Guyana Times - Sunday January 17, 2021

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“I questioned my existence after witnessing my father murder my mother” – a child’s experience Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4531 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

Aquaculture masterplan to be launched - President SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021

Page 10

See story on page 10

Govt wants business community involved in decision-making process – Finance Minister See story on page 3

Exxon to start development drilling in Liza Phase 2

Page 2

PRICE

$120 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

No increase in rates and taxes –Govt assures

…collection rate needs to be improved P23

46 new COVID-19 cases recorded P12 TIGI gets new President P25

Linden-Soesdyke Highway accident

Driver slapped with causing death by P25 dangerous driving charge …released on $500,000 bail

Dead: Uriel Reynolds

“You need P9 to help us” — Bharrat seeks help of loggers, miners to curb illegal activities

…installation in new oil field to finish in June – MARAD The Global Witness withdrawal of report

Page 9

APNU/AFC, Trotman not off the hook – Ram …Cabinet-commissioned Clyde & Co Report also damning

Attorney Llewellyn P26 John dies

2 NEWS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Exxon to start development drilling in Liza Phase 2 …installation in new oil field to finish in June – MARAD

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xxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), will start development drilling in the Liza Phase 2 oilfield soon, despite the recent unsuccessful drilling of the Hassa-1 well.

This was revealed by ExxonMobil’s Public and Government Affairs Advisor Janelle Persaud. She explained that when the Hassa-1 well was drilled in the Stabroek Block, it did not encounter oil in its primary target reservoir.

However, Exxon did encounter hydrocarbons in other intervals. According to Persaud, this data is being evaluated. Further, she

The Noble Don Taylor drillship

explained that the data will be integrated into their regional modelling.

The advisor also not-

ed that the well serves as a reminder of the geologic risk that comes with oil and gas exploration. However, Persaud assured that Exxon remains committed to evaluating the oil potential offshore Guyana.

“This serves as a reminder that geologic risk is inherent to frontier oil and gas exploration activities.

Nonetheless, ExxonMobil remains committed to evaluating the potential in our offshore Guyana blocks using our world-class technology and technical capabilities,” Persaud stated.

The ultimately unsuccessful Hassa-1 well was drilled by the Noble Don Taylor drillship, which

Persaud explained will now move on to Liza Phase Two where EEPGL has for some time been conducting installation activities for their exploration wells.

Those installation activities are coming to a close, however. According to a recent notice from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), installation activities being conducted by the PLV Saipem FDS2 are scheduled to be completed on June 30, 2021. In the meantime, they warned mariners to give the area a wide berth.

“The field is approximately 102 nautical miles from the coast of Guyana and covers an area of 14 square kilometres… all mariners are required to maintain a wide berth of this vessel and navigate with extreme caution when in the vicinity,” the notice said.

Saipem is the company that was awarded contracts

by Exxon to develop its Liza field 2 since 2018. The Italian-owned company is providing a number of services, including engineering and construction.

Back in May 2019, EEPGL was granted approval by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The PLV Saipem FDS2 was conducting installation activities in Liza Phase 2

to go ahead with its Liza Phase 2 Development offshore Guyana. The oil company had said that the project will have the capacity to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day.

Exxon had also revealed that the Liza Phase 2 development was funded at the cost of some US$6 billion, including a lease capitalisation cost of approximately $1.6 billion, for the Liza Utility floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel.

For the Phase 2 Development, six drill centres were planned, along with approximately 30 wells – 15 production, nine water injection and six gas injection wells. At the time, for-

mer Department of Energy Head, Dr Mark Bynoe had said that Exxon’s approval to pursue the project was subject to a number of conditions and confirmatory studies.

These include the establishment of a Regional Capping Stack or other solution to ensure that a Capping Stack can be deployed within five days of a well control event with loss of containment; improving the targeted availability of the overall production system of the Liza Phase 2 FPSO to between 98 per cent and 99 per cent, and identifying potential cost savings synergies between Liza Phase 1 and Lisa Phase 2. (G3)

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, January 17 – 04:30h – 06:00h and Monday, January 18 – 09:00h – 10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, January 17 – 06:50h – 08:20h and Monday, January 18 – 07:25h – 08:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light cloud will prevail during the day. There will be partly cloudy skies during the night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 07:15h and 19:31h reaching maximum heights of 2.46 metres and 2.51 metres.

Low Tide: 13:04h reaching a minimum height of 0.77 metre.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2020

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Govt wants business community involved in decision-making process – Finance Minister

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s Government moves ahead with its developmental plan, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh revealed that the Administration wants the business community included in its decision-making process.

To this end, he accepted an invitation by the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), to determine what assistance can be provided in addressing the burning issues affecting the business community in the region.

One of the main issues discussed at the meeting was the economy of Region Six, which has been facing severe challenges.

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh

ery household, the Central Corentyne Chamber has asked for a package in the 2021 national budget which

ly as a gave the Chamber an opportunity to give input into budget 2021.

Persaud explained that both Chambers are of the view that more agricultural land should be put into use.

"If a student leaves school and wants to get into farming, I don't see any vacant land that you can go to.

There is no land anywhere."

The Chamber official pointed out that to make new lands accessible, the overhead cost is minimal.

Government, he disclosed, will get a very good return on its investment if it is in agricultural development.

Business community’s involvement

Meanwhile,

Minister

"We are not a Government that is obsessed with pomp and pageantry and frivolous trappings of office, we are in working Government. President Ali demonstrated that on the first day that he assumed office he called the Private Sector in and said he wants to have an open and frank conversation with them on what is needed to restart the economy. That set the tone for his Government and it set the tone for all of us who work with him." – Dr Ashni Singh President of the Central Corentyne Chamber, Mohammad Rafeek explained that challenges with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is one of the main issues.

"We recommended for the Minister that a lot of services from the GRA should be online. For instance, renewing driver's licence, persons have to go and line up in Georgetown for an hour to two hours... people should have the ability to applying for their licence online and GRA processes it. Those are not things that are difficult to do," the Chamber President disclosed.

He said the Chamber's expectation is that GRA will start delivering more online services. Also, the Chamber proposed that the income tax threshold moves from $65,000 to $85,000.

Additionally, with respect to vehicles, the Chamber also recommended that the Government look at ways of having the excise taxes removed from vehicles between 2000cc and 3000cc.

"A vehicle that may cost $6 million when the Government straps on all of the excise taxes and all of the other taxes it might cost about $20 million," Rafeek said while commenting on some of the Chamber's concerns raised with the Minister.

The high interest rates by lending agencies and infrastructural development were also discussed during the meeting.

Meanwhile, apart from the $25,000 COVID-19 relief which was given to ev-

would allow businesses to get back into full business mode.

Rafeek said the Chamber is hopeful that some of their suggestions will materialise.

Meanwhile, President of the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Mohindra Persaud also attended the meeting but in his capacity as an executive member of the Central Corentyne Chamber, he said the meeting was time-

Singh disclosed that one of the main issues discussed was the economy of the region, which according to him, has been facing severe challenges.

One of the main factors for this, he told the Chamber, was the policy environment that existed over the past five years.

"A policy environment which did not lend itself to dynamic economic activity but in addition exasper-

ated by political conditions in 2020, and even further exasperated by COVID-19 which really devastated not just the economy of Berbice but throughout the country," Minister Singh outlined.

During the meeting, the business community explained some of the significant challenges facing them.

Many of the issues affect agriculture and tourism in the region.

"Berbice is not only about agriculture and farms, agriculture is very important but there are all the sectors that operate in the county."

Issues were also prioritised according to the Minister, who said it was timely since Government is currently working on budget 2021.

"I think the discussion was a useful one as we consider policy options and relative priorities for investment in budget 2021."

The Minister said the discussion was part of an ongoing close collaboration Government has been having and will continue to have with the Private Sector.

"We are not a Government that is obsessed with pomp and pageantry and frivolous trappings of office, we are in working Government. President Ali demonstrated that on the first day that he assumed office he called the Private Sector in and said he wants to have an open and frank conversation with them on what is needed to restart the economy. That set the tone for his Government and it set the tone for all of us who work with him," the Minister outlined. (Andrew Carmichael)

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021

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

Crime and punishment

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n Dostoevsky’s masterpiece, “Crime and Punishment”, the young ex-student Rashkolnikov kills an unscrupulous pawnbroker for his money. He had ambitious plans to use the money to perform great things in the world, but he soon disintegrates under the guilt of his terrible deed.

At this time, we do not know what caused 19-yearold Akash Singh to tell others about his involvement in the murder of the cousins Isaiah and Joel Henry in West Berbice, but it appears that it was his “loose lips” that led to his apprehension and questioning by the Police. If it was guilt, it would hint at a possible shred of humanity left in him after the brutal chopping and disfiguring of the two young men - his contemporaries. He admitted that it was he who had inflicted the “Xs” on the heads of the boys.

We are told, however, about the motive for the murders.

Akash identified two other individuals, his half-brother Vinod Gopaul (34) and Anil Sanicharra (33), who, along with him, were involved with planting marijuana in the backlands of West Berbice. Sanicharra hails from D’ Edward Village, which adjoins Cotton Tree Village, behind which the bodies were found and the marijuana was being cultivated.

Akash’s story is that they were told that the Henry cousins - who, even according to their parents had frequented the backlands - had destroyed their plants. Encountering them in the backlands on that fateful Saturday, he recounted that they smoked “weed” together, but after they laughed upon being informed about the razing of the plants, an infuriated Vinod and Anil started chopping them with cutlasses about their bodies. He claimed the two older men threatened his with death unless he also participated in the gruesome murder. He complied.

We, therefore, through the confession of Akash, have been provided with a plausible account of the three basic elements of the crime: the means (cutlasses), motive (anger at destroyed marijuana plants) and opportunity (meeting and consorting in the backlands of West Berbice). This does not explain the viciousness of the killing, which shocked the conscience of the nation. But the fact that it was claimed that they were all consuming drugs at the time of their berserk action lends credence to the claims, since we have all become aware of similar actions by other drug users, even against their own family members. There have been several reports that in Zeelugt, the village from which Akash hails, there is widespread drug usage by youths. Another corroborating fact to the story is that Akash was able to lead the Police to the original scene of the crime, which all investigators agreed was not where the bodies were found.

The bodies were moved on horseback, according to Akash.

At their arraignment in a Georgetown Magistrate’s Court, Vinod and Anil vehemently insisted on their innocence, and while this is not probative, it certainly must be taken seriously. That Vinod was a hardened criminal since the age of 14, when he shot his father to death and was involved in several prison escapes and a series of crimes in the Corentyne, also only shows that he had a predisposition to violence, but it is not conclusive evidence of his guilt.

The Police will have to provide hard evidence to convict the accused.

For instance, while Sanicharra was a local, the presence of Vinod and Anil in the community would have elicited interest in the close-knit communities, and witnesses must be brought forward to identify them. The horse that was used to transport the bodies should also be identified, as well as the individuals who also claimed that their marijuana farm was destroyed, and who fingered the Henry cousins.

Since they moved the bodies, can forensic DNA tests identify any of the three?

Anil’s relatives who were told by him about the murders must also be brought forward.

The point that this newspaper wishes to reiterate is that, while the confession is backed up by much circumstantial evidence, the Police must dig further. Too much is at stake for our national wellbeing for them to do less.

Horse-drawn sleigh tours on ice over Lake Cildir in Ardahan. Lake Cildir, located in Kars-Ardahan border, is the second largest lake in the eastern Anatolia region with an area of 123 sq km (Photograph: Günay Nuh/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Chairwoman and GECOM must adopt a swifter approach Dear Editor, The international standards for elections’ oversight bodies in democratic states bear a distinct variance from the disastrous performance of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in March 2020. There is much evidence that the barely-survived institution mirrored COVID-like symptoms under the weight of PNC-led infiltration and bullyism. The groundings were obvious at the Commission level, where meetings were often volatile, less than transparent, and accountable; feeding unacceptable behaviours at the Secretariat level.

In the aftermath of the disappointing, vulgar, public behaviour displayed by the Chief Elections Officer and staff over which he has responsibility and influence, the consequences informed widespread criticisms and convincing arguments for the overhaul of the organisation at various levels.

The result was a growing vitriolic environment, in which the current formula at the Commission level - and particularly the lead role of the Chairwoman - struggled.

Balanced, prudent and decisive actions are now necessitated to ensure the outgrown approaches stifling the organisation’s effectiveness are permanently removed.

The pace of action towards the foregoing has been a source of nationwide concern.

Perhaps it is understandable and permissive that a total overhaul cannot be undertaken at once. It must, however, be systemic and priority-driven, particularly because of GECOM’s legal obligation to schedule Local Government Elections.

Notwithstanding, decisive and purposeful actions to address GECOM’s image and to rebuild nationwide confidence in the organisation MUST be the immediate focus of the Commission.

It is recognisably a task more difficult than mere arguments or propositions, given the presence of antagonistic strategies related to unreal legal interpretations, and abuse of our courts (if allowed) is among the foreseeable immediate hurdles.

Therefore, I commend the GECOM Chairperson for her stance of not holding secret meetings with political parties under the circumstances, and Commissioners are expected to understand this principle. In this respect, our Constitution supports a non-partisan role for Commissioners, although in reality representations have varied from this ideal.

One must therefore view the Chairwoman’s response to the nature of the recent request by Peoples National Congress Reform General Secretary Amna Ally as being in the interest of improving transparency.

Justice Claudette Singh is indeed correct in letting the PNC Commissioners know that her preference is to have meetings with the political parties and the full Commission.

The reactions of the three APNU/AFC GECOM Commissioners have brought no surprises. Those reactions reinforce their typically irrational behaviour to anything that advocates fairness, and are consistent with the innate character displayed by the PNC for decades. Their decision to walk out of a meeting of the Commission because the Chairperson refused to hold

secret meetings is not only wicked, but vindictive.

These are the same three Commissioners who were fully behind the postponing of Elections during 2019, and who had, for five months, done everything in their reach to frustrate the announcement of the results of the National and Regional Elections that were held on March 02, 2020.

These three musketeers were quiet for some time, perhaps ashamed to face the public after the futile outcome of their regional efforts to CARICOM Heads, and distasteful interventions to delay the true results of the elections.

Their roles and influence within and over the process effectively realised the unpredicted havoc that not only threatened the acceptability of GECOM itself, but the nation at large.

Suddenly, out of the darkness, they have appeared to recommence their objective of disruption. They walked out of a meeting of the Commission, sarcastically claiming that the ‘Good Lady Chairwoman’ was discourteous because of action she took to improve transparency.

These pretentious lunatics have now staked a claim for major stakeholdership of GECOM; albeit, a malignant, cancerous one. The obvious question is: Who makes them the major stakeholders?

Perhaps because they wielded overwhelming influence over the Chief Elections Officer, and were successful in passing on their poisonous spew over the organisation’s operations.

By their admission, the public is seeing and hearing why they held this Nation at ‘ransom’ for five months.

Can one imagine why this prejudicial secret meeting with

the eminent Justice Claudette Singh is being requested by part of the Commission? Of note, her reactions to the singular engagement approach of PNC General Secretary Amna Ally, to proffer PNC proposals to the matters at hand, must be eking out another path.

Valuable information I have received suggests that the PNC want to backdoor influence the postponement of the scheduled Local Government Elections, thereby giving the APNU/AFC/PNC an opportunity to blame the PPP/C. The divided PNC, at one of their split caucuses, accepted that they cannot win at the Local Government Elections to be held this year, hence they have moved to resuscitate surreptitious manoeuvres to use as an attempt to influence the GECOM Chairperson to see off or effect delays. The PNC are leading their cabal followers to come back with a claim to have ‘house-to-house registration and proposing several opinions they believe would enable them to benefit from the postponement of elections.

I therefore propose that the Chairwoman and GECOM must adopt a swifter approach to cleanse itself of all threats to free and fair elections, and ready itself to deliver the scheduled Local Government Elections.

The PPP/C Government MUST provide the supporting framework to help GECOM ensure timely delivery. A firm grip over transparent and accountable meetings of the Commission is a precursor; and to this end, Chairwoman Justice (retired) Madam Claudette Singh is expected to be assertive.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021

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Don’t ask Sam what he did, examine yourself Dear Editor, I too have noted the attacks that the PNC’s Hamilton Green and other PNC sympathisers have carried out against an outstanding Guyanese, Samuel Hinds.

Asking him what he did for “Black People”.

Sam’s answer in the newspapers on January 16th was most profound and need not be added to.

The question I want to pose to Hamilton Green et al, who continue to pursue that racist line is, have they ever stopped to consider the harm that the PNC elite and their racist “intellectuals” have done to black people?

In order to gain power the PNC worked with colonialism and fought against Independence of this country. The use of racism and violence to stop freedom was a blotch against the glorious history of African Guyanese people who endured some of the greatest sufferings during slavery, whose sacri-

fices were unimaginable in the many fights for freedom and whose post-slavery contributed were very significant, the village movement among them.

The PNC leaders, instead of using that history to help them to achieve even more for their country, turned it into a bitter demand for entitlement. This made one of the most generous and kind people appear to be brutal and savage, time and time again from 1962 to 2020.

The PNC elite, who have been the main beneficiaries of the racist instigation of African Guyanese to riots and destroy, have even encouraged the glorification of criminals in pursuit of their diabolical wealth and riches at the expense of the masses of African Guyanese.

We remember clearly how they turned the funeral of Lyndon London, a bandit, into a ‘hero’ by using all their facilities and mobilising crowds while placing the

National Flag on his coffin.

Have you considered the role model you have provided to black youth?

Have we forgotten how often the PNC elite sided with criminals against the police?

Do we recall that the PNC sent their supporters in red to celebrate the murder of Superintendent Leon Fraser on the day of his funeral?

Is it not true that it was the PNC leaders’ support for the criminal Douglas gang that allowed them to hold out in Buxton for months raping, burning and other abuses of those decent people who dared to open their mouths?

Is it not clear that the heads of the army and police then are now high in the PNC and part of the rigging cabal!

When we talk about police standing by and watching robberies, even killings and molestation of IndoGuyanese, was that not part of the PNC-CIA and colonial plans to drive fear in IndoGuyanese? Wasn’t that men-

tality not strengthened by the call of Desmond Hoyte to the police to do just that when he spoke of “Kith and Kin” and “Slow Fyah, Mo Fyah” in the post-1997 racist attacks against Janet Jagan elections? Do you remember putting the escapees on TV and calling them “freedom fighters”?

Think about the harm that these things have done to masses of people.

Furthermore, the PNC elite, from its inception, have been very brutal against African Guyanese who opposed their racism.

Going back to the vicious attacks on Brindley Benn, Ashton Chase, E.M.G Wilson, Cyril Belgrave and a host of others. Many of the PPP’s African members had bombs thrown into their homes on the West Coast Berbice to silence them; comrade Felix of Washington, West Coast Berbice, was a case in point.

The idea was to drive out the black people from the PPP by

Man: the destroyer of its own habitat Dear Editor, Just days apart, we saw another dolphin washed up on Guyana’s shores. Although environmentalists have yet to ascertain the cause of death, or to justify these rare events, it breaks my heart to see the carcasses of these magnificent and innocent animals in the manner in which they were found.

Further to these cases, we saw dead fish in their numbers floating in a trench between Mandela Avenue and Cemetery Road in November, 2020. It is suspected that this was caused by the seepage of chemicals from a nearby dumpsite.

These incidents are a cause of great concern. They prove how human activities have a serious impact on the natural environment, so much so that the world in which life depends is constantly being destroyed.

The culprit? Human beings! There are no other species that destroy the earth more than human beings themselves! Humans have the capacity to think, which enables them to create and/or to destroy. They abuse these faculties out of greed and egoism for the accumulation of wealth and control. As a result of this, they have lost their connection with nature. As Mahatma Gandhi eloquently said, “The earth can provide for everybody’s need, but not enough

for one man’s greed.”

As a human being, I am of the conviction that we need to restore our moral precepts by returning to the teachings of our Divine Religions. I say this because I believe that our environmental problem is not only a product of materialism, but also a moral one.

Consequently, we need to adjust certain policies and practices so that the current environmental and ecological crisis does not intensify into an uncontrollable phenomenon.

Simple practices such as composting instead of throwing our waste and trash into oceans and waterways would constitute a more rational and environmentally friendly approach. Human beings, though, with their knack to destroy, would rather pump their filth into the air, polluting our air, or spill their waste and garbage into our oceans and waterways, because by these means it is “easier and faster” to dispose of their waste. What humans fail to understand, though, is that after a while, these practices affect life, while destroying our environment. As a result, we cannot swim, or even breathe properly, as toxins and waste emit a foul stench; or, as I say, an odour of death.

We see the owners of these massive oil firms proclaiming that there are no environmental consequenc-

es whatsoever in the scope of their work. However, we have seen from these same oil rigs how cyanide wastewater enters the ocean and impacts aquatic organisms, plants and microscopic forms of life.

Subsequently, as water flows through our waterways, it destroys more and more lifeforms. Water is a sacred element through which God has created all life. As the Quran says, “He made from water every living thing.” (Quran 21:30) What humans ignore is the fact that creation has been made to work as a whole. Each part of life, including humankind, plays its own self-preserving role, and in so doing, supports the rest. The whole of creation was made to work within a defined pattern. We are all mutually dependent on each other for survival.

Furthermore, human beings need to recognise that everything God has created is made up of its own ‘nation’ or ‘community.’ As the Qur’an says, “There is not an animal (that lives) on Earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms a part) a community like you.” (Qur’an 6:38) As a result, we must honour and respect each organism and life form, as each is part of a bigger picture.

As human beings, we have been created to be the “trustees” of the Creator, and to preserve nature as a sacred sign

and trust of the Almighty God. The Human being is the vicegerent of God on earth, and just the resource manager, not the owner. He/she is just the beneficiary, and not the disposer. We should therefore strive not to abuse, exploit, or distort the environment and/ or its inhabitants. As human beings, we are enjoined with a certain responsibility towards every living creature.

Islam teaches that, on the Day of Judgement, we would be answerable for how we treated and cared for these creatures. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) states: “If without good reason anyone kills a sparrow, or a creature lesser than that even, the living creature will put his complaints to God on the day of Judgement, saying: “Soand-So killed me for no purpose.” In this regard, we must understand and recognise that any act of destruction is strongly condemned, whether it be in respect to human beings or to other living beings.

Man has the capacity to destroy, and he also has the capacity to create - to function in unison with the universe and God. Mankind needs to mature, and have some power of thought to protect his environment, so that our children and generations to come will live and prosper.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan, Snr

We must see justice for all!

Dear Editor, The recent arrests in the Henry boys’ case make for great news in the advancement of obtaining justice and maintaining a justice system that works independently of race or political affiliation.

The currently open cases of 17-year-old Haresh Singh and 34-year-old Chatterpaul Harripaul also need to be brought to a successful closure.

We have seen what political unrest in the USA has done. It had also led to a violent protest that resulted in the deaths of several individuals. Protesters are being arrested in that case; and in the case of Mr Harripaul, who fired his weapon during the rioting over the Henry boys’ murder, the local protesters who were involved in his murder also need to be arrested and charged.

The Guyana Police Force must show no racial or political bias in the execution of its duties, and avoid the perpetuation of its current reputation for biasness within the non-black community. Those involved in the protesters-led murder of Mr Harripaul and the murder of young Haresh Singh must also be brought before the courts, and stand trial for those murders. Our judicial

system must be even-handed in how it deals with such heinous and racially-motivated hate crimes.

Hopefully, there has been the foresight to ensure that the FBI was able to also look into these two cases while conducting their recent investigation into the other two murders.

With concern, Jamil Changlee

whatever means necessary so that the PNC racist propaganda could penetrate deeply into the psyche of African Guyanese. Too many decent African people stayed quiet and the issue was allowed to spread beyond the PPP. Walter Rodney and others, who opposed this criminal/mafia type of politics, were brutally murdered to silence them. Why have they done this? To enrich themselves. The abuse of power, the deals like the Drug bond, the land deals show exactly this. While they rape the country, they use race to keep black people quiet.

The harm that has been done was seen on the West Coast Berbice not long ago when, without any proof, with a click of the finger, they have managed to get ill-informed and very, very prejudiced people to create mayhem on

our public thoroughfare.

Hamilton Green claims to be religious but instead of attempting to make amends he has joined with the younger racists that the PNC has spawned to once again bang the racial poison in the heads of black people to sustain a PNC elite that has no intention of changing its corrupt ways.

Sam Hinds contributions against these things, his contribution to black people and all Guyanese as an important part of the PPP/C efforts stand like a shining example, a real role model for any young Guyanese.

So don’t ask Sam what he did, examine yourself and see how you have destroyed many black people. How much more would be enough?!

Donald Ramotar Former President

Africanists must take advantage of the economic opportunities on offer Dear Editor, Mr Vincent Alexander, Dr David Hinds, Mr Eric Phillips, and other Africanists should take advantage of the entrepreneurial wave which is now sweeping Guyana. There is new interest in small industry, in commerce, and in the jobs spawned by the Oil Industry.

These Africanists should encourage their friends and relatives in North America to take advantage of the various investments available; as, for example, the Hotel (including Guest House) Industry.

And they should encourage African youth to train for, and apply for, jobs in the Oil Industry.

They should take advan-

tage of the Government’s Local Content Policy, and have the Oil Industry train youth in the jobs they require, rather than employing foreigners.

These Africanists must joyously and enthusiastically get into the act, and could immediately put forward some plans before action. Then they would never again have to complain that the world is “marginalising” them, or that the economic structure of the world and Guyana is stacked against Africans.

Get down to work, brethren!

Sincerely, Paul Validum Ramlochan

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021

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Foundation

By: Robert Myers, PhD

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hat is your response when your child is frustrated? Does your child’s frustration lead to your own frustration? Let’s say you’re in a hurry to get out the door to go somewhere and your child is having trouble getting ready, or they’re just not ready to go. How are you feeling? Are you becoming emotionally upset? How might you react to your child continuing to say, “I just can’t get this?” after you have spent 20 minutes trying to help her with a set of math problems? A new research study sheds some light on how the emotional state of a parent affects the emotional welfare of a child. A research team in the department of psychology at the University of California, Riverside, conducted an experimental study involving school-age children and their parent facing a frustrating task together and found that when parents remain calm, they can help a frustrated child self-regulate. The study soon to be published, “Physiological Contagion in ParentChild Dyads During an Emotional Challenge,” used electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring of both parent and child to measure their emotional state. Emotional contagion occurs when children unconsciously sense their parents’ emotions.

For the study, each parent/child pair entered a room where the child was given a challenging Lego puzzle to complete, and the parent was instructed to watch but not help their child. During the second part of the session, the pair were told they had five extra minutes to complete the puzzle, and the parent could help. The ECG data indicated the parent’s emotional state influenced the child’s emotional regulation but that the child’s emotional state did not affect the parent. While this is a novel approach to looking at this aspect of the parent-child relationship and further studies will need to be conducted to verify and further understand this phenomenon, it’s useful to see how the functioning of the parent’s nervous system can connect with a child’s nervous system. This is sometimes referred to as attunement or co-regulation. The parent’s connecting with the child in

the second phase helped their child to emotionally regulate, or to “calm down.” From day one, how you as a parent respond to your child when they’re upset will shape their ability to self-regulate. If a parent tells a child who is crying to “stop crying,” “get over it,” or “it’s no big deal,” the child is likely to remain upset. Yelling at a child or telling him to go to his room until he calms down does nothing to help him learn to self-regulate or “control” his emotions and usually leads to repetition and even an escalation of over-reacting to frustrating circumstances. Picking up a baby when they’re crying will lead to the baby to stop crying when she sees or hears her parent. Hugging and sharing empathy with a toddler and providing reassurance when they’re upset helps them to calm down. With older children, you can then encourage them to use words to express their feelings.

When parents repeatedly ignore or respond negatively or punitively to a child when they’re emotionally upset, as the

child develops, he or she will likely over-react to frustrating situations more frequently and more intensely. When you’re confronted by a crying baby or an upset child, the first thing is for you to regroup and remain calm. Taking a few deep breaths helps most people. When you can respond calmly or neutrally, you will help your child because they’re unconsciously picking up on your calmness, which in turn will cause their nervous system to calm down. Your baby will feel secure. You will then use the moment to help an older child learn skills such as deep breathing, reframing (looking at the situation in a more positive light) as well as using words to convey their thoughts and feelings. A parent may assume their child is choosing to cry, yell or stomp their feet rather than use words. What is more likely the case is the child hasn’t developed an adequate emotional vocabulary. A meltdown may be the perfect time to teach your child appropriate ways to state how they’re feeling. Once a child can tell you how they feel and why they’re feeling that way, you can help them learn to problem solve and/or become able to accept some situations even though they’d like them to be different. The more time parents spend helping their child develop coping skills, the less time they’ll spend responding to emotional outbursts. This will then enable you to help them express their needs to others. It also opens up the opportunity to begin to help your child to attune to the needs of others. Listening to your child does not mean that you’ll give in or grant their every wish, but it does help them to feel accepted and more open to listening to you so you can teach them coping skills including emotional regulation, problem-solving as well as empathy and understanding of others.

Here are a few basic tips:

1. Take a few deep breaths and/or count silently to 10 if you’re feeling upset.

2. Look at your child and pay attention to any emotional cues including body language, tone of voice, and words if they’re using them.

3. Calmly validate their feelings by saying, “I see you’re (angry, mad, upset, disappointed, sad, etc.)”

4. Next, try to understand why they’re upset. If you’re not sure you might say, “Tell me what is making you …?”

If they can’t tell you, state your observation by saying, “It looks to me like you are ___ because of ___? I understand how that could ___.

5. With younger children, this may be the time to say, “I’m sorry you are ___” and then redirect by saying, “Oh look at ____. I bet you can ____ with it.”

6. For older children, you may have to be assertive and say, I know that is making you feel ___ but ___ (explain or state the reason their desire is not realistic).

7. In some cases, problem-solving may be an appropriate approach.

8. Taking time to teach basic coping skills for toddlers and older children is definitely in order. (Excerpt from childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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Avoiding...

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…governance from Parliament ow that the Police have taken action to defuse one of the most explosive issues facing the nation - the murder of the Henry cousins - maybe we can get on with just-as-pressing issues that keep getting swept under the rug. Take the matter of “shared governance”, which the PNC - and so many well-meaning Guyanese - insist must take centre stage. They ignore the many “shared-governance” mechanisms already in place, which the PNC Opposition refuse to use and become involved in the governance of Guyana. Yes, you heard that right, dear readers: the PNC refuse to help govern Guyana. What they prefer is mount soapboxes and whip up supporters into frenzies of nihilistic violence against fellow citizens stereotyped as “PPP supporters”.

Take the four Parliamentary Sectoral Committees (PSC) - in Economic Activity, Foreign Affairs, Social Services and Natural Resources. These were formed after the PNC bludgeoned the PPP and demanded to be included in “governance”. These committees cover the ENTIRE gamut of governmental activities, and are constitutionally mandated to SCRUTINISE the latter in real time. As such, they go BEYOND, say, the traditional Public Affairs Committee that’s chaired by an Opposition MP - but checks Government spending AFTER the fact.

Half of the PSCs are chaired by the Opposition in a rotating arrangement - and they have great leeway in setting the agenda of their Committees. But the PNC aren’t really interested in “shared governance”. What they want is to monopolise governance - as they did in their 33 years in Government - to loot the public treasury. To use the PSCs to keep the PPP on the straight and narrow takes time to summon Govt officials and be prepared to grill them in areas of national concern.

Take the injection of Govt funds into the sugar industry, over which the PNC have made much noise. The Economic Services Committee could’ve had the executives and Board of GuySuCo on the carpet to be given explanations as to what’s going on. But, dear reader, that means work and research! Which act like garlic to Count Dracula!

Then there’s the matter of instituting constitutional change, that the PNC insist is necessary going forward.

Well, there’s a STANDING (permanent) Committee on Constitutional Change, in which Ramjattan, Trotman, Nicolette Henry and Walton Desir sit with Nandlall, Manickchand, Ramsingh, Parag and Datadin. Let’s see what they’ll be placing on the agenda in the months ahead.

Your Eyewitness figures it’ll amount to ZILCH - same as what they did in the previous five years. They met 7 times in 5 years, and NEVER even considered the recommendations from their own Steering Committee on Constitutional Reform (SCCR), led by Nigel Hughes!

The PNC are just political opportunists and charlatans. …lobbying realities Granger’s hand-picked Opposition Leader, Joe Harmon, seems completely out of his depth as far as his portfolio goes. But your Eyewitness suspects that loyalty to the Caudillo trumps all! Take his recent criticism of the PPP Government for hiring a Washington lobbying firm to promote our interests to the incoming Biden Administration. He says the US$25,000 monthly over the next six months could’ve been better spent on our Foreign Service, which can do the same lobbying.

Now, if one didn’t know that Harmon - in Govt!- PERSONALLY intervened last year to hire a Washington lobbying firm at US$40,000 monthly to try to save the PNC’s bacon, you’d think he was naive about how Washington operates! Lobbying is the lifeblood of the American political system!! But Harmon’s just playing the fool. He knows perfectly well that lobbying by our diplomats will continue in parallel with the lobbyists.

What Harmon and the PNC are worried about is that, once again, the PPP have checkmated them with the elephant in our hemisphere! …diplomacy We all know that “new brooms sweep clean”; the sweeper can’t sweep out the good with the bad.

To switch the metaphor, your Eyewitness advises the new Min of Sports not to be a bull in a china shop!

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

NEWS

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The Global Witness withdrawal of report

APNU/AFC, Trotman not off the hook – Ram …Cabinet-commissioned Clyde & Co Report also damning

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hile the recent withdrawal of a damning report into his handling of the oil and gas sector has given former Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman cause to celebrate, oil and gas commentator Christopher Ram is saying “not so fast.”

At a Murray Housefacilitated panel discussion on Saturday, Attorneyat-Law Ram discussed a

number of issues regarding the sector. One particular issue he addressed was the international NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO) Global Witness’ decision to backtrack from a damning report they previously issued about the former Government.

“The decision by Global Witness to withdraw its report, for whatever reason, has not only undermined the cause and effort of the

domestic and NGO community, but it leaves you to wonder about the reason that they gave. And it was not surprising that Minister Trotman of the APNU immediately claimed the (report) was a political hatchet job,” Ram said.

The report in question, titled “Signed Away” was written and released last year by Global Witness, an international organisation with a long track record of

“You need to help us” – Bharrat seeks help of loggers, miners to curb illegal activities

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atural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat has called on workers in the logging and mining industry to assist the Government to deter illegal activities within the sectors.

This call to action was made at Thursday’s Government outreach at Watooka Guest House, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

“When we have illegal logging, illegal mining, it takes away a lot of revenue from the country. It creates unfair competition to you because a contractor will go and purchase illegal lumber at a cheaper rate rather than purchasing from you because you are paying royalties, you are paying all your taxes and everything. They can afford to sell cheaper because they pay nothing,” Bharrat explained, according to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report.

“So, you need to help us.

You need to work with us to ensure that we can curb this trend.”

He said the illegal activities in the extractive industry are of immense concern to the Administration.

Meanwhile, Bharrat said Government will continue to facilitate access to new markets for small- to medium-scale loggers of Region 10 as stated in the party’s manifesto.

To further strengthen the forestry sector, the Minister added that more emphasis will be placed on creating value-added products.

“We have been comfortable over the years to export logs. However, we can increase our revenue significantly if we convert those logs to lumber, if we convert those lumber to wood products,” the Minister is quoted as saying.

Since assuming office, the PPP/C has made tremendous strides to support the natural resources sector.

Concerning the Guyana Forestry Commission, $350 million was invested through the 2020 emergency budget to strengthen its daily oper-

ations.

The log export policy was also revamped to permit sawmillers and dealers without forestry concessions to export logs.

This will allow more businesses to export logs, thereby leading to higher profit margins and increased Government revenue.

Among a host of budgetary relief measures that were implemented last September, several incentives have positively impacted both the mining and forestry sectors.

Some of these include the rollback of VAT and duty on machinery and equipment, in addition to VAT removals on all exports and hinterland travel.

Tax concessions were also granted for both sectors.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali had underscored that these measures were designed to stimulate economic growth, increase the country’s productive capacity, and reduce the cost of doing business.

Clyde & Company also did a report on the former Govt’s handling of the sector

exposing corruption and human rights abuses.

Among its recommendations was for Guyana’s Government to investigate the role played by the Natural Resources Minister in brokering the deal. The report had claimed that Trotman arrived at the oil company’s headquarters in Texas in April 2016 and that Guyana was given 10 weeks to sign a new draft licence. When it comes to Trotman himself, the report questioned how much time he spent negotiating.

But in a statement a few days ago, the London-based Global Witness said that it was withdrawing the report which had claimed that the former Government’s lack of negotiating skills cost Guyana US$55 billion.

Global Witness had attributed its decision to its heightened focus on climate change. However, Trotman wasted little time in releas-

ing a statement lambasting Global Witness for its report and even accusing the NGO of election meddling.

During the panel discussion, Ram reminded that the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government had commissioned a report from British law firm Clyde and Company, which he described as equally damning as the Global Witness report of their handling of the oil and gas sector.

“The Clyde report is an even more damning report… and it was commissioned by the APNU/AFC,” Ram noted, adding that it painted a very unflattering picture of certain persons within the former Government.

Clyde and Company was contracted by the former Government in 2019 to review the agreement and the process that was followed.

According to excerpts from

Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram

the report, it was found that the former Government did not press for better fiscal terms even though they could have.

“The Government could have taken a different approach and tried to have extensive negotiations on the terms of the 2016 Agreement, principally to improve the fiscal terms.

However, such an approach was not in the forefront of the Government’s mind.

The Government was more focused on ensuring continuity with the Contractor Consortium and achieving progress in the Stabroek Block,” the Clyde and Company report had said.

(G3)

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Aquaculture masterplan to be launched - President

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limate change and the changing landscape of the fisheries industry led Government to think outside the box, with the announced move to transition to an aquaculture-based operation.

President Irfaan Ali informed on Friday that strategies are in place to undertake this feat, which will be supported by a masterplan

that will be released in the near future.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event, he said they are placing all emphasis on sustainability in the industry, and the move to aquaculture will cushion some of the challenges being experienced due to climate change. Apart from this, Guyana must join the bandwagon in transforming the sector.

“We’re working on a sustainable pathway for the industry. Our focus is transitioning into aquaculture because they’re many different challenges outside of the control of policy as a result of climate change and the change in dynamics in the sector itself,” Dr Ali shared.

The Head of State said that capacity building and investments are essential at this point in time. These and other aspects will be penned in Government’s masterplan for the sector.

“We have to look at ways in which we can build capacity and expand capacity to expand the sector. Investment in aquaculture and support for this is what we’re focusing on now. Very shortly, we will address all of those issues in the context of the aquaculture masterplan that we will launch very soon.”

Aquaculture or aquafarming is the nurturing of fish, crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic plants and other organisms. Both freshwater

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

and saltwater populations are reared under controlled conditions.

At the ending of 2020, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha pledged to develop the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station into a model farm that can ultimately be a boost to transform the country’s aquaculture industry. This would be in the form of injecting resources into the facility in a bid to develop it into a model farm.

He had said the reason behind such a move is “because many aquaculture farmers need guidance, extension services and also need these fingerlings for us to provide them and give them the kind of guidance to grow them.”

The Agriculture Minister said that his vision is for the industry to contribute to the agriculture output.

Moreover, Mustapha noted that the industry could be the most transformative

sector once adequately nourished.

“I want the aquaculture industry to make a contribution to our agriculture output, and I am hoping that extension services, research services that we plan to put here and provide to the farmers, we can encourage aquaculture farming in our country…Aquaculture farming has the potential of bringing in a lot of revenue, and many Caribbean countries and even North America and other places need these kinds of fishes. So, I will encourage and promote aquaculture,” he concluded.

The Ministry is also seeking to pursue agro-processing in a bid to reduce food loss and increase farmers’ income. Measures will also follow to maintain and sustain national food security and safety in the context of improving the quality of livestock products and reducing domestic market prices to meet the need for the most vulnerable. (G12)

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Addressing objections to a Federalised Guyana

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ost of the objections to the federalist proposals have come from African-Guyanese. This is a remarkable position, since minorities across the globe, from Assam to Zimbabwe, have been clamouring for federalist principles to be instituted to protect their interests against actual or potential majorities. The reason is that, in Guyana, Africans literally do not see themselves as a “minority”. Their history of having slaved to build the foundations of the country, their dominant Creole values, their occupancy of the key state institutions etc. have served to engender an entrenched belief of greater legitimacy to the national patrimony. The corollary, of course, is that until this belief is addressed, Africans will not concede legitimacy to a Government perceived to be representative only of Indians. Federalism acknowledges the African right to a just share of their birthright.

Federalism and Partition When the federalist proposals were first broached, it was with a large measure of surprise that the present writer noted many Guyanese saw it as Ravi Dev a Trojan horse for “partition”.

There may have been two reasons for this mistaken assumption. Firstly, back in the sixties, with the spectre of open ethnic conflict, Eusi Kwayana (then Sydney King) had proposed that the country be partitioned into three zones – one for Indians, one for Africans, and the third for all those who wanted to live together.

That this proposal may have been in the minds of Guyanese forty years after its presentation leads to the second, related, possible rationale. It is most likely that the ethnic conflict has proven so intractable for almost half a century that many Guyanese do not see any resolution, and either desire partition or fear the sentiment is so strong that, given an inch with federalism, secessionist elements would quickly demand the “mile” of partition, so as to get on with their lives.

Small populations not viable It has been pointed out that the populations of the proposed states may be too small to be viable. This criticism ignores the fact that, right in Caricom, there are a dozen full-fledged independent states that are doing much better than Guyana. It also looks at the population of Guyana as if it would be static; but if Guyana regains stability, we can be sure that the population would rise. At the time of the union, the original thirteen States of the US each had much smaller populations than today.

In 1999, Canada carved out a new territory - Nunavut - for its Innuits in the North, who number only 25,000. Today, size is not as important as before, in an integrated, globalised world where trade-bloc access guarantees markets. Improvements in technology create efficiencies of production at increasingly smaller scales of production.

The State/Regional Governments would require too large a bureaucracy The argument on the need for extra layers of bureaucrats, which would prove to be a financial burden, goes to the need for bureaucratic efficiency and cost – potent arguments. However, the present Regional System duplicates many activities performed at the Federal level, and vice-versa. It presently has more workers than the proposed Federal System would need, because of the streamlining effect of the clearer, constitutionally-enforced demarcation of responsibilities (exclusive competencies) that would be precipitated by the Federal reforms. The calls for simply more “devolution” would fail, because of this barrier against interference by the Central Govt.

Guyana would be weakened to External threats It has been suggested that a Federal Guyana would be weakened, and become more vulnerable to external threats. This allegation is related to the accusation that federalism would lead to a break-up of the Guyanese State. As has been emphasised, Guyana would remain a sovereign state, and the Federal Government, having less to do, may perform better at the duties left at that level, such as Defence and External Affairs.

The Army would be a federal institution that would be deployed primarily at our borders, from where our major external threats would come.

Citizens would have to move, or be restricted in their movements Since Guyana would remain as a single country, all citizens would be free to move throughout the country in an unhampered manner. While States/Regions may set residency requirements for certain benefits, they would not be able to prohibit any Guyanese citizen from moving into a State or settling there.

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46 new COVID-19 cases recorded C

ases from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been increasing constantly throughout January and on Saturday, 46 new cases were reported. This contributed to the total confirmed statistics of 6851 cases.

The Health Ministry’s statistics showed deaths remaining at 170. There are five persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 55 in institutional quarantine, 504 in home isolation and 38 in institutional quarantine. This indicates that active cases

have climbed to 564.

A breakdown showed that four new cases were detected in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), three in Region Three

(Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) 26 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), two in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), two in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), three in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and five in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The cases in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remained at 981, 152 and 403.

Some 6162 patients have recovered, after 3515 males

and 3332 females tested positive.

On Friday, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said the new variant of COVID-19 that was detect-

ed a few days ago in Brazil poses concern since it is a more transmittable form of the coronavirus.

He was quoted as saying, “We are very concerned…If this is more transmittable, then more people are going to get infected and if more people get infected, then we can assume that we’ll get a higher percentage of them coming into the hospital needing ICU care. These are going to be the challeng-

es if this variant circulates in our country.”

On the aspect of closing borders with neighbouring Brazil, he informed that the land border has been closed for some time. In fact, the Takutu Bridge which connects Guyana to Brazil is only open for the exchange of goods one day per week.

“The bridge over the Takutu [River] has been closed. We do allow on Thursdays very limit-

ed amount of interaction where goods can come over from Brazil and goods from Guyana can go across to Brazil. That is properly supervised by the health authority of both countries.”

There have been instances of persons coming into Guyana illegally, prompting efforts from the Joint Services to patrol the border regions. Brazilians have also bolstered their surveillance efforts.

While more investigation is underway to get a clearer “clinical picture”, the Pan American Health Organisation has positioned that it might have already spread to several South American territories.

Genetic sequencing would have made the detection in these countries, an indication that precautions should be taken even more seriously.

“PAHO has estimated that the variant might be in a number of South American countries. The reason why they would have said that is because they have a network of 21 laboratories that have been doing genetic sequencing and they’ve detected this variant in some of those countries. That

variant is in Brazil for sure and one of the characteristics of that it is more transmittable, meaning that you can’t get it more easily. That is why we will have to take precautions,” the Minister positioned.

Globally, there are 92,262,621 reported cases of COVID-19 with more than 2 million deaths. In the Americas, there are 40,922,526 with 947,544 deaths. (G12)

FEATURE

Domestic Violence

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“I questioned my existence after witnessing my father murder my mother” – a child’s experience

By Lakhram Bhagirat

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ezia King and her brother, Oriel King’s world changed, not for the better but the worst, about ten months ago when they witnessed their father – the man that was supposed to protect and care for them – brutally hacking their mother to death.

Their pain is incomprehensible and they are trying to cope with not just the loss but the callous way their mother was taken from them.

On March 27, 2020, at about 19:30h, according to the Police, 37-year-old Natoya Speede was chopped to death by her husband Orrin King in the vicinity of the Bartica Airstrip, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). He would then turn the knife on himself in what would turn out to be a failed attempt to take his own life.

He would later be charged for murder and was remanded to prison until his matter comes up again on May 14.

The Sunday Times recently sat down, virtually, with Kezia and her aunt Kellyann Speede where they related how the family have been coping with the tragedy.

Kezia celebrated her 18th birthday on January 12 and for her it was the toughest one yet because her mother was not there to shower her with love like before. While her aunt is there supporting them, the void that her mother’s death left behind remains unfilled.

The teenager has been having a difficult time coping particularly because of the fact that she witnessed her mother’s murder. She tried to save her but could not overpower her father.

Recounting her parents’ relationship, Kezia said that they were deeply in love for the first 15 years of her life. She said that her father and mother, like many couples, would have small arguments but they would confront the issues and move on.

However, when she turned 15, things started to change in the home. Her parents’ relationship started on a downward spiral and that saw her father becoming extremely abusive not just to her mother, but also to herself and brother.

“He started bickering and using indecent languages at us. He would just come home from work and start cussing or just bickering if things didn’t go his way and if my mom wanted to just go by her sister to just hang out or relax, he would get angry and jealous.

He was even jealous of us because if she was around us for too long, he would start chasing us and stuff like that.

He used to beat her; he would cuff her. I remember this one time we were sleeping – this was after he had an affair with a woman – he would beat her because she would start throwing remarks (about the affair) at him and things like that. He used to punch her in her face. This one time he even went to buss her head in front us,” she recounted.

In 2019, Speede finally got the courage to leave her husband behind with the help of her sisters.

Kezia King Kezia recounted that her mother was financially dependent on her father so she endured the abuse. However, in August of 2019 her aunts pitched in and got Speede the finance to be able to stand on her own feet.

She packed up her children and then moved to her sister’s, Kellyann’s, home and shortly after rented an apartment in the West Indian Housing Scheme in Bartica where they lived.

March 27, 2020 March 27, 2020, was somewhat of a normal day for Speede and her children. Her son was over by his father and Kezia was home with her. They spent some of the day in bed together and then about 11:00h, Orrin called and asked if they wanted to “go for a drive” but Kezia refused and they stayed home and slept more.

During the course of the day, Speede told her daughter that she had a bad dream but refused to divulge the details.

“I asked her if she prayed and she was praying all day,” she remembered.

Later in the day, Kezia and her mother got out of bed after Kellyann called to remind them of the scheduled photoshoot to celebrate her son’s second birthday. They got dressed and called Orrin to tell him to get Oriel ready.

“We got dressed and she looked at me like kinda puzzled, like worried and I was like ‘mommy you alright’ and she was like ‘I’m alright’ and she was like we gotta get somebody to take us. I was like ‘call one of your brothers’ and she was like ‘man they don’t wanna come for us’ and I was like ‘call a taxi’ and she was like ‘is best you call your father.’

I was like ‘no man, don’t call him’ and she was like ‘yeah’ and I was like ‘you sure?’ and she told him to get my brother ready for the photoshoot.

He came and picked us up and told us that he has to go collect some money from some man that he sold one of his tools to,” she said.

They told Orrin that he should drop them to the photoshoot but he insisted that they collect the money before he dropped them off. He drove all the way to Five Miles in the vicinity of the Airstrip and into a track where no one lived.

“I remember asking him ‘daddy where this man living because I don’t know anybody living here’. He was like ‘just now we gon reach man, don’t worry.’ He drove into the track

and I remember seeing just bushes, he came out the car and was like ‘yo, yo’ hard and then he opened the trunk,” the still grieving teenager remembered.

After he opened the trunk, Orrin made his way to the passenger side of the car and opened to door to the seat where Speede was sitting.

He immediately began firing chops at her and dragged her out of the car where he continued chopping her.

Kezia, Oriel and her two young cousins were also in the vehicle and she rushed out to attempt to save her mother.

“I remember running around to push him away and him and I actually tumbled because I think if I didn’t push him off, she would have sustained more injuries. After that I told my brother and my two cousins let’s run and I remember running out of the track with them and this man on a bicycle came and asked what happened.

“My brother had a phone and he made a call to the Police and they thought we were playing I guess and they took a while to get there. I kept asking if they were coming. Half hour passed and the Police didn’t come. It was getting dark, late. We were sitting cold, trembling with blood all over us and they didn’t come. I called my uncle and he and my cousins came before the Police and when my aunt came to collect us then I saw the Police on our way leaving,” the teenager recounted.

Coping After they fled from the scene, Kezia did not go back to see whether her mother survived or not. They were too terrified to do so and ever since they have been trying to cope with the gravity of their loss.

For the first few months, Kezia and her brother could not sleep because every time they closed their eyes, the vision of their mother being hacked came flooding back.

“For the first few months my brother and I couldn’t sleep. We were in a deep state of depression, we had anxiety. It was hard coping. I remember asking myself is it still worth living? It was really hard because [I was] not getting to sleep, not eating as well.

I was weak,” she said.

As a coping mechanism, Kezia enrolled into the University of Guyana’s Social Work programme to get qualified as a social worker. She wants to be able to use her experiences to change the world for the betterment of women – particularly in abusive relationships.

However, with the lack of a stable financial backing, she is currently struggling to make ends meet. While her aunts would assist, they also have families to raise. She is hopeful that she would be able to secure a scholarship to further her studies.

Kind soul Kellyann said that it was her sister’s kind nature that led to her murder because had she not cared about Orrin after the abuse started then she

Kezia King and her brother, Oriel King may have still been alive. take his miserable ways and Speede was Kellyann’s el- when like he don’t have mondest sibling and after their ey and things ain’t working out mother died in 2001, at just 17, for he, he would take out the she took the reins and began spite on the children them and raising them. beating them up and telling She remembered that her them all kinds of things and sister and Orrin met back in she couldn’t take it anymore,” high school and ever since he she said. had been extremely possessive.

Kellyann related that when “She couldn’t get a proper her sister moved out, Orrin job, she couldn’t work, he used took her to the Police and acto just mark she. She was iso- cused her of taking away the lated from her friends and fam- children in an effort to presily. Eventually, she couldn’t sure her to return home.

However, she did not cave and instead informed the Police of his actions.

She said that her sister got a job as a teacher at a private school and was becoming independent but Orrin did not like that because he felt less needed.

Kellyann clarified that it was her son’s birthday photoshoot that was happening and not Speede’s son.

“It is very difficult for us to deal with her death. The children had sleepless nights for many months straight. They are better than before but for like three or four months they couldn’t sleep because they were getting flashbacks and so on. He buss up his daughter face and so on.

“I would advise anyone to run, it ain’t get no good out of it. Don’t sit and wait and hope that one day the man will change because this is what women do. A person got to want to change. He can’t change before you want him to change, and run from the first time. Don’t wait for it to happen because you thinking it only one time or two time and next thing you know, you dead.”

14 FEATURE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Domestic Violence

…Mohamed’s Enterprise rebuilding domestic violence victim’s home

By Lakhram Bhagirat

J

ust about two years ago, Omdawattie “Reshma” Bisnauth finally found the courage to leave her husband of over a decade because their relationship was at the stage where she feared for her life.

She would later meet and settle with another man but now, she is faced with another dilemma that requires her to start all over.

On December 31, 2020, Bisnauth lost everything that she owned when her reputed husband set their Lot 42 Puja Dam, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice (WCB) home alight.

All she and her three children had were the clothes on their backs.

She was devastated and remains so because the question of why the man that took care of them would commit such an act remains unanswered.

The 42-year-old is now trying to pick up the pieces of her life and is starting with rebuilding their home.

She made a public appeal a few days ago and that was answered by Mohamed’s Enterprise – known for their philanthropic work – when they committed to rebuilding their home. Construction

on the new Bisnauth structure comand her reputed menced on husband lived Thursday and in the Abary is expected to Creek area for a short while be completed but because shortly. of her affinity The Sunday for the “road” Times recentthey moved to ly travelled to Blairmont. She the sugar proexplained that ducing community where her 37-year-old it sat down reputed huswith Bisnauth band hails from where she the Blairmont shared her community and decided to move story of growing up without there after he too separated her parents to pledging to be from his wife.

He is also the the best parfather of three ent for her two children. girls and one A representative from Mohamed’s Enterprise presenting “By me boy.

Omdawattie Bisnauth with clothes for the children grow up a road She grew me nah accusup in Mahaica to Bush Lot after getting on the East tom to live a Creek so I come out here and Coast of Demerara and at a married.

She endured over a de- we start looking for a place to young age, her mother died. cade of beatings at his hand. rent. Well, he born and grow Her father would soon be out “I leff the first husband in this village. He belongs to of their lives, leaving a young Bisnauth and her brother to because of rum and licks and here right in this same street me does got to do domestic (Puja Dam) here and we lookgo live with their aunt.

After some time of living wuk to mine the kids them ing for place to rent and the with her aunt, Bisnauth met and so. I leff he and then I people say them nah rent the the father of her three chil- went to live in (Abary) Creek place so me end up and buy dren and they got married. with a woman and it was the place,” she recounted.

Bisnauth and her reputShe thought time would get there that I meet this one better but life dealt her the (my reputed husband) and I ed husband made the move just about a year ago and short straw when they moved tek he,” she said.

since the area is a squatting settlement, they just paid $120,000 for a house.

The structure was very small and had just one bedroom with a small hall and kitchen area.

Her reputed husband worked as a labourer and in his free time he would go fishing.

“Life been good with him because since me tek he me nah does work which in me used to work all the time so since me tek he me stop work. He does find all the thing for the house like groceries and so. Life was alright with he but I don’t know lil misunderstanding we been get and he burn the house down. Me and he does get lil argument like you know. One or two time he give me lil slap but nah like no big beat, one and two slap and thing but he never hit the kids them. On that Old Year’s Day when he pelt the ashtray pon the lil bai,” she explained.

Recounting the events of December 31, 2020, Bisnauth said earlier in the day her husband went to fish and later, he started drinking.

He came home and brought a chicken with him and told

Omdawattie Bisnauth

ed husband was left in the house still quarreling and the neighbour attempted to get him to calm down. Shortly after, they saw smoke emanating from house.

“So, he mek three call for abeh, ‘ayo ah come or ayo nah come’ three time so nobody nah answer him. Next thing I see is the house was on fire. To be honest with you me nah see back he, me sit down at the back there and me nah know who call the Police or the fire reel (firefighters) and when the Police them come them call me from the back there and me come ah front and tell them what happened.”

He escaped and was never seen again.

Rebuilding Bisnauth lost everything in the fire and now she is in

A worker clearing the area for construction

her to fry it for the children while he continued to consume alcohol.

After some time, he began searching for two DVDs that contained music videos but could not find them, “Me keep telling he that me nah know where the video deh so me can’t find it and he say how the lil bai got to find it because only he does watch movie all the time. So me keep tell he abeh can’t find it and he say that he want it, ah he one. Say that abedese DVD deh nice and neat and he own dem can’t find.

“So, he tek he ashtray what he been a smoke he cigarette and pelt am pon de child and knock he pon he hand. So, me leff down the chicken and me tell the pickney them say ayo come leh abeh walk out the house and leff this man because me nah go stand up here and see he knock yuh fuh 2 DVD which in that is the first time so me try fuh put one stop in it and when me think me was doing something good not knowing something bad,” she related.

They left the house and went to the neighbour at the back. Bisnauth’s reput-

the process of rebuilding. She has not been working for over two years but she had to go out and find a job in the middle of a pandemic.

Since the fire she has been actively searching for employment but has been unsuccessful thus far.

Several individuals and organisations have been reaching out to her to give her clothing for her children and some household items.

“Mohamed’s call because them see the story in Guyana Times and they buy some clothes for the children them. Them tell me that them go build back me house and this morning (Thursday) them come and start mek the house. I am really thankful for the help and now me will have to work and get back me things them.”

The house that Mohamed’s Enterprise is building for Bisnauth is bigger than the one that burned down. It measures 18ft x 24ft and will have two bedrooms along with a dining and kitchen area. They are also committed to furnishing the house so that it eases the burden on the single mother.

FEATURE

Domestic Violence

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

LGBTQ+ victims endure double-stigma when it comes to domestic violence reporting

By Lakhram Bhagirat

I

n Guyana, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) community is heavily marginalised when it comes to not only society but also in the eyes of the law. While there has been some progress in the legal arena, there is still a long way to go.

Like in heterosexual relationships, there are also instances of violence in homosexual relationships.

Another common thing is that many of those cases remain unreported for a number of reasons but for the LGBTQ+ community, it is mainly stigma.

The LGBTQ+ community is facing the stigma of being part of that community and then when they are victims of intimate partner violence, they are also stigmatised when it comes to reporting. It is especially hard for gay men to report instances of intimate partner violence since in the eyes of the law, them being together is an act of illegality.

To get an understanding of the struggles faced by the community, the Sunday Times sat down with the Head of the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD), Joel Simpson, who related that reporting violence in same-sex relationships are most of the time, a struggle.

“We are in a context where the law criminalises intimacy between these men so how do you go to the people who are supposed to enforce the laws, whether the laws are good or bad, and tell them that you’ve been the victim of violence in the context where you are in an in an intimate relationship and that intimacy that you are engaged in is criminalised,” he said.

The institutional stigma and discrimination coupled with the socio-cultural stigma and discrimination attached to intimate partner violence are more pronounced when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community.

It heightens the fear of lack of justice and forces victims underground resulting in the true picture not being painted.

The community does not report the violence they face at the hands of their partners to law enforcement nor do they engage the relevant organisations that could provide critical assistance.

However, this is not only applicable to the LGBTQ+ community but also the hetero-sphere as well.

Women, who are mostly victims in hetero relationships, are quite often too dependent on their partners and as such find it harder to leave abusive situations.

In some cases, they are conditioned to believe that the abuse they are experiencing stems from a place of love.

There are early signs

it to the Police. So, there is a great deal of under-reporting and gender-based violence is largely under-reported and I think significantly it is under-reported in LGBTQ relationships.

Even if people don’t want to go to the Police, at SASOD we encourage them to come to us. We have a va-

that one may have an abusive partner and, in the LGBTQ+ community, those signs include, but are not limited to your partners convincing you that you cannot access help mainly because of your sexuality or gender.

It also includes them telling you that by going to the authorities, you are effectively outing yourself which would result in you being shunned.

They would, many times, try to justify their behaviour and make you feel inferior.

At SASOD, while their services for gender-based violence victims are heavily targeted, it is extended to hetero victims as well.

“They don’t report the violence they face to organisations. They don’t report

riety of services we provide in relation to gender-based violence victims and not just to LGBTQ persons but to everybody suffering gender-based violence or intimate partner violence across the board. So, our services are inclusive as much as they are targeted,” Simpson related.

Those services include counselling which is essential since violence comes with trauma.

SASOD also documents the reports so when victims are more comfortable with sharing their stories with law enforcement, it is documented as proof of them confiding in someone. Some persons also reach out to SASOD for help in following

up on their reports of the matter with the Police because many times it seems as though it is going nowhere.

Quite often, SASOD would encounter instances of no progress in Police investigations of domestic violence reports mainly because the perpetrator would have “connections.” In those cases, they would have to contact senior officers, mostly Divisional Commanders, to relate their findings and it is only after that would they see some progress in the investigation.

T h a t serves as a major deterrent for the LGBTQ+ community when reporting intimate partner violence.

Prior to COVID-19, officials from SASOD would escort victims to the Police Stations to make reports but since the pandemic, they have stopped.

However, their support did not. They facilitate appointments with officers they work with so that victims can, in a safe space, make their reports and have their matters tended to.

“We provide legal services because some people are not just ready to report to the Police, they are also ready to file for custody of their children, get a divorce or if it is LGBTQ persons that are not in any heterosexual SASOD Managing Director, Joel Simpson type of marriage, they might have eliminate violence against a joint property with somebody, they might women and girls…

The Guyana Football have entered in a contract, joint bank account and they Federation is one of the orneed legal services to re- ganisations that is worksolve those kinds of issues. ing with us. We are helping So if they can’t afford a pri- them to develop a diversity vate attorney we have pro and inclusion programme bono lawyers who can assist so that from the leadership/ with these kinds of things,” organisational level there are guidelines that say sexhe related.

Over the years, SASOD ism, homophobia, misoghas seen a fluctuation in the yny, transphobia, racism, number of reported cases of xenophobic all of these prejintimate partner violence. udices would not be tolerIn 2018 they received 14 ated in the football sector such reports, in 2019 it was and if anybody says anything homophobic, sexist, or 38 and 2020 they had 10.

They have been taking misogynist or so on this is steps to ensure that all in- the action that the Football stances of intimate part- Federation would take. This ner violence, particularly is important because we see in the LGBTQ+ community, in the international sportare reported and dealt with. ing arena that Caribbean Through their Homophobias athletes are having a tough Education Programme, they time because every now are working to address all of and again, they are putting their foot in their mouths,” the challenges.

“To tackle gender-based Simpson said.

SASOD is encouraging violence we have to change the culture and the norms members of the LGBTQ+ around gender and we’ve community who are in abujust started a project under sive relationships to come the spotlight initiative to forward and seek help.

16 FEATURE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

HEALTH TIPS

HEEL PAIN – PLANTAR FASCIITIS

DR TARIQ JAGNARINE FAM MEDICINE, ENDOCRINOLOGY/ DIABETES

P

lantar fasciitis causes pain in the bottom of the heel. The plantar fascia is a thick, web like ligament that connects the heel to the front of the foot. It acts as a shock absorber and supports the arch of your foot, helping persons walk.

Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common orthopaedic complaints. The plantar fascia ligaments experience a lot of wear and tear due to daily activities. Too much pressure on the feet can damage or tear the ligaments. The plantar

fascia becomes inflamed, and the inflammation causes heel pain and stiffness.

The cause of plantar fasciitis discomfort is still unclear.

A 2003 study suggested that the condition may involve degeneration of the ligament due to strain.

calf muscles to the heels, may also result in plantar fascia pain. Simply wearing shoes with soft soles and poor arch support can also result in plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is not typically the result of heel spurs.

CAUSES OF PLANTAR FASCIITIS

PLANTAR FASCIITIS SYMPTOMS

Active men and women between the ages of 40 and 70 are at the highest risk for developing plantar fasciitis. It is also slightly more common in women than men. Women who are pregnant often experience bouts of plantar fasciitis, particularly during late pregnancy.

Persons are at a greater risk of developing plantar fasciitis that are overweight or obese. This is due to the increased pressure on the plantar fascia ligaments, especially if they have sudden weight gain.

Some jobs may result in increased risk of plantar fasciitis such as barbers, waiters, tailor, drivers, athletes, etc.

Having a structural foot problem, such as very high arches or very flat feet increases the chances of developing plantar fasciitis.

Tight Achilles tendons, which are the tendons attaching the

* The major complaint of those with plantar fasciitis is pain at the bottom of the heel or sometimes at the bottom mid-foot area. It usually affects just one foot, but it can affect both feet. Pain from plantar fasciitis develops gradually over time. The pain can be dull or sharp. * Some people feel a burning or ache on the bottom of the foot extending outward from the heel. * The pain is usually worse in the morning. Climbing stairs can be very difficult due to heel stiffness. * After prolonged activity, the pain can flare up due to increased irritation or inflammation. People with plantar fasciitis do not usually feel pain during the activity, but rather just after stopping.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS TESTING AND DIAGNOSIS

A physical exam of the foot is done to check for tenderness and the exact location of the pain. This is to make sure that the pain is not the result of a different foot problem. During the evaluation, patients may need to flex their foot while they push on the plantar fascia to see if the pain gets worse flexing and relaxing. Signs of mild redness or swelling are explored for, along with any foot deformity.

Additionally the reflexes,

muscle tone, sense of touch and sight coordination balance are examined.

An X-ray or an MRI scan may be necessary to check that nothing else is causing the heel pain, such as a bone fracture.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS TREATMENT

* Home treatments like rest, icing, and using braces and anti-inflammatory drugs are often the first ways to treat plantar fasciitis. If those

do not ease the pain, an injection of a corticosteroid directly into the damaged section of the ligament can help. * Physical therapy is a key part of treatment for plantar fasciitis. It can help stretch the plantar fascia and Achilles tendons. A physical therapist can show persons exercises to strengthen the lower leg muscles, helping to stabilize their walk and lessen the workload on the plantar fascia. * If pain continues and other methods are not working, extracorporeal shock wave therapy is recommended. In this therapy, sound waves bombard the heel to stimulate healing within the ligament. * Plantar fasciitis surgery: Surgery is the most dramatic therapy. This is done only in cases in which pain is severe or lasts more than 6 to 12 months. In a plantar fascia release, surgeons partially detaches the plantar fascia from the heel bone. This reduces tension, but weakens the arch of the foot, and full function may be lost. * Surgery can result in chronic pain and nerve damage, so it should be considered only after trying other treatment options.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

FEATURE

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Q: One notices that on small (pet) animal Vaccination Certificates, specific cat diseases are included. What are these diseases? Are they prevalent?

Do cats actually die from these diseases?

A: Last week we mentioned in detail one such disease (Feline Panleukopenia = Feline Enteritis), beInfectious cause it is one of the most common feline viral diseases which veterinarians encounter i n their practices. Today, we shall look at those other feline diseases which are also prevalent, but less so, and which can be avoided by administering the available vaccines. These diseases especially if are all lethal, adequate treatment is not introduced in a timely manner.

Now, whereas the FPL viral disease (=Feline Infectious Enteritis) focuses on the intestinal tract in cats, the three others being discussed today do harm to the respiratory (breathing) system. They are: (1) Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (FVR) – aka “Herpesvirus infections in cats”.

Calicivirus (2) Feline (FCV).

(3) Feline Chlamydiosis (FC) – aka Chlamydial

Conjunctivitis/“Feline Pneumonia”.

RE: (1) FVR As with most Herpes viruses, this virus is very species specific, which means that it only infects cats (domestic and feral).

Symptoms Loss of appetite; Fever (sometimes over 40°C/105°F); Sneezing frequently; Inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis); Inflammation in the lining of the nostrils; Increased saliva production (causing drooling).

Treatment Your vet will advise about the care, which is mostly supportive interventions – if necessary – against germs which will attack cats weakened by the FVR disease.

The treatment will focus on decongesting the respiratory tract. I advise spraying saline solution (an OTC preparation) into the nostrils and then wiping away the mucus (and secondary bacteria) which is expelled. Please do not rub Vicks VapoRub or camphor/eucalyptus related ointments into the nostrils or on the skin of a cat.

MORE CAT DISEASES WHICH CAN BE PREVENTED BY VACCINATION

Cats are not small humans – and many of our (human) home remedies are not tolerated well by cats.

N.B. The infected cat does not shed the virus for too long, but the virus itself is resilient and can survive for many months in open spaces. Since cats like to roam, they can pick up the infection from the environment, and not necessarily via cat-tocat contamination.

Prevention Vaccinate. Also, once the cat has encountered FVR and survived, it is highly unlikely to succumb to a reinfection.

FCV RE: (2) This virus is highly contagious within a cat population.

It affects the respiratory system, creating a febrile condition. Infected kittens tend to exhibit incoordination of movement and lameness/limping.

One finds FCV prevalence in crowded Animal Shelters, and multi-cat households, especially where inadequate hygiene practices exist.

Symptoms Loss of appetite; drooling; discharge from the eyes and

nostrils; sneezing; foul breath; limping.

Treatment As for FVR (See above); your vet may advise you how to hand-feed your FCV patient.

Prevention Vaccination!

RE: (3) FC This is not a virus infection.

It is a bacteria based chronic condition which initially affects the eyes, especially of kittens and young cats, but can then work its way down to the respiratory tract and lungs. Even though it is not a virus, it is included in the polyvalent vaccine prepared for cats. This germ does not last long in our hot/ humid equatorial environment.

The disease is spread from catto-cat contact.

Symptoms Within a few days of contracting the infection, the symptoms appear.

Suddenly emerging (acute) conjunctivitis (eye inflammation) with discharge and redness which can become long lasting (chronic), or even as a recurring ailment of the eyes.

Initially the discharge is watery, then it becomes thicker with yellowish–greenish colour.

In cats, the conjunctiva membrane is not easily visible, but with FC they become red and inflamed and visible. Actually, many caregivers speak of “Red Eye” when explaining the disease to the vet over the phone.

On occasion, FC can exhibit signs of a mild upper respiratory infection/damage, such as sneezing and nasal discharge.

Treatment Once the germ reaches the lungs, the situation becomes more difficult to cure, and the animal may die. Your vet will surely advise specific daily treatment.

N.B. i.

Good news: FC is rel-

atively easily and successfully treated, if caught in the beginning. Topical antibiotic (drops in the eye) seem to do a good job. Your vet will advise which specific antibiotic eyedrops are to be used. ii. Bad news: It has been reported that humans, in isolated cases, can in fact contract FC. But this is quite rare. If you suddenly come down with a runny nose, do not jump to your own diagnosis of “COVID”. Visit your physician and tell him/her that you have an ailing cat/kitten with similar symptoms. He/ she will take it from there.

Prevention Vaccination. However, the protection offered by the vaccine is not long-term. All cats in the household should be vaccinated.

I will document the vaccination schedule next week.

Until then, stay safe and follow the anti-COVID-19 prevention protocol.

18 FEATURE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PLANTAR FASCIITIS EXERCISES

Gentle stretches can help relieve and even prevent plantar fasciitis. Stretching the calves and the plantar fascia itself, helps loosen the muscles and reduce heel pain. It is important to take time off from certain exercises, like running, to give the plantar

HEALTH TIPS – HEEL PAIN...

fascia time to heal. Swimming and other low-impact activities can provide some exercise without worsening the heel pain. * Stop and stretch while exercising to keep the pain from returning. Remember to stretch before beginning workouts.

HOME REMEDIES FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS

Reducing pain and irritation or inflammation in the plantar fascia ligament is an important part of treatment, but this does not address the underlying damage to the ligament. * Initial home treatment includes staying off the feet

and applying ice for 15 to 20 minutes, three or four times per day to reduce swelling. * Reducing or changing the exercise activities. Using arch supports in shoes, replacing worn-out athletic footwear, and doing stretching exercises may also help to relieve pain. * Panadols, Ibuprofens, Diclofenac, may soothe pain in the ligament. * Braces and supports * Night splints are another treatment that can help stretch the calf and the arch of the foot. Night splints are a type of brace that holds the foot in a flexed position and lengthens the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon overnight. This can prevent morning pain and stiffness. * Special orthotics or arch

FROM PAGE 16

supports, for shoes may help alleviate some of the pain by distributing pressure, and they can prevent further damage to the plantar fascia. * Stay at a healthy weight.

If overweight, try to lose weight to reduce pressure on the plantar fascia.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS COMPLICATIONS

Persons can develop chronic heel pain if they ignore the condition. This can change the way they walk and cause injury to your: * Legs * Knees * Hips * Back Steroid injections and some other treatments can weaken the plantar fascia ligament and cause potential

rupture of the ligament.

Surgery carries the risks of bleeding, infection, and reactions to anaesthesia. Plantar fascia detachment can also cause changes in the foot and nerve damage.

Prognosis

Most people do not need surgery to relieve pain from plantar fasciitis. Instead, their condition improves through physical therapy, home treatments, and medical treatments. However, treatment can take several months to 2 years to improve the symptoms.

Healthy pain free feet, can helps to provide a more productive day. Additionally not every heel pain is -“SPUR” which would be discuss in the next article.

19

FEATURE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ACROSS 1 Krishna devotee 6 England’s -- Downs 11 Valuable holding 16 Helga’s husband 21 Edible bulb 22 “Wheel of Fortune” name 23 Plains dwelling 24 Maureen of filmdom 25 Get slippery (2 wds.)

26 Put in -- -- word for 27 Hunter constellation 28 Soothes 29 One who can’t be touched

(2 wds.)

31 Fudd of cartoons 33 Naughty, naughty!

35 Take a bough 36 Mao -- -tung 37 Loud 38 “-- kleine Nachtmusik” 39 PC capacity 41 PBS benefactor 42 Hippie greeting 44 Black playing card 46 Cane cutter 51 Monsieur’s wines 52 Aparicio of baseball 53 Racing-car gauge 57 “Becket” actor 58 401(k) kin 59 Orchestra leader Percy - 60 Sign before Virgo 61 Breaks, corral-style 62 Soothsayer 63 Acts sullen 64 Continental divider 66 Spleen 67 Psychics may see them 68 Crowned heads 69 Other half 70 Tries on for size 72 Business letter abbr.

73 Beethoven’s last symphony 74 Filled with fizz 75 Curly coifs 77 Nips 78 Seeks meat 79 Motorcycle races 82 Clumps of grass 83 Stared at 84 Thou, objectively 88 “Fair” heroine 89 Amusing

90 Repairs a tear 91 Yellowstone sight 92 Flick 93 L, at times 94 Plagued by 95 Pepper or powder 97 Latin lover’s word 98 Rex Stout detective 99 Water-based paint 100 Stiff 101 Rides a bench 103 Bangs into 104 Seine aits 105 Melodious 106 Coin-toss result 108 Quack 110 Alley from Moo 111 Mountaineer’s coup 114 Triangle part 115 Ringmaster 117 Laptops 120 Dallas sch.

121 Van -- Waals force 123 Backup strategy

(2 wds.)

125 Gets annoying (2 wds.)

127 Rome’s river 129 Furnish 131 Big wave 133 Chooser’s word 134 Raise spirits 135 Beyond well-done 136 Gourmet mushroom 137 Pint fraction 138 Subscribe again 139 Rats on 140 Bad-tempered 141 “Stir Crazy” actor

DOWN 1 Tackle 2 Pizarro foes 3 Female relative 4 Morose 5 Unfasten, in a way 6 Person in a shelter 7 Far East temple 8 Kind of egret 9 The Plastic -- Band 10 Neatened the bed 11 Kind of energy 12 Restful 13 Tall peak 14 Want-ad letters

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME (PALSIED: PAWL-zeed: Trembling or shaking; affected with palsy.)

Average mark 43 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 60 or more words in PALSIED? TODAY'S WORD -- PALSIED paid pail pale peal pedal pied pile plaid plea plead pled pleiad plied plies aide

ailed aisle aped apse aside lade ladies laid lapse lase lead leap lied lisp said

sail sale sapid seal sepal sepia side sidle slap sled slid slide slip spade sped

spied spiel spile idea ideal ides idle isle dais dale deal deli dial diel dispel

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4.

Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

15 16 17 18 19 20 30 32 34 40 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 58 59 62 63 64 65 67 68 69 71 73 74 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 85 86 87 89 90 93 94 95 96 98 99 100

Camping gear Pawned “Now I get it!”

Ernest or Julio Armadillo’s protection Hoarse He admired Beatrice Rover’s restraint Crush Faced Monklike Amtrak driver Business attire The worst, slangily Theme Video-game pioneer Night sky streaker Garden implement Subway opposites Human herbivore Chortle Kayak owner, maybe -- and desist Sharpened up Cobain and Vonnegut Basins in a church Garage contents Conifers Grand Ole -Beach location Burr or Copland Four-footed pal Parakeet treats Riyadh resident Cool!

-- we all!

Complimentary Flat-topped hill Glassware brand Thompson and Bovary A Judd Piece of turf Squabbles Slackens off Alpine moppet Burstyn or Barkin Making do Goes limp Prevent Thwart a villain Straw unit Journalist -- Allan Tropical Egg portion Compare Rain clearer

102 105 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115

Sault -- Marie Nearby Prince Charles sib Grinding down Copes with change Brunch fare Late bloomer Encouraging look From Havana Rebuff Still-life subjects

116 117 118 119 122 124 126 128 130 132

Block, legally Bogus Kid who rode Diablo Curl the lip Soldiers in gray Cellar, briefly Wk. day Summer in Cannes On the -- vive Deep distress SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE 23

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22 FEATURE

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Acute Kidney Injury: Edema and Creatinine Dr. Haimchand Barran MMSc Internal Medicine/ Infectious Diseases Fellowship -- Nephrology Nephrology Department – GPHC

A

s mentioned before, some patients with COVID-19 have displayed kidney damage through acute kidney injury (AKI), mild proteinuria (protein in the urine), hematuria (blood in the urine), or slight elevation in creatinine (blood marker testing for kidney function).

Another health issue can be edema.

Edema

Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in your body's tissues. Although edema can affect any part of your body, you may notice it more in your hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs. Edema can be the result of medication, pregnancy or an underlying disease -- often congestive heart failure, kidney disease or cirrhosis of the liver.

Edema associated with kidney disease usually occurs in your legs and around your eyes.

Damage to the tiny, filtering blood vessels in your kidneys can result in nephrotic syndrome.

In nephrotic syndrome (a special type of kidney disease in which you lose large amounts of protein in the urine), this declining level of protein (albumin) in your blood can lead to fluid accumulation and edema.

Signs of edema include swelling or puffiness of the tissue directly under your skin, especially in your legs or arms; stretched or shiny skin; skin that retains a dimple (pits), after being pressed for several seconds; and increased abdominal size.

Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have swelling, stretched or shiny skin, or skin that retains a dimple after being pressed (pitting). See your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or chest pain.

These can be signs of pulmonary edema (fluid in the lung), which requires prompt treatment. If you've been sitting for a prolonged period, such as on a long flight, and you develop leg pain and swelling that won't go away, call your doctor.

Persistent leg pain and swelling can indicate a blood clot deep

in your vein, referred to as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Creatinine

A creatinine test reveals important information about your kidneys. Creatinine is a chemical waste product that's produced by your muscle metabolism and to a smaller extent by eating meat.

Healthy kidneys filter creatinine and other waste products from your blood. The filtered waste products leave your body in your urine. If your kidneys aren't functioning properly, an increased level of creatinine may accumulate in your blood.

A serum creatinine test measures the level of creatinine in your blood and provides an estimate of how well your kidneys filter (glomerular filtration rate).

A creatinine urine test can measure creatinine in your urine.

How often you need creatinine tests depends on any underlying conditions and your risk of kidney damage. For example, if you have Type I or Type II diabetes, your doctor may recommend a creatinine test at least once a year. If you have kidney disease, your doctor may recommend creatinine tests at regular intervals

to monitor your condition.

If you have an illness that may affect your kidneys -- such as high blood pressure or diabetes -- or you're taking medication that may affect your kidneys, your doctor may recommend creatinine tests.

People with kidney disease and other severe chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for more severe illness. People on dialysis can have weaker immune systems, making it harder to fight infections.

However, it is important to know that kidney patients need to continue with their regularly scheduled dialysis treatments and to take necessary precautions as recommended by their healthcare team.

People with a kidney transplant need to take anti-rejection medicines (also known as immunosuppressive medicines).

These medicines work by keeping the immune system less active, which can make it harder to fight infections. It is important to keep taking these medicines.

It is also important to wash hands, maintain good hygiene and follow the recommendations from their healthcare team.

COVID-19

There have been recent reports of non-elderly adults infected with COVID-19 who have developed AKI -- sudden loss of kidney function. These adults did not have underlying medical conditions. With proper treatment, including dialysis in severe cases, AKI can be reversible.

AKI, also known as acute renal failure (ARF), is not the same as chronic kidney disease (CKD), which will eventually lead to chronic kidney failure (CKF).

Neither CKD or CKF are reversible diseases. Detecting proteins and/or blood in urine labs is an early sign of kidney involvement in people with confirmed COVID-19.

It’s recommended that recovered COVID-19 patients who had an AKI should be seen regularly by a kidney doctor, because their risk of developing chronic kidney disease is higher than others.

COVID-19 patients who did not develop an AKI, but who had blood and/or protein in their urine, should be monitored since they are at increased risk of developing chronic- and end-stagekidney disease.

Older adults and people with kidney disease or other severe chronic medical conditions seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. If you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, you should stock up on supplies; take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others; keep away from others who are sick; limit close contact when in public; wash your hands often; avoid crowds as much as possible; and stay home as much as possible during an outbreak.

If you are on dialysis, you should not miss your treatments.

Contact your clinic if you feel sick or have any questions or concerns.

If you have a kidney transplant, it is important to remember to keep taking your anti-rejection medicines, maintain good hygiene and follow the recommendations from your healthcare team.

Article submitted as part of the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 public information and education programme. For questions, email ministersecretaryhealth@gmail.com.

23 No increase in rates and taxes – Govt assures NEWS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…collection rate needs to be improved

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here are no plans by Government to throw Guyanese into additional hardship by increasing the rates and taxes paid to local organs.

This was clarified by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, who on Friday said that persons can look forward to their current rates remaining the same. He reminded that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic had opposed the decision to increase taxes by the previous coalition Administration and as such, will not be taking that same path.

“In terms of reevaluation, we complained against it and we’re not going to put any hardships onto any household so any reevaluation of properties is off the agenda at this point in time.

We assure our citizens that there will be no increases in rates and taxes. It is one of our commitments that we

made in our manifesto and we intend to uphold that,” the Minister told the media.

He pointed out that the primary challenge facing municipalities and other bodies is the collection rate, which is below 50 per cent.

Instead of increasing the dues, Dharamlall said the focus should be placed on the method of collection.

“One of the issues of local democratic organs, specifically municipalities and NDCs, is the whole issue of management. The collection of rates and taxes is one of those issues. It is not the amount that they collect but the way in which it is collected. I believe that moving forward, these Councils will have to find a much more effective mechanism to collect rates and taxes.”

It was highlighted that the increases would put an additional strain on persons who are fulfilling their responsibilities, while other evaluated stakeholders es-

cape from this mandatory commitment.

The Minister contended, “Increasing rates and taxes is not the solution to the problem. It is really the collection. We have fallen into the trap of increasing rates and taxes when the collection rate in most municipalities and NDCs is not beyond 50 per cent. It is about getting closer to the 100 per cent, rather than increasing rates and taxes. What really happens by increasing taxes is that less than half of those who are assessed have to carry the burden.”

Last February, then Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had called out the coalition Administration for failing to keep their promise of lowering taxes, as the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) recently announced that some $226 billion was raked in for just last year.

Jagdeo recalled under the previous PPP Administration, the total

after the coalition-controlled Mayor and City Council (M&CC) made a decision to hike these rates.

In an Official Gazette document published on June 27, 2020, it is stated that residential owners would

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall

taxes collected was $91 billion less. While the then Government would have assured citizens that these numbers would be lowered, it had, in fact, risen significantly. The projected number for 2019 was pegged at $88 billion but the actual figure was $3 billion more.

Later in June, it was announced that both residential and commercial stakeholders in Georgetown would have to pay an increased 10 per cent in taxes,

be paying 44 per cent while commercial owners would be paying 275 per cent increases. This increase came at a time when many were experiencing grave economic hardship due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. (G12)

24 NEWS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Chateau Margot man nabbed with illegal gun, ammo

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43-year-old Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident was arrested at his home on Friday after an illegal firearm along with matching ammunition were unearthed at his home.

Police said at about 15:45h, an intelligence-led operation was conducted in the area, and a search was conducted on the home of the 43-year-old suspect.

Ranks unearthed a .38 revolver without serial number and matching ammunition in a case on the verandah.

The suspect told the Police that he found the firearm on the St Cuthbert’s Mission trail. He was taken to the Cove and John Police

The illegal .38 revolver that was found by Police during a raid at Chateau Margot, East Coast Demerara (ECD)

Station where the firearm was lodged. An investigation has been launched as he remains in custody.

Only on Thursday, a 26-year-old man of

Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was taken into Police custody after he was caught with an illegal firearm and matching ammunition at a shop at

the Tiger Creek area, Purini Road, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni).

Police revealed that the man was found with a .32 Taurus pistol and two live rounds of matching ammunition during a search on his person.

Reports stated that ranks were on patrol duties in the area when they observed the man sitting in front of a shop.

As a result, the ranks approached him and conducted a search during which the gun and ammunition were discovered stashed in a haversack he was carrying at the time.

He was subsequently arrested and is assisting Police with their investigations. (G9)

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ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION

he Environmental Protection Agency was legally established in 1996 with the responsibility to take the necessary measures to manage, conserve, protect and improve the environment. This entails that the EPA take actions to prevent and control pollution, assess the impact of economic development on the environment, and ensure the sustainable use of Guyana’s natural resources.

One of the main components of the Agency’s work is overseeing the Environmental Authorisation (EA) process. In fact, an EA is required by law for any activity that may have significant impact on the environment, the EPA seeking to have the activity done in the most sustainable way possible. The EA requires that developers identify the major impacts of a proposed project, and determine the best measures or alternatives that can be put in place to prevent or mitigate negative impacts.

An Environmental Authorisation (EA) may include a prescribed process licence, an Environmental Permit, a Construction Permit, or an Operating Permit granted by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Below is a list of projects which require Environmental Authorisation

Lusignan prisoner died of gastrointestinal bleeding

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orty-four-year-old Roger Samuels, who was found dead about a week ago in his cell at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast

Demerara (ECD), died as a result of gastrointestinal haemorrhaging.

This is according to the autopsy that was con-

ducted on the man’s body

by Government pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh. The post-mortem was conducted on Wednesday and revealed

Dead: Roger Samuels

that Samuels had bleeding gastric ulcers.

Gastric ulcers, also known as peptic ulcers, according to Healthgrades. com, is a localised area of erosion in the stomach lining, resulting in abdominal pain, possible bleeding, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. The most common cause of gastric ulcers is a stomach infection.

Samuels was on remand at the Lusignan Prison, on a larceny charge, and was found dead on Sunday last in his cell. He was charged and remanded on January 8 for allegedly stealing a motor car. Reports are that he had several injuries to his body, which were inflicted by the public after he had allegedly committed the offence.

Police said the man’s last known address was La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Based on reports received, at about 06:00h on January 10, the duty officer at Lusignan Prison was in the process of unlocking the prisoners for wash-up when he observed Samuels lying in a motionless state on his bed As a result, a doctor attached to the penitentiary was summoned and Samuels was pronounced dead.

The prisoner shared a cell in Unit One of the prison with seven other inmates.

(G9)

General documents required when applying for Environmental Authorisation

* Completed application form (this can be downloaded from the EPA’s website, or uplifted at the offices); * Proof of identification (National ID or passport); * Proof of land ownership (lease, tenant agreement, transport etc.

This does not apply to state agencies); * Business Registration licence; * Any other permit or licence or approval required by other Government agency; * Project Summary or Description, including a map of the surrounding area; * Site layout; and * Application fee Kindly note that this list is not exhaustive.

An Environmental Authorisation has many long-term advantages, even for the investor/developer. You will be guided before the impacts occur, which also enables the Agency to fulfil its mandate of preventing pollution.

Having an EA helps to save time and money, as it reduces conflicts that may arise not only between developers and authorities, but prevents conflicts from arising between the investors and residents.

Types of Environmental Authorisation

The EPA issues four types of Environmental Authorisation: 1. No Objection Letters – granted to developments that do not have significant environmental impacts; 2. Construction Permits – issued to projects that are on the EPA’s list of projects requiring an environmental permit, and projects that may not be on the list but can have significant environmental effects during construction, operation, or closure; 3. Environmental Permits – issued to developments new or existing, for which environmental impacts would take place only during the construction phase; for example: infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges; and 4. Operation Permits (for existing developments only) – required for businesses already in operation but wishing to undergo changes in the process/technology, which can affect the environment.

The Environmental Authorisation includes conditions (permit conditions) for environmental management which the developer/ operator is obliged to comply with. Those outlined in the document are deemed necessary to protect human health and the environment, and each permit contains these.

If you already own a business, or are thinking about starting one, ensure you call or come in to the EPA to start the process. Remember to protect and respect each other and the environment.

Look out for our column next week as we continue to share information on Environmental Authorisations.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TIGI gets new President T Response to Tom Sanzillo, Director of Financial Analysis at IEEFA (Pt 3)

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om Sanzillo and the IEEFA do not seem to comprehend that because of the 75% cost recovery threshold, the recovery period for these investments will be very short. Liza phase 1 in the above illustration for example, using an average price per barrel of US$45 at an annual production capacity of 43.8 million barrels of crude, the investment cost of US$4.3B will be within 3 years using payback method and using the Net Present Value investment appraisal method (NPV) with a discount rate of 10%, the investment can be recovered in 4 years. So, from Liza 1 alone Guyana can earn over US$2B in the first five years and up to US$6B in ten years – taking the post recovery period into the equation. In other words, Guyana’s projected earnings from the Liza 1 development alone over the first decade is equivalent to 120% of current GDP; 3.5 times current level of total public debt and 5 times Government’s revenue using 2019 figures.

The highest cost is usually the development cost and, therefore, when the development cost is recovered, the operating expense is minimal since the infrastructure to extract the crude is already in place. To substantiate this view with reasonable certainty, a perusal of Exxon's 2018 annual report confirmed that total operating cost was just about 27% of total revenue. Hence, this means that in the post recovery period profit share will be greater assuming for example, that operating cost will be 30% of total revenue, then effectively there will be 70% of revenue for profit share of which 50% is Guyana’s share.

Consequently, Guyana’s profit share can be as much as 35% post recovery + 2% royalty resulting in a total take of 37%; up from 14.5% in during the recovery period in the first three to four years for Liza Phase 1 development alone. Then there is Liza phase 2 and many other FPSOs and development fields that will be operationalized over the decade.

Now, let’s examine Guyana’s total public debt in the context of its future development trajectory and the potential impact on public debt.

he Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI) has gotten a new President in the person of Frederick Collins, who previously served in the capacity of First Vice President.

Former President Troy Thomas confirmed to Guyana Times that he is no longer the head of the local corruption watchdog but noted he is still a member of the organisation.

Collins has been a member of the TIGI for five years now but has a total of seven years’ service at the agency. He first joined in 2011 and left in 2013 before returning in 2016 and has been there to date. He served as a Director during both stints.

According to TIGI’s website, the new President has worked in a number of fields in Guyana including as Human Resource Director of Teleperformance Guyana, Director and Company Secretary of Courts Guyana, Life Insurance Manager at Demerara Life, and a teacher.

He holds a Bachelor's

New TIGI President, Frederick Collins

Degree (Mathematics) and the Fellow of the Life Management Institute.

Collins was born and grew up in New Amsterdam, Berbice, and received his formal education at St Stanislaus College, University of Guyana (UG) and the Technical University of Berlin. He is also a physical scientist, food (sugar) technologist, energy

technologist, wind power engineer and a scrabble enthusiast, having held the Guyana Scrabble Championship for a number of years.

Additionally, he is a retired UG lecturer in physical sciences and technology and is currently the principal (consultant) of Think Engine Institute & ESCo, and visiting professor of physics at Texila University.

His predecessor, Troy Thomas, has been at the helm of the transparency body since 2016.

According to its website, TIGI is a national anti-corruption organisation dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels of society through education, awareness, research and action in partnership with citizens, Government, civil society organisations and the Private Sector.

It is an affiliate of Transparency International (TI), headquartered in Berlin, Germany, which has a presence in over 100 countries.

Linden-Soesdyke Highway accident

Driver slapped with causing death by dangerous driving charge …released on $500,000 bail From examining the data above and looking at the trend over a ten years period with respect to Guyana’s public debt, Guyana has managed to maintain a debt-to-GDP ratio of less than 70% from 2013 onwards. With regards to the total public debt to total government revenue ratio, this was at a high of 297% in 2009 which reduced less than 250% in 2014 reaching as low as 165% by the end of 2018. The average ratio for the period is 240% which is also well below the international threshold of 250% according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). By international standard as well, debt-to-GDP ratio of 60 – 70% is considered to be relatively sustainable.

Further, a perusal of the 2020 third quarter Bank of Guyana Report showed that the total public debt service ratio relative to government revenue is just about 30% and this level has been maintained, evidently over the last ten years or so.

Additionally, one would observe that from looking at the growth rate of public debt over the last ten years, the average annual growth rate of public debt is about 2.6% or less than 3%. The reason for this is simple. Government revenue is currently over $200 billion which means 30% of this which is about $60 billion, goes towards public debt service annually. Taking this into perspective together with the budget deficit, from the data in the table above one would observe that the average budget deficit is less than $30 Billion, which is typically financed by borrowing. Now what this means is that if the average annual debt service is $60 billion and the budget deficit is $30 billion, then the government is simply borrowing back just half the sum of the funds repaid in debt service which explains why the average annual growth rate in public debt is less than 3%. This is practically no different from how an individual credit card works.

With this in mind, the IMF has projected the Guyana economy to grow by 26.6 percent in 2020, owing to the emerging petroleum industry. As such, with substantial growth in GDP as a result of the activities of this new sector over the next decade coupled with the spinoff effects on the other productive sectors – perhaps by 100%. The impact on total public debt will be minimal and is likely to remain at sustainable levels – below international sustainable benchmark – that is, less than 70% debt-to-GDP ratio.

Let’s take the gas-to-shore project for example. As it is currently, the investment cost is unknown but is expected to be disclosed to the public when the negotiating process is completed. But for the sake of this argument, assuming the investment cost to bring gas-to-shore is US$500 million. We know that Exxon will be financing a percentage of the cost. Assuming Exxon finances 30% of the investment cost – that will be US$150 million and the Government will have to find US$350 million. This does not mean, however, that the Government would have to solely finance 70% of the cost. One has to consider the fact that because of Guyana’s development trajectory, and now political stability to some extent and its geopolitical importance, the financing model can take many forms aimed at reducing the financing risks.

Due to these factors it is easier now to mobilize resources and raise financing from a variety of sources and instruments than it was 15 years ago when Guyana was not the center of global interests as it is now. As a result of these developments, investors’ confidence, both local and foreign is at it highest since the last two decades.

As such, the financing model for the project can very well be one in which there is a Private Public Partnership model where a consortium of investors can be put together and/or where a publicly traded company can be established to attract investors from anywhere in the region, locally, the diaspora and even global investors. The point of these illustrations is to show that there are a variety of financing models that can explored to finance the project which can even result in the government having to finance just about 20% which would work out to just about US$100 million, hypothetically, if such models as described herein are explored, thereby effectively minimizing the financing risks. Thus, US$100 million is just over 30% of the average debt service figure of approximately US$300 million which would translate to almost zero impact on public debt at its current level. This is only the financing aspect of the project to lend some sense of reason on the affordability. Clearly if it will cost US$500 million or even US$700 million, the country has reasonable affordability capacity. One also has to factor in the long-term economic benefits of such a project as well which will be dealt with in a separate series of articles.

It is against these backgrounds, that Tom Sanzillo and the IEEFA seem to have lacked the capacity to conduct any credibly sound and robust analysis on the Guyana case study and comprehension of the ‘country context’ from the many different dimensions – some of which were alluded to herein. Evidently, there are many variables omitted or ignored from the analysis with respect to Guyana’s macroeconomic framework, the development trajectory, the political economy, investors’ confidence and Guyana’s capability on these fronts. Hence, the analyses by the institute are undoubtedly weak and incogent.

About the Author: JC. Bhagwandin is an economic and financial analyst, lecturer and business & financial consultant. The views expressed are exclusively his own and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper and the institutions he represents. For comments, send to jbbankingadvice@gmail. com.

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he driver who was involved in the LindenSoesdyke Highway accident which killed a father of one and seriously injured his wife, has been slapped with a causing death by dangerous driving charge.

Forty-seven-year-old Wesley Rodney appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where the charge of dangerous driving was read to him. It is alleged that on January 12, he caused the death of 31-year-old Uriel Reynolds of Prashad Nagar, Georgetown.

Reports are that Reynolds was driving a minibus, PPP 3468, when a pick-up truck, which was allegedly travel-

ling at a fast rate of speed, crashed into him. His wife, who was also inside the minibus at the time, sustained an injury to her right hand.

Police have since said the driver of a motor car was proceeding west on the highway when he collided with a pick-up heading east, causing the driver of that pick-up to lose control and collide with Reynolds’ minibus.

The injured man and his wife were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the drivers of the car and the pick-up, respectively, and no trace of al-

Dead: Uriel Reynolds

cohol was found in their system.

Rodney was released on $500,000 bail and the case will continue on February 17.

(G9)

26 NEWS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

No need for Guyana to worry: ExxonMobil also accountable to US Govt – former EPA Director

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Murray Housefacilitated panel discussion on Saturday saw contributions from civil society on how Guyana can better manage its oil and gas sector, including recommendations of 24/7 monitoring on the rigs of oil companies to ensure there is no value leakages or breaches of production licences.

This particular recommendation came from former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

this oversight of the offshore operations of oil companies in Guyana’s waters.

However, Adams admitted that the unit has, in fact, never been set up, owing to budgetary delays.

He expressed hope that the unit will be set up under the current People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government.

Adams also noted that while there has not been any independent verification of the oil potential of

and get away with it,” Dr Adams also said.

What he did recommend, however, is that the capacity be built to ensure that Guyana has qualified people who can do verifications of their own. This, according to Adams, means investing in human resource.

So far, the Liza-1 well has accounted for all of Guyana’s oil production.

The Bank of Guyana’s last half-year report, which covers the period up to the end

earnings from production in the Liza field. It was deposited in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in March of this year.

An additional sum of $7.3 billion was subsequently deposited, as well as royalty payments.

However, this money has remained untouched, as the protracted political crisis that followed the March 2 General and Regional elections sabotaged any attempt to set up a system for withdrawing funds.

The Natural Resource

“As far as I know, all the data comes out of Exxon, but I don’t think I have any issues with that. Exxon is not going to… they have more accountability than Guyana to deal with, in terms of reporting numbers…“So, it’s not just they can willy nilly say they’re going to put eight billion barrels of oil on their books, so they can enhance the financial appearance. They’re not going to be allowed to do that and get away with it.” – Dr Vincent Adams Fund Act stipulates that various committees must be established to provide oversight for the fund. It is ex-

pected that this legislation will be reviewed by the current Government this year.

(G3)

Attorney Llewellyn John dies

G The Liza Destiny FPSO, where much of Exxon’s oil production is processed

Director Dr Vincent Adams, who spoke of the importance of ensuring that oil companies are monitored at all times and that the State does not depend on reports from the company.

“We have to have 24/7 coverage, on-site monitoring. So that we can see exactly what’s going on. In my experience, over 90 per cent of the time, when you sit in your office and whatever the contractor is reporting, (cannot be relied on),” Adams informed the panel.

The petroleum engineer said that during his time at the EPA, they worked with the World Bank to develop a unit of “36 highly trained staff” who could provide

the Stabroek Block, oil giant ExxonMobil also has to be accountable to its United States (US) Government and thus must be transparent and accountable regarding its oil fields.

“As far as I know, all the data comes out of Exxon, but I don’t think I have any issues with that. Exxon is not going to… they have more accountability than Guyana to deal with, in terms of reporting numbers.”

“So, it’s not just they can willy nilly say they’re going to put eight billion barrels of oil on their books, so they can enhance the financial appearance. They’re not going to be allowed to do that

of June 2020, had previously revealed that Guyana produced over 10 million barrels of oil during the first half of 2020.

Guyana, with oil giant ExxonMobil as operator, began producing oil on December 20, 2019, in the Stabroek Block, lifting its first million barrels of profit oil from the Liza-1 well in February 2020. Oil tanker Cap Phillippe transported this lift from the Liza Destiny floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, allowing Guyana to receive its first payment the next month.

That money, $11.4 billion, constituted Guyana’s first oil revenue-based

uyanese lawyer, Senior Counsel Llewellyn John died on Saturday at his Croal Street, Georgetown law office.

He was 95 years old. He married Evelyn Rose Arthur in 1956 and had five children – Helen, Richard, Dina, Marie and Hannah.

Born on January 25, 1925, Clifton Mortimer Llewellyn John spent most of his working life as a solicitor and attorney-at-law.

His legal career spanned Llewellyn John receiving his Commission of Appointment as six decades and lasted un- Senior Counsel in 2017 til his death. He entered also a leading member of the prescriptive title practice. politics at a very young age League of Coloured Peoples, With the passage of time, he and was part of the Forbes becoming the editor of the would have represented tens Burnham team that trav- “Sentinel” newspaper and, of thousands of Guyanese, elled to London to negoti- later, as Assistant General moreover, the ordinary litiate Guyana’s Independence Secretary of the PNC, of the gants.” from British rule in 1961.

“New Nation” newspaper.

Nandlall went on to say One of John’s most sigthat John certainly made his nificant representation in mark in Guyana, especially Sympathies court in recent times was Following news of his in the legal profession. his involvement in the series death, condolences poured “He portrayed certain of litigations filed after the in, with many from the le- unique qualities: his style of March 2, 2020 General and gal fraternity taking to so- dress, his style of speaking Regional Elections, when cial media to express their and writing and his manthe country was plunged sympathies. nerisms were all inimitainto a political and electoral The Guyana Association bly his. He was a hardworkdeadlock. of Women Lawyers (GAWL) ing and tenacious lawyer John was conferred in a brief post on Facebook who championed the causwith the national award of said, “We are saddened to es of his clients with gusto Cacique Crown of Honour inform you of the passing and perseverance. No doubt (CCH) in 2015 and Senior of our colleague and friend, the profession will miss him.

Counsel (SC) status in 2017 Clifton Mortimer Llewellyn I shared a very cordial and – both by former President John, C.C.H., S.C. fondly humorous relationship with David Granger. known as Llewellyn John, him. I will miss him.”

He was also a longstand- S.C. who transitioned home Education Minister Priya ing member of the People’s today, 16th January, 2021. Manickchand, who is also an National Congress (PNC).

Our condolences are extend- attorney-at-law, also shared The party and its leader, ed to his children and all oth- a post on social media of Granger, in a statement on er family and friends. May an encounter she had with Saturday evening, extended his soul rest in eternal per- the veteran lawyer back in condolences to John’s family, fect peace and rise in glory.” March 2020. particularly his children.

“We were on the corMeanwhile, Attorney He said John was General and Legal Affairs ridor of the High Court elected a Member of the Minister, Anil Nandlall re- where Chief Justice Roxane National Assembly and membered John as a le- George had just ruled that served as Minister of Local gal stalwart, who was one that record of the SOPs Government, Minister of Guyana’s first native so- (Statements of Poll) must be of Home Affairs and licitors and later became a used after displaying same Minister of Agriculture Barrister-at-Law. to the political parties as per in the People’s National “As a lawyer, there is no the law... I always liked Mr Congress-United Force coa- one who appeared in more John. This day we held dilition Administration from election petitions or elec- ametrically opposed posi1964 to 1969. During that tion-related cases than Mr tions on the election that time, he was a Member of John, from Independence to was extant and the madParliament. He later es- current time. He was an au- ness that was unfolding but tablished his own party, thority in the area of local I was helping him get back the People’s Democratic government law and prac- to his office. May his soul Movement. tices. He also enjoyed a large RIP,” Manickchand posted The legal luminary was land law, conveyancing and on Facebook.

FEATURE

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021

Around the World

Biden’s inauguration: All 50 US States on alert for armed protests

A

ll 50 US states and the District of Columbia (DC) are on alert for possible violent protests this weekend, ahead of Presidentelect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday.

National Guard troops from across the country are being sent to Washington DC, to discourage any repeat of the deadly riot that unfolded on January 6.

The FBI has warned of possible armed marches by pro-Trump demonstrators at all 50 state capitols.

The National Mall in DC has been shut.

Barricades are lining the streets of the capital amid tightened security.

The Biden team had al-

A fence is being put up around the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing

ready urged Americans to avoid travelling to the capital because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and local officials said people should watch the inauguration remotely.

Sunday is expected to be a particular focus for protests, after posts on pro-Trump and far-right online networks called for armed demonstrations on January 17, and a march in Washington DC on

inauguration day itself.

Some militias have told their followers not to attend, citing heavy security or claiming the planned events are Police traps.

It follows a week in which Donald Trump became the first US President to be impeached twice. He now faces a Senate trial, on a charge of “incitement of insurrection” linked to the storming of the US Capitol by groups of his supporters on January 6.

Analysts believe states that saw especially hostile or protracted election battles are at most risk of violence.

One of them, Michigan, has erected a six-foot fence around its capitol in Lansing.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

“Go for it,” says 1st person vaccinated in India’s massive COVID-19 campaign

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ospital cleaning worker Manish Kumar became the first person in India to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on Saturday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched one of the world’s largest immunisation campaigns to bring the pandemic under control.

Kumar received his shot at Delhi’s premier All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), one of 3006 vaccination centres established around the country.

“The vaccine will give me strength and motivation to serve my hospital which has been at the forefront of taking care of coronavirus patients,” Kumar said. “Since I’m feeling relieved after taking the vaccine, I think everyone should go for it.”

India is prioritising nurses, doctors and other front-

Sanitation worker Manish Kumar, who according to the officials is the first person in the country vaccinated against the COVID-19, prepares to receive a dose of Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination campaign at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital in New Delhi, India, January 16, 2021

line workers, and Modi had tears in his eyes as he addressed healthcare workers via video conferencing.

“The disease separated people from their families, kept mothers away from their children, and those who

died of the disease couldn’t even get a final goodbye from their families,” Modi said.

The government is calling its immunisation campaign the biggest in the world and hopes around 300,600 people will be vaccinated on the first day - a first step in administering around 300 million people with two doses in the first six to eight months of the year.

With a population of nearly 1.4 billion people, India is the world’s most populous country after China.

Some 10.5 million people in India have been infected with the coronavirus, the highest number of infections after the United States, and more than 151,000 have died, though infection rate has come down from a peak in mid-September. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US imposes sanctions on Cuba, citing human rights violations

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he US Department of the Treasury on Friday imposed sanctions on Cuba’s Interior Ministry and its leader, accusing them of serious human rights violations.

The measures against the Ministry and Brigadier General Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas include freezing any bank accounts they may have in the United States and blocking any business operations with US entities.

The new sanctions, which are largely symbolic, come less than a week before the end of Donald Trump’s presidency, which has been characterised by strong hostility toward the Cuban Government.

The sanctions will be implemented under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and directed “against the perpetrators of serious human rights abuses and corruption throughout the world,” the US government said in a news release.

The statement cited the

case of Cuban dissident Jose Daniel Ferrer, who was held in a prison controlled by the Interior Ministry. Ferrer reported being beaten, tortured, held in solitary confinement and denied medical attention at the prison.

The island’s Ministry of the Interior oversees the internal order in the Caribbean nation and includes Police, firefighters, the penitentia-

ry system and border guards.

The Cuban Government does not recognise the legal status of dissidents, whom it often accuses of being manipulated and financed by American interest groups wanting to discredit the socialist Government.

It is not the first time that high-ranking Cuban officials have been sanctioned by the United States.

President-elect Joe Biden, who will take office Wednesday, said during his election campaign that he will re-establish at least part of Obama’s policies related to the island. Biden’s advisers have said he plans to eliminate restrictions on remittances and travel, among other measures implemented by Trump. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Argentina receives 2nd batch of Russia’s Sputnik vaccine

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he second batch of Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine arrived in Argentina on Saturday, allowing the South American country to apply the second part of the two-dose programme aimed at inoculating front-line health workers.

Some 300,000 doses of the vaccine arrived from Moscow on a special flight of flag carrier Aerolineas Argentinas.

They will be used to complete the Sputnik treatment programme that began in late December. More doses are expected to arrive in Argentina later this month and in February.

Paraguay this week became the eighth country outside Russia to approve the Sputnik V vaccine, developed by Moscow’s Gamaleya Institute. Other countries to

approve emergency use of the vaccine include Bolivia, Venezuela, Algeria and Serbia.

Argentina’s Minister of Science Roberto Salvarezza wrote on Twitter on Saturday that the highly contagious variant of SARS-CoV-2 from the United Kingdom had been detected in a traveller who arrived in Argentina from abroad. (Excerpt from Reuters)

OILNEWS OIL NEWS France’s Total quits top US oil lobby in climate split

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rance’s Total SE on Friday became the first major global energy company to quit the main US oil and gas lobby due to disagreements over its climate policies and support for easing drilling regulations.

Total said it would not renew its 2021 membership with the American Petroleum Institute (API) following a review of the lobby’s climate positions, describing them as being only “partially aligned” with its own.

The high-profile departure from the most powerful energy lobby comes ahead of sweeping changes in policy direction in the United States, with incoming President Joe Biden promising to tackle climate change and bring the country to net-zero emissions by 2050.

“As part of our climate ambition made public in May 2020, we are committed to ensuring, in a transparent manner, that the industry associations of which we are a member adopt positions and messages that are aligned with those of the Group in the fight against climate change”, Total Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanné said.

The withdrawal highlights a widening rift between Europe’s top energy companies, which over the past year accelerated plans to cut emissions and build large renewable energy businesses and their US rivals Exxon Mobil Corp and Chevron Corp that have largely resisted growing investor pressure to diversify.

Chevron has no plans to leave the API, company spokesman Sean Comey said. Exxon was not immediately available for comment.

The announcement puts pressure on Total’s European rivals BP and Royal Dutch Shell to follow suit after resisting the move in recent years.

BP, Shell and Norway’s Equinor on Friday said they are reviewing memberships in trade organisations and how they align on climate-related issues. Shell spokesman Curtis Moore said “API is moving closer to Shell’s own stated views” on climate change.

European oil companies have in the past pointed to the API’s role in formulating industry safety and operating standards as their rationale for remaining with the group.

However, in its reasons for leaving the group, Total cited the API’s support for last year’s rollback of US regulation on emissions of methane, its differing views on pricing carbon, as well its lack of support for subsidies for electric vehicles.

The API thanked Total for its membership, but noted that it does not support subsidies for energy, saying it distorts markets.

“We believe that the world’s energy and environmental challenges are large enough that many different approaches are necessary to solve them, and we benefit from a diversity of views,” the API said.

The group has defended its record on tackling carbon emissions, noting that the industry’s technological advances have helped it cut carbon dioxide and methane emissions rates in large oil-producing regions.

Total last year announced plans to cut its carbon emissions, with the aim of reaching net-zero emissions from its operations and its energy products sold to customers in Europe by 2050 or sooner.

Growing investor pressure has spurred Europe’s top energy companies to outline plans to curb emissions and boost renewable energy output. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021

ARIES (March 21April 19)

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Make adjustments before someone asks you to or puts in a complaint. Be the one to make a difference or to do something that will make others feel good. Take the high road.

Don't take anything for TAURUS granted.

Strive to look your (April 20best and do whatever you can May 20)

to make others feel good. An unusual offer or surprise will help you adjust to the changes taking place around you.

You'll learn from an experiGEMINI (MAY 28- ence with a friend or relative.

Don't trust anyone with sensiJune 20)

tive information. Take care of personal matters yourself and develop opportunities on your own.

CANCER The change someone makes (June 21- will motivate you to try someJuly 22) thing new and exciting. A partnership will broaden your horizons and make you realize you don't have to do everything alone.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Dilbert LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Peanuts

Don't act in haste. A job posting may look enticing, but read between the lines and you'll discover it's not a step up.

Don't feel pressured to make a change prematurely. Take your time.

A physical change will lift your spirits. A trendy look, a couple of selfies and a social media platform will draw plenty of attention. Spending quality time with someone will warm your heart.

Before you spend money, make sure you have enough in the bank. Taking on an unnecessary debt will leave you stressed about upcoming bills.

You can have just as much fun on a budget.

Putting in the hours will pay off. Working from home has its benefits, especially when you have a tight schedule. Don't let someone's uncertainty leave you confused.

Make necessary adjustments.

SAGITTARIUS A sensitive situation will (Nov. 23surface with a friend or relDec. 21) ative. Listen, but don't make promises or take on other people's problems. You'll be disappointed by someone you thought was trustworthy.

CAPRICORN Don't let an outsider interfere in your personal life. Be (Dec. 22a good listener and mull over Jan. 19) suggestions, but when you make a decision, do whatever you feel is best for you and your loved ones.

Calvin and Hobbes

Dig deep, gather facts

AQUARIUS and be ready for any oppo(Jan. 20sition that comes your way.

Feb. 19) Look for the good in everyone, but don't be gullible when dealing with someone who exaggerates.

A reward will come your PISCES (Feb. 20- way if you are kind and comMar. 20) passionate. You may get a

second chance to make a wish a reality. Romance is in the stars, and a personal pact looks inviting.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021

Red Force fielding strong squad for Super50 tourney

– Pollard, Pooran, Bravo among outstanding stars

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he selectors are obviously relying on experience as the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force contest the CG Insurance Super50 Cup, to be staged in the Caricom State of Antigua and Barbuda from February 7 to February 27.

The 15-man squad announced includes Jason Mohammed, who is captaining the WI One-Day International (ODI) squad in Bangladesh in Pollard’s absence; along with all-rounder Akeal Hosein and opener Kjorn Ottley, who are both with the Windies ODI team for the three-match series against Bangladesh.

Accomplished all-rounder Kieron Pollard, left-handed batsman Darren Bravo, and the ever-improving Evin Lewis as well as the prolific wicketkeeper-batsman Nicholas Pooran - who all opted

The Red Force are fielding a strong team in this tournament

out of the tour of Bangladesh over COVID-19 fears - are included in the Red Force team.

The selection panel, comprising Chairman Rajendra Mangalie, Mahadeo Bodoe

“WI selectors should not be fixated on conditions” – says former fast bowler Tony Gray

and Richard Kelly Jnr, also named veteran opener Lendl Simmons, mesmeric off-spinner Sunil Narine, wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, leg-spinner Imran Khan, and fast bowler Ravi Rampaul in the squad.

Rounding off the squad are left-arm spinner Khary Pierre and the fast-bowling pair of

Anderson Phillip and Jayden Seales – the only person yet to represent T&T at the senior level.

Opener Tion Webster and middle-order batsman Jyd Goolie, who showed good form in the recent practice matches, failed to make the cut.

The Red Force were beaten semi-finalists in the 2019 edition of this tournament, which was played in the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.

The West Indies Emerging Stars were the overall winners, and there was no Super50 Cup in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Red Force Squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Darren Bravo (vice-captain), Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons, Jason Mohammed, Nicholas Pooran, Sunil Narine, Denesh Ramdin, Imran Khan, Akeal Hosein, Ravi Rampaul, Jayden Seales, Kjorn Ottley, Anderson Phillip, Khary Pierre.

Technical staff: David Furlonge (coach), Sebastian Edwards (manager), Lyndon Knights (physiotherapist), Clinton Jeremiah (trainer), Kelly Sankar (masseur).

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The West Indies squad in training ormer West Indies fast bowler Tony Gray has said he believes it is a mistake for selectors to get caught up with selecting teams based on conditions.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) Chief of Selectors, Roger Harper, recently set off a firestorm with an explanation that promising fast bowler Chemar Holder had been left out of the Test squad for the Bangladesh tour in order that an extra spinner could be included to exploit conditions.

The decision was all the more vexing for some, considering the absence of Jason Holder, who was typically part and parcel of a four-pronged pace bowling attack, and Chemar Holder’s promising debut in New Zealand, where he took two wickets in trying circumstances.

For his part, in addition to pointing out that Bangladesh are exceptional at handling spin, Gray pointed to the fact that a multitude of pace bowlers had done well on Asian pitches for several decades.

Jason Holder to lead Barbados Pride

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…as 15-man squad announced for Super50 Cup tourney

T “I think that they (selectors) are fixated on the conditions. You cannot be fixated on the conditions,” Gray told the Mason and Guest radio programme.

“I played my first Test series in Pakistan, and I got 14 wickets in three games.

You want the mindset to be there. If you are telling a young fast bowler -- for example, who can bowl some 90-miles-an- hour deliveries -- that you are not going to perform well because of bowling conditions that are not really suited to your pace and your style of bowling, then you are doing the wrong thing!” he explained.

“So, I think they have been

fixated on conditions, and there are other things to take note of; for example, the strengths of the opposition: the Bangladeshis are very adept at playing spin bowling.”

(Adapted f r o m Sportsmax)

he Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) have announced that Jonathan Drakes and Akeem Jordan, both 26, have been selected in the Barbados Pride’s 15-member squad to contest the West Indies Super50 Cup next month in Antigua& Barbuda.

It is the first time that either man would appear in a Pride uniform, but they are not strangers to the senior level of West Indies domestic cricket competitions.

Omitted from a provisional squad of 22 players named two Mondays ago are Leniko Boucher, Camarie Boyce, Miguel Cummins, Zachary McCaskie, Roshon Primus, Shamar Springer and Tevyn Walcott.

Drakes, a former West Indies Under-19 batsman, and pacer Jordan have played 14 and 16 matches respectively for the Combined Campuses & Colleges (CCC) in the same competition over the past two seasons.

Additionally, Jason Holder, Roston Chase,

Shamarh Brooks and Shai Hope, all of whom opted against touring with the West Indies team to Bangladesh for three ODIs and two Test matches, have been named in the Barbados Pride squad.

Chemar Holder, who recently made his Test debut in New Zealand, but has only been included for the ODI leg of the Bangladesh tour, is also in the Pride squad.

Barbados Pride Squad: Jason Holder (captain), Joshua Bishop, Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Roston Chase, Dominic Drakes, Jonathan Drakes, Justin Greaves, Keon Harding, Chemar Holder, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Akeem Jordan, Nicholas Kirton, Ashley Nurse.

Management: Head coach Dexter Toppin, Assistant coach Corey Collymore, Manager Wendell Coppin, Physiotherapist Dr. Jacqueline King, Video analyst Jamar Layne.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2021

31

‘Super 16’ tourney will return this year-end

– promises GFF President Wayne Forde

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hen the ‘Bounceback Football’ tournament was concluded and the afterthoughts were shared, football enthusiasts were left with much to be figured out.

Is this the new ‘YearEnd Extravaganza?’ Will this collaboration continue?

And especially when Kashif Muhammad expressed that they’re hoping to ‘take back’ the 1st of January as a football date, persons wondered: Are they going to take over now? What happens to that tournament that was hosted last year? Will there be some sort of rivalry for the lucrative date?

However, swirling questions have been dissipated by Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde, who undertook to bring some clarity to the situation this past week.

In an engagement on the Sean Devers Sports Watch programme on Kaieteur Radio, Forde confirmed that the GFF’s ‘Super 16’ tournament would be back this year-end.

“Many of those discussions are in their ear-

GFF President Wayne Forde

ly stages, but I can say to you that it is going to be the GFF Super 16 Cup,” Wayne Forde has declared.

Continuing, he said, “Well, I think we have some great ideas. The GFF ‘Super 16 Cup’ is going to be boosted up for this year. We are having serious discussions with potential partners, and we feel very excited about what we’re going to be able to deliver.”

While expressing that there are a number of aspects that the Federation

hopes to improve upon, Forde hinted at the possibility of televising the event as had obtained with the Bounceback tournament.

Additionally, he revealed that organisation of the tournament would spawn a number of partnerships.

“Now that we have seen that we have the talent to televise a game, then that has formed part of the planning and discussion,” he disclosed. “So, I would say that in maybe a few weeks, or maybe a few months, we

will be making a formal announcement on ‘the YearEnd’ tournament, but I can say to the general public that it’s going to be the GFF Super 16 Cup, with some other partnerships to rea lly delive r the quality of competition that we know the general public has been longing for,” he disclosed.

The Kashif and Shanghai Organisation would definitely be involved in those collaborations.

Revelation of this fact would quell a lot of fears of history repeating itself.

For now, it’s safe t o say gone are the

days when two

football organisers ‘battled for the right to use January 1’.

GFF President Wayne Forde has noted, “Part of those discussions are with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; the K&S (Kashif and S h a n g h a i ) Organisation, one other partner… and we’re getting ready to engage some other

corporate entities to put togethe r a broad partner- ship.”

Based on the utterances of the Football Boss, there is no intention to stir up any old grievance. In fact, according to Forde, he is focused on the unifying force that football has proven to be.

“My ideal philosophy around this ‘Year-End’ football is one wherein we can bring the entire fraternity and all of our partners under one big camp and deliver something we can all be proud of. Football is a force that unites, and no one that wants to lead football should try to perpetuate bitterness and tension and rivalry, and some of the experiences that have been ‘not so good’ for the image of the sport,” he posited.

However, he emphasised that the GFF has a mandate that includes the sanctioning and organisation of football in Guyana.

“I believe there appears to be a willingness on all sides to really come together to do something well.

The GFF is the sole authority for football in Guyana.

We regulate and dictate and organise the annual calendar, and we’re always willing to engage our partners and our stakeholders so that the best possible football experience can be had for ozur nation,” Forde reminded. (Jemima Holmes)

Nexgen Global acquires land for first golf facility on West Coast Demerara

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n keeping with its aggressive agenda to develop the game of golf in Guyana, President of The Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy, Aleem Hussain, confirmed that the acquisition of land to establish the first of 5 uniquely designed golf courses was completed this week.

The facility is set to be located close to the Vreeden-Hoop area, just off the

GGA has partnered with Ronald Sami and his wife

main road for easy access

NexGen and GGA President, Aleem Hussain

to public transportation, parking, and future growth.

Partnering with Mr. and Ms. Ronald Sami, the GGA was able to sign a longterm deal that would see the facility begin construction immediately, with hope for completion in a few months.

“What is the value of bringing the immeasurable joy of being able to play golf to thousands of children in a way that will shape their perception of life, opportunity and values forever?” asked Hussain, as he outlined that based on the innovative model they created, it will cost less than G$2,000/month for the kids to learn and continue enjoying the sport!

How is this possible? Well, according to Hussain, The Guyana Golf Association have, in less than 12 months and during one of the toughest periods, accomplished the greatest growth of the sport in the country’s history!

They have facilitated opening of a Golf Academy & Driving Range in Georgetown that allowed them to attract and teach 556 new players in 6 months, and more excitingly, introduced the sport to the school system so that over 100,000 children aged 6 to 18 years would have access to participate in golf-

Portion of the Land

ing.

With strong partnerships established with major companies and organisations in order to promote the game, and supported by a donor system to provide equipment for learners, the need for golf facilities is in high demand. The GGA plan to build and equip five (5) unique golf facilities around the country, so they can provide training and equipment for as many as 6,000 new players.

To enhance interest in the sport, the GGA plan to create weekly tournaments and activities for these new players, all with the intention of building a national

team that would represent Guyana internationally.

And hopefully, there would eventually be an Olympic team fielded by Guyana.

This newspaper has been privy to discussions between the GGA and a major international golfing entity with which talks are underway to potentially host a major golf event in Guyana. Hussain has said he could not confirm at this time, but he did not rule out the possibility of it happening.

The GGA is capitalising on the fact that golf is one of the few COVID-compliant sports in the world to grow the game and bring world-

wide attention to the country by accelerating the interest and number of golf courses to increase sports tourism. This will benefit hotels, restaurants, taxis, airlines, eco-tourism, car rentals and souvenir sales nationwide.

The first exciting event for the Nexgen Golf Academy 2021 season is scheduled in two weeks, and it is expected that major prizes will be up for grabs.

For more information on the sport, or to learn the game, visit the Academy and Driving Range, located on Woolford Avenue, or call 645-0944.

SUNDAY, JANAURY 17, 2021

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

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Page 30

Red Force fielding strong squad for Super50 tourney

‘Super 16’ tourney will return this year-end Page 31

– Pollard, Pooran, Bravo among outstanding stars – promises GFF President Wayne Forde

Page 31

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