Guyana Times - Sunday April 3, 2022

Cricket in Moruca: a game which unites villages P15

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4968 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022

Guyana must not be a rich nation of poor people - Pres Ali in Ramadan message Page 3

PRICE

$140 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana “very important” P29 market – T&T Minister on trade barrier concerns …promises to probe complaints

…“reach out in compassion” – CIOG president to Muslims

Vacant Opposition Parliamentary seats

APNU not being consulted by PNCR – APNU MP …says request for meeting ignored Page 33

“Desperate” need of support to interdict narco-trafficking – Benn Page 7

…as CANU destroys over US$2M in ganja

Private Sector lauds approval of Exxon’s Yellowtail Project

Almost 98% of COVID-19 cases recovered P12

…9 new positive cases recorded

Govt to pay for costly treatment for dialysis P27 patients living with Hepatitis C

Page 31

Visually-impaired teen gets much-needed assistance P23

Partnership between Police and communities: Newly appointed Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken on Saturday embarked on a major community outreach and visited several communities in and around Georgetown. During the outreach, the Top Cop distributed kites and food hampers to residents of Rosemary Lane, Tiger Bay, Leopold Street, Sophia, Albouystown, and Agricola (GPF photos)

Female teen excavator operator trailblazing a maledominated profession See story on page 25

Traffic Chief calls for removal of vagrants, vendors at P28 intersections

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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, Apr 3 – 03:30h – 05:00h and Monday, Apr 4 – 03:30h – 05:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, Apr 3 – 05:15h – 06:45h and Monday, Apr 4 – 05:40h – 07:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be thundery showers and sunny intervals during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 18:00h reaching a maximum height of 2.7 metres.

Low Tide: 11:35h and 23:47h reaching minimum heights of 0.41 metre and 0.57 metre.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

01 19 20 25 26 28

FREE TICKET

02 Bonus Ball

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2022

DAILY MILLIONS

02 04 12 19 26 LUCKY 3

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5

4

5

Afternoon Draw

1

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

04 05 06 07 10 13 15 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$107.67/barrel

-0.22

Rough Rice

$288.21/ton

+0.01

London Sugar

$538.40/ton

-0.57

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1925.60

$1926.60

Low/High Change

$1917.70 0.00

$1940.50 0.00%

Guyana must not be a rich nation of poor people – Pres Ali in Ramadan message …“reach out in compassion” – CIOG President

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ith Guyana’s economy projected to grow at an exponential rate with oil production in the Stabroek Block, President Dr Irfaan Ali has reminded on the occasion of Ramadan 2022 that Guyana must not become a rich nation of poor people.

In his missive extending Ramadan Mubarak greetings to all Guyanese and Muslims, at home and abroad, the President emphasised that the holiday is all about a closer intimacy with the creator and generosity and kindness towards those around us.

“Kindness is a virtue. We all have it within us to be generous, especially to those within our communities who are in need. If we are indeed to be the keepers of our brothers and sisters, let us use what we have to help those who are in need. And let us do so sincerely and selflessly,” President Ali, himself a Muslim, said.

According to President Ali, Guyana is well positioned for sustained prosperity. But in seizing its destiny, the country’s material wealth must be matched with an overflowing spirit of generosity. He urged all to follow the generosity practiced by the Holy Prophet.

“Otherwise, we will be rich in possessions but poor in spirit. We must neither be a rich nation with poor people nor a nation of rich people who are wanting in generosity,” President Ali said. “As we celebrate Ramadan 2022, let us do our bit to the upliftment of humanity in sharing from the blessings we have received.”

“And even for those who are not in the position to share

CIOG

President Dr Irfaan Ali

materially or financially but you are in the position to share physically with your strength, your character, expressing kindness to fellow humans, doing something positive for the environment, helping in some way in the upliftment of our communities and country – that too is an important part of giving,” he said.

Already, the World Bank is predicting a massive 49.7 per cent in economic growth this year. ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block, which contains a recoverable resource estimate of over 10 billion barrels of oil-equivalent.

The US oil major started production in December 2019 at its first Development – Liza Phase One site, where Guyana has earned US$607.6 million from a total of nine oil lifts by the end of 2021 and another US$95 million from its first lift this year from the <<<Liza Destiny>>> Floating Production and Storage Offloading (FPSO) vessel.

Meanwhile, President CIOG, Shahabudeen Ahmad in his message said that the holy month of Ramadan should be received with deep respect, love, and gratitude.

“This month was gifted to us so that we could purify our bodies, minds, and hearts in order to cultivate Taqwa and come closer to Allah (swt), our Creator,” Ahmad said.

He said that when “we abstain from feeding our bodies during the day, let us faithfully be aware that our souls are being perfectly nourished.

When we engage in prayer, let us faithfully be aware that Allah (swt) is with us, defends us, and keeps us shielded and safe, for Allah (swt) is our Maula (protector). When we break the fast in the evenings, let us joyfully be aware of Allah's (swt) boundless love and mercy.”

He added that during Ramadan, Muslims also observe traditions shared by many faiths and as such we should “reach out in compassion to our neighbours, families, friends (in a safe manner), with the intent to sincerely help, not looking for a worldly gain. Be mindful of our obligation to practice peace, justice, and dignity equally for all”.

Ramadan, he added, is a time to reset and align actions and habits to spiritual purpose, “Ramadan is the training ground. Ramadan is that time of stock-taking, a time for evaluation of all the Godgiven abilities and resources we were endowed with. It

President of CIOG, Shahabudeen Ahmad

is therefore timely to ask ourselves a very important question.”

Opposition

Meanwhile, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) in its message on the occasion of Ramadan, noted that this is one of the most sacred times for the Muslim community, adding that adherents are encouraged to practice self-discipline, fasting from dawn to dusk, increased acts of worship especially the night prayers, heightened work of charity and, importantly, strengthening families.

“This month offers us an opportunity to reflect on the conditions and struggles of our impoverished and oppressed people,” the party said. “We hope that this month brings us closer to this realisation so that we may increase our charity towards the poor and underprivileged so as to bring ease to the people,” the party said.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022

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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

Promoting equality in One Guyana

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he norm of equality has become the mantra of the age, and certainly in Guyana. However, it has become a very contested issue, which has to be unpacked very carefully so that it may be achieved as broadly as possible.

Even in economic terms, as Thomas Piketty has shown, most of the world have moved further away from this goal, and we must question why. The reasons are legion, but not being confined to Guyana suggests they are structural.

One salient one is that "equality” is an aspirational term frequently invoked without its users being clear about its meaning. With such subjectivity, no wonder its attainment is so conflictual.

Most would agree with the statement, “We are all equally human”, but what does that mean? Isn’t it a tautology? We are not equally tall, strong, intelligent, or beautiful, so whither equality? For the term to have any content, we have to choose particular areas of endeavour, personal attributes or treatment, and then measure whether or not we are all equal in terms of the identified criteria. As such, things or persons can be said to be equal only with some specific property that we have identified. Equality from this perspective has therefore to be contingent on the context or criteria wherein we speak. Equality is a triadic relationship; we may talk about three types of equality – those pertaining to personal characteristics, to treatment, and to distribution. The last two categories become relevant to politics, but may be dependent on personal cultural attributes.

There are some theories of equality that are purely formal; they specify no substantive content, but are simply a formula or policy. As such, once the rule is followed – for example, in colonial Guyana, where only “men of property could vote”, one could claim there was equality, even though women and slaves could not vote. Statements such as “equality before the law” also fall under this category: no questions arise as to what the content of the law was. Formal equality only demands consistency, and is nettlesome.

It is generally accepted that, in any society, some inequalities will be morally permissible. But should differences in ethnicity, interests, aptitudes, intelligence, and conceptions of “the good” justify such inequalities?

Rawls’ ‘difference principle’ proposes that “any unequal distribution of social or economic goods (eg wealth) must be such that the least-advantaged members of society would be better off under that distribution than they would be under any other distribution principle.” In Guyana, these are questions that have to be discussed, debated and agreed on.

Normally, the rewards or punishment from one’s efforts are also seen as permissible (meritocratic), even if not equally distributed. Once indefensible inequalities have been identified, the state/society has to decide what to do about them. Items identified from the latter category at some time or place have been political power, opportunity for scarce resources, welfare or social position, social position/ class, economic resources, welfare etc. In general, some stress political equality, while others focus on economic equality: Conservatives and Libertarians balk at increased governmental intervention, while Socialists/ Marxists/Liberals expect the state to intervene to mitigate inequalities. In Guyana, questions on the equality of social status and political and economic parity are intensely contested between the ethnic groups in the society.

As we indicated, we can only have substantive equality when there is a specific criterion identified by which policies can be assessed. For instance, in terms of “equal treatment” or opportunity, there can be formal equality if the law states that offices are open to anyone who is qualified. In this instance, one is being told that all existent inequalities of talent, birth or station etc are morally permissible. But what happens when equality of opportunity does not lead to equality of outcome because of social, cultural, or other personal attributes of some citizens?

It has been suggested that where there are historically determined structural conditions that undergird some inequalities, there may be the need for affirmative action programmes to rectify these imbalances.

Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud examining products from one of the female-owned businesses on display at the Anna Regina Town Council, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) (MHSSS photo)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022

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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

Navaraatri 2022

Dear Editor, As we commence the holy observance of Chaitra Navaraatri, also called Vasant or Raama Navaraatri, which will culminate with the observance of Raamnavami on Sunday April 10th, 2022, the Sabha takes delight in wishing everyone a thrilling and spiritually uplifting experience during the period.

We pray that not only do we ensure the festival is observed, but that genuine, sincere, and prayerful efforts are made to enhance our individual spiritual gains and attainments.

Unlike Sharad Navaraatri (September/October), which is exclusively dedicated to Mother worship, this Chaitra Navaraatri is focused on recapturing the events in a spirit of love and devotion leading up to Sri Raam’s birthday or appearance. As the Ramayana points out the events which unfolded as humanity had petitioned the Lord for His saving grace and mercy, today, more than ever, the world needs to capture

this ever-incessant flow of grace of the Lord, and seek the higher goals of life in as much as we take part in the beauties of the world.

Therefore, this Navaraatri is relevant, and has much to offer to the world, and we who have been so privileged to claim it must make the best use of it all.

We must recommit to the further growth of our faith and love for Lord, and be ever grateful for this gift of life.

Sri Raama represents, in every way, the values, traditions, culture and teachings of Sanatan Dharma. Taking his inspiration from Rishi Valmiki, Tulsidas portrays his hero, Sri Rama, as the very epitome of Vedic characterisation. The details of Rama’s birth, parentage, upbringing, schooling, relationship with brothers and friends, service to elders, marriage, and practice of ideals are all aimed at portraying Him to be a living representation of Vedic ethics. In Rama’s life, there is an application of the Vedic spiritual culture of Yajna and

Sanskaaara - rituals and sacraments.

This is the life Tulsidas wanted to see rejuvenated in the Hindu world.

So focused is Tulsidas in portraying Rama in Vedic terms that he says in Uttarkanda 23.1: “He (Raama) was a defender of the Vedic Path and a champion of righteousness. He was above the influence of the three gunas - Sattva, Rajas and Tamas…”

He further wrote in the Sundar kanda 38.2 that Raama is “An ocean of compassion, he has assumed the human form for the good of all. He brings joy to righteous people, and breaks the ranks of evildoers; He is the Champion of the Vedas and of righteousness.”

This is the Raama, the blessed Lord, whose appearance is the central reason and purpose for observing Vasant Navaraatri. May He bless us all.

Yours sincerely, Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha Region 3

There is a compounded nonsense going on within PNC

By H indus F or S elfless S ervice

C

haitra Navratri is a nine-day festival to Goddess Durga’s nine incarnations and is observed every year after Holi. It is also known as Vasant/Spring Navratri, that starts on the first day of the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar which falls in March or April. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga and each of her nine incarnations is worshipped on successive nights.

Chaitra is the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar and that’s why this Navratri is called Chaitra Navratri. It is also known as Rama Navratri, as Rama Navami, the birthday of Lord Rama usually falls on the ninth day during Navratri festivity.

This year Goddess Durga festival commenced on April 1, 2022, and will conclude on April 10, 2022. The festival celebrates the nine forms of Hindu Goddess Durga and each day is associated with a different colour.

Day 3: Chandraghanta Puja

Goddess Parvati is the wife of the almighty Lord Shiva. After their marriage, Lord Shiva adorned the Goddess’s forehead with a Chandra made from Chandan, and that is the reason why she is known as Chandraghanta.

Mother Chandraghanta removes the problems and little demons of life. She has ten arms and three eyes, with Shiva’s crescent moon on her forehead. She has a golden complexion, and is ready for war. She wears a mala of bells that attempt the silencing of bells of articulation. She rides a tiger, and protects her devotees, gives peace, and bestows ultimate good. She holds a gong (big bell), and is adorned with a half-moon on the head.

With the grace of Chandraghanta Devi, devotees have a vision of metaphysical objects. Divine fragrances are experienced, and many types of sounds are heard. Mother always keeps her devotees away from all obstacles, and provides happiness in life.

Dear Editor, The PNC - my reference would be limited to the parent party name, and not the metamorphosis of all its aliases - has made a mockery of the parliamentary process, its norms and principles.

This is evidenced in the protracted nonsense in choosing a leader for the party both in and out of Parliament.

As someone said, this present imbroglio reminds us of the five months’ wait after the election of a government in this country. A similar situation is being repeated here, as the main Opposition pussyfoot around the nomination of its leader.

Internal elections have been held within the PNC, and a leader has been chosen; why that leader is not really yet a leader, and why he is not in Parliament, is anybody’s guess.

But before we get into that discussion, let’s fast forward a bit: left to themselves, it would not be the nation’s headache, or anybody’s problem, for that matter. It is an internal party matter, so let them deal with it, but the problem wades into our domain, as it affects the smooth functioning of Parliament.

There is no Leader of the Opposition with whom we can consult for certain key governmental functions to proceed smoothly, so we definitely have a problem.

The situation becomes even murkier as we see Granger’s reluctance to appoint the elected party leader Norton to that key position in Parliament. He keeps dancing around the topic and avoiding the appointment.

Seems like Granger does not want to pass the baton to Norton, and he is using ev-

ery means at his disposal to frustrate him.

Two key PNC posts have been made redundant with the resignations of Joseph Harmon and Nicolette Henry, and everyone had thought that their replacement would have been automatic, but we were mistaken, as Granger keeps prolonging the issue. These are PNC positions, so it requires PNC personnel to fill the void, but instead, what takes place is a compounded nonsensical move by Granger in appointing Volda Lawrence to Parliament, then in turn asking Norton to consult with Ramjattan for a leader. Why the consensual approach?

Why should an elected leader of the PNC have to consult with the leader of another party? Is Granger losing his sanity? These are questions the nation is asking.

It is utter trash, as these

are not vacant AFC positions, these are PNC positions, so why should Norton have to consult with the AFC Leader? It just doesn’t make any sense. But this is the situation we are faced with in a place called Guyana.

I would refrain from invoking the street terminology used by Donald Trump to describe the low level the PNC has sunken into, but suffice it to say that party needs to get this situation resolved as quickly as possible for the good of the nation.

So, as the rift widens within the PNC, the nation languishes. This is unacceptable, and I am saying Guyana should not be burdened with such nonsense.

It is high time for Granger to get his act together and fix that leadership position.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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n previous recent columns, I have dealt extensively on the important considerations relating to the choice of a pet (cat, dog, kitten, puppy), your choice of a veterinarian, and the expectations we veterinarians have of you and your handling of your pets during visits to the clinic. We shall now engage our discussions on the general “Pet Care” for your companion animal(s), who have now joined your family and hopefully will be with you for many years in a happy “forever home”.

You have gone to great effort to choose your pet, and you are taking it home. Both owner and pet are excited, and the pet will also be in a state of anxiety.

Of course, pulling a puppy on a leash behind you as you ride a bicycle is not an option. It is best to place the animal in a sturdy carton box, travelling bag, or commercially available “pet taxi”.

Ventilation must be provided (holes in the box, zipper of bag slightly open, etc). The animal, particularly if it is young, is nervous, and is so intimidated by the motion and surrounding commotion that it will remain fairly quiet in the transport container. The odd kitten might wish to tunnel its way out of a soft cardboard box and take a sudden leap into the traffic.

Please guard against this.

It is always good to take someone along with you to hold the animal (if you prefer not to use a transport container) and to provide reassuring hugs and soothing petting and words during that first vehicle drive. It is advisable to have a towel, a roll of paper towel and some

The first days with your new pet

newspapers with you.

Nervousness creates all sorts of consequences.

Cats generally do not like cars! Place the kitten in a strong enclosed container (with ventilation, of course) if you do not wish to have it jumping around and distracting you while driving, or worse: escaping immediately when you open the car door on arriving home. I have heard many such stories from distraught new pet owners.

There is always great family excitement when the new pet arrives home, especially if it is a young kitten or puppy, both of which are extremely cute at that age. All this generous welcome may be overwhelming and quite disturbing to the new pet, simply because the general environment and the family members are strange to the animal. It is advisable to temper your overly demonstrative affections quickly.

Allow the pet to exit the transport container quietly and on its own terms, as it acquaints itself with its new surroundings.

Feed it a light first meal. Keep the kids’ enthusiasm level and visits to a minimum. (Yes, I know that this is easier said than done). Boisterous and strenuous play on the first day is definitely not recommended, if ever. Your children and other family members (including pets that are already part of the household) must be repeatedly cautioned about overly zealous physical acts with the new pet, and be particularly warned that the cute little fur ball does not bounce, and must not be thrown in the air to see if it lands on its four feet.

When you lift the pet, place one hand firmly under its chest and the other under its hind quarters. In this way the pet not only feels secure, but is secure.

You will have to dedicate some time and effort to ensuring that any habit of urinating and defecating at the most inopportune time and in the most undesirable places is quickly addressed. Discipline and training must begin from day one (we shall be dealing with the curbing of bad habits in the coming weeks).

As any pet owner would attest, the first night is agonising.

The puppy/kitten, and even the adult dog/cat, is lonely. For the first time, neither mummy, siblings or former caregivers are around to snuggle with and to bring comfort and that feeling of security. Anything from whimpering to a full-fledged caterwauling could be expected.

Here are some suggestions that you may consider in preparing for the arrival of your new pet: “Construct” a comfortable crate for the new pet. A simple cardboard box lined with newspapers, a cushion or an old towel/rug/blanket would suffice.

The front of the box should be open, to allow easy entry and exit.

The pet shops supply very functional animal crates that are light, collapsible, and easy to maintain, and these are offered in various sizes and colours. These are ideal for pets, especially if you intend to keep them indoors at night, and if you will be taking them with you on vacations out of town. Pets, like humans, are creatures of routine, enjoy their personal space, and will happily enter their crates when they need to sleep or relax. Dogs are particularly consistent with their time for night sleep.

The crate must be large enough for the pet to lie, stand, and stretch. Above all, the crate must be placed in a draft-free

location, but not a windowless room, which is hot and stuffy and with no air circulation.

Especially in the case of kittens/ cats, windows must be escapefree.

If you have determined to keep the puppy/dog (never the cat) outside, you will have to build/buy a kennel with dimensions which would allow the animal comfort and manoeuvreability. It must be at least nine inches above the ground. Not too high, though, as entering and exiting the kennel may become problematic when the dog gets older.

Note: there are many excellent Guyanese carpenters /cabinet makers who can construct customised and beautiful kennels for the comfort of your pets.

Do not bathe the kitten (never bathe a cat, unless it is absolutely necessary) or puppy during the first few days at your home. Speak to your vet about the frequency of dog baths.

There are some further suggestions that dog and cat lovers have made over the years that have proven to be effective in smoothly transitioning the new pet to his new environment: Place a sealed glass jar (or hot water bottle) with warm water into the crate to recreate the warmth of the mother and litter mates which are no longer present. Do not use electric heating pads, as pets may bite the wires and receive a nasty shock or die from the electrocution.

A ticking clock may bring comfort, as the ticking sound simulates the heartbeat of the mother.

Well, I am not going to disagree with anything that works! My dear mother (rest her soul) believed in rubbing salted butter on the mouths and noses of kittens and puppies as a distraction to give them solace in their loneliness during the first few nights.

THROUGH TIME AND SPACE

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– The remarkable forces that shape Guyana’s Rupununi Wetlands

magine being able to travel back in time to almost 2 billion years ago: long before dinosaurs existed, when the Earth was mostly water, with only microscopic life. Any exposed land would seem strange and otherworldly - rocky landscapes completely bare of plants and animals.

Though most of these ancient landscapes have long disappeared, there is a little-known area along the northern coast of South America where ancient mountains from the Earth’s deep past still stand – a unique geological time machine that remains core to Guyana’s present and future prosperity.

At 1.7 billion years old, the Guiana Shield covers six countries, with Guyana at its centre. It contains the oldest mountains in the Americas, and some of the world’s most unaltered natural landscapes. But because of the Shield’s great age, much of Guyana’s interior soils have been washed and weathered over millennia, leaving them very nutrient-poor. It is in these highlands, however, where most of Guyana’s rivers spring forth, carving canyons into this ancient landscape, and creating the foundation for forests, savannahs, and all the wondrous habitats in between. Here rivers function like arteries, pulsing with the seasons and circulating nutrients across many habitats.

In the geographical heart of Guyana, and the Guiana Shield, sits the Rupununi - a wetland unlike any other, with a bonanza of rainforests, savannahs, bush islands, mountains, oxbow lakes, and large inland flood plains. About 180 million years ago, the Rupununi’s distinctive rolling savannahs sat at the bottom of a giant inland lake fed by rivers flowing off the Guiana Highlands. Smaller remnants of this primeval lake still exist, and spread across the savannahs like an echo through time during the intense Rupununi rainy seasons.

It is on this ancient floodplain where the headwaters of two giant South American rivers reach out across the savannahs and connect, creating a “portal” between worlds and watersheds, and setting the scene for a remarkable but little understood migration of animals through a wetland unlike any other. During periods of high rainfall, the region’s major rivers – the Rupununi, Ireng and Takutu – overflow their banks, creating a slow-moving, shallow sheet of water that acts as a temporary path for fish and other aquatic animals to traverse.

The connection between the Amazon and Essequibo that happens in the Rupununi has allowed for the mixing of species from both eco-regions, creating a unique and extremely rich combination of animals, habitats and ecosystems. This mix includes some of the planet’s largest and most diverse bat and freshwater fish populations, as well as a giant Arapaima species that may be new to science.

Despite the Rupununi’s extremely poor soils, the area’s intense seasonal flooding brings much needed nutrients from its forested areas into its savannahs, driving the landscape’s ability to be productive and sustain the communities that live there.

With the area coming into focus for accelerated development – including international road links, petroleum, agricultural diversification, community development, conservation, and tourism development – integrated planning and management have never been more critical.

The Rupununi is home to the Wapichan, Macusi and Wai-Wai indigenous peoples, who have long depended on the area’s natural production for their livelihoods and well-being. Now covered by a mosaic of land uses – community-owned lands, protected areas, ranches, state leases, mining concessions, expanding urban centres, and the town of Lethem – the Rupununi and its continued productivity is central to achieving national prosperity. Protecting the richness of the Rupununi requires an integrated, landscapelevel and nature-based approach. Whether designing roads to allow for water flow, or fostering sustainable economies across the region, there are still many nature-centred approaches available in pursing development in the Rupununi; approaches that can bring needed benefits to Guyanese, while still decreasing how much natural production is lost in the process.

This critical wetland also contributes to the productivity of our coastlands. As it expands and contracts in the centre of Guyana, fine sediments flow in two opposite directions: north to the Essequibo, and south to the Amazon. These sediments spend years travelling down their respective rivers, eventually meeting again on the far distant shores of Guyana’s Atlantic Coast. Here a powerful natural earth engine pulls new land from the ocean, creating extremely young coastal wetland ecosystems with the potential to save our coast from the most severe impacts of the climate crisis.

Look out for “The Mud That Makes Us: The extraordinary earth engine shaping and reshaping Guyana’s coast” as we take our exploration of Guyana to the one-of-a-kind coastal and mangrove forests along our shores.

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

NEWS

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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Desperate” need of support to interdict narco-trafficking – Benn …as CANU destroys over US$2M in ganja

The marijuana being destroyed on Saturday

A large quantity of narcotics was seized within the past year

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ntercepting narcotics in Guyana requires increased support from countries which these drugs are destined for.

This was the position taken by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn on Saturday during a drug eradication exercise by the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU). The Minister underscored that since Guyana is just a transit point in the movement of illegal drugs, there is an imminent need for more support to curb such operations.

“I want to remind persons that Guyana may be considered a minor transit point for the movement of narcotics overseas. We are not the users and the buyers of narcotics which are leaving the country for other destinations. So, we continue to look forward and look for more support, particularly from those countries which are the final destinations of these narcotics.

I think we have a desperate need there,” Benn told the media.

CANU was facilitating the destruction of 1500 kilograms of marijuana that was seized at ports, residences and through other operation last year.

The exercise was done at the old Ministry of Housing compound, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown. The narcotic destruction was

also observed by Permanent Secretary Mae Toussaint Thomas, CANU Head James Singh and other senior members of the Unit.

Since it is imported marijuana, Singh said the drugs carry a street value of US$2.5 million. He credited the agency’s increased success to enhanced inter-agency collaboration and intelligence gathering with the Joint Services.

“Marijuana price depends on the territory it is going to. Increased success has been as a result of the

support from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Guyana, as well as more inter-agency collaboration.

Ninety per cent of our operations we do are as a result of intelligence sharing among the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force and it’s part of the whole national security strategy in ensuring safer communities and a safer country.”

Cocaine has not been destroyed as yet, he noted, due to pending matters before the court.

For 2021, the Unit had

intercepted 2.1 tonnes of cannabis and 41 kilograms of cocaine. A breakdown of the ganja seized showed that a whopping 1027 kilograms were intercepted in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); 481 kilograms in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); 457 kilograms in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); 6.4 kilograms in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and

4.4 kilograms in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

With respect to the cocaine, 23.5 kilograms was seized in Region Four, 17.4 kilograms in Region Two, and a small amount of 0.16 kilograms in Region Six. In addition, 3.1 kilograms of ecstasy was confiscated in Region Four. Also, a small amount of Crystal Methamphetamine and

Hashish were seized.

In comparison, CANU seized 32 kilograms of cocaine and 135 kilograms of cannabis for 2020. In September last, CANU and the Guyana Police Force destroyed over $100 million in illicit drugs, including cocaine and marijuana that had been seized over the past two years. (G12)

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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Step by step…

Y

…the PNC stumbles on our Eyewitness isn’t sure if Aubrey Norton and Volda Lawrence are old enough to know the 60’s doo-wop hit by the Crests - “Step by Step”. But it’s clear that David Granger certainly is!! Breaking his more-than-three-months silence, he implicitly explained why he wasn’t gonna be rushed into naming Norton to Parliament, and giving him a shot at being elected by his peers on the Opposition Benches as “Opposition Leader”.

It was gonna be “step by step”!

Call him what you will…the man’s certainly consistent in insisting he’ll only do what’s “fit and proper” - step by step - by the constitution!! “The Representative of the List has followed and acted in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana and the Representation of the People Act with regard to the resignation and replacement of members to the National Assembly at all material times,” said Granger in the third person!! He took great pains to note he was only now informed by the National Assembly of the two vacancies.

The resignations of Harmon - his right-hand man who had to have informed him personally, and Nicolette Henry, which was in the press for the past months, wasn't proper notice. The pleas of the PNC constituency to get on with the dire need for an Opposition Leader wasn't enough.

Now, your Eyewitness isn’t sure where that “requirement” for notice by the National Assembly was a prerequisite for the Rep of the List to act, but who’s he to doubt Granger on Constitutional interpretation? Didn’t he tell the Chief Justice (snarkily) after she made one such ruling that she had her “opinion” and so did he??!!

Well, now Granger’s taken the step 1. He ordered Norton and Ramjattan - as leaders of PNC and AFC respectively - to hold “meaningful consultations” to fill the MPs’ vacancies. Apparently, news that Norton had already been chosen by the PNC’s CEC didn’t cut any ice. The meeting was duly held - even though Ramjattan said he wasn’t sure why he had to get involved in a PNC matter!! But he “didn’t want to give Granger any new excuse”!! Step 2. Granger informed GECOM CEO of his communication.

The PNC quickly selected Volda Lawrence to join Norton, and this was communicated to Granger. But after Ramjattan’s skeptical (scoffing?) reaction to Granger’s instruction, one wonders whether the Sanctimonious Gangster would accept the consultations as “meaningful”!! After all, it’s clear that he doesn’t see his role as the “Representative of the List” for the Coalition as a messenger boy. Remember how he interpreted the CCJ’s order for him to select a GECOM Chair from a Jagdeo list of 6??

The song spoke of SEVEN steps!! Stay tuned for more interpretations!! …oil production ratchets up Even before the Ukraine war put a squeeze on oil supplies - pushing oil prices upwards - Guyana had already agreed with the Exxon consortium to pump the oil out as fast as they could!! The Government argued and your Eyewitness always held - that while oil will be needed till the end of the century, renewables are gonna satisfy an increasing percentage of fuel demand. That makes accelerated production a no-brainer!!

Well, starting from 124,000 bpd in 2019 with one FPSO, we’ve now reached 350,000 bpd with a second FPSO. Making the decision even sweeter is that the war’s pushed prices way beyond US$100/barrel from the initial miserly US$35 or thereabouts!! How sweet it is!! Well, the 3rd FPSO WILL arrive in 2024, and by 2025 - election year - a 4th will be servicing the just approved Yellowtail and reach 800,000 bpd!! With our share being 112,000bpd!!

Or US$11,200,000 every day @US$100/bpd!!

Two years later we’ll be hitting 1,2 MILLION bpd!! …to a more normal politics Your Eyewitness believes Aubrey Norton’s much too experienced to be “cranked up” by those stuck in the past, not to appreciate that “the times are a changin’”.

With our massive oil wealth, politics doesn’t have to be zero sum no mo’!

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

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

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NEWS

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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Hindu Politics: Raj Neeti ‘Sangachadwam, sam-vada-dwam samvo-manaamsi jnaanatam’

L

et us move together; let us speak together; let us know each other’s minds Hindus believe one can speak authentically on a subject related to human life only after integrating its principles in one’s life. In my case, my political principles were gleaned from the Arthashastra of Kautiliya, the various Dharmashastras, and, most important of all, the Itihasasas – the Ramayan, Ravi Dev Ramcharitmanas and Mahabharat, but expressed in a western idiom, for our circumstances.

Hindus do not have an absolutist position on rules and regulations, whether on governance or otherwise. Rather, we believe there are the eternal principles of Dharma that have to be applied to the phenomena under consideration, but always taking into cognizance one’s desh, kaal and paristhiti – place, time and circumstances.

We therefore have to first explain what is ‘dharma’, before we can consider its application to governance or politics. We consider definitions as being too limiting – we prefer to enumerate the lakshanas or attributes of our subjects. In the Shanti parva of the Mahabharata (109: 10-12), there is a very succinct summation of the lakshanas of Dharma: “(10) All the teachings of dharma are with a view to nurturing, cherishing, providing more amply, endowing more richly, prospering, increasing, enhancing, all living beings: securing their PRABHAVA. “(11) All the sayings of dharma are with a view of supporting, sustaining, bringing together, upholding all living beings – in a word their DHAARANA. “(12) All the sayings of dharma are with a view to securing for all living beings freedom from violence - ahimsa. Therefore whatever has the characteristics of prahabhva, Dhaarana and Ahimsa is dharma. This is certain.”

And applying these three principles of dharma to society, we can speak of “Raj Neeti”. For “Raj”, we can maybe substitute what we call today the state. But rather than ‘politics’, neeti is more properly translated as “political ethics”. ‘Neeti” connotes conduct; propriety; policy; a plan; politics; righteousness; morality. The ethical element of Dharma is always present. If the politics we practice is bereft of these three attributes, then we are practising adharma and, in this instance, tyranny, injustice or anarchy.

How does the State achieve all these noble ends? Our texts/ shastras advise that the ruler/executive must possess DANDA (staff) which signifies corporal punishment, chastisement, subjection, control, restraint. In a word, the State must have possess the bala or “power,” “strength,” or “force” to ensure the law of the fish - matsya nyaya” (rule that “big fishes eat little fishes”) does not prevail, from within or without.

The entire purpose of the state is to protect the people: Raksha.

“There is no other justification for the king to exist than to protect, in every way, the people. For protection if the first foundation of all social order. It is from the fear of danda that people do not consume each other: it is upon danda that all order is based.” (MhBrt Shanti parva 68:8) Applying this to Guyana, I have to point out an observation of the writer VS Naipaul that moved me greatly as a young man: he spoke of the ‘unprotectedeness’ of the Indians in our diaspora. Our task is to therefore insist that our political leaders create the conditions to secure our ‘protectedness’. We identified the Physical Security Dilemma of the Indian in Guyana. Indians might have been able to take political office because of our numbers in a democratic system, but unless the leaders possessed the bala to enforce the danda, we would always be at risk because of the matsya. We recommended that they make the Disciplined Forces – the repository of bala - representative of our country’s population.

In his Arthashastra, Kautilya describes the supreme rule to which the ruler must bow: “In the happiness of his subjects lies his happiness; in their welfare, his welfare; whatever pleases himself, he shall not consider as good, but whatever pleases his subjects he shall consider as good.” (Bk 1, Ch XIX, 39) The leaders must be free from arrogance (darpa) from power and authority.

“By abusing his great power, where the king begins to oppress the weak, and takes to adharma, there his officials make that kind of behaviour their means of livelihood as well…Full of such arrogant people, that kingdom is soon destroyed. (MhBht Shanti Parva 931-2) But during emergencies, when Dharma is threatened (Aapad Kaal), the state must take whatever steps necessary for the survival of the society.

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

12 NEWS

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Almost 98% of COVID-19 cases recovered …9 new positive cases recorded GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD

R

ecovered cases of COVID-19 in Guyana account for 61,962 of the 63,267 confirmed cases thus far, representing a 97.9 per cent recovery rate.

The Health Ministry on Saturday posted its updated dashboard, which showed deaths remaining at 1226.

There were nine new cases, contributing to a total of 79 active cases. An analysis shows a spread between Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

Statistics show that four persons are in the Intensive Care Unit, seven in institutional isolation, 68 in home isolation and 10 in institutional quarantine. Guyana has facilitated 571,320 tests, of which 29,134 males and 34,133 females have tested positive.

Latest vaccination statistics indicate that 438,224 persons or 85.4 per cent of the adult population have taken a first dose while second doses account for 336,871 or 65.7 per cent.

For the 12 to 17 group, 34,309 first doses and 25,008 second doses have been administered. This is equivalent to 47 per

APRIL 2, 2022 UPDATE

cent and 34.3 per cent, respectively. This group has been lagging behind, as calls continue for parents to give consent for their children to take the shots.

Some 58,340 persons have taken a booster shot.

This week, authorities announced that the possibility of offering a fourth dose is being mulled.

Additionally, Government is looking at introducing booster shots for the 12 to 17 age group. After deliberations, it will be determined whether the Health Ministry will move forward with this plan.

A new strain of the Omicron variant, BA.2 has been circulating in other countries. While it has not been detected locally, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony cautioned that unvaccinated persons and those whose immunity has waned will be challenged.

Persons with comor-

bidities have been continuously asked to continue taking their respective medications or treatment to control their condition.

The preventative measures and guidelines to protect against the virus must be adhered to since this category of person is at a greater risk if they contract COVID-19.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 2267480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health. gov.gy.

Globally, over 485 million people have tested positive for the virus and 6.1 million have died. In the Americas, more than 150 million confirmed cases have been reported with over 2.69 million deaths.

(G12)

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

9

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

7

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

68 4

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

10

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,133

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,134

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

63,267

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

61,962

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

2518

REGION 2

2491

REGION 3

8050

REGION 4

31,283

REGION 5

2379

REGION 6

5752

REGION 7

2423

REGION 8

887

REGION 9

4016

REGION 10

3468

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

436,452 333,910 1226

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

NEWS

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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Home Affairs Ministry keeping close eye on cops with “side hustles”

H

ome Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has promised to launch an investigation into Police officers who might be abusing their positions of power to operate private businesses or “side hustles”.

Ranks of the Guyana Police who have taken on second jobs or have engaged in other businesses while under the employ of the Government will now be investigated by the Home Affairs Ministry.

This was announced recently

by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, who noted that a rule prohibits the officers in the Force from having second jobs.

His remark was in response to comments made by President of the Minibus Association Eon Andrews, who said many buses on the parks are owned by Police officers – and oftentimes, they are the ones flouting the law.

“…they should not be involved in having any private businesses. We will look into it,” he said.

The Minister said so far, he is aware of one instance where an officer is the owner of a minibus that is being operated on the roadways and has some form of influence.

“I was told of one case where it was said that policeman owned a minibus but his fugitive wife owned it… but he had influence. Those are some of the issues

we have to work on,” the Minister said.

The Police Act Chapter 16:01 stipulates that “…a member of the Force may be discharged at any time if, without the consent of the Commissioner, he carried on any business or trade or holds any other office or employment for hire or gain”.

It further states that he cannot “reside at any premises where any member of his family keeps a shop or

carries on any like business…”.

The salary scale of Police officers has been a sore issue – and is something President Dr Irfaan Ali has committed to addressing.

In December over 50,000 public servants, teachers, members of the Disciplined Services, and Government pensioners received their 2021 salary increase. That included the 7 per cent increase that was announced by the Government.

(G9)

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“I’m involved in so many things” – meet the talented “Lady Devotee”

By Alva Solomon

S

he is known as one of Region One’s best calypsonians, her professional life as a teacher is also well acknowledged within that administrative region and one of her well-known abilities, is that of an organiser for events including the Santa Rosa Roman Catholic Church choir.

Meet the talented Ingrid Harris, aka “Lady Devotee”, North West District’s well-known calypsonian.

Describing herself as an advocate for youth development, Harris is seen as a woman of many hats in Moruca. She caught the eyes of many in the public domain within the past five years when her melodious voice was featured around the country as a calypsonian, and she even competed for the national calypso crown in 2019. She said it was one of the most defining moments of her musical career.

Feat in music

Harris, who is a mother of four, told Guyana Times recently that she started out singing way back in her childhood years. She said she would participate in talent shows and other events such as concerts at Moruca where she explored her musical talent.

In the year 2000, she said her career as a singer came into being but it all started as a “behind the scene” scenario.

School teacher and calypsonian Ingrid Harris, known as “Lady Devotee”, during an interview on HJ94.1 Boom Fm in the city in 2019

Ingrid Harris holding a trophy which she and her school staff won after an event at the National Schools’ Athletics Championships at the Leonora Track and Field facility back in 2019

She explained that around that time, she started teaching at Santa Rosa, Moruca, where she resides. She said the children would participate in the annual school’s Mashramani calypso competition and as such she paid an interest in writing the songs for the children. “I would write the lyrics for the competitions, it took them to the national level and so that motivated me to do more of it,” she said.

Harris said when she saw that her ability was producing good music, she decided to take another leap and sing her own pieces. “I started doing my own pieces, and I like it because it gives you this freedom to send a message to the public in the songs, depending on the topic you choose,” she said.

She said she then decided to participate in the regional competitions in the North West District and she won the crown at least three times. She said given her abilities, she was advised by fans, friends and relatives to come to the capital city. In 2019, she decided to go up a notch and she was shortlisted to take part in the national competition where she competed with the likes of King Perai and Young Bill Rogers among others. Although she did not place among the winners, she said she was contented for reaching that level, more so being a female among the males. “I gained the experience I was looking for; it was like winning a lot,” she said. She said that year she enjoyed more exposure when she performed alongside Soca King Jomo as well as King Perai among others at a concert at Mabaruma. Harris noted that in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused her progress to be put on pause, and she noted too that her commitments to the school and her family also slowed her a bit. But according to the talented woman, she has a lot in store where her musical career is concerned. She said she was introduced to Kross Color studios and according to her, in time she will decide how to continue her progression in music.

Feat as a teacher

While her musical career has made her a household name, Harris spends a lot of time as an educator. She is attached to the Santa Rosa Primary School where she teaches the Grade Four students. It is a vital level since it is at that level that the students obtain the foundation in schooling as they prepare for the National Grade Six examinations. For Harris, teaching is not only a job, but a passion she loves sharing.

In 2008 she qualified herself as school teacher after completing the in-service training offered by the Cyril Potter College of Education. Today she is a senior assistant mistress and according to her, teaching is a means of contributing to the development of the community. “We need this type of service in the community here so that is why I chose to be a teacher,” she said.

But teaching and calypso aside, Harris is also actively involved in sports.

TURN TO PAGE 16

FEATURE

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Part of the action last weekend between the Kwebanna Spartans and Kamwatta’s Mighty Warriors

By Alva Soloman

I

t was my first time as a spectator at a T20 cricket match at Moruca, Region One (BarimaWaini). The atmosphere was one Ramesh Sampson filled with excitement and the players did not disappoint. Last Sunday’s male hardball cricket match at the Kamwatta Recreational Ground turned out to be an experience any first-time visitor would never forget; a few delays due to the rains, competitive all-round cricket, young and not so young men putting bat to ball and excited spectators backed by live ball-byball commentary and a thrilling end to the match.

The match-up was the first of two semi-finals of the Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cricket Competition being played at Moruca.

My experience of the match and pre-match preparations started with the Kwebanna Spartans.

They were the underdogs and their preparations for the game started two days earlier when the villagers at Kwebanna, a sprawling village on the Waini River, organised a “cake-walk” fundraiser for the players’ meals, refreshments and transportation. It was a village activity soon after sunset last Friday night where togetherness was on high display as the residents danced around a table with two cakes and placed monies in two empty plates; one for the males and one for the females. Two hours later, after 10 rounds of dancing, a hefty sum was raised to take care of the requisite costs for the team.

Fast forward to Sunday morning. It was 8 am and the organisers of the team encountered a spot of bother. The operator of the bus which was hired to transport the players had an unforeseen church-related issue. Notably, the trip from Kwebanna, a remote village on the Waini River within the Moruca sub-region, to Kamwatta village, the community which hosted the match, would have taken at least at an hour, barring the rains didn’t make parts of the road impassable.

But it did.

It was raining all weekend and the players from Kwebanna would have had to ensure they departed at least by 9:30 am to reach in time or face defeat by a walk-over. However, the ‘Kwebanians’, inclusive of players, women and children were still packing their gears, food and refreshments at 10 am. A few phone calls to the organisers that the team and spectators were on their way convinced the former that the match was still on.

Then as a slight rain passed over the village, the players departed in a Toyota pick-up for Kamwatta; they arrived on time minus two players who used their own transportation to get to the ground since the pick-up was filled to capacity. As the rain poured intermittently, the team’s supporters boarded a bus and headed behind to lend support to their village men.

When we arrived at the venue, the match had already begun.

The commentator’s voice piqued the excitement around the ground and the hosts, Kamwatta, won the toss and opted to bat first.

The match

It was a slow start for the Kamwatta team, called the Mighty Warriors. After the first 4 overs, the Kwebanna Spartans kept the visitors in check with only 18 runs on the board. It was a challenging start as the bowling was tight. Then a bit of luck struck for the hosts when one of the bowlers for the visitors was hit for a few boundaries in an over. It was even more costly when he bowled a few wides in the over. Some 31 runs came off of the over and it carried the score over the 100-run mark. A few wickets then fell as the match tapered through to the 10th over mark when a water break was taken.

It was here that the bright sunshine was overshadowed by overcast conditions. Then light rains resulted in the covers being pulled over the pitch. After almost an hour of rain, the match restarted and the Mighty Warriors upped the tempo, striking several boundaries, much to the delight of their hometown fans. In the final over, the hosts were restricted once more by quality bowling and the visitors managed to hold the score down to 160 runs. “Once we get to 60 runs in the first 6 overs we have the match,” a team manager for the visiting Kwebanna team opined.

Then more rains came. As the rains poured, food vendors plied their trade, music blared from a car nearby and a few more cars arrived with spectators and the overall atmosphere seemed one which many missed, due to the pandemic.

The rains stopped for a few and the openers for the Kwebanna Spartans walked out to the middle to a round of applause from the crowd; it was a unique gesture of sportsmanship.

TURN TO PAGE 18

A section of the crowd at the match

16 FEATURE

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“I’m involved in so many...

Feat in sports, cultural events

She told Guyana Times that while she was growing up in Moruca, she had been involved in sports activities, either directly as a player of a sport such as cricket or as an organiser.

She recalled that she and another teacher had formed a club called the SanKum Sports Club which focused on cricket and football. She said as time progressed the entity evolved and the Moruca Culture, Youth and Sport Council came into being. While she has chaired that body in the past, she now sits on the Council and plays an active role in its mandate.

She said one of the challenges faced by the sport fra-

ternity in the area is related to talented sportsmen and women leaving the area for the coastland or mining areas in search of employment.

She said it leaves a vacuum and while such persons would return “every now and then” their presence at all times to nurture their talent is always in need.

Harris said that nevertheless, sports continue to play a major role in the development of the Moruca sub-region and according to her, it will continue to unite the villages. Harris, who also operates a small business at the Kumaka waterfront at Santa Rosa, is also actively involved in church activities.

Feat in the church

She said that she has been actively involved in assisting the Santa Rosa RC Church and according to her, she also formed youth groups to ensure the youth in the area are meaningfully occupied. She said these days she continues to assist in organising activities whenever the need arises.

Harris ensures that the choir of the church is well-prepared for Sunday mass and according to her, she is always passionate in serving the church. In 2013, she was invited by the Roman Catholic church to participate in Youth Day activities in Rio, Brasil, and Harris noted that the trip provided her with knowl-

edge and experience which she ensured she imparted to the youth of Moruca on her return.

Calypso, teaching and church aside, the multi-talented Harris is deemed one of the better emcees within the North West District, and she has kept crowds active at many events in the region including at the popular Moruca Expo. Add this to her organising skills in regular five-aside football competitions, cricket matchups and her involvement in farming on the family’s land, one would understand why Harris is seen by many in Moruca as a passionate contributor towards development in the region as well as youth development.” If we

FROM PAGE 14

Harris standing in front of the Santa Rosa Roman Catholic Church at Moruca, where she is the church’s choir coordinator

come together and show the youth the right way of doing things, it will help, maybe

not the fullest, it will steer them the way,” Harris reiterated.

FEATURE

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SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Shane Marks

T

wenty-two-year-old Shaquana CummingsSeecharran, professionally known as “Quarts” is taking her art by the reigns and steering her own path in the creative world.

The young talent started drawing at an early age – in primary school. Quarts recalled utilising colouring books as a kid. She reassembled the books, creating her own scrapbook from the pages she would tear out. Soon after, she started drawing pictures of her stuffed toys be-

stuff the school required her to learn.

Quarts left after a semester because of the massive workload and the lack of encouragement.

She then went on to enrol at the University of Guyana (UG) where she spent three years trying to perfect her craft of drawing, painting, and other creative ventures.

However, in her third year, she again dropped out of another learning institution, due to a major difficulty. She said the lack of understanding and harsh criticism discouraged her.

An artwork of Quarts

fore practicing a much more difficult style of drawing – anime characters – in her early stages of high school.

Though starting to draw at a very young age, Quarts never took her art seriously until she was 14 years old.

The brilliant artist never got a chance to write Visual Arts at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, but that never stopped her from aiming to pursue her dream of becoming an artist.

After high school, she enrolled at the Burrowes School of Art where she spent only a semester. She enrolled at the school with the intention of drawing and learning more about photography, with no foresight about all the other

She studied drawing, painting, leather craft, sculpting, colour theory, art history, traditional graphic designs, elements and principles of design, and self-taught herself on ceramics and printmaking.

The imaginative young woman, after some time, started again, and this time she focused on perfecting her art and salvaging what was left of it after all the criticism that it had received over the years.

Now out into the world of creative freedom, she realised that it is nothing like she had imagined it would be, saying that it is not all glitter and gold like how the television shows would make it seem.

TURN TO PAGE 18

Shaquana Cummings-Seecharran, professionally known as “Quarts”

18 FEATURE

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cricket in Moruca...

The openers got off to a quick start, smashing 18 runs off of the first two overs.

Then a wicket fell; one of the openers attempted to heave the ball over long off, but to his surprise, the ball escaped his bat and uprooted the off stump. It was when his wicket fell that I realised that the commentator was referring to the player by his nickname. It was another unique feature of the match as the commentator referred to most of the players who are well known by their “call names” in the villages, by such catchy nomenclature.

Kwebanna prevailed

After the first wicket fell, a second wicket fell in quick succession but this time, the umpiring came under the microscope since it was clear to those who saw, that the second dismissed batsman, who was dismissed by the leg before wicket (LBW) decision, may have been unfairly given out; the ball appeared to have hit the bat prior to the pad.

A brief standoff then ensued as the Kwebanna supporters grew boisterous, mainly women, that their player was unfairly dismissed. Nevertheless, he obeyed the umpire’s decision, walked off and the game continued. The umpires, according to a fan who sat behind me, both reside

FROM PAGE 15

at Kamwatta, home of the hosts. But the match continued and captain of the visiting team, Ramish Sampson, had victory on his mind.

Sampson then proceeded to smack the ball around, heaving it over the boundary for a few sixes, using both skill and grit in his innings of 96. Sampson knew that he had to stay to the end of the inning and that he did. As the score inched closer to the 160 mark, he took the fight to the opposition, attacking the bowling when the bad balls came his way, much to the delight of his team’s supporters. Then, shortly after 4pm, the host spectators went silent as the ball was clobbered across the boundary for four as the visiting Kwebanna Spartans celebrated victory and a spot in the final, slated for this weekend at the same ground.

The visitors knew that their overall preparations, determination and skills were key to their victory. It was also an experience which most hinterland villages undertake whenever sport competitions are being held in their respective regions. For me, the first-time visitor to a T20 match, it was an event which stood out for the high energy, sportsmanship and astonishing cricketing skills which were on display last Sunday.

Quarts: a surrealist...

FROM PAGE 17

“Turning a creative freedom into a career, and I’m being brutally honest here, it’s nothing like I expected it to be. The art sector in Guyana is nothing like you would see on television. You’d expect to see these big fashionistas walking into a brightly coloured building with beaming lights coming through giant windows, you know? Instead, it’s just grey buildings, with dusty floors and tiny rooms they call classes,” Quarts admitted.

Surrealist and semi-abstract

Quarts, who described herself as a surrealist and semi-abstract artist, hopes to one day be the recognised artist she knows she’s meant to be, with no apologies given. She hopes to accomplish many accolades in the art industry, all the while being contented with the decisions she has made.

In the insightful interview with Quarts on

Saturday, she shared her thoughts on the creation of a safe place for creatives where they can be amplified, celebrated, and compensated in Guyana.

“I think that’s the biggest issue right now.

There’s no platform for us to speak out from.

Even if there is, at least I’ve never heard of one, nor have I heard any of my fellow creatives speak about it. So, I personally think we’re missing out on one of the most important aspects of art itself - a safe place for artists to speak from and have things done after that,” she shared.

The artist has also taken part in art shows at the Castellani House, the home of Guyana’s National Art Gallery.

For now, Quarts has paintings, drawings, prints, and ceramic pieces all up for purchase on her Instagram page (@quarts.gy) where she showcases all of her creative thoughts

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another three subjects at the exams although this time, the subjects, English B, History, and Home Economics are a bit challenging for her.

Her mother told Guyana Times recently that Mekyla is preparing to write the examinations at North Georgetown Secondary with assistance from the Ministry of Education’s Unit for the Blind.

Belgrave attended the St Agnes Primary School and she managed to obtain 494 marks at the National Grade Six Examinations in 2016. Her mother explained that when her daughter was five months old her eyes appeared glossy. Several months later a scan revealed that a cancerous tumour was affecting her eyes. In 2005, she was diagnosed with cancer following a visit to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Trinidad and Tobago and following extensive discussions with the family, medical personnel there undertook surgery to remove both of her eyes. Although the surgeries were performed close to her brain, it never affected her cerebral functions.

Her rise throughout the school system thus far has surprised many and her mother has described her as a blessed child, noting that she has beat the odds thus far as she conquers the many challenges she has faced since she was a baby. (Alva Solomon)

Mekyla Belgrave completing her tasks for a Home Economics School-Based Assessment

M

ekyla Belgrave, the visually impaired teen whose story has touched the hearts of many, has received much-needed assistance after members of the public responded positively by donating replacement gadgets the teen utilises as she prepares to write an additional three subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

Two weekends ago, Guyana Times featured Belgrave and her preparations for this year’s examination. Her mother, Celeste Hercules noted that while her daughter is aiming to pass the subjects, she plans to sit at the CSEC exams, her laptop and mobile phone were damaged. Belgrave had both of her eyes removed as a fivemonth-old baby when she was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, which is a cancer of the eyes.

Her mother explained that Belgrave, a student of the North Georgetown Secondary School, utilises the “talkback” feature on both devices and while the family tried installing the feature on another phone, the feature was not operational on that device.

Hercules told Guyana Times that following the publication of the story two weeks ago, an official attached to the United Women for Special Children, a non-governmental organisation, reached out to her and donated a new laptop computer. Another individual donated a mobile phone for her daughter to use as she prepares for the exams. Hercules said that she and her daughter are both thankful for the assistance they have received.

The United Women for Special Children noted on its Facebook page that it was so impressed by the teen’s resilience as mentioned in the story that the body decided to replace her malfunctioning laptop. “UWSC applauds and supports this determined young lady who is an inspiration to all,” the body said.

Belgrave overcame a number of challenges in 2021, including the COVID-19 pandemic and she managed to secure passes at three subjects at CSEC examinations.

She secured passes in English A, Social Studies, and Human and Social Biology at the 2021 sitting of the regional examinations. At the time she was still in Fourth Form at the North Georgetown Secondary School when she sat the examinations. However, she wrote the examinations privately through the Guyana Society for the Blind which came to her aid when the pandemic hit the public school system.

This year, the teen is ramping up preparations to sit

Mekyla Belgrave receiveing a new laptop from an official of the United Women for Special Children

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Female teen excavator operator trailblazing a male-dominated profession

By Andrew Carmichael

M

any people assume that operating heavy construction equipment is a man’s job. After all, these are big, powerful machines. Grease on the hands, mud-caked boots and the smell of diesel are just part of the job.

Some may say, "No place for women’.

It is not very often you find teenagers interested in operating heavy-duty machines. It is also uncommon to find females doing that job.

However, a 19-year-old Berbice girl has defied the odds and has the skills to operate heavy-duty machines from which she makes a living.

Kricshama Singh of Block 1 Blairmont Settlement, West Bank Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), was exposed to automobiles at a tender age and then through the Ministry of Agriculture, she got a break and took full advantage of it.

“I grew up in an environment where I dealt with machinery because my brother is a mechanic and I would be around him most of the time so I got involved in these things. I was given the opportunity at NDIA [National Drainage and Irrigation Authority] so I am very thankful to have started a career as an operator.”

She explained that the first thing she started to do was servicing machines. “…the basic things as in fuelling up, wash, greasing and maintaining.”

She did that for about four months until one day she was allowed to get into the machine and turn it on to see if she could manoeuvre with. The teenager took the opportunity with both hands and showed off her skills which no one knew she possessed.

From that day, she has been officially working as a

“All women want is a fair shake when they get to a job site, and to be treated just like the rest of the crew” – Training Director heavy-duty machine operator.

For young Singh, despite the challenges of being young and also a female in the field, her main focus is to improve the lives of persons.

When we met Singh, she was working at Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, on the drainage system. She said based on how she does, her work would determine how the community benefits from her efforts.

“On a daily basis you encounter challenges but for me, doing community work and seeing development within the community that makes me happy and gives me a daily motivation to do what I am doing.”

Meanwhile, among excavator operators, 4.9 per cent of them are women compared to 90.1 per cent which are men. This is according to a survey done by Zappa on jobs in the United States.

However, some local analysts say the figures in Guyana may not differ much.

In the United States, female operators earn 83¢ for every $1 earned by men.

The average age is 40-42 years old for men and 42-52 years old for women.

Training Director for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Steve Brown, when asked what advantage women have as heavy equipment operators by Tom Jackson of Equipment World, is quoted as saying, “All women want is a fair shake when they get to a job site and to be treated just like the rest of the crew”.

“Give them that and you’ll be surprised at what you’ll get from them, workwise,” he added.

It has been about nine months since Singh was given the opportunity by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority to assist with community development and enhancement.

She is encouraging other females not to be intimated by jobs that seem to have a gender preference.

“You would hear all sorts of things but you have to put aside your pride and do what makes you comfortable.

Operating an excavator, Singh told this publication, is not a ‘man’s job’.

“What a man can do a woman can do – gender equality,” she outlined.

Kricshama Singh sitting on the excavator she operates

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HEALTH TIPS HEALTHY STOOL

Dr. Tariq Jagnarine Family Medicine, Endocrinology/Diabetes

W

e all do it. For some, it’s a necessary inconvenience; for others, it’s a pleasant and satisfying part of the digestive process. It has fascinated toddlers since time immemorial, and there’s a reason for that. Going ‘number two’ might not be the prettiest topic for a dinner party, but

there’s a lot to learn from this mundane yet mysterious process. In the end, it’s simply a part of our functioning body.

The stool is mostly just undigested food, proteins, bacteria, salts, and other substances that are produced and released by the intestines. Although everyone is unique in the size, shape, and smell of their stool, there are a few things that indicate a healthy (or unhealthy) stool.

Healthy stool

A healthy stool can be as varied and as unique as the individual who makes it, but there are a few general rules to follow when assessing stool artistry for optimum health.

• Colour The stool emoji has one thing right: the brown colouring. The combination of stomach bile and bili-

rubin, which is a pigment compound formed from the breakdown of red blood cells in the body, gets the credit for this oh-so-lovely shade of brown.

• Shape A somewhat log-like shape is how most stools should come out, due to their formation within the intestines. However, there are a variety of shapes that stools can have. When they differentiate from the log shape, that’s when they are trying to tell you something’s up.

• Size Stools shouldn’t come out in small pellets, but instead should be a couple of inches in length, comfortable, and easy to pass.

• Consistency Anywhere between a firm and soft consistency is pretty much normal. If it sways too much one way or another, it could suggest

some digestion or fibre issues.

• Length of time A commonly heard joke is that when someone takes too long in the bathroom, it must mean they’re stooling. A healthy stool, however, should be easy to pass, and take only a minute or so to be pushed out. That said, some people do spend a bit more time on the toilet; so, as a general rule, stooling should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes.

• Frequency Fun fact: Did you know most people stool around the same time every day?

On average, a person with healthy digestion would stool anywhere between every other day and three times a day. Any less could suggest possible constipation.

BRISTOL STOOL CHART The Bristol Stool Chart

is an overarching indicator of how and why different types of stools look or feel a certain way. It’s broken up into seven categories based on a 2,000-person study published back in 1992, and it makes stool knowledge basic and easy to understand.

Type 1: Marbles

Appearance: Hard and separate little lumps that look like nuts and are hard to pass.

Indicates: These little pellets typically mean you’re constipated.

It shouldn’t happen frequently.

Type 2: Caterpillar Appearance: Log-shaped but lumpy.

Indicates: Here we have another sign of constipation that, again, shouldn’t happen frequently.

Type 3: Hot dog Appearance: Log-shaped with some cracks on the surface.

Indicates: This is the gold standard of stool, especially if it’s somewhat soft and easy to pass.

Type 4: Snake Appearance: Smooth and snake-like.

Indicates: Doctors also consider this a normal stool that should happen every 1 to 3 days.

Type 5: Amoebas Appearance: Small, like the first ones, but soft and easy to pass; the blobs also have clear cut edges.

Indicates: This type of stool means you’re lacking fibre and should find ways to add some to your diet through cereal or vegetables.

Type 6: Soft serve Appearance: Fluffy and mushy with ragged edges.

Indicates: This toosoft consistency could be a sign of mild diarrhoea. Try drinking more water and electrolyte-infused beverages to help improve this.

Type 7: Jackson Pollock Appearance: Completely watery with no solid pieces.

Indicates: In other words, you’ve got the runs, or diarrhoea. This means your stool moved through your bowels very quickly, and didn’t form into a healthy stool.

STOOL COLOUR

As with size and consistency, stool’s colour can be a helpful signal about what’s going on within your body. As we previously mentioned, varying shades of brown are what’s considered the norm. Even a hint of green is considered healthy.

• Black Having liquorice, iron supplements, or bismuth medications (such as PeptoBismol) could be the explanation behind the black stool. If the diet cannot be explained, black stool could be a sign of bleeding in

the upper gastrointestinal tract.

It may seem like red would be a more likely colour for this sort of concern, but since it’s taken a while to travel down, it’s older and therefore darker.

• Green While hints of green are quite normal, if stool has gone from brown to full green, it may mean one of two things. Either there were lots of green foods, like spinach, added to the diet, or the stools passed through the intestinal tract too fast.

When it doesn’t pick up as much of the brown-tinting bilirubin, it has more bile salts that turn it this colour.

• Pale, white, or clay When the stool is a chalky light shade, it might mean it’s lacking bile. Bile is a digestive fluid that comes from the liver and gallbladder, so producing white stool probably means the bile duct is blocked. The pale stool could also be a side effect of certain medications, like anti-diarrhoea medicine. Either way, if it continues, consult a doctor.

• Red Red stool can mean bleeding, either due to haemorrhoids or to bleeding in the lower intestinal tract.

If the stool is a little red, however, there may be no need to immediately fret.

There are other, less serious reasons for this change in colour. Foods like beets, cranberries, red gelatine, or tomato juice can turn stool red as well.

• Yellow Greasy, stinky, yellow stool is typically a sign of too much fat. This could also be a direct relation to a malabsorption disorder like celiac disease, where the body isn’t absorbing enough nutrients. If the stool looks bright yellow, it could signify a condition called giardiasis, which is caused by an intestinal parasite.

A green stool here or hard stool there happens to the best of us. It’s when this type of irregularity carries on for more than a day or two that action should be taken and a talk should be had with a doctor. The same goes for changes in colour or consistency, or constipation.

Chronic constipation can obstruct the bowels, while chronic diarrhoea can make it difficult for a person to absorb necessary nutrients from food. Both chronic constipation and chronic diarrhoea could even be a sign of more serious conditions.

The first sign of either of these should not be immediate cause for concern, but keep an eye on it and see if it lasts for more than a few days. That said, pay attention to any sign of blood.

Our stool can provide a wealth of knowledge about our health and ourselves.

NEWS

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Govt to pay for costly treatment for dialysis patients living with Hepatitis C

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overnment will be absorbing the exorbitant costs for dialysis patients who have contracted hepatitis C, to be treated in the coming months. The aim is to cure some 98 per cent of persons.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony announced on Friday that when persons are taking dialysis, they can develop infections – one of which is hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Presently, the Health Ministry cannot treat such patients given the cost for individual patients.

But a programme is being crafted through the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), and will now cover such persons visiting health facilities.

“With hepatitis C, even when we made the diagnosis, we were not able to treat patients. The simple reason was that the cost to treat a patient was very high.

Right now, that cost would be about US$2000 per pa-

tient…One of the things we have been working with the Pan American Health Organisation is to bring down that cost. In another couple of months, we will be launching a programme where all the patients with hepatitis C infections, we will start treating them. This will cure at least 98 per cent of those patients. This would be another way we will work with you,” the Minister told dialysis patients.

Dialysis is a procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly. It often involves diverting blood to a machine to be cleaned.

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that may be caused by viruses, drugs, alcohol, or some hereditary or immune problems. Those who undergo dialysis are at increased risk of getting hepatitis B and C. The virus can be transmitted from the use of multidose drug vials

Even when you are at the dialysis centre, your doctor should be checking in to see how things are going,” Dr Barran advised.

Quality dialysis, he noted, remains paramount in ensuring healthy patients.

This week, Government commenced distribution of its flagship $600,000 annual assistance per patient.

In this year’s budget, the Government allocated $180 million to support some 300 dialysis patients who require a series of dialysis

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

and contamination of medical equipment. Hepatitis B and C may cause liver infections that can lead to serious complications, including liver cancer, liver failure or death. While there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, a person can get vaccinated for hepatitis B. Nephrologist at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Dr Hemchand Barran has rec-

ommended patients to have frequent check-ups to ensure that their overall health is intact.

“You have to get regular check-up. It is recommended that you follow with your doctor at least every two months and get regular check-ups done. Dialysis is not one constant treatment that you do over and over all the time. It requires regular and frequent assessment.

treatments.

Additional mechanisms will be put in place to ease the hefty burden facing patients. In the near future, much-needed laboratory tests for dialysis patients will be processed through the public system.

By the end of the year, Erythropoietin – a costly medication which patients would normally purchase independently – will be sourced through Government and distributed. (G12)

28 NEWS Traffic Chief calls for removal of vagrants, vendors at intersections H SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ead of the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department, Ramesh Ashram is calling for the removal of vagrants and vendors who ply their trade at traffic intersections. According to the Traffic Chief, they pose dangers not only to themselves but to other road users as well.

Traffic Chief Ramesh Ashram has made a stern call on the Human Services Ministry to assist with the removal of vagrants from the roads.

In fact, Ashram disclosed that three persons lost their lives in 2021 as a result of being at intersections, adding that this has to stop.

“This is a big one on the roadways. Vagrants at all the traffic lights… road safe-

ty is everybody’s business. All stakeholders need to be on board,” he said.

The intersections where persons are usually involved in accidents are Eccles, Peters Hall, the Harbour Bridge on the East Bank of Demerara, and, Mandela Avenue in Georgetown.

The Traffic Chief further said that the Human Services Ministry has to play a part in getting those persons off the streets, to aid in the reduction of road fatalities.

“All the three beggars that were killed on the road, they were hit by lorries. They (the lorry drivers) use the road wilfully and they don’t understand that when driving a lorry, you can’t see properly when they watch down in front, or

Traffic Chief Ramesh Ashram

around the vehicle.”

Last year the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security announced its aim to boost capacity at the Georgetown Night Shelter to

tackle vagrants in the city.

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud had said the idea is to help those living on the streets to become self-sufficient.

Meanwhile, Ashram noted that recently, motor lorries have become a major issue for the Police Force; not only causing accidents but traffic congestion.

“One of the biggest hurdles on the East Bank is lorries. From last year to date, it is in excess of 1000 of these big lorries…”, he said.

Two years ago, the Guyana Police Force commenced restricting container trucks and lorries along the roadways during peak hours. This was in order to ease traffic congestion.

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Guyana “very important” market – T&T Minister on trade barrier concerns …promises to probe complaints

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n the wake of recent concerns raised by both the Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago manufacturing sectors about trade barriers preventing the export of Guyanese goods into the twin island republic, Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon has promised to look into the issue.

At a post-Cabinet press briefing in Trinidad, the twin island republic’s Trade and Industry Minister was asked about the issue.

According her, the impediments to Guyana’s exports may be related to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS).

This, however, would have to be clearly established.

“With regard to the barriers to trade and this happens from time to time, so if the issue was raised with regards to specific agricultural product and I think what was required now, I will take up that to and liaise with our Minister who has responsibility for agriculture, lands and fisheries, speak with our counterparts and establish clearly what is needed and move with speed to understand where the impediment is. It might be something that is absolutely correct, maybe for some kind of SPS measure,” Gopee-Scoon said.

She also spoke of how T&T was able to work with Jamaica in addressing trade barriers and making trade easier. Describing Guyana as a very important market for them, Gopee-Scoon noted that Guyana is Trinidad’s second largest market within the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and therefore finding similar

ways to make trade easier is something they have to look at.

Earlier in the week, the Guyana Manufacturer and Services Association (GMSA) held their annual luncheon. Among the attendees were Trinidadian businessmen, who at another session revealed that they are also victims of these trade barriers, since they want to import certain Guyanese products but can’t.

Gopee-Scoon acknowledged that she was aware of the comments made by the businessmen. In fact, she said she is in contact with Dr Ramesh Ramdeen, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association.

“I read it actually, but I have been speaking with Dr Ramdeen, who is the head of the delegates that have gone to Guyana… 27 companies and 40 persons. And they’ve been having meetings together with the Guyana Manufacturers Association.

And very successful business to business meetings, in addition to the extra goods which we want to have exported to Guyana.”

“I understand that Pepes Marketing and there may be one and two others, have in fact contracted to bring some Guyanese products into Trinidad and Tobago.

And really, it has to be a win-win for both countries,” Gopee-Scoon further explained.

At the GMSA luncheon, longstanding Private Sector Commission (PSC) Executive Member, Ramesh

T&T Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon (T&T Guardian photo)

Dookhoo in an address to the attendees, had urged the Trinidadian businesses present to help dismantle the trade barriers through their advocacy.

Dookhoo had noted that these various trade barriers in place by Trinidad, which serve to block Guyanese exports to that market, are not being adequately addressed by the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

The removal of trade barriers will be integral to Guyana’s push, in consort with other Caricom countries, to reduce the region’s food importation bill by 25 per cent by the year 2025.

Guyana currently holds lead responsibility for agriculture, agricultural diversification, and food security in Caricom and is spearheading the regional body’s quest to reduce its US$5 billion food import bill.

Months after assuming office, President Ali

had charged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to assess and address the hurdles related to exporting food and agricultural products to markets within the region. As such, concerns of barriers to trade against exports to some Caricom markets were raised with COTED last year.

The Ministry subsequently formed a National Working Group on Barriers to Trade against Exports from Guyana. According

to the assessment on market access by the working group, most of the challenges found were related to technical measures including sanitary and phytosanitary measures. They also found several technical and administrative regulations that were all hampering the export of Guyanese products.

Against this backdrop, Guyana had called on Caricom Member States at the COTED meeting to engage in bilateral discussions

to iron out trade barriers with a view of expanding intra-regional trade. Similar views were shared by Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, Jamaica, and Barbados.

In fact, Guyana and Barbados have since moved forward to minimise the occurrences of these measures that frustrate intra-regional trade with the aim of reducing food importation bills, as part of the overall regional food security plan. (G3)

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Private Sector lauds approval of Exxon’s Yellowtail Project

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wo Private Sector bodies – the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) – have lauded the Guyana Government’s approval of the Yellowtail Development Project, which will be United States oil giant ExxonMobil’s fourth offshore development in the oil-rich Stabroek Block.

On Friday, Government signed the Petroleum Production Licence (PPL) for the Yellowtail Project with Exxon’s local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency also announced its approval of the Environmental Permit for the project.

On Saturday, the PSC welcomed the move and congratulated EEPGL, which is one of its corporate members.

The Commission said it was especially pleased that the approval comes after extensive public consultation and review by the EPA as well as recommendations from the team of independent international experts and the Environmental

GOGEC President Manniram Prashad

Assessment Board which declared the revised Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) acceptable.

“The Commission believes that this latest development will see an increase in production which translates to the expansion of the economy, provision of revenues to execute massive developmental projects thereby creating jobs for Guyanese and accelerating Private Sector growth,” it stated.

Moreover, the PSC also expressed satisfaction with the oil spill response and financial assurance provision in the permit which requires EEPGL to procure a

capping stack to be maintained, tested and stored in Guyana as this will ensure that operators are in a state of readiness to cap any well in the event of a disaster.

“Further, the Commission appreciates the fact that the Financial Assurance provision holds EEPGL liable for all costs associated with clean up, restoration and compensation for any pollution damage which may occur as consequence of the Yellowtail Development Project,” the Private Sector body stated.

It was also pleased to see the issue of routine flaring incorporated into the permit with specific detail. The PSC, however, said it wants to see an effective contingency plan put in place, such as having a spare compressor on hand to address any mechanical failure that may occur in the future that will limit flaring to the approved limits as specified in the permit.

Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Oil & Gas Energy Chamber, Manniram Prashad also commended the President Irfaan Ali-led Government for the swift approval of ExxonMobil’s Yellowtail li-

cence.

He recalled that Vice President Bharat Jagdeo, during one of his press conferences earlier this year had acknowledged that there were some setbacks regarding the approval which was originally scheduled to be in December of 2021 but nonetheless promised to have this approved by the end of March 2022.

“Therefore, GOGEC is pleased to see that this revised deadline was met,” the missive detailed.

“GOGEC fully supports the Government’s objective to accelerate the country’s oil and gas production as quickly as practicably possible so as to cash in on the relatively high oil prices into the foreseeable future. In doing so, this would aid greatly in advancing Guyana’s rapid economic transformation and development for the benefit of the people and the country at large – that is to say, for both the current and future generations to enjoy these anticipated benefits,” Prashad posited.

The Yellowtail Development Project is set to commence production in 2025 using the

PSC Chairman Paul Cheong

“One Guyana” Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which will yield the largest target of 250,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) during a 20-year period that will generate at least 1300 direct jobs.

Yellowtail, which will be located 126 miles offshore Guyana, includes up to three drill ships drilling up to 67 wells, the FPSO vessel and SURF production system, with tankers taking the oil to global markets.

The US$10 billion development project will target an estimated resource base of about 900 million oil-equivalent barrels and

would be the largest single investment in the history of Guyana’s petroleum sector.

ExxonMobil has said it anticipates at least six projects offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block, which contains a recoverable resource estimate of over 10 billion barrels of oil-equivalent.

The US oil major started production in December 2019 at its first Development – Liza Phase One site, where Guyana has earned US$607.6 million from a total of nine oil lifts by the end of 2021 and another US$95 million from its first lift this year from the Liza DestinyFPSO. Meanwhile, with the Liza Unity FPSO at the Liza Phase Two Development commencing production in February, oil lifts from the Stabroek Block are expected to increase.

In addition to these two projects, Exxon is also on track with its third development, Payara, for a 2024 start-up.

ExxonMobil is the majority operator in the Stabroek Block with co-venturers, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Ltd. (G8)

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Vacant Opposition Parliamentary seats

APNU not being consulted by PNCR – APNU MP …says request for meeting ignored

D

espite the importance of nominating someone to fill the vacant seats in the Opposition camp and it belonging to a coalition of parties, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is yet to meet with its coalition partners on choosing someone to fill the vacant Parliament seats.

This is according to Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, who heads the Guyana Nation Builders Movement (GNBM) party that joined the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition last year.

On her social media page, Sarabo-Halley took issue to persons who were framing the reported nominations of PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton and Volda Lawrence to the vacant Parliament seats, as an “APNU” decision. According to her, APNU has not been meeting regularly and thus could not have made any such decision.

“Let's make something very clear... The APNU has not nominated anybody. This nonsense has to

stop. If the PNC has made a decision, then the PNC has made a decision. The two vacant seats belong to the PNC and so they have a right to choose who they want to replace the two persons that resigned.”

“However, time and time again someone keeps putting out statements as though the APNU has met and made decisions. I have asked for meetings to discuss matters and have been met with silence,” SaraboHalley said.

According to her, APNU has not met since January 25, 2022, when the chairmanship of David Granger, as well as the General Secretary position, came to an end. At the time, both Granger and Joseph Harmon had stepped down from those respective positions - in the case of Granger, with immediate effect.

“So, I am not sure who has been sending out letters and making statements on behalf of the APNU,” Sarabo-Halley further said.

Sarabo-Halley’s revelation of APNU not being consulted would be particularly surprising, since there

are reports that Norton has consulted with the Alliance For Change (AFC), a party that does not belong within APNU, on the issue.

Reports in sections of the media indicate that as per a request made by Granger as Representative of the APNU/AFC List of Candidates, Norton met with AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan on Friday to discuss who to nominate to fill the vacant seats.

It has been reported that Norton and Lawrence, herself a former parliamentarian and Minister of Public Health under the Granger Administration, have been nominated to fill the vacant seats. These seats became vacant following the resignation of former Opposition Leader Harmon, who officially resigned as an APNU/ AFC Member of Parliament since March 15, and former Education Minister under Granger’s coalition Government, Nicolette Henry, whose resignation took effect on March 31, 2022.

Norton and Ramjattan are now expected to write Granger, formally informing him of the meet-

PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton

ings and the names which have been decided on, after which Granger is expected to write Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud - all part of the process of extracting those names from the list of candidates so they can be sworn in as MPs. A statement on Friday had said that “The Representative of the List can take no further action until the APNU Chairman and AFC leader conduct their consultations and submit their nominations.

He now awaits the names of the two candidates who

will fill the vacant seats before informing the Chief Elections Officer”.

The PNCR, which is the leading party in the APNU/ AFC coalition, has already insisted that Norton should be appointed as the new Opposition Leader. There has been no Opposition Leader in the National Assembly since Harmon resigned from the post on January 26 this year following mounting pressure from the new PNC Executive.

Harmon had contested for leadership of the PNC but lost to Norton who won by a landslide victory. Granger, who was the immediate past leader of the PNCR, did not contest for re-election. In fact, neither Harmon nor Granger was elected to the Central Executive Committee of the party – the highest decision-making body of the PNC. The APNU/AFC Opposition accounts for 31 of the 32-seat parliamentary Opposition, while the joinder list comprising of A New and United Guyana (ANUG), the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and

APNU MP Tabitha Sarabo-Halley

The New Movement (TNM) occupies the remaining seat. The governing People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) holds a oneseat majority in the 65seat House, having won 33 seats.

While the Dr Irfaan Aliled Government has already indicated its willingness to meet and work with the new Opposition Leader, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has expressed, however, that it might be a while before the new Opposition Leader is appointed. (G3)

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Iraq says March oil exports stand at $11bn, highest in 50 years

I

raq’s Oil Ministry said it exported US$11.07 billion of oil in March, the highest level in 50 years, as crude oil prices soared in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The record oil export, which accounts for more than 90 per cent of Iraq’s income, is a big boost to the state coffers.

The second-largest producer in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Iraq exported “100,563,999 barrels for revenues of US$11.07bn, the highest revenue since 1972”, the Ministry said.

The figures published late on Friday are preliminary data but final data “generally does not vary” much, a Ministry official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

In February, oil revenues reached an eight-year high of US$8.5 billion dollars, with daily exports of 3.3 million barrels of oil.

Oil revenues are critical for Iraq’s Government, with the country mired in a financial crisis and needing funds to rebuild infrastructure after decades of devastating war.

Iraq, with a population of some 41 million people, is also grappling with a major energy crisis and suffers regular power cuts.

Despite its immense oil and gas reserves, Iraq remains dependent on imports to meet its energy needs.

Neighbouring Iran currently provides a third of Iraq’s gas and electricity needs, but supplies are regularly cut or reduced, aggravating daily load shedding.

Crude prices spiked over fears of a major supply shortfall after Moscow invaded Ukraine on February 24. Russia is the world’s second-biggest exporter of oil after Saudi Arabia.

On Thursday, the OPEC group of oil-producing countries and its Russia-led allies agreed on another modest oil output increase, ignoring Western pressure to significantly boost production as the Ukraine conflict has rocked prices.

The 13 members of the Saudi-led OPEC and 10 countries spearheaded by Russia – a group known as OPEC+ – backed an increase of 432,000 barrels per day in May, marginally higher than in previous months.

The United States has urged OPEC+ to boost production as high energy prices have contributed to soaring inflation across the world, which has threatened to severely derail the recovery from the COVID pandemic.

While OPEC refused to budge, Washington said it would tap its strategic stockpile by a record amount in a bid to cool soaring prices.

The international benchmark contract, Brent North Sea crude, flirted with a record high in early March as it soared to almost US$140 per barrel, but has retreated since then.

On Friday, oil was about US$100 a barrel. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Ukraine claims control over Kyiv region as Russia looks east

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kraine said on Saturday it had seized back all areas around Kyiv, claiming complete control of the capital region for the first time since Russia launched the invasion.

As Russia’s forces regrouped for battles in the east, areas north of Kyiv were littered with destroyed Russian tanks.

Ukraine presidential adviser Okeksiy Arestovych said its troops have retaken more than 30 towns and villages since Russia pulled back from the area this week.

Russia has depicted its drawdown of forces near Kyiv as a goodwill gesture in peace talks, which last convened on Friday.

Ukraine and its allies say Russia was forced to shift its focus to east Ukraine

T

summer capital, also in Rio state.

This time, the areas hit hardest included the tourist town of Paraty, a seaside colonial city known for its picturesque cobblestone streets and colourful houses.

Officials on Saturday there said a landslide in the Ponta Negra neighbourhood had killed a mother and five of her children, ages two, five, eight, 10 and 15.

A sixth child was rescued alive and taken to the hospital, they said.

In all, seven houses were swept away in landslides in the city, and another four people injured.

Seventy-one families were forced from their homes,

after suffering heavy losses near Kyiv.

Since sending troops on Feb 24 in what it calls a “special operation” to demilitarise its neighbour,

Russia has failed to capture a single major city and has instead laid siege to urban areas, uprooting a quarter of Ukraine’s population.

Shanghai separates COVID-positive children from parents in virus fight

E

sther Zhao thought she was doing the right thing when she brought her 2-1/2-yearold daughter to a Shanghai hospital with a fever on March 26.

Three days later, Zhao was begging health authorities not to separate them after she and the little girl both tested positive for COVID-19, saying her daughter was too young to be taken away to a quarantine centre for children.

Since her daughter was sent to the centre Zhao has had only one brief mes-

Floods and landslides kill eight, 13 missing in Brazil orrential rains have triggered flash floods and landslides across Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state, killing at least eight people including six children and leaving 13 missing, authorities said on Saturday.

Two days of heavy rain have battered a broad swath of the southeastern state’s Atlantic coast, the latest in a series of deadly storms in Brazil that experts have said are being aggravated by climate change.

The latest floods and landslides come six weeks after flash floods and landslides killed 233 people in the scenic city of Petropolis, the Brazilian empire’s 19th-century

A local resident walks past a building damaged by shelling, as Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, in the town of Makariv, in Kyiv region, Ukraine April 1, 2022

Villages surrounding the capital bear scars of five weeks of heavy fighting in which thousands have been killed.

In the village of Nova Basan, among those retaken by Ukrainian forces, the body of a man lay next to the carcass of a car. A woman wept as men brought a coffin to remove the body.

The village showed signs of heavy fighting, with collapsed buildings and the wreckage of tanks and armoured vehicles strewn around. Another dead body, apparently that of a Russian soldier, lay near a destroyed armoured personnel carrier.

Both sides described talks held this week in Istanbul and by video link as “difficult”.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

officials said.

Two more victims were killed in the cities of Mesquita and Angra dos Reis, where another 13 people remain missing, said Congressman Marcelo Freixo, who represents the state of 17.5 million people.

The storms turned streets into rivers in several cities on Friday night, sweeping up cars and triggering landslides – a frequent tragedy in the rainy season, especially in poor hillside communities.

Officials in Angra said the city had received 655 millimetres (26 inches) of rain in 48 hours, “levels never before registered in the municipality”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

sage that she was fine, sent through a group chat with doctors, despite repeated pleas for information from Zhao and her husband, who is in a separate quarantine site after also testing positive.

“There have been no photos at all... I’m so anxious, I have no idea what situation my daughter is in,” she said on Saturday through tears, still stuck at the hospital

she went to last week.

Zhao is panicking even more after images of crying children at a Shanghai health facility went viral in China.

The photos and videos posted on China’s Weibo and Douyin social media platforms showed wailing babies kept three to a cot.

While a few adults can be seen in the videos, they are outnumbered by the num-

ber of children.

Reuters could not immediately verify the images, but a source familiar with the facility confirmed they were taken at the Jinshan facility.

A Shanghai health official said last week that hospitals that were treating COVID-positive children maintained online communications with their parents. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022

ARIES (March 21April 19)

35

Take a breather and share memories with a loved one. A change of pace will help you decide your next move. Peace of mind is the goal, and making happy memories will be the way to reach it.

Act in haste, and you'll TAURUS miss an opportunity. Spend (April 20more time discovering what May 20)

life offers and what you can do with your attributes to gain ground or achieve the happiness you desire.

Know your worth and GEMINI (MAY 28- stick to your plan. You owe it to yourself to do what makes June 20) you look, feel and be your best.

Don't let a change someone makes steal your thunder or ruin your plans.

Take

advantage

of

CANCER whatever comes your way.

(June 21- Rearrange your day to acJuly 22) commodate someone or some-

thing that can give you a chance to explore something new and exciting.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Curb your habits and emotional responses. An intelligent approach to what others say or do will give you the edge you need to persuade people to see things your way.

Pitch in and make things VIRGO happen.

A change will help (Aug. 23you revamp your lifestyle, Sept. 22) giving you more time to spend with loved ones. It's time to look at life and what you want through a different lens.

Dilbert LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Peanuts

Broaden your outlook, friendships and pastimes.

Living within your means will ease stress and encourage you to enjoy life's little pleasures, such as nature and other inexpensive marvels.

Check your emotions at the door and avoid getting into a debate with someone close to you. Be a good listener and offer unique suggestions. Be willing to compromise and share what you have to offer.

Listen to sob stories, but SAGITTARIUS don't feel you have to cover for (Nov. 23someone else's mistake. Set Dec. 21) practical standards and expectations, and be responsible for the outcome.

Reminiscing will shed CAPRICORN light on a situation you face.

(Dec. 22Don't argue a moot point Jan. 19) when it's best to look at the big picture and focus on how best to reach your destination.

Calvin and Hobbes

Update your life to better

AQUARIUS reflect the direction you want (Jan. 20to pursue. Make a focused efFeb. 19) fort to do the work yourself and avoid being put in a vulnerable position.

You'll crave change, but bePISCES (Feb. 20- fore you start the process, find Mar. 20) out what's required and follow

proper protocol. How you handle bureaucracy will determine your success. Follow the rules and regulations.

36

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022

IPL 2022…

37

RAJASTHAN ROYALS BEAT MUMBAI INDIANS -as Buttler’s ton, Chahal-Ashwin’s spin strangle Mumbai Jos Buttler scored a brilliant century

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-Hetmyer provides late impetus

uzvendra Chahal and R Ashwin exhibited their mastery at a pivotal moment in the game to ensure Rajasthan Royals successfully defend a strong total set up by Jos Buttler's 68-ball century.

This meant a second straight win for Royals and a second straight setback for Mumbai Indians, known to be slow starters.

This was one result Mumbai would be particularly disappointed with, because they were in control of the chase going into the last six overs, after Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma hit half-centuries to leave them needing 65 off 36, with seven wickets in the shed. After that, though, against spin as the chase derailed, they lost three wickets for two runs over the next seven balls.

Kieron Pollard kept hopes alive by biffing a few blows at the close, but an excellent penultimate over from Prasidh Krishna - which went for just ten, with no boundary conceded - left Mumbai needing 29 off the final over. Mumbai found just one more boundary, as Pollard kept finding the fielders, before the match ended with Buttler fittingly taking a catch to remove him, as Mumbai fell short by 23 runs.

The Ashwin-Chahal strangle

It's unlikely the two would have been given four overs between them in the last ten overs had this been a night game. The absence of dew meant Sanju Samson could play around with his spinners and hold them back, and he did so superbly by bowling Chahal with the long boundary to the leg side, forcing batters to hit him against the turn.

First, Chahal had Tim David lbw with a slider that fizzed through the deck in the 16th over. Off the next ball, he had Daniel Sams with a fine cocktail of dip and drift. Sams heaved it to the leg side, and was caught smartly by Buttler as he backpedalled from midwicket.

Chahal nearly had a hat-trick, but it wasn't to be, because M Ashwin was put down by wrong-footed Karun Nair at slip. But by then the pendulum had swung the Royals' way.

Only an over earlier, the 15th, R Ashwin had dismissed Tilak Varma for a 50-ball 61 with a delivery after the 19-year-old had reverse-swept him for a six. Ashwin responded by slowing it down significantly, and beating the batter in flight as the stumps were knocked back to elicit a roar and a send-off.

The Kishan-Varma partnership

Mumbai lost Rohit Sharma and Anmolpreet Singh early, but Kishan and Varma ensured they kept up with the steep asking rate by playing sensibly, especially at the start of their stand. They showed the maturity in knowing they had the games to accelerate later, thereby giving them an opportunity to set up shop.

From time to time, Varma picked the boundaries, and along the way also exhibited some languid stroke-making ability. The one-off Navdeep Saini which he punched on the up to clear long-off was a stunner.

At the other end, Kishan was at his industrious best: running hard, using his feet to spin, bringing out calculated hits without being reckless, and in the process raising a half-century before Varma got there. The pair went on to add 81 off just 54 balls, to set Mumbai up before they unravelled quite uncharacteristically.

Buttler fantastic, tactful

Much before the Royals spinners left their mark, Buttler provided a treat to the 15,000 fans who had turned up on a hot afternoon at the DY Patil Stadium. He was caught by a Jasprit Bumrah toe-crusher early on, but inside the powerplay, he soon found his bearings when he launched into Basil Thampi for three sixes and two fours in the bowler's only over.

Where Bumrah and Tymal Mills hit hard lengths, Thampi went full and was clobbered, as Buttler cleared his front leg and made merry. This forced Rohit to dig deep into his bowling reserves early in the game, and having Pollard cover up the remainder of the overs through the innings.

Buttler was impressive against spin, too. At one point, with deep point set for the reverse, he outfoxed Mumbai by backing away outside leg to loft M Ashwin repeatedly over cover. Then, when deep point was moved to sweeper cover, he brought out the reverse hits.

He found some solid company in Samson, who got himself in quickly to make 30 before falling to Pollard.

Shimron Hetmyer provided some late fireworks, laying into Pollard in his final over to disturb what had until then been perfectly acceptable bowling figures. 3-0-20-1 ended up being 4-0-46-1.

Bumrah's comeback

A week after a nightmarish start to his season, wherein his figures read 3.2-0-43-0, Bumrah bounced back in style, as his second spell late in the innings prevented a late Royals’ surge. The three best overs for the Royals’ batters had totalled 73 runs; Bumrah's four went for just 17, and brought the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Hetmyer and Buttler.

Those of Hetmyer and Buttler in the death overs brought Mumbai right back in the game, as the Royals looked set to soar past 200, but finished with 194. At the break, Buttler said he wasn't sure if it was a good score because of the short boundary on one side, but their spinners used the long boundaries to perfection to Yuzvendra Chahal bagged 2-26 close out an impressive win. (Cricinfo)

Shimron Hetmyer blasted 35 off 14 balls

SCOREBOARD RAJASTHAN ROYALS INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Jos Buttler b Bumrah 100 Yashasvi Jaiswal c David b Bumrah 1 Devdutt Padikkal c Sharma b Mills 7 Sanju Samson (c)† c Tilak Varma b Pollard 30 Shimron Hetmyer c Tilak Varma b Bumrah 35 Riyan Parag c David b Mills 5 Ravichandran Ashwin run out (Tilak Varma/ †Ishan Kishan) 1 Navdeep Saini c †Ishan Kishan b Mills 2 Trent Boult not out 1 Extras (lb 5, w 6) 11 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 9.65) 193/8 Did not bat: Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Yashasvi Jaiswal, 2.4 ov), 2-48 (Devdutt Padikkal, 5.6 ov), 3-130 (Sanju Samson, 14.2 ov), 4-183 (Shimron Hetmyer, 18.2 ov), 5-184 (Jos Buttler, 18.5 ov), 6-185 (Ravichandran Ashwin, 18.6 ov), 7-188 (Navdeep Saini, 19.3 ov), 8-193 (Riyan Parag, 19.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Jasprit Bumrah 4-0-17-3 Daniel Sams 4-0-32-0 Basil Thampi 1-0-26-0 Murugan Ashwin 3-0-32-0 Tymal Mills 4-0-35-3 Kieron Pollard 4-0-46-1

MUMBAI INDIANS INNINGS (TARGET: 194 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Ishan Kishan † c Saini b Boult 54 Rohit Sharma (c) c Parag b Prasidh Krishna 10 Anmolpreet Singh c Padikkal b Saini 5 Tilak Varma b Ashwin 61 Kieron Pollard c Buttler b Saini 22 Tim David lbw b Chahal 1 Daniel Sams c Buttler b Chahal 0 Murugan Ashwin run out (†Samson) 6 Jasprit Bumrah not out 0 Extras (lb 1, nb 2, w 8) 11 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.50) 170/8 Did not bat: Tymal Mills, Basil Thampi Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Rohit Sharma, 1.5 ov), 2-40 (Anmolpreet Singh, 3.6 ov), 3-121 (Ishan Kishan, 12.6 ov), 4-135 (Tilak Varma, 14.2 ov), 5-136 (Tim David, 15.1 ov), 6-136 (Daniel Sams, 15.2 ov), 7-165 (Murugan Ashwin, 18.5 ov), 8-170 (Kieron Pollard, 19.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Trent Boult 4-0-29-1 Prasidh Krishna 4-0-37-1 Navdeep Saini 3-0-36-2 Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-30-1 Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-26-2 Riyan Parag 1-0-11-0

Tributes pour in for softball stalwart Lakeram “Mike” Singh

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Mike Singh preparing to bowl in the 2021 edition of the Prime Minister's Cup

he softball fraternity has been plunged into a state of shock upon receiving the dreadful news that stalwart and prominent player Lakeram “Mike” Singh had succumbed at the age of 62 in Florida, USA. Hours after the news began circulating, several players and administrators began paying tribute, stating that Singh has left an indelible mark on the softball cricket scene, not only for his personal performances, but also for his contribution in the form of continual sponsorship.

Singh was representing his team, Mike’s Wellman, in the 16th edition of the Florida Cup, a three-day softball extravaganza that commenced on Thursday, when he suffered a heart attack. The Guyana- based entrepreneur and father of two had bowled two overs in the Legends category before leaving the field for a quick break, but when he resumed playing, he collapsed. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in Fort Lauderdale, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Through Mike’s Pharmacy, Lakeram “Mike” Singh had sponsored numerous competitions over the past three decades under the auspices of the Guyana Softball Cricket Association (GSCA), Guyana Softball League (GSL), Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association, and the Georgetown Softball League (GSL).

Former teammate and longstanding secretary of the GSCA, Royston Ramsarran, mentioned that softball cricket has definitely lost an icon in every respect. “He was a great human in every way, and his support for softball cricket, way back in the 90s to date, is tremendous. I am heartbroken …I have known him for like 35 years. I am the one who introduced Mikey to the softball game, and he never turned back,” an emotional Ramsarran related.

Shameer Ali, a former opening batsman for Mike’s Pharmacy cricket team, also expressed shock at Singh’s passing, describing it as “gone too soon”, while other popular and current players like Bobby Parasnauth, Ramesh Narine, Rovendra Mandolall and Wasim Haslim are in utter disbelief.

“This is hard to believe, that Singh passed away. He was very approachable, and his service to softball cricket was tremendous,” Essequibo legendary softball player Ramesh Narine related.

Haslim, who played for Mike’s Pharmacy, commented that the game has lost a legend.

“Softball world has lost a legend; the world has lost the greatest human.

Sleep in peace, Mike; you will be missed by everyone. We became friends and then family; you taught me a lot in my cricketing journey, and more so about life,” Haslim expressed.

Former national youth player Mandolall, taking the opportunity to share his sympathies and condolences to the grieving family members and loved ones, said since he was playing softball cricket in the mid-90s in Georgetown, he could have seen the immense love Singh had for the game.

GSCL President Ian John described Singh’s passing as a real shocker.

“This is unbelievable, to know about his passing. He was such a wonderful individual, and always generous when it comes to sport. Cricket will definitely miss him and his passion and commitment for the game, which was enormous,” John said.

Leonard Harprashad of the GSCL echoed similar sentiments.

Harprashad, who performed the role of Organizing Secretary of the GSCL, declared that Singh’s generosity towards the game was phenomenal, and he demonstrated it by sponsoring a large number of cricket competitions for male and female players.

Singh’s body is expected to be returned to his homeland today. Funeral arrangements are in progress.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022

IPL 2022…

Gill and Ferguson make it two in two for Gujarat Titans

Hardik Pandaya bagged 1-21 and scored 31

Shubhman Gill scored a scintillating 84

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hubman Gill’s great lone hand with the bat nearly went in vain, but Lockie Ferguson put in a great bowling performance of his own to drag Gujarat Titans to only the third successful defence in this IPL, and the second under lights.

Gill scored a personal-best 84 off 46 in a breathtaking yet silken innings; the others, including extras, managed just 87 off 74 balls.

Titans’ 171 for 6 was a strictly middling total, which Capitals looked like cruising past on two occasions, but an accurate and quick Ferguson twice produced double-wicket overs to dismantle the chase with figures of 4-0-28-4.

Gill was particularly severe on spin, scoring 45 off 21 balls from Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, who conceded just 24 in the other 27 balls they bowled, giving them reason to believe they actually controlled the middle overs. The Capitals’ batters would have thought they were in control too, but once it gets up to 145kph and above - even some of Ferguson’s offcutters were that quick - and higher than the chest, funny things happen. Rishabh Pant, Prithvi Shaw, Axar Patel and Mandeep Singh all fell to his short-pitched bowling.

Gill plays a different game It was like watching two different matches when Gill batted. Matthew Wade fell trying to ramp Mustafizur Rahman in the first over. Vijay Shankar struggled through his 20-ball 13.

It took Hardik Pandya, batting at

#4, 18 balls to go past a run a ball; he ended up with 31 off 27. And yet the score at the fall of Pa n d y a ’s wicket was 109 for 3 in 14 overs. That’s because Gill was batting like a dream at the other end, even if deprived of support and strike.

Gill has been guilty in the past of scoring at a middling strike rate, especially for an opener who gets the use of field restrictions. This, though, was arguably his best T20 innings, and definitely his best score in the format. The intent was spot-on, and the method was more timing than strength.

ESPNcricinfo’s metrics valued this knock of 84 at 109.54 smart runs.

By the time he was done hitting four sixes and six fours, Gill had taken Titans to 145 for 4 in the 18th over. The finish was neither great nor terrible, with David Miller and Rahul Tewatia somehow taking Titans to 171, despite Mustafizur conceding just four runs and taking two wickets in the final over.

them to 32 for 1 in four overs as they took a toll on Mohammed Shami.

Enter Ferguson. The first ball was right at Shaw’s throat. He committed to hooking, but the ball got to him quickly, rushing him into the shot, taking a top edge to long leg.

Mandeep’s defeat was even more comprehensive. He was caught hopping away from the line as he looked to use the pace, but the extra bounce took his top edge to Wade.

Pandya the opening bowler Not long ago, Pandya’s India future was in doubt, given his lack of bowling fitness. The argument was that India couldn’t afford a specialist death-overs hitter. Two matches into the IPL, and Pandya has walked in to bat in the third and seventh overs, and has twice bowled his allotment of four overs.

In this one, he even opened the bowling. And he struck first ball, dug into the surface and sitting up on Tim Seifert. Capitals were at 8 for 1 in 1.1 overs.

Ferguson gets involved again Pandya didn’t have much of a choice but to go back to Ferguson in the 15th over. He went round the wicket, bowled a quick offcutter-bouncer at 145kph first ball, and he bowled it wide enough that Pant had to drag it to access the leg side.

There wasn’t enough time to do so, and the top edge settled with long leg.

That wicket took Capitals’ win probability down from 64% to 62%, which suggested the wicket might have come too late.

What if Ferguson took one more, though? He did so with another fast, short offcutter, this time with a tickle down the leg side. Now there was a dip in the

Ferguson’s first intervention Still, Mandeep Singh and Prithvi Shaw got Capitals off to a healthy enough start, taking

Pant matches fire with fire There was a distinct change in the time available to play Ferguson when Pant walked out.

He started off by pulling him through midwicket, and then lashed at one outside off, getting four through the edge.

For some reason, Pandya didn’t trust Varun Aaron, who conceded just seven in his first over, and Capitals went after the change bowlers. Shankar’s 12th was taken for 14, despite Lalit Yadav being run out. Tewatia’s 14th went for 13. Now just 54 were required off the last six.

win probability to 54%.

Rashid, Shami finish it off There still was Rovman Powell at the wicket, and with just 46 required from 30, you couldn’t count out a big hitter.

Powell set out to play out the one over each left for Rashid Khan and Ferguson. Rashid, though, proved to be too good for Shardul Thakur, trapping him in front with the last ball he bowled.

Powell still kept Capitals alive by seeing off Ferguson with a steered boundary, bringing the equation down to 30 in the last

three overs.

Now Pandya would have decisions to make. Ferguson and Rashid were bowled out.

Shami wasn’t having a great night. Two other overs needed to be squeezed in, one of which Pandya could bowl himself.

If Powell managed to take down Shami, though, there would be pressure on the last two. The small leg-side boundary was tempting, but Shami was accurate and quick with his offcutter to get Powell lbw, and the contest, for all practical purposes, ended in the 18th over. (Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD GUJARAT TITANS INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Matthew Wade † c †Pant b Mustafizur Rahman 1 Shubman Gill c Patel b Ahmed 84 Vijay Shankar b Kuldeep Yadav 13 Hardik Pandya (c) c Powell b Ahmed 31 David Miller not out 20 Rahul Tewatia c Thakur b Mustafizur Rahman 14 Abhinav Manohar c Patel b Mustafizur Rahman 1 Rashid Khan not out 0 Extras (b 1, lb 2, nb 1, w 3) 7 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.55) 171/6 Did not bat: Varun Aaron, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Shami Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Matthew Wade, 0.3 ov), 2-44 (Vijay Shankar, 6.1 ov), 3-109 (Hardik Pandya, 13.6 ov), 4-145 (Shubman Gill, 17.1 ov), 5-168 (Rahul Tewatia, 19.2 ov), 6-170 (Abhinav Manohar, 19.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mustafizur Rahman 4-0-23-3 Shardul Thakur 4-0-42-0 Khaleel Ahmed 4-0-34-2 Axar Patel 4-0-37-0 Kuldeep Yadav 4-0-32-1

DELHI CAPITALS INNINGS (TARGET: 172 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Prithvi Shaw c Shankar b Ferguson 10 Tim Seifert c Manohar b Pandya 3 Mandeep Singh c †Wade b Ferguson 18 Rishabh Pant (c)† c Manohar b Ferguson 43 Lalit Yadav run out (Manohar/Shankar) 25 Rovman Powell lbw b Mohammed Shami 20 Axar Patel c †Wade b Ferguson 8 Shardul Thakur lbw b Rashid Khan 2 Kuldeep Yadav not out 14 Khaleel Ahmed c †Wade b Mohammed Shami 0 Mustafizur Rahman not out 3 Extras (lb 4, w 7) 11 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 7.85) 157/9 Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Tim Seifert, 1.1 ov), 2-32 (Prithvi Shaw, 4.1 ov), 3-34 (Mandeep Singh, 4.5 ov), 4-95 (Lalit Yadav, 11.4 ov), 5-118 (Rishabh Pant, 14.1 ov), 6-126 (Axar Patel, 14.5 ov), 7-134 (Shardul Thakur, 15.6 ov), 8-143 (Rovman Powell, 17.2 ov), 9-143 (Khaleel Ahmed, 17.3 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Mohammed Shami 4-0-30-2 Hardik Pandya 4-0-22-1 Lockie Ferguson 4-0-28-4 Rashid Khan 4-0-30-1 Varun Aaron 1-0-7-0 Vijay Shankar 1-0-14-0 Rahul Tewatia 2-0-22-0

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39 CPL, Cricket Carnival seen as boost to cricket development and tourism - GCB GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022

ety. This budget allocation would provide sport organizations with the requisite resources necessary to realize the transformation of most sports in Guyana from an amateur status to a professional sport.”

The GCB missive further informed, “GCB’s President Bissoondyal Singh, in an invited comment, praised His Excellency President Dr. Ali for the historic announcement on the CPL tournament decider to be played in Guyana. He opined that this is a sig-

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and CPL CEO Pete Russell posing with the CPL Trophy

T

he president and executive members of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) have extended their commendation to His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali, President of the Republic of Guyana, and his cabinet on his recent disclosure that the next three years’ finals of the Hero CPL will be held in Guyana.

This is in addition to

seven preliminary matches being played leading up to the semi-finals and finals.

Citing President Ali’s announcement last Wednesday, the GCB wrote, “Further, this historic announcement on the playing of CPL semi-finals and finals over the next three years will enable Guyana to explore avenues for sport tourism. Additionally, with

the expected influx of foreigners to Guyana for the matches, Guyana will benefit economically from the historic CPL investment.

“The approach by Government to ensure these CPL matches are assigned to Guyana over the next three years underscores Government’s comprehensive understanding of the value of sport to soci-

nificant achievement, and an indication of the value Government is placing on sports. His Excellency President Dr. Ali is obviously keen on having all sport disciplines employ systematic ways to administer sports in Guyana, and has indicated that the characteristics of transparency, accuracy and integrity should be guiding principles of sport administrations. Dr. Irfaan Ali’s government has witnessed several positive changes in cricket administration.”

It concluded, “The GCB looks forward to the continued development of national stadiums and the proposed National Academy, which will lay a significant platform for the identification and development of players across the country. The GCB views the Academy as an integral measure in developing the mental, technical and skill acquisition of potential players with the impetus to excel at the regional and international levels.”

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

SUNDAY, APRIL 3, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

Mills perfecting ‘talented bunch’ of under-16 boys for European football tournament Story and photos by Jemima Holmes

I

n two weeks’ time, Guyana’s national under-16 boys’ team would embark on a historic tournament in Europe through an opportunity made possible by the UEFA Assist programme.

This opportunity is the first of its kind for Guyana, and Head Coach Vurlon Mills has said preparation is coming apace as he hopes to perfect several aspects of the team as they ready themselves for a trio of formidable opponents.

Back in January, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) had announced that Guyana has been invited to participate in a four-team, UEFA- sponsored international youth tournament in Moldova, a landlocked Eastern European country situated between Ukraine and Romania. This tournament is set to feature national teams of the same age group from Andorra, the Faroe Islands and hosts Moldova from April 11th to 19th.

Now with less than two w e e k s before the youngsters take to the pitch in Europe, Head Coach of the national under- 16 team, Vurlon Mills, is of the opinion that the team’s preparation has been great.

“So far, preparation has been coming good. For the fact that these boys were out of football for some time, it was difficult for us to teach everything at once; and so we’re just trying to focus on two or three aspects of the game, and do it very well going into this tournament,” Mills shared with Guyana Times Sport A glimpse of the U16 team’s in-game on Saturday morning. training (Jemima Singing high praise for the Holmes photo) teenagers on the national team, Mills spoke of their talent, and

Another look at the U16 team’s training camp (Jemima Holmes photo)

highlighted that managing this aspect would be key to Guyana’s success in Moldova. The Head Coach boasted, “I know with this bunch we have some very, very good talent, but now it’s how we put that talent together that will make the difference on the field. So, most of what we’re on at this time is getting the team to understand each other, getting them to play well as a team, and then again focus on a few aspects of the game and try to execute it as best as we can going into this tournament.”

At a recent training session, Mills could be seen playing referee during a scrubby game while passing out key instructions. He explained that it is a great opportunity to instill positioning and plays with the young players.

“I’ve worked with most of them before coming into this preparation phase, so we have a good relationship.

Now we’re trying for them to get comfortable on the ball, relax, and play because, I’ll say this, most of these boys never had this level of practice before,” Mills said as

he gave context to his familiarity with the players’ needs.

He went on to explain his methods, stating, “So, again, getting them to understand basic principles and basic understanding of positioning is a challenge, right; so, being in the middle there, encouraging them, helping them to understand, I think they’re learning and starting to grasp what is needed of them in that position and what is needed on the field.

“I can see plenty improvement from them,” the Head Coach affirmed.

The international tournament was made possible through GFF’s relationships with the UEFA Assist programme, and will see Guyana’s Vurlon Mills Under-16 Boys in action on April 13, 15 and instructing his team 18. Guyana’s involvement in the tournament is during a scrubby also said to be the basis for preparation for the game on Saturday national team, which will go on to compete in morning (Jemima the CONCACAF Boys’ U17 Qualifiers in AugustHolmes photo) September, 2022.

Entries for Easter Sunday Port Mourant horse racing close on April 10

E

ntries for the highly-anticipated Easter Sunday (April 17) horse racing meet that is billed for the Port Mourant Turf Club on the Corentyne Coast will close on April 10.

Two other sponsors have come on board for the event. The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and Businessman Fazal Habibulla have joined Banks DIH, Kascon Engineering, A Sawh Mechanic Shop, Sandeep Poultry Farm, Sunil Poultry Supply, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, AJM, K Jagdeo Contractors, and Sunil Pet Shop.

This Easter Sunday meet has six races carded, and the H Class event is the feature event, covering a distance of six furlongs and paying the winning animal $300,000.

The first race of the day is expected to see the 4-year-old Guyana-bred horses covering a distance of five furlongs for a first prize of $160,000.

Second prize is $80,000 while third prize is $40,000 and fourth prize is $20,000.

Horse owners are required to pay an entry fee of $20,000 to allow their animals to participate in this opening race.

The second race of the day is slated

for 3-year-old Guyana bred horses, which will battle over six furlongs for supremacy and the first-place prize of $160,000. The other top three finishers would be paid amounts similar to what would be paid in the first race.

In the J Class race, over a distance of six furlongs, the first-place prize is $120,000, while the other top three finishers would receive $75,000, $37,000 and $18,000 respectively. The entry fee for this race is $18,000.

Race four will be for the J3 nonstarters and K Class horses. It will be run over a distance of five furlongs for a first-place prize of $120,000. The animal placing second would receive $60,000, while third and fourth placers would be awarded $30,000 and $15,000 respectively.

The feature event, the H Class race, will be the penultimate event of the day. The top prize is $300,000, while the second prize is $150,000 and third and fourth prizes are $75,000 and $37,000 respectively. Horse owners will pay an entry fee of $37,000.

The curtains will come down on the meet after the L Class Open race has been run over six furlongs. The top prize

in this race is $120,000, while the other three finishers would be paid $60,000, $30,000 and $15,000 respectively.

Entry fee for this race is $15,000.

Based on the rules, all races will be run under the updated classification.

No promotion or demotion would be allowed, and races would be run under the guidance of Guyana Horse Racing Authority rules.

The club reserves the right to cancel/reframe any race, and five horses must start before the thirdplace prize becomes payable.

Additionally, seven horses must start before the fourth-place prize becomes payable.

Persons desiring further details on any aspect of this meet are invited to contact Gingo on 618-7278, Dennis on 640-6396, or Rabani on 643-9696.

Admission fee is set at $1000, and all COVID-19 protocols would be observed. Because of the Easter season, children would be treated to free kites, free use of the bouncy castle, and free use of the merry-goaround. The event starts at 13:00h, and Rhythm Stars would be providing entertainment at the venue.

Entries for these events close on April 10

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