Guyana Times - Sunday April 11, 2021

P14

Allison and Devon Gilead – Jacks of many trades, masters of all Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4614 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021

Guyana to send aid to St Vincent within 48 hours

PRICE

$120 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

NICIL looking to lease land, properties in Canal No 2 P23 …invites individuals, companies to bid for business venture

Active COVID-19 cases surge P9 to 1118 …86 new positives, 14 in ICU

...PM says Guyana is open to helping evacuees from volcano-hit island Pages 3 & 29

Mazaruni Prison escapee spotted P9 in Bartica …continues to evade arrest

Residents call for better services from Corriverton municipality P24

… as explosion sent plume more than 33,000ft

... airports closed, houses collapse under weight of La Soufriere ash

Teen mom arrested for killing crying toddler Page 8

7 days' mandatory quarantine for persons travelling to Suriname P2

Gas-to-shore project

Guyana on track for cheaper electricity, investor boom — Bharrat Page 12

…urges youths to ready themselves, seek tertiary education

Social work teaches advocacy, creative solutions, thinking outside of the box – Samantha Stanwick P15

2 NEWS

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

7 days' mandatory quarantine for persons travelling to Suriname

Passengers entering the MV Canawaima

T

he Surinamese Government has revised their COVID-19 protocols for arriving passengers, and the new requirement mandates quarantining for seven days after entering the country.

Guyana’s Public Works Ministry advised of the changes on Saturday, noting that everyone entering the country, either air or by vessel, must possess a negative PCR test. These measures take effect immediately.

Potential travellers were advised that a curfew was instituted from April 10 to April 11 from 18:00h to 5:00h; April 12 to April 16 from 20:00h to 05:00h; April 16 to April 19 from 20:00h (full lockdown) to 05:00h; and April 19 to April 23 from 20:00h to 05:00h.

The Suriname Tourism and Hospitality Association has outlined 55 suites and hotels which are open for quarantining, all of which are listed on the Ministry’s Facebook page.

Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill has said this

decision was taken by the Dutch-speaking country after assessing the current COVID-19 situation there.

As it changes, Guyanese will be informed accordingly.

“The Government of Suriname have instituted new measures because of what is happening in Suriname as it relates to COVID-19…As soon as we could have any changes or any adjustments, we will keep you informed but this was a decision that was made by the Government of Suriname and we have just received notice of that,” the Minister informed.

Suriname has implemented a “full lockdown mode” on weekends and as such, the vessel will not operate next Sunday as was previously scheduled.

Instead, it will be facilitated on Monday.

The Public Works Minister asserted that in due time, the Health Ministry will advise authorities on what protocols should be adopted in Guyana to heighten safety

during travel.

In February, the Guyana-Suriname ferry service recommenced operations for residents of the two neighbouring countries following months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Edghill reiterated that any international agency or diplomatic official would require special clearance through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Guyanese can receive PCR tests at all approved medical institutions conducting PCR testing in Guyana while Guyanese in Suriname can conduct their testing at Suriname’s Public Hospital and MeDiLab in Paramaribo. Passengers are also asked to have all their travel documents required to travel to Suriname prior to COVID-19.

The Guyana-Suriname ferry service was closed since March 14, 2020 – days after the first COVID-19 case was recorded in Guyana, prompting the shutdown of all ports of entry. (G12)

NEWS

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SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, April 11 – 03:30h – 05:00h and Monday, April 12 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, April 11 – 16:20h – 17:50h and Monday, April 12 – 16:45h – 18:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be light rain showers and sunny intervals during the day. Thundery showers will prevail during the night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 16:29h reaching a maximum height of 2.65 metres.

Low Tide: 10:04h and 22:18h reaching minimum heights of 0.55 metre and 0.58 metre.

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Guyana to send aid to St Vincent within 48 hours ...PM says Guyana is open to helping evacuees from volcano-hit island

By Jarryl Bryan

F

ollowing a high-level meeting led by President Dr Irfaan Ali along with Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, it has been announced that Government is aiming to dispatch a ship of aid to volcano hit St Vincent and the Grenadines within the next 48 hours.

President Ali was accompanied by Phillips and Jagdeo in an urgent meeting on Saturday with members of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the Private Sector, to coordinate an emergency response to the fellow Caribbean Community (Caricom) member state.

“The Caribbean nation is grappling with the effects of the eruption of the Soufrière volcano, which has severely displaced its residents, including a large number of Guyanese. Guyana is aiming to dispatch relief items over the next 48 hours. The team that met with the President this afternoon brainstormed the fastest possible route to the islands, as flying is prohibited.”

“President Ali said that it is extremely important to get the items off and urged those present to put all systems in place to get it done in the fastest possible time. This emergency response is expected to be the first of many from Guyana,” the statement from the Public Information and Press Services Unit of the Office of the President stated.

Another statement from the Office of the President disclosed that President Ali has been in contact with Barbados, which is just 118 miles from St Vincent and the Grenadines and thus, is expected to be affected by volcanic ash from their neighbour.

Director General of the CDC, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig added that the Commission will be working around the clock to acquire the needed items. So far, commitments have already been made to supply drinking water, personal protective equipment, hygiene and sanitation supplies, water tanks and shelter supplies.

“Banks DIH has donated water (5-gallon bottles to fill a 20-foot container), John Fernandes Limited has donated a 20ft container and a 40ft container (to ship items to St Vincent), and Gaico Construction and General Services has pledged two charter flights to the Caricom island,” Craig noted during the meeting. DDL and several other big companies have also committed to donating items.

Guyana opening its doors to evacuees

Meanwhile, this publication had a brief interview with Prime Minister Phillips, during which he was asked about the Government’s efforts to help St Vincent and

President Dr Irfaan Ali (3rd, right) during the meeting with Private Sector executives at State House on Saturday

whether consideration has been given to Guyana opening its doors to evacuees from the Caribbean island.

“There is a list of needs they prepared. We are in possession of the list and we’re trying to put together assistance based on the items that they need and get it to them as early as possible,” the Prime Minister said.

“The Government of Guyana is open to all options. If anybody wants to be evacuated as far as Guyana, the Government of Guyana is open to all forms of assistance. We’re working with the Government of St Vincent. Based on their requests, we are ready to meet all forms of assistance,” he added.

In an interview with this publication on Friday, President Ali had assured that all Guyanese living and working in St Vincent and Grenadines, where the La Soufriere volcano began erupting, are safe.

He had said that he has been in constant contact with St Vincent Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, while

his Ministers are also reaching out to their counterparts in the island state.

“We’ve also been in contact with the Honorary Consul over there and he has assured us that the Guyanese over there are safe… He’s coordinating, he’s in contact with the Guyanese and he has assured that everything is okay,” the President had related.

Support

As it is, there are several thousand Guyanese in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Guyana Times had spoken briefly with at least two Guyanese who indicated that they are safe on the southern side of the island and that most if not all Guyanese they know are also in that area which has been marked as a Green Zone as of now.

When asked, President Ali told this newspaper that as of Friday evening there were no requests from any of the Guyanese in St Vincent to be repatriated.

In a joint statement on Friday from the Private Sector Commission (PSC)

and CDC, it was noted that they are mobilising support for SVG, and are working to supply as many items as possible on the country’s immediate emergency needs list.

Among the items required are: 1000 water tanks (800 and 1000 gallons), 5000 buckets (5 gallon), 10,000 folding cots, 150 portable toilets, 30,000 blankets along with 50 field tents (20ft x 20ft) and (910ft x 10ft).

Additionally, two field kitchens, 3000 sleeping mats, 1000 respirator masks with filters, 25,000 goggles, 2000 reflective vests, 100 caution tape (100ft roll), and 10,000 hygiene kits are also needed.

La Soufriere volcano

At about 08:41h on Friday, the La Soufriere volcano started to erupt with ash plumes of up to 8 kilometres recorded. There were at least two other eruptions throughout the day – one at 14:45h (2:45 pm) which went about 4 km into the atmosphere, and the other at around 18:35h (6:35 pm).

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544 223-7230,223-7231,231-0544, 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

St Vincent tragedy: We are family

W

e knew it was coming, but it was still a sobering sight to view pictures of that 3-mile plume of smoke and ash that was belched out of La Soufrière volcano in St Vincent and the Grenadines following multiple eruptions on Friday. It was a reminder that Mother Nature can sometimes be brutal on us humans as her everyday events unfold within their own dynamics and logic. In this case, molten rocks (lava) under her crust had once again escaped, as it did eons ago through a crack.

The lava had accumulated to form the very island of which Mt Soufriere the volcano is its highest point.

“Soufriere” means “sulphur outlet” in French, and reminds us that the WI rupture in the earth’s crust is not confined to St Vincent, but formed the nearby islands of Dominica, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, which all have their “Soufrieres”. It also reminds us that the Europeans took the notion of “hell”, with its molten sulphur being under the earth, very literally. The St Vincent “Soufriere” has exploded on five occasions in recorded history, the previous most recent being in 1979. The one on May 6, 1902 was the deadliest, and took almost 2000 lives, most of them the Indigenous Caribs, whose culture and existence were almost completely wiped out. But the damage in St Vincent pales in comparison with the simultaneous one of Mt Pelée in neighbouring Martinique, which took 29,000 lives.

This history reminds of the destructive potential of the “forces of nature”. Fortunately, since that explosion that inaugurated the 20th century, the authorities have been very proactive in dealing with their impact. There were no lives lost, for instance, in the 1979 explosion, and in this instance, there were physical warnings of impending volcanic activity since last December. These were monitored by the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre, and, as such, when the “red alert” was issued last Friday, the evacuation plans for 16,000 persons resident in the “red zone” around the volcano, in the northernmost section of the island, kicked into action.

By today, it is expected, the evacuation would have been completed, but since it is predicted that the volcanic activity could last for months, these 16,000 persons would have to be housed and otherwise accommodated during that time. This is beyond the capabilities of the government of this island of just 100,000 persons, and as such we, the people of the Caribbean, will have to lead the way in taking care of our brothers and sisters. The revelation that there were nearly 5,000 persons of Guyanese descent living in St Vincent - not necessarily in the “red zone” must have surprised many, but it is a reminder that when the Burnhamite dictatorship had reduced our nation to penury, the small islands of the Caribbean - members of Caricom - provided succor to thousands of our citizens.

It was therefore most appropriate that President Irfaan Ali, along with several heads of other CariCom States, immediately called Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves to offer concrete support to his nation. Not that it is a quid pro quo, but Guyanese should never forget when PM Gonsalves, - then the incoming Caricom Chair - rose to the occasion when the PNC was attempting another electoral rigging and advised David Granger to “take your licks like a man”.

It is most unfortunate that this tragedy exploded when St Vincent, like the rest of us, is reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. They have recorded 1789 cases, with 10 of them resulting in fatalities. While this is three times better than our death rate, the evacuation realities may force persons to ignore social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols and, as such, they will all have to be vaccinated.

Because of this threat, the region will also have to offer some of its vaccine supply to St Vincent in addition to the food, clothing, tents etc that have been mentioned.

All Guyanese must rise to the occasion and offer help.

Following explosive eruptions from La Soufriere volcano, massive ash deposits have covered the islands of St Vincent and the Grenadines along with neighbouring island states. In these UWI Seismic Research Centre and Caribbean Online Weather photos, ash deposits have blanketed buildings and roadways in St Vincent (UWI Seismic Research Centre; Caribbean Online Weather photos)

Election petition continues to frustrate Guyanese while millions are being wasted

Dear Editor, The APNU/AFC’s attempt to rig the 2020 National and Regional Elections has led them to wickedly file election petitions to continue fooling their supporters. It is a glaring and open fact that they utilised myriad underhand moves and manoeuvres while knowingly trying to derail the true 2020 Elections’ results. The related billions in associated taxpayers’ money abused in the process are not only overwhelming, but also highlight their innate policy of suffering the nation, given the immeasurable opportunity costs.

The APNU/PNC petitioners represent the same cabal that flagrantly attempted to redefine the most basic interpretation of the English language. From the passing of the No-Confidence Motion on December 21, 2018 to the publicly witnessed recount of votes, this degree of unacceptable frivolity of arguments has not been witnessed before. They are now challenging Section 22 of the Elections Laws Amendment Act (ELAA), through which the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) created Order 60 for the recount of votes from the March 2nd polls. The APNU/PNC are claiming that the recount was unlawful.

It is a matter of extreme proportions that these concoctions were adopted while those contaminated elements in the GECOM Secretariat and those supervising the final Region 4 tab-

ulation of the Statements of Poll (SOPs) refused to validate these approved instruments. All Guyana and the world know that they moved to deliberately provide a spreadsheet of false tabulation of the votes. Their refusal to provide the SOPs in their possession, as legally mandated for this purpose of validation, is a flagrant attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of the Guyanese people and the international community.

It is an even more serious travesty because of the amount of money and time that is being wasted behind the APNU/AFC riggers, whose leadership is grabbing at every last straw to keep their support base. It is a futile position that mirrors the false hope they created as the previous Government, while leading the country to the abyss of economic destruction by fuelling social conflict. To now ask the High Court to determine whether the Elections were lawfully conducted, or whether the results have been affected by any unlawful act or omission that allowed the PPP/C to win, is tantamount to sailors on a sinking ship in the middle of the ocean without life rafts.

Following the ongoing petition case is indeed a matter of public interest. Of note were the abstract presentations of APNU/AFC petitioners’ Counsel John Jeremie, the GECOM Senior Counsel Anthony Astapahan versus the apt responses of Senior Counsels Douglas Mendes

and Anil Nandlall, which ripped their baseless arguments apart.

The eminent attorneys strongly responded, arguing that where certain difficulties arise in respect to an election, Section 22 empowers the Commission to resolve the difficulties. The brilliant attorneys also advanced strong arguments that Section 22 grants GECOM the authority to amend by Order several pieces of legislation to resolve any difficulty related to the implementation of the Elections Act. It is clear that APNU/ AFC’s hope is one of futility, and their self-denial is hinged on some legal technical clause fuelled by their self-imposed indecent conduct and actions to derail these elections. This case, however, is expected to bring to the forefront many more revelations. Among them the fact that Keith Lowenfield and Clarmiont Mingo refused to produce valid Statements of Poll, which was the cause for the Recount.

The consequences and effects of the deliberate ‘hiding’ and withholding of the valid Statements of Poll to realise an election fraud must therefore carry heavy penalties, including jail terms.

While there is wide public consensus that GECOM has enough evidence to dispel these contaminated employees and move on with its business, the violations by its officials exposed in the petition presented before the

Court must be taken seriously to deter any such future endeavours.

GECOM, at its earliest meeting, must be decisive regarding the riggers who have breached legal or other procedural policies to inform guilt in the conduct of the serious misdemeanors in the attempts to rig the elections.

Further, the Commission must immediately order all those charged and placed before the courts for fraud and misconduct to go home, as the country cannot continue to pay the massive level of emoluments to the fraudsters.

Importantly, millions of dollars are being wasted that our country cannot afford at this time. It is even more critical that the advancement of reform positions be held in abeyance pending the outcomes of this petition, as the Chairwoman, by her published words, has indicated the need to allow. From the look of things, therefore, unless there is decisive action from GECOM, we may end up awaiting the appeals together with the continued deferral of necessary future elections activities as a ransom to our nation’s forward movement. This is unacceptable, and must not be allowed.

I call on GECOM Charwoman Justice (retired) Madam Claudette Singh and the Commission Members to halt the rot and wastage. Act now!

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 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

Govt gets high marks for budget

Dear Editor, An opinion poll I conducted found high marks for President Irfaan Ali led Government for its latest budget presentation and handling of the economy that has taken a hit from the pandemic. The NACTA conducted survey of “Budget 202122” presented by Finance Minister Ashni Singh has revealed an optimistic picture of the economy. The Finance Minister and Vice President Jagdeo has pulled together a set of economic policies that are seen as being very good for the economy and better than any previous budgets presented by the coalition over the previous five years.

It is an expansionary budget that focuses on urban-rural infrastructure and not unexpectedly, many rejoice over it. The presentation of the budget comes in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic and

its repercussion on the global economy, with the world facing the worst contraction since the Depression of the 1930s. Respondents praise the government for not proposing new direct taxes and for reducing or removing a lot of taxes and fees and for increasing welfare benefits to the less fortunate. This ‘spend now’ budget has received a broad welcome from voters from both sides of the political divide. It is considered as a lifeline for an economy still battered by a partial lockdown, a continuing emergency COVID relief to the nation. They also feel it is a far better budget than any from the APNU+AFC coalition. Most people feel they should be better off from the budget. However, they complain that prices have not dropped in the shops in spite of lowered VAT. On other complaint is that respondents feel that the government

should have lowered the income tax threshold so they can have more take home money.

A majority of those polled said the finance minister has delivered a fair, good, or better than expected budget. The government gets kudos for direct intervention to deal with issues of poverty, inequality, and unemployment. But concerns were raised over inadequate money for state companies.

Respondents praise the government for its handling of housing, infrastructure development, support for agriculture, social support, and Covid.

But respondents complain of joblessness and inadequate income that is not sufficient to meet rising expenses and lagging local development of communities.

They also continue to express fear of crime. Parents complain that their children are not receiving adequate education during the

yearlong pandemic without access to equipment (computer) or wifi to tap into long distance learning. And the nation feels more needs to be done to address the recent surge of maternity and infant issues at hospitals and health clinics.

The NACTA poll was conducted by Dr. Vishnu Bisram from late February thru March with a sample size of 600 respondents reflecting the demographics of the population.

When asked what is the most important issue facing the country, respondents’ express concerns over unemployment, crime, pandemic, infrastructure, health, blackouts, drugs, among others. They describe all these problems as important.

Overall, people praise the government for the budget saying it puts more money in their pockets.

They describe the budget as mature, transpar-

Dear Editor, First, he wrote letters three in total - to Dr Keith Rowley, then this latest visit to the United States Ambassador to Guyana. In both instances, he lodges a bitter complaint about Dr Irfaan Alli Government’s manner of governance in this country as well as a request for the American Ambassador to air the views of the Opposition to her home Government.

This marks a stark contrast from the belligerent and obnoxious Coalition that we have grown accustomed to these last five years five months on here in Guyana.

Maybe they have changed their ways, but have they?

We shall explore this aspect of that party as we go further into our discussion. But before we get into an in-depth look into this topic, I would like to ask the PNC to clear up a few glaring anomalies.

Firstly, Joseph Harmon

must acknowledge the PPP/C as the elected Government of Guyana. Up until this point, he has refused to give credence to this fact. I guess he is still griping from the aftermath of a defeat at the polls and that disgraceful attempt with that rigging stunt of theirs. These are the facts that he must consider before we can move safely into the future.

Both GECOM and the International Community have closed that chapter of our democratic process, and have declared the PPP/C winners of the March 2020 Elections, so there is no point harping on that, it is high time for us to move on.

Lastly, it is a pathetic display, to say the least, that Harmon and Khemraj Ramjattan should approach the USA Ambassador on any matter of governance, because Mrs Sarah-Ann Lynch was present at the Ashmin Building when the brazen

rigging attempt was being carried out. There was nothing left to the imagination as the Coalition led that brazen assault on our democratic process.

Further to it is the fact that it was Mrs Lynch herself who was subjected to all the expletives and cussouts from PNC supporters.

The very same ambassador was refused entry by the PNC when the recount started, so isn’t it ironic that Mr Harmon should be approaching Mrs Lynch to act on his

behalf?

But this is the barefaced nature of the PNC, a party that have no shame. How far he can go with that kind of behaviour is left to be seen.

But what I am well aware of is that the USA as well as the rest of the world are paying strict attention to the actions of the PNC, to see if they can measure up to the bar of behaving as a civilised Opposition.

Are the PNC delusional?

Respectfully, Neil Adams

ent, people centered, and growth oriented as compared to earlier ones.

On being asked if they approve of the budget, 64% said “yes” with 20% saying “no” and 16% not offering a response. Asked if the budget will produce a better life, 63% said yes, with 21% saying no and 16% not sure.

Some 66% said this budget is better than the previous APNU+AFC budget; 19% say it is ‘worse than’ and 15% did not respond. budgets.

Respondents from the bigger business community feel very optimistic and cheer the budget while respondents from the small businesses were more reserved in their view of the budget. The big business persons gave a high rating of ‘A’ while small business gave it an average rating

of ‘B’. Some concerns were raised by respondents over household expenses and inadequate income to meet them. The biggest fear is inflation (rising prices).

COVID-19 pandemic has contributed greatly to this worry. Some voters feel there should be more economic support for Covid and another stimulus package like the one given out in November and December.

Voters expressed displeasure and disquiet over some responses to the budget. They also don’t endorse the Opposition boycott of parliament. Respondents feel the Opposition should be present in Parliament to hold the Government accountable.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021

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Foundation

Empathy makes kids strong. Sympathy makes them weak

By: Erin Leonard, PhD

M

ore than anything, a parent wants their child to feel loved. The manner in which they go about it, however, may strengthen or weaken a child’s resiliency. The difference between an empathic approach and a sympathetic style may determine the amount of grit a child brings to the table in life.

Resonating with a child’s feeling states is empathic.

Dismissing a child’s experience because a parent is uncomfortable with the difficult emotions and wishes to “fix it” qualifies as a form of pity or sympathy. The parent becomes the saver and rescuer, and the child is postured as the “victim.”

Disappointment is an unpleasant emotion with which most humans can relate. Faced with developmental challenges, kids experience disappointment regularly. If handled with empathy, the experience of intense disappointment may help a child retry and grow. If approached with sympathy, the child may quit or expect special treatment.

For example, Charlie’s friend, Jon, is trying out for a travel baseball league. Charlie, 8, wants to remain close to his best friend, so he also decides to try out. Charlie’s mom is nervous because Charlie is small and has participated in fewer competitive leagues but supports his decision.

At the tryout, Charlie struggles, and Jon plays exceptionally. Jon makes the cut and is told he will be on the team, but Charlie is dismissed after the first round. In the car on the way home, Charlie is quiet. His mom senses his deep embarrassment and disappointment. She asks if he is okay.

Charlie is silent. She asks if he wants to talk about it. Charlie shakes his head.

The mom respects his wish but offers empathy, “You are so disappointed. I get it. I would be too. I’m so proud of you for trying, though. You are brave.”

Charlie doesn’t say much. They get home, and Charlie disappears to his room. The mom understands his need to be alone.

Later that evening, Charlie comes to her and says, “I am so weak, Mom. I am not strong like the other kids.”

The mom realises he is referring to his experience at the tryout. She empathises, “You don’t feel strong. I get it. I have felt weak a lot in my life too. It hurts.”

Charlie went to her for a hug. While they hugged, the mom softly said, “You may not feel powerful, but you are tough, and you are fast. Two things that are more important than power.”

Charlie appears to feel better. He asks, “You have felt weak before too?”

The mom chuckles and says, “Heck yes. I felt weak this morning at tennis when I was beaten 1 to 6. It’s a hard feeling.”

Charlie snuggles in. She holds him for a second before he pops up and runs into the kitchen to get a snack. The next week, a new travel team contacts Charlie’s mom and asks if Charlie wants to try out for the team. Although reluctant due to his prior experience, Charlie agrees and practises diligently until he returns to the field.

Charlie succeeds and makes the team.

In this example, the mom resonates with what Charlie is feeling. She remembers how it feels to be left out and to feel inferior. She recalls that at 8, boys are often preoccupied with strength and power.

She relates to her son’s wexperience and communicates this understanding to him.

Alternatively, say the mom sympathises. In the car, she says to Charlie, “The tryout was not fair. The coaches already knew the kids they wanted. You were one of the best players out there. I’m going to call the coach.”

Charlie doesn’t have a chance to work through what he is feeling before his mom swoops in and “saves the day.” He is taught he is gypped, and the coaches are wrong. Like his mom, he blames others instead of seeing his flaws realistically and tackling them in a healthy way. He incorrectly believes he is the best player and, in place of practising, complains about being wronged and quits.

The following year, Charlie goes out for the lacrosse team. He is cut, but his mom calls the coach, who is her friend’s husband.

Charlie gets on the team because of his mom. A similar theme continues, and Charlie’s sense of entitlement inflates along with a victim mentality. Taught never to look at himself, he blames others and cries foul when things do not go his way. This scenario exemplifies how sympathy can lead to enabling, which

creates a sense of entitlement and victim mentality in a child.

Empathy or taking the time to authentically understand a child and what he is feeling may create a resilient child.

The child feels truly understood, less alone in his plight, and connected to a parent who “gets it.” This experience soothes him and enhances the closeness and trust with a parent. He is unafraid to open up because the parent respects how he feels and offers understanding. Also, the child is less anxious about trying again after a failure, because he realises it happens to everyone, including a parent.

Conversely, feeling sorry for a child and ignoring how he feels while racing to “fix” the problem may teach a child he is entitled to point the finger at others if denied what he wants.

Externalising blame instead of taking responsibility leads a child to avoid introspection and embrace narcissism. Unable to reflect on mistakes or shortcomings, the child believes he is a constant victim of the system if things do not go his way.

Additionally, a parent may successfully empathise with a child yet still hold her accountable. For example, Rickie enters the house angry.

She throws her basketball into the closet and screams at her sister. Her mom looks up from the kitchen island and, in a gentle but firm voice, empathises with Rickie’s anger while correcting the negative behaviour: “Rickie, you are mad. I don’t know why, but I want to know, but you cannot throw your ball. Please go pick it up and apologise to your sister.”

Rickie feels supported because her mom recognises and respects the anger she is feeling, cares, and wants to know more, but holds her accountable for acting out. Rickie settles down and does what she is asked. Afterward, Rickie returns to the kitchen and opens up about a bully on her basketball team. The mom continues to empathise, “That hurts. It is really unfair. I am so very sorry. What would help? Want to shoot around in the driveway?”

The mom does not shame Rickie for her anger. She does not say, “Knock it off! Go to your room until you calm down!”

If she did, Rickie might feel shut down and increasingly frustrated. Unwilling to open up because her mom punished her for the feeling instead of the behaviour, Rickie keeps the incident to herself and does not access support.

As research suggests, a secure attachment is hearty because a parent offers empathy. The child grows up trusting how she feels because her emotions are respected. Unafraid to open up, the child matures into an adult who is in touch with how she feels, introspective, and accountable. She readily experiences empathy for others because she internalised and integrated the empathy provided to her throughout her childhood. The child is emotionally regulated and evolves into an emotionally intelligent adult. (Excerpt from Psychologytoday.com)

Guyana to send aid...

FROM PAGE 3

The explosive eruption had put a significant volume of ash into the atmosphere.

It was reported that the volcanic ash consists of fine particles of volcanic rock shot into the air during the eruption and prevailing wind conditions had taken the ash clouds in a north-easterly direction. Reports indicate that it could reach neighbouring islands including Barbados.

UWI’s Seismic Research Centre Geologist, Professor Richard Robertson, said during a Friday morning press briefing that the volcano had gone into continuous tremor overnight before starting to erupt.

According to Professor Robertson, while the first eruption was not a big one, more explosions are expected and these could continue for

days and even weeks.

Prime Minister Gonsalves on Thursday evening had declared a red alert and issued an evacuation order. Videos which circulated on social media showed evacuees with luggage treading through the streets covered in ash with a grey smog filling the air.

During an interview on NBC Radio in St Vincent Friday evening, Professor Robertson urged persons to not be in the ash and to ensure that their homes and other premises are secured to prevent the tiny particles from entering.

The La Soufriere volcano last erupted in 1979 with no deaths or injuries since the area had been evacuated.

However, a previous eruption in 1902 killed some 1600 people.

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8 NEWS

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Teen mom arrested for killing crying toddler

A

n 18-year-old mother of Jango Street, Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo, is now in Police custody after she allegedly killed her 21-month-old son.

Reports are that the young mother reportedly killed the child on Friday.

Guyana Times understands the mother and the child, who had a physical disability, were returning from an outing at about 19:00h, when the child began to cry.

She told Police that she then wrapped the child in a blanket and left him at the side of the road in a clump of bushes. According to the

woman’s statement to investigators, she went to someone’s house in close proximately to beg the person to make some tea for the child. It was then that the resident asked her about the whereabouts of the child and she bolted from the house. Police were told that the woman, in a fit to escape, jumped into a nearby canal but was nonetheless cornered by a resident. The resident called the Police and also informed the woman’s brother, who lives nearby, about the occurrence. After being questioned about the toddler’s location, the wom-

an took Police to the area where she had left the child. However, his lifeless body was fished out of the drain and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced

dead.

The woman was taken into custody at the Parika Police Station as Police continue their investigation and await a post-mortem examination.

National concerns…

Y

...on vendors and COVID-19 esterday, your Eyewitness noted - en passant - that while the established businesses in Georgetown are being monitored, and even fined, for not observing the COVID-19 protocols, the vendors, who continue to occupy the pavements in front of those businesses cheek by jowl, have been left to “do their thing”. That “thing” being to absolutely guarantee that no one who’s forced to sidle past them can maintain a foot’s social distance, much less the required 3 to 6 feet. Not to mention pushing their goods in your face to get your attention (and the money). Who checks to make sure they aren’t carriers of the virus? Does anyone check their temperatures or sanitisation of their hands?

At long last, the authorities are BEGINNING to appreciate the enormity of this COVID-19 threat - probably only because the infections are now increasing quantitatively and qualitatively.

From 218 deaths in the first year - from ground zero, March 25 with our first (imported) death, to March 25 2021, we had 218 fatalities. Which works out to .6/daily deaths. But from then to April 8 - a mere 14 days - our deaths increased by 34. Giving us a death rate of 2.4/daily: an increase of almost FOUR TIMES in just two weeks!! Not surprisingly, the infection rate has also increased commensurately!

Qualitatively, young people are now dying…we had one 26-year-old fatality, if your Eyewitness’s memory serves him right. This is the most worrying development. Not that we shouldn’t worry about oldsters passing on, but they at least have lived long enough to fulfill their potential (of whatever quantum!)! But what about these young’uns? The ones we’re hoping to develop our nation? Can we afford to have them culled?

Well, we know there are no silver bullets against COVID19, not even the vaccines and the “herd immunity” we’re hearing about, because of the mutations that the virus is undergoing all the time! So, it means we have to cast our net of weapons as far and as widely as possible. And this is where we call upon the authorities to include the vendors in their list of possible vectors of the virus.

Now, your Eyewitness is very sympathetic to the needs of the vendors and the services they provide to a povertystricken populace. But THIS COVID-19 noose is drawing tighter and tighter every day. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and these are certainly the most desperate of times.

Isn’t this the time to relocate our vendors? How about to the $1.6 billion Jubilee Park? There, the vending can be regulated health-wise and otherwise. And they’ll be large enough to attract their own clientele looking for bargains.

Meaning most of Guyana! …on public servants’ funds The PNC’s been protesting quite vehemently that those of its appointees to various public bodies, who’ve been subsequently charged by the Government for various and sundry alleged illegal actions, shouldn’t be dismissed.

Innocent until proven guilty and all that! But it would seem that Patrick Yard, President of the GPSU - one of the foundation pillars of the PNC on account of its 14,000 members in the 22,000 strong Public Service - hasn’t gotten the message.

Yarde’s insisting that Trevor Benn (of GL&SC fame) step aside as Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of the GPSU Credit Union, ahead of its AGM on April 11.

Why? Well, he was charged for some alleged hankypanky at the GL&SC!! So, is Yarde confronting the PNC, which has backed Benn to the hilt on his charges? Well, it was the PNC who’d placed Benn in the IMC over the GPSUCU - because of suspected hanky-panky there by Yarde and his minions!

Oh, what a tangled web… …on 'it takes a village' Remember when “it took a village to raise a child”?

Well, it might be returning. Seems that in Kaneville EBD, villagers soundly trashed a village teenager who robbed another youth. He had to receive medical attention.

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

NEWS

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SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Active COVID-19 cases surge to 1118

…86 new positives, 14 in ICU

G

uyana’s active coronavirus cases are now at 1118, after 86 new positives were detected within the course of one day.

Saturday’s dashboard saw the overall positives rising to 11,044 – 5624 males and 5420 females. The number of deaths remained at

252.

Some 14 patients are seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 71 are in institutional isolation, 1033 in home isolation and 14 in institutional quarantine. The country

has seen 9688 recoveries and 98,199 individuals were tested thus far.

Of the new positives, one was from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 30 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 55 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), four in Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica), three in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and eight in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

There total cases in Regions One (BarimaWaini), Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remain at 1028, 966, 247, and 449 respectively.

If Guyana does not attain herd immunity, then a large fraction of the population would remain vulnerable to COVID-19. This was the position shared by Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, during the latest coronavirus update.

“If we don’t achieve herd immunity, it means that the Guyana population would still remain vulnerable to COVID. When we talk about herd immunity, we mean that a substantial part of the population would have received immunisation so even if there is in-

Mazaruni Prison escapee spotted in Bartica …continues to evade arrest

K

evin LaFleur, the robbery convict who escaped from the Mazaruni Prison on Friday was spotted in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni Mazaruni).

Speaking with this publication on Saturday, acting Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot said that the Joint Services are continuing their search for the escapee.

“We are still working on it, he was spotted in Bartica around Third Avenue, so we have a search team in that area looking for him,” Elliot added.

Reports are that at about 03:15h on Friday, LaFleur, of Providence Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), escaped into the bushes aback the prison. In a statement, Police said prison officers searched the area but did not locate the escapee. As such, a Joint Services team was called in to hunt the escapee.

LaFleur was serving a 56-month prison sentence after he was convicted for robbery under arms.

In February, 25-yearold Imran Ramsaywack of Adelphi Village, East Coast Berbice (ECB); 44-yearold Kenrick Lyte whose last known address is Grant Good Intent, Lower Pomeroon River; 22-yearold Samuel Gouveia of Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and

Escapee: Kevin LaFleur

22-year-old Rayon Jones of Timehri, EBD, escaped from the Mazaruni Prison.

Following their escape, Ramsawack and Jones were killed during a shootout with Police on March 22 at about 20:40h at the Better Hope Backlands, ECD. Police said Lyte and Gouveia are still on the run.

Ramsaywack was sentenced to death after being found guilty of the murder of a United States-based Buxton woman, Samantha Benjamin, in 2015, while Jones was sentenced to 28 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of Timehri mechanic Puranand Baljit, who was stabbed to death during a robbery at his Madewini home in 2016. (G9)

fection, this infection would not spread. It would be contained because a lot of people would have some form of immunity to fight off the disease,” the Minister outlined.

Herd immunity involves immunising a significant portion of the population to contain the virus from widespread infections. While none of the vaccines developed thus far offers 100 per cent protection, the efficacy is significantly high.

He explained, “There is still that possibility that people being fully immunised would have a little chance of getting infected but it would be severely reduced because you’re now fully vaccinated. What these vaccines have done is that if you’re fully vaccinated, then it prevents you from getting

the more severe form of the disease.”

This week, health authorities expressed concern over the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Guyana, many of which are

young people as well as persons who are getting sicker and require hospitalisations.

According to the Health Minister, these increasing cases are more prevalent in

Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Seven (CuyuniMazaruni). He was unable to say whether there is a new COVID-19 variant in the country that is resulting in these people becoming sicker and more younger people becoming infected with the virus.

Previously, Guyana had sent 10 samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and after completing the gene sequencing in February this year, the results showed that were no traces of new variants of COVID-19.

However, since then no other testing was done but Minister Anthony said they are hoping to send another set of samples soon for analysis. (G12)

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SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Reflections on a Hindu life

H

induism is not a “religion” but a “way of life” the Sanataan (ancient) Dharma. There being no equivalent word for Hindu Dharma, on enquiry, one master waited and then pointed to someone passing and said, “That is a Hindu”. The point being that Dharma can be known only in action, and those prescribed actions have to be performed by persons, each practising his/her “sva (own) dharma”.

I have been involved in grassroots Hindu work for decades. And if there is one person I could point to as being a “Hindu” in the sense described above, it would be “Uncle Rudy” of D’Edward Village, WCB, who just passed away. He is actually Kumbkarran Rampersad, but “Uncle Rudy” he was to young and old. This is my tribute to him.

He was born in D’Edward in 1952, then a backwater Ravi Dev fishing village, a satellite to nearby Blairmont Sugar Estate. He attended primary school, passed his “Preliminary Certificate” examinations, then went on to the new secondary school founded in his village after the 1960s ethnic riots. But after matriculating with five GCE subjects, there were no jobs in the offing. UG had been launched at QC with night classes since 1963, but this was out of the question to a poor village lad from West Berbice.

He eventually landed a stint as a lab technician at Blairmont Sugar Factory, but when his initiative and drive were noticed, he was soon sent into the cane fields as a “field foreman”, before being promoted to a “field supervisor”.

While these are grand-sounding titles, the pay was mediocre at best. Especially since Rudy, in 1975, at the ripe age of 23, was married to a Miss Nirwatee from No 2 Village across the Berbice River. She would become “Aunty Dato”, as well known today and as fine an exemplar of Hindu Dharma as Uncle Rudy. It was an arranged marriage that would make anyone believe in arrangements “by the book”. They were still together when he passed away 46 years later.

The couple planted a kitchen garden, reared chickens and ducks - even as Uncle Rudy did some fishing on the nearby Berbice River. All of this to save enough to build a house without a loan - on the lot owned by Uncle Rudy’s parents.

Seeing no future on the sugar estate, the couple bought a car for Rudy to run as a taxi, and then decided to open a “shop”.

This started more as a shed at the side of their house with a large “drop” wooden window that was propped up when the shop was “open”. They began by repackaging and selling packets of “aji”, loose teabags and cigarettes - staples in a poverty-stricken neighbourhood.

They saved and “expanded” into groceries, with Rudy crossing over in his friends’ fishing boats to New Amsterdam, where he purchased small quantities of basics, like rice and “aloo” etc, from the market. Sometimes he would cross several times. They converted an oil drum into an oven, and Aunt Dato baked and sold salara - always a hit. They continued saving, and decided to expand into haberdasheries: going by bus to Georgetown and returning with items in polyethylene bags. It soon became necessary to hire a special bus to transport the goods. Special relationships were forged with merchants in Georgetown, who found them to be good credit risks. They then bought their own station wagon, and eventually a canter. Their “Back Shop” in D’Edward had become a fixture.

All the while, they were intensely involved with the D’Edward Mandir, around which their lives revolved outside of their home. It was through this association and their charitable works that I got to know the couple. Their home became a stopping (and sleeping) point not only for me, but any Hindu worker who visited from across the world.

They were enthusiastic participants in the annual Divali Motorcade, and their Mandir was always in the running.

Life would be incomplete if there were no challenges, and this came in the form of an impaired kidney of Uncle Rudy’s, that forced a trip to India in 2003 and then again in 2004, to have Aunty Dato donate one of her kidneys to her beloved husband. There were other trips to deal with the ancillary complications from the kidney transplant, but, through it all, Uncle Rudy remained stoic, refusing to take pain killers. The kidney never failed.

May he remain forever in the arms of Sri Krishna.

12 NEWS

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Gas-to-shore project

Guyana on track for cheaper electricity, investor boom – Bharrat …urges youth to ready themselves, seek tertiary education

T

he gas-to-shore project, which the Government is moving full steam ahead with, will put Guyana firmly on track for cheaper energy and an investor boom. This is according to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, who on Friday urged Guyanese to ready themselves for this transformation.

During an address to a virtual Caribbean oil and gas webinar on Friday, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat spoke of the gas-toshore project. He drew comparisons with Trinidad and Tobago, which he noted has energy prices as low as 12 cents per kilowatt of power.

“They pay 12 cents per kilowatt, which is very cheap. Less than half of what we pay in Guyana. So that

is where we’re moving as a country and as a Ministry, to ensure we utilise the gas to produce electricity at the cost of maybe what Trinidad is producing.”

“Imagine in another couple years from now, your parents don’t have to worry about the light bill, because it would have been reduced by almost half. That is where we’re heading as a country.

And that now would bring in significant investment into Guyana.”

According to the Minister, cheaper energy equates to more investors and more companies willing to enter the value-added market. But he also urged participants to add value to their own skillset and to pursue tertiary education, if they wish to compete in the sector.

“I want you to use this as a motivation, to move from secondary to tertiary education at some point in time.

Because in another couple of years, it will be competitive.

And people will need skilled and competent workers.”

“And to secure a job, you would have to compete with people who are university trained. So, I’m encouraging you not to stop at secondary level, but to ensure you move on to tertiary. So, you can compete with the regional and international workforce.”

Gas-to-energy project

Soon after the Government issued permit licences to ExxonMobil for the Payara Development Project last year, Vice

President Bharrat Jagdeo had announced that the Government would turn its attention to negotiating the gas-to-energy project.

He had pointed out that Guyana is generating at nearly 17 to 20 cents per kilowatt/hour. As such, he noted that the project could cut the cost of electricity in the country by more than half. To this end, he had announced that a team has been set up to start negotiations on the gas-to-energy project, with the Government eyeing 2023 to bring the project to fruition.

The Gas-to-Shore Project Advisory Committee headed by former National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Head Winston Brassington was set up soon

Government had settled on Wales to land the pipelines for the project.

Project by 2024

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

afterwards to look at various locations for the gas-to-shore project.

A number of factors including geotechnical, geophysical and environmental were examined before Vice President Jagdeo announced recently that the

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who has responsibility for the energy sector, has previously said that the Government is looking to produce 200 megawatts of power from the gasto-shore project by 2024.

Exxon has said that around 30 to 35 million cubic feet of natural gas would be required for the gas-to-shore project.

Recently-released data from Norwegian research company Rystad Energy had indicated that less than 20 per cent of the 1.8 billion Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) discovered last year was gas. (G3)

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14 FEATURE

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Lakhram Bhagirat

A

llison and Devon Gilead are actively giving the figure of speech “Jack of all trades, master of none” a whole new meaning since they are dabbling in many trades and certainly mastering them all.

The couple has been dabbling in several areas from business to farming and they have recorded successes.

However, the success has not been without trial and error.

Together, they are farmers, beekeepers, small business owners, manufacturers of handmade beauty products, and candle makers.

While the couple is actively involved in every aspect of their ventures, they both have their own projects that they nurture. For Allison, it is managing the small business and making beauty products.

Sharing her journey with the Sunday Times, Allison said that they currently operate from their home in Glasgow Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam in the East Berbice region.

Reminiscing on her earlier days, Allison said that those days of struggles have strengthened her resolve to work hard.

“I grew up the old school way.

I

was raised by my grandparents with 4 other cousins. I remember at moonlight we would run the streets and play games and my grandfather would tell us the most scary stories. My grandmother would tell us long time stories and riddles before bed

and I always looked forward to that.

“I grew up with no electricity and many months no water. We grew up in a little wooden one-bedroom house because my grandparents had to provide Allison Gilead

for 4 other grandchildren. It was a struggle to provide for us financially.

I was moved from one family member to another just to finish school,” she related.

She attended the Overwinning Primary School and then Canje Secondary where she completed her secondary education.

However, she would have to re-sit the Mathematics and English CSEC exams. After doing that, she then went on to the New Amsterdam

Technical Institute where she did a diploma in computer science.

However, she did not stop there, rather she went on to do courses in food and nutrition, sewing and cake decorating.

She would later get married to Devon and give birth to her first son – Javon.

W h e n Javon was just 9 days old, he was diagnosed with atopic eczema.

According to the Mayo Clinic, atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a condition that makes your skin red and itchy. It's common in children but can occur at any age. Atopic dermatitis is long-lasting (chronic) and tends to flare periodically. It may be accompanied

by asthma or hay fever.

No cure has been found for atopic dermatitis. But treatments and self-care measures can relieve itching and prevent new outbreaks.

For example, it helps to avoid harsh s o a p s , moistur-

negative comments. Instead, use the negative comments as stepping stone to greatness,” she advised.

Bees and exotic crops Devon Gilead has always had a green thumb. Since he was a young boy, he always had success when it came to planting so it was a no-brainer for him to enter the world of farming.

The 40-year-old faDevon Gilead ther is now a beekeeper and farmer.

“I was introduced to beeise your skin reg- keeping by my neighbour/big u l a r l y , friend (Mr Joby) who would and apply carry me along with him to medicat- render assistance. He would ed creams kill the bees and harvest the or oint- honey and I wanted to save ments. and rear them. I figure if “ A f t e r this continued there wouldn't going from be any honey bees left. So, I one doctor started my own journey, reto anoth- searching and reading ever, with erything about bees. It was little to no a struggle at first getting the help, I began to do diligent bees to remain in the hives, and intense research and after a lot of attempts and educate myself on natural prayers, I was successful. homemade remedies (for my “Bees are the greatest enson’s condition). Being that gineers, the best pollinators my husband is a beekeeper, in the world. They are dediwe already had most of the cated to their duties and are by-products. This led us to very hard workers. They are create our skincare ointment only defensive when threatand that helped him 100 per ened. I have grown to love cent onto this day. He would bees. I have also gotten imbe 11 years soon,” the mom mune to their stings. I learn said. the more time, energy, efAfter realising that they fort and love you put into the had an amazing product on bees, the more they will protheir hand, Allison was in- duce honey,” the veteran beespired to go further. She keeper said. started to look into soap-makDevon has his apiary at ing and continued with her Ithaca and said he wished he research. It took her years had the space to keep it closto perfect her formula and it er since getting to his apiary meant that she had a lot of requires a boat. He also said trial and error phases. that there are times when Today, she is successful malicious persons would at making cold process soaps steal honey and destroy his from scratch. hives.

She currently makes 7 “Beekeeping can be dandifferent types of soaps, all of gerous but with the right which have different unique amount of research and bee benefits for the skin. The gears you can master it. soap line includes turmeric Beekeeping pays financialand honey, noni, coffee, co- ly. I am not only a beekeeper conut milk and oats, activat- but I also do private work for ed charcoal, lemongrass, and persons. I remove bees from green tea soaps. persons’ premises. I am also In addition to soaps and willing to help serious and inointment, Allison also makes terested persons get into beebody butters and hair care keeping,” he said. treatments. She also utilises Devon produces raw honthe bee’s wax from her hus- ey, bee propolis, bee pollen, band’s apiary to make lip honey roasted nuts, stingbalms and candles. less bee honey for cataract, However, despite hav- conjunctivitis and other ailing access to quality honey ments. He is also interested and bee’s wax, sourcing ad- in sharing the knowledge of ditional materials to make beekeeping with others. her items have proven to be a “I have been farming for challenge for Allison. as long as I can remember. I “Coconut oil and olive oil have blessed hands. I've nois a major part as well in our ticed anything I placed my business, as these oils are hands on bloom and grows carrier oils. Sourcing these bountiful hence, why I deoils often are a struggle as cided to plant grapes. I am persons would keep rais- fascinated with extraordiing their prices, especially nary fruits. I tried strawberfor the coconut oil. Sadly, ries and they did bear but Guyana does not have major- not to my liking. They came ity of the materials you need. out small so I opted for plantThis is one of my struggles ing grapes, of which is a huge as a small business owner. I success today. I currently love the support and encour- have 5 grapevines that bears agement I have received from at my home. I also have my customers, friends and small plants available to be family. I am tremendously sold to anyone interested,” grateful,” Allison said.

Devon related.

“It doesn't matter where He also plants other crops you come from or how you like cauliflower, cabbage, letgrew up. What matter is how tuce, sweet pepper and tomayou choose to make your fu- toes. ture. If you want to do someTogether, Allison and thing, go right at it with Devon are working on makprayer and determination. ing sure that they continue to Don't quit and never listen to excel at everything they try.

FEATURE

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SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Lakhram Bhagirat

S

ocial workers are important in creating a balance in society. They are the ones who, head-on, tackle the societal ills and ensure that we have a listening ear. They are the ones who understand our situation and oftentimes lead to solutions.

However, being a social worker is not without challenge. Social workers are oftentimes painted as the bad guy and overworked while being severely underpaid. It is a situation that is not indigenous to Guyana but occurs around the world.

Social workers, like teachers, give more than we can compensate them for.

The need for social workers and the important role they play in maintaining the balance in society is exactly what keeps Samantha Stanwick practicing.

The 24-year-old holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Guyana and is currently working with the domestic violence survivors at the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Policy Unit of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

The East Berbice native was raised by her single mother and had her share of challenges. However, she related that she grew up sheltered and it was not until she was a student of the St Aloysius Primary School that she realised that some of her classmates were not afforded the “luxury” of having things as basic as books and socks.

“I was somewhat protected from and ignorant of the extent of certain problems such as poverty. Of course, while growing up there were many luxuries not given to me because my mother could not afford it, but that was very different from what many others were experiencing,” she recounted.

After completing her secondary education at the New Amsterdam Secondary School, Stanwick attended the University of Guyana – Berbice Campus during the years of 2013-2017, where she read for a diploma and subsequently a degree in Social Work.

During that time, she also spent a short period at the New Amsterdam School of Nursing but did not complete her studies there.

In 2018, she continued her studies at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus in Georgetown where she completed her Master of Social Work degree and graduated in 2019.

It is no secret that Guyana faces a large number of social problems, many

of which are interrelated and after completing secondary school, Stanwick was still confused and undecided as to what the next step should be.

Given her age at the time and the many challenges in finding employment, especially in Berbice, getting a job did not seem as much of an option.

“It was at this point that my mother suggested that I further my studies in the field of social work. Giving it much thought and consideration, I ended up applying and starting my journey as a social work student. The first two years of my studies were pertinent in sparking my interest in the field. Not only did they help me to overcome personal inhibitions and aided me in developing into the person I am today, but it opened me up to the many possibilities and options available through social work. This propelled me to continuously further my studies in the field, so that I can not only build my own capacity as a social worker, but also use the opportunities presented to bring about positive change in the lives of others,” she said.

For her, the journey has been very satisfying, but also very difficult at times.

Nevertheless, each challenge came with its own opportunities to learn, build and grow. While she is still very much introverted, social work has helped her to become more comfortable out of that zone “Social work on the whole teaches us to be flexible, to work with limited resources, to think outside of the box and to speak out and advocate for others even when they cannot do so for themselves. These traits, while not limited to social work, are very applicable and useful in everyday life.

“While social work has brought much satisfaction and joy to my life, it has not been without its challenges.

Despite the great need for social workers in our country, many qualified persons within the field still have a difficult time finding meaningful employment. Social work studies are frowned upon by many and still seen as a last resort for persons who did not perform well in secondary school,” Stanwick related.

The young social worker said that there is a constant challenge of persons not willingly seeking the help of social workers due to preconceived perceptions,

so many times, even though assistance can be offered, many are ashamed to come forward and utilise it. Also, many social workers suffer from burn out, are overworked and stressed because of the magnitude of what the job entails.

“I chose social work because it brings a sense of satisfaction and joy to my

life knowing that I can make a positive impact in the lives of others. Although at times the job can be very stressful at times, there is a gratifying feeling that comes with helping people, which makes the job worthwhile.

Social work is also never boring as each day brings something new. Social workers are guided by a code of

ethics. With this comes many responsibilities.

Social workers are obligated to be confidential, maintain a non-judgemental attitude, control their emotional involvement when doing their job, amongst other things,” Stanwick explained.

Social workers also practice in many areas and on many levels, working with individuals, families, communities, and even participate in policymaking. Social workers also find themselves in many sectors, including health and education. With the many social problems faced in Guyana currently, such as drug abuse, domestic violence, high school dropouts, teenage pregnancy, suicide, etc there is a great need for more social work practitioners to work together in an attempt to bring down the high rates of

these issues.

“In the near future, I would hope to see more research being conducted in Guyana, and more preventative work being taken to reduce the high rates of these social problems that exist within our country. I would encourage those that are interested in the social work profession to take that first step to become qualified.

The great thing about social work education is that is in addition to the theoretical part it has a practical component. This gives you an opportunity to actually experience some of what it feels like to be in the profession.

There are many aspects to social work, and a wide range of areas to practice in. I would also encourage young persons to consider their options and have an idea of which area they would be best suited for.”

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18 FEATURE

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Lakhram Bhagirat

P

hotos have a way of preserving a memory and telling stories we cannot actively put into words.

Photos have the ability to make us reminisce, extremely happy and even sad.

For the past five years, Narindra Shivnauth has been actively capturing those memories for his clients through the lens of his camera. The 25-year-old has always had a passion for photography so it was only logical that he followed up on it.

As a child, he enjoyed exploring and being adventurous.

“My childhood has been lively and adventurous. I was always occupied with doing something interesting and exploring with my

Young photographer Narindra Shivnauth

friends in my neighbourhood. Out of curiosity, we would open old devices such as radios and speakers to see what's inside. One of my favourite childhood mem-

ories is definitely playing cricket with my friends in the school compound after school was dismissed. The biggest challenge I've faced as a child is that I wasn't

very fortunate of having everything I needed but my parents would always work hard and find a way to make ends meet,” the young man said.

He was always out exploring with his friends in the neighbourhood and his curiosity fuelled that drive to learn more about the world and explore.

That same curiosity led him to the world of photography.

During a trip to the United States, Shivnauth

was exposed to what he described as “breathtaking sceneries” and it was then he realised that he wanted to be able to capture those scenes.

He wanted to also play a part in preserving memories for the people in his life.

Armed with passion, he began scouring online and found the work of photographers all over the world. He started to learn the tips and tricks they shared with followers and tried to implement them.

The young photographer first started in 2016 when he purchased an iPhone and began taking photos of the much simpler things like flowers and sunsets. In June the following year, he visited the US and his aunt gifted him his first digital camera – a Nikon p600.

“I was excited to use my camera.

I toured as many places as I could and took pictures of everything that I could. I was most excited when I visited Walt Disney World Resort with my family and saw all the different amazing sceneries and set.

I had to capture all the moments I possibly could. At that moment I knew photography was something I really wanted to do since it became more of a hobby of mine,” he recounted.

He returned to Guyana and started to save in the hope of buying an upgraded camera to facilitate his future ambitions of delving deeper into the world of photography.

“In 2019 I travelled back in the US and I bought a Sony a7ii camera which I'm still using today. I have invested in more camera lens and camera equipment to upgrade and improve my photography,” he said.

Since he started his journey in the world of photography, Shivnauth has been actively improving his skill to ensure that the final product delivered to his clients is top-notch.

For the young creative, seeing his clients happy with the final delivered product gives him the satisfaction of knowing that he is doing something right. That his sacrifices along the journey are worth it. He puts in the work to get his final photo looking the way he first envisioned.

He explained that capturing the perfect photos require extensive work. He would have to ensure that the lighting is correct, the subject is positioned well and the lens capture the

e m o tions correctly.

He enjoys all aspects of photography and does not focus on a specific type of photography.

“I am inspired by many photographers but some to name include Saajid Husain, Manny Ortiz, Jordi Koalitic, Northborders and many others who share photography tips to improve photography skills. My biggest challenge is definitely the working hours and getting around to different locations to do my job. I have no vehicle and to travel with all my equipment at any hour of the day and night is very difficult. I have to be scared of being robbed with how things are going right now.

“Other challenges would be purchasing camera gears. These are very pricey and easily become damage. I didn't have the best gears but I used what I had and produce my best work.

Little by little I try to purchase my gears. I'm getting there slowly but surely. In the next 5 years, I see myself being a more skilled and improved photographer. I always dreamed of having my own photography studio and investing in a drone to capture more breathtaking moments,” he said.

For Shivnauth, following his dreams mean that he is shooting for the stars. He started small and has been working slowly to get where he is. His journey has just started and he is putting all the effort into the work and never giving up. He is also never afraid of asking for help.

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FEATURE

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HEALTH TIPS ATHLETE’S FOOT

er, creating ideal conditions for the fungus to thrive. If socks are damp and the feet are warm, there is a greater risk of developing athlete’s foot.

Dr Tariq Jagnarine Family Medicine, Endocrinology/Diabetes

A

thlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the upper layer of the skin of the foot, especially when it is warm, moist, and irritated. It is also known as tinea pedis and ringworm of the foot. The fungus that causes athlete’s foot is called Trichophyton, and is commonly found on floors and in clothing. Athlete’s foot fungus infects the skin only if conditions are right. It requires a warm and moist environment, such as the inside of a shoe. Because of this, only about 0.75 percent of people who regularly walk about barefooted are affected. However, up to 70 percent of people will, at some point in time, develop athlete’s foot.

Athlete’s foot most commonly develops between the toes. It usually causes burning, stinging, redness, and itching; and can also cause flaking of the skin in some people. It is one of the most common types of fungal infection, but although it is contagious, athlete’s foot usually can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medication.

RISK FACTORS

Anyone can get athlete’s foot, but certain behaviours may increase a person’s risk of developing the disease.

Factors that increase the risk of getting athlete’s foot include: * Visiting public facilities barefooted, especially locker rooms, showers, and swimming pools. * Sharing socks, shoes, or towels with an infected person. * Wearing tight, closedtoe shoes. * Keeping feet wet for long periods of time. * Having sweaty feet. *Having minor skin or nail injury on the feet

CAUSES

The athlete’s foot fungus, Trichophyton, is a dermatophyte - related to other fungi that cause infections in human skin, hair, and nails.

These fungi exist harmlessly on human skin. As long as the skin is dry and clean, their reproduction is limited.

However, under damp and warm conditions, they multiply rapidly. Thick, tight shoes are more likely to trigger athlete’s foot, because they squeeze the toes togeth-

Athlete’s foot can be spread through direct and indirect contact: * Direct, skin-to-skin contact, as may occur when an uninfected person touches the infected area of somebody with athlete’s foot * Indirect contact, in which the fungi can infect people via contaminated surfaces, clothing, socks, shoes, bed sheets, and towels.

Athlete’s foot commonly spreads around swimming pools and communal showers. These places are generally humid and warm.

People with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to developing athlete’s foot.

SYMPTOMS

The skin on the foot, especially between the toes, becomes itchy. There is a sensation of stinging or burning.

The skin may also become: * dry, flaky, red scaly, and cracking. * Sometimes the skin cracks, and there may be oozing or crusting, itchy blisters and swelling. The sole and the side of the foot may develop scaling patterns. * Bacterial infections can sometimes occur alongside the condition. When athlete’s foot is severe and causes open sores in the skin, it makes it more vulnerable to bacteria.

If left untreated, there is a risk that the infection would spread from toe to toe.

In rare cases, athlete’s foot can spread to the hands, this is known as tinea manuum. The symptoms are very similar to those experienced in the feet. People who do not wash their hands immediately after touching the affected area on their foot are at higher risk. Tinea manuum is a rare complication of athlete’s foot. If the patient scratches the affected area and touches other parts of the body, the infection can spread.

It is important to treat athlete’s foot immediately.

After touching the affected area, it is important to wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.

DIAGNOSIS

Athlete’s foot can normally be diagnosed by observing the hallmark signs and symptoms. However, other conditions, such as dermatitis, psoriasis, or a low-grade skin infection, should be ruled out.

The most common test is known as skin lesion potassium hydroxide. In this test, a sample of infected tissue is scraped off and placed in potassium hydroxide (KOH).

The KOH solution destroys human cells, leaving only the fungal cells. These can be easily viewed using a microscope.

TREATMENTS

In the majority of cases, athlete’s foot symptoms are

mild, and the patient does not need to see a doctor.

Antifungal medications (creams) which are effective in clearing up the infection can be bought at pharmacies.

In severe cases, there may be a need to prescribe more powerful antifungal tablets and creams.

If the skin is very sore and there is a lot of swelling, hydrocortisone could be use initially for short periods.

COMPLICATIONS

Although athlete’s foot symptoms are mostly mild, and complications are rare, early treatment significantly reduces the risk of complications. However, severe cases can lead to: * Fungal nail infection: Untreated athlete’s foot can spread to toenails in a condition known as onychomycosis. The nail becomes thick, opaque, whitish, and crumbly. This may be painful, and inflammation may

gather in the skin under the nail. Untreated toenail infections may eventually lead to more pain and problems wearing shoes, or even walking. * Secondary bacterial infection: If this develops, the foot may become painful, hot, and swollen. * Infected lymph system: The infection can sometimes spread to the lymph system. Lymphangitis is an infection of the lymph vessels, and lymphadenitis is an infection of the lymph nodes. * Cellulitis: This is a bacterial infection deep in the skin. Skin, fat, and soft tissue may be affected. Untreated cellulitis can lead to serious complications, such as septicemia (blood poisoning) or bone infection.

Although a very rare complication of athlete’s foot, cellulitis should be treated immediately with antibiotics.

* Allergy: Some people are allergic to the fungus that causes athlete’s foot.

This can cause blistering of the hands or feet.

PREVENTION

The secret to minimising the risk of developing athlete’s foot is to always have clean and dry feet, shoes, and socks. * Wash the feet twice a day with water and soap.

Always clean between the toes. * Keep feet dry. Applying antifungal talcum powder to the feet can help. * Remove shoes as soon as exercise or sporting activity has ended. * Wear loose-fitting, well-ventilated shoes, especially during the warmer months. The best materials for shoes are leather or can-

vas. * Make sure feet are dry before putting on socks, stockings, or tights. Wear socks made from materials that draw moisture away from the feet, such as cotton, silk, or wool. * When walking around public swimming pools, communal changing rooms or shower areas, wear pool slippers. * Change shoes regularly, so that footwear is relatively dry. Shoes need time to dry out. * Do not share footwear. * Wash sheets and towels regularly. * If a pet in the home has hair loss, this could be a sign of athlete’s foot – take it to the vet. Humans can contract athlete’s foot from their pets.

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Coronavirus: Myths about COVID-19 vaccines debunked

uyana, like the rest of the world, has begun vaccinating its population against COVID-19.

Unfortunately, there are many rumours being spread, especially on social media, about the COVID-19 vaccines.

This is creating too many vaccine skeptics, and is putting us all at risk of being stuck in the pandemic for longer than we should be. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 2010 and 2015, vaccines prevented an estimated 10 million deaths.

Scientists have worked tirelessly to create safe and ef-

fective vaccines to protect us against COVID-19. Some persons, called “anti-vaxxers”, dedicate their entire lives to railing against vaccines, and are mostly behind the many myths that are being circulated about COVID-19 vaccines.

Today, I will share some common myths being circulated about COVID-19 vaccines, so that you can be properly informed and help dispel these myths.

Myth: The side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are dangerous.

While the COVID-19 vaccine can have side effects, the vast majority are very short term and are not serious or dangerous. Some people experience pain where they were injected; body aches; headaches or fever lasting for a day or two. These are signs that the vaccine is working to stimulate your immune system. If you have allergies, especially severe ones that require you to be hospitalised, discuss the COVID-19 vaccine with your doctor, who can assess your risk and provide more information about if and how you can get vaccinated safely.

There has been recent evidence of rare blood clots in a small number of patients receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. Experts have since advised that these are rare occurrences, and the benefits far outweigh the risks, and are advocating for its continued use.

Thousands of Guyanese have already received this vaccine, and there has not been any reported case of blood clots associated with it.

Myth: The vaccine will alter my DNA.

These vaccines were designed using the RNA and

Dr Zulfikar Bux Emergency Medicine Specialist, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center

DNA of the virus to create similar structures in the vaccines. These structures cannot alter our DNA in any shape or form. When our body detects them after being vaccinated, it produces antibodies that can be stored and deployed to effectively combat the SarsCov2 virus in the event we get exposed to it. It does not directly interact with our DNA in any way.

Myth: You can get COVID-19 from the vaccines

The COVID-19 vaccines cannot give an individual COVID-19. Regardless of the type of vaccine, none contains the live SarsCov2 virus. Any side effect, such as headache or chills, is due to the immune response, and not an infection.

Myth: The vaccine contains a microchip

According to some, the vaccines were designed with a microchip inside, and will allow shadowy elites to track our every move. In reality, our mobile phones already complete that task effortlessly. There is no evidence that any of the COVID-19 vaccines contains a microchip, especially since each vaccine had undergone rigorous testing and analysis by many different international regulatory bodies.

Myth: COVID-19 vaccines can make you infertile

There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines impact fertility. Similarly, there is no evidence that they will endanger future pregnancies. This rumour began because of a link between the spike protein that is coded by the mRNA-based vaccines and a protein called syncytin-1. Syncytin-1 is vital for the placenta to remain attached to the uterus during pregnancy. However, although the spike protein does share a few amino acids in common with syncytin-1, they are not even nearly similar enough to confuse the immune system and cause abortions.

Myth: You should not take the vaccine if you’re breastfeeding ing

You and your breastfeedbaby need protection

against COVID-19, like everyone else. You cannot get COVID-19, or give your baby COVID-19, by being vaccinated. The components of the vaccine are not known to harm breastfed infants. When you receive the vaccine, the small vaccine particles are used up by your muscle cells at the injection site, and thus are unlikely to get into breast milk.

When a person gets vaccinated while breastfeeding, their immune system develops antibodies that protect against COVID-19. These antibodies can be passed through breast milk to the baby. Newborns of vaccinated mothers who breastfeed can benefit from these antibodies in the fight against COVID-19.

Myth: the COVID-19 vaccine was developed quickly, so it’s unsafe

Millions of doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered, and, thus far, it has been proven safe and effective. Although these vaccines were developed in record time, they would have gone through the same rigorous trials and authorisation process like every other vaccine, and would have met all safety standards.

No step was skipped. The clinical trials and safety reviews actually took about the same amount of time as other vaccines. Scientists utilised existing technologies which saved most of the time that would have been needed to develop a vaccine from scratch. Also, this is the first time that there was such a worldwide focus and investment into the creation of a vaccine. Sufficient funding and collaboration meant that the process was also much more efficient.

Myth: I don’t need a vaccine, since COVID-19 survival rate is high.

While the COVID-19 survival rate is high, the death rate is higher in the older population and those with other chronic illnesses. These people depend on others who are not as high risk to be vaccinated, so that the illness cannot spread to them.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

FEATURE

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MISCELLANEOUS SKIN CONDITIONS IN COMPANION ANIMALS thickened skin is infected, antibiotics may be introduced, after firstly cleansing the area with a gentle antiseptic. Your vet will advise the caregiver relative to the choice and dosage and frequency of the chosen therapeutic intervention, and the preferable method (orally, topically or via injection) of delivery of the medication.

L

et us look at some skin aliments that, over the years, have remained as a scourge to our companion animals with varying intensity and incidence.

“PRESSURE SORES” As the name suggests this ailment emerges – usually in our heavier breeds with short hair coats (e.g., Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Pit Bulls, Boxers, etc.)

– as these weighty pets are forced to lie on hard surfaces.

Usually, the sores are actually calluses (hardened parts of the skin, especially in those areas that covers, for example, the bony protuberances of the elbow and the sides of the legs).

The constant friction between the skin and the hard surface (in hardwood kennel or concreted floors) results in thickened hairless skin in the area of their bony pressure points.

Ultimately, the friction

damages the skin to such an extent that it actually breaks down, forming the wet sore.

Treatment As all practicing companion animal veterinarians know, this pressure sore problem is difficult to treat, not lastly because the caregiver is confronted with the problem of functionally and successfully removing the cause. The treatment calls for the provision of a soft surface which the animal needs to lie on continuously and as often as possible. Notwithstanding the obvious difficulty, the caregiver has no choice but to provide the dog with a soft surface on which the animal (dog) can sleep. In so doing, the pressure is reduced and distributed over a greater surface area.

I always advise clients to use a soft synthetic sponge/ foam rubber pads or padded beddings. Of course, once the

Coronavirus: Myths about COVID- 19 vaccines debunked FROM PAGE 20

We all have loved ones that are in the high-risk group, and we need to look out for them, and get vaccinated. Also, while the death rate is not high, the long-term effects of COVID-19 are devastating for many who have been infected. It ranges from damage to the lungs, kidneys and liver, to numerous issues associated with damage to the nervous system. Those with nervous system damage tend to be fearful, depressed, experience unrelenting pains, and get nightmares for no obvious reason.

Myth: Only the high-risk should be vaccinated

Regardless of your risk, you can still contract the infection and spread it to others; so, it’s important you get vaccinated. Once the vaccine is widely available, it’s recommended that as many eligible adults as possible get the vaccine. In addition, doctors are finding long term complications in those who are not high risk and had COVID-19.

Myth: I can move around without a mask once I’m vaccinated

Masking, handwashing and physical distancing re-

main necessary until a sufficient number of people are immune to the virus and cannot spread it to others. The best protection we can offer each other right now is to continue to follow current guidelines and mask up. As more people get vaccinated, experts will have a better idea of how long natural and vaccine immunity lasts. In any case, most of the vaccines require you to get two doses, and to wait about a month for your body to develop immunity.

COVID-19 can go away only if we all get vaccinated. Otherwise, we are stuck in this pandemic, and many more lives will be lost and negatively affected. Experts are advising that around 80% of the population needs to be vaccinated before we can bring this pandemic under control. I therefore encourage you to spread the word on the real facts of COVID-19 vaccine and help debunk the myths.

You will be saving lives by doing this.

Article submitted as part of the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 public information and education programme.

For questions, email ministersecretaryhealth@ gmail.com.

“COLLIE NOSE” Since we do not have many Collies (Scottish Sheepdogs) in the Caribbean – with temperatures and humidity levels not suited for this breed - we do not encounter this problem too often. However, a similar condition does arise in dogs whose nose bridges have white hair (void of pigment) or no hair, and are exposed to the sun.

Actually, the correct name for “Collie Nose” is “Nasal Solar Dermatitis”. This hypersensitivity to sunlight (without protection) produces oozing serum

and then crusts are formed on the nose. [Most scientists believe that a genetic (hereditary) predisposition is involved].

If treatment is not administered quickly, skin ulcers will emerge.

Treatment Well, obviously, the first step is to take the animal out of the sun. Tying an animal to a stake and leaving it subjected to the sun’s rays (besides being illegal) will only exacerbate the problem. A good idea is to let the dog out in the night, while keeping the animal in the house during the day.

In terms of creams/ lotions, I have had over the years, some success with a concoction (mixture) of Aloe extract, plus coca butter, plus Yellow Sulphur powder, plus steroidal anti-inflammatory cream – all ingredients can be bought over the counter.

I should mention in passing

that one of my (skin specialist) gurus had boasted great positive results from tattooing the nose bridge with a dark dye.

For me, that method was always too messy to be instituted. That would be a last resort – after all other curative interventions fail.

“ACANTHOSIS NIGRICANS” Practicing all over the world, I have encountered this problem. Most of all, the research done on this skin ailment has not been able to ascertain the cause.

Acanthosis nigricans can be seen as thickened black skin in the armpits and in the folds in the groin area (depression between the underbelly and thigh).I can only relate to where (on the dog) this skin discoloration is usually found, and what it looks like.

As the disease progresses an extreme dark pigmentation and the development of

a greasy rancid discharge on the surface of the skin, occurs.

Bacterial infection is common.

Eventually the process may extend over a considerable area, covering the brisket and extending onto and around the legs. This disease causes considerable distress to the dog and his owner.

Treatment There is no available cure, but with continuous management the dog can be kept comfortable. Keep the skin surface clean with an antiseborrheic shampoo (Seleen) to remove excess oil and bacteria. Cortisone preparations aid in controlling the skin irritation. Weight reduction, to reduce friction in the skin folds, is advisable.

Antibiotics are prescribed when the skin is infected.

This condition should be treated by your veterinarian.

Enjoy your week!

22 NEWS

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“We are one! Not because we don’t live in Guyana means we can’t hold as one people - President of Guyanese Association in SVG

…tells Guyanese in volcano-hit island to be each other’s keepers

A

s the Caricom multi-island state of St Vincent and the Grenadines continues to grapple with the La Soufrière explosions, which have been sending thick columns of volcanic ash throughout the island and beyond, Guyanese resident in that state are being urged to be each other’s keepers during this natural disaster crisis.

This call was made by President of the Guyanese Association in St Vincent and the Grenadines, Gwyneth Cambridge.

There are several thousand Guyanese dwelling in that island state where La Soufrière volcano has become active again, and Guyana Times has been told that most of them are on the southern side of St Vincent, which has been marked as a Green Zone as of now, but has still been affected by the ashfall.

During a telephone interview with Guyana Times,

the Guyana-born Gwyneth Cambridge implored other Guyanese on the island to assist their fellow countrymen and women who may be in need.

“What we have to do as

living in the island state for over 30 years now, said that while there are Guyanese scattered throughout the country, they have been keeping in touch with as many persons as they can through the

“I’m fine. Stocked up on food supply and water, and prepared to wait it out.” – Guyanese Nicholas Johnson.

Guyanese is to be able to remember that we are one, and remember what our National Motto says: One People, One Nation, One Destiny, and remember that we can be each other’s keepers and do what is right and help each other.

You see somebody who needs help, well, you add that assistance, because we are one; and not because we don’t live in Guyana we can’t hold as one people,” she posited.

Cambridge, who has been

Association. However, she explained that the current membership of the association is merely 48, and so it has been difficult to reach out to non-member Guyanese.

Cambridge was unable to say how many Guyanese might have been living in the Red Zone and had to evacuate their homes. She related that there is at least one couple who lived on the periphery of the Red Zone, but they have not been heard from, as

to whether they have shifted to a shelter or are seeking other accommodation.

Nevertheless, she said, the country’s National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) is currently working to get the names of all the persons who have been displaced and are currently in the 78 Emergency Shelters established by Government, or have taken up accommodation at any of the hotels and guest houses that have been identified; or are seeking refuge with relatives, friends, or even strangers.

She noted that, by Monday, they should have a better idea of the situation of Guyanese there. In the meantime, they have put out, in the Association’s social media chat group, a notice for persons who are in need to reach out for help, or if they know of other Guyanese who require assistance, to so indicate.

Further, the Association

President of the Guyanese Association in St Vincent Gwyneth Cambridge

is working with the Guyana Consulate in St Vincent to get in touch with Guyanese there.

According to Cambridge, while since October last year they were aware that the volcano’s eruption was imminent, and have been preparing for the event, the reality of the situation has been overwhelming.

“We’ve been hearing about it coming and we’ve had enough time to make some preparation, but some-

times being prepared and actually being in a situation in itself are two different entities. Everybody, including Guyanese in the country, would have had enough time to have their water storage organised and other stuff organised. What we have done is, after we’ve realised that the volcano is going to erupt, reached out and found out about members…

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NEWS

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SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NICIL looking to lease land, Brazil donates HIV drugs to Health Ministry properties in Canal No 2 …invites bids for business venture

T

he National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), which has a number of State assets in its possession, is looking to dispose of some situated at Canal Number Two on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD).

According to the notice, NICIL requested proposals from persons desirous of leasing and developing over 45 acres of land, including Block A which consists of 15.9 acres and Plot NT which comprises 30.9 acres.

“The property is located in Canal No. 2 on the West Bank of Demerara and was used for clay brick production. Block A currently has a clay brick factory and office spaces housed on it, while Block C is vacant land with secondary growth,” the notice said.

According to NICIL, proposals are invited from either persons or companies, whether individually or as part of a joint venture. They went on to add, however, that these bidders should have technical expertise and extensive experience

NICIL’s office

with viable and suitable business ventures. Bidders were given until April 30, 2021, to submit their proposals.

NICIL has over the past few years been engaged in various ventures to raise cash, including selling land to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to develop housing areas, although when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) entered office, it was to find that the

CH&PA owed millions for land transferred in 2019.

NICIL had also sold more than 1000 acres of land to the CH&PA, as part of the lands it divested from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) in keeping with the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change’s controversial policy of downsizing the sugar company.

Back in 2018, NICIL, through Republic Bank, went out on a limb to ar-

range a $30 billion syndicated bond at a rate of 4.75 per cent interest and a fiveyear repayment period for GuySuCo. According to the agreement between NICIL and Hand-in-Hand Trust Corporation as the trustee, the first tranche payment of $16.5 billion from the bond was to be used for a longterm project and capital financing for GuySuCo. Specifically, the money was to be used to acquire two co-generation plants, upgrade the existing factories to produce plantation white sugar, build storage and packing facilities, and help pay for two years of general operational costs.

However, a significant part of the bond was never used for the purposes it was secured. The previous APNU/AFC Government itself had admitted that between July 2018 to February 2020, $9.7 billion was disbursed from the bond to GuySuCo to fund its operational expenditure – much of which was outside the terms of the bond.

T

he Health Ministry on Friday received a quantity of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) donated by the Government of Brazil.

Minister Dr Frank Anthony said he was grateful that the neighbouring country responded to Guyana’s request for assistance. “A big thank you to Brazil for stepping forward and assisting us with this much-needed ARVs …

We’ve all been following the challenges that COVID has posed to all countries around the world…There has been restrictions and disruption in the logistics [of] supplies of medicines and other pharmaceuticals,” he was quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

Dr Anthony said this can easily disrupt programmes such as the HIV response programme, that positively impact people’s lives. He told the Brazilian officials that he looks forward to strengthened collaboration between the two countries’ Health Ministries.

Brazil’s Ambassador, Maria Clara Duclos Carisio, expressed similar sentiments. She said she looks forward to the continued partnership, especially as the pandemic prevails, and given the closeness of the countries’ borders. She also anticipates strengthened cooperation in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Meanwhile, Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) Representative Dr Luis Felipe Codina said the simple presentation was an excellent demonstration of the cooperation between the two countries.

He said the partnership is a typical model of SouthSouth cooperation.

Brazil Deputy Head of Mission, Minister Paulo Eduardo Borda Silos; Programme Manager, National Aids Programme Secretariat, Dr Tariq Jagnarine and representatives of the Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation also attended the ceremony.

24 NEWS

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Residents call for better services from Corriverton municipality

R

esidents of the border town of Corriverton in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) are calling for better services from the municipality.

The concerns were put forward to Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall when he visited the municipality on Friday. The municipality has an estimated $22 million in tax collection annually but only collects $12 million.

Worrying to the municipality is the fact that of the 2000 ratepayers, only about 600 pay their required taxes to the municipality.

That is according to Town Clerk Narendra Sukhram.

He told the Minister that one private rice company owes the municipality $20 million in taxes.

Additionally, another large entity owes the Corriverton municipality $80 million in taxes.

Asked what arrangements are in place to collect taxes from the 1400 that do not pay, Sukhram said staff from the Council would first issue a notice to the default-

er which would be followed up by a visit. He said legal letters have been sent to some defaulters.

Meanwhile, at the meeting, Minister Dharamlall was told that the Council has not been carrying out its mandate of removing solid waste from the community in a timely manner. According to

one resident, the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) undertook a tree trimming project in Corriverton to remove parts of trees that were in contact with live wires.

“GPL cut the limbs and the Town Council refuses to pick it up. I called the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor. Two weeks after

the things still on the side of the road,” the resident told Minister Dharamlall.

However, Sukham defended the Council’s position saying that GPL carried out the project without informing the Council.

According to Sukram, he penned a letter to GPL inviting the utility company for a meeting to discuss the removal of the tree trimmings.

“They have not responded to me,” Sukhram said.

Nevertheless, the Local Government Minister noted that the municipality has a mandate and should utilise the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP) workers to have the road shoulders cleared.

Meanwhile, one resident accused the municipality of charging high rates for some of its rental services being officered noting that the Private Sector offers the same service at much cheaper rates.

Mini excavators are being rented by the Corriverton municipality at a rate of $12,000 per hour

and low beds between $10,000 and $20,000 per hour. A tractor and slasher are being rented by the Corriverton municipality for $11,000 per hour.

Skip bins are available for rent at a cost of $5000. This, however, compares with $3000 in New Amsterdam, which is another town in the region.

Meanwhile, addressing the Council, Dharmalall said that things will be done differently under his Ministry so that residents receive the services they deserve.

Following numerous complaints of reluctance by municipal staff to address issues and calling on residents to return on more than one occasion for simple matters, Dharamlall called on Mayor Winston Roberts to read the riot to the staff. He said they were there to serve.

The visit to the municipality was Dharmalall’s second since taking up the appointment as Local Government Minister in August last year. (Andrew Carmichael)

NEWS

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G

LEGAL MECHANISMS FOR PROMOTING THE USE AND SAFEGUARDING OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

lobally, there are serious concerns about the rapid loss of traditional knowledge, practices and customs within Indigenous communities. Noted, too, has been the misappropriation of traditional knowledge with little or no benefits to communities. There is an urgent need to address such matters at the national level in support of recognising the rights of Indigenous peoples and safeguarding their traditional knowledge.

As a reminder, traditional knowledge is an integral aspect of the way of life of Indigenous communities in Guyana. It has played, and continues to play, a critical role in not only their identity and culture, but also their health, education, food security, and the way they manage their land and resources. They are stewards of biodiversity that is beneficial to us all.

Within the draft Traditional Knowledge National Action Plan (TKNAP) for Guyana, actions being proposed under a second objective aim to strengthen local laws, governance and mechanisms to help address the concerns mentioned above.

There are in Guyana existing laws, policies and mechanisms intended to support the rights of Amerindians and safeguard their traditional knowledge, such as the Amerindian Act of 2006. The Act provides for the establishment of Village Councils who represent the collective interest of the village.

They take the lead in providing strategic direction and representing the interest of their Village in regard to, but not limited to, managing and regulating the use and occupation of village lands; promoting the sustainable use, protection and conservation of village lands and the resources on those lands; and encouraging the preservation of their traditional practices.

The Amerindian Act of 2006 called for the establishment of the National Toshaos’ Council (NTC), whose work entails, for example, the preparation of strategies and plans for the protection, conservation and sustainable development of villages. The NTC also provides advice to the Minister in regard to the protection of the cultural heritage and traditional practices of Amerindians in Guyana. Notwithstanding, recommendations have been made for the revision of the current Amerindian Act of 2006 in an effort to address gaps that have been identified over the years.

In efforts to ensure that Indigenous rights are recognized, and to promote greater opportunity for traditional knowledge to be incorporated into national policy and practices, what more can be done in regard to legislation? In the initial drafting or revision of national legislation and policies, greater efforts can be made to ensure that Indigenous rights and traditional knowledge are appropriately captured.

Notably, it would be important to place attention, during implementing and monitoring of such legislation and policies, on how Indigenous rights and traditional knowledge are addressed in practice.

Also of importance is the strengthening of a nationally agreed standard for a Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process, where all Indigenous communities are knowledgeable of the steps involved and have the support of relevant authorities to ensure that such a process is followed. A FPIC process helps to ensure that communities have as much information needed before making a decision about an issue, process or activity. In the case of signing formal agreements, they can ensure that there are Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT) which ensure each party knows exactly what they are expected to receive and/or provide within the agreement. This is important in protecting the collective right of a community to their traditional knowledge; for example, knowledge of medicinal plants.

In next week’s article, we will continue to share with you information based on a drafted Traditional Knowledge Action Plan (TKNAP) for Guyana. If you would like to learn more about some of the work that has been done by the project in communities, please visit the following website: https:// cobracollective.org/tag/darwin/.

Also, how do you feel about traditional knowledge and the role it plays in conservation? What do you think about a Traditional Knowledge National Action Plan for Guyana?

Please share your thoughts via 592 650 6632 (WhatsApp or SMS only).

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

“We are one! Not because we don’t live...

FROM PAGE 22

But at the moment, everybody is hunkered down and kinda seeing how long this is going to go on,” she related.

The Guyanese Association President went on to say that this situation is particularly overwhelming for Guyanese living on the island, especially since this is a new experience for them. Added to this is the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which SVG, like the rest of the world, has been grappling with over the past year.

“So, the double whammy of it has been somewhat a bit overwhelming for us. And as you known from our inhouse Guyanese experience, we know that we get rain and floods. But we are not really as much au fait with hurricanes and volcanoes and stuff like that, so the volcanic eruption is not something that is part of our exposure and culture in terms of us experiencing it. And the whole aspect of COVID coming in and merging with that has now created a sort of, to my mind, an overwhelming sit-

uation,” the recently retired Education Officer posited.

She noted that they are now living in a volcanic island country and will now have to figure out how to survive amidst the volcanic eruptions which are now part of their lives.

Meanwhile, another Guyanese, Nicholas Johnson, told the Guyana Times that he is prepared to wait it out on the island, which he and his family have made their home in recent years.

He related that the entire island of St Vincent has experienced ashfall, and NEMO says the eruptions could continue for days, or even weeks.

“Well, everyone is mostly indoors right now. I’m in the Green Zone, so I haven’t seen as much ash as others up north… [But] I’m fine.

Stocked up on food supply and water, and prepared to wait it out,” Johnson, who had sent his family back home to Guyana last month, indicated.

In a 6pm update on Saturday, the University of

West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre said that, following the gradual decline of near-continuous seismic tremour at the La Soufrière volcano, the seismic network started to record banded tremour from about 3:30am onwards on April 10. Banded tremour is a seismic signal which indicates that fluid (magma and gas) is approaching the surface. Each tremour episode lasted 20 to 30 minutes, with gaps between them of one to three hours. The episodes appeared to coincide with periods of enhanced venting or explosive activity. The background level of seismic tremour between the episodes continued to decline.

Meanwhile, ash thickness from the past 24 hours of eruptive activity varied from about 1mm in Colonaire (12.5km from the volcano) to about 10 to 15mm in Rabacca (7.4km from the volcano).

“Ash thickness and grain size generally increased from Kingstown northwards

to the volcano. Ashfall was reported in parts of Barbados and Saint Lucia.

The volcano has entered an explosive eruptive phase that may continue over the next few days and weeks.

Explosions are expected to be of similar or larger magnitude,” the UWI SRC noted in its latest update.

UWI’s Geologist, Professor Richard Robertson, who is leading the response at La Soufrière, has said that while the volcanic ash is not deadly, it’s not healthy, and it can cause respiratory issues.

The streets and buildings in St Vincent are covered in ash, with some roofs caving in from the weight of the volcanic ash.

An Ashfall Warning has been issued in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Government of Barbados has also issued a Severe Volcanic Ash Warning on Saturday morning after thick plumes of ash had begun affecting part of island.

St Lucia has also issued an Ashfall Advisory.

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Americas need more vaccines and faster – PAHO Director T

wenty-eight countries in the Americas have benefitted from three million vaccines through the COVAX mechanism since March, but Pan American Health Organisation Director Carissa F Etienne said supplies still fall far short of the coverage needed to protect vulnerable groups.

The COVAX target for the Americas is to provide enough vaccines for around 100 million people by the end of 2021, with all countries receiving enough vaccines to immunise some 20 per cent of

their populations.

In a recent press briefing, Dr Etienne noted that “Because of the global limitations on manufacturing vaccines, it has been difficult for our region to gain access to the vaccines we need to immunise our populations. Vaccine production for approved COVID-19 vaccines needs to increase worldwide because none of us will be safe until all are safe.”

PAHO said in a statement that current progress is far from reaching the coverage necessary to protect the most vulner-

able groups, measuring about 20 per cent of the population, to reduce the high mortality in the region.

As a result, the Director has called for immunisation in the Americas, which has the highest burden of cases and deaths, to become a global priority.

Countries began receiving COVAX deliveries on March 1, with the goal of ensuring fair and equitable access for the 36 participating countries in the Americas. These include 26 self-financing countries and 10 countries sup-

PAHO Director Dr Carissa F Etienne

ported through the Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment mechanism – of which Guyana is a beneficiary.

The rollout of COVAX vaccines, a historic milestone, was the culmination of months of negotiations and collaboration between the Ministries of Health, PAHO, and other partners. The PAHO Revolving Fund, designated by COVAX, has been working to procure vaccines on behalf of the countries in the Americas.

Worldwide, 674 million

doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered, including about 36 million doses that COVAX shipped to 86 participating countries.

“Attaining vaccine equity and distributing as many vaccines as possible to as many people as possible is our current goal…Vaccines are not yet the main method of slowing transmission of COVID-19. We must maintain and adjust our public health and social measures in every country,” Dr Etienne emphasised.

Forty-nine countries and territories in the Americas have introduced COVID-19 vaccines and administered more than 210 million doses, according to PAHO figures.

The 210 million includes COVAX supplies and vaccines procured through bilateral deals that countries made individually with pharmaceutical companies.

Among the vaccines that Guyana has received are 3000 doses of AstraZeneca, which were from Barbados, and another 80,000 doses of the same jab were from India.

China also donated 20,000 doses of its locally manufactured Sinopharm vaccine. Guyana also received 25,000 from the United Arab Emirates.

Last month, the COVAX facility delivered 24,000 AstraZeneca vaccines to Guyana.

On April 3, Guyana received 25,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine as part of the 200,000 doses that was purchased by Government to the tune of US$4 million. Guyana has donated 5000 doses of vaccines back to Barbados.

So far, the COVID-19 vaccination rollout has administered over 52,000 first doses of the vaccines.

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A contextual financial analysis of the gas-to-shore project (Part 4)

A

Guyana’s natural gas potential

ccording to ExxonMobil’s public announcements, Liza Phase 1 alone contains 30 – 50 million cubic feet of excess natural gas.

More recently, it was reported that ExxonMobil can deliver to shore more than 50 million cubic feet of gas per day. The report noted that “around 20% of the oil discovered in the Stabroek block is associated with gas, estimated to be in the order of more than 9.6 trillion cubic feet”.

Financial and Economic Analysis

For the purpose of this analysis the author’s estimated cost for the gas-to-shore project is US$1.1 billion. In this scenario, it is assumed that Exxon would finance 72%, or US$600 million to US$800 million (the estimated cost to for the gas pipe infrastructure), and the Government would finance the remaining 28%, or US$300 to US$400 million (the estimated cost for the onshore infrastructure).

The analysis also assumes that the natural gas will be used for electricity generation and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) which is used in households for cooking.

Key Underlying financial Assumptions

* The estimated investment cost for the gas-to-shore project for the purpose of this analysis is US$1.1 billion. * Energy Demand forecasted up to 2019, according to GPL’s official demand forecast numbers, is just under 1 million megawatts of power at an annual growth rate of 5%. Hence, this forecast is hinged upon organic growth at that time. * Given the country’s development trajectory under the current regime, with massive infrastructural projects and the objective to reduce energy cost by 50% or more, energy demand forecasted in scenarios two and three took these factors into consideration. As such, the gas-to-shore project is estimated to be operationalised by the end of 2023. Therefore, the demand forecast is reasonably projected to grow by 10% annually post 2023 in scenario two, and 15% annually post 2023 in scenario three. * In scenario one, which is the organic scenario, energy demand is estimated to reach 1.5 million megawatts by the end of the decade.

In scenario two, at 10% annual growth rate, energy demand is estimated to reach almost 2 million megawatts of power by the end of the decade; and in scenario three, energy demand is estimated to reach over 2.6 million megawatts of power by end of 2030. * In the above scenarios, energy demand is expected to be driven by heavy industrial and commercial activities, owing to lower energy cost as well as increase in the number of households (50,000 – 60,000 new households). Lower energy cost would also encourage increased consumption at the household level; for example, households will move to have more airconditioned units installed, and other electrical appliances and more modern amenities. * With respect to the financial forecasts, the current average cost per kwh is US$0.25 cents or US$250 for one megawatt of power (Note: Residential rate is approximately US$0.35 cents, Residential – US$0.19 – US$0.23, Commercial – US$0.27 – US$0.28 cents).

Therefore, if the objective is to reduce energy cost by 50%, the cost per megawatt will be US$125 or US$0.13 cents per kwh. To draw some comparison, the average cost per kwh in the U.S is US$0.10 cents, and in Trinidad & Tobago, the average cost per kwh is US$0.05 cents. * Using US$125 per megawatt for the analysis, which represents a 50% reduction in energy cost, and assuming that operating cost for the gas-to-shore plant is 40% of revenue, in scenario one, with 1 million megawatts of power plus revenue from LPG for household use, the net operating profit will amount to US$87 million. The assumption to derive the revenue from LPG takes into consideration the current price for a 10lb cylinder of LPG, which is US$16 (GY$3,600), and is likely to be reduced by 50% or to GY$1500. So, with an average household of 250,000 consuming on average of 12 X 10lb cylinders of LPG per year (the equivalent that is). * In scenario two, it is estimated that annual energy demand will reach over 1.3 million MWh of power – thereby resulting in net operating profit of US$114 million. * In scenario three, the estimated annual demand for energy is over 2 million MWh of power – thereby resulting in a net operating profit of US$180 million. * In the investment appraisal, using the net operating cash flows from the financial forecast in scenarios one and two – the Net Present Value (NPV) of the initial investment of US$400 million is US$8.8 million with a discount factor of 10% - which can be recovered within four years. In the second investment appraisal scenario, which uses the net operating cash flow from scenario one only (the lowest case) – the NPV is US$25.6 million, and can be recovered within 7 years.

Both of these investment appraisal scenarios revealed that the project is in essence a financially viable project. Given the findings of this analysis as well, there is scope to lower the energy cost by more than 50%, which is the ultimate objective; while the project can still be profitable even if operating costs are higher at 50%.

(Note: operating cost is estimated to be 40% in all the scenarios for this analysis).

TO BE CONTINUED…

About the Author: JC. Bhagwandin is the Chief Financial Advisor/Analyst of JB Consultancy & Associates, and lecturer at Texila American University. The views expressed are exclusively his own, and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper or the institutions he represents. For comments, send to jbbankingadvice@gmail.com.

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NEWS

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St Vincent volcano: heavy ashfall clouds evacuation efforts on Caribbean island …explosion sent plume more than 33,000ft

Houses covered in volcanic ash

E

xtremely heavy ashfall rained down on parts of the Caribbean island of St Vincent on Saturday and a strong sulfur smell enveloped communities, a day after a powerful explosion at La Soufriere volcano uprooted the lives of thousands who evacuated under government orders.

Caribbean countries including Antigua and Guyana offered help by either shipping emergency supplies or temporarily opening borders to the roughly 16,000 evacuees fleeing ash-covered communities.

The volcano, which last had a sizeable eruption in 1979, kept rumbling and experts warned explosions could continue for days or weeks. An eruption in 1902 killed about 1,600 people.

“The first bang is not necessarily the biggest bang this volcano will give,” Richard Robertson, a geologist with

the University of the West Indies’ Seismic Research Center, said at a news conference.

Conditions worsened overnight in settlements near the volcano as ash covered homes, cars and streets.

Lush green scenery had turned gray and gloomy, with people leaving footprints as they walked through the soot.

The prime minister, Ralph Gonsalves, told NBC Radio, a local station, that officials were trying to figure out how to remove the ash.

“It’s difficult to breathe,” Gonsalves said, adding that while the volcano’s venting had diminished, a big plume of ash and smoke remained.

“What goes up must come down.”

He asked people to remain calm and keep protecting themselves from the coronavirus as he celebrated that no deaths or injuries were reported after the

eruption in the northern tip of St Vincent, part of an island chain that includes the Grenadines and is home to more than 100,000 people.

“Agriculture will be badly affected and we may have some loss of animals and we will have to do repairs to houses, but if we have life and we have strength, we will build it back better, stronger, together,” he said.

Gonsalves has said it could take up to four months for life to return to normal.

About 3,200 people were staying in 78 government shelters while four empty cruise ships floated nearby, waiting to take evacuees to nearby islands. Those staying in shelters were tested for Covid-19, and anyone testing positive would be taken to an isolation center.

Gonsalves said it was unclear how much more ash the volcano would vent out.

“All I’m asking of everybody is to be calm,” he told reporters during a visit to a shelter.

The first explosion occurred on Friday morning, a day after the government ordered mandatory evacuations based on warnings from scientists who noted seismic activity before dawn on Thursday that meant magma was on the move close to the surface. An ash column burst more than 33,000ft into the sky. Lightning crackled through the still-towering cloud late on Friday.

The ash forced the cancel-

A road is blanketed in volcanic ash at the airport in Kingstown, on St Vincent (Photograph: Orvil Samuel/AP)

lation of flights and poor visibility limited evacuations in some areas. Officials warned that Barbados, St Lucia and Grenada could see light ash-

fall as the 4,003ft volcano continued to rumble. The majority of ash was expected to head north-east into the Atlantic ocean.

La Soufriere had an effusive eruption in December, prompting experts from around the region to analyze the formation of a new volcanic dome and changes to its crater lake, among other things.

The eastern Caribbean has 19 live volcanoes, including two underwater near the island of Grenada. One of those, Kick ’Em Jenny, has been active in recent years.

But the most active volcano of all is Soufriere Hills in Montserrat. It has erupted continuously since 1995, razing the capital, Plymouth, and killing at least 19 people in 1997. (The Guardian)

Airports closed, houses collapse under the weight of La Soufriere ash

T

he effects of the La Soufriere volcano eruption is being felt way beyond the shores of St Vincent.

Regional airlines LIAT and Caribbean Airlines were forced to cancel flights and a thick plume of ash has blanketed St Vincent, parts of Saint Lucia and Barbados.

On Thursday the Argyle International Airport in St Vincent announced that it would remain closed Saturday.

"Due to the significant ash fall resulting from explosive eruptions of the La Soufriere volcano, AIA will remain closed today."

Prospective travellers

have been asked to stay tuned as an update will be provided when a further assessment has been made.

Over in Barbados, the Grantley Adams International Airport has also been ordered closed.

Authorities say the airport will remain closed until at least Sunday at 6am.

Deputy CEO Terry Layne said only essential airport staff will be allowed access to the airport during this time.

Barbados is currently under a severe volcanic ash warning as a thick plume of volcanic ash is affecting the island.

The Barbados

Meteorological Office has since reported that another thick ash plume is approaching and is expected to traverse the island for at least the next few hours.

The Severe Volcano Ash Warning remains in effect.

Earlier today visibility was severely compromised in some parts of Barbados.

Residents have reported that it's been so dark street lights have come on.

In St Vincent, a few houses in the Sandy Bay area collapsed under the weight of the ash spewed from the La Soufriere volcano.

No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported. (loopnewscaribbean.com)

30 World Youth Championships off the table for Guyanese boxers

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021

“The risk is too great for us to take” - GBA President Steve Ninvalle

“T

he risk is too great for us to take as an association.”

That was the reason given

by Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) President Steve Ninvalle for why Guyana’s intended 4-member team to the World Youth Boxing championships shied away from the international tournament.

In order for them to have participated, the Guyanese team would have had to depart the Land of Many Waters days or even weeks ago, since the event was slated to run from April 10 to 24 in Kielce, Poland.

However, a conscious decision was taken by the Association in the best interest of the young boxers.

“So funding was not an issue,” The GBA President divulged. “But it was COVID.” Speaking exclusively with the <<Guyana Times Sport>> on Saturday, Ninvalle highlighted the rising coronavirus cases in Poland and explained that the GBA’s first thought was about keeping the Guyanese team safe.

“It is not about how COVID is going in Guyana, it’s what is going on in the neck of the woods that they were supposed to be going to,” he said.

He added, “Poland has seen an astronomical rise in the COVID cases.”

This past week, Poland has seen a significant surge in coronavirus cases, recording in excess of 27,000 new cases on April 8; 28,000+ on April 9, and

GBA President Steve Ninvalle

24,000+ new cases on April 10.

The chagrin of having boxers stranded in a foreign country still lingers with the GBA, and as such, Ninvalle explained, with European countries entering lockdowns, the possibility of a repeat of that experience could not again be entertained.

Ninvalle told this publication, “What is also added to our decision is the fact that several European countries are actually closing down and putting in (place) restrictions; and remember we have just come out of last year, when we had boxers spending 126 days being stranded in Cuba, which would have been a financial burden, mental and psychological burden, and a physical burden on them.

“So, our decision was made, basically about the safety and well-being of the boxers at all times. Yes, we want medals, and yes, we want them to participate, but their safety and well-being we could not guarantee. And if we cannot guarantee that, then we will not allow them to leave these shores,” the GBA boss went on

to explain.

Meanwhile, should a similar scenario arise with regard to the Olympic Qualifiers, the GBA is likely to take the same course of action in keeping the local pugilists safe.

“I’m also saying that this will go for the team to the Olympic qualifiers also,” Ninvalle declared. “That if there is anything threatening (to affect) their well-being and their safety and their health, then we will have to make a decision, and we will make that decision and

we will continue to do, anything else will be secondary,” the Boxing Association President concluded.

The GBA boss also shared that upon making the decision, the team was informed and bore similar concerns to the GBA executives concerning their safety, thereby agreeing with the move to be absent from the World Youth Championships.

Previously, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) had indicated their interest in

we will not make any apologies for putting safety, well-being and health foremost.

“It is no use you’re sending your fighters out and their safety is not guaranteed. I’m not saying that you could have safety (in) anything guaranteed 100%, (but) there must be a percentage which you will accept. Once I’m at the helm of the association, that is what

sending a four-member team to the international bout in Poland, inclusive of lone female pugilist Abiola Jackman.

A similar team has also been assembled for the Olympic Qualifiers, with three males and one female. That team reads: Keevin Allicock, Colin Lewis, Desmond Amsterdam and Canada-based Taveena Kum. (Jemima Holmes)

Application a very good sign

– says Ramnaresh Sarwan of WI Test batsmen

A

fter Test series against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, for the year 2021, the West Indies are undefeated in Test matches thus far. The Kraigg Brathwaite-led team have shown improvements, and the results prove.

Former West Indies and Guyana captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has also been “pleased’ to see the improved application showed by the West Indies Test batsmen.

In the Bangladesh series which West Indies won 2-0, the batting was led by newcomers Kyle Mayers, Nkrumah Bonner, and Joshua Da Silva. Fast-track to the Caribbean, where West Indies played Sri Lanka. Captain Brathwaite led from the front with the bat, while Mayers, Bonner, and company backed up the skipper.

The patience showed by the West Indies batsmen was different and, for the first time since 2012, five batsmen from the West Indies team averaged over 50. The former West Indies skipper, Sarwan said: “I think the fact that these guys are applying themselves in the batting for long period is a very good sign.

Obviously, Test cricket is over five days, and it is important that, when you are batting, you try and spend as much time at the crease, and I think they have demonstrated that.”

If “Patience” was the name of a batsman in the West Indies Test team, it certainly would have been captain Brathwaite.

The right-hander, who was

the “player of the match” in the second and final Test, with scores of 126 and 85, batted for 813 minutes, the most by a West Indian in a Test.

“Of course Kraigg we know what he is capable of, and hopefully, the rest of the guys (would) continue to apply themselves and spend as much time at the crease,” Sarwan said in a recent Sean Devers Radio Program.

In that Bangladesh series, Mayers topped the charts with 261 runs in two Tests, including a superb 210 on debut which led West Indies to a historic win.

Bonner made 231 runs in that series while the wicket-keeper batsman Da Silva made 174 runs.

In the recent Sri Lanka series, Brathwaite led the West Indies batting with 237 runs, while Mayers scored 201 runs, and Bonner, who scored his maiden century, had 144 runs in three innings. Jason Holder (138), Rahkeem Cornwall (134) and Da Silva (102) were the other batsmen who applied themselves when given the opportunity in the Sri Lanka Tests. (Brandon Corlette)

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Delhi Capitals cruise to 189 target CLASSIFIED ADS courtesy of Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw

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n a night of comebacks, Prithvi Shaw's return to IPL form trumped Suresh Raina's homecoming at Chennai Super Kings. The Delhi Capitals' fast bowlers did enough damage with the new ball and the old to make sure the Super Kings' fabled-already depth had to stretch itself - Raina scored a fifty himself - to get themselves to a strictly competitive total.

Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan pretty quickly took out any competitive sting out of that total with 65 in the powerplay, only a brief slowdown after, and a 138-run opening stand at over 10 an over.

Dhawan played his part to perfection, getting off to a quick start to allow Shaw some time at the top and then carrying on at a high strike rate even after Shaw got out. These are two important ticks for Capitals' plans.

About the depth All the talk going into the match was around the Super Kings' batting depth, with Dwayne Bravo batting at No. 9, and it was put to the test immediately. The new ball swung for Chris Woakes and Avesh Khan, and they both bowled full enough to make use of it. Avesh got Faf du Plessis lbw, Woakes got rid of Ruturaj Gaikwad, and suddenly the depth didn't seem to matter.

it with the second ball he faced, whip-pulling Deepak Chahar for a four.

Dhawan made the first big assault, though, hitting Sam Curran for a four and a six in the fourth over. Shaw joined the party in the fifth over, taking Shardul Thakur away for three fours. Shaw kept going, taking down the spinners after a couple of quiet overs just after the powerplay. Shaw scored at two runs a ball, allowing Dhawan the freedom to be at a more sedate 150 strike rate at the time he got

Suresh Raina scored a comeback 54 in a losing effort

Raina and Moeen Ali, the Super Kings went from 7 for 2 at 2.1 overs to end up with 33 in the powerplay.

were forced to go back to pace, but Raina welcomed Marcus Stoinis with two sixes to bring up his fifty.

The depth does matter However, the middle overs were unlike what Super Kings are used to. Especially when both the left-hand batsmen started taking on the offspinner R Ashwin. It was mostly Moeen, though, with successive fours in Ashwin's first over, followed by successive sixes in his next.

By the time Moeen got out reverse-sweeping Ashwin, he had set Super Kings on their way.

Raina grabbed hold of the baton and ran at Amit Mishra and Ashwin. The Capitals

Wickets and brakes Tom Curran and Avesh Khan, though, managed to slow Super Kings down enough before the death overs. Curran got Rayudu out with a slower ball, MS Dhoni played Avesh on for a duck. Add a Raina run-out in the middle with Ravindra Jadeja running into the bowler and turning down the second, and you had 38 runs in five overs starting with the 14th. It wasn't just the wickets, it was good defensive bowling, handcuffing the batsmen. Sam Curran got the better of his brother Tom in the 19th over to provide Super Kings the finishing kick, but it was still below-par on a flat Wankhede surface.

But, thanks to

Prithvi

ored a haw sc

S

e 72

quickfir

Dhawan, Shaw must go on Ricky Ponting might be in for some throwdowns to Shaw between games. Before the start of this IPL, Ponting revealed Shaw doesn't like batting when out of form, but is difficult to keep away from training when he is in the runs. And he has been in the runs for a while.

However, Vijay Hazare Trophy runs came with no one watching. Shaw would have wanted to show everyone he was back. And he announced

LGC to honour late businessman Colin Ming

T

he Lusignan Golf Club is hosting a celebration of the life of the late Colin Ming and a tribute acknowledging his contribution to the Club.

The celebration will commence with a 9-hole golf tournament in Ming’s his honour. It will be held from 9.00 am to 11.00 am.

Family

The late Colin Ming

members will arrive at 11am for a presentation/tributes/ celebration ceremony, and to partake with golfers in a celebratory meal and drinks.

All COVID protocols will be

observed.

In a release, the LGC said, “Our hearts and prayers continue to be with the Ming families in this period of loss and mourning.”

Programme Ceremony to honour & celebrate the life of colin ming Item # Description Timing in minutes 1 Nine Hole Memorial Tournament 9:00 am

Ceremony Honoring Colin Ming 11:30 am 2 Welcome remarks by MC MC : PR Anasha Ally 2 3 A moment of Silence 1 4 Comments & Tribute

by President of LGC President: Pur Persaud 2 5 Comments & Tribute on the Last Game & unveiling of Plaque Captain: Patrick Prashad 4 6 Tributes: 1 VP: Paton George 2 7 Tributes: 2 Friend: Brian Glasford 2 8 Tributes: 3 Groundskeeper:

M Guyadin 2 10 “Open Mike” Tributes from members Open 5 11 Response from the Ming family Stan and/or

Sam & Siblings 5 12 Closing Remarks & Thank you: Club PRO

Pro: Anasha Ally 2 13 Prize Giving 14 Refreshments

out.

There were times when each one of them looked good for a century. Shaw needed 28 out of 51 when he holed out to a Bravo slower ball. Dhawan then kicked on to make sure there was no all-too-familiar late drama. The last 10 balls he faced brought Capitals 20 runs. He needed 15 out of 22 for a century when he was caught plumb by a Thakur yorker.

There was no drama indeed, as Capitals got there with eight balls to spare. (ESPNcricinfo)

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SCOREBOARD CHENNAI SUPER KINGS INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Ruturaj Gaikwad c Dhawan b Woakes 5 Faf du Plessis lbw b 0 Avesh Khan Moeen Ali c Dhawan b Ashwin 36 Suresh Raina run out (Woakes/†Pant) 54 Ambati Rayudu c Dhawan b Curran 23 Ravindra Jadeja not out 26 MS Dhoni (c)† b Avesh Khan 0 Sam Curran b Woakes 34 Extras (lb 7, nb 1, w 2) 10 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 9.40) 188/7 Did not bat: Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Faf du Plessis, 1.4 ov), 2-7 (Ruturaj Gaikwad, 2.1 ov), 3-60 (Moeen Ali, 8.3 ov), 4-123 (Ambati Rayudu, 13.5 ov), 5-137 (Suresh Raina, 15.1 ov), 6-137 (MS Dhoni, 15.3 ov), 7-188 (Sam Curran, 19.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W 3-0-18-2 Chris Woakes 4-0-23-2 Avesh Khan Ravi Ashwin 4-0-47-1

Tom Curran Amit Mishra Marcus Stoinis

4-0-40-1 3-0-27-0 2-0-26-0

DELHI CAPITALS INNINGS (TARGET: 189 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Prithvi Shaw c Ali b Bravo 72 Shikhar Dhawan lbw b Thakur 85 Rishabh Pant (c)† not out 15 Marcus Stoinis c Curran b Thakur 14 Shimron Hetmyer not out 0 (nb 1, w 3) 4 TOTAL (18.4 Ov, RR: 10.17) 190/3 Did not bat: Ajinkya Rahane, Chris Woakes, Tom Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan Fall of wickets: 1-138 (Prithvi Shaw, 13.3 ov), 2-167 (Shikhar Dhawan, 16.3 ov), 3-186 (Marcus Stoinis, 18.3 ov) O-M-R-W BOWLING 4-0-36-0 Deepak Chahar Sam Curran 2-0-24-0 3.4-0-53-2 Shardul Thakur 2-0-16-0 Ravindra Jadeja Moeen Ali 3-0-33-0 4-0-28-1 Dwayne Bravo

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW!

SUNDAY, APRIL 11, 2021

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Team Guyana to depart tomorrow for FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Pre-Qualifiers – Minister Ramson, K A Juman-Yassin urge players to represent Guyana well

By Timothy Jaikarran

people and even inspiring them, owing to the fact that the Government of Guyana is happy to be on he Guyanese contingent will depart these board. shores on Monday April 12, 2021 at 09:00 hrs Ramson added, “You are (going there) to win. for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Pre- you want individual success, as would be proven by Qualifiers which are scheduled to be played in El your scores, but you have to understand that it is a Salvador. The qualifiers will take place at the José team sport. Cohesive, and teams that have strong Adolfo Pineda National Gymnasium. chemistry, good movement, flow of information, The team is captained by Stanton Rose Jr and Co and (who put) egos aside are powerful units and captained by Delroy James. While the team consists can defeat some of the biggest stars that your of experienced players, it is also balanced out nicely opponents may have in their units. with young talent. As the days draw closer for “The most important message that you must the team to depart, they are currently pushing in take away is that to win - which is your primary overtime as they aim to make Guyana proud. objective - you have to have a strong unit, a cohesive unit. I congratulate you all, but I want you to know that your representing of Guyana comes with a price, the price is that you are inspiring an entire generation of young people that look to you for leadership. You also have leadership roles to play.”

The Minister showered praise on the GABF for their selfless dedication towards obtaining sponsorship for the team. He told the team that while their main role is to play basketball and win, they would be nothing without the leadership of Minister Ramson addressing the players at the small gathering the GABF. In a simple ceremony held at the Cliff Anderson Ramson also invited other businesses, Sports Hall, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, especially in the private sector, to come on board Charles Ramson Jr, delivered the feature address. and join the sports associations in their sponsorship He congratulated the players for making it thus of team sports. far in representing the national team, and made President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball it clear that the team is representing other young Federation, Michael Singh, reiterated that it is a

T

major moment the GABF is embarking on. If the Guyana team is to come out successful, they will qualify for the 2023 World Cup in Japan, Singh pointed out.

The GABF boss also stated that the aim with the current process is to give the members of the successful 2018 team that played in Suriname an opportunity to represent Guyana at a higher level.

“Before us today is a fantastic basketball team bolstered by the James brothers. Watching Delroy is like watching a video game with a cheat code.

The man is class, the ultimate professional, with a calm demeanour and swagger. But what’s more interesting with Delroy is that he competed at the highest level in Latin America (BCL).

“Also on the team is Anthony Moe. Your scouting reports have helped us a lot in the last few days, and I have a special request for you, and the is to keep Mr Bartell (A 7-foot Centre from Nicaragua) off the board.” Singh said.

Singh also aimed the rest of his message at the other team members, stating that they are equally important. He urged them to focus on the areas they can produce for the team on both sides of the floor.

He also thanked the sponsors, especially the Guyana Olympic Association President K.A JumanYassin, who played an instrumental role; and the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jnr, for his relentless dedication to the sport.

“The Basketball Federation has been able to meet its target and send this team to the Championship”. This was pointed out by President of the Guyana Olympic Association, K.A JumanYassin. Yassin relayed that he was aware of the difficulty faced by the GABF, but nevertheless, the GOA was very happy to assist. Yassin further went on thank the Minister Charles Ramson as

he noted that he has been doing an excellent job and hopes that with the upward movement of Guyana’s economy the cabinet would be able to give more funding to Minister Ramson’s ministry so that he may be able to do more. In closing Yassin said, “I ask you when you get on the court, when you are off the court to remember that you are the ambassador of Guyana, ambassador for yourselves also and your family. I want to wish the members of the team all the success, I want to compliment President Singh and his executives for pulling it off.”

The top three (3) teams will advance to the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 – Americas Pre-Qualifiers in July 2021. The participating national teams would now include Costa Rica (CRC), El Salvador (ESA), Guyana (GUY), Jamaica (JAM) and Nicaragua (NCA).

Those on board in supporting the national squad are JHI Associates; Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport; E-Networks; Nigel Hinds; Hand-inHand; Atlantic Mining Supplies; American Airlines; Rima Guest House, and Sleepin International.

Guyana’s Game Schedule: • Game 1: Thursday, April 15 – 21:00 GYT – Guyana vs Nicaragua • Game 2: Friday, April 16 – 18:00 GYT – Jamaica vs Guyana • Game 3: Saturday, April 17 – 21:00 GYT – Guyana vs El Salvador • Game 4: Sunday, April 18 – 18:00 GYT – Costa Rica vs Guyana * Guyana is two hours ahead of El Salvador, hence the games set for 21:00 hrs and 18:00 hrs will be played at 19:00hrs and 16:00 hrs local time.

All Guyana games will be broadcasted via the E-Networks E1 Channel.

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