados. Those jabs were used to vaccinate frontline healthcare workers.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony had said at the time that they would administer all 3000 vaccines as the first dose and await the arrival of follow-up jabs for the second dose.

Last Sunday, another 80,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrived here – a donation from the Indian Government. It

was announced then that the vaccination exercise would be extended to members of the Joint Services and teachers.

Additionally, China had sent 20,000 doses of its Sinopharm vaccine to Guyana last week.

With these, Guyana’s stock had gone up to 100,000 but Dr Anthony had noted that it will not be enough for the country to reach heard immunity by the end of the year. As such, the Health Minister noted that they have been looking at other opportunities to procure more COVID-19 vaccines including in India, where trials are currently ongoing on at least 10 vaccines.

Indian High Commissioner Dr KJ Srinivasa had said on Sunday that his country recently approved an indige-

nous jab – COVAXIN, which was produced by Indian company Bharat Biotech and the Indian Council for Medical Research. The vaccine is now available for distribution across the world with over 81 per cent efficacy.

Meanwhile, Guyana is still awaiting the arrival of another 100,800 vaccines from the COVAX facility, which is expected sometime this month.

However, with the current rollout of these 100,000 doses from the Indian and Chinese Governments, the elderly population, that is, persons over the age of 60, are being vaccinated. Dr Anthony said on Thursday that efforts are underway to have Members of Parliament and Cabinet immunised during the current round.

“We’ve been talking to the Parliament and we’ve been making arrangements to ensure that MPs who would like to have their vaccines in this round, that we’re able to give the vaccines to them. I’m sure that over the next week or so, different members of the Cabinet would also be taking their vaccines,” the Minister said.

Already, former Presidents Donald Ramotar, Samuel Hinds and David Granger have taken their vaccine as well as Prime Minister Mark Phillips under the elderly group, ranging 60 years and older.

Now, the Health Minister is working with elderly homes to have residents there inoculated.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 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

Helping our elderly

T

he World Health Organization (WHO) published its ‘Baseline Report for the Decade of Healthy Ageing’ in December 2020, which included useful insights into the status of the world’s older populations and what health authorities, policymakers and international development partners could do in order to ensure this group of people are not left behind.

According to the report, at least 14 per cent of all people aged 60 years and over – more than 142 million people – are currently unable to meet all their basic daily needs. The report brings together data available for measuring healthy ageing, defined by WHO as “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age”.

WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus notes that humans now live longer than at any time in history, “But adding more years to life can be a mixed blessing if it is not accompanied by adding more life to years.”

He said the ‘Baseline Report for the Decade of Healthy Ageing’ has the potential to transform the way policymakers and multiple service-providers engage with older adults. The report also discusses what is needed to promote collaboration and better measure progress towards healthy ageing.

WHO says that optimising “functional ability” is the goal of the Decade of Healthy Ageing, which begins in 2021 and addresses five interrelated abilities that all older people should enjoy: the ability to meet basic needs; to continue to learn and make decisions; to be mobile; to build and maintain relationships; and to contribute to society.

The Baseline Report presents the experience of countries which have been successful in starting healthy ageing initiatives in each of these areas, such as Ireland, Mexico and Vietnam. It also stresses that older adults must be engaged throughout.

According to the report, only one-quarter of countries around the world are compiling comparable data which can be used to monitor global progress towards healthy ageing. Some countries that are collecting and using data to improve policies and programmes for and with older persons are presented in the report. These countries are Chile, China, Finland, Ghana, India, Qatar, Singapore, and Thailand.

A number of indicators to be reported on by countries as a demonstration of commitment towards healthy ageing were agreed on by WHO Member States as part of the Global Strategy on Ageing and Health 2016-2020, and endorsed in 2020 within the context of the Decade for Healthy Ageing 2021-2030. Examples are the establishment of a national committee or forum on ageing; comprehensive assessments of the health and social care needs of older people; and a policy on strengthening long-term care.

It should be stated that the Caribbean has been recognised as having one of the fastest-growing older populations in the developing world. This certainly poses its own challenges, and Governments and other actors will be required to take the necessary measures to ensure that this segment of the population leads a healthier and more productive life.

There is no doubt that among the more pressing issues affecting older persons are health concerns and the quality of care being provided to them on a daily basis. It is therefore crucial for Governments to put in place systems which would allow for older persons to obtain the health services they need.

WHO’s new Guidelines on Integrated Care for Older People recommend ways community-based services can help prevent, slow, or reverse declines in physical and mental capacities among older people. The guidelines also require health and social care providers to coordinate their services around the needs of older people through approaches such as comprehensive assessment and care plans.

Director of the Department of Ageing and Life Course at WHO, Dr John Beard, had previously noted that older adults are more likely to experience chronic conditions and often multiple conditions at the same time. Yet, today’s health systems generally focus on the detection and treatment of individual acute diseases.

He had reasoned that if health systems are to meet the needs of older populations, they must provide ongoing care focused on the issues that matter to older people – chronic pain, and difficulties with hearing, seeing, walking or performing daily activities. On this basis, he noted that this requires much better integration between care providers.

The health authorities in Guyana may want to give serious consideration to recommendations presented in the most recent Baseline Report by WHO.

President Dr Irfaan Ali received a courtesy call from the outgoing Chilean Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Patricio Becker, at State House, Main Street, Georgetown. In the photo, the Chilean Ambassador is presenting a token of appreciation to President Ali

Hamilton Green never had any moral or spiritual compass

Dear Editor, Most ridiculously, Hamilton Green has attempted to skirt the issue pointed out by letter writer Harry Hergash, who accused Green of being the beneficiary of the divideand-rule stratagem which he now condemns. Green responded by simply declaring, “We are all victims of the divide and rule policy” (SN, Mar. 11).

Green’s (original) letter in question, “In Guyana we must be careful not to be consumed by policies that lead to inequalities” (SN, Mar. 4) is a typical contemporary pontificated statement by the former strongman in the country. He claims to be moved by the “philosophy of optimism” made in the early 90s (by whom?) “for a moral and spiritual revival”. The term “revival” refers to an act or instance of reviving - revitalising a particular interest in a partaken entity.

Has there been a time when Green was known for

his moral or spiritual compass by the Guyanese people at large; for his political, civil or spiritual premise?

To appreciate Hamilton Green’s artifice, one must understand the context of how this absolutist operated. He was the right-hand man of dictator Forbes Burnham, who held absolute power in the country.

Burnham was brutal in his quest to hold on to power, and he gave virtually no room for his political opponents to operate.

The PNC, during Hamilton Green’s secure and lofty tenure, was morally and spiritually bankrupt. His leader and mentor, L.F.S. Burnham, was a dictator par excellence.

He passed the sweeping “National Security Act” to give the Police the power to search, seize and arrest anyone virtually at will, and declared that he would not rest until his “enemies are crushed and utterly destroyed.”

Mr Burnham had de-

clared to his supporters, “The gauntlet has been thrown down…We asked no quarter, and we shall give none. We shall use every weapon at our disposal. Let there be no weeping or complaints.” It is known and accepted that Burnham rigged all the elections during the years he held power – with total support from Hamilton Green.

The only non-Government daily and Sunday newspaper, The Mirror, was reduced to publishing a single sheet once a week because of Government restrictions on newsprint.

The Catholic Standard suffered similarly. I do remember the time when the main newspaper (I can’t remember if it was the Guyana Graphic or Guyana Chronicle) carried photos pretty much of only one ethnic group!

Hamilton Green, functioning as Minister of Health, Labour and Housing, heaped scorn on the Working People’s

Alliance (WPA) and referred to that party as “a small group of the lunatic fringe, whose only objective is to disrupt and to destroy.”

The question begs, (like Burnham), did Green have any tolerance for people with whom he disagreed?

Did Mr. Green have a modicum of decency, respect or righteousness when he was known to tell various PNC groups that Desmond Hoyte was “foolish for holding free and fair elections”?

Why blame an entity (“the former imperial power, Great Britain”) for one’s intolerance and absolutism? To paraphrase Shakespeare in today’s context, I echo, “The fault, dear Hammie, is not in our past, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.” That is why Desmond Hoyte chose the more inclusive way!

Yours truly, Dr Devanand Bhagwan

Prof Adesh’s impact on culture Dear Editor, Shri Hari Shanker Adesh (popularly called Professor) recently passed away in Trinidad at the age of 84. He was a celebrated cultural icon for many IndoTrinis and Indo-Guyanese and their diasporas in North America and the UK. His cultural legacy touched the lives of many, and uplifted the Indian from 1966.

Although he was based in Trinidad, Prof Adesh had tremendous impact on Indian culture, and helped to transform it in Guyana and beyond. He trained Guyanese students and teachers in Hindi, music, dance, and other art forms.

He became revered by Indian music and dance artists in the region.

Prof Adesh has left a very

rich and lasting cultural legacy in Trinidad and neighbouring Caribbean territories where he visited and lectured, training students in music, dance, Hindi, and Hinduism. His students have settled far and wide, including in North America and the UK. They call him a cultural legend, praising his enormous role in facilitating their cultural elevation.

No doubt, he was one of the greatest teachers of music and culture (including theatre and acting) in Trinidad.

Prof Adesh was born in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, India. Rae Bareli was a source of many indentured immigrants to the Caribbean. He was a scholar in Hindi, Indian music, and the Hindu scriptures.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

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Reversing the cart before the horse APNU+AFC syndrome Dear Editor, The Hon Dr Ashni Singh, M.P., Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, on February 12, 2021 delivered the 2021 Budget in Parliament, and the nation now looks forward with excitement to the projects,

plans and policies that the State would fund through this year.

As a financial instrument, there are lots of provisions in the budget that require regulatory procedures and processes that must be sanctioned before they can be executed.

I would like to take my hat off to the Ministry of Housing and Water and to the hard-working Minister, Hon. Collin Croal, and his team for once again coming to the rescue of so many homeowners who were misguided and fell prey to the visionless A Partnership

Prof Adesh’s impact...

He was a lecturer at a university in Kashmir. He came to Trinidad to perform cultural missionary work with the Indian High Commission (Embassy) in the mid-1960s. Although he was posted in Trinidad, his work was regional. He decided to settle in Trinidad in 1966 with his wife and other family members.

And he founded several organizations to promote culture not only in Trinidad but around the region as well. He became an acclaimed teacher of several subjects in the arts, instructing generations of musicians and dancers and Hindi speakers. Guyanese students went to his camps.

He advised the public to be proud of their culture and encouraged patriotic link to Mother India.

He also lived in Canada, and here he was close to Indo-Caribbean people providing guidance and training in the cultural arts.

Prof Adesh won numerous awards and other accolades, but none from his native India for his contributions to the Indian diaspora. He was worthy of the prestigious PBD Samman, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, but the Indian government regrettably did not honor him. He became revered

by Indian music and dance artists in the region.

I had memorable encounters with Prof Adesh in

Trinidad and in New York.

I attended several of his kathas in countless visits to Trinidad since the early 1980s. I visited his Ashram in Aranguez during trips to Trinidad and during his visit to New York in May 1995 when he came to deliver a talk on culture and Indian indentureship at a conference I co-organized to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Indian presence in Trinidad. Basdeo Panday was the guest of honor. Prof Adesh and Panday address a packed gathering that included many Guyanese. I learned much about the history of the Indian cultural presence in the Caribbean.

He spoke of his early experience in Trinidad and Guyana region teaching music, dance, and Hindi. I reported on his lecture in New York and also wrote about an interview I conducted with him in the Indo-Caribbean media.

And he hosted many camps in Trinidad where several Guyanese went for training. He was a stickler for the classics, perfecting authentic Indian arts.

Guyanese scholar Dr. Satish said “Prof Adesh was excellent in writing Hindi poetry and song writing.

He wrote his own, original Hindi songs. He developed and sang his own compositions and made several LP records that were played by Guyanese. And he helped

for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition’s chain of myopic ministers, whose inability to manage the Housing Sector between 2015 and 2020 is blatantly exposed, as the homeowners have been waiting in limbo for their titles after complet-

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

to change song styles during the late 1960s and 1970s across the region. He sang the songs of how the fore-parents of indentureds crossed the Kala Pani. He revolutionized the teaching and learning of Hindi. And he taught cadres of Hindi teachers who went on to instruct others. His work also cut across racial barriers. He had many African students”.

Professor Adesh told me that when he came to the Caribbean, he was most impressed with the cultural retention and persistence among Indians. But he said Indians were not proficient in their Indian musical beats (drumming, daantal, tabla, harmonium, etc.), classical dancing moves (Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, etc.), and pronunciation of Hindi words.

He said they knew the basic but needed guidance for improvement of their skills. He was a stickler for correct pronunciation of Hindi and for grammar as well as for musical tones and dance movements.

He provided tutoring

and training lessons that helped Trinis and others to perfect their spoken Hindi, playing musical instruments, and rendering classical dance performances. Guyanese scholar Dr. Satish said Prof Adesh’s greatest impact on Guyanese was more on the teaching level of Hindi and music. Students he trained went on to teach others.

Virtually no one contributed more to improve and promote Indian culture in the region during the 1960s and 1970s. His memory lives on in his students who have been performing in mandirs and concerts in North America and UK, among other locations.

Those who know him expressed sadness of his demise. His passing has left a huge void in the art, culture, and Hindu scene in the region. His contribution was monumental and very instrumental in the dancing, singing, and religious careers of many.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

ing payment for their allocations. I refer especially to those residents who were allocated duplexes at Perseverance.

Our current legislation does not cater to that type of construction. The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has more of a single ownership house. The CH&PA cannot accommodate a condominium scheme because the necessary legislation for those was not amended when the scheme was conceptualised.

These owners could not get their transfer upon completion of payment because the Condominium Regulations and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, Chapter 36:22, doesn’t provide for the transfer of such homes.

Thanks to the insightful Minister and the Ministry of Housing and Water, who is responsible for the regulatory aspects of the CH&PA, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is engaging the Attorney General’s Chambers, which is presently working on a draft amendment to the Condominium (Regulations and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act. With the

passage of the amendments, the Ministry will now provide the CH&PA with the impetus to speak to the relevant stakeholders, including insurance companies, the banks, and other financial institutions.

This is called reversing the cart before the horse APNU+AFC syndrome. To put it simply, prudent management of a sector led by a Minister who understands his mandate and is in tune with the current development in our country.

The relevant and needed amendments to the Act would now empower owners of duplexes to access titles to their land. It would also permit commercial banks to accept those properties as collateral, insurance companies to issue policies to those homeowners, and allow those homeowners to access loans for repairs and expansion.

Once again let me register my thanks to the Hon. Minister Collin Croal and the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) for their vision.

Sincerely, Haresh Singh

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SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021

Page

Foundation Ranger Rick’s Nature Notebook

INSECT SYMMETRY

When two sides of something match, there is symmetry. All insects have symmetry. This student page will help you help you explore it.

Keep a Record!

Date

Time

Location Weather

Helpful Things to Take Along Field guide to insects Crayons or markers Camera (optional)

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN The

Olive Tree and the

Fig Tree

An insect is a small animal with six legs, one or two pairs of wings, three main sections to its body, an exoskeleton, and no backbone. Go outside and find two different kinds of insects. Draw each insect in a box below. (Or tape their photos in the boxes.) Write the name of each insect in its box. Then answer some questions about the insects

T

Name: ___________________

Name: ___________________

1. Look at the insect in the first box. What body parts does it have on both sides? Does it have symmetry?

he olive tree ridiculed the fig tree because, while she was green all the year round, the fig tree changed its leaves with the seasons.

A shower of snow fell upon them, and, finding the olive full of foliage, it settled upon its branches and broke them down with its weight, at once despoiling it of its beauty and killing the tree.

But finding the fig tree denuded of leaves, the snow fell through to the ground, and did not injure it at all.

2. Does the insect in the second box have symmetry? Why or why not?

WORD SEARCH 3. What would happen if these insects did not have symmetry? How would they move around?

© 2018 The National Wildlife Federation. Permission granted to reproduce for non-commercial educational uses only. All other rights reserved.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 slapped with larceny, break and enter charges

D

elvin Heywood appeared at the G e o r g e t o w n Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday where he was slapped with a larceny charge by clerk or servant committed on Banks DIH Limited.

Police stated that on December 24, 2020, Heywood was employed as a clerk by Banks DIH Limited where he was allowed to collect monies on the company’s behalf.

On the day in question, at Alberttown, Georgetown, he received a sum of $233,220 from Natasha Dasrat on behalf of the beverage company which he stole with the

break and entry intention of permanently depriving the said company.

Heywood then charged the said amount to the customer’s account.

Heywood pleaded guilty to the charge and was granted bail for the sum of

$50,000.

As a condition for bail, Heywood is expected to report to the CID Headquarters fortnightly.

He is set to return to court on April 30, 2021.

Meanwhile, Attie Trotz

also appeared before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly to answer to a break and enter charge.

She pleaded not guilty and was placed on $50,000 bail. However, Trotz indicated that she was unable to raise the required bail amount and as such, she was remanded to New Amsterdam Prison until April 30, 2021.

Based on the charge, it is alleged that between March 5 and 6, 2021, on South Road, Bourda, Georgetown, Trotz, while in the company of others, broke and entered a store/stall and stole 72 glass mugs valued at $144,000.

Dispensing justice

Y

…in Parliament our Eyewitness takes this matter of violence against females very seriously. It’s long past the time to be pussyfooting around the issue. From the newspapers, it’s clear that no category of females is sacrosanct - rich, poor, black, white, (and every combination and permutation of in-between shades) etc. What this signals, of course, is that the problem ain’t just a result of idiosyncratic males, but a systemic problem in males as a category.

And a systemic problem needs a systemic solution, and then we can hone in on the outliers that’ll always crop up.

Now, this problem has been here with us as far back as we can tell - probably all the way back to the Cave Man days. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Even when they were “hunting and gathering”, the men, being bigger, had an advantage, and it’s inconceivable they wouldn’t have taken advantage of that disparity.

And it’s been that way ever since…to the point where women would’ve seen it as “just the way things are”.

But, in the last hundred years, we’ve come a long way… haven’t we? There’s been a gradual acceptance that all human beings are intrinsically equal, and should be treated equally. The fact that some might be bigger, smarter, or taller shouldn’t - in and of itself - be used to treat anyone as a punching bag. And this is where we come to this thing we invented called “the state”, that’s supposed to make and enforce laws to ensure equality of treatment for all.

Problem was, the laws themselves were skewed against women - not surprisingly, since they were made generally by men! It was a long grind for women to join that exclusive club in which there’s been some progress. But to return to the question posed earlier, the answer is “No, we still have quite a way to go as far as women being treated equally!”

So, the struggle continues - and continue it must. Because, you see, dear reader, unless women are treated equally everywhere, no one will be treated equally anywhere… whether you’re male, LGBT, coloured or whatever.

And we arrive at the specific instances in which the rule will be tested - one of them having presented itself in what used to be the bastion of male privilege - the Legislature, where the laws of the state are actually made. There’s been a claim by a female MP that a male MP assaulted her.

The Police were called in, but upon advice of the DPP, they were told that Parliament has its own rules - overseen by the Speaker - for dealing with such matters.

This is as it should be. If it was good enough for males from the beginning, females must now enjoy! …for the State There’s a great hue and cry by the Opposition PNC that the new PPP Government has been cleaning house too arbitrarily. They’re unlawfully firing persons in Government - and doing so in a racially-directed manner. Now, in a country like Guyana – which has always been tethering on the edge of ethnic/racial conflicts - these are very serious charges. And must be dealt with just as seriously.

But because of that long history, fortunately, there are a host of institutions in place to deal with such accusations. For Public Servants, there’s the Public Service Appellate Tribunal. And how about the Ombudsman? Or the ERC? The first stop for most, however, are the courts, and recourse to these has already been taken.

Ironically, however, because many of the persons fired have generally been taken to the courts by the Government ON SPECIFIC charges, some eyebrows have been raised.

Aren’t the courts the arbiter of the laws - and will decide whether the Government violated any of those laws?

And justice will be served? …in cricket For a sport that’s supposed to exemplify “fair play”, cricket in Guyana is embroiled in too many unsightly squabbles.

The latest one, involving “Big Man Cricket”, is especially ironic, flowing from the implications of the name.

Big men?

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

NEWS

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SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Former GL&SC Head slapped with “misconduct in public office” charge — released on $200,000 bail

F

ormer Head of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC), Trevor Benn was on Friday charged with Miscount in Public Office in relation to the leasing of some six acres of unmarked lands at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), for which some $27 million was paid.

The charge alleges that between January 1, 2018, and March 31, 2020, while being a public officer at the Lands and Surveys Commission, Benn “…willfully misconducted himself by causing the sum of twenty-seven million Guyana Dollars (GYDS27,000,000) to be paid by Janico Vide Industrial Engineering Limited for the lease of six (6) acres of land at Plantation Ogle, East Coast Demerara, knowing at the time that the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission did not have the authority to lease any land at Plantation Ogle… and thereby granted a Provisional Lease on 27th day of March, 2020, to the said Janico Vide Industrial Engineering Limited without any description, the said willful misconduct amounting to a breach of the public’s trust, without any excuse or reasonable justification.”

Benn was not required to plead to the indictable charge and was granted $200,000 bail by Magistrate Leron Daly during his arraignment at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He will return to court on March 31, 2021.

The former GL&SC Head was arrested on Wednesday morning and had been in custody since, pending an investigation. In an interview following his arraignment, Benn maintained his innocence, calling the charge against him nonsensical.

“I have worked all my life with international organisations and in many countries around the world, and have never faced this.

I don’t understand how you can bring a charge that speaks to a man helping the Government, bringing resources [and] revenues to the Government, and you’re charging him for bringing revenues to the Government. It’s a nonsensical charge,” he reiterated.

However, it is unclear what the $27 million payment was for since a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Benn and the company in question also included a rental fee of $200,000 annually for six acres of land, which was leased for 50 years.

The MoU states, “The purpose of this MOU is to…

Confirm the intent and commitment of the GL&SC and the Company for the leasing of the said 6 acres of land, owned by the Government of

Former GL&SC Commissioner Trevor Benn

Guyana as part of the stock of State Land, and upon payment of $27,000,000.00 (twenty-seven million dollars) for the development of commercial, industrial and real estate activities.”

But there is no procedure under the State Lands Act that allows for a MoU to be signed before a lease or provisional lease is granted.

Moreover, acting Commissioner of GL&SC, Enrique Monize had stated in correspondence to the Attorney General that upon research, he was unable to determine any vacant, available land under the control of the Commission at the location agreed upon.

He explained that Plantation Ogle has always been the property of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which is now vested to NICIL, except for lands that were handed over to the Government for the Ogle Airport and to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) for any schemes.

It was against this backdrop that the Police were called in to investigate the transaction.

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

Based on the agreement signed, Janico Vide Industrial Engineering Limited, which is located at Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was obligated to make the payments in two instalments of $13.5 million – the first upon the signing of the MoU and the balance in November 2017, or upon the receipt of the lease.

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

and the second on March 27, 2020. Despite this, however, the lawyers said the company has not received the lands.

“We are instructed that the GL&SC informed our client that before it could identify the precise area of the lease, the GL&SC would have to carry out a cadastral survey of the area.

Accordingly, on our client making the second payment requested by the GL&SC on the aforesaid 27th day of March, 2020, it was awarded a Provisional Lease pursuant to Regulation 7(1) of the Regulations to the State Lands Act, Cap. 61:01 of the laws of Guyana. Our client was informed that the precise or final boundaries of the leasehold area

The former Lands and Surveys Commissioner leaving the Magistrates’ Courts after being placed on 200,000 bail on Friday

would be established upon the completion of the aforesaid cadastral survey by the

GL&SC,” the law firm noted.

“We are instructed that

despite several months having elapsed since the time of payment of the balance, and the execution of the Provisional Lease between the GL&SC and our client, and despite several promises by the GL&SC to expeditiously complete its survey and execute a full State Land Lease in our client’s favour stating the defined boundaries of the leasehold area, our client has been unable to secure this up to the present time.”

Against this backdrop, the lawyers had demanded that the Commission issue six acres of land to the company or otherwise face legal proceedings.

However, the issue was subsequently handed over to the Police.

10 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2011 murder of Robb St granny

Lawyers challenge convicts’ 81-year prison sentence

Roy Jacobs

Cleon Hinds

Orwin Hinds

awyers representing Orwin and Cleon Hinds and Roy Jacobs – the three men who were sentenced to 81-years’ imprisonment for the 2011 murder of 72-year-old Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris, who was gunned down at her Robb Street, Georgetown residence - have laid over submissions with the Court of Appeal.

In the submissions, the lawyers have proffered arguments on which they are seeking to have the men’s conviction and sentence overturned. During a brief hearing on Thursday, the Court led by Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards acknowledged receipt of the submissions.

Justice Cummings-Edwards informed that she and the other Judges will peruse the arguments, and if any further clarifications are needed, the lawyers will be informed when the Court convenes again on April 8, 2021. Attorney-at-Law George Thomas is representing Orwin Hinds, while Roy Jacobs is being represented by Attorney-

L

at-Law Dexter Todd. Attorneyat-Law Adrian Thompson is appearing for Cleon Hinds.

Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Teshana James-Lake is appearing for the State. Another man, Kevin October, who was convicted of the pensioner’s murder and had filed an appeal, died earlier this year in prison. Reports are that he succumbed following his battle with COVID-19.

Following a trial before Justice Navindra Singh in 2015, the men were found guilty of the offence by a jury. Justice Singh imposed the 81-year prison term on each of them, with parole possible after serving a minimum of 45 years.

Notwithstanding the verdict, the men have all professed their innocence.

According to the charge the men faced, on June 30, 2011, they murdered Fiedtkou-Parris pursuant to an arrangement whereby money was intended

Dead: Kevin October

to be passed from one person to another.

The elderly woman was shot and killed on that night at her 42 Robb Street, Georgetown home.

Media reports are that two men had gone to the woman’s home asking for “Auntie”. When the elderly woman emerged from her bedroom, one of them pulled out a gun and shot her several

Killed: Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris

times to her upper body.

They fled the scene in a waiting motor car while the elderly woman was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. It is believed that a bitter property dispute might have been the motive for her killing.

11 GTA records $98.4B in economic loss due to COVID-19 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…75% decrease in international visitors’ arrivals

T

he Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Carla James, on Friday noted that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector suffered a total economic loss of $98.4 billion.

She explained that back in 2020, the tourism industry had been put on pause for eight months which contributed to a 75 per cent decrease in international visitors’ arrival.

In light of this blow, James noted that the Guyana Tourism Authority will be working continuously with the Government and other stakeholders to resuscitate the sector.

She explained that though there is not much international travelling at the moment, GTA has been working to ensure that the focus remains on destination Guyana.

In keeping the interest

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Carla James

alive, the GTA currently has four awareness campaigns aimed at boosting and promoting destination Guyana locally and internationally.

James further highlighted that making Guyana safe for travels amid the pandemic has been the authority’s top priority.

“We would’ve acted immediately when the country

was really shut down. One of the first things we did was to conduct research based on what was recommended by United Nation, World Tourism Organisation and the Caribbean health organisation, to develop recommended hygiene protocols suitable for tourism businesses in Guyana,” she explained.

In addition, she noted that after research, the protocols were integrated into the authority’s existing training programmes and the newly developed ones.

This, she related, was done to ensure hygiene and sanitation were added to every component of the tourism service.

Moreover, she related that the authority has been offering support to the country’s tourism-based businesses.

“During this time, we have also been providing technical support, training

and capacity-building at a business level in hygiene and sanitation protocols to all business within the tourism sector. Indigenous communities that have tourism enterprises, private tour companies, tour guides etc,” she posited.

Additionally, the Director noted that the authority has been conducting on-site inspections and verifying that the implemented protocols are being adhered to. James explained that without monitoring, the protocols would have no meaning.

She added that as of

November 2020, tourism businesses have been granted conditional approval to reopen under strict conditions after inspection.

Meanwhile, James posited that many of the reopened businesses are now catering to domestic tourism until it is safe for international travel.

“We recognise that the domestic travel group is the priority and focus. They are interested in very different things than international visitors.”

As such, James noted that the tourism sector has

been making efforts to diversify its product in order to appeal to the domestic population.

Adding to this, Deputy Director of the tourism body, Kamrul Baksh stated that domestic travels have increased since the pandemic.

“The domestics from all indications like very accessible tours, very shortened tours, given their very hectic schedules,” he explained.

Baksh noted that due to this factor, businesses have now developed affordable day trips and has been working on other package deals.

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over 20,000 GWI EBD consumers to benefit from improved water service

O

ver 22,000 consumers residing along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) will benefit from an improved level of service and supply of quality water by the end of 2021.

This assurance was given by Housing and Water Minister, Collin Croal, who visited a number of areas along the East Bank of Demerara on Friday to assess the water service provided by the Guyana Water Incorporated.

The Minister was accompanied by Chief Executive Officer of GWI Shaik Baksh and a number of technical officials.

During the visit, Minister Croal explained that GWI is working to rehabilitate some of the water supply systems that were neglected over the years. This, he said, would address the water quality concerns of the residents in the affected areas.

The team visited the

GWI Head of Technical Services, Lensworth Blair, explaining the plans for the Covent Garden plant to Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal

Grove and Covent Garden Water Treatment Plants (WTPs), the proposed sites for the drilling of new wells in Prospect and Providence and also interacted with residents of Kaneville and Grove.

The residents report-

ed that they have already seen some improvements in their level of service but raised concerns with respect to the high iron content in the water.

Troy Sergeant, a resident of Kaneville, expressed his elation upon

seeing the officials in the area, noting that such visits are welcomed. He noted that while he has seen an improvement in the water pressure, the iron content in the water has to be addressed.

During their tour of the Grove and Covent Garden WTPs, Baksh explained that the aeration/filtration system which forms part of the water treatment process, is no longer effective since it has deteriorated over the years, resulting in the high iron content in the water.

As such, the filters at the facility are being modified to facilitate the introduction of a higher concentration of Manganese Dioxide filter media. Manganese Dioxide is a naturally occurring ore that performs the dual function of oxidising iron and filtering it out of the water.

Previously, Manganese of lesser concentration was used but this required periodic regeneration (chemical treatment), which did not prove sustainable to upkeep. With this innovation in water quality at

Minister Collin Croal and GWI CEO Shaik Baksh interacting with Kaneville resident Troy Sergeant (on bicycle)

GWI, customers will benefit from clearer and cleaner water through their taps.

GWI is in the process of procuring the Manganese Dioxide at a tune of $25 million per plant (a total of $50 million), which is being funded through the Government of Guyana’s budgetary allocation.

Following its procurement, it will be set up by GWI’s in-house staff. This is expected to sustain the treatment system for a period of 10 years.

Baksh anticipates that customers will be able to benefit from this project within the next two to three months. Only recently, the said treatment process was implemented in Eccles.

The GWI CEO noted that the utility company is in support of the Ministry’s ongoing housing drive and will work to ensure the requisite infrastructure is in place to adequately supply new and existing housing schemes.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fmr Pres Ramotar wins $20M defamation against KN ...to also pay $2.4M in costs for oil blocks allegations

H

igh Court Judge Navindra Singh on Friday awarded $20 million in damages to former President Donald Ramotar, who successfully mounted a defamation lawsuit against Kaieteur News, its publisher Glenn Lall, and former Editor-in-Chief Adam Harris. Apart from damages, Ramotar was also awarded $2.4 million in costs.

The lawsuit for the tort of defamation stemmed from publications made in the Kaieteur News and broadcasts on Kaieteur Radio during June 2019, which suggested that the former President corruptly signed and granted two Petroleum Prospecting Licences to carry out prospecting operations in the Kaieteur and Canje Blocks.

Following a trial, Justice Singh rendered a written judgement in which he recapped the evidence led on behalf of Ramotar and Kaieteur News. The Judge related that it was clear that while he was President, Ramotar signed the agreements granting two Petroleum Prospecting Licences.

According to Justice Singh, Ramotar in his testimony explained the various reasons and thought processes that guided the signing of the agreement.

Among them includ-

Former President Donald Ramotar

ed the fact that there was a territorial dispute by Venezuela over the area and the fact that there was difficulty historically in generating interest in oil companies in the area, and the agreements were signed following applications by those companies being approved by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.

Though the reasons for signing the agreements granting the Petroleum Prospecting Licences may not appear material to the libel suit, Justice Singh noted that the existence of such facts, which could have been discovered by Kaieteur News, ought to have guided the newspaper’s publications and broadcasts.

Kaieteur News in defence pleaded justification and fair comment. But Justice Singh noted that both defences were not established.

In fact, the Judge held that the newspaper failed to lead any evidence or establish that the signing of the agreements granting the licences was done clandestinely by Ramotar.

The Judge held, too, that Kaieteur News failed to prove that the entities that received the Petroleum Prospecting Licences were connected in any way to Ramotar, much less corrupt.

According to the High Court Judge, the newspaper also failed to prove that the former President benefitted financially from any sale/ transfer of the licences by those entities, which justifies such statements and inferences that were conveyed in the publications.

The Judge pointed out that a press statement released by Ramotar concerning the granting of the licences should have caused Kaieteur News to verify the truthfulness of the publications before publishing same multiple times. “[Kaieteur News has] failed to produce one iota of evidence to support the intended and conveyed message of the publications and broadcasts, to wit, that

[Ramotar] signed the agreements to corruptly benefit and in fact did corruptly benefit,” the Judge underscored in the 22-page decision.

Justice Singh said that how Kaieteur News pleaded its defence, further cast aspersions on Ramotar’s character, knowing very well that the newspaper did not have evidence to substantiate the pleadings. For instance, the Judge said that the newspapers never issued an apology or expressed any regret over the libellous publications.

According to Justice Singh in his testimony, Lall attacked the former President’s character, when he said, “I am saying that Donald is a corrupt man” and “I am calling for Ramotar to be investigated for corruption and crime against the people of Guyana.”

“The publications unmistakably convey the impression that the oil blocks were sold and/or disposed of and no longer the property of Guyana when in fact the agreements signed by [Ramotar] only granted Petroleum Prospecting Licences for the purpose of carrying out prospecting operations in what is known as the Kaieteur and Canje Blocks, a fact that must have been known to [Kaieteur News] or easily discoverable

Former Editor-in-Chief at Kaieteur News, Adam Harris

Kaieteur News’ Publisher Glenn Lall

by examining the contracts.”

“The Court finds that the publications clearly attacked [Ramotar’s] character, labelling him as a dishonest person that engages in fraudulent or criminal practices and further that he engaged in such conduct when he was the President of Guyana thereby stealing from the people [citizens] of Guyana,” Justice Singh held.

Moreover, the Judge concluded that the libel attacked Ramotar’s integrity and professional reputation and him being a very public figure at the time, serving in the highest office of the land, indeed made the libel very grave. “The nature of the libel was bound to cause distress, hurt, and humiliation to [him].”

Taking this into consideration, the Judge found that

Ramotar was defamed by the publication and awarded damages and costs against the newspapers. “On the evidence, the publications and broadcasts cannot possibly be considered to be justified,” the Judge further noted.

Concerning the $20 million awarded for damages, the Court ordered that interest be paid at the rate of six per cent per annum from June 26, 2019 - the date the claim was filed to March 12, 2021 - the date the judgement was delivered and at four per cent per annum thereafter until the sum is fully paid.

Kaieteur News’ publisher Glenn Lall and its former Editor-in-Chief were represented by lawyer Nigel Hughes, while Ramotar was represented by lawyer CV Satram.

14 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MoH takes COVID-19 vaccine to geriatric homes …cases surpass 9000 with 76 new positives

T

o broaden the reach of COVID-19 vaccines for the elderly population, health teams are now reaching out to geriatric homes in order to deliver the doses.

On Thursday, four elderly homes within Georgetown were visited and the vaccines delivered to persons residing in those facilities.

According to Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, this will continue in the coming days.

“We had done for homes of the elderly in Georgetown and those remaining ones we will be going within the next couple of days. Again, the response was good and everyone that we approached to take the vaccines, they did.

So, we’re very happy with the response,” he informed.

Government has established four vaccination sites in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) where persons can get their shots; the Health Ministry’s compound at Brickdam; the Georgetown Public Hospital; Enmore Polyclinic, East Coast Demerara and; Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara.

Elderly persons - aged 60 and above - started to receive their vaccines last

Wednesday, having recognised from the country’s data that older persons are more at risk for contracting the novel virus.

Dr Anthony had related that many of the deaths reported in Guyana were persons within the elderly group. With immunisation in the form of the vaccine,

protection will be offered from the worse form of the virus.

Concurrently, healthcare workers within the public and private sectors are being immunised if they voluntarily decide to take the jabs. Doses have been set aside to cover the 12,000 workers who stand

to benefit. In the coming week, parliamentarians are also expected to get their shots.

New cases

However, with 76 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Friday, Guyana’s figures have raised to a startling 9069.

Statistics issued by the Health Ministry’s revealed that the death toll remains

at 206. A gender breakdown shows that 4670 males and 4399 females have been infected thus far.

With respect to the new cases, six persons remain in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Meanwhile, 30 persons are in institutional isolation, 12 in institutional quarantine and 562 in home isolation. The total recovered cases to date amount to 8265.

A further dissection showed that one new case was detected in Region One (Barima-Waini); two in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); eight in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); 40 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); eight in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); seven in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and three in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The other regional figures remain the same with 478 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 246 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Meanwhile, there has been a rise in new cases within the La Parfaite Harmonie communi-

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

ty, West Bank Demerara (WBD). According to the Coordinator of the Region Three Task Force, Halim Khan, there is enforcement to protect persons but it becomes challenging when people leave the region for work.

“Most of those persons working in Region Four.

In Region Three, we’re enforcing the measures. The Police have also been doing the enforcement. We’d like everybody to follow suit that arrangement. At Vreed-en-Hoop, we have people running [temperature] tests for everybody at that point because we have thousands of people coming into the region with that water taxi every day,” he told Guyana Times.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sophia deadly home invasion

“They took the only boy in our family” – sister of murdered 10-Y-0

By LaWanda McAllister

F

amily and friends of 10-year-old Anthony Cort of Packet Corner, C Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, who was shot and killed by bandits during a home invasion on Thursday, remain in a state of shock over his death.

One day after the horrific incident, Guyana Times visited the home of the dead lad where his inconsolable relatives are still asking the question “why?”.

Cort, who was a student of St Ambrose Primary School, had all hopes of becoming a medical doctor but his life was snuffed out by bandits during a robbery at his aunt’s house.

On Friday, his sister,

Dead: 10-year-old Anthony Cort

Toshauna Badley, recalled that she was at work when she received the news of her brother’s death. She ex-

plained that she received a telephone call informing her that the lad was shot and that he was “lifeless”.

“I thought that they were just playing around since I would have spoken to her (the caller) 15 minutes prior to receiving the devasting news. The girl that called me started crying and I didn’t know how to act or respond…”, she said.

Badley stated that her aunt was celebrating her birthday on Thursday and as such, her 10-year-old brother and their mother were assisting to prepare for a family get-together. At the time, three adults and two children including her brother were in the house.

“Two guys just come in and said don’t move and

The house where the boy was shot

anytime you move or say anything I gon blow y’all f#@#ing head… they took their stuff and they said where is the money, y’all kill the man. They went into the draw and they empty it…”, she said.

The victims were relieved of two cell phones valued at $80,000 each, two gold bands valued at $100,000, two gold finger rings valued at $100,000, one gold chain valued at $100,000 and $80,000 cash.

Badley said after taking the items, her aunt was held at gunpoint and taken to the upper flat of the house where the armed men continued to demand cash. At the time, the now dead lad was playing video games along with his cousin.

The child reportedly heard loud noises coming from the bottom flat of the house and upon checking, he realised what was happening.

It was then he was confronted by one of the armed

bandits who immediately fired a shot in his direction, killing him on the spot.

“My cousin who is 12-year-old said all he heard is my brother said ahh and he fell to the ground and stretched out… he was lifeless, what can a 10-year-old boy do to you that you would kill him liked that. You took everything, what more you wanted?”

The family said this is a hard hit for them, since Cort was the only boy in their family, and this is the second child in a few years that was murdered for their mother.

The first was 18-year-old Allisia McPherson, who was stabbed to death by her boyfriend while they were at a party in Sophia in 2015. Her boyfriend was sentenced to life in prison for her murder.

“We haven’t even gotten over the first one and now this one. He is the only boy in the family, they took the only boy in our family.

I don’t have no other broth-

er so this is really hard. He hasn’t even started living half of his life yet…”, his inconsolable sister said.

Cort was described by his family as a very “helpful and humble” child who had a bright future ahead of him. Following the incident, EMT technicians responded to the scene and pronounced the child dead. The body was taken to the Lyken Funeral Parlour, awaiting a PME. Police have since arrested two persons in connection with the shooting but the family is calling for justice to be served. Meanwhile, Human Services Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud and Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon visited the family of the dead lad on Friday where they both offered words of comfort to the child’s parents who are in pain and reeling from the loss of their only son.

Minister Persaud also extended the Ministry’s support to the family during this difficult time.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Rose Hall Martyrs’ heroism remains ever-present – GAWU R ecognition and tribute have been paid to Rose Hall sugar estate martyrs, as today marks another anniversary since 15 workers were killed back in 1913 during an advocation for better conditions.

The Guyana Agriculture and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) in a statement noted that the sugar industry has been the centre of several infamous battles which have been documented for posterity. One of the infamous incidents occurred while workers were struggling for betterment and resisted the inhuman living conditions which were an integral part of plantation life.

On that March 13 day, their struggle ended in carnage when 15 workers were killed, including a woman who was shot, while 41 received serious injury.

“At the time, it was perhaps the deadliest inden-

Rose Hall Martyrs’ Monument

ture-era suppression of unrest in the Caribbean and elsewhere…Those incidents remind us of the wretched conditions and harsh measures imposed by the plantocracy on those who toiled the plantations. The flashpoints tell us of the hero-

ism, selflessness and sacrifice made by our ancestors to better our lives and for which we should remain eternally grateful,” GAWU expressed.

It added that the fallen workers remind us that sugar’s history is enriched by

the struggles and sacrifices of the working class. That spirit continues throughout

School girl robbed by armed bandits on way to school

44-year-old tailor of Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), is now dead after he reportedly fell from his landing and died on Friday.

The dead man has been identified as Vishwanauth Gajadhar called “Vishal or Beo” of Lot 5 E No 66 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

A

16-year-old school girl attached to the Institute of Business Education (IBE) and of Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was on Friday robbed on her way to school. The robbery reportedly took place at about 15:45h at Coldingen, ECD. The victim, who was in the company of friends, was

standing at the Coldingen Railway Embankment Road when she was confronted by two men on a bicycle. One of the men was reportedly armed with a handgun.

However, the men reportedly stopped in front of the teenager and demanded that she hand over her money and valuables.

Police in a statement related that the victim attempted to run but was intercepted by the bandits, who relieved her of her cell phone before making good their escape.

The teen was robbed of a Samsung A10 cellular phone valued at $45,000.

Investigations are continuing.

the years and survives to this day in the industry.

“As we recall the Rose Hall martyrdom, we are reminded of the struggles of the estate in recent times.

Like their ancestors, the modern-day Rose Hall workers stood up valiantly to defend their way of life, to protect their livelihoods and to stand up to those who sought without any rational reason to push them on to the breadline. Their struggles attracted allies from all walks of life and their story of tragedy and pain touched the conscience of many Guyanese. Today, those who shuttered Rose Hall Estate have been banished from power and a new day has dawned.”

The Union said at pres-

ent, there is “newfound hope” at Rose Hall Estate under the leadership of the Irfaan Ali-led Government, which has hit the ground running and stayed true to its promise to revitalise the sugar industry.

“Today, the depression that had engulfed the communities following Rose Hall’s closure has lifted and optimism has now filled the air. We know of the deep appreciation of the people who are now being able to put their lives back together as the nightmare of joblessness has come to an end. As we recall the martyrs, we are aware that Rose Hall Estate is slated to be the first factory to resume operations. The estate is now a hive of activities,” the statement added.

Corentyne man dies after falling from landing

A

Based on reports received, the now dead man was an alcoholic and was suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure.

On the day in question, Gajadhar was allegedly coming down from his landing when he slipped and fell. As a result, he became unconscious and was taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where he

was pronounced dead on arrival.

The body was then escorted to the hospital’s mortuary where a post-mortem examination was conducted and the cause of death was given as shock with gastric, intestinal bleeding, and fatty liver. The autopsy was performed by local pathologist Dr V Brijmohan.

“Ganja-laden” slippers found at Lusignan Prison

Over 2500 UG students to graduate virtually

A

series of historic virtual graduation exercises that are expected to be held by the University of Guyana (UG) will commence next Friday, March 19, 2021, via Zoom.

A total of 2500 graduands from 50 different disciplines will graduate from the university’s Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, and Tain, Berbice campuses.

Next Friday, those from the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, and School of Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation will graduate.

The following day, March 20, 2021, students from the College of Medical Sciences and Faculty of Natural Sciences will graduate, followed by those from the Faculty of Social Sciences on March 26, 2021. On March 27, 2021, there will be a convocation ceremony for students from the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Education and Humanities, and the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education.

According to UG, those attending the event will be part of several historic events, including the

The ganja that was found in the slippers

A first cohort of UG-trained PhDs from the Doctorate in Biodiversity programme.

The tertiary institution stated that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of prospective graduands this year is set to break last year’s graduation record of 2133 by 367 or 17 per cent.

Owing to the need to conduct business in safe mode in prevailing COVID-19 conditions, graduands will participate through a virtual march of graduate portraits as well as through a live online interface.

A record number of attendees are expected at this year’s graduations since given the online nature of the event there will be no limit to the number of invitees a graduand may bring along.

Graduands will join the pro-

ceedings via Zoom, while their friends and family can join via on Facebook @uniofguyana The University has graduated upwards of 50,000 graduates in its 58-year existence.

Many of them have gone on to serve at the highest levels nationally and internationally. The annual graduation exercise is a highlight on UG’s calendar of institutional events since it provides not only an opportunity for celebrating the efforts of students, lecturers, families, and supporters but for stirring graduation speeches from valedictorians and high-profile keynote speakers.

This will be the 54th convocation for the UG’s Turkeyen Campus and the 19th for the Tain Campus.

quantity of marijuana was on Thursday found aback the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara (ECD), by prison officers who were conducting routine checks around the perimeter.

Reports are on the day in

question, an officer observed a bulky black plastic bag in the Lusignan Cane Field opposite the training school, and as such inspected same.

Upon opening the bag, it contained five pairs of Adidas slippers and bamboo. Subsequently, he ob-

The slippers that were found in the bag

served that each pair of slippers contained transparent parcels with the ganja.

The narcotic was handed over to the Police and an investigation was launched.

Man jailed 18 months for stealing attorney’s car

O

mar Francis, 23, of Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was on Friday sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for stealing an attorney-at-law’s motor car.

Francis appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he pleaded guilty to the charge with an explanation.

The defendant apologised for the crime he committed and offered to pay for the

damages to the car claiming that “I was not in my right mind”.

Police stated that on March 8, 2021, in Georgetown, he stole one Toyota motor car valued at $4 million, which belongs to Jone Mars.

The prosecutor in stating the facts explained that, on the day in question, Jone Mars upon arriving home, had exited the car and left the engine running. However, while the attorney was opening her gate, the suspect en-

tered the car and drove off in an attempt to steal it.

Jone Mars subsequently stopped a taxi in which she chased after the motor car.

Following the chase, Francis drove the Toyota vehicle into a trench and attempted to escape.

Nevertheless, he was captured by public-spirited citizens and handed over to the Police. Upon hearing the facts, the Magistrate handed down her ruling.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021

Regional

Bodies of 16 migrants massacred Quarter of Bermuda population in Mexico arrive in Guatemala gets 1st COVID-19 jab

M

M

exico on Friday returned the bodies of 16 Guatemalan nationals massacred in one of its northern border states, a case that caused renewed consternation about the dangers faced by migrants bound for the United States.

The bodies, some badly charred and with gunshot wounds, were found in January along a migrant smuggling route in a remote area of Tamaulipas state in the municipality of Camargo.

Covered with Guatemalan flags, the coffins arrived in the morning in Guatemala City. Relatives who had travelled in the same plane from Mexico City held photographs of the dead.

“I want to express my deepest regret and condolences to the families of the 16 victims of the Camargo massacre,” Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei said at the airport. “We will exhaust all the options to find out who was responsible.”

Giammattei asked for a minute of silence before his speech, and expressed his condolences to every family.

Every year, thousands

Relatives of the Guatemalan migrants who were killed in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas while trying to reach the US attend a funeral ceremony during the repatriation of the bodies, at the Guatemalan Air Force Base in Guatemala City, Guatemala, March 12, 2021

of Central Americans and Mexicans flee poverty and violence to seek a better life in the United States. Many fall victim to crime on the perilous journey.

In this case, no one has been held responsible for the killings. Investigators had said they suspected at least a dozen state police of involvement.

Later in the day, the bodies will be transported to Comitancillo, in western department of San Marcos, to

be buried in their place of origin.

Authorities had identified the bodies using DNA samples after relatives of the missing came forward.

Immigration from Central America and Mexico has returned to the forefront of regional affairs since US President Joe Biden took office in January vowing to roll back the hardline policies of his predecessor Donald Trump. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Chile drug bust nets cocaine and marijuana stamped with kingpin Pablo Escobar’s likeness

C

hilean authorities on Friday said they had confiscated more than three tonnes of cocaine and marijuana wrapped in white paper stamped with the image of deceased Colombian drug kingpin Pablo Escobar.

The Escobar-decorated packages were a first in Chile, authorities said, though similar shipments were confiscated by Police along the Mosquito coast of Honduras earlier this year.

“Criminal organisations always put a stamp on (their product), something

distinctive, for traceability, to ensure that large shipments reach their destination,” said Hector Espinosa, Director General of Chile’s PDI investigative police.

The bust - unusually large for Chile - also resulted in the arrest of six people, the seizure of 14 vehicles, various weapons, foreign currency and several cellphones.

The drugs were seized in Chile’s northern desert near Arica, a remote, mountainous region that has increasingly become a focal point for smugglers of both

contraband and people.

Police said the product came from Bolivia.

Chile is largely off the beaten track for the region’s drug traffickers, but several recent high profile drug-related crimes in the capital Santiago and the desert hinterlands have put authorities in the South American nation on alert.

Escobar, Colombia’s best-known drug lord, was the head of the infamous Medellin cartel. He died during a police operation in 1993. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil federal prosecutor appeals decision to annul Lula’s convictions

T

he office of Brazil’s prosecutor general on Friday appealed a Supreme Court judge’s ruling earlier this week that annulled the criminal convictions of former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

If successful, the appeal could close the door on the popular politician running in next year’s presidential election, which had become a reality after Monday’s surprise decision by Justice Edson Fachin.

Two opinion polls published on Friday, the first since Lula’s convictions were annulled, showed that President Jair Bolsonaro

is still favoured to win the 2022 election but his advantage has shrunk, and one said 61 per cent do not approve of his handling of the pandemic that has taken 270,000 lives.

The survey for Exame business news magazine by pollster Ideia found that Bolsonaro would win a runoff against Lula by 7 percentage points if the vote were held today. But another poll by XP Investimentos showed him only 2 points ahead of Lula in voter intentions, 27 per cent to 25 per cent, as his approval ratings slip in the world’s second-deadliest COVID-19 outbreak.

The prosecutor’s office had said on Monday it would appeal. It said Lula’s convictions must be upheld in order to preserve “procedural stability and legal certainty.”

Fachin had ruled that a court in the southern city of Curitiba had lacked the authority to try Lula on corruption charges and that he must be retried in federal courts in the capital Brasilia.

The Exame/Ideia poll, which has a margin of error of 3 percentage points, said that 54 per cent of those surveyed opposed the annulment of Lula’s convictions.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

ore than a quarter of the population in Bermuda has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 16 per cent are fully immunised, officials have said.

The news came as the Ministry of Health reported a single COVID-19 infection in a resident with no links to known cases or recent travel history. There are now 28 active cases.

The Ministry said that as of 17th Wednesday, 395 of the approximately 64,000 people living in Bermuda have received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

Of that number, 10,332 had received the two doses required for full immunisation, which means 27 per cent of the population have received at least one dose of the vaccine and 16 per cent are fully immunised.

There were also 2312 online registrations for the jab from February 28 to March 6, bringing the total to 23,189.

Of those, 45 per cent identified as white, 25 per cent as black, 19 per cent as other and 11 per cent mixed.

The latest positive COVID-19 case, the only

one out of the 423 latest test results for the virus, is under investigation.

The island now has 28 active cases, all under public health monitoring, with none in hospital.

The total number of cases of the virus since the pandemic began stands at 732, with 692 people recovered.

The death toll over the past 12 months remains 12.

Close to 40,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine were sent to Bermuda free of charge by the British Government.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Govt to acquire equipment to test for COVID-19 variant strains

T

he Government is moving to acquire critical pieces of equipment that will allow the country to conduct tests for the presence of COVID-19 variant strains in the island.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton made the disclosure at a virtual press conference on March 8.

He confirmed the presence of the United Kingdom (UK) variant of the virus in the island, following the testing of samples by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

Tufton said that of the samples sent to CARPHA, seven were confirmed positive for the UK variant.

Tufton said the samples of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases were randomly selected in January and

the results were received on March 6.

He said it will cost approximately $60 million to acquire the equipment, which will be lodged at the public health laboratory.

The Minister said that arrangements are also being made to test local samples for the variant strain of the virus in the United States.

Meanwhile, the Minister is urging Jamaicans to adhere to the protocols in order to minimise the spread of the virus.

Tufton assured that the vaccine that the country has received “is in fact effective with dealing with the variant strain”.

Jamaica, on Monday received its first shipment of 50,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines from India.

CARPHA is the regional

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton

public health agency, headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago, which was established by Caricom member states in July 2011 and began operation in 2013.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

IDB to support Caribbean in negotiating faster access to COVID-19 vaccines

T

he Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on Thursday announced what it described as “a first-of-itskind initiative” that would help Latin American and Caribbean countries better compete to obtain lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines.

“The instrument would help both countries and vaccine makers resolve indemnity obligations, thereby removing a key obstacle to vaccine contract negotiations,” said the Washingtonbased financial institution in a statement.

It said the initiative also aims to help design and implement regulatory reforms that facilitate the acquisition and distribution of vaccines.

The IDB said it is the first multilateral development bank to offer such an instrument to its clients.

“Until now, governments in many countries have

found it challenging to purchase vaccines while simultaneously figuring out how to satisfy pharmaceutical company concerns about the potential cost of liabilities related to the widespread use of new COVID-19 vaccines,” said the IDB, stating that Thursday’s announcement “is an attempt to empower developing nations in their vaccine discussions and provide them with a unique guarantee instrument aimed at improving the terms and conditions on which vaccines are delivered”.

“We will complement these efforts with the private sector, and seek to collaborate through the work

of IDB Invest and IDB Lab,” it added.

IDB President Mauricio Claver-Carone said: “Make no mistake about it, the ability to receive and distribute vaccines is a race that will largely determine the economic and social future of countries around the world.

The IDB said concerns over how to reduce the potential cost of liabilities have been a stumbling block for too long for countries desperate to obtain vaccines, end the pandemic and reverse the brutal unemployment and poverty setbacks caused by COVID-19. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil steady near $70/bbl on hopes of recovering demand

O

il hovered near US$70 a barrel on Friday, supported by production cuts by major oil producers and optimism about a demand recovery in the second half of the

year.

Benchmark Brent fell 22 cents, or 0.3 per cent, to US$69.41 a barrel by 1:25 pm EST (1825 GMT) while US West Texas Intermediate crude was at US$65.85 a barrel, fell 17 cents, or 0.3 per cent.

Brent is on track to end the week flat after prices touched a 13-month high on Monday, following seven straight weeks of gains.

“Demand for risky assets such as oil continues to be buoyed by the White House relief package and an almost daily flow of optimistic vaccine headlines,” said Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates in Galena, Illinois.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries forecast a stronger oil demand recovery this year, weighted to the second half. OPEC, Russia and its allies decided last week to maintain its output curbs almost unchanged.

US drillers are also holding back, cutting the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for the first time since November, according to data from energy services firm Baker Hughes Co. “The stronger-than-expected rebound in the second half of this year implies that the global economy and hence oil demand outlook is close to shaking off its COVID woes,” PVM analysts said.

RBC Capital analysts said the fundamentals for summer gasoline was the most bullish in nearly a decade.

The United States, the world’s largest oil consumer, saw a big draw on US gasoline stocks last week as the winter storm in Texas disrupted refining output.

Sustained higher oil prices are expected to encourage US producers to increase output, which could eventually weigh on prices, JPMorgan analysts wrote.

JPMorgan expects US oil output to average 11.36 million barrels per day this year compared with 11.32 million bpd in 2020.

Earlier this week, the Government revised down 2021’s decline expected in US crude production. Output is seen falling 160,000 bpd to 11.15 million bpd, a smaller decrease than its previous monthly forecast for a 290,000-bpd drop.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

US, India, Japan and Australia agree to provide a billion vaccine doses in Asia

U

S President Joe Biden and the leaders of Australia, India and Japan agreed in a summit on Friday to cooperate in providing up to a billion coronavirus vaccine doses to developing countries in the Indo-Pacific by the end of 2022, a move to counter China’s widening vaccine diplomacy.

Biden, hosting the first leader-level meeting of a group central to his efforts to counter China’s growing military and economic power, said a free and open Indo-Pacific region was “essential” to all four countries.

Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said the leaders addressed

key regional issues at the virtual meeting, “including freedom of navigation and freedom from coercion” in the South and East China Sea, the North Korean nuclear issue, and the coup and violent repression in Myanmar.

Sullivan told a news briefing the meeting discussed the challenges posed

by China, although this was not the focus. He said that among the issues discussed were recent cyberattacks and semi-conductor supply-chain issues.

The Quad leaders committed to delivering up to one billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Southeast Asia by the end of 2022, Sullivan said.

US President Joe Biden delivering his first prime time address as President, marking the one-year anniversary of widespread shutdowns to combat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and speaking about the impact of the pandemic during an address from the East Room of the White House in Washington, US, March 11, 2021

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he wanted the four “to forge strongly ahead toward the realisation of a free and open Indo-Pacific” and that Japan had agreed to cooperate in providing vaccine-related support to developing countries.

He also told reporters he had expressed strong opposition to attempts by China to change the status quo in the region and that the four leaders had agreed to cooperate on the issue.

India and Australia also emphasised the importance of regional security cooperation, which has been enhanced by previous lower-level Quad meetings.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini dies in South Africa aged 72

K

ing Goodwill Zwelithini of the Zulu nation in South Africa has died in hospital where he was being treated for diabetes-related issues.

The king, 72, was the leader of South Africa's largest ethnic group and an influential traditional ruler.

He had been admitted to hospital in KwaZulu-Natal last week to monitor his ongoing diabetes condition.

The king's Prime Minister thanked South Africa for its "continued prayers and support in this most difficult time".

President Cyril

Ramaphosa has said that he will be accorded a State funeral - normally reserved for Presidents and former leaders.

The date has not been announced but in the meantime, national flags will fly at half-mast.

He will lie in state in the royal palace in Nongoma, about 300km (185 miles) from Durban where he was in hospital, for a "few days", according to his uncle, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

King Zwelithini was one of the most well-known monarchs on the continent and perhaps globally.

He ruled the Zulu nation under the Traditional Leadership clause of South Africa's republican constitution but his role was largely ceremonial.

He led the 11 million-strong Zulu nation about 18 per cent of South Africa's population - but he also has family links to the Swazi and Xhosa nations through marriage and is respected by other cultural groups too.

He also took his cultural influence internationally as over the years he travelled to the West to promote trade and tourism for his home

King Goodwill Zwelithini was being treated for diabetesrelated issues

province of KwaZulu-Natal.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Gunmen abduct dozens from forestry Twins peak: Double births reach all-time high college in northwest Nigeria M

G

unmen in northwest Nigeria kidnapped about 30 students from a forestry college near a military academy, in the fourth mass school abduction since December, authorities said.

The latest abduction took place around 11:30 pm on Thursday at the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, in the Igabi local government area of Kaduna state, Police said.

“About 30 students, a mix of males and females, are yet to be accounted for,” the state’s Commissioner for International Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said in a statement on Friday. Several staff of the school were also kidnapped, he added.

The college sits on the outskirts of Kaduna city, capital of Kaduna state, in a region roamed by armed gangs, who often travel on motorcycles.

“This is the first time that a mass abduction of girls is

Heavily armed criminal gangs in northwestern and central Nigeria have stepped up attacks in recent years, kidnapping for ransom, raping and pillaging [Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters]

happening in a higher institution of learning,” Fidelis Mbah, a journalist based in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, told Al Jazeera.

“The armed men have always targeted secondary schools where younger students attended. This is a new development from their usual mode of operation.”

Mbah said that authorities have yet to comment on which group is behind the kidnapping.

On Friday morning, relatives of students gathered

at the gates of the college, which was surrounded by about 20 army trucks.

Kidnapping for ransom in Africa’s most populous country is a widespread national problem, with businessmen, officials and citizens snatched from the streets by criminals looking for money.

At least $11 million was paid to kidnappers between January 2016 and March 2020, according to SB Morgen, a Lagos-based geopolitical research consultancy. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

ore twins – almost one in 40 children – are being born than ever before, according to research published on Friday, citing the rapid rise in medically assisted reproduction as a major factor.

More than 1.6 million twins are now being born every year, researchers said in a paper published in the scientific journal Human Reproduction.

“The relative and absolute numbers of twins in the world are higher than they have ever been since the mid-twentieth century and this is likely to be an all-time high,” Professor Christiaan Monden, of the University of Oxford (UK), one of the study’s authors, said.

The rise of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in developed countries since the 1970s contributed to the rise in multiple births, they said, as did mothers giving birth at an older age, when twinning rates are higher.

Increased use of contraception, women choosing to start families later in life, and lower overall fertility were also responsible.

Identical twin brothers Xavier (L) and Zavion Mattox from Columbus, OH, pose before taking part in a look-alike contest during the final day of the 32nd annual Twins Days Festival in Twinsburg, Ohio, on August 5, 2007 [Jason Reed/REUTERS]

Researchers gathered data from 135 countries from 20102015 for the study.

The rates of twin births were highest in Africa, they said, citing “genetic differences” between the continent and the rest of the world.

The increased number of twins in poorer parts of the world was concerning, one of the researchers said.

“Twin deliveries are associated with higher death rates

among babies and children and more complications for mothers and children during pregnancy … during and after delivery,” Monden said.

Researchers said the record number was solely driven by births of “fraternal twins” – which derive from two separate fertilised eggs.

The number of identical twins – known as monozygotes – remained the same.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

Favors will come your way, but debts will weigh (March 21- you down. Find out exactly April 19) where you stand and what expectations are involved before you agree to accept a proposal.

ARIES

Indecisiveness is a warning sign. When in (April 20- doubt, step back and reMay 20) think your next move. Don’t reveal your intentions until you are sure you can follow through with your plans.

TAURUS

DILBERT

Refuse to let your emoGEMINI tions interfere with common (May 21- sense. Someone will take June 20) advantage of you if you are gullible. Don’t feel pressured to make a hasty decision. Do something that will benefit you.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Market yourself and your skills. Keeping up with the trends will help propagate new opportunities. It’s up to you to bring about positive change. Romance is favored.

Put more energy into what matters to you. Walk away from unpredictable situations and toward opportunities that encourage you to do the most with what you’ve got.

Choose the path that will bring the highest return. A positive change is within reach; all you have to do is focus on what is right and best for you. Romance is encouraged.

Put more energy into learning and making your surroundings more accommodating. How you structure your life will determine how creative and successful you become.

A change will thwart everything you had planned.

Deal with problems head-on.

You have to put the past behind you before you can take advantage of opportunities.

Look at the possibiliSAGITTARIUS ties, the people involved and (Nov. 23what’s best for you. Refuse Dec. 21) to let someone mesmerize you with tall tales. Channel your energy into something tangible.

Use your charm to get

CAPRICORN your way. Bring about change (Dec. 22that will improve your relaJan. 19) tionships with friends, relatives or loved ones. A romantic gesture will help ward off a disagreement.

Yesterday's Word - Captious

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

Put more muscle into something that will add to your comfort and convenience. Making a move or reworking your living space to accommodate something you want to pursue will make you feel good.

Pick up the pace. It’s PISCES your turn to soar. Start do(Feb. 20- ing things your way. Let March 20) your uniqueness be your calling card, and you will attract individuals who can help you reach your goals.

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021

21

England canter to victory in first T20i

J

– as Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Chris Jordan ambush India

ofra Archer, Mark Wood and Chris Jordan ambushed India with blistering pace and trampoline bounce, taking the two-paced Ahmedabad track out of the equation and reminding the world why they are the No.1-ranked T20I side.

England's irresistible attack consigned India to 22 for 3 in the first six overs - their secondlowest powerplay score in T20Is - and although Shreyas Iyer scored 67 off 48 balls, the hosts could muster only 124 for 7.

In stark contrast, England stormed to 50 without loss in their powerplay in the chase, with Jason Roy and Jos Buttler repeatedly mowing India's depleted attack to the boundary.

India captain Virat Kohli had promised a similar gung-ho approach from their top order on the eve of the series opener, but while the intent was there, the execution was awry.

KL Rahul dragged a 141kph dart from Archer back onto his stumps for 1, and then Kohli backed away first ball to Adil Rashid, who had taken the new ball for England, swishing him in the air to mid-off for a duck. When Wood blasted out Shikhar Dhawan with a 148kph thunderbolt, India were 20 for 3 in the 5th over, with their top three having collectively managed a mere five runs.

Iyer tried his best to give India's bowlers something to defend, but that soon became next to nothing once Roy and Buttler got cracking. Both the

at deep square leg.

Roy, Buttler…and sustained hitting India matched Chahal up with Roy early in the chase, in an attempt to exploit the opener's perceived weakness against spin. However, Roy muscled the legspinner for six with the first ball, and then crunched him behind point for another boundary.

SCOREBOARD Jofra Archer bowled KL Rahul for 1

England openers fell lbw to spin, but Dawid Malan and Johnny Bairstow took them home by batting at a similar high gear, and throwing down the gauntlet to India for the rest of the series.

Cranking it up While India had packed their attack with three spinners legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal and fingerspin-bowling allrounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar - England went the other way, recalling Wood at the expense of allrounder Tom Curran, and pairing him up with Archer and Jordan.

It was Archer who set the tone for England by removing Rahul and marking his return from an elbow injury with a second-ball strike. Like Rahul, Kohli, and Dhawan who was

picked in place of the rested Rohit Sharma, looked hurried and were dismissed cheaply.

While Archer and Jordan regularly hit 140kph, it was Wood who set the pulse racing by breaching 150kph. After bowling a sharp eight-over burst in Galle, Wood was rested for the red-ball leg of the India tour.

He came back with a sharper spell in Ahmedabad, and at one point he had even prompted Eoin Morgan into deploying a short leg for him.

Quite fittingly, Wood capped his spell with a 149kph delivery that was just about diffused to third man. Archer returned at the death to get Hardik Pandya and Shardul Thakur off consecutive deliveries, but Sundar denied him a hat-trick.

Iyer steps up The second delivery that Iyer faced summed up the challenge posed by the pitch. Jordan hit a hard length, but the ball stuck in the surface and forced him to spoon a checked drive in front of cover.

After Rishabh Pant failed to clear the longer square boundary and holed out for 21 off 23 balls, Iyer simply saw off England's main bowlers, and set about repairing the innings.

Iyer smartly used the pace and bounce of England's bowlers to his advantage, picking 36 of his 67 runs square of the wicket or behind square. He did go after the change bowlers - Sam Curran and Ben Stokes - and ultimately holed out in the last over of India's innings, with Dawid Malan pulling off a blinding catch

INDIA INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Shikhar Dhawan b Wood 4 KL Rahul b Archer 1 Virat Kohli (c) c Jordan b Rashid 0 Rishabh Pant † c Bairstow b Stokes 21 Shreyas Iyer c Malan b Jordan 67 Hardik Pandya c Jordan b Archer 19 Shardul Thakur c Malan b Archer 0 Washington Sundar not out 3 Axar Patel not out 7 Extras (w 2) 2 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 6.20, 103Mts) 124/7 Did not bat: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal Fall of wickets: 1-2 (KL Rahul, 1.2 ov), 2-3 (Virat Kohli, 2.3 ov), 3-20 (Shikhar Dhawan, 4.6 ov), 4-48 (Rishabh Pant, 9.6 ov), 5-102 (Hardik Pandya, 17.2 ov), 6-102 (Shardul Thakur, 17.3 ov), 7-117 (Shreyas Iyer, 19.3 ov) O-M-R-W BOWLING Adil Rashid 3-0-14-1 4-1-23-3 Jofra Archer

Kyrie Irving drops 40 as star-studded Nets defeat Celtics K

yrie Irving posted 40 points to lead the Brooklyn Nets past his former team the Boston Celtics 121-109. In the team's first game back since the NBA All-Star break, Irving – who left the Celtics in 2019 – starred as the Nets recorded their 12th win in 13 outings.

Former MVP James Harden had 22 points and 10 rebounds on Thursday, in the absence of star team-mate Kevin Durant (hamstring) and recruit Blake Griffin.

The Celtics were fuelled

by Jayson Tatum's 31 points, but still had their four-game winning streak snapped.

Two-time reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo guided the Milwaukee Bucks to a comprehensive 134-101 victory over the New York Knicks.

Antetokounmpo – named All-Star Game MVP after starring for Team LeBron in Atlanta on Sunday – continued where he left off for the Bucks.

He had 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in 29 minutes for his fifth triple-double of the season.

Buttler, too, joined the fun, dashing out of the crease and muscling Patel over midwicket for six.

All up, Roy took Chahal for 26 off 13 balls, before the legspinner pinned him in front.

Sundar, who was held back until the 12th over, then trapped Buttler, but Malan and Bairstow rushed England to a 1-0 lead.

(Adapted from Cricinfo)

His Bucks team-mate Bryn Forbes (21 points) nailed the most threes without missing in Bucks’ history, after going seven of seven from beyond the arc.

Young stars as Hawks soar Trae Young put up 37 points as the Atlanta Hawks topped the Toronto Raptors 121-120.

Atlanta trailed by 15-plus points in the fourth quarter in each of their last two games, but came back to win both. According to Stats Perform, they are the

only team in the past 15 years to overcome a 15-plus point fourth-quarter deficit to win back-to-back games.

Norman Powell's 33 points and double-doubles from Kyle Lowry (17 points and 12 assists) and Aron Baynes (11 points and 15 rebounds) were not enough for the Raptors.

The Miami Heat defeated the Orlando Magic 111-103 behind Jimmy Butler's 27 points and 11 assists. All-Star Nikola Vucevic's double-double of 24

points and 17 rebounds was not enough for the Magic.

No Joel Embiid and no Ben Simmons? No worries for the Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia 76ers. Tobias Harris scored 24 points to lift the 76ers to a third consecutive win – a 127-105 success against the Chicago Bulls.

Devin Booker's 35 points inspired the Phoenix Suns to a 127-121 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, who had 30 points from All-Star Damian

Mark Wood Chris Jordan Ben Stokes Sam Curran

4-0-20-1 4-0-27-1 3-0-25-1 2-0-15-0

ENGLAND INNINGS (TARGET: 125 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Jason Roy lbw b Washington Sundar 49 Jos Buttler † lbw b Chahal 28 Dawid Malan not out 24 Jonny Bairstow not out 26 Extras (w 3) 3 TOTAL (15.3 Ov, RR: 8.38, 75 Mts) 130/2 Did not bat: Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Sam Curran, Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood Fall of wickets: 1-72 (Jos Buttler, 7.6 ov), 2-89 (Jason Roy, 11.1 ov) O-M-R-W BOWLING 3-0-24-0 Axar Patel Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2-0-15-0 Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-44-1 2-0-16-0 Shardul Thakur 2-0-13-0 Hardik Pandya Washington Sundar 2.3-0-18-1

– Giannis leads Bucks with triple-double

Lillard.

All of the Sacramento Kings' starters were in double figures for points as they took down the Houston Rockets 125-105: De'Aaron Fox (30), Richaun Holmes (20 and 11 rebounds), Harrison Barnes (20 and 11 rebounds), Buddy Hield (20) and Marvin Bagley III (11).

Ball struggles The Charlotte Hornets beat the Detroit Pistons 105-102, but it was a rough night for rookie LaMelo Ball. In 29 minutes, Ball made just three of 11 from the field, and nailed only one of five three-point attempts for seven points.

After his All-Star appearance, Knicks forward Julius Randle finished threeof-12 shooting for seven points.

Stephen Curry won the AllStar Three-Point Contest, but he was far from convincing in the Golden State Warriors' 130-104 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.

He made just one of eight three-pointers, finishing with 14 points on six-of-16 shooting.

Snell with the buzzerbeating three With the Hawks trailing 120118, Tony Snell called game after sinking a three as time expired.

Thursday's results Brooklyn Nets:121; Boston Celtics:109 Atlanta Hawks:121; Toronto Raptors:120 Miami Heat:111; Orlando Magic:103 Philadelphia 76ers:127; Chicago Bulls:105 Milwaukee Bucks:134; New York Knicks:101 M i n n e s o t a Timberwolves:135; New Orleans Pelicans:105 Oklahoma City Thunder:116; Dallas Mavericks:108 Charlotte Hornets:105; Detroit Pistons:102 Los Angeles Clippers:130; Golden State Warriors:104 Phoenix Suns:127; Portland Trail Blazers:121 Sacramento Kings:125; Houston Rockets:105 (Sportsmax)

22 Hetmyer needs more First-class matches under his belt, says Roger Harper

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021

F

rom being an all-format player, Shimron Hetmyer has moved to becoming a non-format player in this ongoing multi-format series against Sri Lanka as he probably embarks on that hero-to-zero journey which often occurs in sport.

Shimron Hetmyer, the Guyanese cricketing star, failed to meet Cricket West Indies’ (CWI) fitness standards at the time the white-ball squads were selected, and after meeting the minimum fitness standard to be available for Test selection, has still not been selected in the squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka.

CWI Lead Selector Roger Harper, in responding to a question from this daily publication, noted that Hetmyer is required to play more matches and showcase what he can do.

"As far as Test cricket is concerned, he has been absent for a while.

He has not played

the Test squad was announced.

After 16 Test matches and 30 innings for the West Indies, the Guyanese batting maestro Shimron Hetmyer is yet to score a Test century. Despite his poor showing in the longer formats, Hetmyer has shown skill and ability on different occasions.

However, consistency and now fitness have become bothersome issues for him as they are for

Shimron Hetmyer

Regional 4-Day cricket for a while, so he needs to really get some matches under his belt and showcase what he can do, especially at a time (when) a number of players are coming off the Bangladesh series, (wherein) a number of players grabbed places for themselves," Harper noted.

The Guyanese Harper still believes that Hetmyer has the ability to become one of the

best batsmen in the world in all formats of the game.

Harper has, however, also indicated that this is certainly not the end of the road for the 24-year-old Hetmyer.

"He is still in the forefront of our minds, and we are waiting for him to display the passion and consistent performance that we are looking forward (to seeing) as well," Harper said in a virtual media interaction moments after

WIPA congratulates Kraigg Brathwaite on appointment as captain WIPA President and CEO, Wavell Hinds

K

INGSTON, JAMAICA - The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) has congratulated Kraigg Brathwaite on his appointment as the 37th captain of the West Indies Men’s Test Team.

Kraigg Brathwaite, who recently led the team to a 2-0 series victory over Bangladesh, replaces Jason Holder who has captained the West Indies team in 37 Tests since his appointment in 2015 as a 23-year-old.

WIPA’s executive,

management and staff extend thanks to outgoing captain Jason Holder for his service to West Indies Cricket as captain, and we wish him continued success on and off the field.

Equally, we wish Kraigg Brathwaite continued success in his new role as captain.

WIPA President and CEO, Wavell Hinds, has extended “Congratulations to Kraigg on becoming the 37th captain of the West Indies Test Team. We know this important job comes with great responsibilities on and off the field, of which Kraigg has made a wonderful start.

Special thanks to our outgoing captain Jason Holder, who executed his duties with

d i g n i t y and pride.

I wish him

WI Test Captain Kraigg Brathwaite

continued success as an allrounder and an ambassador of our team.”

Jamaican Paralympic athlete Theador Subba eyes rare combination of judo and the javelin

A

s a judo and javelin para-athlete, Theador Subba is a rare talent in the Paralympic and Olympic movements.

Being the 2019 Lima Para Pan-American bronze medalist in the over-100 kg class, Subba, in achieving that historic feat, went beyond the incredible, as he only started pursuing the sport of judo in early 2018.

That boldness of spirit drove him to take up the javelin in 2019, but he postponed his debut at the Para PanAmerican Games to concentrate on judo, a decision which paid off handsomely.

Looking towards berths in both sports at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, Subba has said the desire to represent his country fuels him.

"The passion to represent my country, the will to succeed and the hope that I will be an example to others drives me; inspires me to pursue the two Js, and to do well," he said.

An undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and Management at the University of the West Indies, Subba has said his focus on his athletic and academic goals is unwavering.

"I take life now seriously so that I can smile tomorrow with a career in one hand and medals in the other," he has said.

Notwithstanding challenges brought by the pandemic, Subba has said his strategy is simple. "Train with your eye on the prize. Rest well, then re-charge and go at it again with passion and persever-

ance," he said.

As the athletes intensify their training leading up to this summer’s Paralympics set for August 24 to September 5 - JPA President Christopher Samuda believes athletes like Subba epitomise the Olympic ideal.

"In the Paralympic movement, we remind each other that commitment and dedication to duty determine today's success and tomorrow's victory, and that yesterday's lessons learned and applied give enlightened vision to the future," he said. (Adapted from Sportsmax)

other Caribbean batting talents.

Hetmyer played his last Test match in November 2019. He opted out of the Test tour to England and Bangladesh because he had concerns in regard to COVID-19. Hetmyer made his international debut in white-ball cricket the last time West Indies toured New Zealand, so he has had experience playing in those conditions. (Brandon Corlette)

West Indies name squad for first Test against Sri Lanka

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T JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel today announced the West Indies squad for the first of two Test matches in the series at home against Sri Lanka. The Test squad features several players who recently participated in the 2-0 victorious Test series in Bangladesh.

Two senior players who did not play in the Bangladesh series - all-rounder Jason Holder and left-handed batsman Darren Bravo - have returned to the Test squad, which will be led by Kraigg Brathwaite.

The first Test will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua from March 21-25.

The Selection Panel also named the squad for the CWI President’s XI to face Sri Lanka in a two-day warm-up match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground on March 17-18. Speaking about the squad, Lead Selector Roger Harper said: “It is good to be able to put together a Test squad with a number of players coming off very good performances in their last series in Bangladesh.

Very encouraging. It is a fantastic opportunity to build on the good work that was done in Bangladesh.

“It is very important to continue the process of working hard, playing with great passion,

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playing with determination and a great desire to succeed. Doing that consistently will bring us the right results.”

Harper added: “A number of players seized the opportunity that the tour of Bangladesh presented and booked a place for themselves in the Test team for this series. This now means that there is keen competition for places, which should drive better individual performances and that of the team. I also think that these players are looking forward to displaying their skills on home soil.”

CWI President’s XI Squad Roston Chase (captain) Darren Bravo Shamarh Brooks Shannon Gabriel Jahmar Hamilton Keon Harding Kavem Hodge Shai Hope Kyle Mayers Shayne Moseley Veerasammy Permaul Anderson Phillip Kemar Roach NOTE: Following the conclusion of the President’s XI match, Roston Chase, Jahmar Hamilton and Chemar Holder will remain as reserves for the first Test. Jayden Seales will remain as a developmental player.

Squad for FIRST TEST MATCH - West Indies vs Sri Lanka

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SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Pooran eases jitters after Lewis and Hope set up 2-0 series win I n a game that the West Indies had dominated for large parts, Sri Lanka, who had been mediocre for most of the match, threatened to take it away with some clutch play towards the end of both innings.

However, some late hitting from Nicholas Pooran ensured that the platform laid by the opening pair of Shai Hope and Evin Lewis - who put on a record 192-run opening stand - was not wasted.

The win means that the West Indies take the three-match series 2-0 with a game to go, and register two consecutive ODI wins for the first time since 2014.

For Sri Lanka, it leaves them with plenty to ponder, as their bowlers - more worryingly their spinners - were once again toothless for much of the proceedings.

Most of the credit for this win must go to Hope and Lewis though, whose budding partnership at the top of the order is proving to be a real source of optimism for the future. Set a not-inconsiderable target of 274, the pair went about the chase in the manner of two war veterans going about a game of paintball. Much as in the first ODI, risk-taking was kept to a minimum, though boundaries were accumulated when needed, and running between the wickets was frequent and efficient.

Aside from a tough return catch to Lakshan Sandakan and some fairly close run-out opportunities, neither batsman really ever gave the impression that the visiting bowlers were capable of troubling them.

For Hope, this was just carrying on from his recent form against the Lankans, against whom he has now scored 5 consecutive ODI fifties, and also his fifth consecutive half century in ODIs overall.

Lewis, meanwhile, continued his trend from the first game - reining in his more attacking instincts to grind down the Sri Lankan attack -

though his 8 fours and 4 sixes meant that more than half of the runs in his 123ball 103 still came in boundaries.

It wasn't until Lewis fell -

Nicholas Pooran

stumped as he came down the track to Sandakan and attempted a wild swing

of Sri Lanka's batsmen aside from Hasaranga, was nevertheless shackled by the need to consolidate in the middle overs.

In an innings that included 10 fours and three sixes, only three of those went beyond the 15th over; and just as he was looking to accelerate, he was castled by a flatter delivery from Mohammed that sped through.

Following Gunathilaka's dismissal in the 30th over, Sri

Lanka went on to score just 54 runs, until Hasaranga's arrival 12 overs later. In that period, Mohammed proved particularly difficult to get away, also accounting for the wickets of Chandimal and Ashen Bandara.

On another day, it would have been enough to limit Sri Lanka's total further, if not for Hasaranga's late charge.

(Adapted from ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Hope and Lewis set up an easy chase

across line in one of the few lowpercentage shots he attempted that the West Indies chase began to stutter. His wicket brought an end to the highest stand by a West Indian opening pair against Sri Lanka in ODIs, and the fourth-highest ODI partnership by a West Indian pair ever.

At that point, the home side were on 192 for 1 in the 38th over, requiring 82 runs from 76 deliveries. However, when Hope also fell an over later, holing out in the deep, it left two new batsmen at the crease.

The visitors, sensing an opportunity, began to tighten things up, with the likes of Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Fabian Allen all losing their wickets in attempts to up the scoring rate.

However, with Nuwan Pradeep missing his lengths at the death, Pooran's cameo made sure the hosts would just about make it across the finish line.

Pooran's knock, incidentally, was almost mirrored earlier in the day

by Wanindu Hasaranga, who had almost singlehandedly dragged Sri Lanka to a competitive total. His 31ball 47 had sparked an innings that had, for large parts, been limping along, thanks to some exceptional West Indian bowling, and helped his team climb to 273 for 8.

Having come in at the end of the 42nd over, Hasaranga's crucial cameo came with Sri Lanka waning at 204 for 6. After a circumspect start, Hasaranga cut loose in the 47th over, taking Alzarri Joseph for a sweet hit over long-on. The next over, he took Jason Holder for another two maximums, before then taking Romario Shepherd for a further two boundaries and a six, as Sri Lanka stole 51 runs off the final five overs of the innings.

Prior to Hasaranga's

intervention, much of Sri Lanka's innings

had been defined by the West Indian bowlers, punctuated by Joseph's 2 for 42 and off-spinner Jason Mohammed's 3 for 47, with only Danushka Gunathilaka having looked capable of adding any urgency f o r the

Evin Lewis scored a fine century

visitors.

Gunathilaka, who went on to score a run-a-ball 96, was aided

by Dinesh Chandimal and his 98ball 71 in reviving a Sri Lankan innings that almost failed to ever get going. The pair came together after Sri Lanka had slumped to 50 for 3 midway through the ninth over.

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne fell early, chopping the ball on to his stumps off the excellent Joseph. Joseph was in the thick of it once more a s h o r t while later, getting one to seam back in past Pathum Nissanka's inside edge to clip the top of off stump.

Then Oshada Fernando, failing to drive an Akeel Hosein delivery that gripped and spun, only managed to get a thick edge to first slip.

And so Gunathilaka and Chandimal began the rebuild, putting on a 100-run partnership off 128 deliveries. Gunathilaka, who was by far the most fluent

Sri Lanka Innings Danushka Gunathilaka b Mohammed 96-96-129-10-3-100.00 Dimuth Karunaratne (c) b Joseph 1-3-12-0-0-33.33 Pathum Nissanka b Joseph 10-13-21-1-0-76.92 Oshada Fernando c Holder 2-3-12-0-0-66.67 b Hosein Dinesh Chandimal †c Allen b Mohammed 71-98-135-3-2-72.45 Ashen Bandara c Shepherd b 18-28-33-1-0-64.29 Mohammed Thisara Perera run out (Allen/†Hope) 19-25-56-2-0-76.00 PWH de Silva c Joseph b 47-31-35-2-4-151.61 Holder Lakshan Sandakan not out 2-2-5-0-0-100.00 Dushmantha Chameera not out 1-1-2-0-0-100.00 Extras (lb 1, w 5) 6 TOTAL (50 Ov, RR: 5.46) 273/8 Did not bat: Nuwan Pradeep Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Dimuth Karunaratne, 2.2 ov), 2-32 (Pathum Nissanka, 6.5 ov), 3-50 (Oshada Fernando, 8.4 ov), 4-150 (Danushka Gunathilaka, 29.2 ov), 5-186 (Ashen Bandara, 37.4 ov), 6-204 (Dinesh Chandimal, 41.5 ov), 7-268 (PWH de Silva, 49.1 ov), 8-271 (Thisara Perera, 49.4 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Alzarri Joseph 10-1-42-2 9-0-66-1 Jason Holder Akeal Hosein 4-0-20-1

Romario Shepherd Fabian Allen Kieron Pollard Jason Mohammed

3-0-37-0 10-0-43-0 4-0-17-0 10-0-47-3

WEST INDIES INNINGS (TARGET: 274 RUNS FROM 50 OVERS) Evin Lewis st †Chandimal 103 b Sandakan Shai Hope †c Pradeep b 84 Perera Nicholas Pooran not out 35 Darren Bravo c Bandara b Perera 10 Kieron Pollard (c)lbw b Pradeep 15 Fabian Allen c Bandara b Pradeep 15 Jason Holder not out 2 Extras (b 1, lb 5, nb 1, w 3) 10 TOTAL (49.4 Ov, RR: 5.51) 274/5 Did not bat: Jason Mohammed, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph Fall of wickets: 1-192 (Evin Lewis, 37.2 ov), 2-194 (Shai Hope, 38.5 ov), 3-212 (Darren Bravo, 41.6 ov), 4-233 (Kieron Pollard, 45.5 ov), 5-249 (Fabian Allen, 47.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Nuwan Pradeep 9.4-0-66-2 Dushmantha Chameera 10-0-56-0 Thisara Perera 7-0-45-2 Danushka Gunathilaka 3-0-17-0 10-0-48-0 PWH de Silva Lakshan Sandakan 10-1-36-1

LGC Oasis Café-Akamai Trading Golf Tourney tees off today – “There is a lot at stake,” says Walker

By Timothy Jaikarran

C

ommencing at noon today, the Lusignan Golf Club, in collaboration with Oasis Cafe and Akamai Trading, will kick off their highly anticipated golf tournament, and some of Guyana’s top golfers would be featured.

The tournament is being contested in match play format, meaning there will be two teams comprising 20 to 25 members. The two sponsors would each captain a team.

William Walker (Oasis Café) and Brian Hackett (Akamai Trading).

In an interview with this publication, when asked his expectation of the tournament, William Walker said, “I'm excited (about) the tournament, and anxious because there's a lot at stake. Bragging rights for either myself or Brian. I feel confident about our team winning, although a lot will depend on the draw and how we match our players. Then I am hoping my team mates play smart, calm

Team captain and sponsor (Akamai Trading) Brian Hackett

golf and play to their handicaps. Looking forward to the after-golf activities with some good food and wines, compliments of Oasis and Akamai Trading.

“We will be social distancing of course. Golf is about competition, yes, but mostly about camaraderie and community, and that is something Akamai Trading and I believe in and want to see more of at the club.”

All COVID-19 measures

Team captain and sponsor (Oasis Café) William Walker

will be in place, and the winning team will pocket a $30,000 gift item that can be claimed at the club house, restaurant or bar.

Oasis Café is Georgetown's Original Coffee Shop since 2005, crafting authentic espresso-based drinks, pastries, cakes and sandwiches.

Breakfast is served daily, as well as buffet lunch.

Akamai Trading is a sole proprietorship which has been in business since June 2011 as a leading procurement enti-

ty of Solomon Manufacturing, Southwire Company LLC, and Howard Industries’ electrical transmission and distribution transformers used by utilities, commercial and industrial companies worldwide. Their products include distribution transformers, power transformers, voltage regulators, lightning arresters, switching/sectionalising cabinets, junction boxes and transformer components, armored cables and many other things.

SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021

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

Pg 23

Pooran eases jitters after Lewis and Hope set up 2-0 series win Pg 23

Pg 23

LGC Oasis CaféHetmyer needs more First- Akamai Trading Golf class matches under his Tourney tees off today

belt, says Roger Harper

– “There is a lot at stake,” says Walker

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