Guyana Times - Sunday August 22, 2021

No running P18 from God: “I was 18 when I accepted the call” - Reverend Canon Alfred David makes history Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4747 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021

Govt has no trust in City Hall with treasury's money

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

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CJIA expansion

Most of 1500 listed critical items almost completed P7

Tuschen teen robbed by P8 cutlass-wielding bandits

…central Govt to do “heavy lifting” on projects - Local Govt Minister

VP to lead joint GuyanaSuriname oil spills common strategy Domestic worker 177 persons charged for test positive for stealing child COVID in 24h Page 7

…armed duo robs La Grange couple

32 Guyanese died in workplacerelated incidents – Labour Ministry …over 300 accidents reported

P10

Berbice woman stabbed while P25 sleeping

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Voices GY – Providing critical support for vulnerable migrant groups Page 13

Project Assistant for Education, Carolina Singh

Project Assistant for Education, Maryoris Maestre

Education Programme Coordinator Sunita Samaroo

Essequibo P27 Coast miner stabs lover, commits suicide

2 arrested for P24 attempting to bribe cop to drop probe into sale of tampered vehicle

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NEWS

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, Aug 22 – 00:00h – 04:00h and Monday, Aug 23 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, Aug 22 – 16:30h – 18:00h and Monday, Aug 23 – 17:00h – 18:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

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Winds: Southerly to South South-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 16:44h reaching a maximum height of 2.57 metres.

Low Tide: 10:18h and 22:33h reaching minimum heights of 0.57 and 0.63 metre.

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Govt has no trust in City Hall with treasury's money

…Central Govt to do “heavy lifting” on projects – Local Govt Minister

T

he distrust engendered by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council’s (M&CC) lack of accountability has Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall making it clear the Government will not be giving them any money directly for capital projects.

The Minister made his position very clear during an interview on NCN television, when he was asked about the Government’s plans for the capital city.

According to Dharamlall, the Government will be investing in modernising the city, while also retaining aspects of its historical value. What it will not be doing is putting that mon-

ey directly in City Hall’s hands.

“The President met with City Hall, myself and other Ministers of Government met with them. And the greater plan for our country, Georgetown, is included in that plan. His Excellency’s position is that we have to build the physical infrastructure of Georgetown, as we’ll have to do with all other towns in our country. We have met so many times with City Hall, outlined our plans for infrastructural development. We will do the heavy lifting,” he said.

He made it pellucid that Central Government will not be giving City Hall any cash to spend on its own.

“We are not going to give City Hall money directly.

Because they have not been very forthcoming with how they spend taxpayers’ monies. So, we are going to be doing a lot of the funding, while we agree on what projects will be done, the Government will be spending the resources directly with the concurrence of City Hall on the projects.”

Even as Central Government is forced to take an active role in the city, Minister Dharamlall noted that many of these things are the responsibility of the M&CC. This includes road construction and drainage. According

Local Govt Minister Nigel Dharamlall

to the Minister, it will be a while before they can overcome these hurdles.

“This is despite this being the responsibility of the city of Georgetown. The Ministry of Public Works has been heavily involved in road construction and likewise the Ministry of Local Government and

Regional Development in terms of other issues of the city,” Dharamlall said.

“The Ministry of

Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine

Agriculture, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, they have been involved in practically all of the drainage infrastructure maintenance and even upgrades.

Even the situation where we had the floods recently. The pumps were actually being supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Because we could not have the City Hall determine the management. Because they actually have no management system in place.”

Only last week questions were raised about the spending of taxpayers’ money when Mayor Ubraj Narine allegedly attempted to have City Hall pay for his trip to New York for an APNU/AFC-backed rally in Brooklyn.

Earlier this year, Central Government had given City Hall a lifeline by injecting an additional $30 million into the coffers of

the Mayor and Councillors.

This money is intended to support the construction of an administrative building for that entity, even as a tender is out for the rehabilitation of the main building.

At the time the cheque was handed over, Dharamlall had said that City Hall is still lagging behind in having its financial statements audited, and this is a serious concern for the current Administration. He reported that in the Auditor General’s Report, it is indicated that the local organ body has not been forthcoming with these documents.

After taking office last year, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) Government had launched an audit into City Hall, which had targeted both the financial and operational makeup of the municipality.

Calls for transparency come on the heels of reports last year that there was no accountability for the $300 million Restoration Fund which was contributed to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council for the restoration of the dilapidated City Hall Building. The structure seems to be falling apart, and some sections have already been labelled unsafe. (G3)

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021

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

Strengthening economic alliances I

t can be no secret that with a population of threequarters of a million, our market is simply too small for us to seriously consider autarkic economic policies. That is, a goal of achieving self-sufficiency in fulfilling our basic needs, which it would appear Burnham aspired towards when he effectively banned several essential items during his dictatorship. Ironically, he recognised the unreality of that aspiration when he helped to usher in CARIFTA - a free trade zone - among a number of former British West Indian colonies (1968), which then evolved into Caricom in 1973.

At a minimum, the leaders were hoping to benefit from the assumed “economies of scale”, but also aspiring to create a “community”, with all that that implies. The leaders were imitating the example of the ex-colonial European rulers, who had formed the European Economic Community in 1958 and which morphed into the European Union in 1992.

But the colonial order had imposed a mindset that violated the first law of Geography: “everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things.” To wit, that while the entire world is related - and increasingly so in an age of hyper-globalisation - for us in Guyana, our neighbours in South America were logically “more related” physically, and advantage should have been taken to convert that relation into economic ties to create synergies way above economies of scale --especially when we shared a border with Brazil and historically good relations with one of the largest economies in the world. A Common Single Market and Economy goal was adopted by Caricom in 1989, but it never even fructified between us and next-door Suriname, which became a member in 1996. It was put on “pause”, where it remains in suspended animation.

In the meantime, under the leadership of our southern neighbours Brazil and Argentina, South America had embarked on its own ambitious “Southern Union” - Mercosur - in 1991. In 2013, Guyana became an Associate State of that bloc through a special arrangement that qualified states that had special trade arrangements with a Mercosur member - in this case, with Brazil. This was the “Economic Complementation Partial Scope Agreement in 2001, which gave tariff-free entry to an enumerated number of Guyanese products. Unfortunately, after an initial rapid increase in intra-Mercosur trade, the benefits of the union lagged by the time we joined.

Mercosur, like Caricom, has not moved from being a trade agreement to a customs union. China has since become the largest trading partner with all of the Mercosur states, and this remains the status quo today.

However, the just concluded visit of the President of Suriname, along with a large complement of high-level Government officials, to conclude a raft of trade and other economic agreements suggests that Guyana is poised to enter a new era as far as effectively taking economic advantage of the first law of geography is concerned, especially to enter into global and regional value chains. With Guyana and Suriname serendipitously becoming probably the last major oil/petroleum play in South America - if not the world - as we move into a new regime of renewable energy, there is much scope for cooperation, and this was given official recognition.

Agreements on the Corentyne Bridge between Suriname and Guyana, and the completion of the paved Linden-Lethem Highway would make trade with Brazil much more feasible, as had been expected with the Tatuku Bridge into the latter country. Earlier this year, President Ali indicated the intention of his administration to strengthen economic linkages with South American neighbours, and this was reiterated by both him and President Santokhi as they evinced an early meeting with the President of Brazil was on the cards.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Mercosur, and maybe the leaders of this important economic bloc might be inspired by its early promise and accomplishments to once again test the maxim that in unity lies strength. And Guyana and Suriname might at last be able to fulfill their geographic post-colonial continental destiny.

Representatives of Brahma Kumaris, Elizabeth Mahadeo and Audrey Duncan, tie a rakhi on the hand of Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips. A rakhi is an amulet or a good luck charm that is ceremoniously tied to the wrist of a male by a female. It signifies a strong brotherly bond and special blessings. (Office of the Prime Minister photo)

Are people in the Caribbean becoming architects of their own destruction?

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

T

he question has to be asked. Are some people in Caribbean countries becoming the architects of their own and the region’s detruction?

There is clearly an organised anti-vaccination campaign throughout the region.

Who is behind the campaign is unclear, but what is evident is that opposition political parties and criminal elements in Caribbean societies are taking advantage of the anti-COVID-19 vaccination sentiment for their own narrow purposes.

So, while great strides had been made in countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados and Guyana to suppress the coronavirus and curb its spread through a vigorous inoculation programme against the pandemic, that march is now being halted.

The process that was taking many Caribbean countries to “herd” or “community” immunity, is now being derailed. This means countries, particularly tourism dependent ones, which were heading toward opening their borders and recovering their economies with the obvious attendant benefits for their populations, will now be setback, if not gravely reversed.

The people of Caribbean countries where this situation takes hold will have no one to blame but themselves. Vaccines now exist, and are available, for most countries to inoculate 70 per cent of their adult population. The provision by the government of the United States of Pfizer vaccines, suitable for children, to six CARICOM countries has enhanced their capacity to immunize their people against the lethal coronavirus. The six countries that are recipients of Pfizer doses so far are: Antigua and Barbuda (17,500); Bahamas (397,000);

Barbados (70,200); St KittsNevis (11,700); St Vincent and the Grenadines (35,100) and Trinidad and Tobago (305,370). Other Caribbean countries also will be beneficiaries as soon as they settle requirements for storing and distributing the vaccines safely.

The US donation fortifies supplies of vaccines that have been delivered through the COVAX facility, administered by the World Health and Pan American Health Organisations, as well as gifts from India, Russia and China to several countries.

Caribbean countries, principally Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados, enjoyed great success in the early stage of the inoculation programme. But this initial enthusiasm by people who recognised the value of being immunised from a deadly disease, concealed the anti-vaccination movement that had already taken hold.

Oddly, the success of many Caribbean governments and health authorities in suppressing the coronavirus and curbing its spread, also contributed to the propaganda that the virus would not kill, and that greater risk exists from inoculation. The anti-vaxxers seized upon the containment of the disease as some sort of warped evidence that it was better to contract it than to prevent it.

Consequently, there has been a recent resurgence of COVID-19 infections throughout the Caribbean.

It is so bad in Martinique, a French island neighbouring St Lucia and Dominica, that the authorities have locked down the country again and asked all tourists to leave.

While Martinique can afford this drastic step because it is politically and administratively a part of France which gives it budgetary support, should CARICOM countries take similar action, they would immediately suffer even further eco-

nomic decline. This time, economic recovery, and a return to any semblance of normal life, would be extremely prolonged with long-term unemployment and severely reduced social welfare programmes. Many economies would simply collapse.

Additionally, the strain on health systems, that are only now being eased from COVID-19 cases, would intensify beyond their capacity to cope. Further, other non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, kidney failure and cancer, would take many lives as resources are diverted again to persons infected by the coronavirus.

Anyone who doubts these real possibilities should check the situation in parts of the US where medical resources are much greater than any CARICOM country.

For example, data from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control shows that hospital occupancy in Horry County is at 93.3 percent. The report reveals that 94 out of 98 beds in intensive care units are occupied, and 44 of them are COVID-19 patients. There are also 34 patients that are currently on ventilators, and 21 of them are COVID-19 sufferers.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 cases are rising in nearly 90 percent of jurisdictions in the US, with outbreaks in areas with low vaccination rates.

Politics played a huge part in the anti-vaccination campaign in the US, started by former President Donald Trump. It was adopted by right-wing religious and political groups who have exposed their own congregations and supporters to illness and death by encouraging gatherings of unmasked persons at which they rail against vaccinations.

Political parties in some

CARICOM countries have taken a page from the Trump playbook.

They have jumped on the anti-vaccine sentiment in the expectation that protests and marches against inoculation would galvanize a mass movement to topple governments. They have gone as far as to encourage violations of the law and confrontations with Police. In St Vincent, this emboldening of lawlessness resulted in a supporter of an opposition political party, hurling a stone at the head of 75-year-old Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves that wounded him but could have killed him.

Political parties, that irresponsibly align themselves with the anti-vaccination campaign, particularly to violate the law and confront Police carrying out their role to protect the wider citizenry, are playing with fire. Not only are they exposing people to disease and death, they are also risking killing economies which, even if their political actions help to topple governments, will leave them with countries so ruined that the majority of their populations will never forgive them.

COVID-19 remains a threat to human life as great as atrocities resulting from terrorism or war. The fact, that unlike leprosy, the disease is not obvious until it has ravaged its victims, only hides its lethal effects.

All leaders of Caribbean societies, including politicians who want power, should put the well-being of their peoples and their countries first. (The Tribune) (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own).

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021

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

Investing in apprenticeships reaps rewards

Dear Editor, Recently, 47 youths from across the country graduated from the Youth in Natural Resources Apprenticeship Programme (YNR), which is aimed at providing opportunities for young people to experience and learn about this critical sector, and capitalise on job opportunities.

As our PPP/C Government seeks to involve young people and young adults that would have finished CXC, and introduce them into the natural resources’ lifestyle and workplace environment, The younger generation is full of bright and innovative ideas that are vital to the long-term success and sustainability of any industry.

Apprenticeships are an excellent way to encour-

age young people and allow them to learn a wide range of skills, in many different environments, pertaining to their interests and career choices.

In the coming years, apprentices would be more critical than ever, thanks to COVID-19. With the disruption that the pandemic has caused to so many industries, including manufacturing, it’s crucial that people be trained and given the opportunity to enter an industry as everything opens up again. And with the rampant unemployment hitting young people the hardest, it’s one of the best ways to help get people into work.

Apprenticeships offer not only training, but improved job prospects; there are many benefits for companies to in-

vest in them. Companies today should strive for innovation and excellence by helping to shape young people’s learning experiences.

As our young people take full advantage of our Government’s 20,000 online scholarship programme, our Government should now encourage businesses to take on apprentices and start apprenticeship programmes. Not only do these programmes provide value to businesses and the economy overall, but they help to reduce the number of young people who are out of work, which is a serious concern at the moment in Guyana.

Apprentices can help give your company the boost you didn’t even know it needed.

With an apprentice on hand

to take on some of the smaller tasks, it frees up your more experienced staff to concentrate on key areas of work, and spend time on other tasks, making your overall business practices more productive.

Apprentices can also bring fresh approaches to the workplace, and this could have a knock-on effect on existing staff. Their willingness to learn can bring to the company new ideas and a fresh insight that you may not have considered before, allowing your business to benefit from potentially great ideas.

In addition to contributing to the economy with a boost of money and getting Government incentives, apprenticeships are essential

to providing an extremely skilled workforce. By involving young people in a company environment and providing hands-on learning from experienced engineers, apprentices would gain skills and experience that would help them succeed in their chosen career paths.

As a former apprentice myself, I realise the importance of offering apprenticeships. Apprentices are truly the future of our companies and businesses, and will make a real difference in our industries.

Apprentices not only help to reduce the skills shortage within our engineering, manufacturing and industrial sectors, as a company, we also benefit from apprentices, as most tend to be loyal,

hard-working and motivated.

We need young people to come into our companies; industry and apprenticeships are a great way for them to begin a career.

Our Government’s reward to youths for the future is to mandate companies to establish apprenticeship programmes. I strongly believe that the time and effort spent on investing in apprenticeships reap rewards for the future. I have known of many valued staff who have come through the apprenticeship route I offer, and I wholeheartedly encourage more companies to do the same!

Sincerely, David Adams

All churches need to be part of the solution of vaccination Dear Editor, I just received a prayer request from someone who said, “My brother-in-law did not take the COVID vaccine, and is now in the hospital on a ventilator. Two things: we would appreciate prayers for him, and if you haven’t been vaccinated, please reconsider.”

In the USA, we have had the biggest idiot ever to be elected President of the USA being one of the first to be vaccinated and then spawning a worldwide movement mocking the vaccine and wearing of masks, and making it a political issue, placing the lives of many in danger. Many are pawns of such thinking, including Guyanese.

I remember the story of a man who was going down under the water about to drown. A ship passing by stopped and the man was asked if he needed help. The man replied, “No, I don’t need help, God would save me.” A second ship came offering help, and the man said, “I don’t need help, God would save me.” A third ship came, and the man said the same thing. Eventually the man drowned and went to heaven. He asked God, “Why didn’t you save me when I

was drowning?” God replied, “I sent you three ships, you dummy.”

This illustration can apply to our “unvaccinated” problem in Guyana. The Government has more than 3 ships – Sputnik, Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Vaccine Maitri/Bharat biotech.

Nation, don’t refuse help.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

The ship is passing your way. “Too late, too late shall be the cry.”

Preachers usually preach and warn the “unsaved” to be “saved.” Similarly, preachers must warn the “unvaccinated” to be “vaccinated”, because it’s the wise and right thing to do. That’s a way of “saving” people, too.

I remember Bro. Errol from my Assembly of God Church in the Corentyne in the late 1970s. He had flu-like symptoms, but chose not to go to the hospital. He decided he was going to pray and fast about it. He was in his late 20s. Sadly, he died of pneumonia and left a young wife and children behind. The church was not able to provide ongoing support for his family.

Preachers who themselves are fully vaccinated like to say, “God is your healer, don’t put your faith

in vaccines,” and everybody yells, “Amen.” There is one Pastor Vlad on YouTube misleading people about the vaccine, and when you look at his website, there is a running counter announcing people who made donations to his ministry. Don’t listen to these fully vaccinated “money” preachers (especially those who call themselves apostles, bishops and prophets). Follow those with more “balanced” thinking. Be wise and think about your children and family, and get the vaccine.

It’s hypocrisy for preachers to be fully vaccinated and they are telling you to “have faith,” you don’t need the vaccine. When you and loved ones are going through your trials and tribulations if a family member is infected

with the virus, your church will say they will “pray” for you, and the pastor will preach “free” at your funeral.

Don’t expect tons of support money for funerals, medical expenses and ongoing needs, especially if the breadwinner dies.

I call on our preachers to step up and be a part of the solution to the high numbers of unvaccinated among us. “Them that knoweth to do good, and doeth not, shall be beaten with many stripes (Luke 12:47).” Preachers usually preach to people to take a specific course of action to live right, and that if you don’t, you will go to hell.

They tell you don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t do drugs, don’t fornicate. They don’t tell you, “Your body, your choice.” They will cast de-

mons out of you. Churches are clear that you must pay 10% of your income as tithes, plus you must give offerings, special offerings, building fund offerings, pastoral anniversary offerings, and contribute to causes. They are clear about that. They don’t tell you, “Your money, your choice.” They take a clear position on holiness, honesty, prostitution, abortion, sexual deviance, goodness, sin, etc. They don’t preach, “It’s your body, your choice.” They tell you what is the “right” choice. Similarly, when it comes to vaccination, there is no neutrality. The Church must come down on the side of vaccination. As the song says, “If you see your brother going the wrong way, just stop and say, ‘You’re going the wrong way.’”

I empathise with the Government, whose pure intention is to help the country and balance all interests. They can probably say like Jesus, who upbraided cities by saying, “We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented (Matt 11: 17).

Hopefully, our people would understand that the unvaccinated are driving the new wave of the deadly Delta variant, and would take advantage of the vaccine. We are eager to open up Guyana!

Much praise to those churches, mosques, and temples who hosted vaccination drives. Please continue the good work.

Sincerely, Dr Jerry Jailall

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021

Feature PET PREGNANCY – CONTINUED

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Nutrition for the pregnant pet

n our society, the number of old wives’ tales about the nutrition of pets abounds. One of the classics is “Don’t feed ochro and shark’s skin as the hair will drop out”. “A dog that has sucked eggs can’t stop”, is another. These myths can be quite amusing! The main tale in relation to a pregnant woman is that she has to eat for two. This argument spills over to animals; so my anxious clients tell me that they increase the feeding schedule and quantities for the pregnant bitch so as to cater for her six to ten puppies. Well, as in humans, it is not the quantity of the food intake that is important. Rather it is the nutritional value of the food that the pregnant bitch/cat is served, which is important.

Feeding the dog/cat a lot of carbohydrates (starchy foods) might lead to an enormous weight gain during pregnancy. A lot of that weight will be stored as fat. Worse, the puppies in the womb may also have higher than normal birth weights, which may pose a problem at delivery.

The main point to remember is that the puppies/kittens in the womb are made up of mostly muscles, bone, and blood in the early stages of pregnancy and then grow to full term in the last part of the pregnancy. A well-balanced adult diet will support both the mother and puppies/kittens during the first month of pregnancy. In the second month, because eating can become difficult with the pressure of the womb on the stomach, the diet should be more concentrated with protein, fat, and very digestible carbohydrates. In other words, less volume but higher quality.

The fibre content should be reduced.

Essential minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus must be provided.

Note that bone is not made up of calcium alone. Consequently, if you offer her high quantities of calcium tablets (as many owners and breeders do) during pregnancy, you may be creating more harm than good. Mineral metabolism is complicated. For example, calcium and phosphorous (both elements found in bones) are in a special ratio to each other. So, if we increase the calcium too

much, we will be disrupting the mineral balance, and the phosphorous will have to be metabolized from the mother’s own body to compensate, and to re-establish the correct ratio.

What about feed supplements like high potency vitamin and mineral tablets? If you are feeding your dog/cat well, (as I have described earlier), you don’t need anything extra. If your dog is run-down or emaciated (e.g., by a previous large litter that embattled her body and, she then became pregnant on her next heat), then you may need to introduce vitamins and minerals in addition to her high protein diet.

I advise therefore that fish should be a great part of the diet of the pregnant dog/cat. Fish has easily digestible proteins and it has both calcium and phosphorous (and other minerals ) in pretty balanced proportions relative to a dog’s/ cat’s needs. Milk (fresh cow’s milk, preferably) also has protein, calcium and phosphorous. Let me emphasise that the pregnant animal (although it needs protein in large quantities) also needs it fair share of carbohydrates. So don’t go overboard with the feeding of protein.

Rice (carbohydrates) and vegetables must accompany the fish, beef, chicken, milk, and eggs in the animal’s diet.

N.B. Recently the research scientists are advising that milk and dairy products should not be fed to dogs. After 52 years of giving dogs milk and dairy products without any harmful consequences, I am hesitant to advise against

offering milk to pregnant bitches. If your dog is lactose intolerant, you will observe the symptoms very easily (e.g., digestive disturbances such as diarrhoea or vomiting). Please bring any abnormal reaction/beahvoir to the attention of your veterinarian. As for every new food introduced, always commence with a small quantity and observe the animal’s response.

Guyana now has a multitude of pet foods on the market. This is no doubt due to the increased awareness of caregivers for their pets’ wellbeing and the commensurate market demand for the commercial brands that are available in North America, and which are advertised persistently on cable television.

Never in the history of this country have there been so many brands of pet foods for dogs and cats by breeds and age categories. If you choose to purchase a complete feed, and you cannot find a commercial formula specially made for pregnant bitches, I suggest the feeding of a Puppy Feed offered on the market (puppy kibble has a higher concentration of protein).

Having said all of the above, I still maintain that your pregnant dog/cat must be kept trim. I have serious issues with obese animals, and pregnancy is no excuse for your animal to become abnormally overweight. Take her for moderate walks. The key word is “moderate”.

No extra-long walks and no excessive or boisterous play must be allowed. “Fifi” must not be made to run up and down stairs with great frequency.

Cats are sensible animals. They know how and when to exercise.

Caregivers, please be advised to leave your cat alone during pregnancy.

Lastly, in the latter stages of pregnancy, when eating may be compromised, and when distension of her stomach is affected by the enlargement of her womb full of puppies/kittens, do not panic if she refuses to eat occasionally. Call your vet, if you are overly worried. This loss of appetite may begin to occur within two weeks before delivery.

My advice is to offer small quantities of the suggested (more concentrated) diet during the day.

A

AIR QUALITY

ir is the “ocean” from which we breathe, as it supplies us with oxygen, which is essential for life. Human activities, however, release substances into the air, some of which cause pollution and problems for humans, plants and animals, as well as for the environment.

Air pollution When people think about air pollution, they usually think about smog, acid rain, CFCs, and other forms of outdoor air pollution, but air pollution also exists inside homes and other enclosed spaces. Every year, the health of millions of people is affected by chemical substances present in the air within buildings, as well as in the open air.

The World Health Organization estimates that 4.2 million people die every year from air pollution. The combined effects of ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution cause about seven million premature deaths every year, largely as a result of increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections. It is therefore important to consider both indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Outdoor pollution One type of air pollution is the release of particles (particulate matter) into the air from burning fuel for energy. The particles are very small pieces of matter, measuring about one-thousand of an inch, for example diesel smoke. This type of pollution is sometimes referred to as "black carbon" pollution.

In addition, the aexhaust from burning fuels in automobiles, homes and industries is also a major source of air pollution. Some researchers believe that even the burning of wood and charcoal in fireplaces and barbeques can release significant quantities of soot into the air.

Another type of air pollution is the release of noxious gases, such as sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and chemical vapors.

These further react with other substances in the atmosphere, forming smog and acid rain.

Indoor pollution Air pollution also occurs inside our homes, offices, and schools.

Some of these pollutants can be created by indoor activities such as smoking, the use of certain aerosols and disinfectants, and even cooking. We spend about 80-90% of our time inside buildings, so our exposure to harmful indoor pollutants can be serious.

Global warming The increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases due to human activities has resulted in global warming. This, scientists believed, has come from the buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gases are produced when fossil fuels are burnt.

Plants play a crucial role in purifying the air, not only by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen, but also by removing pollutants from the air.

However, the release into the air of carbon dioxide and other pollutants from human activities is much greater than the world's plants can process. The situation is made worse since many of the earth's forests are being removed, and plant life is being damaged by acid rain. Thus, the amount of greenhouse gases and other pollutants continue to increase. This buildup of greenhouse gases acts like a blanket and traps heat close to the surface of the earth, hence the increase in the earth’s temperature.

Ensure good air quality Air quality is a tangible issue for many people, including business professionals and private citizens; yet, air quality is difficult to touch, see, taste or smell. It is very important to ensure good air quality, since ground-level ozone and particulate matter can trigger health and environmental problems such as asthma attacks and other respiratory problems, and even crop damage.

Simple things such as ensuring proper ventilation, using energyefficient appliances, allocating proper storage facilities for hazardous products, wise choice and use of cleaners and pesticides, minimising or avoiding emissions from candles, cigarettes, barbecues, opening windows, and planting trees can go a long way in helping to ensure good air quality.

As the lead environmental regulator, the Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for ensuring clean air for all Guyanese through education, monitoring, and enforcement.

The Technical Services Programme Area ensures the enforcement of the Environmental Protection Act, and the Air Quality Regulations 2000 – * Determine and establish the allowable level of atmospheric pollutants that can be emitted; * Set limits for contaminants * Set compliance schedule dates and times for existing facilities to comply with the required standards * Establish the desirable national ambient air quality standard, to maintain a healthy air quality for humans and the environment.

A copy of the Air Quality Regulations can be downloaded at https:// www.epaguyana.org/epa/regulations2/category/7-regulations Sources * https://www.who.int/health-topics/air-pollution#tab=tab_1 * Environmental Protection (Air Quality) Regulations 2000 You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, c/o ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

NEWS

7

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

VP to lead joint Guyana-Suriname oil spills common strategy

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joint Guyana-Suriname approach to any potential oil spill from oil exploration and production in the Corentyne could be a possibility coming out of the working group that will be led by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in Suriname.

This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, who was asked whether there would be an agreement for Guyana and Suriname to collaborate on any potential oil spill.

“That is why we’re setting up that working group the Vice President would lead.

So that we can have a joint analysis of threats, challenges and opportunities. And we can come up with a common strategy. Because we’re also a part of the same forest basin,” President Ali said during a recent joint press conference with his Surinamese counterpart Chandrikapersad Santokhi.

In light of this, the President pointed out the work the two countries can do. According to the President, “can you imagine if we merge our potential?

The type of impact and benefit we can bring to the basin”.

President Irfaan Ali (left) and Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi

According to a joint communique issued by the two Presidents, a working group will be established within two weeks which will seek to come up with concrete proposals for a joint gas strategy. This will include the gas-to-shore infrastructure and a gas plant.

A few days ago, it was announced that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo will soon be leading a Guyanese delegation to neighbouring Suriname where it is expected that the two countries will work togeth-

er to develop a common strategy to deal with issues of climate change and the environment.

This visit is expected to be conducted before the COP26 Summit which is billed for October 31 to November 12 in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

The COP26 Summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

President Ali told reporters during the joint press con-

ference with his Surinamese counterpart that “both Guyana and Suriname recognise that we have a valuable asset in Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in this field of environment.”

As such, the Head of State announced that Jagdeo will soon “lead a delegation to Suriname before COP26 to look at the coordination of our strategies, and also to work with our counterparts in Suriname in coming up with a common strategy in dealing with climate change and the environment”.

At the time President Santokhi and a Surinamese delegation arrived in Guyana on Tuesday for their four-day State visit to discuss issues including health, agriculture, and oil and gas, the Vice President was in Houston, Texas, for the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC).

During the joint press conference, a Surinamese reporter asked President Ali about Jagdeo’s absence. In responding, the Guyanese Head of State pointed out that “when you’re in Government, you have many competing demands.

The Corentyne oil blocks

When you’re in Government, you don’t deal with a single task in a single day. And don’t for a moment believe that for us, this is the only task we’re dealing with.”

While oil has not been found yet in the Corentyne block, Canada-based oil company CGX Energy Incorporated spudded its first exploration well in the block last month.

CGX had previously been given a November 2021 deadline to drill its first well in the Corentyne Block by the Government of Guyana.

Drilling started on the well in question, the Kawa-1 well, on July 2 in the Corentyne Block.

And according to the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the drilling will conclude on December 15, 2021.

CGX and Frontera Energy - joint venturers in the block - had commissioned an independent report which had revealed that they are potentially sitting on 4.9 million Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) in the Demerara and Corentyne, Guyana oil blocks under their control. (G3)

CJIA expansion

Most of 1500 listed critical items almost completed W ork on the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project, which is on course for completion this year-end, also encompasses a master list of 1500 items.

According to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, most of these works on this list have been done.

Edghill made this announcement during a recent NCN interview where the Government’s first year in office was discussed. The Minister explained that the CJIA airport expansion is well advanced and most of the 1500 works from the airport’s master tracking list is completed.

“There were some 1500 items identified on a master tracking list and there were 71 critical items to get the airport functional. So, we had to get in there, get the airport functional. We have achieved the 71 critical items,” Edghill said.

“Most of the 1500 items on the master tracking list are in place and we were able to negotiate a new contract that would see the Chinese contractor putting on two additional corridors to facilitate two additional airbridges and

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport

putting in place a super structure for a commercial centre.

Getting fixed what was not fixed.”

The Minister noted that the CJIA expansion was one of several projects that his Government inherited from the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), which had to be fixed.

When the Government entered office, there was a list of 71 critical works and a master list of 1500 works that were incomplete. As of January, however, all critical works were completed. The additional works amount to US$9 million. When works are complete, it is expected CJIA will

have six boarding bridges and an extended terminal building and boarding corridor, among other things.

Based on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government’s agreement with Chinese contractor China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the expansion works are expected to be completed by this year end.

The Public Works Ministry had entered into an agreement with CHEC back in December, which would see the contractor doing US$9 million in additional works to further extend the airport, at no cost to the State.

The new works involve an extension of the airport’s

boarding corridor in order to accommodate two more passenger boarding bridges, providing the airport with a total of six boarding bridges capable of servicing aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Dreamliner, the AirBus and similar trans-Atlantic aircraft.

It would also see the terminal building being extended to provide accommodation for additional commercial space such as food courts and duty-free shops. The extended building will feature a modern airport façade covering the full length of the departure terminal.

The overall project was to be completed since December 31, 2018, under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, but has now been taken over

by the PPP/C Government in an incomplete and downgraded state. In fact, the Granger-led APNU/AFC Administration had settled for a denigrated design while paying more than the allocated US$150 million.

When the coalition Government came into power in 2015, the project was put on hold, but after discussions between former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson and CHEC, it was later announced that the project would be continued, but a number of downgrades were done to the design.

Some US$138 million of the allocated costs was funded by the EXIM (ExportImport) Bank of China, while US$12 million was spent by the Guyana Government. It was not expected to surpass

that sum, but Guyana had to stand additional expenses.

The CJIA, in its downgraded design expansion, has four less air passenger boarding bridges for arrivals and departures than the initial eight; a 450-seat departure area; escalators and elevators in addition to an incomplete extended runway, which was supposed to measure 400 and 690 metres at the respective ends.

An old terminal building that was marked for cargo was revamped, and only one of the new sections was built. Meanwhile, a new apron that was supposed to support the additional four air bridges is non-existent. There is also no space for enough duty-free shops, restaurants, car rentals, and other facilities. (G3)

8 NEWS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Tuschen teen robbed by cutlass-wielding bandits …another armed duo robs La Grange couple

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n 18-year-old vendor of Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, was robbed on Friday night after being ambushed by men armed with a cutlass.

Police reports state that the incident occurred at about 21:30h.

The victim was walking home along the Tuschen Access Road when the two unidentifiable suspects rode up alongside him from behind on one bicycle. They then dismounted the cycle and one of the suspects rushed to him with a cutlass and placed it to his neck.

The teenager was threatened to hand over his belongings, to which he com-

plied. Both suspects jumped onto their bicycle and made good their escape.

The stolen articles included a five-pennyweight gold chain valued $65,000, two Samsung Galaxy cellular phones (A10 and A20) valued $90,000 and $10,000 cash.

The incident was subsequently reported to Police and an investigation has since been launched.

Meanwhile, in another armed robbery on the same evening, two males pulled off a similar robbery at La Grange Public Road, West Bank Demerara.

A 23-year-old female and her husband were walking along the La Grange Public

Road at about 00:10 when they were approached by two unidentified males - one armed with a gun and the other with a knife.

The suspects managed to escape on foot after relieving

How many lies…

S

them of a haversack containing one ID card, one bank card, one umbrella, $42,000 cash, one Blu cell phone valued $4000 and a silver chain valued $17,000. Police are still investigating. (G12)

…can democracy bear? ome say we’re in the “post-truth” era, and that Donald Trump exemplified that paradigm shift in social reality in general - and in politics in particular. By the time he demitted office, fact-checkers calculated he’d told over 30,000 LIES - about TWENTY-ONE LIES EVERY DAY FOR FOUR YEARS!! And those were just the recorded public ones!! If he were Pinocchio, his nose would’ve stretched from the White House in Washington to Mar-a-Lago in Florida!!

So, the question is: Can this edifice we call “society” be sustained when folks can just lie in their teeth to get others to follow them down one yellow brick road or another? And this question now faces us right here in dear Mudland, as Opposition elements - simultaneously trying to overthrow Granger in the PNC and take his place as the Opposition put Trump to shame.

Ironically, it was Granger himself who started the local “Lying Game” here, when he had his myrmidons from within GECOM cock up the Region 4 SOPs and blatantly lie about the elections’ results. He kept up his lies for FIVE MONTHS, until he finally had to concede after the entire world through their representatives - stood up for the truth. But, even then, he evidently muttered under his breath as he left State House, “But I still won!” as he went to the courts as he’d done during the aforementioned five months!

But his challengers have taken the lies to new, unplumbed depths, from where your Eyewitness really fears whether our Republic can survive. After all, when you come down to brass tacks, living together in a society is an act of faith, isn’t it? We gotta assume that each one of us would adhere to the rules that we ourselves have created to coordinate our actions - and not unilaterally denounce them as “lies”. We can’t suddenly wake up one morning with the bright idea that we’ll start driving on the right side of the road!! It’ll be chaos - and mayhem - for us and others on the road!

Take the challengers’ insisting that “majoritarian democracy” is illegitimate, and there should be “shared governance” with them. But they’re simultaneously insisting they WON the same elections - without ever mentioning that if, by some miracle, they get them reversed, they’ll share the spoils with the PPP!! So, it’s a case of heads they win and tails the PPP loses!!

They tried this three-card trick back in 2015 when they WON by the same majoritarian rules - under the same ballot counting, using the same voters list - and then ruled by their lonesome for five years!!

So the PPP should’ve called them “illegitimate cabal” and create mayhem in the streets??

…about Govt actions?

The challengers haven’t confined their Lying Ways to the macro level - even though that undermines the very structure of our democracy. No Siree Bob!! They’ve taken the Goebellisian technique of repeating the big lie so often it drives out any contra view and becomes “the truth”!!

Broadcasting daily - night and day - over social media, they bombard their listeners with unremitting lies. The PPP is injecting REAL COVID-19 vaccines into Indian-Guyanese and saline water into African-Guyanese! Never mind most of the nurses giving the jabs are African- Guyanese!!

Then flood hampers’ distribution invariably skipped African-Guyanese villages - but for some strange(?) reason, not a single bypassed village has been named!! Ditto for school children’s assistance for supplies. It’s also never explained how the African- Guyanese schoolchildren are bypassed when it’s all done in the public eye!!

But their encouragement to folks not to take the vaccine by outright lying about the dangers of the injection, dubiously making a fine distinction about “my body, my choice”, is the worst!

…is enough?

How many times must the challengers lie before they’re found out by their listeners as the Pied Pipers they are - who led all those gullible children to their doom?

The answer is coming at Congress!!

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

NEWS

9

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

177 persons test positive for COVID in 24h T

he Health Ministry recorded a startling 177 new infections from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Saturday, after 1570 persons were swabbed for the virus.

With this increase, the confirmed cases have jumped to 24,224 while deaths have remained at 591. Within the past week, there have been 663 new cases.

New statistics via the daily dashboard showed a gender distribution of 11,759 males and 12,465 females contracting the virus – 22,318 of which have recovered.

Some 15 persons are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU); with 103 in institutional isolation and 1197 in home isolation – a total of 1315 active cases. Another five persons are in institutional quarantine.

New cases

From the breakdown of infections, three new cases were detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), three in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 23 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 91 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), four in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), five in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), seven in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 28 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and nine in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Cases in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) remained the same, after no new cases surfaced.

Globally, there have been over 209 million reported cases of the virus with more than 4.4 million deaths. In the Americas, cases have surpassed 81 million with two million deaths.

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD AUGUST 21 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

177

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

103

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

1197 15

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

5

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

12,465

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

11,759

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

24,224

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

22,318

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

296,059

FULLY IMMUNISED

152,433

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

591

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

1348

REGION 2

708

REGION 3

2824

REGION 4

11,050

REGION 5

795

REGION 6

1987

REGION 7

1320

REGION 8

381

REGION 9

2217

REGION 10

1594

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

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

More vaccines soon

In the latest coronavirus briefing, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony assured that more Sputnik V second doses will arrive soon to vaccinate persons in waiting.

“We have been having some challenges in getting enough second doses but we’re getting supplies on a weekly basis and as soon as we get it, we announce it so people can come forward and get their second dose vaccine,” he said.

Private school students whose parents have agreed for them to be vaccinated

- will follow the same protocols as those established for the public system. This means consent forms will be sent to guardians for their approval of the Pfizer shots.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand was quoted as saying, “For this exercise, we are treating private schools the same way we are treating public schools. They have the consent forms. We will go to those schools and offer the vaccine there too if it is requested.”

Guyana will be in receipt of the Pfizer vaccines in time for the reopening of schools,

which is scheduled for September. The Pfizer vaccines will be used to immunise children from the age of 12 in Guyana so as to facilitate classroom activities in a

safe setting.

Vaccination numbers stand at 298,248 persons or 58.1 per cent receiving first doses and of this number, second doses are at 152,997 or 29.8 per cent of the adult population.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-

1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www. health.gov.gy.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 emergency measures which emphasise the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene. (G12)

10 NEWS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

32 Guyanese died in workplacePedal cyclist related incidents – Labour Ministry critical after …over 300 accidents reported

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ome 32 Guyanese would have died in 2020 in work-related incidents while another 300 accidents occurred at several worksites, with some workers still being incapacitated.

These figures were revealed by Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton, who during

WCD accident

an interview last week said that when it comes to high profile labour issues, a proactive approach has to be taken.

Moreover, it was noted that matters including the breaking of Guyana’s law by companies and improper treatment and safety risks to the employees have to be for-

mally reported in order for the Ministry to carry out investigations.

“People expect the Ministry to do this and that but, the Ministry cannot operate and investigate on chatter and inuendoes. It has to investigate based on formal reports,” the Minister informed.

He went on to say that if a matter were to reach to the level of the courts, the court will not accept “hearsay”, but rather would ask for evidence to be provided to support claims of people’s safety being at risk and so forth.

On the other hand, the Minister noted that he will not allow employees and employers to collude in breaking the law, saying “major companies were allowed, under the stewardship of the last Government, not to deduct taxes - GRA taxes from overtime for workers.

So, companies and workers

had their own Labour agreement breaking the law, and I’ve said to companies, it’s not just the Labour law you’re breaking, you’re breaking inland revenue law and that’s a criminal offence because you’re helping people to evade tax.”

Hamilton stated that there will be conversations with the Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall, in regards to reviewing and upgrading legislations to allow for supervision of upcoming sectors in Guyana.

Just last week during the simple graduation ceremony for the newly recruited officers of the Ministry, Hamilton had revealed that legislations were being reviewed to allow for the law to empower Labour Officers and OSH Officers to go to the court and file contempt proceedings against sectors that are found in breach of labour laws.

A

56-year-old pedal cyclist is in critical condition, after he was struck down by a vehicle on Friday night while crossing the Meten-Meer-Zorg Public Road, West Coast Demerara.

Harrychand Dhanraj of Prem Nagar, Meten-MeerZorg, WCD, is critical at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

Enquiries have since revealed that at about 19:00h, a 23-year-old man of Mc Watt Street, Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo, was driving a motor car along the said roadway when the cyclist reportedly rode out of Water Pump Street.

Dhanraj allegedly continued proceeding across the

road from south to north in a zig-zag manner and into the path of the motor car, where his bicycle collided with the front side of the vehicle.

He made contact with the bonnet and the front windscreen, then unto the corner of the road where he received a wound to his head and foot.

The injured man was picked up in a conscious condition by the driver and taken to Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was seen and examined by the doctor on duty. He was later transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital and admitted a patient in a critical condition.

Police are continuing their investigation. (G12)

11 Guyana, Suriname Private Sectors to set up joint business council T NEWS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Burnham’s PNC nation excluded Indian-Guyanese

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orbes Burnham’s death anniversary, a couple of weeks ago, offered the opportunity for some seriously surreal revisionist accounts of his “legacy”. This is a corrective to the contention that Burnham was positively benign to IndianGuyanese.

During his 21-year illegal regime, Burnham promoted the African element of Creole culture as the national culture, even as he made some innocuous gestures towards Ravi Dev Indian-Guyanese.

In this transformist hegemony, IndianGuyanese culture was defined as “ethnic” - outside the nation. Yet his acolytes insist Burnham had a “multicultural” approach just because he introduced two Muslim and two Hindu festivals as national holidays.

However, in Burnham’s secular rather than religious view of nation and culture, that move was a feint in his quest for total control over the state. The colonial state had privileged the Protestant Church and retained great influence over state matters, which Burnham would not brook. State acknowledgement of Hinduism and Islam simply helped dilute the externally connected, old-line Church influence. In 1976 he nationalised the schools of all the religious bodies, and quickly moved to control the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim Anjumaan, so these new kids on the block offered no challenge. In 1972, against the Opposition of all Indian organisations, secular and religious, Burnham commandeered the Indian Repatriation Fund to build the “National Cultural Centre” in Georgetown, rather than three Indian Cultural centres in the three counties. Carifesta, which launched the Centre, had only token Indian-Guyanese participation by Rajkumari Singh’s troupe.

Burnham accepted the assimilationalist premises of the European “nation-state” ideal, and fervently opposed “multiculturalism”. His motto summed up his position: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”, which of course he would “mould”. The symbols of a state signal its cultural orientation, since these are expected to ensure that the people can identify with the state at an emotional level. The colours of our flag, chosen by the National Arts Council, were the Garveyite Pan-African colours of black, green and red (which were already the PNC’s colours) along with yellow from Ethiopia’s green, yellow and red, which most African countries had chosen as their pan-African colours.

The National Hero was Cuffy – the African slave who had fought the Dutch in Berbice almost seventy years before Berbice became part of a unified Guyana. The National Anthem has no hint of an Indian raga, much less any words. Mr. Burnham also balked at the Indian cultural fare over the airwaves. He mandated that even the privately sponsored Indian music radio shows were to include an equal number of English-language songs.

There was no TV under Burnham, and we may now possibly surmise why. Mr. Burnham also demanded that “ethnic clubs” change their names – for instance the “East Indian Association Cricket Club” was changed to “Everest Cricket Club”. He offered refuge to a large number of Afrocentric US cultural activists, who played an influential role in establishing the National Service that was supposed to be the vehicle for moulding youths into “Guyanese”.

However, Mr. Burnham accepted the African Society for Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA) as its de facto cultural arm.

Its head, Eusi Kwayana, was made Chairman of the GMC, and played a critical role in conceptualising, launching and sustaining the Co-op movement which was to empower grassroots African-Guyanese in this “African” mode of production. Mr. Burnham had gone so far with his valorisation of African culture that he risked ridicule from orthodox Marxist quarters (“utopian”) to declare that Guyana’s economic model would be the co-operative - based on the Ujaama socialism of Tanzania.

Mr. Burnham introduced Mashramani as the defining festival for Guyana, with its Creole Caribbean Carnival ethos hardly masked by the standing label that it was about “cooperation” and adopted from our Indigenous Peoples.

In May 1970, Mr Burnham had embraced the ASCRIA-invited Stokley Carmichael, the founder of Black Power, even after he declared that Indian-Guyanese must be kept separate. Never mind the aspiration of the just declared “national” motto. While today there is a “National” Museum, there is also an African Museum and an Amerindian (WALTER ROTH) museum – but none for Indians. The National School of Dance is bereft of an Indian repertoire. As for whether he was “racist” towards, he deflected Jagan’s accusation in 1977 by asking, “What is the socialist content of race?”

The point, of course, is that those who are defined outside the nation have no legitimacy to its patrimony – including the opportunity to democratically form a Government. These Guyanese are just 3/5 human.

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) of Guyana and the Suriname Trade and Industry Association (VSB) have come to an agreement of establishing a GuyanaSuriname Private Sector Business Council, which will see the two entities strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

This comes after it was recognised that both Head of State, Dr Irfaan Ali and President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi showed intentions of strengthening the bilateral relationship between Suriname and Guyana, with the private sector acting as the engine for growth and development in both countries.

It was decided that the ideal way of developing the two countries is by working towards a single market through collaborative busi-

ness relations while fulfilling developmental agenda.

Moreover, the joint sector will consist of key representatives of the private sector that are dedicated to the strengthening of economic ties and initiatives regarding the shared interests and creation of the envisioned single market and economy.

Meanwhile, Dr Irfaan Ali on Thursday had urged the private sector in both Guyana and Suriname to think big and be bold and

aggressive in going after the opportunities on the horizon.

President Ali had said at the time that Guyana and Suriname must not compete but complement each other as they embark on this new development trajectory.

As newcomers in the oil and gas sector, the two countries are looking to tap into each other’s private sector to push sustainable development and further strengthen bilateral ties.

He assured that the private sector would be involved in all initiatives either independently or through public-private partnerships.

President Santokhi and a high-level team arrived in Guyana on Tuesday afternoon for his second official visit since taking office last year.

During the four-day visit of the Surinamese President and his high-level delegation, the launch of the Guyana-Suriname Business Council was carried out on Thursday, in the interest of further advancing business relations among the two countries.

The two countries have always enjoyed excellent people-to-people and business relations; hence the initiative is expected to birth a vibrant and improved level of partnership and cooperation between Guyana and Suriname.

12 NEWS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Domestic worker charged for stealing child

A

35-year-old female domestic worker has been charged by the Police with the offence of child stealing, in accordance with Section 90 of the Criminal Law Offences Act Chapter 8:01.

She is expected to appear at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on Monday to answer to the charges made against her.

Police on Saturday said that because the matter involves a young child, they cannot reveal the circumstances that led to the incident.

In July last year, a 50-year-old domestic worker of Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), was remanded for kidnapping a child from her biological mother.

She had made her appearance before Magistrate Crystal Lambert at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where she was not required to plead to the charge which stated that on July 3, 2020, she was in possession of an 11-monthold girl who went missing in March.

The woman was arrested after Police swooped down on her Kildonan Village, Corentyne home

and discovered the child.

Then Regional Commander of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Linden Lord, had confirmed that a report of kidnapping of a child was lodged with the Police.

He had said that the child’s mother is a 24-yearold Venezuelan.

It was reported that on March 5, 2020, the biological mother reported to the Police that the woman, who worked with her at the Quartz Stone Backdam in Cuyuni, was tasked with taking care of the baby after she fell ill.

The woman promised to take the child to

the Georgetown Public Hospital for treatment, but she never returned.

“The 11-month-old baby apparently had spots on her skin, and she gave the woman the baby to take to the hospital, and she was supposed to return in two weeks, but that did not happen,” the then Commander had stated.

After the domestic worker did not return with the child, the matter was reported to the Bartica Police Station. She reportedly told Police that the mother of the child was supposed to collect the baby but failed to do so.

FEATURE

13

Voices GY – Providing critical support

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

for vulnerable migrant groups

Graduation ceremony of one of the first courses Voices GY held back in 2019

By Lakhram Bhagirat

C

harlie Tokeley and Christian Vargas started Voices GY in 2018 after recognising the need for migrant support in Guyana and ever since they have been continuous-

ly working to improve the integration capabilities of migrants.

Charlie and Christian came to Guyana a few years prior to them starting Voices GY and always sought out places where other people speak different languages.

Over time, they would have small social gatherings under the Spanglish GY banner where persons would meet up and try to communicate in various languages as much as possible. That grew from small events to the Language Lounge where

Project Assistant for Education, Carolina Singh

Education Programme Coordinator Sunita Samaroo

Project Assistant for Education, Maryoris Maestre

it was bigger and had several designated areas for various languages.

It was focused on the cultural exchange, language and experiences. However, in 2017-2018 when the situation in Venezuela began rapidly deteriorating and a

lot of persons started flocking Guyana, they recognised the need for a comprehensive plan to address the challenges faced by the migrants and in some cases, remigrants.

Voices GY now works in three areas – migration, culture and environment.

I recently sat down with the education team which forms part of the migration department which is primarily responsible for teaching English to migrants and Spanish to frontline migration workers.

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14 FEATURE

The Cinderella County

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– Guyana’s most serene Region

By Raywattie Deonarine

E

ssequibo – Guyana’s Cinderella country is perhaps the most calming part of Guyana and rivals only the picturesque Rupununi Savannah when it comes natural beauty.

Being born and raised on the Essequibo Coast has taught me to never take nature for granted. Here we appreciate nature and work in harmony with our natural environment.

Today, I am going to take you on a tour of our beautiful Essequibo Coast which has served, over the years, as a quiet escape for many. Whether it is a regular weekend or a long one, the Essequibo Coast is flocked with hundreds of “town people” dipping the black water at Lake Mainstay or exploring the Indigenous Village of Capoey.

Family members playing an outdoor game together Kids are excited to go canoeing in the majestic black water of Capoey

The Essequibo Coast is located in Region Two known as Pomeroon-Supenaam and is one of the main portals to Guyana’s interior or “bush” as the locals call it. The Essequibo coast is an area that includes 60 miles of land that was once

a sugar and cotton plantation but has now been converted to sprawling rice fields with a beautiful countryside look, majestic lakes, enchanting creeks, a rich colonial history, and a tremendous opportunity for business growth and in-

vestment.

It is hands down the home of the best coconuts in the world and of course the best duck curry money can buy.

It is already an established fact that Region Two is home to the Pomeroon – one of the

deepest rivers in Guyana along with the most hospitable people.

Most tourists are amazed by the lush, majestic expanses of land on the Coast and the interesting stories behind the lives of Essequibians.

Some of the most popular

villages found on the Essequibo Coast are Supenaam, Aurora, Adventure, Zorg, Perseverance, Queenstown, Capoey, Bush Lot, Anna Regina, Mainstay, Paradise, and Charity.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

FEATURE

The Cinderella County...

15

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mainstay Resort

So, come on a journey with me and let us explore the beautiful Essequibo Coast.

For an outsider, life in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region many seem boring or too slow while others may think it’s serene and green, but for those who grew up here, called it home, Essequibo is a place where many have topped the country at the Caribbean Examination Certificate (CXC) exams and made its name even more prestigious.

Life on the Essequibo Coast is peaceful and tranquil and offers a great escape with its cool and refreshing black water lakes and creeks.

Capoey Mission resident, 55-year-old Teresa Malcom told me that life here in Essequibo is nothing but the best. The older woman said that she enjoys the black water in Capoey and taking a dip in it is the first thing she does every mothing.

She said that waking up to the melodious chirping of birds, buzzing bees and splashing waves from the nearby black water canal is a norm for those living in the Indigenous community of Capoey. Families enjoy fishing, bird watching, and even plunging in the natural therapeutic black water, which is a popular component of the “Guyanese experience”.

Speaking with another Indigenous resident over at the Capoey Mission, 76-year-old Marve Alicock said that he grew up in the community and he appreciates living there.

Another resident, Murtle Roberts said it is her desire to see the community develop into one that thrives on tourism.

The women appreciate the funding of the Capoey Sun Rise Bakery which gives light to the village for women empowerment.

“Many of the women in this community are unemployed...

So we are happy that a few were able to gain a job in the bakery...

Most of us for a living depend on kurus and awaros which is always plenty in here. Many Essequibians, foreigners, and even many persons visiting Essequibo usually stop and purchase them from us." Roberts said Anna Regina is the bustling capital and only town of the region.

Described as Guyana’s “cleanest town” by residents, the sprawling township of Anna Regina on the Coast is being promoted by its residents as a “leading” example to other townships across the country.

Anna Regina got its name in the 18th century after the daughters - Anna and Regina - of a Dutch Plantation owner, according to the local folklore, perished by drowning close to the High Bridge which remains a landmark. The township also houses the Monument of Damon, who was hanged in 1834 as a result of rebellion by the slaves.

Prior to 1980, Anna Regina was the gateway to the Pomeroon River and a major centre of development on the Essequibo Coast. There were no roads from Bounty Hall to Charity, and the Pomeroon River had to be accessed through Lake Tapakuma. The Pomeroon was then home to the Court Hall and Police Station.

Anna Regina was supervised

by Suddie, then the main administrative centre on the Coast, but with the promulgation of the 1980 constitution, which provided for regional system of Government,

that situation changed.

The town is a home of a number of sites, notably the 1972 monument at Devonshire Castle which commemorated the first batch of East Indians indentured workers who were killed while protesting for better working conditions. Additionally, the High Bridge was built in 1816 to allow punts from the then sugar factory at Anna Regina to transport sugar, molasses, and rum to Port Georgetown for export to Europe.

The Anna Regina Police Station is more than 100 years old, while The Holy Trinity Anglican Church in the township is over 150 years of age. The town is the gateway to three Indigenous settlements, namely St Deny’s, Lake Mainstay/ Whayaka, and Capoey.

Supenaam is described by residents as one of the smallest and oldest communities on the Essequibo Coast and one of the busiest ports on the Essequibo River. The village is located on the left bank of the Essequibo River at the mouth of the Supenaam River.

While it is the home of fewer than 1000 people, on a daily basis more than twice that number move through it.

Many boat captains around the area said that the area is considered business-oriented because of the huge number of speedboat passengers that travel the Essequibo River.

Harrel Thomas, who was born and raised in Supenaam, described the community as friendly, peaceful, and quiet. He noted that many residents in Supenaam develop skills in boat transportation services, forestry, and mining up in the interior.

“Most family living in this area depends on boat services… it is the faster mode for a wild ride, with captains with years of experience.

It’s not only a place for passengers, there is a beautiful place to relax at the waterfront where many families can relax take photos and enjoy the refreshing air of nature,” Thomas told this publication.

The highlight of the village of Charity is the marketplace where people from all over the coast come together on Mondays to sell or purchase goods.

Speaking with a resident on the Essequibo Coast, Shardah Alicock said “Charity is a place for fun, relaxation, shopping, and entertainment. Take a boat ride up in the Pomeroon and back down into Charity…you can take a sip of the fresh coconut water, fresh from coconut paddles down from the Pomeroon River. Chat with friendly and hospitable residents and indulge them in their way of life.”

From Pomeroon-Supenaam as the locals would say, the people are warm, welcoming, friendly and hospitable. An early morning drive along the Coast would treat you to sights of vehicles laden with goods, passing as early as 04:00h heading to or from Charity and Supenaam.

“Life here is good and it’s a huge blessing, only that you have to work hard to achieve what you want in life. It’s quite alright for me to work hard and achieve whatever I want in life because at the end I see the reward and can then relax and enjoy the best of life in Essequibo,” a resident said.

I hope this will prompt you to come and explore all that the Essequibo Coast has to offer so you too can find your getaway spot.

FROM PAGE 14

16 FEATURE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Magnolia Counselling and Consultancy Services – 3 women on a mission to destigmatise mental health issues in Guyana

By Utamu Belle

W

ith the stigma surrounding mental health in Guyana and the increased need for mental health services, three women are presently on a mission to make a difference.

They are the visionary minds behind the recently established Magnolia Counselling and Consultancy Services. The trio includes Trained Clinical Mental Health Counsellor, Latoya Italia Beckles who has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counselling that allows her to practice as a psychologist; Felicia Saul is a Guidance Counsellor, trained in Educational Psychology with emphasis on School Counselling and an undergraduate degree in Psychology who currently practices as a Guidance

Latoya Italia Beckles

Counsellor within the school setting as well as Counsellor and Therapist at Magnolia and Carlene Cush-Ouseley who has a Master’s Degree in Psychology.

The trio is currently providing services such as individual coun-

selling, couples counselling, career counselling, group counselling, family counselling, consultancy, referral services and training to the general populace.

The Sunday Times Magazine recently sat down with Beckles and Saul who both attended the University of the Southern Caribbean in Trinidad. Upon completion, they both gained accreditation from Andrews University based in the United States some years ago.

According to the women, after receiving accreditation they were excited to practice in an effort to make a positive change in the Guyanese society.

“When we returned home, we were eager to practice and do some work with our Psychology degree at the time, because we recognised that not many persons in 2013 had the Psychology background and so we sat down and we penned out

our business plan,” Beckles told this publication.

However, they realised that their dreams would not come without its fair share of challenges.

“We didn’t get to see that actualise...Felicia went back to Trinidad and I was completing studies again. So, she went back, she completed her Master’s programme and I went and completed mine,” Beckles said.

But as fate would have it, the enterprising young women did not lose hope and came together again to realise their dreams. This plan also did not work out at the time, until this year when they came together again and brought their colleague Cush-Ouseley, who is based in the United States, onboard.

“So, we decided, you know what, especially in light of the pandemic, persons are seeking out services for mental health. Because what the research is showing that as a

result of the pandemic the whole issue of the COVID restrictions, persons are not able to physically interact with their loved ones and that kind of thing. We see a rise in depression, persons are now experiencing anxiety, and so we came together and we said this is something that is much needed, not just in Guyana but in our hometown Linden,” Beckles noted.

She said they went on to have the business registered and commenced providing services in both Linden and Georgetown.

The team of professional women are now operating in a virtual setting, in light of the pandemic.

They are hoping to have a physical space to practice in the future, whereby clients who prefer in-person counselling can meet with them. They also provide the option whereby clients can request home visits for counselling.

TURN TO PAGE 19

FEATURE

Voices GY – Providing critical support...

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

B

efore we get into what the three-member education team does at Voices GY, we need to meet them.

Let us start with the Education Programme Coordinator, Sunita Samaroo. Sunita has been working in migration since 2018 as a volunteer and later became an employee with Voices GY. She is particularly keen when it comes to social development issues since it is the area she studied in.

Her mother is Haitian while her father is Guyanese. Sunita was born in Haiti and moved to Guyana when she was just about six months old and explained that part of her drive for working in migration comes from being a migrant herself.

“I hope to leave the world a little better. I know I am one person but if I can help persons to realise their own rights and help them to be able to adjust in this particular context (then it will be a bit better). One of our most important things is social integration and people come from different places for different reasons and that is important for us to ensure they’re here comfortably and that they can get by just fine.

So, if I can help that process in whatever way whether it’s through language classes or as I was previously working on a livelihood project helping people to earn a living, I will do that and that’s something I can do,” she said.

Carolina Singh was born in Venezuela to Guyanese parents and moved to Guyana a few years ago. When she came, being raised in a different culture, she found it hard to adapt to the Guyanese culture. She had had to learn a whole new language to be able to integrate in the Guyanese society as well as further her education.

“This would have pushed me to try to help as much as I can do my very best to smooth this reintegration in this society. We cannot change the system but we can help people to adjust the system…it was challenging for me I know what the struggle is out there for migrants. So I want to do as much as I can to assist in a smoother integration for those persons,” Carolina said.

Carolina serves as the Project Assistant for the Voices GY’s Education Department with primary responsibility for teaching Spanish to frontline migration workers in Guyana. This ensures that persons interfacing with migrants in their own workplaces - whether it is

a Government agency or NGO - can do so by bridging the communication gap.

“Here at Voices, we saw the need to expose persons that deal directly with migrants to the Spanish language so that when these persons approach them, it’s easier for them to understand them and can meet their needs more efficiently. You might find situations where the migrants are trying to explain themselves and they don’t know how to express it, and therefore if we have our frontline workers, knowing the language or at least the basics in, it will help a lot,” Carolina said.

Meanwhile, Maryoris Maestre had no connection to Guyana before moving here. Like many of her countryfolks, she left Venezuela to escape the economic and financial hardships the country is currently experiencing.

Maryoris worked as a professional elementary school teacher while in Venezuela but just about 21 months ago she packed up her three children and husband and moved. She explained that the move was a particularly hard one because she had to leave her life behind.

“I decided to move to Guyana, because the economy in Venezuela is very unstable and now the salary in Venezuela is US$3 per month and it’s not enough for a family, you know,” she told me.

Her husband had to leave Guyana because he was not finding a job here and moved to the United States where he can work as a petroleum engineer. Maryoris was an English student at Voices GY and when they had an open-

ing for a teacher to teach English to migrants, she jumped at the opportunity.

Now she serves at a Project Assistant in the Education Department with her main focus being English as a second language (ESL).

The ESL programme is perhaps the biggest one at Voices GY with hundreds of participants. The main objective is to assist migrants from different backgrounds, who are trying to learn English. Based on their knowledge of the language, they are placed at different levels. The objective of the programme is bridging the communication gap and positioning the migrants to better integrate and function in the Guyanese society.

Voices GY not only provides the teaching

FROM PAGE 13

for free to migrant groups but they also assist in addressing the various challenges the students may have. They would help with connectivity issues, since all the classes are now online owing to the coronavirus pandemic as well as offer psychological support to the migrants.

“So, all of our services offered to migrant persons are free. Nobody has ever had to pay for an English class or psychological support or anything like that it’s all free,” Sunita said.

Voices GY receives funding from various organisations namely the International Organisation for Migration, UNCHR, Pan American Development Foundation, United States Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, among others.

“I really can’t imagine a space in Guyana where Voices doesn’t exist, simply because we, on a daily basis, fill something that’s needed… A person comes they learn a language or they learn to be able to interface with that language. You can’t take that away from them.

That’s something that they will have for a really long time and that is something that will impact their life in a very positive way,” Sunita related.

The three women along with the rest of the team at Voices GY continue to go above and beyond to meet the needs of the migrant population here in Guyana. They are committed to ensuring those vulnerable groups are properly integrated into the Guyanese society.

18 FEATURE No running from God: “I was 18 when I accepted the call” - Reverend Canon Alfred David makes history SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Lakhram Bhagirat

I

t was God’s calling, that is all Reverend Canon Alfred David could say when asked about how he decided to enter Priesthood.

However, God’s calling was not something he immediately recognised, having refused the offer of a theological education twice before changing his mind.

Now he has moved through the ranks in the Anglican Church and is begin consecrated as Guyana’s first Suffragan Bishop. While that is an exceptional accomplishment for the religious leader, he is also making history as the first Indigenous person to raise through the ranks to the top spot.

Reverend Canon David comes from extremely humble beginnings and has always maintained his humbleness – a trait that everyone he comes into contact with, admires.

Reverend Canon Alfred David speaking with Editor-in-Chief of Guyana Times, Tusika Martin, on the lawns of Austin House at High Street, Georgetown

He hails from the Indigenous village of Kaburi, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and credits much of what he is today to the values his mother inculcated in him. His mother is a devout Christian woman and according to Reverend David, she would never miss church or a bible study session. He

explained that if a bible study session is during the day and his mother is carrying on with her daily tasks, she would down tools at that time and attend that session and then recommence after.

She not only taught him how to be a good Christian but also taught him the value of punctuality. He dispelled

the notion of “Guyanese time” and explained that if one commits to a certain time then that must be honoured.

the Potaro base, he would encourage the then young David to take up priesthood.

“He saw potential in me and said I think you need to be trained as a priest and I said I don’t think my calling is being a priest…because I was not interested in sort of spiritual life. Because at the time I was mostly a farmer. I did a lot of farming, fishing, hunting, you know because I got that from my father.

So was a more interested in those things and being a preacher/pastor was overwhelming as a young man.

After some encouragement and I prayed about it, I said that maybe this is a call for me so I accepted that call. I was 18 then when I accepted that call to serve,” he recounted.

After accepting the offer

Kamarang Parish which comprised of five satellite missions dubbed as the Potaro Group of Churches.

The closest one was 24 miles away from him and the furthest 40 miles in Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni). He served there for 20 years in the Kamarang Parish.

Extremely challenging In those two decades it has been extremely challenging as well as taxing for his family. He recalls his wife complaining about the amount of time he spent away from his family and he knew he had to do something about it. It was that time that he approached the Anglican Bishop and explained the issues with logistics as well as the impact on his family.

Reverend Canon Alfred David among his fellow clergymen at a Chrism Mass at St George’s Cathedral, Georgetown

Journey to priesthood

Backtracking to Father David’s journey from being a teenager leading worship to now occupying the second highest religious office in the diocese, one must understand that it has been one that tested his faith, a lot.

“In those early days (as a child) we had a church school and surely, three times a day you had to go to service. It so happened that the Government took over the school and there was no catechist left. At that time, I was maybe it was 14 or15, so knowing a bit about leading worship I started to do so on my own and then maybe continued a couple of months.”

He was soon noticed by his Parish Priest, Reverend John Dorman, at the time who offered him some training.

He joined the Interior Catechist Training Programme and would travel to Georgetown for a period of two weeks at a time for over three years. After he completed that programme, he was commissioned.

At that time, he was also a teacher but shortly left that post.

He was under observation from the Parish Priest who was based in Kamarang and whenever he visited

to enter the clergy, he went to Kamarang as an ordinand and about five years later he was called to go for training. That training took place in North Rupununi at St Mary’s in Yupukari Village.

It was a dozen of ordinands and he was the youngest of the set.

They had to move there with their families where they trained for three years.

At that time, the young David was already a father to two boys.

He l a t -

er bec a m e ordained as a deacon on September 30, 1984, right at St Mary’s and the following year he became a priest on April 15, 1985, at the St George’s Cathedral in Georgetown. He would return to his village where he served as part of the

So, a decision was taken for him to visit the missions once every two months instead of the regular once per week. That eased the issue of being away from him family and it also gave him some time to plant roots.

However, that was not the end of his challenges.

If one understands the topography of Guyana’s interior then they would know of the challenges traversing it. Father David, at that time, had a bicycle on which he used to visit the other churches and that meant he would have to ride for hours to and from and for miles too.

“Now, I could remember once going to Mahdia on a bicycle from Kaburi, which is 40 miles away and, on my way back one of the forks from the back was broken. I got a big six-inch nail and some rubber ad strapped them together and then the second half broke again so I was in dead trouble. I ended up pushing the bicycle over the next 10 miles or so. So, I arrived late on that night. You know and I said, you know, this is really too much for me. There were moments of doubt but I think faith is what really kept me going,” he recounted.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

19

FEATURE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Magnolia Counselling and Consultancy Services...

Carlene Cush-Ouseley

Interested persons can call telephone number 592678-0821 to schedule an appointment, with that first appointment being absolutely free.

Stigma and importance of mental health

In an effort to bring more awareness of the importance of mental health in the Guyanese society, Saul advised that it is something which should be taken as seriously as physical health.

“Health is Wealth - that’s a saying that we often hear.

Health entails not just your physical health or your exterior, but it involves every aspect of you. As human beings we have different dimensions - emotional, physical, spiritual etc. So, just as you might get sick and feel pain and decide to go to a doctor, your mind is also part of you and it is also important to make sure that you take care of the mind,” she advised.

Saul also agreed that there is a stigma attached to mental health here in Guyana, something which Magnolia hopes to help change.

“One of the things that we need to be aware of is just as how any part of your body can become sick, your mind can also become sick.

It doesn’t have to be something that you’re born with.

Your mental health can deteriorate off of stress...poor nutrition...as a result of having an accident. At any point in time, any one of us, our mental health could deteriorate,” she stated.

She also noted that just as how it’s important to seek professional help for phys-

Felicia Saul

ical illness, seeking mental health guidance should also be prioritised.

“It’s definitely something that as a population we need to change our mindset around it, and that’s what we’re hoping to do through Magnolia...not only offering our services but we’re hoping that we would be able

to educate the population so that there can be a shift in our overall thinking as it relates to mental health.”

Similar sentiments were also echoed by Beckles, who noted that it is okay for anyone to reach out and seek professional help. She further stressed that therapy allows you to address and unpack those burning issues which you might have.

Additionally, Beckles noted that it also helps us to deal with past issues in an effort to improve future behaviours.

Saul added that Magnolia provides an atmosphere which allows you to be comfortable and freely share whatever challenges you may be experiencing, as she noted that confidentiality is a very important aspect of the business.

Meanwhile, Beckles highlighted clients and employees sign on to a confidentiality agreement which may only be breached if someone plans to harm

themselves or someone else and in cases of child abuse.

In looking at the situation here in Guyana, Saul said she has observed that for the most part the general population does not have healthy coping mechanisms or support systems.

Beckles also pointed out that in some cases of domestic violence, perpetrators who have a need for control lash out at their partners because they do not know how to properly deal with anger or other form of emotions.

Saul said in other cases these are people who may

FROM PAGE 16

have been exposed to or experienced forms of violence themselves in their childhood.

“At Magnolia we are here to serve everyone. Whether you are from the LGBTQ community...Christian, no matter your race, creed, how you identify. We are here as service providers and we are able to meet you where you are...,” she said.

Persons can also reach out to Magnolia via email at magnoliaservices4u@gmail. com or on Facebook. The company also has a website www.magnoliacounsellingandconsultancy.gy

20

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

FEATURE

No running from God: “I was 18 then when I...

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

In another instance, he said he was in Mahdia with a companion and when it was time to head back, his companion indicated that he would not be going back to Kaburi because he found a job in Mahdia. That meant another 40 miles ride alone for him.

“So, I started pedaling again on my bicycle and along the way I said I’m alone and then then a voice came to me saying ‘you’re not alone because I will never leave you or forsake you.’ You know, and so that gave me the courage about 3/4 the journey and then I remember again feeling tired and weary, and then the word came again to me ‘the lord is my strength and my song’ and so I began to sing that song and I feel energy coming back on so I moved along.”

He remembered thinking, on that journey, about Jesus bearing the load of his cross and the strength that he needed to do so. That gave him the added strength to safely complete his journey.

Now when he recounts that story to the younger members of his Parish, they are of the belief that no priest should have to go through all

“I still do farming, I still do fishing when the time permits.

You know, right now, because I’ve been a farmer I have some cassava and the water’s done a lot of damages. I still drink my piwari, my parakai whatever the case maybe because my wife still makes it. I left a matapee uncompleted before I came up here, so I still do these things as part of my living because you know I still enjoy my pepperpot and cassava bread and so.”

of that.

He added that the younger ones are also less keen to take up clergy roles because of the financial aspects of it as well.

They are not happy about working for the salary of a priest but Father David said that it is not about the money rather it is about the service to God and humanity.

After 20 years at Kamarang Parish he was transferred to St John the Baptist Church in Bartica where he is currently serving.

Ministering for family Father David is parent to four boys, who are all married now. He explained that he officiated his son’s weddings but the hardest ministering duty he had in relation to his family was burying his father.

“It (officiating my sons’ weddings) was really indescribable. I was really overjoyed to know I myself am doing it. The hardest though was burying my own father. You know, I thought I would have broken down halfway through the service but during the service I was praying for that strength and that boldness not to break down and I managed not to break

Reverend Canon Alfred David at an ordination ceremony at St Sidwell’s Anglican Church

because burying one’s father is not easy. Burying one’s sister and brother is not easy. I did that as a priest.”

Family has always played an integral role in Father David’s life and he said he strives to find that balance between his ministry and family. He added that persons must also realise that religious leaders are just as human as they are and that putting them on certain pedestals can be counterproductive.

“Sometimes you will find human beings thinking that sort of thing (that priests are angels) because you know that’s one of human weaknesses you know, thinking that the priest is like an angel and you know he shouldn’t be involved in certain things.

Suffragan Bishop Just about five years ago, Father David was on vacation with his entire family and woke up one morning after a dream and told his mother that he is going to be the next Bishop of Guyana. He does not remember the content of the dream but clearly remembered waking up and telling his mother about the feeling that he will become Bishop.

With service to the people for over 36 years now,

FROM PAGE 18

Father David was extremely surprised with the current Bishop of the Anglican Diocese in Guyana, The Rt Reverend Charles Davidson named him as the first Suffragan Bishop to serve.

The Suffragan Bishop serves as deputy to the Bishop and aids in the execution of the assigned duties.

Father David will serve as Suffragan Bishop for the Interior locations.

Father David is expected to be consecrated and ordain on Tuesday by the Archbishop of the Province of the West Indies, The Most Reverend Dr Howard Gregory.

Father David is hoping that his new role would see him advancing God’s work and bringing more people back to the Anglican church.

He believes that this next role is God’s calling for him and he is ready to answer. (Interview was conducted by Editor in chief of Guyana Times, Tusika Martin)

22 FEATURE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

HEALTH TIPS

LOW BLOOD COUNT- ANAEMIA the lungs to the body’s tissues – in our body. Anaemia affects more than 1.6 billion people around the world.

Women and people with chronic diseases such as cancer have the highest risk of developing anaemia.

that has a negative effect on this balance between red blood cells’ production and destruction can cause anaemia. Causes of anaemia are generally divided into those that decrease red blood cells’ production and those that increase red blood cells’ destruction.

Risk factors for low blood count

Dr Tariq Jagnarine Fam Medicine, Endocrinology and

Diabetes

A

naemia happens when the number of healthy red blood cells in our body is too low.

Red blood cells carry oxygen to all of the body’s tissues, so a low red blood cell count indicates that the amount of oxygen in our blood is lower than it should be. Many of the symptoms of anaemia are caused by decreased oxygen delivery to the body’s vital tissues and organs. Anaemia is measured according to the amount of haemoglobin — the protein within red blood cells that carries oxygen from

The things that typically decrease red blood cell production, causing anaemia, include: * Inadequate stimulation of red blood cell production by the hormone erythropoietin, which is produced by the kidneys * Inadequate dietary intake of iron, vitamin B-12, or folate * Hypothyroidism On the other hand, any disorder that destroys red blood cells at a rate faster than they’re made can cause anaemia. This typically occurs due to haemorrhaging, which can happen because of: * Endometriosis * Accidents with severe trauma and bleeding * Gastrointestinal lesions * Menstruation

Daily nutritional requirements and anaemia

ing

* Childbirth * Excessive uterine bleed-

* Surgery * Cirrhosis, which involves scarring of the liver * Fibrosis (scar tissue) within the bone marrow * Haemolysis, a rupture of red blood cells that can occur with some medications or Rh incompatibility * Disorders of the liver and spleen * Genetic disorders such as: * Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency * Thalassemia

* Sickle cell anaemia Overall, however, iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia. It accounts for nearly half of all anaemia cases, and is a major nutritional disorder worldwide.

Causes of anaemia

Dietary iron, vitamin B-12, and folate are essential for red blood cells to mature in the body. Normally, 0.8 to 1 percent of the body’s red blood cells are replaced every day, and the average lifespan for red cells is 100 to 120 days. Any process

Women need more iron and folate than men, because of iron losses during their menstrual cycle and foetal development during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Iron According to the National Institutes of Health, the recommended daily iron intake for adults aged 19 to 50 are as follows: Men: 8mg, Women: 18mg, Pregnancy: 27mg, Breast feeding: 9mg Men and women over age 50 require only 8 milligrams (mg) of iron daily. A supplement may be needed if adequate iron levels can’t be acquired through diet alone.

Good sources of dietary iron include: * Chicken and beef liver * Dark red meat * Red meats such as beef * Seafood * Fortified cereals * Oatmeal * Lentils * Beans * Spinach

Folate

Folate is the form of folic acid that occurs naturally in the body. Males and females over the age of 14 require 400 micrograms of dietary folate equivalents (mcg/DFE) per day. For women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, the recommended intake increases to 600 mcg/DFE and 500 mcg/DFE per day respectively.

Examples of foods rich in folate are:

* Beef liver * Lentils * Spinach * Great northern beans * Asparagus * Eggs CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

FEATURE

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

HEALTH TIPS

FROM PAGE 22

Vitamin B-12

The daily adult recommendation for vitamin B-12 is 2.4. Women and teens who are pregnant need 2.6 mcg per day, and those who are breastfeeding require 2.8 mcg daily.

Beef liver and clams are two of the best sources of vitamin B-12. Other good sources include: * Fish * Meat * Poultry * Eggs * Other dairy products Vitamin B-12 is also available as a supplement for those who don’t get enough from their diet alone.

Symptoms of low blood count

People with anaemia appear pale, and may often complain of being cold. They may also experience: * Light-headedness or

LOW BLOOD COUNT- ANAEMIA dizziness, especially when active or standing up * Unusual cravings, such as wanting to eat ice, clay, or dirt * Trouble concentrating, or tiredness * Constipation Some types of anaemia can cause inflammation of the tongue, resulting in a smooth, glossy, red, and often painful tongue. If anaemia is severe, fainting may occur. Other symptoms include: * Brittle nails * Shortness of breath * Chest pains Blood oxygen levels can be so low that a person with severe anaemia can have a heart attack.

A physical exam of someone with anaemia may show: * High or low blood pressure * Pale skin * Jaundice * An increased heart rate * Heart murmurs

* Enlarged lymph nodes * An enlarged spleen or liver * Atrophic glossitis of tongue People with signs or symptoms of anaemia should seek medical attention, especially if fainting or chest pains occur.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of anaemia begins with both a health history and a family health history, along with a physical exam.

A family history of certain types of anaemia, such as sickle cell anaemia, can be helpful. A history of exposure to toxic agents in the home or workplace might point to an environmental cause.

Laboratory tests are often what’s used to help doctors find out the cause of the anaemia.

Tests to diagnose anae-

mia include: * Complete blood count (CBC). The CBC blood test shows the number and size of the red blood cells. It also shows if levels of other blood cells, like white blood cells and platelets, are normal. * Serum iron levels. This blood test shows if iron deficiency is the cause of anaemia. * Ferritin test. This blood test analyses iron stores. * Vitamin B-12 test. This blood test shows vitamin B-12 levels, and helps your doctor determine if they’re too low. * Folic acid test. This blood test reveals if serum folate levels are low. * Stool test for occult blood. This test applies a chemical to a stool specimen to see if blood is present. If the test is positive, it means that blood is being lost somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract,

from the mouth to the rectum. Problems like stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, and colon cancer can cause blood in stool.

Treatment

Treating anaemia depends on what’s causing it.

Anaemia caused by inadequate amounts of dietary iron, vitamin B-12, and folate is treated with nutritional supplements. In some cases, injections of B-12 are needed, as it isn’t absorbed properly from the digestive tract.

A nutritionist can prescribe a diet that contains the proper amounts of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. A proper diet can help prevent this kind of anaemia from recurring.

In some cases, if the anaemia is severe, the use of erythropoietin injections to increase red blood cell production in the bone mar-

row is applied. If bleeding occurs, or the haemoglobin level is very low, a blood transfusion may be necessary.

Prognosis

The long-term outlook for anaemia depends on the cause and the response to treatment. Anaemia is very treatable, but it can be dangerous if it’s left untreated.

Invest in a multivitamin to ensure that the body is getting the recommended daily amount of iron.

Talk to a doctor if you are experiencing any symptoms of anaemia, especially if there is a family history of low blood count. An iron deficiency may also be a sign of more serious medical conditions, so it’s important to pay attention to one’s body.

In most cases, just tweaking our diet or taking an iron supplement can solve anaemia.

24 NEWS body found 4 to be charged for murder Partially-decomposed on Port Mourant Public Road of Sophia man last Sunday T SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

he partially decomposed body of a man was discovered on the Port Mourant Public Road in Berbice around 16:30h on Friday.

The deceased, who Police say is identifiable, was shoeless and dressed in a black T-shirt and brownish jeans.

However, his identity had not been established up to press

T

he Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has advised that murder charges be laid against four persons for the murder of Keon McPherson, who was killed last Sunday.

Nicholas Hercules called “Bucko”, Brenna Nurse, Devon Harry and Peter Lam are slated to be charged this week.

McPherson, a 24-yearold resident of lot 687 D Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was found dead around 04:00h on Sunday last in a yard at C Field Sophia with gunshot wounds to his body.

A post-mortem examination found that he died

time.

It was reported that ranks at the Whim Police Station were informed that a male was seen lying motionlessly in a drain on the northern side of the Port Mourant Public Road.

Upon arrival at the scene, the Police observed the male, who is of East Indian descent, motionless, as reported. The

body was escorted to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where it was officially pronounced dead.

The man’s remains are at Ramoo’s Funeral Home, awaiting identification and post-mortem examination.

Police have said that because of its decomposing state, they were unable to detect any marks of violence on the body.

2 arrested for attempting to bribe cop to drop probe into sale of tampered vehicle

Murder suspects

from the gunshot wounds.

According to reports, family members believe that the young man was lured to the location and ambushed.

Initial Police reports revealed that McPherson was in a triangular love affair with a female of C Field Sophia, who was also intimate with another male of Broad and Lombard Streets, Georgetown.

The brother of the deceased man told the Police that the two of them were at home when about 23:50h on August 14, McPherson indicated that he was going to C Field after receiving a phone call.

Then at about 04:00h Sunday, an unknown female called the Guyana Police Force’s Command Centre and reported that McPherson was seen in a yard at C Field Sophia lying motionlessly with what appeared to be blood on his skin.

Upon arrival at the scene, investigators inspected the body and discovered what appeared to be a gunshot wound on McPherson’s left side chest and one on his right hand.

He was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

T

wo men were arrested on Friday after they attempted to bribe a Police Officer to drop an ongoing investigation into the sale of a tampered vehicle.

The suspects are a 35-yearold bus driver of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, and a 35-year-old mechanic of Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

According to the Police, the bribery incident occurred sometime around 16:15h at Golden Grove Police Station, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The 35-year-old bus driver was in custody at the EBD Police Station at the time, when he contacted an Inspector and offered him

Some of the money used to bribe the Inspector to drop the case

$200,000 to forego an investigation and potential prosecution of an allegation of Fraudulent Imitation of Identification Mark, among other offences.

The suspect handed over $100,000 to the Inspector and then called a friend, the mechanic, who came later with

an additional $100,000 and gave it to the Inspector as full payment to duck the matter.

However, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has since launched an investigation which revealed that the bus driver had allegedly sold a Toyota Fielder Wagon - PYY 9484 - with a Fraudulent Identification Mark and tampered chassis number for $1,700,000. The matter was reported to the Police and an investigation was launched; hence, he was taken into custody.

Nevertheless, both suspects were cautioned and arrested for the offence committed. The $200,000 has since been lodged as the investigation continues.

NEWS

25

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice woman stabbed while sleeping; 2 arrested A

32-year-old female was attacked and stabbed several times while sleeping at her Pepper Street, Glasgow Village, East Bank Berbice home.

The incident occurred sometime around 02:00h on Friday. Two males have since been taken into custody.

The injured woman told investigators that she was in her bed sleeping when she felt someone turn her around and stab her several times about her body, causing her to receive injuries to her left hand, tongue and lips.

After the incident, the victim was escorted to the New Amsterdam Public

Hospital, where she was seen and examined by a doctor and admitted for observation. Her condition is regarded as stable.

Guyana Times understands that one of the suspects in custody is the victim’s recent ex-partner.

The man had reportedly threatened her after their separation, telling her

that if he cannot get her then no one else can.

The second suspect is the man’s friend. It is believed the men broke into the house the woman previously shared with her ex

and attacked her.

Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Commander, Jairam Ramlakhan told this newspaper, however, that investigations are ongoing to

ascertain whether the two suspects in custody are indeed the attackers.

The men remain in custody as investigations continue.

26 NEWS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Agriculture Minister to closely monitor newly-inked $475M contracts

T

he Agriculture Ministry has signed a slew of contracts worth $475 million for the sector – expected to be monitored closely to ensure timely completion by this yearend.

At the signing ceremony on Friday, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha noted that the work programme has been advancing as the year comes to an end, and to ensure that services are delivered to the people, technical officials will be monitoring the execution of these projects.

“We are advancing in our work programme because we’re coming to the end of year. These are major projects that we have to implement to ensure that we complete our work programme but more importantly, deliver services to the people of our country…

We will be monitoring these contracts. Our engineers and other technical officers will be monitoring to ensure that you deliver these projects on time and you deliver quality projects,” said Mustapha.

Among the contracts signed on Friday is for the procurement of machinery for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) as Government moves to re-

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

open the estates. Some of these resources will also be used to upgrade existing estates.

“We are reopening or we are advancing the reopening of those estates that were closed prior to 2020.

These are important equipment for GuySuCo to get their work going. We had suffered not too long ago with floods and a number of cultivated areas would have suffered severely so we have to have these machines to do works within those operating estates.”

Amid plans to enhance agro-processing, contracts were signed for four agro-processing facilities across rural areas. Recently, the Ministry would have signed Memorandums of Understanding with two private companies to construct similar facilities.

“We want our farmers to go to a different level. We have to tap into markets in the Caribbean because we are driving the agri food system. Agro-processing facilities will be very important for us. We have places like Watooka, Hope, St Ignatius that we are giving services to farmers in those areas,” the Minister added.

The Hydromet Office, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) were the other agencies benefitting from contracts. They will have to wrap up by the end of the year.

“Most of these contracts would have to conclude by the end of the year. Funds are available and I have been meeting with our programme heads to ensure the funds are being expended and ensure that we pay for measured work. We will pay upon delivery but I know that in the procurement law, there are provisions for mobilisation advances. I have instructed that the technical officers meet with these service providers and they work out an arrangement where we can have a smooth operation in the next few months,” Mustapha expressed. (G12)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021

27

News

Essequibo Coast miner stabs lover, commits suicide

The COVID-19 vaccine, Government’s policy approaches, the unvaccinated and the economic and social consequences (Part 2)

T

he caveat of this article is to lend a perspective on whether the protests against the vaccination drive and/or the hesitation or fear by some and those persons who have opted to not take the vaccines have any credible and justifiable reason(s) to do so.

In the previous column, it was shown that the global economic impact as a result of the health pandemic led to unprecedent adverse economic and social consequences.

To this end, after more than one year, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted global supply chains and caused severe economic and financial losses to both advanced economies and emerging economies.

The only viable solution to contain the pandemic and return to some degree of normalcy seems to be achieving herd immunity through the administration of the vaccines.

According to the medical professionals, the vaccine would only help to strengthen one’s immunity to the virus, thus increasing one’s chances of surviving the COVID-19 virus if contracted, and not necessarily prevent one from contracting the virus.

So far (most recent data at the time of writing), approximately 4.91 billion doses have been administered globally, representing more than 50% of the global population, wherein 32.3% of the world’s population received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 24.3% of the global population is fully vaccinated. To date, it is worthwhile to highlight that nothing catastrophic (health wise) has occurred to more than half of the global population as a side effect or after-effect of taking the vaccine. Albeit, this author is cognisant of the many speculative theories that permeate the internet, but, more importantly, the sources of that information are far from being credible (scientific) sources.

Similarly, in Guyana, close to half of the population have been administered the vaccine, and nothing catastrophic has been reported to date. In the case of Guyana, close to 300,000 persons have been vaccinated so far, representing about 40% of the population.

Policymakers globally intend to achieve herd immunity because it is seemingly the only viable option to overcome the pandemic and to start rebuilding their economies and to revert to normalcy. Very soon, perhaps, vaccination might become mandatory for travelling purposes. In fact, the global transportation sector, and by extension the global tourism sector, has been the most badly affected.

The reality is such that the economic and social effects of the pandemic can be long- lasting, and the road to recovery is likely to be a very long journey as well. While policymakers globally, from advanced economies through to developing economies, have managed to contain the adverse economic impacts from becoming one of the worst global recessions, this is because policymakers have responded quickly, both on the fiscal and monetary side, to cushion the effects. Notwithstanding, these response measures - which also means governments would have to borrow heavily in some cases – would not be sustainable in the long run if the productive arms of the economies are not put back to work as quickly as possible.

It is therefore against this background that governments, and in the case of Guyana, the private sector bodies, along with the Government is aggressively encouraging everyone to take the COVID-19 vaccine and stop the procrastination or hesitancy.

It is also unfortunate though, that the issue of taking vaccine is being politicised by some persons in that sphere.

Having said that, this author wishes to urge all to get vaccinated, as it is imperative to do so in order to achieve the goal of herd immunity as quickly as possible. This, in turn, will help with a faster recovery of businesses, putting back persons to work who would have lost their jobs, and ultimately, faster recovery of the economy at large.

Please get vaccinated, if you haven’t done so already!

About the Author: JC Bhagwandin is a financial and economic analyst.

The views expressed herein are exclusively his own, and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper and the institutions he represents. For comments, send to jbbankingadvice@gmail.com.

A

35-year-old miner of Richmond village took his own life after he stabbed his 32-year-old girlfriend of Devonshire Castle, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

Dead is Andy Williams.

The incident occurred at about 09:00h on Saturday morning at Anna Regina Market. According to reports reaching Guyana Times, Williams and his girlfriend,

Dead: Andy Williams

who has her own business, had a misunderstanding which resulted in a heated argument. During the spat between the lovers, Williams reportedly whipped out a knife and stabbed his girlfriend to her wrist and abdomen.

He then turned the knife on himself.

This newspaper was told that the incident stemmed after she attempted to end

the relationship with him.

Persons in the area said that Williams then threatened the woman, telling her if she leaves him then no one else can have her.

Following the stabbing, the couple was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital where Williams succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention. The woman was treated for her injuries. (G14)

Rehabilitation of fire-ravaged psychiatric hospital near completion

R

ehabilitative works are almost completed at the National Psychiatric Hospital at New Amsterdam, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), which was destroyed by fire back in June and also earlier this month.

This was communicated

by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Thursday. Pegged at $26 million, works are ongoing to restore the 18-bed ward.

“We have been doing some work at the National Psychiatric Hospital. About a couple weeks ago, we had a fire and we had to redo that particular building. It’s almost complete and we’ll continue to work to expand the facili-

ties there and to create better conditions for our patients.

This investment certainly would have helped to restore the building and put in some additional protections there.

It’s almost finished,” said the Health Minister.

A fire of unknown origin would have occurred just earlier this month, in which several patients escaped. Initial reports revealed that the facility’s nurse supervisor, Waveney Felix, was in her office when she observed smoke emanating from Chalet Four.

Felix further mentioned that she observed patients running out of Chalet Four and as a result, she immediately informed the New

Amsterdam Fire Service.

Shortly after, the Fire Service extinguished the fire. Several persons were questioned but by that time, a majority of the patients had gone missing.

According to the Police at the time, out of the 19 patients at the Psychiatric Hospital, only five were accounted for.

Only in June, there was a fire at the Region Six facility during which patients had also escaped but were later returned. Some patients were injured in that June 5, 2021 fire which started sometime around 19:30h.

It was reported that a fight had broken out between three of the 31 male inmates housed in the Chalet 4 Male

Admission Ward. As a result, the matron along with the supervisor and two male nurses went to the Chalet 4 Male Admission Ward, where on arrival they saw smoke coming from inside of the ward and heard patients shouting for help.

The Fire Service and Police were called. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire but during that process, the patients broke out from a southern door and 9 of them escaped – some of whom had burn injuries about their bodies. Eleven of the other patients who received burns about their bodies were rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where they were treated. (G12)

Anger, despair grip Haiti a week after quake, as aid slow

T

ensions in Haiti were rising Saturday about a lack of aid to remote areas hardest hit by last week's earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people in the impoverished Caribbean country.

Many Haitians whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed by the magnitude 7.2 quake that struck on August 14 said they were unsure how to even start rebuilding.

Exasperation over the time it is taking for aid to come through began to boil over Friday, with residents attacking aid trucks in several towns across the south of the nation.

A confrontation also erupted after former President Michel Martelly visited a hospital in the city of Les Cayes, where one of his staff members left behind an envelope of money that set off a violent scramble.

Another food delivery was cut short Saturday afternoon at a church near Les Cayes' airport after a frustrated crowd turned hostile, prompting aid workers to abort the operation.

"We are concerned about the deteriorating security situation that may disrupt our assistance to vulnerable Haitians," said Pierre Honnorat, head of the U.N. World Food Program in Haiti.

The official death toll from the earthquake stood at 2,189

A man throws a bag of rice into a crowd of earthquake victims gathered for the distribution of food and water at the "4 Chemins" crossroads in Les Cayes, Haiti, August 20, 2021.

people, with an estimated 332 people missing. Residents in towns across the southern rural countryside were still digging for bodies believed to lie underneath the rubble.

Possible survivor On Saturday morning, Haitian and Mexican rescue workers carefully removed layers of concrete debris from a collapsed house in Les Cayes in search of a person who might still be alive a full week after the quake.

On Friday night, the team made an unlikely discovery using sonar equipment that showed signs of possible respiration or movement.

"We're hoping for a miracle," said Luis Alva, one of the Mexican rescue workers with Rescate Internacional Topos.

Tens of thousands of homes are in ruins, leaving many families with no option but to sleep outside despite torrential downpours at night. The hurricane season

in the Caribbean runs until the end of November, and Prime Minister Ariel Henry has warned residents to brace for more storms.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Twitter that the USS Arlington naval vessel was heading to Haiti carrying helicopters, a surgical team and a landing craft to assist in the relief effort.

Several countries, including the United States, have already dispatched aid and rescue teams.

The UN children's agency, UNICEF, said its first shipment of 9.7 tons of medical and hygiene supplies and water arrived in the capital, Port-au-Prince, on Friday, and another 30 tons of supplies are expected to land in the coming days.

Meanwhile, a search and rescue team from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) set off from Port-au-Prince on

Saturday morning to help in the quake zone.

Paths blocked Reaching the worst-hit areas has been hindered by landslides and damage to a highway. Gang fighting has complicated travel between Port-au-Prince and southern parts of the country where crops and access to drinking water have been destroyed.

Some animals kept for food were also killed.

Officials and residents in small towns and rural areas continued to tally the dead and missing. For countless others, the earthquake has upended their lives in quieter but enduring ways.

Manithe Simon, 68, stood in front of her collapsed home in Marceline on Friday, shocked at how quickly her honeymoon had turned into a nightmare.

Only days before the quake, Simon and Wisner Desrosier had finally decided to marry in a service in the nearby Baptist church. They had been together 44 years and raised four children together. Now, the bedroom where she had posed for wedding photographs in a sleeveless white dress, flower petals decorating her bed, lay in a heap of rubble.

"Our wedding was so beautiful, even though it was raining cats and dogs that day," she said. "But now we have lost everything."

(Reuters)

28

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021

Around the World

Afghanistan: US tells citizens to avoid Kabul airport T

he US has warned its citizens to avoid Kabul airport amid continued chaos outside the terminal.

A security alert issued on Saturday told US citizens to stay away due to "potential security threats outside the gates".

Only those individually told to make the journey by a US Government representative should do so, it said.

The advice comes as thousands try to escape from Afghanistan via the airport following the Taliban takeover.

The militant group swept across the country and captured the capital, Kabul, on

US forces currently control the international airport in Kabul

August 15. Since then, tens of thousands of Afghans as well as foreign nationals - have headed to the airport in a bid to flee the country.

Crowds have been gathering daily, hoping to be allowed on to a flight. Those

who work with the US and its allies, as well as people who have campaigned on issues like human rights, fear they may face reprisals at the hands of the Taliban if they are unable to leave.

What exactly has been

happening at the airport gates on Saturday remains unclear.

However, Sky News' chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay said that people at the front of the crowd of thousands were being "crushed to death", with British soldiers pulling those in danger from the throng.

He has described it as "the worst day by far", and said they believed people had died at the scene.

In a briefing on Saturday, the US Department of Defense said 17,000 people have been flown out of the airport, including some 2500 US citizens. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Israel fires on protesting Palestinians in Gaza, dozens wounded

I

sraeli gunfire has wounded 26 Palestinians, including a 13-year-old boy who was shot in the head, health officials said, as protesters threw stones and burned tyres during a demonstration along the border fence with Israel.

Hamas, which rules Gaza, had called a protest on Saturday to mark the burning 52 years ago of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.

“Al-Aqsa Mosque is a red line, and any attack on it will

be met with valiant resistance from our people,” the movement said in a statement.

Al Jazeera’s Youmna alSayed said the Palestinian factions called for a peaceful commemoration, as hundreds of Palestinians headed towards Malaka refugee camp – the biggest site for the 2018-19 Great March of Return protests east of the Gaza Strip.

Protesters threw rocks at the fence and Israelis fired live ammunition and tear gas

canisters.

At least 10 of the 26 injured are children, and two are in critical condition, alSayed said.

“Hamas called out the Israeli occupation forces’ excessive force against unarmed civilians as a regular thing Israel is used to,” she said.

“And said the Palestinians will continue to send messages that they will not allow the Israeli forces to continue imposing the siege on the Gaza Strip

and its people.”

The Israeli army told the AFP news agency that “hundreds of rioters and demonstrators” had gathered along the border fence.

“Troops are prepared in the area and are using riot dispersal means, and if necessary, 0.22 calibre rounds,” the army said.

The protest came exactly three months since Israel and Hamas reached a truce following their deadliest fighting in years. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Hurricane Grace hits Mexico with major flooding, 8 killed

H

urricane Grace pummelled Mexico with torrential rain on Saturday, causing severe flooding and mudslides that killed at least eight people, authorities said, after it became one of the most powerful storms in years to hit the country's Gulf coast.

Grace was whipping up maximum sustained winds of 125 miles per hour (201 km per hour), a Category 3 hurricane on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, when it slammed into the coast

near the resort of Tecolutla in Veracruz state in the early morning.

The state Government said eight people were killed

by Grace, including six from a single family. All but one of the victims died in the state capital Xalapa, including a young girl killed by a mudslide that hit her home, the Government said.

Meanwhile, an adult was killed by a collapsed roof in the city of Poza Rica further north in the state, Veracruz Governor Cuitlahuac Garcia

told a news conference.

"The state of emergency has not ended," he added.

Local television showed severe flooding in Xalapa, with coffins from a local business floating down a waterlogged street. The nearby River Actopan burst its banks, shutting down a local highway, state authorities said.

Grace also caused power cuts and brought down trees.

Images posted on social media showed damage to buildings and cars submerged by the deluge of rain the storm

Police arrest hundreds of protesters as Australia reports record COVID-19 cases Australian Police arrested hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters in Melbourne and Sydney on Saturday and seven officers were hospitalised as a result of clashes, as the country saw its highest ever single-day rise in COVID-19 cases.

Mounted Police used pepper spray in Melbourne to break up crowds of more than 4000 surging toward Police lines, while smaller groups of protesters were prevented from congregating in Sydney by a large contingent of riot police.

Victoria state Police said that they arrested 218 people

in the state capital Melbourne.

They issued 236 fines and kept three people in custody for assaulting Police. The arrested people face fines of A$5452 (US$3900) each for breaching public health orders.

Police in New South Wales, where Sydney is the capital, said they charged 47 people with breaching public health orders or resisting arrest, among other offences, and issued more than 260 fines ranging from A$50 (US$35) to US$3000. The Police said about 250 people made it to the city for the protest.

Sydney, Australia's biggest city with more than 5

million people, has been in a strict lockdown for more than two months, failing to contain an outbreak that has spread across internal borders and as far as neighbouring New Zealand.

The vast majority of the 894 cases reported across Australia on Saturday were found in Sydney, the epicentre of the Delta variant-fuelled outbreak.

Police patrolled Sydney's streets and blocked private and public transport into the city centre to reduce the number of people gathering at an unauthorised protest. (Excerpt from Reuters)

brought.

Garcia said several rivers in Veracruz would flood, and urged the local population to take cover.

Before Grace hit land, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador urged people in the states of Veracruz, Puebla, San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas and Hidalgo to get to higher ground or shelters.

Many appear to have heeded the call. (Excerpt from Reuters)

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil price path depends on pandemic's next phase – Kemp

O

il markets only exhibit the current combination

of falling spot prices and a calendar spread in backwardation relatively infrequently, which suggests the contradiction between them will resolve itself rapidly.

Falling spot prices imply the production-consumption balance is expected to become less tight – but backwardation implies the opposite, with a further drawdown in inventories from already low levels.

The contradictory combination of falling prices and backwardation normally occurs when prices have passed a cyclical peak, whether a major multi-year cycle or a more temporary short-term one.

But of the four possible states for spot prices (rising, falling) and calendar spreads (backwardation, contango), this is the least common, present on only 18 per cent of trading days since the start of 1993.

Other combinations of rising prices and contango (21 per cent), falling prices and contango (25 per cent) and especially rising prices and backwardation (37 per cent) are all more common.

Like the other infrequent combination of rising prices and contango, the current mix of falling prices and backwardation is unstable, apt to resolve itself relatively quickly.

If producers respond by cutting anticipated output, the expected rise in inventories will be reduced, reversing the slide in prices and keeping the market in backwardation.

If they leave output unchanged, inventories will swell, the market will move from backwardation to contango, and prices drop further, until the incentive to cut production becomes irresistible.

A third possibility is that anticipated consumption increases because the epidemic’s trajectory is not as bad as feared, the market remains in backwardation and prices rise again.

The final possibility is consumption declines because the epidemic worsens, accelerating the expected rise in inventories, the move to contango and the fall in spot prices, signalling the start of a deeper and more protracted slump.

Combinations of these paths are possible, which makes predicting the next move in both spot prices and spreads more challenging.

But at this point, there are two major sources of uncertainty, which will determine whether the current pull back is small and temporary, or larger and more enduring.

First, whether OPEC+ and US shale producers respond to lower prices by cutting projected output.

Second, whether the upsurge in coronavirus cases has more or less impact on domestic and international travel than currently feared.

Producer responses are largely reflexive and endogenous: the more spot prices fall and spreads weaken, the more they are likely to react by cutting output, helping stabilise the market.

But the course of the coronavirus is determined outside the market, so its impact on the economy and travel is likely to be the primary driver for prices and spreads in the next few months. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Govt to spend $189M in assistance over no-movement days

T

he Government has approved $189 million in funding for care packages to support Jamaicans who have become vulnerable to the new lockdown measures.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr Nigel Clarke, tweeted Friday morning that the packages would assist the poor and mostly vulnerable Jamaicans, who find it most difficult to feed themselves during the first NoMovement period which commences this evening.

He said that the packages will be distributed through the 63 Members of Parliament in the House of Representatives, who can access funding by applying

through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) which handles spending by the parliamentarians.

“That application will lead to a disbursement of funds, not to the MP, but to the grocer, grocery store or shop or supermarket that will provide the goods, and the MPs will be able to pick up these goods and have them distributed to vulnerable members of their communities,” Dr Clarke explained.

He also urged constituents who need the packages to contact the constituency offices, for the packages to be made available to them.

Just hours after the Minister made the an-

nouncement, Leader of the Opposition, Mark Golding told a People's National Party (PNP) press briefing that the party “stands ready to assist”.

He noted that four of the seven days designated for lock down, two Mondays and two Tuesdays, which are normal working days, would mean that something must be done for Jamaicans who hustle dayto-day to find food.

Dr Clarke has explained that the $189 million bill, which he had announced, was only for the first seven lockdown days, and that in the future additional funding would have to be found. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021

ARIES (March 21April 19)

29

Set guidelines that will help you stay on track and live a healthy, affordable lifestyle.

Stick to simple, well-thoughtout plans that will add to your stability and make you feel less stressed.

Branch out, try someTAURUS thing new and exciting, and (April 20get involved in something that May 20) makes you feel alive, helpful and satisfied. Engage in groups that share your concerns and make plans with a loved one.

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relative or domestic matters will determine which way your mood will swing.

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VIRGO

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Dilbert LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Peanuts

Discipline, insight and being well-informed will lead to wise decisions. A healthy attitude and determination will be key. A romantic gesture will bring you closer to a loved one.

Use your imagination, and you'll come up with an idea that attracts valuable contributors. A passionate appeal to someone with a vision will make it easier for you to reach your goal.

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Take better care of your

AQUARIUS health, wealth and emotional well-being. Put a limit (Jan. 20on how much you consume, Feb. 19) and choose not to overreact to sensitive situations. Slow down and live in the moment.

Secrets will be revealed PISCES (Feb. 20- and assumptions made if Mar. 20) you speak out of turn or be-

lieve a rumor that's spreading through your circle of friends. Be intent on finding out the truth.

30

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021

Match officials Greene and Johnson to represent Guyana at CFU youth tournaments

S

havin Greene and Gladwyn Johnson will represent Guyana as match officials for the upcoming CFU Boys’ and Girls’ U14 Challenge Series in the Dominican Republic.

The two non-FIFA tournaments provide much-needed game time for match officials following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The competitions also offer a chance to assess regional referee development programmes ahead of future international tournaments.

“We are extremely elated to have our two match officials appointed for this CFU series,” said GFF Head

Gladwyn Johnson

of Refereeing and Executive Committee member, Dion Inniss. “Opportunities for our referees in recent times have been very few and far between because of the pandemic. We hope (they em-

brace) this opportunity to advance their careers and ensure they do all that is required to be seen and to elevate their performance.

“It’s a tournament for non-FIFA referees, so obviously, if you have a successful tournament, it enhances your opportunities and your chances of being elevated to a higher level,” Inniss said.

The rescheduled 2020 CFU Boys’ U14 Challenge Series and the 2021 Girls’ U14 Challenge Series take place in the Dominican Republic this month.

“I would like to thank the Refereeing Department of the Guyana Football

Shavin Greene

Federation for giving me the opportunity to participate in my first overseas tournament,” said Shavin Greene.

“I am really excited and happy to be a part of this tourna-

ment, to gain a lot more experience, and also to put my best foot forward out there so that I can show the world, and more so the Caribbean, the talent that Guyana has.

“On my journey of wanting to become a FIFA referee, this is one of the opportunities where I will be able to showcase such talent to the eyes that are out there,” he said.

As football’s governing bodies continue to adapt to the restrictions imposed by the continuing pandemic, Guyanese Referee Instructors Sherwin Moore and Ingram Johnson participated in an official

FIFA online course for the CONCACAF region this week.

The virtual course, which ran from August 16th to August 19th, the FIFA Futuro III course, focused on the education of Referee Technical Instructors to enhance the development of refereeing in FIFA member associations.

The GFF will also host its annual Referees Assessment Programme (RAP) this week at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence, as the Federation steps up its “return to play” plans ahead of the safe resumption of competitions.

Guyana Cricket Board ecstatic Trilateral Over-50 Series… with Manniram Prashad’s Amin (5-22), Dhaniram (46*) lead appointment to CWI directorship West Indies to championship

G

Independent Director of CWI, Manniram Prashad

CB ecstatic at Manniram Prashad’s appointment to CWI directorship President of the Guyana Cricket Board, Bissoondyal Singh, and members thereof have expressed congratulations to Manniram Prashad on his appointment as a non-Member Director of Cricket West Indies (CWI).

He joins three other such Directors in Dr Akshai Mansingh, Daren Sammy and Debra Coryat-Patton.

Prashad, or Mannie as he is popularly known, is a former Minister in the Government of Guyana, and also a former Presidential Advisor on Trade and Investment within the Office of the President. He also served as Honorary Consul of Trinidad and Tobago for a number of years.

An outstanding and highly successful Insurance Broker in the Caribbean,

GCB President, Bissoondyal Singh

Prashad is also the proprietor of the popular Palm Court nightclub, a past President and present Executive Member of the Private Sector Commission, Consul General for the Philippines, and the Founding President of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber.

Mannie has been a keen follower of cricket for over 40 years, and in fact served in many administrative capacities in cricket in Guyana and the United States. He served for a decade as an Executive Member of the prestigious Georgetown Cricket Club, the oldest cricket club in the Caribbean, and also as President of the Gandhi Youth Cricket Club.

As an enthusiastic supporter of West Indies Cricket, Mannie keenly follows the fortunes of the various West Indies teams, especially at Test cricket level.

GCB President

Bissoondyal Singh was particularly pleased that a Guyanese has secured the fourth and final position among the “Independent Directors”. President Singh posited that Mannie’s very impressive curriculum vitae had clearly bowled over CWI and won him the position unopposed. He expressed confidence that Manniram, with his wealth of knowledge and experience in business, politics, administration and social responsibilities, would be value-added to CWI. The GCB President expects that Prashad would bring to CWI the same levels of commitment and success for which he is known in Guyana and further afield.

President Singh added that he is looking forward to working with Prashad on the plans and programmes of CWI towards the continued progress and development of cricket in the Caribbean.

A

five-wicket haul from left-arm orthodox spinner Zamin Amin and an entertaining unbeaten 46 from Sudesh Dhaniram were enough to spur West Indies to a commanding eight-wicket win over Canada in the final of the Trilateral over-50 series on Friday.

At a sunlit Danville ground in Mississauga, Toronto, West Indies romped to 148-2 in the 31st over, replying to the hosts’ moderate 146 all out in 44.3 of their allotted 45 overs.

Canada were invited to bat first on a placid pitch, and they succumbed easily to Amin, who grabbed 5-22 from 8.3 probing overs. The seamer Mohan Harihar was again responsible for an early breakthrough, leaving Canada at 29-2 before the ex-Guyana Youth player Amin started to wreak hav-

oc.

Vishaul De Mel, however, showed some composure in the middle to hit a top-score of 48. Rohan Jayasekera offered resistance, too, by making 34.

Harihar supported the destructive Amin with 2-20 from his maximum nine overs.

West Indies began their chase in a clinical fashion. Rajendra Sadeo and Krishna Harricharran composed a rapid 54-run stand, both displaying confidence during their stay with scores of 33 and 29 respectively. They departed in quick succession to give the Canadians a slim hope of bouncing back, but the experience of Dhaniram and Shiv Seeram prevailed.

Dhaniram, a former Guyana opening batsman, mixed aggression with defense. The elegant right-

hander came in at number four, and put together a solid, unbroken 62-run third-wicket stand with Seeram, who made an impressive 29. Dhaniram, who scored 60 in the final preliminary round match against the other participating team, USA, on Wednesday, played positively, striking nine fours, inclusive of four consecutive boundaries.

Amin was named player-ofthe-match for his outstanding bowling performance.

Meanwhile, the three countries along with a Canada Select X1 featured on a round-robin basis. They (West Indies, USA and Canada) were using the four-day organized tournament as part of their preparations for next year’s International Cricket Council’s Over-50 World Cup billed for South Africa in November.

31

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021

Carlton Wheelers 44-mile cycle race set for today T

he Carlton Wheelers Cycle Club are hosting a 44-mile road race on the West Demerara Corridor today, Sunday, August 22. The event is open to cyclists throughout the country, and will see various divisions taking centre stage.

This race, which is taking place in collaboration with David Persaud Investments Ltd of Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, pedals off at

8:00hrs from Schoonord and proceeds to Bushy Park at Parika before returning to finish at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.

According to the President of Carlton Wheelers, Hassan Mohamed, the race is being held in memory of the late Managing Director David Persaud, who played and captained North Cote second division for the Everest Cricket Club and also played and captained First

CPL 2021 is expected to bring real fun and excitement Dear Editor, The 9th Edition of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) blasts off on Thursday with the fullypumped-up Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) playing against the defending Champions, Trinbago Knight Ridders.

Firebrands Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King and Chandrapaul Hemraj are all capable of destroying any bowling attack in this year’s competition. The GAW would also benefit from the experience and expertise, and relish the inclusion of the veterans Shoaib Malik and Mohammed Hafeez in the team.

However, it is the batting and bowling all-rounders that would add real strength and depth to the batting.

Romario Shepherd and Kevin Sinclair are both capable of batting in the lower order.

The leadership of the GAW should not allow the four champion batters to bat in a cluster; they should play a ‘high-breed’ tactic and bring up a ‘pinch’ hitter to bat early in the innings, while the strong batsmen could consolidate in the middle in the event of the team losing early wickets.

The bowling also looks very strong, and is surely capable of restricting good batting line-up. The spinners would enjoy the inclusion of Imran Tahir, Kevin Sinclair, Ashmead Nedd and Gudakesh Motie, along with the experienced Malik and Hafeez. The ‘quicks’: Shepherd, the Smiths and Naveen ul-Haq, are each capable of bowling a good line and length.

The Warriors seem to be a balanced team, and with the experienced players, they are expected to give a good account of themselves.

It is time that the cricketing world concentrates heavily on discipline and fitness, and with magnificent fielding, we should see man–of–the-match coming with players whose outstanding fielding helps their team to win matches. There must be no room for indiscipline and poor fielding.

The Trinbago Knight Riders certainly look very strong on paper. Skipper Kieron Pollard is the West Indies captain and he could win a match on his day. The batting is strong with overseas player Colin Munro in very good form presently. Lendl Simmons, Darren Bravo and Denesh Ramdin are the real strength of this team’s batting.

However, they will depend heavily on their bowling strength. Fast bowler Jayden Seales will be their trump card, while their bowling attack will depend heavily on their spinners.

Overseas player Yasir Shah is not in form, and the Trinbago Knight Riders will depend heavily on the veteran Sunil Narine along with Akeal Hosein and Khary Pierre. It would be interesting to see how they fit in with their four overseas players.

This year’s CPL will see the six teams: Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Saint Lucia Kings and Trinbago Knight Riders, competing over twenty-one days.

There will be double-headers and triple-headers.

During the preliminaries, each team will play against each other twice, and the four top teams will play off in the semifinals. The finals will be keenly contested by the two teams that play better cricket during the tournament.

Sincerly, Neil Kumar

Division Case Cup at a time when Everest was not one of the premier clubs.

Persaud was also one of the few captains to win two major trophies in a single year – the Case and Rothmans Cups.

Several cycling meets have been held this year, including the Independence Three-stage and the National Cycling Championships last month.

According to Mohamed, this race is open to seniors, females, veterans and juniors. The first six overall finishers and the top three in the female, veteran and junior divisions would be awarded a prize.

The safe hosting of lo-

Riders will continue to battle in the busy local season

29, another big cycling event is billed for the outer circuit of the National

Touche Kosmetics, and the winner of the open category would bag a cash prize of

Cyclist will commence battle from 8:00h today

cal cycling has continued in Guyana.

Meanwhile, on August

Park. That lucrative 15lap event is sponsored by

$60,000.

The Veterans under-50

and over-50 would ride for 10 laps, and each winner thereof would be rewarded with $40,000. Top female, junior and juvenile riders would each be rewarded with $40,000 in their 10lap race.

That action commences at 8:00h on August 29, and registration for that race will be closed five days prior to the race. The masters will have the option to choose which race they prefer to participate in on the day, whether the Open or Masters categories.

Registration for the upcoming Circuit Race can be done in Georgetown at the GCN Office (Balram Singh) by contacting number: 6229357. In Berbice, contact Randolph Roberts on 6288211, and in Linden, contact Samuel Wright on 4446350 for more details.

Rain washes out 2nd day of Betway Test at Sabina Park

T

he second day of the second Test between West Indies and Pakistan was washed out completely, with no action possible due to intermittent rain and a wet outfield.

The start of play was delayed by a persistent drizzle that forced the umpires into taking an early lunch. Moments after that announcement, the clouds dissipated and the rain ceased, only to resume just before a second inspection.

It was that sort of day, with the weather teasing at the prospect of some cricket, before eventually match officials conceded victory to the weather and called it a day at 4.05pm local time.

212 runs. Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Rizwan are unbeaten, with Fawad Alam having retired hurt

cal time on Sunday, with 98 overs scheduled to be bowled. West Indies lead

the series 1-0, having triumphed in the first game by one wicket.

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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

Shepherd hoping to achieve ‘all-rounder’ status this CPL

By Jemima Holmes

R

o m a r i o Shepherd has been a staple in the Guyana Amazon Warriors’ bowling department since 2018, and at times has shown glimpses of what he can do with the bat.

In 2019, Shepherd arguably had his best year at the CPL, racking up 13 wickets in 10 games, with best figures of 4/13. He caught the eyes of Cricket West Indies selectors.

Now, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic, Shepherd has remained consistent, making it into several West Indies tours since his last “Biggest Party in Sport” outing.

In an exclusive sit down with <<Guyana Times Sport>> prior to the team’s departure for St. Kitts and Nevis, Shepherd not only shared his expectations for this year’s 9th edition of the regional franchise tournament, but opened up about missing his family while on tour.

“I’m always excited (to represent) Guyana, especially in the Hero CPL. It’s “The Biggest Party in Sport”, so it’s always fun going out there, representing your country,” a smiling Shepherd told this publication.

The right arm fast-medium is coming off his most recent stint with the West Indies Senior team in their T20I series against Pakistan.

About his time with the Men in Maroon, Shepherd highlighted that it is always a learning experience.

“Well, obviously, in the West Indies team, being around the senior guys, the guys that went around the globe playing, they understand the game, so you try to take as much as possible, whenever you’re around those guys,” the Berbician cricketer stated.

He added, “The Bravos, the Russells and guys like that, you pick their brains a lot. You ask them questions to get information like what to expect in certain situations and stuff like that,” he said.

With the beginning of CPL only days away, the Guyanese cricketer has a few achievable goals, the most prominent of which is solidifying his status as an ‘all-rounder’ in the Amazon Warriors team.

Noting that this can come only by perfecting his batting, Shepherd said, “I’ve been working very hard on my batting, trying to get that allround status.

You know, that mobility where I can contribute with bat in the team.

“So, that’s something I’ve been working on, hard, over the years and its coming through.

So, I’m thankful and just hoping I can pull off some wins for us with the bat during this

year’s CPL.” For the 26-year-old, CPL 2020 was a bit strange without the Caribbean’s highly animated fans.

On this topic, he related, “Last year was pretty strange, Hero CPL with no fans; and this year, you know it improved a little, where you have a small percentage of fans in the stands cheering you on, so it will be better than last year, more enjoyable obviously.

“Over the past two years, I’ve played in like 7 games where there were no fans, and I was involved in a lot of games where they were no fans, so it’s a different feeling.

We’re all trying to catch up with it.”

What has been a comforting for Shepherd, though, is the belief that Guyanese would be present at Warner Park when it’s gates are open to the avid cricket fans.

“And you know we Guyanese have a lot of supporters around the Caribbean!

So, I’m sure there will be a lot of Guyanese in the crowd,” he shared with a laugh.

Touching on the difference between fans being present and those watching at home from around the world,

Shepherd admitted that the screams and cheers are sometimes the best motivation.

He commented, “It motivates you in a kind of way, knowing that there’re people who expecting stuff from you in the stands. Mind you, we all know that people expect from you around the world; there’re millions watching, but it’s not the same when they’re next to you and you can hear their voices screaming.”

Whether on or off the field, batting or bowling, Romario Shepherd is a father first. Hence being away from his family is a bit tough for the Guyanese cricketer.

“I always miss my family, no matter what; because they motivate me more than anything, they give me that push. And, you know, just being around them is a plus for me.”

He continued, “Not being around them, it definitely will take a toll on you. Being in a bubble also, so I’ll miss them a lot.”

Romario Shepherd’s son was present to see his dad off to the CPL earlier this week

Campbell is focused on capturing that elusive gold at CAC 2022

By Timothy Jaikarran

A

t the end of the CAC Championships which were held in El Salvador, Emmerson Campbell walked away with a silver medal. While he was aiming for the gold and the results were disappointing, Campbell is now focusing his attention on attaining the elusive gold medal in the 2022 edition of the CAC, which will be held in Barbados.

Campbell can by no means be classified as ordinary. Over the years, he has shown his fight and resilience. He has proven that his “no retreat, no surrender” mantra is taking him places, and that whatever he wants he would achieve it.

In a sit-down with Guyana Times Sport, Campbell was asked a series of questions pertaining to the competition, and what is next for him on the cards.

Q1. How was the experience for you at CAC? A: This year being my fifth time at the event, I knew what to expect with

the level of competition etc. Besides having to wear a mask and be tested for COVID-19, this year’s experience at CAC wasn’t unlike any other, except I personally felt - and also other members of the national team felt - the judging was a bit inconsistent.

Q2. How do you feel about your results?

A: As you know, I placed second before and I placed third before. The mission was to complete the set with a gold medal. However, I fell short again, and was awarded another silver to the eventual overall winner, who won the coveted Pro Card.

I wasn’t happy with the results, but I was super happy with the package I brought to the stage. My level of conditioning, balance and muscularity was unlike any other of my previous shows. I was extremely satisfied with my physique, but kind of disappointed in the fact I didn’t place first.

Q3. What was the high point for you?

A: There wasn’t much of a high point for me. The high

point for me would have been winning the overall.

That was the mission, and it’s still to be accomplished.

Q4. What’s next for you?

A: I think the flagship National Senior Championships will be staged in December, And as you know, I am the fourtime National Champ. I think I will do that: win it and walk away from the local stage with an unprecedented handful of titles, then head back to CAC in Barbados next year to win that elusive gold medal and Pro Card.

In closing Campbell had this to say, “I would like to thank my mother, my girlfriend, and my sponsors: Fitness Express, Space Gym, Level Grill and Patio, Bounty Farms Ltd, Banks DIH Limited; and a special thank you to the GOA and the National Sports Commission.”

Campbell is a two-time CAC silver and bronze medalist (El Salvador, Dominican Republic and Mexico); four-time Mr Guyana Men’s Physique

Emmerson Campbell (left) bagged his second silver medal at the CAC

Champion; three-time Stage of Champions Men’s Physique Champion; and Darcy Beckles silver med-

alist (Barbados).

He is also a Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and National Sports

Commission (NSC) Sports Journalist of the Year, and a certified personal trainer and nutritionist.

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