Guyana Times - Saturday, November 5, 2022

Several mmg+ customers win cash back P 14

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 5183

PRICE

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022

China Int’l Import Expo 2022

Pres Ali markets Guyana as attractive “investment destination” – says companies investing in Guyana can be assured of support, protection Page 3

Attempts to rig 2020 elections

Footage from Ashmin’s Building during 2020 Elections cannot be found – CEO Vishnu Persaud – as former Reg 4 Commander recalls Police hierarchy “supporting” embattled GECOM official Page 7

700 more house lots Major allocated to Reg 5 residents

success unfolds as CSS programme marks 6 years – Govt has distributed 18,000 house lots to date – Min Croal in Guyana See story on page 11

See story on page 10

5 men found guilty of 2016 murder of Berbice carpenter Page 9

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

GBA pickets P16 SOCU as arrested lawyer demands $50M in compensation …sum “excessive, exorbitant” – AG Nandlall

Enhanced quality of products, P17 services will elevate tourism sector – GNBS Essequibo P2 labourer killed in hit-and-run

Duo busted with gun, ammo in Botanical P8 Gardens

P2 Use of electric bikes continues to challenge GPF – Traffic Chief – 7 electric bikers killed, 12 seriously injured for 2022

Orlando Dickie

Radesh Motie

Diodath Datt

Harri Paul Parsram

Niran Yacoob

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Essequibo labourer killed in hit-and-run

A

36-year-old labourer was on Thursday evening killed after he was struck down by an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) in front of his home at Charity Extension Scheme, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The dead man has been identified as Manniram Sooklall of Lot 403, Charity Extension Scheme.

According to information received, on the day in question at about 19:00h, the ATV driven by a 17-year-old boy was proceeding along the road at an alleged fast rate of speed when he suddenly lost control and collided with Sooklall.

The Police stated that the teen reportedly stopped at the scene, but after seeing Sooklall lying on the roadway in a pool of blood, he fled without providing any assistance to the injured man.

When contacted, Julet Badrie, the now dead man’s sister-in-law, related that he was calling for her husband so she decided to check why he is calling.

“My brother-in-law was calling for my husband and I don't want my husband to go where he's living so I left from home coming out on the road to see what he wants and while I was walking on the street to go there I see the bike come with full speed and hit him… he fling up in the air and land on his head.

The teen just look at my

Use of electric bikes continues to challenge GPF – Traffic Chief

– 7 electric bikers killed, 12 seriously injured for 2022

Dead: Manniram Sooklall

brother-in-law lying motionless on the roadway, turn the bike around and ride away,” the grieving woman related.

She added that every afternoon, the teenager would usually traverse the street with the motor raptor at a fast rate of speed. However, the man was left on the scene for a while until he was picked up by a public-spirited citizen and rushed to the Charity Oscar Joseph Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Guyana Times understands that the teenager is the grandson of the Regional Chairperson, Vilma Da Silva.

Meanwhile, Sooklall’s body was taken to a mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

Up to press time, the Police had not released any information on the fatal accident.

Attempts to make contact with the Commander proved futile.

Traffic Chief Dennis Stephens

A

lthough authorities have long recognised the legal vacuum surrounding the use of electric bikes on Guyana’s roadway, Traffic Chief Dennis Stephens on Thursday posited that the issue continues to challenge the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Records proved that seven users of these bikes were killed in vehicular accidents for the year thus far. In addition, 12 persons were hospitalised with serious injuries.

Superintendent Stephens said none of them

were holders of a driver’s licence.

“Therefore, the lack of knowledge on their part while using the road would be an issue also.”

According to him, based on investigations, many users of electric bikes opt for that means of transportation for financial reasons while emphasising that many are not familiar with the laws of the road.

“Most importantly, drivers should be defensive whilst driving and observe the 5 Cs, therefore be able to observe and obey all rules of

the road.”

There are no laws governing the use of electric cycles.

There has been concern expressed by many road users over the use of these cycles, especially by young children, many of whom do not know traffic signs and laws.

In light that these electric bikes cannot be driven

by law and only be ridden, the reinforcement of protective gears will be a challenge.

In March this year, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) engaged in discussions on the regularisation of the use of electric bikes on the country’s roadways. To date, no firm decision has been taken.

NEWS

3

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Saturday, Nov 5 – 02:30h – 04:00h and Sunday, Nov 6 – 03:30h – 05:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, Nov 5 – 14:20h – 15:50h and Sunday, Nov 6 – 14:55h – 16:25h.

China Int’l Import Expo 2022

Pres Ali markets Guyana as attractive “investment destination” ...says companies investing in Guyana can be assured of support, protection

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

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

Winds: Westerly to West South-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 3.12 metres.

High Tide: 14:34h reaching a maximum height of 2.55 metres.

Low Tide: 08:07h and 20:30h reaching minimum heights of 0.72 metre and 0.64 metre.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS L

02 04 06

09 17 22

24

FREE TICKET FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

11 12 13 15 17 LUCKY 3

2

7

8

5

Afternoon Draw

4

8

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

04 11

13 15

16 17 21

18

SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022

02 07 12 15 16 1

13

01 04 12 13 17

5

3 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

6

1 Evening Draw

2X Evening Draw

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change % +5.04

Crude Oil

$98.57/barrel

Rough Rice

$318.38/ton

+0.61

London Sugar

$537.00/ton

+0.21

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1682.70

$1683.70

Low/High Change

$1638.60 0.00

$1683.90 0.00

President Dr Irfaan Ali addressing China Int’l Import Expo on Friday

G

uyana’s economy is scaling new heights with its oil boom, and President Dr Irfaan Ali pushed the country as an attractive investment destination during the China International Import Expo 2022.

The fifth expo, which runs until November 10 in Shanghai, provides a vast platform for a whopping 145 countries to showcase what they can offer. Investors and major brands are also on board to promote their services, while simultaneously seeking new partners.

Ranked by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as one of the five fastest-growing economies in the world, Ali highlighted during his virtual address that many factors make Guyana an ideal investment partner to the world. At the same time, they can be assured of support and protection.

“Guyana is a particularly attractive investment destination for several factors, including its rapid economic growth, resource wealth, multi-sector opportunities, its accessibility to regional and global markets, and favourable fiscal incentive regime for investors. Companies investing in Guyana can be assured of support and protection,” he pointed out.

Moreover, the Head of State exalted the fact that oil and gas are becoming major players in the country’s rapid growth and allowing for development in other sectors.

“Our economy is expected to grow by 47 per cent this year. Guyana is now an oil-producing state, with an estimated 11 billion barrels of recoverable petroleum reserve; one of the highest per capita in the world. It is rich in gold, diamonds, timber, bauxite, fisheries, rice, and sugar. It is also diversifying and modernising its agricultural sector.”

Despite being an oil-pro-

ducing State, he boasted of the country’s low carbon trajectory through effective management of the oil resources. At the same time, traditional sectors are being developed, with a tangible injection of funds in agriculture, health, and education.

Low-carbon sectors, such and tourism, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and aquaculture are also being elevated.

“Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy promotes economic sustainability, diversification of the economy, investment in climate mitigation and adaptation, utilising carbon credits, enhancing biodiversity and transitioning into a

clean energy future. Our objective is to reduce the high cost of energy by 50 per cent by 2025, thereby overcoming what has been one of the major impediments in development – high energy costs,” the Guyanese leader told the esteemed gathering.

As many as 284 companies that are on the Fortune 500 list or industry leaders will be present at the business exhibition, and hundreds of new products, technologies, and services will be exhibited at the six major exhibition areas, includ-

ing consumer and agricultural products, cutting-edge medical devices, state-ofthe-art technologies and facilities, and the automotive and service industries.

Speaking on China’s contribution to the world, President Ali expressed that Guyana remains deeply appreciative of the systems and collaboration offered throughout the years.

He lauded the country’s emergence as a “global economic giant” and was hopeful for increased partnerships in the future.

TURN TO PAGE 7

4

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022

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

Police and public trust

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has recently issued a stern warning that it intends to get tough with ranks who insist on breaking the law governing tinted vehicles. It has been revealed that the Traffic Department has begun a drive to remove the tint from vehicles belonging to Police officers and those used in patrols. So far, the Department has been able to remove tints from vehicles belonging to Police ranks, while some have been removed from vehicles being used for traffic patrols.

Even though there is a tint law, for quite some time now, ranks were allowed a free pass with their heavily tinted vehicles, giving the impression to the general public that there is one law for Police officers and another for the public.

Now that the GPF, and to an extent the Traffic Chief, have issued a strong warning to errant ranks, it is hoped that efforts currently being made to address the issue are sustained, to ensure full compliance with the law. The law should apply to everyone, irrespective of their status, except in cases when the chief licensing authority grants an exemption, and in a few other special cases.

As it currently stands, only certain vehicles are permitted to have tint without the expressed permission of the Home Affairs Minister; these include diplomatic vehicles and those belonging to senior Government and high-ranking military officials.

This recent move by the GPF is indeed a step in the right direction, as it would send a strong signal to Police officers that they would no longer be able to get a free ride. Some Police officers feel they are not obliged to abide by the laws of the country, like every other civilian.

In some cases, they do not even observe the basic traffic rules; and they do so with certainty that they would not be made to face the necessary charges.

The level of lawlessness has reached enormous proportions, and many times, even though citizens observe the unprofessional and illegal conduct of ranks, they feel it is a waste of time to lodge the necessary complaints, as nothing would come of those complaints.

Many letter writers have complained, in the past, that they would often make certain reports to the relevant authorities, but, in most cases, very little action is taken against the officers responsible; in some cases, they are simply ‘transferred’.

The Police must lead by example. If they want to win the public’s trust, they must be seen as having integrity and decency. They must engage in serious introspection, and monitor themselves to ensure they, too, are held to higher standards. Police officers cannot be seen as breaking the same laws they expect the public to abide by. As stated by the Traffic Chief: “The public must not see us doing the same wrong things that we are punishing them for.”

With public confidence in the GPF being at best tenuous, it would be in the Force’s own interest to employ every effort to eradicate corruption, and strive to rebuild trust in the organisation. It is well accepted that the success of any organisation depends on the integrity of its officials.

While we do not intend to paint the entire Police Force with the same brush that is used to paint the errant ones, as there are many professional and honest officers within the Force, we are convinced that unless what is perceived as endemic corruption in the organisation, and the Traffic Department in particular, is addressed in a holistic manner, we would be preaching about the same issues many years from now.

The Juliet Griffith Day Care Centre on Friday hosted its annual Career Day, which saw children dressing in the outfit of their intended profession in the future.

The goal of the Juliet Griffith Day Care Centre, which is attached to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), is to prepare students for the future, and nothing brings this reality home more than a Career Day

CCWU celebrate Lula’s victory in Brazil’s election Dear Editor, With more than 60 million votes, Brazilian Presidential Candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been elected President of the Brazilian Republic.

The President-elect will begin his third term as President of the country on 1 January 2023.

“We are going to live in new times of peace, love, and hope, Lula is here to rule the country — in a very difficult situation, but he will be sure that, with the help of the people, we will find a way out and restore peace.”

Lula has been a central figure in Brazilian politics for over three decades.

After serving as head of a steelworkers’ union in São Paulo in the 1970s, and leading a historic strike during the military dictatorship, Lula was pivotal in establishing the Workers Party alongside other trade unionists, intellectuals, and politicians.

His victory represents a historic comeback, after serving as the first working-class President for two terms: between 2003 and 2010, and then having to endure the ensuing political persecution that saw him accused and convicted of corruption.

In March 2021, his convictions were annulled by a Supreme Court Judge, opening a path for Lula to run for the Presidency in 2022. During his campaign, Lula expressed a desire to adopt new labour legislation based on tripartite bargaining that would restore workers’ rights, strengthen collective bargaining and union representation, and give special attention to informal and gig economy workers.

The CCWU congratulate our Brazilian workers who have supported Lula’s campaign, and who continue to advocate for the rights of Brazilian workers and for the democratic val-

ues that sit at the heart of our movement.

Trade unionists the world over will be celebrating Lula’s victory.

The CCWU stand with our Brazilian comrades in supporting Lula and the labour movement in Brazil to rebuild and reunite a nation.

“Lula said that his number one priority is alleviating the crippling poverty that has led to 33 million Brazilians facing hunger, and over 100 million living under the poverty line.

His renewed leadership to restore social, environmental and economic justice, and to build an economy around equality, and not greed, will ensure that tens of millions of people are better off.”

The Clerical & Commercial Workers’ Union (CCWU) today mark a new chapter for Brazil.

We celebrate Lula’s victory, and look forward to his leadership as he heals the

nation from the divisions that have fractured its fabric. We look forward to working with our brother and sister unions to build a more equal and sustainable future for Brazil, and to progress the rights of workers, not only in Brazil, but across the region.

We celebrate Lula's triumph. We are convinced that workers in Brazil and across the region would benefit from Lula's return to the Presidency. It will not be an easy task for his Government, but we are confident that the interests of our brother and sister unions and the international trade union movement: to maintain and strengthen workers’ rights in Brazil and in the region, will regain momentum after years of neoliberal attacks.

Yours faithfully, Sherwood Clarke General Secretary CCWU

Sophia is on the mend

Dear Editor, Sophia, once a notorious name and place, has changed, and is still doing so. In fact, just a short while ago, the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, urged Sophia residents “…to capitalise on educational and training opportunities.” This, as we all

know, in terms of standardising all communities across Guyana, is really the big goal of the Government, and so forms part of advancing the people-centred agenda so evident across Guyana.

Editor, what I like about this recent engagement is that the residents were encouraged “…to tap

into the training opportunities being offered by the Government…” and these are quite abundant. I see that Minister McCoy reminded his audience that, “We (the Government) have to all work together with you to make sure that we can bring our youth on board, and to guide them in

the right direction through the programmes of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship; and there is the Get Ready for Opportunities to Work (GROW) programme through the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) programme.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022

5

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

Chess is more than making decisions to catch a king Dear Editor, Board Members of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) must be commended for taking an unwavering and united stance on the need for accountability and transparency, thereby preserving the slow but steady gains made so far by chess locally. The framers of the updated GCF Constitution recognised the importance of accountability, also enshrined in the regulations of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), of which Guyana is a member.

In similar vein, the entire Board of the GCF reacted in unison and decided to sack their president last month. He allegedly refused to be account-

able, and attempted to foist a strange gambit on the Executive Members of the body. Evidently, they would have none of it, and demonstrated maturity and prudence to discredit the former president’s act of sheer folly. It is seriously laughable!

Chess is more than making decisions to catch a king. In the small local chess community, a few aficionados recognise and subscribe to the time-honoured maxim: “CHESS IS LIFE”. Moves in chess are unleashed from a pattern of decisions made with the sole objective to checkmate an opponent’s king.

Perhaps in navigating life, one’s main opponent is fate when making decisions to

achieve personal upliftment.

Decision-making is the main premise of executing moves in chess. Good decisions (moves) lead to good outcomes, and bad decisions lead to bad results. It’s that simple.

Fortunately, chess is intended for the masses – the ordinary man, woman, girl, or boy everywhere, and NOT a select few only.

The game is easy to learn, and is a force for good, yet some with developed minds are misguided by its great lessons on life away from the chessboard.

I urge parents and guardians, teachers, students, and responsible adults to learn and spread the game of the mind to promote a

better-thinking society.

Arthur Fletcher, former head of the United Negro College Fund, aptly coined the phrase “A mind is a terrible thing to waste”. He is right. Emmanuel Lasker, one of the chess greats over a century ago warned, inter alia, “On the chessboard, lies and hypocrisy do not survive long…” He is also right.

One hopes lessons are learned from the above episode, and the drive continues earnestly to spread the game country-wide. Peace!

Sincerely, Shiv Nandalall Former President Guyana Chess Federation

Colonel Craig resigned from the GDF of his own free will Dear Editor, I wish to respond to a false statement in an article titled “Guyanese Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig appointed Deputy Executive Director of CDEMA”, which was published by Village Voice on 4th November 2022.

The article claims that Colonel Craig was removed from the post of Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) last July by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government. That is a blatant lie.

Let me set the record straight according to the facts that exist. Colonel Kester Craig was never removed by the PPP Government. The records

show that Colonel Craig tendered his resignation, or according to military terms, requested to be struck off strength, via a letter dated 8th April, 2022. Colonel Craig’s resignation was addressed to the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess, and copied to the Honourable Prime Minister, Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, and the Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Derrick Cummings.

I take the liberty to point out that in Colonel Craig’s resignation letter, he clearly stated that he was interested in seeking new opportunities and

pursuing his dreams, after having spent the entirety of his youth serving Guyana and the people for the past twenty-five years.

As a result, Colonel Craig requested permission to proceed on pre-retirement leave before his resignation takes effect on 15th February, 2023, according to his file.

In fact, Colonel Craig also shared his gratitude and pleasure for being able to serve, and he committed to ensuring a smooth transition in handing over operations at the CDC. The fact is that Colonel Craig remained the Director General of the CDC, and continued to serve in that capacity even after the new

PPP Civic Government took office in August 2020.

Colonel Craig worked very closely with the PPP/C Government, reporting directly to the Honourable Prime Minister on matters under the purview of the CDC up until he proceeded on pre-retirement leave.

I therefore hope this clarifies any misconception, and implore that facts be checked before assertions are made and falsehoods are peddled.

cation that enables people to put their potential to optimum use, as it is also a type of reform for the human mind. As a caveat, by education, I mean both formal and informal, as well as technical education.

So, it is great to see that the Government understands this kind of mindset, and this forms the foundation for the thrust.

According to Minister Walrond, who was part of the engagement, “The reason we are out here is that it is our job as a Government. We can’t sit in our offices in town and figure out what is happening with the residents in ‘B’ Field, Sophia. What are the things that are really affecting you? What are the

things affecting your family, your community? And, as a Government, our service is to you; you, the people.”

I ask that Guyanese do not take this kind of input lightly. In many parts of the world, things are still not on the mend. For one, the COVID-19 outbreak has left a global education crisis. Most education systems in the world have been severely affected by education disruptions, and have faced unprecedented challenges. School closures brought on by the pandemic have had devastating consequences for children’s learning and well-being.

The global picture remains dismal, as some 147 million children have missed

Dear Editor, The Caribbean Voice is happy that the Gatekeepers’ Training Programme is being relaunched. It is our hope that this training would be speeded up to the extent that there would be gatekeepers in communities across Guyana within the shortest possible time. Perhaps consideration would be given to starting train-the-trainer workshops in each region, followed by the trainers, armed with the requisite resources, spreading out across their regions to turnkey the training; or even two trainers initially working together in the beginning.

May we also suggest that NGOs, CBOs and CBOs that are already working within communities and already have committed volunteers be the initial recipients of the train-the-trainer training, as they would be more likely to engage in training others on a continual basis, as well as in follow up, tracking and evaluation.

Others who could get this training include community health workers; the members of the community advocate network of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security; nurses, teachers, those who man the child advocacy centres and the community health centres. As well, the Police and army should have gatekeepers, given that mental

health issues are significant in both forces, albeit deeply hidden.

Gatekeepers can act proactively to save lives while disseminating information; combating stigmas, myths and misinformation; and engaging people in taking care of their mental health.

The Global Mental Health Action Network and the World Health Organization have identified myths and stigmas as the two biggest hindrances to advancing mental health care.

As well, training this broad spectrum of persons already involved in some level of care and nurturing services and/or activism and advocacy means that most of them would be there for the long run, and that ongoing training can be built into their professional structure. It also means that there can be mental health intervention at the entry level of the health care system and among younger Guyanese, thereby becoming part of the socialisation process, and eventually the normative structure.

Sincerely, Annan Boodram My Heart Walks With You The Caribbean Voice Saving Lives, Empowering People Five minutes of your time can save a life

Sincerely, Vanelda Harris, Personal Assistant to the Honourable Prime Minister, Office of the Prime Minister

Sophia is on the...

Through all the programmes that we offer as a Government, and that we can make available to the community.”

I sound a reminder that Article 26 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to education.” Yet, presently, millions of children remain out of school. People need to realise that education is not only a right, but a passport to human development that opens doors and expands opportunities and freedoms.

We all know that education makes people independent. It also increases knowledge, strengthens the mind, and forms character. Moreover, it is edu-

Gatekeepers' training

Saturday, November 5, 2022 FROM PAGE 4

more than half of their inclass instruction over the past two years. And it is estimated that this generation of children could lose a combined total of $17 trillion in lifetime earnings in present value. Overall, school closures have affected girls, children from disadvantaged backgrounds, those living in rural areas, children with disabilities, and children from ethnic minorities more than their peers.

With this in mind, kudos must be given to the Government, and Sophia must continue to capitalise. I personally feel very optimistic.

Yours truly, H Singh

06:00 06:30 07:00 08:00 09:00 10:30 13:30 15:00 17:00 18:00 18:30 19:00 20:00 20:30 22:00 00:00

(Sign on) Inspirational Time Cartoons Evening News (RB) Stop Suffering Movie - The Snow Queen 2 (2014) Indian Movie - M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) Movie - Pumpkin Everything (2022) Movie - The Lion King (2019) Payless Power Hour Evangelistic Hour Hepzibah The Evening News Islam for Guyana Movie - Autumn in the City (2022) Movie - Ticket to Paradise (2022) Sign off

6

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022

Page

Foundation

◄

w

Graphs and art Maths can be as creative and exciting as any other subject.

Maths can even create art. On the grid below, using a ruler and pencil, draw a line from 14 on the y axis to 1 on the x axis, then a line from 13 on the y axis to 2 on the x axis. Continue in that pattern drawing lines that connect 12 to 3, 11 to 4, 10 to 5, 9 to 6, 8 to 7, 7 to 8, 6 to 9, 5 to 10, 4 to 11, 3 to 12, 2 to 13, 1 to 14 .

Repeat for every side ignoring the minus sign.

Shade every other square

W

hat are crepuscular animals?

Some animals are most active during twilight–dawn or dusk–because they can avoid predators and the warmest and coldest times of the day while still having some sunlight to explore. These animals are called crepuscular.

Let’s get started

It’s a great time to spot wildlife without having to be up super early or super late at night.

Go outside when the sun first rises and sets to observe crepuscular animals where you live.

Be as quiet as possible, you might catch them before they find their hiding places for the day.

Look high and low. There are lots of crepuscular creatures, large and tiny, which you might observe.

All about crepuscular animals

Crepuscular animals are most active at twi-

CONTINUED

light to avoid predators and the warmest temperatures of the day and coldest temperatures at night while still having some sunlight to forage, find water and move about.

Crepuscular creatures are savvy! Predators are the most active at night or during the day.

Both nocturnal and diurnal predators find it difficult to see in twilight. Many different species are crepuscular to avoid predators. Some mammals, birds, insects, and even some fish and reptiles can be crepuscular. (thegreenhour.org)

By The Brothers Grimm

TO BE CONTINUED

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Attempts to rig 2020 elections:

Footage from Ashmin’s Building during 2020 Elections cannot be found – CEO Vishnu Persaud – as former Reg 4 Commander recalls Police hierarchy “supporting” embattled GECOM official

Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud testifying on Friday in the Election CoI

T

he public hearings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the events that followed the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections commenced on Friday with harrowing details of the top brass of the Guyana Police Force supporting certain officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to disrupt the electoral process.

Additionally, it was also disclosed that none of the footage from Ashmin’s Building during the 2020 polls can be found. This was revealed during the testimony of the Chief Elections Officer at GECOM, Vishnu Persaud, who was the first witness to take the stand.

During the March elections, the Ashmin’s Building – located at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown – was used to house the office of the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer – a position that was held by the embattled Clairmont Mingo.

Persaud testified that upon assumption of the CEO post, he had generally been required to have knowledge of where the security footage of GECOM’s operations is stored.

However, he indicated that no one seems to know about the location of the surveillance footage captured inside of the Ashmin’s Building during the elections period.

“I am not aware that any

Phillip Azore

such footage is available. In fact, I did enquire [and] I was informed that the cameras were installed in that building on the instructions of the Chief Elections Officer [in 2020, Keith Lowenfield] that might have been done by a private service provider.

And nobody seems to know when the cameras were removed and where the footage might be,” Persaud stated.

Computers wiped

The CEO further told the CoI that all the computer systems that should have had such information have been wiped.

“When I assumed office in the Office of the Chief Elections Commission, where the computers which should have had information or could have had information in that regard, all of the computers were wiped clean,” he noted.

Persaud was appointed CEO at GECOM in December 2021 – months after his predecessor, Lowenfield, was terminated.

Lowenfield, former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers and Mingo were fired from the employ of GECOM and have been slapped with several electoral fraud charges following their roles in attempting to subvert the results of the 2020 polls. Those matters are still pending in the courts.

After an almost peaceful polling day across the country, chaos erupted at the Ashmin’s Building af-

ACP Edgar Thomas

ter RO Mingo attempted to declare incorrect figures as the results of Region Four – Guyana’s largest voting district. This spiralled into a series of events – most of which played out at that location on March 5, 2020, three days after election day.

On Friday, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Edgar Thomas gave a detailed account of those events during his testimony.

Thomas currently serves as the Head of the Presidential Guard Unit of the Police Force, but during the March 2020 elections, he was the Divisional Commander for Region Four, and was specifically responsible for providing security at Ashmin’s Building, which included ensuring the safety of both persons and documents in the building.

One such incident that ACP Thomas recalled was

Pres Ali markets Guyana as...

FROM PAGE 3

“The country has emerged as a global economic giant; its economy is characterised by strong and sustained economic growth.

These accomplishments have resulted in improvements to people’s living standards. China, in turn, has expanded its relations with the external world. It has intensified trade, in-

Nigel Hoppie

vestment, and developmental systems with other parts of the developing world, including my own country Guyana.”

He added. “There is an increase in human resource training and scholarships, medical cooperation, food security and agriculture; and technological and infrastructural transformation.

I’m confident that this fifth China International Import Exposition will provide an unparallel opportunity for the promotion of business opportunities, increasing trade, and promoting greater economic collaboration between Guyana and China; and Guyana and the rest of the world.” (Rupa Seenaraine)

in the wee hours of March 5, 2020, at about 02:00h, when he received a report from the command centre at Ashmin’s Building that a GECOM staff, whom he identified as Enrique Livan, was attempting to tamper with figures during the tabulation process.

The then Commander said he went to the location, where Livan was found in a room with a laptop computer and flash drive. He said he contacted Lowenfield, who arrived at the centre and continued the tabulation process. However, at that point, party agents realised that there were incorrect figures on the computer and the CEO committed to addressing the issue.

Bomb threat

Thomas recounted that he then left the building and went back to the Divisional Headquarters at Brickdam, and while there, he received another telephone call just after 10:00h, that there was a bomb threat at Ashmin’s Building.

The ACP said he returned to the location and instructed persons in the building, including GECOM staff, representatives of political parties, and election observers, to vacate the building for their safety. However, he noted that only some GECOM staff complied, in-

Maxine Graham

cluding Chairperson, ret’d Justice Claudette Singh.

Eventually, the Police were able to trace the call to a male resident of Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown, who is a relative of a Deputy Permanent Secretary at the time. According to Thomas, that man was arrested and subsequently charged and placed on bail.

Following that incident, the then Commander was informed by his deputy – Senior Superintendent of Police Phillip Azore – that DCEO Myers has requested additional Police presence at Ashmin’s Building on the basis that an important announcement was forthcoming.

ACP Thomas told the Commission that he returned to Region Four command centre, where he learnt that Mingo had made a declaration of results and that there were Police officers guarding several doors to rooms in the building.

They were acting on instructions given by Azore.

“Well, the instruction was clear to me that [Azore] give them to man the door, preventing persons at GECOM – mostly political party representatives – from entering certain areas [of Ashmin’s Building,” the witness told the Commission.

He went on to say, however, that he instructed the ranks to open the doors, since People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Chief Scrutineer Zulfikar Mustapha had indicated that he was in possession of a notice to be served to GECOM officials who were locked inside the room and he was being prevented by the Police.

Attempts to clear Ashmin’s Building

Sometime after, ACP Thomas recalled that Myers attempted to clear out the building – something he said she was hell bent on doing, and did not even re-

Leslie James

gard concerns expressed by PPP-nominated GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj over the safety and security of the Statements of Poll (SoPs) and other election-related materials.

“Ms Myers was on the upper floor…she was saying that people need to vacate the building…no reason was given at the time. She was shouting in an aggressive manner.

“Ms Myers actually did not pay any attention to Mr Gunraj’s concern. She was more inclined to getting people out of the office… She engaged the Police to get people out of the building,” he reiterated.

Thomas further indicated to the CoI that Myers then called Deputy Police Commissioner at the time, Maxine Graham, and complained that he [Thomas] was not complying with her instructions to get people out of the building.

He said Myers then turned to Azore for assistance. According to the ACP, he was sure that Azore was “supporting” the DCEO, since, at one point, he [Azore] turned away from approaching Myers after coming faceto-face with him [Thomas].

Thereafter, the then Region Four Commander said that eight ranks from the GPF’s Special Branch arrived at Ashmin’s Building, and he attempted to evict them since he was the most senior officer on the ground, since he did not summon them or saw the need for their presence.

Moreover, the ACP noted that during a pre-election meeting with GECOM officials, including Myers and Graham in February 2020, the Head of the Special Branch, Nigel Hoppie, was not there when he [Thomas] was given security responsibility for the Region Four command centre.

TURN TO PAGE 10

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Duo busted with gun, ammo in Botanical Gardens

Alpha Fletchman and Larron Semple were arrested by CANU ranks

T

wo men were arrested by ranks of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) on Thursday after they were found with two illegal firearms and several matching rounds of ammunition.

Alpha Fletchman, 36, of 4th Street Kingston, Georgetown, and Larron Semple, 32, of Calcutta Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD), remain in custody pending charges.

CANU in a release stated that ranks were conducting an operation within the

As such, the men were arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters with the firearms as investigations continue.

Just recently, CANU announced that for the first half of the year, they made a total of 14 seizures involving weapons, consisting of 13 firearms and one 1 crossbow. These seizures, they said, have made a positive impact on the unit’s goal of creating a safer country.

The most recent case was in September when CANU ranks arrested two men after a quantity of marijuana

said that when its officers intercepted the speed boat, it was occupied by two adult males and a minor. The boat was searched in the presence of the occupants, and several parcels of suspected narcotics and one shotgun with 16 live cartridges were found therein.

The two adult suspects – Suraj Singh, 30, of Lot 69 Section B No 72 Village, Corentyne; and Mourice Vansluytman, 55, of Lot 18 Section A No 70 Village, Corentyne – were arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters, along with

The firearms that were discovered by Police

Botanical Gardens when they intercepted a motor vehicle with two male occupants. A subsequent search of the motor vehicle led to the discovery of two 9mm pistols and several rounds of matching ammunition.

and a firearm with ammunition were found in a boat in which they were passengers.

The discovery was made along the Manarabisi Canal in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), and CANU had

the suspected narcotics and shotgun with ammunition.

The narcotics tested positive for cannabis and had a total weight of 126 kilograms (277.7 pounds).

Deniers...

I

…and enablers

t had to happen sooner or later. With about half of the Guyanese population living in the States, we’ve finally become a blip in their elections. But while it may be a “blip” for them and their 330 million population, it could be a tsunami for some of us!! Your Eyewitness had commented on a meeting convened in Brooklyn of some hundreds of Guyanese supporters of the PNC - where a number of NY officials running for local office were inveigled to attend to press the flesh. There were no babies to kiss, since the youngest attendees had to’ve been at least in their sixties!!

Many Guyanese over here in mudland must’ve been surprised to learn that the Attorney General of NY State was running for elections. In our British-bestowed political system, our AGs are always appointed! Well, the Yanks did tinker a bit with their democratic institutions in their efforts to “make a more perfect union” - after they threw out ole, mad King George back in 1776!! Anyhow, we know that the NY AG – one Letitia James, who lives in a section of Brooklyn along with a whole heap of Guyanese voters cussed out the Guyanese justice system!! She threatened to go after our law enforcement officials who’d charged a Brooklyn PNC fella organising the meet - let’s call him “BG” for the Brooklyn Grifter he is! - for several crimes allegedly committed in Guyana!! She’d “show them”, she shouted, if “anything were to happen to him!!”

Well, “knock got knock back”!! Locked in a race she’d thought was gonna be a walkover, Letitia was suddenly running scared. Even against a completely unknown Republican candidate, William Henry, the race was suddenly tightening because of the rising NY crime rate she’d done nothing about!! Hence, of course, her pandering to BG, who’d brought out some warm Guyanese bodies who – he’d assured her - would place their Xs opposite her name in the elections next Tuesday!! Her opponent saw his opportunity, and moved swiftly to point out her desperation.

Henry slammed her with a possible fatal (political) body blow: “It is disgusting that Letitia James would embrace a wanted criminal who calls for racial violence against ethnic minorities here in NY. Violence against political opponents has no place here. Period.”!! Now…now…now!! Henry must know something we Guyanese don’t!! We’d heard the PNC shill BG had made threats to PPP members in Guyana – “Run them off the road!!” he’d screamed. And, of course, there was that alleged shakedown he was involved in against a local car dealer.

But Henry would’ve known BG hadn’t been convicted – yet!! So, surely, as a lawyer running for AG in NY, he wouldn’t dub BG a “wanted criminal”.

Unless he knew something the fella had done in NY!! …of (political) reality Letitia and BG thought they were big and bad to threaten our democratically elected Government here in Guyana, because they’re Democratic Party members, and a Democrat, Biden’s, in the White House!! They really believe they can convince him that the PPP wasn’t REALLY elected legitimately – even though every international organization and then some! – had seen the PNC nasty power grab for what it was – political thuggery!!

Well, hope they listened to Biden while he was campaigning on behalf of other Democratic party candidates. “American democracy is under attack because Trump will not accept the results of the 2020 election…

He refuses to accept the will of the people, he refuses to accept that he lost,” Biden said. More significantly, he said that such denials of the results of elections are a threat to democracy. “Make no mistake, democracy is on the ballot for all of us,” he said.

The PNC and their facilitators like BG should take note. …of improving economics Your Eyewitness remained disappointed at the naked opportunism of the LoO to use 2019 figures – when his Government was in office – to claim a 58% poverty rate here.

Is he so desperate he didn’t even read past the headlines??

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

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

NEWS

9

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

5 men found guilty of 2016 murder of Berbice carpenter

Orlando Dickie

Radesh Motie

he trial into the murder of Berbice carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt, which commenced last month at the Berbice High Court, ended on Friday with a 12-member jury returning a guilty verdict.

On trial before Justice Navindra Singh were Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob. The jury delivered unanimous guilty verdicts in relation to each of the five men.

Police stated that between October 31 and November 1, 2016, in the county of Berbice, they murdered Faiyaz Narinedatt, a 26-year-old father of two.

Upon their arraignment, the quintet had pleaded not guilty to a joint murder indictment. Murseline Bacchus, SC, and Attorney-

at-Law Arudranauth Gossai represented the now convicted man. Attorney-atLaw Latchmie Rahamat was the special prosecutor.

During the trial, four eyewitnesses were among those to give testimonies.

It was revealed that on the night of October 31, 2016, Narinedatt attended a party hosted by US-based Guyanese businessman, Marcus Bisram at his home.

It was also revealed that at some point when Narinedatt left to use the washroom, Bisram followed him and allegedly began making sexual advances to him by touching his penis.

The carpenter rejected the advances by telling Bisram, “Me don’t go in for man. Me got wife and children”. With Bisram refusing to stop, Narinedatt slapped him and walked away.

T

Diodath Datt

Harri Paul Parsram

Niran Yacoob

Dead: Faiyaz Narinedatt

penter’s killing. However, at the end of two separate Preliminary Inquiries (PI), he was discharged/freed, because of insufficient evidence. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, would thereafter step in, directing the Magistrate to commit Bisram to face a tri-

al at the High Court.

The businessman challenged the DPP’s directive, which was subsequently quashed by a High Court Judge, who also barred AliHack from proffering a murder indictment against him.

An appeal against the Judge’s decision was filed by the DPP to the Court of Appeal of Guyana, which overturned the lower court’s decision, ordering that Bisram be arrested and tried.

But Bisram then challenged the local appeal court’s ruling at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

In the end, the apex court restored the High Court Judge’s decision, but ruled that nothing prevented the DPP from having Bisram re-arrested and charged again if fresh evidence is obtained linking him to the murder.

Four of the five convicts during their court hearing on Friday

It was reported that an upset Bisram walked to the front of his yard where he informed Dickie, Motie, Datt, Parsram and Yacoob, that Narinedatt had slapped him and that they must “kill um dead”.

As such, the carpenter was severely beaten with pieces of wood and

his lifeless body dumped on the Number 70 Village, Corentyne, Berbice Public Road. One of the men then used his car to drive over Narinedatt’s body to make it appear like a vehicular accident.

Meanwhile, Bisram was extradited to Guyana to face a charge for the car-

10 NEWS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Major success unfolds as CSS programme marks 6 years in Guyana

Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken

Programme Manager for CSSP, Vishraj Singh

ix years after the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) was launched in Guyana to address crime and violence in the country, major successes have been recorded.

On Friday at the Exit Workshop for the CSSP, it was announced by CSSP Programme Manager Vishraj Singh, that so far, it has accomplished almost all of its targets, and is on

the cusp of completing the others.

He opined that while a final report is being compiled and is expected to be completed in a few weeks, so far, they have identified a reduction in criminal and violent activities. “…those which we have not accomplished we are moving in the right direction. We are not there yet, but we are moving in the right direction.

S

Singh said of the $15 million loan granted by the IDB, every cent was expended towards the reduction of crime.

Over the last six years of the programme being in Guyana, the Government has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen the security sector, aiming to reduce crime and improve citizen security nationwide.

These initiatives include legislative reforms, strategic planning, operational improvements, human resource capacity building, and cross-border alliances, among other strategic initiatives Other accomplishments from the programme include 20 community action councils being established, 1283 youths being certified in vocational training, 60 job readiness and job placement training workshops, entrepreneurship training programmes geared towards reducing unemployment, training on domestic violence, parenting skills to prevent child mal-

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall

treatment, mentoring programmes and rapid impact projects.

Also, under the programme, several national high-quality surveys were carried out on business victimisation, violence against women, and crime and violence in Indigenous communities.

The CSSP was further extended to help reduce recidivism in prisons by rehabilitating prisons and conducting censuses to understand the prison population and the issues faced by prisoners.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh in his address stated that Guyana has embarked on a transformation like no other in the hemisphere, and it is important that we have broad-based economic growth beyond the oil and gas sector.

He said it is import-

ant that we build a modern Guyana. “…we don’t want… that you for some reason to visit an institution of the State… and feel like you are stepping back into the stone ages… the transformation is not only about the roads, the airports, the bridges, and the hotels… a non-negotiable element is a necessity for citizens and visitors to enjoy safety and security of person and property,” he said.

Meanwhile, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, during his time at the microphone, explained that the collaboration with the CSSP to improve the Criminal Justice System is moving in the right direction.

He said that they are delivering on the objectives of these programmes, and he is cognisant that the IDB is well impressed in the delivery of these projects.

Minister within the Office of the President, with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn, on the other hand, said that the Home Affairs Ministry has been working on programmes to increase the peace in Guyana. “In respect of increasing peace, we can only use the information from the research that has come out of his effort...”, he said.

He revealed that the country is seeing threats in transnational crime and cybercrime and as a result, platforms need to be in place to address this.

In addition, Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken revealed that the CSSP is in full support of the modernisation of the country. He said so far, they were able to improve the Police’s responses to gender-based violence, by training over 3000 policemen and women on how to deal with these cases.

Footage from Ashmin’s...

But according to Thomas, he felt that the Special Branch officers were “in support” of Myers’s attempt to clear out the building since she did not question their presence, and that Hoppie, who has since retired, knew of their actions.

However, the then Commander contended during his testimony that, “There was no need for the Special Branch because they were not useful to my operations.”

Nevertheless, ACP Thomas recounted that he subsequently received calls from ACP Graham and the then Police Commissioner Leslie James – both now retired – who were also supporting Myers’S attempts to vacate the building.

After several conversations, which included him [Thomas] informing his superiors that systems needed to be in place to ensure the safety of the SoPs and other electoral materials – which were in a room with a broken door lock – before the building can be cleared, the ACP said two ranks from the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) then arrived at the location.

Again, as the senior of-

ficer at Ashmin’s Building, the Divisional Commander said, he sent them away since he saw no need for them there. However, he said the ranks returned sometime after with reinforcements.

“At that stage, I reminded them that I am the most senior person on the ground… They left the building immediately… and came back with some reinforcements… 15 fully armed ranks dressed in TSU uniform,” Thomas recalled.

The TSU ranks ordered everyone out of the building, and at that point, ACP Thomas said, he realised that he was no longer in charge. After failing to contact the Police Commissioner, he said, he called Graham and informed her that he was leaving Ashmin’s Building.

The following day – March 6, 2020 – when he returned to the command centre, there were heavy barricades around the building, preventing persons from gaining access, including parties’ representatives and electoral observers. Thomas said this was done at the instruction of Azore.

The Divisional

FROM PAGE 7

Commander was then informed by Graham “…that I’m no longer in command of the Division. Azore is in command, and I must go to the Headquarters to receive a letter.”

According to the ACP, he was informed

by Deputy Commissioner Paul Williams that Commissioner James was “not pleased with my performance” and so he (ACP) was being assigned to patrol duties at the Police Headquarters – a task which Thomas said he had objected to, since it was not in keeping with his seniority and because he refused to work under Graham.

Thomas was then seconded to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) for some time, before being brought back to the headquarters, where he was “doing nothing”. Without an office or even a desk, the ACP said, he only showed up for work twice per month.

He told the Commission of Inquiry that he felt unaccommodated and knew for a fact that he was “not welcome at headquarters” despite serving the force for over 30 years. (Vahnu Manikchand)

NEWS

11

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

700 more house lots allocated to Reg 5 residents – Govt has distributed 18,000 house lots to date – Min Croal

A family pulling the number to their house lot from Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal One resident pulling the number to her lot

A

t least 700 Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) residents have benefitted from low-income and moderate-income lots within the Shieldstown Housing Scheme. The house lots were allocated during the second “Dream Realised” housing drive in the region for the year.

The first, which was held earlier in the year, saw at least 400 persons receiving house lots. On Friday, hundreds of persons flocked to the Shieldstown Cricket Ground where they had the opportunity to pull the number for their lots.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues stated that the land that is being developed was acquired by the Ministry back in May 2021. “Several months later, we are here to allocate 700 house lots to you the residents… this speaks to the expediency in which we are working; this demonstrates the commitment of the Ministry to reaching its target of distributing 50,000 house lots by 2025.”

Rodrigues added that Region Five compared to other regions does not have a huge backlog and as such, by 2025, every single application will be dealt with.

“From 2020 to now, we have spent over $800 million on new infrastructure, upgrading existing housing schemes in Experiment, upgrading roads in Bath… we are also expending monies to develop the new site for the hospital, so we have been very active in this region.

In addition, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal added that the initiative on Friday is the 6th for the year thus far and it shows the commitment of the Ministry and to an extent the Government.

“Since we are in office, we are close to the 18,000 allocation mark and that is a significant number. It signals what a PPP/C Government means to the people of Guyana and when you have a youthful President as Dr Irfaan Ali leading and charting the course, the distribution of the 50,000 house lots in 5 years will be met.”

He added that several other areas will be developed with estimated spending of over $400 billion.

Further, he stated that providing the residents with top quality water is a priority for the Ministry. Here in Region Five, a large water treatment plant will be constructed at Bath to the tune of US$8.4 million – the tenders will go out in the new year – this will address the water issues of over 23,500 residents in this region.”

Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal commended the Ministers for taking the bold step to ensure that those who would have been promised house lots before 2020 received them so that they can adequately provide shelter for their families.

He noted too, that over the past year, there has been tremendous progress in the housing sector in Region Five and again commended the leadership of both Ministers while reiterating that it is a testimony of the commitment by the PPP/C Government.

12

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

13

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

14 NEWS GRA’s service improvement allows for free flow of trade – GCHBCA SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

The Guyana Revenue Authority

T

he Guyana Customs House Brokers and Clerks Association (GCHBCA) has lauded the Customs, Excise and Trade operations of the Guyana

Revenue Authority (GRA), for continuous improvement in its service to importers and exporters.

President of the Association, Colin Moore

shared in a statement that as Guyana develops, importation and exportation will increase. GCHBCA has positively received the systems implemented by GRA to al-

low a smoother flow of trade while protecting revenue.

“Since the implementation of the ASYCUDA World system which brought many positive results, thereby allowing consignees/brokers live access for the processing and clearance of their cargo, this has resulted in shorter processing and clearance times. GCHBCA has observed this reduces many manual procedures which were deemed as tedious on the business community,” the association pointed out.

With renewed emphasis by the leadership of GRA on trade facilitation and improvement of systems, importers and exporters were encouraged to adhere to the customs laws and regulations; and recruit licensed customs house brokers to facilitate the processing and clearance of their consignments. The GRA provides a list of licensed brokers on its webpage.

“Licensed Brokers have the knowledge and experience to advise on the correct procedures, advise on tax or trade policies, tariff rates, classification, and avoid possible sanctions for breaches of the Customs laws.

We can guide local importers and foreign investors to benefit from established Government policies from which they can benefit while ensuring compliance with the laws. We are aware of companies claiming to provide Customs brokerage services without “Licensed Brokers” in their permanent employ. This constitutes a breach of the Customs Act as it relates to persons, partnerships and companies

GCHBCA President Colin Moore

conducting these activities for gainful services.”

Some of the measures implemented by the Customs, Excise and Trade Operations of Guyana Revenue Authority to facilitate trade and investment include robust risk profiling systems which have led to the reduction in discretionary powers conferred upon officers to determine actions in relation to shipments, resulting in a fair and consistent approach to declarations being flagged.

There is also a 48-hour maximum processing time now for imports, which in some cases is less than 24 hours.

Additionally, many consignments are now released quickly with post-clearance checks being conducted on declarations that warrant extra checks.

Guyana’s economic trajectory has led to larger imports resulting in GRA putting systems in place to deal with issues on PostClearance Audits instead of delaying shipments for ver-

ification of classification and values. Declarations can be submitted on a 24/7 basis by licensed brokers and authorised users.

Added to the new measures, ASYCUDA has online access to data that accurately gives information on the status of declarations. This information can be accessed by authorised users only, which protects clients’ confidential information.

There is a 24-hour prepayment system that allows for payment of taxes online and in advance as well, while there are round-theclock GRA offices to make payments.

“Customs management has supplemented ASYCUDA by the implementation of various systems, including removal of overlapping functions, and ensuring a fair and consistent approach which reduces the incidence of perceived harassment by officers,” the association opined.

Now, red tape even for the smaller imports has been removed for low-risk, Government Agencies, Diplomats, and even personal shipments whereby shipments are scanned upon destuffing on containers to detect illicit goods. This allows for faster clearance while protecting citizens of this country from all forms of illegal activities intended to be imported and exported from Guyana.

Training has increased for both Officers and brokers to improve and build capacity, which reflects in the general approval rating of officers and brokers in the public domain.

Several mmg+ customers win cash back

F

ive Mobile Money Guyana (mmg+) subscribers were the first to win cash prizes through the company’s latest promotion.

Subscribers like Elva Raghunandan who won $15,000, just needed to pay their GTT bill via mmg+, along with either their GPL or GWI bill.

“It’s been very easy, fast, and convenient to pay my bills via mmg+,” Raghunandan exclaimed.

Other winners include Mickell Rogers, Marilyn Griffith, and Miranda De Souza, who all won $15,000 in mmg+.

According to the mmg+ Product Marketing Manager Diana Gittens, the company has made it easier to win cash back by doing everyday transactions; like paying utility bills.

“Our customers have been consistently rewarded with cash and other prizes over time by just being customers, no fluff and fanfare. This promotion demonstrates how easy and conve-

One of the lucky winners

nient it is to conduct these everyday transactions,” she explained.

For your chance to be one of the winners in the com-

ing weeks, pay any GTT bill and either your GPL or GWI bill via mmg+. To find your nearest agent, visit https:// www.mmg.gy/agents/.

NEWS

15

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Caribbean stakeholders to push for climate financing solutions at COP27

F

inding ways to urgently increase access to affordable and adequate financing for climate action for the Caribbean will be the priority for Caribbean partners at the world’s foremost climate change conference, COP27.

COP27 or the 27th Meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) Conference of Parties, gets started in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, running from November 6 to November 18.

Ahead of the meeting, regional stakeholders are preparing their pitch and pushing to get the Caribbean the financing required to adapt to the impacts of climate change which are already a lived reality for the people of the Region.

On November 9, which is Finance Day at COP, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) and the Organisation for Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission will jointly host a side event to draw attention to the challenges of climate change in the Caribbean and propose associated solutions.

The event is a panel discussion titled “Aligning Climate Finance Flows with Caribbean Countries’ Climate Resilience Needs”.

CDB President Dr Gene Leon, who will deliver the keynote address at the panel, explained the reason un-

CDB President Dr Hyginus Leon

derpinning the discussion - the urgency of the challenges for the Region which is already facing severe climate change impacts such as stronger and more frequent hurricanes, droughts, and flooding.

“For us in the Caribbean, climate change is not theoretical or in the future, it is existential, and it is now.

And the hard facts are that right now, the financing we receive is not adequate for the scale of the problem.

Simply put - currently the challenges are too big, and the money is too small to make the changes we need to effect to be able to survive climate change.”

The panel will focus specifically on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance. Launched at COP26 in Glasgow last year, the NCQG is a two-year work programme that will produce recommendations for

the post-2025 climate finance goal - which will be the successor to the current US$100 billion per year commitment reinforced through the landmark Paris Agreement in 2015.

Discussions at the panel will explore how the NCQG is an opportunity to address some of the key constraints that have stymied climate finance to the Region and look at how it can better respond to Caribbean countries’ needs.

Speakers include Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Planning and Development, Pennelope Beckles; Chief Climate Change Expert at the European Investment Bank, Nancy Saich; CDB Vice President (Operations) Isaac Solomon and Ambassador Jeanine Felson, Senior Advisor on Climate Matters to the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and Caricom.

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GBA pickets SOCU as arrested lawyer demands $50M in compensation …sum “excessive, exorbitant” – AG Nandlall

Attorney-at-Law Tamieka Clarke

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has completed its investigation into last Friday’s arrest of Attorney-at-Law Tamieka Clarke by an officer of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for advising her client, who was under probe by the unit, to exercise his constitutional right to remain silent.

On Friday, the GPF stated that the file was sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. The notice came hours after the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) announced that its members would be protesting that same day, in denouncement of the lawyer’s unjustified arrest, outside SOCU’s Camp Street, Georgetown headquarters. The DPP’s Office is expected to advise on the way forward by the end of the new week.

Protest

At the protest, scores of lawyers dressed in sombre colours, described Clarke’s arrest as an attack in the rule of law. “The rule of law must be obeyed”, “Lawyers should represent without fear” and “SOCU threatens our democracy”, were among the writings on their

placards.

Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, an attorney by profession and former Chief Magistrate, K Juman-Yassin, SC, were among the lawyers supporting Clarke.

Pauline Chase, the President of the GBA, who was on the picket line, told reporters, “This is not a lawyer issue. Yes, you see lawyers out here but this is a wider issue, it is a rule of law issue, it is a fundamental right issue, the right to counsel. The right to remain silent is ingrained, these are none negotiable rights and it affects us all…”

Clarke, who previously served as a State Counsel in DPP’s Chambers, was arrested on October 28 by the

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

said that in his capacity as the constitutional legal advisor to the GPF, he instantly advised that she be released.

thought “this was water under the bridge”. With the lawyers, however, picketing SOCU, he noted that an “aggressive agenda” is being pursued and he is not sure to what end.

“I have received, for example, a pre-action letter from a lawyer purporting to act for Ms Clarke. The Police officer in question and the Commissioner of Police received similar letters. All the letters came to me because the Attorney General represents the Police in these types of cases.”

According to Nandlall, Clarke, in that letter, has demanded $50 million as compensation in lieu of a civil suit for false imprisonment and breaches of her constitutional rights. Nandlall is of view that the sum is “ex-

Members of the Guyana Bar Association picketing SOCU on Friday (Royston Drakes photo)

SOCU—an arm of the Police Force tasked with investigating organised crimes.

She was released the said day after the intervention of Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, who has already offered her a profound apology for what he described as an “unfortunate incident”.

After inquiring about the circumstances surrounding counsel’s arrest, Nandlall

The attorney, who said that she was arrested and detained for almost an hour for allegedly obstructing an officer in the conduct of his duties, has mulled suing the State for false imprisonment.

Aggressive agenda

In a video statement following Friday’s protest, the Attorney General related that having advised that the lawyer be released, he

orbitant and excessive” given the circumstances.

He explained, “Now this young lady [Clarke] would not have spent more than 10 minutes under this alleged Police restraint. She was not physically incarcerated in a cell. She was simply requested to move from the lower part of the building to the upper flat. Apparently, her cell phone was taken from her…that period did not exceed more than 10-15 minutes maximum.”

While he is in the process of replying to Clarke’s letter, the Attorney General added that he is aware of pursuits being made across the Caribbean to get statements to condemn the Police’s conduct. “A protest is now unfolding…So one must begin to ask whether it is that [Clarke’s] best interest is being pursued or is there another agenda at play.

One would have thought that having engaged the Attorney General and requesting compensation as exorbitant and excessive as that demand is, one would have awaited a response.

That did not happen…”

“Protests were being planned even before the letter reached me. It is quite unfortunate that the alleged victim in this unfortunate situation, that her interest seems to become of secondary importance and other factors seem to be dominating the stage in relation to

this matter.”

The Senior Counsel disclosed that he will reply to the lawyer’s letter in “due course”, but believes that this matter should be resolved amicably. He maintained that the incident involving the lawyer is “regrettable” “and never should have occurred”.

Condemnation

Shortly after Clarke’s arrest, the GBA issued a statement, noting that the attorney’s detention reflected a disregard for the rule of law and the fundamental right to counsel which are the “hallmarks of a democratic society” and destroys the foundations of democracy.

In “unreservedly and unequivocally” denouncing her arrest, the Bar described it as being “disturbing, perverse, unlawful, oppressive and wholly unacceptable”.

The GBA, thus, called on the acting Police Commissioner, Clifton Hicken, to forthwith apologise to Clarke; compensate her for unlawful imprisonment; launch a full inquiry into the matter with such necessary disciplinary action enforced swiftly including charges being laid against the offending officer(s), there are no lawful grounds for the arrest, and to exercise disciplinary action including termination of any officer(s) who were aware of and allowed this type conduct.

In a separate statement, the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL), made it clear that at no time should a lawyer be fearful of executing his/her duties.

According to the legal asso-

scope of the law, the GAWL thus called on the Police Commissioner to issue an apology and cause a probe to be promptly conducted into SOCU’s actions.

Among those criticising the Clarke’s arrest is the main parliamentary Opposition APNU/AFC, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Jamaican Bar Association (JBA), the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) and the Organisation of Caribbean Commonwealth Bar Associations (OCCBA).

Political interference

Meanwhile shadow Attorney General and APNU/AFC parliamentarian Roysdale Forde, SC, contended that Nandlall advising the release of the lawyer, amounts to political interference in the Police Force. But during his weekly programme – Issues in the News – the Attorney General declared “I reject those accusations and insinuations unreservedly… I never instructed or directed any Police.” He explained that as Attorney General, he is the legal representative of the Police Force as well as many other State organs under different legislations and the Constitution.

Part of his functions, he noted, are to ensure that the Constitution is being upheld and defend alleged violations of the law and Constitution by these agencies; and if unsuccessful, then taxpayers’ dollars will have to be used to pay compensation.

“Part of my responsibility, therefore – profession-

SOCU’s headquarters at Camp Street, Georgetown

ciation, an attorney has the legal right and responsibility to offer legal counsel to their client.

Its statement added, “One such responsibility is to remind the client that he/she cannot be compelled to give evidence in a criminal matter, which is enshrined in Article 144 (7) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.”

Emphasising that a lawyer advising her client that he has a right to remain silent during an interview is not outside of the

al and fiduciary and constitutional and legal – touch and concern the protection of the public purse against compensation being accorded… Having regard my role, must I stand idly by and allow, without intervention, these transgressions to take place and then have to be called upon to defend them when sometimes the damage is already done and the defence is indefensible, and also wait for the public treasury to fund compensation emanating from these excesses,” Nandlall argued.

NEWS

17

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt assists affected WCD farmers to harvest rice crops …daily assessment requested by Agriculture Minister

R

ice farmers on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD), who have been affected by inclement weather conditions, will be assisted in harvesting their crops that are beyond the yield date.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha on Thursday led a team to

assess several rice cultivation areas in Windsor Forest, WCD. The visit was a follow-up meeting to President Dr Irfaan Ali’s engagement with farmers this week, where several issues were highlighted.

Alongside him was the Director General of the Agriculture Ministry,

Madanlall Ramraj; General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board, Badrie Persaud; and Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Dr Dwight Walrond.

Due to the inclement weather, several farmers

Enhanced quality of products, services will elevate tourism sector – GNBS

A

s Guyana joins in celebrating Tourism Awareness Month throughout November, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has emphasised on how standards across all sectors trickle down to the tourism industry.

Globally, the Bureau shared that standards are generally known to help manufacturers reduce costs, anticipate and address technical requirements, and increase productive and innovative efficiency.

In Guyana, in addition to these benefits, standards are applied in sectors beyond manufacturing to have a more cumulative impact on our economy.

This impact contributes to growing tourism potential.

November is designated Tourism Awareness Month, observed this year under the theme, “All Sectors, One Tourism”. It is an avenue and opportunity for local businesses and service providers in the hospitality, tours, and culinary areas to showcase their attractive products.

“When the quality of our local products and services is enhanced broadly in other sectors, our tourism experience also improves.

For example, in agriculture, when we can produce, grade, store and prepare our fruits and vegetables based on standards, we can be confident that our agri-produce are wholesome; free of blemishes that can result in illnesses.

The expectations are similar when standards are applied for other local food and food-grade products prepared by our numerous restaurants and fast-food establishments,” the GNBS shared.

Increased visits to our shores, it noted, continue to push the demand for quality housing and accommodation. The GNBS, as the developer of National

Standards, has over the years formulated more than 600 standards applicable to various sectors including agriculture, health, forestry, oil and gas, tourism, manufacturing, mining, and construction. Once implemented, it said these standards provide requirements to improve the products, processes, and services of companies and businesses operating within these sectors.

“Meanwhile, for tourism standards, the GNBS continues to promote what’s available to the sector to meet and exceed tourist and user expectations.

These standards include the standard for Bed and Breakfast facilities (GYS 514:2016) which can be implemented by homeowners looking to benefit financially from extra rooms they have available.”

There is also the Code of Practice for Quality Management in the Restaurant Services (GCP 17:2003) which specifies the managerial requirements necessary to ensure the efficient running of any restaurant establishment and seeks to ensure quality in the sight of its customers.

Additionally, the Code of Practice for tour operators and tour guides (GCP 18:2003) specifies acceptable practices to be used by tour operators and tour guides. It is intended for use as a quality tool by tour

guides and tour operators, present and prospective members of tour parties, and the relevant authorities and agencies responsible for tourism in Guyana.

Our many local tour operators can integrate these guidelines when facilitating these adventures.

The Code of Practice for the Assessment, licensing, registration, classification, and grading of the accommodation sector (GCP 15:2003) specifies the requirements for the monitoring and management of hotels, apartments, and guesthouses. The standard also addresses rates for various types of accommodation, requirements for electrical installation and supply, fire safety requirements, the storage, preparation, and service of food and beverages, and the general hygiene of establishments and employees.

“Finally, as we celebrate Tourism Awareness Month and experience our country’s tourism, we must underscore and appreciate the usefulness of standards in holistically supporting providers of quality tourism products and services.

Providers are encouraged to contact the GNBS to acquire and learn more about available National and International Standards.

The Bureau also provides training on these standards for businesses and individuals,” the Bureau added.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha inspecting the crops with other officials and farmers

have been unable to harvest the remainder of their paddy, and for some farmers, the harvesting date for the crop has passed.

As such, the Minister informed that officers from the GRDB will conduct daily assessments of the affected plots, after which a decision will be made on how they can be assisted.

“We want an update every day. At end of it, hopefully within a week or two, we can get out the rice.

Based on what you get out now, I want to know what is the yield. This goes from Blankenburg all the way,” Mustapha told the farmers.

In the rice sector, over $100 million has been spent to improve rice yields. Additionally, support in pest control has been provided to farmers, while the Agriculture Ministry also marked the milestone of the Value-

Added Laboratory becoming operational in March 2022.

The Government is aiming to ramp up rice production from 560,000 metric tonnes to 870,000 metric tonnes by 2025.

Back in September, Chief Scientist attached to Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) Rice Research, Dr Mahendra Persaud had positioned that rice production in Guyana has the potential to earn 50 per cent more profits for farmers.

Guyana’s rice production stands at just under 600,000 tonnes annually.

In 2020, the country produced 687,539 tonnes of rice and 559,789 last year with the yield averaging 5.6 tonnes per hectare. The GRDB in its annual report referred to last year’s yield of 5.5 tonnes per hectare as being excellent.

For last year, Guyana harvested 861,214 tonnes of paddy producing 559,789 tonnes of rice and exported 435,421, netting US$201 million.

18

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

Regional

Trinidad asks US to allow Venezuelan US, Canada sanction Haitian politicians accused of gang ties gas imports for LNG plant

Haiti's outgoing Senate Leader Joseph Lambert speaking at a news conference where he announced his intention to continue holding sessions as his term expires, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti January 10, 2022

T

he United States and Canada on Friday imposed sanctions on two Haitian politicians, including the President of the country's Senate, as Washington accused them of abusing their positions to traffic drugs and collaborate with gang networks in the country.

The sanctions target Haitian Senate President Joseph Lambert and Youri Latortue, who served as President of the chamber from 2017 to 2018, the US Treasury Department and

Canada's Foreign Ministry said in separate statements.

"Joseph Lambert and Youri Latortue have abused their official positions to traffic drugs and collaborated with criminal and gang networks to undermine the rule of law in Haiti," the US Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said.

"The United States and our international partners will continue to take action against those who facilitate

drug trafficking, enable corruption, and seek to profit from instability in Haiti," he added.

The sanctions essentially freeze any assets Lambert and Latortue may hold in the United States or Canada and generally bar Americans from dealing with them.

Latortue in an interview with Haitian broadcaster Radio Television Caraibes denied the accusations against him and said US officials had ignored his advice on Police training and strategies to confront gangs.

The US State Department also designated Lambert, barring him from travelling to the United States over accusations of involvement in "significant corruption and gross violation of human rights."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said there was credible information of Lambert's involvement in gross violation of human rights during his tenure, citing an extrajudicial killing.

Canada and the United States did not identify which Haitian gangs they believed were tied to the officials.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

IMF projects Mexico's economy will slow in the near term

T

he International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday forecast Mexico's economy will grow 2.1 per cent in 2022 and 1.2 per cent in 2023, saying "economic growth is expected to slow in the near term reflecting weaker US growth and tighter global financial conditions."

The IMF said in a statement that Mexico is wellplaced to navigate a turbulent global environment due to "very strong" macroeconomic policies and policy frameworks.

The fund also said it welcomed the "proactive approach" from Mexico's central bank, known as Banxico, in

tackling inflation with interest rate hikes. In September, Banxico raised rates by 75 basis points to a record 9.25 per cent.

Further rate hikes may be needed "for some time" due to uncertainty around inflation in 2023, the IMF said. Banxico board member Gerardo Esquivel told Reuters last month the bank was nearing the end of its rate hike cycle.

The IMF also called Mexico's envisaged neutral fiscal stance in 2022 and 2023 "appropriate," while noting retail fuel subsidies had a "sizable" impact on the country's budget.

IMF directors "generally encouraged the authorities

to shift toward more targeted support should oil prices rise again," the fund said.

They also noted that fostering more private participation in the energy sector would help boost competitiveness and investment, the IMF said.

Mexico has been in extended talks with the United States over a US complaint that plans to strengthen state control of energy is coming at the expense of private firms.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is looking to expand output from Mexico's fossil fuel-dependent state energy companies, including the heavily indebted Petroleos Mexicanos. (Reuters)

T

he Government of Trinidad and Tobago is asking the United States to authorise Venezuelan gas imports to restart an idled liquefaction train in the Caribbean nation, four sources close to the talks said.

Under US sanctions, companies and governments must obtain authorisation from the US Department of Treasury to do business with Venezuelan state-run oil company PDVSA. Trinidad's past requests for US approval have gone unanswered, but the US Biden Administration's willingness to ease some sanctions on Venezuela if

President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition progress in talks for a presidential election could provide a new opportunity.

The gas would mainly come from Venezuela's Dragon field off the country's eastern cost, where PDVSA has found reserves of 4.2 trillion cubic feet (TCF). The project was headed for production almost a decade ago, but stalled over lack of capital and partners, and sanctions.

If approved, its gas could restart an idled liquefaction train with a 500 million cubic feet per day (cf/d) capacity at Trinidad's flagship Atlantic LNG project. The

facility is a venture mainly including Shell, BP and state-owned National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC).

The U.S. Treasury Department declined to comment. Shell and NGC referred questions to the country's energy ministry, which did not reply to a request for comment. BP did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

"All we need is access to additional natural gas supply, right next door, to immediate proven resources of gas in Venezuela," said Trinidad's Energy Minister Stuart Young last month.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Peru tourists to be released from detained boat

A

round 70 tourists in Peru are being transferred from a river boat, having been detained by indigenous protesters since early on Thursday.

The group - which includes at least three British tourists - held the boat in protest at an earlier oil spill.

"After dialogue with the [head[ of the Cuninico communities, our request to release people was accepted," officials in the Amazon region said.

A British woman earlier said conditions were "starting to deteriorate".

Charlotte Wiltshire told the BBC they were running out of food and water - adding there were pregnant, diabetic, elderly and sick people on the boat.

Peruvian, Swiss, American, Spanish and French nationals were also believed to have been on board.

Despite being transferred, it's thought the tourists' belongings will stay on the original boat. It's not

This picture taken from the boat shows some of the protesters holding up the vessel

known to where they are being transferred.

The oil spill that sparked the protest from Cuninico's indigenous community happened on 16 September.

Activists from the Cuninico community released a statement this week saying that from midnight on 1 November, no boats or vessels would be able to pass.

"We demand that the government talks to the Cuninico community or face consequences - the ultimate

responsibility lies with the President of the Republic [Pedro del Castillo]", their statement read.

Speaking to a local TV station, Prime Minister Anibal Torres appeared to blame the Cuninico community itself for cutting the pipeline involved in the spill.

The UK Foreign Office said: "We are in contact with the local authorities and a very small number of British nationals involved in an incident in Peru." (Excerpt from BBC News)

UN General Assembly rebukes US embargo on Cuba Ecuador prison riot at Guayas 1 is latest violence in deadly week T

A

t least six police officers have been wounded during a prison riot in Ecuador, the latest incident during a deadly week in the Latin American country, which has seen a recent uptick in violence blamed on feuding drug gangs.

Police said the riot occurred at the Guayas 1 prison in the southwestern port city Guayaquil on Thursday, a facility that has become notorious for deadly gang violence. A source at the SNAI prison authority told the AFP news agency that the Police officers were confronted by inmates with guns and explosives.

On Wednesday, clashes at the prison left two inmates dead and six wounded. That came a day after a string of deadly attacks in the cities of Guayaquil and Duran in the Guayas province and in Esmeraldas further north left five Police officers and one civilian dead.

The attacks, which targeted 18 sites, were believed to be in response to a plan to transfer about 1000 prisoners from Guayas 1 to other facilities.

The violence underscored the devolving security situation in parts of the country, once considered a relatively peaceful neighbour of major

cocaine producers Colombia and Peru. In recent years, Ecuador has shifted from an important drug transit route to a distribution centre in its own right.

President Guillermo Lasso has repeatedly accused drug gangs of using violence – including inside prisons – to retaliate against his Government’s efforts to combat the drug trade.

The murder rate in Ecuador nearly doubled in 2021 to 14 per 100,000 inhabitants, and reached 18 per 100,000 between January and October of 2022, according to official data. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

he United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has delivered a strong rebuke of the United States embargo on Cuba, which Havana has demanded be lifted amid an economic crisis on the Caribbean island.

Overwhelmingly, 185 countries on Thursday voted in favour of a non-binding resolution condemning the embargo, with the US and Israel voting against and Brazil and Ukraine abstaining.

It was the 30th time the UN has voted to condemn the US policy, which has been in place for decades.

“The United States opposes this resolution, but

we stand with the Cuban people and will continue to seek ways to provide meaningful support to them,” US Political Coordinator, John Kelley, told the UNGA on Thursday.

“If the United States Government was really interested in the welfare, human rights and self-determination of Cubans, it could lift the blockade,” countered Yuri Gala, Cuba’s deputy representative at the UN. The US imposed the embargo in 1960, following the Cuban revolution led

by Fidel Castro and the nationalisation of properties belonging to US citizens and corporations.

Two years later the measure – which prohib-

its trade between the two countries, among other restrictions – was strengthened.

US President Barack Obama took considerable steps to ease tensions with Cuba during his time in office, including formally restoring US-Cuba relations and making a “historic” visit to Havana in 2016.

That year, the US also abstained for the first time during a UN vote condemning the embargo.

Former US President Donald Trump, however, scrapped such efforts and took a more hardline approach, stepping up sanctions and rolling back steps towards normalisation.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS

Putin endorses evacuation of parts of Ukraine's Kherson region bank. But the comments appear to be the first time Putin has endorsed the evacuations personally.

Russia says it has been taking residents to safety from the path of a Ukrainian advance. Kyiv says the measures have included forced deportations of civilians from Russian-occupied territory, a

Oil settles up 5% as further interest rate hikes loom

O

il prices settled up by more than 5 per cent on Friday amid uncertainty around future interest rate hikes by the US Federal Reserve, while a looming EU ban on Russian oil and the possibility of China easing some COVID restrictions supported markets.

Though fears of global recession capped gains, Brent crude futures settled up US$3.99 to US$98.57 per barrel, a weekly gain of 2.9 per cent.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were up US$2.96, or 5 per cent, at US$92.61, a 4.7 per cent weekly gain.

China is sticking to its strict COVID-19 curbs after cases rose on Thursday to their highest since August, but a former Chinese disease control official said substantial changes to the country's COVID-19 policy are to take place soon.

China's stock markets have been buoyed this week by the rumours of an end to stringent lockdowns despite the lack of any announced changes.

However, signals about the size of US interest rate hikes caused oil to pare some gains.

The US Labor Department's non-farm payrolls report on Friday showed a rise in the unemployment rate to 3.7 per cent last month from 3.5 per cent in September, suggesting some loosening in labour market conditions that could give the Fed cover to shift towards smaller rate increases. read more Richmond Federal Reserve President Thomas Barkin on Friday said he is ready to act more "deliberatively" on consideration of the pace of future US interest rate hikes, but said rates could continue rising for longer and to a higher end point than previously expected.

"The China re-opening talk this morning got oil going, but the various Fed representatives have been making it clear there's a long way to go with respect to interest rate hikes, and oil markets are more sensitive to that," said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital LLC. While demand concerns weighed on the market, supply is expected to remain tight because of Europe's planned embargoes on Russian oil and a slide in US crude stockpiles.

"The slight weakness in the dollar, the upcoming ban on Russian oil sales are certainly supportive as focus is shifting from recession fears to supply issues," said PVM Oil Associates analyst Tamas Varga.

"The main catalyst, however, is reports that China may ease its zero-COVID restrictions, which would be a boon to its economy and oil demand."

The EU ban on Russian crude imports is due to take effect from Dec 5. Details of G7 price cap aimed at alleviating constraints on Russian flows outside the EU are still under discussion.

On the bearish side, fears of a recession in the United States, the world's biggest oil consumer, grew on Thursday after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said it was "very premature" to be thinking about pausing interest rate hikes.

"The spectre of further rate hikes dimmed hopes of a pick-up in demand," ANZ Research analysts said in a note.

The Bank of England warned on Thursday that it thinks Britain has entered a recession and the economy might not grow for another two years.

Underscoring demand concerns, Saudi Arabia lowered December official selling prices (OSPs) for its flagship Arab Light crude to Asia by 40 cents to a premium of US$5.45 a barrel versus the Oman/Dubai average.

The cut was in line with trade sources' forecasts, which were based on a weaker outlook for Chinese demand.

Looking into next week, investors are awaiting the US Energy Information Administration's short-term energy outlook and the November US Consumer Price Index for insight on the pace of inflation. (Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaking with members of public associations, youth and volunteer organisations during a flower-laying ceremony at the monument to Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky while marking Russia's Day of National Unity in Red Square in central Moscow, Russia, November 4, 2022

R

ussian President Vladimir Putin publicly endorsed the evacuation of civilians from parts of Ukraine's southern Kherson region on Friday, the latest sign of Russia's retreat in one of the most bitterly contested areas in Ukraine.

"Now, of course, those who live in Kherson should be removed from the zone of the most dangerous actions, be-

cause the civilian population should not suffer," Putin told pro-Kremlin activists as he marked Russia's Day of National Unity.

Moscow has already been ferrying people out of an area it controls in Kherson on the west bank of the Dnipro River, and this week announced that the evacuation zone would also include a 15 km buffer area on the east

Canada: Ontario could fine striking education workers C$4000 a day

A rally was held outside the Ministry of Labour on Tuesday in support of the education workers

T

he Government of Ontario has passed a controversial law that could impose a fine of C$4000 ($2900; £2600) a day for workers who go on strike.

To pass the Bill, the Government invoked a special clause that allows it to bypass constitutional challenges.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) responded with defiance, saying workers would strike, regardless.

The legislation would also allow for a C$500,000 a day fine against the union itself.

CUPE represents some 55,000 education workers, including educational assistants, custodians and administrative staff.

The union originally asked for an 11.7 per cent annual pay rise for its employees across the board, but sources told local media the ask had been dropped to roughly 6 per cent during last-minute negotiations.

The Government countered with an offer of 2.5 per

cent for workers making less than C$43,000, and 1.5 per cent for those earning more.

The average inflation rate is 7 per cent.

Union leaders have called for "province-wide political protest" starting on Friday after the Government introduced Bill 28 - which enforces the daily fines for a four-year period.

They have promised to pay the fines of those on strike.

The Ontario Public Services Union - another union representing some 8000 workers - said its members would join the picket line in solidarity with CUPE counterparts.

The Toronto District School Board said its schools would be closed for in-person learning for all students for the duration of the strike action.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford has said the measure is necessary because "shutting down classrooms would have an unacceptable impact on students". (Excerpt from BBC News)

war crime, which Russia denies. Putin's comments came amid signs that Russia could be preparing to abandon its military foothold on the west bank of the Dnipro River, including Kherson's regional capital - potentially one of the biggest Russian retreats of the war. (Excerpt from Reuters)

China to make 'substantial' COVID policy changes soon – ex-Govt expert

C

hina will make substantial changes to its "dynamic-zero" COVID-19 policy in coming months, a former Chinese disease control official told a conference hosted by Citi on Friday, according to a recording of the session heard by Reuters.

Separately, three sources familiar with the matter said China may soon further shorten quarantine requirements for inbound travellers.

Zeng Guang, former chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention who has remained outspoken on China's COVID fight, said the conditions for China opening up were "accumulating", citing new vaccines and progress the country had made in antiviral drug research.

Asked by Citi chief China economist Yu Xiangrong if China would open up after its annual meeting of Parliament that traditionally takes place in early March, he said many new policies would

be introduced in the next five to six months, without indicating the basis for that information.

"The situation is changing now and China's 'dynamic zero' will also undergo major changes. Substantive changes will happen soon," he said, according to the recording of the session, which was titled "China's Exit Strategy from Zero-COVID".

Zeng's remarks add impetus to recent investor hopes China will ease some of the strict measures that have made it a global outlier and inflicted deep damage to the world's second-largest economy.

Public health experts have warned that reversing China's rigid COVID regime would require a clear timeline and strategy for booster shots in a nation of 1.4 billion people with little natural immunity, and many believe China will begin significant easing only after the March parliamentary session. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Kenya drought killed 205 elephants in 10 months – Minister

D

rought in Kenya killed 205 elephants and numerous other wildlife between February and October as much of East Africa endures its worst drought in 40 years, Tourism Minister Peninah Malonza said on Friday.

Although sporadic rainfall has finally started in the region, Kenya’s meteorological department is forecasting below-average rainfall for much of the country for the coming months, raising fears that the threat to Kenya’s wildlife is not over.

“The drought has caused mortality of wildlife … because of the depletion of food resources as well as water shortages,” Malonza, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, told a news conference.

Fourteen species have been affected by the drought, she said.

In addition to the dead elephants, 512 wildebeest, 381

common zebra, 12 giraffes, and 51 buffalo have also succumbed to the drought over the same period – some in the national parks that are a major tourist draw for the country.

There have also been 49 deaths of the rare and endangered Grevy’s zebra.

In September, conservation group Grevy’s Zebra Trust said that 40 Grevy’s had died in just a three-month period because of the drought, representing nearly 2 per cent of the species’ population.

The figures released on Friday are likely far from comprehensive, the Ministry warned in a report, saying carnivores could have devoured some carcasses.

News of the toll on wildlife in Kenya, where tourism contributes about 10 per cent of economic output and employs over 2 million people, comes just days before the start of the UN climate conference, COP27. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Let your passion and persistent attitude carry you to the finish line. How you handle others will determine what you get from them. Spend time with someone offering mental stimulation.

(March 21-April 19) Uncertainty and inconsistency will hold you back. Let the past go and head into the future with optimism and the willingness to try something new.

Romance is favored.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

Refuse to let someone's pleading push you in the wrong direction. Concentrate on how to stay healthy by changing your routine to ensure proper diet, exercise and rest. Don't take a risk.

(May 21-June 20) Personal gain is attainable. Making plans with someone you love will be advantageous. Someone you feel responsible for will require hands-on help. Do what you can.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Be careful how you handle your domestic affairs. Someone will mistake your intentions or offer misinformation.

Evaluate your next move. Precision and attention to detail will be key. Stick to the truth.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Take time for family and friends. The talks you have or short trips you take will give you a different perspective on life and what's available. An unexpected change will spark an idea.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Learn all you can and apply what you know to everyday life. Getting along with others and choosing to do things that allow you to use your talents will put you in an advantageous position.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Socializing with people who offer mental stimulation will encourage you to make personal changes. A creative outlet will ease stress. Don't let people take advantage of you

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Ignore outside influences or someone trying to lead you astray. Take pride in what you do, how you live and how you contribute to your community. Prepare to say no and to eliminate stress.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Do your best to get along with others, try new things or expand your interests and knowledge. Embrace new beginnings and creative endeavors. Don't let your emotions get in your way.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Take stock and follow your heart.

Don't let what others do influence you or send you down the wrong path. Consider what makes you happy and what you enjoy doing most and head in that direction.

You'll develop some original ideas.

Don't wait for someone else to take charge. Invest in yourself, and you'll inspire enthusiasm. Refuse to let anyone steal your thunder.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022

21

2022 ICC T20I World Cup…

AUSTRALIA DEFEAT AFGHANISTAN - Remain in contention for semifinal spot after nervy win ball 48, his highest T20I score, and kept Afghanistan in the chase till the penultimate ball, before they fell four runs short.

The early momentum

D

espite a late assault by Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, Australia managed to eke out a nervy 4-run win at the Adelaide Oval on Friday to remain in contention for a berth in the semifinal. That berth is dependent on Sri Lanka beating England in their last Super 12 game.

The loss, on the other hand, means that Afghanistan have ended their 2022 Men’s T20 World

Cup campaign without a win.

In a nutshell, Australia came in to the match with three changes, which included the absence of skipper Aaron Finch. Put in to bat, they were restricted to 168 for 8, despite Glenn Maxwell recording an unbeaten 32-ball 54 to back up brisk knocks from David Warner and Mitchell Marsh. Naveen ul Haq was the pick of the bowlers, tak-

ing three wickets and effecting a run-out. Fazalhaq Farooqi also troubled the Australian batters as he bagged a brace.

In response, Afghanistan made a strong start, and were cruising at 99 for 2 at the end of the 13th over, before a flurry of wickets in the next nine balls reduced them to 103 for 6, which shifted the momentum in Australia’s favour. Rashid hammered an unbeaten 23-

Despite losing Cameron Green early, Australia were off the blocks quickly. Green took the attack to Mujeeb ur Rahman in the second over, cracking him for three boundaries, and even ran hard between the wickets - forcing fielders to often make mistakes, and being quick to get the extra run. He toyed with the field in the powerplay, before eventually succumbing to his adventures.

Looking to play a switch hit, Naveen ul Haq cleaned Green up with a slower delivery in the last over of the powerplay, four balls before he trapped Steve Smith leg-before with an incoming delivery, to leave Australia down to 54 for 3 in six overs.

Did Afghanistan manage to take control from there on?

Not really.

After Mitchell Marsh was put down early in his innings, he took the attack to the Afghan bowlers.

Even Rashid Khan struggled to contain him, and in the company of Marcus Stoinis

Prime Minister’s Softball Cup tournament…

Guyana Knight Riders Ariel All-Stars banking on experience

G

uyana Knight Riders Ariel All-Stars team are banking on their experienced players to make an impression in the Open Category of this year’s Prime Minister’s Softball Cup tournament.

The three-day softball extravaganza is scheduled to be played from November 11th to 13th, and three male categories and a female category would feature. In the male category, there will be the Legends (Over-50), Masters (Over-40) and Open (all ages, with round-arm bowling only). Four female teams are set to participate.

The winning team for each male category would pocket a staggering $600,000, with other top prizes at stake, while the ladies’ victorious side will take home $200,000, with more prizes available as well. Comanager of Guyana Knight Riders Ariel All-Stars, Ariel Persaud, is very optimistic that his team would retain the trophy.

Last year, this side were known only as Ariel AllStars, but they have added

Guyana Knight Riders on this occasion. According to Persaud, the team are also loaded with some veteran softball players who have done consistently well over the years, and the prize at stake would motivate them to play competitive and exciting cricket.

Persaud disclosed that team members are preparing very assiduously for this tournament, because they fully anticipate the unrelenting competition that would obtain in the Open Category. Top-class batsman Brian Mangar is again at the helm for this year’s

participation. He led the team to glory in the last tournament, and is brimming with confidence that they would again lift the trophy.

Persaud happily informed that Zamal Khan, a pugnacious softball batsman, is included in their lineup, and is an asset in any team. Khan, who represented Guyana at the youth level, has been playing softball cricket over the past decade in his adopting country the USA. Another very reputable player is Keon Sinclair, whose brother Kevin re-

cently played for Guyana Amazon Warriors at the Caribbean Premier League T20 tournament.

“We have got some excellent softball players in our team. We are prepared and ready to go,” Persaud mentioned.

He has also described Eon Hooper and David Williams as two quality players who are anxious to get on the field.

More than 25 teams are expected to feature in all the male categories of this tournament, and they are coming from New York, Florida, Canada and across Guyana.

- who couldn’t find a similar fluency - he added 32 runs in 28 balls for the fourth wicket, before top edging a slog sweep off Mujeeb to the wicketkeeper.

However, Australia kept the attack on, with Maxwell soon getting into the act. In

wrest back control? It was Maxwell again, this time with his fielding. His sharp, flat and direct throw from long on caught Naib short of his crease at the start of the 14th over, while the batter was attempting a quick two.

SCOREBOARD Australia (20 ovs maximum) David Warner b Naveen-ul-Haq 25 Cameron Green c Gulbadin Naib b Fazalhaq Farooqi 3 Mitchell Marsh c †Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 45 Steven Smith lbw b Naveen-ul-Haq 4 Marcus Stoinis c Usman Ghani b Rashid Khan 25 Glenn Maxwell not out 54 Matthew Wade (c)†b Fazalhaq Farooqi 6 Pat Cummins c Rashid Khan b Naveen-ul-Haq 0 Kane Richardson run out (Naveen-ul-Haq) 1 Adam Zampa not out 1 Extras (lb 2, w 2) 4 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.40) 168/8 Did not bat: Josh Hazlewood Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Cameron Green, 2.1 ov), 2-48 (David Warner, 5.2 ov), 3-52 (Steven Smith, 5.6 ov), 4-86 (Mitchell Marsh, 10.4 ov), 5-139 (Marcus Stoinis, 15.3 ov), 6-155 (Matthew Wade, 17.5 ov), 7-156 (Pat Cummins, 18.2 ov), 8-159 (Kane Richardson, 18.6 ov)

runs from 20 ovs) Rahmanullah Gurbaz †c Warner b Richardson 30 Usman Ghani c Cummins b Hazlewood 2 Ibrahim Zadran c Marsh b Zampa 26 Gulbadin Naib run out (Maxwell) 39 Mohammad Nabi (c)c Warner b Hazlewood 1 Najibullah Zadran c Maxwell b Zampa 0 Darwish Rasooli run out (†Wade/Stoinis) 15 Rashid Khan not out 48 Naveen-ul-Haq not out 0 Extras(w 3) 3 TOTAL20 Ov (RR: 8.20) 164/7 Did not bat: Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Usman Ghani, 2.3 ov), 2-40 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 5.3 ov), 3-99 (Gulbadin Naib, 13.1 ov), 4-99 (Ibrahim Zadran, 13.2 ov), 5-99 (Najibullah Zadran, 13.4 ov), 6-103 (Mohammad Nabi, 14.3 ov), 7-148 (Darwish Rasooli, 19 ov)

BOWLING Fazalhaq Farooqi Mujeeb Ur Rahman Naveen-ul-Haq Gulbadin Naib Rashid Khan Mohammad Nabi Afghanistan (T: 169

BOWLING Josh Hazlewood Pat Cummins Marcus Stoinis Kane Richardson Adam Zampa Cameron Green

O-M-R-W 4-0-29-2 4-0-42-1 4-0-21-3 3-0-31-0 4-0-29-1 1-0-14-0

the company of Stoinis, he added 53 runs for the fifth wicket, before the latter fell softly to Rashid only two deliveries after tonking him for a massive six.

Even as Maxwell was moving along well, he kept running out of partners from the other end, with Naveen and Fazalhaq not offering enough opportunities for Australia to flourish in the death overs. In the last 17 balls, Australia could add only 16 runs.

Could Afghanistan have taken early control in the run chase? In a way yes, despite Josh Hazlewood managing to get ample bounce and swing to trouble the batters. Usman Ghani fell early, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz cut loose early. By the time he fell in the sixth over, Afghanistan had already powered to a strong start.

That start was further helped by Gulbadin Naib, who stuck to his strengths and threw his bat around rather generously.

Sometimes the edges, sometimes clean, his quick scoring not only covered up for Ibrahim Zadran’s struggle otherwise, but also helped Afghanistan stitch a crucial 59-run partnership in 46 balls.

How did Australia

O-M-R-W 4-0-33-2 4-0-22-0 2-0-26-0 4-0-48-1 4-0-22-2 2-0-13-0

Off the next ball, Zadran top-edged a sweep to short fine. The collapse continued, as, two balls later, Najibullah danced down the track and holed out to Maxwell at long off, and Nabi pulled Hazlewood to deep square leg. In the space of nine balls, Afghanistan had slipped from 99 for 2 to 103 for 6.

How did the game get so close, then? It was one of those merry batting days for Rashid Khan. With 49 runs required off the last three overs, he didn’t have much choice but to swing his bat around, which he did rather smartly with the fielding positions.

Darwish Rasooli played second fiddle before being run out while trying to get Rashid back to strike, but thereafter, Rashid took charge, especially against Cummins’s slower ones. The equation came down to 11 runs off the last two balls, before Rashid failed to connect the swing of his bat and ended up taking a two which ended Afghanistan’s hopes of causing an upset.

He sent the last ball for a boundary, but that wasn’t enough for Afghanistan, who could muster only 164 in response. (Adapted from Cricbuzz)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022

ICC 2022 T20I World Cup…

Rounded New Zealand brush aside Ireland in 35-run win N

ew Zealand have put themselves in the best position to top Group 1, they all but nailed down the first of the four semifinalists’ berth with their convincing 35run victory over Ireland in their last league game in Adelaide on Friday.

Kane Williamson led the way with an attacking 61 to set the tone for New Zealand's match-winning total of 185/6, despite Joshua Little's penultimate-over hat-trick. Irish openers Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie offered a spirited start to the tall chase, but Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi turned it around spectacularly after expensive first overs, to restrict the Irish to 150/9 in reply.

Tempo in the powerplay

After spending half their powerplay getting their eyes in on a fresh, drop-in pitch, Finn Allen got New Zealand going with three boundaries in an over on either side of the strip to welcome leg-spinner Gareth Delany into the attack. He then took on Mark Adair, walking across the stumps and swivel-pulling him over short fine, and then launch-

SCOREBOARD

ing one down the ground.

Allen perished the very next ball as he tried to keep the attack going, but his 18ball cameo of 32 set New Zealand up nicely.

Williamson takes charge

In the lead-up to this tournament, Kiwi captain Kane Williamson had been copping quite a bit of flak for his indifferent form and conservative strike rate. The run-a-ball 40 in a massive chase against England did no good ei-

ther. Given such pressure, Williamson's 35-ball 61 in Adelaide was worth its weight in gold. New Zealand collected 98 in the eight overs since the drinks break, and Williamson contributed nearly half of those (47) on the way to a 32-ball half-century.

When New Zealand were looking to accelerate, he took the attack to Fion Hand in the 11th over with a six and four. When Ireland hit back with the wickets of Conway and Glenn Phillips in quick

succession after their brief cameos, Williamson went after McCarthy in the 18th with two hits for maximum to deep midwicket stands and a third-man boundary sandwiched in between, stealing a total of 21 off it.

Not that 185 proved any less, but Ireland were staring at a very real possibility of chasing 200-plus, had it not been for some brilliant damage control at the fag end from the man in form,

Powell credits all-round abilities as Scorpions beat Pride

J

Rovman Powell

you get success,” Powell has said.

Powell added 24 runs with wicketkeeper Aldane Thomas, then shared an impressive 90-run sixth-wicket partnership with Odean Smith, which helped to spruce up the Scorpion’s score.

Powell’s role as a leader has helped him to tailor his batting style, which has benefitted Scorpions.

“Gone are the days when I would just go on the wicket and try to hit sixes. Now I am getting a little bit older, so I have to shepherd a little bit more weight and do more with the bat,” he has said.

Nkrumah Bonner, with 59 from 81 balls, and Smith,

with 44 not-out from 35 balls, also contributed with the bat.

Moreover, Powell sent down eight overs and picked

BOWLING Josh Little Mark Adair Barry McCarthy Gareth Delany Fionn Hand George Dockrell

O-M-R-W 4-0-22-3 4-0-39-1 4-0-46-0 4-0-30-2 2-0-22-0 2-0-18-0

up one wicket for 36 runs as the Scorpions restricted the Pride to 213 in 44.1 overs, despite 86 from Shai Hope and 57 from Roston Chase.

“I have always regarded myself as an all-rounder, but for the past few years, I have done more batting than bowling; so, now I am the captain of Jamaica, I am trying my best to see how much I can give to my country in both departments,” Powell has said.

Nicholson Gordon was the pick of the bowlers for the Scorpions, bagging three wickets for 21 runs, while there were two wickets each for Jeavor Royal, Smith and Dennis Bulli. (The Star)

Little. The pacer's hat-trick was only the second of this edition, after UAE's Karthik Meiyappan. The three wickets he grabbed - a well-set Williamson and the dangerous Jimmy Neesham and Mitch Santner - were all capable of maximising the last dozen balls remaining in New Zealand's innings to bury Ireland under the infamous scoreboard pressure.

Little had Williamson pulling straight to the deep fielder, and then trapped the two allrounders LBW, who each burnt a review on their way back, but couldn't prevent Little from becoming the sixth bowler with a T20 World Cup hat-trick to his name.

knock back his off-stump.

Harry Tector's poor World Cup campaign came to an end with a top-edge, while Sodhi got Lorcan Tucker to hole out to long-off as the spinners wrapped up their spells with two each.

The collapse of 5 for 35 between overs 9 and 15 fatally wounded Ireland's faint hopes of pulling off the massive chase. The 82 off the final five overs Ireland needed were always going to be an uphill task for the lower-order to achieve.

Ferguson and Southee each bagged two lower-order scalps to convincingly catch Ireland 35 short.

(Cricbuzz)

Stirling, Balbirnie take on the spinners

Santner (2-26) and Sodhi's (2-31) match figures do not tell the complete story, even if it conveys the right one. It was with the introduction of spin from both ends after the powerplay that Stirling and Balbirnie had turned a humble start of 39/0 to a solid platform of 68/0 in the space of 12 balls.

Santner leaked 13 in his opening over, including a six and a four, and Sodhi gave away 16 with two maximums - Stirling and Balbirnie doing the damage respectively.

Tables turned

Both Santner and Sodhi quickly rectified their mistakes, and slowed down their deliveries to make life difficult for even the wellset Irish openers. Balbirnie chopped on in shaping up to cut one that spun away from him, and, six balls later, Sodhi outfoxed Stirling with a slower googly to Shai Hope

Ireland (T: 186 runs from 20 ovs) Paul Stirling b Sodhi 37 Andy Balbirnie (c) b Santner 30 Lorcan Tucker †c Allen b Sodhi 13 Harry Tector c Southee b Santner 2 Gareth Delanyc †Conway b Ferguson 10 George Dockrell c Williamson b Ferguson 23 Curtis Campher c Allen b Southee 7 Fionn Hand c & b Ferguson 5 Mark Adair c Phillips b Southee 4 Barry McCarthy not out 6 Josh Little not out 8 Extras (lb 4, w 1) 5 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 7.50) 150/9 Fall of wickets: 1-68 (Andy Balbirnie, 8.1 ov), 2-70 (Paul Stirling, 9.1 ov), 3-73 (Harry Tector, 10.3 ov), 4-94 (Gareth Delany, 13.1 ov), 5-102 (Lorcan Tucker, 14.4 ov), 6-120 (Curtis Campher, 16.3 ov), 7-131 (Fionn Hand, 17.3 ov), 8-132 (George Dockrell, 17.5 ov), 9-141 (Mark Adair, 19.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Trent Boult 4-0-38-0 Tim Southee 4-0-29-2 Lockie Ferguson 4-0-22-3 Mitchell Santner 4-0-26-2 Ish Sodhi 4-0-31-2

Little restricts the damage

CG United Super50 tournament…

amaica Scorpions captain Rovman Powell has credited the evolution of his all-around ability for him being a better leader for the respective Jamaican franchises. Powell is currently at the helm of the Jamaica Scorpions team, after recently guiding Jamaica Tallawahs to the Caribbean Premier League title.

In a day/night match played yesterday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, Scorpions racked up their first win of the Super50 Cup following a 64-run win over Barbados Pride. Powell played the quintessential captain’s knock of 80 off 54 balls to guide the Scorpions to a respectable total of 277 for six off their allotted 50 overs.

During that knock, Powell hit four fours and five sixes as he led the recovery after the Scorpions were 138 for three in the 32nd over.

“I always knew I can hit sixes, so the key was for me to bat as many balls and then get the momentum towards the back end of the innings. I came in with a game plan, and I stuck to it, because the majority of the time, as a batter, when you stick to your game plan,

New Zealand (20 ovs maximum) Finn Allen c Hand b Adair 32 Devon Conway †c Adair b Delany 28 Kane Williamson (c) c Delany b Little 61 Glenn Phillips c Dockrell b Delany 17 Daryl Mitchell not out 31 James Neesham lbw b Little 0 Mitchell Santner lbw b Little 0 Tim Southee not out 1 Extras (b 1, lb 7, w 7) 15 TOTAL20 Ov (RR: 9.25)185/6 Did not bat: Ish Sodhi, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult Fall of wickets: 1-52 (Finn Allen, 5.5 ov), 2-96 (Devon Conway, 11.2 ov), 3-114 (Glenn Phillips, 13.1 ov), 4-174 (Kane Williamson, 18.2 ov), 5-174 (James Neesham, 18.3 ov), 6-174 (Mitchell Santner, 18.4 ov)

CLASSIFIED ADS SERVICE Pandit Balaji: He is an expert in clearing problems like: Marriage, love, relationship, business, jobs, court case, health, bring back loved ones, remove black magic.

100% guaranteed results and He has permanent suggestions and solutions for lifetime within 3-5 days. Contact +592 698-8091.

Pandit Hari Krishna: Are you suffering from love problems, relationship, Family, Children, wife and husband, business, jobs, lucky number, remove negative energy, bad luck, visa, health?

Pandit Hari Krishna gives you permanent suggestion and solution within 5 days. Contact +592 678 4062.

WANTED Mill factory workers needed Monday to Friday $3500 per day.

Call 611 – 7839

VACANCY VACANCY Sales representative: must have valid lorry license. CXC subject grades 1 – 3. Call 611 – 7839.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

McKinnons, Thomas victorious at B.M. Soat’s Annual Costume Match …“Grill-Master”, “Mrs Skeleton” among winners in respective categories

H

alloween was celebrated by sport-shooters in Guyana last Sunday, 30th October, 2022, when the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF), for the fifth year, hosted its Annual Costume Match, which BM Soat Auto Sales backed.

The GSSF held their annual themed competition, a very keenly contested one, within the confines of the safety rules and watchful eyes of Range Master Mr. McKinnon and his team of range officials.

The Timehri Range was transformed just after noon, as members turned out in their costumes, with appearances ranging from the camouflaged Max Vestappen,

Mr and Mrs. Incredible, Mrs. Mercedes Hamilton, the Water Boy, The Punisher, Ironman, Star, the Londoner, the Grill Master, a Fisherman, Guyana’s finest, an IT Guy, a Ghost, Muscle Man, a Skeleton, and even a clown came out to participate. Al participated within the safety confines of the sport.

Opening remarks were made by Match Director Captain Gary Sahai, who welcomed participants, identified the officials for the afternoon session, and declared the Match open.

Shooters were placed in two squads shooting the three Steel Challenge Stages.

The three-stage match consisted of sanctioned

The McKinnons, husband and wife sport shooters: Ryan McKinnon and Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, who walked away with 1st place in their respective Limited and Wildcat Divisions

S.C.S.A. stages, namely 5 to Go, Speed Option, and Roundabout. With safety and

arm and shoot at the targets. The timer stops when the shooter hits the stop

The Grill Master” Mr. Ryan McKinnon (on left) receiving his first-place trophy from Match Director Capt. Gary Sahai

“The Ghost” Mr. Romain Muniram (on right) receiving his firstplace medal in unclassified beginner category from “The Punisher”, Mr Dallas Thomas

efficiency in mind, shooters were organised in a shooting order, and took turns on each stage, which gave rise to a lot of tense moments as spectators and competitors were treated to some pinging fun.

The competition requirements were as simple as the scoring: the shooter would assume his/her position in a 4-foot square shooting box with hands above their shoulders. Upon the beep of the electronic timer, he/she would then draw their fire-

plate. The competition also featured a Wildcat division, with the start position being the shooter aiming at a stick in the ground some distance away.

The Stats Officer for this match was Dr. Pravesh Harry, who released the results as follows: Limited Division 1st – Ryan McKinnon (56.87 seconds) 2nd – Pravesh Harry (63.15 seconds) 3rd – Rajiv Latchana

West Indies U19 women’s tour of India…

Guyanese Ashmini Munisar to lead West Indies U19 women

C

ricket West Indies Selection Panel today named the West Indies Women’s U19 squad for the upcoming tour of India. The players for the T20 matches were selected after trial matches in Trinidad.

Ashmini Munisar has been named as captain of the 15-member squad, with Trishan Holder as vice captain. They will be under the guidance of Head Coach Steve Liburd.

Munisar is an allrounder who led the team when West Indies U19 played against USA Women’s U19 in Fort Lauderdale in August. Holder is a top-order batter who was a member of the Barbados team at the Commonwealth Games, playing matches against Pakistan, Australia and India.

The upcoming U19 women’s tour will feature matches against India ‘A’, India ‘B’, and Sri Lanka women U19 at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

West Indies will then travel to Mumbai, where they play against New Zealand Women U19 at the D.Y. Patil

in the preliminary round.

West Indies have been drawn in Group C, alongside New Zealand, Ireland and Indonesia. (Windies Cricket)

FULL SQUAD

Stadium.

Matches start at: 9am local (11:30pm previous day Eastern Caribbean/10:30pm previous day Jamaica) and 1pm local time (3:30am same day Eastern Caribbean/2:30am Jamaica).

Lead Selector Ann Browne-John said: “As part of the preparation for the tour, the squad was involved in some practice matches during a seven-day training camp in Trinidad. The final team selected contained some of the players who participated in the series in the USA, and there are some new players whom the panel would like to have a look at before a final team is selected for the World Cup.”

She added: “The composition of the team is quite balanced, with some strong batters and a good mix of spin and medium pacers. It will be their first experience against top international teams, and these tour matches will give a better indication of where the team is at the moment.”

This series in the sub-continent would form a crucial part of the team’s preparation for the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. The global event will feature 41 matches being played from 14 to 29 January in South Africa. The official warm-up matches will be from 9 to 11 January.

The 16 participating teams will play in four groups

Ashmini Munisar (captain) Trishan Holder (vice captain) Asabi Callendar Kenika Cassar Jahzara Claxton Naijanni Cumberbatch Jannillea Glasgow Realeanna Grimmond Zaida James Djenaba Joseph KDJazz Mitchell Shalini Samaroo Shunelle Sawh Lena Scott Kate Wilmott

MATCH SCHEDULE

Sunday, 13 November – vs India ‘A’ at Vizag (9am) Tuesday, 15 November – vs Sri Lanka at Vizag (9am) Thursday, 17 November – vs Sri Lanka at Vizag (1pm) Saturday, 19 November – Final at Vizag (1pm) Tuesday, 22 November – vs New Zealand at Mumbai (1pm) Thursday, 24 November – vs New Zealand at Mumbai (1pm)

(77.75 seconds) Production Division 1st – Dallas Thomas (82.14 seconds) 2nd – Michael Blake (103.44 seconds) 3rd – Matthew Phang (104.72 seconds) Wildcat Division 1st – Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon (62.65 seconds) 2nd – David Dharry (68.80 seconds) 3rd – Romesh Latchana (116.99 seconds) After the presentation of trophies, a special announcement was made as to a decision made to award medals to the shooters in the unclassified beginner category, thereby giving way to the following results:

Unclassified Division

1st – Romain Muniram (152.37 seconds) 2nd – Romel Edmondson (183.62 seconds) 3rd – Rohandev Persaud (214.66 seconds) The Board of Directors wishes to commend the Match Director, Range Master, Stats Officer, Range Officers, and the shooters for ensur-

ing an efficient event. Special thanks also to the Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff, Commissioner of Police, OC and ranks of TSU, and the Guyana Police Force, the Media, and GSSF members for their support in promoting practical shooting locally.

Aquafina Water and Ice Inc. Match Director Capt.

Gary Sahai expressed appreciation to the Management of B.M. Soat Auto Sales of Lot 9 Croal Street, Georgetown for their continued support to the promotion and building of the sport in Guyana.

Sincere thanks were especially extended to Mr. Bashair Mohamed, Mrs. Priya Mohamed and Mr. Rameez Mohamed of BM Soat Auto Sales.

For more information on the GSSF, please visit our website www.

GuyanaSportShooting.com The GSSF, an affiliate of the Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA), will continue to host this action-packed shooting sport for local pistol shooters by organising such matches on a regular basis.

Archery Guyana will be represented at the XXVI Pan American Archery Championships

A

rchery Guyana has been growing and expanding throughout Guyana with the aim of putting Guyana on the map through the sport of archery, since this is an Olympic sport.

Secretary-General Mrs. Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon just shared some very exciting news with the local media.

Two of their members Wayne DeAbreu and Devin Persaud Permaul - will be participating in the XXVI Pan American and V ParaPan American Archery Championships, to be

held in Santiago, Chile on November 21-27, 2022.

This tournament is a world- ranking event and will be the main qualifier tournament for the SANTIAGO 2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games. The tournament will be held at the Bernardo O´Higgins National Military Academy in Las Condes County in their capital city Santiago.

Mrs. PersaudMcKinnon has expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Sport Charles Ramson and the National Sports Commission.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2022

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

Port Mourant Turf Club to host horse meet on Nov 6

More than 50 horses will heat up the Port Mourant Turf Club

R

acing enthusiasts are keenly anticipating scintillating action when the Port Mourant Turf Club hosts its horse meet on Sunday November 6. With the club featuring new and improved facilities, more than 50 horses have been registered to participate in this much-talked-about event.

More than $5M will be up for grabs in prizes, and the talk of the community is about the top horses com-

ing from the top racing stables: Jumbo Jet, Jagdeo, and Master Z, among others.

Notable entries thus far are “Our Stuie”, who is returning after placing third at the Guyana Cup; “Lookin to Heaven”, the recent winner at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice; Jessica Pride (second-place horse at President’s Cup); “Coup d’etat” (thirdplace finisher at President’s Cup); and Golden Blue Ecko (second-place finisher at

Kennard’s M e m o r i a l ) .

Additionally, Everesting and Vera’s Finally from Master Z and Jumbo Jet Stables are also expected to feature.

Ten entries have already been registered to contest the races for two-year-old horses.

Among those are Starlight, Red Ammunition, Legacy, Top Gun, and Party Hard.

In the G class race, Nuclear Fire, American Traveller, Princess Steffani,

Memories, and Golden Dor are registered to contest. The J Class race should be a thriller, because a rematch is brewing between Red Jet and Foreign Link.

Skittles, Cash Return, and Miss Olympic are also listed for this race.

Seven races are on the cards, and the winner of the feature race will bag one mil-

lion dollars. The first race will be the L Open, for which a top prize of $200,000 would be paid. Race two will be for two-year-old maiden animals, and the top horse will bag $400,000 while the second-placed horse would collect $200,000.

The J Class non-starter and unplaced 2022 race will see the top horse bagging $200,000. The H & Lower race, which is the fourth race of the day, would see the top horse being rewarded with $500,000.

The K & Lower race will see the top horse bagging $300,000, while the J Class race will see the top horse collecting $300,000.

All races would be run over a distance of six furlongs, but Race Seven, the final race of the day, would be contested over one mile, and in addition to the first-place prize of $1 million, the second-placed horse would be rewarded

with $500,000 and the thirdplaced horse with $250,000.

The races would be run under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. The club reserves the right to cancel/reframe any race mentioned above. Seven horses are required to start before the fourth-place prize is paid, and five horses before the third prize is paid.

Horses can be registered by contacting Jingo on 6187278, Fazal on 657-7010, Dennis Deoroop on 6406396, and Shazeena on 3220789/322-0369. Queries are only allowed before race day.

Banks DIH are the major sponsors, while KP Jagdeo, AJM, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, Anil Sawh Contractor, Kascon Engineering, P&P Insurance Brokers, and Delmur Company Limited are the other sponsors.

CG United boosts Sebai Sports Club’s cricket programme M

embers of the Sebai Sports Club of Port Kaituma in Region One are now much closer to realising their aspirations where cricket is concerned.

The Sebai Sports Club’s cricket programme has been selected as the October awardee for the CG United Gear Up Initiative, and has received an assortment of cricket gear. Earl Gildery happily received the donation on the club’s behalf.

The club caters to youths of the Sebai community, who really only have sport as their primary activity, given their limited access to other outlets, such as television and internet. The cricket gear would afford young players opportunity to devel-

op and improve their game.

The club edged out nominations from other clubs for the local leg of the ongoing CG United Gear Up Initiative.

CG United Insurance Ltd. as part of its sponsorship of the Line & Length Show, is celebrating athletes, organisations and clubs that are making significant contributions to the development of youth in their community through sport. CG United is pleased to recognise these contributions by providing selected awardees each month with sporting gear.

While making the presentation, Vibert Austin of CG United noted that they were excited to assist the

club and provide much needed support to the children of the Sebai community. “As a people-first company, this initiative is in keeping with our commitment to do what we can to improve the communities in which we operate. With the CG United Gear Up programme, we are focusing on the development of our youth through sports.”

When presented with the gear, Earl Gildery of Sebai Sports Club thanked CG United for supporting the members and the club with the cricket gear. “We are very thankful for this donation, as these items will greatly assist with the development of our cricket programme. We want to thank the team at CG United for selecting us.”

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.