Guyana Times - Sunday, August 7, 2022

South Rupununi youths being schooled to become P13 ‘citizen scientists’ Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 5093 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022

Govt working to advance agricultural projects in Buxton – Ali Page 3

…work to be done with farmers, youths; jobs in STEM also in the pipeline

Embassy Suites

by Hilton to bring 180+room hotel to Guyana Page 7

Reject false narrative being peddled

by APNU/AFC – VP to Guyanese

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Over $1B P12 in financial assistance given to 3,300 patients PAHO engages manufacturer on vaccines for monkeypox P11

P24 43 new COVID-19 cases from 570 tests

Father charged for threatening to ‘take away’P10 school cash grant

Trio slapped with DUI charges P22

$40M needed to fix dams before rice harvesting P23 begins in Region 6

Page 28

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the gathering at Patentia, West Bank Demerara

There is great potential for more oil finds outside of Stabroek Block …will attract global interest when – Expert Govt goes out to auction Page 9

$137M in annual savings as new Lethem Solar Farm activated P25

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, Aug 7 – 23:30h – 01:00h and Monday, Aug 8 – No retraction.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, Aug 7 – 11:30h – 13:00h and Monday, Aug 8 – 13:00h – 14:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-Westerly to West North-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 12:08h reaching a maximum height of 2.24 metres.

Low Tide: 17:59h reaching a minimum height of 1.0 metre.

Govt working to advance agricultural projects in Buxton – Ali

…work to be done with farmers, youths; jobs in STEM also in the pipeline

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali, who was invited to a ceremony to mark the fourth anniversary of the BuxtonFriendship Museum, Archives & Culture Centre (MA&CC) on Saturday, has assured the community that work continues behind the scenes to bring economic empowerment and agricultural projects to Buxton.

According to the President, they are working on a number of initiatives that will not only bring economic empowerment, but improve the livelihoods of residents. This is particularly in the agricultural sector, with President Ali saying that he has tasked Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha with working alongside residents.

“Right now, as I speak to you, we’re working on a number of initiatives, since the last meeting here, to bring economic empowerment, improve livelihood.

I’ve already tasked the Minister of Agriculture. He has outlined a clear path on developing the farm to market road, on developing the drainage canal.”

“And I said to him, we must work to make Buxton a bread basket of food production. We must include

President Dr Irfaan Ali at the Buxton Museum

the young people. I challenged him, let’s get the farmers to come together.

Let’s get this body to bring the farmers together and deploy the land that you have here collectively, so that we can advance the potential of that land into opportunities in agriculture,” the President also said.

According to him, his Government has an open-door policy and is ready to work with everyone when it comes to economic empowerment. He also went on to describe the work his Government is doing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

“I’m saying, you are knocking at open doors. We are ready to work with you in advancing a project like

this. These are the things that will advance the empowerment. I’m very happy we have all these young people graduating in technology. But how do we advance the empowerment?

How do we link that to job creation?”

“I’ll tell you how. Right now, I’m working with an African Guyanese who did exceptionally well at Amazon. And what is she doing for us? She’s developing a tech platform in which we can certify young Guyanese to work at Amazon in tech fields. Jobs coming to you. And we’re going to invest in that programme. We’re now working out the modalities of that programme. And who’s it developing? The young African Guyanese,”

the President said.

President Ali also told the first graduates of the Buxton-Friendship Museum, Archives and Culture Centre computer programme that their achievements are linked to job creation. The President also pointed to the importance of history and culture in shaping the understanding that "we are all part of the family of humanity."

Following the ceremony, President Ali and the delegation joined guests for a walkthrough of the museum and a viewing of the exhibits.

Several Cabinet Ministers joined President Ali in celebrating with the community, including Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Last month, Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips had led a massive ministerial outreach to the community of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, taking a new course of development and opportunities to residents.

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

A real dictatorship: the PNC’s

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here is some loose Opposition talk that the PPP Government is a “dictatorship”. Rather than a theoretical answer, let us examine a dictatorship we know about: the Burnhamite dictatorship of 1968-1985. Let us take the use and consequences of violence. Violence as a political tactic was introduced into Guyanese politics during 1962-63 by the CIA/TUC/PNC/UF alliance against the PPP. Government. It quickly escalated into a racial civil war, due to the racial support-base of each political party. The PPP attempted to reciprocate in 1964, but soon learnt that the success of the tactic depended on which group controlled the coercive apparatus of the state, and it was not the PPP’s. Burnham was fond of reminding his audiences that “the PNC had brought peace to Guyana”, and that if they were removed, violence would return. The Guyanese people understood his message.

During the seventies, the House of Israel (HOI), comprised of young African Guyanese, was Burnham’s personal “goon squad”, and was used indiscriminately against Indians and other Opposition figures. In 1979, the group was provided with automatic rifles and other weapons. During the same year, a member of the HOI murdered Fr Bernard Darke in public while Darke was photographing a WPA demonstration.

Rodney was assassinated in 1980. “Kick-down-the-door” bandits, some from the armed forces, preyed on the Indian population: Eusi Kwayana labelled their activities racial ‘genocide’.

Even more insidious than the direct violence was the cumulative effect of Burnham’s control. His arbitrariness, his destruction of every independent institution in the country engendered among the people, first the Indians and towards the end the Africans, a feeling of helplessness – anomie - and a belief that nothing or no one could change the situation. This “atomisation” and fatalism of the population is the goal of the totalitarian dictator. The immiseration of the population further contributed to the atomisation. As Aristotle observed, when the people have to scavenge for food all day, they have very little time or inclination to plot rebellion or revolution against the dictator. They are impelled towards individual solutions, which are the “fight, flight or submit” responses of cornered animals.

The individual who elects to fight the system is easily contained and defeated by the bureaucracy, the Police, the judiciary and other state forces arrayed against him.

The conflict is not allowed to escalate to higher levels. This existential reality has forced Guyanese to opt for the other two solutions of “flight” (emigration) and “submission”.

These options have provided the dictatorship with its major safety valves.

Emigration increased steadily from the early sixties, and presently there are more Guyanese out of Guyana than in.

These emigrants include the majority of the middle class and intelligentsia - the groups from which most revolutionary movements have sprung. Burnham consequently never discouraged emigration although, from a developmental perspective, the country was losing most of its qualified personnel.

Submission to the system in Guyana and surviving implies acceptance of corruption as a way of life. The destruction of the economy created a corresponding ravaging of the standard of living of the bureaucratic class, the Police and every party or state official who maintained Burnham in power. Taking their cues from Burnham and his top lieutenants, who had corrupted every institution to maintain power and their ostentatious lifestyle, the lower echelons demanded ‘bribes’ from the citizenry for the performance of their legally required tasks. While Burnham railed against corruption, effective action was never taken for two reasons.

Firstly, the transgressors were the same individuals who were rigging the elections, harassing the Opposition, and generally guaranteeing his control. Secondly, Burnham understood that corruption can be a substitute for violence: when the citizen offers the bribe and the official accepts, both satisfy their immediate wants; but, more importantly, the citizen tacitly accepts the status quo. The citizen boasts of having ‘lines’ -connections. Burnham reversed Lord Acton’s famous dictum: in Guyana “corruption was power, and absolute corruption was absolute power”.

If we are to examine the PPP Government of the last two years, which rational person could say it is a “dictatorship”?

Congratulations to our Evening News editor Devina Samaroo and her husband Shashri Naraine, who got married on Saturday. Best wishes from the management and staff of Times Media Group

GECOM must hold LGE this year Dear Editor, The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) must hold Local Government Elections (LGEs) this year.

Those elections are long overdue, contrary to the legitimate expectations of most of the Guyanese citizenry concerning GECOM’s execution of its constitutional mandate. Consequently, citizens’ clarion calls and the Government and other stakeholders' trumpets ought not to be the decisive drivers for GECOM administrators to act with purpose and due diligence in the execution of the organisation’s role without fear or favour.

GECOM’s start, slow, and silent posture is insufficient for the required definitive approach. The situation breeds uncertainty about the confidence of getting on with the people's business; or rather callously erodes the support and opportunity costs that timely execution of these elections is constitutionally designed to provide at the village, municipal, and community levels. Understanding this single conceptual position alone justifies the many reasons for the rollout of an assertive, timebound, and purposeful approach by GECOM, through its Secretariat.

It is also factual that the PPP/C Government, in recent national budgets, made available adequate allocations to support these man-

datory requirements, and these were approved by the National Assembly. Given the evidence-driven removal of prosecution of leading staff of the organisation previously associated with electoral fraud matters, one anticipates fewer hurdles in moving the necessary processes forward, and in particular for ensuring the LGEs are held within this year, as previously committed to by GECOM. The Chairwoman and objective Commissioners must not be deterred by the recent unjustified Opposition convenient condemnation and pronouncements, provided that all operations are conducted within the ambit of the applicable legislation.

Our citizens are well aware that GECOM did a comprehensive and well-conducted period of Continuous Registration to update the Register of Registrants, and GECOM must now hold a short period of Claims and Objections to allow all stakeholders to peruse the List and make objective observations to inform further transparent and thorough preparation of the Voters List for the holding of LGEs. There are serious challenges at many Neighbourhood Democratic and Municipal Councils.

Over the period since the last LGE, all the NDCs and Municipalities have become depleted because of the seri-

ous loss of elected members.

On many occasions, meetings are cancelled because of a lack of quorum. In many instances, required services to residents have been attenuated, while the People’s representation at the grassroots level is of premiere importance for informing the required areas for improvement. Further, the holding of LGEs would allow the communities to carefully nominate men and women who are prepared to serve their communities.

The delaying tactics of GECOM, or those attempting to influence the organisation to only conditionally hold elections subject to conditions of their party likeness, must not be tolerated. It’s known that GECOM wrote the Minister of Local Government, informing him about its unpreparedness to hold LGEs almost one year ago. It was not anticipated that the conveyed indication that the LGEs would be held earliest in 2022 would turn out to realise a position at this juncture, where there is still no confirmed timeline.

Of note, GECOM is yet to fill some crucial vacancies at the Secretariat. The Chairperson of GECOM, Justice Claudette Singh, must dispel the obstacles and pride herself on leading the organisation to execute the holding of LGEs as early as possible. Hence the Commission must develop a proper work plan for the

holding of LGEs this year.

GECOM must be ready with a National Register of Registrants, and the very short period of Claims and Objections would enable the Preliminary List of Voters.

With the updated NRR obtained through an efficiently run Continuous Registration process, the delays in moving forward to the Claim and Objections to confirm the subsequent Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) are disappointing concerning the snail’s pace.

The steps to ascertain a reflective PLE would ensure the holding of LGEs as soon as possible, and must be addressed immediately.

GECOM should be aware that if there are other impacting circumstances, the transparency level requires full disclosure.

In Guyana, the lessons of the aftermath of the 2nd March 2020 Elections must keep this nation on any electoral undercurrents for our people to accept fairness and unite. Our people must participate in the LGEs; particularly, our young people must get involved to preserve our young and growing democracy. While Guyana is on the rise, we must develop a nation with brilliant young minds that will say no to racism and never allow anybody to divide us. LGE’s must be held this year.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

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News

Love of, and respect for, words inspire 60-year-old poet

…launches new “Midnight Musing” collection

By Shane Marks

W

illiam Wordsworth once said, “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquillity.” A poet lays all of their emotions on paper, and some of them let them out into the world for all to see.

Published Guyanese poet, Bonita Germain Reynolds, popularly known by her writer’s name – B. Germain Reynolds, is one of those poets who has done wonders with her pen by not only publishing one book of poems but two, with a third on

the way.

Reynolds, who turns 60 years old today, experienced emotions like no other at a very young age, being the fifth child among six – happiness, love, sadness, and grief. In an interview, she recalled her father dying in a car accident when she was only four years old. Her father was a principal in the interior at Kabakaburi, a village in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

“I was raised as the 5th of 6 siblings by a mother who was prematurely widowed in 1967 when I was 4 years old. My father, Brassington Granville Reynolds Snr, was a principal

in the interior at Kabakaburi and was in a fatal car accident in May 1967 which robbed us of our amazing father,” Reynolds told Guyana Times.

However, Reynolds paid a thought to the childhood that she described as an experience that was rich in family time, love, laughter, worship, education, literature, and dreams, which many of her poems reflect.

Reynolds, who has an active repository of 300 poems, has early memories of wanting to write poetry during her time at St Ambrose Primary School.

It was frightening, according to Reynolds, since she wasn’t

Govt working to advance...

The outreach saw scores of persons showing up, as Government Ministers tended to age-old issues, while announcing solutions and new interventions on the spot.

The Cabinet team included Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, Attorney General Anil Nandlall; Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony; Sports Minister Charles Ramson, Housing Minster Collin Croal, Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond, Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall and Minister at the Office of the President Kwame Mc Coy.

The President listening to residents

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While a sprinkling of persons chose to protest on the streets, the Prime Minister lauded the gathering for choosing development of the community, and not falling prey to divisive persuasions.

He had underscored that the Government has an inclusive people-centred plan and Guyana is now positioned at a greater advantage with the oil resources to fulfil the needs of Buxton and other communities. (G3)

very proficient. According to her, it was her mother and other teachers at the school who fostered in her a love of and respect for words and their power and potential impact.

She said, “Earliest memory - at St Ambrose - frightening since I had low proficiency.

My mother and other primary school teachers fostered in me a love of and respect for words and their power and potential impact. These lessons empower me afresh each poem I write.”

But Reynolds was not exactly ready to give up her education.

In 1983 she left her homeland for the United States of America to seek higher education. She studied at Lehman College – a city university undergraduate institution in the Bronx, New York.

She expressed that the move was equal parts exhilarating and terrifying; New York City was a completely different landscape and nothing like Guyana. Fitting in was the challenge.

“The feeling was equal parts exhilarating and terrifying, but as always, God was gracious and love and all things good. NYC was unlike growing up in Guyana, I was anonymous and the community was indifferent. The effort to fit in and to acclimate was quite challenging. Again, God’s blessings prevailed and I survived.”

Reynolds is now a regulatory professional, delivering regulatory compliance solutions to companies in the US, where she resides.

But there is no overlapping between her professional life and her writing life. “No, my professional life is very different to my writing life, except I employ the same principle that “words matter” and that

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06:00 (Sign on) Jewanram Rel. Hour 07:00 Cartoons 08:00 Shekinah Ministry 08:30 Evening News (RB) 09:30 Fast n Loud S7 E11 10:30 Cartoons 11:00 D. Persaud Religious Program 11:30 Prime Series - Blippi’s Educational Adventures for Kids 12:00 Dharmic Ki Awaz 12:30 Movie - Love Under the Lemon Tree (2022) 14:00 Movie - Follow the Stars Home (2001) 16:00 Movie - The Song to My Heart (2022) 17:30 The Healing Touch 18:00 Wheel of Fortune 18:30 Week-in-Review 19:00 Lucifer S2 E17 20:00 Those People 21:00 Riverdale S3 E10 22:00 Arrow S3 E13 23:00 Girl Boss S1 E1 23:30 Whose Line Is It Anyway? S15 E8 00:00 Sign off

Poet B Germain Reynolds

my communication should be intentional and effective,” she said.

In 2014, Reynolds published (through Rosedog Pr) her first poetry collection, “Midnight Musings”, which has been described as a work of true self-expression and reflection by many of her readers, and it has solidified her as an endearing poet, leaving readers wanting more after every poem.

“I finished Midnight Musing because I am a big procrastinator. So, I wanted to actually come to a place where I actually delivered a project and so Midnight Musings was that first delivery of a project and I’m very thankful for it.”

She followed up this act, years later, with “Songs I Sing,” a much longer publication compared to her previous one. It was published in 2020

by Fulton Books, Inc. “Songs I Sing” is the raised curtain to Reynolds, who is a wife, mother, and leader who writes poetry because she must. The book is described as a one-hundred-plus collection of poems – simple, sweet, sacred, serious, silly, and sensual — that seeks to upturn every stone in the reader’s hearts,

resonate in the reader’s minds, and coax a repartee that reflects the impact of the poet’s thoughts, her experiences, her aspirations, her principles.

In celebration of Reynolds and her works in the artistry of poetry, on Thursday, an “Afternoon of Poetry” was hosted at the Herdmanston Lodge.

Reynolds herself took to the podium that afternoon and recited some of her best pieces to family and friends and persons who came out to purchase a copy of her books.

She recited poems from her collections, like “Midnight Musings” from her first collection, and poems like “Loss,” “Who Gets Me,” and “Shake and Roll” from her latest Collection, “Songs I Sing”. She debuted, “Singing for Supper” from her upcoming collection, “A Pocket Book of Wry,” which will be published later this year.

Persons from the audience were given the chance to recite their favourite poem or a piece of their own, a way of enabling a culture of poetry recitation.

Poets Carlene Gill-Kerr, and Keon Haywood graced the stage and recited their pieces.

The evening ended with the signing of Reynolds’ collections.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

General Comments

1. As you well know, most of us consider "headache" to be an ailment, when in fact it is a symptom of an underlying illness.

Similarly, in the pet world, many caregivers are convinced that, say, diarrhoea or vomiting is the real problem. However, this is not a correct assertion; in puppies and young dogs not prophylactically treated against worms, the true causative factor is really a worm infestation - often located in the gut.

2. Caregivers reading this column may recall that I had advised that worms infesting the pregnant mother dog can actually translocate themselves into the unborn puppies while those puppies are still in the womb.

This means that puppies (and kittens as well) are already infested with worms at birth.

It is for this reason that I had advised that the bitch be dewormed at least twice during her pregnancy. If she is worm-free, it is highly unlikely that the unborn pups would be born with any great worm burden.

3. There are several different types of worms. The treatment would not be the same for all the worms that infest the mother dogs, the puppies, and the young adults.

4. Throughout their lives, our companion animals must be dewormed continuously, and at specific (as prescribed by your veterinarian) intervals.

Bearing this in mind, let us deal with the relevant follow-up questions.

Q: What type of worms affect puppies, young and adult dogs?

A: In no particular order relative to their incidence and degree of concern, they include: * Hookworms * Roundworms * Stomach worms * Threadworms * Whipworms * Tapeworms N.B. While there are other worms that can infect dogs (cats even more seldom), these worms are hardly ever detected in Guyana, and there are no

WORM BURDENS IN PUPPIES

major symptoms associated with this infection. For example, the Oesophageal Worm creates some difficulty during swallowing, and may cause the animal to vomit repeatedly. Such less-common worms can easily be diagnosed via microscopic examination of faecal samples.

Q: How does the animal contract the more ubiquitous worms mentioned?

A: Hookworms: Usually the larvae (developmental stages of the hookworm) will be transmitted to the young pup during nursing, or by direct penetration of the pup's skin.

Roundworms: These worms are commonly passed from mother to her pups, even while they are still in her uterus (womb), and also when the pups are nursing.

Besides, pups may ingest (eat) the tiny Roundworm eggs that may be on the mother's breast and skin.

Stomach Worms: The adult dog, and even the young pup, may eat the hosts of the worms. Such hosts could be beetles, cockroaches, crickets, mice, etc.

Threadworms: In the infective stages of these worms, they usually reside in unhygienic environments, and can actively penetrate the dog’s skin.

Animals would also swallow the i n fec-

tive immature stages of the threadworm.

Whipworms: These worms are shed in the dog's (host’s) faeces. They later become infective, and are then eaten by vulnerable pups, young adults, and mature dogs.

Tapeworms: These are biologically interesting species of worms. Their anatomy and reproductive physiology are geared for survival.

Their intermediary hosts are fleas. As the fleas create an itch on the skin (Flea Allergy Dermatitis), the animal bites at the flea infected areas on its skin, and can therefore easily pick up (orally) the infected flea.

Also, if the dog eats an infected prey animal, the dog would itself become infected. Once the tapeworm reaches the intestines, it is not an easy task to get rid of this parasite.

Q: How does the caregiver know if his/her ward is infected by any or many of these worms?

A: Very often, the caregiver can actually see the worms in the stool or in the mouth.

In the case of the Tapeworm, one can actually see the worm (looking like a grain of rice or like a cucumber seed)

crawling out of the anus.

The white worm is also seen on the stool itself - contracting and expanding its body.

Hookworms are about one centimetre long, and are visible as they move in the watery/bloody stool.

During migration within the dog’s body, one or more immature Roundworm larvae can find itself in the dog’s mouth, and can actually be seen and extracted by the caregiver before it is swallowed. But do not be fooled; if one immature Roundworm is found in the dog’s mouth, hundreds more may be in the dog’s body.

Generally, the actual symptoms can lead the caregiver towards making a correct diagnosis, just be keenly observing the worm-induced symptoms, which usually are: * Anaemia * Stunted growth in puppies/ unthriftiness/emaciation in young and older adult dogs. * Diarrhoea (especially with blood accompaniment). * A distended ("swollen") abdomen. * Loss of appetite. * Vomiting: developmental stages of the worm can be seen in the mouth (especially in Roundworm infestation. (See previous paragraph). * Fever - in severe worm infestation.

N.B. The bad news is that, very often, an infection with worms does not immediately exhibit pronounced and visible symptoms. The good news is that your veterinarian can easily carry out a microscopic test on the faeces of the pup and/ or adult dog. But why go that way? Let us begin the deworming protocol as early as 3 weeks of age.

Q: What dewormer should I use?

A: We will discuss this very important topic next week.

S

portspersons using public spaces to pray loudly in public is more an expression of power than a search for spiritual inspiration. This is particularly annoying when it takes place in countries that swear by equality, justice, and secularism, for example.

Nicholas Pooran’s determination to announce his Christian identity to all gathered to see a cricket game is on par with those Muslim cricketers who do the same. This is a power play in global politics. The hegemony of Christianity and Islam is gaining more visibility in these common public spaces.

Recently, the United States Supreme Court decided in favour of a high school football coach who insisted on kneeling and praying (always Christian) on the field.

It was a split decision, with conservatives winning on their appeal to the First Amendment rights in the US Constitution. They saw the Constitution as allowing for mutual respect and tolerance, and not censorship and suppression for views that are religious or not.

Have you ever heard prayers of other religions in these same spaces? So, what kind of prayers should players be allowed to say publicly in public events?

Should they be curtailed to their personal religion, or should we have representatives from all religions stand up and say a prayer, including the audiences?

The matter of the hegemonic exertion of power raises its ugly head. It is part of our colonial legacy, and folks like Nicholas Pooran continue that legacy.

Have you ever heard the First Peoples of any country get the time and space to pray in their native tongues at any public event? I don’t think it has ever happened.

Yet, all those who came after them and took their lands and destroyed their religion and culture are allowed to do so freely. We so unwittingly embrace the practice of hegemonic forces of religion to dictate what kind of prayer is acceptable in public space.

In earlier colonial times, we could not pray as First Peoples, Hindus or Muslims or Africans in schools and public spaces in the Caribbean. The church/state nexus demanded only a Christian prayer. Some of that has been changing, but it is still far away from being equal, just and fair.

The public spaces in which prayer is made have now become sites of conflict and hegemony. Some religions are demanding public space for praying as a matter of right, and to hell (literally) with the rights of those who do not pray or believe as they do. We all have basic human rights to hold in mutual respect if we wish to live in peace and harmony in a rapidly diversified global world, but when one religion is allowed to dominate while others are left out, then that kind of space is not just, fair and equal.

Therefore, I would suggest that cricketing boards address this issue of hegemony and inequality, and stop their players from making religious and political statements in places meant for sports. Audiences come to enjoy a game, and not be pressured by the hegemony of fanatic religious persons.

Finally, I encourage Pooran and others like him to say their prayers and draw inspiration from them, but do so in silence – within. Praying aloud in these situations is not true spiritual communion, but more akin to political action, in my humble opinion. In other words, such persons seek to promote their views and religion above those of the others. Whatever happened to the old customs of enjoying a game without these religious and political intrusions? Let true mutual respect, peace, love, and harmony reign, instead of personal and religious hegemonic power.

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

NEWS

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Embassy Suites by Hilton to bring 180+room hotel to Guyana

G

uyana’s accommodation capacity will soon be further enhanced with the addition of another 186 rooms as the Embassy Suites by Hilton comes here.

According to images shared on Facebook by President Dr Irfaan Ali and the Guyana Office for Investment (GOInvest), the hotel will be located adjacent to the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal Railway Embankment, Greater Georgetown.

The prime international brand will be a seven-level structure with 186 suite-concept rooms that will not only set a new standard for spacious accommodations but added value offerings associated with the Embassy Suites brand in a contemporary hotel.

The hotel will be constructed on 2.5 acres and is a mere 10-minute drive from the capital city. It is a few minutes away from the Eugene F Correia International Airport at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, and is also surrounded by the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Headquarters and entertainment hotspots such as the MovieTowne Guyana and Giftland Mall.

Within the hotel itself, the Embassy Suites

by Hilton will feature multi-functional convention and banquet facilities with other various flexi-

ble meeting spaces, venues with natural lighting and outdoor terraces.

It will also contain cafes that offer packaged grab and go items such as snacks, sandwiches, pastries and sweets as well as beverages from coffee to cocktails. In fact, there will be a number of bars offering specialty beverages – restaurant bar, lobby bar and pool bar. The hotel will also have grill venues that will cater the best culinary art-made tasty foods.

Amenities such as highspeed wireless internet access in all suites, function rooms and public areas as well as 24-hour fitness studio, wellness treatment suites, outdoor swimming pool, parking facilities, airport taxi and limo service are all aimed at achieving a memorable experience for visitors.

The Embassy Suites by Hilton is being constructed by a local company in collaboration with Barbadosbased Preconco Limited and DRS 360 Hospitality Lab.

First Hilton-branded hotel

Chief Executive Officer of GO-Invest, Dr Peter Ramsaroop told Guyana Times that this will be the first Hilton-branded hotel entering the Guyana market.

“There was announcement of a Hilton previously… but that one never came about. They didn’t move forward into the fi-

nancial phase,” the GOInvest Head stated.

According to Ramsaroop, GO-Invest had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the company back in 2020 for the construction of this hotel.

Shortly after taking office in August 2020, President Dr Irfaan Ali had sounded a call to investors to submit proposals for the construction of hotels across Guyana to boost the country’s low accommodation capacity.

Since then, several ho-

tel projects have gotten underway by private developers, mostly local companies partnering with foreign investors to bring top internationally-recognised brands such as Hilton.

In fact, this year alone, there were several sod-turning ceremonies to break ground for the construction of several hotels.

Back in April, Dr Ramsaroop had disclosed in a statement that seven new hotels will be constructed this year, thus adding another 1200 rooms to Guyana’s hospitality sector

“Since 2021, we are finalising investment agreements with major international brands: Courtyard Marriott, Four Points under Marriott, Hyatt Place, AC Marriott and Pasha Global… GO-Invest has either completed investment agreements or is finalising agreements with the listed hotel chain developers. All of these hotels have been approved by the brand and authorised to begin construction,” the CEO had stated.

Among the hotels to start construction this year are: Hyatt Palace,

AC Marriott, Marriott Courtyard, Four Points (under Marriott), Best Western, Kings Hotel and Herdmanston Lodge.

Pasha Global is also constructing a 200-room hotel at Liliendaal but not under any international brand.

Already under advanced stage of construction are Aiden Hotel on Robb and Oronoque Streets, Georgetown; Sleepin Hotel on Brickdam, Georgetown, and Marriott Courtyard at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Timehri.

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Corruption…

T

…and people

he talk – and sneers! - about “corruption” can’t be escaped in Guyana nowadays. But it’s always been there, yes?? When the planters gave contracts only to white merchants for their goods, wasn’t that corruption?? So, dear reader, you say the other folks didn’t have merchants in the beginning? Well, how did THAT situation come about??! One thing about this thing called “capitalism” is, it comes with its own morality; with money as its god and making money as the reason for man’s existence. By any means necessary.

Even Karl Marx, who railed against its monstrous tentacles, admitted it was the most efficient system even invented to produce more and more for less and less!!

So, the item you’re selling is defective…do you tell this to the buyer? Hell no!! Caveat emptor’s the rule – buyer, beware!! But what about things BEFORE capitalism??

Were folks a bunch of angels flitting around with halos hovering over their heads? Hell no!! Using people as serfs and slaves to work their land isn’t corruption – plus having the seignorial “right” to bed their wives and daughters??

Kant, in disgust, had to conceded that we’re all created “out of this crooked timber”. It’s a good analogy – from within, none of us is “straight” - and we all have a price. The sooner we concede this, the sooner we’ll be able to deal with corruption. We’ll have to accept that any politician who denies there’s corruption at all levels of Government is either a fool or a vagabond. With all the slings against Jagdeo, he admitted there’s corruption in the Government! He just thinks it’s not as prevalent as the Opposition and some folks think it is.

So, what’d we do?? As Civil Society, we gotta get our act together and investigate claims of corruption, so that we have “smoking gun” evidence to take the perpetrators to court!! It can be done!! Guyana’s a small place, and we Guyanese just loooove to talk. Shouldn’t be too difficult to pin down some of the rumours, should it?? Problem is, sometimes we like to talk too much sh*t!!! And we don’t put our money where our mouths are!!

So, what should the leaders in Government do??

Well, we can take a few leaves from Lee Kwan Yew’s book (literally!!) and make our Civil Servants less susceptible to bribes from the business class by educating and paying them to such a level that they’d be insulted when a bribe’s offered!! And trust this Eyewitness: not many Government officials ASK for bribes; the money’s passed under the table before the official even opens his mouth!!

And secondly, if officials’ assets exceed their income flow, let THEM have to show the courts where they got the money!! …in politics But folks aren’t corrupt only in business, are they??

In fact, there’s a lot of hypocrisy about corruption by only focusing from that angle. What about corruption in rigging elections from 1968 to 1985?? To accomplish that feat, didn’t the PNC corrupt thousands and generations of Guyanese to steal the votes of their fellow citizens??

Didn’t this corruption become a way of life?? Does anyone think the corruption could be compartmentalised so it doesn’t spill over into every other aspect of life??

Wasn’t it corruption when all those Policemen seized “banned” goods and only returned them for “services” from women?? What about the bribes for every service by the Public Service (!!), like getting birth certificates!??!

Isn’t that when petty corruption joined with corruption at the top, so that corruption became power, and absolute corruption became absolute power??

We all had to become complicit, since we knew the dictator was corrupt; the dictator knew he was corrupt, but we stayed quiet - lest we be assassinated like poor Walter. …and us Since corruption’s endemic to the human condition, the best we can do is to keep it from overwhelming us. If those in charge wanna protect their own interest, they’ll ensure there’s some milk left for the calf!!

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

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

NEWS

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There is great potential for more oil finds outside of Stabroek Block – expert …will attract global interest when Govt goes out to auction

Rystad Energy VP Shreiner Parker

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hile the Stabroek Block, which is responsible for 33 out of the 38 oil finds made in Guyana’s waters since 2015, has been more lucrative than neighbouring blocks, Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy Vice President Shreiner Parker believes that outside of the Stabroek Block has serious potential for future oil finds.

During a recent engagement with the media, Parker, who heads the Latin America division for Rystad Energy, said that while Stabroek, with its reputation as one of the most prolific exploration blocks of all time, has overshadowed neighbouring blocks, this will not dissuade companies from continuing exploration outside of Stabroek.

“We do believe that there is a lot of prospectivity outside of Stabroek, although we’ve not seen that yet. In terms of the way the turbid-

ites are formed, we’ve certainly seen a development of a kitchen in the South East corner of the Stabroek Block, which extends into Block 58, Suriname, which is operated by Total, with Apache as a partner.”

“Exxon will continue to push and I think, as will others, continue to push to the bleeding edge and go deeper along the turbidite distribution to see how material that is. Whether that resource will be overcooked… I guess there are some question marks around that. But we do believe that there is prospectively outside of Stabroek.”

According to Parker, Exxon’s level of success in the Stabroek block has not yet been replicated by Exxon and other oil companies in other blocks in Guyana’s waters.

He noted that of the four oil discoveries outside Stabroek, only one has commercial potential… although there has been talk by the Orinduik

partners of revisiting one of the wells, Jethro, and its commercial viability.

“Typically, exploration success rate is about five per cent. Meaning every five exploration wells drilled, only one encounters pay. That has not been the case in Stabroek.

There have been very few dry holes drilled, versus actual commercial discoveries.”

“We know that Jethro and Joe both had uncommercial lines for a number of different reasons. So, I think there are some questions about the commerciality outside of Stabroek. But certainly, Exxon and the other block owners are going to continue exploration efforts outside of Stabroek,” Parker explained.

And while Parker was of the view that Guyana will get interest from around the globe when it goes out to auction its oil blocks, Parker warned that getting the financial terms of the blocks right would be very important. He gave the example of Brazil.

“In recent years they’ve had unsuccessful bid rounds.

Even though Brazil is an extremely important source of offshore production globally, they were unable to attract the interest that they wanted, because the fiscal regimes were too onerous. And they were asking for too much.”

“So, the balance that Guyana will have to strike on these new blocks, is under-

standing that we’re no longer going to have the Stabroek fiscal regime. We are a petroleum province. Yet at the same time we cannot expect that it’s a guaranteed success that every hole poked into the ground will produce oil. So, getting that fiscal regime correct is going to be paramount to attracting interest globally.”

When asked if Guyana doing its own 3D seismic survey of the remaining blocks to establish the value of the blocks would help Guyana’s chances, he noted that while it could be of interest, it may not be necessary. As he put it, Guyana is already a hot story.

Guyana has long been expected to go out and auction oil blocks, both untapped and relinquished, by September.

There are relinquishment clauses, which is typically included in contracts so that companies can relinquish a portion of the block when the renewable period is up, thereby allowing other companies to buy into the respective blocks.

For the Stabroek and Canje Blocks, operators are required to relinquish 20 per cent of their blocks after the first renewal period; while those of the Demerara and Corentyne Blocks are expected to relinquish 15 per cent within this period.

The Kaieteur Block’s relinquishment provision is said

to be 25 per cent, then 20 per cent by the first renewal; with the Mahaicony and Roraima Blocks at 25 per cent. By the

time of the first renewal for the Orinduik Block, the operators are not expected to relinquish any portion. (G3)

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2 in custody for attempting to break into Alberttown business The resident told Police that upon seeing the men walking in the yard of the 21st Century building, he raised an alarm, and the suspects began to run.

He reportedly gave chase and managed to apprehend one of the men along Lamaha Street between Light and Cummings Streets. Subsequently, a party of Police arrived at the scene where the other

The items that were seized by Police

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wo men were arrested after they attempted to break into a business place along Lamaha Street, Alberttown, on Friday evening.

Police stated that a 39-year-old resident of Lamaha Street, Alberttown, reported that he was awakened by dogs barking, and upon checking, he saw the two men in the yard of the business place.

The suspects were later identified as an 18-year-old fisherman of Riversview Housing Scheme and a 35-year-old fisherman of Cooper Street, Albouystown, Georgetown.

suspect was apprehended in a yard.

A search was carried out in the yard of the 21st Century building, and one claw bar, a drill, and other items were discovered in a bag in the yard.

The suspects were placed into custody at the Alberttown Police Station pending investigations, and the items were lodged.

Father charged for threatening to take away school cash grant

4

5-year-old Angel Price of Savannah Park Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam Berbice was on Friday placed on $20,000 bail and ordered to remain at least 100 feet away from his 36-year-old reputed wife, after appearing before New Amsterdam Magistrate Renita Singh to answer a charge of threatening the mother of his three children while demanding that she hand over the “Because We Care” cash grant money that was given to her to assist with their children’s school expenses.

The incident is alleged to have occurred after the mother had returned home with the money, and Prince has

Angel Price

pleaded not guilty to threatening his wife.

After placing Prince on $20,000 bail, Magistrate Singh instituted the restraining order. And as the mother walked out of the courtroom, Price called on her to give him $10,000 to assist him with the bail. (G4)

NEWS

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PAHO engages manufacturer on vaccines for monkeypox

T Equality in Guyana

D

uring the Emancipation commemoration, the call for “equality” reverberated in the air from African Guyanese, much as it did in 1993 when I wrote the following: One challenge in securing “equality” is inherent in the protean nature of the word itself. While we may agree with the statement, “we are all Ravi Dev equally human”, what does it mean? We are not equally tall, strong or intelligent. So, whither equality?

Equality, from this perspective, is contingent on the context or criterion wherein we speak.

The state was founded via a “social contract” to secure the rights of all citizens, so Government-sponsored initiatives promoting equality should insist that whatever the state offers be distributed equally to its citizens. Here I think there would be broad agreement that, since we are all citizens, we should be equal in the possession of the rights guaranteed by the state. Ideally, it follows that if particular citizens do not have rights or equal rights, then the state has failed.

From a group standpoint, this equality of rights by each citizen translates into a proportionate share of the power in a society. This is a very important connection, because ultimately it is the power possessed and exercised by the competing groups that shape the contours of the political and other struggles in the country. The possession of rights is ultimately grounded in the possession of power and its resources.

But citizens classify themselves by any number of criteria gender, class, ethnicity, etc. If rights were equally distributed to all citizens, then - no matter how we categorise groups - each group would have equal rights, and thus proportionally equal power.

However, if the rights are denied to members of a particular classification while others enjoy those rights, the deprived group is said to be oppressed, in that it does not have proportionate power.

In human societies, oppression has been perpetuated on all fronts; thus, a poor woman may be oppressed simultaneously on the basis of her gender, class, ethnicity, age, religion, and race. This is called “intersectionality”.

Each of these forms of oppression is ultimately debilitating, in that they cause pain and suffering, and stifle the humanity of the victims. Societies have to prioritise their activities, since resources are limited.

In Guyana, there is a general consensus that the ethnic/ racial cleavage is the most salient in terms of the demand for the rights (and power) of groups. It is for this reason that, while we support efforts to eliminate all forms of oppression, we believe we must get a jump-start on the goal of racial equality.

“Discrimination” is the selection of an individual or a group for treatment not accorded others equally situated. It is a widespread claim in Guyana by all groups, and we have suggested Ethnic Impact Statements be issued by the Government on state initiatives.

Interestingly, to rectify past discriminatory behaviour, the state can intervene with “positive discrimination”, also called “affirmative action”. This can be used to equitably boost “equality of opportunity”.

However, even if we are to limit our survey to the rights of all citizens, this leads us to other problems. For instance, since men are not endowed equally physically or mentally, equality of rights would lead to material inequalities, as those who are better endowed with the badges of societies’ success forge ahead. This dilemma has led some to extend their definition of equality to mean, additionally, equality of results, but this has proven chimeral and contentious.

Between “equality of opportunity” and “equality of results” lie the efforts of the individual, conditioned by their culture and circumstances to fulfil their expectations. In Guyana, there are assumptions that “equality” means equality of results. In addition to rejecting the intrusive utopian state this would demand - since we know it would fail, based on our own history - leaders have to be brave enough to work and address the cultural challenges at the individual and group levels. There is, after all, the inevitability of group comparison. Are we prepared for five years down the line, when some groups own “all the big houses and big cars and big businesses”? How equal is equal?”

Less than five years later, the Jan 12th 1998 anti-Indian riots in Georgetown exploded. Rather than the impersonal image of a contract, we should see the relationship between individuals and society as more like that between a family member and the family: we are in this together.

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

he Pan American Health Organisation is engaged in early negotiations with manufacturers, as supplies of the monkeypox vaccine remain extremely limited.

As monkeypox cases continue to rise in several countries of the Americas, Member States of PAHO held a Special Session of the Directing Council to consider a Resolution to address the outbreak, including supporting equitable access to vaccines for at-risk populations in the region.

Last month, the Director of the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak, which began in mid-May and has affected 89 countries across all six WHO regions, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Over 10,000 monkeypox infections have been reported by 24 countries of the Americas since the start of the outbreak.

This accounts for 38 per cent of global cases.

“The PHEIC declaration came with detailed recommendations for both countries and territories who haven’t detected any cases as well as for those who already have imported cases or transmission in their communities,” said PAHO Director, Carissa Etienne.

These recommendations, which PAHO is working with Member States to implement, include communication and engagement with affected communities, early detection and surveillance, treatment and isolation of patients, and contact tracing.

During the session, Dr Etienne noted that there is currently only one third-generation vaccine for monkeypox, which is produced by just one manufacturer.

“In light of this, the Resolution adopted requests PAHO’s Director to facilitate a coordinated response and take steps to support Member States in obtaining access

to this vaccine through the PAHO Revolving Fund. It also requests that countries of the Region of the Americas continue to recognise PAHO and its Revolving Fund as the strategic regional technical mechanism most suitable for providing equitable access to this vaccine and others,” PAHO underscored.

The recommendations of PAHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Vaccine Preventable Diseases, as well as those of the Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulations, convened by the World Health Organisation (WHO), stipulate that countries should prioritise vaccines for specific groups, such as close contacts of a confirmed monkeypox case, in order to maximise impact considering the limited vaccine supply.

Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. Symptoms include fever, intense headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle ache, and

a rash that blisters and crusts.

The rash tends to be concentrated on the face, palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

The mouth, genitals, and eyes may also be affected.

The symptoms can be mild or severe, and generally last for several weeks during which time a person can be infectious to others. Most people recover within a few weeks without treatment.

Monkeypox disease is reported regularly in nine countries of Central and West Africa since it was first recognised in 1958 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

However, since mid-May 2022, an increasing number of monkeypox cases have been reported, first in multiple countries in Europe and later in other regions, including the Americas.

As of 5 August 2022, 37,360 probable and laboratory-confirmed cases were reported to the WHO from 89 countries across all six WHO regions.

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Over $1B in financial assistance given to 3300 patients 2 busted with ganja, armed robbery

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ore than 3300 patients at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) have received financial assistance from a programme under the Health Ministry, amassing $1 billion over the past three years, according to Dr Frank Anthony.

The Health Minister in a recent COVID-19 update said that over $1 billion has been spent on patients who had requested financial assistance from the Health Ministry for their medical expenses. Under the programme at the Ministry, those requests were approved so that patients could pay for their medical procedures.

“For many years now, the Ministry has put together a programme to assist patients who cannot afford some of these procedures, financially. We have a little department within the Ministry here that would oversee that programme so anybody requiring such assistance can be referred to that department. There are some requirements, of course. This has been something that we have been doing for quite a few years,” the Health Minister said.

Dr Anthony said that 804 patients would have received financial assis-

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

tance amounting to $290 million, in 2020; 1518 patients in 2021 for the sum of $445 million; and more than 1006 patients in 2022 totalling $292 million.

According to him, many of the patients applying to the programme for assistance were patients requiring some type of cardiac treatment, and in more severe cases, cardiac surgery in the year 2020. A number of these surgeries were done at or through the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) at GPHC.

“The Government, over the years, has built a relationship with CHI where we give them space in the Georgetown Hospital and they have been working within the Georgetown Hospital, but the Government would have to pay for those services,” he said.

“In 2020, we did quite a number of cardiac surgeries at CHI or through CHI and a lot of people would have benefited from this.”

Just recently, seventy-nine haemodialysis patients would have received cheques valued at $600,000 to help subsidise their treatment expenses after the Government’s dialysis treatment initiative was introduced.

This year, Dr Anthony noted that hearing aids would be available to patients who require them, free of cost.

“A new feature, this year, we have also started to help people who require hearing aids. Previously, a person who had to acquire a hearing aid, they probably had to spend a minimum of 60,000 Guyana dollars. Many persons could not afford that, so we have removed the fees. The Government is buying those earring aids and making [them] available to the patients,” he said.

suspect arrested during Police operations

P

olice in Georgetown on Thursday conducted raids in Leopold Street, Middle Road McDoom, Georgetown, and B Field Sophia Squatting area, Greater Georgetown, respectively, where a quantity of cannabis was found.

The first operation was conducted at a house in Leopold Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, where a search was conducted and one white plastic bag containing 121 transparent Ziplock bags containing the ganja was discovered.

Police said they also found $1400 cash. The narcotics were weighed and amounted to 198 grams. As a consequence, two men were arrested, and placed in custody at Brickdam Police Station pending investigations.

Meanwhile, the second operation was conducted at a home in Middle Road McDoom, where a female resident confessed to ownership of a bag containing a quantity of cannabis.

Police said a cannabis plant was also found in the home.

The woman was arrested and escorted to the Ruimveldt Police

The cannabis plant that was found in one of the homes during the raid

Station along with the cannabis, pending charges.

Meanwhile, at a home of a pensioner on Independence Boulevard, a suspect who is wanted for an alleged robbery under arms was arrested and escorted to Brickdam Police Station where he is being interrogated.

Several other homes were searched, but nothing illegal was found.

FEATURE

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South Rupununi youths being schooled to become ‘citizen scientists’ Two South Rupununi students examining the details of an object during a science education activity in the area. (SRCS photo)

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everal youths of over a dozen villages in the South Rupununi have, since 2020, been paying keener attention to the preservation of the environment through a project undertaken by the South Rupununi Conservation Society (SRCS).

Given the success of the project, the grassroots

divided into three terms, with the first term focusing on wildlife, the second on the environment, and the third on culture; and the method of teaching avoids the usual “chalk and talk” style, but is instead practical and interactive, in order to engage students.

Giving some examples of the activities in these classes,

A Katoonarib boy playing an Environmental Education game at the Nature Fair (Credit - Luke McKenna)

Indigenous-led conservation NGO that is based in the Rupununi has decided to undertake another phase of the project, which would empower the youths to become ‘citizen scientists.’

According to Neal Miller, Programme Coordinator of the SRCS, the project ensures that young people of the South Rupununi are taught about the importance of the environment from an early age.

Miller said they include camera-trapping in order to understand more about mammals; using the binoculars to learn about birds; and basket-weaving to learn more about culture.

“An important aspect of the curriculum is that it is designed to teach children about their local wildlife and environment. Often, in school, children learn about foreign wildlife such as giraffes and elephants,

South Rupununi youths learning the art of basket-weaving as part of the SRDC environmental education programme (SRCS photo)

“These young people are our future leaders, who will be responsible for saving the planet; so, it is essential that they are taught from a young age that they have the power to make change,” Miller has said.

While explaining the background of the project, Miller said that since the formation of the SRCS in 2002, the founders of the NGO - some of whom are from the area - have noticed a decline in the local wildlife population, quality of the environment, and preservation of culture at the villages within the South Rupununi.

“In response, the SRCS designed an environmental education curriculum that teaches youths about their local wildlife, environment and culture through weekly lessons. The lessons are led by facilitators from the communities that have been trained by SRCS,” Miller has said.

He said the curriculum is

and might not know about the wildlife that surrounds them, such as margays, oncillas and jagarundis. Therefore, all the content in the curriculum is centred on the wildlife, environment and culture of the Rupununi,” Miller noted.

Miller listed 14 communities from which more than 500 children have participated in the programme. They are Karaudarnau, Aishalton, Awarewaunau, Maruranau, Shea, Sawariwau, Katoonarib, Rupunau, Sand Creek, Shulinab, Kumu, Nappi, Moco Moco and Karasabai.

He said that, since 2018, the environmental education project has been supported by the Sustainable Wildlife Management - Programme Guyana; and given the success of the first phase of the curriculum, the SRCS has now designed a second phase of the curriculum, which is focused on citizen science.

“One of the aims of this sec-

ond phase is to empower the youths to be able to make a positive difference to the wildlife and environment of their community,” he said.

Like the first curriculum, Miller said, the citizen science curriculum is also divided into three terms. In the first term, the children learn what citizen science is; in the second term, they collect data on an issue in their community; and in term

3, they implement a solution to remedy the issue they had identified.

“An example would be that overfishing is an issue in their community, so they collect data on why overfishing is occurring, before implementing a solution such as an awareness campaign or writing a letter to their village council,” he said.

The SRCS has expressed hope that the latter curricu-

lum would enable participating youths to understand that they are never too young to make a positive difference, and to install leadership abilities in them from a young age.

According to Miller, against the backdrop of the success of the two-year curriculum, SRCS hopes to involve more children and more communities over the coming years.

SRCS also aims to expand the

curriculum to more regions of Guyana, and to help other organisations to adapt the curriculum to their local contexts.

The SRCS has also expressed hope that the success of the project would inspire other communities worldwide to design their own environmental education lessons, in order to inspire and empower their youths.

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21 Guyanese agro-processors to benefit from training, interest-free financing NEWS

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Woman in factory setting iStock (US AID photo)

he US Agency for International D e v e l o p m e n t (USAID)/Eastern and

Southern Caribbean (USAID) and !nnovate Guyana (!G) have announced the return and

evolution of the Economic Development Accelerator (EDA) programme, which would benefit more than 50 Guyanese agro-processors.

The EDA was, in 2021, specifically designed to enhance commercial viability of existing agro-processed products, in order to prepare them for the export market.

In collaboration with international partners, 15 of 43 applicants were shortlisted, and benefited from training sessions and hands-on technical assistance. In the end, five awardees were afforded non-reimbursable grants to invest in their export-ready products.

The return of the EDA this year has, however, seen

a shift in its focus, in that it has moved from supporting exports to supporting Guyanese food security locally. Being cognisant that food security is a national issue because a significant amount of Guyana’s food is being imported, and especially in an economy recovering from the global pandemic, USAID and !G are addressing this, and lending their support through the EDA collaboration.

As such, the current aims are to enhance manufacturing and distribution of local agro-processed goods, and to prepare the products for local shelves in order that Guyanese consumers might benefit. These objectives are

to be achieved through nine months of intensive training and coaching of agro-business owners, plus providing them with technical support to elevate their business acumen and facilitate their access to working-capital recoverable grants to invest in the growth and expansion of their businesses.

CEO of the Guyana Economic Development Trust, Oslene Carrington, has said the initiative under which !G operates outlines that these US$5,000 working-capital reimbursable grants and the evolution of this programme would enable a larger number of agro-businesses to benefit.

Carrington has said that,

rather than investing in five businesses, it would be measurably more beneficial to spread the resources to assist more growing companies.

“Our new focus on supporting food security and strategically distributing the resources enables more micro businesses, that would in no way, shape, or form be able to qualify for traditional financing, to benefit. There are a lot of micro businesses who aren’t able to functionally operate or expand due to lack of access to finances, because in order to access, they’ll have to pledge collateral they don’t have; so, we’re the alternative to that,” she said.

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Trio slapped with DUI charges Guyanese agroprocessors to...

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s Police continue to clamp down on driving under the influence of alcohol, three errant drivers were arrested and charged for the offence.

These alleged lawbreakers will be arraigned in the new week at Magistrate’s Courts along the ECD. Charged are Ian Clarke, 63, of Section B Non-Pareil, ECD; 28-year-old Loakendra Ramdeo of Section B Non-Pareil, and Walter Oswald Wren, 45, of New Settlers Street Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara.

Police said Clarke was caught at the Good Hope Public Road, ECD with .99 per cent BAC of alcohol in his system and is expected to appear at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court while Ramdeo was arrested on the Plaisance Public Road, ECD, and is expected to attend the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on August 10, 2022.

Meanwhile, Wren was arrested on the Hope Public Road, ECD, with 238 per cent BAC of alcohol in his breath, and will at-

FROM PAGE 21

These three men have been slapped with DIU charges

tend the Cove and John Magistrate Court on August 8, 2022.

Driving while above the prescribed alcohol limit attracts a charge for the offence of driving under the influence (DUI) which carries a fine.

Persons can be charged for this traffic violation if, when tested, their blood alcohol content is found to exceed the prescribed limit of .35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, and their blood alcohol concentration exceeds 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

USAID/ESC supports this approach to addressing food security. Regional Representative for USAID/Eastern and Southern Caribbean, Clinton D. White, has said, “The Mission prioritises support for economic growth in Guyana and the region through robust accelerator programmes like the EDA, which offer world class business training and technical support. The programme, further, allows access to financing to facilitate growth and improved export potential for MSMEs. We look forward to building on the already impressive results coming out of this programme and the positive impact this is having on food security as part of the agri-value chain.”

The application portal (https://innovateguyana.org/grow/) is now open for agro-processors countrywide who have been operating for more than one year.

NEWS

23

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$40M needed to fix dams before rice harvesting begins in Region 6

G

overnment is seeking to get funds to fix dams in Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) which were damaged during the rainy season. These dams provide access to farmlands in the Corentyne, most of them rice lands.

Water levels in cultivation areas are currently high as a result of recent heavy rainfall, hence the irrigation pumps have not been operable for some time. However, all of the

access dams in the cultivation areas are in urgent need of attention.

According to Region Six Chairman David Armogan, in excess of $30M will be needed to repair all of the dams in the cultivation area across Region 6. An estimated $8M will be needed to repair dams in the 52-74 area on the Corentyne, and a further $5M for dams in the Crabwood Creek area.

“Black Bush alone is asking for $17.5M, and

the front lands would require a further $5M to $6M. It probably will take about $40M to look after all of the dams. It is a lot of funding, and I think the Government is seeking to get the money though the Ministry of Agriculture,” Armogan said as he addressed the Regional Democratic Council during last week.

In Region Six, the second largest rice-producing Region in the country, 57,000 acres are under rice

cultivation.

On Wednesday, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha met with farmers and assured that the dams would be fixed in time for harvesting. Farmers at that meeting, held at the New Market Primary School at #63 Village, Corentyne, expressed concern over the state of the dams, and pointed out that in their current state, it would be impossible to get combines into most of the rice fields.

TURN TO PAGE 25

24 NEWS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

43 new COVID-19 cases from 570 tests F

rom 570 tests that were processed as of Saturday, 43 more persons were infected with COVID-19 in Guyana.

The Health Ministry’s dashboard showed 32,124 males and 38,002 females testing positive to date. The country’s death toll has also remained at 1271.

Only one person is seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit. There are 43 persons in institutional isolation, 481 in home isolation and seven in institutional quarantine.

Meanwhile, 68,359 persons have recovered completely.

Since the coronavirus was detected here, 679,213 tests have been processed to date.

A breakdown of new infections reflected one for Region One (Barima-Waini), six for Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), three for Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 23 for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), one for Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), eight for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and one for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

There were no increases in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD AUGUST 6, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

43

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

14

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

Essequibo).

The most recent vaccination numbers show that so far, 445,168 or 86.8 per cent of adults have taken a first dose, while 344,803 or 67.2 per cent of persons 18 years and over are fully vaccinated.

For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, 35,435 or 48.6 per cent have received a first dose. Second doses stand at 25,925 or 35.5 per cent. Vaccines are also available for children within five to 11 years, whereby 6964 persons or 6.8 per cent have taken a first dose. Additionally, 2061 or two per cent have received a second jab.

Meanwhile, in excess of 71,000 persons have returned for their first booster dose. Booster doses have been

made available for the adolescent age group, as well as second booster doses for the adult population. Persons are encouraged to take these shots before their immunity wanes.

In the Region of the Americas, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases are pegged at over 169 million with a death toll of 2.7 million.

Globally, the confirmed positives stand at over 571 million with more than 6.3 million reported deaths.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health. gov.gy.

481

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

1

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

7

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

38,002

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

32,124

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

70,126

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

68,267

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

2682

REGION 2

3096

REGION 3

8628

REGION 4

34,929

REGION 5

2545

REGION 6

6726

REGION 7

2620

REGION 8

888

REGION 9

4321

REGION 10

3691

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

445,000 344,700 1271

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

NEWS

25

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$137M in annual savings as new $40M needed to fix...

Lethem Solar Farm activated

FROM PAGE 23

C

lean energy is now a reality for residents of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), with the commissioning of a $472 million one-megawatt solar farm.

Apart from reliable electricity, the farm is expected to generate $137 million per year in savings when comparing current fuel costs.

That is approximately 3000 barrels of fuel. It also feeds into Government’s agenda of carving a sustainable, renewable energy pathway for Guyana.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Agency, Dr Mahender Sharma highlighted that this is the first mega-scale solar farm as the country embraces a low-carbon future. The farm was already operational in just under two weeks but authorities have seen tangible savings.

“We’ve been testing and making sure it is doing what it is supposed to do and from the software that is there, we’ve already saved 10,000 litres of diesel by simply turning this on. That’s about 63 barrels of fuel. We didn’t have to use them to give electricity,” Dr Sharma contend-

The solar farm at Lethem

ed.

The payback period for this project, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, is about three and a half years. The GEA Head has labelled this project as an “attractive investment”.

In Lethem, residents pay $80 per kilowatt of electricity, higher than the rate paid in Georgetown. Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar pointed out that this was due to transportation of fuel from the coastland. This intervention will alleviate such costs, especially in wake of rising cost of living facing the township.

“Here you have a township that has been beaten down because of COVID and lack of economic activity and then you have, apart from the myriad of cost of living issues and how to get by as a family and a business, your electricity bills to pay. It was hard. We are coming out of that. We are out of that,” Indar relayed.

At peak demand, Lethem would require about 1.1 megawatt of electricity. The town can run on renewable energy for about five hours per day, lowering operating costs. The saved monies can be used by Government to implement infrastructural projects in the township, the

Minister added.

“That means the money that we used to subsidise (electricity) can go to infrastructural works and social good. The money that goes into something that burn and then destroys the atmosphere is no longer there.”

In Region Nine, another 2.2-megawatt project featuring hydropower will also kick in – 1.5 megawatt at Kuru and 0.7 megawatt at Moco Moco. This is pegged at $2.8 billion.

Over at Kato, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), another hydropower project is in the works, bringing 150 kilowatts of renewable energy to the grid and valued at $469 million. Due to inclement weather conditions, there have been some challenges in accessing the areas via roads.

“When we say to the world that we are pursuing renewable energy, the projects are live projects…

It’s projects on the ground.

Everywhere in the country you go, there are projects on the ground: Mahdia, Bartica, Wakenaam, Leguan. In 28 communities, we are putting mini-grid systems,” the Minister told stakeholders.

Rice farmers also claim it would be impossible to get their paddy out of the fields using lorries on the dams in their current state.

However, not only rice farmers depend on those access dams; some residents also use them to get to and from their homes.

Davinand Ramoutar, a security guard of Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder, has said it is very important for the dams to be fixed. “The dams are so bad (that) rice cutting is about to come up, and if the dams are not made, it would be a serious problem with the rice industry. Apart from that, if you have a sick person and you want to come out from inside of there now, it is very hard; it punishing!” the retiree has said.

Harvesting should commence within a month, but some farmers in the Black Bush Polder are set to com-

mence harvesting before the end of the month.

“If the rain continues to fall, it will be very difficult to make those dams; but the Minister has asked farmers to assist be utilising whatever tools they have to drain the water off of the land, so that we can send the machines to make the dams. It is a pretty costly exercise, and this is because of the rainy season we have to spend that money,” Armogan has said.

There is also an urgent need to have bridges constructed in some of the cultivated areas. The Regional Chairman has committed the Regional Administration to this.

“The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) had also committed to making some of those bridges,” the Regional Chairman has noted.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

28 NEWS

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Reject false narrative being peddled

by APNU/AFC – VP to Guyanese

V

ice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has called on Guyanese to reject the false narrative being peddled by the opposition and other anti-government voices that the government is deliberately withholding pay increases for public servants.

Speaking at a community meeting on Sunday on the West Coast Demerara, the Vice President reminded that it is the same APNU/AFC Coalition government that took away the one-month tax free bonus from the joint services, which the PPP/C Administration has since re-implemented.

The VP said it was the PPP/C Government that

A section of the gathering at Patentia, West Bank Demerara

redeemed the public service from a pauperised state, “…but they can only say that for people who do not know the history of this country or who are not aware of and we need to stand up to this sort of thing,” the vice president is quoted as saying by DPI. Jagdeo made it pellucid that the PPP/C Administration will not allow this sort of thinking by the opposition to dictate its policies, “we have a straight and clear ideology and we have a goal which we outlined in our manifesto.” He noted that the PPP/C has committed to providing citizens with world-class education and healthcare, providing job

opportunities and ensuring their safety, and the administration has since embarked on that journey over the two years since returning to office.

The Vice President said the development taking place offshore will secure close to 3,000 jobs for residents on the West Coast Demerara, referencing the largest privately-owned wharf that is being constructed north of Vreed-enHoop, as well as the government’s investment in the construction of the New Demerara River Crossing and the opening up of lands for the construction of some 14, 000 houselots in the region, among several other major projects.

Opposition party wins snap election in St Kitts and Nevis

Prime Minister-elect of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew

T

he eastern Caribbean nation of St Kitts and Nevis has elected a new leader in its recently held snap elections.

According to preliminary election results released on Saturday, the twin-island’s Opposition party, St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, defeated Prime Minister Timothy Harris’ People’s Labour Party by taking six of the 11 parliamentary seats.

The country’s new and fourth Prime Minister is expected to be Cubatrained medical practitioner, Dr Terrance Drew, who is taking his party back into office after seven years in the Opposition.

The SKNLP had campaigned on improving healthcare, providing affordable housing and more access to education.

The outgoing Prime

Minister had first assumed Office in 2015 and was elected for a second term in 2020 when his party, Team Unity – a three-party alliance, won a sweeping majority of 9 parliamentary seats.

However, Harris was forced to call early elections three years ahead of the constitutional deadline after his coalition partners filed a NoConfidence Motion against him. Despite this, however, Harris was the only candidate in his party to win a parliamentary seat at Friday’s polls.

These preliminary results were released less than 24 hours after the close of polls on election day, which has been described as “peaceful” by an Election Observation Mission mounted by the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

The SKN Government had invited Caricom to observe the elections. A team, led by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner Sase Gunraj, arrived in the eastern Caribbean island-state on Wednesday evening.

Other members apart of the mission include Corey Carlisle Greenidge from Barbados; Cecil Ferdinand Valies from Suriname; and Roslyn Khan Cummings from Trinidad and Tobago.

The team is being support-

ed by Jhonson Alexandre and Alan Donawa of the Caricom Secretariat.

In a preliminary statement on Saturday detailing its findings, the Caricom EOM said they visited a total of 100 polling stations out of 122 across all 11 constituencies on both islands. The CEOM’s observation included the opening of the poll, the voting process, the closing of the poll and the centralised counting of ballots.

The statement further noted that it was observed that a number of polling stations were not opened in a timely manner but all the stations were fully staffed, and most had agents present, representing all political parties that contested the elections. Most polling stations were conveniently located and easily accessible to the voters, including differently-abled persons, the CEOM said while adding that there was an adequate supply of requisite voting and related electoral material.

“Adequate security was in place at all locations and officials conducted their duties in a professional and fairly efficient manner. However, it is evident there is a need for more training of all persons involved in the electoral process and greater planning and execution of elections related activities.

The Caricom EOM, led by GECOM’s Sase Gunraj, in St Kitts and Nevis

This would have reduced and/or eliminated the delays experienced in some aspects of the process.”

“The initial assessment of Election Day activities by the CEOM is that the voters were able to cast their ballots without intimidation or fear.

The centralised counting was conducted in a similar manner. Generally, there was a level of calm except for the usual exuberance of party supporters which accompany elections day activities. As a consequence, it appears that the results of the 5 August 2022 General Elections reflect the will of the people of the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis,” the Caricom EOM stated.

To this end, the

Mission lauded the St Kitts and Nevis Electoral Commission, poll workers, the political parties and their candidates, the security forces and the citizens for the level of maturity displayed in the peaceful execution of the election day activities.

However, in Saturday’s preliminary statement the Caricom EOM noted that the political environment in St Kitts and Nevis was characterised by tension and uncertainty. This conclusion was arrived at after meeting with stakeholders in the country.

Meetings, both virtual and in-person, were held with His Excellency Sir Tapley Seaton, GCMG, CVO, QC, JP, GovernorGeneral; a team from the

St Kitts and Nevis Labour Party (SKLP) led by the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Denzil Douglas, Ambassador Sydney Osborne, Campaign Manager of the People’s Labour Party, representing Dr the Honourable Timothy Harris, Prime Minister Hilroy Brandy, the Commissioner of Police Ogrenville Browne, Member of the Electoral Commission, representing the Supervisor of Elections, and the St Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

A full independent report will be prepared by the Chief of the Caricom EOM for submission to the Secretary General of the Caribbean Community, Dr Carla Barnett.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022

our athletes, so it was definitely a good feeling for myself and Videsh Sookram, the Organizing

By Timothy Jaikarran

K

eavon Bess, President of the Guyana Bodybuilding Fitness Federation (GBBFF), has been consistently showering Team Guyana with praise for copping 12 medals at the CAC Bodybuilding Championships held in Barbados.

He noted that, for him, seeing the Golden Arrowhead being lifted as the athletes collected their medals evoked in him nothing short of the highest level of pride.

Bess noted that for him it was nothing short of patriotic zeal as he heard the National Anthem being played while the athletes collected their medals. “This came out from seeing the Golden Arrowhead being lifted, and hearing the words of the National Anthem: ‘Dear Land of Guyana’, and even persons

Julio Sinclair (C), standing tall after defeating his opponents

standing with respect, and even to the athletes on stage.

“It was definitely a proud moment, the Guyana Anthem was played five times in Barbados,

which means that on five occasions, everyone paused and paid respect to Guyana. Guyana was on display as a result of the tremendous accomplishment of

FIDE Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India…

Nathoo, Lee, Shariff, Callender score points in Round 7

Jessica Callender

Ethan Lee

Open Team facing off Brunei Darussalam, seeded at 166, with Taffin Khan, Anthony Drayton, Loris Nathoo and Roberto Neto, while the Women’s team of Sasha Shariff, Pooja Lam, Nellisha Johnson and Anaya Lall face off Fiji, seeded at 114.

Meanwhile, the FIDE Congress members will cast their vote for a new FIDE President on August 7th, and GCF President Frankie Farley will be representing Guyana at that session.

Links to live games can be found on the Guyana Chess Federation Website: www. guyanachess.org.

CLASSIFIED ADS BROKERAGE SERVICE

Loris Nathoo

Sasha Shariff

he Guyana Chess team competing at the FIDE Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India has recorded wins during Round 7 action against Cape Verde, with Loris Nathoo and Ethan Lee scoring for the Open team, while Jessica Callender and Sasha Shariff won their games against their Oman counterparts.

The Open team had a rough fight against Cape Verde. Loris Nathoo dispatched his opponent Aires Fortes with ease, but although CM Taffin Khan and Roberto Neto held on valiantly on Boards 1 and 3, they unfortunately lost their games.

Facing opponent Celia Rodriguez Guevara, rated 1859, much higher than himself, Ethan Lee (1515) failed to convert his winning position after a 5-hour struggle, and was forced to settle

for a draw, leaving the match score 2.5 - 1.5 in favour of Cape Verde.

On the Women’s side, Jessica Callender won against Afra Al Balushi, with Callender’s commanding the lead from the beginning of the game resulting in her 4th victory in the tournament.

Callender is now on 4 points.

Sasha Shariff also had the advantage against her opponent Mariya Al Balushi in the beginning of her game, and easily converted to a win, by which she now has 3 points.

Nellisha Johnson and Pooja Lam were unable to convert to wins against their Omani opponents, although Lam originally had an opportunity to finish with at least a draw. The match score results: 2-2.

Round 8 continues with the

T

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GBBFF will be seeking to send Rosanna Fung to the World Championships in South Korea

Secretary, who was there on behalf of the federation, and every athlete who attended,” Bess stated.

The GBBFF head relayed that a lot of positives were taken away from the competition; however, the one that stood out the most to him was the strides that Guyana has made on the bodybuilding stage regionally and internationally.

He explained that, for many years, Hugh Ross had represented Guyana well, but for our athletes to go to a single event and capture so many medals and dominate the competition is, without doubt, leaving an indelible mark on Bajan soil.

He also said, “We could have been seen, we could have been heard, and when we went on stage, we dominated. So, at no point in time were we not part of what was happening. And we can definitely say that we didn’t go to make up space, we went to compete, and compete we did, and the medals speak for themselves.

So, all in all, what I take away from the competition is that we can go on the international scene and dominate in large numbers.”

29

GBBFF President Keavon Bess

In terms of what is next on the agenda, the GBBFF is preparing for the Seniors competition, which will be held in December. Before that event, the GBBFF will be seeking to put together an intergym competition in Essequibo.

Bess further relayed that, in between the competitions, the GBBFF will be hosting fundraisers as they aim to get Rosanna Fung on the Worlds Championship in South Korea, come October 2022.

Bess closed by saying, “So there is a lot more before the year comes to an end for bodybuilding in Guyana, and I think we have started the year great, and so far we are going great, and I know we are going to finish with a bang.”

30

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022

‘A dream come true’ for athletes receiving partial scholarships from Sport Ministry

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. and Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, flanking the athletes who will be taking up scholarships and their mothers

T

he pair of Adriel Austin and Anisha Gibbons, both CARIFTA Games’

medallists, would each embark on the opportunity of a lifetime this week, as they have been

awarded scholarships at colleges in the United States of America.

Described by both these track and field athletes as a dream come true, the scholarships will be partially funded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, as Minister Charles Ramson Jr. sticks to a promise he made months ago.

For context, Ramson had, in April, promised Guyana’s CARIFTA 2022 Games’ medallists that he would engage with the group to ascertain what they required to further their sports careers. Funding for college expenses was on the list of both Austin and Gibbons.

“I would like to thank everyone, especially the Minister, for playing a really important role in me going on this scholarship. It’s really a

dream for me, and I’m really grateful for being given the opportunity to go out and further my studies and be a better athlete,” an enthusiastic Adriel Austin, who will be attending Hinds Community College in Mississippi, has said.

Her mother Joylyn Beaton added about the opportunity, “I would really like to say, ‘Thank you!’ to Ministry of Culture for keeping their promise, cause when she came back from CARIFTA, they were asked individually what help would be needed, and the help that she needed was to get funding for her scholarship; which was met, and I’m grateful and thankful.”

Gibbons has had scholarship at the back of her mind since winning her first CARIFTA Gold medal in 2019. Now she will

take her talents to the New Mexico Junior College in New Mexico.

“It’s like a dream come true. When I came back from CARIFTA in 2019, this was on my mind all along. I just wanted to attend a school where I could better myself academically and also improve in athletics,” the 18-year-old Gibbons shared.

Her mother Linda Johnny expressed, “I would like to thank everyone. I just want her to go and do what she supposed to do: make Guyana proud. Everyone is looking on her, and I’m very proud of my daughter. And may she go over there and remember Guyana and the whole world is waiting on her.”

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr has assured the

athletes and their families that he is committed to seeing the venture through.

“This is a big deal for you.

Going and further your studies is very important to me, it’s important to His Excellency the President and the entire Government of Guyana,” Ramson Jr shared.

“Everything we’ve said to you, we’ve honoured our word on it. We’re genuine about what we’re doing. We want to see your kids do really well.”

Anisha Gibbons became the first Guyanese athlete to cop back-to-back gold medals at the CARIFTA Games when she replicated her feat in the javelin event at CARIFTA Games 2022. Meanwhile, Adriel Austin added another bronze to her collection of medals this year.

Milo Schools U18 Football Final…

CWSS, North Ruimveldt clash in ‘Battle of the Multis’

T

wo months of avid football action being played at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown will culminate in a blockbuster Milo Schools Under-18 Football final today; and either North Ruimveldt Multilateral or Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) would emerge victorious when the final whistle is blown.

With CWSS being formerly known as Linden Multilateral, today’s clash can be considered “a battle of the ‘Multis”, and

the country’s two most popular ‘towns’ are involved.

A straight knockout format governs this year’s Milo tournament, and since neither CWSS nor North Ruimveldt has as yet lost a game, the inevitable will occur in today’s final, which starts at 6pm.

Last Sunday, CWSS enjoyed an unthreatened 3-0 victory over Golden Grove Secondary for their spot in the final; while North Ruimveldt came back from a 3-1 deficit in the second half to thump Dolphin Secondary 4-3

for their spot. Now both teams are eagerly looking forward to today’s battle.

“I just hope that we could go out, have a good game. You know, basically, the best team wins,” North Ruimveldt captain Yannick Norton shared on Saturday.

“To come out and work hard tomorrow. Everything we learn in training, to come out and play hard,” CWSS captain Omarion Ramsammy has said about his plans for today’s game.

The teams’ coaches were not as tight-lipped, both exuding

Team captains Yannick Norton and Omarion Ramsammy laying claim to the Milo Trophy in the presence of Coaches Jeremy Garrett and Dellon Peters

confidence at being able to clinch the coveted Milo Trophy.

National player Jeremy Garrett, Coach and former student of North Ruimveldt, shared at the

pre-match briefing, “First and foremost, I think Linden is a very good team. From since the days I could remember, for me it’s just focus with the guys, come out

and execute what they would’ve been taught and what is being given to them. With that, I think they can definitely defeat the opponent.”

But CWSS Coach Dellon Peters shared, “General expectation to win, but in order to do that, execution must be on point. There’s a saying that if you try and you don’t succeed, try doing what the coach said to you. So, if they do what is told to them or what has been practised previously, the general expectation is to come out successful.”

While the final is set for a 6pm kickoff, the third-place playoff between Golden Grove and Dolphin will commence at 4pm, both games being played at the MoE Ground.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022

President Ali, Machel Montano visit ‘Girls Only’ self-defence class

H

is Excellency President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and world-renowned soca artiste Machel Montano made an impromptu visit to the ‘Girls Only’ self defence class being held at State House last evening.

In his interaction with the young ladies, Montano detailed how he started his career as a soca artiste. He encouraged them to stay balanced and focused regardless of the path they choose in life.

Catering to girls from 11 to 18 years old, the programme is designed to not only teach the art of self-defence, but also to impart lifelong skills and discipline, and assist in improving self-confidence.

31

President Ali displaying his karate technique

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge

Walrond and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister,

Kwame McCoy, were present during this visit.

also

ExxonMobil U14 football tournament now underway

ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Marcus Tripp, trying his feet at the kickoff

O

il giant ExxonMobil continues to invest in Guyana’s social welfare.

The most recent indication of this investment has been its continued funding of the ExxonMobil Under-14 Boys and Girls Football tournament, which commenced on Saturday morning.

More than 20 boys’ and girls’ school teams will, for the next few weeks, compete at the Ministry of Education (MoE) ground every weekend for top honours in the ExxonMobil Under-14 tournament. After a few delays due to inclement weather, the tournament finally got underway on Saturday, and the kickoff was witnessed by

Action in the tournament after its commencement on Saturday morning (Jemima Holmes Photo)

ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, Marcus Tripp, and Community

Relations advisor Ryan Hoppie.

During the opening ceremony, Hoppie expressed

the company’s elation at having the opportunity to finance the tournament for a third year, while emphasising its youth development prospects.

“We’re happy to partner with Petra. This is our third time doing the Under-14 boys and girls football tournament, and of course, over at ExxonMobil, we’re excited to have this kickoff here today,” Hoppie shared with a warm smile.

Addressing the teams present for the March Past, Hoppie said, “You know sport is very important for youth development, and we know that it brings both physical and mental benefits; but, also the camaraderie among players

within the team! We’re hoping that, over the next several weeks, as you play, that you remember good sportsmanship and I’ll say good ‘sports-womanship’.”

The tournament will feature 12 girls’ teams and 16 boys’ teams in Round Robin groups, while will be followed by knock outs and plate games.

Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca underscored the importance of the tournament, and what it could mean for the young players.

Mendonca expressed, “We are very happy, here at Petra, after two years of not having such an event. Three years ago to now, there’s been a lot

happening in the football arena.

And I want to say to you, the kids here today, that ExxonMobil presents an opportunity to enjoy yourself, showcase your talent, and compete with zest.

“When we look at what this tournament has done over the years, as I alluded a few weeks ago, there are several persons like yourself who are now representing our country and who are now representing senior football teams within the country,” the Petra Co-Director later added in a bit of inspiration for the players.

ExxonMobil had, a few weeks ago, injected Gy$6 million into the tournament. (Jemima Holmes)

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

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

India destroy West Indies in Florida to close out T20I series

By Brandon Corlette in Florida

T

he West Indies have suffered a 59-run defeat against India in match 4 of their 5-match T20I Series, played before a sold-out crowd at the Central Broward County Stadium in Florida, USA. This defeat means that India have taken

McCoy has bowled the most expensive spell by a West Indian in T20I

an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.

After a solid, collective bowling effort, India, having posted 191-5 in 20 overs, effectively restricted the Men in Maroon to 132 all out in 19.1 overs.

Stop-start West Indies batting Nicholas Pooran’s runout may have summed up the West Indies’ batting effort, in which everything lacked sync.

Brandon King and Kyle Mayers had gotten off to a rocket start, with King slamming three fours in the first over, bowled by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, which yielded 14 runs.

In the next over, bowled by Avesh Khan, King had a soft dismissal when he was caught and bowled for 13.

Devon Thomas, promoted to number three, was dismissed for one, caught at mid-off.

Captain Pooran came, and struck 24 from eight balls as he took Axar Patel to the cleaners. After striking three maximums and one four, he was run out when he was left high and dry by his partner Mayers.

By then the West Indies were reduced to 49-3 in five overs, and Mayers made only 14 before he lost his wicket, further reducing the West Indies to 64-4 in seven overs.

Rovman Powell, batting ahead of Shimron Hetmyer, came and struck two sixes down the ground, but was dismissed by a Patel full toss for 24. Half of the side were now back in the hut with only 82 runs on the board, and Hetmyer was under pressure to score big at that stage.

Holder, who struck one four and a six, was out caught for 13 with the score on 101-6 in 11.2 overs, and things continued downhill for the West Indies as wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Having taken some time to get going, Hetmyer was

Shivnarine Chanderpaul and some West Indian fans (Brandon Corlette photo)

dismissed for a run-a-ball 19, being bowled all ends up by the wrist-spinner Ravi Bishnoi as he attempted to make room. He had struck two fours and one six before he departed with West Indies on 116-8 in 15 overs.

At that stage, West Indies required 76 runs off the last five overs, and Arshdeep Singh was the star bowler with 3-12 in 3.1 overs, while Bishnoi, Khan and Patel had each taken two wickets.

McCoy’s expensive outing Earlier, the unchanged West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl first in good batting conditions. India got off to a brisk start, with openers Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma contributing 53 runs to the team’s score. Having slammed three sixes and two fours, Sharma was dismissed by the impressive Akeal Hosein, who shattered the India captain’s stumps after he had made a 16-ball 33.

But the Indians had come out with a plan: to destroy Obed McCoy early, and they succeeded in tearing apart the left-arm quick for 25 runs in his first over. The packed Central Broward County Stadium watched as Yadav played some innovative shots, but after he had made 24 from 14 balls, he was trapped in front by the quick Alzarri Joseph, with the score being at 61-2 after 5.3 overs.

India continued to accumulate runs with ease, and

Compliments of

Pant reaching for one (ESPN Photo)

20.

Guyanese fans in Florida

Deepak Hooda, who looked promising, made a 19-ball 21 before being dismissed by Joseph with the score being at 108-3 after 11.2 overs.

At that stage, India had looked set to score in excess of 200 runs, but some decent bowling from Hosein, Joseph, Holder and Drakes put the brakes on India.

The dangerous Rishabh Pant came and threatened with his fearless strokeplay, and he made 44 from 31 balls after hitting six boundaries. He, however, was removed by the expensive McCoy, who finally got redemption with India being reduced to 146-4 in 15 overs.

Sanju Samson came and played a solid hand in scoring an unbeaten 30, while India’s designated finisher, Dinesh Karthik, made only six from nine balls. He was bowled behind his

legs by McCoy when the score was 164-5 in 18.1 overs. Samson, who stroked two fours and one six, watched Axar Patel finish the innings in style, slamming two sixes and one four in his eight-ball

Nicholas Pooran opted to use five bowlers only, and Joseph claimed 2-29 in his four overs.

However, Hosein was in fine form with the ball, claiming 1-28 in four overs. McCoy had a hard day at the office, claiming 2-66 in four overs, and that was the most expensive spell by a West Indian.

India ended on 191-5 in 20 overs, and this was their second highest total without a batsman scoring a half-century.

The two teams will meet again today, Sunday August 7, at the same venue in Florida from 10:30h Eastern Caribbean time.

SCOREBOARD India Innings Rohit Sharma (c) b Hosein 33 Suryakumar Yadav lbw b Joseph 24 Deepak Hooda c King b Joseph 21 Rishabh Pant †c Drakes b McCoy 44 Sanju Samson not out 30 Dinesh Karthik b McCoy 6 Axar Patel not out 20 Extras (lb 4, w 9) 13 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 9.55) 191/5 Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Rohit Sharma, 4.4 ov), 2-61 (Suryakumar Yadav, 5.3 ov), 3-108 (Deepak Hooda, 11.2 ov), 4-146 (Rishabh Pant, 14.6 ov), 5-164 (Dinesh Karthik, 18.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Akeal Hosein 4-0-28-1 Dominic Drakes 4-0-31-0 Obed McCoy 4-0-66-2 Alzarri Joseph 4-0-29-2 Jason Holder 4-0-33-0 West Indies Batting Brandon King c & b Avesh Khan 13 Kyle Mayers c Hooda b Patel 14 Devon Thomas †c Hooda b Avesh Khan 1 Nicholas Pooran (c) run out

(Samson/†Pant) 24 Rovman Powell c Hooda b Patel 24 Shimron Hetmyer b Ravi Bishnoi 19 Jason Holder c Samson b Arshdeep Singh 13 Akeal Hosein c Yadav b Ravi Bishnoi 3 Dominic Drakes b Arshdeep Singh 5 Alzarri Joseph not out 6 Obed McCoy b Arshdeep Singh 2 Extras (lb 3, w 5) 8 TOTAL 19.1 Ov (RR: 6.88) 132 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Brandon King, 1.4 ov), 2-22 (Devon Thomas, 3.1 ov), 3-49 (Nicholas Pooran, 4.6 ov), 4-64 (Kyle Mayers, 6.6 ov), 5-82 (Rovman Powell, 8.5 ov), 6-101 (Jason Holder, 11.2 ov), 7-106 (Akeal Hosein, 14.1 ov), 8-116 (Shimron Hetmyer, 14.6 ov), 9-128 (Dominic Drakes, 17.2 ov), 10132 (Obed McCoy, 19.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3-0-21-0 Avesh Khan 4-0-17-2 Axar Patel 4-0-48-2 Arshdeep Singh 3.1-0-12-3 Ravi Bishnoi 4-0-27-2 Deepak Hooda 1-0-4-0

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