Guyana Times - Saturday November 6, 2021

“It is a matter of children’s future” – Manickchand on vaccination

P13

…63 % of teachers vaccinated

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 4823

guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021

PRICE

Electoral reform

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Chief Elections Officer can be jailed for life for committing fraud

Bartica DJ P10 stabbed to death during row over money

Page 3

…others can face hefty fines or jailtime for offences COP26

Page 7

Guyana commits to creating low carbon jobs, economic opportunities

…President emphasises need for financial, technological support for SIDS

Queen’s College students top CSEC, CAPE Page 12

$58M Kitty gold heist

P8

Ex-GDF Sergeant jailed for 3 years British teen’s murder

Godbrother sentenced to P16 death Illegal aircraft at Mahdia

“We are lost, we came from Venezuela” – foreigners tell Police P15

3 women new COVID-19 P9 deaths Peter Headley's murder Sarena Razak: 19 Grade Ones, 2 Grade Twos, 1 Grade Three (CSEC)

Daniel Roopchand: 10 Grade Ones, 1 Grade Two (CAPE)

Doctor’s murder

Prime suspect confesses to bludgeoning doctor to death Page 13

…nabbed while attempting to flee to Suriname

Zaynab Shaffie: 18 Grade Ones, 2 Grade Twos (CSEC)

Anuradha Basdeo: 17 Grade Ones, 2 Grade Twos (CSEC)

Kelly Sankar: 16 Grade Ones, 4 Grade Twos (CSEC)

Samuel Haynes: 9 Grade Ones (CAPE)

“In your eyes, she was without any rights” - Judge tells wife killer …as husband who hit wife with car, then chopped her gets life sentence Page 11

DPP advises that cop be charged, P17 inquest be held

CH&PA P16 reopens applications for core home support, home improvement subsidies

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Saturday, Nov 6 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Sunday, Nov 7 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, Nov 6 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Sunday, Nov 7 – 05:45h – 07:15h.

Electoral reform

Chief Elections Officer can be jailed for life for committing fraud …others can face hefty fines or jail time for offences

toral laws also outline a clear process for the request of a recount, including empowering the Chairman of GECOM to grant that request.

Under the proposed laws, the CEO must immediately post the District Tabulation Forms on the Commission’s website as soon as he receives them from the Returning Officers.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be thundery showers during the day.

Expect light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

CEO offences

Winds: East South-Easterly to West NorthWesterly between 1.34 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 17:26h reaching a maximum height of 2.94 metres.

Low Tide: 11:01h and 23:29h reaching minimum heights of 0.44 metre and 0.27 metre.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS L

03 06 11

13 15 23

FREE TICKET

24 Bonus Ball

Friday, November 5, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

03 09 11 15 24 LUCKY 3

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Afternoon Draw

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

08 10 13 14 15 17 21 SUPER

PAY DAY

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03 06 11 13 15 1

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9 Afternoon Draw

FP Afternoon Draw

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3X 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 %

Crude Oil

$82.74/barrel

+2.66

Rough Rice

$243.77/ton

+0.73

London Sugar

$506.80/ton

+0.10

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1818.00

$1819.00

Low/High Change

$1784.70 0.00

$1819.00 0.00%

Former Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxanne Myers

Former Returning Officer for Region Four, Clairmont Mingo

n overhaul of the country’s electoral laws can see the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) facing as much as life imprisonment for committing fraud while others can similarly face hefty fines and jail time for any related offences.

Proposed changes to the Representation of the People Act (RoPA) were released to the public on Friday – just over a year after the unprecedented five-month-long election last year which was marred with instances of fraud and other electoral offences.

With hardcopies of these proposed amendments being delivered to key stakeholders like political parties, the Guyana Government has provided a six-week timeframe within which feedback will be accepted.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira, in a statement to the media, explained that the objective of the amendments is to examine the process from registration to the declaration of the results, “so that every stage of the process is unambiguous and transparent”.

“This significant step in the electoral reform process is necessary to ensure Local Government, and General and Regional elections are conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner,” Teixeira posited.

litical party in the district.

The proposed changes envision that for the country’s largest electoral district, District Four (Region Four – Demerara-Mahaica), there be four subdistricts which will follow the same procedures outlined for the districts. The District Tabulation Form from each subdistrict would have to be submitted to the Returning Officer who is tasked with publicly declaring the votes recorded for each list of candidates for the overall district.

To remove any ambiguity in the process, the proposed amendments stipulate that the Returning Officers must display, using an electronic mechanism, each Statement of Poll for all the persons entitled to be present during the event including counting

agents, political representatives, observers.

The Returning Officer must also provide the opportunity for objections from any duly appointed candidate or counting agent. Additionally, the Returning Officer shall not move on to display another Statement of Poll unless all the information required from the document currently being displayed is dealt with “to the satisfaction of every person present”.

These proposals are significant considering last year’s system whereby the Returning Officer for District Four Clairmont Mingo repeatedly called out and tallied numbers that were not reflected on the Statements of Poll in possession of stakeholders.

The draft updated elec-

A

New system

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2021

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Former Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

For the purposes of elections, the country is divided into ten electoral districts (based on the administrative regions). Within each district, there are polling places where the electorate goes to physically cast their vote on a paper ballot.

At the close of poll for each polling place, the votes cast are tallied, then recorded in the Statements of Poll, after which, it is submitted to the person in charge of the district, namely, the Returning Officer who is responsible for preparing the “District Tabulation Form” and declaring the total votes recorded in favour of each contesting po-

In this regard, if the CEO posts false statements on the website, he/she has committed an offence and can be fined $10 million as well as face life imprisonment. In fact, if the CEO fails altogether to make the copies available electronically via the GECOM’s website, he can be charged.

Another responsibility of the CEO is to prepare a final report on the nationwide votes which is to be submitted to the Elections Commission to declare the winner of the elections. If he fails to do this within the established timeframe or if he falsifies any of the data, he can also be jailed for life and fined as much as $10 million.

Other offences

Other persons involved in the electoral process can face fines as high as $10 million and can equally be jailed for life if they breach any provisions as outlined in the proposed updated RoPA. TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021

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

Road network expansion T

he ongoing works for the new alternative road connecting Diamond to Eccles, East Bank Demerara, then Eccles to Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, in order to ease traffic congestion, are most welcome, as anticipation grows for fewer hours spent in traffic jams.

For years, there have been calls for an alternative road to ease the build-up of traffic at peak hours during both mornings and evenings. The traffic congestion during rush hours in the mornings and evenings is also very stressful for citizens to cope with, especially those commuting to and from the city. It is normal to spend more than half an hour in the traffic when going or coming from work, especially in areas along the East Bank and East Coast corridors, where there is a huge build-up of traffic daily.

The situation at the Demerara Harbour Bridge is even worse. In addition to the bridge no longer being adequate to accommodate the large volume of traffic on a daily basis, many have complained that the traffic is badly managed by ranks. During rush hours, there is bumper-to-bumper traffic, with some drivers bullying their way through and the Police stationed there seeming helpless to do anything about it.

Certainly, over the years, traffic congestion in the city and other main thoroughfares has gotten worse, and there could be a number of factors responsible for this. What we have noticed is that, although there has been some improvement to the road network over the years, it has not been to the required level to match the demands of road users. Within the last 15 years or so, several new housing schemes have been established and several existing ones have been expanded across the country, resulting in many more persons commuting to and from the capital city, where they go to school or work. Traffic congestion in the populated areas along the Coast has proven to be a major bugbear over the years.

Also, within the last 10 years or so, there has been a five-fold increase in the number of vehicles being driven on the roads, and the road network expansion programme, even though improving, still cannot accommodate this massive increase.

That said, traffic congestion is not a problem that is unique to Guyana, and certainly cannot be totally eliminated. However, there are ways in which the authorities here could work together to manage the situation more effectively, which would result in less hassle for road users.

For example, the authorities could seek to ensure that there is a greater Police presence in certain areas, so that there can be a smooth flow of traffic, as drivers are known to break the rules and bully their way when there is no Police presence. The authorities could also designate more routes for traffic diversion, especially during rush hours and in areas where there is a heavy traffic build-up.

However, the long-term solution with the expansion of the country’s road network would take some time, and that timeline has already been cut with the current works ongoing. The East Bank/East Coast Road Expansion Project, once completed, would bring much relief to the travelling public. The new roadway would serve as a corridor for communities on the East Bank of Demerara, including Perseverance, Mocha, Providence, Eccles, Peters Hall and Aubrey Barker Road. Instead of going through the hectic Georgetown traffic, the new road link would allow drivers the option of diverting from the East Coast and onto the bypass road to access the East Bank of Demerara.

We urge the authorities to continue to look at ways in which the road network in Guyana could be further expanded, improved, rehabilitated and maintained.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the United States Government, on Friday donated one hundred 450-gallon water tanks to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC). In photo, UNICEF Country Representative Nicolas Pron, United States Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch, and CDC Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig during the handing over ceremony (CDC photo)

Indiscriminate and illegal use of firecrackers Dear Editor, Permit me a space to vent my frustration about the indiscriminate and illegal use of firecrackers to celebrate the auspicious Festival of Light, Diwali, a celebration of good over evil; a celebration of light over darkness.

Editor, the science is clear: animals have hearing capacities that are far more advanced than humans.

Humans can hear sounds that fall between the range of 20 Hz and 20 kHz, while the hearing of a dog is somewhat between 40 Hz and 60 kHz. The hearing range of cats extends from 48 Hz to 85 kHz, giving them one of the broadest hearing ranges among mammals. Bats’ sound sensitivity ranges from less than 100 Hz to 200 kHz. What this simply translates to is that, as humans, we have one of the lowest hearing ranges on the sound spectrum; and if last night’s explosion was loud to us, we can only imagine what those scared animal were hearing.

Editor, what transpired on Diwali night is nothing short of a national tragedy.

As humans, we were forced to endure hours of loud, war-like explosions emanating from these “bombs”.

Animals, with their more advanced hearing, were

thrown into a state of panic. Many animals attempted to flee the explosions and ended up on the road, with the outcome being tragic. Many more tried hiding in their homes, panicking, with elevated respiration and heartbeat; trembling and inconsolable.

Some, in their attempt to escape the barrage of explosions, attempted to scale fences, and jumped out of windows, only to end up with injuries and death.

Some even died of heart failure due to panic attacks.

Wild animals were not spared this horrendous ordeal. Birds and bats met a tragic end in their bid to seek shelter from this apocalyptic bombing in the name of celebration.

The human folks also had to endure the wrath of these explosions. The elderly, the sick, babies and persons suffering from post-traumatic syndromes suffered while a few had their “fun”.

Historically, Diwali is intended to celebrate light over darkness. Many Hindus consider Diwali to be a fresh start, similar to the Lunar New Year in January. Many people clean, renovate and decorate their homes in anticipation of blessing from the Devine Mother Lakshmi.

Diwali is also a time to set-

tle debts and make peace with family, friends and neighbours.

Editor, the laws of Guyana are clear when it comes to the importation, sale, possession, and use of pyrotechnics: it is a banned product. Then why are we still seeing the wanton sale, possession, and use of same? Fireworks were being sold in full view of the public, and the relevant authorities simply didn’t care.

Editor, there is no known benefit when it comes to the use of fireworks to celebrate. On the contrary, there are multitudes of disadvantages in using them. Let me highlight a few.

- Illegal use of fireworks can be dangerous to you and to others, and is a public nuisance.

- People who use fireworks carelessly or without knowing what they’re doing can be killed or maimed.

They can also kill or maim others.

- Fireworks can burn down houses, cause fires, frighten children and adults, and terrify pets and wildlife.

- Noise from fireworks can cause distress, especially as fireworks can sound like gunfire. The noise can also cause tinnitus and deafness, or aggravate a nervous condition.

- People who suffer from asthma can experience discomfort, and epileptics can experience seizures following fireworks’ displays.

- Money spent on purchasing fireworks can be more meaningfully used to purchase a household item, feed a homeless person or a stray animal, or be saved.

Christmas is around the corner, and I can only imagine what awaits us if this asininity goes unchecked. I am hereby making a desperate plea to all right-thinking Guyanese to immediately stop the use of loud explosives as a form of celebration. Parents, do not encourage your children with the use of fireworks.

Religious leaders, use your authority to encourage your followers to be considerate to all during their celebrations.

To the Police: I know your hands are filled, but I beg you not to turn a blind eye to this scourge.

As a nation we are judged by the way we treat animals, the elderly, the homeless and children. Let us use the tragedy that occurred on Diwali night to reflect on the true meaning of Diwali.

Yours respectfully, Anurama Ramgobin Tails of Hope Animal Rescue

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021

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

APNU/AFC should start utilising M&CC needs to provide an logic, honesty to its dwindling accurate Assets Register number of supporters Dear Editor, At some point in time, the Opposition should stop trying to blame the Government for everything, and start utilising some amount of logic and honesty to its dwindling number of supporters.

It is my view that one clear character trait that cloaks many of those who form part of the Opposition is dishonesty. They simply cannot be trusted, and the 2020 General and Regional Elections’ saga was a clear demonstration of such.

Their continued attempts to blame our country’s duly elected Government, which is headed by His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ai, for the increase in food prices is despicable; but, then again, we are speaking about a group of people who have demonstrated that they would go to all lengths to remain relevant in the public domain.

Guyana, like many other countries in the Caribbean and globally, has seen a significant increase in the cost of food and products that are imported. It is no secret that COVID-19 has had a crippling impact on the global economy. Almost two years have passed since the first reported case of the dreaded virus, and there seems to be no end in sight.

Two of the most noticeable impacts the pandemic has had on the world’s population are: restrictions that were placed on travel, and cross-border trade.

Due to the nature of the virus and how it is spread, countries were forced to close their borders, which in turn stopped trade.

Although many countries have lifted most of their restrictions, there is still a global backlog of cargo that has affected food prices and food availability. Freight costs have also moved from US$4000 per container to US$20,000 per container.

Only recently, an article published in the T&T Guardian pointed to the fact that the twin-island republic could soon see further rises in food prices.

Trinidad is not the only country in the Caribbean that has experienced this. Jamaica, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Suriname have also seen challenges in this regard.

According to the Caribbean COVID-19 Food Security & Livelihoods Impact Survey that was published in November 2020, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the pandemic had impacted food security so much that 38% of respondents reported skipping meals or eating less than usual, 8% reported going one whole day without eating, while 19% of households had no food.

The Opposition has played, and continues to play, a dirty game when it comes to the pandemic and ways it has negatively impacted Guyana’s economy and the cost of food prices, but I can say without a shadow of a doubt that Guyanese are in a far better place now than where they were between March and July 2020. The Opposition was so busy fighting to hold on to office that it neglected the people, offering no relief while spending millions

Wasted potential Dear Editor, I look at our daily newspapers and stare at the picture of a young man who was shot and killed as he tried to execute a robbery, and I silently exclaim, “This is just a child!”, and I wonder where are his parents.

I am glad that I have absolutely no idea who his parents are, but these questions swirl through my mind.

Is his mother a single parent struggling to make ends meet? Did he finish school?

Would he have had access to online learning?

Why should a young man, brimming with potential, meet such an untimely death? We need to have homes where our children are taught to pray; taught the fear of God and respect for man at a young age; and if they miss this at home, they should get it in our schools, where they are taught more than the three Rs (‘Reading,

Riting and Rithmetic’).

They should especially be taught to pray in school, be taught respect for each other and for authority, and a sense of national pride should be instilled in them, one embedded in the prayer found in the last line of our National Anthem: “God guard you, great Mother, and make us to be more worthy our heritage, Land of the free.”

Did I hear someone say, “Is good fuh he”? I say, “Shame on we!”

Let us build again our broken-down family altars as we are reminded in the last verse of the last book in the Old Testament “…he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

Sincerely, Claudia Heywood

of taxpayers’ dollars to create an illusion of being a caring Government.

I am utterly disgusted, to say the least, that they can now criticise what the Government is doing for the people, when they themselves did nothing for the people of this country in the midst of the pandemic.

COVID-19 has inevitably shifted the paradigm of trade, and Caribbean countries are now left with the most far-reaching global crisis in history. It has long been the case that between 80 and 90 percent of all food consumed in the region originates from foreign countries.

I commend our President and Agriculture Minister for the work they have been doing at the level of Caricom to reduce the regional import bill and barriers to trade among member states. The ordinary citizen might not be able to see how important achieving those two things would be to Guyana and the region as a whole, but developing sectors like the agriculture sector remain paramount to reducing the regional food import bill.

I commend our leaders for taking the bold steps needed to lead Caricom’s agriculture agenda; and, as a people, we must continue to support them in this regard.

Yours sincerely, Francis Benn

Love doesn’t always come wrapped in packages Dear Editor, It is unbelievable that, in this 21st century, gullible women are still falling for the international scam being perpetrated by Nigerians: feigning romance for hard- earned money (GT Nov 5, 2021).

Recently, on the ‘Dr Phil Show’, there was a similar case, in which a 22-year-old Nigerian man claimed to be in love with a 60-year-old woman, who had imparted ten thousand US dollars to him over a period of time.

Is it that mature, elderly women are being preyed upon?

In the local case, it has to be wondered how that amount of money could be doled out and alarm bells not be rung and red flags not be raised.

When will women learn that love doesn’t always come wrapped in packages?

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

Dear Editor, As a resident of Georgetown, a taxpayer, and someone who loves cultural history, I would like to add my concern and consternation to the trepidation being expressed by the Local Government Ministry about the goings-on at City Hall regarding the serious and consistent attempts to dispose of municipal property in a most capricious manner.

The strident denials by senior officials of the Georgetown Municipality ring hollow as, first of all, they have not been accused of having already committed the unlawful disposal of the city’s assets, but rather of attempting to engage in the illegitimate disposal of the city’s assets. So, for the municipal officials to ask the Government to produce evidence of concluded transactions is just simply disingenuous.

But secondly, and more importantly, with the Council’s history of flimflams, rackets and boondoggling, citizens would be hard pressed not to be concerned upon hearing of this latest hustle.

Over the years, it is well known, the Council disposed of innumerable garbage trucks, dump trucks, tractors, trailers, pick-ups, cars, SUVs, and lots of other equipment which only needed a couple of parts.

They disposed of these assets as obsolete and scrap vehicles at unbelievably low prices, only to see those vehicles back on the roads a few days later, being driven by their new private owners. This was not only advantageous to those who organised the sales, but it also ensured that the Council became fully reliant on private contractors to provide most, if not all, municipal services.

But, more recently, citizens were made aware of a legion of some 55 – yes, a whopping 55 - leases and sales of municipal properties, and in some cases properties that did not belong to, nor were they in the custody of, the Georgetown Municipality, by a senior municipal officer at ‘next to nothing’ prices for prime locations that are worth millions of dollars, including several riverside properties and reserves.

How could one forget land located at Lot 1 Mudlot, Lombard Street, Georgetown that was leased to a shipping company that was not owned by the Council; the sale of lands identified as Government reserve located along Aubrey Barker Road, North Ruimveldt to a mining and trucking

company; the leasing of one-third of the Farnum Playground to a private educational institution, and the attempt to convert the Bel Air Park playfield located along Eping Avenue into a space for residential use; with plans to sell it to a private developer, who would have then built luxury houses for senior members at City Hall.

The Council needs to be made to produce an accurate Assets Register, and the Ministry of Local Government should investigate how a footpath and municipal reserve that allowed persons to traverse between Jacaranda Avenue and Lama Avenue in Bel Air Park has suddenly be-

come part of a person’s private property (backyard); how municipal reserves in Industrial Site, Ruimveldt have been transferred to private companies; and how municipal property in Ruimveldt that used to be leased for a pepper corn rental is now part of the assets of a foreign company.

Officials at City Hall cannot honestly say that active consideration was not given to disposing of the City’s assets, including the prime waterfront property (Constabulary Training Complex, that $47M spent rehabilitating it) and the old, patched-up abattoir.

Sincerely, Debra Gibson

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021

Page

Foundation

Paper punch-out lanterns Materials Colorful paper Mini paper punches Led tealight candles How to make paper punch-out lanterns 1. Fold paper lengthwise. Cut slits along folded edge until about an inch away from the edge.

Make sure the width of the slit is larger than the size of your mini-paper punches.

2. Bunch designs along the slits or edge as desired.

3. Unfold lantern. Bring the two long ends together and staple in place.

4. Use a flameless tea light or candle to illuminate.

I hope you have a lot of fun creating unique paper lantern designs. (thejoyofsharing.com)

We Wear the Mask

By Paul Laurence Dunbar We wear the mask that grins and lies, It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes,— This debt we pay to human guile; With torn and bleeding hearts we smile, And mouth with myriad subtleties.

Why should the world be over-wise, In counting all our tears and sighs?

Nay, let them only see us, while We wear the mask.

We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries To thee from tortured souls arise.

We sing, but oh the clay is vile Beneath our feet, and long the mile; But let the world dream otherwise, We wear the mask!

Paul Laurence. Dunbar, "“We Wear the Mask.”" from The Complete Poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar. (New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, )

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COP26

Guyana commits to creating low carbon jobs, economic opportunities …President emphasises need for financial, technological support for SIDS

H

ighlighting that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have ambition to tackle climate change, Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali reinforced the need for financial and technological support to become available to aid in this global fight.

The Guyanese Head of State made the remarks during two high-level side events at the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) currently underway in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Delivering remarks to the Climate Vulnerable Fund (CVF), he argued that SIDS and Low-lying Coastal Countries like Guyana need more support to execute their plans to fight climate change.

Low carbon economy

In this regard, President Ali outlined his country’s vision for a low carbon economy, making reference to the revised Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 which he launched prior to his departure to the international summit.

A statement from the Office of the President revealed that President Ali em-

phasised that Guyana will “decarbonise its economy and will invest in a range of low carbon opportunities and jobs while maintaining its standing forest, which is almost as big as England and Scotland combined”.

President Ali further told the CVF that the country’s expansive forest is a global asset as it stores more than 20 gigatons of carbon, preserves priceless biodiversity and provides sustainable livelihoods for its people. As a result, he said his Government will continue to adopt an inclusive approach to the sustainable management of its forests, biodiversity and freshwater supplies.

“We will slash emissions further by transitioning towards cleaner sources of energy. Yes, we are vulnerable, but we are not helpless or without hope. We are taking decisive action to ramp up and realise these ambitions.

But without the critical support – financial and technological – our best and noblest of ambitions will all flounder.”

Similarly, at the “We Mean Business” Pavilion at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC), the Guyanese Head of State declared that “we

US$100 billion annually, in support of climate action by developing countries with a 50-50 split of funds between adaptation and mitigation.

Transparency

President Irfaan Ali alongside US billionaire Marc Benioff at the “We Mean Business” Pavilion at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC)

are decarbonising our domestic energy mix, creating low carbon jobs and economic opportunities, and investing in protecting against climate change that has already happened. At the core of our vision is maintaining our rainforest – which as part of the Amazon and the Guiana Shield, is almost as big as England and Scotland combined.”

CVF

At the “We Mean Business” event, President Ali spoke alongside US billionaire Marc Benioff, where he posited that the achievement of a CVF would not only be beneficial to vulnera-

Chief Elections Officer can...

The amendments to the RoPA recommend life imprisonment for any person who fails to deliver to the CEO a true certified copy of a Tabulation Form or who delivers a Tabulation Form with falsified information.

The amended law stipulates that “a person who obstructs an assistant agent or an alternate polling agent in the performance of his functions commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of ten million dollars and to imprisonment for ten years”.

It also states that a Presiding Officer who refuses to accept from an elector, for consideration of the elector’s identify, a form of identification as authorised under the RoPA, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of five million dollars and to imprisonment for ten years.

Seemingly to cover all bases, the new proposed law dictates that a Presiding Officer who fails to comply with any of the provisions in the law commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of five million dollars and to imprisonment for ten years.

The changes to the law also provide for charges to be laid against a person who allows an applicant to vote who is not eligible to vote; that person can be fined $10 million and jailed for ten years.

Additionally, a person who removes a Statement of Poll posted outside the polling place commits an offence and can face jail time and be fined.

Moreover, a person who denies a duly appointed candidate or a counting agent the opportunity to make objections, or obstructs the candidate in the process of making his/her objections, can be jailed for ten years.

Again, to cover all bases, the amended RoPA outlines that “any person who contravenes any provision of this Act for which a penalty is not provided is liable on summary conviction to a fine of ten million dollars and to imprisonment for life”.

Going forward

The Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry has noted that another set of draft amendments will be added shortly to the consultation process with regards to the registration of voters under the National Registration Act. When the consultation process is concluded in six weeks, there will be a further review process by the Government to finalise a compendium of bills and regulations which will be tabled in the National Assembly.

The immediate former CEO of GECOM, Keith Lowenfield; his Deputy, Roxanne Myers, and the Returning Officer for Region Four at last year’s polls, Clairmont Mingo, are currently before the court on a raft of electoral fraud related charges.

Other electoral officials as well as politicians are before the court for allegedly attempting to alter the results of last year’s elections.

FROM PAGE 3

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, has hired a team of special prosecutors consisting of about six lawyers to prosecute the electoral fraud charges on behalf of the State.

The plethora of matters is currently before three Magistrates – the Chief Magistrate and Magistrates Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus and Leron Daly. Lowenfield’s election report claimed that the then governing APNU/AFC coalition garnered 171,825 votes while the PPP/C gained 166,343 votes.

How he arrived at those figures is still unknown, since the certified results from the national recount exercise supervised by GECOM and a high-level team from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) showed that the PPP/C won with 233,336 votes while the coalition garnered 217,920.

The recount exercise also proved that Mingo heavily inflated the figures in Region Four in favour of the then caretaker APNU/AFC regime – which was defeated by a No-Confidence Motion in December 2018.

In August this year, GECOM had voted to terminate the employment contracts of Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo. The firing of the officials was met with much satisfaction by the Government, which viewed it as a step in the right direction to restoring public confidence in GECOM as it gears up to hold Local Government Elections. (G11)

ble countries but will also create investment opportunities for climate-prosperous economies around the world.

President Ali emphasised that there are tens of millions of people who are being unfairly hurt by climate change they did not cause. This, he said, is undoubtedly tragic and should not be the case.

The President said that he hopes the world will recognise that achieving the vision of a CVF will not only benefit the vulnerable countries but “will also create trillions of dollars in investment opportunities for businesses who wish to invest in the building blocks of the new climate-prosperous economies”.

He noted that these investments can be done in areas such as renewable energy, digital infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and an array of other low-carbon industrial and employment opportunities that fall in line with a far-reaching and comprehensive vision.

It is against this backdrop, the President said he supports the commitment from companies and businessmen such as Benioff who have offered support.

Dhaka-Glasgow Declaration

According to the statement from the President’s Office, Ali has already endorsed the Dhaka-Glasgow Declaration, expressing at both events that it is a “proclamation of our commitment to being impactful in ending the climate crisis. I welcome it and endorse it.”

The Declaration focuses on climate mitigation strategies, adaptation plans and financing for the world’s most vulnerable nations.

During the “We Mean Business” forum, the Head of State posited while the Dhaka-Glasgow Declaration calls for many things, one of its pillars is a call for the world to work together with knowledge and input from the private sector.

“And yes, the private sector is a partner in this to support the development and implementation of Climate Prosperity Plans (CPPs) to realise a collective economic opportunity for countries and businesses.”

The President said that the declaration also calls for a 2020-2024 Climate Finance Delivery Plan, totalling

Moreover, President Ali lobbied for there to be a transparent accountable process, especially as it relates to the US$100 billion pledge.

“I have heard various figures in relation to the $100 billion pledge and how much has actually been met, but in my own assessment what we are seeing is a lot of reorganisation of existing finances, not new finances. Existing loans that were aimed at helping developing countries are now converted as being part of the $100 billion pledge.”

He explained that if this reorganisation is done, a school, for example, that might have a small solar panel to provide light for a classroom could be classified as part of the pledge.

“We have to guard against such accounting, and we have to commit to a transparent process when we talk about the financing. This is important. What is also important for us, developing countries and vulnerable countries, is to understand that climate change is not an isolated problem. Climate change is linked to issues of food security. It is linked to issues of livelihood options and vulnerability from at-risk communities. So, our climate plan must lead to a prosperity agenda that is broad in nature that addresses fundamental needs of all the people of the developing world whether it is for health, education, food security or other services,” President Ali said. (G11)

8 NEWS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$58M Kitty gold heist

Ex-GDF Sergeant jailed for 3 years

Jailed: Keyon King

Remanded: Delroy Jackson

Remanded: Peon Lee

eyon King, the former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant who pleaded guilty to his involvement in a multimillion-dollar robbery committed on Wallison’s Enterprise, Gordon Street, Kitty, Georgetown, in August, was on Friday sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

The sentence was imposed by Principal Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus, who is presiding at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. In mid-October, King who was charged with four counts of robbery under arms, changed his previous not guilty plea to guilty.

At his last court appearance, a remorseful King, who served in the army for 15 years, told the Magistrate that he got involved in the crime because he was struggling to maintain his family. He explained that he was demoted, and was under tremendous pressure since he is the sole breadwinner for his family.

The man further related that he was finding it difficult to save money to build a house, and as such, he did not think twice when an offer was made to him to rob the establishment. King, nevertheless, apologised to his family and the GDF for his unlawful act.

He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on each of the four charges.

The Magistrate, however, ordered that the sentences run concurrently.

On August 5, at Wallison’s Enterprise, Gordon Street, Kitty, King, while in the company of others, robbed Francis Santos Lumes of raw gold worth $20 million and $38 million and other valuables; Fernanda Carmichael of an iPhone valued at $350,000 and Wellington Batista DaSilva of a phone valued $160,000.

King, 32, was charged along with 36-year-old Delroy “Bug” Jackson and Peon Lee also known as “Nino Brown”, both security officers attached to the business. They, however, have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are currently remanded prisoners.

The Guyana Police Force has issued a wanted bulletin for the driver of the getaway car, and two other men who were caught on CCTV camera robbing the business.

Wanted are Antonio Maraj also called “Pluckin” or “Thuggy” of Leopold Street, Georgetown; Agricola, Greater Georgetown, and Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Maraj was one of the persons caught on the CCTV recording during the commissioning of the robbery.

Police are also on the hunt for ex-soldier Jamal Hazel, who was also caught on camera. The 24-yearold is from Guyhoc Park,

Georgetown. Also wanted is the driver of the getaway car, Dequan King also called “Titus” or “Quanie” of Lot 20 D Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Police reportedly found the car that was used in the robbery parked outside a house at 435 Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara. Upon searching the premises, Police found and seized several household items. It was reported that neighbours told the Police that the man who lived there left for the interior.

It was reported that on the day in question at about 10:00h, three armed men went to the Lot 23 Gordon Street business and indicated that they had gold to sell.

However, within minutes of entering the establishment, they held several staff members at gunpoint and demanded that they open three safes where the money and gold were secured.

After committing the robbery, the armed men bound and gagged the cashier and two other staff after which they locked them in a room.

Moments after escaping in a white motor car, the cashier managed to free herself and raised an alarm.

The Police were called in and immediately one of the two security guards was arrested. Based on intelligence and information re-

K

ceived, the detectives went to a house in B Field Sophia where they conducted a search and found some personal items belonging to the owner of the business.

There, another security guard was taken into custody. The security guards were, however, interrogated during which one of them confessed to being part of the plot to rob the establishment.

Following leads, the detectives turned up at the home of King at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), where a search was conducted in the house but nothing substantial was found.

Nevertheless, during a search in the yard, the detectives noticed a disturbed piece of land and decided to dig. It was then, a bucket was found buried, which, when checked, contained $15 million in $5000 notes and an additional $3 million in $1000 notes.

The bucket was reportedly wrapped in two black garbage bags while the money was neatly packed in transparent bags. The operation was conducted by members of the Major Crimes Unit and members of the business community, especially the gold industry.

Following the successful operation, King along with his wife was arrested.

During interrogation, he told investigators that he was part of the initial plan to rob the gold establishment but he was not one of the persons who committed the act.

The ex-GDF Sergeant also related that his wife was not aware of the robbery and as such, requested for her to be released.

The Police ranks were subsequently told that the other two alleged robbers are ex-military personnel. As information became available about their whereabouts, Police ranks went to a village on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) but no arrests were made. (G1)

Decomposed body of psychiatric patient found

T

he decomposed body of a psychiatric patient was discovered at Golden Fleece Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB).

Reports are that at about 18:40h on Thursday, the body of a man who was identified as Conrad Willson, 64, was found at his WCB home.

According to the man’s relative, Horlad Mitchell, at about 17:00h on Thursday he received information that an obnoxious scent was emanating from his cousin’s residence.

As a result, he made checks and saw the deceased lying on his back motionlessly on the floor of his house.

It was reported that the deceased, who is a patient at the Psychiatric Clinic, New Amsterdam, lived alone. It is unclear when he was last seen alive.

The house in which the body was found

The body was examined for marks of violence but due to its decomposed state, none was seen.

It was escorted to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital where the man was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty, and is presently at Bailey’s Funeral Home

awaiting a post-mortem examination.

This is the second decomposed body within days that was found in the Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) area.

Prior to this, the partly decomposed body of a man was fished out of a ca-

nal in the sugar cultivation area at Tain, Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

The discovery was made by a security guard attached to the Albion Sugar Estate who observed the body of a human being floating in the said trench.

The Police were summoned and the body was physically examined and found to be male in a partially decomposed state. His ears appeared to be bitten by fish.

The body was escorted to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where it was examined by a doctor and pronounced dead.

The body is currently at the Ramoo Funeral Home awaiting post-mortem. The body has not yet been identified. (G9)

Doubting…

H

…Charles aving served his time after being shanghaied to attend Sunday School, your Eyewitness is well aware of the original “Doubting Thomas”.

Imagine, the fella was one of the original 12 followers of Jesus, and yet doubted that the latter had been resurrected from the dead. On meeting him, Jesus invited him to touch His wounds, and even push his hands into the open wounds!! The jury is out as to whether Thomas actually pushed his hands, but he was known henceforth as “Doubting Thomas”.

So here we have Van West-Charles “throwing his hat into the ring” for the leadership of the PNC. Not so incidentally, the expression is very apropos, since it came from the 18th century pugilistic fistfights where, if you wanted to challenge the boxer, you “threw your hat into the ring”!! And we know any elections involving the PNC will be pugilistic!!

Charles is claiming that the Party’s General Secretary, Amna Ally, should not be part of the internal election process!! Gasp!! Is he saying that Amna Ally might somehow corrupt the system and cause him to lose the race?

All he could point out was that Amna had attended Joseph Harmon’s announcement that HE was throwing his hat into the ring!! Well, Jeez!! The lady is GS of the party, and if Harmon had invited her to an event - in which ANY party member could compete for the leadership what was she to do?? The PNC is DEMOCRATIC, isn’t it, Charles?

But is Charles - who was the favoured son-in-law of Burnham during the rigging years, when he was made Minister of Health - suggesting that Amna might pull some levers to cheat him out of his inheritance? And “inheritance” it has to be, cause your Eyewitness doesn’t think Baby Jesus did his cause any good when he jumped ship and left Guyana for PAHO after Burnham passed away.

And only returned after Corbin - who’d remained with the APNU in Guyana - was weakened by 2009, to challenge him for leadership. Which he continued into 2011 against Granger, and then switched to the AFC! What’s this??

Leader or nothing, like his father-in-law?

Anyhow coming back to Amna Ally and implications of her fixing elections. After the last General Elections, Amna stoutly defended the PNC’s claims that - like Lazarus - PPP supporters had risen from the dead to vote for them! She insisted that even if one dead voter could be proven, that would vitiate the whole elections!

And when the one “dead voter”, whose death certificate was produced by the PNC, turned out not to have voted, she remained adamant the elections were rigged!!

Surely Amna wouldn’t be part of any elections fixing!! Okay “Doubting Charles”?

…“net zero” commitments As you, dear readers, would know, your Eyewitness is quite skeptical about these commitments being spewed on reducing global warming at COP26. First of all, he’s got a problem starting with the very expression “net zero”. What exactly is that? Why not say, “zero emissions”? And that’s the catch, okay? The prefix “net” means that the country’s gonna be allowed to continue emitting the climate-warming gases like carbon dioxide and methane, BUT, at the same time, show they’re arranging mechanisms to absorb the same gases!!

Sounds like having your cake and eating it too, doesn’t it? And that’s the nub of the problem!

Take the US, which is the biggest cumulative emitter.

It doesn’t want to actually reduce emissions - which might mean lowering living standards - so what it will do is pay countries like Guyana, with forests, not to cut them down, and so “suck up” carbon dioxide!! It’s like the guy who’s creating second-hand cancer by smoking paying someone else to inhale!!

You KNOW this ain’t gonna work!!

…peace after CXC Well, the CXC results are out. And once again, QC topped CSEC and CAPE. But isn’t this the very definition of discrimination?

Send all the best students to Queen’s, and then have them compete against the rest!!

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

NEWS

9

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 women new COVID-19 deaths …14 persons in ICU

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD NOVEMBER 5, 2021 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

64

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

54

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

2451 14

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

6

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

18,985

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

17,008

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

35,993

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

32,541

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

384,934

FULLY IMMUNISED

249,557

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

933

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1626

REGION 2

1456

REGION 3

4895

REGION 4

17,057

REGION 5

1312

REGION 6

2711

REGION 7

1758

REGION 8

600

REGION 9

2453

REGION 10

2125

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

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

T

he Health Ministry on Friday announced the death of three women – all cases of the novel coronavirus. This takes the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 933.

Those who died include a 22-year-old from

Region Eight who died on November 3; and a 55-yearold and 64-year-old – both from Region Four – who succumbed on November 3. Two were unvaccinated while the eldest was fully vaccinated.

In 24 hours, 64 persons tested positive. This adds to

the accumulated confirmed positives to date, which is now at 35,993.

A total of 14 persons are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 54 in institutional isolation, 2451 in home isolation and six in institutional quarantine. Out of the

17,008 males and 18,985 females that contracted the virus, 32,541 have recovered.

Some 360,176 COVID-19 tests have been administered since the virus was detected here.

Regionally, a breakdown showed one new case in Region One (BarimaWaini); two for Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 13 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); 24 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); 10 in Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica); six in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); one in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and seven in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

There were no increases in Regions Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

In Friday’s COVID update, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony shared his take on the vaccination response as he said, “I think we’re still getting a lot of hesitancy in Region 10. We have noticed that for sever-

al months now. While we do get a few cases every day of persons coming to get themselves vaccinated, it has really been a trickle. We have on average, about 10 to 15 sites on operating but on average we’re getting 50 to 100 people.”

He noted that efforts will continue to afford persons an opportunity to get vaccinated. In the other regions, he noted, the hesitancy is not evident with the exception of some communities in Region Eight.

“This is kind of peculiar to Region 10 and we’re finding some challenges in Region Eight as well, in some communities, persons

are citing religious beliefs.”

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene. (G12)

10 NEWS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bartica DJ stabbed WBD man crushed to death to death during by metal lift at supermarket row over money

Dead: Andre Collison

T

he family of a Disc Jockey (DJ) were in a state of shock on Friday after they received the dreadful news of the man’s sudden and gruesome death.

Andre Collison, 38, also known as “DJ Chappy”, of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), was stabbed to death during the wee hours of Friday during

a row over money.

The incident occurred at around 01:30h at Puruni Landing, Middle Mazaruni.

Reports are that Collison left his room in search of food and went to the “Two Blessed Sisters Restaurant” and made an order.

While waiting to collect his food, the suspect went into the establishment and an argument ensued between the duo about monies owed.

“The argument became heated and the suspect drew a knife from his pants waist and stabbed the victim to his abdomen and thereafter made good his escape,” Police said in a statement.

He was picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Puruni Health Post where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.

Shortly after Collison’s death, the suspect was arrested and is currently in Police custody pending charges. (G9)

Dead: Sudesh Charran

By LaWanda McAllister

A

22-year-old man is now dead after a metal lift fell from a building and pinned him to the ground.

Dead is Sudesh Charran, a labourer of West Minster, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Reports are that the incident occurred at around 16:20h on Thursday at the F&R Supermarket located at Stelling Road, Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara

(WCD).

According to Police, the man was walking under the metal lift to enter the supermarket when it fell from the upper flat and pinned him to the ground.

As a result, workers rushed to his assistance and used a piece of wood to lift the metal structure from the man’s body. They pulled the victim out, but by this time he was motionless and a large wound was seen to the top of his head.

The Police were summoned, and the body of the victim was escorted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A probe has since been launched.

The dead man’s sister, Sabrina Charran, on Friday said that her family, especially her mother, is shaken by her brother’s death.

The woman said Thursday was the second day he returned to work after being on bereavement leave for more than two months.

The 22-year-old had only lost his father in August of this year, and could not bear to work at the entity, since

The F&R Supermarket from which the metal lift fell

he and his father worked together.

“He ended up coming off the work after my father died…he doesn’t have any kids or anything. My mother is just crying for justice right now. She just screaming down all the time because that is her only son,” the dead man’s sister said.

The grieving woman said her brother was full of life

and had so many plans for his future, and it is such a pity he lost his life in such a manner.

“He was going to GTI and then he started working. He was planning to work to build so that everybody can come home back but it didn’t happen like that,” she said.

A probe has been launched into the man’s death.

Deportee busted with 11lbs ganja remanded

A

The narcotics found at the home of Avery Cummings

58-year-old man, who was deported from the US for drug trafficking in 2009, was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on a similar charge on Friday. Avery Cummings appeared at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts where he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

It is alleged that on November 3 at Swam Sam Ville, Linden-Soesdyke Highway, he had 5.3 kilograms (11 pounds) of marijuana in his possession for the purpose of trafficking.

The accused drug trafficker was represented by Attorney-at-Law Lyndon Amsterdam. The case continues on January 3, 2022.

A release from the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) said that on the day in question, ranks went to Cummings’ home where they conducted a narcotics operation. The items seized from the defendant’s home include several parcels of foreign weed weighing over 5.3 kilograms, several Ziplock bags containing cannabis, cannabis seeds amounting to 3.68 grams, and 3.5 grams of Hashish.

As such, Cummings was arrested and taken to CANU headquarters. (G1)

Remanded: Avery Cummings

NEWS

11

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“In your eyes, she was without any rights” – Judge tells wife killer

…as husband who hit wife with car then chopped her gets life sentence

A

Whim, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) taxi driver who pleaded guilty to viciously chopping and stabbing his 21-year-old wife to death has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Gavin Gill, 33, a father of three, was handed the custodial sentence on Friday by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the High Court in Berbice.

On October 20, State Counsel Abigail Gibbs presented the indictment against Gavin Gill for the March 30, 2019 murder of his wife, Omwattie Gill.

The murder occurred at Tulsie Street, Williamsburg Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Gavin Gill, at that hearing, had professed his love for his wife.

“I love my wife so much.

I’m sorry for what happened…” he cried. On the

Sentenced to life: Gavin Gill

day in question, the young woman who shared a child with Gavin Gill was making her way to work when she was attacked by him.

She was first hit with a vehicle her husband was

driving and pitched about 25 feet before being stabbed and then chopped with a cutlass. Her neck was almost severed.

Based on reports, she had moved out from their matrimonial home with their then seven-month-old baby girl after he became very abusive.

Two weeks prior to her death, she was living with her mother and had found employment. An autopsy gave her cause of death as shock and haemorrhage due to stab wounds.

At Friday’s sentencing hearing, a probation officer disclosed that the couple had visited the probation office in Berbice seeking help with saving their marriage.

Records at the probation office indicate that Omwattie Gill reported that her husband was an alcoholic who would borrow large

sums of money from friends to support his bad habit.

According to the probation officer, the young woman complained that her husband would ask her to pawn her jewellery, including her wedding band, to assist him with repaying his debts.

The young mother reported that many days she and her child were left without basic needs.

The probation officer added that the woman was constantly threatened by her husband which prompted her to take out a restraining order against him. During an interview with the probation officer, Gavin Gill expressed regret for his action and sought forgiveness from his late wife’s family.

The probation officer said he expressed sorrow at his daughter having to live without her mother. He told

3 nabbed with ganja The suspect was told of the offence committed, cautioned and arrested.

He was later taken to Central Police Station along with the cannabis and one black and red XR motorcycle.

The cannabis was weighed in his presence and amounted to 11.34 kilograms.

He was placed into custody pending further investigations and charges. (G9)

The cannabis that was found at Edinburgh Village, EBB

T

hree men are now in Police custody after they were found with a quantity of marijuana during searches carried out by law enforcement officers at Edinburgh Village, East Bank Berbice River and Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice.

The first incident occurred on Thursday at 11:45h at Edinburgh Village, where Police unearthed 539 grams of cannabis sativa.

It was reported that a party of policemen on marine patrol within the Division were in the vicinity when they stopped a wooden boat powered by a 225 horsepower Yamaha engine.

The said boat was captained by a 25-year-old and a lone 26-year-old occupant.

A search was conducted on the boat in their presence and a bulky parcel wrapped with transparent plastic was found under the boat bow. Police said the parcel contained leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis.

They [the captain and the occupant] were told of the offence committed, cautioned and arrested and taken to Central Police Station.

At the station, the cannabis was weighed and amounted to 539 grams.

The cannabis found at Betsy Ground, East Canje Berbice

Both suspects were placed into custody pending investigations.

Meanwhile, at about 06:30h on Friday at Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice, a 26-year-old male was arrested after he was found in possession of 11.34 kilograms (25 pounds) of cannabis sativa.

Acting on information received, a party of policemen

went to the home of the suspect and a search was conducted in his presence.

During the search, a freezer that was in the yard was opened and a black, bulky plastic bag containing twelve brown, bulky wrapped parcels and two transparent parcels - all containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis - was found.

Murdered: Omwattie Gill

the officer that he hopes that she finds the strength to forgive him when she grows older.

For his part, Justice Kissoon in his sentencing remarks, recapped the factual circumstances of the case. He said that Gavin Gill threatened to kill his wife on March 18, 2019, resulting in her seeking the intervention of the court to obtain a protection order.

He said the protection order was rendered “meaningless” by the actions and blatant disregard for the court order by the confessed killer. The Judge described the young woman’s killing as a planned and premeditated act. Noting that the woman received injuries to the vital parts of her body, Justice Kissoon added that there is

no doubt what was her attacker’s intention.

“The history of the relationship prior to this murderous act does not bode well for the accused. This accused pawned everything within the matrimonial home to support his vile habit of alcoholism. This accused has pleaded guilty in the deliberate, passionate killing of his wife without lawful cause.”

Justice Kissoon told Gavin Gill that due to his reckless and irresponsible action, a young child is now left without both of her parents. He further told the killer, “In your eyes, she [Omwattie Gill] was without any rights.” The Justice pointed out that this case is of concern to the court given the overwhelming number of cases of this nature arising from intimate partner violence.

According to Justice Kissoon, Gavin Gill has shown no genuine remorse.

The Judge viewed his guilty plea as “strategic” in light of the overwhelming evidence against him. Justice Kissoon also made it clear that there is nothing the killer can tell him to persuade the court to have mercy on him.

Gavin Gill must serve 30 years before he becomes eligible for parole. In the computation of his sentence, the High Court Judge ordered that the prison authorities credit him for time spent on remand. (G1)

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Queen’s College students top CSEC, CAPE

Sarena Razak: 19 Grade Ones, 2 Grade Twos, 1 Grade Three (CSEC)

By Rupadai Seenaraine

Q

ueen’s College has secured the highest number of Grade Ones for this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

The Education Ministry on Friday announced the top performers for the 2021 examinations, based on the number of Grade Ones achieved. It noted that a top student will only be named when the Caribbean Examinations Council is finished reviewing the grades, and selecting a candidate based on the appropriate combination of subjects.

For CSEC, Sarena Razak from Queen’s College secured 19 Grade Ones, two Grade Twos and one Grade Three.

Razak told the media, “This wasn’t a surprise. I expected to get called for the number of subjects.

However, I have never really been called for my per-

Daniel Roopchand: 10 Grade Ones, 1 Grade Two (CAPE)

Zaynab Shaffie: 18 Grade Ones, 2 Grade Twos (CSEC)

Anuradha Basdeo: 17 Grade Ones, 2 Grade Twos (CSEC)

Kelly Sankar: 16 Grade Ones, 4 Grade Twos (CSEC)

Samuel Haynes: 9 Grade Ones (CAPE)

centages so I’d say I am a high performer in terms of the number of subjects.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the top performer explained that adapting to a new method of learning was the most challenging but she persisted.

“I have been working on my own, working online. It has [not] been too difficult but it was very different.

Getting used to it was definitely a challenge. I have lots of help from teachers, friends and everybody but it wasn’t as much different in terms of the content I was getting.”

Her next plan is to enrol in the CAPE programme and to have a career path in the engineering field.

This was followed by three students, La Shea Patois with 18 Grade Ones; Zaynab Shaffie with 18 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos; and Roshini Samaroo with 17 Grade Ones - all students of QC. Shaffie, who hails from Industry on the East Coast of Demerara, said there was no competition from other students due to closure

of schools, which made it “harder”.

“When it comes to being at home and studying, your house is not necessarily the best environment because you may have siblings and it’s not going to be quiet enough. You can’t concentrate enough and you have to find a way to fit your schedule around that.”

Anuradha Basdeo of Abram Zuil Secondary secured 17 Grade Ones and two Grade Twos. She is seeking a career in gynaecology.

Meanwhile, from the Saraswati Vidya Niketan, Faraz Yassin accomplished 17 Grade Ones and one Grade Two; Savitri Mahadeo - 16 Grade Ones and one Grade Two; Ronaldo Khemchan - 16 Grade Ones and Three Grade Twos; Karuma Lall - 16 Grade Ones and three Grade Twos; and Roushanie Lall - 16 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos.

From the Anna Regina Secondary School, Kelly Sankar also secured 16 Grade Ones and four Grade Twos.

Some 9808 candidates were registered for the 2021 CSEC examinations as compared to 12,009 registered for 2020. Subject entries for 2021 were 61,437. An analysis of the 2021 preliminary results revealed that the overall pass rate at the General and Technical proficiencies for Grades One to Three was 66.36 per cent.

Some 20 subject areas out

would more encapsulate my love for chemistry, physics, math and so on. I haven’t specifically narrowed down which set of engineering I want to pursue…I’m thinking of pursuing something that is challenging and intuitive so it doesn’t get easy over time. As the years progress, I want to pursue a career that gets harder and would always give me a

past my limits and they kept encouraging me until they didn’t have to anymore because it became innate.”

Abdul Subhan from St Stanislaus College and Jorrel DeSantos from Queen’s College both copped eight Grade Ones. Alexa Abraham from St Rose’s High School was able to achieve seven Grade Ones and three Grade Twos.

of a total 33 saw top performances for the region.

At the CSEC level, Guyana scored higher than the regional average in Integrated Science, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Office Administration, Information Technology; and Human and Social Biology. Performance was lower than the region for Mathematics, Chemistry, Principles of Business and Social Studies.

challenge”.

Roopchand experienced a “sense of accomplishment” upon learning of his grades but preparing for the exams in a different environment had its lows. While there was the advantage of having information at his disposal through online learning, there needed to be discipline in order to stay focused.

“It made me have to develop a new sense of discipline because you’re at home. There’s no teachers presiding over you. You need to have a strong sense of self disciple to be able to get up every day and study for a certain amount of hours on your own,” he stressed.

Also from Queen’s College was Samuel Haynes with nine Grade Ones.

Haynes is aiming to tackle the discipline of dentistry in the coming years.

Talking about his journey, he said “My parents always encouraged me to push

Meanwhile, Yu Qing Zhou and Alicialall Hiralall – both from QC – attained eight Grade Ones, respectively.

For CAPE Unit One, the top performers were Atishta Seenarine from Saraswati Vidya Niketan; Bhedesh Persaud of Queen’s College; Shivnarine Chaitram of Saraswati Vidya Niketan; and Tatayana Pearson of Queen’s College, respectively.

In May-June 2021, 723 candidates from 10 secondary schools and four private centres wrote CAPE in Guyana.

The overall pass rate in 2021 is 90.86 per cent; while the gender distribution of the overall passes is 36 per cent males and 64 per cent females.

For CAPE, 30 Units saw candidates obtaining a 100 per cent pass rate of Grades One to Five; and 75 per cent passes across another 28 units.

CAPE performance

Meanwhile for CAPE, Daniel Roopchand of Queen’s College emerged with 10 Grade Ones and one Grade Two. Being a Mathematics enthusiast, Roopchand is envisioning a career in engineering, as he ultimately wants a career that will “challenge” him.

He told Guyana Times, “I feel as though engineering

13 “It is a matter of children’s future” – Manickchand on vaccination NEWS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…63% of teachers vaccinated

E

ducation Minister Priya Manickchand has placed high priority on the full reopening of classroom learning for schools, since the prolonged absence will have lasting impact on students.

Speaking on the issue on Friday, the Minister outlined that technology has been the sole viable way of delivering education during the pandemic but there are limitations. She pointed out that this medium cannot replace the influence of in-class learning.

“It has been a very hard year and, in those hardships, we learnt many lessons that we have to incorporate in the delivery of education going forward.

We learnt that we can do better in blending and we can do more in how we reach our students using technology but we learnt also that the usage of technology as a sole means of delivery, which is something that was touted a long time ago, it is not as effective as people thought it could be,”

said the Minister.

In keeping with this conclusion, Manickchand mulled the safe reopening of schools in the best interest of students, since recent statistics by the Caribbean Examinations Council showed Guyana’s performance declining in several subject areas.

She stated, “We are at a place where we can no longer prevaricate on what is necessary and what is right. In the interest of our students, which is a mandate we have by the Constitution and by our conscience, we must return to classrooms in a safe way”.

It was pointed out that the reopening of schools for Grades 10 to 12 would have contributed to the country’s success at regional examinations.

“We had great difficulty with delivering education to our children online.

Guyana took the bold decision last year to return to schools for Grades 10, 11, and 12. And that is why

you see results of us topping the region in many subject areas. I think why we did as well; because we went back to school. The entire region saw a decline in its students’ performance and that is because we have been unable to deliver education in the way we are accustomed to delivering education and the way we believe is most effective.”

To facilitate a complete reopening would mean that teachers and students must be immunised against the novel virus. Amid calls from teachers for the Pfizer vaccine to be available to them, the Ministry decided to comply. Efforts were also made to ensure that a subset received their Sputnik V second component.

Thus far, over 63 per cent of teachers have been immunised though such mechanisms but she positioned that this “soft approach” will not continue for much longer.

“Pfizer is now available to teachers in this country.

You asked and we heard.

So, there is going to be a clock on when that soft approach to getting vaccinated gets activated and ends…These vaccines will not be here forever. They have a shelf life and they are not easily accessible.

So, make use of them now.”

Taking these points into consideration, the education official highlighted that vaccination is a matter of securing children’s future and returning to normalcy.

“Getting vaccinated is not a bureaucratic issue anymore. It is now a matter of children’s safety and children’s future based on their performance. We need to get everyone back into schools cause while we have exit level exams at fifth and sixth forms, we’re seeing declines also…and so the entire system is disrupted. We can only get back into schools if everyone is vaccinated, teachers and students alike. So, we don’t have a choice. As a country, we have to insist

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

that we return to normalcy.”

She further expressed, “You have a choice not to be vaccinated but that choice has consequences and so your level of participation in civilised society if you choose not to be will be hampered. We are very certain that when we come to report to you that we have

seen a decline in too much subject areas that this will not be allowed to go on indefinitely.”

The Ministry has been able to use a blended approach by reopening schools for limited classroom activity as of the new school term. (Rupa Seenaraine)

Doctor’s murder

Prime suspect confesses to bludgeoning doctor to death …nabbed while attempting to flee to Suriname

P

Dead: Dr Colin Roach

olice made a breakthrough in the murder of Dr Colin Roach after the prime suspect was arrested while attempting to flee to Suriname and confessed to the crime.

Ranks of the Major Crimes Unit swooped down on 25-year-old Hilton Oliver Junior Franklin at around 05:00h on Friday morning in Region Six (East Berbice-

Corentyne).

It was reported that the suspect is a friend of the medical practitioner who was found in a pool of blood on Tuesday night in his Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown office.

Following his arrest, the 25-year-old suspect has since confessed to inflicting the fatal wound on the doctor but has also implicated one of the doctor’s employees, whom he claimed assisted him.

Investigators had visited the home of the suspect but he and his family were not there. This was after the doctor’s stolen vehicle was discovered at Schoonord, West Bank Demerara (WBD), on Thursday morning.

The vehicle was found abandoned on the Schoonord Public Road with the car’s license plate PXX 4000 and keys missing.

A source close to the investigation also indicated that the entire vehicle ap-

Hilton Oliver Junior Franklin has allegedly confessed to killing the doctor

peared to be wiped down with an unknown solution to remove any trace of evidence.

It was reported that detectives still dusted the vehicle in a bid to discover fingerprints.

Meanwhile, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum when

contacted on Friday, confirmed that the suspect has admitted to inflicting the fatal wound on the deceased but did not divulge any further details.

Guyana Times understands that the man told investigators that he was having drinks with the doctor and another friend, when Roach became intoxicated and pushed him on a cot. He claimed that in retaliation, he hit the doctor with a metal object.

A post-mortem examination was conducted on Friday on the 49-year-old medical practitioner’s body and revealed that he died from multiple blunt traumas to the head.

Police in a report said when Dr Roach’s clinic closed at about 15:00h on Tuesday, one of two males who worked with him left the building and the other retired to his living quarters in the top flat, leaving the doctor in his office in the middle flat.

Dr Colin Roach’s office where he was found dead

Police said at 20:00h a male was seen exiting the building. He returned about seven minutes later and re-entered the clinic.

Then around 22:18h, the vehicle belonging to the doctor headed north out of Duke Street.

It was further observed that the lights in the doctor’s office were still on, which prompted one of the employees to call the doctor

on his cellular phone, but he received no answer.

The medical doctor was later found lying motionlessly on his back in a pool of blood in the examination area.

A wound was seen on the left side of the doctor’s forehead.

The two men who were with the doctor are also in custody assisting with investigations. (G9)

14 NEWS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Essequibians celebrate Diwali despite challenges of COVID-19

allowed to prosper throughout the year,” Pandit Lall said.

Celebration

By Raywattie Deonarine

D

espite the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc around the world for the past two years, Guyanese on Thursday celebrated Diwali, which is an auspicious time for Hindus to start new ventures as the Festival of Lights coincides with their “New Year”.

As the evening stepped in, families along the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), illuminated their homes with hundreds of lights – be it with Diyas (small earthen pots) or with fairy lights – and beautifully decorated rangolis as they celebrated Diwali or Deepavali which signifies Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya from 14 years of exile and the victory of good over evil.

Lights are illuminated in the name of the Hindu Goddess, Mother Lakshmi, to usher in wealth and prosperity into homes.

A stroll through several communities on the Essequibo Coast revealed that many persons celebrated the festival, lighting up their home from around 18:00h.

Earlier, many

mandirs hosted religious services in the morning or in the afternoon, where the story of the Reverence of Mother Lakshmi was shared.

In Aurora, Essequibo

Coast, families ensured that almost every corner of their yard was lit with Diyas and decorative fairy lights as both young and old took part in the festivities.

In other villages such

the loud and sometimes obnoxious sounds of the firecrackers and fireworks.

Meanwhile, at Spring Garden Bhuvaneshwar Mandir, a service was held at 15:00h, where Pandit

as Good Intent and Aurora, Affiance, Airy Hall, Capoey, just to name a few, Diwali celebrations were in full swing. You could not miss the rows of Diyas or escape

Ramesh Lall led a special prayer service and sounded the story of the return of Lord Rama.

According to Pandit Lall, Lakshmi Puja is one

of the most significant rituals of Diwali celebrations.

People pray to the Goddess of wealth on this day to receive blessings from her and wish for health, wealth, and prosperity. He added that he believes that on this day, Goddess Lakshmi descends on earth and blesses the people with luck, prosperity and happiness.

Pandit Lall also stated that Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity, auspiciousness, and good fortune, and Lord Vishnu’s wife, visits her devotees and

bestows gifts and blessings upon each of them. To welcome the Goddess, devotees clean their houses, decorate them with finery and lights, and prepare sweet treats and delicacies as offerings.

Devotees believe the happier Lakshmi is with the visit, the more she blesses the family with health and wealth.

“Diwali is a celebration of prosperity, it gives us strength to carry on our work with goodwill for the rest of the year, it’s a new year and thus persons are

Before Diwali is celebrated, Hindus clean their homes and surroundings.

Since it is also a festival that signifies the beginning of a new year, Hindus would also shop for new things - be it household items or clothes and jewellery.

On the day itself, rangoli (a colourful design made with coloured rice or a special rangoli sand) is made at the entrance of the home, and Diyas are lit along the doorways, stairs and around the yards as well as on parapets.

Some even decorate their vehicles with colourful fairy lights that would participate in motorcade competitions.

But due to the ongoing pandemic, motorcades were not held. But this did not deter persons from “dressing up” their vehicles.

Vegetarian meals such as “seven curry” – a GuyaneseHindu delicacy – and sweetmeats are prepared on the day as well.

These are shared with family, relatives and neighbours.

After families are finished with lighting up their homes, they walk around the villages exchanging Diwali greetings with each other.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Illegal aircraft at Mahdia

“We are lost, we came from Venezuela” – foreigners tell Police and personal effects, and a black bag with identification cards, documents, one Garmin GPS, one Iridium Phone, one Icom radio set, one spot trace device, two phone chargers, one ear-

piece, one lighter, one torchlight, one Motorola phone, one Samsung phone, one knife, two wrist watches, one wallet, two grams of suspected cannabis and bamboo wrap.

The items have been lodged and the aircraft is currently under guard while both men were arrested and placed into custody pending investigations. (G9)

Father chopped, teen son hospitalised during confrontation over firecrackers

A The aircraft that illegally landed in Mahdia

T

he two foreigners who were arrested after an illegal aircraft landed at the Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) airstrip have claimed that they were “lost”.

Police in a statement on Friday said the two foreigners told investigators that they became lost in their quest to find gold.

They have been identified as Juan David Caicedo Villa, a 32-year-old pilot of Villavicencio, Colombia,

and Gustavo Adolfo Riascos Gomez, a 48-year-old pilot/ businessman of Tachira San Cristobal, Venezuela.

Based on reports, ranks of Mahdia Police Station observed the aircraft circling the Mahdia Airstrip in an attempt to land at about 18:00h on Thursday.

As a result, a party of policemen immediately went to the said airstrip and on arrival, a six-seater Piper Aire blue, red and white aircraft was seen on the ground,

in front of Trans Guyana’s hangar, and the two foreigners were standing in front of the said aircraft talking to the security and ramp attendant.

When confronted by the Police, one of the men said, “We are lost, we came from Venezuela and going to look for gold”.

The aircraft contained three 15 gallon drums two of which contained fuel - one hammock with net, one bag containing clothing

PM results reveal teen bandit died from gunshot wound

A

post-mortem examination was on Friday performed on teen bandit Sydel Bourne Jr of Agricola, Greater Georgetown, following a shooting incident which occurred on Wednesday.

In the presence of the Police, the body was identified to Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh by the teen’s father.

The cause of death was given as gunshot injury. The body has since been handed over to relatives for burial.

Bourne was shot by a plainclothes policeman at about 14:20h at the second gate of Stabroek Market.

According to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the cop was in plain clothes and armed with his service pistol at the time. He was with his reputed wife, who was wearing a gold chain, and they were shopping in the Stabroek Market area.

It was reported that the couple were attacked by Bourne, who was armed with a knife and accompanied by two other male suspects.

Dead: Sydel Bourne Jr

Although the woman put up a fight, the perpetrators were able to burst the chain off her neck.

The Police said one of the suspects then told Bourne to stab the woman and it was at this stage that the Policeman whipped out his service weapon and discharged a round in the suspects’ direction, hitting the teenager to his body.

Bourne was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency workers, who had ar-

rived on the scene with an ambulance, but left without removing the body.

Undertakers subsequently arrived and removed the body. This was after Crime Scene Investigators cordoned off the area, much to the chagrin of vendors and members of the public who had gathered around to get a glimpse of the body.

The other two suspects managed to escape, the Police said.

The incident was witnessed by vendors who ply their trade outside the Stabroek Market, and sparked outrage.

Speaking with reporters at the scene, one vendor explained that she did not see any confrontation between the now dead teen and the couple, and only became aware that something was happening when the armed man ran after the teenager.

According to the vendor, following the shooting, the man picked up his bags and grabbed his reputed wife, and they went to the Outpost to report the incident.

46-year-old father and his 16-year-old son were injured on Thursday evening during a confrontation with persons throwing firecrackers.

Reports are that 46-yearold Michael Anthony called “Rakesh” of Seafield, Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, and his 16-yearold son came under attack around 21:30h on Thursday by young men that were throwing firecrackers in front his home.

The man reportedly approached the young men and warned them to desist, which led to an exchange of words and a physical altercation.

The suspects then left and armed themselves with a cutlass and metal pipe.

They then went to the victim and dealt him several lashes and chops about the body.

As a result, the victim’s son ran to his assistance and he was also dealt several lashes about the body by the suspects.

The two suspects then made good their escape and the victims were rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where they were seen and examined by a doc-

tor on duty.

The father was treated and sent away while his son was admitted and transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital to undergo surgery.

The suspects were subsequently arrested and are currently in custody pending charges.

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CH&PA reopens applications for core home support, home improvement subsidies

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal; Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues; and CH&PA CEO Sherwyn Greaves during the press conference on Friday

T

he Housing and Water Ministry on Friday through the Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) officially reopened applications for Core Home Support and Home Improvement Subsidies, under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP).

This announcement was made at a press conference on Friday, where Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal said that the Inter-

American Development Bank (IDB) funded programme, is intended to improve the lives of low-income Guyanese in urban and peri-urban Georgetown, through better access to housing and basic infrastructure.

“The interventions that are being made are intended to target the poor and the vulnerable. This is timely, as it is also part of the means of reducing the incidence of housing instability that challenges many of our

communities,” the Minister is quoted as saying.

He further stated that inadequate housing is also linked to homelessness, abuse, setbacks in educational development and school drop-outs. Minister Rodrigues shared similar sentiments, as she stated that the Ministry is not only focused on the distribution of house lots but also promoting homeownership, as Government remains committed to developing sustainable low-income hous-

ing solutions.

The budget for the two aspects of the project is US$10 million US$5 million for the Home Improvement Subsidies and US$5 million for Core Home Support. The Home Improvement Subsidies will be a $500,000 grant in the form of construction materials for repairs to walls, floors, electrical works and sanitation improvements and other non-cosmetic improvements that are consistent with the programme’s objectives.

Home improvement subsidies

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of CH&PA, Sherwyn Greaves noted that some 2000 Home Improvement Subsidies have been earmarked under the programme. During the first leg of the programme, 236 subsidies were approved for 118 residents in Sophia, Georgetown, and 118 La Parfaite Harmonie residents, leaving room for an additional 1764 eligible applicants to now benefit.

Through the Core Home Support initiative, 250 core homes are expected to be

built. One hundred applications have so far been approved and contracts recently signed for the construction of fifty (50) of these homes. The core homes will be no less than 400 square feet single-family homes with concrete blocks for outer walls and floors, basic doors, windows, electrical wiring, water connections etc. The homes are designed to meet basic standards that a family can move into and affordably expand over time.

Applications are open from November 5, 2021, to February 7, 2022.

British teen’s murder…

Godbrother sentenced to death “You are unfit to dwell among society” – Judge tells convict

“You dug my son’s grave before his arrival. You lured him into a false sense of security of the adventure he would have shared with you, his godbrother. You beat him to death with weapons that you strategically hid in the days leading up to his arrival. I pray that my son was rendered unconscious and he did not know his fate. I know that he fought back; my son fought you back for his life…What a coward you are.

What chance did he have?” mother of dead teen Dead: Dominic Bernard

A

aron Hing, the mastermind behind the killing of the British teen Dominic Bernard in 2015, has been given the death penalty.

The sentence was on Friday handed down by Justice Sandil Kissoon on Aaron Hing of Kildonan Village Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) in the Berbice Assizes. In handing down the much-anticipated sentence, Justice Sandil Kissoon said it was the best the court could do to ensure justice.

“You are unfit to dwell among society,” were some of the words Justice Sandil Kissoon used in explaining why the court had consid-

ered the death penalty as appropriate.

However, the trial Judge noted that no penalty can compensate for the crime which Aaron Hing had committed on his godbrother back in October 2015.

“You hammered his head until dead… You buried him in the backlands after just hours after he arrived in this country. You took away his possessions, you took away his property, and you sought to dispose of those articles like a common thief. No sentence imposed by this court can adequately address the pain, anguish and suffering of the family. I hereby sentence you to death as prescribed by law,” the trial Judge said.

Earlier, a mixed jury had retuned a unanimous verdict of guilty after deliberating for about two hours.

During the trial, the special prosecutor, attorney-at-law Latchmie Rahamat, called several Police witnesses to testify, and also produced a confession statement from Hing.

Some of those officers testified to the statement given by Hing and Staymon George, who had already pleaded guilty and received a life sentence.

Hing had told investigators that it was George who killed the British teen.

He claimed that George had pushed the teenager into a grave, which they had dug, and then jumped in himself.

The deceased and George started to scuffle, during which the convict took a hammer and hit the teenager in his head.

In the confession statement tendered by the prosecution, Hing said it was

George who killed the ‘British teen’. He revealed that after George had pushed Bernard into the grave which they had dug, he jumped in. Bernard and George started to scuffle, and George eventually got a hammer and lashed him in his head.

According to the statement, Bernard started to scream, and George stuffed his mouth with a pair of socks, and then they beat him until he stopped moving.

However, during the trial, Hing denied that he had given the Police such a statement, saying that it was a fabrication on the part of the Police. He said he did not kill Dominic Bernard, it was Staymon George who did. He told the court that he was fearful for his life and that of his family, and

Aaron Hing has been sentenced to death

Staymon George has been sentenced to life imprisonment

explained that it was George who lured Bernard to go to the backdam to retrieve some guns that were reportedly buried there.

He said that after George hit Bernard twice to his head with a hammer, he started to cry, and George told him that if he told anyone what had happened, he and his family would be harmed.

Hing said it was not he who took the Police to the backdam.

Meanwhile, during the trial, Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, who performed an autopsy on Bernard’s body, said death resulted from multiple blows to the head and neck. He revealed that there were multiple injuries to the head, neck and other

parts of the body, all caused by blunt instruments. There were three fractures to the head, and one to the neck, spine and leg.

The body of Dominic Bernard, an 18-year-old British citizen, was discovered buried in a shallow grave in the backdam of Nurney village on the Corentyne, Region Six, on January 8, 2016.

The teenager had reportedly arrived in Guyana on the evening of October 14, 2015. George, who is said to be a close friend of Hing, was the driver who transported Hing to the airport to collect Bernard. The teen was scheduled to fly back to England on November 5, 2015. CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

NEWS

17

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Peter Headley's murder

DPP advises that cop be charged, inquest be held T

he Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended that the Lance Corporal who is responsible for the death of 45-year-old Peter Headley whilst in Police custody, be charged departmentally.

Headley, a taxi driver of Dowding Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was fatally shot by Police while in custody on May 15.

The incident occurred at Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD), after Headley and another man were arrested by Police.

This publication understands that the DPP has since recommended that the cop be charged with neglect of duty, contrary to Section 4 (e) (ii) of the Police (Discipline) Act, Cap 17:01 for his failure to ensure that the motor vehicle had been properly searched prior to

Dead: Peter Headley

departure for the Providence Police Station.

The DPP also recommended that the cop be charged with neglect of duty, contrary to Section 4 (e) (ii) of the Police (Discipline) Act, Cap 17:01 for his fail-

ure, as the person in charge of the patrol, to ensure that Headley was appropriately restrained by handcuffing him.

Moreover, the DPP advised that an inquest be held into the man’s death.

Police had said in a release that, at about 20:45h, ranks intercepted a motor car with Headley and the other man. Headley was at the time the driver of the vehicle.

However, a search was conducted on the vehicle, during which a television set suspected to have been stolen during an armed robbery at Herstelling, EBD, on May 11, 2021, was found. As such, the two men were arrested.

It was reported that Headley was placed in the front passenger seat of the civilian vehicle which was

Godbrother sentenced...

After collecting the teen from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, they stopped at a location on Sheriff Street, where they ate some food and drank a few beers. Bernard was never seen again.

His parents came to Guyana after he failed to arrive in England.

On October 20, George was sentenced to life imprisonment, with the possibility of parole after serving 35 years. The trial was conducted by Justice Sandil Kissoon.

“Praise be to God”

Meanwhile, in an invited comment before the sentence was passed, after the jury had presented its verdict, Hing said, “Praise be to God.” However, before sentencing, the state called the parents of the deceased to give an impact statement.

Bernard’s mother Linda Bernard, communicating with the court via Zoom, said her eldest daughter is of the view that had Dominic still been alive, their parents would not have separated.

She said she was very proud of the young man she had taken to the airport on October 14.

“You dug my son’s grave before his arrival. You lured him into a false sense of security of the adventure he would have shared with you, his godbrother. You beat him to death with weapons that you strategically hid in the days leading up to his arrival. I pray that my son was rendered unconscious and he did not know his fate. I know that he fought back; my son fought you back for his life,” his mother said as she directed her words at Hing.

“I taught him at a very

young age that you do not raise your hand unless in self-defence. You did not confront Dominic like a man.

You came from behind, and you struck the back of his head with your first hidden weapon when he was not aware of your murderous intent. There were two of you against my son. What a coward you are. What chance did he have?”

Meanwhile, Andrew Bernard, father of the deceased, read a statement prepared by Dominic’s youngest

being driven by a policeman.

There was an armed Police rank in the back seat. The other suspect was placed in the Police vehicle with the other ranks.

On their way to the Providence Police Station, Headley allegedly reached under the seat and pulled out an object, which the Police said “appeared to be a firearm”.

Upon seeing this, the armed rank who was sitting at the back seat discharged a round that hit Headley to his body.

He was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment.

A post-mortem examination had revealed that Headley died of a single gunshot wound that perforated his lungs.

FROM PAGE 16

sister, Maggie.

“After his death, my previous problems felt so small and pointless. I am now forced to get through a life where my brother is no longer here, and my secure family wall has been burnt to ashes, and the one person I could turn and talk to was ripped from this world. I am now living a life constantly haunted by ruthless nightmares of the pain my brother went through; the type where you are jolted out of your sleep so full of fear your

day is full of crushing anxiety and depression.”

Justice Kissoon had earlier denied a request by the defense for a probation report on Hing, saying that it would not help.

He took the opportunity to commend the Police investigators who gave evidence during the trial.

Special mention was made of Detective Inspector Rodwell Salaba without detraction from any of the other detectives. (Andrew Carmichael)

Exemptions approved for partially-vaccinated Guyanese to return to Guyana

A

fter much controversy over the inability of several Guyanese to return home having being only partially vaccinated, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narine Singh, on Friday evening announced that exemptions have been granted for persons to return home.

Over the past week, Guyanese who only received one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and were unable to return home have complained bitterly after the Health Ministry announced that all incoming passengers must be fully vaccinated to enter Guyana.

In a notice issued on Friday evening, the CMO’s office said that from November 1, 2021, children under two years old do not require an Antigen or PCR test, adding that vaccination exemptions will be applicable to passengers who are advised against being vaccinated for medical reasons.

However, these persons must present a “Letter of

Exemption” from a licensed medical practitioner.

“Partially vaccinated Guyanese who departed Guyana on or before October 31, 2021, and will return to Guyana on or before November 30, 2021.

Partially vaccinated means those who have received the first dose of an approved vaccine. In all cases, if testing is done on arrival for any reason, the following shall apply: all persons must provide a valid local telephone number, verifiable by the Port Health Authority. All persons must remain in quarantine until they receive their test results. A passenger testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 shall comply with the Ministry of Health’s measures for isolation. The Ministry of Health reserves the right to require testing of any person, regardless of documentation presented or any other requirement, obligation or condition associated with their assigned risk category.”

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021

Regional

Argentina’s Peronists T&T: Missing woman found buried face painful defeat in in shallow grave in St Joseph midterms, polls show P

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rgentina’s Peronists are likely to suffer a major blow in midterm legislative elections, polls ahead of the Nov 14 vote show, which could erase the ruling party’s Senate majority as well as its strong position in the lower Chamber of Deputies.

The majority of surveys show the party of President Alberto Fernandez trailing by over 8 points behind the conservative opposition coalition Together for Change, with defeats likely in the populous city and province of Buenos Aires.

Defeat for the Peronists would be a hammer blow for Fernandez’s reform plans in the second half of his term.

It would likely embolden more radical factions in his party while forcing him to concede ground to the conservative right.

The party suffered a stinging loss in a September primary election, seen as a

Argentina’s President Alberto Fernandez speaking during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain, November 2, 2021

dry run for the November vote, which sparked a Cabinet reshuffle and a raft of spending measures to win back voters hit hard by the pandemic and years of economic decline.

A survey from pollster Management & Fit showed the conservative opposition

well ahead on some 40 per cent of the national vote versus 27.8 per cent for the ruling Frente de Todos party, a slightly wider gap than in the primary vote.

Another from Ricardo Rouvier & Asociados had the opposition on 42.1 per cent, ahead of 34.2 per cent for the government.

“All the indicators and expectations prior to the election indicate great dissatisfaction among people about socioeconomic conditions and an anger provoked by the prolonged quarantines due to the pandemic,” Rouvier said in the statement.

The opposition is seen cementing victory in the more conservative-leaning capital city, and more importantly in the province of the same name Buenos Aires, the largest region in the country and usually a stronghold for the Peronists. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Biden policy on Cuba remittances needs more work – US official

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he White House received recommendations from a government working group on restarting remittances to Cuba but sent some back for further work to ensure that money sent by Cuban Americans to families on the island does not fall into the hands of the Cuban Government, a senior US official said on Friday.

US President Joe Biden had asked the Treasury and State departments in July to report back on how to allow remittance payments - a financial lifeline for many Cubans - without the Cuban Government and military profiting.

The Biden

Administration has slapped sanctions on Cuban officials and security forces in response to Havana’s crackdown on protesters in July.

Strict limits on remittances were imposed by former President Donald Trump, who rolled back the historic rapprochement that his predecessor, Barack Obama, oversaw between the United States and its old Cold War foe.

Biden, who served as Obama’s Vice President, had promised during the 2020 presidential campaign to re-enage with Cuba’s communist government.

But relations have remained tense, especially since protests erupted in

July amid severe economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections at the time.

The official said Biden has instructed his aides to develop a “third way” that is “tough on the regime and soft on the Cuban people.”

Biden officials are mindful that any easing of restrictions on Cuba could lead to political fallout from conservative Cuban Americans. They make up a large voting bloc in south Florida and mostly backed Trump’s tough policies toward Havana, helping him to win the important swing state - though he lost the election to Biden. (Excerpt from Reuters)

olice officers investigating the murder of 28-year-old Santa Cruz resident Kezia Jeneka Guerra are considering the possibility that the man suspected of committing the crime took his own life hours after she went missing, last Saturday.

Police sources said that homicide detectives are working with the theory which arose following extensive investigations over the past few days which culminated in Guerra’s decomposing body being found buried in a shallow grave in Maracas, St Joseph Wednesday morning.

According to reports, around 11 am last Saturday, Guerra told her boyfriend Dillon Huggins, she was leaving their home at Moraldo Trace, Sam Boucaud Road in Santa Cruz, to take her male friend’s teenage daughter to the mall.

Guardian Media understands that hours before

Huggins and relatives reported her missing, her 36-yearold male friend from Curepe, whose daughter she was supposed to meet, committed suicide at his home.

Homicide detectives later learned that the man and two Venezuelan nationals were briefly detained by Police, near the area where Guerra’s body was eventually found, around 9:30 pm on Saturday night.

Sources said that with the assistance of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) Cyber Crime Unit police were able to detain one of the Venezuelan men who was seen in the company of the suspect.

On Wednesday, officers of the Maracas, St Joseph Police Station and Northern Division Task Force (NDTF) searched a forested area off Acono Road for Guerra but only found her blood-stained handbag with some of the possessions still inside.

Guardian Media understands that around 8:20 am Wednesday, the officers, accompanied by members of the Hunters Search and Rescue Team led by their commander Vallence Rambharat, were led by the Venezuelan national to a site near a river located 300 metres off Santa Barbara Road in Maracas, St Joseph.

Police sources said the man was “very co-operative” and that it would have been virtually impossible for police to find the burial site without his assistance as they believe that the handbag was discarded at a location 12 kilometres away in order to throw investigators off the trail.

They also revealed that the man, who remained in police custody up to late yesterday, claimed that he and his fellow countryman did not murder Guerra but were merely hired as gravediggers—to dig the grave. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Workers digging gas pipes in Peru find 2000-year-old gravesite

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orkers laying gas pipes on a street in the Peruvian capital Lima stumbled on the remains of a pre-Hispanic gravesite that included 2000-year-old ceramic burial vessels, an archaeologist said Thursday.

“This find that we see today is 2000 years old,” archaeologist Cecilia Camargo told AFP at the site.

“So far, there are six human bodies that we have recovered, including children and adults, accompanied by a set of ceramic vessels that were expressly made to bury them.”

Experts believe the site in the Lima district of La Victoria may be linked to the culture known as “Blanco sobre Rojo,” or “White on Red,” which settled on the central coast of Peru in the valleys of Chillon, Rimac and Lurin, the three rivers that cross

Specialists work around ancient vessels found by a crew laying a natural gas pipe under a street in Lima, on November 4, 2021

Lima.

“So far, we have recovered about 40 vessels of different shapes related to the White on Red style,” said Camargo, head of the cultural heritage department at the natural gas company Calidda.

“Some bottles are very distinctive of this period and style, which have a double spout and a bridge

handle,” Camargo said.

As finds of ancient artefacts and remains occur frequently in Peru, all public service companies that do excavations have in-house archaeologists, including Calidda, a Colombianfunded company that distributes natural gas in Lima and in the neighbouring port of Callao. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Germany returns centuries-old Mayan artefacts found in cellar US has seen proof of life for some kidnapped

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ermany on Friday returned a collection of ancient Mayan artefacts to Guatemala and Mexico after Police found them stashed in the cellar of a farmhouse in SaxonyAnhalt state last year.

The 13 objects include vases, figurines and plates and date back to between 250 and 850 CE, the regional government of SaxonyAnhalt said.

State premier Reiner Haseloff handed them over to Guatemalan ambassador Jorge Lemcke Arevalo and Mexican ambassador Francisco Quiroga at a ceremony in Berlin on Friday.

Eleven of the objects were made in what is now Guatemala but they also include two figurines from Teotihuacan, the largest city in pre-Aztec central Mexico, located about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from Mexico City.

“This gives us hope that other owners of similar pieces in private collections will follow the same path” of returning them, Arevalo told a news conference.

The farmhouse’s previous owner had buried the Mayan treasures in a box in 2007 along with two World War II rifles that had belonged to his grandfather.

He contacted police in

2020 to confess the box could be found in the cellar of the farmhouse, saying he wanted to comply with the law on handing over illegal weapons.

Police found the guns but to their amazement, also uncovered the objects wrapped in newspaper, local prosecutors said.

The man said he was unaware of the objects’ provenance or of their real value.

According to the SaxonyAnhalt authorities, the objects were probably stolen by grave robbers in Guatemala and Mexico before being sold on the black market.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

missionaries in Haiti, official says

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he US government has seen proof that at least some members of the group of American and Canadian missionaries kidnapped in Haiti last month are alive, according to a senior Biden Administration official.

The official, who declined to be named, did not give further details.

US officials have been spearheading the efforts to safely retrieve the missionaries, who were on a trip organised by the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries.

The sixteen Americans and one Canadian, including

five children, were abducted after visiting an orphanage.

Details about the law enforcement effort have been sparse since the Oct 16 attack. US President Joe Biden is being briefed daily on the law enforcement effort, officials have said.

Liszt Quitel, Haiti’s Interior Minister, and Chenald Augustin, a spokesman for the office of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, did not respond to requests for comment.

A Haitian man identifying himself as the leader of the 400 Mawozo gang believed by security officials

to have conducted the kidnapping said in a video posted on YouTube last month that he was willing to kill “these Americans” if he did not get what he needed.

The missionaries were not present in the video.

Haitian officials have said the gang is demanding $1 million per person ransom. The 400 Mawozo began as small-time local thieves and rose to become one of Haiti’s most feared gangs, controlling a swathe of territory east of the capital Port-au-Prince, according to security experts.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021

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Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Iowa teenagers charged with Oil gains as supply concerns loom after OPEC+ output plan

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rude prices settled higher on Friday fuelled by renewed supply concerns after OPEC+ producers rebuffed a US call to accelerate output increases even as demand nears pre-pandemic levels.

Brent crude rose US$2.20 to settle at US$82.74 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) gained US$2.46 to US$81.27.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia, collectively known as OPEC+, agreed on Thursday to stick to their plan to raise oil output by 400,000 barrels per day from December. US President Joe Biden had called for extra output to cool rising prices.

OPEC's decision to stay the course and the Biden Administration's lack of a substantial response has the oil rally continuing, said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho.

Only a coordinated effort, with China and others involved, would address the lack of barrels in the market, Yawger added.

The White House said it would consider all tools at its disposal to guarantee affordable energy, including the possibility of releasing oil from strategic petroleum reserves (SPR).

Sentiment also gained from data showing US employment rising more than expected in October.

"Markets know that the release of strategic reserves can only have a temporary bearish effect on prompt prices and is not a lasting solution for an imbalance between supply and demand," Rystad Energy head of oil markets Bjornar Tonhaugen said in a note.

Brent fell for a second straight week, slipping about 2 per cent, while WTI shed 2.7 per cent.

"While factors such as a very cold winter - which may drive the use of more oil for heating - could be supportive for prices, it will be tough for Brent to break above the US$87 mark," said Ann-Louise Hittle, Vice President, oils research at consultancy Wood Mackenzie, noting a limited capacity for gas-to-oil switching despite the high price of the former.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

murder of Spanish teacher T wo Iowa teenagers have been charged with murdering a local Spanish teacher after Police discovered incriminating social media posts.

Nohema Graber, 66, was found dead in a park in the city of Fairfield, several hours after being reported missing, authorities said.

Police say the suspects posted details of the killing, efforts to hide it and a possible motive to social media.

The teenagers, both 16, will be tried as adults for the murder.

According to court documents, Graber had been reported missing on Wednesday morning.

Police later discovered her body at Chautauqua Park in Fairfield, a city of just over 9000 people located 150km (95 miles) from the state capital, Des Moines. She had been known to frequent the park.

Early investigations suggested she had suffered "trauma to the head", the documents show. Graber's body was found hidden under a tarpaulin, wheelbarrow and railway sleepers.

Authorities say a tip led them to social media exchanges and posts which showed that the two teenagers, Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and Jeremy Everett Goodale, had "specific de-

Nohema Graber, 66, was prominent in the Spanishspeaking community

tails" about Graber's disappearance and murder.

"The details included, but were not limited to, the mo-

New alliance wants to oust Ethiopia's PM by talks or force

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newly-formed alliance of Ethiopian opposition factions set a goal on Friday of bringing down Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed by force or negotiation to then form a transitional government.

The government, already embroiled in a year-long war against northern forces, dismissed the creation of the alliance as a stunt and accused some members of past ethnic violence.

The alliance was announced by faction leaders in Washington despite calls from African and Western

leaders for a national ceasefire, as federal troops battle the northern-based Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies.

With the rebels threatening to move on the capital Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian army on Friday called on former personnel to rejoin the military to fight them, state media said.

The United States advised its citizens to leave Ethiopia as soon as possible. "The security environment in Ethiopia is very fluid," the US Embassy said in a statement.

The war, which has killed thousands of people and forced more than two million from their homes, has intensified in recent weeks.

Announcing the formation of the United Front of Ethiopian Federalist and Confederalist Forces at an event in Washington, the alliance said it was setting up a command to coordinate military and political

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cause of the fire in Gungu, some 650km (400 miles) south-east of the capital, in Kwilu province.

"A national treasure is now gone. It's imperative to conduct a serious investigation into what happened," Mungiela is quoted as saying on news site 7sur7.

Similar sentiments were echoed by the President of the civil society of Gungu, who said the museum was the "pride" of the area, according to DR Congo's Radio Okapi.

"Tourists come from Europe and all over the world to visit that museum," Joachim Kusamba told the station.

The majority of the works of art in the museum were from the cultural tradition of the Pende people, according to 7sur7.

They were a key part of the annual Gungu festival.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

efforts.

The pact expands an existing agreement between the TPLF and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), organisers said.

In a rejoinder, the government said it had a responsibility to secure the country, and urged its international partners to stand with Ethiopia's democracy.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Youth activists protest against climate Diplomat found dead outside inaction at COP26

Thousands of artefacts Berlin embassy was Russian destroyed in fire at DR secret agent – Der Spiegel Congo's Gungu Museum housands of historic artefacts have been destroyed in the Congolese town of Gungu after a private museum burnt to ashes.

The objects at the National Museum of Gungu represent one of the Democratic Republic of Congo's most important collections, said the BBC's Emery Makumeno in the capital, Kinshasa.

At least 8000 or 9000 items dating back to the end of the 18th Century were ruined.

The cause of the fire is still unclear.

A museum guard noticed the building was burning at around 23:00h on Thursday night, according to a local official quoted in Congolese media.

Franck Gatola Mungiela is calling on the Ministry of Art and Culture as well as the Interior and Security Ministry to investigate the

tive for killing Graber, the planning and execution of the means to kill Graber, as well as deliberate attempts to conceal the crime," according to the criminal complaints against the teenagers.

Investigators later searched the teenagers' homes and collected items of clothing, some of which appeared to have blood traces.

Graber, a Mexicanborn Spanish teacher, had been employed at Fairfield High School since 2012, the school district's website shows. Both the teenagers were students there.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

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erman security services believe that a man found dead in a street outside the Russian Embassy in Berlin last month was an undercover agent of Russia's FSB intelligence service, Der Spiegel reported on Friday.

The body of the 35-yearold man was found early on Oct 19 by Berlin Police Officers guarding the building, the magazine said.

Quoting security sources, it said the man had fallen from an upper floor at the embassy.

The officers called an ambulance, but medics were unable to resuscitate him, it added.

The embassy confirmed in a statement to Interfax news agency that a Russian diplomat had died but said it was "not commenting on this tragic event for ethical reasons".

Berlin police declined to comment and directed all questions to public prose-

cutors, who said they could neither confirm nor deny the Der Spiegel report. The discovery of a body outside the Russian diplomatic mission had not previously been reported.

Security sources told the magazine it was unclear how the diplomat had fallen and what had caused his death.

The Russian Embassy had not agreed to an autopsy, Der Spiegel said.

The man, who has not been named, was officially listed as a second secretary at the embassy, the magazine said. He was also a relative of a Russia-based senior officer of the FSB's second directorate, which deals with anti-terrorism.

A German Foreign Ministry spokesman told a regular news briefing on Friday that the German Government was aware of the death of a Russian diplomat in Berlin but could not give any details. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Climate activist Greta Thunberg speaking at the "Fridays For Future" climate rally during COP26

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outh activists are taking over the United Nations COP26 summit in Scotland to protest against what they say is a dangerous lack of action by leaders over climate change.

Two days of demonstrations, including a student march on Friday led

by Greta Thunberg, were planned to highlight the disconnect between the glacial pace of emissions reductions and the climate emergency already swamping countries across the world, with thousands of people expected to take part.

“We’re expecting lots of

people to come and join us in the streets, and not only youth but also adults supporting youth, and adults that want climate action,” activist Isabelle Axelsson, 20, with the youth movement Fridays for Future, which is organising the march, told Reuters news agency.

Friday’s rally came at the end of the first week of the COP26 talks in Glasgow.

The summit aims to secure enough promises from governments to cut greenhouse gas emissions – mainly from fossil fuels – to keep the rise in the average global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit), which scientists say is a tipping point towards far more extreme weather events.

So far, the conference has yielded deals to try to phase out coal over the next three decades, reduce deforestation and curb methane – a far more potent, if shortlived, greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.

It has also showcased a jumble of financial pledges, buoying hopes that national commitments to bring down emissions could actually be implemented. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Distance yourself from anyone trying to stand in your way. Avoid joint ventures, shared expenses and unnecessary purchases. Take a break, think matters through and don't make a hasty decision.

Look at the facts; if you act on an assumption, you'll regret it. Put on a happy face, listen carefully, and look for solutions and suggestions that won't cause dissension.

Refuse to let an emotional incident get blown out of proportion. Be direct and careful when you share personal thoughts and information. Keep your emotions well-hidden.

Be a participant. You can accomplish plenty if you let your charm lead the way and allow your insight to encourage others to do and be their best. Don't hold back; say what's on your mind.

Be prepared to deal with changes that transpire at home or that affect your reputation, status or position. Participate in events or get-togethers that allow you to voice your opinions.

Make an adjustment at home that helps you begin an exciting project. Let your creativity take the lead, and you'll come up with a plan to turn a hobby into a lucrative project.

Be careful how you handle money, health and secrets.

Overspending on entertainment or investing in something risky will cause financial worries. Put your money and possessions in a safe place.

Trust your instincts, not what others tell you. Think for yourself, and don't be afraid to take the road less traveled.

Embrace change and befriend people who share your dreams.

Do what's best for you.

Discipline and hard work SAGITTARIUS will pay off. How you handle (Nov. 23others and the incentives Dec. 21) you offer will help you reach a goal that supersedes your expectations. Romance is on the rise.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

Take a trip down memory lane, and it will help you remember what's important.

Set goals, adjust and learn to do whatever you can to overcome roadblocks. Look for a unique way to dodge negativity.

Verify information. Put a hold on unnecessary expenditures. Look at the big picture and refrain from making a premature move. If you don't understand instructions, go directly to the source.

Keep your feelings to yourself. Focus on money (Feb. 20matters and stick to friends March 20) and family who won't let you down. An unexpected gift or offer may have strings attached. Take your time.

PISCES

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021

21

serves $1M in support ESCL tourney sees semi- NSC to table tennis team for Snr final action this Sunday Pan Am Championships

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he semi-final stage in the 2021 inaugural Essequibo Softball Cricket League’s (ESCL’s) over-40, 20over competition takes place on Sunday, November 7.

In Sunday’s first game at the Reliance Ground, Invaders Masters will tackle Sunrisers, while the second fixture will see Caribbean Sports Club opposing Ravens Sports Club.

In the final preliminary round match last Sunday at Affiance, Caribbean Sports Club beat Queenstown Tigers by a comfortable 38-run margin. Caribbean Sports Club raced to 150-9 from their 20 overs, and then dismissed Queenstown Tigers for 112 in the 16th over.

Eshwar Singh led the winners with a well-played 35, while Motie Narine captured three wickets for 44 runs from his maximum four overs.

When Queenstown Tigers batted, Narine struck 31, while Lukieram Bridgemohan produced an excellent bowling performance for Caribbean Sports Club by claiming three wickets for 17 runs off his four overs.

In the other fixture, Sunrisers got the win over Ravens Sports Club because of a protest. It was reported that Ravens Sports Club had fielded an under-40 player.

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Lukieram Bridgemohan

he National Sports Commission (NSC) recently presented the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) with $1M, which will go towards Guyana’s participation in the Pan American Senior Table Tennis Championships.

The GTTA will be sending a six-member team to the event, set for Lima, Peru from November 13 to 19. According to the GTTA, the Guyana team, comprising of men and women, has gained qualification to the Pan American Championships as a result of its performance ranking and participation in key events regionally.

The GTTA will make an announcement on the squad in the coming days.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, has said, “The NSC’s support stems from a request for support from the GTTA, and the Commission… voted to extend a hand relating to assisting with a grant

of $1M.” Ninvalle pointed out that the NSC would continue to assist the country’s sports associations and athletes in their quest for development.

With the restart of competitions occurring globally in the sport, and with world ranking becoming a major factor in determining qualification for key events, given the COVID-19 pandemic, Godfrey Munroe, president of the GTTA, pointed out, “It has become critical that our association is able to have our players participate in key competitions and training camps as a means of having our players continue to gain the requisite exposure and preparation in view of positioning them to gain world ranking points.”

Munroe explained that this is to “maximise our chances of qualification and success at key international competitions and games, while improving our trajecto-

ry at key and major international competitions.

“Further the Pan American Championships will be used to select the teams for the World Table Tennis Championships in Chengdu, China in March of 2022; the teams for the Pan American Cup, among other key competitions; in addition to world ranking points being a key criterion in selecting participating teams for the 2022 Commonwealth Games,” Munroe highlighted.

The GTTA president stressed that with the change in the tennis landscape, mostly because of COVID-19, “it has become absolutely critical and imperative that Guyana attend these championships, in order to have the team gain the necessary ranking points, so that it can stay ahead of key teams regionally, so as to be able to gain qualification spots for Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and maintain our trajectory.”

Disappointed with West Indies

Dear Editor, The defending champions, West Indies, were booted out of the 2021 T20 World Cup by Sri Lanka on 2021-11-04; and, in the process, they registered one of the most disgraceful performances by a defending champion in T20 World Cup that I can recall.

The knowledgeable selectors saw it “fit and proper” to send the oldest team to the tournament, including “senior citizens” for whom they had to bend the rules to accommodate. In the process, they excluded fitter and younger players who had justified their selection by performance.

It was a foregone conclusion from day 1 - when they were humiliated by England, after being bowled out for 55 runs (the lowest score in T20 World Cup matches) - that the folly of the selectors was way above levels imagined by any sane individual.

Gayle was given fitness exemption to gain selection despite the fact that everyone except the bright selectors knew that he was way past his best. He scored 30 runs in 4 matches at an average of 7.50. Rampaul, who enjoyed the same facility, got two wickets at 48 runs each, and had to be hidden when called upon as the strike bowler to deliver.

Collectively, Gayle, Pollard, Russell, Bravo and Simmons scored 118 runs in 4 matches, consuming 163 balls with the following averages; * Gayle - 7.5

* Pollard – 11.5 * Russell – 1.75 * Bravo – 4.0 * Simmons – 4.75 These are the “Champions”, whose ages range between 42 and 33, whom the WI selectors believed would have regained the T20 World Cup they last won in 2016.

Significantly, the Chief Selector’s “X FACTOR” selection, Oshane Thomas, was not even selected for any of the 4 matches played, and Jason Holder, who had to be drafted in due to injury of McCoy, immediately had a positive impact with WI winning that match.

Ironically, after excluding the in-form Chase for the first 2 matches, which they lost, he was included in the lone match they won, and contributed 30+ valuable runs, which saved us from more embarrassment.

Anyone following cricket would know that T20 cricket now is played different from four years ago, and it is obvious that neither the coach nor selectors were looking at the tournaments, hence they were clueless as to the realities.

If my conclusion is flawed, then they have serious challenges.

The days of 60 and 70 runs in the powerplays are either over, or few and far apart. Most bowlers adapt to the playing conditions, bowl change-ups, and force batsmen to play proper cricket in the middle overs, with aggressive running between the wickets, keeping

wickets intact, minimising dot balls, and then accelerating in the last 5 overs or so.

Many bowlers have successfully adopted strategies for restricting big hitting, with such opportunities mostly available when a bowler misses his length or bowls the wrong line.

The West Indies were found woefully wanting, and their big hitting could not save them in 2021. Gayle, Pollard, Bravo and Russell looked sheepish in their dismissals, with every indication of the bowlers working them out and outfoxing them.

After being like a yoyo in the team, Hetmyer was able to hit a majestic 81, which could have won the match today had Gayle, Pollard, Bravo and Russel scored 8 runs each.

Hetmyer and Pooran scored 100 and 99 runs respectively, with both facing 72 balls, and averaging 25.0 and 24.75 respectively. Lewis scored 76 runs, averaging 19.00.

The coach seemed more interested in ensuring all the Trinidadians play in all the matches, and if one were to analyse what the Chief Selector said about the selection and what actually happened relative to team selection, they were either in different worlds, or the coach is dictating whom he wants in the team.

Either which way, they should do the decent thing and resign forthwith. They should not be allowed to do nonsense, defend their nonsense with ar-

rogance and aloofness, and then when the “dung hits the fan”, be allowed to spew rubbish, causing West Indies

cricket fans more aggravation.

Do like Bravo and do us a favour, resign now and take Pollard with you! It has been a

total disgrace!

Yours truly, Eric Whaul

Humiliated at the ICC World Cup

Dear Editor, The young Sri Lanka cricket team pulverised the West Indies’ uninspired ‘geriatric’ bowling line-up for a mammoth 189 runs, and then reduced the defending champions to 169 for eight at the end of their allotted twenty overs. The match was certainly a reflection of the future, as the youths’ performance in the match was indeed outstanding.

Batting first in the match, Charith Asalanka (24 years) and Pathum Nissanka (23 years) put on a valuable and threatening 91 off a mere 61 balls for the second wicket.

Asalanka’s 68 and Nissanka’s 51 were further supported by their young skipper Dasun Shanaka, who promoted himself in the batting order and slammed 24 runs off only 14 deliveries.

The Sri Lankan score was very challenging for the West Indies batting line-up, which was very strong on paper.

The West Indies, in reply, lost the self-proclaimed Universe Boss Chris Gayle for a single, and, in the same over, Evin Lewis was dismissed for eight runs.

Nicholas Pooran hit a classy 46 runs off 34 deliveries, but he lost the dependable Roston Chase for nine runs. Shimron Hetmyer was in tremendous

form, as he stroked the ball to all parts of the ground. As young Hetmyer was playing a magnificent innings, the veterans/geriatrics Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo and Jason Holder went back to the pavilion cheaply.

Hetmyer’s magnificent 81 not–out was indeed heartening, as he continues to embarrass Roger Harper and the West Indies selectors.

Significantly, the Caribbean’s champion wicketkeeper-batsman Pooran and the West Indies’ master stroke-player Hetmyer were the only two batsmen in the team to score runs and bring some respectability to the defending champions’ score.

With that humiliation, the West Indies team are certainly on their way home.

While the Roger Harperselected team playing in the ICC was taking a licking, the WI selectors were again at their insular selection policy.

Announcing the West Indies team to play in the two Test matches in Sri Lanka, the selectors again did not include the likes of Hetymer, Pooran and Romario Shepherd.

Pooran is clearly the best wicketkeeper/batsman in the Caribbean, while Hetymer is the best stroke-player and the leading batsman in the West

Indies. Shepherd is a master all-rounder, a genuine utility player who deserves to be selected in any West Indies team.

Rahkeem Cornwall is not physically fit to be selected; Jeremy Solozano is going for a special outing, While Kyle Mayers is a highly questionable selection. The Caribbean cricket fans are again forced to endure the selection of a poor team.

While we do not have a choice but to support our West Indies Team, we must accept our responsibility and our democratic ‘right’ to criticise bad selection.

Sri Lanka is not Bangladesh; they have a stronger batting line-up and they have genuine quick bowlers and clever spinners. The problem with this West Indies Team that is selected is that it lacks a single world class batsman and a single world class bowler. The inclusion of our world class all-rounder Jason Holder is because of pressure!

Pressure! Pressure!

The mounting criticism of the likes of Phil Simmons and Roger Harper is bad news, and it is time for them to follow Gayle, Bravo, Russell and Rampaul into retirement.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

22 RHTY&SC grooming female quartet for selection to ICC World Cup 2023 T GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021

he Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) has, since 2008, been the only cricket club to have invested in female cricket, and currently, that club has the only female cricket club in the entire country.

Since its formation, the Rose Hall Town Metro Female Team, led by West Indies player Shemaine Campbelle, has never been defeated in any of the numerous tournaments organised by the club and the proactive Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), which remains the only county board to organise matches for females.

This team has also won the only national female tournament organised by the Guyana Cricket Board, way back in 2009; but has never been given opportunity to defend the title, because no other such tournament has since been organised.

Under the guidance of Cricket Coach Delbert Hicks, the RHTY&SC has launched a special training programme for a quartet of female players, with the objective of making the national under-19 team in 2022, and the West

From left to right are: Leah Kamalall, Trisha Hardat, Dharshamie Subramanie and Lakshmi Mahadeo

Indies Under-19 Team for the ICC World Cup in 2023.

The club has, to date, produced four international players for the West Indies in Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond and Shabika Gajnabi, and Foster has said that, as a visionary organisation, the RHTY&SC is now

planning well ahead to have at least one player in the West Indies under-19 team in 2023.

The four players who are in the special training sessions are Trisha Hardat, Leah Kamalall, Lakshmi Mahadeo and Dharshamie Subramanie. Coach Delbert Hicks shared that the quar-

tet has the potential to follow in the footsteps of their senior counterparts, and one day wear the famous maroon uniform, once they remain focused and committed.

Kamalall is a wicketkeeper and batter, while the talented Hardat is a hard-hitting middle order batter who also bowls medi-

um pace. Mahadeo is a technically- correct left-handed batter and spinner, while Subramanie, at just 14 years old, is the baby of this set of players. Hicks has said that Subramanie would prove to be a headache for many batters at the youth level, with her pace and swing.

These players are work-

ing assiduously on their physical fitness, while special work is also being done on their ground fielding and catching.

Cricket Manager Ravindranauth Kissoonlall has disclosed that special sessions would be organised with the club’s current international female players, while the quartet would also be involved in social skills’ seminars along with other junior members of the club.

Among the topics that would be covered at those seminars would be public speaking, table etiquette, public manners, mental health, and the importance of education.

The club would also be working assiduously with the girls to make sure they remain focused on their educational careers, and would be assisting them in this regard with educational materials.

Young females who were born on or after 1st September 2004 are being encouraged to join the club and become a part of the programme. The RHTY&SC female team is sponsored by Metro Office and Computer Supplies.

India smash Scotland by eight wickets to boost qualification hopes

I

ndia have kept alive their hope of progressing to the T20 World Cup semi-finals by registering an eight-wicket win over Scotland in Dubai.

India Captain Virat Kohli turned 33 on Friday, and his team handed him a birthday gift with a brilliant display against the minnows.

With New Zealand having beaten Namibia to move on to six points in Group 2, India needed a big win to maintain their slim semi-final hopes.

Kohli won the toss and chose to field, and though George Munsey – who hit a

six off the first over – started brightly, his knock of 24 from 19 deliveries was the highest score any Scotland batsman managed.

Scotland were skittled out for just 85, Mohammed Shami finishing with figures of 3-15, identical to those of Ravindra Jadeja, while Jasprit Bumrah took 2-10.

Shami began the 17th over with wickets from the first three balls, including a run- out. The bowling performance paved the way for a swift India success, led by the magnificent KL Rahul, who hit 50 from 19 balls, before looping a shot down the

a further six boundaries in a sensational show of quality.

India need a New Zealand slip-up

There is real jeopardy in Group 2, and a big team will miss out on going any further. Pakistan top the standings with eight points from their four games, so are assured of their place in the semi-finals.

India, who rounded off their Super 12 campaign against Namibia, are now on four points, two behind New Zealand, but they have a much better run rate of 1.62 compared to 1.28 for the Black Caps, who face Afghanistan (another side on fourth points) in their last game. It is all to play for. (Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD

SCOTLAND INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) George Munsey c Pandya b Mohammed Shami 24 Kyle Coetzer (c) b Bumrah 1 Matthew Cross † lbw b Jadeja 2 Richie Berrington b Jadeja 0 Calum MacLeod b Mohammed Shami 16 Michael Leask lbw b Jadeja 21 Chris Greaves c Pandyab Ashwin 1 Mark Watt b Bumrah 14 Safyaan Sharif run out (sub [Ishan Kishan]) 0 Alasdair Evans b Mohammed Shami 0 Brad Wheal not out 2 Extras (lb 1, w 3) 4 TOTAL (17.4 Ov, RR: 4.81) 85 Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Kyle Coetzer, 2.3 ov), 2-27 (George Munsey, 5.2 ov), 3-28 (Richie Berrington, 6.3 ov), 4-29 (Matthew Cross, 6.6 ov), 5-58 (Michael Leask, 11.2 ov), 6-63 (Chris Greaves, 13.4 ov), 7-81 (Calum MacLeod, 16.1 ov), 8-81 (Safyaan Sharif, 16.2 ov), 9-81 (Alasdair Evans, 16.3 ov), 10-85 (Mark Watt, 17.4 ov)

BOWLING O-M-R-W Jasprit Bumrah 3.4-1-10-2 Varun Chakravarthy 3-0-15-0 Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-29-1 Mohammed Shami 3-1-15-3 Ravindra Jadeja 4-0-15-3 INDIA INNINGS (TARGET: 86 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) KL Rahul c MacLeod b Watt 50 Rohit Sharma lbw b Wheal 30 Virat Kohli (c) not out 2 Suryakumar Yadav not out 6 Extras (w 1) 1 TOTAL (6.3 Ov, RR: 13.69) 89/2 Did not bat: Rishabh Pant†, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakravarthy Fall of wickets: 1-70 (Rohit Sharma, 4.6 ov), 2-82 (KL Rahul, 5.6 ov) BOWLING Mark Watt Brad Wheal Alasdair Evans Safyaan Sharif Chris Greaves

O-M-R-W 2-0-20-1 2-0-32-1 1-0-16-0 1-0-14-0 0.3-0-7-0

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India celebrating the win

ground to Calum MacLeod from Mark Watt's enticing delivery.

Rahul's fellow opener Rohit Sharma – aiming to become just the third player to reach 3,000 T20I runs – reached 30 before succumbing lbw to Brad Wheal.

Kohli ticked over two

singles before a huge six from Suryakumar Yadav sealed India's success after just 6.3 overs.

Rahul and Rohit sparkle

India's openers raced to the fastest team 50 in the tournament, taking just 23 balls to reach that mark.

Rohit is now just 18 runs short of joining team-mate Kohli and New Zealand's Martin Guptill in the 3,000runs club, though he may well only have one more shot at that this tournament.

His partner Rahul dazzled, hitting three sixes and

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Kishore, London to fend off competitors in today’s MACORP Golf Tourney

“Expect some upsets this week,” says LCG Vice-President Paton George and Joaan Deo are expected to pressure Shenella London in the ladies’ competition.

“On the men’s side, the brothers will do battle once again, but will have to go very low if they are going to fend off challenges in this best net challenge. Expect some upsets this week.”

The LGC VP revealed that MACORP has been

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he Lusignan Golf Club will be host to the 14th edition of the MACORP Golf Tournament, which will see many of Guyana’s top players, and even those from abroad, competing to be crowned champion.

Action in this tournament is expected to heat up at the 11am start time, as

the champions of the GTT Guyana Open will be there alongside other competitors who competed in that mega tournament two weekends ago.

In terms of what to expect today when the tournament commences, LGC Vice President Paton George said, “The excitement is palpable, as it always is for this our second biggest tournament of the year. Almost every player from last week’s

GTT Guyana Open has signed up to take their swing on Saturday. Because of the larger-than- anticipated field, the competition was moved up two and a half hours to 11am, to ensure all players finish on time.

“Players should expect low winning scores. There will be a lot of intriguing head-to-head competitions.

There are no clear favourites in this battle for best Net scores. Christine Sukhram

Coach and team optimistic as Junior Jags begin campaign today

…Omari Glasgow appointed captain

Omari Glasgow

Guyana’s Under-20 Men’s Team

The U20 training in the Dominican Republic

G

uyana’s Junior Jaguars will step onto the pitch for the first time today, during the CONCACAF Under 20 Qualifiers in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The Guyanese side is grouped with Nicaragua, US Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands in Group D. Sharing on the team’s preparation leading up to their game against Cayman Islands at noon today, Head Coach Wayne Dover highlighted his optimism about the team’s preparation. “The

preparation we'd give us a feeling of optimism about performing excellent in the tournament. That leave us with the expectation of being competitive in the first game tomorrow, which we hope brings a positive result.

To start with that will set the tone for us,” The under-20 Men’s Head Coach stated.

Newly appointed Under-20 Captain Omari Glasgow also voiced his confidence in the preparation that the team has undertaken over the past few months.

“Well, the preparation

in such great shape.

The format will be medal play over 18 holes net scores in 4 flights and shotgun start. The flights will be Men’s 0-9, 10-18, and 19-28; the Ladies’ flight is 0-36. Prizes will be given from first to third position in each flight based on net scores. There will also be prizes for near- LGC VP, Paton George

has been great, we have to just put out the final work on the pitch, but the preparation has been solid. A massive improvement from the first time the team start training to now. So, we are expecting good results,” he noted.

Glasgow, who made his Senior National Team debut with the Golden Jaguars earlier this year at just 17 years old, and even scored his first international goal during that stint, is the perfect candidate to lead the Junior Jags, as they hope to qualify for the Under 20 Championships.

The teenager said about his personal achievement, “It’s an honour being named team captain. I’m looking to put my best foot forward and make the team also put their best foot forward, so the team can come out victorious tomorrow.”

The CONCACAF Under 20 Qualifier is not only the gateway tournament to the Championships, but also the FIFA Men’s U20 World Cup in 2023 and the Paris Olympic Games in 2024.

After taking on the Cayman Islands, Guyana will face off with US Virgin Islands on Monday, November 8, and with Nicaragua on Wednesday, November 10.

Many top golfers will turn out to compete

the club’s most consistent partner over the last several years, and the club is thankful and excited about this enduring relationship. George declared that MACORP and its powerful line of equipment have been instrumental in helping LGC to keep the course

est to flag, longest drive, best net overall-champion player of the day, and best gross.

Additionally, golfing paraphernalia will be distributed to all players, and there will be a card raffle at the end of the presentation ceremony.

Fifteen years ago, MACORP joined with the Lusignan Golf Club, and has since continuously supported the club. MACORP is known for its support of community service projects and sports in Guyana.

MACORP is the only authorised dealer of Caterpillar products in Guyana.

GFF begins COVID-19 vaccination drive ahead of year-end competitions

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will roll out its nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive on Saturday, ahead of a planned trio of year-end men’s and women’s football tournaments.

The drive is to protect the wider community as competitive senior football returns to the field of play.

The GFF will host three tournaments over the Christmas and New Year holidays: the GFF-Kashif & Shanghai Super 16 Cup, the GFF Women’s Super16 Cup, and the GFF Futsal Championship Cup. All participants, including players, coaches, staff, match officials and fans, will be required to show proof of vaccination to access the competitions.

On Saturday, players, officials and fans will be able to attend the Ministry of Health’s Emergency Operations Centre vaccination sites at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence, on the East Bank, and at the Egbert Benjamin Exhibition Centre in Linden.

The vaccination sessions will run from 9h until 15h on Saturday, November 6th, with repeat clinics on Saturday, November 13th. The vaccination drive will also be expanded to the seven remaining GFF regional associations next weekend, with details to be announced shortly.

“We respectfully urge all members of our community to get vaccinated as soon as possible, to ensure the swiftest return to play possible for senior football across Guyana,” said GFF President Wayne Forde.

“We are proud to be able to partner with

GFF President, Wayne Forde

the Government of Guyana and our pilot regional associations, the East Bank Demerara Football Association and the Upper Demerara Football Association, to kickstart and facilitate this vital endeavour.

“We have made it mandatory for all participants in our year-end football bonanza to show proof of vaccination, as we believe this is the most effective way to safeguard the wellbeing of the wider community and to support the global effort to combat and overcome the pandemic,” he said.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021

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

ICC T20 World Cup…

Hetmyer showed up when he was most needed

By Brandon Corlette

H

e scored 242 runs and finished as the super-striker in the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL), thus it was only a matter of time before flamboyant West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer reminded the world of his stellar capabilities as he participated in the ICC T20 World Cup. In the West Indies’ heart-breaking defeat to Sri Lanka, Hetmyer’s unbeaten 81 was solid evidence that he is learning, and that he is still able to assess and play ball according to the situation.

The 24-year-old standout from Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice has spoken about his hunger for consistency, the words of encouragement he received from Dwayne “The Champion” Bravo, and the Ricky Ponting effect at Delhi Capitals as he reflected on his career best T20 International innings.

Prior to the Sri Lanka match, Hetmyer had scored 19 runs in three innings.

After the Sri Lanka match, Hetmyer was the only West Indies’ man with 100 runs to his credit in this World Cup; many other West Indian batsmen being afflicted with the sickness called inconsistency.

“I think it’s really for us not to think about it (consistency struggles) too much, just to go out there and be our best. When you go out and have that (struggle with consistency) in mind too much, you are not focused on actually playing the game and hitting the ball. It’s just for you as a player to know your strengths and your weaknesses; and just go out, execute as much as you can, try to remember the good things you have done, and keep doing that,” Hetmyer said.

Reflecting on his top knock, wherein he batted for 96 minutes, the former West Indies U-19 World Cup-winning captain said: “I was trying to give the team and myself a chance.

Hetmyer scored an unbeaten 81 against Sri Lanka

Hetmyer is tipped to play a significant role in the West Indies’ future

Shimron Hetymer enjoyed success at the IPL 2021

At the time, the spinners were the only ones posing a danger for any of the batsmen. With pace on the ball, it would have been much easier. At the time, I was thinking to get at least 24 runs off any of the spinners, and when the seamers come on, try to capitalise as much as possible.

I tried to get 10-plus off each of the seamers’ overs.

Losing wickets did not really help the cause.”

The Ponting effect Hetmyer played two seasons at the Delhi Capitals franchise in the IPL, during which time he rubbed shoulders with some of the best batsmen ever to play the game.

Hetmyer said Head Coach at the Capitals,

Aussie legend Ricky Ponting, has played a big role in his career.

Pugnacious when he began his career batting at the top, Hetmyer was eventually able to show versatility, and was the designated finisher for the Capitals. “…it was something different. Last year, it was something that I was uncomfortable doing (finishing or batting all the way down to the end), but after I really took it on board and gave myself a chance, then is when I really reaped the rewards of it, (rather) than just going out there and express myself; although

I give myself a few balls, and then just go from there with the freedom, that really helped as well,” he explained.

While some question why Hetmyer was not given a specific role in this West Indies team, the lefthander made it clear that his role was crystal clear to him. He noted that his role was playing according to the situation of the game, and it was easy in this West Indies team, which included a lot of ‘senior’ players.

He noted that, during his unbeaten innings, he gave himself a chance something which he did not

do for the most part of the T20 World Cup. Further, Hetmyer noted that the team was working on limiting the dot ball percentage.

Hetmyer has been tipped alongside Nicholas Pooran to take the reins of the West Indies team in the future, but he has said he is not overly concerned about future tags, but is focused on helping the team. “I am trying to be as consistent as I can. It really helps with the overall performance of the team,” he said.

Bravo’s inspirational effect Speaking to Alex Jordan and Darren Sammy at a special post-match show, Dwayne Bravo, who refused to take credit for Hetmyer’s 81, said he has pinpointed Hetmyer and Pooran to carry the team.

Bravo disclosed that these two young ones are too good not to win games on a consistent basis.

Dwayne “The Champion” Bravo also said he might have said a few ‘bad words’ to Hetmyer and Pooran.

Hetmyer, however, had this to say: “He spoke about myself and Pooran being the future, and (that we should) put our hands up more times than not to win games for the West Indies.

He also said we should not be lackadaisical with practice and our mindsets.

We must have that mindset that, whatever the situation is, we can win the game for our team, and that is something that will help us in our development. So far, it’s been good, because after he spoke to us, Pooran got two 40s and then I got an 80. So far, it’s been good words.”

West Indies will play Pakistan in a white-ball tour shortly, and Hetmyer would want to continue his consistency. The men in maroon will sign off the T20 World Cup when they meet Australia today (November 6) from 6:00h Eastern Caribbean time.

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