Guyana Times - Sunday March 20, 2022

Visually-impaired teen P19 prepares to write additional subjects …faces technical challenges

Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4954 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022

Commercial zone to be established at LBI – Pres Ali Page 3

– as part of overall ECD, countrywide job creation

Albion Sugar Estate begins turnaround

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Boat operator, family terrorised by armed P23 bandits during home invasion 12-year-old P33 drowns at Black Bush Polder – men allegedly refuse to assist lad despite cries by 7-year-old brother

Page 7

Police appeal for drivers to P34 become certified – as unlicensed motorcyclist hospitalised after Wakenaam crash

Businessman arrested after discharging P28 loaded firearm

Stakeholders can now register grievances with Local Content Secretariat See story on page 9

– as mechanism created to receive complaints

Duo killed in Corentyne hit-and-run – driver of getaway car arrested in G/town Page 28

Anguillan company to lead consolidation, revision of Guyana’s Laws See story on page 32

Guyana-Suriname ferry to remain out of operation until Thursday P27 Free testing, treatment for Hepatitis C to be available P26 later this year

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SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, Mar 20 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Monday, Mar 21 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, Mar 20 – 05:35h – 07:05h and Monday, Mar 21 – 06:10h – 07:40h.

Commercial zone to be established at LBI – Pres Ali – as part of overall ECD, countrywide job creation

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be sunshine during the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to North NorthEasterly between 1.78 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 18:16h reaching a maximum height of 2.83 metres.

Low Tide: 11:49h reaching a minimum height of 0.32 metre.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

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SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022

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DAILY MILLIONS

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change % +1.20

Crude Oil

$107.93/barrel

Rough Rice

$281.43/ton

-0.48

London Sugar

$536.10/ton

-0.09

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1921.90

$1922.90

Low/High Change

$1917.90 0.00

$1941.90 0.00%

lans are afoot to create an industrial zone in La Bonne Intention (LBI) on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD), which will contribute towards the Government’s overall push to create 50,000 jobs during its first term in office.

This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali, during the recent commissioning of a $141 million water well in Lusignan.

According to the President, it is important that people understand the importance of the ECD to the overall job creation plan.

“I want you to understand where this East Coast is going. To understand the development paradigm that will take place, the shift.

Because the East Coast will

become a major centre of economic growth and expansion.”

“We are looking at the development of a high volume, high capacity, high intensity, industrial site in Enmore, that will create thousands of jobs. To back that up, we’re investing in a commercial zone, a heavy commercial zone in LBI,” the President said.

According to President Ali, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) must keep pace with this expansion. He also noted that all of this industrial development on the ECD will be linked with the overall national development.

“All of those will be linked to the massive expansion of housing, agro-processing, road linkages, that will see

new highways all across the East Coast corridor, linking into the East Bank,” President Ali said.

Back in February, it was announced that over 500 job opportunities would be created over the next five years with the coming onstream of a US$35 million investment in a fabrication facility at Enmore, ECD. The entity behind this development is a majority Guyanese-owned joint venture company named Guysons K+B (GKB) Industries Inc, which has acquired in Enmore 55 acres of land from the Guyana Government to establish a fabrication facility that would be offering services to the oil and gas industry.

The services to be offered would include tubular goods, premium threading and accessory services, as well as turnkey manufacturing solutions. While the complete investment is US$35 million and the intention is to employ 500 Guyanese, an initial sum of US$7 million would be injected into this initiative in 2022, and 150 recruitments would take place in this year alone.

Vice President of Sales at K+B Industries – the US partner of the joint venture company – Nick Becnel had said during the February International Energy Conference that Guysons K+B Industries has already started training Guyanese

to take up employment at the facility.

“To be successful, we plan to invest in the community and, more specially, in the Guyana people. Despite the challenge of the ongoing COVID pandemic, K+B and Guysons have been conducting both virtual and in-country training for the local Guyanese workers,” he had stated.

According to Becnel, the company’s next phase of training includes sending the local GKB team members to the United States for more in-depth training at K+B’s world class facilities.

This, he noted, would benefit both of the joint venture partners as they learn from each other.

Guysons Engineering Limited was established in 1992, and has developed into an industry-leading engineering and machining shop. The Guysons Group of Companies is now geared to support Guyana’s growing oil & gas industry with the establishment of Guysons Oil & Gas in 2018, which is directly contracted to ExxonMobil.

US-based K&B Machine Works opened as a full-service machine shop to serve the oil & gas industry. Four decades of intense customer focus and dedication to hiring like-minded leaders has resulted in K&B Industries being recognised worldwide today.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022

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 Ukraine War

T

he war in Ukraine has commanded the attention of some of our armchair generals who usually commandeer our letters’ pages and the blogosphere.

But it is unfortunate that they have ponderous hermeneutical exegeses of the daily effusions from the various sides in the conflict, without stressing the implications for us in Guyana. Take the case of US President Biden sending negotiators to open discussions with Maduro in Venezuela with an eye to removing sanctions placed on Venezuelan oil. This would allow American oil majors to re-enter that country to boost production, which would be shipped to their refineries. Venezuelan heavy crude is needed for power generation, diesel fuel, and home heating oil.

There were reliable reports that Chevron was about to be given a licence to move ahead, and had already started mobilising resources to do so. However, because of blowback in the Hispanic community, which reverberated in Congress, matters have been put on hold. But it demonstrates to us the primacy of national interests in international affairs, as adumbrated by the US’ declared maxim: “There are no permanent enemies or permanent friends, just permanent interests”. And in this case, the permanent interest for the US is the welfare of its citizens, represented by reliable energy.

Analogously, our national interest vis-a-vis Venezuela is the sanctity of our borders, which were settled permanently in 1899 by an International Tribunal that interestingly was convened by the US under its Monroe Doctrine to prevent European powers from intervening arbitrarily in Western Hemispheric matters. The Venezuelans, however, arbitrarily intervened in 1962 by declaring to the UN that the Arbitral Award was null and void, and creating the controversy that hangs over our heads like the proverbial Sword of Damocles. They insist they were bullied by then imperial power Britain, and the land award is illegal. Even though there was a Treaty of Geneva negotiated between them and the departing colonial power Britain in 1966, the Venezuelans invaded our national space on the island of Ankoko, which they occupy to this day.

The rationale of the Russians for their invasion of Ukraine is remarkably similar to Venezuela’s claim. In terms of borders, in a February speech just before invading, Putin declared, “Modern Ukraine was entirely and fully created by Russia, more specifically the Bolshevik, communist Russia.

This process began practically immediately after the 1917 revolution, and moreover, Lenin and his associates did it in the sloppiest way in relation to Russia — by dividing, tearing from her pieces of her own historical territory.”

In other words, Russia, like Venezuela, only wants territories that belong to it historically.

The NYTimes article concluded, “Mr Putin published a 5,300-word essay that expounded on many of the themes he highlighted in Monday’s speech, including the idea that nefarious Western nations had somehow corrupted Ukraine, leading it away from its rightful place within a greater Russian sphere through what he called a ‘forced change of identity’.”

Another lesson we should glean from the Ukraine war is the role of leadership. Putin projects himself as a “worldhistorical figure”, as described by the German philosopher Hegel. Like Julius Caesar and Napoleon, these individuals can impose themselves on history through sheer willpower.

But, as Hegel concluded, such men “must necessarily trample on many an innocent flower, crushing much that gets in (their) way.” Putin in Russia and Chavez, Maduro’s mentor, both see themselves as “world-historical figures”, and we in Guyana should beware of Maduro, since he had reduced Hegel’s theory to farce.

But there is an addendum. These figures succeed not through creating fear in their people, but when they have convinced their followers of the “rightness” of their cause. Hence Putin’s 5300-word essay. For Maduro, Venezuela has been teaching schoolchildren since the 1950s their version of why Essequibo is theirs. We must be on guard, since Maduro has been strengthened by Biden’s gambit, which gives him leverage with his Russian friends to possibly obtain additional weaponry that could be deployed against us.

Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, received an official welcome on the first day of their tour of the Caribbean, at the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, Belize City, Belize on Saturday. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool

GECOM must not entertain useless meetings!

– all meetings must be with a proper and objective agenda

Dear Editor, The just-concluded meeting held between the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the representatives of the APNU/AFC leave many questions and much suspicion about the real motive and agenda of the latter.

The APNU/AFC’s urgings of GECOM against holding Elections without major reforms are merely one aspect of their hidden political agenda that must not be overlooked.

In respect to the meeting held, reliable sources reported that the APNU/ AFC representatives had nothing substantial to offer; or, rather, nothing new emerged from the meeting.

It is crystal clear that the old PNC line of procrastinating and avoiding LGEs is what the PNCR have up their sleeves.

The PNCR’s issue with the names of deceased persons being on the list is noted. However, there is a legal system in place for removal of those names. As regards the ‘migrants’, the court has ruled concerning this matter.

The clandestine strategy is nothing but the old trick of undercutting community development by advocating for the delay of Local Government Elections (LGEs), and then complaining about it on the political platform during the campaign period. The PNCR, as the controlling party in the coalition, are fully aware of the need for adequate and renewed leadership at the Municipal, Neighbourhood Democratic, and Village Council levels, but are willing to sacrifice this for fear of facing the electorate.

They are also cognisant

of the necessity for delivery of services to citizens at these levels, and that the mechanism of LGEs would deliver new, energetic leaders to take advantage of the national development push at these levels, to appease the livelihood of our citizenry. Naturally, the APNU/ AFC want our citizens to start complaining, and this the PPP/C must not allow by agreeing to any further delays in GECOM holding of the LGEs. All of the monster tears about the bloated list go against acceptable controls that are in place for the conduct of elections on E-Day to prevent egregious voting practices. The complainants are forgetting that they have representative polling agents in each polling station, who are there to verify the authenticity of each voter, and to count and sign the ‘Statements of Poll’.

APNU/AFC cannot deny that on the evening of March 03rd, 2020, their representatives, including then-President Granger, pronounced and announced that the 2020 Elections were free and fair. Our nation would recall that Election Day 3rd March 2020 was a peaceful day, and all local and international observers also confirmed that Election Day activities were without hiccups, peaceful and successful.

The March 2020 Elections fiasco started when the APNU/AFC riggers, along with the GECOM riggers, introduced the (broadsheet and the duty bedsheet) in the verification process in Region#4. The blatant attempt to rig the Elections was prevented by the

strong leadership of the PPP/C and the unflinching support of the Guardians of Democracy, along with the significant support from the ABC and E countries, along with the eminent international observers and Caricom.

That total togetherness must never be forgotten. It was only when they could not get through with the rigging efforts that complaints about the list intensified.

The call for an internal review of all that took place before, during, and after the 2020 Elections is most welcome. However, the APNU/AFC must bring their Statements of Poll for the nation to see. Further, GECOM must examine the backup storage for computerised data, to recover all the necessary information that was wiped out and taken out of its computers.

For a proper and normal assessment, a thorough review of all that took place in preparation and for conducting the 2020 Elections is important and necessary.

Why, therefore, are the APNU/AFC not joining the call for those who are responsible for the removal of the SOPs and all other information to be charged and placed before the courts?

APNU/AFC’s calls on GECOM not to hold LGEs before major reforms are wicked and cowardly. As the Government in 2016 and 2018, they approved and supported, and held LGEs while largely being able to influence critical changes that were intended to off-balance contesting political parties. Before these changes were revealed, neither

GECOM nor the APNU/ AFC had the simple courtesy to hold discussions with the PPP/C or any other political party when they introduced new NDCs along with new towns, and made changes to several boundaries in their gerrymandering efforts to win votes or take control of some NDCs based on the concentration of party support.

The PPP/C Government must therefore involve GECOM in discussions to carefully re-look at some of the new NDCs that the APNU introduced, which cannot function on their own. Some of them are not collecting a single cent in rates and taxes.

Regularisation of Local Government areas must be meaningful and related to the delivery of service to the people dwelling within.

The PPP/C Government must be applauded for the inclusive approach they adopted before proposing amendments to the Representation of the People Act (RoPA) in an effort to hold elections officials accountable. The procedure included invited submissions from all political parties and valuable stakeholders. The PNC and the small and defunct ‘afc’ failed to make any proposals to the Government on the proposed amendments.

This nation must not be held to ransom while the PNC are having their internal battles for mere survival. GECOM must be cautious about the looseness or lack of serious agenda intended by the PNC, and put all systems in place to hold LGEs as early as possible.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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

How dare you, “Elder”, accuse ANYONE of being one-sided???

Dear Editor, I was taken by surprise when someone called to disturb my quiet Phagwah Day to inform me that a local newspaper had a letter in its column written by Hamilton Green, who now refers to himself as “Elder”, in which he made a pitiful response to my letter.

In fact, that media house failed to publish my letter, but found it convenient to do so for this frequent and apparent favourite of its letter writers.

While the “Elder” claimed that salt is being put on the wounds of the past, he fails to say who created THOSE wounds. Does he forget how he used to be strutting around terrorising innocent Guyanese, not ONLY in the 60s, but continuing until 1992, when a “new era dawned” in Guyana.

In 1962, I was still in my formative years in school, but STILL have - and would FOREVER have - memo-

ries of that black and frightening day in Guyana’s history. I DIDN’T infer that it was “the handiwork of Burnham and D’Aguiar who were responsible for the events of that period, I posited it is a fact that the mobs rampaging the streets of Georgetown and setting fire to Indian-owned properties were following the instructions of those two.

Maybe it would save your soul if you repent for YOUR role in those events. I don’t have to use much imagination to come to a conclusion of what you were doing when you mentioned that you were there but didn’t know of the “dozens of businesses destroyed.

Yes “Elder”, since YOUR memory is better than anyone else’s, tell the nation where YOU were and what YOU were doing on that day.

While you’re doing that, take a poll and find out how many persons who lived through that period would believe anything YOU say.

Oil prices Dear Editor, In March 2020, OPEC witnessed a stalemate between Russia and Saudi Arabia, two leading oil producers, over the issue of a production cut to effectively control crude oil prices on the global market. Of note, Russia refused to cut its production, and the impasse caused a steep fall in oil prices, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic and brinkmanship between the two oil giants, which appeared by complex geopolitical and geo-economic factors.

Fast track to 2022, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) raised its 2022 Brent Crude spot price to US$105.22 per barrel this year, compared to its earlier forecast of US$82.87 per barrel.

Unfortunately, a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and subsequent sanctions on Russia and other actions created, propelled significant market uncertainties about the potential of oil supply disruptions, causing oil prices to close at almost US$124 per barrel in the first week of March 2022.

The vast majority of Russia’s oil exports is purchased by Europe and China, which together account for 90 percent of that country’s export. Russia is the world’s biggest exporter of refined oil to the global markets, and is the second-largest exporter of crude oil, behind Saudi Arabia; exporting about 2.85 million barrels per day.

Further, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Russia’s oil customers are varied, and

are outside of Europe, mostly like in China and the US. And, of recent, Russia has sold oil to India at a discounted price, making its export stronger in the wake of sanctions.

On the other hand, the sanctions on Russia’s oil seem to be ineffective in the short run, based on Russia’s global position on the oil market, with its customers’ dependency and new oil trade deals.

Although the EIA has reduced Russia’s oil production in its forecast, it still expects that global oil inventory levels would average around 500,000 barrels per day from the second quarter of 2022 up until the end of 2023 – being mutagenic with the strong expectation to put downward pressure on crude oil prices.

However, this forecast is conditional, if production disruptions in Russia or other oil-producing countries are more than the EIA’s forecast.

In conclusion, if the US really wants to squeeze the Russian oil production and supply on the global market, and reduce other countries’ dependency on Russia’s oil, then the US should remove its sanctions on Iran and Venezuela oil trade, and let these countries increase production levels as a means to counteract any oil supplies’ shortfall on the global market, regardless of their affiliation with Russia, and the perceived political implications. Such a move would in effect bring down oil prices well under US$100 per barrel.

Truly yours, Paul Ramrattan

I’m glad it’s YOU who chose to use the word “spark” to determine YOUR party’s reaction to the PPP’s attempt at a legitimate act of governance. YOU and YOUR party should be ashamed of your unpatriotic actions, resulting in untold and unimaginable sufferings from that period, and for so many years after.

YOU seem to know a lot of a “bullet fired from a rifle, which killed a policeman. Tell us, “Elder” the serial number and make of the rifle, and WHO squeezed the trigger. Surely, YOUR memory STILL has to be that reliable.

No “Elder”, I don’t forget Sun Chapman, but as I’ve said before, I’ve heard many different stories of how that

incident occurred, which I’m certain you’ve also heard, and possibly know of “first hand”, but prefer to remain selectively and conveniently mum on those.

However, you’re correct, I and I’m certain the majority of persons who were around during those times would NEVER forget “the horrors of the Wismar massacre”, YOUR WORDS. I never suggested that one ethnic group suffered.

However, I would strongly suggest that when the history of Guyana is truly recorded, the blame for those atrocities perpetrated against the Guyanese nation would be laid convincingly at the feet of the party to which you be-

long. History would NOT be kind to YOU and YOUR party.

Do you, in your wildest imagination, think people would EVER forget the barefaced rigging of elections that YOUR party inflicted on our nation from 1964 to 1992, and AGAIN attempted for FIVE months after March 02, 2020?

Remember, it was YOUR party’s leader who kicked you out of the party after it democratically lost the 1992 elections, and YOUR attempts to continue to hold on to the Government.

Do you think Guyanese would forget how you moved on to splatter your stink on the city of Georgetown? And now have the audacity, most

likely bolstered by the unjustifiable pension you were bequeathed, to accuse others of being one-sided?

NO, “Elder”, THAT is NOT ‘ONESIDED HISTORY”.

NO, “Elder”, YOUR brand of promotion of “Peace, Not Conflict” would NEVER be acceptable to the majority of Guyanese, since it is riddled with any semblance of integrity, riddled with insincerity, dishonesty and falsification of history.

Maybe you should consider adding an appropriate adjective before “Elder”. If you agree, I can offer you a few to choose from.

Regards, Harry Narine Nawbatt

Have we finally hit upon the solution for GuySuCo? Dear Editor, In a recent speech, President Ali declared that GuySuCo can be made viable, just as the Guatemalan sugar industry. He quoted some revealing figures, among which were that the Guatemalan sugar industry supplies 30 percent of that country’s electricity demand during the sugar crop.

The President also quoted figures on sugar cane yields to show that the Guatemalan yield is presently more than twice that of Guyana’s. This latter statistic, Editor, holds the key to the perennial conundrum of GuySuCo: “too big to fail”, and yet bleeding enormous resources from the Treasury, to the point where, in less than two years, the Government has reportedly poured another G$30 billion into the industry.

We are aware that succeeding Administrations have struggled with this huge problem, and have tried a number of very costly solutions, to no avail.

What seems to have eluded our policy-makers is how to address the critical underlying variable, quoted by the President, of sugar cane yields. These yields have been falling continually for more than 60 years, to the point where they are half of what they were back then.

Stakeholders in and out of the industry warned of the danger to GuySuCo’s survival resulting from this reality. GAWU has repeatedly referred to it. In one instance, GAWU, in response to the proposal to close the most loss-producing estates, communicated to the Government in February 2017 that it was critical that “research be furthered with a view to improving sugar cane yields”.

It is a truism in the sugar industry that sugar is produced in the fields, and on

this fact rests the viability of the industry. Increasing field yields and sucrose content is directly correlated with factory efficiency, quantity of sugar produced, bagasse available for cogeneration, and reduced cost of production. Doubling sugar cane yields could conceivably reduce cost of production by half.

Generally, increasing agricultural yields is founded on an effective research and development (R&D) system which requires highly trained professionals operating in an environment that is motivational, which usually means being competitive and market-driven.

These requirements translate into the need for significant increases in resources spent on R&D. In general, Guyana spends far too little as a percentage of agricultural GDP on R&D. We are way below countries such as Brazil and Chile, for example, who spend close to one percent of agriculture GDP on R&D. This has to change for GuySuCo and agriculture in general to be sustainable, and achieve dynamic growth.

For the vision of agricultural expansion to be achieved, the R&D system needs urgent attention. It is noteworthy that the EU provided huge resources, over a decade ago, for the country to invest to make the sugar and rice industries viable, in anticipation of the removal of the effective price subsidies.

In the case of sugar, the funds were spent largely on “budgetary support”, a new factory at Skeldon, and other investments, with little emphasis having been placed on R&D. In contrast, for the rice industry, the EU support was channelled through the Caribbean Rice Association, a private sector

body, which wisely put the funds to rice research. The result was dramatically improved paddy yields and the survival of the rice industry.

It can be noted too that, back in 2017, a research proposal to address falling sugar cane yields was submitted to the Government by the Caribbean Agri-Business Association (CABA). This proposal was based on organic soil enhancement technology, as successfully used in India, and was a collaboration of CABA with researchers in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry at UG. This proposal got lost in the “noise” of Special Purpose Units, and the prepara-

tion of estates for privatisation by the International Management Consultants.

We have somehow missed the opportunities to address the fundamental cause of our problem in the sugar industry. President Ali’s quoting of the Guatemalan sugar cane yields would hopefully point us in the direction of the essential solution, not only for GuySuCo, but for the entire agricultural sector.

Yours sincerely, Fitzroy Fletcher Former Guyana Director, CABA

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SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Vet - client interactions FINAL CONSIDERATIONS

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s we continue this relevant and important discussion, which is aimed at developing and sustaining good relations built on respect and trust between the client and the veterinarian there are some simple guidelines that, if heeded, would serve to enhance your overall experience on your visits to the clinic.

Pet caregivers, please therefore take note of the following: 1) Be on time for your booked appointments. The clinic has made great preparations for the planned intervention, and has allocated a specific time slot for it to be carried out. Arriving late, not showing up, or canceling an appointment shortly before it is due is unacceptable and quite disrespectful.

2) Respect the clinic’s opening and closing hours.

3) Always bring your pet’s health certificates, which include the animal’s vaccination status and the record of its anti-parasitic treatment schedule.

4) Respond thoroughly, truthfully, and comprehensively to the questions asked by the Vet, including even what you may consider as trivial. The animal cannot speak for itself. Your answers are of great importance, and the questions are not posed to harass you, especially in your anxiety over your ailing pet. Sometimes the by-the-way remarks are the ones that crucially assist in diagnoses and saving your animal’s life. Please do not tell the Vet what you think he/she wants to hear.

5) Be patient and wait your turn. If it is a true and visible emergency, most animal lovers seated in the waiting area would give you a chance to see the Vet before they do. The converse is also true. If the Vet invites another animal before yours, even though it is your turn, please respect his/her decision. The Vet would have reasons for

seeing a patient ahead of yours.

6) Be polite and courteous.

Vets do not necessarily expect great praise, especially after a difficult but successful intervention. A simple “Thank you” would help raise his/her spirits. We are humans too, and we grow to love your animal almost as much as you do.

7) Do not be aggressive and hostile to the Vet, Assistants/ Technicians and general staff.

No Vet would hire/keep staff members who do not exhibit a general emotional attachment to patients. They must be treated with some modicum of courtesy and respect.

Overtly insulting a Vet or Tech/Assistant could lead to an expulsion from the clinic – and that is not helpful to anyone, surely not to the patient.

8) Trust in your chosen Vet’s ability to effect competent treatment to your pet. Of course, this does not mean that you must not pose pertinent questions.

You are paying him/her the fees associated with medication or surgery, etc. Matters like opting for surgery or euthanasia (putting the animal to sleep permanently) are not one-person decisions, and are not to be taken lightly. They entail discussion, even at the familial level. The Vet can suggest and advise on paths to take, but, in the end, the final decision is yours.

I personally enjoy a discussion with obviously bright and knowledgeable young persons. It is sometimes difficult, however, to tolerate a precocious, know-itall, flippant child who is not only rude, but whose interjections are irrelevant and are aided and abetted by the proud parent(s), who are convinced that they are

rearing a budding genius. I have in my clinic a pen holder cup which reads: “Please DO Not Confuse Your Google Search With My Veterinary Degree”. The message here is: do not trust what you think you understand from the internet and the “advice” given by lay persons. Definitely not over your vet’s knowledge and experience.

You may also wish to consider whether your young and impressionable children should accompany you and your companion animals into the Treatment Room. I can tell you that if the dog cries out, or howls for a long period, or reacts violently to, say, a palpation of the abdomen (however gentle) or to an injection, that reaction would be indelibly etched into that child’s developing brain.

9) Avoid bringing multiple pets to the clinic “just for the ride”.

There is usually limited space in clinics, and it is a challenge to control the cacophony that develops when dogs begin to interact. I can guarantee that if you allow your pets and your children to enter the Waiting Room, they would want to play with one of the other cuddly pooches present.

That may not turn out well, even if the waiting owner permits the children to pet his/her animal(s).

10) Do not malign your previous Veterinarian. This does not mean that you should be reluctant to tell your current Vet what had previously been prescribed, and whether you had followed that Vet’s advice.

Also, please do not “bad talk” the previous Vet to other clients who are also visiting.

A NOTE ON THE REMOVAL OF COVID RESTRICTIONS IN GUYANA As our country begins to ease the restrictions that were introduced to combat the spread of COVID-19, allow me to commend the clients and companion animal caregivers who respected and willingly complied with the protocols at the veterinary clinics in Guyana.

You made us proud!

Swami Dayananda Saraswati: Beyond the Murti In observance of Rishi Nirvana Utsav (the Enlightenment of Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati)

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wami Dayananda Saraswati (born February 12, 1824– nirvana October 30, 1883) was first named Mula Sankara. He became a swami (renunciant teacher) and social reformer who founded the Arya Samaj in 1875 in India. He would later be called Swami Dayananda Saraswati and Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati.

The Arya Samaj is a Society of persons called Aryas (of noble character); they uphold Veda as their highest scriptural authority and the Vedic lifestyle as the ideal. The Arya Samaj is a revival movement within Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism that seeks to revive the study and teaching of Veda and civilizational values and practices. The Arya Samaj is visible in Trinidad, Guyana, and Suriname.

Several organizations come under the rubric of Arya Samaj.

On the Mahashivaratri night in 1838, young Mool Shankar (who later became Swami Dayananda Saraswati, and even later would be called Maharishi Dayananda Saraswati) would ask some big questions. He asked himself about the nature of the Highest Reality – where was the Shiva in the consecrated image or murti? What was the suitable t form of communion with that Reality?

In Sanatana Dharma, Hindus generally commune with the Highest Reality through a sakar or nirakar or mixed sakar/nirakar worldview. In the sakar mode, the Highest Reality (called by many different ways) is approached as having “form.” Many use consecrated images called murtis as their central object of worship.

None, however, will say that the murti is where the Highest Reality resides.

They combine immanence and transcendence in a highly devotional and profoundly personal experience.

The aesthetics of such devotion aids their worship through kirtan, bhajan, music, and dance.

When young Mool Shankar went to the mandir on Maha Shivaratri night to worship Lord Shiva, questions arose in his mind about the nature of Shiva and the methods for worship.

He did not see worth in fasting and all-night vigil, for example.

He wanted to know that Highest Reality as nirakar – without form. This path is challenging for most people, but he pursued it. His statement of beliefs and institutions under the Arya Samaj demonstrate the recommended path.

Was Shiva that murti that his family worshipped through the image? He was not convinced and committed to search for the real Shiva beyond the murti. In effect, he was attracted to the nirakar method of communing with the Highest Reality – without physical objects.

In his formative years, as he looked around him, he saw death and suffering and was committed to finding out more about moksha/ salvation. As a young swami, he had learned that jnana or right knowledge was essential in realizing moksha and that such knowledge would come from swadhyaya (daily learning and reflection), daily yoga and more. In other words, he was required to change himself.

As young Swami Dayananda Saraswati, his spiritual quest took him across India, across different ways of Hindu worship, and to have meetings with acharyas and gurus and political leaders (the latter seeking to make a new and modern India after political Independence).

Swami Dayananda Saraswati prepared himself for his spiritual quest. He studied scriptures, found a spiritual guide, received his mandate, and laid the foundation for the Arya Samaj, which would become the most influential socioreligious reform movement in modern India.

By age 24, he was formally inducted as a sanyasi under Swami Purnananda Saraswati, on the banks of Narmada; he was renamed “Dayananda Saraswati.”

During his travels around the country, he met Swami Virjananda in Mathura and would become his disciple. Swami Virjananda was blind, a strict disciplinarian and fiercely critical of practices that were against the ancient Vedic culture and teacings of Veda. He taught Swami Dayananda the Vedas and Shastric texts, for about three years.

Young Swami Dayananda would pledge a dakshina (gift given to a teacher/guru upon graduation) to spread the true teachings of Veda and so remove avidya/ ignorance.

He had studied, and continued studying Veda; he practised yoga; he studied the means for understanding the deeper meaning in Ved mantras. He debated with scholars to arrive at the right method for acquiring valid knowledge.

As a patriot, he saw Veda, the Indian knowledge system, as the answer to laying the foundation for a modern India – an India that had suffered years of foreign invasions and European colonization. He advocated for swaraj or political Independence and made the first call for Hindi to be India’s national and unifying language. He was firm in the supreme authority of Veda and rejected western ideas and ways of life.

From the young boy who asked some big questions, he

became a national leader and agent of change. He revived the glory of Veda, ancient Indian civilisation, and ancient institutions like the gurukul system and samskaras.

He injected innovations like the shuddhi movement to welcome back those who were forced to convert to other religions. Later, he would be assassinated for his achievements and the threat he posed to orthodoxy and social degeneration.

Before Mahatama Gandhi or BR Ambedkar, Swami Dayanada taught that all persons had a right of access to the Vedas, regardless of differences like class, jati/varna (erroneously called ‘caste’), gender, and so on. He translated some of the scriptures from the complex Vedic Sanskrit to Hindi so that many more persons could have ready access to the masses. They would not have to depend on others to read and interpret.

The idea of European modernism was at its zenith in the years before India’s Independence, and Indians spoke of a modern India, which meant a rejection of traditional Indian beliefs and practices.

The Brahmo Samaj in Bengal led in this social reform to raise the status of women, ban early marriage, address the lack of education, and so on. Its leader, Keshub Chandra Sen (1838-1884) of the Brahmo Samaj, saw religious and social reform as the foundation of India’s national awakening.

Many educated Indians saw India as a fallen nation with its ancient greatness lying under its ruins.

And so, they pressed for social reform and rejection of religious orthodoxy. Some even rejected Sanatana Dharma.

In this socio-political and cultural environment, Swami Dayananda Saraswati found himself. He had met with the Brahmo Samaj leaders and others in Bengal. While they had similar revivalist notions, he did not share many of their beliefs. They rejected the doctrine of karma and jati/ varna, the Highest Reality, and atman/soul, for example. They had evolved a type of unitarian worldview along with a text that drew from Sanatana Dharma, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and Chaitanya. However, they remained too intellectual and could not attract the masses. Besides, Swami Dayananda would have none of their rejection of Veda, their unitarian worldview and scripture, and admiration of western norms.

Shortly after, he would establish the Arya Samaj founded on principles of equality and justice.

The Samaj rejected any birth-based status (as in Brahmin, Vaishya, Kshatriya and Shudra), holding that such status had to be acquired and manifested in one’s lifestyle. Karma is the basis of one’s social status. He used powerful language to describe hypocrites who preached one thing and lived another way.

The Arya Samaj revived Vedic ideals and a school system for educating youths in their Vedic traditions. Samskaras were standardized, and purohits/pandits were formally trained and certified to practice.

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

NEWS

Albion Sugar Estate begins turnaround

Albion Sugar Estate

A

lbion/Port Mourant Estate in Berbice has claimed the distinction of being the first sugar estate for the year to surpass its weekly target, an event that is renewing hope and resulting in a bigger payday for workers.

According to a release from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the Albion/Port Mourant Estate has surpassed its sugar production target for the week ending March 19, 2022, by 7.9 per cent.

“This was the first weekly target surpassed for the year 2022 in the sugar sector. As a result of this achievement, qualified employees (who worked 80 per cent or more days available for the week) of Albion/Port Mourant Estate will benefit from an additional day’s pay (tax-free),” GuySuCo said.

Further, the sugar company stated that the target was surpassed even in the face of challenges posed by the intermittent rainfalls.

In fact, almost 30 millimetres of rain fell during the week under question. This resulted in the estate’s mechanical harvesting being stalled. Despite this, the estate was able to leverage the attendance of the harvesters and increased human productivity.

“The Corporation at the commencement of the 1st Crop, 2022, introduced an improved Personal Performance Incentive (PPI) Scheme, which saw

cane harvesters responding positively to same; hence, their improved attendance and productivity.”

“This PPI handsomely rewarded each worker progressively as they improve their productivity with some workers adding more than G$15,000 to their weekly pay packet this week. The Corporation has also implemented a similar incentive scheme for the planters, fertilising crew and chemical weed control workers,” GuySuCo said.

In the statement, quotes are included of Cane Harvester Omadat Seecharan who is attached to the 15B gang at the Albion/Port Mourant Estate. He lauded the GuySuCo management for paying out the incentive.

“I want to thank management and workers for achieving this weekly production incentive. With this, we will have more money for our families and I would like to encourage all workers to come out and let us achieve more weekly targets in the future at Albion Estate,” he said.

Weekly Production Incentive (WPI) is one of several initiatives in place to boost employees’ productivity and was implemented on May 13, 1989. The payment of a WPI is based on the individual estate’s achievement of one hundred per cent (100 per cent) or more of its weekly sugar production target.

“Once the targets

achieved, employees on the estate receive one additional day’s pay. If the estate’s achievement is one hundred and thirty per cent (130 per cent) or more of its target, then employees on the estate will receive two days’ pay,” GuySuCo said.

“The Executive Management of GuySuCo congratulates the management and workers of Albion/Port Mourant Estate and urges all employees of grinding estates to strive towards the achievement of WPIs.” Last year, GuySuCo had reported that 4300 hectares of sugar cane were destroyed for 2021 due to flooding. This is land equivalent to over 52,000 house lots. GuySuCo was only able to rehabilitate 38 per cent of those damaged canes.

Albion Estate, which was expected to contribute 50 per cent of sugar cane cultivation, had a mortality rate of 80 per cent due to the floods. This was cane that would have otherwise been harvested in the first crop of 2022. Berbice estates as a whole had 72 per cent more rainfall than 2020.

So unprecedented is the flooding that GuySuCo experienced earlier in the year that “the Corporation drained some 4.5 million tonnes of water off the land daily during the 65 days flood which is enough water to fill 2000 Olympic sized swimming pools.”

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Bitter…

T

…sugar? he PPP Government’s under fire for not reopening the 4 sugar estates unilaterally closed by Granger and the PNC AFTER his personally-appointed COI recommended that the estates be rehabilitated in a 3-year plan and then privatised. The WPA’s big economic kahuna, Clive Thomas himself - as GuySuCo’s Chairman and a member of the COI - supported that decision.

Now, your Eyewitness thought that was a plan - but then Granger had vowed to “fulfill the legacy of Burnham”. And where sugar was concerned, he saw that as a sanctuary for the PPP’s base - like UG was for the PNC elites - and was to be always kept barefoot and supplicant!!

Remember the vindictiveness of denying sugar workers for decades by imposing a levy which ensured there was no profit to share?? Anyhow, after shuttering the 4 estates, the PNC had their man London form a Special Utility Vehicle (SPU), borrow $30 billion to rehabilitate the closed estates, and sell them off. Up to this day, no one can say what happened to that $30 billion - even though we’ve been paying $1.4 billion in interest for the last 4 years and we gotta pay off the $30 billion principal this year!! The proverbial “doody” will be hitting the fan!!

Anyhow, the PPP did say they’d be reopening up those estates, didn’t they?!! But it’s clear they never realised the damage that’d been done to the fixed assets - in factory and field!! Imagine there were NO tractors surviving in any of the estates!! Or punts!! Or gantries etc. What happened? Grand theft, that’s what!

Because, while none of these were rehabilitated, Watooka House in Linden and the Senior Staff Clubs and other recreational handouts were brought up to Sandals standards at the cost of billions!! All play and no work were the motto of the new GuySuCo!!

So, when the PPP dug into the estates’ figures, all they could see was an increasing bleeding bottom line. For example, no one has explained why Uitvlugt Estate was retained and Wales closed.

Wales was universally seen as a more viable entity - especially with a more functional factory and more diversified private farmers. Well, no plan should be carved in stone - unless it’s coming from a fella behind a burning bush!! Adjustment is the name of the game to new or newly discovered contingencies!!

The PPP now understand the enormity of bringing back the shuttered estates. They’ve announced an Oil and Gas Development Plan for Wales that’ll absorb workers not already employed in nearby Georgetown and environs. In your Eyewitness’s estimate, there’s no logic in returning Enmore to subsistence agriculture, which sugar represents. There will be an alternative, higherpaying employment there. Rose Hall can do it.

Skeldon was never on the cards. …losers Your Eyewitness is still trying to wrap his head around the Opposition’s game plan. He assumes there’s a plan!

But as to what it is, there’s so much opacity in figuring out who exactly is the “opposition”, you should understand your Eyewitness’s fogginess! There’s first of all Aubrey Norton and the band of neophytes who were elected from his slate at last Dec’s PNC elections.

But right there’s the nub of the problem, isn’t it? The said slate didn’t include most of the MPs sent to Parliament after Aug 2 by Granger - after he threw in the towel and pleaded, “No Mas! No Mas”!! Chief among them being Harmon, who’s been designated as Opposition Leader by the selfsame Sanctimonious Gangster. And this also had a plan. At a minimum, Norton’s plan should’ve draft in some of those incumbents, no? Divide and conquer!

So, he’s being whiplashed by the fringe radicals spouting 70s rhetoric and being played hold me-loose me by the PNC MPs. Gotta have a plan!! …Chinese medicine Some Guyanese are wondering why the Americans built up China into the economic powerhouse it now is when they were the enemy.

Profits for big business clouded their “permanent interests of their country…” mantra!!

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

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

NEWS

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Stakeholders can now register grievances with Local Content Secretariat – as mechanism created to receive complaints

T

he Local Content Secretariat, which is the focal point for the Government’s efforts to ensure Guyanese get a piece of the pie from the oil and gas sector, is now equipped with a grievance mechanism that will allow stakeholders to report violations.

The secretariat, which was set up last month, now has in place a grievance form online that allows persons to register their concerns. According to the form, the aim of this initiative is to allow the secretariat to conduct its own investigations and interventions.

“The Ministry of Natural Resources - Local Content Secretariat seeks to understand the concerns of stakeholders as it relates to Local Content. This input will drive the Secretariat’s various investigative and intervention measures. If you have any concerns related to Local Content, submit the information in the input-form,” it explained.

It allows persons to document their grievances, identify perpetrators and even state what actions they would like to take on their behalf. These grievance forms can be accessed on the Natural Resources Ministry website.

Concerns have previously been raised by unions about the treatment of locals in the oil and gas sector.

One such union, the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers Union (GAWU), had even met with Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn in January, where these concerns were brought to his attention.

The Local Content

The Ministry of Natural Resources

Secretariat allows locals to register their businesses and their individual skill sets. This is so there is a ready-made pool of skills and services to draw from when opportunities become available in the sector.

There are two portals.

One register deals with supplier registration and the other deals with employment registration.

Applicants have the option of submitting their applications in either electronic or hardcopy form. Once their applications are submitted, applicants will receive an acknowledgment of receipt and a reference number, after which a review process will start.

“After conducting the necessary checks and balances, the secretariat will either approve the application and issue a Certificate of Registration or refuse the application and notify the applicant,” they noted.

“Once an application is approved and a Certificate of Registration granted, the applicant will be issued with log in credentials to gain access to either the Supplier Registration Portal or the

Employment Portal,” the Ministry further explained.

It was noted that the Local Content Secretariat will communicate available procurement and employment opportunities to registered Guyanese suppliers and those seeking employment, respectively. This, they noted, will be done through the respective portals.

According to the Local Content Act passed last year, oil and gas companies operating in Guyana, as well their contractors and sub-contractors must procure from Guyanese companies by the end of 2022, 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services; 90 per cent janitorial services, laundry and catering services; 95 per cent pest control services; 100 per cent local insurance services; 75 per cent local supply of food; and 90 per cent local accounting services. These are just some of the 40 different services outlined in the first schedule.

Previously, a portal for registering locals existed in the Centre for Local Business Development

(CLBD). As of last year, it had been reported that CLBD had over 2700 local businesses registered in its database.

The CLBD was set up in 2017 by ExxonMobil, in collaboration with DAI Global, LLC, to assist small and me-

dium-sized local businesses to build their capacity and their ability to compete to offer services in the oil and gas sector and other industries.

When it was set up, the Centre was expected to focus on developing local ven-

dors that serve key sectors of the oil and gas industry, including areas such as safety equipment, marine operations, offshore supply and civil construction. It was also supposed to provide mentoring, coaching, and access to financial support.

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One Guyana Holi

H

oli is one of the festivals brought by the indentured Indians (Girmitiyas) from mainly from North India, where it is celebrated most widely.

“Phagua” is its Bhojpuri name, used by the majority Girmitiya group in Guyana. During the Indentureship period, the authorities sometimes feared the mobilizing potential of the festivals and banned processional ones like Tadzia or Muhhuram, But Phagua would have been “played” mainly in the logies of each sugar estate and was nonRavi Dev threatening. As Roy Glasgow noted the retention of this and other cultural practices flowed from deep imperatives: “The Indians emphasis on the value and worthiness of his culture was really a mode of expression of his desire to be treated in terms of equality within the Guianese universe.”

Because of their strained conditions during Indentureship, Phagwah would have been celebrated generally by dousing fellow logie residents with water from the surrounding canals. Powder and abeer were scarce and expensive. Because it was not recognised as a Public Holiday until 1967, the celebration had to be observed around working and school hours unless it happened to fall on Sundays - a Christian holiday. The rationales for the performative aspects of Phagwah, however, were well known to the immigrants since they all were exposed to them in the regular village activities in plays , Kathas (expositions) and dances based on the stories handed down before 300BC. For the generations far removed from Indentureship, the yearly replenishment of new immigrants to 1917 and the establishment of the mandir-centered Hinduism that evolved here, would have reiterated those lessons, two of which centered on Phagwah.

The first was on Prahalad. He defied his father King Hiranyakashipu, who insisted he was greater than the Divine Creator and Sustainer Vishnu. The story exemplifies the Hindu exhortation that adherents speak truth to power, no matter who transgresses the rules of Dharma. In one test of Prahalad’s commitment to truth, his aunt Holika attempts to incinerate him in a pyre but he emerged unscathed. In village India and in Guyana this incident is recreated as “Holika Dahaan’” (the burning of Holika) and the ash, considered holy because of the religious sacraments performed, is rubbed the participants.

The following morning, in a joyous and boisterous display of togetherness - in which all social distinctions are suspended - water if splashed and red abrack and coloured powders are smeared on fellow celebrants, while red-coloured water (abeer) is squirted from “pichkaris” (water pumps). Some mistakenly think that the abeer represents the blood of the King who was slain by Vishnu’s incarnation, Narasimha (literally “man-lion”). But this aspect of the Phagwah comes from another ancient story - the eternal love of Krishna and Radha. This is why Phagwah is also called Rangwali Holi - the festival of colors - and Festival of love.

The Krishna Radha story explains that the boy Krishna, incarnation of Vishnu, asks his mother why his friend Radha is fair while he is is dark. As the popular song “Yashomati Maiya” explains, Radha replies “Oh mother, your beloved Krishna is the most unique in the world; that’s why he’s dark”! Mother, Yashoda, playfully suggests that Krishna smear some brightly coloured powder on Radha’s face and the tradition was born. The day after Holika Dahan, then is a day of love and joy. The 7th century, Indian emperor Harsha described rhe festivities in the play, “Ratnavavali”: “Witness the beauty of the great love festival which excites curiosity as the townsfolk are dancing at the touch of brownish water thrown ...

Everything is colored yellowish red and rendered dusty by the heaps of scented powder blown all over.”

In modern Guyana, without any compulsion or state diktat, the celebration of Phagwah has organically spread outside of the original Hindu/Indian community into the entire society. This year, there was a special reason for celebrating Phagwah: the evil of COVID 19 - which took 1226 lives - appears to have eased, if not passed. As such, Holika Dahan would have given thanks for our survival, and the celebrations of the following day, our joy of living together as “One Guyana”.

For those who are upset at some of the changes that have crept into our celebration of Phagwah, we have to understand that culture is always evolving according to time (Kala), place (Desh) and circumstances (paristiti). But once the fundamental principle to uphold and promote Dharma is not violated, we must accept change as inevitable. It may surprise some to learn that Chowtaal has disappeared from even the Bhojpuri Belt from where we brought it.

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

12 NEWS

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President Ali calls for resilient thinking as COVID persists

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has called for Guyanese to develop a mindset that focuses on resilience, as facts and solutions to the novel coronavirus still unfold every day.

On Friday, the Head of

State acknowledged that living in the pandemic is still a learning curve for many. In fact, he described this period as one of the most difficult for Guyana. In this light, calls were made for persons to think along

the line of resiliency to navigate through the waves of the coronavirus.

“As we’re still learning to live with COVID-19 and we’re still learning about the long-term consequences, let us reassure ourselves

with the fact that we’re still here. We’re resilient as a community in one of the most difficult periods in our lifetime,” the President noted.

He also reiterated the need for cooperation and

President Irfaan Ali

better reasoning, so as to build a society that is developing and conducive to growth.

“We are one family of humanity. If we work towards embracing this very fact, and we’re given the capacity to think, reason, and analyse, we must use this capacity that is given to humans to be better and do better.”

Last Monday, Government officially announced that numerous changes were made to the COVID-19 regulations, paving the way for several of the restrictions to be lifted.

In the new gazette order – Public Health (Coronavirus) (No 3) Regulations 2022 – it is stated that wearing a face mask is no longer mandatory but encouraged when in public; proof of vaccination is no longer required to enter public buildings and the COVID-19 restrictions on social activities and gatherings were removed.

The new gazette order also states that employers are still required to ensure

that COVID-19 guidelines are in place to reduce transmission of the virus among workers in offices, adding that offices and places of business must ensure that handwashing stations and sanitising equipment are at the entrances. This requirement is also encouraged for places of worship.

With respect to persons testing positive for the virus, the order states that they are required to isolate and follow the quarantine requirements. The order states: “Any person who has tested positive for coronavirus or identified for quarantine shall (a) comply with all applicable directions given and requirements imposed by the Health Emergency Operations Centre, including home isolation or quarantine or placement in an isolation or quarantine facility; (b) provide information to the Health Emergency Operations Centre about any individual with whom the person may have had contact with, at least fourteen days before testing positive for coronavirus; and (c) not knowingly expose themselves, without proper and necessary precautions against spreading the coronavirus, in any public place or to any person.”

Guyana first implemented the host of COVID-19 measures shortly after the first case was detected in the country on March 11, 2020.

Over the past two years, these restrictions have been amended – strengthened as well as partially removed – in order to fit the situation of the pandemic in Guyana.

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14 FEATURE

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– credits CPCE for her teaching success

By Brandon Corlette

T

he world recently celebrated International Women's Day, and Guyanese Charlene Emanuelle Hernandez has continued to break barriers by opening her own school in Trinidad and Tobago. From years of teaching in Guyana to being the principal and owner of her own school, it is certainly a testimony of growth.

The journey

Charlene was born on January 1, 1980 in Georgetown, and spent her childhood days in Beterverwagting.

In 1995, she relocated to Berbice, where she attended the Central Corentyne Secondary School.

On October 29, 1998, she started her teaching journey at Wellington Park Primary School, where she taught at all levels.

She got married and gave birth to her son, but that marriage ended. After 12 years of teaching, Carlene, equipped with her teacher’s Diploma from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), migrated to Trinidad and Tobago in 2010.

She needed a degree to get into the teaching profession in Trinidad, so she eventually reached out to the University of the West

Charlene and some of her students

Indies (UWI) and applied to pursue her Bachelors in Education. Financially, the journey was difficult, but Carlene got married for a second time, to a man whom she describes as supportive. During her studies, she worked at a private school in Maracas Beach, Trinidad.

Today Charlene is the owner of C&S Brightstar Daycare and Preschool, and she is beyond thankful to God for her growth.

into the capital of Trinidad, Port-of-Spain.

“There is when things turned around for me. I started the school with two children - my daughter and nephew. I started summer camp, I got help from my husband, my children and some friends, we did flyers and we promoted the camp.

I got my training from the CPCE, so I knew to myself I was doing a fine job.”

Charlene noted that

Students in their costume at C&S Brightstar Daycare and Pre-School

In 2018, an idea came to her after she had completed 20 years of teaching. “I said to myself, ‘Why work with people when I can administrate?’ and now I have a wealth of experience and I have the qualifications. So, I had that discussion with my husband, he did not see the vision clearly because of finances, but I pushed myself,” she said.

In October 2018, she began searching for a building to open the school. She eventually got a location, and opened the doors to her school in January 2019.

After three months, she was not seeing a big profit, and then she moved her school

the camp was very successful, and in September 2019 the breakthrough came, the school opened, and there was significant growth.

Enrollment at her school rose from 15 to 75 children mainly because of marketing.

“I love what I do, so I teach with a passion. It is about setting that foundation, so when children transition into a next level, that will take them to the University level. I would have started with daycare and pre-school, now we are at the primary aspect,” she explained.

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FEATURE

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How COVID-19 struck

Then, in March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic struck and he schools were closed.

Hernandez described that moment as challenging, but she was hoping that the pandemic would be over in a month. She began online teaching, which was new for her. Hernandez took the leap of faith and with advise, she started virtual teaching in September 2020.

The online teaching was a fresh start and she restarted her marketing. She also introduced the shift system where a small amount of students would engage in faceto-face teaching.

With a target audience of more than 350 students, Charlene moved to her third location to provide service for the entire Port-of-Spain area. Hernandez has had good reports from her award-winning students that graduated from her school. “I would always give credit to my Cyril Potter lectures. They did a fantastic job, and I am happy to see that I would have leave Guyana, struggle and did well in Trinidad. Persons like Miss Garret

from New Amsterdam, Mr Bajan, Miss Woodruff, Miss Beverly Moore, Viola Ben, Cutris Bourne, Sir Dindyal from Auchlyne,

they help to shape me to become the person I am today.”

“Never in my wildest dream, I would

have dreamt of becoming a principal more so an owner of such a huge business in the childcare and Education industry,” Hernandez.

Response C&S Brightstar Daycare and Pre School is a diversified school, with students from different parts of the Caribbean, in China and Nigeria. After Easter, schools should reopen for the full population, and Hernandez is looking forward for more growth, and to mold more children for the future.

“Nothing is impossible, do not give up on your dreams. Once you put your mind to it you will achieve. I would encourage young people to qualify themselves, take your studies and let everything else fall into place. When I started my degree, I was given a lot of exemptions, because of my performance at Cyril Potter College. I must give them credit, so when I get these exemptions, I saved a lot of money.”

Today, schools have reopened in Trinidad and Tobago, and Charelne's school continues to prosper.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

As Earth Hour is observed…

WWF calls on Guyanese to ‘Shape Our Future’ A

s millions around the world prepare to observe Earth Hour 2022 on March 26, the World Wildlife Fund Guianas (WWF-Guianas) has called on Guyanese to ‘Shape Our Future’ and once again join the global movement of Earth Hour by switching off appliances in solidarity with the planet and our natural world.

This year, WWF-Guianas and its partners and supporters would be combating plastic pollution for the protection of our marine environment. The organisation seeks to create and raise nationwide awareness through the promotion of environmentally- focused actions

such as a plastic art project and a coastal clean-up activity.

Citizens are invited to take a stand and signal their support for a nature-positive future at a particularly crucial time for the planet.

WWF-Guianas, in a release, pointed out that there is a local and global issue of plastic pollution. Pointing to studies that have predicted that plastic pollution is set to quadruple by the year 2050, potentially setting a 50-fold increase in toxic microplastic concentration in the environment by the end of the century, the WWFGuianas has nonetheless assured that there is hope, as the organisation has called on world leaders to establish an ambitious global treaty to address plastic pollution, and UN Member States at the UN Environment Assembly

(UNEA-5.2) have unanimously agreed to develop a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution.

Earth Hour in Guyana seeks to build momentum on the treaty by encouraging people to take action for our oceans, and stop plastic pollution. Earth Hour is the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment, and it is set once again to unite millions of people around the world to show their commitment to the planet.

WWF-Guianas has stated that the world is still adapting to the impacts of COVID-19, and in the face of growing global instability, owing to the conflict in Ukraine, Earth Hour 2022 aims to signal the end of “business as usual” and herald in a new era that puts people and the planet first.

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FEATURE

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HEALTH TIPS KIDNEY DISEASE

World Kidney Day 2022 – "Kidney Health for All"

Dr. Tariq Jagnarine Family Medicine, Endocrinology/Diabetes

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he kidneys are a pair of fist-sized organs located at the bottom of the rib cage. There is one kidney on each side of the spine. Kidneys are essential to having a healthy body. They are mainly responsible for filtering waste products, excess water, and other impurities out of the blood. These toxins are stored in the bladder, and then removed during urination.

The kidneys also regulate pH, salt, and potassium levels in the body. They produce hormones that regulate blood pressure and control the production of red blood cells. The kidneys even activate a form of vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium.

Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys become damaged and can’t perform their function. Damage may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure, and various other chronic (long-term) conditions. Kidney disease can lead to other health problems, including weak bones, nerve damage, and malnutrition.

If the disease gets worse, over time, the kidneys may stop working completely.

This means that dialysis would be required to perform the function of the kidneys.

Dialysis is a treatment that filters and purifies the blood using a machine. It can’t cure kidney disease, but it can prolong life.

TYPES AND CAUSES OF KIDNEY DISEASES * Chronic kidney disease

The most common form of kidney disease is chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is a longterm condition. It’s commonly caused by high blood pressure, because it can increase the pressure on the glomeruli. Over time, the increased pressure damages these vessels, and kidney function begins to decline.

Kidney function would eventually deteriorate to the point at which the kid-

neys can no longer perform their job properly. In that case, a person would need to go on dialysis. A kidney transplant may be another treatment option, depending on the circumstances.

Diabetes is another major cause of chronic kidney disease. The increased level of sugar in the blood damages the blood vessels in the kidneys over time.

This means the kidneys can’t clean the blood properly. Kidney failure can occur when the body becomes overloaded with toxins.

* Kidney stones

Kidney stones are another common kidney problem. They occur when minerals and other substances in the blood crystallise in the kidneys, forming solid masses (stones). Kidney stones usually come out of the body during urination.

Passing kidney stones can be extremely painful, but they rarely cause significant problems.

* Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli. Glomeruli are extremely small structures situated inside the kidneys; they filter the blood.

Glomerulonephritis can be caused by infections, drugs, or congenital abnormalities (disorders that occur during or shortly after birth). It often gets better on its own.

* Polycystic kidney disease

Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disorder that causes numerous cysts (small sacs of fluid) to grow in the kidneys. These cysts can interfere with kidney function, and cause kidney failure. (It’s important to note that individual kidney cysts are fairly common and are almost always harmless. Polycystic kidney disease is a separate, more serious condition.)

* Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract Infections (UTIs) are bacterial infections of any part of the urinary system. Infections in the bladder and urethra are the most common. They are easily treatable, and rarely lead to more health problems. However, if left untreated, these infections can spread to the kidneys and cause kidney failure.

RISK FACTORS FOR DEVELOPING KIDNEY DISEASE

People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing kidney disease.

Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease, ac-

counting for about 44 percent of new cases. Other risk factors of kidney disease include: * Have high blood pressure * Have other family members with chronic kidney disease * Elderly * African, Hispanic, Asian, or American Indian descent

SYMPTOMS OF KIDNEY DISEASE

Kidney disease is a condition that can easily go unnoticed, until the symptoms become severe. The following symptoms are early warning signs that you might be developing kidney disease: * Fatigue * Difficulty concentrating * Trouble sleeping

* Poor appetite * Muscle cramping * Swollen feet/ankles * Puffiness around the eyes in the morning * Dry, scaly skin * Frequent urination, especially late at night.

Severe symptoms that could mean the kidney disease is progressing into kidney failure include: * Nausea

* Vomiting * Loss of appetite * Changes in urine output * Fluid retention * Anaemia (a decrease in red blood cells) * Decreased sex drive * Sudden rise in potassium levels (hyperkalemia) * Inflammation of the pericardium (a fluid-filled sac that covers the heart) TURN TO PAGE 22

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SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WWF calls on Guyanese to...

Plastic art project and coastal clean-up

Earth Hour 2022 in Guyana will see various activities and events designed to raise nationwide awareness through public discussions, and environmentally focused activities. Also, encouraging and promoting innovative ideas for countering plastics pollution.

On this note, WWF-Guiana launched its first awareness activity, a ‘Plastic Art Project’, on March 12 and ends March 23, 2022.

The project is currently open to persons of all ages and gives the public a chance to get creative and showcase their artistic skills

by transforming plastic bottles, bags cover, and other everyday plastic waste into beautiful works of art.

The pieces of art submitted will be displayed on the night of Earth Hour Lights off event, with prizes being awarded to those participants, WWF-Guiana revealed.

A plastic clean-up activity is planned along the Kingston seawall from the Kitty roundabout to the Marriott Hotel, starting at 06:30 hrs. on the day of Earth Hour that will seek to contribute to existing efforts of keeping our environment free of plastic waste, get people directly involved in the care for the environment, contribute to awareness-raising on the

problem of plastic waste and influence change in behaviors towards the environment.

The clean-up exercise will

see the recording of data on the amounts and types of trash collected. This data will be used to inform future public education and awareness activities.

Registration for the clean-up activity is now open, where persons can join as a team or individually.

Earth Hour lights off is the moment when WWF-Guiana encourages a collective pause to understand how the world’s actions add up, building bridges for others to help strengthen and sustain current and future actions for nature. This year will be the first physical countdown event of Earth Hour since the pandemic began.

At the event, there is expect-

FROM PAGE 16

ed to see participation from multiple organizations, partners, and supporters, all united in symbolically switching off for the planet.

The event is slated to be held on March 26 in the National Park, starts at 19:30hrs, and will be streamed live on E-Networks TV. Earth Hour in Guyana is organized in partnership with the United Nations office in Guyana, and supported by Guyana Youth and Environment Network, Environmental Protection Agency, Seawalls and Beyond, Rotary Club of Georgetown Central, Protected Areas Commission, and Lion’s Club.

Earth Hour will begin on March 26 at 20:30h.

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FEATURE

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Visually-impaired teen prepares to write additional subjects …faces technical challenges

vised her that her daughter should “stretch out” the subjects since writing the six subjects at once would have been difficult for her. She said her daughter is not so sure of what career path to follow at the moment, however, the teenager has a knack for assisting others and she may choose a career in the line of social work.

Technical challenges

Her mother, who is a single parent, noted that Mekyla’s computer and her mobile phone have malfunctioned this term and since she is a single parent, she finds it

Mekyla performing her tasks during a Home Economics class

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hen the COVID-19 pandemic hit the healthcare system, many students who were preparing to write various examinations were forced to overcome the unforeseen challenges the pandemic brought with it.

But Mekyla Belgrave, the visually impaired teen who had her eyes removed as a

Blind which came to her aid when the pandemic hit the public school system.

Her mother, Celeste Hercules, told Guyana Times recently that Mekyla is preparing to write the examinations at North Georgetown Secondary with assistance from the Ministry of Education’s Unit for the Blind. The woman explained

Mekyla Belgrave completing her tasks for a Home Economics School-Based Assessment

baby because of a cancerous tumour, overcame some of those challenges, securing passes at three subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

This year, the teen is ramping up preparations to sit another three subjects at the exams although this time, the subjects, English B, History, and Home Economics are a bit challenging for her.

In addition, her technical devices which she relies heavily on malfunctions.

Mekyla, who as a baby, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, which is a cancer of the eyes, managed to secure passes when she wrote English A, Social Studies, and Human and Social Biology at the 2021 sitting of the regional examinations. At the time she was still in Fourth Form at the North Georgetown Secondary School when she sat the examinations.

However, she wrote the examinations privately through the Guyana Society for the

that the unit offers classes to students who are visually impaired and as such they attend classes at the unit’s offices in Alberttown.

She said that her daughter became nervous when schools reopened fully this term. Two weeks ago, classes at the unit restarted and according to her, Mekyla was still hoping she could have done her studies online. However, since she has several school-based assessments to complete, the teen is preparing to pull the bull by the horns and attend classes in person.

Mekyla is attending school three days of each week and according to her mother, for Home Economics, she undertook several practical assignments which were done at home earlier in the school year. This saw the family’s kitchen being converted into a school environment with a young woman donning her kitchen apparel as she completed the SBAs. Her mother explained that Mekyla’s teachers ad-

difficult to secure new devices for her daughter. She said that Mekyla had been using a Samsung phone for some 5 years and she relied heavily on the device for her 2021 examination preparations.

But the device developed a technical issue. Her mother said that she bought another phone which was a bit cheaper. “We bought another phone and we had to install the talkback app but it does not work well on the phone,” she added.

In addition, the sound feature on the laptop which assists visually impaired persons has also malfunctioned

a bit, and while her mother tried to find someone to fix the device, it continued to malfunction.

Mekyla attended the St Agnes Primary School and she managed to obtain 494 marks at the National Grade Six Examinations. Her mother explained that when her daughter was five months old her eyes appeared glossy.

Several months later a scan revealed that a cancerous tumour was affecting her eyes.

In 2005, she was diagnosed with cancer following a visit to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Trinidad and Tobago and following

extensive discussions with the family, medical personnel there undertook surgery to remove both of her eyes.

Although the surgeries were performed close to her brain, it never affected her cerebral functions.

Her rise throughout the school system thus far has surprised many and her mother has described her as a blessed child, noting that she has beat the odds thus far as she conquers the many challenges she has faced since she was a baby.

Anyone who is willing to assist Mekyla can contact her mother on 647-6990.

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22 FEATURE

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

HEALTH TIPS KIDNEY DISEASE

DIAGNOSIS

The diagnosis is based on a person’s clinical history and on physical exams. Additionally, some tests may be ordered, including:

* Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)

This test will measure how well the kidneys are working, and determine the stage of kidney disease.

* Ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) Scan

Ultrasounds and CT scans produce clear images of the kidneys and urinary tract. The pictures allow the doctor to see if the kidneys are too small or large. They can also show any tumours or structural problems that may be present.

* Kidney biopsy

During a kidney biopsy, a small piece of tissue from the kidney is removed while the patient is sedated. The tissue sample can help to determine the type of kidney disease a person has, and how much damage has occurred.

FROM PAGE 17

* Urine test

A urine sample is requested to test for albumin.

Albumin is a protein that can be passed into the urine when the kidneys are damaged.

* Blood creatinine test

Creatinine is a waste product. It’s released into the blood when creatinine (a molecule stored in muscle) is broken down. The levels of creatinine in the blood would increase if the kidneys aren’t working properly.

TREATMENT

Treatment for kidney disease usually focuses on controlling the underlying causes of the disease. This means the health care workers would help to better manage the blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. They may use one or more of the following methods to treat kidney disease. * Drugs and medication * Dietary and lifestyle changes * Dialysis

OUTLOOK

Kidney disease normally does not go away once it’s diagnosed. The best way to maintain kidney health is to adopt a healthy lifestyle, and follow the doctor’s advice.

Kidney disease can get worse over time. It may even lead to kidney failure, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.

PREVENTION

Some risk factors for kidney disease — such as age, race, or family history — are impossible to control.

However, there are measures you can take to help prevent kidney disease: * Drinking enough water * Control blood sugar if you have diabetes * Control blood pressure * Reduce salt intake * Quit smoking To keep kidney problems under control, it is very important to exercise daily and keep the bodyweight under control. At the same time, consuming 8 to 10 glasses of water daily keeps the kidneys healthy. More use of fruits and green vegetables in the diet proves beneficial for the kidneys.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Boat operator, family terrorised by armed bandits during home invasion

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hirty-three-year-old Ryon Gladstone of Kimbia, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), and his family were on Friday evening terrorised and robbed by armed men who invaded their property.

The businessman, who owns and operates a boating service, was chopped to his back, stabbed to his shoulder, and sustained injuries to his head.

In addition, his brother, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law were all beaten by the bandits.

Based on reports received, five armed men invaded the businessman’s premises at about 23:46h and carted off with several pieces of jewellery and an undisclosed sum of cash but not before terrorising the family.

Gladstone’s fiancée, Kayla Fredricks, told Guyana Times that he contacted her

via WhatsApp stating that he saw masked men, suspected to be bandits, entering their premises.

“He called minutes to 12 and I heard screaming in the background; he said we are getting robbed and to contact the Police at New Amsterdam. I was on the phone with him until the internet was disconnected,” she related.

The woman said she contacted the Police in Region Six but was told they would attend to the matter “in the morning” (Saturday).

At around 09:15h on Saturday, the ranks were preparing to depart the New Amsterdam stelling for Kimbia.

Fredricks related that she contacted several persons in the village who accompanied her fiancé to pursue the bandits but this proved futile.

The armed men reportedly abandoned

the boat that they used to travel to the area.

The boat, Guyana Times was told, was stolen about a week ago from a resident.

“He used home remedy for his injuries and he and the other men are somewhere in the bushes right now searching for the bandits,” she disclosed.

Fredricks added that the family has been a constant target and has suffered at the hands of bandits over the years without any concrete investigation being undertaken by the Guyana Police Force.

Meanwhile, one of the suspected bandits was caught hiding in an old house in the village. His accomplices managed to escape. At the time of his arrest, he had bruises about his body, suspected to have been sustained from a thrashing he received from residents.

The hunt continues for the four other bandits.

One of the bandits that were caught

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NEWS

Corentyne suspected arson leaves 1 homeless

O

The house that was set on fire on Friday evening

ne person has been rendered homeless after a fire destroyed a single-storey building at Number 71 Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) on Friday evening.

Pushputti Bridgelall, who had owned the building, told

this publication that she saw flames emanating from the building at about 23:00h.

According to Bridgelall, after her daughter had passed away eight years ago, she had moved out of the building, leaving her husband at the property.

“Richard was living in

the house, and last night (Friday) he did not sleep there; he sleep at we bottom house in a hammock,” she explained.

She related that her ex-husband had been involved in a heated argument with one of her cousins, who had threatened to set the house on fire to kill him.

Out of fear, her ex-husband Richard did not sleep in the house, but he was awakened after an alarm was raised that his house was on fire.

“My son open the window and see the fire in our house, which is right behind where we living, and he shout and wake me up,” the woman explained.

The fire tenders were summoned to the scene, but by the time they arrived, the house was completely razed.

An investigation has been launched into the fire, and Police are hunting the suspected arsonist.

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Free testing, treatment for hepatitis C to be available later this year

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he Government will be launching a programme to treat persons suffering from hepatitis C later this year, according to Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, who stated that treatment is costly, and as such this initiative will unburden persons requiring it.

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and it is spread through contact with blood from an infected person.

“Right now, we are in the process of launching a programme where all those persons who have been detected with Hep C, that we’ll be able to provide them with treatment and once they use it appropriately generally it cures about 99 per cent of those patients,” Dr Anthony explained.

Dr Anthony added that when persons donate blood,

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

that blood is screened, including checking for hepatitis C and B and the results have shown a high number of persons living with the virus.

“We detect a lot of Hep C and B, especially when people come to donate blood…and if we find the blood to contain Hep C virus, those patients gener-

ally, we were not able to treat those patients,” he said.

The Health Ministry has already compiled a database of persons infected with the virus so that they can have access to treatment. Dr Anthony is encouraging persons who believe they might have the virus to get tested.

“We’ll be providing those testing and so that we can all work together to, first of all, treat those patients, and eventually we are hopeful that we can eliminate Hep C from Guyana.” The Minister also related that health officials are currently crafting guidelines with regards to treatment.

“If the physicians do not know how to use the medications, we are currently in the process of developing Hep C treatment guidelines and we’ll be training you, we’ll be releasing those guidelines so that once you get those patients, you can access the medications,” Minister Anthony noted.

The Government, through the Ministry of Health, will continue its efforts to eliminate a number of illnesses from the country, including hepatitis.

GROUNDWATER – MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE

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“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water” – W.H Auden

ater is essential to life on Earth – clean and potable water is essential to health and productivity. Fortunately, Guyana is rich in water resources. Most of the population and economic base of the country is concentrated in the low-lying coastal plain, much of which is below sea level. This year, as Water Day is celebrated on March 22 as in every year, it brings to our attention issues and solutions related to freshwater resources. ‘GROUNDWATER - making the invisible visible’ was chosen as this year’s theme, and raises awareness to the hidden water resource that has always been critically important but not fully recognised in sustainable development policymaking.

In Guyana, groundwater from the coastal aquifer system provides about 90% of the domestic water for our country.

As such, we can clearly see the importance of water, specifically groundwater as a whole.

At the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we are well aware that groundwater is one of the nation’s most important natural resources. As such, the Water Quality Unit within the Technical Services Department is responsible for ensuring that developers, especially those with operations that have direct discharge into our waterways, are conducting their operations in an environmentally-friendly manner. Those developers are required to submit bi-annual, annual, or, for some operations, monthly water-quality testing results from a reputable laboratory in Guyana. Failure to comply with such a condition can result in stringent charges, provided in the Water Quality Regulations 2000. Mining operators are required to have a catchment basin before water is discharged into the waterways, because groundwater can exert negative influences on mining economics by creating risks for operational continuity and miners’ safety, as well as having adverse environmental impacts. So, the mining operators always need to be in high compliance when it comes to water quality. Since groundwater is the most accessed source of freshwater around the world, including for drinking, irrigation, and manufacturing, it is our duty to make sure that, as citizens, we do everything in our power to keep our surrounding waterways clean and safe.

How can we protect and conserve groundwater?

1.

Reduce chemical use; 2.

Manage our waste, especially by making compost, which helps to reduce moisture loss in plants and reduces the amount of water they need; 3.

Don’t leave our taps running; 4.

Fix the drip if any of our pipes has a leakage, and report major leaks or pipe breakage to GWI; and 5.

Wash smarter by choosing phosphate-free laundry detergents, as phosphate aids in plant growth, which chokes our waterways and affects water quality.

To celebrate World Water Day, the EPA will be coordinating and participating in several awareness activities, including: • Webinar on Restoring Groundwater hosted by UNEP-WCMC https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=5cBUgpN3x30&ab_channel=UNEP-WCMC • Exhibition hosted by Guyana Water Inc. on Tuesday March 22, Cultural Center Tarmac from 10:00h • Media engagement – radio and television interviews

References

https://w w w.unwater.org /world-water-day-2022groundwater/ http://www.epa.gov/superfund/students/clas_act/hazed/ff_05.htm http://www.epa.gov/superfund/students/wastsite/ grndwatr.htm\ https://www.ocwd.com/news-events/newsletter/2015/ h y d r o s p e c t i v e s - s e p t e m b e r- 2 0 1 5 / e p a - i n v o l v e d - i n groundwater-cleanup/ https://www.sam.usace.army.mil/Portals/46/docs/ military/engineering/docs/WRA/Guyana/Guyana%20WRA. pdf You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O Communications, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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

NEWS

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Regional efforts commence fortifying response to fisheries crimes

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he Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (Caricom IMPACS) this week hosted a technical meeting on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and organised crime in the fishing industry.

It marked an important milestone in the region’s ef-

forts to fortify the region’s response to this challenging and costly problem, through coordinated action at both the national and regional levels, with the support of the Government of Norway and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Blue Justice Initiative.

The CRFM, its Member States, and partner agencies both at the Caricom and

Guyana-Suriname ferry to remain out of operation until Thursday

The MV Canawaima

T

he MV Canawaima, which was initially expected to be out of operation for two days, will not be operational until March 24.

Management of the Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service regrettably informed that this one-week halt of service is to facilitate ongoing emergency repairs to the vessels.

“Management wishes to assure you that all necessary steps are being taken to resume operations at the soonest possible time,” an advisory from the Public Health Ministry outlined.

Persons requiring further queries were asked to contact 339-2744 or 339-2787 for information.

Surinamese reports indicate that on Tuesday last, during a return trip from Guyana, the engines of the vessel stopped working. As such, authorities had indicated that the vessel would not operate for two days.

Over the past 5 years, the ferry has been drydocked from time to time on numerous occasions, coupled with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The MV Canawaima was previously dry-docked for more than a year and had only returned to operation in October of 2021.

At that time the discussions on the resumption of the Canawaima Ferry Service were held with officials from both Guyana and Suriname who met to iron out outstanding matters concerning the ferry. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had met with his Surinamese counterpart, Transport, Communication and Tourism Minister Albert Jubithana, where discussions were facilitated.

The MV Canawaima was also taken into dry docks in March 2020 when the service was suspended due to the coronavirus; the vessel had been plagued with problems. The Canawaima Ferry Service was introduced to Guyana on October 28, 1998, under the Companies Act, Number 29 of 1991, of the Laws of Guyana.

It is jointly owned by the Governments of Guyana and Suriname, as each country owns 50 per cent of the issued share capital. For years, the Guyana-Suriname Ferry Service served as a critical and legal link between the two countries, mutually improving economic and cultural relations. Without the ferry service, scores of persons in Suriname and Guyana usually resort to the alternative “backtrack” routes.

Over the years, major upgrades were done at the GuyanaSuriname Ferry Service, which included repairs to the manager’s office and VIP lounge; removal of vents and installation of doors; removal of windows, repairs to the washroom and waiting area, and some other works in the canteen and waiting area.

Fishermen robbed at WBD koker

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ive fishermen were robbed of cash and cell phones by two armed men at the Good Fortuin Koker, West Bank Demerara.

The incident occurred in the wee hours of Saturday.

The perpetrators, whom the Police say are “known”, were armed with a gun and a knife

Reports are that the fishermen – aged 61, 59, 55, 47 and 44 – were unloading their boat at the koker when the two perpetrators approached and held them up, carting off with $303,000 in cash and two cellular phones.

The matter was reported and Police are conducting their investigations.

international levels committed to advancing their collaboration using modern digital technology, to strengthen the region’s response to illegal fishing and transnational organised criminal activities, such as drugs, human and small arms trafficking, trade in contraband goods, document fraud and forgery, tax crimes, and money laundering, which use commercial and recreational fishing as a cover for their activities.

Last October, during a high-level meeting of CRFM Ministers, 12 Member States signed the International Declaration on Transnational Organised Crime in the Global Fishing Industry (also known as the Copenhagen Declaration).

They also endorsed the Blue Justice Initiative, which supports developing countries in operationalising the Copenhagen Declaration, aimed at “promoting a sustainable and fair Blue Economy for all, that is free from fisheries crime”.

The CRFM and Caricom

IMPACS convened the technical meeting of senior fisheries and maritime law enforcement officers to identify priority actions to strengthen regional and international cooperation to combat and eradicate IUU fishing and transnational organised crime in the fisheries sector.

Over 90 participants from 15 Member States of the CRFM and representatives of the Caricom Secretariat, the CRFM, Caricom IMPACS, the Regional Security System (RSS), UNDP and the Government of Norway participated in the virtual session.

The meeting featured a diverse array of speakers who provided participants with insights on the Blue Justice Initiative and Copenhagen Declaration, the UNDP Blue Resilience Project and its use of digital technology and institutional cooperation, tools and techniques to detect and analyse fisheries crime, and a general overview of fisher-

ies crime in the Caribbean.

Participants engaged in interactive sessions, as they contributed to charting the way forward.

In addressing the gathering, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour, and Chair of the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, Saboto Caesar said, “The fight globally has increased against IUU fishing and organised crime, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the Member States of the CRFM continue to honour our duty… It is our quest in the Caribbean to partner with all international agencies to ensure that we reduce criminal activities when it comes to the Blue Economy. We intend to work with regional and international partners and other friendly governments such as Norway… because every Member State in the global community must play an important role.”

Guyanese fishermen

have been, in the past, victims of crimes that are most often linked to piracy.

In March 2021, a group of Essequibo Coast, Region Two fishermen were attacked in the Waini River, Region One (Barima-Waini) by pirates. The incident occurred at Kamwatta, Waini River, in the North West District and according to Police, the men were robbed of food, fuel, cellular phones and about $100,000 in fish, late Wednesday night.

A couple of months prior, a fishing expedition by a four-man crew along the Waini River turned into a horror story after the men were attacked by pirates.

At the time there were five men, two of whom were armed with “long guns”; the suspects were clad in “what appeared to be military uniforms” and they were speaking a foreign language. Police stated that the pirates then took control of the vessel and forced the crew to the bow, where they remained for some 24 hours.

28 NEWS

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Duo killed in Corentyne hit-and-run – driver of getaway car arrested in G/town

The area where the two bodies were found

Dead: Tony Lakeram

A

man and woman were on Friday evening killed in a hitand-run accident along the No 70 Public Road, Upper Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The dead man has been identified as 20-year-old Toney Lakeram also called “Arvey”, a carpenter of Number 71 Squatting Area, Corentyne. The identity of the female is still unknown.

Residents recalled seeing Lakeram riding an electronic bike alone prior to the accident.

Police stated that the accident occurred at about 23:20h on the Number 70

Public Road, Corentyne, and involved the electric bike and an unknown motor vehicle.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle was speeding along the roadway when it collided with the duo and continued on its journey.

As a result, the duo sustained injuries about their bodies and was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital where they both were pronounced dead on arrival.

Nevertheless, at the scene of the accident on Saturday morning, there was no debris that suggested that an accident had occurred.

However, the dead man’s father, Mukesh Suresh, recalled seeing the bodies at the hospital after he rushed there upon receiving the news. His son’s motionless body was lying on a stretcher.

“His foot break and he had blood on his face and the girl, she damage more bad; she foot break up more than one place,” the aggrieved father said.

Nevertheless, there are reports that suggest a second vehicle may have been involved in the fatal accident. Nafeeza Sattar told Guyana Times that she heard an impact but did not get out of bed immediately to enquire.

“My mother went outside and she say that the two people were lying on the road and then a car come and knock one of them and the car slow down but did not stop and then it drive away,” Sattar said, adding that when she looked out of her verandah she saw the two persons on the roadway.

Speculations that the vehicle which was involved in the accident belonged to a Police rank were debunked when the Communions Unit within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) later confirmed that the car that was involved was located.

This publication understands that the car was found at Number 69 Village while the driver was arrested on Saturday afternoon at Kitty, Georgetown.

Police have since ruled out that the vehicle was involved in the accident.

Businessman arrested after discharging loaded firearm

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olice in Division Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) have arrested a businessman who reportedly discharged his firearm in a public place.

This incident occurred at some time around 22:15h on Friday at Canal #2, West Bank Demerara, and the businessman, whom Police have identified as 57-yearold Imran Khan, is a farmer and licensed firearm holder.

Khan was allegedly seen shooting off his 12-gauge shotgun, but when contacted by the Police, the businessman denied the allegation. However, upon further inspection of the scene, the ranks discovered an empty shell on the property, which the Police said is “about 200 metres off the public space.”

Nevertheless, the man was arrested and escorted to the Police station, where his firearm and the spent shell casing were lodged.

NEWS

CIOG President appointed Chairman of Central Mosque

P

resident of the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) Al Hajj Shahabudeen Ahmad was recently appointed Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Central Mosque of Georgetown – the Queenstown Jama Masjid.

Ahmad served as a Trustee of the Masjid for several years before he was elected to chairman-

Al Hajj Shahabudeen Ahmad

ship.

The Queenstown Jama Masjid has been in existence for 127 years and has been serving the Muslim community in all religious aspects. The mosque is operated by a Board of Directors that is elected over a period of time.

CIOG wishes Ahmad Allah’s blessings in guiding him in all his decisions with great health.

29

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

30

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

31 2 new infections take active COVID-19 cases to 145 GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD A NEWS

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

nother two females have tested positive for the novel coronavirus within a 24hour period, according to new statistics provided by the Health Ministry on Saturday.

With this, the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana has gone up to 63,183. But only 145 of these are currently active cases.

This includes four patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 141 persons in isolation, that is, 12 in institutional isolation and the other 129 in home isolation.

Additionally, there are also 12 more persons in institutional quarantine.

Since the Health Ministry did not report any new fatalities on Saturday, the country’s COVID-19 death toll remains at 1226. The last COVID fatality reported was the death of an 83-year-old female from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), who died on

MARCH 19, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

2 12

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

129

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

4

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

12

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,090

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,093

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

63,183

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

61,812

REGION 1

2518

REGION 2

2490

REGION 3

8045

REGION 4

31,235

REGION 5

2377

REGION 6

5732

REGION 7

2422

REGION 8

887

REGION 9

4012

REGION 10

3465

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

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

436,452

FULLY IMMUNISED

333,910

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1226

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

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

March 15. She was fully vaccinated.

To date, some 61,812 persons have recovered from the life-threatening disease in the country.

Meanwhile, since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Guyana, a total 558,874 tests have been conducted countrywide and of this, some 29,093 males and 34,090 females were found to be positive.

Of the two new cases recorded on Friday, one was from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and the other case was from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

There were no new cases in the other eight re-

gions across the country within the reporting 24hour period.

This declining trend in COVID-19 cases has resulted in the Guyana Government last week removing most restrictions as the country moves to recover from the pandemic and return to normalcy.

But while mandates such as masking in public and social distancing are no longer in place, health authorities are still encouraging persons to get vaccinated, and for those who are qualified to get their booster shots, in order to add a layer of protection against the virus.

32 NEWS

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Anguillan company to lead consolidation, revision of Guyana’s Laws

I

n keeping with plans to overhaul and modernise the country’s legislative landscape, the Guyana Government has commenced the consolidation and revision of all the Laws of Guyana.

This, according to a statement from the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs on Saturday, also includes principal and subsidiary legislation in force as at December 31, 2022.

It was noted that this consolidation and revision initiative is a collaborative effort between the Law Revision Commission – a Unit within the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs – and the Improved Access to Justice in the Caribbean (IMPACT Justice) Project.

The exercise will be executed by the Regional Law Revision Centre Inc (RLRC), an Anguillan company that specialises in consolidation and revision, among other things.

According to the Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC, this consolidation and revision process, taken together with several other transformative initiatives

currently underway, will deliver on a manifesto promise to modernise legislative landscape.

The last consolidation and revision exercise was carried out pre-2012. That exercise produced the 2012 Revised Edition of the Laws of Guyana. That process took place nearly 12 years ago, and a plethora of new laws have been promulgated since.

Incorporating those laws into principal legislation, and the consolidation of them have become necessary, the missive detailed.

“The time is therefore ripe to produce a new volume of the Laws of Guyana which is current, comprehensive, and accurate. Quite importantly, this process will also see the rectification of several deficiencies which afflicted the last revision exercise,” it added.

This exercise will take place over a 12-month period with work having commenced on February 21, 2022, and is slated to wrap up on February 20, 2023.

In order to facilitate the required work, the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs, through the IMPACT Justice Project, will supply the

Regional Law Revision Centre with electronic copies of the last (2012) Revised Edition of the Laws of Guyana; the printed edition of the last (2012) Revised Edition of the Laws of Guyana; copy of the Consolidated Index of the Laws of Guyana for the revision periods 2009, 2010 and 2021; and The Gazette publications of the Laws of Guyana for the revision period December 31, 2010, to December 31, 2021.

When the current consolidation and revision exercise is completed, the Regional Law Revision Centre will provide Guyana with completed electronic (MS Word and PDF files) files of the Laws of Guyana as of December 31, 2022.

These files will then be used to produce the 2022 Revised Edition of the Laws of Guyana.

Access to justice requires access by the people of Guyana to the laws which affect their daily lives. As such, in keeping with current policy, the 2022 Revised Edition of the Laws of Guyana will be made available on the website of the Attorney General’s Chambers, and physical copies will be made available to key stakeholders.

33 12-year-old drowns at Black Bush Polder NEWS

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– men allegedly refuse to assist lad despite cries by 7-year-old brother

T

he lifeless body of a 12-year-old boy was pulled from a trench in Black Bush Polder (BBP), Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), on Friday.

Hemraj Ramnauth of Johann South, BBP, left home on Friday morning in the company of a 25-yearold female neighbour and his 7-year-old brother to play Phagwah in the community.

Sometime after, the now dead child’s mother, Sadna Rambarran, received a telephone call informing her that her son was missing.

According to the aggrieved mother, several children were in the trench playing Phagwah along with adults. The adults, however, left the children and went about their business.

Rambarran said her 7-year-old son told her what transpired on the fateful day.

“He told me that he was not going into the water but would just watch how the people playing Phagwah…I was cooking and I get a phone call…a girl call and

Dead: Hemraj Ramnauth

say I must come by the Three Bridge, that they can’t find Hemraj but the fire de side-light and I could not go out then but then another phone call come and they say that they find Hemraj and that he dead,” the mother added.

When she arrived at the scene, her son was lying on the ground and she tried to resuscitate him but

her efforts were all in vain.

The 7-year-old recalled his elder brother taking one breath after being pulled from the muddy water.

Rambarran said her 7-year-old son reportedly tried to get assistance from adults who were on a nearby bridge but they refused to go to the drowning child’s aid. At that time, one resident who could not swim

The canal in which the children were seen playing Phagwah prior to the incident

reportedly went into the shallow part of the trench and by using a stick, he was able to locate the child.

He called out for assistance and it was then two other men found the body and brought it to land.

The area from where the lad was pulled

The child was taken to the Mibicuri Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Rambarran referred to the former JC Chandisingh

Secondary student as a brilliant young man. He leaves to mourn his parents and siblings.

34 NEWS

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police appeal for drivers to become certified – as unlicensed motorcyclist hospitalised after Wakenaam crash

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) is urging road users, particularly those behind the wheel, to ensure that they are properly certified to operate on the roadways.

“The [GPF’s] Traffic Department is appealing to persons to use the roadways with care, caution, courtesy, consideration and common sense. Persons who are unlicensed should desist from driving and apply to the GPF for their certification,” the Force’s Communication Unit said in a media release on Saturday.

It was at the time reporting a serious accident at Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), that resulted in an unlicensed motorcyclist being hospitalised.

Reports are that sometime around 17:50h, 24-yearold Cleon Venture of Lot A Melville, Wakenaam Island, was driving a motorcycle (number unknown) on Noitgedacht Public Road, Wakenaam, when he collided into a parked motor car, PZZ 9626.

Police say Venture lost control of the motorcycle, fell onto the road’s surface and skidded under the front portion of the car, which was parked on the parapet of the road.

As a result, the motorcyclist

received injuries to his head and body.

He was picked up in a conscious state by public-spirited persons and taken to the Wakenaam Cottage Hospital, where he was treated and later transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital on the Essequibo Coast, where he has been admitted a patient in a stable condition.

Nevertheless, Police are continuing their investigations.

Only earlier this month, three bystanders were killed on the De Willem Public Road, West Coast Demerara, after a young unlicensed driver crashed into them. The driver was reportedly racing with another vehicle along the public road.

Nineteen-year-old Matthew Ambedkar of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), has since been charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving and remanded to prison to prison until March 24.

It was reported that on March 7 last, the teen was driving at a fast rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the Sharmila Harrykissoon Sports Bar, thus resulting in the death of Carlito Gobinlall, 23, a Venezuelan national; Ayube

Mohammed, 44, a fisherman of Meten-Meer-Zorg, WCD, and Kiram Rampersaud, 41, of Zeeburg. The deceased trio was standing outside the bar at the time.

Previous reports stated that Gobinlall was thrown several feet away and landed in front of a pharmacy while Mohamed was found under the debris and Rampersaud was found inside a drain.

The teen driver was also injured along with two other patrons of the bar – Wazim Mohammed and Chandrika Veerasammy, both of De Willem.

Following the accident, Police confirmed that a breathalyser test was administered on the teenager but there were no traces of alcohol in his system.

Meanwhile, on the morning of February 23, another unlicensed driver was killed after the motor car he was operating crashed into a truck along the Schoonord Public Road, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

While 49-year-old Joseph Charles of Lodge, Georgetown, died at the scene, another occupant of the vehicle, 23-year-old Alex Saul, was also injured in the crash.

Police had reported that at around 08:30h, the motor lorry

was proceeding north along the western side of the Schoonord Public Road while the motor car was proceeding south along the eastern drive lane of the said road at a fast rate of speed.

The car’s driver reportedly

lost control of the vehicle and collided with the front right side of the lorry. The car then spun around and collided with another motor car.

Both Charles and Saul were taken out of the motor car

in unconscious conditions and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, the former was pronounced dead and the latter was admitted with a fractured left hip and leg.

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022

35

Regional

British royal couple starts Family of Jamaican man killed in US “not surprised” after Caribbean tour dogged shooting death ruled self-defence by protest in Belize

B

ritain's Prince William and his wife Kate arrive in Belize on Saturday for a weeklong Caribbean tour that was marred by a local protest before it even began amid growing scrutiny of the British Empire's colonial ties to the region.

The arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge coincides with the celebration of Queen Elizabeth's 70th year on the throne, and comes nearly four months after Barbados voted to become a republic, cutting ties with the monarchy but remaining part of the British-led Commonwealth of Nations.

The queen's grandson and his wife are due to spend their first three days in Belize, formerly British Honduras. But on the eve of their departure, an event planned for Sunday was

scrapped when a few dozen villagers staged a protest.

Residents of Indian Creek, an Indigenous Maya village in southern Belize, told Reuters they were upset that the royal couple's helicopter had been granted permission to land on a local soccer field without prior consultation.

The village is in a land dispute with Fauna & Flora International (FFI), a conservation group supported by the royal family, stirring discontent over colonial-era territorial settlements still contested by Indigenous groups.

A visit to a different site is being planned instead, Belize's Government said.

In a statement, Kensington Palace confirmed the schedule would be changed because of "sensitive issues" involving the Indian Creek community, and said more

details would be provided in due course.

In a statement, FFI said it had purchased land at the nearby Boden Creek from private owners in December 2021, and that it would conserve and protect the area's wildlife while supporting the livelihoods and traditional rights of local people.

Without directly addressing the dispute, FFI said it bought the land to benefit the area's ecological integrity, resident communities and Belize as a whole, and pledged to maintain "open and continuous dialogue" with the local community.

After Belize, the duke and duchess are due to move on to Jamaica and the Bahamas. Meetings and a variety of events are scheduled with politicians and a range of civic leaders.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Jamaican immigrant Peter Spencer, 29, was killed after being invited by a former colleague to “hang out”, his mother said

T

he family of Jamaican immigrant Peter Spencer, who was fatally shot by a former colleague during a cabin trip in Pennsylvania, says they are not surprised after authorities announced this week that nobody will be charged in relation to the death.

A county district attorney determined that the man who fatally shot Spencer at his cabin nine times did so out of self-defense.

In a statement to The Daily Beast, an attorney for Spencer's family reportedly said that they disagree with the Venango County district attorney's decision, but are “not surprised” by the outcome.

“This is the type of behavior we have seen from the (Pennsylvania) state police and Venango County district attorney from the outset,” attorney Paul Jubas said.

He said the family will hold a press conference about the decision next week.

Evidence from the case supported witness accounts that Spencer, 29, of Pittsburgh, was shot early December 12 at the cabin in Venango County while he was high on psychedelic mushrooms, firing an assault

rifle and threatening others. No charges will be filed, District Attorney D Shawn White said Tuesday.

Spencer's family and their attorney had criticised the state police investigation as lacking transparency. A few dozen people marched last month in Pittsburgh calling for justice in the case.

White said his silence on the matter was due to policies barring him from commenting on an ongoing case until the investigation was over.

Spencer was black and the others who were at the cabin are white, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

The man who shot Spencer had invited him and three other people to his family's cabin for a weekend getaway. Some members of the group consumed alcohol and marijuana and later psychedelic mushrooms, White said. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

36

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022

Around the World

Russia claims 1st use of hypersonic Kinzhal missile in Ukraine

R

ussia’s military has fired a hypersonic ballistic missile and destroyed a big underground arms depot in western Ukraine, the Defence Ministry in Moscow has said.

If confirmed it would be Russia’s first use in this war of the Kinzhal, or Dagger, ballistic missile launched from the air, most likely by a MiG-31 warplane.

President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly highlighted Russia’s investment in hypersonic missiles, which can travel at more than five times the speed of sound, or Mach 5.

The statistics are impressive: according to Russian officials the Kinzhal can hit a target up to 2000km (1240 miles) away and can fly faster than 6000 km/h. But does that make them any more dangerous than other missiles or even artillery which can cause just as much death and destruction?

“I don’t view it as

OILNEWS OIL NEWS IEA releases plan to cut oil use by 2.7 million bpd

T

Kinzhal missiles have been fitted to Russian MiG-31K fighter jets, as shown in this Defence Ministry handout

that significant,” says James Acton, nuclear policy specialist at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “I don’t know how much of an advantage Russia is getting from using hypersonic missiles.”

President Putin boasted last December that Russia

was leading the world in hypersonic missiles, which are hard to track because they can change direction in mid-flight.

Russia posted a video of what it said was its missile strike on the arms depot in Deliatyn, a village in south-western Ukraine only 100km from the bor-

der with Romania.

“It’s a sign of showmanship. Even if it’s used we should consider it as an isolated moment because Russia doesn’t have a large number of these missiles,” said Dominika Kunertova of the Center for Security Studies in Zurich. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he International Energy Agency has released a 10-point plan aimed at reducing global oil consumption by as much as 2.7 million barrels daily.

The focus of the measure that the IEA has put forward is on transportation. Measures include encouraging carpooling on interurban journeys and the use of alternative modes of transportation such as trains and bicycles.

Boosting fuel efficiency by changing driver habits in the freight transport industry is also among the ideas that the IEA is suggesting in a bid to cut oil consumption. So is the idea of reducing speed limits on highways to reduce fuel consumption.

According to the agency, some 290,000 bpd in oil demand could be eliminated by reducing speed limits on highways. Another half a million barrels daily of oil could be saved if more people adopt a hybrid work model, staying at home for up to three days a week.

Yet another 380,000 bpd of oil consumption could be saved, according to the IEA, if large cities ban cars for one day a week. This has been done before, the agency noted in its report, and it has had the added benefit of stimulating the use of alternative, non-polluting, and non-oil-consuming means of transportation such as bicycles and walking.

Lowering public transport prices is also among the measures proposed by the IEA, which noted some cities have done this and have seen increased use of public transport at the expense of private car transport. Encouraging people to walk more instead of driving is also among the ideas of reducing oil consumption. As a result, the IEA says, some 330,000 bpd in oil could be saved.

Increased adoption of EVs is also on the list, with the IEA noting that currently, there are supply chain problems that are affecting the uptake of electric vehicles. To address this, the IEA has proposed “facilitating logistical coordination to shore up flows of materials and components.”

(Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022

37

Roundup on the BCB Tenelec Under-15 tournament…

Adrian Hetmyer slams third century -as Rose Hall Canje, Port Mourant book final spots ning the toss, Cotton Tree Die Hard posted 87 all out.

Shoaib Alli Gafoor topscored with an attractive 33, while Kishan Lalsa made 12 and Rohait Siarjoon made 10.

Bowling for Port Mourant, the talented Navin Boodwah claimed 3-30 from seven overs, while Rovin Boodwah had 2-13 from eight overs.

Shamar Daniels and Yoganand Mohan claimed two wickets as well.

In response, the home

Adrian Hetmyer (left) and Gavin Kisten congratulating Jaden Edwards after the innings Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

A

drian Hetmyer has continued his purple patch in the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) Tenelec Under-15 tournament, stroking his third century of the season and his second in as many matches.

The 13-year-old righthander hit an elegant unbeaten 134 to propel his Rose Hall Canje "Arborsmart" side to a crushing 282-run win against the jaded Tucber Park team. This semi-final win sets up grand final between Rose Hall Canje and Port Mourant teams.

The Arborsmart match against Tucber Park was played at the Rose Hall Canje Community Centre Ground, and was watched by parents, family members and friends of the contestants. The Arborsmart team racked up 345-1 in 50 overs, with Adrian Hetmyer's 134 coming off 140 balls and including seven fours and four sixes as he batted for 190 minutes.

He was supported by Jaden Edwards, whose score of an unbeaten 74 from 88 balls was decorated with nine fours.

Earlier, the classy and consistent opener Romario Ramdeholl was run out for 69 runs scored from 81 balls, inclusive of nine fours.

The Rose Hall Canje boys dominated the ordinary bowling on show, and took full advantage on the poor fielding of the Tucber side.

A total of 68 extras was reaped from the Tucber Park side, among them 52 wides. Gavin Kisten was economical with the 23 runs he leaked in ten overs without reaping a wicket.

In response, Tucber Park made 63 all out in 19.3 overs.

Thiery Henry made 17, which had four boundaries.

Enrique Mickle took 3-12, while Romario Ramdeholl

took 3-6 and Nicholas Hall took 2-9.

Port Mourant humble Cotton Tree

In the other semi-final match, played at Port Mourant, the home team defeated Cotton Tree Die Hard by seven wickets.

Batting first after win-

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team made light work of the target, finishing on 90-3 in 16.3 overs.

Shamar Daniels scored an unbeaten 13, but Vishal Williams top-scored with 39 not out. David Alfred took 2-14 from five overs on this flat wicket, while Arif Bacchus took 1-14 from four overs.

‘The final’ between Port Mourant and Rose Hall Canje would be played on a date and venue to be announced shortly.

Adrian Hetmyer has slammed his third century in the BCB U-15 tournament

38

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022

Keemo Paul to lead Aliyah Abrams shatters Aliann Senior Squad against Pompey’s South American record ACS in 40-over match World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade…

T

he International Track and Field arena was treated to a foretaste of Guyanese athletics excellence this weekend when four athletes represented Guyana at the ongoing World Athletics Indoor Championships being held in Belgrade, Serbia.

These Guyanese were quick to make their mark in the first two days of the competition, with the most notable of those achievements being Aliyah Abrams’s South American Women’s Indoor 400M record.

This young gun was stunning in competition on Friday night as she established a record-breaking run in the Women’s 400M semifinal. In the Heats, the 24-year-old Abrams finished 2nd with a time of 52.34s, just behind Poland’s

Aliyah Abrams at the World Indoor Championships

Nathalia Kaczmarek, who clocked 52.22s. However, she returned in the semifinal to clock 51.57s, finishing 3rd behind Jamaica’s Stephenie Ann McPherson (51.26s) and the Netherlands’ Femke Bol (51.28s).

While that time qualified her for the final, it also shattered the previous South American Indoor Women’s 400m record, and by extension the Guyana record, which was held by Aliann Pompey. Pompey had, in 2010, set the South American record of 51.83s at the NYU Fastrack Invitational in New York City in February.

Abrams, however, could not get past ‘the final hurdle’, and placed 5th in the Indoor final, clocking 52.34s in that race. Olympic Champion Shaunae MillerUibo took gold with a season’s best 50.31s run, while Femke Bol (50.57s) and

Stephenie Ann McPherson (50.79s) completed the podium.

Meanwhile, Aliyah’s sister Jasmine also took to the Indoor track in Belgrade, Serbia on Friday, but she was not so fortunate. Jasmine’s 7.36s finish in the Women’s 60M was not good enough to get her past Heat 2. The final race was eventually won

by Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji, who took Gold in 6.96s.

Quamel Prince also bowed out in the round of the Men’s 800M heats. Prince ran 1.55.85 in Heat 1 to finish 6th, but only the top two moved on to the final.

Travis Collins also had a remarkable run in the Indoor Championships, setting the track alight with his 6.66s in the Men’s 60M heats. Collins clocked that time to win Heat 6 and move on to the semifinals.

In semifinal 1, he crossed the line in 6.67s; however, this time fell short of what was required to take Collins to the final. The 60M final was eventually won by Olympic Champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs of Italy, who clocked 6.41s.

The World Indoor Championships commenced on Friday, March 18, and will conclude today, Sunday, March 20, 2022. (Jemima Holmes)

T

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has announced a 15-man squad to play the American Cricket Society (ACS) in a one-off 40-over match at the Everest Cricket Club ground on Tuesday March 22, 2022.

The ACS senior team is currently in Guyana to play a series of matches. Manager of that team is Terry Hastoo and assistant manager is Charlton Senior. The ACS team includes Trinson Carmichael, Karan Ganesh, Avin Gangadin, Akshay Homraj, Damion Jacobs, Amarnauth Persaud, Emanuel Seecharran, Dominique Rikki, Stefan Rampersaud, Randall Wilson, Orin Williams, Kevin Boodie and Yuvraj

Dayal.

The Guyana Senior Team, which was selected under the new chairman of senior selectors Ravindranauth Seeram, is: Keemo Paul (Captain), Chandrapaul Hemraj (Vice Captain), Trevon Griffith, Akshaya Persaud, Tevin Imlach, Gudakesh Motie, Christopher Barnwell, Kevlon Anderson, Demitri Cameron, Kevin Sinclair, Kemol Savory, Anthony Adams, Ronsford Beaton, Matthew Nandu and Mavindra Dindyal. The manager is Albert Clements, Head Coach is Esuan Crandon, and Assistant Coach is Ryan Hercules.

The match starts at 10:30 hours.

Keemo Paul will lead the Guyanese team on Tuesday

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022

39

GMR&SC Quarter Mile Return…

16+ Surinamese drivers confirm participation …Palm Court and Windjammer join the action

Street and Thomas Lands; Mohamed’s Enterprise at Lombard Street; Motor Trend Service Center at Area L Foulis Public Road,

T

South Dakota is ready for the best of Guyana and Suriname on Sunday, March 27

he South Dakota Circuit will next Sunday be set alight as the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) makes its grand Drag Race return with the ‘Quarter Mile Return’ event.

Based on recent confirmations for the event, it will be a fierce battle between Guyanese and Surinamese drivers, and an age-old rivalry would be reignited.

According to the organisers, several leading cars and drivers from Suriname have already confirmed their participation in the event.

President of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports

Club (GMR&SC), Rameez Mohamed, shared with media operatives that a total of 16 competitors from Guyana’s Dutch-speaking neighbouring State Suriname are about to make the trek across the border to South Dakota for some 1320 action.

Meanwhile, support from corporate Guyana continues to pour in for the event in terms of signing on to the premier drag race meet, with Palm Court and Windjammer International Hotel and Restaurant joining the sponsorship list.

GMR&SC President Rameez Mohamed has iter-

ated these companies’ usual willingness to support local motor sports.

“Palm Court and Windjammer are companies that are always ready to rally behind motor racing.

They usually help in whatever way they can, and this time around it’s a great effort from both of them,” he said.

Tickets for this highly anticipated meet go on sale on Thursday, and $2000 is the cost for an adult ticket, while children’s tickets each cost $500. All tickets can be purchased at the following locations: GMR&SC Office at Albert

Guyanese umpire Nigel Duguid becomes on-field Test umpire

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Match referee Sir Richie Richardson (2R) presenting umpire Nigel Duguid (R) with a plaque on debut, as Joel Wilson (L), Gregory Brathwaite (2L) and Leslie Reifer (3L) watch during the 1st day of the 2nd Test between West Indies and England at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown (Getty Images)

igel Duguid has become an on-field Test umpire during the ongoing second Test match between West Indies and England at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The 52-year-old Guyanese is alongside Joel Wilson as the ruling men of the ongoing Test match.

Duguid became the 497th umpire in the world to officiate in Test cricket, the 53rd West Indian, and only the seventh Guyanese to do on-

field duties in a Test match.

The other Guyanese to have on-field Test umpiring experience are Badge Menzies, Cecil Kippins, Compton Vyphuis, David Narine, Clyde Duncan and Eddie Nicholls.

Duguid has been an international umpire since February 2014, when he stood in a T20I between West Indies and Ireland in Kingston, Jamaica. To date, he has officiated in 43 T20 Internationals (26 on-field

and 17 TV Umpire) and 16 One-Day Internationals (10 on-field and 6 TV Umpire).

Prior to his on-field Test debut, Duguid did TV Umpire duties in six Test matches.

The Guyana Cricket Umpires Council has extended congratulations to Duguid.

The Umpires Council in Guyana is proud to have an active on-field Test Umpire in its ranks after a two-decade absence. Dugid was born on November 25, 1969.

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WI vs England: Apex Test series, 2nd Test…

England get slim chance of final-day win -after attritional day four

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ngland have given themselves a slim chance of victory over West Indies in the second Test in Barbados by taking a lead of 136 into the final day.

After finally dismissing West Indies for 411, England openers Alex Lees and Zak Crawley reached 40-0 at the close, having faced 15 overs. The tourists will look for quick runs in the morning session, before declaring and attempting to bowl out their opponents in the time remaining for victory.

But the struggle England had in ending West Indies' first innings, which lasted 187.5 overs, shows the difficulties they will face. West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite turned his 109 not out overnight into an 11-hour 160 from 489 balls, before he was finally bowled by Jack Leach.

On a turgid pitch that makes run-scoring and wicket-taking tough, England's bowlers toiled until they took the 10th West Indies wicket in the evening session. The series opener in Antigua was drawn, so if this Test ends in the same result, the series will be level at 0-0 going into the final match in Grenada, starting on Thursday.

Again, not helped by the surface, and not without effort, England struggled to create open-

Left-arm spinner Leach bowled 69.5 overs across the marathon innings, the most in an innings by an England bowler since Phil Tufnell against New Zealand in 1992. His three wickets were a disappointing return on a day-four pitch.

The number of overs Leach bowled, and the ineffectiveness of the seamers, also brings into question England's selection, with uncapped Lancashire leg-spinner Matt Parkinson being an unused member of the squad.

However,

Kraigg Brathwaite slammed 160

faced 30 dot balls in a row. Only West Indies legend Brian Lara, who did so twice, has batted longer than Brathwaite's 710 minutes in a Test innings. It took a fine ball from Leach, which pitched on middle and leg stump and hit the top of off, to dismiss him.

For England, there were too few such deliveries. West Indies' effort was admirable, but the fact that they batted slowly, scoring at 2.18 runs per over, meant they still had a sizeable deficit when finally dismissed.

The hosts bowled tidily enough late in the day, such that England were not able to make a fast start in building their advantage. Crawley was given out lbw for two off the bowling of Kemar Roach, but the decision was overturned on review, as the technology had the ball missing leg stump.

Day five bowls off from 10:00h Eastern Caribbean time.

(BBC Sport)

SCOREBOARD

Ben Stokes and company worked hard on day 4

ings. Even if they manage to get to a position to declare, they would have to bowl better than their first effort to have any chance of winning.

Their toil began from the outset of day four, when nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph hung around for 20 overs before cutting to gully off Ben Stokes for 19 from 75 balls.

A clatter of wickets then put the tourists in a much stronger position, but that did not look like happening all day, as West Indies dug in. Before lunch, there was a period of one run in 51 balls, with England's bowlers offering very little.

Jason Holder skied a catch to mid-on straight after lunch, giving Saqib Mahmood his first Test wicket, but Joshua da Silva then blunted the bowling with 33 from 112 balls.

one cannot escape the fact that this is a poor pitch for Test cricket, just like the first one in Antigua.

Brathwaite goes long

Brathwaite's knock, which began on the second day, was an impressive example of resilience and patience.

In the spell before lunch, runs ground to a halt, and Brathwaite

Debutant Mahmood claimed two wickets

ENGLAND 1ST INNINGS 507-9d WEST INDIES 1ST INNINGS Kraigg Brathwaite (c)b Leach 160 John Campbell c †Foakes b Fisher 4 Shamarh Brooks c Woakes b Leach 39 Nkrumah Bonner lbw b Stokes 9 Jermaine Blackwood lbw b Lawrence 102 Alzarri Joseph c Lawrence b Stokes 19 Jason Holder c Fisher b Mahmood 12 Joshua Da Silva † lbw b Leach 33 Kemar Roach lbw b Woakes 1 Veerasammy Permaul lbw b Mahmood 5 Jayden Seales not out 5 Extras (b 10, lb 4, nb 8) 22 TOTAL (187.5 Ov, RR: 2.18) 411 Fall of wickets: 1-14 (John Campbell, 1.2 ov), 2-83 (Shamarh Brooks, 34.4 ov), 3-101 (Nkrumah Bonner, 44.3 ov), 4-284 (Jermaine Blackwood, 112.1 ov), 5-336 (Alzarri Joseph, 136.1 ov), 6-351 (Jason Holder, 151.2

ov), 7-385 (Kraigg Brathwaite, 168.4 ov), 8-392 (Kemar Roach, 173.5 ov), 9-403 (Veerasammy Permaul, 180.4 ov), 10-411 (Joshua Da Silva, 187.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Chris Woakes 23-10-51-1 Matthew Fisher 25-5-67-1 Jack Leach 69.5-27-118-3 Ben Stokes 29-10-65-2 Saqib Mahmood 27-6-58-1 Dan Lawrence 8-2-21-1 Joe Root 6-1-17-0 ENGLAND 2ND INNINGS Alex Lees not out 18 Zak Crawley not out 21 Extras (b 1) 1 TOTAL (15 Ov, RR: 2.66) 40 Yet to bat: Joe Root (c), Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Ben Foakes †, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Woakes, Matthew Fisher, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood BOWLING O-M-R-W Kemar Roach 4-3-5-0 Veerasammy Permaul 6-0-13-0 Jayden Seales 3-0-16-0 Kraigg Brathwaite 1-0-5-0 Jason Holder 1-1-0-0

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