Guyana Times - Saturday September 11, 2021

“Recognise advancement of women in society” – First Lady P17

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4767

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

Guyana will not be bullied by Venezuela – President Ali See story on page 3

Sod turned for $2B multi-specialty hospital on Essequibo Coast

See story on page 16

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Infrastructure development key priority of Government – Prime Minister P2

Fireman P10 takes GFS to court over removal from promotions list Elderly woman rescues child from burning P13 home

Miner stabbed to death P11 during robbery

…returned from interior to see newborn baby

…to have 250 beds, modern ICU

25 acres of land for cash crop farming in Region 2 See story on page 7

10 more die from COVID-19, 218 cases

See story on page 12

COVID-19 forces abrupt cancellation of Region 8 Toshaos Conference …after several Toshaos test positive

Yuri on $200,000 bail for allegedly forging COVID-19 test result P8 CXC to release P exam results 14 in mid-October THE LATEST NEWS ON YOUR MOBILE

See story on page 9

SCAN HERE

2 NEWS Infrastructure development key priority of Government – Prime Minister SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

P

rime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Friday said that infrastructure development is a key priority of the Government and that Region Two, like all other regions, will see significant capital investments in the coming years.

He made the statement during an outreach exercise to Three Friends community in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

He was joined by Public Service Minister Sonia Parag at Three Friends Village and then at Cotton

Two residents raising their issues with the Government officials on Friday

Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Public Service Minister Sonia Parag during the meeting

Field where they held open discussions on the Government’s current and future plans.

The two Government officials also listened to the concerns of the residents during the community meetings, a release from the Office of the Prime Minister stated.

According to Phillips, Region Two will also ben-

efit from improvements in the ICT landscape following last year’s liberalisation of the telecommunications sector.

The senior Government official added that outreaches are important to the Government so that the Administration can witness and better understand the challenges faced by citizens across the coun-

try.

Among the concerns raised by the residents is the need for improved farm-to-market roads and better security, especially regular anti-crime patrols.

The two Government officials and other members of the Cabinet are with His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali in the region on a two-day outreach.

NEWS

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Saturday, Sept 11 – 23:00h – 03:00h and Sunday, Sept 12 – 09:00h – 10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Guyana will not be bullied

by Venezuela – President Ali …tells Essequibians Govt guided by ICJ

Saturday, Sept 11 – 07:00h – 08:30h and Sunday, Sept 12 – 07:40h – 09:10h.

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 07:22h and 19:37h reaching a maximum height of 2.69 metres and 2.69 metres.

Low Tide: 13:12h reaching a minimum height of 0.6 metre.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

06 12 13 21 24 26

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28 Bonus Ball

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

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1

7

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Afternoon Draw

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

04 06 08 13 15 16 17 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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$242.37 /ton $475.10/ton

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$1804.70 0.00%

I

President Irfaan Ali addressing residents of Essequibo Coast on Friday

n light of Venezuela’s renewed claims earlier this week over the Essequibo region, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday declared that Guyana will not become a sacrificial lamb in any political negotiation between the Venezuelan Government and its Opposition.

His comment comes on the heels of the two Venezuelan political sides ratifying partial agreements to reinforce the country’s illegal claim to Guyana’s Essequibo.

But during an outreach in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), the Guyanese Leader asserted that Guyana will not be bullied by its Spanish neighbour. He told residents in Essequibo that his Government will continue to respect the rule of law and follow the correct procedure through the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

“We will not be bullied.

We will not be used as a sacrificial lamb in any negotiations currently in Venezuela.

Our position is very clear.

We are very clear,” he posited while addressing a gathering in Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast.

After a failed good offices process between the two South American neighbours, Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres in 2018 had referred the border controversy matter to be resolved by the ICJ. Shortly after, Guyana filed a case seeking a final and binding judgement to reinforce that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties, and legal affirmation that the Essequibo region, which contains much of Guyana’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

The Spanish-speaking nation is laying claims to more than two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass in Essequibo and a portion of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in which more than nine billion barrels of oil have been discovered over the past six years.

The world court ruled last December that it has jurisdiction to decide on Guyana’s claim that the boundary between the two States was fixed in the 1899

officials in Mexico City.

However, President Ali contended on Friday that the issue of the world court’s jurisdiction has already been determined and settled, and that none of the propaganda being peddled by Venezuela matters.

“The international community is clear, Caricom is clear that the International Court (ICJ) has jurisdiction to hear the matter. So, the propaganda that the court does not have the jurisdiction – we’ve gone past that,” he asserted.

The Head of State

A section of the gathering

Arbitral Award.

But Venezuela has been refusing to accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ and despite the case still pending before the ICJ, the

Spanish-speaking country went ahead and renewed territorial claims over the Essequibo region on Monday during a meeting between Government and Opposition

went on to say that his Government will focus on the rule of law and continue to respect it.

TURN TO PAGE 9

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 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

“Power through Collective Action”

H

ealth Minister Dr Frank Anthony made an important call on Friday in observance of Caribbean Wellness Day when he urged, “We call on all Guyanese to unite to fight NCDs”, as Guyana joined the rest of the Caribbean and Latin America in observing the day, themed: ‘Power through Collective Action: In it together! Building Healthy Communities”.

He also called for Guyanese to join the fight against noncommunicable diseases (NCDS) by leading healthy lifestyles through making the conscionable change in the way they eat, their level of physical activity, and their avoidance of the habits of drinking and smoking.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impacts on individuals and communities as a whole are yet another stark reminder that both the health authorities and citizens must continue to take the issue of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) very seriously.

Based on what the medical professionals have found so far, most of the persons who have died as a result of contracting COVID-19 had had some kind of underlying heath complication, many of which are related to NCDs. Guyana’s COVID-19 death rate at the moment is 669. For a small population such as ours, this is quite disturbing, to say the least; and it is therefore crucial that the Government, more particularly the Ministry of Health, treat this issue with the greatest degree of urgency.

According to PAHO/WHO, people with underlying health conditions such as NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer, have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease, and are more likely to die from COVID-19. Risk factors for NCDs can make people more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with COVID-19. For example, smokers may have reduced lung capacity, which would greatly increase risk of serious illness.

PAHO/WHO has suggested that informing populations about these health risks posed by COVID-19 is critical. Even before the pandemic, poor lifestyle choices such as tobacco use, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity had resulted in large numbers of people falling sick and dying.

It is also believed that around 40 per cent of Guyanese are either overweight or obese, and of that number, the majority are women.

Health experts say that chronic diseases result largely from bad food choices and low levels of physical activity. Reducing the risk of developing chronic illnesses, including Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and various cancers, is associated with living a healthy lifestyle, which includes such factors as non-smoking, a healthy diet, regular physical activity, moderate alcohol intake, and a sense of mental wellbeing.

For example, evidence suggests that half of all cancers could be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle.

Further, NCDs come at a high cost to individuals and nation states in terms of human suffering, expensive treatment, and loss of production. It is estimated that the direct and indirect cost of treating non-communicable diseases in Guyana is over 10 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

What is noteworthy is the realisation that most cases of chronic non-communicable diseases are avoidable, and it is within our individual powers to prevent these diseases from affecting our lives.

So how do we make the breakthrough when it comes to getting our citizens to adopt healthy lifestyles, considering the fact that some persons still operate with a high degree of ignorance?

To begin with, we believe that there is need for greater awareness and knowledge in the society about the dangers of chronic illnesses.

On this basis, we urge that there be continuous public education and awareness campaigns across the country, to address various health issues.

Research has shown that the numerous media campaigns on HIV/ AIDS prevention and care, stigma and discrimination have impacted positively on attitudes and lifestyle changes; and messages in a similar fashion should be created towards addressing non-communicable illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes, or dealing with overweightness and obesity.

The Government, even though it must take the lead as it relates to policy drafting and implementation etc, cannot do it alone. The entire society must be actively involved. Perhaps the temples, mosques and churches can take up a more active role in educating their congregations about the need to adopt healthier lifestyles in order to live longer, more fulfilling and happier lives.

Consumer bodies, schools and other educational institutions; civil society groups and, more importantly, the media also have a role to play; as, when we lose our citizens due to premature deaths, the entire country is robbed of its most valuable resource.

It is well accepted that better health is central to human happiness and well-being. It also makes an important contribution to economic progress, as healthy populations live longer, are more productive, and save more. Everyone should therefore aim to live a healthy and full life, and to avoid becoming trapped by NCDs.

Officers and Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Engineer Corps constructing a bridge at Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) under the Community-Based Initiative which is currently in its second year. It forms part of Commanderin-Chief President Irfaan Ali’s vision of a more community-oriented military (Guyana Defence Force photo)

The lesson we failed to learn from 9/11: peace is impossible if we don’t talk to our enemies

By Jonathan Powell

T

he fall of Kabul 20 years after 9/11 represents not just the failure of the western strategy in Afghanistan but a wider failure of our overall strategy in tackling the terrorism that gave rise to the attacks in New York and Washington.

There was no real alternative to going after the leadership of al-Qaida after the attacks that cost nearly 3,000 lives; and once the Taliban refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, there was no real alternative to taking on the Taliban themselves. That is why the invasion in support of the Northern Alliance enjoyed widespread support at the time around the world.

The eventual failure is not really the result of “forever wars”, nor trying to “remake nations”, as some suggest. If we don’t have the patience to sustain wars, then we shouldn’t embark on them in the first place. And if we don’t help countries rebuild institutions after participating in a war, then we end up with a spectacular mess like Libya.

The challenge is doing these things properly.

The principal failure in Afghanistan was, rather, to fail to learn, from our previous struggles with terrorism, that you only get to a lasting peace when you have an inclusive negotiation – not when you try to impose a settlement by force.

In Northern Ireland we tried making peace at Sunningdale in 1973, in the Anglo-Irish agreement in 1985, and in the Downing Street Declaration in 1993 – each time excluding Sinn Féin, and each time we failed to end the Troubles.

Having tried everything else, we finally had to talk to the men with guns, and that is why the Good Friday agreement succeeded.

In Afghanistan we repeated the earlier errors in Northern Ireland. The first

missed opportunity was 200204. I am as much to blame as anyone else, since I was in government at the time. After the Taliban collapsed, they sued for peace. Instead of engaging them in an inclusive process and giving them a stake in the new Afghanistan, the Americans continued to pursue them, and they returned to fighting.

After I left Downing Street, I argued in the Guardian for talking to the Taliban but was contradicted by those still in government, who said it was OK to talk to the IRA and the PLO but not the insurgents in Afghanistan. There were repeated concrete opportunities to start negotiations with the Taliban from then on – at a time when they were much weaker than today and open to a settlement – but political leaders were too squeamish to be seen publicly dealing with a terrorist group.

When the US did start negotiating with the Taliban in 2014 it was to secure the release of Bowe Bergdahl, a kidnapped US soldier. And when official political negotiations finally started in 2018 they were bilateral; failed to include the Afghan government; focused primarily on Taliban undertakings not to host al-Qaida rather than an inclusive internal settlement; and President Trump constantly undercut his negotiators by signalling his intention to leave unilaterally.

Even this year, inclusive negotiations could have succeeded under President Biden, but not after it became clear that US forces were going to leave regardless of any conditions being agreed. All the Taliban had to do was wait.

Now the Taliban have won. They were as surprised as the rest of us to retake Afghanistan so quickly and so completely – and like the proverbial dog chasing the car, now they have caught it they don’t appear to know what to

do with it. They have just announced a new cabinet, but face governing a country that doesn’t support them, dealing with a looming humanitarian crisis without funds, demobilising a generation of fighters untrained for any other job, containing the new insurgents of Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), and managing their own squabbles about how much power to share.

They are in danger of making the same mistake we did in 2001 and thinking the winner takes it all. But the country desperately needs international assistance, and at least some of the Taliban leaders know it.

Of course, engagement with groups such as the Taliban is not without moral and political hazard. No one knows if Taliban 2.0 will be a return to the 1990s or something more moderate. They may possibly not even know themselves. But we have a moral debt to the people of Afghanistan, and the only way the international community can help them is to use any leverage we have left with the Taliban to push for an inclusive process in Afghanistan.

This should include the protection of the rights of minorities and women, and the establishment of a representative and accountable government.

It will require an international consensus on the steps the Taliban have to take, and a monitoring mechanism to make sure they actually do so.

It is in our self-interest to do this: because if Afghanistan does collapse into civil war again, we in Europe will feel the impact in terms of refugees, drugs and terrorism on our streets.

Even more importantly, we have to learn the lessons from Afghanistan elsewhere in the world. How are we going to deal with the armed Islamist groups across northern Africa, in Somalia (another “forever

war”), in Mozambique and in Nigeria? Are we going to continue kidding ourselves that we can defeat them by military means alone?

Are we going to continue to refuse to talk to Hamas, and to the other Islamist groups? The lesson from Afghanistan is as clear as it was from Northern Ireland.

If we ever want to secure lasting peace then we have to engage with our enemies, not just with those we like.

The first critical step would be for western governments to make it easier to talk to proscribed groups such as the Taliban, and be politically brave enough to do so before it is too late.

The UK’s growing raft of counter-terrorism laws were intended to choke off support for extremist ideologies. Instead, the net result has been to criminalise efforts towards diplomacy and political solutions, whether by governments or NGOs. We’re left trying to resolve armed conflicts with one hand tied behind our backs.

In the end we could not defeat the Taliban on the battlefield, nor build a stable new state that shut them out. Our “never negotiate” mantra – eventually replaced by trying to negotiate a hasty exit – undermined the efforts made by our armed forces on the battlefield.

We have to rethink our strategy unless we want to spend the next 20 years making the same mistakes over and over again. Wars don’t end for good until you talk to the men with the guns. (The Guardian) Jonathan Powell is chief executive of Inter Mediate, an NGO working on armed conflicts around the world.

He was prime minister Tony Blair’s chief of staff, and chief British negotiator on Northern Ireland, between 1995 and 2007.

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 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

Resuscitating the Inter-Guiana Games Dear Editor, President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that the Inter –Guiana Games (IGG) will return. Our youths and students are delighted, and welcome the decision that was taken by the Governments of Guyana and Suriname to re- introduce the (IGG).

The President has listed several vital nation-building projects between our two countries, and highlighted some of the key areas of co-operation.

“Key to all of this is our people-to-people partnership; as President Santokhi put it, that is putting our

people together in a space and environment that they can share and appreciate each other,” President Ali remarked.

The two leaders have committed to re-energising the Inter-Guiana Games.

The Inter-Guiana cultural platform that was started will continue with sports, cultural education and technological exchanges as part of forging greater unity, trust, and understanding of our people.

The Inter-Guiana Games aim to create possibilities for the youths and students to gather together in order to compete in different sporting disci-

plines, focusing on better sports’ results and better understanding of each other’s culture.

The Protocol of Agreement and General Rules and Regulations of the Games provide for students who are in school and under the age of 19 years to participate in the Games. Significantly, participating students must be attending school in their respective countries.

The Games give our students opportunity to compete for superiority in a highly competitive way.

The organisers of this annual activity help our students to prepare in their

respective sporting disciplines. As a consequence, clubs and national sports associations usually participate fully in preparing our youths for the Games.

The early exposure to international competition enables our country to participate fully at the Junior CARIFTA Games.

The annual “Teach Them Young” sports programme also gives our students an exposure to participate in different sporting disciplines. As a result, our students develop a positive attitude towards sports, and later develop genuine interest in sports’ specifics.

Expectations are high, and

Dear Editor, It is September 11 once again, and the entire world would recall the events of that day, when thousands of people of all nationalities lost their lives in what was described as an attack on the United States of America and the Western way of life.

The bombings of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon by terrorists resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. And America is no longer the same.

It took 20 years for this war, the longest in American history, to end.

The administration finally admitted that it was no longer in America’s interest to sacrifice billions of dollars and thousands of lives at home and in foreign lands. There is a good reason to remember this date, as it was an attack on American soil similar to the one on Pearl Harbour, and both will find a place in the history books and war museums.

Even when the USA decided to withdraw its forces, it was done with further loss of life and in the most embarrassing circumstances.

Many also question how the goal got lost along the way, and why the project did not end once the main architect had met his demise in Pakistan.

This is one of many world events that demonstrate the limits of force and violence.

Nine-elevens of the East.

Secondly, we are now in 2021 with an equal number of nine-elevens, but all forms of media seem to have forgotten the year 2001, giving the impression that no other nine-eleven had a similar effect on the world.

In fact, those events are more significant, in that they do not involve violence but have more long-lasting effects, yet confronted injustice and intolerance by peaceful means in an at-

tempt to promote universal brotherhood and prevent bloodshed.

On September 11, 1893, Swami Vivekananda gave the welcoming address at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago. His opening remarks stung those who persecuted others either by the sword or the pen.

“As the different streams, having their sources in different places, all mingle their water in the sea, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.

“Sectarianism, bigotry and its horrible descendant fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood; destroyed civilisation, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now.”

The loud and lengthy applause by delegates from all religious groups demonstrated their appreciation and agreement.

However, the world that he saw evolving from this august assembly has not yet arrived, and he would certainly urge all groups today to be more respectful of each other’s religious beliefs.

Practice is another matter, for mankind has not yet built communities that stifle ideas of fear, hate and destructive behaviour.

And it was on September 11, 1906 that Mahatma Gandhi exploded with the modern non-violence movement in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was responsible for the gathering of almost 3000 Transvaal Indians to find ways to oppose the Registration Act. Consistent with his belief that methods must be consistent with the objectives,

he made sure the audience understood the risks.

“We may have to go to jail, where we may be insulted. We may have to go hungry and suffer extreme heat or cold. Hard labour may be imposed on us. We may be flogged by rude wardens. We may be fined heavily, and our property may be attacked and held up to auction if there are only a few resisters left.

We may be deported… some of us may even die…”

Expecting human weakness, he continued: “Although we are going to take the pledge in a body, no one should imagine the default of one or many can absolve the rest from their obligation”.

The movement was first called Passive Resistance”, but this was an English name, and gave rise to confusion. Discussions led to SADAGRAHA, meaning “firmness in a good cause”, but Gandhi amended it to SATYAGRAHA, meaning “force which is born of truth and Love and nonviolence” to describe a movement and the weapon of the strong.

(Above quotes are from the book MOHANDAS K. GANDHI, THOUGHTS, WORDS, DEEDS) Nine-eleven 2001 has

left scars of hatred, anger and destruction, which will no doubt continue.

When Gandhi finished his work in South Africa, he was respected and admired by those he opposed, included General Smuts.

The judge that sent him to jail recognised that he was not the usual prisoner, and the wardens became his friends.

In Britain, his legacy and message outlasted the hatred of his greatest enemy, Winston Churchill, who wished that he would die during one of his many fasts. More organisations and busts may be there of the Mahatma, even though he saw the fall of the great British Empire. He was certain that there have been tyrants and murderers who, for a time, seem invincible, but, in the end, they always fail.

(Written in memory of one who may be described as a martyr, since he stood up for righteousness, and lost his life in front of his home and temple to those who lost their way.

Farewell, Pandit Rishi Bharrat.

Gandhi himself was killed by a hind.

already several national sport associations and the students are making preparation for the re-introduction of the Games.

Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana are the three countries that usually participate in the Games. Football, volleyball, table tennis, badminton and basketball are the highly competitive sports events. While Suriname normally dominates in swimming, the young Guyanese swimmers are showing tremendous im-

provement. Guyana’s dominance in athletics over the years will continue with the preparation by our athletes at the special track-and-field facility at Leonora.

As the three countries commence discussions in preparation for the Games, individuals and teams at the club level are focusing on getting ready for the return of the IGG. Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Question to Coretta McDonald and her Distinguishing nine-elevens: East vs West ‘non-vaccer’ colleagues

Sincerely, Ramnarine Sahadeo

Dear Editor, It is utterly disgraceful that the Guyana Teachers’ Union, under the directions of Ms Coretta McDonald, has called a strike because they have been asked by the Ministry of Health to get vaccinated or submit a 72hour PCR test.

Ms McDonald claims that the Union is not against vaccination but is prepared to use the Union to join the political chorus holding the nation to ransom from escaping this pandemic.

There is one and only one clear path for Guyana to take in overcoming this virus. It is for a minimum of 80% of our population to be vaccinated, and while those who have refused are prepared to take the risk of dying from COVID, they are a distinct minority and have no right, freedom or constitutional ground to put the majority of us at similar risk.

I invite those ‘non-vaccers’ who persist with this foolishness, to pay attention to the position taken by US President, Joe Biden, on this

matter, because the US faces the same challenge.

President Biden has now resorted to utilizing his considerable powers as President to mandate a wide range of measures to cause Americans, like their counterparts in Guyana, to be vaccinated.

The US is generally regarded as the bastion of democracy, defender of individual freedoms and rights.

But Biden, as President of the US, has recognized that his primary duty and responsibility is to protect the majority of Americans from this pandemic, as does our own President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali. I close by asking Ms Coretta McDonald and her ‘non-vaccer’ colleagues in the Union a simple question.

Why should a Guyanese parent place his or her child at risk of dying from COVID by being exposed to a teacher who refuses to act responsibly and be vaccinated?

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

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By Mother Goose

Little Miss Muffet Sat on a tuffet, Eating her curds and whey; Along came a spider, Who sat down beside her, And frightened Miss Muffet away.

Source: The Dorling Kindersley Book of Nursery Rhymes (2000)

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

25 acres of land for cash crop farming in Region 2 G iven the importance of agriculture and food production in his Government’s development agenda, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday announced that over 20 acres of land will become available to expand cash crop farming in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

He made this disclosure during a meeting with Essequibo farmers at the Guyana Rice Producers Association (GRPA) bond in Anna Regina. The President along with his team of Cabinet Ministers, several Members of Parliament and a large technical team from various Ministries are in the Pomeroon-Supenaam region for a two-day outreach, which will wrap up today.

According to the Head of State, his Government is moving to develop 25 acres of land to be utilised exclusively for cash crop production in Region Two. He further told farmers in Essequibo that expanding the scale of cash crop production is a priority of his Government.

During the lengthy discussions, the President also declared that a strategic plan will be devised to support and resolve the issues plaguing Region Two farmers. This will be in the form of an “agenda of action” that will be implemented in the near future.

Additionally, President Ali explained that Friday’s meeting was geared at identifying key priority areas that require further investments to stimulate the agriculture sector, mainly in the production of rice.

“The next two days, we will be exclusively at your service in Region Two. We are your servants. We are here to listen to you and to communicate to you some of the things we’ve done and about the plans we have,” he noted.

To this end, the Head of State had open discussions with scores of farmers, where issues relating

President Irfaan Ali and his delegation meeting with Region Two farmers on Friday

to drainage and irrigation, improvement to agriculture production, land taxes, road works, flood relief, as well as easier access to Government services were discussed.

He highlighted that some $46 million was allocated to conduct drainage and irrigation works in over 200 acres of farmland in the Manakuru area. He promised the residents that the work will be expedited.

Concerns were raised about the poor condition of farm-to-market roads. At their request, the Head of State told the farmers that he would discuss with the relevant authorities in his Government about the possible acquisition of a new grader and bulldozer next year.

Boom sprayers

However, President Ali also presented five boom sprayers to the Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC), which will be used to control the paddy bug infestations in hotspot areas in order to boost production output in Essequibo.

The handing over, which was held at the RPA Bond in Anna Regina, was a fulfilment of a promise made by the President to farmers.

During a visit to the region back in June to assess flood-affected areas,

President Ali had committed to assisting farmers with resuscitating agriculture in the villages along

ing of drains and canals, the rehabilitation of critical structures, or whatever the issue may be, I try my

(GRDB), National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Region Two RDC will be working closely with them to ensure that they are productive.

Meanwhile, the Regional Vice-Chairman, Humace Oodit, expressed gratitude to the President and his Cabinet for such a timely intervention that will benefit farmers in the future. He noted with the boom sprayers, rice farmers will now be able to manage bug infestation in their fields.

Following the handing over of the boom sprayers, a rice farmer told Guyana Times that he has over 200 acres of rice lands, and with this support from Government he will no longer have to stress on how to

address one of their issues.

The two-day outreach is aimed at engaging farmers and other residents in Region Two to hear about the issues that are affecting them and have them dealt with.

A c c o m p a n y i n g President Ali at Friday’s meeting with the farmers were Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips; Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn; Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd; Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall; Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud; Chief of Staff of

President Ali facilitating the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon at the handing over of the 5 boom sprayers

the Essequibo Coast. At the time, farmers had sought his assistance to address the high percentage of bug infestation on their crops.

On Friday, President Ali made good on that promise when he returned to the region on a two-day outreach to hand over the equipment. He told rice farmers that he has been working to fulfil all of the requests made by farmers.

“When farmers make requests for works to be done, whether it be the clear-

best to have those requests satisfied. After becoming President, I visited the regions in Guyana and farmers made several requests.

Today, I want to tell you that we’ve been working with the farmers, and those requests have been met and satisfied,” he stated.

The Head of State further indicated to the farmers that the offices of the National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI), Guyana Rice Development Board

get rid of bugs on one day.

"This will help me out a lot, with so many rice fields I will no longer have to take dozens of men to spray my crop... With the use of a tractor and the boom sprayer will ease the weight off my shoulders in searching and paying workmen to spray," the rice farmer said.

Other rice farmers also expressed gratitude towards President Ali and his Cabinet for their efforts and timely intervention to

the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess; Acting Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie; National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia; Member of Parliament and General Secretary of the GRPA, Dharamkumar Seeraj and Member of Parliament, Attorney Sanjeev Datadin.

The other Cabinet Ministers were fanned out across the region meeting with various stakeholders.

(G8)

8 NEWS Yuri on $200,000 bail for allegedly forging COVID-19 test result M SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ere weeks after his wife was charged with forging a positive COVID-19 test result, Yuri Garcia-Dominguez was on Friday slapped with a similar charge following his arraignment before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He pleaded not guilty.

The particulars of the charge stated that on July 27, at Georgetown, he conspired with his wife, Ateeka Ishmael, and others to forge a COVID-19 test result to show that he had tested positive.

Like his spouse, Dominguez was also released on $200,000 bail. His case has been adjourned until November 5.

Dominguez and his wife are the principals of Accelerated Capital Firm Incorporated (ACFI), the company behind a major Ponzi scheme in which hundreds of Guyanese were fleeced of some $4 billion by reportedly trading on the international stock exchange. As it relates to the Ponzi scheme, they are facing 100-plus charges for obtaining monies by false pre-

Yuri Garcia-Dominguez and his wife Ateeka Ishmael

tence, and are out on over $30 million bail.

In July, the Guyana Police Force moved to institute 60 new fraud charges against the couple. However, the day before the duo was scheduled to appear in court, their lawyer sent two medical certificates to the Police Officer in charge of the investigations indicating that his clients had tested positive for COVID-19.

The Police officer became suspicious as to the authenticity of the documents.

As such, the rank caused

an investigation to be launched which revealed that, in an effort to elude the court, the couple conspired to forge positive COVID-19 tests.

Sometime last year, ACFI ceased all operations in Guyana after authorities discovered that it was operating without a licence from the Guyana Securities Council. The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act Cap 10:11 prohibits businesses from operating as financial institutions without the necessary registration for regulation and supervision by the regulatory authorities.

On October 12, 2020, the couple began reimbursing

persons who had invested in their company. However, the refunds came to an unexpected halt a few days later after ranks from the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) raided their home at Coldingen, East Coast Demerara, and seized several pieces of equipment the couple claimed were vital in processing the refund transactions.

They had disclosed that their company’s mode of business is trading on the international stock exchange.

According to them, the company trades with international brokers such as IQ Options and FX Choice. They had explained that the mode and operation of the company are that investing parties, having entered into a legally binding contract with ACFI, are permitted to invest a certain amount of capital.

They had said that either the investing party or ACFI can then deposit same with brokers such as IQ Options and FX Choice which would then be traded on the international market. They had also said that the investing party subsequently receives 40 per cent to 50 per cent on their investment based on the invested amount and the terms of the contract. (G1)

Nineeleven

W

…20 years on ell, what a difference twenty years make!! Your Eyewitness remembers distinctly where he was on Sept 11, 2001. How could he forget?? He was in an insurance office discussing some mundane matter when on the TV in the lounge, to keep clients distracted, leapt those images of the planes plunging into the Twin Towers. He could distinctly see bodies falling as the smoke bellowed into the skies. No business was done in THAT office later that day. It was just a while after 9:30am.

Not long afterwards we would discover that of the 3000 odds persons who perished on that fateful day, 25 were of Guyanese descent. That’s right! Imagine, a small country like ours, without even 3/4 million persons, suffering such a loss in a city of 8.4 million people from every nationality in the world!

But then, it’s also a metaphor for Guyana’s destruction, which exiled as many Guyanese living in here to “foreign”.

We’re the fifth largest immigrant group in New York City!!

So maybe the 25 fatalities reflect our numbers in NYC? In Guyana, the PPP had been bludgeoned by the PNC and their street protests, which segued into violence and arson in Georgetown, into holding elections in March 2001. But after they lost again, they returned violently into the streets again and demanded “dialogue” with the Government! This continued desultorily through the year, and on 9/11 recriminations, we’re flying about who were and who weren’t “keeping their word”.

So, while there was tension in America after 9/11, the tension had been building here since Jan 12, 1998.

That’s when the PNC protests led to hundreds of Indian Guyanese citizens being beaten in Georgetown simply for PRESUMABLY voting for the PPP in the Dec 1997 elections.

Thereby committing the sin of being “PPP supporters”. In Guyana, just five months later, there would be the Mash Day Jailbreak that would lead to the killing fields of Guyana - with its epicentre in Buxton.

9/11 would also lead to America vowing revenge on the perpetrators of the attack and all their allies and enablers. A War on Terror!! There followed the invasion of Iraq in 2003 to destroy Saddam Hussein’s “Weapons of Mass Destruction”. These were never found, but 469,000 persons were killed - mostly civilians - and there were 4 million refugees. The war continued through the Middle East from Syria in the west (600,000 dead in the decade 2011-2021 with 6 million refugees) to Afghanistan in the east (250,000 killed, mostly civilians). As almost an afterthought, Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the WTC attack, was killed in 2011.

Yes, 9/11 was a very significant date for many!!

…and democracy While the “War on Terror” was waged in retaliation for 9/11, it also was accompanied by a parallel effort to “win the hearts and minds” of the societies being bombed by promising to bring them into the 21st century with “democratic” governments. Each of the target countries were Islamic, and analysts couldn’t help concluding that America was enmeshed with the “Clash of Civilizations” predicted by Huntington a decade before. The US, of course, was representing “modernity” that was unilinearly following the arc created by Europe after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire after WWI. So, with the end of the War on Terror (has it really ended? Could such an open-ended goal ever be achieved?) has the battle for democracy also ended? And that begs the question as to whether democracy can ever come out of the barrel of guns in the hands of invaders. The colonial empires - the Spanish, British, Dutch and French etc - had tried it once before.

But they’d convinced us we were “savages” who needed “civilisation”. Ain’t gonna work now!! …and the Taliban After the Afghan war, the Taliban have been accused of taking their country back into “medieval times”.

But they’ll be doing it with one of the most modernequipped armies in the world today.

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

NEWS

9

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 forces abrupt cancellation of Region 8 Toshaos Conference …after several Toshaos test positive

A

fter all preparations were made including transportation and accommodation for the Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) Regional Toshaos’ Conference, the event was abruptly cancelled on Friday after several attendees tested positive for COVID-19.

A regional official told this newspaper that no COVID-19 test result was submitted prior to the conference nor were the leaders tested prior to their arrival at Mahdia, Region Eight, on Friday.

at the venue for the conference.

In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the National Toshaos’ Council which is normally held annually was replaced with a series of Regional Leaders’ Meeting. Discussions at the meetings are expected to be

ers engaged with President Dr Irfaan Ali and several Government Ministers to address issues affecting the various communities.

The two-day conference

in Region Nine saw some 34 Toshaos and several senior Councillors from villages within the region converging to elect regional representatives for the NTC. (G12)

Guyana will not be bullied...

Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai

According to the official, it was until several Toshaos arrived at the venue that they were tested and the results returned positive, forcing a postponement of the proceedings.

This publication reached out to several Amerindian Affairs Ministry officials, in-

Mainstay/Wayaka district.

Region One (Barima-Waini) was split into two districts.

Recently, the activities in Region Nine were deemed successful, as the lead-

cluding Minister Pauline Sukhai and Permanent Secretary Sharon Hicks for a comment and clarity on the situation but these efforts were futile.

Asked about the protocol in place for the conference, the regional official said that village leaders were supposed to be tested prior to boarding transportation to Mahdia.

However, he noted that for some unexplained reason this was not followed and resulted in persons who are COVID-19 positive arriving

Minister

centred around the leaders’ concerns; their development challenges and their input for the upcoming budget for 2022.

Regions Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Eight (PotaroSiparuni), and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) were to have single meetings.

The coastal regions which comprise Regions three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (DemeraraMahaica); Five (MahaicaBerbice); Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) as well as Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) will have their meeting in Region Two at the

“The court has already ruled that they have jurisdiction and that is where all of our efforts are concentrated.

There is no sideshow, there is no propaganda. None of that matters. What matters is the court and that is where Guyana is,” the Guyanese Leader posited.

Nevertheless, President Ali explained that Guyana is committed to living peacefully with all of its neighbours and to strengthen the relationships will them all, but stated that this position must be reciprocated.

“We’re committed to democracy. We are committed to the rule of law…we don’t waver our principles.

We don’t waiver depending on the season, we don’t waver depending on who is in Government… we have always respected the rule of law. We have always worked in accordance with the rule of law, we have always respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our neighbours,” he noted.

The Venezuelan Government and political Opposition met in Mexico ear-

lier this week to iron out their differences at home. It was supposed to be a discussion about Venezuela’s domestic politics, with a number of other countries, including the Netherlands, Russia, Turkey, Norway and Bolivia taking part.

But instead, the two sides ratified partial agreements reinforcing Venezuela’s illegal claim to Essequibo – something which has been rejected by both the Guyana Government and the APNU/ AFC Opposition, who on Wednesday stood united in reaffirming Guyana’s sovereignty.

“Guyana cannot be used as an altar of sacrifice for settlement of Venezuela’s internal political differences. While the Government of Guyana welcomes domestic accord within Venezuela, an agreement defying international law and process is not a basis for mediating harmony… That agreement is an overt threat to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana,” the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry said in

FROM PAGE 3

a statement on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change’s Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amanza Walton-Desir, in a statement said the Opposition supports the peaceful settlement and national approach towards the border controversy.

“The APNU+AFC Coalition takes this opportunity to reaffirm the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana, and to remind that the Guyana/Venezuela controversy remains before the International Court of Justice for resolution. We reiterate our faith in the rule of international law in pursuit of a peaceful settlement in this regard, and our continued support of a national approach to safeguarding Guyana’s sovereignty,” the statement read.

Back in March 2021, the ICJ had granted Guyana until March 8, 2022, to file its written submissions for the case, after requesting 12 months. Venezuela was given until March 8, 2023, to submit its counter-memorial.

(G8)

10 NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fireman takes GFS to court over removal from promotions list A Guyana Fire Service (GFS) rank is now the latest member of the Joint Services to move to court over what he claimed is discriminatory promotion practice. Firefighter Neville Cumberbatch has filed a complaint against Fire Chief Kalamadeen Edoo over the removal of his name from the GFS’s promotion list.

The complaint has been lodged at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

In legal documents seen by this publication, Cumberbatch alleges that Edoo, having statutory and general superintendence of the GFS, unlawfully discriminated against him on or around June-August 2021, by removing his name from a list of persons deemed eligible for consideration for promotion which was approved on January 29, 2021, by former Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle.

Cumberbatch deposed that he was removed from the promotion list based on disciplinary infractions, while other ranks facing equal or more egregious disciplinary infractions were

Fire Chief Kalamadeen Edoo

promoted ahead of him.

According to the firefighter, the act of Fire Chief Edoo is contrary to Section 5 (2) (d) of the Prevention of Discrimination Act. Fire Chief Edoo has already been summoned and is expected to appear at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday to answer the complaint.

Police promotion

Last December, Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus challenged a decision

of the now-defunct Police Service Commission (PSC) to promote several Police Officers who have pending disciplinary matters ahead of him. Following the initial challenge, several other senior officers were added as interested parties Among other things, Brutus contended that he was bypassed for promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner even though he was recommended for promotion by the Top Cop and due to frivolous allegations of indiscipline against him for which he has not been called upon to defend.

On June 28, Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, dismissed Brutus’ application and held that the court could not say that the PSC acted unlawfully in taking into consideration disciplinary matters. “There is nothing unfair in the Commission or any employer for that matter taking into consideration disciplinary issues in determining whether an employee should be promoted,” she had said in her ruling.

“It would not be for this court to determine what is a

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts

minor or serious infraction.

This would require the court to embark on a fact-finding investigation that is solely within the power of the Commission. These matters will have to be addressed by detailed regulations on promotions,” Justice George noted.

In her decision, Justice George stressed the need for a comprehensive regulation governing disciplinary and promotion procedures in the Guyana Police Force. Hours after the case was dismissed, the PSC released its promotion list for 2020 which the Government rejected as “unlawful” and “illegal”.

In doing so, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, had reminded that the PSC was suspended by President Dr Irfaan Ali on June 16, in accordance with powers conferred upon him by the Constitution of Guyana.

The PSC was suspended by the Head of State after its Chairman, Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe, as well as its Commissioners were slapped with fraud charges.

The PSC, however, argued that its suspension is unlawful and unconstitutional and has filed proceedings in the High Court to have it quashed. Among the

respondents in its application is President Ali. But the Attorney General has filed a Notice of Application in which he seeks to have the President struck from being a party to the proceedings.

Being immune from suit, Nandlall argued that the President ought not to be named in the action, as it contravenes Article 182 of the Constitution as well as Section 10 of the State Liability and Proceedings Act. Justice Gino Persaud will rule on Nandlall’s application next week, on September 16. (G1)

NEWS

11

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Miner stabbed to death during robbery …returned from interior to see newborn baby

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he family of 36-yearold Nelson Thomas, a miner of Kaneville on the East Bank of Demerara, was sent into a state of shock after he was stabbed to death on Thursday night – mere hours after he returned home to see his newborn.

Reports are that the murder occurred at about 21:30h, in close proximity to the victim’s Lot 1010 Kaneville, EBD residence.

Thomas left home at about 19:00h to visit an uncle in the same community.

Later, he went to a barbershop where his friends would usually socialise. He was returning home when he was ambushed and stabbed by an unknown suspect. Police have ascertained that the incident stemmed from an attempted robbery.

After the incident, a resident reportedly heard someone calling for him and upon checking, he saw Thomas lying motionlessly on the eastern side of his yard under a shed, with his body covered in blood.

Nelson, who lived with his wife and mother, primarily worked in the interior and would return home after intervals. His mother, Pearl Henry, told this publi-

Murdered: Nelson Thomas

cation that this time around, he returned to have his first child registered. The little boy was born last week and brought home a few days ago.

That afternoon, he indicated that he was leaving to go out and the family retired to bed, but he never returned home.

“This boy is my one and only son. This is the first baby he got and he came from the interior to sign for this baby and look what happened. He’s dead. He left to go by my small brother and when he come back, he went to the barbershop.

They didn’t cut his hair but

he stayed around there because that’s his long time friends cause he doesn’t drink. When he left from there, somebody killed him,” the distraught woman relayed.

It was after midnight that Henry heard her neighbour shouting, informing that her son was stabbed.

She immediately dashed over to the scene, where her son’s body was lying on the ground with visible wounds.

“My neighbour called me and when I ran out, I could just fall down. I felt so bad.

We had to fetch the baby and go down the road. When we went, this thing happened a long time ago. The Police already block off the area. He was right there, lying on the ground dead. He was on his way home,” she cried.

The matter was handled by ranks of the Grove Police Station. After the body was escorted to Diamond Public Hospital, he was pronounced dead on arrival and later escorted to Memorial Gardens Funeral Parlour.

A post-mortem examination was conducted on Friday morning.

The man’s mother is calling for law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation. She noted that it is

the need for greater Police presence and monitoring.

Meanwhile, investigations are continuing. (G12)

Mother of deceased: Pearl Henry

especially difficult, since his wife is now rendered a single parent.

Henry lamented, “I said the Police must go and collect all who were there and somebody must say who did this. If we don’t speak for our rights, nothing will

get done. He had on a gold chain on his neck and when he found him, it was gone…I need justice. I need justice for my son.”

In the community, it was pointed out that there is a high degree of crime committed on residents, spelling

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

12 NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 more die from COVID-19, 218 cases GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

218

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

143

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

A

startling jump in the COVID-19 death toll was reported on Friday, with an increase of 10 more fatalities in Guyana.

This has contributed to 669 total deaths since the pandemic started – 42 of which were for the month of September thus far. The patients were admitted with COVID-19 like symptoms but died while receiving care at medical institutions. Samples were taken at the time of admission which subsequently returned positive tests.

On September 7, a 67-year-old female from Region Two died. Later, on September 9, four per-

sons from Region Four: a 56-year-old female, 85-yearold female, 58-year-old male and 79-year-old female were the reported deaths.

A 64-year-old female from Region Three and five persons from Region Four – a 50-year-old male, a 66-yearold female, a 64-year-old female, an 82-year-old male, a 60-year-old female and a 58-year-old male succumbed on September 10.

A significant increase of 218 more cases were detected within the course of one day – raising the total confirmed positives to 27,519.

There are 30 patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 143 in institutional

isolation, 2624 in home isolation and 17 in institutional quarantine. Since the pandemic started, 284,658 individuals were tested – of which 13,221 males and 14,298 females were positive.

A regional breakdown of new cases showed two persons testing positive in Region One (Barima-Waini), 31 in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 34 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 123 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), 11 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), three in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), four in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni),

2624 30

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

17

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

14,298

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

13,221

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

27,519

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

24,053

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

329,909

FULLY IMMUNISED

172,155

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

669

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1384

REGION 2

932

REGION 3

3401

REGION 4

13,006

REGION 5

913

REGION 6

2125

REGION 7

1420

REGION 8

411

REGION 9

2265

REGION 10

1662

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.

five in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and five in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Cases in did not increase for Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni).

With the spike in cas-

es and deaths, 18 additional nurses have been reassigned to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal, to assist with the management of patients. An additional nine doctors have joined the current compliment of 13 doc-

tors per shift.

Works are ongoing to further expand the ICU facility to accommodate a surge.

Recently, the ICU was expanded to cater for an additional 10 patients – a bed capacity of 38.

TURN TO PAGE 14

13 Elderly woman rescues child from burning home A NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

The Vryheid's Lust, ECD home in flames

devasting fire in Vryheids Lust, East Coast Demerara, has left a family homeless with at least one elderly woman nursing burns about her body.

The Lot 38 South Vryheid's Lust, ECD home went up in flames just after 13:00h on Friday.

At the time of the fire, an elderly woman and a child were in the house.

She, however, managed to get the child to safety during which she received burns to her arms and back.

The aftermath of the fire

She was reportedly rescued by residents within the area.

Firefighters from Alberttown and Campbellville Fire Stations responded to the report but by the time they arrived the building was already engulfed in flames.

While they were able to put out the fire, nothing was saved.

The origin of the fire is yet to be determined as members of the Fire Service continue their investigation.

14 NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CXC to release exam “Pastor” remanded on results in mid-October murder charge Linden drive-by shooting

T

he Caribbean Examinations Council will be releasing the results of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination by mid-October.

In a statement from the agency, it was noted that the examination body is working assiduously to minimise the impact of the delays on the logistical operations as-

sociated with the marking, grading and release of examinations results. This is occasionally brought on by the disruption of COVID-19 protocols.

The release of results will be a three-tiered approach; firstly, with the release to the Ministries of Education; a joint meeting with the Ministry of Education; and lastly, release to candidates on or before October 15.

For St Vincent and the Grenadines, the results will be released on or before October 20.

This year, the Caribbean Examinations Council, like many other institutions, had to modify its strategy for examinations due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following consultation with regional governments and other key stakeholders from across the region, it was agreed in May 2021 to delay the sitting of the regional examinations by a further two

weeks to allow more time for candidates to prepare for their exams. Exams commenced on June 28, 2021, and were completed on July 30, 2021.

“The CXC team is in contact with regional and international higher education institutions to communicate this timing to minimise the possibility of students being disadvantaged during the matriculation process,” the regional body said.

Last year, the structure of the exams was modified in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a total of 20 schools in fifteen CSEC and CAPE subject areas had received ungraded results and subjects. These revelations sparked widespread public outrage, with other students demanding answers from the examinations body as it relates to the poor grades assigned.

However, following intervention from the Education Ministry, 14 schools where students were “ungraded” received results with grades.

The Independent Review Team, convened by the Chairman of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, later completed its report on the review of the modified approach for the administration of the 2020 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and Caribbean

Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

CXC comprises 16 participating countries: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Caribbean Examinations Council was established in 1972 under Agreement by the participating governments in the Caribbean Community (Caricom). It assures the global human resource competitiveness of the Caribbean through the provision of syllabuses of the highest quality; valid and reliable examinations and certificates of international repute for students of all ages, abilities and interests; services to educational institutions in the development of syllabuses, examinations and examinations’ administration, in the most cost-effective way. (G12)

Dead: Delroy McKenzie

S

Murder accused: Samorea Mitchell

amorea Mitchell, 26, who is charged with the murder of Delroy McKenzie, who was killed in a drive-by shooting at Linden Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), was remanded to prison by Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Linden Magistrate’s Court.

Mitchell called “Pastor” of Lot 716 Phase 1 “B” Wisroc,

to purchase a meal. While at the location, Daly said McKenzie was given directions from his female friend via telephone to join a boat at the Mackenzie shore. On arrival there, the man called the friend for further directions.

But after a short while, the female called him back and told him to turn around since she would be sending a car to pick them up. As they walked out of Sunflower Street, they saw a silver wagon car turning around and as McKenzie approached the car to open the back door, a man opened the door and shot at him.

Another male came out of

Man admits to breaking into Masjid

A

45-year-old man was on Friday remanded to prison pending sentencing after pleading guilty to breaking into a Masjid at La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara.

It is alleged that on Thursday he broke and entered a place of worship contrary to Section 232 (a) of

The torched car found at Blue Water Lake

Rafeek Ally

the Criminal Law Offences Act Chapter 8:01 Rafeek Ally appeared before Magistrate Alisha George at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts.

He will return to court on September 15 for sentencing.

Linden, was not required to plead to the indictable charge for the capital offence of murder which was read to him on Friday. His lawyer is Dexter Todd.

The drive-by shooting, which occurred on July 17, left 23-year-old McKenzie dead, while his friend Calvin Daly was injured.

McKenzie, who hailed from Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown, was riddled with bullets on the day in question at Sunflower Street, Wismar in Linden.

It was reported that the two friends had left Georgetown for Linden via public transportation to visit a female friend of McKenzie.

While in Linden, the men stopped at Church’s Chicken

10 more die from...

Health Minister, Dr frank Anthony has cautioned that any herbal concoction to treat COVID-19 is not scientifically proven.

In the latest COVID-19 briefing, the Health Minister advised that any herbal medicine, created with the purpose of treating the coronavirus, has not been created scientifically. As such, if Guyanese want to protect themselves from the deadly virus, they should get vaccinated and follow the national measures.

“Herbal medicine is what it is. It is not scientifically proven. It’s just people making a concoction and having faith that it will somehow protect them. That’s not science.

I’ll urge people if they really want to get protected, they have to take the measures that we have been announcing, and of course get vaccinated.”

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information,

the front passenger seat and opened fire too.

Daly reportedly ran for cover, and the car, which had three male occupants, drove in a southern direction towards Silver City Street.

McKenzie was shot nine times, according to an autopsy.

Sometime later, the motor car that was involved in the drive-by shooting was found torched at Blue Water Lake, Kara Kara, Linden.

Police ranks on patrol were at Blue Water Lake when they observed a fully burnt silver-grey Fielder wagon on the southern side of Blue Lake Access Road.

The case will continue on October 8. (G1) FROM PAGE12

they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health. gov.gy Persons with comorbidities have been asked to continue taking their respective medications or treatment to control their condition. The preventative measures and guidelines to protect against the virus must be adhered to since this category of person is at a greater risk if they contract COVID-19. (G12)

NEWS

15

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Caribbean Wellness Day

“We call on all Guyanese to unite to fight NCDs” – Health Minister

A

s Guyana joins the rest of the Caribbean and Latin America in observing Caribbean Wellness Day themed: “Power Through Collective Action” with the sub theme “In it together! Building Healthy Communities”, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony has charged all Guyanese to join the fight against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDS) by leading healthy lifestyles by making the conscionable change in the way they eat, their level of physical activity and their avoidance of the habits of drinking and smoking.

He also took the opportunity to urge all Guyanese to continue to be safe and

safeguard their health by continuing to social distance, practice hand washing, get vaccinated and begin to make changes towards a healthy lifestyle.

The Health Ministry is developing a National Strategic Plan (NSP) for NCDs 2021-2030, in consultation with various stakeholders.

The final plan is expected to be launched in December, whereby it will follow the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) advice to focus on five diseases, namely cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and neurological disease, along with five risk factors, those being tobacco use, un-

healthy diet, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol, and air pollution.

In addition to this, the Health Ministry has embarked on developing a National Mental Health Strategy.

These two strategies will address the NCDs, the risk factors, and use evidence-based interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) account for approximately 41 million deaths each year, equivalent to 71 per cent of all deaths globally. Each year, more than 15 million people between the ages of

30 and 69 years, die from NCDs; 85 per cent of these "premature" deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries, and 77 per cent of all NCD deaths are in lowand middle-income countries.

A commemoration to the issued 2007 Port-ofSpain Declaration, a response to the epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean, to which the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) signed and declared the second Saturday in September to be “Caribbean Wellness Day” Guyana has joined the rest of the Caribbean and Latin America in the call

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

for a comprehensive approach to decrease illnesses and deaths due to NCDs.

The Government of Guyana is committed to tackling NCDs and improving the lives of people living with chronic diseases, however, it is also up to the citizens to unite in the fight against NCDs, educate each other on good lifestyle practices, heeding the advice of physicians, using medications correctly and in a timely fashion, and including physical activity and exercise in daily routines.

With the country being in a prolonged pandemic state, the call is even greater to take more caution and seek help to manage chronic disease conditions properly so that even if the COVID-19 virus is contracted, it will not progress to severe disease.

Yupukari residents get free spectacles from Govt Meanwhile, a few residents spoke of their struggles being without spectacles and expressed their gratitude for being recipients of the distribution.

The new initiative is complementing the Ministry’s Difficult Circumstances Unit from which persons are already benefitting from reduced payment for their spectacles, and in some cas-

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he Human Services and Social Security Ministry on Thursday made a second visit to Yupukari village, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), this time, distributing some 60 spectacles to residents.

The initial visit saw the Ministry’s Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU) conducting the initial eye testing last month.

The Unit returned to deliver on its promise, where eye care specialists from Optical Works were on hand to assist.

Human Services Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud was lauded by Regional Chairman Brian Allicock and residents for fulfilling the pledge.

Technical Officer attached to the Human Services Ministry and Head of the Difficult Circumstances Unit, Mahendra Budhram indicated that some 1500 spectacles have been distributed so far.

A young schoolgirl from Yupukari village, Region Nine, proudly displaying her new spectacles

Budhram told the recipients, “We want to do this because we realise your eyes are very important and those who would have done the test and require

glasses, we gave you that so your lives can be easier and that is what the Ministry of Human Services is about, we want to ensure that your life is easier.”

es receiving a new spectacle free of charge.

The Ministry had partnered with several eye care entities namely Revision Optical, Miracle Care Vision, Courts Optical, Modern Optical, Optical Works, Miracle Optical, Mings Optical and Optique Vision Care in administering free eye testing and spectacles to persons that are in

dire need.

In turn, the eye care entities that are onboard are said to be charging the Ministry a fixed price for a pair of spectacles regardless of how much more valuable the actual cost of the spectacles is.

The first roll out was done in February last at Albion, Region 6 (East BerbiceCorentyne).

16 NEWS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sod turned for $2B multi-specialty hospital on Essequibo Coast

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resident Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali joined regional officials and Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Friday for the ceremonial sod-turning for

Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s wider agenda of revolutionising the quality of healthcare in Guyana.

“Here, today, we are part

fident that this would add great value to the healthcare system here in Region Two,” President Ali stated.

He went on to note that his Government is creat-

President Irfaan Ali and Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony turning the sod for the multi-billion-dollar hospital in Suddie

President Ali and other officials unveiling the design for Suddie’s new $2 billion hospital

the construction of a new $2 billion multi-specialty hospital at Suddie, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The Head of State said the new hospital will form part of the People’s

of a process that will see not only a new building but 250plus beds here in Region Two. It would see an ICU [Intensive Care Unit], a complete ICU in this hospital… We are very, very con-

ing a network connecting health centres, outposts and hospitals, so that they would all be more equipped to provide a high quality of service even in remote communities.

Meanwhile, Minister Anthony explained that the hospital is being funded by a loan from the Export/ Import (EXIM) Bank of India.

“It took a lot of work to start getting these projects moving, and within a very, very short period of time,

we have been able to meet all the benchmarks that were set by the EXIM Bank of India, and other partners to be able to get to this point,” he stated.

According to the Minister, a team came from India about three weeks ago, and visited multiple hospital sites.

“They were at West Demerara, they came here to Suddie, and they went up to Bartica. And based on what they saw on the ground, they had given us several options of what we can do. At Suddie, they have proposed a structure that we can build here. And so, we have taken that advice, and we’ll be moving ahead with the construction of this hospital right here,” he not-

ed.

The Health Minister said the multi-specialty hospital must provide a better service.

“The ambience of the hospital must be one that is modern, that would promote healing, and that was the directive that was given

by His Excellency, when we met to review how we’re going to modernise the infrastructure across this country.”

He said when the PPP/C Government came to office, it did so with a vision to modernise healthcare, and that this multi-specialty hospital will transform the way healthcare is delivered in Region Two. Also present at Friday’s ceremony were Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill; Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd and Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall.

This project to upgrade the three primary healthcare facilities across Guyana

is being funded with monies that were initially earmarked for the construction of a Specialty Hospital in Guyana.

The Donald Ramotar Administration had secured US$18 million from the India EXIM Bank via a line of credit (LOC) back in 2012 but two years later terminated its contract with India-based company, Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited citing instances of alleged fraud and delays.

While in Opposition, both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC), before they collated, had strongly opposed the project and upon their assumption to office in 2015, decided to scrap the Specialty Hospital project, which had already expended some US$4 million on certain preliminary works. The coalition Government then approached India to divert the remaining $13.8 million towards improving the country’s primary healthcare service by upgrading three public hospitals across the country.

NEWS

17

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Recognise advancement of women in society” – First Lady …distributes over 4000 sanitary napkins to girls in Region 6

range of life events that negatively impact on a girl or woman's ability to access sanitary products to manage a most intimate and regular occurrence in her life.

It is estimated that 74 per cent of adolescent girls worldwide experience this.

At Friday’s launch, Regional Educational Officer Bhagmatie LaCruse said there is a lot of silent suffering, noting that it prevents many from attending school and it is also an embarrassing situation for some females while Region Six Chairman David Armogan pointed out that many girls are forced to get needed information on sexual reproductive and personal hygiene First Lady Arya Ali, along with Regional Chairman David Armogan and overseas-based Guyanese Anter Narine, shares a photo moment with some of the beneficiaries on Friday

S

chool age girls in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were urged to recognise the advancement of women in society by First Lady Arya Ali. She made these comment at the launch of her Menstrual Hygiene Initiative in Berbice on Friday which will benefit over 4000 school aged girls.

“You girls are the future nurses, doctors, lawyers, police women and teachers.

You are the future leaders of

this country and at no point in your life should you be forced to choose between having an education and staying home because you don’t have access to sanitary products,” the First Lady said.

She pointed out that it is her goal to ensure that no girl has to be deprived of an education or face such embarrassing situations because of period poverty.

The First Lady added, “Many of you will not need these pads because accessibility is not an issue for you

but for thousands of other girls, they will be eager to receive theirs because it is not as easily accessible to them.

I want you to therefore recognise that the advancement of women in society also depends heavily on the extent on which we as women support each other both through tangible and intangible means.”

Ali partnered with overseas-based Guyanese Anter Narine, who is originally From Corentyne, for the Berbice leg of the initia-

tive which was launched at Line Path Secondary in Corriverton.

The programme is being rolled out through the Office of the First lady in collaboration with the Education Ministry and will be targeting all ten administrative regions.

The First Lady is on a mission to end period poverty in Guyana.

Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products due to financial constraints; this can be caused by a wide

issues from peers.

He noted that many mothers reprehend their young daughters for raising topics on menstrual hygiene in the presence of their fathers and brothers.

“That is the culture that we have and that is why they have to go to their peers to get information,” Armogan explained.

Meanwhile, Narine said menstrual hygiene should not be a taboo subject and he is doing his part to ensure that girls and women feel comfortable to speak openly about it.

He said he was happy to partner with the Office of the First Lady on the Menstrual Hygiene Initiative.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

Regional

Brazil’s Amazon deforestation Honduran presidential hopeful Asfura remains high despite slight fall holds narrow lead in new poll

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eforestation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest fell in August compared with the same period a year earlier, continuing a downward trend while remaining higher than before right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro took office.

Forest clearances in August totalled 918 square kilometres (354 square miles), down 32 per cent from the same month in 2020, data from the country’s national space research agency (INPE) showed.

The decrease marked the second month in a row deforestation numbers were lower than previous years.

However, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, often dubbed “the lungs of the Earth” only fell by 1.2 per cent from January to August 2021 compared with the same period in 2020.

That decrease equalled 6026 square kilometres, or an area more than seven times the size of New York City.

Year-to-date deforestation in Brazil remains near-

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Pahnin Mekragnotire, an Indigenous man of the Kayapo tribe, observes the destruction left by loggers during a surveillance patrol of Menkragnoti Indigenous Land [Lucas Landau/Reuters]

ly double what it was during January to August 2018, before Bolsonaro took office and immediately took steps to weaken environmental enforcement, prompting a boom in logging.

Nevertheless, in recent weeks there have been signs the Bolsonaro Government is taking some tentative steps towards combating the soaring destruction.

The Government has doubled the budget for environmental enforcement and plans to hire some 700 new environmental field agents, Environment Minister Joaquim Pereira Leite said

last month.

Despite the steps, environmental advocates say that destruction has merely plateaued and shows no sign of returning to pre-Bolsonaro levels.

The high deforestation rate also helps to feed forest fires, with the felled trees serving as tinder, according to the Amazon Environmental Research Institute.

Loggers generally extract valuable wood with fire being set to the remains to clear it for eventual agricultural use. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Families of protesters killed in Colombia face long wait for justice

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ince 2019 a series of demonstrations against President Ivan Duque’s unpopular Government have led to more than 40 civilian deaths, according to Government figures. Victims’ families, their lawyers and human rights groups say many of the deaths are driven by heavy-handed policing.

Though the army has a long record of rights abuses and unlawful killings during Colombia’s six decades of civil conflict, urban Police Forces were until recently widely thought of as better-trained and more professional.

Despite international outcry, including from the United Nations and

European Union, and assurances from Duque those responsible would be brought to justice, only one Police Officer has so far been detained, under house arrest, for the killings during protests a year ago.

That officer and three others are being investigated over accusations of homicide, the Attorney General’s office told Reuters - one of them for two separate killings.

Officers under investigation have been placed on administrative duties, the national Director of Police, General Jorge Vargas, said in a Thursday Twitter post, adding that he hoped authorities would detain fur-

ther officers where necessary.

The Police had promptly handed over information about munitions used during the protests to the Attorney General’s office last year, Vargas said, asking forgiveness from those who had been the victim of proven misconduct by Police.

Investigations into the death of six other protesters, including Cristhian, are still in an initial stage of inquiries, the Attorney General’s office said. It did not respond to questions about whether there were investigations over the deaths of two remaining civilian victims identified by advocacy groups. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Five dead after 3 separate gun attacks in downtown Kingston

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he major shopping district of downtown Kingston is tense Friday after the murders of at least four persons in three separate incidents in only a few hours.

Earlier Friday, there was a double murder along Darling Street in the vicinity of Coronation Market where armed thugs killed a man known as “Bun Down”, a known associate of Leighton “Livity” Coke, the brother of incarcerated former Tivoli Gardens

strongman Christopher “Dudus” Coke. The other victim remains unidentified.

A woman, who was travelling with one of the victims, reportedly died of a suspected heart attack as a result of the attack.

“We have confirmed the double murder, but we have no details from the investigators at this time,” a representative of the Corporate Communication Unit, told Observer Online.

Hours later, a man

known as “Rolexx”, reportedly of a Jones Town address, was killed by armed men who reportedly “tailed” him to the Matthews Lane area of downtown Kingston and murdered him.

Shortly after that, a man was gunned down along Orange Street in the commercial district. He was reportedly sitting on a stool when he was pounced upon by gunmen who shot him multiple times. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

onduras’ ruling party presidential candidate Nasry Asfura remains the favourite ahead of the November election, a CID-Gallup poll published on Friday showed, in a boost to backers of the Central American country’s current Government.

Asfura, mayor of the capital Tegucigalpa and candidate of the ruling National Party, received 21 per cent support among those polled, one percentage point up from a previous survey pub-

lished in May. His closest rival is Xiomara Castro, wife of former President Manuel Zelaya, got 18 per cent.

Castro is running for the leftist Liberty and Refoundation Party (LIBRE).

Television presenter Salvador Nasralla, put forward as a candidate by a coalition of parties, also came in with 18 per cent support.

The poll also showed that the number of Hondurans who plan not to vote at all has risen to 18 per cent from

12 per cent earlier for the Nov 28 election.

The candidates are seeking to replace outgoing two-term President Juan Orlando Hernandez, whose eight years in power have been increasingly mired by corruption allegations.

Hernandez has denied the accusations, including by prosecutors in a US trial that he worked with drug traffickers to move large quantities of cocaine into the United States. (Excerpt from Reuters)

El Salvador’s bitcoin digital wallet beset by technical glitches

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or a fourth day in a row technical glitches have beset the Salvadoran Government’s bitcoin digital wallet Chivo, a setback that could discourage residents from signing up to the app promoted by President Nayib Bukele.

Problems accessing the wallet, withdrawing money from ATMs, and data verification, as well as the Government not depositing the US$30 bonus Bukele promised all Chivo users were the most frequent issues, according to interviews with at least 10 users and user complaints posted on Twitter and Facebook.

Melvin Vasquez, a 30-year-old tattoo artist, downloaded Chivo on

Tuesday, when the bitcoin law went into effect, but has since been unable to use it.

“I want to see if I can buy something, but it won’t even let me enter,” Vasquez lamented, after trying to buy pizza at a restaurant on the outskirts of San Salvador.

“They should have prepared more... It is not so convenient.”

User complaints were also stacking up in Apple’s App Store and Alphabet’s Google Play.

Bukele stepped in on Wednesday to manage the fraught roll-out of the payments app that underpins El Salvador’s adoption of bitcoin as legal tender.

Chivo, which promises commission-free transactions

and his administration hopes will be adopted by the unbanked, has been disconnected several times to repair the glitches.

Bukele’s Administration is aiming for 2.5 million Salvadorans, some 39 per cent of the population, to download Chivo, named after a local word for “good.”

He has argued that bitcoin would allow Salvadorans to save on US$400 million each year in commissions for remittances.

But many of the very people sending or receiving dollars to El Salvador are mistrustful of bitcoin. Some expressed fears of losing money, given the high volatility of the cryptocurrency.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuelan ex-spymaster to be held in Spanish jail pending transfer to US

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ormer Venezuelan military intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal, who was arrested on Thursday in Madrid after hiding for almost two years, will be held in prison pending extradition to the United States, Spain’s High Court said on Friday.

US investigators have charged Carvajal, a former general and ally of late Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, with narco-terrorism and drug trafficking, accusing him and others including President Nicolas Maduro of running a cocaine cartel. He and Maduro have both rejected the accusations.

After the High Court approved Carvajal’s extradition in late 2019, he went into hiding.

The narco-terrorism conspiracy charge carries a potential mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and the cocaine importing conspiracy charge carries a 10-year minimum, US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Audrey Strauss said in a statement on Friday.

Any sentence will ultimately be determined by a Judge, Strauss added.

Former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal leaves prison after being freed in Estremera, Spain September 16, 2019

On Thursday, Spanish Police and the US Drug Enforcement Administration tracked him down to a house in the outskirts of Madrid and broke down an armour-plated door to find him inside.

Nicknamed “El Pollo” (The Chicken), Carvajal had been switching his hiding place every three months and living a life of total isolation, not going outside or even looking out of the window, Police said.

He had undergone sever-

al operations to modify his appearance and Police said they had found fake moustaches, beards and wigs at the house.

Carvajal’s lawyer in Spain, Maria Dolores de Arguelles, said Carvajal filed a request for asylum in Spain, which could delay his extradition.

Carvajal denounced Maduro in 2019, and US officials have said they believe he has a “treasure trove” of details about Maduro.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

19

Around the world

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil rallies to US$73 on tight US supplies, Biden-Xi call

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il rose to briefly top US$73 a barrel on Friday, supported by growing signs of supply tightness in the United States as a result of Hurricane Ida and as US-China trade hopes gave riskier assets a boost.

About three quarters of the US Gulf’s offshore oil production, or about 1.4 million barrels per day, has remained halted since late August. That is roughly equal to what OPEC member Nigeria produces.

“The market is back to focusing on the tighter supply situation globally, and that is giving it a boost,” said Phil Flynn, senior analyst at Price Futures group in Chicago. While China is releasing oil from its strategic petroleum reserve, the amount is more than offset by reduced production in the Gulf of Mexico, Flynn added.

Brent crude rose to settle at US$1.47, or 2.3 per cent, to US$72.92. The session high was US$73.15 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose US$1.58, or 2.3 per cent, to US$69.72.

Both grades posted a small gain on the week. Brent has rallied 41 per cent this year on supply cuts by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and some demand recovery from the pandemic.

Oil and equity markets also got a boost from news of a call between US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. The call raised hopes for warmer relations and more global trade, analysts said.

“The Biden-Xi phone call has had the same effect on oil markets as it has on other asset classes,” said Jeffrey Halley, analyst at brokerage OANDA. The United States added rigs in the latest week, energy service provider Baker Hughes said, indicating production may rise in coming weeks.

On Thursday, both crude contracts fell more than 1 per cent after China said it would release crude oil reserves via public auction to help ease high feedstock costs for refiners.

In focus next week will be revisions to the oil demand outlook for 2022 from OPEC and the International Energy Agency. OPEC will likely revise down its forecast on Monday, two OPEC+ sources said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Afghanistan: UN condemns Taliban’s brutal crackdown on protests

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he UN has condemned the Taliban for what its “increasingly violent response” to dissent, weeks after the group’s rapid takeover of Afghanistan.

Taliban fighters killed four people during recent protests, the UN said.

Demonstrations have taken place across Afghanistan since the fall of Kabul on August 15, demanding respect for women’s rights and greater freedoms.

Taliban fighters have used batons, whips, and live ammunition against protesters, the UN said in its report.

“We call on the Taliban to immediately cease the use of force towards, and the arbitrary detention of, those exercising their right to

peaceful assembly and the journalists covering the protests,” a spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a press statement.

Taliban fighters swept across Afghanistan in August, capturing provincial centres and eventually the capital Kabul itself in less than two weeks.

The US then led an airlift from the capital’s international airport, evacuating more than 120,000 people before pulling out its own forces on August 31.

UN spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani criticised the Taliban’s crackdown on demonstrations in a press briefing on Friday.

Demonstrations have grown since August 15, she

The Taliban have used live ammunition, batons and whips against protesters, the UN has said

said. But on Wednesday the Taliban banned unauthorised gatherings, and on Thursday they ordered telecommunications companies to shut off mobile internet in Kabul.

The press statement also noted the deaths of at least four people - including a boy - and the violent dispersal

of demonstrators in recent weeks.

It also criticised violence against journalists. Reporters told the BBC this week they had been beaten, detained and flogged by the Taliban when they tried to cover the protests. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Poor countries say lack of vaccines may exclude them from climate talks

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he world’s poorest countries asked for more help on Friday to meet vaccination and quarantine requirements and costs to ensure they can take part in next month’s global climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland.

The talks aim to spur bigger commitments to start reducing manmade greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and keep the rise in the global average temperature since pre-industrial times to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6

Fahrenheit), to stave off the worst effects of climate change.

“Delegates from the LDC Group remain concerned about the logistics of getting to Glasgow,” Sonam Phuntsho Wangdi of Bhutan, chair of the group of the 46 Least Developed Countries, said in a statement.

“Our countries and our people are among the worst affected by climate change – we must not be excluded from talks deciding how the world will deal with this crisis, determin-

ing the fate of our lives and livelihoods.”

Some 20 LDCs such as Ethiopia, Haiti and Bangladesh are on Britain’s coronavirus “red list”, which means their delegates will have to quarantine in a hotel for up to 10 days before attending the “COP 26” talks, which run from Oct 31 to Nov 12.

Britain has said it will pay the quarantine costs of delegates from red list countries, and has cut the time to five days from 10 for those who are vaccinat-

ed.

It has also said it is distributing COVID-19 vaccines to delegates struggling to get them.

On Tuesday, Climate Action Network (CAN), a coalition of more than 1500 environmental groups, called for the talks to be postponed because of delegates’ difficulties in obtaining vaccines. CAN said Britain had been slow to provide the vaccines it has promised and many countries were likely to miss out. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Deadly unrest reported in Texas passes social media Lebanon’s new Government only “a Myanmar after opposition “de-platforming” law band-aid”, experts say urges “defensive war”

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t least 20 people have been killed in fighting between militias and Myanmar’s ruling military, a witness and local media said on Friday, in the worst violence since opponents of the junta called this week for a “people’s defensive war”.

The National Unity Government (NUG) formed to resist the army’s Feb 1 takeover called on Tuesday for a revolt against military rule, in an apparent effort to coordinate groups fighting the army and convince soldiers and state officials to switch sides.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the overthrow of Aung San Suu Kyi’s Government, which ended a decade of tentative democracy and sparked nationwide anger, strikes and protests, and saw the emergence of militia groups that have attacked security forces.

Fighting since Thursday between the military and defence volunteers allied with the unity government in Myin Thar village resulted in casualties among local militias and villagers, after troops used heavy artillery, according to media and a witness.

A Myanmar’s soldier stands guard near the congress compound in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, February 2, 2021

“They fired artillery, they burned down houses in our village,” said a resident, 42, who added that three children as well as his 17-year-old son, a member of the militia, were among 20 people killed.

Myanmar’s neighbours urged restraint from all sides following Tuesday’s call for nationwide retaliation by the shadow government.

Some analysts have warned the move could backfire and complicate the opposition’s efforts to win international support.

Clashes erupted on Thursday and were continuing late on Friday in Thantlang in Chin state, bordering India, news reports said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

he US state of Texas has made it illegal for social media platforms to ban users “based on their political viewpoints”.

Prominent Republican politicians have accused Facebook, Twitter and others of censoring conservative views.

Former US President Donald Trump was banned from Facebook and Twitter after a group of his supporters attacked the Capitol in January.

The social networks have all denied stifling conservative views.

However, they do enforce terms of service which prohibit content such as incitement to violence and co-ordinated disinformation.

“Social media websites have become our modern-day public square,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott, after signing the bill into law on Thursday.

“They are a place for healthy public debate where information should be able to flow freely.

“But there is a dangerous movement by social media

companies to silence conservative viewpoints and ideas.”

The new law states social media platforms with more than 50 million users cannot ban people based on their political viewpoints.

Facebook, Twitter and Google’s YouTube are within its scope.

Critics say the law does not respect the constitutional right of private businesses to decide what sort of content is allowed on their platforms.

“This bill abandons conservative values, violates the First Amendment, and forces websites to host obscene, anti-Semitic, racist, hateful and otherwise awful content,” said Steve DelBianco, President of NetChoice trade association.

“Moderation of user posts is crucial to keeping the internet safe for Texas families, but this bill would put the Texas Government in charge of content policies.”

The law is due to come in to force in December, but may face legal challenges.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

A

fter 13 months of political gridlock, crisis-ridden Lebanon has finally Formed A FullFledged Government.

New Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Friday his 24-Minister Cabinet consists of non-partisan specialists that are determined to reform the country’s haemorrhaging economy and pave the way for a recovery.

The new Government consists mostly of newcomers backed by the country’s ruling political parties. It is set to meet for the first time on Monday, before presenting a policy statement to Parliament which is expected to issue a vote of confidence.

However, analysts say Mikati and his Government have much to do to stop Lebanon from economic freefall – with a turnaround not on the horizon any time soon.

“The current duty of the Government is to first manage the crisis and postpone the downfall of the state and its institutions,” Yeghia Tashjian, associate fellow at the Issam Fares

Institute for Public Policy at the American University of Beirut, told Al Jazeera.

“The formation of the Government would play the role of the band-aid to temporary prevent financial bleeding.”

In less than two years, the Lebanese pound has lost 90 per cent of its value on the parallel market and living conditions have severely worsened. State electricity is virtually non-existent, while fuel and medicine shortages have plagued hospitals and homes alike. The United Nations estimates that about three-quarters of the population now lives in poverty.

Officials have admitted that major economic restructuring would be necessary to make the country’s economy viable again. Previous Prime Ministers have described these reforms as “painful”.

One of the most urgent economic issues the new Government has to address is the country’s expensive subsidies programme on fuel, medicine and wheat to keep them at affordable prices. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

DILBERT

(April 20May 20)

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Pay attention to your spending habits. Refrain from jumping into a joint venture without sufficient information. Be intelligent, moderate and direct.

Set your sights on what you want, and pursue your goal with passion. Not everyone will accept the changes you decide on, but in the end, it will make the task of elimination much more manageable.

How you go about business or assist others will draw attention and help you finish what you start. Your ability to multitask will be praised by someone well connected.

Find a creative way to be productive and have fun at the same time. Invite people who put a smile on your face to join in and add to your extravaganza. A personal pickme-up will fetch compliments.

Take the necessary steps to avoid illness or injury.

Protect against situations that can disrupt your plans and ruin your day. Use brain over brawn to solve any problems that surface.

Put a positive move in motion. Make plans that give you and those you love something that you can work toward together. Romance is in the stars and will improve your personal life.

Cap the amount you spend on others, your home and entertainment.

Chatting and using charm will be the easiest ways to win favors. Avoid joint ventures or making promises you cannot keep.

Know your limits and back away rather than duke it out with someone you want to maintain as your confidant. Say less and let your actions speak for you. Choose kindness over being right.

SAGITTARIUS Don't let the changes others make cost you. Be (Nov. 23smart, not gullible, and get Dec. 21) every detail straight before you partake in a joint venture or situation that can affect your reputation.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

Put your heart and soul into whatever you do, and the experience will pay for itself. A commitment will stabilize your life and encourage positive change.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Trust your instincts over someone else's and you'll avoid being dragged into an emotionally unstable situation. A change someone makes will upset your plans. Push forward on your own.

PISCES

Follow your imagination, and it will lead to surprises, gains and new beginnings. You control your happiness, not someone else. Romance is encouraged.

(Feb. 20March 20)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

21

Rising Stars go down by 9 wickets as England maintain lead SCOREBOARD W

est Indies Rising Stars U19s have gone down to England Under-19, with the home team dominating the fourth match and winning same easily as the tour moved from the County Ground in Beckenham to the Polo Ground in Canterbury for the second half of this sixmatch series.

West Indies got first use of the new surface, and were bowled out for 135 off 40.5 overs on Friday. The home side easily erased the target as they sped to 136-1 off 17.5 overs, to take a 3-1 lead with two matches to be played.

In the West Indies innings, wicket-keeper Rivaldo Clarke top-scored with 37 off 42 balls, which included 7 boundaries. He fell with the score at 58-5 in the 17th over, after a solid partnership of 39 with vice-captain Giovonte Depeiza, who made 32 off 52 balls, with two fours.

match of the series, in which the West Indies will be aiming to pull a victory back and increase their chances of drawing the series. First ball is 10:30am (5:30 Eastern Caribbean/ 4:30am Jamaica). (Windies Cricket)

Match schedule and results

Later in the innings, allrounder Sion Hackett was watchful and patient in his debut innings. He scored 28 off 72 balls, with two fours, before he was the last man out.

England’s bowling attack was again led by new ball bowler Sonny Baker, who took 3-37 off his 10 overs, while seamer

Thomas Aspinwall ended with 3-28.

England eventually cruised to their target in 17 overs, and their chase was built around half-centuries by openers Jacob Bethell (67) and Greg Thomas (59).

The two teams will return to the same venue on Tuesday for the fifth

Saturday, September 4: 1st Youth ODI – England won by 166 runs at Beckenham Monday, September 6: 2nd Youth ODI – England won by one wicket at Beckenham Wednesday, September 8: 3rd Youth ODI – West Indies won by two wickets at Beckenham Friday, September 10: 4th Youth ODI – England won by nine wickets at Canterbury Tuesday, September 14: 5th Youth ODI – Canterbury Friday, September 17: 6th Youth ODI – Canterbury

WEST INDIES UNDER-19S INNINGS (50 OVERS MAXIMUM) Justin Jagessar b Baker 0 Matthew Nandu c †Rew b Boyden 6 Teddy Bishop c Prest b Baker 6 Ackeem Auguste (c) c Prest b Aspinwall 0 Rivaldo Clarke † c †Rew b Aspinwall 37 Giovonte Depeiza c Coles b Baker 32 Nathan Edward c Boyden b Bethell 7 Sion Hackett b Aspinwall 28 Johann Layne c Rehan Ahmed b Bethell 6 Vasant Singh lbw b Prest 4 Onaje Amory not out 0 Extras (w 9) 9 TOTAL (40.5 Ov, RR: 3.30) 135 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Justin Jagessar, 0.1 ov), 2-13 (Teddy Bishop, 4.4 ov), 3-13 (Matthew Nandu, 5.5 ov), 4-29 (Ackeem Auguste, 10.1 ov), 5-58 (Rivaldo Clarke, 16.2 ov), 6-69 (Nathan Edward, 19.2 ov), 7-107 (Giovonte Depeiza, 28.3 ov), 8-114 (Johann Layne, 29.6 ov), 9-135 (Vasant Singh, 39.5 ov),

10-135 (Sion Hackett, 40.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Sonny Baker 10-2-37-3 Joshua Boyden 7-1-13-1 Thomas Aspinwall 6.5-1-28-3 Jacob Bethell 10-0-36-2 Rehan Ahmed 3-0-12-0 Archie Lenham 1-0-5-0 Tom Prest 3-2-4-1 ENGLAND UNDER-19S INNINGS (TARGET: 136 RUNS FROM 50 OVERS) George Thomas not out 59 Jacob Bethell b Nandu 67 Tom Prest (c) not out 4 Extras (lb 1, w 5) 6 TOTAL (17.5 Ov, RR: 7.62) 136/1 Did not bat: James Rew †, George Bell, Rehan Ahmed, James Coles, Thomas Aspinwall, Archie Lenham, Sonny Baker, Joshua Boyden Fall of wickets: 1-117 (Jacob Bethell, 14.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Johann Layne 3-0-23-0 Nathan Edward 2-0-18-0 Onaje Amory 3-0-25-0 Vasant Singh 3.5-0-29-0 Sion Hackett 3-0-22-0 Matthew Nandu 3-0-18-1

India vs England: Old Trafford Test…

Mohammad Nawaz tests Final England-India Test in positive for COVID-19 Manchester cancelled due to COVID ahead of New Zealand series

T M

ohammad Nawaz has tested positive for COVID-19, and has been quarantined as per the PCB’s pandemic protocols.

The left-arm spinner had tested positive during the second round of testing, which was administered upon arrival in Islamabad on Wednesday. He faces a ten-day quarantine period.

The Pakistan team will take on New Zealand in a series of three ODIs and five T20Is, with the first match scheduled on September 17, and the final one on October 3.

All other Pakistan squad members have tested negative, and, as such, the national side will hold a training session as scheduled on Friday at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

New Zealand will arrive in Islamabad on Saturday, having completed a tour of Bangladesh, where they’ve already lost the five-match T20I series with one game to go. The Black Caps are not at full strength, and have travelled for both tours without Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson and Lockie Ferguson, who will all be taking part in

the second half of IPL 2021 in the UAE. Tom Latham is leading New Zealand, with Williamson absent.

Pakistan had earlier announced that stadiums could be filled up to 25% capacity for the matches against New Zealand.

Spectators would have to be fully vaccinated to be able to attend games.

The three ODIs, all taking place in Rawalpindi, will be open to 4500 spectators each. The five T20Is, all at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, will accommodate 5500 spectators each.

(ESPNcricinfo)

he fifth and final ICC World Test Championship match between England and India in Manchester has been cancelled after COVID-19 disrupted the India camp, rendering the visitors unable to field a team.

The ECB stated on Friday 10 September: “Following ongoing conversations with the BCCI, the ECB can confirm that the fifth Test between England and India Men, due to start today at Old Trafford, will be cancelled.

“Due to fears of a further increase in the number of COVID cases inside the camp, India are regrettably unable to field a team.

“We send our sincere apologies to fans and part-

ners for this news, which we know will cause immense disappointment and inconvenience to many.”

The BCCI later said it would work with the ECB to find a window to reschedule the final Test. Their statement read: “The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), along with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), have jointly decided to call off the 5th Test Match scheduled at Manchester in ongoing India’s tour of England 2021.

“The BCCI and ECB held several rounds of discussion to find a way to play the Test Match; however, the outbreak of COVID-19 in the Indian team contingent forced the decision of

calling off the Old Trafford Test Match.

“In lieu of the strong relationship between BCCI and ECB, the BCCI has offered to ECB a rescheduling of the cancelled Test match.

Both the Boards will work towards finding a window to reschedule this Test match.

“The BCCI has always maintained that the safety and well-being of the players is of paramount importance, and there will be no comprise on that aspect.

“The BCCI would like to thank the ECB for their co-operation and understanding in these trying times. We would like to apologise to the fans for not being able to complete an enthralling series.” (ICC Cricket)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

West Indies Women down 2-0 in CG Insurance ODI Series against South Africa SCOREBOARD W

est Indies Women are down 2-0 in the CG Insurance One Day International Series against South Africa, their having lost the second ODI by 9 wickets to South Africa Women at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Batting first, West Indies Women posted 120 all out in 44.2 overs. South Africa Women achieved the target comfortably in 25.4 overs, finishing on 121/1.

West Indies Women's Head Coach Courtney Walsh expressed disappointment when he spoke to CWI Media.

"120 is not a score you can

the next three games if we want to win the series."

The two teams will return to the same venue on Monday, September 13, for the third match of the fivematch series. First ball is 10am local time (9am Jamaica Time).

Fans in the Caribbean can watch all the CG Insurance ODIs live via

South Africa Women celebrating

fight along with, so I'm very

Player of the Match, Laura Wolvaardt

Kycia Knight top-scored in a poor batting display

disappointed, and I'm sure the players are as well. We got more partnerships at the back end than the front end, so that's something that's very concerning. We have three games to play, and the series hasn't been lost as yet, we have to come out and fire on all cylinders to try to win

the Flow Sports app, while live radio commentary is available on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel.

Fans can also follow live ball-by-ball scoring in the www.windiescricket.com live match centre. (CWI)

WI Women Innings Hayley Matthews lbw b Kapp 3 Kyshona Knight c Luus b Kapp 5 Chedean Nation b Luus 15 Deandra Dottin c & b Kapp 1 Kycia Knight † lbw b Luus 22 Shabika Gajnabi st †Chetty b van Niekerk 14 Qiana Joseph c †Chetty b Khaka 21 Chinelle Henry b van Niekerk 0 Anisa Mohammed (c) not out 15 Karishma Ramharack run out (sub [T Brits]) 8 Shamilia Connell b Khaka 7 Extras (lb 1, nb 5, w 3) 9 TOTAL (44.2 Ov, RR: 2.70) 120 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Hayley Matthews, 1.4 ov), 2-16 (Kyshona Knight, 9.3 ov), 3-18 (Deandra Dottin, 11.4 ov), 4-49 (Chedean Nation, 19.3 ov), 5-56 (Kycia Knight, 21.6 ov), 6-84 (Shabika Gajnabi, 26.4 ov), 7-88 (Chinelle Henry, 28.5 ov), 8-88 (Qiana Joseph, 29.2 ov), 9-111 (Karishma Ramharack, 41.5 ov), 10-120 (Shamilia Connell, 44.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Shabnim Ismail 9-0-25-0 Marizanne Kapp 9-3-24-3

Ayabonga Khaka Tumi Sekhukhune Dane van Niekerk Sune Luus

7.2-2-13-2 5-0-16-0 10-5-14-2 4-0-27-2

SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN INNINGS (TARGET: 121 RUNS FROM 50 OVERS) Lizelle Lee c Henry b Matthews 18 Laura Wolvaardt not out 71 Lara Goodall not out 25 Extras (lb 2, w 5) 7 TOTAL (25.4 Ov, RR: 4.71) 121/1 Did not bat: Mignon du Preez, Shabnim Ismail, Dane van Niekerk (c), Ayabonga Khaka, Tumi Sekhukhune, Marizanne Kapp, Trisha Chetty †, Sune Luus Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Lizelle Lee, 7.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Shamilia Connell 5-1-17-0 Chinelle Henry 2-0-14-0 Hayley Matthews 4-0-13-1 Qiana Joseph 3-0-18-0 Anisa Mohammed 4-0-16-0 Shabika Gajnabi 2-0-12-0 Karishma Ramharack 3-0-15-0 Deandra Dottin 2.4-0-14-0

CSCA limited overs knockout tournament…

Kadir’s all round brilliance leads Assassins to CSCA title

Pay more attention to development

F

— Sir Richie believes key to improving regional cricket lies in grassroots’ level development

ormer West Indies batsman and captain Sir Richie Richardson has warned that, until real emphasis is placed on the development of the game at the grassroots level, regional cricketers will continue to struggle at the international level.

Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo sports show, the Antiguan said that trying to turn the fortunes of the team around at the senior level is not going to bear fruit.

“I don’t have a problem with a coach from wherever, because they are going to bring some knowledge; but our cricket doesn’t need to be fixed from the top.

These coaches, they are the best, and if they can do wonders, then why not bring them into the grassroots of our cricket, because that’s where we need to focus on.

“We need to focus on the youngsters before they get to West Indies level, [but] you can’t fix the problem there.

Maybe you could probably get into their minds, to be a little more positive or understand certain things, but the problem can be fixed long before they get there; and

Sir Richie Richardson

until we take that seriously and take it from that angle, we are not going anywhere,” he said.

Sir Richie, scorer of 5,949 runs in 86 Tests, reminded that the decision to focus on development at the grassroots level will not yield immediate results.

“A change cannot happen overnight, so it’s going to be a long process, and it’s what you do and how you prepare that is going to make the difference. Now, we all want instant success, we all are dying to see West Indies cricket come back to its glory days, but I am real and I

am shooting real straight: it is not going to happen. We might have one or two successes, but until the fabric of our cricket is looked after, or until the foundation of our cricket is looked after, it is going to be very difficult,” he said.

The Antiguan also said facilities would play a pivotal role in development of the young cricketers. He pointed to the quality of pitches being prepared across the region as something that needs immediate attention.

“If you’re playing football on a bumpy [uneven] field, do you think you can

ever improve? You can’t! If you’re playing cricket on bad pitches, then how are you going to improve? You can’t! So, firstly, the conditions that you play under have got to be good enough that if the ball pitches there, then I am going to play a cover drive; or if it bounces down there, then I am going to hook; but when it bounces down there and you look to hook, it just shoots along the ground,” Sir Richie said.

“You’re developing, and when you’re developing you need the best conditions, you need the best pitches.

And if you’ve developed and become a rounded player, when you get in a bad situation, then you would be able to make the adjustment.

But if you’re constantly playing on a bad pitch, then you’d be nothing, your confidence will be dented, and you’d not be able to develop,” he added.

Sir Richie captained the West Indies in 24 Tests between 1991 (when he took over from Sir Viv Richards) and 1995, winning 11, losing 6, and the rest ending in draws.

(Adapted from Antigua Observer)

The victorious Assassins and their supporters strike a pose with the trophy

F

ormer Berbice inter-county and Guyana youth selectee player Riaz Kadir produced an excellent all-around performance to lead Assassins to the championship in the one-day Canadian Softball Cricket Association (CSCA) limited overs knockout tournament.

Last Saturday, in Mississauga, Kadir grabbed two wickets for eight runs from one over to help restrict Titans to 52-6 from five overs, while he returned with the bat to hit an unbeaten 36 as Assassins reached 59-2 with six balls remaining.

He received support from Canada-based Guyanese opener Avish Rukhram, who made 19.

Cassius Waithe took two wickets for 12 runs from his one-over spell.

Kadir was ably assisted by the experienced Rajesh Willie, who claimed two for 12.

In the preliminary round, ex-Guyana player Naresh Roopnarine scored 101 when the action was 10 overs.

According to CSCA President Rishi Mohan, the day was very successful, and seven teams participated in the tournament. Part of the funds raised would be donated to the Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Amazon Warriors to lock horns with Jamaica Tallawahs today A

s action in the 2021 edition of the Hero CPL T20 tournament heats up today, a total of three matches will be played, and the Guyana Amazon Warriors will be aiming to continue their winning ways as they look to dissect the Jamaica Tallawahs in their bid to qualify to participate in the semifinal stage of this tournament.

The Trinbago Knight Riders would be opposing the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in a table-top clash, and the Barbados Royals, who are sitting at the bottom of the table, would seek to overthrow the

Saint Lucia Kings and possibly put them out of the tournament.

Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Jamaica Tallawahs

This match is scheduled to take place at 2.30pm local time. Jamaica Tallawahs and Guyana Amazon Warriors are just two points behind table-toppers Trinbago Knight Riders and second-placed St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, both sides having won four and lost four of their opening eight matches.

…TKR, SKNP, SLK, BR to play as super Saturday kicks off

season.

Guyana, meanwhile, have struggled to string performances together, alternating between winning and losing for their past six matches.

Most recently, they defeated St Lucia Kings by 17 runs.

When these two sides met in 2020, they shared the spoils, with Guyana winning the first match by 14 runs and Jamaica taking the second by five wickets.

from 31 balls, including two fours and four sixes.

Ranked 18th in the T20 Player Index, and with a career strike rate of 141.39, Phillips could potentially steer the Royals to an unlikely playoff berth.

TKR vs St Kitts & Nevis Patriots

rounder has scored three consecutive half-centuries in his side's three-match winning streak,

This match is scheduled to take place at 7pm local time. It's first versus second in this penultimate round clash. Both sides have won five and lost three of their eight matches to date, with Trinbago Knight Riders topping the table on net run rate.

Trinbago and St Kitts are two points clear of Jamaica Tallawahs, St Lucia

and is their highest run-scorer for the season, with 311 runs and a strike rate of 153.20. He's also taken eight wickets and bowled with an economy of 6.6.

With the ball, Jeavor Royal has been the Kings' biggest threat to date, taking 11 wickets and bowling with a team-leading economy of 6.44.

For Barbados, no single player has taken control with bat or ball in the 2021 CPL; no one has scored more than 200 runs or taken 10+ wickets for the club. However, Glenn Phillips showed what he is capable of during his side's victory over Guyana Amazon Warriors, smashing 44 runs

Kings, and Guyana Amazon Warriors with two matches remaining.

Trinbago have won four of their past five matches, dropping points only against Guyana Amazon Warriors, who defeated the defending champions in a Super Over.

In their most recent outing, the Knight Riders restricted Barbados Royals to just 93 for 9, before chasing down the victory with 19 balls and six wickets to spare.

Whom to watch?

Imad Wasim has only made four appearances for the Tallawahs this season,

b u t has contributed t w o very important all-round performances. Against Trinbago Knight Riders, he scored 42 runs and took 2 for 19; while, against the Kings, he scored a 10-ball 27 and finished with figures of 3 for 34. Ranked 36th on the T20 Player Index, Wasim is a game-changer for Jamaica.

Andre Russell also excelled against the Kings, scoring a 15-ball 31 at number five. His opponents must see this as an ominous sign.

match on its head.

Barbados Royals vs Saint Lucia Kings

This match is scheduled to take place at 10am local time. At the start of the day's play, Barbados Royals sit bottom of the CPL table, with four points from their opening eight matches.

The Royals have won just twice this season - defeating Jamaica Tallawahs by 15 runs in the third match and Guyana Amazon Warriors by 45 runs in match seven.

However, in their most recent outing against the Trinbago Knight Riders, they were restricted to 93 for 9 as they sank to a six-wicket defeat.

With two games remaining and a fourpoint gap to fourth place, they require a minor miracle to reach the knockout stages.

And in fourth place are St Lucia Kings, who have won four and lost four so far this season. The Kings started the season poorly, winning just one of their opening three matches, before embarking on a threematch winning run to reignite their season. However, they

23

St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, in contrast, won their opening five matches before suffering two successive defeats at the hands of St Lucia Kings, to see their winning momentum derailed. They have now lost three matches in a row, most recently suffering a 22run defeat at the hands of the Jamaica Tallawahs.

Whom to watch?

Ravi Rampaul is the leading wicket-taker in the CPL to date, with 17 wickets in eight appearances, and has earned a call-up to the West Indies' World Cup squad off the back of his performances.

Eleven of his wickets have come in his past 5 outings, with best figures of 4 for 29, but he was wicketless against Barbados Royals last time out.

Also keep an eye on his teammate Akeal Hosein, who's economy of 4.25 is the best of any player to have bowled more than 10 overs in the tournament.

For St Kitts, Fabian Allen has proven himself to be a

menace with bat and ball t h i s season, scoring 117 runs at a strike rate of 139.28 and taking seven wickets. With his side's top-order, which includes Evin Lewis and Chris Gayle, struggling for consistency this year, expect Allen to play a big part in the proceedings, despite batting below number five.

(Crictracker)

Malteenoes SC mourns passing of member Godfrey Edghill

T

However, the Tallawahs are in third position compared to Guyana's fifth, owing to their superior net run rate.

The Tallawahs had a poor start to the 2021 CPL, losing four of their opening six matches, but are now searching for their third consecutive victory.

In their most recent outing, they smashed 211 runs past St Lucia Kings en route to a 55-run victory, the second time they've passed 200 this

For Guyana, Gudakesh Motie was the man of the moment against St Lucia, taking 2 for 12 from four overs. The 26-yearold spinner has five wickets in four appearances to date, and an economy of 5.83; only Mohammad Hafeez has been more miserly for the Warriors.

Nicholas Pooran is also worth keeping an eye on. The Guyana captain has scored 153 runs at a strike rate of 151.48, and can quickly flip a

have lost their last two matches.

When these two sides met in 2020, St Lucia Kings were victorious on both occasions, winning by seven wickets (DLS) and three runs respectively.

Whom to watch?

Roston Chase appears to hold the key to St Lucia's success. The 29-year-old all-

he Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC), which has been in existence for the last 119 years, has been plunged into shock at the news of the death of one of its members, Godfrey Edghill, who died last week in the USA. Edghill was the father of the club’s only Olympian, table tennis player Chelsea Edghill, who represented Guyana at the last Olympics in Tokyo.

Godfrey, who was 62, had assisted Malteenoes on many fundraising projects, and had helped in management of the club's finances. Club President Deborah

MSC President Deborah Mc Nichol

Mc Nichol, who only this year became the first female President of a First Division Cricket Club in the Caribbean, said Mr Edghill’s untimely death has left a big impact at a club known for

producing national and international cricketers before Chelsea became the only table tennis player from the Caribbean to contest in the Olympics.

“Godfrey and his wife were true friends of Malteenoes, even before their daughter gained global prominence, and his loss will be felt by Malteenoes, the Edghill family, and many others whose (lives) he has touched in various ways over the years” informed Ms Mc Nichol.

“On behalf of the Malteenoes Sports Club, I extend profound condolences to Chelsea and her mom.”

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021

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

Page 23

Amazon Warriors to lock horns with Jamaica Tallawahs today …TKR, SKNP, SLK, BR to play as super Saturday kicks off

CSCA limited overs knockout tournament…

Pg 23

Pg 22

Malteenoes SC mourns passing of member Godfrey Edghill

Kadir’s all round brilliance leads Assassins to CSCA title

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