Guyana Times - Saturday, October 16, 2021

P15

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Issue No. 4802

THE BEACON OF TRUTH SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021

Success Elementary’s Nirvana Wimal tops NGSA Pages 3 & 19

− high performances recorded in English, Social Studies at NGSA

Nirvana Wimal, score: 524

Aditi Joshi, score: 521

Deja Datt, score: 523

Khevin Sandy, score: 521

Govt allocates 1000 house lots to East Bank residents Page 7

Paris Timmerman, score: 523

Chelsea Persaud, score: 521

Jada Persaud, score: 522

Shabaka Yisrael, score: 521

J'Kell Whyte, score: 521

Joshua Mc Arthur, score: 521

Young ECD businessman stabbed to death during robbery Page 9

− $21.5B spent to develop areas where house lots are being allocated ...suspect nabbed, confesses to crime

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

COVID-19 death toll jumps to 862 with 5 P9 more deaths Fire destroys P19 ECD house, agroprocessing facility

Paul Slowe gets bail on P8 sexual assault, fraud charges

Intoxicated man killed after walking into spinning propellers of P11 aircraft

2 NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Kaneville murder suspect surrenders to Police

Murdered: Nelson Thomas

Surrendered: Seon Caesar

ust three days after Police had issued a wanted bulletin for Seon Caesar, 25, also called “Ratty”, in connection with the murder of a miner, he reportedly surrendered to the Police in the company of his lawyer on Thursday.

Caesar is suspected to have murdered Nelson Thomas, also called “Rambo”, on September 9, 2021, in Kaneville, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

In a statement, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) revealed that “the suspect for whom a wanted bulletin was issued for was taken to Regional Division 4B Headquarters by his lawyer and handed over to Police. He is now in custody at the Diamond Police Station.”

It was reported that the lifeless body of 36-year-old Thomas, a miner of Fourth Field Kaneville, EBD, was discovered under a shed after he left home to visit a relative in the same area.

The Police have said that

Thomas had returned from Cuyuni, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), with his wife, a few days prior to his demise, to register the birth of his newborn baby - his first child.

At about 19:00h on September 9, he informed his mother that he was going to visit his uncle in Second Field, Kaneville.

However, a resident recalled that on the said night, at about 21:30h, he was awakened by someone calling for him, and, upon checking, he saw Thomas lying motionlessly in a pool of blood under a shed attached to his home.

The resident immediately contacted the Police, and the injured man was picked up and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Police have said that from all indications, it appears as though Thomas was returning home when he was stabbed to death during a robbery.

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Mahdia businesswoman was strangled, bludgeoned to death – autopsy

A

n autopsy performed on the body of 47-yearold businesswoman Denise Vieira of Pepper Hill, Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), who was found dead in the home of her reputed husband proved that she was strangled and beaten.

The businesswoman was allegedly killed by her 33-yearold reputed husband of eight years, a miner who is now in Police custody awaiting to be charged with her murder.

The post-mortem was conducted by Government pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, who gave the cause of death as asphyxiation due to compression injuries to the neck, compounded by multiple blunt traumas to the head and face, consistent with choking.

It was reported that about three months ago, the woman had moved out of the house she shared with her husband to live in a separate structure in the same yard.

The woman, who operated a shop, reportedly moved out due to an ongoing domestic dispute with the man.

On Wednesday last, at about 13:00h, a neighbour heard the woman telling the suspect “Get out my (expletive) place, leff me alone.”

The husband then left her house and went next door where he met up with some of his friends.

Dead: Denise Vieira

At around 13:45h, a customer went to the woman’s home/shop but the woman was not seen nor did she answer the calls.

This was communicated to the husband, who went over to investigate. It was then he discovered the woman lying motionlessly on the kitchen floor with blood oozing from her mouth, nose and face.

He reportedly attempted to revive her but she was unresponsive. A report was then made to the Police by neighbours.

Suspecting foul play was involved, the husband was contacted, told of the allegation, cautioned, and arrested.

However, he has since denied the allegation.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Saturday, Oct 16 – 01:30h – 03:00h and 13:00h – 14:30h and Sunday, Oct 17 – 02:00h – 03:30h and 13:30h – 15:00h.

Success Elementary’s Nirvana Wimal tops NGSA

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, Oct 16 – 13:50h – 15:20h and Sunday, Oct 17 – 14:35h – 16:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius.

By Rupa Seenaraine

Winds: West North-Westerly to Northerly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 13:58h reaching a maximum height of 2.28 metres.

Low Tide: 07:24h and 19:51h reaching minimum heights of 0.91 metre and 0.94 metre.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS O

02 06 08

14 20 26

FREE TICKET

23 Bonus Ball

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

07 09 10 18 24 LUCKY 3

9

4

7

3

Afternoon Draw

6

4

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

02 06 10 12 14 19 20 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2021

04 05 08 10 12 13

01 05 15 17 21

5

8 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

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1 Evening Draw

5X 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

$84.86/barrel

+1.01

Rough Rice

$249.84 /ton

+0.07

London Sugar

$512.90/ton

-0.23

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1767.40

$1768.40

Low/High Change

$1764.50 -0.00

$1796.10 -0.00%

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irvana Wimal of Success Elementary School at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), has copped the top spot at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), securing 524 marks and achieving a place at the prestigious Queen’s College.

The results were announced

by Education Minister Priya Manickchand at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, on Friday in the presence of officials of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), top performers and other officials.

Bearing ecstatic emotions, some students were yet to process the news of their performance. Wimal, who was among 13,822 students who sat this year’s assessment on August 4 and 5, was surprised with her results.

The aspiring teacher told media operatives, “I feel very happy and glad that my hard work paid off. I had many sleepless nights.

After school, I would have lessons, then homework and then study my work at night. I went to bed at 12 and then I had to sleep and start over all again.”

She added, “My mom was very happy for me. She knew I was in the Top Ten but she did not expect me to be first and my dad was very happy too. I know there were other children in class who did better than me so I wasn’t really expecting it.”

The top student said it was a conscious effort to remain focused in online classes – an outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this, it was not an easy feat.

Her advice for the upcoming cohort was, “It was very hard for me because we didn’t get to go out a lot…It was very hard because we didn’t get to go to real school and you can get distracted…My message is to work hard, study and get every bit of information you can. Use your time wisely because as soon as you get into Grade Six, there isn’t a lot of time.”

Sharing the second position with 523 marks were Deja Datt of the New Guyana School and Paris Timmerman of Chateau Margot Primary.

Datt was visibly excited as she expressed, “I just found out today. I was really shock. I started crying from my seat. I’m happy. It wasn’t just me working.

It was a whole team behind me so I must give thanks to God for there are number of things that could have gone wrong and he prevented all of it… Just to experience this today and realise how far I’ve come; it has been a big stepping stone in my life and I couldn’t be happier.”

Preparations for her started since 2020, she said, adding that

it has always been her “dream” to secure a place in the top category. However, she described the pandemic as a “wrecking ball” as it disrupted and restricted learning to some extent.

“It comes with a lot of struggles, sacrifices and even tears.

You do have to put in the hard work and effort and trust me, if you put in the effort, you will sow good rewards,” the Industry, East Coast Demerara resident shared.

On the other hand, a composed Timmerman who was beaming with excitement, highlighted that her performance has boosted her self-confidence. Credit was given to the Education Ministry’s platforms, such as the Guyana Learning Channel, Booster and QuizMe, for contributing to the groundwork in her journey.

“I worked very hard but I didn’t think I was smart enough.

Surprisingly, I did it and I’m getting more confident now that I’ve achieved this. In addition to many late nights and the help of my teachers, I used the Ministry of Education’s platforms like QuizMe and the Guyana Learning Channel.

That played an instrumental

role,” Timmerman detailed.

Moving into her secondary school journey, she is seeking to pursue the business subjects in keeping with her plans to become an accountant.

Coming in fourth place was Jada Persaud of Success Elementary. She spoke with Guyana Times, reflecting on the sacrifice to put extracurricular activities on hold to study for the NGSA. “I did not expect this. I didn’t go to school and we had online learning in front of a computer.

Other than that, my parents and I did revision. For two months, I had to put dance on hold due to the NGSA…I would like to become a lawyer or start my own school,” she expressed.

Aditi Joshi of Mae’s Under 12 was Guyana’s fifth place student. According to her, she was confident that she would score well, having lauded the Ministry’s efforts to provide enough resources.

“I’m not really surprised.

With all the effort I put, with all the resources the Ministry would have installed, the two mock exams, the textbooks, the Learning Channel, I expected to get this place. So, I am very hap-

py.”

Joshi said she wasn’t impacted significantly by the pandemic, since the online learning mechanisms were very “beneficial”.

Five persons secured the fifth spot with 521 marks.

They were Chelsea Persaud from Dharmic Rama Krishna, J’Kell Whyte from Success Elementary, Khevin Sandy from Lowe’s Academy, Joshua Mc Arthur from Vryheid’s Lust Primary and Shakaba Yisrael from Success Elementary.

Regionally, the top performers were Troy Roberts from Port Kaituma Primary for Region One (Barima-Waini); Shreya Ramnarine from CV Nunes Primary for Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Gizelle Nicholson from Leonora Primary for Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); Nirvana Wimal from Success Elementary for Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); Tiana Hughes from Rosignol Primary School for Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Raphael Omarao from Skeldon Primary School for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); Sebastian Khan from Potaro Primary School for Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni); Ishmaiah La Cruz from Mahdia Primary for Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), Aisha De Freitas from Arapaima Primary School for Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo); and Akeira Campbell from Watooka Day Primary for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). Region 11, the category for Georgetown, saw Deja Datt from the New Guyana School securing the top spot.

This year, the cutoff mark for Queen’s College was 510, 505 for The Bishops’ High School, 501 for St Stanislaus College, 498 for St Rose’s High School, 494 for St Joseph High School and 484 for President’s College.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 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

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Sacrificing and success

hroughout civilisation, mankind has been making sacrifices for personal and societal advancement. Here, in Guyana, our history is inundated with stories about selfless sacrifices by Guyanese foreparents as they laboured in search of betterment for the generation following them. That cycle continues, and today none can dispute that parents want the best for their children; a desire they would pursue with unwavering commitment. These are not mere words, but are values inherent in parenthood, as exemplified by the untold and sometimes unrecognised sacrifices they make as that sense of responsibility through hard work remains. It is not without its difficulties, more so for some than for others. However, on the average, many, locally and across the globe, have unfortunate commonalities which are driven by financial challenges. Despite this, parents and guardians remain steadfast to that responsibility of steering their children towards opportunities for societal upliftment.

This is more profound in the provision of education, and will continue to be something on which they will not compromise while often masking their sacrifices and formidable challenges with a protective smile. That smile, which hides the pain over the years, becomes one of unbridled joy when success is finally achieved, as evident following the recent announcement of this year’s National Grade Six (NGSA), and, in a matter of weeks, the results of CSEC and CAPE. For those whose achievements propelled them into the national spotlight, their academic brilliance will become added inspiration for those who will subsequently strive to emulate. Importantly for those whose parents or guardians battled against the odds for their realisation, the achievements embody the many elements of their sacrifices as they become overtaken by pride and tears of joy.

That feeling of success unfolding buries the uncertainty of the outcome which might have prevailed during the process. Not only parents make sacrifices, but the students too. While it may pale in comparison, when the students speak of their own sacrifices consciously made in a world that is not short of lure and distraction, some are quite aware of what their parents faced in the process, and often that in itself galvanizes and intensifies the efforts for a successful outcome, bringing added value to it.

All must therefore be commended; students, parents, guardians, teachers and all those who contributed. In addition to the sacrifices and the hard work, the success took commitment, diligence, and the ability to remain focused. The pride transcends that circle, and is felt by all, as those once unknown to the masses are catapulted into the national glare.

However, there is still much distance to travel for the final dreams to be realised. Much may not change in terms of what it will take. If anything, something may be added - the weight of the expectation of a nation.

As these young and brilliant minds step into the next phase of their academic life, those who had not made it into the spotlight must not be forgotten. Many, and those around them, would have made similar sacrifices with similar dreams. It’s a natural part of life, and they will also be entering another phase. They must be encouraged, and not belittled. They must be inspired, and not disappointed in the success of their peers; for new opportunities would beckon.

The results will be analysed with the hope that strategic interventions be made to close existing gaps for the success to be holistic. While the nation once again exudes pride over sterling academic achievements, there are concerns over the disparity that exists and worrying pass rates in the pertinent subjects of mathematics and English Language. There has been much talk about this, and a practical national solution will have to be found soonest.

As the world continues in its technological evolution and as competitiveness heightens, all will need to be adequately prepared as they inevitably enter the work sphere. This in itself dictates holistic preparation with an aim at increasing that success base to meet growing demands of this competitive environment. A practical mechanism that can help improve the national results would therefore have to be quickly derived and implemented. While there will be related challenges, the process of helping to derive that mechanism cannot be delayed.

It will necessitate the involvement of all, with cognisance of the stark realities. A crucial component is the teachers. They also sacrifice, have their fair share of challenges, and with some being parents with obvious dreams and aspirations, their challenges will be further exacerbated. For the process to derive wider positive results, it will take, among other things, unfettered commitment by those is charge to ensure the provision of adequate resources.

Naturally, teachers will need to feel a sense of comfort, so that their commitment would be adequately rewarded. In the end, for that pride to be sustained, the commitment to success must also be made by all policy makers as well.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo was on Friday received at the Jubilee Lounge, Kotoka International Airport, by HE Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana. The VP and his delegation are in Ghana to learn about the country’s experiences in the oil and gas sector, with particular reference to local content and participation, the legal framework, and general best practices in the exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbon finds

Are the PNCR pressing the right notes?

Dear Editor, Opposition elements have been launching an unending attack on the PPPC Government, accusing the administration of discrimination against Afro-Guyanese; of firing Government workers; and of being “installed” into office, among other things.

Says PNCR member Mr. Errol J. Lewis: “The PPP, with international help, was installed as the Government in Guyana, despite a recount that showed fraud was committed by the PPP/C.” Mr. Lewis captured the general mood of the PNCR towards the PPPC: “the PPP Government is oppressive, and authorises regular wonton discrimination against Afro-Guyanese and anyone supporting the Coalition.” He also stated that there was discrimination in COVID-19 relief distribution, and that discrimination accounted for over 1,000 public servants being dismissed from their jobs.

Whether Mr. Lewis and other PNCR members have succeeded in convincing all segments of their supporters with their caustic polemics, as opposed to solid evidence, is doubtful. The rhetoric has become so outlandish that even PNCR supporters question their viability.

For example, PNCR’s Juretha Fernandes, MP, said: “The PPP (are) in Government now, and they are discriminating against every single person; and we cannot tolerate them.”

This is the most convoluted statement to be uttered by

an MP. The facts/evidence tell a different story.

What political leverage could the PNCR get from pushing forth their claim that the PPPC Government was installed?

The CARICOM high level team declared the PPPC as the winner of the 2020 regional and national elections, after conducting a review of the recount operations. All the local political parties except the APNU coalition conceded that the PPPC won the elections. The coalition’s election petitions failed in the courts. All the western diplomatic missions (American, Canadian, European, UK) recognise the PPPC as the legitimate Government, and so do Caricom, OAS, Commonwealth, the Carter Center, and 100 countries.

Yet the PNCR has refused to accept the legitimacy of the PPPC Government.

What is even more astonishing is that despite the PNCR’s incredulous claim of being cheated out of office, they have refused to make their copies of SoPs (Statements of Poll) public.

A party which claims victory would readily make their SoPs available to the public.

The PNCR’s apparent preoccupation with the race factor as a political tool is also based on their claim that the PPPC Government fired over 1,000 of their supporters upon taking office in 2020. Every new government tends to fire political and contract employees. This is well established practice in any democracy.

The PNCR are acquainted with this practice, and applied it when they took power in 2015 and fired over 7,000 sugar workers (of which over 5,500 were IndoGuyanese) leaving them to languish on the breadline.

The closed sugar estates, of which the workers constituted the hub of economic activities, had become economic dead zones.

One must not forget that the PNCR coalition also fired 1,972 Amerindian CSO workers, who served in the most impoverished hinterland regions of the country (where the poverty level is 75%). Not to mention hundreds of Government workers (Indo-Guyanese and others thought to be sympathetic to the PPPC) who were likewise fired.

Notwithstanding the plight of sugar workers, the PNCR coalition Government proceeded to add 14,500 Government jobs (thus increasing the Government’s payroll by a massive 36% in 5 years). The overwhelming majority of new hires were Afro-Guyanese. The PPPC’s Minister of Local Government lamented on assuming office, for example, that many staff members of his ministry had been under-utilised, while some could not show any work output.

The current PPPC Government implements policies and programmes to benefit all Guyanese, irrespective of race, gender, and geography. The Government, for example, has recently granted

6,000 online scholarships.

The ethnic distribution is as follows: 39% to AfroGuyanese, 40% to IndoGuyanese, and 21% to Mixed and Amerindians.

In addition, house lots totalling 5,926 have been allocated during the PPPC’s first year in office equitably among the ethnic groups.

This is not to suggest that everything is perfect, and Government must continue to address the pressing needs of the people.

Could the PNCR become a formidable Opposition, instead of being fixated on making ridiculous claims and playing with people’s emotions, rather than tapping into their reason? The dominant factor in voting preference has been ethnicity, but this seems to be changing, though not rapidly with the rise in political consciousness. The IndoGuyanese population is declining, and the PPPC does not have a demographic advantage anymore. By 2025, the Indo-Guyanese population will drop to 34% due to emigration, mixed marriages, and lower fertility levels.

The political battlefield could become extremely competitive. Ethnic-based parties like the PPPC and PNCR must convince other ethnic groups of their vision and policies if they really want to win state power.

Spewing incendiary rhetoric and distortions will not help any political party.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 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

CXC should build requisite competencies for content of each subject area Dear Editor, We note, with interest, the appeal by Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the CXC, Dr Wayne Wesley, re “We need to find an approach that creates an appropriate balance, that allows students to demonstrate the critical competencies required to function in society, and help them to

apply to any content, rather than focusing on the syllabus content…In this regard, the current thinking around the development of examination is to have a greater focus on the appropriate balance between critical competences and content coverage.”

But shouldn’t it be the role of the CXC to build in

the requisite competencies for the content of each subject area, along with relevant skills sets? As a regional body funded by tax payers’ money, the CXC should have both the expertise and the regional mindset to be able to do so.

Once this is provided by the CXC, Ministries of Education must then train

teachers to be able to underpin the content with related competencies and skills, and in instructional methodologies and related expertise to be able to deliver accordingly - perhaps a Train the Trainer programme, so those trained can then turnkey the training to their col-

leagues across each nation.

Perhaps both the CXC and Ministries of Education can analyse syllabuses of developed nations, especially New York City in the US, to grasp how all three can be married - content, competencies and skill sets.

There are many

Caribbean teachers in the US, especially New York City, with the capacity and competency to assist, and The Caribbean Voice can be of assistance in this respect.

Sincerely, Annan Boodram

Prime Minister Phillips has My response to Melinda Janki done us proud

on oil exploration Dear Editor, Reference is made to a letter by Melinda Janki, who is demanding the immediate halt to all oil exploration and production in the Guyana Basin. Despite her group being called Fair Deal for Guyana, she actually wants No Deal for Guyana.

At some point, they will make up their minds what they want, but if it is No Deal, as their website calls for, is this a rational position? And, in fact, is banning any more fossil fuel exploration worldwide realistic or sensible?

We are already seeing the effects of this kind of hysteria with natural gas prices in the UK being ten times what they were last year and the oil price heading to $90 per barrel. In Europe and China, steel and fertiliser plants are closing down as we speak, because of the high price of electricity and rationing. There is now a real possibility that a shortage of fertiliser would cascade into crop shortfalls and hunger.

This supply crunch is a combination of surging demand post COVID-19 and underinvestment in the energy industry for several years, partly due to environmentalists pressuring oil companies to cut exploration and to diversify. This shortfall will become more and more apparent in years to come, and we may pay a terrible price as we wait for renewable solutions to fill the void.

Even then, we can see that, for large solar and wind farms, they cannot avoid those cloudy, windless days when they deliver nothing to the grid. Droughts in Brazil have also caused hydropower energy to plummet. What is needed is a collaborative approach by all parties, from Governments to industry to consumers, to safely navigate the energy transition.

Let us hope that COP26 is more reason, and less of this posturing alarmism.

As for Guyana, does Ms Janki really think we, as a people, should give up oil revenues in the hope some

Time for justice

Dear Editor, It boggles the mind that, after all the adverse publicity regarding the US$18 million bonus which the former Minister and his Government vociferously denied, the whereabouts of the money is still an unsolved mystery. Yet Mr Jordan wants us to believe that the allegations of possible corrupt actions by him are “false, baseless and repugnant”.

One can only imagine that if the first money from oil cannot be accounted for, what would have happened to the revenues which keep coming in. We, as Guyanese, must be forever thankful that the Coalition is still not in Government.

It is heartening to note

that the Attorney General will also be going after the many corrupt land transactions and giveaways of prime state land in addition to those who have benefited from below-market value sale of state lands. The Attorney General must also launch an investigation into the spending of $17.4 billion of the GuySuCo Bond and the corrupt sale of estate assets by the SPU. Many operable pieces of equipment, machinery, and even houses were sold for peanuts to friends and families.

The SPU Head and the former Finance Minister must be brought to justice.

Yours sincerely, H Yusuf

Western country will give us the money instead? Even when we reach 1M barrels per day by 2027, it will still make up less than 1% of total daily production. Morally, it is reprehensible that those countries that have polluted the planet for centuries, and continue to do so, should dictate to developing ones that they should not produce oil or consume natural gas.

This is a cynical form of neocolonialism, and Ms Janki is trying it on her own homeland. It’s never going to happen; and even if it were, the Norway Fund is an example of how these countries want poor ones to jump through hoops for decades to access the money.

Guyana can do both. We can be an oil producer, and still preserve our rainforest while moving to clean energy. The path we are on is correct. Ms Janki’s anti-oil/ pro-oil argument is deliberately simplistic, just as her doomsday hypotheticals are dubious.

Yours sincerely Arjoon Singh, NY

Dear Editor, Prime Minister Mark Phillips is heading a high-level Government team to the United States of America, showcasing Guyana as an economic destination area that investors can invest in. As an emerging Third World developing state, Guyana welcomes those who would like to come onstream and make their contribution towards our country’s development.

On this note, I must say the Prime Minister and his team, have done us proud.

Among some of the more important engagements of the team were visits to churches and temples where the congregants, who are mainly Guyanese, meet to worship. They were warmly welcomed by the worshippers there. Here, again, the call was made to the diaspora to get involved in our developmental thrust.

Thank you, Mr Prime Minister, for a job well done.

Now, I pause here to take note of the political posturing of the PNC rabble- rouser Rickford Burke. His aim was to disrupt the proceedings and score some cheap political points. In fact, he

first tried to influence one of the church leaders, Pastor Dr Reynold Howell, to turn down the Government team’s engagement at his church, but that attempt failed miserably. The highly esteemed minister in question, who is a cousin of mine, would have none of that illiteracy, and promptly shunned Burke’s request, so Burke took the opportunity to turn up himself.

I don’t know if Burke thought that his presence there would have conjured up rancor and protest, but what actually took place was a sheepishly- looking Burke

trying desperately to make a point. I guess in the face of the statesmanlike response

by Prime Minister Phillips, Burke was smothered. The Prime Minister made it very clear that his Government is not in the business of partitioning Guyana into racial factions, but when he speaks it is for all of Guyana.

So, once again, Burke and his forces playing that tribalism role were left disgracefully on the sidelines; Guyana has no place for racial politics.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021

Page

Foundation

G

oing to the seashore? Create an espe-SHELL-y fun work of art with the treasures you find!

What you need

• picture frame • craft glue • sand • seashells • blue paper • googly eyes • paint (optional)

What you do

1. Remove the glass and backing from your picture frame. Cut a piece of blue paper the same size as the glass and place it in the frame. Replace the glass and backing in the frame (behind the blue paper).

2. Apply a thin layer of glue at the bottom of the

By Edward Lear

paper. Sprinkle with sand and shake off the excess.

Glue some shells in the sand, as shown.

3. Arrange other shells into sea animal shapes and glue in place. You can use broken shells, too. The pieces make great fins, flippers, and tails! If you want, paint the shells before gluing them on the paper.

4. Glue googly eyes onto the animals.

There was an old man of Thermopylæ, Who never did anything properly; But they said, "If you choose, To boil eggs in your shoes, You shall never remain in Thermopylæ."

CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB “SHELL” DONE! NATURE NOTE: Before you collect any seashells from the beach, be sure it’s not against the law where you are. Also make sure the shells you pick up are empty. (rangerrick.org)

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt allocates 1000 house lots to East Bank residents – $21.5B spent to develop areas where house lots are being allocated

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal addressing the gathering

By Nathifa Punch

D

uring the sixth edition of the Central Housing & Planning Authority’s “Dream Realised” Housing Drive, held at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday, a total of 1000 residents from the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) received their house lots.

Distributions were made within the Grove, Great Diamond and Little Diamond areas in Block 9 Plantation Golden Grove along with Block 5 Plantation Great Diamond, EBD. A number of recipients are said to be dated back to as far as 2000.

During the event, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal stated that as it relates to physical housing, a number of low-income and middle-income homes within the East Bank area, along with other projects, are being undertaken.

“Currently, Prospect is earmarked for 100 low-income houses, of which 50 are in progress, and Little and

Great Diamond, another 522 similar houses. We have also commenced mobilisation exercise for the construction of 140 houses for young professionals in Prospect, 200 are ongoing in Providence, of which 100 is complete, and another 500 in the Little and Great Diamond areas which will begin in the first quarter of 2022,” the Minister shared.

Further, he highlighted that even with all of this occurring – allocation of house lots and the construction of homes, the Ministry through its agencies is implementing several initiatives in ensuring the accessibility of water within the area, expansion to road networks is carried out, improved housing conditions by way of grants, and promoting employment through community-based projects.

He noted that along with the demands for more houses and house lots, other demands such as better roads, drainage, and access to water are also being addressed.

In this regard, he revealed

that “close to $7 billion is being spent on the first phase infrastructure for the upgrading of existing access roads, access bridges, unsurfaced roads, pipe networks, drains, and culverts here on the East Bank.”

Croal further stated that $21.5 billion is being spent overall on developmental projects within the Grove, Little Diamond and Great Diamond areas, inclusive of the four-lane concrete highway from Eccles-Great Diamond.

“In short, for this year, 2021 and next year, our projected plans should see us expending 28 billion dollars here on East Bank alone,” Croal stated.

House lot payments

The Minister was sure to clarify that all payments for house lots are done at the CHPA office or at events such as the housing drive where official receipts are given.

“Payments are not done through third parties, at street corners, or anyone’s home. We are aware that there are unscrupulous persons who may want to trick you at your hard earned money so, to you present today… be warned,” the Minister expressed.

Becoming home owners, avoiding relocation

Meanwhile, Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues related that the distribution processes are not as easy as it may appear to be. However, she noted that for 2021 the Ministry and the Government by extension will

achieve its 10,000 house lot allocations bench mark.

Moreover, it was highlighted that the Ministry’s commitment is not only to distribute house lots, but it also has a major focus on home ownership.

“We want to avoid some of the things that have happened in the past where we have schemes that are five years, ten years old and still are not fully occupied,” Rodrigues pointed out.

“In order for you to reap the benefits and in order for our country to reap the benefits of our housing drive, we need our people to occupy their lots. We need our people to have the opportunity to access financing so that they can construct their own homes.”

“Our relationship does not end here today,” Rodrigues revealed to the allotees. “As a matter of fact it’s the beginning of our relationship, because throughout the process of moving you from an allotee being able to conclude and complete the infrastructural works for you to be able to go and occupy your lot, then to get you from that position to becoming holders of your certificate of title and then being able to take that to the bank and to acquire a loan and to construct your own home, the Ministry of Housing and Water, President Ali and the Government of Guyana will be there with you every step of the way to ensure that that becomes a reality,” she assured them.

Additionally, she noted that while there are a lot of competing interest for land for commercial development,

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday

industrial development, the Ministry’s priority is to make lands available for ordinary Guyanese to be able to construct their home. “…for you to create generational wealth for yourself. For you to have a legacy, for you to have something to leave for your children and so that you can put the future generation at a better starting point. Giving them a better edge. You’re not doing this just for yourself, you’re doing this for your children, you’re doing it for the generations that are coming after you,” Rodrigues lauded.

Meanwhile, she revealed that the allocation process is a measured approach. Meaning consideration was made with regards to where the allottees currently reside. “…the last thing we want to do is to displace people and to make it difficult for you to transition from one community to the other.”

“We recognise that where you are currently residing, you have ties, you have roots,

you have children who may be in school in that community, you have parents – elderly parents that you may want to stay close to, and so you don’t want to move far away.”

She noted that this approach will also make the transition as easy as possible from where they are currently residing to their new home.

Meanwhile, NDC Chairman of the GroveDiamond NDC, Indranie Ramnarine expressed her gratitude to the CHPA for the continuous development being conducted within the area and urged allottees to waste no time in constructing their homes.

The event also saw a number of financial institutions present including The New Building Society (nbs) Ltd, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Demerara Bank Ltd, Citizens Bank, Republic Bank Ltd and insurance companies, as the allotees embark on their journey to becoming homeowners.

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Paul Slowe gets bail on sexual assault, fraud charges

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That time again...

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H

aving been charged in absentia back in May with fraud and three counts of sexual assault, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe finally made his appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday where he was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus.

Slowe along with other retired and serving senior officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are accused of collecting payment totalling $10 million for the revision of the GPF’s raft of Standing Orders, which was never done, according to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU).

The others implicated are retired Assistant Commissioners Clinton Conway and Claude Whittaker; Senior Superintendents George Fraser and Marcelene Washington; retired Senior Superintendent Michael Sutton; Superintendent Mark Gilbert; Assistant Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor; and Assistant Superintendent Marlon Kellman.

It is alleged that Slowe, Conway, Whittaker, Fraser, Gilbert, Andries-Junor,

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

Unit.

It is further alleged while performing duties as Finance Officer for the GPF between July 1, 2019, and July 31, 2019, at the GPF’s Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, Sutton wilfully misconducted himself when he falsely signed seven payment vouchers as the accounting officer, which he was not authorised to do, enabling Slowe, Conway, Whittaker, Fraser, and Gilbert to be paid $1,000,766, without the approval of Daniella McCalmon, the accounting officer, and without any reasonable excuse or justification.

It is also alleged that on three occasions in 2019 - between March 26 and April 2; on March 29 and on April 2 at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, Slowe sexually assaulted a senior Policewoman by rubbing her left leg and foot without her consent. Slowe was not required to plead to the indictable charges.

He was released on bail in the sum of $325,000 and will return to court on November 26.

He is being represented

by Attorneys-at-Law Selwyn Pieters and Patrice Henry.

Slowe, a former Chairman of the Police Service Commission

(PSC) served in the GPF for some 37 years.

Investigations by SOCU revealed that former Police Commissioner Leslie James had hired Slowe, Conway, Whittaker, Gilbert, and Fraser to conduct a complete revision of the Standing Orders in March 2019.

According to SOCU, James did not prepare a budget for the service that was offered, nor did he make a contractual agreement with specifications of what was to be revised and terms of payments. He never even sent for, or received, approval from the Permanent Secretary of the then Ministry of Public Security, nor the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), SOCU revealed.

In a press statement, SOCU said that the payments, amounting to $10 million, should have been budgeted for and approved by the NPTAB. The GPF has a raft of Standing Orders which comprises 104 orders. These very Standing Orders that James hired the former officers to revise had already been revised by highly qualified and competent policy analysts of the Strategic Planning Unit of the Force.

TURN TO PAGE 11

…for high school results ep…it’s that time of the year again…somewhat delayed, but better late than never, no? Your Eyewitness, of course, is talking about the tantalising bit of news we received from a CXC team that flew in just to bring our CSEC and CAPE results. Now, this is an unprecedented event…to bring our results personally. And during an alarming upsurge in COVID infections that made the Americans give us a Level 4 travel rating – meaning, STAY AWAY!! And that’s why it’s “tantalising” not because of the actual results.

And as far as the latter is concerned, all we got were some comparative statistics on how our kids did overall compared to their peers in the 13 English-speaking Caricom states. Remember that Haiti and Suriname have their own exams in French and Dutch respectively?? So, the “scoop” is that, of the 33 subjects offered by CXC, Guyana topped in 20 of them. Well, who’d quarrel with that? And the answer to that question was hinted at by Minister of Education, Manickchand, and CXC Registrar and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Wayne Wesley, when they broached the ticklish question of the grading of the SBAs, which caused so much confusion (and bitterness) last year!

By the time you read this, the actual results in terms of how individual students performed would have been released. But, in reality, they wouldn’t be the ACTUAL results, because some would still have some SBA issues!!

And this explains the emergency visit of the CXC officials - it was to smooth what would certainly be some ruffled feathers here!! Hell hath no fury like students scorned (and their parents!) about their grades. These, after all, pretty much determine their future in the qualification rat race! Some of the kids from Barbados have an outstanding lawsuit against the entire CXC, which threatens their existence. Ouch!!

But what your Eyewitness really wants to talk about is the relevance of the CXC exams for modern times. They still focus on rote learning, which came down to us from the 19th century. But, thank God, we’ve moved into an era where information is literally at our fingertips. We just have to ask our smartphones for answers on “facts”.

What we now need is more critical thinking in addition to breaking down the barriers between subjects that silos knowledge and prevent us having holistic views on the world out there.

Finland, for instance, has introduced a way of teaching that’s called “Phenomenon Based Learning” (PBL). A particular topic is taught by teachers from all the disciplines - arts, humanities, science etc - so that the student gets a well-rounded synthesis.

Which is what he needs in the real world! ...with PNC’s overreach Well, it looks like this iteration of the PPP won’t make the mistake Jagan made when he entered office after 28 long years of PNC skulduggery. Whether or not he’d agreed with the midwives of the return of free and fair elections, Jagan refused to press charges. He wanted to practise “no recriminations, no victimisation”. But he forgot that pursuing justice against the PNC for all their criminal actions couldn’t be “recrimination or victimisation!!

Justice is blind!!

The upshot was the PNC under Desmond Hoyte retained all their “spunks,” and went after the PPP tooth and nail. And when that didn’t work…started their violent slow fyaah, mo fyaah campaign. But, once bitten, twice shy. And this goes around, the PPP’s bringing charges firstly against all those who tried to rig the elections, and now against those who raped the state’s coffers. The first of the latter bunch is former Finance Minister Winston Jordan of “War Break” fame.

He went for the Shaggy defence: “Wasn’t me!!” Right!! …for sugar’s performance The law is that Government corporations like GuySuCo have to submit annual reports to Parliament on their performance - which includes the “tons cane/tons sugar” ratio.

Have these reports been submitted during the PNC’s 5 years and the PPP’s first?

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

NEWS

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 death toll jumps to 862 with 5 more deaths GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD G

uyana’s death toll from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to rise as the country recorded five more deaths, taking the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 862.

The latest deaths were recorded between October 11 and 15, 2021, and according to the Health Ministry, the patients were admitted with COVID-19 like symptoms but died while receiving care at various medical institutions.

Samples were taken at the time of admission which subsequently returned positive tests.

The details on the latest fatalities are below:

However, new statistics provided by the Ministry showed that 108 new cases of the virus were recorded during a 24-hour period.

In addition, 31 persons are housed in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

There are now 34,240 confirmed cases of the virus

with 120 persons in institutional isolation, 3614 in home isolation and 22 in institutional quarantine.

To date, there have been 29,613 recoveries recorded and of the 336,594 tests conducted, 16,208 males tested positive while 18,032 females received a positive test result.

With the exception of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) all the other administrative regions recorded an increase in their COVID-19 numbers.

Region One (Barima-Waini) saw seven new cases, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) nine new cases, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-

West Demerara) 14, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) 56, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) five new cases, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) 13, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) one new case, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) one new case, and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) two new

cases.

Eight months after the vaccination campaign began, Guyana has managed to vaccinate approximately 371,007 persons or 72.3 per cent with a first dose. Some 228,262 or 44.5 per cent of the adult population received both doses.

For children, 26,130 first doses covering 35.8 per cent, have been administered.

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 on 231-1166, 2267480 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: correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home, maintaining six feet of physical distance from others and good hand hygiene.

Young ECD businessman stabbed to death during robbery – suspect nabbed, confesses to crime

The jewellery that was found in the suspect’s possession

Murdered: Chris Persaud

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young East Coast Demerara (ECD) businessman was on Friday stabbed to death during a robbery on his electronics store. Dead is 20-year-old Chris Persaud of Strathspey, ECD. Based on reports received, the young man operated an electronics store in the area called “Deals on Electronics”.

However, on the day in question at about 17:00h, the young man was in the store when the bandits invaded and held him at knifepoint during which they collected several pieces of electronic devices.

The businessman was also relieved of a gold chain he was wearing at the time along with an undisclosed sum of cash. As the men were about to leave the premises, one of the bandits stabbed the young man to his neck.

Persaud managed to exit the building and raise an alarm. He then collapsed. He was picked up and placed in a vehicle with the intention of being taken to a private medical facility but he succumbed to his injuries. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

At the home of the dead young man, his father, Devin Persaud, told media operatives that his now dead son was in the electronics store while he was in another section of the business place. He noted that at the time, his son was alone in that section.

He could not say what

transpired but he recalled seeing his son exiting the building with a knife stuck to his neck. “All I see is meh son with a knife through and through he neck and then he collapsed… we picked he up and was taking he to the hospital but he died on the way,” the inconsolable father explained.

The devastated father related that he would get a clearer idea of what transpired when he reviews the CCTV footage.

Meanwhile, the Police stated that shortly after the robbery/murder, a 24-yearold man was arrested. In his possession was the gold chain which the young businessman was wearing at the time he was killed. The suspect has since reportedly confessed to the murder. He is assisting the Police with their investigations.

OCTOBER 15, 2021 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

108

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

120

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

3614

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

31

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

22

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

18,032

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

16,208

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

34,240

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

29,613

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

371,007

FULLY IMMUNISED

228,262

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

862

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1560

REGION 2

1348

REGION 3

4658

REGION 4

16,397

REGION 5

1205

REGION 6

2410

REGION 7

1713

REGION 8

539

REGION 9

2430

REGION 10

1980

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.

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Intoxicated man killed after walking into spinning propellers of aircraft ...“His chest was sliced opened” – eyewitness

The scene of the freak accident at Kamarang Airstrip, Region Seven

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ragedy struck on Friday afternoon at the Kamarang Airstrip in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) after a young labourer walked into the swirling propeller of a Cessna Caravan which had just landed.

Nigel Rodrigues, 27, died on the spot after the blades from an Air Services Limited (ASL) plane completely sliced open his chest.

Rodrigues, of Waramadong village, Region Seven, was about to assist in offloading cargo from the plane when the horrific incident occurred at

around 14:55h.

According to information released by the Police, the man was employed by ASL as a porter/cargo handler at the Kamarang Landing.

Police explained that earlier in the day, the porter was imbibing and when the plane landed, he stumbled into the propeller.

“Investigations revealed that the man was imbibing at the Kamarang Landing, when Caravan 8R GFA piloted by a 55-year-old male pilot, landed at the airstrip and before the pilot could properly shut-off

the engine, the victim walked in front of the plane’s propeller which chopped him severely about his body causing his internal organs to protrude,” Police Headquarters related in a statement.

Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Stan Gouveia, when contacted, also confirmed that the victim was drunk at the time of the accident.

ASL’s Accountable Manager Captain Emil Jahan, however, told Guyana Times that the aircraft bearing registration number 8R-GFA, had

Paul Slowe gets bail...

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

Upon his transfer from the unit in November 2019, he instructed the new Head of SPU to ensure she continues mak-

ing out payment accounts for the said officers. She made out accounts as instructed until February 2020.

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

FROM PAGE 8

Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs (former Ministry of Public Security).

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

already landed and was “coming to a safe stop in the parking area” when the individual “accidentally ran into the spinning propeller”.

Persons at the scene recalled seeing the man falling to the ground and blood oozing from his battered body.

One eyewitness who spoke to this newspaper said the man’s ribcage was sliced opened and his organs were visible. “His chest was sliced

Dead: Nigel Rodrigues

completely open. People could have seen his heart taking its last couple of beats,” the eyewitness recalled.

The man’s body was transported to the Kamarang Hospital Mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

Meanwhile, ASL said it is cooperating with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) with the investigation.

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NEWS

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

25 matters disposed of at GBTI, Impressions launch “Hope last session of Demerara Board" for Breast Cancer Awareness Criminal Assizes

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he chamber of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has reported that a total of 25 matters were disposed of at the June session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes. The criminal assizes commenced on June 1, with a total of 331 cases listed to be heard. While 20 matters were presented on indictment at the Demerara High Court, five of them were nolle prosequi by the DPP. Of the 20 cases presented, eight were for murder and 12 for sexual offences. A total of 26 persons appeared in these 20 cases. In five of them, two accused persons were indicted together. There were eight convictions, seven not guilty verdicts, seven guilty pleas, one hung jury, and two formal not guilty verdicts.

Eight matters for the offence of murder were presented before Justice Sandil Kissoon. In one of the cases in which two accused were indicted together, they were both found unanimously guilty by jury verdicts and sentenced to death. In another four cases with a total of six accused, each of them pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Four of them must each serve 15 years before being eligible for parole. The other two will respectively serve 20 years and 30 years in prison before becoming eligible for parole.

In another separate case, the accused also pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

The trial Judge in another matter upheld a no-case submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

And in one other case with two accused, the jury returned hung for the number one while the number two accused was found not guilty.

Over in the Sexual Offences Court, 12 matters were presented - three before Justice Brassington Reynolds and nine before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow. In two of the three matters before Justice Reynolds, both accused were found guilty by jury verdicts for the offence of rape of a child under 16 years.

In the other matter, the accused who was indicted on two counts was sentenced to 25 years on each count. The other one was sentenced to 18 years in prison. The other accused was acquitted by jury verdict. Of the nine cases before Justice Barlow, the juries in five of them returned verdicts of not guilty.

In another one, the accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment. In one other case, the two accused who were indicted together were both found guilty by jury verdicts and were each sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment.

In another matter, the accused who was indicted for rape and assault causing actual bodily harm was found guilty for the alternative offence of assault causing actual bodily harm. He is awaiting sentencing.

There was one other case in which the virtual complainant testified that she did not wish to proceed with the evidence, and as such, the trial Judge directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty.

In the five matters nolle prosequi by the DPP, one was for the offence of attempt to commit murder with an alternative count of discharging a loaded firearm with intent.

The complainant in this matter has since died. The other four matters were for sexual offences. These four complainants submitted written statements indicating that they did not wish to proceed with their respective matters.

Officials and staff of GBTI at the launch on Friday

G

BTI and Impressions on Friday teamed up to transform the I Love Guyana Park in Kingston, Georgetown into a Breast Cancer Awareness Site with the launch of a Hope Message Board.

The Board, bearing messages promoting hope for a cure, support and encouragement for those fighting cancer and the call for healthy lifestyles and self-love, will remain for the rest of the month.

Staff of GBTI and Impressions, along with Adviser to the Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, affixed their messages. Members of the public are encouraged to add their messages to the board.

Globally, October is recognised as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and according to statistics, Guyana ranks highest in the Caribbean with a cancer incidence rate of 46.9% and a mortality rate of 21 per 100,000 persons.

Impressions Marketing Manager Debbie Persaud related at the event that the numbers influenced Friday’s event, and not only stand to heighten awareness, but show support to those affected.

“Today, our bright pink attire represents a hope for survival and the number of lives

survived from cancer. So let us continue to use our influence to foster awareness for early detection, so together we CAN give hope and save lives,” she said.

“Our collective goal today through private/public partnership is therefore for all of us to ensure that there is adequate education and sensitization, so that fewer people develop cancer, more people are successfully treated, and that there is a better quality of life for people during their treatment and beyond.”

Meanwhile, Managing Director of Guyana Americas Merchant Bank, Richard Isava, a Director on the GBTI Board of Directors and a leukemia survivor, said the topic is very close to his heart, his having come from a family, many of whose members were cancer patients.

“One of the most important things is a healthy lifestyle. It’s unfortunate that I waited until I am 55 to start eating healthy and living a healthier lifestyle.

Thanks to GBTI, we started a wellness programme with a dedicated trainer that comes to us four days a week. I encourage more of my colleagues to join the programme and don’t do like me…,” he urged.

“If there is one thing that makes your body less hospitable

to cancer cells, it’s healthy eating and regular exercise,” Isava said of his own experience as he referred to the support and care of family, friends and colleagues, which go a far way.

He noted that GBTI is proud to be part of this initiative to promote cancer awareness, and encouraged everyone to join the fight, including more corporate entities.

Dr Ramsammy reminded that while Breast Cancer is a killer, it does not have to be.

“We can help by preventative measures and by healthy lifestyles,” he said as he noted the dangers of tobacco and similar substances.

According to Dr Ramsammy, there are currently about 700 cases of cancer in Guyana breast cancer being the highest, reflective of the global trend.

“The Government cannot fight cancer alone,” he said. “It has to be a partnership.” And he lauded the effort of GBTI and Impressions.

“Today we are not alone in this fight, which is a good sign”, he said. He noted that there are still gaps to be filled, but pointed to several initiatives the MoH and Government are implementing to ensure there is greater awareness, access and care.

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

La Grange businesswoman, family beaten, robbed during home invasion

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La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) family was on Thursday evening attacked and robbed by two men - one of whom was armed with a gun and the other with a knife.

The incident occurred at around 20:30h whilst the family, who operate a business from their home was about to close

up for the day.

Based on reports received, a 56-year-old businesswoman had sent her nephew to lock the gate to the premises when he was accosted by the bandits who dragged him into the shop.

The businesswoman reportedly told investigators that she became fearful for her life, and pleaded with the bandits to

have mercy.

However, one of the bandits took out his gun, pointed it to the woman’s head and started to cuff and kick her about the body. The other perpetrator whipped out his knife and dealt her two cuts on her thighs.

The bandits also tied up the woman’s sister as well as her

nephew before making good their escape with cash and other valuables.

The bandits escaped with $120,000 in cash as well as a

quantity of jewellery and two cellular phones. The matter was reported to the La Grange Police Station and the victims were escorted to the West

Demerara Regional Hospital where they were treated. Up to press time, no arrests were made as investigations continue.

Lethem man busted with ganja, cocaine during Police raid

The ganja that was found at Tabatinga village, Lethem

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26-year-old man is now in Police custody after he was found with 20 grams of ganja and two grams of cocaine in his possession at Tabatinga village, Lethem, Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Police stated that acting on information received, they went to the suspect’s home

The cocaine that was found at Tabatinga village, Lethem

during which a search was conducted. The search unearthed a black plastic bag in a bin in the kitchen area.

Upon checking the bag, 18 small transparent zip lock bags were found containing the ganja.

The suspect was then told of the offence and cautioned during which he said, “Boss let me work out something”. He

was subsequently arrested.

A further search carried out on the premises unearthed the suspected cocaine. He was again told of the Police’s suspicions and cautioned, and he replied “When I hear is Police, I throw it through my window”.

He was taken to the Lethem Police Station pending charges.

Decomposed body of Linden man found hanging through window

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he decomposed body of a 70-year-old man was discovered in a leaning position through the window of his Wisroc, Linden home on Thursday.

The dead man has been identified as Omar Shamsuddeen.

He had reportedly remigrated from the United States of America (USA), and was living in Wisroc Housing Scheme, Wismar, Linden, Region 10

(Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Police reported that the dead man was found by a 40-year-old mason of Wismar, Linden.

It was reported that Police in the area were informed of the incident and visited the scene, where the body was observed next to a water tank in the yard, naked and partially decomposed.

“The head and chest were

in a leaning position through a metal grill of an eastern window in the house. The body was removed and checked for marks of violence but none was seen,” Police reported.

Following the discovery, the body was picked up and transported to the DGetsco Funeral Home, where it is awaiting a post-mortem. An investigation has been launched into the discovery.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Rapist challenges 25-year jail sentence

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minibus driver who is now serving 25 years in prison for raping a 15-year-old schoolgirl has applied to the Guyana Court of Appeal to set aside his conviction and sentence.

Sanjeev Datadin, the lawyer for 44-year-old Inteaz Mohammed recently filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal.

In the document, Mohammed states that he is wholly dissatisfied with the conviction and sentence of the High Court and outlined several grounds upon which he intends to rely. In his ground of appeal against sentencing, he contended that the prison term is unduly severe and/or harsh.

The court is yet to fix a date for hearing this matter.

Mohammed, called “Uncle Shameer”, 44, of Success, East Coast Demerara, was convicted of the offence by a jury in June. Trial Judge Brassington Reynolds imposed the custodial sentence on him following a trial at the High Court in Demerara.

Between September 1 and 30, 2014, and January 1 and 30, 2015, in the county of Demerara, Mohammed raped the underage girl. The jury’s verdict in relation to both indictments was unanimous.

Mohammed and the 15-year-old girl are known to each other. At that time, he operated a school bus and would transport the teenager to and from school. In September 2014, Mohammed picked up the girl from school, transported her to a dark, bushy area, and raped her.

The court heard that

Child rapist Inteaz Mohammed

Mohammed threatened to kill himself and the young girl if she told anyone about what had happened.

Again, in January 2015, Mohammed picked up the girl from lessons, took her to the same location, and raped her. The following month, the girl’s elder brother started to pick her up from lessons. This continued until she finished school.

Mohammed got a hold of her phone number and began harassing her.

Sometime after, he went to her home while her mother was out and gave her a letter and threatened to kill her if she disclosed its content. The girl later confided in her brother. A Police report was made, and the man was arrested.

Through a victim impact statement, the young girl expressed how the actions of Mohammed have affected her. “Being raped was the worst and most painful thing I ever experienced. I felt scared, helpless, and traumatised. He [Mohammed] was a monster to me. I was depressed dealing with the

painful memories by myself; it was difficult. I felt like my body wasn’t mine anymore.”

The young lady said that she is unable to forgive the man for what he has done to her. She revealed that due to the sexual violence meted out on her, she is not only unable to trust another person but is also suffering from sleep deprivation as she is haunted by memories of the ordeal.

The victim said, “I was living in fear every day. Fear took over me, many nights I cried myself to sleep. Inteaz continued to harass me, him being in front of me every day was torture to deal with.”

Expressing satisfaction with Mohammed’s conviction, she added, “I am now pleased he is away from me.

I can finally resume my life where I can continue my studies. I am hoping that he is kept away from me for as long as possible so that I can be safe and live my life…”

On this note, the young girl asked Justice Reynolds to impose the maximum penalty on the rapist.

In brief remarks to the court, Mohammed said, “I would begin with asking this court to be lenient on me and to have mercy on me. I have been accused wrongfully. I have a daughter who is 16 years old, and she would be punished more than me.

I came with one thing in mind - to prove my innocence. I didn’t commit this act,” convicted child rapist Mohammed said in brief remarks to the court.”

Justice Reynolds, in his sentencing remarks, said the courts have taken note

of the continuing disregard by bus and taxi drivers who continue to consider schoolgirls as “theirs for the taking”.

“Bus drivers across the breadth and length of our country, drivers who continue to consider schoolgirls who travel in their busses and cars to go to school as theirs for the taking. Our courts most continue to set its faces against such behaviour,” he made clear.

Against this backdrop, Justice Reynolds stressed that the “courts must send a message to those who may be harbouring such beastly thoughts.”

While Mohammed has no previous brushes with the law, the Judge said that this must be weighed against the predatory manner in which he betrayed the trust imposed on him by the victim.

Although the Judge

pointed out that a life sentence would be the best way to remove Mohammed from the rest of society whose values and norms he has flagrantly betrayed, he pointed out that consideration had to be given to several determinants in arriving at an appropriate jail term.

Among those considered

by Justice Reynolds were the convict’s favourable probation report, his age, home, and economic circumstances, and the fact that he has no previous antecedents.

Having given credence to the foregoing, the Judge disclosed that he was inclined to impose a term of years, instead of life imprisonment.

As such, Mohammed was jailed for 25 years on each of the two counts of rape. The sentences will, however, be served concurrently.

Meanwhile, a probation report revealed that

Mohammed’s family members described him as a helpful, caring, and kind person who was not involved in criminal activities. Persons in his community also stated that he was well-mannered.

They nevertheless said that they were shocked and saddened at his involvement in the crime.

A probation officer disclosed that the convict expressed no remorse and stated that he was “scared to death for the outcome of the matter” and preferred “a rope around his neck.”

According to the probation officer, the nature of the offence Mohammed committed against the girl is even more heinous since he violated her trust. “The act of abuse is a plight in our society. And those who commit such acts must be condignly dealt with by the law…,” the officer noted.

Woman busted with cocaine in pepperpot, curry remanded to prison

T

hree days after she was busted with a quantity of cocaine in bowls of frozen food at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), 33-year-old Mallika Lambert was on Friday remanded to prison for the offence of trafficking in narcotics.

She appeared at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrates’ Courts and pleaded not guilty to the charge. She is due to return to court on November 11.

Ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU)

Remanded: Mallika Lambert

had intercepted the woman with the drug on October 12 at the CJIA. At the time, she was an outgoing passenger on a Copa Airlines flight destined to Panama with onward connections to JFK, New York.

When CANU ranks searched her luggage, 6.232 kilograms of suspected cocaine were found concealed in a bowl of curry and a bowl of pepperpot in one of her check-in luggage. As such, she was arrested and charged.

18 NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Multi-million-dollar Kitty gold heist

Ex-GDF Sergeant pleads guilty, to be sentenced on Nov 5 − says he was struggling to maintain family

K

eyon King, the former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant who was previously charged and remanded to prison over a multimillion-dollar robbery committed on Wallison’s Enterprise, Gordon Street Kitty, Georgetown, has pleaded guilty to several counts of robbery under arms.

He was arraigned before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on Friday and changed his previous not guilty pleas to guilty. 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 and was finding it difficult to save money to build a house. As such, he added that he did not think twice when an offer was made to him to rob the establishment.

Ex-GDF Sergeant Keyon King

Delroy Jackson

Peon Lee

King, nevertheless, apologised to his family and the GDF for his unlawful act.

The Magistrate instructed that a probation report be prepared on King who returns to court on November 5 for sentencing.

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 in cash 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

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

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 received, 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

the gold industry.

Following the successful operation, King along with his wife were 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 them 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.

19 High performances recorded in English, Social Studies at NGSA NEWS

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…Ministry to implement mechanisms to address zero scores – Manickchand

T

he National Grade Six Assessment for 2021 recorded high performance for both English and Social Studies among students who would have sat the examination.

The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) was tasked with setting the assessment, along with additional responsibility to supervise, grade and conduct quality checks.

As the Education Ministry on Friday announced the anticipated results at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, CXC’s Director of Operations, Dr Nicole Manning gave a breakdown of the results.

There was a 65.7 per cent pass rate for English, with 242 students securing a perfect score. For social studies, the percentage pass increased to 56.3. Science secured a pass rate of 40.1 per cent while Mathematics recorded 36.5 per cent pass.

“Just to put into perspective, we want to share that

Director of Operations at CXC, Dr Nicole Manning

English would have had the highest and best performance for 2021. Social Studies would have had the second-best performance, Science and Maths [in third and fourth respectively],” the Director announced.

Candidates performing better than 75 per cent saw a breakdown of 1980 females and 1547 males. Top performers by gender were seven females and three males.

Even with high scores, there are instances where students scored zero.

Mathematics would have seen 10 students scoring zero marks. Dr Manning pointed out that attention must be paid to both ends of the spectrum, with the necessary strategies in place to improve on the low performance side.

“In every one of the exams, you would have had candidates scoring at both ends.

Just as how most times, we’re very interested in the high performance, I’m sure the Ministry of Education is just as interested in the lower performance and would want to make sure that the necessary improvements are put in place to ensure that these students are brought up to par,” she underscored.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Priya Manickchand highlighted that CXC’s role has been expanded in the NGSA, to maintain the integrity of these exams.

“CXC will be doing any review that is applied for, not NCERD (National Centre for Education Resource Development). This year,

Fire destroys ECD house, agro-processing facility

The property completely engulfed in flames

A

processing plant and adjoining house at Agriculture Road, Triumph East Coast Demerara (ECD) was on Friday destroyed by fire, leaving millions of dollars in losses.

Reports are that the fire started at about 13:00h at the Lot 26 Agriculture Road, ECD property – which houses the M and E Processing Enterprise.

Rajendra Deonarine, who is an employee of the business and one of four occupants in the building, recalled working downstairs when he was alerted of the fire. One explosion later, the entire upper flat was in flames.

“We were downstairs working. I was at the back

and my boss called me and said something went off upstairs. By the time I run outside, I see the front room catch afire, which is from the main fuse and then it spread to the whole house in a couple seconds,” he recollected.

He said nothing could have been done to salvage the wooden and concrete building, given the rapid progression of the fire.

“I can’t blame the fire service because I know it took time and it start off in a couple of seconds. There was nothing that could be done.

It’s a good thing nobody was upstairs.”

Guyana Times understands that the owner operated a processing and manufacturing facility from the

property, producing vinegar, essence, cassareep among other products. All of those items were destroyed along with millions of dollars’ worth in articles. Acids, tanks, plastics for their operation were also lost.

“We had phone, money left upstairs. My boss had some money too. Everything gone,” Deonarine shared.

At the scene, firefighters managed to contain the fire, which had already ripped through the top flat. Only the bottom section remained intact with extensive damages.

Initial reports suggest that the fire was electrical in nature. The Guyana Fire Service is still continuing its investigation in to the inferno.

CXC takes the exam from the top to the bottom and we believe that is truly the only way to say they’re here.

She added that from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been a challenging time for the education sector. However, through contingency plans and innovation, the Ministry was able to secure promising results.

“This is the worst year possible in a long time and it is the year we produced the most. Every single child got every single textbook you needed. This is the year we created a television programme for every topic that is likely to be tested and had a teacher teaching online.

We put that on TV and we put it online. This is the year we put together questions and posted them online and

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

students can answer them and get their results immediately. This is the year we consolidated the curriculum so that instead of 40 weeks, we consolidated into 20 weeks.”

She continued, “Things like COVID will never win because we will always stand up, facing challenges. There

is nothing like can’t and we will rise up from this.”

Even in light of the current crisis, she said Government is pushing for every student to have a solid secondary education, regardless of their location or school.

Moving forward, Manickchand noted that emphasis must be placed on mechanisms to improve on the zero scores. She relayed that while Guyana had instances of zero scoring in the past, the Ministry chose this year to highlight this issue.

“You can’t take a child who can’t put a single word on the paper and get marks and throw them into a high school and expect them to function. You have to find individualised pathways for that child or else you’re failing them even before you begin,” she outlined.

Man collapses, dies at LBI

A

67-year-old pensioner reportedly collapsed and died on Friday at about 08:00h in the vicinity of the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Community Centre Ground, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The man has been identified as Jagnarine Narayan of Good Hope, ECD. When contacted, the Commander of Regional Division 4C, Khali Pareshram, stated there were no marks

of violence on the man’s body that suggested foul play was involved.

The man was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. It was only two Fridays ago, a 58-yearold woman collapsed and died while attending the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

Gloria Thomas, a housewife of Vigilance South, ECD, had accompanied her son to the

court and it was while waiting for the court to begin, Thomas reportedly complained of feeling unwell, and collapsed in the courtroom.

Despite efforts by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who administered her oxygen, the woman remained unconscious, and was thus rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

20

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

Don't take risks with your money, health or legal (March 21matters. Size up situations April 19) and do what's best for you.

Take time to relax with a loved one. Discuss plans and make decisions together.

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

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CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Indecisiveness will be your downfall. Don't let an emotional matter stand between you and common sense. Do what's necessary and keep moving forward. Don't forget what and who you are dealing with.

Think straight and keep your emotions under wraps.

Plan a day filled with fun and spend time with people who bring out the best in you. Refuse to engage with someone's dramatic antics.

Take a stab at something you've longed to do, and you will discover information that takes you by surprise. Put more thought into the changes you can make and connect with people who can help you.

Stop laboring over something you cannot change, and embrace what life has to offer. Engage in events or activities that promote deep discussions, information and stimulating connections.

You'll be drawn to the unusual and moved by what you encounter. A positive change is within reach if you take a deep breath and proceed. Don't hesitate; gather information quickly and be decisive.

Do what makes you happy.

Explore what nature has to offer or chat with people who put a smile on your face.

Appreciate and protect what you have, regardless of temptation or boredom.

Take care of responsibilities that are standing between you and the life you want to live. Educational pursuits, tidying up loose ends and envisioning what you want will help you advance.

Keep your cards close to SAGITTARIUS your chest. It's essential to (Nov. 23understand the complexDec. 21) ities of a situation before you wade in. Expect someone to use manipulative tactics.

Take time to exercise.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

FRIDAY'S WORD -- EXPONENTS

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

Put your energy where it will bring the highest return. Idle time will lead to frustration and disagreements that are best avoided.

If you want to make changes, start with yourself.

Pay more attention to what is possible and less to what isn't. Your timing will be vital if you want to take advantage of a proposal or partnership opportunity.

Keep the peace.

Physical and emotional difficulties will surface if you (Feb. 20take risks or get involved March 20) in something that causes stress. Divide your time appropriately to avoid upsetting a loved one.

PISCES

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021

21

Chinese Grand Prix is expected to be dropped from 2022 F1 calendar

T

he Chinese Grand Prix is expected to be dropped from the 2022 Formula 1 calendar when next year's schedule is published.

The Shanghai race has not been held since the coronavirus pandemic began, and restrictions surrounding COVID in China mean holding it is impossible. It will be replaced by the Emilia Romagna GP at Imola on 24 April.

F1 is set to publish a record 23-race calendar, with all the other established events absent this season reinstated. Races in Australia, Canada, Singapore and Japan are all set to take place in 2022. All four countries have missed the last two seasons as a result of their respective national restrictions surrounding COVID-19.

The 2022 season will start in Bahrain on 20 March, and end in Abu Dhabi on 20 November, and 23 races would be crammed into just 35 weeks. The championship will end three weeks earlier than this year's, to avoid a clash with the Football World Cup in Qatar.

And it features the first race in Miami, a blue-riband event that is being held in addition to the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas with the hope of growing F1's audience in America.

This year, F1 published a 23-race calendar, but had

to amend it as a number of countries decided they could not hold races in the middle of the pandemic. In the end, 22 races will be held this year, despite cancellation of the events in Australia, China, Canada, Singapore and Japan.

F1 is confident that the chances of this happening again next year are greatly reduced.

Japan, which has managed to bring COVID back under control after a summer surge that coincided with the Tokyo Olympics, is considered the event most likely to fall if the circumstances surrounding the virus change.

Australia, which has had some of the world's most stringent COVID travel restrictions, has been moved from its traditional slot at the start of the season to become the third race to give it more time to prepare for the Grand Prix.

F1's new Sprint format made its debut at Silverstone in July. F1 has been discussing with governing body the FIA and the teams the idea of increasing the number of events running the new 'sprint' format. Two of these events, which move qualifying to Friday and have a one-third distance race on Saturday to set the grid for the main Grand Prix, have already been held this year, and a third is scheduled for

the Brazilian event next month.

F1 and the teams met at the F1 Commission meeting on Wednesday, and discussed the idea of having six 'sprint' events next year.

However, discussions are ongoing, and debate centres around the sport's budget cap.

Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari argue that the sprint events are expensive, because they feature two races rather than one, and are pushing for the budget cap to remain at this year's level of $145m (£114m) if there are to be six sprint events, rather than reduce it to $140m as planned.

Other teams are not happy with the idea of keeping the budget cap at this year's level, and a compromise has not yet been reached.

It has not been decided which races will hold the sprint events in 2022, but F1 is working towards a plan in which there is a mix of historic events, such as Silverstone, and the higher-paying new tracks, such as those in the Middle East.

There have also been discussions about increasing the number of points awarded in the 'sprint' race on Saturday, and reversing the decision to award pole position to the winner of the 'sprint' race rather than the driver who sets the fastest time in qualifying. (BBC.COM)

C

ricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA) wishes to extend its best wishes to the Senior West Indies cricket team for a dominantly successful ICC T20 World Cup 2021 tournament in the UAE during the next few weeks.

The CWIMA is cognisant of the fact that the team is a blend of mature and experienced players in this format of the game, where they have been found to be the most successful in their exploits.

Most of the players have had the benefit of recently playing in the CPL in the Caribbean a few weeks ago, and would have had some quality time to spend with

their families and to recharge their batteries, while a few of them went on to ply their trade in the IPL at the same venues where the World Cup will be played, so they should all be match ready for T20 cricket.

The CWIMA also said, “We are counting on the Windies team to make this their 3rd Championship Title at the ICC T20 World Cup, and urge all fans and critics alike of West Indies cricket to rally around our guys on the eve of this most important tournament.”

CWIMA is presently preparing their Masters team to tour Thailand in early January, for 8 games over a 17-day period.

Terrence Williams returned as President of Potaro Strikers FC

Walsh Jr admits he was anxious ahead of T20 selections “I was a little bit worried,” he says

L

eg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr has admitted he was somewhat worried over whether he would have been included in the West Indies 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup, to be played from 17 October to 14 November in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.

Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo sports show, Walsh said that after being excluded from the Barbados Royals squad for a number of matches in this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the thought of him possibly not going to the biennial tournament crossed his mind a few times.

“My confidence wasn’t down, but I would say I was a little bit worried that being left out of the squad would probably put me out of the World Cup squad, but I spoke with a few persons and they told me to just don’t worry, ‘Just keep yourself ready so that when you get to Dubai you can get going’,” he said.

Walsh, the first Antiguan player to be included in a T20 World Cup squad, could become the first from the twin-island state to play at the prestigious tournament.

The player is backing himself to make the country proud.

“I think my cricket is re-

ally on top right now, and I should really sometimes look at the glass being halffull rather than half-empty.

I have always set high standards for myself, so it is an honour to be the first from Antigua to be at a T20 World Cup, and I just really want to go out there and make Antigua proud,” he said.

Walsh has claimed 23 wickets in 26 T20 International matches for the West Indies, who will play in Group One of the Super 12, where they will face Australia, England and South Africa. The regional team will open their campaign on October 23 against England. (Antigua Observer)

M

embers of the Potaro Strikers Football Club of Bartica signalled their recommitment to the development of the game when the club met on Thursday and held its Annual General Meeting to elect the new Executive Committee for the next constitutional term.

Among those elected to serve is Terrence Williams, who has been trusted with leading the club for a second term.

The new Executive Committee has been named below. * President: Terrence Williams

* Vice-President: Andrew Chandler * Secretary: Morris Waddell * Treasurer: Devon Spencer * Committee Members: Carmelita Singh, Curtis Joseph, Keiron Spencer.

President Williams, in thanking all for their participation and confidence, promised to foster unity and commitment towards the good of the club and the game at large.

The Bartica Football Association is in the process of ensuring that its members identify their respective structures by way of holding their Annual General Meetings.

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021

IPL 2021 Championship game…

T

he Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made good on their promise to erase last season's aberration as one comeback story trumped another in the IPL 2021 final. MS Dhoni and his team put an end to the Kolkata Knight Riders'(KKR’s) rollicking second half of the season as they picked up their fourth IPL title.

Barring Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, no team has won the title after finishing outside the top two since the playoffs system was introduced in the IPL, and KKR didn't come close to turning that around. Having elected to bowl, they endured one of their worst evenings in the field since the tournament moved to the UAE, with CSK's top order not letting their spinners settle down, while taking plenty of runs off their fast bowlers.

Faf du Plessis led the charge, making 86 as he anchored half-century stands for each of the three wickets that fell during the course of CSK's 192. Robin Uthappa and Moeen Ali each played their part with the bat, before Shardul Thakur ended Venkatesh Iyer's innings - and a dangerous opening stand - to cut KKR's middle order open and consign them to their first defeat in an IPL final.

Chennai Super Kings team celebrating

in IPL 2021, this time with a free-flowing 86 in the biggest game of the lot.

His innings ended off the last ball of the innings, and meant the tournament finished with the top two run-getters being from CSK, his opening partner Ruturaj Gaikwad being the other.

The pair put CSK into top gear as soon as the final began. Gaikwad's method usually leans towards safety-first early in the innings, but he flipped the script when KKR

brought on a favourable match-up: Shakib Al Hasan bowled two overs in the powerplay, and Gaikwad, who has never got out to a leftarm spinner in the IPL and has scored at over 10 an over against these bowlers, decided he wouldn't miss out. He got two boundaries and a six against him in those overs, even as it became apparent this pitch had nothing close to the traits

of Sharjah's.

But KKR managed to keep Gaikwad in check towards the end of the powerplay, and his 32 off 27, when he fell to Sunil Narine in the ninth over, looked unflattering by the end.

Then du Plessis and Robin Uthappa - who got 63 in CSK's last game - took the attack through the middle overs. Again, it was through Shakib that the shackles were broken, his third over fetching a six each for du Plessis and Uthappa. That 63-run partnership off 5.2 overs involved a six in every over but one, not counting the over in which the pair were united. du Plessis also tucked into Lockie Ferguson's back-of-alength deliveries to score picturesque

parallel ended there. Shakib was able to be economical bowling early in the innings in Sharjah, but was taken down by Gaikwad in the powerplay. Dinesh Karthik missed a stumping of du Plessis early on and their goto fast bowler, Ferguson, went for 56, his most expensive IPL spell.

Morgan himself misfielded twice in what became KKR's worst bowling innings of the UAE leg.

Dhoni drops Iyer, Gill saved by wire

du Plessis shows up again for CSK

In the previous two times - 2018 and 2019 - when CSK reached the IPL playoffs, du Plessis had managed to get a half-century in one of those big games. He did it again

SCOREBOARD CHENNAI SUPER KINGS INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Ruturaj Gaikwad c Shivam Mavi b Narine 32 Faf du Plessis c Iyer b Shivam Mavi 86 Robin Uthappa lbw b Narine 31 Moeen Ali not out 37 Extras (b 1, lb 1, nb 1, w 3) 6 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 9.60) 192/3 Did not bat: Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c)†, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood Fall of wickets: 1-61 (Ruturaj Gaikwad, 8.1 ov), 2-124 (Robin Uthappa, 13.3 ov), 3-192 (Faf du Plessis, 19.6 ov) BOWLING Shakib Al Hasan Shivam Mavi Lockie Ferguson Varun Chakravarthy Sunil Narine Venkatesh Iyer

O-M-R-W 3-0-33-0 4-0-32-1 4-0-56-0 4-0-38-0 4-0-26-2 1-0-5-0

Dwayne Bravo receiving the Safari Super Striker of the season award

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS INNINGS (TARGET: 193 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Shubman Gill lbw b Chahar 51 Venkatesh Iyer c Jadeja b Thakur 50 Nitish Rana c du Plessis b Thakur 0 Sunil Narine c Jadeja b Hazlewood 2 Eoin Morgan (c) c Chahar b Hazlewood 4 Dinesh Karthik† c Rayudu b Jadeja 9 Shakib Al Hasan lbw b Jadeja 0 Rahul Tripathi c Ali b Thakur 2 Lockie Ferguson not out 18 Shivam Mavi c Chahar b Bravo 20 Varun Chakravarthy not out 0

The Chennai Super Kings players celebrating the win of the IPL 2021 title

boundaries, the highlight being a back-foot punch over extra cover.

A tiring du Plessis managed only 34 off his last 24 balls, but the sixes never stopped for CSK. Moeen Ali, back at No. 4 after a shortlived Shardul Thakur experiment in their last match, hit three of them. By the end of the innings, it was 10 sixes, three consecutive half-century stands and a score of 192 after being put in to bat in a final.

The only thing CSK had worried about at that stage was how good the pitch still was, and the prospect of dew.

Extras (nb 1, w 8) 9 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.25) 165/9 Fall of wickets: 1-91 (Venkatesh Iyer, 10.4 ov), 2-93 (Nitish Rana, 10.6 ov), 3-97 (Sunil Narine, 11.3 ov), 4-108 (Shubman Gill, 13.2 ov), 5-119 (Dinesh Karthik, 14.5 ov), 6-120 (Shakib Al Hasan, 14.6 ov), 7-123 (Rahul Tripathi, 15.4 ov), 8-125 (Eoin Morgan, 16.3 ov), 9-164 (Shivam Mavi, 19.5 ov) BOWLING Deepak Chahar Josh Hazlewood Shardul Thakur Dwayne Bravo Ravindra Jadeja

O-M-R-W 4-0-32-1 4-0-29-2 4-0-38-3 4-0-29-1 4-0-37-2

KKR's off-day in the field

Faf du Plessis brought up another half-century

The path to the final for the Kolkata Knight Riders, after qualifying, had one thing in common - they bowled first, strangled two teams, and chased when batting got easier. The first part of that went alright in the final, Morgan won the toss and elected to bowl, but the

Venkatesh Iyer was reprieved off the second ball of his innings, MS Dhoni putting down a routine catch going reverse-cup to his left after Josh Hazlewood had induced an edge. Iyer went on to make his fourth fifty of the season, managing especially to pick the gaps in an off-side ring that at one point had six fielders. He also showed off what has become a trademark swing to the leg side with the ball immediately after he was dropped.

Dhoni was duly forced into bowling Dwayne Bravo over Ravindra Jadeja after a wicketless powerplay of 55 runs.

When Dhoni had no choice but to bring on Jadeja, Iyer managed two sixes over the leg side to hit him back out of the attack.

The other fifty, Shubman Gill's, might not have happened if Ambati Rayudu's catch running in from deep midwicket had stood. It didn't stand because the miscued slog touched the spidercam wire on its way down, rendering the ball dead immediately.

Dhoni, at that point, was shaking his head in frustration. KKR's opening stand put up 91 in 10.3 overs.

Thakur brings CSK back, KKR crumble

CSK needed wickets, and Shardul Thakur was the man who delivered. Iyer looked to launch him on the up over extra cover and ended up slicing it high for Jadeja, who held on with his fingertips before wrapping his palms around it at

sweeper cover.

The sense of relief for CSK was palpable at that point as they jogged towards Jadeja. A small opening had been made, but the required rate was hovering about ten, and KKR had nine wickets in hand.

But Thakur struck again in the same over. An injured Rahul Tripathi wasn't available to come in, and Nitish Rana came in at No. 3.

Thakur's cross-seam delivery stuck in the pitch, and Rana's drive on the up only meant a catch at mid-off for a first-ball duck.

Narine came in at No. 4, Dhoni went to his fastest bowler immediately, and Hazlewood ended that gambit in two balls.

At that point, 91 for 0 had turned to 97 for 3 in six legal balls, and that turned to 120 for 6 by the end of the 15th over. Here's how: with the momentum swinging their way, Dhoni went back to Jadeja to try and tie KKR down further, and he got Dinesh Karthik and Shakib in one over, immediately after Deepak Chahar had ended Gill's laboured 51 off 43.

There was no other double-digit score for KKR outside of the openers', until Lockie Ferguson and Shivam Mavi found some boundaries; but by then the match was well beyond KKR's reach.

(ESPNcricinfo)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Wong set for training in Germany with Digicom’s support

T

able tennis player Miguel Wong will depart local shores today for a training stint in Germany prior to back-toback international competitions in South America.

Just before his departure, Digicom pitched in with last minute support to ensure the table tennis player receives the highest level of training.

On Friday morning, Digicom was the latest business entity to join Wong’s support system in helping to finance his international training stint.

The presentation was made by Digicom’s Leslyn Cameron, and on the receiving end was a very grateful Miguel Wong.

“On behalf of Digicom, we’ll be presenting Miguel Wong…to aid in his preparation,” the Digicom representative said.

In gratitude, Wong stated, “I’m very elated to have Digicom come on board as my latest supporter towards these games.”

He went on to add, “I’m very grateful for the support so far from Corporate Guyana; from the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA); all the members of the clubs, family, friends, and everyone who in their own way have pitched whatever little to support. It always means a lot.

“Moving forward I’ll put my best foot forward to make Guyana proud,” Wong vowed.

In preparation for the Junior Pan American Games and Senior ITTF Pan Am Games, Miguel Wong is returning to the Topspin Tennis Center in Germany for a high- performance, three-week training pro-

Shimron Hetmyer

gramme. Thereafter, he will head to Peru for the Senior Games and to Colombia for the Junior Games.

Since receiving the news of his qualification, Wong has been training locally with Coach Idi Lewis in sessions he views as successful.

“The preparation so far locally has been going great.

I’ve been doing a lot of multiball and game tactical plays in Guyana with Coach Idi (Lewis). I’m due to leave for Europe tomorrow, Saturday, where I’ll be spending at least three weeks in a training camp,” Wong related.

The Senior Pan Am Championships are scheduled for November 13-19 in Lima, Peru, while the inaugural Junior Games are billed for November 25 to December 5 in Cali, Colombia.

4th annual Urban Benjamin Memorial "Gold" race set for Sunday

23

F

Royston Crandon

ormer Guyana and West Indies batsman Royston Crandon is projecting a win for the West Indies at the International Cricket Council’s T20 World Cup tournament, which is set to begin on Sunday in Dubai.

West Indies, the defending champions, will open their campaign against their nemesis England on October 23rd, and Crandon, the former hard-hitting batsman who represented the West Indies in a solitary one-day inter-

national against India in South Africa in 2009, believes the West Indies are capable of reclaiming the championship.

Iterating the importance of consistency in both departments of the game at this mega-event, Crandon has said, “I [am] absolutely confident West Indies can be the victorious side at this World Cup. I think they are capable of retaining the title as well, because they have got a good team to do it,” Crandon mentioned.

Questioned on the composition of the side, which is loaded with T20 specialists, Crandon declared that the side has the firepower to make headlines in Dubai.

“Yes, obviously, the team is well-balanced and they have a lot of experienced T20 players, and that will give them a psychological boost to come out on top; it is just a matter of positive cricket,” Crandon, who had also been a a versatile all-rounder during his representation for Guyana, related.

West Indies will certainly bank on their ‘Big-Name’

players to make an impression in their Group 1 contests. This group consists of Australia and South Africa as the other heavyweights.

“West Indies have some quality players who might be under pressure because they are defending champions, and many fans would want to see them lifting the trophy again, but this version really suits West Indies, and I am very optimistic they will give 100 percent efforts,” the right-handed Crandon commented.

The Caribbean unit will be led by pugnacious middle-order batsman Kieran Pollard, and he will have his Trinidadian compatriot Nicolas Pooran as his deputy. Pooran is also a belligerent, world-class T20 batsman, and expectation is high he can be a dominant batsman. Other high-profile players like Andre Russell, Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Shimron Hetmyer are fascinating T20 athletes too, and the cricketing fraternity will be anxious to view some scintillating displays from them.

The final is slated for November 14.

GBBFF pays courtesy call on the DoS and Chairman of the NSC

G

uyana's top cyclists will continue their battle on Sunday October 17 when they invade the Essequibo Coast for the fourth annual Urban Benjamin Memorial cycle race organised by Evolution Cycle Club and sponsored by businessman Conrad Gomes.

Seniors, juniors and under-45 cyclists will travel from Charity to Supenaam before returning to the starting line for the finish, covering a distance of 74 miles. The ladies and over50s will pedal off about two minutes before the other categories, and will turn back at Anna Regina, covering about 35 miles. The top six seniors along with the top three in the other categories will all be rewarded.

The late Urban Benjamin had been a cy-

cling enthusiast. He met his demise following an ATV accident whilst working in the interior. Sponsor of this event, businessman Conrad Gomes, and his company, in an effort to keep the memory of a good worker alive, decided to host this event for the lad who hailed from the Pomeroon.

President of Team Evolution Cycle Club, Keith Fernandes, had said it is the tradition of the club to present all entrance fees garnered to Benjamin’s widow, who attends all the races and would be present on Sunday for the contest.

The last time this race was held was in 2019, and it was won by Jamual John, who is expected to defend his title on Sunday, coming fresh from last Sunday’s Kadir Mohamed Memorial ‘Ounce of Gold’

race triumph. The inaugural race was won by Paul De Nobrega, with his Evolution teammate Christopher ‘Chicken Legs’ Griffith winning the race the other year.

With the terrain being a flat one, this race is anticipated to be a very fast and tactical contest, with the likes of Briton John; the Burrowes brothers, Horace and Yohan; Alex Mendes, Paul Choo Wee Nam, Walter GrantStuart, Curtis Dey and Andrew Hicks all staking a claim for the top prize.

The juniors’ class will see the likes of Sherwin Sampson, Alex Leung, Mario Washington and Aaron Newton battling, while the ladies’ division is expected to be dominated yet again by National Champion Susan Hamilton.

Members of the GBBFF Executive and athletes pose with the Director of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission

T

he Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation made a courtesy call on the Director of Sports, Steve Ninvalle, and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Kashief Muhammad, on Tuesday, October 12.

At that meeting, President of the GBBFF, Keavon Bess, introduced the members of the successful CAC 2021 team, which included bronze medalist in the Junior Bikini category, Rosanna Fung, and silver medalist in the male physique category, Emmerson Campbell.

The opportunity was also used to present the Federation’s budget for its highly anticipated Seniors National Championships slated for the 18th December, 2021.

Both Ninvalle and Muhammad indicated that the Commission would strongly contribute financially to the staging of the first Seniors National Competition to be held since 2019. The exact extent of that financial support has not yet been indicated,

but the GBBFF is anticipating that, with its fundraising activities and support from the National Sports Commission and other sponsors such as Fitness Express, it would be able to make Seniors 2021 a grand spectacle.

Guyana’s successful bid to host CAC 2024 was also high on the agenda at the meeting, and both Ninvalle and Muhammad congratulated the GBBFF on its successful bid, and further expressed their happiness at Guyana being given opportunity to host such an international competition. They equally encouraged the GBBFF to commence preparations now, because 2024 is right around the corner.

Both Ninvalle and Muhammad have been informed that Guyana will be sending two athletes to the 2021 Dominican Republic IFBB Open, slated for 22nd24th October, 2021. The athletes have been named as Darious Ramsammy and Nicholas Albert.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2021

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

IPL 2021 Championship game…

See story on page 22

Wong set for training in 4th annual Urban Germany with Benjamin Memorial “Gold” race set for Sunday Digicom’s support Page 23

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