Guyana Times - Sunday June 6, 2021

Oil & gas sector must fuel inter-generational wealth for Guyanese – Ali P34

…as Saipem Guyana's offshore construction facility opens

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4670 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021

PRICE

Govt will make investments to secure livelihood, future – President to all flood-affected persons

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyana can P32 be beacon of preserving intergenerational wealth – UN Rep

Pages 3&30

…warns climate change will bring unexpected disasters …says time to examine innovative technology, sound engineering solutions

Forestry, mining sectors under threat from flooding – Natural Resources Minister

…says small, medium-scale miners hard hit

2 Essequibo Coast residents latest COVID-19 deaths Page 31

…158 new cases recorded in 1 day

$120 VAT INCLUDED

1 critical as fire, violence erupt at National Psychiatric P34 Hospital

Page 33

“This flood take everything from us, everything” – Abary River farmer

Page 2

US-based P32 Guyanese stabbed to death

…as water levels continue to rise …blasts MMA for lack of support

Pineapple vending helping Capoey Village, Mainstay/Whayaka women out of poverty Page 25

Education P34 Ministry, CPA probing suicide of 15-year-old after incident at city school Row over stolen phone ends in stabbing P31

2 NEWS

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“This flood take everything from us, everything” – Abary River farmer …as water levels continue to rise …blasts MMA for lack of support

By Andrew Carmichael

A

bary is the river that separates Berbice from Demerara.

The only economic activity which takes place is agriculture and the current floods have taken a toll on the lives of the residents of the left

Authority (MMA-ADA) road at Onverwagt.

Minawattie Chitanajoran is one of the farmers in that community. The 56-year-old woman is both a cattle and rice farmer, cultivating 100 acres of rice and about 100 heads of cattle along with sheep, goats and horses.

Vice President of RPA and Chairman of MMA Cattle Farmers Association Ishmael Alladin

bank of the river, which is the Berbice side of the river.

When Guyana Times visited the area, water was seen flowing into the community.

Rice farming is a major activity there, so too is cat-

She told this publication that three of her young horses have already died and many of her cattle have escaped. According to the farmer, the high land that was initially being used to rescue the animals is now

tle rearing and cash crop farming.

But according to farmers, it looks like most of that will be history.

The river is situated about seven miles from the Mahaicony River, which is overflowing its banks and that water is also flowing to the Abary area.

The rising levels of the Abary River have resulted in vegetation that grows at the side of the river losing its hold on the riverbank and floating into the river.

Some of that grass has blocked access to the river.

In fact, the water has also risen on coastal lands and was seen running over the Mahaica Mahaicony AbaryAgriculture Development

covered with water.

“Is wild cow, and this morning (Thursday) we went and try to chase them so they can go where they

get land and plenty of them get away and run and gone.”

The woman told this pub-

The farming lication that the anicouple explained mals were swimming that they and one when she and other employee would family members tried take two and a to direct them to a lohalf days to harcation where the land vest the ripe towas visible and as soon matoes and one as they got there they day later have to ran away. do it again.

Meanwhile, she The couple said she was was expecting able to reap that the crop of all of the tomatoes would rice she culhave lasted for tivated and six weeks but two went back Minawattie Chitanajoran and a family member trying to salvage some tomatoes weeks into the crop into the next a service which they cannot China, Pakistan, Thailand the floods came. crop, cultivatprovide.”

The couple has estimated and Vietnam and what price ing all 100 acres.

Alladin, who cultivates the miller gives us we have their losses from the toma“All duck out. toes to be several hundred Is share water,” 300 acres of rice, said he to take,” he noted. thousand dollars. she said while was only able to harvest 150 “The last noting that price we were none of the getting was paddy sown $7000 per buckwill survive et,” Ramnarine the floodwasaid. ters.

According Farmers to his wife, she invest an avhas no idea erage of about how she is go$45,000 in ing to provide paddy to plant each for her family. acre in addition to la“This flood bour charges to sew the take everypaddy. Apart from that, thing from us, thousands are utilised to everything.” purchase and apply inShe exsecticides to the field for plained that the germinating paddy. the water reChitanajoran mained on the noted all of that land from rainmoney is gone to fall and continwaste. acres. He also has 200 heads ued to rise.

“This flood take everything” of cattle apart from other Flood control system According to the couple, Meanwhile, Ramchand Ishmael Alladin livestock. they used sandbags to help He explained that be- Ramnarine and his wife to keep the water out and is the Vice President Gomattie Arjune are of the Rice Producers cause of daily rainfall, he backed up those efforts by both cash crop farmers.

A s s o c i a t i o n was unable to reap the enusing a fuel-operated pump Ramnarine took this pub(RPA) and also tire crop.

If he did, the the Chairman would of the Mahaica paddy Mahaicony Abary have been rejectCattle Farmers ed by millers beAssociation. He said cause of the poor the infrastructure quality.

“I have a lot system is dysfunctional while noting of losses and I that MMA needs to am unable to change its flood control sys- go back into the crop without astem.

The MMA, he noted, had sistance from the been charging farmers for Government.”

He explained flood control. that he is indebted to milllication into his farm and ers who he would to get the water off of the used a boat to sail through have credited ferfarm. the farm since the entire tiliser and other “But the water keep comfarm was covered with wachemicals to cultiing till it start to come over ter. vate the crop which the sandbags and we still Ramnarine, who has a he has lost half of. try pumping out the water 15-acre cash crop farm, said The RPA Vice but the whole place is waabout two thirds of it was President said the ter… It get too high and we under cultivation. water at Abary has can’t pump no more,” the fe“Some parts we were been rising severmale farmer said. reaping, some parts we had al inches on a daiAll of the farmers said 2-week-old plants and some ly basis. that no one from the Guyana parts we still had the seedHe noted that Rice Development Board ling to put down and now is there is no crop in(GRBD) has visited them all water. We can’t do anysurance to protect nor anyone from the Guyana thing anymore; everything farmers from diLivestock Development done.”

Authority (GLDA). saster.

Bearing eggplant and to- Representatives from those “We have to matoes were seen in more two agencies fall under the “They supposed to help face the world market with than two feet of water. The Agriculture Ministry. us and waive the charges countries that are producsame was for the ochro and because we are paying for ing rice at a lower cost like peppers.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, June 6 – 13:00h – 14:30h and Monday, June 7 – 02:30h – 04:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, June 6 – 14:15h – 15:45h and Monday, June 7 – 14:55h – 16:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine will prevail during the day. There will be partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly to NorthEasterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 14:06h reaching a maximum height of 2.33 metres.

Low Tide: 07:41h and 19:56h reaching minimum heights of 0.85 metre and 0.87 metre.

Govt will make investments to secure livelihood, future – President to all flood-affected persons

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday reassured all flood-affected persons across the country, especially farmers, that his Government will make the necessary investments to secure their livelihood and future in the face of their massive losses from the floods.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Saipem Guyana Offshore Construction Facility, President Ali highlighted the disastrous situation that thousands of residents throughout the country are in with their homes, businesses and farmlands underwater. He also noted that hundreds of cattle have

President Irfaan Ali engaging residents of Region 7 during his visit on Saturday to assess the flood situation there

come together and we’d make the investment to ensure that their livelihood is returned and that their future is secured. The same

A family in their home surrounded by floodwater

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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also been lost due to the ongoing inundation.

This situation was described by the Head of State as the “worst disaster” in the history of the country.

As it is, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has reported that all 10 administrative regions in Guyana are experiencing varied levels of flood.

“When you speak about impact, I’m telling you about a farmer who from the last four generations had livestock that is no longer there today… Listening to a father in tears telling me that his avocado farm is completely gone – but worse is that the trees would no longer be there after these floods – with his 15-year-old son standing behind him and he glances at his son, and say ‘what is this boy going to do?’ A very emotional time across our country,” the President posited.

As such, the Head of State, who has been visiting various flood-affected communities across Guyana over the past week and is continuing this outreach today, has reassured affected families of support from the Government.

“I asked my staff to get the numbers of the poorest farmers affected in every community because I want to speak to them directly… and I want to tell them that this is not over. And that this Government and the people of this country would

message we have to take to Linden to the bauxite workers, to Kwakwani,” Ali noted.

According to the President, the scale of

this disaster is misunderstood by those in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), which is facing the least impact of the floods caused by the heavy rainfall over the past two weeks.

This has resulted in varying levels of floods in communities. Those in riverine areas are facing the most severe impact of the floods with rivers and creeks overflowing onto dwelling and farm lands across the country.

TURN TO PAGE 6

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 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

The environment and development

Y

esterday was “World Environment Day”, and it was commemorated under the theme “Ecosystem Restoration”. While the onslaught on our environment began in earnest with the launching of the Industrial Revolution in the West in the 18th century, its genesis is grounded in a Christian world view that gives man “dominion” over nature. This was secularised during the European Enlightenment and through their conquest of the world in the centuries following Columbus’s “discovery” of the Americas, and has become the still dominant “world view”.

This exploitation of nature reached its zenith by the middle of the 20th century, by which time it was justified as a consequence of the thrust for “development” - especially following the independence of most of the colonialised world after the end of WWII. Even after it was recognised that “development” was epitomised by the living standards of the then US, which was utilising 25% of the world’s resources even though it had only 6% of its population, the remainder of the “developed” world - located in Europe and Canada - followed close on its heels, and were dubbed the “First World”. This was in comparison to the “Second World” of the USSR and its satellites, followed by the vast majority of humanity, including Guyana, China and India, being relegated to the “Third World”.

Not surprisingly, the “less developed” and “undeveloped” last two “worlds” set as their goal to catch up with the living standards of the “First World” by following in their “developmental” footsteps. Even though at that time some analysts recognised the unsustainability of that model, and suggested that the developed countries reorient their consumption patterns in line with the needs of the rest of the world, (as suggested by the best-selling book “Small is Beautiful”) this advice was ignored. The environmental movement was then launched to agitate against some of the most flagrant excesses that damaged our world, which provided the environment in which we had co-existed for a hundred thousand years.

The developed world attempted to shift the burden of rectifying the damage done to the environment to the “less developed” world that was trying to catch up with it. But by the turn of the new millennium, in 2000, the UN, comprised of all the countries in the world, reached a compromise between the need to improve standards of living versus the strain on the environment. The “Millennium Declaration”, signed in September 2000, committed world leaders to meet specified targets to combat poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation, and discrimination against women by 2015. The “environmental degradation” mostly referred to the inexorable rise in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere due to burning fossil fuels to drive the factories producing the goods that were now deemed necessary for the “good life”.

By then, many countries, led by China and a lagging India, lifted almost a billion people out of extreme poverty, and large swathes reached the living standards of the developed countries.

In 2015, the UN took cognizance of the need for greater action to balance the need for development versus the need to sustain the environment. They promulgated 17 “Sustainable Millennium Goals” (SMG) or Agenda 2030 that were to be reached at that time. The 17 SDGs are: (1) No Poverty, (2) Zero Hunger, (3) Good Health and Wellbeing, (4) Quality Education, (5) Gender Equality, (6) Clean Water and Sanitation, (7) Affordable and Clean Energy, (8) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, (10) Reducing Inequality, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities, (12) Responsible Consumption and Production, (13) Climate Action, (14) Life Below Water, (15) Life On Land, (16) Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, (17) Partnerships for the Goals.

We in Guyana are very far away from even reaching the basic development goals, so while we appreciate the call for some citizens to reduce our carbon footprint and save our greenery, it must recognise that the world accepts there must be a balance between the two imperatives.

As to where the line must be drawn is an empirical as well as a moral exercise.

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and Indian High Commissioner Dr K. J. Srinivasa planting a tree at the Promenade Gardens in observance of World Environment Day 2021, themed “Ecosystem Restoration”

Psychological effects of COVID will linger Dear Editor, We have been witnessing the effects of COVID-19 infection throughout the world. No country, no city, no suburb is free of this virus.

Disheartening and horrific scenes of people dying of the virus are the new normal for countries where the mutated virus is ravaging the populace.

Lockdowns have caused businesses to go bankrupt, and many have lost their jobs, pushing them to poverty and indebtedness.

Scenes and stories of horror will haunt us and leave an indelible mark in the human history. Many

children are orphaned, many parents had to bury their own children, many children had to witness cremation of their parents, burial grounds and crematoriums were filled beyond capacity, frontline workers have lost their lives on the job, dead bodies are being thrown in the river without any dignity, and the list can go on.

COVID has left, is leaving, and will leave a long-lasting impact among the people. Most people have either been infected or have felt the impact by losing loved ones, or losing jobs and such.

COVID has caused un-

bearable physical pain among the peoples who are infected. But, more importantly, the psychological pain would linger for a long time, and the healing process would need time.

People who have lost their dear ones have lived with the void the unexpected COVID death has caused.

COVID is spreading rapidly, it doesn’t have time to grieve the loss, because people have to hustle to remain safe.

Psychological repercussions of COVID will continue for a long time, and there needs to be a time for healing and grieving in the aftermath. Families

that have been destroyed

by COVID would need to support each other, and remain united so that healing can happen. As communities, we have to find ways and means to support affected families. Our humanity is on the test now, and will be tested when COVID is over and when people are grieving for their loss.

Deep-seated fear and anxiety among people will be a norm. However, we can assist each other in overcoming the fear and anxiety.

Sincerely, Jerri Dias

Trio in GECOM Secretariat must go!

Dear Editor, Please permit me to observe for your readership, the commencement of a long-awaited but necessary intervention, following Chief Justice Roxanne George’s ruling that the SOPs from March 02, 2020, should be handed to the Guyana Police Force and the Director of Public Prosecutions. The move seems to have tipped the tolerance scale informing unison of actions by some Commissioners, while others continue to demonstrate tenacious and emboldened support for those condemned and charged, based on their publicly conducted fraudulent actions.

Of note, however, we are faced with a conundrum that highlights a more deep-seated problem, one which justifies the need for immediate electoral reforms. On one side, PPP Commissioners appointed to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), have tabled motions representing the boldest moves yet, for the removal of miscreant staff who have publicly violated legal, guiding principles, and accepted norms administered by the Organization. On the other side, are witnessing opposition Commissioners attempting to water down the efforts to disinfect against those that have publicly contributed to

heavy loss of confidence in the body.

S p e c i f i c a l l y , Commission members Sase Gunraj, Bibi Shadick, and Manoj Narayan tabled Motions to have Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, his deputy Roxanne Myers and Region #4 Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo respectively, to be dismissed from the GECOM. These GECOM Commissioners have acted in the interest of our country and in support of upholding genuine democracy. This column has long advocated for the immediate removal of all GECOM Staff found guilty of fraud, while those disrespectful

to our Constitution and other supportive legislation must not be allowed to be in public office.

In recently published articles and interviews, Commissioner Gunraj outlined twenty reasons solid grounds why Lowenfield should be dismissed.

Aside from these, it is extremely distasteful that the Chairwoman of the Commission had to defend herself and the decisions of the Commission by having legal representation in the High and Appeal Courts in matters against Mr. Lowenfield, while he acted as a Servant under the employ of the GECOM Commission.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021

5

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

Every cloud has a silver lining Dear Editor, There is an opportunity before us, the silver lining in the dark rain clouds is becoming apparent.

Although unfortunate and stressful at the moment, the flooding does provide an opportunity to survey the country by air in order to identify the best location for the new Capital City.

It is imperative that we start to move to higher ground inland, ground that is also very fertile and can sustain our flood-affected population over the long term. The funds that have been accumu-

lated in the bank over the course of the drilling can start the process of laying the foundation for the new Capital City. Given the new eco-friendly members of the Exxon Board, there is an opportunity to negotiate the decommissioning of the offshore wells and the conversion of the agreement into a wave-energy harvesting project. This will be beneficial to both Exxon and Guyana, while also boosting Exxon’s image as a responsible corporate citizen and accelerating its sustainable energy development initiatives.

Once an agreement is made between the United Nations and other interested affected parties for the payment of oil resources being left in the ground, these additional resources would help fund the continued development of the new capital city.

It was encouraging to read President Ali’s message on World Environment Day and his emphasis on our commitment to prevent deforestation, for which we are being compensated. This no-drill policy will echo the success of the anti-deforestation efforts that

have been implemented

by Guyana with European nations, and will support the Administration’s commitment to the expansion & strengthening of our National System of Protected Areas.

Many of us look forward to the current Administration leveraging its influence, as the previous Chair of the G77 & China, to bring about the urgently-needed change for our continually flooding nation.

Sincerely, Jamil Changlee

Trio in GECOM Secretariat...

It has been correctly argued by many, that given the autonomy and functional responsibility of the Commission for the hiring of Staff in the Institution, the matter should have been overwhelmingly dealt with since the New Government was sworn in. Mr. Lowenfeild’s defiance of the Chairwoman’s instructions in orchestrating his clandestine intent of changing the true result in favor of the APNU/AFC during the process could not have demanded less than immediate sanctions by way of dismissals. These have certainly contributed to a heavy loss of confidence in the body under her watch.

Supporting the above is the total disrespect and ar-

rogance displayed by Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Mr. Lowenfield when he breached his functions, duties, responsibilities, and obligations; as he neglected to ensure adherence to, and compliance with the statuary process outlined in section 84 of the Representation of the People Act. Mr. Mingo whose functions fall under the direct supervision of the CEO bluntly refused to add up the Statement of Polls and he was supported by Lowenfield while the latter bluntly refused to give proper guidance to the secretariat. The concoction was crystal clear in the view of all parties.

Editor, one must, however, acknowledge the clear fault lines in the sys-

tem which place the heavy burden of procedure and decisions in the lap of the Chairwoman who must ensure she gets it right every time. This necessary given the position was taken by the three APNU/AFC commissioners that complete the Commission. Led by Vincent Alexander, these persons have certainly demonstrated a lack of intent towards constitutional objectivity and have openly supported the wrongdoings of Keith Lowenfield.

It has created a situation in alignment with numerous conflicts of interests for persons appointed as GECOM Commissioners while actively leading other conflicting partisan interests.

It is recalled that

Let’s bring back regatta Dear Editor, On 11th August, 2019, there was a big and bright Power Boat Racing and After Stage Show at Lake Mainstay, Essequibo.

Thousands of visitors from overseas and locally visited Mainstay/Whyaka, but, since 2020, this great sport has been stopped because of the killer COVID-19 being all over the world.

We have all had to say home and obey the rules. our Government is trying very hard to see to it that this is a priority to purchase vaccines for every Guyanese and visitors free, and everyone must take their jabs free of cost by July this year, everyone must be vaccinated. This is a oncein-a-lifetime chance.

We are also urging the Minister of Sport to get involved in the Power Boat Racing and Management of Lake Mainstay and Mainstay Councillors, so we can bring back this wonderful sport to life. Also, our racers who spent millions of dollars on their boats and engines could be happy once more.

We advise no after-stage show this year, and we hope for the Summer Regatta this August. The racers are looking forward to hearing something from the Minister of Sports and Management of Lake Mainstay very early.

Sincerely, Winston B. Miller, Snr Power Boat Racing Association

FROM PAGE 4

as a serving GECOM Commissioner whose obligation is the conduct transparent and legal elections with the acceptance of legal results, Vincent Alexander wrote to the five visiting CARICOM Prime Ministers in his capacity as head of the Year of the People of African Descent requesting them to understand that Guyana’s problems go way beyond the election and that must be their focus.

Further, Mr. Alexander has moved to allege the ethicizing the Chief Justice decision to Release the SOPs to the DPP and Police as an attack on Afro-Guyanese.

He has been however conveniently silent on the fact that the makeup of GECOM administrative

Staff is over 90 percent Afro-Guyanese that the organization should release these stats, validated by the IFMAS confirmation of the names receiving payments. It is factual that Mr. Alexander’s convenient advocacy has been largely divorced from the real issues which lend to the fact that his previous involvement in electoral reform construct has largely failed due to stymied and less than objective approaches.

The invalidation process upon which the CEO embarked upon was found by the Caribbean Court of Justice to be unlawful and in conflict with the existing electoral laws. From the open and public evidence, it was clear that some members of the GECOM

staff were in a rigging mood and made all efforts to derail the Elections.

Lowenfield openly acted in defiance of orders made by the court and yet, we are witnessing blunt provocative support from the likes of Mr. Alexander and other APNU/AFC Commissioners.

Madam Chairwoman, in the interest of justice, therefore, the necessary actions to put an end to all riggers must be taken now.

The strongest penalties must be imposed to serve as a deterrent to future rigging and subverting the will of the Guyanese People. The indecent trio in the Secretariat MUST go!

Sincerely Neil Kumar

6 NEWS

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GOGEC donates over $2M in supplies to CDC

“THE OCEAN: LIFE AND LIVELIHOODS”

A

s support from the Private Sector heightens, the Civil Defence Commission on Saturday received over $2 million worth of supplies from the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) to aid with its flood relief efforts.

The donation was made

by GOGEC in collaboration with its partners, Readymix Concrete and Palm Court.

Among the items donated was a large quantity of rice, face masks and other essential items.

The supplies were handed over to the CDC by GOGEC’s representative, Ravindra Prashad. Also present were representatives of Readymix Concrete and Palm Court.

T

GOGEC representative Ravindra Prashad handing over supplies to the CDC

Govt will make investments to...

“This is going to take some doing to recover from. Mining camps are empty. The infrastructure in some instances completely destroyed. Seeing it first-hand gives you the full extent of the gravity of the situation that we are faced with right now,” President Ali stated.

He noted that this disaster playing out throughout the country reenforces the risks to Guyana – a low-lying State.

“We have tremendous risks as a country. Never forget, we’re below sea level.

What is happening now is the volume of water that has to be drained will create another havoc for those communities when the rain is gone. We’ve had the opportunity to look at the volume of water that has to come down. It’s frightening what is happening. I’ve had the opportunity to fly over Black Bush Polder, hundreds of livestock are stranded and would die,” he noted.

The Head of State went on to point out that Guyana will have to make the necessary investments now to combat

climate change and protect its people.

“We have to make some investments now… and we will make those investments.

We can talk or have someone lecture to us on what should constitute our approach for securing the revenue for the future, but we can’t secure the revenue for the future and have our people suffering and living in poverty and having their farms destroyed… and not implementing an adaptation plan to deal with climate change.

I’m sorry, as President I will not allow it. We have to make those investments now. And the resources that will come our way will have to help us to make those investments to secure the livelihood of the people of this country,” he contended.

President Ali’s remarks came on the heels of his visit to Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) earlier on Saturday, where he pledged to assist the flood-affected residents. He was accompanied by Agriculture Minister

FROM PAGE 3

Zulfikar Mustapha and Director General of the CDC, Lt Col Kester Craig.

They visited several communities in the region to hear from the residents and to assess the flood-related damages. Among the areas visited were Olive Creek, Kamarang and Jawalla. Additionally, the President flew over several communities to gauge the scope of the flooding.

Additionally, the Head of State also met with the residents as well as the Deputy Toshao of Kamarang, which is a small mining community in the region. The residents’ concerns ranged from access to fuel to access to food. President Ali noted that while a team will be working around the clock to bring immediate help, long-term issues will also be addressed.

Today, the Head of State is slated to travel to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) where, in addition to residential premises being under water, several farms have also been inundated and farmers have been pleading for assistance from Government.

he ocean covers more than 70% of the planet. It is our life source, supporting humanity’s sustenance and that of every other organism on earth.

The ocean produces at least 50% of the planet’s oxygen; it is home to most of earth’s biodiversity, and is the main source of protein for more than a billion people around the world.

Moreover, the ocean is key to our economy, with an estimated 40 million people being employed by ocean-based industries by 2030.

In spite of all its benefits, the ocean is now in need of support.

With 90% of big fish populations depleted and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished. To protect and preserve the ocean

and all it sustains, we must create a new balance, rooted in true understanding of the ocean and how humanity relates to it. We must build a connection to the ocean that is inclusive, innovative, and informed by lessons from the past.

The United Nations has designated June 08 as World Oceans Day. World Oceans Day is a day for humanity to celebrate the ocean. This year’s theme is “The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods”. The theme also signals a declaration of intentions that launches a decade of challenges to get the Sustainable Development Goal 14, “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources”, by 2030.

Life & Livelihoods What we do know is that the ocean is now in need of support.

With 90% of big fish populations depleted, and 50% of coral reefs destroyed, we are taking more from the ocean than can be replenished. To protect and preserve the ocean and all it sustains, we must create a new balance, one rooted in true understanding of the ocean and how humanity relates to it. We must build a connection to the ocean that is inclusive, innovative, and informed by lessons from the past.

A DECADE OF LEARNING AND RECOVERY On December 05, 2017, the United Nations proclaimed a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, to be held from 2021 to 2030. This Decade will provide a common framework to ensure that ocean science can fully support countries’ actions to sustainably manage the oceans and, more particularly, to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Activities conducted during this decade will further boost those planned for the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, which will also occur during 2021 to 2030.

While the ocean means different things to all of us, whether cultural or religious, economic or recreational, we need to take care of our ocean as much as other ecosystems. Make a start by switching from single use plastics to reusable items, and ensuring that your waste is disposed of in the right way.

Sources: https://unworldoceansday.org/un-world-oceans-day-2021/ (use the link to join the virtual celebration featuring the UN Secretary General and ocean experts) https://www.humanrightsatsea.org/2021/03/17/un-worldocean-day-the-ocean-%E2%80%A8life-livelihoods/ https://oceaninnovationchallenge.org/library/events/ world-oceans-day-2021 Photo courtesy of https://urgewald.org/guyana-day9 and the Ministry of Public Works 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.

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“Hard ears”…

I

…on COVID-19 f you look at the RATE of infections and deaths from the first COVID-19 case and death in March 2020 - a visitor from NYC - you’d see it continuously zooming upwards. May saw 99 deaths, bringing the total to 400!

More than an average of THREE per day!! Imagine a Guyanese dying every eight hours somewhere in our country - for thirty days!! If these were road accidents, we’d be screaming bloody murder for somebody’s head to be delivered on a platter! But yet so many of us seem not to care!

Yes…there are the usual platitudes bemoaning another death - especially when it’s someone we know personally or a public person. But you know who’s responsible for these deaths? All of us - including some who perished! As your Eyewitness has been screaming for over a year, COVID-19 is caused by a virus. Viruses can be spread only through us breathing into each other’s private spaces. So, if we wear masks, don’t shake hands, make other physical contact, and wash our hands after touching surfaces, we can’t get the disease!!

But we “hard ears” …that’s what we are! Do we really need Policemen to arrest us before we appreciate that we shouldn’t be partying cheek by jowl? Or, more accurately nowadays, grinding and wining? Fact of the matter is, if viruses don’t enter another human being, they eventually disintegrate!! That’s it! Kaput!! As we learnt in primary school, a virus isn’t really a “living organism”.

They can’t generate energy, they don’t grow, they don’t produce waste, and they don’t respond to stimuli. Most pertinently, they CAN’T reproduce by themselves, and can do so only by invading living cells!!

By going around unprotected, we’re providing the environment for the virus to keep on multiplying. Not only that, but when they enter our cells, they can use some the latter’s components to mutate! And develop more dangerous strains - like the ones from Brazil that definitely have crossed over inside careless folks coming into Guyana.

Now the second flaunting of our “hard ears” is the refusal of many to become vaccinated. Surprisingly, most of these are the fairly young, who’re plugged into social media, over which all sorts of incredible scare stories about the vaccines are circulating. Can you believe that some actually believe that taking the vaccine will kill off certain ethnic groups? Or will make them sterile? Or amazingly - will inject them with 5G!!?

Now you may say where’s the Government in all of this? But they are doing a good job with the vaccination drive, aren’t they? No one’s been turned away from first shots, and no one has missed their second shots within the approved time slot.

Wise up! …PNC Old people say, “Who na hear, guh feel!” But even though the PNC is led by a card-carrying “old person”, they’ve remained obdurately “hard ears” about politics in Guyana. After all, another wise saying is “You cyaan teach an old dog new tricks!” So, the PNC’s “feeling” the effects of its misguided policies and actions after its latest 5 years of holding the rudder of state.

The premise of democratic politics is to get enough people to vote for your party to give you over 50% of the vote. OK so far? So, if you’re operating in a country where folks have been voting along ethnic lines even before independence, and your ethnic group doesn’t reach 50%, what do you do? Reach across to some other ethnic groups to get them to vote for you, right?

So why in God’s name would the PNC prove that theory by gaining enough Indian votes to get into office in 2015 - and then ALIENATE THEM??

Old habits, or death wish??

…and floods How many times must your Eye-witness say, “Don’t drop your garbage ova heah!”? How many times must he tell you to stop filling up your drains and canals? The answer, my friend, is floatin’ in the flood. The answer is floatin’ in the flood!

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

NEWS

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Guyana to remain in forefront of environmental protection – President

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ven with the expansion of economic hubs across the country, Government has taken a strong stance for the protection of the environment and preservation of biodiversity.

In a statement on Saturday, President Irfaan Ali made this announcement in celebration of World Environment Day, observed under the theme: “Ecosystem Restoration.”

“Guyana has been in the forefront of protecting the environment, and our country remains one of the most densely forested in

the world, with intact flora and fauna. We have several hotspots with rich biodiversity supported by protected areas systems.”

Ali directed that these efforts will be guided by the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), which was launched in 2009 to transform Guyana's economy on to a sustainable trajectory while simultaneously combating climate change.

“As we continue to protect our environment whilst expanding economic opportunities for our people, in this process, my

Government will be guided by the revised Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). The revised strategy will expand into environmental services, water resources management, climate resilience, biodiversity, and marine economy. As a testament to my Government’s landmark agreement with Norway, we have seen forest carbon-related payments for avoiding deforestation and other degradative activities as a tool for determining the economic value of our ecosystems and biodiversity.”

The Head of State added that with the establishment of an International Centre of Excellence for Biological Diversity, the objective will be placed on promoting cutting-edge research and development and exporting educational services.

“Even our National System of Protected Areas is also being strengthened and expanded in accordance with international standards of environmental integrity. My Government has established a national strategy for mangrove protection and restoration along our coastline and rivers,

President Irfaan Ali

which builds on our existing work, such as the National Mangrove Management Plan and Restoration and Management Programmes initiated by previous PPP/C Governments,” the President outlined.

In addition, the Administration has signed the Leaders Pledge for Terrestrial Protected Areas and the Marine Protected Areas, joining the United Kingdom and many other countries around the world.

In March 2021, Guyana also signed on to the proposed Amazon Bioeconomy Fund.

This proposal, he added, includes Guyana’s South American partners, who share coverage of one of the largest and, sadly, most under threat forest in the

world, the majestic Amazon Rainforest. “This initiative is an important contribution to kick-start a change of entrenched behaviours to create the foundation for markets that value the fundamental role of natural capital in the business, highlighting biodiversity as an important element of economic success.”

It was highlighted that Guyana continues to build international partnerships, including its status as a signatory to various Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), including the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and the three Rio Conventions: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); the

United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD); and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Guyana had signed with Norway, a historic forest protection accord which saw the country receiving payments for sustaining its rainforests to absorb global carbon emissions. A total of US$250 million was to be paid to Guyana over a fiveyear period.

In February, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh revealed that Guyana had more than US$135 million in climate change-related funds that it is entitled to but has not been able to access due to the political instability under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government.

These are funds that the current Government was seeking to have released.

Since taking office, the PPP/C has committed to restarting the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, which would not only provide reliable energy but would provide a sustainable source of energy.

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Silencing Wismar Pogrom of May 26th

O

n May 26, Guyana once again commemorated the “Independence” that was given to the PNC Government by the British in 1966, after engineering the latter’s victory in the Dec 7, 1964 elections.

But 1964, and specifically May 26, 1964, also marks a rupture in the history of Guyana, and, more specifically, the history of the relations between Africanand Indian-Guyanese, which needs to be bridged.

The political competition between the AfricanGuyanese- based PNC and the Indian-Guyanesebased PPP segued from the “sweeping out the PPP with Ravi Dev brooms” in 1961 elections through the burning and looting of Indian businesses in Georgetown on Black Friday, Feb 16, 1962 and the spread of tit-for-tat ethnic violence and arson across the Demerara Coast.

The culmination was the pogrom against Indians of Wismar-Christianburg on May 25-26, when 220 Indian homes were razed, two Indians were murdered, several women and girls raped, almost the entire Indian population of 3000 was forced to flee, and the explosion of the Sun Chapman on July 7, killing 43 of the all-African passengers headed towards Wismar from Georgetown. The retaliatory killing of five more Indians who had returned or stayed behind at Wismar was almost an anti-climax. The Inquiry into the bombing of the Sun Chapman found its causes to be “inconclusive”, while that into the Wismar Pogrom declared it to be “politically and racially inspired”.

When we “look back at history”, we can only do so from our present, in which questions are posed and answers sought.

For me, one question has been how and why the history of the Indian-Guyanese of Wismar has been so completely “silenced”, in the sense of the word used by Rolph Trouillot: “By silence, I mean an active and transitive process: one “silences” a fact or an individual as a silencer silences a gun. One engages in the practice of silencing.”

But we simultaneously, from our present, should have our eye on our future - a future we hope to create with the knowledge gleaned from the past. For me, it is a future in which all Guyanese can live in peace to create their progress, and not be manipulated to a return of that past.

But the rupture of the silencing of the history of the period needs to be rectified, if for no other reason that allowing the survivors of those events to express their grief about their experiences. It is quite possible that the reason for the silence about the period may be because the political leaders “wanted to move on”, but in the new millennium, there were some who evidently think otherwise.

One such person is David Granger, who referred to the inter-ethnic violence of the 1960s as the “disturbances” and “the troubles”. In a 2003 paper, without ever mentioning the preceding Wismar atrocities, he wrote, “The most alarming slaughter of the ‘Disturbances’ was that of 40 Africans on 6 July at Hurudaia in the Demerara River as they travelled in a motor launch to Mackenzie.”

The following year, a “Son Chapman Tragedy Commemoration Committee”, with the PNC integrally involved, organised a 40th Anniversary event at the fatal spot at Hurudaia on the Demerara River. Robert Corbin, leader of the PNC, said, “A nation that fails to record its history is bound to make the same mistakes.” After Granger became the leader of the PNC in 2011, he attended the now annually observed Commemoration ceremony, and declared he wished more people would converge at the spot. The Motto on the Monument at Hurudaia declared: “Those who forget the lessons of history do so at our own peril.”

In 2013, Granger and the PNC initiated moving the commemoration to the centre of Linden, so the people there “would not forget”. The PNC kept this promise, and on July 6, 2020, did so without once mentioning the Wismar ethnic cleansing of Indian-Guyanese as the PNC representatives bemoaned the “pain and hurt” of the survivors. But Dr Alissa Trotz and Red Thread also interrogated the purpose of this commemoration, and queried the silencing of the preceding tragedy of the violence and ethnic cleansing of Wismar. They interviewed many of the refugees from Wismar, living on the East Coast of Demerara. Like the survivors of the Sun Chapman, their loss is also palpable.

We cannot undo the past, but I believe we should erect a memorial for all the 176 Guyanese who perished in the 1964 disturbances and need restorative justice.

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By Lakhram Bhagirat

N

ow, more than ever, youths are taking the lead on a number of issues affecting not only them but the overall development of the world in which we live.

Globally, we have Malala Yusufzai taking the lead in fighting for education for girls, in particular following her neardeath experience of seeing an education. We have Greta Thunberg taking on the global supers in the fight against climate change.

Locally, we have a number of youths paving the way in advocating for causes near to them – whether it is Dennis Anthony Glasgow for comprehensive sexual education, Jairo Rodrigues for the LGBTQ+ community, Judy Winter for the Indigenous community, Akola Thompson for a racially equitable society, or Renata Burnette for social justice through her poetry, the fact remains that these youths are championing causes that would make

the world a better place.

However, it is important to note that they do not limit themselves when it comes to their advocacy since it is all intertwined in their aim of having a just society. Additionally, there are thousands of youths here in Guyana who are fighting daily battles to educate, particularly elders set in their ways, on the changes that need to occur in an effort to achieve optimum development and equity.

One such youth playing his part in the development of his community and the

communities across the South Rupununi District is Joshua Anderson Frederick.

The 20-yearold hails from the Macushi village of Shulinab in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) and is currently the Youth Programme Coordinator for the South Central People Development Association (SCPDA).

Additionally, he is the Chair of the South Rupununi District Council’s (SRDC) Youth Arm. “I was born and raised in a village called Shulinab village, the only Macushi-speaking village in the entire South Rupununi. I have 2 brothers and 1 sister and growing up as a child there were many challenges, especially in relation to the environment we live in today. As a small child I had a passion for the development of my community. I used to look through magazines with pictures and imagine my village looking like the many developed countries in the magazines,”

he recounted.

Growing up, his mother always reinforced the need for them to pay keen attention to getting an education.

In fact, she would tell them “Take your education serious, and don’t be like us, be someone better”. That fuelled Joshua’s drive to ensure he secured an education.

He attended the Macushi Primary School and then wrote the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) ex-

“That was the only secondary school close to home and attending school there was a bit challenging. I had to cope with peer pressure, home sickness because I lived in the dormitory but despite that I battled through and I managed to write CXC and with hard work, I did well,” Joshua said.

Growing up, Joshua was always interested in the development of his community. He did not sit on the side lines and watch as other

amination and secured a spot at the St Ignatius Secondary school. That meant that he would have had to leave his home village and take up residence in St Ignatius.

people took on the role, rather he positioned himself to be a part of the developmental groups.

“I, as a youth, am always interested in the development of my community. So, I started attending meetings and getting myself involved in decision making can make me a person that can be a driver for development

it comes to the implementation of those decisions.

“The Youth Arm is a full representation of all the youths across the Wapichan territory (Wapichan Wizzii).

The Chairperson would voice concerns and also be a part of decision making.

He also coordinates projects that are for the benefits of the youths.

“During my term as Chairperson, I am currently running a project titled ‘Reconnecting Wapichan Youths with Traditional Knowledge.’ As Chairperson, I want to be one of the people who can motivate other youths to take up the mantle of leadership. I also want our voices to be heard and let the world know that youths are the primary drivers of development in the world and at full force we can combat climate change and other issues.”

Joshua is hopeful that he can play some part in transforming his community to one of the modern ones in the South Rupununi so that youths would not have to face the economic hardships their parents faced. He is hopeful that development, while staying true to their culture and roots, would bring more job opportunities and equitable access to education for the youths of not only the South but every Indigenous community in the land.

When asked about what

in my community and the region and wider the country.

“I have heard about the South Rupununi District Council at one public meeting and I was interested in the many projects they are involved in specifically for development in the district.

What made me more interested is that they have a youth arm, at every year end youths from across the south go on a 1-week conference where youths have the chance to interact with other youths from other villages and even visit sacred sites.”

At the 2019 forum, the SRDC Youth Arm elected Joshua to serve as its Chair and he has been representing them ever since. He would attend the meetings of the SRDC and be a part of the decision-making process while offering the perspective of the youths when

his life has been like, growing up in Shulinab, Joshua said “Shulinab village is the only Macushi-speaking village in the entire south and living in this village is like paradise. Waking up to see the beautiful majestic Kanuku mountains, feeling the fresh breeze blow on your skin and getting greetings from the friendly neighbours all makes it better. I sometimes think about the advantages that some other communities have over my community especially in these times, for example the communication access, but living a simple life in the Rupununi gives you a lot of experience. I have the chance to communicate with my elders, get the knowledge about my lands, sacred sites, and of course, traditional knowledge.”

FEATURE

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Rhema and her family

By Lakhram Bhagirat

E

ver since she was a little girl, Rhema Alice Rennie dreamt of becoming a lawyer and did everything she could to put herself on that path. She worked hard in school and took up extra-curriculars that would have given her the extra oomph when she started her law studies.

However, she is now forced to put a pause on her intended career path after her father, the major contributor, passed away leaving their family to battle with not only loss but also financial woes.

Rhema is currently employed at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI) in Lethem.

She explained that she is currently on a six-month probationary period with the Bank but prior to that she was working as a sales clerk at a local supermarket.

She was forced to take up employment after finishing school in an effort to supplement the loss of income from her father’s death.

The young woman recently shared her story with the Sunday Times and explained that she was born and raised in Lethem. She is the eldest child for her parents and has three younger brothers.

“My parents moved here as missionaries in 2002 with the responsibility of my dad pastoring the local church.

My father was Grenadian, my mother is from Berbice and they met in college. So most of my childhood memories are centered around listening to my father’s sermons, exploring the grassy savannahs behind our house and swimming and fishing in the creeks my dad would take us to every Sunday,” she remembered.

When she started her education, Rhema had all sorts

of struggles. While she felt as though she “belonged” in the classroom, her performance there told her otherwise. She loved reading and made a lot of new friends but she was a slow learner.

“I was slow then and ended up graduating nursery school with 7 per cent and being labelled one of the slow children in Grades 1 and 2.

It was after finding a teacher who was patient enough with me in Grade 3 that really set me on a steady pace.

I placed in the top 10 for the Region (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) in my National Grade 4 Exams but my education was once again halted when in Grade 5 we had to move and I lost track of my studies.

“Upon returning to Lethem I was transferred to the Arapaima Primary School where I did my National Grade 6 Exams. I placed last in the top 10 for the school and was told by my father that I would not be awarded for my mediocre grade,” Rhema said.

That fuelled Rhema to work even harder to become successful at her CSEC exams and that is exactly what she did. Rhema came out as the top student of St Ignatius at the 2020 CSEC exams. She secured passes in 14 subjects with 4 Grade Ones, 5 Grade Twos and 5 Grade Threes.

However, this time round she could not have celebrated with her father.

“Before passing away my father had been living separately from us for 14 months.

He would however arrange for transportation for us to go to school and would meet us in the afternoons. It was during the time that school was closed due to the pandemic when I got a text from him saying he was unwell and wouldn't be at his office for me to visit him. I didn’t

take it seriously until a few days later I got a message from one of the people close

to him informing me that he had passed. This was approximately three months before I was scheduled to sit my CSEC exams. I was devastated that I did not get to see him for the last time to be able to say my goodbyes but as they say ‘the show must go on’ and I had to cut short my grieving process to focus on my studies.

“Though my father was not living with us he was responsible for most of the bills especially rent which meant that we had to move out of the house we were staying in. In order to cope, I focused only on the good memories and try to find something to laugh about so as to not cloud myself with grief,” the young woman shared.

After her father’s death, Rhema had to start working to assist her mother and brothers. She first started at a supermarket but moved over to GBTI. The dream of being a lawyer, for now, is shelved while she works to address the immediate need.

Rhema

A

lice Ren nie “Ever since I was a young child I have always been in- h a v e job terested in the courts and le- finally gotten a gal systems. I would use dis- that would help me pay for agreements with my siblings courses.”

Rhema is aware of the as practice for arguing a case number of sacrifices needed in court. While everyone else to attend law school. She is wanted to watch cartoons I always found myself looking hopeful that a scholarship or at crime documentaries and some financial aid comes her court shows such as ‘Law way as she embarks on her and Order.’ While I would studies. She is also appeallike to become a lawyer, it is ing to anyone who can give not my only goal. I also write her a head start by donatand would like to be able to ing some law textbooks or fipublish books and songs,” nancial assistance to please do so. she said.

She can be reached on “I am planning to apply to UG later this year as I 693-3760.

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FEATURE

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By Lakhram Bhagirat

W

ithout a doubt, barbers are a guy’s most trusted friend. From the moment we sit in their chair and explain “the cut” we put all our trust in them to execute our vision, perfectly.

The perfect execution is exactly what Kevin Warner delivers. The young man has been a professional barber for just about a decade now and shows no signs of ever delivering anything that is less.

The 25-year-old is part owner of Razor King Barbershop located on the corner of Robb and Albert Streets in Georgetown.

Chronicling his journey from childhood to where he is now, Kevin said

Kevin cutting West Indian cricketer Jason Holder’s hair

that he has always been interested in the world of barbering. Hailing from the

village of Richmond on the Essequibo Coast, Kevin and two of his brothers moved

to Georgetown following the murder of his grandfather and popular Essequibo businessman Victor Warner.

The 70-year-old Warner was found lying in a pool of blood in the lower flat of his home just after 07:00h on May 19, 2011. He operated a 24-hour general store and when he was discovered, his face, nose, mouth and eyes were covered with duct tape.

Police reports from back then indicate that an undisclosed sum of cash along with jewellery and other items were missing. An autopsy later revealed that he died as a result of blunt trauma to the head, compounded by compression to the neck.

“I actually grew up on the Essequibo Coast and I lived with my grandfather.

We had a business and I used to sell in the shop and

so and growing up I always liked barbering. I used to cut my grandfather hair and sometimes I would use two mirrors and cut mine and my brother hair and I would do a Barber Kevin Warner good job.

I always his father when he was just had a passion for barbering about a year old. His mothbut I also behind my grand- er, at that time, was living father business but after in Berbice but moved to the he got murdered some time city to begin living with his back in 2011, I had to take brothers and him. a different journey. I had to When Kevin moved with come out of Essequibo while his brothers to Georgetown, my brother was studying at his elder brother introthe University and we end duced him to Gavin – his up and start to rent apart- barber – who operated a ments in Georgetown,” he barbershop at Fifth Street, related.

Cummings Lodge, Greater The move back to Georgetown. There he was Georgetown also reunit- hired as an apprentice at ed him with his mother, just the age of 16. who was separated from TURN TO PAGE 21

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FEATURE

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FROM PAGE 19

“He (Gavin) was the owner of the shop and I was his apprentice. I used to watch his cutting style and so and when them youngsters come in, I used to get the chance to cut them hair and I learned a few things.

Barbering is a thing that you might look at all the time but you never learn until you can practice. I get the chance to cut them small kids and from there on I kept improving and become better,” he explained.

Slowly, he started to build on his skills and clientele. After some time, he made a move to another barbershop in the heart of the city. There his clientele started to grow and about seven years ago he moved to his current shop and started to further cement his place in the world of barbering.

“I started building myself as a barber all the time and eventually we bought

Kevin’s Barbershop

the shop over from a guy – me and 2 guys and we managing it unto this day.

Working for yourself is better because you get to do things the way you want to do it and you learn to manage your own business and to be responsible. When you work with people you have to stick to their rules and regulations. I get to manage the shop and set it the way

you want it and so.”

Kevin never had any formal training rather all he learnt was due to practicing.

He said that he was most of the time forced to practice on himself since he was the primary person in his grandfather’s shop and that meant no time to visit the barbershops.

“Barbering – you learn so much. Every day is a new thing you learn like going to the barbershop, you develop a way like to deal with different type of people. People might be going through their own things at time so it is not about barbering alone, it is different things to because sometimes a man might get he own problem so you can give him advice or correct him in such a way to make

him better.

“Barbering is not only about cutting hair, it’s also about being there.

I have grown from strength to strength and improving my skills and getting better and better at my job. The journey has been such a good journey so far,” Kevin said.

While the journey has been a good one for Kevin, it certainly has not been without challenges. There have been times when he felt like giving up and even came close to throwing in the towel.

However, whenever he felt that way, he would remember that he loves barbering too much to give up.

The father of one also makes sure he gives back to the community as well. In the past he has partnered with organisations and even former First Lady Sandra Granger to give haircuts to children and the elderly.

Kevin in action

Cricket

Cricket is Kevin’s favourite sport. In fact, he was an avid cricketer back when he was younger and even represented Essequibo at the Under-15 Inter-County cricketing level. The love for cricket never left even when he left Essequibo.

Over the years, barbering has presented him the opportunity to cut the hair of most of the West Indies cricket team players.

“Cricket was one of my favourite sports and I was

able to cut some of the West Indian players due to barbering.

That experience was a joyful moment for me.

Growing up watching some of these cricketers and then getting a chance to cut their hair was so overwhelming. It was a good feeling and barbering is responsible for it,” Kevin boasted.

For now, Kevin is continuing to do what he loves and that is making sure his clients get the best cut they can possibly get because a haircut can transform a guy’s look for the good or the bad.

You can check Kevin out at Razor King Barbershop located on the corner of Robb and Albert Streets in Georgetown or call him on +592-649-3981 for that perfect cut.

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FEATURE

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According to a pineapple vendor at Capoey ineapple farmJunction, she goes out ing in Region with over 50 pineapples Two has been daily and at the end of one of the main sourcthe day she sometimes es of income for the only takes back home residents, particulararound 5 or so, somely of the Amerindian times none at all. She communities of Capoey said that most of her cusVillage and Mainstay/ tomers purchase organic Whayaka. pineapples to make lusOver the years, the cious pineplanting, growth, cultiapple jam, vation and marketing pine tarts, of the tasty fruit has to put in paved the way for comfried rice munity development and also for and the advancement food decoraof educational possibiltive purposities for the residents es. of these communities.

She reAdditionally, it creates lated that a better life for the resher customCustomers are eager to purchase the scrumptious fruit idents and even has the ers are mainpotential for tourism oply passengers Regina markets revealed that portunities. pineapples were being sold at a who pass the route As the harvesting of pineap- very cheap price and are simulta- daily. ples continues in full swing, sever- neously being purchased by cusAnother vendor, al stalls in the markets and along tomers at a fast rate. The demand Shireen Buchoon, the Essequibo Coast are exhibiting for organic pineapple is growing said that pineapple the scrumptious fruit. and attracting buyers from differ- farming has “broke A recent visit at the Anna ent regions in the country. her out” of poverty

By Raywattie Deonarine

P

Pineapple vendor Chandinie Ramnarace

and has afforded her many necessities in her home. She said pineapple farming sustains her livelihood and provides her with an income.

Buchoon sells her produce on Sundays at the Suddie Market and also on Fridays at the Anna Regina Old Market.

The pineapple vendor had on display a number of palatable-looking pineapples, ranging from two hundred to five hundred dollars. Adding to this, the pineapple vendor said that they have managed to ensure their “delicious” pineapples are available on stalls at various local markets.

TURN TO PAGE 27

26 FEATURE

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ODAY, within the context of proper breeding of dogs, we will have a closer look at one of the main actors in the drama of reproduction – the brood bitch (the potential mother). Next week, we will discuss the norms associated with a good stud dog (potential father).

THE BROOD BITCH

Before you decide to breed your female, give careful consideration to the effort and expense, which goes into producing a litter of healthy and active puppies. It can be both time – consuming and expensive.

If you own a purebred dam (female dog), you must also consider her overall conformation, disposition, and the qualities she will pass along to her puppies.

Another factor to consider is that many purebred puppies, in order to pre-

vent easy incest, should not be sold in the general area, where they originate. Try as best as you can to ensure the pups (siblings) are geographically far away from each other, therefore reducing the chances of siblings mating. This means extra focused advertising, and the added cost and effort of finding the right sort of home in which to place the puppies at the time of sale.

In contrast to a popular belief, the female does not need to have a litter in order to be psychologically fulfilled. In fact, a neutered female makes an outstanding house pet. She is able to devote herself exclusively to her human family.

Most breeders mate a

bitch on her second or third season, at which time she is emotionally and physically mature and able to adjust well to the new role of a brood matron.

I must hasten to add that once the brood

wait for the second heat.

A prospective brood matron should be kept in top physical condition. An overweight/ obese bitch, lacking in prerequisite exercise, is difficult to mate and may times will not come into season regularly and may have difficulty in whelping.

bitch has reached the age of puberty and can physically mate with the chosen male, she could be mated.

However, I too do advise to

Once you decide to mate your female, take her to your veterinarian for a physical check-up. A maiden bitch should be exam-

ined to make sure that her vaginal orifice is normal in size. There should be no constricting ring, which could prevent normal entry.

Her physical check-up includes a test for heartworms in areas where this mosquito-borne infection is a problem, e.g., the lower East Coast Demerara, (but actually now all over Guyana).

If you own a bitch of one of the larger breeds (e.g., German Shepherds, Rottweilers), ask your veterinarian to x-ray the brood bitch’s pelvic (hip) areas and elbow joints. The X-Rays could be done preferably before one year of age.

If the X-Rays of the potential brood bitch reveal bone/ joint changes (hip/elbow dysplasia), do not breed

her.

Also, before mating, the bitch should be checked for worms. Roundworms are difficult to avoid in puppies, especially since puppies can be infected even while they are in their mother’s womb.

This is why the pregnant mother dog should be dewormed at least once, but preferably twice, during her pregnancy. Other internal and external parasites, if found, should be vigorously treated. A bitch with an active worm infestation is less likely to whelp healthy active puppies.

Please support the spay and neutering campaigns/ programs carried out by Humane Societies, the objective of which is to reduce cruelty to and suffering of animals, especially the “stray’ dogs which abound along highways and byways predominantly of coastal Guyana.

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FROM PAGE 25

for everyone because She said that she it’s a good source of developed the pasantioxidants, which sion for pineapple will assist in reducing farming and vendchronic illness.” ing about five years Ramnarace is seen ago and through culat the Anna Regina Old tivation, managed to Market on a daily basis. ensure that her kids She is a single mother received their educaof three children and tion. would usually purchase According to a pineapples to sell from farmer at Mainstay/ Georgetown.

Whayaka, Kertney When Sunday Stephanie, a large Times interviewed sevquantity of pineaperal pineapple farmple harvesting comers and vendors at the menced a month ago Anna Regina Market despite the Mayon Friday, many of June rainy season. them related that while He and his mother managed to harvest Pineapple vendor selling sweet pineapples at Capoey Road Head hundreds of pines are lying on stalls, sales are hundreds of sugary ly purchase sweet pineapples from pineapples from their eight acres Big Market in Canal for approxi- slower than expected.

Stephanie, who was seen sellof farmland. mately twelve years now which Chandanie Ramnarace, anoth- does a bit for me and my kids… it’s ing in the market, said that every er pineapple vendor said “I usual- tasty pineapples which are healthy year she looks forward to the sea-

son to earn extra cash.

"For the past few weeks, the rain gave us a licking…many of my pineapples that are reaped on my farm are giving off jellies on their skins and many customers do not want to buy Shireen Buchoon is happy to be a pineapple vendor them. The and customers do not want to pay rain plenty on us and it affects many of us the price for pineapples when it’s because the road is bad. It is dif- so high. Sometimes I stay up the ficult for me to get transportation whole day at markets and just a to bring out pineapples to sell… few pines will sell how slow marif I do I have to pay a high price keting is,” Stephanie stated.

28 FEATURE

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

HEALTH TIPS

ANDROPAUSE (MALE MENOPAUSE)

Dr Tariq Jagnarine Fam Med, Endocrinology/ Diabetes

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estosterone is the hormone responsible for deep voice, muscle mass, and facial and body hair patterns found in males. As men get older, the level of testosterone in the body and production of sperm gradually become lower, and they experience physical and psychological symptoms as a result of these low levels. This is part of the natural aging process, and it is estimated that testosterone decreases about 10% every decade after men have reached the age of 30.

Andropause is a condition that is associated with

the decrease in the male hormone testosterone. It is unlike menopause, in that the decrease in testosterone and the development of symptoms is more gradual than what occurs in women. Approximately 30% of men in their 50s would experience symptoms of andropause caused by low testosterone levels. A person experiencing andropause may have a number of symptoms related to the condition, and could be at risk of other serious health conditions, such as osteoporosis, if he is without proper treatment.

Causes

The decrease in testosterone is an important factor in men suspected of having andropause. However, as men age, not only does the body start making less testosterone, but also the levels of another hormone, called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), which pulls usable testosterone from the blood, begins to increase. SHBG binds some of the available testosterone circulating in the blood.

The testosterone that is not bound to the SHBG hormone is called bioavailable testosterone, meaning

it is available for use by the body.

M e n who experience symptoms associated with andropause have lowe r e d amounts of bioavailable testost e r o n e in their blood. Therefore, tissues in the body that are stimulated by testosterone receive a lower amount of it, which may cause various physical and possibly mental changes in a person, such as mood swings or fatigue.

Symptoms and complications

Although symptoms may vary from person to person, common symptoms of men going through andropause include: * Low sex drive * Difficulty in getting erection, or getting erections that are not as strong as usual * Lack of energy

directly to the skin, usually on the arms.

Because the gel may transfer to other individuals through skin contact, a person must take care to wash the gel from the hands after each application. Additionally, unwashed clothing with medication traces should be kept out of the reach of children.

* Depression * Irritability and mood swings * Loss of strength or muscle mass * Increased body fat * Hot flashes Complications associated with andropause include an increased risk of cardiovascular problems and osteoporosis (brittle bones).

Making the diagnosis

A doctor would ask questions about how you are feeling, to see if your symptoms match those of people with low testosterone. Then a blood test is performed to check the level of testosterone in the blood.

Because there are other conditions that are associated with low testosterone levels (e.g., hypogonadism, which causes retardation of sexual growth and development; diabetes; high blood pressure), your doctor would likely do tests to rule out these possibilities before making a diagnosis of andropause.

It is important to note that many of the symptoms associated with andropause are also normal in aging, and may not be reversible with treatment.

Treatment and prevention

Replacing testosterone in the blood is the most common treatment

for men going through andropause. This treatment may provide relief from the symptoms, and help improve the quality of life in many cases. Lifestyle changes such as increased exercise, stress reduction, and good nutrition also help. Your doctor would help you decide if testosterone treatment is right in your situation, as treatment does have risks.

Testosterone is available in a variety of different preparations, including skin patches, capsules, gels, and injections. Your doctor would help determine which treatment is best for you, and would often consider your lifestyle when making this decision.

Follow-up visits with your doctor would be important after the initial treatment begins. At follow-up visits, your doctor would check your response to the treatment, and make adjustments if necessary.

Skin patches: People who wear a patch containing testosterone receive the hormone through the skin. The patch allows a slow, steady release of testosterone into the blood stream. It is applied once a day to a dry area of skin on the back, abdomen, upper arms, or thighs.

Testosterone gel: This treatment is also applied

Capsules: Taken twice daily after meals, this is yet another option for testosterone replacement.

Men with liver disease, poor liver function, serious heart or kidney disease, or too much calcium in their blood should avoid testosterone capsules.

Testosterone injections: This treatment involves injections of testosterone (testosterone cypionate* and testosterone enanthate) in the muscle every 2 to 4 weeks. They may cause mood swings, due to changes in testosterone levels.

Testosterone should not be taken by any man with prostate or breast cancer. If you have heart disease; are taking some medications, such as blood thinners; have an enlarged prostate; have kidney or liver disease, or have too much calcium in your blood, you would need to discuss with your doctor whether or not testosterone therapy is right for you.

Outlook

It’s normal to experience a decline in your testosterone levels as you get older. For many men, the symptoms are manageable, even without treatment. If your symptoms are causing you hardship, speak to your doctor. The doctor can provide recommendations to help you manage or treat your symptoms.

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The science of COVID-19 Kidney injury: Protein or blood in urine

Dr. Haimchand Barran MMSc Internal Medicine/ Infectious Diseases Fellowship -- Nephrology Nephrology Department – GPHC

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

Today, we will cover protein and blood in the urine in our continuing series.

Protein in urine

People with proteinuria have unusually high amounts of protein in their urine. The condition is often a sign of kidney disease. Your kidneys are filters that don’t usually let a lot of protein pass through.

When the kidney is damaged, then proteins such as albumin may leak from your blood into your urine.

You can also have protein-

uria when your body makes too much protein.

Kidney disease often has no early symptoms.

Protein in your urine might be one of the first signs.

Your doctor may spot proteinuria on a urine test during a routine physical.

Over time, as it gets worse, you might have symptoms including foamy or bubbly urine; swelling (edema) in your hands, feet, belly and face; urinating more often; shortness of breath; fatigue; loss of appetite; upset stomach and vomiting; and muscle cramps at night.

Some common things can cause proteinuria include dehydration, inflammation, low blood pressure, fever, intense activity, high stress, kidney stones, taking aspirin every day, and very low temperatures.

Conditions that damage your kidneys can also make you have too much protein in your urine. The two most common are diabetes and high blood pressure.

Other serious conditions that can cause proteinuria include immune disorders such as lupus, kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis), a blood cancer called multiple myeloma, preeclampsia (which affects pregnant women), a buildup of protein in your organs (amyloidosis), cardiovascular disease, intravascular hemolysis, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed, kidney cancer, and heart failure.

Things that might make

you more likely to have protein in your urine include obesity, being aged over 65, a family history of kidney disease, and being of African American/ Native American/Hispanic/ or Pacific Islander descent.

Some people get more protein into their urine while standing than while lying down. This condition is called orthostatic proteinuria. A urine test, called a urinalysis, can tell whether you have too much protein in your urine.

Blood in urine

Having blood in your urine can be a sign that something is wrong with your kidneys or another part of your urinary tract.

The medical name for blood in your urine is hematuria.

There are two types of hematuria: if you can see the blood in your urine, it is called gross hematuria; and if you cannot see the blood in your urine without looking at it under a microscope, it is called microscopic hematuria.

Anyone can have hematuria, but you might be more likely to have it if you have a family history of kidney disease; have an enlarged prostate (in men); have a history of getting kidney stones; are taking certain medicines, such as pain relievers, blood thinners and antibiotics; participate in strenuous (difficult) exercise; or have, or recently had, an infection.

There are many reasons that you might have blood in your urine. Having blood

in your urine does not necessarily mean you have kidney disease. Some common causes are menstruation; strenuous (difficult) exercise; sexual activity; and having a virus, injury or infection, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Other more serious problems can also cause you to have blood in your urine. Some of these problems include kidney or bladder cancer; irritation or swelling in your kidneys, prostate (in men) or another part of your urinary tract; polycystic kidney disease; blood clots or diseases that cause problems with blood clotting; and sickle cell disease You may not notice any symptoms if you have microscopic hematuria. If you have gross hematuria, you

may notice that your urine is pink, red or brown. This happens because the blood in your urine makes it a different color. If you have gross hematuria, you may also get blood clots in your urine, which can be painful.

If you notice that your urine is a different colour than normal, or if you are having pain when you urinate, tell your healthcare provider. He or she can do some tests to figure out why you have blood in your urine or what is causing the pain and what treatment would be best for you.

The treatment for having blood in your urine depends on what is causing the problem. For example, if you have blood in your urine because of an infection, your doctor might tell

you to take an antibiotic medicine. If you have blood in your urine for another reason, you might need a different kind of treatment.

To find out why you have blood in your urine, your doctor might ask you for a urine sample. The urine sample can be used to test for signs of an infection, kidney disease, or other problems. Your doctor will use the results of the urine test to decide if you need more tests, or if you can start a treatment.

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

30 NEWS

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Climate change will bring unexpected disasters – President warns …says time to examine innovative technology, sound engineering solutions

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resident Irfaan Ali has warned that with climate change becoming a superior threat, it will bring greater magnitudes of disasters – which the country should prepare for.

On Friday, the Head of State visited several affected areas across Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), where he heard the plights of residents that have been affected by current mass flooding. Expansion in the different sectors, he cautioned, will call for innovative solutions to mitigate disasters.

"As you continue and expand housing, the challenge becomes greater. That is why I said earlier we have to look at innovative technology, sound engineering solutions like the one we have at

President Ali engaging farmers and residents at Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara

Hope Canal. You need, sometimes, unimpeded discharge for situations like these. We cannot deny climate change.

Climate change would bring more and more unplanned disasters, more and more natural disasters like these and in higher scales.”

He added, “With climate change, one of the things that we have to look at, espe-

cially with our farming community, is future patterns and then look at how we reintegrate the drainage system because the fact of the matter is, and this is one of the challenges of development— housing is going to grow here in Region Three."

The Head of State was accompanied by Education Minister, Priya

Manickchand; Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar and other Government officials.

He said the Region Three Disaster Response Regional Task Force has been activated as Government seeks to mitigate flooding in the communities, offering round the clock monitoring.

In highlighting Government’s response, he informed, “The Disaster Response Regional Task Force has been activated, there is 24 hours monitoring as to what is happening in the region. So far, I can tell you that there is documentation of affected households. Intervention has been made with food hampers and cleaning agents, and so on. We are now working on health packages for preventative care for known effects of flooding on health.”

With several agencies and Ministries deployed in the flood relief, Ali stressed that the focus is to secure livelihoods and have a robust health system in the event of emergencies.

“I must say the NDIA, led by Minister Zulfikar [Mustapha], the Sea Defence people; they are all out 24 hours. This requires under-

health system,” the Head of State pointed out.

The President explained to the residents that the Government fully understands the impact that the high floodwaters have had on their livelihoods since the current flooding is not an isolated situation but one the entire country is facing together. He added that the relief efforts, including food and cleaning supplies, would be continuous.

"Whilst we may not be able to give 100 per cent help in what may be required, you can be assured that the Government will be providing assistance in getting back your lives together and livelihood together."

At Parika, East Bank Essequibo, it was indicated that the rising water of the

standing and patience from all stakeholders too. We understand the complications for farmers and so on. Right now, we are at a stage where the Government is focusing on securing livelihoods, securing lives and assets and ensuring that we have a robust response from the

Boeraserie Conservancy is of serious concern, since a breakaway could flood the village. Equipment has been sent in to remedy the increasing volume.

“In the Parika-Naamryck area, the water has to be released, unfortunate-

ly. Otherwise, we’ll have a greater disaster. If the water is not released, the dam will go and if the dam goes, entire housing communities and so will be flooded out…

We cannot afford for any part of the dam to be eroded or to break away. We have mobilised machines all across the different conservancies and banks trying to build the level of the bank.”

At the Boeraserie, 62.7 Guyana Datum (GD) was the highest ever recorded level. At present, the water level is at 63.3 GD, while the highest point of the dam is 64 GD. The President said that such levels and volumes of water were, in the past, a 1 in 1000 occurrence, but given the effects of climate change, such extreme conditions may become more frequent in the future. The current situation, he added, is indeed testing “all of our capabilities”.

Over at Canal Number One, West Bank Demerara, he announced that the Government is working on getting finances for the affected farmers.

“To the farmers who are affected, we are already working. A few minutes ago, I was on the phone with the Vice President [Dr Bharrat Jagdeo] and the Minister of Finance [Dr Ashni Singh], and we are working now on finding additional resources to go to the Parliament for a supplementary so that we can bring relief to you,” the flood victims were told.

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2 Essequibo Coast residents latest COVID-19 deaths …158 new cases recorded in 1 day

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he Health Ministry on Saturday reported that two more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died, increasing the country’s death toll to 405.

New fatalities are a 76-year-old female and a 41-year-old-man, both from Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). These persons died on Friday while receiving care at a medical facility.

On Friday, the new deaths were a 36-year-old female from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), a 71-year-old from Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) and a 75-year-old woman from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Meanwhile, cases of the virus also increased by 158, raising the confirmed positives in Guyana to 17,617.

There are 18 patients seeking treatment in the Intensive Care Unit, 106 in institutional isolation, 1738 in home isolation and four in institutional quarantine. In

total, 15,350 persons recovered completely. Since the pandemic started, 160,345 individuals were tested – of which 8707 males and 8910 females were positive.

An analysis showed six new cases in Region One (Barima-Waini), two in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 18 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 65 in

Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), three in Region Five (Demerara-Mahaica), 16 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), one in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), four in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), seven in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 36 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

In the latest COVID-19 update, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony reiterated that the COVID-19 vaccine gives full protection against death. In recent deaths recorded, he said none of these people were immunised.

“Almost all of the deaths that we’ve had in recent time, none of those persons had their full vaccination. I think that’s something that people should think about…

We have vaccines from multiple sources that would be coming in at different points in the month. So, as I have said before, we have enough vaccines for the adult population of Guyana and we hope that people would come

out and get their vaccines…

There’s still people who have been hesitant. We have to persuade those persons to

come and get the vaccine.

Once they get the vaccine, all of us would be much safer,” Dr Anthony outlined.

Over 207,000 persons in the adult population have received their first dose of the vaccine.

Fully immunised persons stand at 73,000. A study was recently done using immunised persons from different age groups in the country, whereby over 50 per cent did not display any side effects. Between the 18 to 29 age group, there was 17.9 per cent of persons reporting some form of side effects; with 18.7 per cent for the 30 to 39 age group; 11.7 per cent for the 40 to 49 age group; and 15 per cent for the 50 to 59.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 2267480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health. gov.gy. (G12)

GWI’s application backlog to be cleared in 2 months – CEO …incomplete treatment projects being fixed to improve water quality

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ithin the next two months, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will clear its existing application backlog, allowing new applicants to access water services within just two weeks.

This was the position shared by Chief Executive Officer, Sheik Baksh during a press conference on Friday. He noted that the company was inherited with some 5000 applications in

The incomplete filtration system at Eccles

Row over stolen phone ends in stabbing

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29-year-old man from Seven Miles Madhia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), is now hospitalised after he was stabbed several times during an argument over a stolen phone.

Injured is Shad Aynbe who was stabbed about his body by a miner from Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), on Friday.

Reports are that the incident occurred at about 17:20h in the vicinity of School Street, Madhia.

Police said that Aynbe allegedly sold his cellphone for $5000 to the suspect.

In the midst of the transaction, it was reported that the suspect began accusing Aynbe of selling him a stolen phone. This led to a heated argument, and later a scuffle.

The suspect picked up a glass bottle, broke it and stabbed the victim several times to his body while

Aynbe gabbed a piece of wood and hit the suspect to his head.

The matter was subsequently reported to the Police and both the suspect and victim were escorted to seek medical attention at Madhia District hospital.

The victim was admitted a patient at the hospital.

Investigations are ongoing.

Only two days ago, a 25-year-old labourer was stabbed multiple times about his body with a broken bottle during a row at the Kumaka Waterfront,

Mabaruma, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini).

Eon Bovell, the victim, was at a public place imbibing when the suspect approached him and an argument ensued. The suspect then broke a Guinness bottle and dealt Bovell several stabs about his body before making good his escape.

The labourer was rushed to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital, where he was examined by a doctor on duty, treated, and later sent away.

(G9)

the system – to which they were able to clear 4500 of those within the past eight months.

“You have 5000 citizens over the last three years in the backlog that could not receive a water service although you applied for it and you were willing to pay for it. We have now reduced that to 500. The backlog is 500 and within a month or two, we’ll clear off all of that. So, anybody can apply for a water service and within two weeks, we can their water service,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, several projects which commenced and were left incomplete for years, are now being fulfilled in order to provide better services and water quality to the population.

Over at Sophia, he said it has been five years since a storage facility was left incomplete at the treatment plant. Now, efforts are in place to ensure that it is operational this year, improving their output to several communities.

“The treatment plant that was built five years ago, the new storage was left.

If the money was spent to complete that storage facility, residents of Sophia would not be in the GWI CEO Shaik Baksh position of reCovent Garden and other ceiving a low level of water areas, residents have comservice. This was never acplained about similar water tivated and at a great cost quality issues. it was built. We are now re“Where was the money storing that tank this year going? There was no monand you’ll see a significant ey available because of the improvement in the level of reckless expenditure…But I service in all of those areas; want to tell the residents of Cummings Lodge, Sophia Grove, Covent Garden and and so on.” the East Bank corridor that According to him, the this year, they will receive company has an incomplete treated water and water filtration system as Eccles, to world health standards.

East Bank Demerara, and We’re working on that as equipment was left abanI speak and they can even doned in the compound. drink the water from the Now, an additional $40 miltaps,” the CEO assured. lion has been set aside to In eight months, they have this facility up and were able to bring leakagrunning. es across the country down “What you see there is a from 11,000 to just 200. The foundation incomplete and utility company is also innothing was done to install vesting in pumps to outfit a huge storage tank which the various facilities. is there in the compound “We are spending $900 at Eccles. Other equipment million for electromechanwas abandoned there. What ical equipment, all the we’re doing there now as pumps. We didn’t have we speak is that we’ve conpumps. A plant goes down tracted the firm which did and we’re really in a big the work to come back at a problem of getting all the cost of $40 million to rempumps replaced and these edy this situation,” Baksh things. We’ll be getting a pointed out. large set of pumps, subIt was outlined that mersible and the other at Vergenoegen, Grove, types.”

32 NEWS Guyana can be beacon of preserving inter-generational wealth – UN Rep SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Nations Resident Coordinator in “Guyana has been a trailblazer and good practices Guyana, Mikiko of mitigating carbon emission from forests loss Tanaka, the world is and land degradation and innovating financing facing a triple planetary emergency of schemes under the Low Carbon Development loss, cliStrategy and opportunities are expanding as our biodiversity mate disruption and new challenges with the nascent but fast evolving escalating pollution. oil sector. The Government's plan to invest in low However, she noted carbon development, economic diversification, job that Guyana has little to do on this end. creation and human resources are critical drivers work “Guyana's strength (sources), even the SDGs” – Mikiko Tanaka is that it has relatively minimal ecosystem n the occasion of toration to do but several restoration needed, World Environment suggestions were still float- and can be a beacon for preDay, Guyana along ed as to how the country can serving intergenerational with the rest of the world continue to preserve its rich wealth. With 87% relativepledged to rehabilitate the eco-system. ly intact forest cover. The environment and restore World Environmental good news is that Guyana the eco-system to its actu- Day this year is being ob- can be forward looking and al position. During a recent served under the theme: conserving its valuable ecowebinar, it was recognised “Ecosystem Restoration.” system, as it pursues dethat Guyana has little resAccording United velopment, ambitions and

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US-based Guyanese stabbed to death

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n investigation is underway after a Guyanese youth was fatally stabbed in New Jersey, United States of America, on Saturday morning, authorities said.

An article published on the RSL media website in New Jersey, New York, stated that the Essex County Prosecutor's Office was notified of the stabbing incident that has left one person dead in Newark's North Ward.

The report added that just before 03:20h on Saturday morning, Police officers responded to reports of a person stabbed in the vicinity of Lincoln Avenue, New Jersey.

When officers arrived, they found a youth suffering stab wounds.

Dead: Nimron Corlette

Police said the victim was pronounced dead a short time later.

“The motive for the stabbing is under an active and ongoing investigation and no arrests have been imme-

diately reported,” the article read.

Nevertheless, family members in Guyana have identified the youth as 23-year-old Nimron Corlette, who is originally from Sheriga Scheme, Enmore North, East Coast Demerara.

A family member who spoke with this publication said that the family was told that the incident stemmed from a confrontation between Corlette and a man who dropped home someone close to the victim who was in New Jersey babysitting his child.

As a result of the injuries he sustained, Corlette allegedly buckled and fell to the ground and subsequently died, the relative said.

agenda, while restoring areas where environmental degradation is advancing,” she said.

Among the areas Tanaka outlined that Guyana can tap into to further conserve and restore its eco-system is the preservation of coast mangroves and its hinterland forests.

Nevertheless, the UN Resident Coordinator went on to laud Guyana’s efforts so far to combat the climate crisis.

“Guyana has been a trailblazer and good practices of mitigating carbon emission from forests loss and land degradation and innovating financing schemes under the Low Carbon Development Strategy and opportunities are expanding as our new challenges with the nascent but fast evolving oil sector.

The Government's plan to invest in low carbon development, economic diversifi-

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Guyana Mikiko Tanaka

cation, job creation and human resources are critical drivers (sources), even the SDGs”.

The approach to expand the Low Carbon Development Strategy, she noted, adopt a system of payments for environmental ecosystem services and incentivise good environmental performance by the Private Sector are innova-

tive initiatives.

This year’s World Environmental Day will see the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a ten-year global push to prevent, halt and reverse ecosystem degradation.

This initiative was launched after a recent United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report found that the economic benefits of ecosystem restoration are compelling.

Between now and 2030, the restoration of 350 million hectares of degraded terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems could generate US$9 trillion in ecosystem services and remove up to 26 gigatons of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

The economic benefits are ten times more than the cost of investment, whereas inaction is at least three times more costly than ecosystem restoration.

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SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Forestry, mining sectors under threat from flooding – Natural Resources Minister …says small, medium-scale miners hard hit

ExxonMobil is neither Guyana’s enemy nor the solution to all of Guyana’s problems

R

eaders might have observed that this author was featured in the letters’ section of several media houses during the course of last week – challenging the writings of two retired professors on certain aspects of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between ExxonMobil and the Government of Guyana.

The argument put forward by the professor(s) is that Guyana is losing revenues to ExxonMobil because ExxonMobil is exempted from paying corporate taxes.

These proponents went on to argue that the oil companies are using our airports and roads etc., for free by virtue of being exempted from paying corporate taxes.

This author argued in response that this view is very misleading and is a non-contextual reasoning. The PSA contains a special fiscal framework which is outside of the normal national fiscal framework – that is, it constates a hybrid of a royalty and profit share model which is 2% royalty plus 50% profit share.

The proponents, however, failed to comprehend that this fiscal framework is effectively equivalent to taxes. A basic understanding of taxes is such that taxes are paid to the Government by both individuals and firms from their earnings. The purpose of taxes is essentially to finance the Government so that the Government, in turn, can manage the affairs of the country and spend and/or invest on public goods and services for the utilisation and benefit of the people and firms. And so the taxes paid by firms essentially come from profit, wherein a percentage (whether it’s a rate of 25% or 35%) is applied. This is the fundamental basics, to put it simply; and therefore, the royalty and profit share derived from the productive activities of the oil companies, which are paid over to the Government, is also a tax, or is equivalent to paying taxes. Hence, it is incorrect to assume or tell an entire nation that ExxonMobil is benefiting from a perpetual exemption of paying taxes. This view is technically and contextually flawed, and is incorrect.

There is another popular argument by commentators, wherein they are comparing the Guyana PSA model with that of Suriname; but, again, this is an inappropriate comparison. Suriname, unlike Guyana, had a fiscal framework in place long before Guyana found oil (more than half of a century ago). Suriname began onshore oil production since 1982. The period 1982 cannot be compared to now, because they are two completely different eras in which the dynamics have changed significantly with respect to the global energy industry.

The proponents are also seemingly treating ExxonMobil and oil companies as though they are enemies of Guyana.

This is a dangerous and unfair premise. ExxonMobil is not an enemy to Guyana; rather, ExxonMobil is Guyana’s development partner. Were it not for ExxonMobil, the oil resource would have remained in the ground. The oil company is not the solution to all of Guyana’s problems.

While the current PSA may not be renegotiated by the Government, it can certainly be leveraged to negotiate a better PSA for new contracts. In other words, the Government now has greater bargaining power when it comes to securing new deals in the sector.

Moreover, it should also be acknowledged that the indirect benefits may far outweigh the direct benefits to Guyana as a result of Exxon’s operations in Guyana and the new emerging oil and gas sector altogether.

(The author will conduct next week’s article on the indirect benefits).

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

Scenes from El Paso in Region Eight, a mining community that has been hit heavily by floods (Photos by Mahdia Deputy Mayor Cassandra Burrowes)

By Jarryl Bryan

T

he floodwaters brought on by torrential downpours has hit Guyana’s natural resources sector hard, making life difficult for the small and medium scale miners, who toil within the sector and who will be left to pick up the pieces when the waters recede.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat said that mining camps in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) have particularly been affected by flooding.

“Sadly, forestry and mining is under threat right now with the flooding, the continuous heavy rainfall. The high tide, the water coming in from neighbouring Brazil and other countries,” he explained.

“So many of the mining areas have actually been under water, many of the mining camps have been washed away in Region Seven, Region Eight especially. Those are our big mining regions. And the water is very high in those regions,” the Natural Resources Minister further explained.

Reports reaching this publication indicate that miners with land dredges have been most hard hit. According to Bharrat, it is hoped that the floodwaters will recede soon so that the miners can start rebuilding their lives.

“We’re hoping that we can go back to normalcy sometime soon. This is affecting small and medium scale miners, more so the small miners because they don’t have the kind of facilities the medium scale miners will have. So that is the issue facing our miners right now,” he said.

The destruction of small and medium scale mines in the region follows reports that more than 200 farms have been destroyed amid major flooding in several parts of Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni).

Farms Regional Chairman Headley Pio had told Guyana Times on Thursday that assessments were still ongoing to determine the full extent of the floods and corresponding damage. However, from reports garnered thus far, he noted that more than 130 farms are now waterlogged from heavy rainfall in Bamboo

Creek.

At Paruka, some 30 small farms have been affected while at Kopinang, in excess of 100 farms are under water.

El Paso is possibly the hardest-hit community in the region, with houses completely submerged as the Potaro River overflowed. Water lev-

The roads are completely flooded and are currently closed; the only access to El Paso is by boat.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai has already visited El Paso where relief hampers were distributed to residents. She is expected to visit other affected areas

The Mazaruni River overflowing its banks

els had reached some five feet.

This newspaper was told that the water is slowly receding.

The floods left the homes of six families completely underwater. The flood also forced one side of the Tumatumari Hydropower Station to break.

in the region.

More rainfall expected The Guyana Hydrometeorological Service has said that the current heavy, persistent rain being experienced may not end un-

til mid-July/August. In an interview on Wednesday with the National Communications Network, Head of Climatology at the Hydromet Office, Khomalchand Dhiram said the end of the rainy season was different in the northern and southern parts of Guyana.

He explained that in northern Guyana, the transition out of the rainy season usually occurrs in mid-July. In the southern part of Guyana, the transition occurs in August.

Dhiram said Guyana and other countries in the Americas are exiting the La Niña phase.

This, along with the El Niño phase, is a climate pattern in the Pacific Ocean that can affect weather worldwide.

During La Niña events, trade winds are even stronger than usual, pushing more warm water toward Asia. Off the west coast of the Americas, upwelling increases, bringing cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface.

Meanwhile, Chief Hydromet Officer, Dr Garvin Cummings revealed that the above-normal rainfall dates back to December 2020 – with the exception of February 2021.

34 NEWS

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Oil & gas sector must fuel inter-generational wealth for Guyanese – Ali …as Saipem Guyana’s offshore construction facility opens

T

he opportunities that come with the oil and gas sector must go deep enough to fuel inter-generational wealth for Guyanese. This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, as he urged Guyanese to be bold in seizing opportunities when they become available.

During the opening ceremony for Saipem’s offshore construction facility on Water Street, Georgetown, on Saturday, the President stressed the importance of inter-generational wealth as an aspect of local content that must be created.

“I would like to see (inter) generational wealth being created. Not only jobs.

How do we create a thousand new entrepreneurs?

How do we create opportunity that has generational wealth? Old Guyana and old investors here, show us with

for that opportunity in oil and gas. I’m saying to us Guyanese that that opportunity can only be created if we use the resources from this sector to open up and strengthen other aspects of the economy. Whether its agro-processing, mining, rental or owning hotels.”

According to the President, this is what the Local Content Policy makes quite clear and aims to provide to Guyana, by paving the way for Guyanese to receive work as long as they have the capacity. And he reiterated calls for the Private Sector to come together and consider joint ventures.

The Private Sector, the Head of State said, needs to come together, “build synergy. Build consortiums. Go after the opportunity so you give us something to fight for you for… we have to think

A section of the facility at Water Street, Georgetown

limited resources how they would have gone about it.

How do we give that opportunity for (inter) generational wealth creation?”

“And I’m not asking only

bold. What are we doing, to ensure we go after some? So, the concept of (inter) generational wealth is important.

How do we find opportunities for the creation of (inter)

From left: Exxon Country President Alastair Routledge, Saipem CEO Giorgio Martelli and President Irfaan Ali at the opening of Saipem’s facility

generational wealth?”

“Leveraging is another concept. This sector gives us an opportunity to leverage ourselves in many other areas. For example, the gas-toshore project. It’s not only going to cut electricity costs by 50 per cent. It’s going to migrate manufacturing and industrial development to Guyana.

That brings the whole fabrication industry with it.”

Saipem is an Italian-owned company that was awarded contracts by ExxonMobil to develop its Liza Phase 2 since 2018. The company is providing a number of services, including engineering and construction services.

Facility

In his address, Saipem’s President and Chief Executive Officer Giorgio Martelli spoke of the importance of the facility being opened. He explained that the facility will be fabricating subsea jumpers, which is piping that connects subsea installations.

“We believe in organic growth. We believe in a step by step (process). And this fabrication yard is giving us this chance, because we work in 60 countries. We’ve done a lot of oil and gas developments. And fabrication is the one we have chosen to drastically increase the level of contribution from the local industry,” he explained.

“We’ve basically been entrusted by ExxonMobil and we need to thank them for giving us such a big baton and we have to carry it… this fabrication yard will basically be pumping out eight jumpers every month in a limited sized facility. It’s a

Education Ministry, CC&PA probing suicide of 15-year-old after incident at city school

T

he Education Ministry and the Childcare and Protection Agency (CC&PA) have both launched an investigation into the suicide of a 15-year-old girl following an incident at her Georgetown secondary school.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand has since met with the parents of the child who live in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

Manickchand said that the family is in deep pain and asked for the prayers of everyone so that they may find strength and peace at this time of grievance.

On Saturday, the Human Services Ministry said that the incident has prompted immediate intervention

by Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, through the Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA).

The CC&PA has since conducted a full Zoom session with the children of the city school and has in-

vited them to do one-on-one, in-person counselling sessions with the agency.

“I am very disturbed that a school-going child will take her life. We know that the parents are deeply affected by the loss of this child and we would like to extend our deepest sympathies from the Ministry and to offer our support,” Minister Persaud expressed following the incident.

“From the moment we heard this, we reached out to the school and her classmates and we provided

counselling for those who have been seriously affected. We will work with the parents and all those involved because this is a very, very tough time for them,” she added.

During the meeting with the students, Director of Children Services and Head of CC&PA Ann Greene encouraged the children that should they too come across difficult situations in life, using a permanent solution for a temporary problem is never the way to go.

Immediately following

the meeting, one student visited the CC&PA and benefitted from a one-on-one session. Greene promised the students that she will conduct a thorough investigation into the incident to determine what really led to the teenage girl ending her life.

“I gave them that promise and we’ve started the process to find out because you see, she’s gone too soon and there is need for the remaining students to get closure.”

The intervention by the Ministry seeks to assist the students to cope with the tragedy by providing necessary psychosocial support at this time. Further, the assistance of psychosocial support to deal with the loss will also be given to the immediate family.

The CC&PA has since visited the girl’s father, who is very distraught at the moment and puzzled as to what could have caused his daughter to take such an action.

feat of organisation, skill, symmetry and planning.”

Back in May 2019,

EEPGL was granted approval by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to go ahead with its Liza Phase 2 Development offshore Guyana. The oil company had said that the project will have the capacity to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day.

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

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

1 critical as fire, violence erupts at National Psychiatric Hospital

Firefighters at the National Psychiatric Hospital (NPH) at Fort Canje, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on Saturday evening

O

ne person is now a critical patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital and several others are injured after patients of the National Psychiatric Hospital (NPH) started a fire and subsequently attacked each other.

The incident occurred at the facility situated at Fort Canje, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), on Saturday evening.

Reports are that the fire was started by inmates who had become violent and aggressive.

This publication understands that 32 patients were housed in the admission ward and there was only one nurse attached to the ward at the time of the incident.

A senior official told this publication that the Police and the Guyana Fire Service arrived in a timely manner and the firefighters were able to extinguish the small blaze without having to enter the building.

The official said the staff members were taken to a safe place as violence erupted in the ward.

A second fire was started, again by the inmates, which caused some of the patients to suffer from smoke inhalation.

According to the official, the second fire was set in the ceiling of the building. She related that some of the patients succeeded in ripping out the door made of iron bars and escaped.

This resulted in a mass exodus of patients trying to make their way out of the compound of the NPH. According to a medical person on the scene, one of the patients approached him and asked if he was, “working taxi.”

Meanwhile, one hire car operator had gone to the institution to report that a man approached him on Canje Bridge which is adjacent to the NPH and told him that there was a fire at the hospital and he escaped and was seeking a drop to Rose Hall Town which is about 16 miles away.

Meanwhile, 11 patients were taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital for treatment for injuries and smoke inhalation.

The medical official said on Saturday evening that arrangements were being made to have the patients transported to the Port Mourant Hospital, with the exception of the ones who are at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Police had been assisting in recapturing those patients.

This publication understands that many of the patients at the admission ward are considered violent.

Only recently one patient was murdered by other patients and another injured after some patients ripped out the iron bars to the windows of the ward and began attacking each other.

(Andrew Carmichael)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021

35

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Russia's Sechin warns of “acute” oil shortage amid drive for green energy

I

gor Sechin, the head of Russian oil major Rosneft, said on Saturday the world was facing an acute oil shortage in the long-term due to underinvestment amid a drive for alternative energy, while demand for oil continued to rise.

Russia, which heavily relies on revenues from oil and gas sales, has pledged to cut greenhouse emissions but lags behind many countries in the development of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power as well as hydrogen.

Rosneft is the world's second-largest oil producing company by output after Saudi Aramco. It produces more than 4 million barels of oil per day.

Sechin, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, told an online session of St Petersburg's economic forum that it was hard to predict when the global economy would recover from the COVID-19 pandemic due to "lots of uncertainties" and slow vaccination programmes in some regions.

"Long-term stability of oil supply is at risk due to underinvestment," he said.

One of the reasons for underinvestment is energy majors trying to raise shareholder income via share buybacks and dividend increases, he added.

He expected some shortages to kick in from the second half of 2021.

Sechin also warned that new Government subsidies and tax breaks to companies for a speedy decarbonisation of the economy would put a higher burden on State budgets, making alternative energy expensive.

Meanwhile, a court order to deepen carbon cuts for Shell was a new form of risk for oil majors, he said.

A Dutch court last month ordered the Anglo-Dutch company to slash its global greenhouse gas emissions, which stood at around 1.6 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2019, by 45 per cent by 2030.

Sechin also cited an energy crisis in Texas last February as an example of over-reliance on alternative energy sources. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Chile activists eye chance for unmatched environmental protection

C

hile’s newly elected constitutional assembly will be meeting this month for the first time to kick off a nine-month process of drafting a new doctrine to guide the country, throwing aside the previous dictatorship-era constitution.

May’s election saw major Chilean political parties lose out to independents, with President Sebastian Piñera‘s right-wing coalition, Chile Vamos, only clocking one-fifth of the 155 seats.

Environmental lawmakers and activists have hailed the result as a historic moment that could secure unprecedented environmental protection. Whereas existing constitutions have taken important steps to include ecocentric provisions, no national charter – with the exception of Ecuador – recognises the environment as fundamental to future development and prioritises its protection.

Forty-eight independent constituents – who won the li-

on’s share of seats – emerged from social movements, many of which are closely tied to environmental causes. Together with the 17 seats reserved for Indigenous communities, and the 25 seats won by progressive left-wing coalition Apruebo Dignidad, a significant proportion of the final assembly has pledged to enshrine environmental protection in Chile’s new constitution.

“This country has established its development on destroying the environment.

We’re in a severe ecological crisis,” said Josefina Correa, political director of Greenpeace Chile. “A new constitution will change everything.”

Enshrining environmental clauses in the constitution will help communities take private sectors to court for infringing upon their human rights – this could include rights to clean air, access to water, or mental wellbeing provided by green spaces. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Attackers kill 100 civilians in Burkina Faso village raid

A

rmed assailants have killed about 100 civilians in an overnight attack on a village in northern Burkina Faso, the Government said, in what is the deadliest assault to hit the conflict-hit country in years.

The attackers struck during the night on Friday, killing residents of the village of Solhan in Yagha province bordering Niger, spokesman Ousseni Tamboura said in a statement on Saturday.

The local market and several homes were also burned down in the area towards the border of Niger, he added.

The statement described the attackers as “terrorists” and said their “crimes will not go unpunished”. There was no immediate claim of responsi-

Burkina Faso’s ill-equipped army has struggled to contain the spread of violence

bility.

“We must remain united and solid against these obscurantist forces,” President Roch Marc Christian Kabore said, condemning the attack as “barbaric” and “despicable”.

The Government has declared

a 72-hour period of national mourning.

Solhan, a small community about 15 kilometres (9 miles) from Sebba, the main city in Yagha province, has been hit with numerous attacks in recent years.

On May 14, Defence Minister Cheriff Sy and military top brass visited Sebba to assure people that life had returned to normal, following a number of military operations.

“There is a growing sense among many people in Burkina Faso that despite the presence of security forces, the situation is deteriorating,” said Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque, reporting from Bamako in neighbouring Mali.

Last year, the Government enlisted the help of volunteer militiamen to help the army but they have incurred retaliation by the rebels who attack them and the communities they help. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

G7: Rich nations back deal to tax multinationals

T

he G7 group of advanced economies has reached a "historic" deal to make multinational companies pay more tax.

Finance Ministers meeting in London agreed to battle tax avoidance by making companies pay more in the countries where they do business.

They also agreed in principle to a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15 per cent to avoid countries undercutting each other.

Tech giants Amazon and Facebook are among those likely to be affected.

The deal announced on Saturday, between the US,

US expresses “deep concern” about Guatemala anti-corruption backlash

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken disembarks his plane as he arrives for his visit to San Jose, Costa Rica, June 1, 2021

U

S Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed "deep concern" to his Guatemalan counterpart on Friday about efforts to abolish a leading anti-corruption unit in the attorney general's office, a US spokesman said.

The call between Blinken and Foreign Minister Pedro Brolo took place ahead of a visit to Guatemala by US Vice President Kamala Harris from Sunday. The Biden Administration has made the fight against corruption a central plank of its foreign policy strategy.

"We are closely following the recent challenges to anti-corruption efforts in Guatemala," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

Guatemala's Special Prosecutor's Office Against Impunity (FECI), led by prosecutor Juan Francisco Sandoval, has been hit with legal challenges in recent days seeking to declare it unconstitutional.

Sandoval receives vocal backing from Washington.

"The Secretary expressed deep concern about any efforts

to abolish anti-corruption offices, such as FECI," Price said.

President Alejandro Giammattei told Reuters this week he believed FECI's chief had a left-wing agenda that affected his work. Giammattei says his Government is committed to fighting corruption and that he will not interfere with the attorney general's office.

Giammattei said he was not involved in the pressure on FECI, despite himself having been imprisoned during a case Sandoval was involved in.

"The preservation of independent institutions that fight corruption and impunity is fundamental to addressing challenges to security, prosperity, and governance in Guatemala," Price said.

In a statement, Brolo said the call was part of everyday communications with Washington. He emphasized Guatemala's "firm conviction" in strengthening institutions as a key part of fighting corruption and thanked the US for its support.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

The G7 attendees pose for photo at Lancaster House

the UK, France, Germany, Canada, Italy and Japan, plus the EU, could see billions of dollars flow to governments to pay off debts incurred during the COVID crisis.

Negotiated over many years, it will put pressure on other countries to follow suit, including at a meeting of the G20 next month, which includes China, Russia and Brazil.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told reporters that the "historic" agreement on a global minimum tax would "end the race to the bottom in corporate taxation and ensure fairness for the middle

class and working people in the US around the world".

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, who hosted the summit, said the agreement would make the global tax system "fit for the global digital age".

His German counterpart, Olaf Scholz, said it was "very good news for tax justice and solidarity and bad news for tax havens".

"Companies will no longer be in a position to dodge their tax obligations by booking their profits in lowest-tax countries," he said.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

St Kitts & Nevis wants only vaccinated visitors

T

he Government of St Kitts Nevis has introduced one of the strictest travel protocols due to COVID-19.

According to the St Kitts Tourism Authority, only vaccinated travellers will be welcomed based on a new policy which requires tourists, including those from the United States, be vaccinated with either a twodose vaccine, like the Pfizer/ BioNTech, Moderna, or AstraZeneca shots, or a single dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson shot.

Travellers must also wait at least two weeks after their final dose before coming to the islands.

However, unvaccinated children under 18 who travel with fully vaccinated parents or guardians are exempt from the requirement.

In addition to proof of vaccination, travellers

must submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test from an approved lab taken within 72 hours before traveling.

The tourism authority also said that the visitors will then have to book a stay at one of several “Travel Approved” hotels, and “Vacation in Place” for at least a week. While at the hotel, tourists can move freely throughout the property and use all the amenities.

With this latest move, St Kitts Nevis joins destinations welcoming vaccinated tourists throughout the world, including several in the Caribbean such as the Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands.

Throughout the pandemic, the twin island federation has seen 74 infections and no coronavirus-related deaths. (Excerpt from CMC)

36

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021

Feature

guyanatimesgy.com

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021

ARIES (March 21April 19)

37

Take time to think before you speak or take action. Use your intelligence to sidestep disagreements. Getting along with everyone will encourage others to offer help and suggestions.

Place more emphasis on TAURUS the way you look and feel and (April 20May 20) your relationships with close friends and relatives. Look for safe ways to socialize and improve your surroundings.

Make your health a priority.

Do your homework, know GEMINI what you are up against and (MAY 28leave nothing to chance. Seize June 20) the moment and dazzle everyone with your knowledge and insight. Express your needs, and work to realize your dreams.

CANCER Do things your way. Explore (June 21- your options and lean on your July 22) creativity and imagination to help you overcome any obstacles you face. Embrace change instead of running from it.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Put your force and influence where they will bring the highest return. Refuse to bend to someone trying to take advantage of your generosity and good nature. Speak up, and work independently.

VIRGO

Team up with someone who shares your sentiments and is willing to work to make a difference. Refuse to let anyone railroad you into something that might jeopardize your position.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Keep your thoughts to yourself, and share facts and figures that will help you make your point. How you conduct yourself will determine how others respond. Discipline will be necessary.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Dilbert

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Peanuts

Control your emotions as the day unfolds. Base your decisions on facts, not on what someone wants you to believe. Keep your money and possessions in a secure place.

Be the driving force behind SAGITTARIUS your ideas and plans, and you (Nov. 23won’t be disappointed. Take Dec. 21) heed of what others say, but in the end, do what fits your schedule. A moderate approach will pay off.

CAPRICORN Implement necessary changes, and keep moving forward.

(Dec. 22Home improvements are favored Jan. 19) as long as you stay within budget. An opportunity to connect with someone you lost touch with will pay off.

Calvin and Hobbes

Avoid persuasive people.

AQUARIUS Set your mind on what you (Jan. 20want to achieve, and put your Feb. 19) plans in motion. You’ll have the discipline to finish what you start and make a necessary change.

PISCES (Feb. 20Mar. 20)

A personal pick-me-up will improve your day. Refuse to let what others do or say ruin your plans. An idea you have will encourage more significant interaction with friends and relatives.

38

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021

NBA playoffs 2021

L

os Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard said he “definitely didn’t want to go home” after producing a monster performance to avoid elimination from the NBA playoffs.

Leonard matched his playoffs career high with 45 points as the Clippers topped the Dallas Mavericks 104-97 on Friday to force a deciding Game 7 in the Western Conference first-round series.

Facing a postseason exit with the Mavericks leading 3-2, Leonard came up big for the fourth-seeded Clippers in Dallas, where the two-time NBA champion erupted on 18-for-25 shooting while nailing five three-pointers.

Through six games in the playoffs this season, Leonard is averaging 32.8

– Kawhi Leonard says after keeping Clippers’ season alive

points per game on 60.5 per cent shooting. According to Stats Perform, he is the first player to average 30.0plus points per game on 60.0-plus per cent shooting over his first six games of a postseason since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1983.

As attention now turns to Sunday’s decider in Los Angeles, Leonard told ESPN: “I definitely didn’t want to go home.

“We have to do whatever it takes to get a win if we don’t want to go home. It’s on us.”

For the first time in their history, the Clippers won three road games in one series, with Paul George contributing a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds as Reggie Jackson put up 25 points.

With the Clippers tri-

umphing in Game 6, it marks the first time in league history that the road team have won the first six games of a postseason series with the home side playing in their true home arena.

“Just another basketball game,” Leonard said as he looked ahead to Game 7. “Like we say, if we don’t want to go home, pay attention to details, have faith, shooting the ball with confidence. If you do that, you can live with the results.”

Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue hailed Leonard, saying: “Great players perform in big moments. It just shows you who Kawhi Leonard is.”

Mavericks counterpart Luka Doncic was also full of praise after Dallas failed to book their spot in

the Western Conference semi-finals.

Doncic – carrying 361 points from 11 playoff games into the contest, the highest total at that point of his career since Hall of Famer Michael Jordan (405) in 1988 – posted 29 points but he was just two-of-nine shooting from three-point range.

On Leonard, Doncic told reporters: “I mean, he destroyed us. That’s what it is. He had a hell of a game.

And that’s what he does.”

Doncic and the Mavericks remain upbeat, despite their missed opportunity on home court.

“It’s all right,” Doncic said. “We’re still motivated. There’s one more game left. I don’t see why we shouldn’t believe in it.

There’s one more game, so we all believe.” (Sportsmax)

Rafael Nadal beats Cameron Fraser-Pryce rocks the Norrie in French Open 2021 world with second-fastest

C

– Novak Djokovic also through

ameron Norrie became the final British player to fall in the French Open singles as he was unable to create a seismic shock against Rafael Nadal.

Norrie, 25, pushed the 13-time champion in their third-round match, but the Spaniard’s quality proved too much.

The third seed won 6-3 6-3 6-3 to set up a last-16 match with Jannik Sinner.

Top seed Novak Djokovic’s quest for a second career Grand Slam continued with another one-sided victory as he beat Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis.

Nadal beat Djokovic in last year’s final, and the pair remain on course to meet in the semi-finals this time around, after being drawn in the same half.

Norrie unable to cap classy clay season with shock win

Norrie had previously played Nadal twice, both matches taking place this year - first at the Australian Open, then on the Barcelona clay and both ending in straightset defeats for the Briton.

Going into the third meeting, this time at the place where Nadal has been almost unbeatable, Norrie insisted he had “nothing to lose” as he tried to avenge those defeats.

The task was daunting, though.

Nobody in the history of the sport has been as dominant at one place as Nadal on the Paris clay, having won 102 of his 104 matches there on the way to his record 13 titles.

Even though the Spaniard turned 35 this week, he has been as dominant as ever as Norrie looked to end his streak of 29 winning sets.

That record was stretched

Djokovic is bidding to become the first man in the Open era - and only the third man in history - to win each of the Grand Slams twice

further as the 20-time Grand Slam champion comfortably served out the opener after breaking decisively for a 4-2 lead.

Nevertheless, Norrie was undeterred and played at a good level as he threatened Nadal at the start of the second set.

The British number two broke for 2-0 and 3-1 leads, but was unable to back up either with a hold as Nadal rattled off the final five games of the set.

While trying everything and getting little joy out of Nadal, Norrie refused to become despondent, but saw the third set slip out of his grasp with a single break in the fourth game.

“I thought I played great.

I don’t think I took enough risk,” said Norrie, who is set to rise to the cusp of the world’s top 40 after the tournament.

“I returned well to get up a break in the second set, but I think I could have played a little bit more aggressive, especially serve and my first ball.

“When I broke, he came back in the next game in a different level, in a different energy.”

Despite this defeat, Norrie will reflect positively on an

impressive clay-court season in which he won 16 matches and reached finals in Estoril and Lyon.

Nadal’s brilliance left Norrie unable to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time, but there is comfort in knowing he would go into Wimbledon as the home nation’s most in-form player.

“I’m moving well. I’m physically in great shape. All in all, I competed well, and was happy with my attitude,” Norrie added.

“I want to take that into the grass, and after playing with Rafa and playing at that level, I always seem to almost improve and to keep that.”

Djokovic is bidding to become the first man in the Open era - and only the third man in history - to win each of the Grand Slams twice Djokovic, 34, has not dropped a set so far this week, a f - ter seeing off Berankis 6-1 6-4 6-1 on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The 2016 champion, aiming for a 19th Grand Slam, took six of nine break points, and did not face one himself.

(BBC Sport)

ever women’s 100m time

J

amaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce recorded the second-fastest time ever clocked over the women’s 100m, after registering a blistering 10.63 to destroy the field at the JAAA Olympic Destiny Series at the National Stadium on Saturday.

The mark, which was registered in a 1.3 legal wind reading, obliterated the country’s previous national record of 10.70 that she previously shared with compatriot Elaine Thompson-Herah.

The run also moved the athlete up the world’s fastest list, sitting her second behind the United States’ Florence Griffith Joyner, who still holds the record 10.49, which was set in 1988. Another US athlete, Carmelita Jeter, has now dropped to third on the alltime list with her time of 10.65.

The race was only the athlete’s third 100m of the season, after opening with a fourth-place finish in Gateshead, followed by a win in Doha, where she ran the then third fastest time this season

(10.84), in a pair of Diamond League events.

Earlier this week, the athlete had claimed that prioritising fast times would be the aim this season for what would be her final Olympic Games this summer.

N a t a s h a Morrison, who recorded her person-

al best earlier this season (10.87), was second behind Fraser-Pryce with a time of 10.95, with Kashieka Cameron third with 11.39.

“I WAS JUST FOCUSED ON MY TECHNIQUE”

Fraser-Pryce was not expecting record 100m time Despite once again re-writing the record books, Jamaica sprint queen Shelly-Ann FraserPryce admits she was not expecting to clock such a fast time.

“I was just making sure that I had a good run before the National Championships, because I don’t have any more races before that. I was just looking forward to putting in a solid race,” FraserP r y c e said following the

event.

“I was focused on getting my technique and everything together ahead of the national championship. So, in terms of the 10.6, I really wasn’t expecting it to be honest and maybe that was a good thing,” she added.

Heading into her final Olympics, Fraser-Pryce had insisted that she would prioritise running fast times, having already won several gold medals.

The race was the athlete’s fourth over the distance this season, having opened with a fourth-place finish at the Diamond League meet in Gateshead. In Doha last week, she recorded the then 3rd fastest 100m time this season after crossing the line first in 10.83.

(Sportsmax)

Jamaica’s ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce

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SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021

39

– Cornwall, Powell, Lewis among big names pick. Hemraj in particular will Rakheem Cornwall will be looking to bring his play for the Atlanta Fire ‘A’ game as the 2021 he USA Minor League Hero CPL T20 edition Cricket Pre-Draft looms. An excellent perforhas taken place and mance for Hemraj would it speaks well for some of mean that he would take his Guyana’s top cricketers and for going into to play for the West Indian stars. Names Warriors and possibly lead such as Guyana Amazon them to the coveted Hero Warriors top order bats- CPL title that had eluded man Chandrapaul Hemraj, them in the past.

St Lucia Zouks Rakheem Hemraj has recently conCornwall, former West Indies cluded his journey in the powerhouse Ricardo Powell MAQ USA T10 League, among others have all been where he emerged as the lead-

T

Chandrapaul Hemraj will turn out for the New Jersey Somerset Cavaliers

snapped up by their respective teams as the tournament is set to commence on July 31st, 2021 The stylish left-handed, Hemraj has been snapped up by the New Jersey Somerset Cavaliers as their wildcard

I

nternational player South African Faf du Plessis will captain The St. Lucia Zouks for the 2021 CPL Games, scheduled to take place from August 28th in St. Kitts.

Having served in the past as captain of the South African Team, Faf is all set to take on this role.

He comes to the team with leadership and playing skills.

Right-handed middle-order batsman and part-time leg spin bowler Faf noted, “I am super-excited, privileged, and honoured to captain the side.

Coming in as an outsider, I have the local legend Daren Sammy to show me

ing run-scorer. Hemraj had stellar performances of 60 off 19 balls and 66 off 25 balls in convincing match-winning innings. He also ended the tournament hitting 25 sixes and scored the most runs – 235 – at an average of 58.75

the ropes.”

Head Coach Andy Flower expressed, “It’s a huge bonus to have Faf to captain for us. He is a good, strong option after the loss of Daren Sammy.”

He added, “I have been watching Faf’s career with interest, and seeing how flexible he is as a player, to being a dynamic T20 player.”

Daren Sammy weighed in by sending a message to Faf: “Bring your experience and amazing personality. We all know how great of a leader you are. Good luck, and over to you sir! Enjoy Captain St. Lucia, cause I did.” (St Lucia Times)

Derick Narine will turn out for the Philadelphians

Former West Indies batsman Ricardo Powell will be on show

and a strike rate of 235.

Prior to the 2021 tournament, in 2020 he played in the US OPEN CRICKET 2020 and walked away with 190 runs, a high score of 87, and an average of 63.33 at a strike rate of 163.79 while playing for the Somerset Cavaliers.

The international talent comes in the form of the Wildcard and Marquee player category with experience from all over the cricketing world set to grace the grounds

across the United States this summer.

Some of the Guyanese that will be playing in the tournament are: * New Jersey Somerset CavaliersChandrapaul Hemraj (Guyana Amazon Warriors) * Silicon Valley StrikersNarsingh Deonarine * The PhiladelphiansDerick Narine * Empire State TitansTrevon Griffith, Bashkar Yadram

*

Trevon Griffith will play for the Empire State Titans

Manhattan YorkersGajanand Singh The competition also boasts some of the top cricketers in the

Caribbean. A few of the players will also showcase their talent in the upcoming Hero CPL as well. Representing their respective teams are: * Atlanta Fire- Ricardo Powell, Rakheem Cornwall (St Lucia Zouks) * Empire State TitansNavin Stewart * Manhattan YorkersAndre McCarthy, Smit Patel (Barbados Tridents) * New Jersey Somerset Cavaliers- Kennar Lewis (Jamaica Tallawahs)

‘You have to be crazy to give up on Hope’

– Why recalling talented batsman to Test squad was simple as 1-2-3

T

he Cricket West Indies Selection Panel has picked a seemingly reinvigorated Shai Hope as part of a preliminary 17man squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. Given the batsman’s experience and ability, it’s hard to see how they could have done differently.

Batting in an unfamiliar position, Hope put on a show of scintillating form and solid technique in the West Indies Best vs Best four-day practice match this week.

Overall, he scored a polished 106 in the second innings to follow 79 in the first.

Performing well for an intra-squad match is one thing, but selecting a player with the quality of Hope demands a few other obvious considerations. The batsman, unlike a majority of others in the squad, has proven that he has the ability to dominate world class opposition in the red ball format.

The batsman’s historic performance against

England, at Headingley in 2017 still stands out on his resume, and getting the player back into that type of form was always the objective.

Hope’s axing from the squad last November should be seen in the light of giving him time to sort out any technical and mental issues that might have plagued him at the time. With the batsman looking as physically and mentally fit as he did earlier this week, his recall would have been a

no-brainer.

Since Hope was dropped from the squad, he has clearly put in the work, and shown plenty of application with the bat whenever given the opportunity. His scores in three innings over two warm-up matches, the first against Sri Lanka in March, are 68, 79 and 106.

Given the dearth of overall quality the selectors face in some positions, passing up a fit and firing Hope was always going to be an unlikely scenario. (Sportsmax)

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

SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

Ramson, Ninvalle, Mohammed assess sport facilities

T

hree of the moment’s most influential stakeholders in sport teamed up on Friday afternoon for tours of several sport facilities in Georgetown.

During the engagement, the parties expressed confidence in their ability to push sport forward.

Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr., Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle and Chairman of the National Sports Commission Kashif Mohammad, on Friday embarked on tours of the Gymnasium, the Cliff Anderson’s Sports Hall, the Racquet Centre and Colgrain Pool, to assess ongoing work at those venues and determine how other can be bettered.

“We have some pretty significant projects going on,” Ramson Jr. commented.

The tour, mainly for the purpose of brining the Ninvalle up to speed after his appointment was a fruitful

one for the trio.

According to Ramson, who expressed faith in hic colleagues, they are looking to meet the needs of aspiring Sportsmen and Women.

“Sport is in a far better place now, with the new Sports Commission and it’s also in a far better place now with the new Director of Sport and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is going to continue to support the operations and see the programs, projects and the overall policy of the government is implemented.

So that it meets the need of people, especially young people who are playing sport,” Ramson indicated.

Upon reflection, Ramson also shed some light on the meeting they had earlier this week and the objectives of the gathering.

“We had a meeting two days ago where we had a full discussion about the direction of the Ministry, our overall policy, what our expectation

is, what are our priorities and then I’d asked for the Director of Sport to meet me again, so that we could have an almost ‘on the ground’ updating of where our projects are,” the Sport Minister revealed.

On the other hand, Director of Sport Ninvalle shared sentiments with Ramson about the solidity of the team noting that developing sport will be a team effort.

“As the Minister rightfully said, this new Commission will be carrying out the mandate.

We expect that all hands will be on deck because as I said before, this is purely team effort and I must say I feel confident having the Chairman that we have and the other members of the Commission,” the recently appointed Director of Sport explained.

He added, “It’s a lot of work to be done and if we focus, we’ll be able to carry out the mandate that we have.”

DoS Steve Ninvalle, Sport Minister Charles Ramson and NSC Chairman Kashif Mohammad

Leave the ball and trust St Lucia bounce, says Estwick to WI batsmen

West Indies Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick

W

est Indies Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick is appealing to West Indies batsmen to leave more balls and trust the bounce on the pitch at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St Lucia.

Estwick has said it was pleasing for him to see the batsmen set-up, but the conversion of good starts would be essential for the upcoming South Africa Test on June 10.

"The leaving of the ball is important. You can leave the ball on length, and I think too many people got out to balls they could leave; but we have had discussions with them, and they got to know that

you can trust the bounce in St Lucia," Estwick explained.

Speaking after the Best v Best 4-Day match, Estwick also indicated that the bowling was inconsistent.

He said the bowling should have been a lot fuller when seamers are trying to hit the top of off-stump while staying disciplined.

"In Test match cricket, you can't be going at four runs per over. You have to try and keep the opposition around 2.9 to three. The bowlers need to maintain getting the ball in good areas for a long period of time," Estwick said.

With Shannon Gabriel and Nial Smith pulling up with injuries, Estwick said, according to the physiotherapist, these are not major injuries. "It is a bit of soreness from the hard camp that we had over the past 10 days, but we will make sure they get adequate rest," Estwick told Cricket West Indies media.

Estwick also said the spinners should stay disciplined, and they would come into play after the

West Indies will play two Test matches against South Africa starting from June 10

second day in the Test match.

West Indies Provisional Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Jermaine Blackwood (Vice-Captain), Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Jahmar Hamilton, Jason

Holder, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kyle Mayers, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales and Jomel Warrican.

Young fast bowler Chemar Holder was unavailable due to injury, while 19-year-old fast bowler Jayden Seales is a first-time inclusion in the West Indies provisional squad

for a Test Series. Guyana's Nial Smith will remain in St Lucia to assist the team in Test preparation.

The two-match Betway Test Series will be played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground for the Sir Vivian Richards Trophy on June 1014 and June 18-22.

These are the final matches in the current cycle of the ICC World Test Championship, and both teams would be trying to finish higher in the final Championship table.

The final 13-man West Indies Test squad will be announced on Monday June 7. (Brandon Corlette)

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