Guyana Times - Sunday July 4, 2021

“Through painting I can express myself, show appreciation for my culture” – Demion Mack Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4698 guyanatimesgy.com

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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021

“I’m not averse to meeting main parliamentary Opposition” – President

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

P20 2 ex-cons confess to killing taxi driver, dumping body

Page 3

…but says APNU/AFC must recognise the will of the people

British Chamber of Commerce to soon set up in Guyana – outgoing UK envoy

2021 TIP Report

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Guyana’s Tier 1 placement a testimony to hard work – Home Affairs Ministry

Page 6

…wraps up 6-month assignment in Guyana

Remaining 12,000 Guyana surpasses 1st-half revenue target Sinopharm vaccines for 2021 by $11.3B delivered to Guyana Page 7

Safeer Jama’s parents’ struggles led him to P16 entrepreneurship

Pages 20, 21 & 27

NA prisoner P11 nabbed with ganja

…as Ali highlights restoration of financial stability

DPP appeals decision to free Republic Bank heist trio

…1 more COVID-19 death, 74 new cases recorded …no country "is out of the woods" – WHO Head

Bandits hijack taxi, later use in shootout …found abandoned with spent shells

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Page 27

From P13 Imbaimadai to Colombia – Miguel Wong shares his table tennis journey

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NEWS

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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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

“I’m not averse to meeting main parliamentary Opposition” – President

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

…but says APNU/AFC must recognise the will of the people

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Sunday, July 4 – 01:00h – 02:30h and 12:30 – 14:00h and Monday, July 5 – 01:30h – 03:00h and 13:00h – 14:30h.

Sunday, July 4 – 12:40h – 14:10h and Monday, July 5 – 13:40h – 15:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 12:26h reaching a maximum height of 2.2 metres.

Low Tide: 18:19h reaching a minimum height of 1.01 metre.

C

oming up on the one-year anniversary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government’s ascension into office, President Dr Irfaan Ali has affirmed that the Government remains committed as ever to inclusionary governance.

He made this comment during a virtual address to Town Hall Forum on Friday, organised by the International Center for Democracy (ICD), in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York. According to the President, the Government has in fact been implementing such an inclusionary system over the past 10 months.

“I also affirm the promise to institute a system of in-

President Irfaan Ali

common understanding including through the utilisation of parliamentary mechanisms such as the select committees.”

President Ali also addressed the current impasse between his party and the main Opposition

to meeting the main parliamentary Opposition.

However, its designation of my Government as illegitimate presents practical obstacles to any such engagement.”

“The parliamentary Opposition must understand, they have to respect and honour the will of the people. And in respecting and honouring the will of the people, they have to respect the Government of the day that was elected by the people of the country,” President Ali said.

Meanwhile, the President mentioned the Government as the third level of inclusion. This has so far involved the PPP Government bringing in members of civil society and

“I’m not averse to meeting the main parliamentary Opposition.

However, its designation of my Government as illegitimate presents practical obstacles to any such engagement. The parliamentary Opposition must understand, they have to respect and honour the will of the people. And in respecting and honouring the will of the people, they have to respect the Government of the day that was elected by the people of the country.” – President Dr Irfaan Ali

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clusionary governance. Over the past 10 months we’ve been implementing that system. My Government will strengthen inclusion at three levels. At the level of the National Assembly, the political level and the level of Government,” he said.

“The adversarial character of the National Assembly does not preclude compromise or consensus. The two sides of our National Assembly may not always agree, but can seek a

A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC). Ali noted that while he is not averse to engaging APNU/AFC, the coalition party continues to show disdain for the will of the people who elected the PPP to Government with 233,336 total votes last year.

“At the political level I’ve held meetings with other political parties, including non-parliamentary parties. I’m not averse

other organisations to lend their expertise to national development.

“We have already begun to involve in the management of our country, persons who we feel have the expertise required and who are committed to the national interest. I’ve also met with social and religious organisations, trade unions and the Private Sector. I will continue to meet with them, to benefit from their insights and learn more from

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

their concerns,” President Ali added.

Working together

Only recently, United States Congressmen Albio Sires and Hank Johnson had called for the PPP/C Government to ensure that every Guyanese citizen benefits from the nation’s wealth, particularly that from the oil and gas sector.

The APNU/AFC has been complaining about the lack of dialogue with the PPP Government on key areas of interest, but at the same time have been labelling the Ali-led Administration as “installed”. Both Johnson and Sires had urged the two sides to work together.

In response, Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira had related that the Government is working in the interest of all Guyanese. She said that the PPP/C’s elections manifesto outlines the plans for the development of Guyana and that the programmes implemented since taking office have been focusing on ensuring that every Guyanese benefits.

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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 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

Guyana Police Force L

ast week, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) observed its 182nd anniversary, marking it as one of the oldest institutions in Guyana. It is the most visible and ubiquitous symbol of the State, reinforcing the latter’s definition as possessing the legitimate authority to use force against citizens – even of killing them. The GPF was founded in 1839, after the abolition of slavery – just a decade after the launching of the London Metropolitan Police Force.

It was the model for British Police, with a decentralised structure to ensure that local sentiments and concerns were addressed. Most of the Force was unarmed, up to the present.

The emphasis of the British Police was to protect the British citizenry. In their definition of the duty of the Police, “to maintain law and order”, their Police’s imperative was to uphold the law.

The British view of the role of the Police in its colonies, however, was the opposite to the above stance. Here, their prime concern was to maintain “order” to protect British interests and they organised the Police Forces here appropriately. Ordinance 13 of 1838 had originally established the Guyana Police Force patterned on the London Metropolitan Police, but after Governor Henry Light (and the Secretary of the State for the Colonies) learnt of the innovations of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) formed in 1836 to keep the Irish in line, they switched course and came up with Ordinance #9 of 1839.

The RIC was very centralised, heavily armed and ethnicised.

That is, it consisted mostly of Irish Protestants and English Officers, to ensure the imposition of draconian order against the predominantly Catholic population. The focus of the Irish Police was to maintain order, ie to protect the security of the State against a citizenry that was considered rebellious and recalcitrant. The GPF was explicitly organised in the Irish tradition.

It is noteworthy that the present motto of the GPF, “To Serve and Protect” was not adopted until over a hundred years after its formation: the British were clearly not moved to “serve and protect” the newly-freed slaves. The early recruits were primarily Barbadians who had migrated for higher wages here.

This was to ensure that orders from the ruling Whites and their planters to use force on the newly-freed slaves would not be disobeyed, out of sympathy for “kith and kin”. That the same technique was utilised on the Irish showed that “control”, not race, was the prime motivation.

The GPF imitated the Irish Police’s highly-centralised command structure to deal with anticipated uprisings from the local Africans. The British had honed their “divide and rule” policy to a tee. When the ex-slaves proved compliant to the new order, and indentured labourers were brought in to replace them on the plantations, the latter were deemed to be posing a threat, purportedly because of the cutlasses in their possession.

The local Africans were then recruited into the GPF to deal with the new “threat” and set into motion a historical discrimination against Indian recruitment that continues into the present. The British used various stratagems to exclude Indians from the GPF. In Guyana, “minimum physical requirements” of height, weight, chest measurement; food (serving beef and pork); religious proscriptions (against Hinduism and Islam) and being unmarried were some of the prime mechanisms. These supposedly facially neutral factors, not formally changed until 1968 (under duress) by the People’s National Congress (PNC), produced a disparate impact on Indians and ensured their minimal enlistment. An ICJ Commission of Inquiry in 1965, as a precondition for independence, recommended affirmative action hiring practices for raising the percentage of Indian Guyanese, but this was never implemented, even as the PNC massively expanded the GPF. Adding to the centralised, paramilitarised and ethnicised disabilities of the GPF, the PNC also deprofessionalised it by insisting that it be subservient to its whims and fancies.

For the last three decades Guyana has suffered from the systemic effects of those disabilities.

The Rotary Club of Georgetown, in collaboration with the Mohan Thani Foundation, donated 30 wheelchairs to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and the Infectious Disease Hospital. The Club’s President Ramona Singh, in handing over the wheelchairs, stated that the Club recognises the need of persons living with disabilities for access to appropriate mobility devices and rehabilitation services

GECOM must account for billions spent Dear Editor, It cannot be denied that the Guyana Elections Commission has spent billions of dollars during the 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2020 Elections and the ‘Lone Ranger’ Chief Elections Officer is yet to answer the Auditor General’s queries.

The purchasing of millions of dollars in equipment, stationary, hiring of staff and giving out of phantom contracts must be fully investigated. Billions of dollars were abused and misspent, during a spending spree for the senior staff.

Further, billions were lost by our Guyanese people whose livelihood came to a standstill during the deliberate elections crises from March to August 2020. Guyana suffered international infamy as the entire world was looking on as the PNC/APNU attempted to steal the National and Regional Elections. The lawlessness that took place

from March to August last year must never be allowed to happen again.

The ‘Rogue elements’ in GECOM usurped unknown powers and humiliated Commissioners and International Observers.

They must be accountable for the millions of dollars that the GECOM Secretariat spent on food, drinks, transportation, lawyers’ fee, and the hiring of phantoms to commits acts of terrorism.

Political activists and leaders of the communities were threatened and scared to be in the streets.

Our children were kept away from schools, commuters were afraid to travel, the business communities were forced to close their doors.

Our farmers were afraid to take their products to the established market places. The memoires of that dreadful five months continue to haunt our nation. Our Guardians of Democracy

will live on forever. We will never forget Mark Wayne Xavier - their dedication to the cause, patriotism and un-flinching support to our struggle must strengthen our resolve to demand that all the fraudsters and riggers must be condemned condignly.

Ever since, the passing of the No-Confidence Motion on that historic night, December 21, 2018, the PNC/APNU/AFC took advantage of the courts in Guyana. They relished using the Judiciary to stay in power. However, the total amount paid with taxpayers’ money to Mercury/ CosbyTextor, to JJ&B and LLC must be cleared in the public eyes. Basil Williams’ statement to OAS on July 22, 2020, the sanctions, the No-Confidence Motion that APNU took to the CCJ costing hundreds of millions and all other expenses that were incurred during that time

must be fully investigated and revealed to the public.

As the notorious trio continues to face the courts and are slapped with more electoral fraud charges this nation must continue to call for full investigation into the likes of Sherfern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Bobb-Cummings, Michelle Miller et al. Staff members at GECOM must be accountable and work in a transparent way. GECOM must cleanse itself and remove all those who were part and parcel of the “Gang” that attempted to rig and then derail the 2020 National and Regional Elections.

Billions of taxpayers’ dollars were abused and there is no accountability.

Guyanese’s human and constitutional rights were trampled upon and this nation is waiting patiently for justice.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Can this embarrassment be stopped?

Dear Editor, I watched the videos of the picketing exercise against our Attorney General Anil Nandlall in New York via social media with great embarrassment and was wondering what’s the reason of such?

Watching the videos, I could not comprehend the reason for this sort of behaviour in another country and wondered what the architects of such exercise are hoping to

achieve.

Editor, Guyana has a history of saying they are holding a peaceful protest and at the end of the day, people are being robbed, injured, molested, and discriminated against. Given the history of such behaviour, I’m at a loss as to why the authorities in New York would allow such actions. They have allegations against them in their own countries, they are not coming to defend their char-

acter, but in another country, are trying to create mischief? Presumably, the main architect of that embarrassing scene in New York has a lot of allegations against him in Guyana and when pointed out to him, he started attacking those differently, getting personal. Why he is not coming here to defend his name boggles my mind, but he chooses to publicly pretend to be representing Guyana when Guyanese are

hoping to see if he’s genuine. It’s time authorities instil rules against such madness. If you have a problem with what’s happening in your country, come into your country and protest. Don’t cause embarrassment in another country. If you have an interest in your country, come and live here and fight for changes.

Sincerely, Sahadeo Bates

guyanatimesgy.com

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

Payara environmental permit, modified Liza 1 environmental permit have marked improvements Dear Editor, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strongly disagrees with the Stabroek News article titled: “Payara clause could allow Exxon to flare gas for free” published on Monday, June 28, 2021, and Kaieteur News article titled: “Govt has weakened environmental standards in favour of ExxonMobil” published on Friday, July 02, 2021.

The EPA takes this opportunity to categorically state that flaring for sixty (60) days is only permissible for “Start-up” in both permits. International benchmarking shows that the typical acceptable startup period for installations of this nature average 90

days; therefore, the EPA’s 60-day requirement is much more stringent as it is well below the average international benchmark. As far as the EPA is aware, there was never an agreement to prescribe two (2) days of startup since this was impossible given the nature of the installations.

Further, it is erroneous to contend that there is “no provision to stop flaring after sixty days” since both permits specifically state: “The Permit Holder shall not exceed sixty (60) days of flaring during Start-up.”

Moreover, there is no “carte blanche” for flaring under ‘Special Circumstances’ either, as the company is required to

seek approval from the EPA for any flaring beyond 48 cumulative hours. Routine flaring and venting are also strictly prohibited by both permits.

The EPA maintains and reserves the right to reject any request for flaring made pursuant to these Permits and if an approval is given, the EPA may include such terms and conditions as may be appropriate, including reduced timelines for any proposed flaring events.

Pursuant to Condition 3.17 of the Payara Environmental Permit, the EPA has established a payment for CO2 equivalent emissions as a result of flaring at the rate of US$30 per tonne of CO2e, consistent

“I’m not averse to meeting...

“In fact, if one looks at since we’ve come into Government in terms of COVID relief to every household across Guyana, in relation to increasing the cash care programme for every child registered in school, the increase in the school uniforms for children across Guyana including the COVID relief to the Amerindian villages of $1.5 billion, that we have been moving to ensure that all Guyanese are benefiting from the wealth of our country prior to oil during oil and after oil,” the Minister had said in a video statement.

Governance Minister

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

Teixeira reminded that Article 13 of the Constitution talks about parliamentary democracy and participatory democracy, adding that her Government believes in that. However, she said that in order for the Opposition to get a seat at the table they must first recognise the legitimacy of the PPP/C Government.

“We have no issue with the calls by the two gentlemen in relation to all Guyanese benefiting.

We are committed to the Sustainable Development Goals, we’re committed to Article 13 of our Constitution, we’re com-

FROM PAGE 3

mitted to constitutional rule of law and participatory democracy. But it cannot be the rule of those who refuse to accept democracy and those who do not accept the will of the people of our country who elected the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.”

“We look forward to the APNU/AFC taking a mature political position of recognising the PPP/C as the legitimate Government of our country and then the opportunities for dialogue and a number of issues become opened. So, we wish to assure friends in the United States that we are committed,” she had said.

with similar mechanisms included in the modified Liza 1 Permit. The institution and applicability of this payment is determinable by the EPA, in consideration of the Polluter Pays Principle.

The EPA also reserves the right to increase this rate where any instance of flaring exceeds sixty (60) days.

The EPA noted that the Stabroek News article reported that the thirty-six (36) day period approved for flaring under the Liza 1 Modified Environmental Permit had expired.

However, the EPA assures the public that at the date of the article’s publication, the approval issued to the company was still in effect.

The Modified Permit requires that the payments be made to the EPA within twenty-eight (28) days of the expiration of the approval in order to ensure it is calculated based on the actual volumes as well as sound internationally-recognised methodologies.

To this end, the EPA refutes any allegations that it lacks the requisite capacity and capabilities to perform the necessary calculations. The EPA boasts a wide variety of professionals qualified in environmental management, chemistry, engineering and other pertinent fields, and recruits ad-

ditional expertise, local and international as necessary.

The EPA views the Payara Environmental Permit and the Modified Liza 1 Environmental Permit as marked improvements, particularly in consideration of the more specific flare management conditions that are consistent with industry practice in order to regulate and/or deter periods of flaring. Specifically, the Payara Permit was a major improvement in that it also included provisions for produced water management, cradle to grave waste management, insurance require-

ments and reporting mechanisms; which were notably absent from the Liza permits.

The EPA wishes to assure the public that it has pursued, and continues to pursue environmental safeguards and deterrent mechanisms to address any prolonged periods of flaring which may pose risks to the environment, consistent with best-practice and international standards.

Sincerely, Environmental Protection Agency

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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

British Chamber of Commerce to soon set up in Guyana – outgoing UK envoy

World Snake Day

…wraps up 6-month assignment in Guyana

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ollowing the completion of a sixmonth assignment here, acting British High Commissioner Ross Denny is set to depart Guyana after paving the way for the establishment of a British Chamber of Commerce in the country.

In a missive from the British High Commission on Saturday, it was explained that Denny will leave for the United Kingdom on Monday. In addition to serving as the UK’s envoy to Guyana, he was also the Chargé d’affaires to Suriname during his six-month tenure.

Denny, who previously served as the UK’s Ambassador to Costa Rica and Nicaragua until late last year, was asked to cover the period between former longstanding British High Commissioner, Greg Quinn’s departure, and the appointment and arrival of the new substantive High Commissioner, Jane Miller.

The new UK envoy is slated to arrive in Georgetown shortly, the High Commission said on Saturday.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) had envisaged a gap of six months between the two tenures. It was noted that given the importance of the UK-Guyana

W Outgoing UK envoy Ross Denny

bilateral relationship, the UK Government thought it important to ensure that it continued to be represented at a senior level during this period.

Denny now returns to the UK before taking up another appointment.

Commenting on his time in Guyana he said “I feel honoured to have had the opportunity to spend some time in this beautiful and fascinating country, and at an important time in its history. I’ve been made to feel very welcome wherever I went. And I was fortunate to be able to visit several places in the hinterland where the UK is funding important proj-

New British High Commissioner Jane Miller

ects, and of course to meet a wide range of people.”

The outgoing UK envoy went on to outline that he was surprised upon his arrival in Guyana to find that there was no British Chamber of Commerce. He explained that one of his high priorities during his brief tenure was to change this.

“I’m delighted that this is now a reality. The Chamber will be launched officially when Jane Miller arrives and has been accredited. It will be a bilateral chamber, as much for the benefit of Guyanese businesses interested in developing trading links with the UK as it is for

British businesses looking to trade with and invest in Guyana.

“My hope is that the presence of an active bilateral chamber will lead to even greater commercial activity between our two countries, for the benefit of both our peoples.

The bilateral relationship is in great shape, with many shared interests and values. I wish my replacement every success in taking this forward,” the UK diplomat stated.

Already, there is an American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Guyana) and a CanadaGuyana Chamber of Commerce here.

hat’s your reaction when you see a snake? Most of us run away or try to find the closest stick or rock to kill it. From the time “Eve ate the apple”, snakes have had a bad reputation. These animals, however, are an important part of ecosystems as snakes play both the predator and prey role. They make for a healthy snack for hawks, eagles, weasels, foxes and more. They also help control pest populations. Snakes also act as “ecosystem engineers.” Rodents eat plant seeds, then snakes eat the rodents. This makes snakes secondary seed dispersers, helping plants find new places to grow.

World Snake Day is an important day when it comes to increasing awareness about the different species of snake all around the world.

This day is celebrated on July 16. Guyana, as part of the South American continent, is swamped with rainforests and jungles, which has the type of terrain where snakes and other wildlife creatures thrive. It has been reported over time that this continent has some of the most dangerous, as well as some of the most enthralling snakes in the world.

Why celebrate snakes?

Did you know that there are more than 3500 species of snakes around the world? Because of this, it is not going to be a challenge for you to find a snake that fascinates you and interests you that you may not have heard of before, even if you are someone who is interested in snakes and you have a pet snake of your own! So, this is one of the good reasons why to research snakes and learn more about them on this date. After all, there is so much that you can learn!

Of the 3500 species of a snake around the world, there are only around 600 that are venomous. This is less than 25 per cent of snakes! There are only 200 species of snake that pose a considerable risk to human life as well. Therefore, snakes are nowhere near as worrying or scary as we think they are. Of course, this does not mean that you should go up and start petting any snake that you come across! However, it is definitely something to think about. Perhaps we give these animals a much harder time than they deserve?

Do you know that snakes are threatened all around the world?

With the deteriorating situation of deforestation, climate change, and several other factors that are causing a decline in the habitats of snakes, it is imperative that we collectively put in an effort to preserve their well-being.

Snakes are found in every continent except Antarctica, in the sea, forests, deserts, prairies, and they even live among us sometimes. Snakes consume many different animals including insects, small rodents and frogs. Snakes eat their prey whole because their lower jaw can separate from the upper jaw. Some very large snakes can even eat small deer, pigs, monkeys, and even primates. Fortunately, snakes are not widely hunted. However, their numbers are still declining due to deforestation and climate change. Which has, in turn, caused the deterioration of their habitats and a lesser amount of prey available.

Here are some interesting facts about these amazing creatures: Where do snakes live?

Snakes are found in every continent except Antarctica in the sea, forests, deserts, prairies, and even your backyard or garage.

What do snakes eat?

Snakes consume many different animals including insects, small rodents and frogs. Snakes eat their prey whole because their lower jaw can separate from the upper jaw. Very large snakes can even eat small deer, pigs, monkeys, and even primates.

How do snakes behave?

Snakes rely on the environment to regulate their body temperature.

They spend as long in the warm sun as they need to in order to get warm, and when they become too warm, they find shade to cool off. They are generally not aggressive unless they are hunting or feel like they need to defend themselves. They shed their skin three to six times a year.

How do they defend themselves?

Snakes use a variety of techniques defend themselves, including camouflage, biting and envenoming those they feel are threatening them.

Sometimes they simply curl up in a tight ball to hopefully avoid being seen.

Why are some snakes endangered?

Fortunately, snakes are not widely hunted, but their numbers are still declining due to deforestation and climate change causing the deterioration of their habitats and a declining amount of available prey.

As mentioned earlier, there are many different species of snakes, and so you can spend some time learning about them and their various qualities and features. For example, the Barbados thread snake is the smallest snake in the world. This serpent is actually smaller than a nightcrawler, coming in at only approximately four inches. In terms of the heaviest snake, this honour goes to the green anaconda. The reticulated python is the longest snake in the world. If you spend some time doing a bit of reading, we are sure that you will be fascinated with the results.

Snakes are beautiful creatures which need to be respected, and this can only be done once we learn and read more about these beauties.

Sources https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/global-event-news/ world-snake-day-day-history-meaning-significance-celebration.html You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana surpasses 1st-half revenue target for 2021 by $11.3B …as Ali highlights restoration of financial stability

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has said that in under a year, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government, through its policies and programmes, has been able to restore confidence in Guyana’s economy, evidenced by the fiscal indexes returning to some amount of stability.

The President was at the time addressing the Town Hall Forum on Friday, organised by the International Center for Democracy (ICD), in Richmond Hill, Queens, New York. During his virtual address, he spoke of Guyana’s Balance of Payments (BoP) deficit being fixed and reserves being restored.

“Our revenue target for the first half of this year has surpassed its projection by $11.3 billion, as a result of the growth of these (traditional) sectors. We have seen a 100 per cent improvement in our balance of payments deficit. We’ve been able to stabilise our reserve holdings and public debt to a sustainable level,” he said.

“We’ve seen great improvement in the labour market. And increase in

Government transfers, that would see social goods being given to the people of our country. And more importantly, we have removed in an annualised manner, more than $50 billion of the tax burden that was imposed by the former Government on the people of the country.”

In addition, there are a number of projects that are scheduled to be brought into being by year end, particularly in the construction and hospitality sectors. The President also spoke of the restoration of investor confidence in the traditional economic sectors.

“The confidence in our economy and you would have noticed I’m not only speaking about oil and gas, in just 10 months in a COVID environment, has seen intense growth in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, construction, wholesale and retail.”

“In this COVID environment, where we’re also managing a horrible flood that has affected the lives of tens of thousands of our brothers and sisters, in which we had to deal with post-election issues,” the

President said.

Prior to the PPP taking office in August 2020, it had been revealed that the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government had left the General Reserves with a balance of $0.

In fact, the account was left with an overdraft to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars.

The Bank of Guyana’s statement of Assets and Liabilities had revealed that the General Reserve was at -$290,667,332 in May 2020.

Additionally, Public Deposits were also depleted to below $0, also recording a negative balance of -$88,629,401,855. Guyana’s Contingency Reserve account had also reflected an alarmingly low amount of $2.3 billion. When APNU/ AFC took office in May 2015, Guyana’s General Reserve had in its coffers just about $6 billion while the Contingency Reserve held $4 billion.

In its 2021 Outlook on the macroeconomic state of the economy, the Bank of Guyana had projected

The Bank of Guyana

that the external current account for the Balance of Payments will improve largely due to oil exports coupled with higher export prices for gold and rice. The total receipts of foreign currency by Central Bank are estimated to increase to US$902.3 million while total payments are targeted at US$838.9 million.

Additionally, Central Government’s overall balance is anticipated to marginally improve to $90,285

million as economic activities pick up, leading to increased revenue earnings from taxation despite the anticipated growth in expenditure.

The NFPEs overall deficit is expected to widen as the public enterprises slowly recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

“In particular, GuySuCo is anticipated to record an increase in both capital and current expenses as efforts continue towards increas-

ing the capacity of the existing estates and reopening those that were closed,” the report had said.

It went on to detail that those monetary aggregates of reserve money and broad money are estimated to expand in 2021, with the former due primarily to increased net foreign assets of the Bank of Guyana while the latter is expected to stem from higher net foreign assets and Private Sector credit.

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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Whither…

T

…Caricom? oday’s the 48th anniversary of the signing of the historic agreement – the Treaty of Chaguaramas – that formed Caricom. Yes…Caricom was “born on the 4th July” , but came into effect on August 1, for obvious reasons. Just in case it isn’t that obvious, August 1 just happens to be “Emancipation Day” and the effort was to make that more real. It was actually a long time in coming and the result of a long genealogy of “begetting” in the Biblical sense!

Caricom was “begot” by the heads of CARIFTA – a free-trade body of the Big Four of Jamaica, TT, Guyana, and Barbados and the eight smaller BWI islands. CARIFTA in turn had been spawned after the “British West Indian Federation” of 10 British Territories (British Guiana wasn’t a member) – formed in 1958 – had fallen apart in 1962.

Why? For the same reason Caricom hasn’t been able to fulfil its goal of moving from the Free Trade Area that was CARIFTA to becoming a Single Market and Economy (CSME) – a real “community”.

To wit… that each of the Big Four is afraid of having to carry the others on their backs. We might all be “brothers”, but some are seen as “too heavy”! In 1962, Jamaica made the first move when they held a referendum that affirmed their leadership’s desire to go solo. That, of course, made Eric Williams – Trinidad’s PM – utter his famous “1 from 10 leaves ZERO!” No, Dear Reader, he wasn’t mathematically challenged – having received a PhD in economics from Oxford! – but was pointing out that with the departure of Jamaica (one), the 10-member Federation was no more (zero). Both Jamaica and TT got independence that year and it was “every territory for itself and the devil take the hindmost”!

So the BWI Federation begat CARIFTA which begat Caricom which was supposed to beget the CSME which has been put on “pause” for a decade! And we arrive to the question posed in the beginning: “Whither Caricom?”

Well, if it’s one thing we should’ve learnt by now is such a question can only be answered by the political leaders of the individual territories. And if history is anything to go by, each of them will be looking to protect their little fiefdoms – even as they remember past slights. Remember Jamaica saying they wouldn’t be advised by Guyana, “a nation of panhandlers?” Or then oil-rich TT telling everyone else they “weren’t an ATM Machine”!

But we must remember it was the Caricom leaders who called out the Sanctimonious Gangster on his blatant rigging attempt. And it was a Caricom institution – the CCJ that has upheld the Rule of Law! Causing the Sanctimonious Gangster to call for our withdrawal! …law and order Whenever the PNC’s out of power, there’s a breakdown of law and order. That this is “causation” and not “correlation” has long been settled. Starting from 1962 into the present (W Berbice), we saw the PNC use whatever means necessary to seize power. We’d be pretty daft to believe that this go-round, anything’s gonna be different in the law and order business.

Coming out of the politicised ethnic violence in W Berbice – stirred up by Granger and Harmon – they continue to push the envelope. First, they insisted that the Police arrests for the killings of the Henry cousins were a “fix”. Now they’re upping the ante after the Police arrested four persons – including a brother of Isaiah Henry – for the murder of Haresh Singh.

An alibi for the brother was proffered, but was immediately shot out of the water by incontrovertible evidence shown by the Police. They will not stop here.

They’re “boring” the hull of the ship we’re all sailing in by undermining the criminal law. …free speech It shouldn’t surprise us that those who’d destroy our democratic order have resorted to libel and defamation suits calling for damages in the hundreds and even billions of dollars.

That’s designed to gag free speech – the foundation of democracy.

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

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11 NA prisoner nabbed with ganja R NEWS

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

For dialogue and an end to polemics

I

am sure that readers are tired of the seemingly interminable exchanges between Mr Tacuma Ogunseye and I on WPA co-leader Rupert Roopnaraine’s role in the scuttling of the 2005 CoI request by Dr Patricia Rodney, for her husband’s assassination.

In this communication, I will simply expand on the distinction between “polemics” and “dialogue” that Tacuma requested. I do believe it is relevant at this juncture of our history, even more than ever.

On my return to Guyana in 1989, I was afforded a column in the Stabroek News by Mr David De Ravi Dev Caires to air my views on the political situation that was log-jammed over demands for “free and fair” elections. I offered a perspective that attempted to balance the then dominant class analysis with the ethnic imperatives I apprehended as immanent in our society. After the January 12, 1998 violence against Indian Guyanese in Georgetown, following the 1997 elections, I deliberately adopted a polemical, ethnomethodological approach in the press with letters and then columns in Kaieteur News. This was intended to give voice to the Indian Guyanese community’s feeing of outrage and anger, but to direct those emotions towards creating a common narrative with the other communities in Guyana.

“Polemics” is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something” or “the practice of engaging in controversial debate or dispute”. It has a long history in Greek, Hindu (“vitanda”/caviling or the destructive debate element of Nyaya philosophy), Roman and Christian thought. . Even though some of my polemics were directed at the WPA, I still maintained a close working relationship with them, especially after I was elected to Parliament at the 2001 elections. I had accepted Rodney’s 1970 position that Guyanese society was too ethnically/racially divided for joint political action, but that ethnic activists, while located in their various groups, should collaborate at the leadership level. Even though the WPA resisted our insistence that they were grounded in the African Guyanese community and insisted they could “speak for all”, we still collaborated.

In the five years of being in politics as well as being in Parliament, I realised that the ethnomethodological approach (using the everyday methods and practices of an ethnic group – here Indian Guyanese) articulated in polemical language made other groups see us as “racist”. It did not matter, for instance, that I had explained Africans were acting out their Security Dilemma; spoke at City Hall with the PNC and WPA calling for a “sanitised voters list”; at the Square of the Revolution called for an Inquiry into the extrajudicial and banditry killings and Gajraj’s role; or giving a eulogy at the funeral of Ronald Waddell, I remained a “racist”.

I then appreciated the caution of Michel Foucault on polemics in favour of “dialogue”. As I wrote after the collapse of the Third/Center Force: “The French post-modernist Michael Foucault drew what he considered to be the “essential” distinction between entering discussion/dialogue and engaging in polemics, which is very apropos to all of us at our historical moment.

In “discussion”, participants implicitly understand commitments entailed by “the acceptance of dialogue” and avail themselves only of rights that “are in some sense immanent” in the “dialogic situation” itself. “The polemicist, on the other hand, proceeds encased in privileges that he possesses in advance and will never agree to question. On principle, he possesses rights authorising him to wage war and making that struggle a just undertaking; the person he confronts is not a partner in the search for the truth, but an adversary, an enemy who is wrong, who is harmful and whose very existence constitutes a threat. For him, then, the game does not consist of recognising this person as a subject having the right to speak, but of abolishing him, as interlocutor, from any possible dialogue; and his final objective will be, not to come as close as possible to a difficult truth, but to bring about the triumph of the just cause he has been manifestly upholding from the beginning. The polemicist relies on a legitimacy that his adversary is by definition denied.” Foucault concluded: “There are the sterilising effects (of polemics). Has anyone ever seen a new idea come out of a polemic?”

Yes, Tacuma, there can be new ideas out of polemics; but will the “other side” ever listen for a needed reconciliation?

Does a falling tree make a sound if no one hears it?

anks of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) caught a prisoner with a quantity of ganja inside the New Amsterdam Prison.

Anferny Contclaar, 38, a convicted prisoner, was caught with 246 grams of cannabis on Friday.

Based on information received, a search was conducted on the suspect by a prison warder attached to the Scanner Room at New Amsterdam Prison, and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems were found.

The illegal substance was turned over to the Police, and an investigation was launched.

A few days ago, during an exercise at the Special Watch

and Bricks sections of the Mazaruni Prison, Mazaruni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), that was conducted by the members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the GPS, a number of contraband items along with

drugs were unearthed.

The Joint Services found 148 grams of cannabis; three cellular phones; 34 cigarettes; five lighters; eight improvised weapons; two two-litre bottles of fermented wine; one met-

al spoon; one earpiece; two cell phone adapters; one cell phone case; and a quantity of tobacco and other prohibited items.

The items were confiscated and an investigation was launched into the discovery.

Several weeks ago, a similar exercise at the penitentiary unearthed a quantity of ganja.

It was reported that officials were conducting daily checks in and around the prison and its environs when they observed a prisoner acting in a suspicious manner.

A search was conducted on his person, and, in his pants crotch, a bulky black parcel containing the cannabis was found.

12 NEWS

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bandits hijack taxi, later use in shootout …found abandoned with spent shells

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anks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are on the hunt for

two men who hijacked a taxi belonging to a 30-year-old man.

Reports are that the two armed men robbed the driver of his car at about

21:30h at Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown.

Police have since said that the man was in his white Toyota Allion motor car with registration HD 1638, in the vicinity of Gomal Fish and Chip Place, Middle Road, to drop off the passengers who had hired him, when the robbery took place.

The 30-year-old man told Police immediately after dropping off the passengers, he was confronted by the two suspects who approached him on a blue motorcycle.

The pillion rider reportedly dismounted the motorcycle and whipped out a handgun from his pants waist and held the victim at gunpoint while ordering him to exit the motor car. The men then made good their escape with the car which at the time had one Blu cellular phone valued $30,000.

The matter was reported to the Police, and cops have since been looking for the two men.

However, on Saturday,

Police found the motor car abandoned in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

A search was conducted on the car, and four 9mm spent shells were found, and a window was broken.

Investigation continues into this matter.

There have been several hijackings recently. Only on Wednesday last, a 53-yearold taxi driver, Kenrick Trim of Lot 129 Belfield Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, was discovered lying motionlessly in the grass at the end of Cul-deSac Street, Block 1, Ogle, East Coast Demerara. The man was killed during a robbery and his body dumped.

However, his killers were unable to escape with his car after it became stuck in mud when one of the hijackers attempted to reverse it.

Meanwhile, just hours after the car was hijacked, Police reported that a car with the same registration number was used in a shooting incident at Lyng Street, Charlestown, Georgetown.

In that incident, a

33-year-old man of Middle Road, Georgetown was hospitalised for a gunshot wound to his arm.

According to Police, the shooting occurred at around 22:50h on Friday.

It was reported that while the 33-year-old male was standing on Lyng Street, the motor car stopped and the perpetrators exited the car.

Immediately after, the men began discharging several rounds in the victim’s direction, causing him to receive a gunshot wound to his right arm.

The men then re-entered the motor car and escaped in a northern direction on Lyng Street.

Police said the 33-yearold man was later taken to a private city hospital, where he is presently a patient. His condition is listed as stable.

Meanwhile, several spent .32 shells, one live .32 round and four live 9mm rounds were recovered by investigators.

A probe has been launched into the incident.

(G9)

FEATURE

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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Jemima Holmes

F

rom a makeshift plywood table to a year of gruelling training in Germany; Miguel Wong is eager to make his mark at this year’s first-ever Junior Pan American Games.

The National Table Tennis player, who now works assiduously on his craft daily, originated from humble beginnings in one of Guyana’s mining regions, Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region 7).

“Both me and my brother were born and raised in a small village of Imbaimadai in the Cuyuni-

Representatives.

“I used to play during my lunch breaks and after school was over. At first it was just mainly to pass time, while waiting for my parents to collect me then later on it became an excuse to stay later after school was over,” the athlete candidly shared.

Recognising his passion for the game, his father, made the necessary strides to ensure that he could also practice at home.

“My dad made a makeshift table from plywood and two stands, which we would play during the afternoons at home.”

A glimpse of Miguel Wong in action

Mazaruni region. We came to Georgetown for a chance at better education at the Mae’s School, we would stay in Georgetown till the end of the school semester and then we would return,” Wong related to Sunday Times.

However, before he became entranced with his current love for Table Tennis, the 20-year-old athlete dabbled in a few other sports.

“Every year during the August period we would travel to the inter-village games which consists of 7-8 villages competing. My dad, at the time, was the goalkeeper for the football team. He was also the volleyball captain, and I would go to his practice and play volleyball and football with all the kids in the community,” he said upon reflection of his beginnings in the world of sport.

“So from a young age I was fairly active and around sports.”

Once he got to the primary level at Mae’s Schools in Subryanville, Georgetown, he was introduced to the sport. Notably, this institution is responsible for the introduction of many young players to the sport, some of whom are amongst Guyana’s National and International

A little later on, the youngster was invited to the Titans Table Tennis Club by Coach Dwain Dick, where he still trains.

Wong related, “I played my first competition which was an inter-school games.

There I was introduced to Coach Dwain Dick who invited me to his club, and then the rest was history.”

Currently ranked 710 in the Men’s seniors by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) with 168 ranking points, the 20-yearold can be considered as one of the best products of the sport in the nation.

This kind of achievement would bring high expectations but Wong, who is up to the challenge, has nothing but passion for the sport.

“From the day I joined the table tennis club, I dedicated myself to the sport.”

The table tennis player continued, saying, “For those, those who have been around me from the beginning, can attest to the sacrifices on work I've put in both on and off the table, maintaining all the latenight trainings and early morning fitness in the National Park has led me to this point.”

Though the youngster possessed a zealous passion for the sport, it was not all

fairytales along his journey; there were many hurdles for him to cross, mostly mentally at times.

“My biggest challenges so far was to stay disciplined and committed to the sport. There was a point in time where I was inactive.”

“Due to bad influence of persons around me,” Wong regretfully admitted.

He went on to share on the topic, saying, “It was a very, very bumpy road.

There were many times I wanted to stop and put the racquet down, because I wasn't sure where I was heading in the sport.”

Most recently, for his trip to Germany in 2019, which was eventually extended to about a year’s stay, owing to lockdowns for the coronavirus pandemic, Wong was the recipient of valuable support from corporate Guyana.

Beacon’s Café and King’s Jewellery are amongst some of those who have con-

stantly supported the table tennis player on his journey, a factor that Wong is quite grateful for.

“For many athletes, any form of sponsorship helps relieve an enormous amount of baggage. student athletes, for example, they have equipment, training, gym, nutrition, and transportation costs, which would normally have to fall to their parents,” the athlete explained.

He further added, “So, with corporate sponsorship athletes get more marketability. They get access to better training, whether it be abroad or locally. They get to attend more competitions, they get equipment needed to, which will help develop them, and the list goes on.”

When probed about his qualification for the Junior Pan American Games, which is scheduled for November 24 to December 5 in Cali, Colombia, an elated

Wong had this to say: “I'm very proud to be able to represent Guyana, the first ever Junior Pan Am Games.

This means that I will be the first Junior games, table tennis player to have qualified for these games which is an honour,” The athlete gushed.

Then again, this major event is not just about representation for the 20-year-old.

Wong is keen on making a positive mark at the tournament, not only to win a medal, but also to further improve his level of competitiveness.

“I want to compete with the best juniors in the Pan Americas, to test my level and to measure my development over the years.

Also, because it is the first of its kind at the junior level, which is one of the reasons why I am looking forward to the event,” he said.

National Table Tennis Player Miguel Wong

The table tennis player, who is hoping to get the opportunity to train abroad in preparation for the event, shared his intentions for the tournament, stating, “If I'm able to produce great results at this tournament, it will definitely boost my career to another level. It was part of my development as a player.”

14 FEATURE

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he possibilities that art brings to us are limitless. It allows us to express our innermost thoughts and convey messages that we could not have done with words. Art is uni-

versal and it invites people into the worlds we create whether it is in a painting, a stage play or a drawing.

Though still young on the art scene, for well over 5 years now, Demion Mack has been drawing inspiration from his environment

and creating masterpieces that provide everyone with a glimpse into the world he lives. The 19-year-old artist hails from the North Rupununi village of Rewa in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region.

With just about 300

residents, mainly from the Makushi tribe, the Indigenous village of Rewa is known for its abundant wildlife and ecological diversity. Demion said it is also a remote village which is sheltered from the outside world – something he said can also

be viewed as a disadvantage.

Growing up in the village has taught Demion to connect with nature and everything it has to offer. The young man spent his childhood days living the life that every Indigenous youth experiences once they are growing up in their native village.

He fished, farmed and swam in the rivers and creeks.

He built relationships with not only people, but also his environment.

His large family provided him with the support to always follow his dreams. He is an avid footballer and even represented his secondary school – Annai Secondary in various competitions nationally.

“Life in Rewa village was challenging too. I did the normal things any Amerindian child would do but because of how our village is located way down the riverine areas, it was more challenging. I did not know what the outside world looked like because I didn’t really leave the village much. But I knew what the people looked like,” he said.

Demion is currently a fine arts student at the E R Burrowes School of Art but art is something he was not exposed to during the early stages of his life. His first introduction to the world of art, drawing and painting, was when he entered secondary school.

“I didn’t even know we would take art because we didn’t have that at Rewa Primary. When I started going to secondary school, I was introduced to art classes. It was there I realised that I could do art and we had an art teacher. I wrote Arts at CXC and got a Grade Two and that really brought me into the art world,” the

young man related.

After finishing secondary school, Demion enrolled at E R Burrowes School of Art where he began delving deeper and discovering his talent. His first year at Burrowes School of Art all o w e d him to fine tune the skills he had and introduced him to various mediums of expression. However, he missed out on one year of schooling after the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. He only restarted classes in January this year.

Demion’s cousins Collin and Ransford played a major part in inspiring the young artist to pursue his passion.

Collin and Ransford are two of the country’s exceptional young artists. He also draws inspiration from other artists like Pablo Picasso, George Simon, Campton Babb and Winslow Craig among others.

“I am more into painting than any other part.

Through painting I can express myself and show my culture. Most of my work is like about nature and showcasing the what my life is like. I want people to know what life is like in the remote parts of the country.

It is like when I first came to Georgetown, I found it strange but then I had to cope with it because I needed to go to school.”

When asked about what advice he would give to young artists, Demion said “Keep on doing art and doing what they want to do and what they like. Practise all the time because it leads to perfection. Everything comes from art. Art to me is like, important because it allows you to show your innermost thoughts and I want to show the Indigenous lifestyle in my paintings and to show the people around here.”

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16 FEATURE

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Raywattie Deonarine

P

arents are the carriers of a wealth of knowledge. Their experiences have taught them how to navigate the various challenges life throws at them. Our parents quite often share that knowledge, whether we ask for it or not, hoping that we may learn from their lessons.

The struggles of his parents have led 22-year-old Safeer Jama to put measures in place to ensure that he has both financial and job security.

Jama, of the Essequibo

Coast, recently opened his own business at Airy Hall.

N&A Pooja and Variety Store has been the dream for Safeer

for a long time and in the midst of the adversity posed

by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has left many without job security and scrambling to find alternative means of income, the young man kick-started his own business.

He has already attracted the attention of the Essequibian public and in remarkable fashion too. He forms part of a group of young Essequibians who used the pandemic to launch various business ventures in an effort to either supplement their income from other jobs or create an income after losing their job.

Although life was tough growing up for Jama, he expressed that even though he had always held strong in the hope that things would eventually get better, indulging in jobs at an early age became his way of escaping the realities of life. Describing his bat-

ing on growing his business so that it can become a massive means of income and a household name in the future.

Safeer further added that he had full support from his parents, villagers, and friends.

The young entrepreneur has plans to diversify his business portfolio and venture into large a household name with a specific list of products including the latest Indian outfits, pooja items, mining equipment, and stationery, that are of high demand on the Essequibo Coast.

During a recent interview with Sunday Times, he said “Despite the pandemic, the business has been a success. I haven’t seen a slow business.

It has been rolling for the past months because of several weddings during the pandemic. The business has been such a blessing for me and I'm

tles as the most horrible time in his life, Safeer noted that it was the constant love and support from his parents that prevented him from self-sabotaging his future and aided him through those days.

He explained that it was the lessons of his parents that really shaped him into the person he is today. His parents had tough lives growing up and they are not shy in sharing those struggles in an effort to guide their children. The young man said that his parents have struggled in their lives to ensure that their children could have a better life. He saw them working hard to achieve that and in turn he wanted to work just as hard to build on what they built.

After secondary school, the young entrepreneur was employed at Multi-Care Pharmacy in Anna Regina to sustain his household and to save to open his own business.

He would later resign from that post when he would have amassed the confidence and resources to start the journey of becoming his own boss.

“It started out with me purchasing Indian clothing and accessories from Trinidad's Fab India Expo, mining equipment, stationery, and pooja items from local markets wholesale. At first, it was very difficult for me to get customers but with my friends and family who supported and shared my business post made me able to attract a lot of customers," he said.

He launched N&S Pooja and Variety Store on January 27, 2021, after scrambling to find alternative means of income. He is actively work-

very proud of myself being a young male entrepreneur despite challenges I faced when I was building the foundation for my future."

"I had plans of opening the business and I'm thankful.

When I was thinking about opening this business, my parents were very supportive and after I finished school, I toiled hard to purchase materials I needed to build a small building for me to launch business. I was able to get the building erected which was the major part."

Safeer worked for 4 years to acquire enough resources to venture into the world of entrepreneurship. He said that when he finally opened his business to accept actual customers, he was excited and extremely pleased. He added that knowing within just six months he was able to sharpen his entrepreneurial talent and bring it to a level that he could now not just earn his own money, but also be the owner of his own business, felt like one of the greatest achievements he could have gotten from the beginning of 2021.

When the young entrepreneur was asked what piece of advice he would give to other persons who want to open a business, he said, "Take new changes as an opportunity to find new ways to grow your business and to continue to build and provide for your community. To the youths who want to start their own business, it’s going to take a lot of determination and hard work but it’s a fun process. Just keep these four steps/stages in mind 1-start up, 2-survival, 3-success, 4-growth."

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18 FEATURE

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

O

ver the last few weeks, we have been discussing very many questions associated with companion animal breeding, mostly related to dogs.

Today, I am applying a “Question and Answer” format to reiterate and reinforce what I would have documented before in order to provide those enquiring minds with greater clarity to direct questions that often are asked in relation to the mating of their dogs.

QUESTION: When exactly should the caregiver (breeder) bring the male and female animals together?

ANSWER: You may

PREPARING ANIMALS FOR MATING recall that, in recent articles, I had written that the actual mating should take place, 7, 9 and 11 days after the bitch has exhibited her first droplets of blood. (Actually, if you are a keen observer of the bitch and you were able to see the droplets of blood at the very first moment when she deposited the blood, then you could mate her 8, 10 and 12 days later). It all has to do with those different phases of heat which I had previously explained. Mating her three times has all to do with the vagaries of biology. In biology, all values are within a range and there are always many exceptions.

Having said all of the above, the best way to ensure pregnancy is to let the bitch and stud dog do their job.

They will know exactly when to mate. She will allow him when she is receptive, and he will effect the “tie” at the right time.

QUESTION: Following up on the last part of the previous answer, is it advantageous/advisable to bring dogs together even before the 7th day after the droplets of blood have first been observed emanating from the vagina of the female?

ANSWER: Yes, the advantage may be that the bitch is often more amenable to “settle’ in her new environment (the bitch is usually taken to a stud dog). And, of course, if she is a bit

“abnormal” and is receptive on the fifth and sixth day, then the male dog will do his business opportunely. This does not occur very often. There is one disadvantage in carrying the bitch earlier than

the 7th(8th), 9th(10th) and 11th (12th) day for mating. During the proestrus phase (onset of the heat cycle), the female will not accept the male. He will, however, constantly make advances – thwarted and repulsed though they might be. It is then harassment for her (yes, sexual harassment in dogs exist too) and constant, undiminished excitement for him. This is not a happy state of affairs. In the end, the two breeders should play it by ear (trial and error) – whether to bring the dogs together prior to or on the 7th (8th) day after the first droplets of blood are observed.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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FEATURE

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PREPARING ANIMALS FOR MATING FROM PAGE 18

QUESTION: Should the breeders establish a CONTRACT between themselves relative to sharing of the offspring (puppies resulting from the mating)?

ANSWER: Yes. Right about the time when the dogs are being brought together (if it was not done before), the formal “arrangements” (contract) should be made between the bitch’s owner and the owner of the stud dog. This is important, so as to avoid misunderstandings, quarrels and even litigation later on.

There are various options: 1. The stud’s owner has the choice of a specified number of puppies

in the ensuing litter.

The gender of the puppies that he will choose should also be agreed upon.

2. The male owner is paid a specific sum for the mating – whether or not the “tie” is successful 3. A combination of a) and b) above.

Breeders may wish to include in the contract, clauses that cater for eventualities such as liabilities relative to injuries the dogs may sustain during and after the mating. Also, you need to consider whether, in the case of unsuccessful mating, monies (or part thereof) should be refunded, or provision is made for a second mating attempt, gratis.

Lastly, you will have to agree on the age of de-

livery of the puppies and the time of payment, and whether they will be fully vaccinated and dewormed on release.

As you can imagine, genuine breeders of top-class dogs are dealing with valuable assets.

Purebred puppies are being sold for astronomical sums. A large litter of pedigreed puppies can benefit the owner in the realm of hundreds of thousands of dollars (perhaps that is the reason why so many quack breeders are emerging). It may therefore be advisable to seek legal advice relative to the establishment of a contract between the two parties whose dogs are to be mated. Of course, among common breed dogs of friends, a handshake might suffice!

20 NEWS

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Remaining 12,000 Sinopharm vaccines delivered to Guyana T

he remaining 12,000 jabs of a 100,000 consignment of Sinopharm jabs on Saturday arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Last Wednesday, 88,000 doses of the Chinesemanufactured Sinopharm shots were delivered to Guyana – the first batch of the State purchase. Now that Guyana is in receipt of the full 100,000 tranche, it will be used to immunise 50,000 people.

The Health Ministry had already started distributing these shots to the various regions. In fact, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony had shared that because these vaccines do not require the ultra-cold storage, it is advantageous in the vaccine rollout to remote communities.

Sinopharm vaccines have shown to be about 79 per cent efficacious under clinical trials. It was used previously in Guyana’s vaccination campaign after 20,000 doses were donat-

ed by the Chinese Government.

So far, Guyana has been able to secure 62,400 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from COVAX with more to arrive until 20 per cent of the population is covered.

There were donations of 3000 doses of AstraZeneca shots from Barbados, 20,000 Sinopharm doses from China and another 80,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from India.

Government has procured 400,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccines from Dubai. Some 305,000 doses of this so far and the additional 95,000 is expected to arrive soon.

Through an African Union/Caricom Agreement, Guyana is procuring 148,000 doses of vaccines – a portion of which will include Johnson and Johnson sin-

the age group of one month to four years, 287 children were infected – comprising of 148 males and 139 females. Between the five to nine age group, there were 524 infections after 273 males and 251 females were infected. From 10 to 14, 342 males and 414 females tested positive, amounting to 756 persons.

“What I can say is that once it is Pfizer, I can tell you this policy now, it will go to the children, starting from 18 and below… Every single person that goes into the hospital to me is alarming, especially children…

I’m seriously concerned and we’re monitoring it,” the Head of State was quoted as saying.

2 ex-cons confess to killing taxi driver, dumping body gle-dose vaccines.

In Guyana, over 234,000 persons from the adult population have taken their respective first doses while more than 112,000 have returned for their second doses. Currently, Sinopharm, AstraZeneca and Sputnik V jabs are being used.

In light of talks between the Caribbean Community (Caricom) and the United States Government over the availability of the PfizerBioNTech vaccines to the

region, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Friday said Guyana’s share would be used specifically to immunise its children population.

Discussions between stakeholders are in the preliminary stage but he was optimistic that Guyana would benefit from the US allocation.

Over 1500 children were infected since the detection of the virus locally in March 2020. A breakdown this week showed that within

T

wo ex-convicts who met while serving time in prison for armed robbery have confessed to robbing and killing taxi driver, Kenrick Trim, whose body was found at Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on June 30.

Reports are that one of the suspects, a 34-yearold welder of Water Street, Georgetown, was arrested on Friday last and taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Eve Leary.

At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of the now dead man's mobile phone - a black Samsung Galaxy A20.

During interrogation, he admitted to committing the crime and implicated a 25-year-old man of Laing Avenue, Georgetown.

In his confession, the fish vendor reportedly told detectives that he first met his accomplice, while serving time in prison for stealing a mobile phone.

He further related that on Wednesday, June 30, his 34-year-old accomplice picked him up from the minibus park in Georgetown and they travelled to a snackette in Carmichael Street, Georgetown, where they purchased something to eat.

During their conversation, he reportedly told his 34-year-old accomplice that he slept on the streets many nights and solicited his assistance to find a place to stay.

In his confession, the younger of the two convicts said that soon after leaving the snackette, they stopped a taxi which was driven by the now dead man and they both entered.

The fish vendor confessed that his accomplice sat behind the driver while he sat behind the front passenger's seat and they requested to be taken at a location along the East Coast of Demerara.

In the vicinity of Ogle, ECD, the 25-year-old told investigators that his accomplice grabbed Trim by his neck and started to choke him until he passed out.

He said that his accomplice then pulled Trim over to the back seat by which time he started to regain consciousness. As such, the 34-year-old man stabbed the taxi driver several times about his body with a knife.

Further, the 25-yearold confessed that his accomplice then took off the now dead man's gold ring and chain and relieved him

Dead: Kenrick Trim

of some money that he had in his pocket and the black Samsung cell phone.

After committing the act, the 34-year-old man then drove the car to a spot in Ogle where he threw out the deceased's body. However, as he was reversing the car, it got stuck in the mud. This led to them both exiting the car after which, the 34-yearold man gave his 25-year-old accomplice $10,000 and disposed of the knife in a clump of bushes.

The two convicts then made their way onto the main road, boarded a minibus and went to Georgetown.

After the confession, the two men were taken to the Sparendaam Police Station where they were placed into custody.

The detectives have since returned to the murder scene with the intention of retrieving the murder weapon.

A file is being prepared to be dispatched to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.

The body of the 53-yearold taxi driver was found at about 09:00h on Wednesday last at Block 1 Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The body of Trim of Belfield Housing Scheme, ECD, was found at the end of Cul-de-Sac Street while his car, a silver-grey Toyota Premio, HC 5311, was recovered a short distance away.

The man’s son, Kenrick Trim Jr, had told Guyana Times on Wednesday last that he received a call from his mother at about 11:00h informing him that the Police had said that they had found his father’s body at Ogle.

The young Trim said he immediately left work and went to the scene, noting that his father was found lying with blood oozing from his mouth.

He said that his father would usually work taxi in the vicinity of Hinck Street, Georgetown, and had been working out of the location for about 10 years to take care of his family. His father, he added, had never been robbed previously.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

1 more COVID-19 death, 74 new cases recorded A

50-year-old female from Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) is the latest person to die from COVID-19 in Guyana. This has raised the country’s total deaths to 478.

The Health Ministry informed on Saturday that she died on July 2 while receiving care at a medical facility. Since the beginning of the new month, two persons have succumbed to the life-threatening disease.

Some 1285 swabs were taken for analysis, in which 74 persons tested positive for COVID-19 in one day.

Now, the total infections have reached 20,305 – 9913 males and 10,392 females.

In the facilities, 18 persons are seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, 95 in institutional isolation, and nine in institutional quarantine. Another 1410 persons are in home isolation. Guyana has swabbed 192,548 persons, of which 16,042 have since recovered.

A breakdown of new cases showed six in Region One (BarimaWaini), five in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam),

11 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), JULY 3 UPDATE 38 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW CASES 74 CONFIRMED CASES three in Region Five SINCE MARCH 2022 (Mahaica-Berbice), NUMBER OF PERSONS IN 95 REGION 1 1226 four in Region Six INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION (East BerbiceREGION 2 567 NUMBER OF PERSONS IN Corentyne), two 1410 REGION 3 2326 HOME ISOLATION in Region Seven REGION 4 9337 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), NUMBER OF PERSONS IN 18 one in Region Eight REGION 5 674 COVID-19 ICU (Potaro-Siparuni), REGION 6 1586 NUMBER OF PERSONS IN four in Region Nine 9 INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE REGION 7 1266 (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and two REGION 8 380 TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY 10,392 Region 10 (Upper GENDER (FEMALES) REGION 9 1521 Demerara-Berbice).

REGION 10 1422 TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY Addressing myths 9913 GENDER (MALES) about the coronavirus and vaccines on HERE IS HOW YOU CAN BE TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES 20,305 SAFE DURING THE COVID-19 Friday was Health IN GUYANA SINCE 2020 PANDEMIC Minister, Dr Frank Wear a face mask.

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES 18,304 Anthony as he outKeep a physical distance of at least lined that fake infor6 feet.

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED 234,255 mation and rumours Wash your hands or use handcan drive vaccine hessanitizer FULLY IMMUNISED 112,371 itancy.

Authorities If you have any symptoms, call the COVID-19 Hotline. have been working to TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS 478 dispel such information in the public do- GET MEDICAL ADVICE ON COVID-19 FROM MOH 24/7 HOTLINE NUMBERS: 2311166; 226 7480; 624 6674; 624 2819; 624 3067 OR 180/181. main, especially on sogoing to make them hesicial media. tant about taking the vac“If people believe these cine. Undoing that damage myths, then it is going to that was done by the false make them hesitant. It is information would take a lot going to confuse them. It is more effort because if some-

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD

body believed this, it’s going to be harder for you to dispel that belief. In some cases, that is what we’re fighting because these things spread all over the place on social media, and you don’t know what people are reading,” he noted.

He encouraged persons to factcheck information that they read or hear before believing or spreading it to others. If a person has doubts, they were asked to visit a reputable website where this can be clarified.

“As we find them out, we try to dispel them but I think sometimes people got to use their common sense.

Take a step back

and think about it and see whether this makes sense or not…Think through these things and don’t be fooled by people who are going to put your life at risk with fake information. Don’t believe the fake information that is out there. If you want to get proper information, go to the science-based websites.”

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www. health.gov.gy.

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

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24 FEATURE

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Local make-up artist launches natural make-up, massage parlour

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ake-up artist and now proprietor, Janica Sandy on Saturday opened doors to her spa and massage parlour – Ultimate Image Inc, which is located on Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

Saturday’s opening commemorated the one-year anniversary of the launch of Sandy’s natural beauty line.

According to the makeup artist, it has always been her passion to develop natural products not just for herself but for the public as well.

Hence, after returning to Guyana in 2019, Sandy ventured into creating her own line of natural and organic cosmetic products.

These were introduced last year and now with her own parlour that specialises in wellness and beauty, Sandy has also expanded her line of products.

“Last year, I brought out my cosmetic line, which are natural products… I’ve been receiving amazing results from persons throughout Guyana and abroad of our natural products. So, we extended our line with 25 different products,” she stated.

Inside the Ultimate Image salon

Sandy further explained that all of her products are organic and natural-based, and much healthier to use since there are no artificial additives or pigments. Her products vary from a wide variety of soaps, lotions and scrubs, and cosmetics.

In addition, Ultimate Image Inc also offers cosmetics from top brands.

Meanwhile, the spa and massage parlour cater for everyone – men, women and children. The businesswoman noted that they not only offer

full-body massages but also specialised messages for specific body parts.

With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many persons to be home and less active than they used to be, Sandy outlined the importance of having good blood circulation and encouraged persons to check out the services and products being offered by Ultimate Image Inc. According to Sandy, as her business continues to grow, she plans to expand not only in Guyana but beyond.

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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Rising global shipping costs and inflationary pressures

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he global shipping industry is experiencing its worst crisis in history largely on the back of the post-pandemic recovery which disrupted global supply chains in the onset. The recovery of major importing and exporting countries is unarguably uneven thus compounding the situation of rising shipping costs to the extent where shipping costs have quadrupled.

According to a Drip Capital report, small and medium sized businesses around the world account for about 25 per cent of the US$18 trillion maritime trade and this sector has been experiencing a more profound and widespread crisis since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic contraction.

In the case of Guyana, freight costs has increased exponentially from shipping costs originated from Asia by over 200 per cent post COVID-19. While freight has increased by more than 20 per cent for North America and Europe.

Further to note, with the flood crisis experienced in Guyana due to heavy rainfall recently, basic food items–for example, agriculture produce skyrocketed to over 200 per cent - 400 per cent. This is due to the losses incurred by farmers owing to the floods.

As a result of these unprecedented eventualities, policymakers are concerned about the adverse impact and/or the inflationary effect these would have on the business sector and in turn consumers.

What the rate of inflation does not tell you about rising cost of living The problem that is unique to Guyana is that there is a lack of data compilation on a Cost of Living Index in particular–which should be an important data and/or indicator in order to guide or inform economic policymaking.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) – the measure of Inflation Inflation can be defined as a sustained or continuous rise in the general price level; or, alternatively, as a sustained or continuous fall in the value of money.

Given this definition, several things should be noted. Firstly, inflation refers to the movement in the general level of prices. It does not refer to changes in one price relative to other prices. Such changes are common, even when the overall level of prices is stable. Secondly, the prices are those of goods and services, not assets. And thirdly, the rise in the price level must be somewhat substantial and continue over a period longer than a day, week or month (Labonte, 2011).

The CPI is used for three basic purposes:

1. It is a measure of inflation experienced by consumers, and an important indicator of the condition of the economy.

2. It can be used to adjust other economic data for changes in price levels, and to convert into inflation – free dollars. For example, retail sales and income data are “deflated” to assess their “real” movements over time. Another example is to estimate changes in the purchasing power of a dollar.

3. Various government income programmes, such as Social Security, use the CPI to adjust payments or income eligibility levels.

While the CPI is used to calculate cost-of-living adjustments (COLA), the CPI in and of itself is not a cost-of-living index. It does not consider changes in buying patterns that consumers make to adjust to relative price changes. Consumers usually react to relative price changes—for example, beef prices rising more than the price for chicken—by substituting less expensive alternatives for the more expensive commodities; that is, substituting chicken for beef. The CPI does not reflect short-run adjustments made in response to price changes as a costof-living index would.

Though the CPI can be used to “deflate” government revenue data, it should not be used to adjust government expenditure data for the effects of inflation.

The key difference between the two is that cost of living is the cost of maintaining a certain standard of living, whereas inflation is the general increase in price levels in the economy. However, both are strong economic conditions that showcase the economic status of a country or region. Generally, if there is high inflation, it is backed by high cost of living. It should be noted, however, that cost of living cannot be controlled easily by Government intervention, since cost of living is mainly driven by demand and supply of resources in a geographical area (Jacobs et.al) and (Pak, 2011).

Conclusion

In order to address the issue of rising cost of living, the policy approach must be multi-dimensional, and must include measures to address urbanisation, such as housing, and connectivity, improving financial awareness, and enhancing productivity and income. Importantly, greater efforts should be directed at increasing productivity levels; inter alia, the adoption of modern technology and increasing the skills of workers through access to better education and training.

This would enable the average lower-income earners and mid-income class to move up the value chain towards higher value-added jobs to achieve higher incomes, and hence afford a higher standard of living.

In the case of Guyana, however, in the context of pursuing policies to address rising cost of living, much more needs to be done by perhaps the National Bureau of Statistics, to address the lack of data compilation of cost of living indicators and to develop a cost of living index. This, in turn, can greatly aid policymakers to pursue the right mixture of policies to ensure that cost of living is kept at the lowest levels possible.

Proposals

The issues raised herein are not unique to Guyana, but rather, rising shipping costs is a global post-pandemic issue which is resulting in exponential increases in international trade.

As such, policymakers can consider the following measures which this author is of the view will aid in cushioning some of these effects and prevent a situation of hyper-inflation to occur: ● Temporarily reducing the duty on goods where 100 – 150 per cent duty is applied by 50 per cent; ● Subsidise fuel cost to shipping companies and/or reduce corporate taxes applied to shipping companies; ● Explore special financing instrument from international financial institutions such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank to provide financing so that can be used to subsidise shipping costs in Guyana.

This facility can be considered for two years (in anticipation of full post-COVID recovery in the global economy).

About the Author: JC. Bhagwandin is an Economic and Financial Analyst, and an Adjunct Instructor at Texila American University, Business College. 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.

26 NEWS

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2021 TIP Report

Guyana’s Tier 1 placement a testimony to hard work – Home Affairs Ministry H ard work and dedication towards curbing Trafficking In Persons (TIP) has led to Guyana scoring high in the 2021 United States report.

This is according to the Home Affairs Ministry, which in a social media post said that Guyana’s Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (TIP), once again, accepts the Tier 1 Placement as reported by the United States Department of State. This, the Ministry said is a testament of hard work and dedication of members of the Task Force, Guyana’s Anti-Trafficking Units, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and the

general public, through increased reporting and tremendous contributions made by international partners.

This placement comes with the recognition of the country’s unwavering efforts to eliminate the heinous crime of Trafficking In Persons for five consecutive years, especially in the presence of a now global pandemic.

The US Department of State 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report: Guyana states, “The Government of Guyana fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Despite the documented impact of the pandemic on the Government’s anti-trafficking ca-

pacity, the Government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period; therefore, Guyana remained on Tier 1.”

The initiatives taken are said to have included increasing investigations, identifying and

assisting more victims, creating the first anti-trafficking hotline in Spanish, opening an additional shelter, and creating standard operating procedures for victim identification.

The Ministerial Task Force has been working with local and international bodies namely, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Refugee Agency; UNHCR, United States Embassy and State Department, Caribbean Development Bank

(CDB), Organisation of American States (OAS), Interpol and Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) to increase efforts of combating TIP. The release also stated that some 250 law enforcement officers and community policing group members have been trained in the areas of victim identification and referral mechanism for signs of trafficking in persons and that “it is imperative that law enforcement officials remain vigilant in addressing new and evolving criminal patterns and adapt their responses to investigate and prosecute human traffickers from acting with impunity during a global health pandemic.”

Recommendations

Some recommendations made by the US Department of State in the continuous fight against trafficking in persons in-

cluded investigating trafficking cases in remote regions of the country, increasing prosecutions and convictions in sex and labour trafficking cases and pursuing them under the 2005 TIP Act, inclusive of cases involving child victims, funding specialised victim services, reducing delays in court proceedings, holding convicted traffickers, including complicit public officials, accountable by imposing strong sentences, developing standard trauma-informed victim identification and referral procedures, and training law enforcement officials and front line responders.

The Task Force is requesting that the general public continues to report suspicious activities that appear to be Trafficking In Persons, by calling their English or Spanish TIP Hotline numbers - 227-4083/623-5030 or 624-0079 (Spanish) or calling or visiting the nearest Police station.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

DPP appeals decision to free Republic Bank heist trio

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he Director of Public Prosecutions has filed an appeal against the recent decision to free Gladston George, Anfernee Blackman and Shawn Grimmond, who were jointly charged for attempting to rob Republic Bank, Water Street, Georgetown.

On Saturday, a statement from the Guyana Police Force said that the DPP had written Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on June 29, acknowledging receipt of the Police file and alluded to the fact that an appeal has already been filed in the said matter.

George, Blackman and Grimmond were freed by Magistrate Leron Daly on June 22, four years after they attempted the armed robbery of Republic Bank.

Another former em-

ployee of the Bank, Jamal Haynes, was also slapped with charges of attempting to commit a robbery and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

He was sentenced to a total of six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to the charges at his first court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts in July 2017.

During the attempted robbery, 23-year-old Elton Wray, an agronomist, was shot dead by the Police. He had been a beneficiary of a Government of Guyana scholarship to study in China, and had graduated with a degree in agronomy.

At the time of his death, he was serving the second of his five-year obligatory contract.

Magistrate Daly upheld

the defence’s no-case submission and ordered the men, except Saunders, to be freed. Saunders was told to lead a defence on July 14 when the matter is called again.

It was reported that Haynes and Grimmond knew that businesses would have deposited substantial amounts of cash into the chutes through night deposits. As such, a plan was hatched for the robbers to grab that money which would have been emptied into a canister by a female employee.

However, things went awry when their accomplices broke into the bank without knowing that they had received a text message from Grimmond who was already at work informing them to hold off since the

From left: Shawn Grimmond; Gladston George (white); Anfernee Blackman and Keron Saunders

employee who was supposed to open the canister was not at work.

After receiving reports of the robbery, Police responded promptly. The bandits engaged the officers in a

shootout, which resulted in the death of Wray. Haynes was also shot as he attempted to evade the lawmen.

Saunders subsequently surrendered and was taken into Police custody.

The others were all implicated in the robbery by Haynes and were later arrested. Police said that three high-powered pistols were recovered from the crime scene.

al through their protocols, since it is subjected to rigorous evaluation.

“Some countries, regions, have launched so-called vaccine certificates and I want to make it very clear that it

is important that these do not lead to discrimination against those people and countries that have either a lack of vaccines or certain type of vaccine. As you know, WHO issues Emergency Use

Listings for vaccines based on a stringent assessment of safety and efficacy and we expect all countries to recognise and accept those vaccines that WHO has approved.”

Strong surveillance, strategic testing critical amid new variant circulation – WHO Head …says no country “is out of the woods”

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irculation of the deadly Delta variant and other variants of concern has refreshed the need for robust surveillance and testing, in order for countries to control their local state of affairs and prevent infections.

This was the position shared by World Health Organisation Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom during a press briefing on Friday.

At this stage of the pandemic, he emphasised that overflowing hospitals are becoming a norm again and no country is out of the woods yet. The circulation of the Delta variant, first detected in India, has created severe ripples in infections and contributed to increased death.

“The Delta variant is dangerous and is continuing to evolve and mutate, which requires constant evaluation and careful adjustment of the public health response. Delta has been detected in at least 98 countries and is spreading quickly in countries with low and high vaccination coverage.

There are essentially two ways for countries to push back against new surges,” Adhanom opined.

With this scenario in mind, it was cautioned that health authorities need to step up their monitoring and testing game in order to safeguard their respective populations. Moreover, governments are asked to work towards 70 per cent vaccination of its people by this time in 2022.

“Public health and social measures like strong surveillance, strategic testing, early case detection, isolation and

World Health Organisation Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom

clinical care remain critical.

As well as masking, physical distance, avoiding crowded places and keeping indoor areas well ventilated are the basis for the response. And second, the world must equitably share protective gear, oxygen, tests, treatments and vaccines.”

By the end of September 2021, the WHO has urged leaders to ensure that at least 10 per cent of its people is vaccinated. In Guyana, this target was surpassed amid Guyana’s robust vaccination programme and the availability of vaccines.

The Director General pointed out, “This is the best way to slow the pandemic, save lives, drive a truly global economic recovery and along the way prevent further dangerous variants from getting the upper hand…This would protect health workers and those at most risk, effectively ending the acute stage of the pandemic and saving a lot of lives. It’s a challenge but we know it’s possible because already three billion vaccines have been distributed.”

Presently, manufacturing is increasing and the vaccines are being shared among countries. However,

he opined that this is only a “trickle” and is being outpaced by variants.

Companies were urged to share their expertise with other stakeholders to ramp up production.

“In those countries whose hospitals are filling up, they need vaccines and other health tools right now. New manufacturing hubs – including for mRNA vaccines – are being developed but this could be accelerated by companies openly sharing technology and know-how. In particular, I urge those companies – BioNTech, Pfizer and Moderna – to share their know-how so that we can speed up the development of new production.”

Earlier in the week, leaders of International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Trade Organisation and World Health Organisation converged to look at practical ways to track, coordinate and advance the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to lowand middle-income countries.

In terms of vaccine certificates, the WHO Head asserted that countries should accept vaccines which have been granted approv-

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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021

Feature HEALTH TIPS Gonorrhoea

Dr Tariq Jagnarine Fam Medicine, Endocrinology/ Diabetes

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onorrhoea is a common SexuallyTransmitted Infection (STI), and it can pass on during any kind of sexual contact. When a doctor diagnoses the issue early, they can usually treat it effectively. But if a person does not receive treatment, gonorrhoea can result in long-term complications.

In 2017, there were 555,608 diagnoses of gonorrhoea in the United States.

Gonorrhoea is a notifiable disease, which means that a doctor must report all diagnoses to the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. This information enables health authorities to plan treatment and prevention strategies.

Gonorrhoea is usually easy to treat, but delaying treatment can result in serious, and sometimes permanent, complications. For

example, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs in females when gonorrhoea affects the uterus or fallopian tubes. It can lead to infertility.

Possible complications in males with gonorrhoea include epididymitis, which is inflammation of the tube that carries sperm. This, too, can result in infertility.

It tends to target warm, moist areas of the body, including the: urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder) eyes throat vagina anus female reproductive tract (the fallopian tubes, cervix, and uterus) Gonorrhoea passes from person to person through oral, anal, or vaginal sex without a condom or other barrier method. The best protections against transmission are abstinence and proper condom or barrier method usage.

Symptoms

A microscope preparation of Gram-stained pus from a case of gonorrhoea.

Photography courtesy of Graham Beards/Wikimedia Many people with gonorrhoea have no symptoms.

Those who do often experience a burning sensation during urination.

Males may also notice: white, green, or yellow

discharge from the penis pain or swelling in the testicles inflammation or swelling of the foreskin Females may also experience increased vaginal discharge and bleeding between periods.

Rectal symptoms may also occur if a person has anal sex. These may include: discharge itching around the anus soreness bleeding pain during bowel movements If gonorrhoea results from oral sex, the person may have a throat infection, but they might not notice any symptoms.

Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection, and if semen or vaginal fluid that contains this bacteria enters the eye, the person may develop conjunctivitis, commonly called pinkeye.

Diagnosis A person might receive

a diagnosis of gonorrhoea if they see a doctor because they have had symptoms or because they suspect that they have been exposed to the infection.

The doctor will ask the person about their symptoms and medical history. They will also order a test, which might require a urine sample or a swab of the penis, cervix, urethra, anus, or throat.

Home testing kits are also available for purchase online.

A person using a home kit sends their sample to a lab and receives the results directly. If the result is positive, they need to see a doctor for treatment, and the doctor may wish to do another test to confirm the result.

It is crucial to use the kit exactly as instructed or the result may not be accurate. Because the tests can vary in accuracy, it is better to see a healthcare provider, if possible.

If one person has a diagnosis of gonorrhoea, their sexual partner or partners should also receive testing.

Treatment

Anyone with gonorrhoea needs treatment to stop the infection from progressing.

The treatment typically involves antibiotics.

It cannot repair any problems that the infection has already caused, so it is important to receive treatment as soon as possible.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend a single dose of 250 milligrams of intramuscular ceftriaxone (Rocephin) and 1 gram of oral azithromycin (Zithromax). These are different types of antibiotics.

The CDC urge people to take all the medication that a doctor prescribes and to avoid sharing it with anyone else.

However, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria that cause gonorrhoea, have developed resistance to nearly all the antibiotics that doctors have traditionally used to treat it.

This resistance is making gonorrhoea increasingly difficult to treat. If a person does not notice any improvement in their symptoms after several days, they should return to their healthcare provider. They may need further testing to determine whether the treatment is working.

A person should also attend any follow-up appointments and avoid having sex until a healthcare provider says that it is safe to do so.

If gonorrhoea occurs during pregnancy, it is essential to let the healthcare team know. The infection can pass on to the baby during delivery, so the newborn will usually need antibiotics right away.

Some newborns develop conjunctivitis, and gonorrhoea is one possible cause.

The symptoms usually appear 2–4 days after birth and include red eyes, thick

severe complications of gonorrhoea. For this reason, it is important to receive treatment as soon as possible.

In females, gonorrhoea can lead to: PID chronic pelvic pain infertility ectopic pregnancy, which can be a medical emergency Further complications of the infection can occur during pregnancy and delivery. Without treatment, it causes an increased risk of preterm labour or stillbirth.

Gonorrhoea can also pass to the newborn, who can develop a joint infection, loss of vision, or bacteraemia — a life threatening blood infection — as a result.

In males, gonorrhoea can lead to epididymitis, which can cause problems with fertility.

In everyone, untreat-

pus in the eyes, and swollen eyelids.

If any of these symptoms arise, seek medical attention immediately.

They can also result from a more serious condition, such as meningitis or bacteraemia.

ed gonorrhoea can lead to a disseminated gonococcal infection. This can be life threatening. Some signs and symptoms include: dermatitis, which usually involves a rash or itchy, dry skin a fever arthritis inflammation and swelling around the tendons People with gonorrhoea also have a higher risk of contracting or transmitting HIV. One reason is that either infection can cause open sores, which make it easier for viruses and bacteria to enter the body.

Causes

N gonorrhoeae bacteria are responsible for gonorrhoea. These bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, and the infection can develop in any of the body’s mucous membranes, including those in the genitals, mouth, throat, eyes, and rectum.

Gonorrhoea can pass from person to person through sexual contact that involves the penis, vagina, anus, or mouth.

Males do not need to ejaculate to transmit or contract gonorrhoea.

It can also pass to a baby during delivery.

All sexually active people can develop gonorrhoea. In the US, it is most common among adolescents and young adults.

Complications

There are a number of

Prevention

Ways of avoiding gonorrhoea include: avoiding sexual activity if there is the possibility of infection using a barrier method of protection, such as condoms, during vaginal or anal intercourse using condoms or dental dams during oral intercourse only having sexual activity with a mutually monogamous partner who does not have the infection

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021

ARIES (March 21April 19)

29

Put a unique spin on the way you do things. Make plans with someone who brings out the best in you. If you get together with someone extravagant, it will end badly.

Emotional situations will TAURUS escalate if you deal with pro(April 20fessional matters. Try to kick May 20) back and enjoy the day without getting into conversations with people who don't see things your way.

Be explicit about what you GEMINI (MAY 28- can do and how you feel, and you will avoid a difficult situJune 20) ation. Rely on the information you accumulate to form a plan that encourages stronger relationships.

CANCER An open mind will encourage (June 21- new beginnings. Adapting to a July 22) lifestyle that allows you to fulfill your dreams and engage in something that brings you joy will pay off.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Dilbert LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Peanuts

Stick to your plan, regardless of what others do. Choose the path that brings you joy and keeps you safe from financial loss or health risks.

Dedication and discipline will be important.

Recognize the changes that will make your life less stressful, then put your plans in motion. Being accountable for your happiness and comfort will lift your spirits and encourage better relationships.

Keep your thoughts clear.

Refuse to let anyone mess with your mind or push you in a direction you don't like. Put your energy into something meaningful and rewarding, and peace of mind will follow.

Take matters into your own hands and do only what you feel comfortable doing.

Poor judgment will leave you at odds regarding your health, finances and personal life.

SAGITTARIUS Steer clear of overindul(Nov. 23gent people or those trying to Dec. 21) tempt you to get involved in

something that will cause emotional or financial frustration.

Concentrate on physical fitness.

CAPRICORN Leave nothing to chance.

Size up what's doable and (Dec. 22what isn't, and make decisions Jan. 19) that will lead to a positive and happy home environment.

Don't give in to pressure.

Calvin and Hobbes

Go about your business.

AQUARIUS Don't invite others to disrupt your plans. Concentrate (Jan. 20on what's important to you, Feb. 19) and turn your day into a happy and positive adventure. Make love and peace of mind your priorities.

Let the past be a useful PISCES (Feb. 20- reminder. Being with peoMar. 20) ple who make you feel good

will improve your state of mind and encourage positive changes. Share your good fortune with like-minded people.

30

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021

St Kitts ready to host CPL, some spectators will be allowed

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ricket will be played just a bit louder this year with some spectators allowed in the stands for the hosting of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 cricket tournament in St Kitts and Nevis later this summer.

The 2021 CPL will get underway on August 28 and will run until September 19. All 33 matches will be played at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium.

The other teams competing for the coveted title are the Barbados Tridents, Trinbago Knight Riders, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs and St Lucia Zouks.

Initially, when negotiations got underway for the hosting of CPL 2021, it was done on the basis that there would be no spectators as had been done for CPL 2020 in Trinidad.

Since then, decisions have been made to allow 50 per cent capacity for spectators.

These spectators will, of course, have to be vaccinated.

The St Kitts Marriott Resort has been named as the official hotel for CPL and members of the CPL cohort will arrive

the day-to-day administration on the ground.

“As it stands, everything that was in place in the previous years in terms of media attendance and streaming remains.

“We are very excited!”

St Kitts and Nevis Sport Minister Jonel Powell

in St Kitts by mid-August to facilitate quarantining ahead of the start of the tournament.

St Kitts and Nevis Sport Minister Jonel Powell told Loop Caribbean that preparation for the 2021 hosting of CPL was well underway.

“We are very much in an advanced stage in terms of preparation of the two venues; Warner Park is the match venue and Conaree Cricket Field is the practice venue.

“A local organising committee is in place and is in the process of setting up a local team that will deal with

A CPL bubble?

Essentially, everyone associated with the CPL will have to be vaccinated. The success of the tournament depends on it. In a COVID-19 age, vaccination is promoted as the best and safest way to resume daily activities.

Minister Powell said: “Approximately 90 per cent of the cohort are already fully vaccinated; spectators will have to be vaccinated and there are vaccination requirements for all staff which includes ground staff, caterers, drivers, bar and concession stand operators among others.”

He said most of the players were on board in terms of the vaccination programme and have been vaccinated. There are only a few players who have not been vaccinated and

Tokyo 2020: IOC relaxes protest rules for Olympics

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ules around athletes protesting at Tokyo 2020 have been relaxed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Athletes will be able to “express their views” before and after competing, but cannot do so during events, victory ceremonies, and at the Olympic Village.

Any gesture cannot be “targeted, directly or indirectly, against people, countries, organisations and/or their dignity”.

It means athletes can take the knee before an event.

They can also “express

their views” when speaking to the media during news conferences and on social media.

However, any protest is not allowed to be “disruptive”, including unfurling a flag or banner during “the introduction of another athlete or team”.

“The new guidelines are a result of our extensive consultation with the global athletes’ community,” said Kirsty Coventry, Chair of the IOC’s athlete’s commission.

“While the guidelines offer new opportunities for athletes to express

themselves prior to the competition, they preserve the competitions on the field of play, the ceremonies, the victory ceremonies, and the Olympic Village.

“This was the wish of a big majority of athletes in our global consultation.”

The IOC said the consultation process “started in June 2020 and involved over 3500 athletes representing 185 different NOCs (National Olympic Committees) and all 41 Olympic sports, and ensured fully gender-equal representation”. (BBC Sport)

this is either due to access to vaccines where they are or because of religious purposes.

“You would have seen recent ads through Cricket West Indies (CWI), with some of their players encouraging persons to get vaccinated and showing that they are vaccinated and so we are very happy with that compliance.”

St Kitts-Nevis Patriots squad St Kitts and Nevis is home of the Patriots team, which will be under some pressure as expectations will be high in terms of their performance on the home pitch. The question is, will they be able to win their first CPL title at home?

Here are the players who make up the squad: * Dwayne Bravo (Captain)

* Evin Lewis * Fabian Allen * Chris Gayle * Rassie van der Dussen * Anrich Nortje * Sherfane Rutherford * Sheldon Cottrell * Wanindu Hasaranga * Devon Thomas * Rayad Emrit * Rahmanullah Gurbaz * Colin Archibald * Jon-Russ Jaggesar * Dominic Drakes * Joshua Da Silva * Mikyle Louis A new look for the Patriots It’s a new captain, some new players, and a new look for the Patriots this August as the team gear up to show off their new jersey ahead of the tournament.

“I would have been

briefed in terms of the new jersey that the team will be utilising this year. I’ve seen it, I think it’s looking very good; we have a very good team.

We are looking at a new team captain in Dwayne Bravo from Trinidad and Tobago, and we see the return to the Patriots of Chris Gayle from Jamaica. We also have coming back to the fray, who have always been with us, players like Evin Lewis, who is our opening batsman; Fabian Allen; Sheldon Cottrell and a number of others, including at least one local player, Colin Archibald.”

As the date draws closer, it is expected that the owners of the Patriots will reveal the new jersey very soon. (thestkittsnevisobserver)

Rutherford, Pooran among West Indians to represent at LPL

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hakib al Hasan, Usman Khawaja, Sherfane Rutherford and Rilee Rossouw are among the leading names to have registered to compete in the Lankan Premier League (LPL), Sri Lanka’s premier T20 franchise competition.

The LPL is scheduled to begin from July 30 this year and run for three weeks, and despite concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic derailing plans, several top T20 cricketers from around the world are set to take part.

James Faulkner, Ben Cutting, Temba Bavuma, Brendan Taylor ,and Nicholas Pooran have also made themselves available for the draft, as have former Indian all-rounders Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan. Pakistan, too, are well-represented, with Haris Sohail, Mohammad Irfan, Shan Masood, and Mohammad Hasnain having registered.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Vice President Ravin Wickremaratne said: “Last year’s success has certainly made a difference with more players from many cricket-playing countries looking forward to play in the LPL, which is a very good sign for the League and Sri Lanka cricket.”

The inaugural edition of the LPL was won by the Jaffna Stallions last year, one of five teams that took part in the tournament. According to SLC, 135 million viewers across television and digital platforms tuned in to watch the final between the Stallions and the Galle Gladiators, with fan engagement throughout the tournament generally quite high.

SLC will be hoping for similar numbers this time around,

though Sri Lankan fans hoping for live action will have to wait a little longer, with the tournament likely to once again be held behind closed doors in Hambantota.

Concerns over the LPL being hosted in July-August first arose following the postponement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year. Despite SLC’s successful hosting of the inaugural LPL, there were growing doubts over its ability to guarantee a secure bio-bubble for players and staff amid the growing number of cases.

“It’s definitely going to be a challenge, there’s no question,” Head of SLC’s Medical Committee, Professor Arjuna de Silva had told ESPNcricinfo. “Last time, we were in the middle of the second wave, but this time it’s a totally different ball game.”

SLC, for its part, has remained firm in its stance, assuring player safety, citing the success of several inbound international series in the past year. De Silva also added that SLC’s intention to hold all matches at a single stadium, the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, and the fact that it was close to a scarcely-used airport in Mattala, meant the LPL was less likely to suffer the same pitfalls as the IPL. Bangladesh: Shakib al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Mehdy Hasan Miraz, Ta s k i n Ahmed, L i t o n Das, and Soumya Sarkar

Nicholas Pooran

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Ben Cutting, James Faulkner, Ben Dunk, and Callum Ferguson West Indies: Sherfane Rutherford, Nicholas Pooran, Sheldon Cottrell, Rayad Emrit, Ravi Rampaul, Dwayne Smith, Denesh Ramdin, Johnson Charles, and Rowman Powell Pakistan: Haris Sohail, Waqas Maqsood, Muhammed Hasnain, Mohammed Irfan, Shoaib Maqsood, Shan Masood, Anwar Ali, and Ammad Butt South Africa: Temba Bavuma, Rilee Rossouw, David

Sherfane Rutherford

Wiese, Jon-Jon Trevor Smuts, Morne Morkel, Rassie Van der Dussen, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Hardus Viljoen Afghanistan: Asghar Afghan, Mohammed Shahzad, Najibullah Zadran, Naveen Ul Haq, Usman Shinwari, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hazratullah Zazai, Naveen ul Haq, and Qais Ahmad (ESPNcricinfo)

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021

31

Tokyo Olympics…

Hutson contented with 3-person athletics team

Jasmine Abrams

O

By Jemima Holmes

n Friday, word got around that two track athletes will be added to Guyana’s Tokyo-bound contingent for the Olympic Games. Emanuel Archibald will be suiting up for the men’s 100m sprint event while Jasmine Abrams will do the same on the distaff side, and Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) President Aubrey Hutson is quite proud of their achievement.

“I'm happy for all of them, you know very, very happy, very elated.”

He continued jokingly, “And we at the AAG and [Guyana Olympic Association] GOA would have spent, you know, quite a bit of money, facilitating these athletes to go to the South American Championship, and begin earning some more points for themselves.”

Abrams, who qualified via ranking, will attend the Games alongside her sister, Aliyah, who will be competing in the 400m race.

As the AAG President sees it, Jasmine’s hard work has paid off.

“Jasmine Abrams has been working very, very

hard; looking at every possible competition she can go to qualify, because she understands the system of qualification.

Even though you may not hit the qualifying standard; once again, enough points to be considered among the top number of athletes in our event she was going to eventually qualify,” the athletics boss shared.

Hutson recalled breaking the news to the young athlete, saying, “So, I was tracking it all the time on the app, that was when I got the news that Jasmine would have gotten in there, because of her standards or points.

“When I passed it on to her, she was very elated and you know happy, that it worked out with all the time that she invested in trying to get there.”

In the case of Linden’s Emanuel Archibald, a universality spot came into play following his failure to hit the qualifying standard in the 100m and long jump events.

Huston had this to say about his journey: “As it relates to Emanuel Archibald, seeing that we did not have a male qualifier, early in the season, we were given the option to put Archibald, or any male athlete, into the 100 metres.”

The AAG boss explained, “The problem with it is that once we elect him as a universality athlete, it creates a little bit of issue for us, as it relates to him qualifying for the long jump, you know via his ranking, the way Jasmine would have been able to qualify in the ranking system.

“So, we decided to take the chance and we did accept the universality spot and lo and behold, he did not make

AAG President Aubrey Hutson

the ranking for the long jump.

So, it is a good thing that we did what we did when we did it,” a relieved Hutson disclosed.

Although the three representatives from the athletics discipline is a downgrade from the fivemember team in Rio de Janeiro at the 2016 Olympics, Hutson is still contented.

He noted that a finals placement would put the cherry on top.

“I'm contented with that, because – I mean – going into these Olympics we only had one, you know, while we were trying as hard as the administration could, basically it is reliant on the athlete of themselves, taking us, you know we can do so much for them. But when it comes to qualification is what the athletes can do for themselves, and this association in the country at large,” Hutson confided.

He added, “We did not have the number of athletes that we were projecting to have going into these Olympics. So, my charge to the athletes now is to make it, even though it's not a larger team, we want better results. We want betterquality performances. So, we're hoping that all of our athletes, all three of them make it to the finals, which

Griffith aiming to extend dominance in GCF points classification

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– Briton John continues to lead

ith the Team Alanis cycling race billed for today, Sunday, July 4, Team Evolution's Christopher Griffith will be aiming to edge away in the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) points classification system. With Briton John plying his trade overseas and leading the points system with 93, Griffith, who is in second place with 70 points, will look to edge closer to the top.

Jamual John, who is also riding in the United States, has 53 points while Paul DeNobrega, another favourite for today's race, has 52 points and will aim to overtake Jamual. Raynauth Jeffrey has 41 points among the seniors while top veteran Alex Mendes has 32 points. Romello Crawford has 20 points.

In the juniors, Berbician Mario Washington leads the points with 27 while Aaron Newton has 26. Another We Stand United rider, Alexander Leung has 22 points while

Alex Mendes leads the masters’ category

David Hicks has 18.

Sherwin Sampson has 13 points in that category.

In the masters' category, Mendes has 37 points while Evolution's Stephen Fernandes has 29 points.

National masters champion Walter Grant-Stuart has 19 points while Paul Choweenam has 18 and Jaikarran Sukhai has 13. National female champion Suzanne Hamilton is

Briton John continues to top the points

the leading female cyclist in Guyana.

Today's Team Alanis 55mile race will commence from 07:00h on Carifesta Avenue and proceed to the Halfway Tree, Perseverance, Mahaicony and then return to finish at the point of origin

Emmanuel Archibald

will be a new high for the Athletics Association.”

“And we must applaud the effort of every athlete who attempted to qualify for Tokyo, bearing in mind that we are coming out of this whole COVID pandemic situation, which, you know,

did not present itself in Rio... “ “So, I'm kind of contented with…understanding the circumstances,” Hutson asserted.

Archibald and Abrams join five other Guyanese who will compete at the Tokyo Games –

Chelsea Edghill (table tennis); Andrew Fowler (swimming); Aleka Persaud (swimming – yet to be confirmed by GASA); Keevin Allicock (boxing) and Aliyah Abrams (athletics).

The Tokyo Summer Olympics, rescheduled from 2020, is slated for July 23- August 8.

Red-hot Barnwell, Rutherford's allround brilliance hand Cavaliers 2nd win Christopher Barnwell scored 60 off 37

T

Ashmead Nedd celebrates a wicket

he Somerset Cavaliers continued their journey in the LA Open T20 tournament with yet another victory as they stomped their dominance over the Gladiators. This was thanks to the efforts of the in-form Christopher Barnwell and Sherfane Rutherford.

In game one against the Punjab Blue, the Cavaliers posted 251 in their 20 overs.

But the Gladiators were a different breed, they showed promise and determination from the first ball bowled.

They removed Kennar Lewis and Chandrapaul Hemraj to leave the score at 33-2. Xavier Marshall, who scored a brilliant 92 in the opening game, was removed for 8 and Chadwick Walton for 5. The Cavaliers were in a spot of bother as they were stuck on 51-4. It looked as if they were about to post a low total, but in came Christopher Barnwell and Sherfane Rutherford and just like Batman and Robin, they rescued the Cavaliers.

Rutherford scored a cameo of 38 off 17, which included one boundary and four towering maximums. Even af-

ter he departed, Barnwell continued his aerial assault. While wickets were falling around him, Barnwell just continued to tick and, in the end, he was able Sherfane Rutherford scored to score 60 off 38 and bagged 2-25 37, inclusive of five boundaries and four maxTheron (2-16); Karim Gore imums at a strike rate of (3-19); Sherfane Rutherford 162.16. The Cavaliers were (2-25) and Ashmead Nedd able to post 165-7 in their (1-11). The Cavaliers won allotted overs. Saki Sultani by 32 runs as the Gladiators (2-20) and Brynley Richards could only make 133 all out (2-31) were the main wicket in 19.2 overs. takers for the Gladiators.

The Gladiators needed 166 for victory off 120 balls, a target that seemed very feasible. But what the Gladiators did not cater for was the fact that while the FOR SALE Cavaliers boasted a pow- Mix Breed Puppies for Sale. Contact: erful batting line-up, they Tel- 253-3114/692-0126. had the bowling to back up TAXI SERVICE even a score like 165. The only player to make over 30 Elegant Cabs. 231-1494 / 226runs was Steven Katwarroo 4277, Cell #: 625-6600. 24 hrs. with 34 off 20; everyone else WANTED crumbled under the pressure Female live-in for elderly woman of some excellent Cavaliers at East Bank Demerara. Preparing bowling.

Bowling were indian dishes, light duties. 40 To Nikhil Dutta (2-26); Rusty 50 yrs old. Call: 638-4111

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SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021

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Markram, Mulder star in South Africa’s series win Evin Lewis set the chase up for the West Indies

S

outh Africa won their first T20 International series since March 2019, and the first in six series, by successfully defending the highest total of the five-match series against West Indies in Grenada. The victory earns Coach Mark Boucher and Captain Temba Bavuma their first T20I trophy and means South Africa will leave the Caribbean triumphant in both the Test and T20I series.

After choosing to bat first, South Africa posted 168 for 4, thanks largely to the continued excellence of Quinton de Kock and his acceleration in the middle overs. De Kock brought up his third successive halfcentury of the series, and saw

West Indies have won just three of their last 10 T20I series, one against Bangladesh and two against Sri Lanka.

Highest partnership of the series South Africa tried a different combination in the top three for this match and though Bavuma’s promotion to open the batting did not work, Markram made a strong case to be considered the permanent partner to de Kock. The pair’s 128-run stand, the highest of the series for either side, laid the foundation for a total in excess of 180.

Both de Kock and Markram brought up half-centuries; de

Dwayne Bravo was among the wickets

South Africa through a 49-run powerplay and most of the period between the 7th and 15th over, in which they scored 89 runs at 9.66. He put together 128 for the second wicket with Aiden Markram, who topscored with 70.

That proved to be the difference against a misfiring West Indian line-up. Tabraiz Shamsi turned in his most economical effort (four overs for 11 runs) while Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder conceded less than eight runs an over to ensure West Indies could not keep up with the required scoring rate. Notably, South Africa rebalanced their side to ensure they had six frontline bowling options, including a seam-bowling all-rounder, and that strategic change worked well.

South Africa have now won three of the 11 T20I series where the final game has effectively been a decider. Meanwhile,

Kock’s was his third in the series and Markram’s his fourth in nine T20Is. Impressively, they both scored all around the ground, with Markram’s 70 runs an even split of 35 each on the off side and the on side, with boundaries including his signature cover drive, the cut and aerial shots in the ‘v’.

De Kock was stronger square of the wicket, with 28 runs on the off side and 32 on the leg side and boundaries mostly on the off-side apart from the slogs off Andre Russell and Akeal Hosein for his two sixes.

De Kock’s 225 runs are also the most by an individual batter in a bilateral series.

The slowdown While South Africa would have been pleased to keep things moving through the middle overs, their concerns around the finishers remain.

They scored just 32 runs in the

last five overs, and lost Markram and Rassie van der Dussen in that time. David Miller managed his highest score of the series, but did not appear entirely confident and faced 14 balls before his only boundary.

Van der Dussen batted lower than usual, at number five, and was only needed in the 17th over, which did not give him the time he may have liked to settle.

Mulder too didn’t look in control with his only boundary coming

his 34-ball fifty against Pakistan in 2017. All his other fiftyplus scores have come in 26 or fewer balls. That may not sound entirely disappointing, but Lewis would not have been happy with when and how he was dismissed. In the 10th over, Lewis mistimed an attempted six off Lungi Ngidi over longon and was caught by Markram well inside the boundary.

West Indies lost the plot

Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock struck aggressive half-centuries

off a bottom-edge. Overall, South Africa’s scoring rate in the last four overs in the series was 6.95, while West Indies struck at 11.43 runs an over in the same period.

Lewis leads for West Indies True to form, Evin Lewis cleared the boundary off the third ball of the West Indian reply when he hit left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin over his head. That triggered a sensational beginning for the hosts; Lewis would hit two more sixes and five fours for his eighth T20I fifty, off just 30 balls.

It was the second slowest fifty of Lewis’ T20I career, after

Quinton DeKock on the go

South Africa kept West Indies in check in the powerplay with some sterling efforts in the field, like Ngidi’s full-length dive at short fine to stop a Lendl Simmons’ flick that was destined for four and Bavuma’s dive at mid-wicket to intercept a fierce Lewis pull. But they also put some chances down, some more difficult than others.

Shamsi could not hold on to a return catch in his followthrough off Shimron Hetmyer’s leading edge or to the opportunity Hetmyer presented when he swung at a Mulder full toss and sent the ball swirling to short third man. Mulder got his reward

Fidel Edwards celebrates a wicket

off the next two balls though.

Markram held on to a simple chance at long-off to dismiss a hamstrung Pollard before took a low, diving catch at point to dismiss Russell for a first-ball duck.

Mulder’s third over took West Indies from 103 for 3 to 112 for 5 and left them needing 57 runs off the last

five overs to win. West Indies stayed somewhat in the hunt until Bavuma plucked Dwayne Bravo’s slice off Rabada out of the sky to all but secure the series for South Africa. Bavuma judged the catch perfectly, as he made a lot of ground from point to deep point, and took it cleanly to complete a good day in the field. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD SOUTH AFRICA INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Temba Bavuma (c) c Gayle b Edwards 0 Quinton de Kock †c Russell b Edwards 60 Aiden Markram c Simmons b McCoy 70 David Miller not out 18 Rassie van der Dussen c & b Bravo 1 Wiaan Mulder not out 9 Extras (b 1, lb 1, w 8) 10 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 8.40) 168/4 Did not bat: George Linde, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Bjorn Fortuin Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Temba Bavuma, 0.3 ov), 2-128 (Quinton de Kock, 14.1 ov), 3-144 (Aiden Markram, 16.3 ov), 4-149 (Rassie van der Dussen, 17.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Fidel Edwards 3-0-19-2 Chris Gayle 2-0-15-0 Dwayne Bravo 4-0-28-1 Obed McCoy 4-0-31-1 Andre Russell 3-0-32-0 Akeal Hosein 2-0-24-0 Kieron Pollard 2-0-17-0 WEST INDIES INNINGS (TARGET: 169 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Lendl Simmons lbw b Linde 3 Evin Lewis c Markram b Ngidi 52

Chris Gayle c †de Kock b Shamsi 11 Shimron Hetmyer c Miller b Ngidi 33 Kieron Pollard (c) c Markram b Mulder 13 Andre Russell c Ngidi b Mulder 0 Nicholas Pooran †c †de Kock b Rabada 20 Dwayne Bravo c Bavuma b Rabada 1 Akeal Hosein not out 2 Obed McCoy c Mulder b Ngidi 1 Fidel Edwards not out 0 Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 5) 7 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 7.15) 143/9 Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Lendl Simmons, 2.1 ov), 2-65 (Chris Gayle, 7.1 ov), 3-75 (Evin Lewis, 9.3 ov), 4-110 (Kieron Pollard, 14.3 ov), 5-110 (Andre Russell, 14.4 ov), 6-125 (Shimron Hetmyer, 17.2 ov), 7-140 (Dwayne Bravo, 18.2 ov), 8-140 (Nicholas Pooran, 18.3 ov), 9-142 (Obed McCoy, 19.2 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Bjorn Fortuin 1-0-11-0 Kagiso Rabada 4-0-24-2 George Linde 3-0-33-1 Lungi Ngidi 4-0-32-3 Tabraiz Shamsi 4-0-11-1 Wiaan Mulde 4-0-31-2

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