Guyana Times - Sunday, May 15, 2022

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With 53 years in nursing, Sister Noshella Lalckecharan is Guyana’s longest-serving nurse Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 5009 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022

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Draft law proposing manslaughter charge, increased jail time & fines for drunk drivers

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 7

Pedestrian P22 killed by truck at Madewini identified as G/town resident

– bar owners who sell to intoxicated drivers will also feel the heat

Norway offers support to Guyana in fighting illegal fishing See story on page 3

– in keeping with Copenhagen Declaration ratified by Guyana last year

Maria’s Lodge Nursery School gets modern P20 sanitary facility Businessman, nephew busted with ganja in ceiling P17

Timehri man nabbed after tossing gun, ammo in P22 church yard

A breathtaking view of the ‘Guyana Walk’ beautification project along the Lamaha Railway Embankment, which is a stretch of land running parallel with Lamaha Street, Georgetown. The project is an initiative undertaken by the Government of Guyana (Team MMR Photo)

CoP outreach at Mosquito Hall

Police outpost, forming Scout Group among other issues discussed at meeting Page 28

Millions unaccounted for in GWI’s 2017, 2018 audits Page 23

“My mother was sick, and I felt helpless” …male nurse on why he entered the nursing profession Page 13

Duo found dead in hotel parking lot ingested P23 cyanide – Min Benn confirms

Mason gunned down at P12 Bachelor's Adventure

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SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, May 15 – 02:30h – 04:00h and Monday, May 16 – 03:30h – 05:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, May 15 – 15:55h – 17:25h and Monday, May 16 – 16:40h – 18:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be thundery showers and light cloud the day. Expect partly cloudy skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 16:11h reaching a maximum height of 2.76 metres.

Low Tide: 09:44h and 21:59h reaching minimum heights of 0.35 metre and 0.49 metre.

SATURDAY, MAY 14, 2022

LOTTERY NUMBERS H

02 03 05 11 16 22

FREE TICKET

04 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

01 06 10 21 23 LUCKY 3

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DRAW DE LINE

03 04 05 08 12 13 19 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2022

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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 %

Crude Oil

$111.55/barrel

+3.68

Rough Rice

$311.85/ton

+0.87

London Sugar

$535.70/ton

+0.11

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1812.20

$1813.20

Low/High Change

$1798.60 0.00

$1829.50 0.00%

Norway offers support to Guyana in fighting illegal fishing

– in keeping with Copenhagen Declaration ratified by Guyana last year

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he Kingdom of Norway has committed to providing support to Guyana, when it comes to combating organised crime through a mechanism that allows the Norwegians to fund capacity building under the Copenhagen Declaration.

This was revealed during the accreditation of a new Non-resident Norwegian Ambassador to Guyana, Odd Magne Ruud. After presenting his letters of credence to President Dr Irfaan Ali, Ruud heaped praise on Guyana for its climate change mitigation efforts.

“Guyana’s commitment to protecting additional hectares of its wonderful eco-system is admirable. And shows great initiative, that you want to create new, green and equitable opportunities for all Guyanese. We also commend Guyana for signing the Copenhagen Declaration to combat transnational organised crime in the global fishing industry.”

“Norway hosts the secretariat for the declaration and provides funding for tools such as the blue justice project. And these tools are also available to Guyana. The development of a blue economy is vital to us, as nations depending on the ocean,” Ruud explained.

Norway Ambassador to Guyana, Odd Magne Ruud, as he presented his Letters of Credence to President Dr Irfaan Ali

Guyana was one of 12 member states in the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), which is an inter-governmental organisation in the Caribbean Community (Caricom), that signed the Copenhagen Declaration late last year.

The countries, by signing, simultaneously affirmed their support to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and transnational organised crime in the fishing industry, through their support for the declaration and the Blue Justice Initiative.

The initiative was expected to help strengthen cooperation among countries and build capacity to

address transnational organised crime in the global fishing industry and to combat IUU fishing. Ruud expressed the hope that this will lead to a strengthened ocean economy.

“Norway was instrumental in establishing the high-level panel for a sustainable ocean economy. And we hope that the work of this panel will give inspiration and ideas on how to keep our oceans clean and utilise the vast resources in a sustainable way,” Ruud said.

Guyana and Norway have a longstanding history of partnerships, having inked a historic forest protection accord in 2009 aimed at Guyana receiving payments for sustaining its rainforests to absorb

global carbon emissions.

A total of US$250 million was to be paid to Guyana over a five-year period.

Under the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) set up to receive and coordinate these payments, projects identified had included grants to small businesses, a centre for biodiversity studies, ICT for vulnerable communities, and Amerindian land titling.

With US$54 million remaining as of January of this year, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government had said it intends to tap into this money this year to fund climate change mitigation efforts.

This was according to Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, who, during his last budget presentation, also announced that the total current revenue flowing into the GRIF in 2021 was GY$265.8 billion, 16.7 per cent more than the 2020 revenue.

According to Finance Minister Singh, the US$54 million balance received from Norway as well as investment income would in 2022 be invested towards institutional strengthening and building in Regions Five and Six major new outfall channels that are similar to the Hope Canal.

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SUNDAY, MAY 15, 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

Triple-threat to development plans

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he turmoil in the Government of Sri Lanka, and the frantic efforts to stave off an implosion of the entire social fabric, should be a cautionary take to all countries, especially those in the developing world. And this is because, while inevitably there are idiosyncratic factors in play, such as the governing party becoming a Rajapaksha family combined, there are several systemic factors that confront many other states, including Guyana.

Three of those, as identified by the IMF, which has been called in by the Sri Lankans, are: the servicing of massive debts that have accumulated in the last decade; the cumulative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as supply chain challenges that have converged on the economy and the society; and, finally, the unexpected war in Ukraine, which has created an inflationary spiral due to rising food, fertiliser and fuel prices.

Much of this is eerily reminiscent of the economic meltdown in the global south during the 1970s and 1980s, when western banks intermediated the windfall funds of the OPEC countries as they seized control of their petroleum resources. The easy money was snapped up by countries like Brazil and Guyana, but, for a number of reasons - strategic and otherwise - the interest payments could not be serviced.

In this iteration, China has led the way in facilitating easy money for all sorts of projects, especially if those projects are aligned with their Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI). In the case of Sri Lanka, they received over US$5billion in loans to build infrastructure like an airport and port that were not economically sustainable. While, earlier this year, the Government announced that they had comfortable foreign reserves of US$1.5 billion, it is now revealed that this was basically due to a Chinese loan swap that cannot be used to finance foods and other needs, such as fertilisers.

With over US$38 billion in foreign debt that has to be serviced, Sri Lanka has now defaulted on some of its loans, and has resorted to the IMF, which is applying its “tough love” conditionalities. Much would depend on what conditions the Chinese would impose as their loans become due. Since they have been just as free with their lending across the globe, including to Guyana, there is much anticipation about the haircut they would impose on Sri Lanka.

In 1989, Hoyte’s PNC Government had been in an identical situation after his predecessor, Burnham, had defaulted on loans. Guyana had become an international pariah when he refused the IMF’s ministrations. When Hoyte reversed course, interest payments had ballooned the US$800 million borrowed to over US$2.1 billion as the IMF’s ERP kicked in. In Sri Lanka, it does appear that their citizens would go way beyond the “empty rice pots” slogans of the then PPP Opposition against the ensuing privations.

The lesson of the Sri Lankan meltdown is stark for us, since we, along with every other country, face two of the Sri Lankan triple-threats: rising prices, and the effect of COVID-19 on the economy. At this point, in reference to the third threat, our debt-to-GDP ratio is well below any danger signal. Back in 2018, the Granger Administration had signed on to China’s B&RI, and, last year, there was some talk of the new Government accessing US$1.5 billion in loans from China to finance some of its infrastructural projects. The Finance Minister at that time had analysed the risks of such borrowing frontally, and had offered assurances that the Government would be very prudent in increasing its loan portfolio, to ensure that it can be safely serviced.

Some may question why there is a need to take loans for our infrastructure when we have established the National Resources Fund (NRF) and can use it for that purpose - as with the US$200 million just withdrawn and deposited into the Consolidated Fund. But with an economy, as with businesses, it is prudent to have access to funds, so that, if opportunities present themselves, they can be seized, once the cash flow would be able to service the loans.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony on Saturday handed over $20 million worth of equipment to Dr Erica Forte, the Regional Health Officer, Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). The equipment includes examination beds, lights, autoclaves, bilirubin meters, and portable ultrasound

Peace and decency must take precedence

Dear Editor, The die-hard and convenient followers of Aubrey Norton, as Opposition and PNCR Leader, must, in retrospect, question their commitment, given the strategies that are divorced from reality but are being publicly rolled out under his leadership. Certainly, the ‘blind following’ is a thing of the past in Guyana’s political environment, and his public rants are tantamount to failed diplomacy from the onset.

One must therefore be curious about the voluminous silence of the partners in the APNU/AFC. Sadly, Aubrey Norton seemingly holds on to a foolhardy belief in the Keith Lowenfield infamously concocted numbers, which disenfranchised thousands of Guyanese voters at the March 2020 elections. He used ransom threats of civil unrest through blind followers to challenge rulings of the Judiciary (including the CCJ); and desired image-and-attention gains by challenging Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo to a public debate on related issues in the heart of an auspicious European UnionGuyana recognition event.

Otherwise, he could not rationally use these numbers as a basis for challenging Dr. Jagdeo. In essence, Norton is defiantly demonstrating that the PNCR under his leadership would boldly hold on to the use of un-contextual clauses and meanings in language, and irrational hypotheses in Math.

As the European Union (EU) celebrates 70-plus years of “Peace and uni-

ty” in Europe, “along with the 50 years of peaceful Guyana-EU relations, it was indeed a timely and opportune occasion for the Opposition Leader to advance a Guyanese sense of oneness on at least one front, especially since there was a recent call by His Excellency President Dr. Irfaan Ali for apologies and reparations regarding the sordid history of slavery, which largely impacted particularly our Afro and other Guyanese citizens for decades.

Rather, the occasion of the high-profile, prestigious cocktail reception, which was attended by an audience of eminent personalities and diplomatic representatives, was missed by the Opposition Leader for want of the right reasons. This is perhaps because the timely hosting of the event by Mr. Fernando Ponz Canto, EU Ambassador to Guyana, and all the other diplomats in Guyana who stood with this nation during those unforgettable five months in 2020, stood out as a witness to the democratic demagoguery acted out by the PNCR as the main party in the APNU/AFC coalition.

Mr. Norton must not forget that he made a passionate defense of the skullduggery in various media, and when interviewed

by Trinidadian Journalist Fazeer Mohammed. He must also contextually understand and remember that the activity was premised on “Peace among mutual recognition of States”, so let us cherish our success, and forever live in

unity.

On the contrary, VicePresident Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo delivered an impressive speech, highlighting our country's high appreciation of the EU and other States' significant contribution to our country during the five months when the PNCR had their knees on the necks of our people.

VP Jagdeo said, “The struggle for free and fair elections must be a must.” Further, he noted and pointed out that the European Union team, after the debacle at GECOM and the blatant attempt to steal the Elections, stayed on in a very industrious way. Vice President Jagdeo surmised that “they were there every single day, trying to ferret out information about what was happening,” and it was through their unflinching support, among others, that Guyana was enabled to survive peacefully as a democracy and prevail.

The message from the EU, through Ambassador Fernando Ponz Canto, was indeed heartening, as he lauded President Ali’s ‘One Guyana’ initiative, and pledged Europe's continuous support for our country.

Disappointingly, the activity’s tone and meaning were somewhat marred by the Opposition Leader’s abhorrent behaviour and lack of suave. Mr. Norton obviously was unable to respect and appreciate the environment that he was in, and while being exposed to what he truly represents, resorted to the usually unacceptable street out-

bursts.

Norton’s challenge to the Vice President for a public debate is impotent and indecent. Equally laughable is his statement that he has the winning SoPs for the 2nd March 2020 National and Regional Elections. Even though many people accepted that he had the privilege to consume as much alcohol as he wanted, perhaps he should not have overconsumed, as his behaviour was uncalled for.

One must therefore ask the question: Why take the evidence to the public, when the court matter is already tried, appealed, and ruled on? The legal authorities and luminaries (if any) on the APNU/AFC side must plead for the socalled ‘Fifth Amendment’ in the out-of-character situation.

In this civilised environment, Mr. Norton is advised to change his lifestyle, and not take this ‘rum shop’ drinking habit and temperament to prestigious cocktail receptions.

If this continues, Guyana would certainly need a better Opposition Leader, as the world is looking at Guyana, and we are expected to up the ante to a position of respectability as a nation.

The statements of poll are a testimony of the elections’ results, and although observably under the influence, Norton should let peace and decency prevail, not open his mouth and talk about winning SoPs. He should bring it on.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022

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Transforming education requires decolonisation

Girmitiya entertainment

By Guyanese of Indian Ancestry Association

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hile life during Indentureship was “nasty, brutish and short”, the Girmitiyas, like all oppressed peoples, expressed their feelings in song, dance and folk performances. As such, Indian music arrived in Guyana with indentured Indians between 1838 and 1917.

Dominated with arrivals from the Bhojpuri Belt of Western Uttar Pradesh and Western Bihar, they formed communities in the logies around the hundreds of sugar factories, and attempted to replicate Indian village life. This means that the full range of traditional folk and religious music was reconstituted, including the female-dominated maticores preceding marriages.

There would be songs for every part of the life cycle; for instance: sohars at birth of a child, especially by hijras, whose blessings were valued. The chowtaals, accompanied by jaals/cymbals and dholaks, were sung in traditional call-andresponse style with much gusto at Phagua celebrations.

At religious ceremonies such as Jhandies for Hindus and Koran or Milad Shareef for Muslims, Bhajans and Quasidas were respectively sung. The rum shops facilitated much improvisations in music and instruments: the table tops became incredible percussion instruments.

There were Ram Leela Performances that enacted episodes from Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas (The exploits of Ram). The martyrdom of the grandsons of the Prophet Mohammed Hassan and Hussein - were commemorated annually not only

by Muslims, but by everyone in the logies, until the Tadjias were banned. The Tassa tradition comes out of this.

Weddings provided the occasion for a flowering of culture.

When the “dulha/bridegroom” marriage parties arrived from distant villages (same-village marriages were taboo!) they remained overnight: night weddings were standard until the late 1940s.

There would be biraha singing competitions between the two “sides” – accompanied with harmoniums and dholaks – where spontaneous compositions were belted out.

These compositions evolved into Estate-English ditties like “Bangali Babu” and “O Maninja”.

There was a performance of a play, “Alha Udal”, of two valiant warrior princes in which the marital beat and words invariably stirred the audience into righteous anger, and even blows. Pooran Mal was another popular village play.

DID YOU KNOW? A qaseeda is an Islamic poem or song of praise or mourning that is sung in many languages. The Girmit Muslims brought them to Guyana, and sang them in Urdu.

Taan singing was the “classical” music of the Girmitiyas, generally performed in their Bhojpuri language, and generally accompanied by the harmonium, dholak and dhantal.

Dear Editor, The declared policy of President Ali’s Government is to use oil and gas proceeds to transform education, health, infrastructure, and the nonoil sectors (Guyana Chronicle, April 26, 2022). This policy is admirable, and will divest the windfall from oil and gas into conventional sectors.

In transforming education, the Government (the people’s representative) must address a fundamental question: What is (are) the outcome(s) from this transformation?

Is it for more job opportunities? This is not transformational. Is it more access to education: building more schools? Free education from the cradle to the grave?

More computers, more digital whiteboards, tinkering with the current curriculum, or adding more subjects? This is also not transformational.

Or is it the creation of a holistic education system within which creativity and innovation flourish, with opportunities for an individual to understand who she/he is, her/ his intrinsic connections to each other and nature, and to craft her/his own quality lifestyle for the 21st century?

The answer is crucial for any meaningful transformation.

This article is not intended to provide an answer, but is a narrative to provoke public discourse to inform the Government’s transformational policy on education.

Guyana inherited a system of education created by our colonial masters (CM) to produce factory workers for the Industrial Era; and programmers, analysts and so on for the current Information Technology era. This system of servitude was about educating students to conform, to gather external data (imposed by teachers following strict preset curriculum and content), and to regurgitate some of the data in standardised tests. It is a “one size fits all” system.

Many countries, including Guyana, have tried to modernise this system, but the tendency is to copycat changes made or suggested by the CM and/or other World powers (WP), particularly the USA. For example, let us consider the evolution of the call to emphasise Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in schools. In the 1990s, the US Government, with staunch support from US businesses, created a programme called SMET, an acronym for Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology.

It did not get much attention. In 2001, after US students had performed poorly in Mathematics and Science among the industrialised nations, as measured by an international test called the Program for International

Student Assessment, or PISA, the name was changed to STEM because it was alleged that SMET was not sounding good for marketing purpose. It has since become a wildfire. This is the true genius of the Americans, which no PISA test can measure.

Countries, with notable exception of Scandinavia, assumed the US problem as their own, and began emphasising (in many cases, overemphasising or obsessing) with STEM, which garnered devoted attention within their existing curriculum, or with some minor changes. This became a bonanza for the US. Many of the best graduates from these countries cannot find suitable jobs in their home countries, and this creates a ready supply pipeline of students to US universities and colleges, and employees for corporate America.

What a waste of scare resources and a brain drain for the lower and middle-income countries (LMIC)! Make no mistake, I am an ardent supporter of STEM, but not how it is taught and being overemphasised. In addition, living requires moral discipline, social and natural harmony, and security.

Despite billions of dollars having been spent on STEM by the US Government, State Governments and businesses, US students continue to do poorly, according to PISA scores, and this is an embarrassment for the most powerful country on Earth.

In 2010, US corporations, realising that STEM was not producing workers that can think and innovate and work as teams, strongly supported the National Governors Association and Council of Chief State School Officers to develop a Common Core State Standards Initiative, called Common Core, which stressed critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving. Parents, teachers, and unions fought against its introduction, and this initiative died, allegedly when the then President Obama supported it.

A key debacle in Common Core is the triple-objective of critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving that are now incorporated in STEM. These are competing objectives, and require different approaches in a “one size fits all” system. Critical thinking and creativity come from unfettered individuals, while teaming is best for problem-solving.

History has shown that no magnificent work of art or great scientific invention resulted from a team of people. How do countries such as Guyana start with transforming education? It must start with decolonisation – decoupling from the CM and WP, and developing an education system (see last question in the first paragraph) for the hopes, aspirations, and well-

being of Guyanese.

Stop copycatting, do not think that the CM and the WP are better than you, and they know best. The transformation of the current education system must allow our children to fashion their path early in life, and prepare them for living a quality life in this 21st century.

No one can predict what life would be like as the 21st century advances, but there are certain trends that provide clues. For example, rapid deployment of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, 3D printing, self-driving (autonomous) vehicles, quantum computing, Internet of Things, pervasiveness of social media, globalisation, climate change, and social and health problems (increasing obesity, increasing loneliness and depression, increasing rate of suicide, diminishing intellect, and so on) would impact our children’s lives. To prepare them to tackle these and other issues and live pleasant lives requires a break from the past, bold thinking away from a “one size fits all”, and “teacher knows best” attitude.

We must coach, facilitate, and provide opportunities for our children to develop their individual creativity; be critical thinkers; be decision-makers; be job creators, rather than job seekers; while at the same time valuing and understanding their connectedness to all things in the Cosmos.

Decolonisation does not negate adopting educational innovations in other countries, including the CM and the WP, but must be studied carefully and be modified, if necessary, for our educational outcomes.

Here is a potential example: Sanskrit (Samskritam), an ancient Indian language and mother of the IndoEuropean family of languages, which includes English, has been demonised by the British in their rule of India.

Sanskrit, however, is taught in British schools (eg: St. James Junior School) and universities (eg: Oxford University), and in European and American universities.

Many linguists have rated Sanskrit as the “perfect language.” However, the teaching of it in schools and universities is not to resurrect it as a spoken language; rather, it is what it offers for 21st century living. It helps students grasp math, science, and other languages better (it uses all parts of mouth and tongue); improves pronunciation and diction; and is the best language for computer programming, AI, and robotics (Rick Briggs, NASA scientist, AI Magazine, Volume 6 Number 1, 1985). In addition, it helps to alleviate social and health problems through spirituality (this is not religion) and Ayurveda.

Perhaps Guyana should consider teaching Sanskrit as one of a family of languages in a foreign language institute.

Teachers should be coaches and facilitators, rather than purveyors of an existing knowledge base. With our mobile devices, we can access all human knowledge anytime and at any place. No teacher can compete with this readily-available, updated knowledge.

Parents have a vital role to play in this transformation. Too often, parents think of their children as extensions of themselves, and not as individual human beings who should chart their own courses in life. They want their children to be successful at things they themselves failed at, or think that their children are inexperienced and prone to failure. Mistakes and failures should not be regarded as taboos, but as means to creativity. In any case, failure is relative, and is a construct of the brain. Many parents want their children to go to colleges and universities as a source of pride and accomplishment in child rearing.

But some of these children do not desire to be at these higher institutions of learning.

Rather, they prefer doing other things in life, such as being a carpenter, a plumber, a farmer, and so on. However, this is often unsatisfactory for parents, who think that their children are making mistakes or are on a path to failure in life. Consequently, these children miss creating a life of their own, underscored by their own passions, drives and goals.

Guyana, with a new source of wealth, a small population, and a non-entrenched education system, is in a unique position to lead education transformation for the 21st century. It should begin this transformation on an experimental basis, which can then be progressively enhanced before embarking on nationwide adoption. Any implementation of such a grand, nationwide education narrative requires political will and stability, boldness and leadership, public involvement and acceptance, and decades of sustainable execution and adjustments.

Some readers may conclude that this narrative is utopian and cannot be accomplished by Guyanese (perhaps a legacy of colonial thinking).

Indeed, it is utopian, and I make no apology. It is bold, far-reaching, fresh-thinking, self-confident unwillingness to accept conventional paradigm, and a willingness to take risks that are the hallmarks for transformation.

Transformation is suspicious, threatening, arduous, and uncertain, but it provides the opportunity for creativity and high rewards.

“Every child is a genius, only to be converted into an idiot in school.” (Attributed to Nobel Laureate Alexis Carrel).

Sincerely, Dr Muniram Budhu

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SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Frequently-asked questions (faqs) about puppy-feeding (continued) FAQ #7: How can we feed/ hand-rear orphaned puppies?

A: The hand-rearing of puppies is not an easy task, but is optimally done with due consideration to the reasons that they have become orphaned.

Veterinarians are frequently confronted with requests from anxious pet owners whose mother dogs have died while giving birth or shortly thereafter, or have delivered litters which they have abandoned soon after birth.

There are several possible reasons for rejection by the mother, the most common being: i: She is a first-time mother, and really seems not to know what to do with these puppies. The instinct to nurse the pups just seems to be lacking. She may even begin to eat the pups. ii: Her milk production is inadequate, or not at all. (Your vet may help with this patho-physiological condition). iii: She might have a severe case of infection of the breast and/or uterus. iv: Her life is threatened because of a serious condition known as Milk Fever (low calcium levels in the blood).

Puppies can be successfully handreared, with careful attention to some basic principles of nutrition and sanitation, which include: i: Providing a suitable hygienic environment ii: Offering a nutritionally adequate formula iii: Instituting a satisfactory feeding programme

iv: Managing a daily routine

A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT

It is of paramount importance that we provide an environment with an optimal temperature, isolation, and freedom from disturbance. i: Adequate warmth, uniformly maintained, is basic to life, particularly during the first week of the puppy’s life.

Studies at Cornell University in the USA indicate that a temperature maintained between 85 degrees and 90 degrees (29 degrees to 32 degrees) is most desirable during the period from birth to the fifth day. In our climate, it is not too difficult to maintain these temperatures. In case the temperature gets colde r , an electric bulb could be hung over the boxes with the puppies. The room in which the orphaned pups are kept must be draught free. ii: Many researchers a d v i s e that or-

paned puppies should not be placed together, because they then tend to suckle or otherwise disturb each other. For this reason, it is argued that each puppy should be placed in a box of its own. In this way, the owner can also evaluate the quality and quantity of each puppy’s stool.

My own empirical observations, however, lead me to believe that pups placed together give each other warmth and a sense of security and com-

fort. They tend to flourish better when together. Also, when kept separately, they tend to cry more. You may wish to use both methods in order to ascertain which method works better for you and the pups. iii: In order to minimise disturbance of the puppies by the natural inquisitiveness of children in the home, or by other pets who would, from time to time, want to actively pay their respects to the new arrivals, I would suggest that the puppies be placed in a special room, away from the comings and goings and usual hubbub that is found in any normal home. If no room is available, then they can be placed under the bed, or in a warm, draught-free, secluded place.

THE FORMULA

In mammalian milk, within a species, nature provides a prototype of a nutritive formula to optimally meet the requirements of the young. Bitch’s milk is considerably more concentrated than cow’s milk, and is more easily digestible.

It has twice the level of protein, almost double the caloric content, and more than twice the content of calcium and phosphorus.

Evaporated milk (in which more than 50% of the water is removed from cow’s milk) is a good replacement for bitch’s milk.

If cow’s milk is being used, it can be fortified with additional protein (such as egg yolks) and fat (such as vegetable oil) sources. Indiscriminate additions of sugars, particularly sucrose or lactose, to increase the caloric content of cow’s milk is not recommended, as this would most likely lead to digestive disturbances and diarrhoea.

There is also the option of procuring successful commercial formulations of milk replacers. I am, however, not certain if these are available in Guyana.

Next week we shall continue with this important aspect of puppy nutrition, and provide you with some formulas that can be easily produced at home for your orphaned puppies.

Sunday, May 15, 2022

06:00 (Sign on) Jewanram Rel. Hour 07:00 Cartoons 08:00 Shekinah Ministry 08:30 Evening News (RB) 09:30 Mr.Jewanram Mother’s Day Special 10:30 Cartoons 11:00 D. Persaud Religious Program 11:30 Prime Series - Blippi’s Educational Adventures for Kids 12:00 Dharmic Ki Awaz 12:30 Movie - Hotel Limbo (2020) 14:00 Movie - Save the Last Dance (2001) 16:00 Movie - The Karate Dog (2005) 17:30 The Healing Touch 18:00 Wheel of Fortune 18:30 Week-in-Review 19:00 Lucifer S2 E6 20:00 Those People 21:00 2022 Billboard Music Awards (NBC) 00:00 Sign off

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Draft law proposing manslaughter charge, increased jail time & fines for drunk drivers – bar owners who sell to intoxicated drivers to also feel the heat

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raft amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, as well as the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing (Amendment) Bill, were approved by the Cabinet on Thursday with a view to toughening up on the penalties for drunk drivers – and the bars that serve them – face.

The Attorney General Chambers released the draft laws on Saturday.

According to a statement from Attorney General Anil Nandlall, the Bills are being proposed in response to a large number of motor vehicular accidents, including fatal ones, which can be traced to drunken driving.

“The Government of Guyana has made a decision to take a series of measures to confront this serious problem. Legislative reform is one of those measures. In this regard, the Government is proposing to strengthen and expand existing legislation and impose more punitive measures,” Nandlall said.

According to the Attorney General, he will be leading

Attorney General Anil Nandlall ,SC

off the Government’s consultations with important national stakeholders on the Bills, as well as interested members of the public. Submissions on the Bills were also invited within 21 days.

The draft legislation for Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act seeks to amend the Principal Act and put in place a new Section, 35A. This new Section makes causing the death of someone through drunk driving, a case of vehicular manslaughter.

“Any person who caus-

es the death of another person by the driving of a motor vehicle on the road or other public place while under the influence of drink or a drug to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle shall be guilty of motor manslaughter and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to a term of imprisonment of not less than ten years,” the draft Bill states.

Ban

The Bill also puts a threeyear ban on persons convicted under it, from obtaining

Norway offers support...

FROM PAGE 3

Between May and June of last year, torrential rains resulted in widespread flooding across the country, affecting thousands of households. The devastation included submerged buildings and vehicles, with adverse effects on crops, livestock and health. It has been noted that the rainfall experi-

enced in May alone was recorded as the second-highest level of rainfall across the country in the last 40 years.

All 10 administrative regions in Guyana experienced varied levels of flooding, prompting Government to roll out immediate responses, such as evacuation of those

most at risk, and flood assistance.

However, the PPP Government has credited the presence of the Hope Canal, which was commissioned in 2014, with the avoidance of significant flooding on the East Coast of Demerara.

or holding a driver’s licence after their release from prison. A second conviction of a similar offence, the Bill states, will lead to the person being permanently disqualified. During the court process, the suspect will also be required to surrender their licence - failure of which will result in a fine of $100,000 or imprisonment for three months.

The draft Bill also amends Section 39A of the Principal Act - the penalty for driving over the alcohol limit - replacing the $7500 fine with $200,000 and the sentence of 12 months with 24 months.

Meanwhile, it has also been proposed that the penalty for driving under the influence and losing control of your vehicle be increased from its current $30,000 to $60,000 fine/imprisonment

for 12 months, to $200,000 for first-time offenders and $300,000 for second time offenders.

Section 39G also amends the Principal Act’s description of the prescribed alcohol limit. As a result of this amendment, prescribed limit now means breath alcohol concentration of 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath or blood alcohol concentration means 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

Bar owners

The second Bill seeks to amend the Intoxicating Liquor Licencing Act, Cap 82:21, slapping liquor establishments with heavy fines for selling alcohol to persons who are already intoxicated and then drink and drive.

It amends Sections 2,

54 and 56 of the Principal Act. In Section 2, it clarifies the definition of a “drunken person”. Meanwhile, Section 54’s amendment mandates that bar owners not sell alcohol to persons who are likely to drive, prohibit drunken patrons from driving or, in cases where they know one of their patrons is about to drive, inform the nearest Police station.

Additionally, bars will be required to post signs warning against drinking and driving, on their premises, as well as making regular announcements on the premises against persons drinking and driving.

Meanwhile, Section 56’s amendment to the Principal Act increases fines for liquor owners breaching the provision, from $3000 to $100,000.

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Encounters…

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…and PNC rumbles magine convening a meeting - demanded by the Constitution - between the President and the Opposition Leader to discuss some constitutional appointments taking one-and-a-half years!! And this excludes the 5 months it took to get a result from the last elections, after the PNC barefacedly tried to rig it in front of the world!! Looks like foot-dragging is a PNC specialty, since it took all that time to decide who exactly was their leader - and thus the Opposition Leader!!

At this rate, they better start now for elections 2025??

Now, right off the bat following Granger’s concession, the PNC insisted the PPP Government was “installed”, and, as such, they didn’t recognise it. They just looked like the hypocrites they are, since, as a result of the same elections, they accepted the office (and salary!!) of Opposition Leader. If the latter role was legit, why wasn’t the former? And, of course, they had to duke it out to figure out exactly who was the Opposition Leader (there were pretenders, usurpers and place holders!) who wasn’t going to meet no President!! It became a Guyanese soap opera that played out in real time as farce.

Then, after all that sturm and drang, long-time PNC stalwart Aubrey Norton became the man in the Opposition chair. He demonstrated right away that he wasn’t going to be blackmailed by the extremist fringe to come out into the streets to protest the “illegitimacy” of the PPP Government. Very pragmatically, he insisted, however, that while he would have to be invited by the Government (which he therefore accepted implicitly) for constitutional consultations, he’d insist his wider concerns be also on the table.

But a funny thing happened on the way to that meeting: Norton ran into a buzz saw named Jagdeo. As your Eyewitness had mentioned, those two parallel lines broke all the laws of geometry - and what a clash it was.

There, he was provoked into admitting that he had the PNC SOPs - which they’d claimed showed them winning the elections - and that he’d produce them after Jagdeo debated him on the issue!!

But here, he was meeting President Ali. And going by their release, they’d consulted on constituting the Integrity, Police, Judicial Service and Teaching Commissions. Norton demanded to see the CVs of the persons the PPP had in mind, and he’d then give his opinion. We weren’t told whether, as he’d demanded, he’s raised some other issues. Quite reasonable. The other concerns? We weren’t told.

Your Eyewitness is pleased that our politics is closely getting back to an even keel. Opposition Leader Norton should not be goaded - from within or without - to veer from the course.

Elections have now become a toss-up!! …of the second generation One thing that struck your Eyewitness on the pics of the meeting between Pres Ali and LoO Norton apart from the latter’s “game face” - was their sartorial choices. Gone are the shirt-jacs of Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham that signalled their break from “colonialism”. Both leaders and their “seconds” were in “jacket and tie”!! But if the Chinese communists can also adopt that gear wholesale, maybe it doesn’t have the same significance?!

As he left the meeting, LoO Norton was badgered by some reporters as to whether he’d brought the PNC’s SOPs. But to be fair to him, he’d committed to bringing them at his debate with VP Jagdeo. Your Eyewitness believes if the media wants to see those SOPs - and for sure the Guyanese people certainly do!! - they should do us all a favour and arrange that debate.

After all, in that bastion of democracy, the USA, isn’t it generally the press that arrange political debates?

With the incumbent in red and the challenger in green!! …with Public Service money There’s a real dust-up going on in the GPSU Credit Union. The new-broom Chair wants to be the alpha (Chair) and omega (CEO), and the rest of the Board rebelled.

Get out these peanuts!!

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

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Indian Heritage Month: Abolition of Indentureship

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t’s an interesting footnote that the end of Indian Indentureship had its genesis in the politics of India rather than any struggle in the countries to which Indians had been shipped since 1834. The Governments of those colonies were all heavily influenced by their sugar planters, who desperately wanted an uninterrupted supply Ravi Dev of indentureds to continue depressing wages. In fact, after immigration ended in Guyana in 1917, the Government and planters sent a delegation of Guyanese-Indian leaders to India to solicit support for a new scheme to supply cheap labour.

In India, the Indian National Congress (INC) had been formed in 1885 by British and Indian members of the Theosophical Society, to encourage “dialogue” between “educated” Indians and the Indian Government. According to an 1832 policy enunciated by Macaulay, the “education” promised to create “brown Englishmen”. The graduates assumed they would be treated like white Englishmen individually; and collectively, as members of the British Empire.

Consequently, they soon argued for “Swaraj” for India along the lines accorded to Australia and South Africa.

The gap between the promise and the reality, however, precipitated a split of the INC in 1905, between “Moderates”, led

by Gokhale – who continued to “believe” - and “Extremists”, led by Tilak, who didn’t. Indentured Indians entered the picture through the back door when Gandhi, who had gone as a lawyer to South Africa in 1893 in the employ of some Gujarati merchants, was unceremoniously kicked off a train for believing he was not seen as a “Coolie”, and could travel first class like whites.

It was only gradually, after indentureds had spontaneously joined Gandhi’s protest, that the latter’s eyes were opened up to the plight of the former: apart from not being treated like whites, their very humanity was denied. As racism was exposed through its extreme “apartheid” form a hundred years later, South Africa helped to make more “educated” Indians in India aware of their naïveté in aspiring to be “British”, through information supplied by Gandhi, who was in touch with Gokhale.

Ironically, Gandhi accepted a system in which white British persons were seen as being “better” than Indians, who were to be loyal “helpers”.

Gokhale initially saw Indentureship as hindering Indians from being accepted as British, because the “coolies” were not distinguished from “other” (read “educated”) Indians. He sought amelioration of the conditions under which the coolie laboured, and called for the abolition of Indentureship to Natal only as a tactical measure, after the Government of Natal had imposed restrictions on the movement of “free” Indians. Abolition there was achieved in 1911.

In 1912, Gokhale extended his call to the entire system of Indentureship, and other members of the Congress, such as Madan Mohan Malaviya, took up the cause. By this time, the harsh conditions in other colonies, especially in Fiji, were made known in India, and the “ban on Indentureship” became a nationwide cause célèbre. In fact, it was the one issue that brought together the two factions of Congress, and also the Muslim League under Mohamed Ali Jinnah, which had also withdrawn. For one brief historical moment, Indian Indentured labour brought modern Indians in India together.

On March 20, 1916, after Gokhale had passed away and Gandhi had returned to India (both in 1915), Malaviya introduced a motion in the Indian Legislature for the cessation of Indentureship.

Governor General Harding agreed in principle, but the India Office back in Britain, under Chamberlain, balked. He insisted that a new method of supplying labour to the colonies had to be found. By this time, however, most ships ferrying indentureds had been commandeered to the (WWI) war effort, and the recruitment was also competing with enlistment efforts of the Indian army. Already under fire for a bungled campaign by the Indian-dominated army in Mesopotamia, Harding, now back in England as Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Secretary of State Chamberlain, did not want to face further attacks from the Government of India. On March 12, 1917, he authorised the Government of India to issue orders under the Defence of India Act to stop recruitment, and the same day an order was made by Viceroy Chelmsford in the Legislative Council for no further recruitment or shipment of Indians for labour.

Four days earlier, the last ship, the SS Ganges, had sailed to British Guiana and Trinidad. On Jan 1, 1920, the system was abolished completely. Abolition had ended with not a bang, but a whimper. It had no impact in Guyana, because each Indian immigrant had his personal “abolition” at the end of his ‘Girmit”: five years The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

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ERG pushes for electoral reform at constitutional level – also urges reforms in structure at GECOM

GECOM was among the issues raised during the meeting

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ne of the things raised during the Electoral Reform Group’s (ERG) consultations with the Attorney General Chambers, is for electoral reform not just at the statutory level, but also at the level of the Constitution.

In a statement sent out on Saturday, ERG was of the view that statutory changes to the Representation of the People Act (RoPA) were not enough to achieve complete electoral reform.

This, as well as other grievances they have including those concerning the bringing of persons to justice for the March 2020 attempt to steal democracy, was conveyed to Attorney

General Anil Nandlall, at their meeting in the AG Chambers on May 9, 2022.

“The ERG had submitted comments on the proposed amendments in December 2021. Present at the meeting were the Attorney General, Mr Anil Nandlall, and two other Government officials, two representatives of the ERG and two representatives of the Private Sector Commission. ERG’s Coordinator, Dr Desmond Thomas, and member Mr Colin Klautky, ERG and GOIP member, represented ERG.” “The ERG observed that, upon assumption of office, the President had stated that there would be a thorough investiga-

tion into the political crisis following the March 2 elections in 2020, but this has not occurred. Such an investigation is a critical step toward diagnosing the causes of problems and will better guide reform proposals,” the ERG also said.

According to them, they were told by the AG during the meeting that the Government is committed to electoral reform but that it is dealing only with statutory changes to the Representation of the People Act at this time… specifically excluding changes to the Constitution.

“He (AG) mentioned that constitutional changes would require bipartisan consensus. The ERG maintained that sustainable electoral reform required comprehensive social consensus with effective civil society involvement,” ERG said.

“In the view of the ERG, the narrow focus on the RoPA amounts to reinforcing a system in dire need of reform instead of fixing it. Moreover, the AG’s position takes many critical issues off the table for consideration, including several matters listed in the

ERG submission such as possible changes in the total number of constituencies and rank ordering of candidate lists.”

According to them, a key sticking point was the urgent need for restructuring and reform of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). They noted that the present GECOM structure is not working adequately to deliver elections that are free from suspicion and readily acceptable to major stakeholders. Thus, they stressed the need to reform GECOM. “The AG defended Guyana’s current electoral system arguing that pro-

portional representation guaranteed the democracy of the system. This position ignores the findings of studies and recommendations in the media for years that indicate that a large proportion of the population has no confidence in Guyana’s electoral system. The ERG representatives indicated support for the principle of proportionality but held that this did not negate the urgent need for reform.”

“On the matter of the proposal within the amendments for the breakup of Region Four into separate districts for election purposes, the ERG reiterat-

ed its position that this was not justified given that the problem that occurred in 2020 was caused by a breakdown within GECOM and not by Region Four voters.”

According to the ERG, they are of the view that electoral reform is a vital, necessary step to the strengthening of democratic institutions and processes in Guyana in order to maintain political stability and raise the standard of living of citizens. As such, they expressed their willingness to contribute to comprehensive social dialogue in order to achieve those goals.

Mason gunned down at Bachelor’s Adventure

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mason who was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital on Friday evening with a single gunshot wound to his abdomen succumbed to his injuries a few hours later.

The dead man has been identified as 44-year-old Kevin Phillips of Melanie Damishana, ECD. Based on reports received, the shooting incident took place at about 22:20h at Bachelor’s Adventure, ECD.

While information about the incident remains sketchy, the Police stated that an eyewitness reported that he was driving along Bachelors Adventure Middle Road at about 22:20h, when he noticed Phillips sitting on a concrete culvert.

The eyewitness further stated he then saw a male walking up to the victim and pointing what appeared to be a handgun at him after which he heard a single loud

explosion. The suspect was seen running away from the scene.

The eyewitness reportedly picked up the injured man and rushed him to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was treated, admitted, and underwent emergency surgery. The injured man, however, took his last breath at about 6:30h on Saturday.

The Police are yet to arrest the suspect as investigations continue.

FEATURE

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region ever since. He has worked at hospitals across the region and at the moment he is attached to the Port Kaituma District Hospital.

Memorable experience

Bourne said he has many memorable experiences but the one which stands out happened soon after he returned to the North West District following his training. He said he was working the night shift Nurse Dexter Bourne during a previous Nurses’ Week activity

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any persons make career choices based on a prior experience, and for Dexter Bourne, seeing his sick mother in a helpless state motivated him to enter the field of nursing.

Today he is one of a few male nurses in Guyana and the only male nurse to originate from the North West District to date. Having served the health sector for so many years, Bourne’s love for the job and professionalism is admired by many, including many of his colleagues who have worked alongside him in the most testing situations of their respective careers.

How it started

According to Bourne, it all started one night around 2001 when his mother fell ill. He told Guyana Times that the woman was vomiting and she had severe stomach pains. “I did not know what to do. Just looking at her in pain from then on, I said I have to enter the health field,” he noted.

He then applied to the authorities and luck came his way; on May 1, 2002, he started out as a ward orderly at the Mabaruma Regional Hospital. After serving in that post for a few years, the ambitious Bourne completed training in physiotherapy in 2006 and continued serving in the nursing field at the Region One hospital.

Luck came his way a few years later when he was selected to pursue the nursing programme and he travelled to the Charles Roza School of Nursing at Linden in Region 10 to commence training. He said at the time he did not feel “out of place” since there were two other males on the course.

After successfully completing the training, he went back to Mabaruma and has been serving the

at the time. It was a bit late and as he worked the shift; a male entered the hospital with a large cut on his abdomen. He said it was an eye-opening experience to see the man in such a state and he and his colleagues immediately sprang into action.

He said they managed to stabilise the man and waited for a medical emergency aircraft from Georgetown.

TURN TO PAGE 16

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“BUILDING A SHARED FUTURE FOR ALL LIFE”

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nternational days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilise political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. Given the importance of public education and awareness about biodiversity, the UN decided to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity annually on May 22.

Biological diversity is often understood in terms of the wide variety of plants, animals and micro-organisms, but it also includes genetic differences within each species; for example: between varieties of crops and breeds of livestock, and the variety of ecosystems (lakes, forest, deserts, agricultural landscapes) that host multiple kinds of interactions among their members (humans, plants, animals).

Biological diversity resources are the pillars upon which we build civilisations. Fish provide 20 per cent of animal protein to about 3 billion people. Over 80% of the human diet is provided by plants. As many as 80% of people living in rural areas in developing countries rely on traditional plant-based medicines for basic healthcare.

Loss of biodiversity threatens all, including our health. It has been proven that biodiversity loss could expand zoonoses - diseases transmitted from animals to humans - while, on the other hand, if we keep biodiversity intact, it offers excellent tools to fight against pandemics like those caused by the coronavirus.

Biodiversity Day allows us to re-examine our relationship to the natural world. Over the years, themes have brought to our attention issues affecting biodiversity, or specific categories of biodiversity.

This year’s theme takes a slightly different route in messaging, in that the theme is “Building a shared future for all life”. This year’s celebration brings awareness to the necessity of the earth as a global village, and the need to think and act strategically for the security of the future of our planet. The slogan was chosen to continue building momentum and support for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, to be adopted at the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15).

As the global community is called to re-examine our relationship to the natural world, one thing is certain: despite all our technological advances, we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter, and energy; just to name a few.

While there is a growing recognition that biological diversity is a global asset of tremendous value to future generations, the number of species is being significantly reduced by certain human activities.

Biodiversity remains the answer to several sustainable development challenges. From nature-based solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security, and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build back better.

From ecosystem-based approaches to climate and/or naturebased solutions to climate, health issues, food and water security and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation upon which we can build back better. That is the main message from the CBD, key international instrument for sustainable development.

To achieve this, it would take the effort of everyone to build, and everyone with the shared value to promote a sustainable future for all.

Sources https://www.un.org/en/observances/biological-diversity-day https://tinyurl.com/y5yzkuzv 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

FEATURE

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pressed his excitement for the song to be released and heard by the world.

John said that he began thinking about doing music full-time only about seven years ago. The young musician said making music is the only way he can express himself - it’s the only way he knows how.

“That’s the only way I can express how I really feel,” he said about the expressional art.

Awaiting fans of the young talent can expect traces of internationally fa-

Musical artiste John McCoy, professionally known as Bluetooth.”

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ohn McCoy, 23-yearold son of the famous Guyanese politician Kwame McCoy, has no interest whatsoever in the likes of politics, like his father, but he has a budding interest in music and owning his craft.

The aspiring dancehall artiste, who goes by the name of “Bluetooth”, devoted his time and effort to developing his music career six

months ago, and has since been working on his debut album, ‘Upcoming’ - a dancehall album.

The album’s first single, which drops simultaneously along with a music video, ‘My love’, was officially be available to the public on Friday on Youtube.

Though the album’s lead single, ‘My Love’, wasn’t written by John, he ex-

mous dancehall artist ‘Vybz Kartel’ throughout the album, as he’s an inspirational idol to John.

‘Upcoming’ comprises seven songs, with a surprise international collaboration that John refuses to disclose at this time.

He teased, “I have an international collaboration on the album, but I don’t want to reveal who it is, at least not now.” The only hint of who the surprise collaboration might be with was the disclosure of the person’s gender. “It’s a male,” John

said, remaining tight-lipped throughout the interview on the identity of his surprise collaboration.

Though only a short six months in the life of a fulltime musician, John said that the biggest challenge he has to face is promoting his music. He said it can be stressful at times, but he is learning to come to terms with the task of promoting same.

“Promoting the music can sometimes be a little bit tight, but I’m getting over that now, because it all de-

pends on the type of song that you sing, the promotion or the promoting will be very easy,” he said.

Admitting to the fact that the music industry in Guyana is not one that brings instant wealth, John said he is doing music because it is a passion of his.

It’s not only about the money.

“Basically, music doesn’t really pay or do much for you, but I just do it for the fun of it,” he said.

The young musician has even advised aspiring artists

like himself to do the same, “And if that’s their passion, they can go after it,” he said.

John has the support of his entire family behind him.

They are all rooting for the success of his music career.

His father Kwame McCoy is his biggest supporter yet.

He’s even his manager.

There is no official date for the release of the album, but John can be found on YouTube (Bluetooth Musiq) and on Facebook (Bangasboss21) and (John Mccoy) for all official updates.

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FROM PAGE 13

The team was relieved when the aircraft circled overhead Mabaruma at daybreak the following morning and after preparing the patient for travel, the injured man was air-dashed to the city where he underwent an emergency operation. The man is still alive today, Bourne said.

He said the job can be fatiguing but according to him, he chose the field of work purely because he expresses love, compassion, and empathy in caring for the sick. “Those are qualities that one must have when it comes to nursing,” he said.

In addition, he noted that such qualities never grow old.

As for him being a male in a profession

which is dominated by females, Bourne remains steadfast and proud of his career choice. “Sometimes the stereotype is there but after looking after a patient, including males, the quality of care I give is usually optimal,” he elaborated.

As for his future, he plans to pursue a diploma in the registered nurse field. He said he already applied to the authorities and he is anticipating that he will receive a favourable response.

As regards those who may want to pursue nursing, Bourne said one has to love being in the field. “It is a very noble and rewarding profession, but you have to have the heart for it,” he opined.

Nurse Dexter Bourne alongside a colleague and an elderly woman during an outreach commemorating Nurses’ Week

NEWS

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Businessman, nephew busted with ganja in ceiling A businessman and his 17-year-old nephew were arrested on Friday following the discovery of a quantity of ganja at their Middle Walk Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home.

Based on reports received, the 65-year-old businessman is presently before the court for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

However, during a Police operation, a transparent bag

The ganja that was found in the ceiling of the house

was unearthed in the ceiling with 22 small transparent Ziplock bags containing the marijuana.

The bag was brought to the attention of the 17-yearold and the businessman, thus leading to their arrest. They were taken to the Vigilance Police Station where the ganja was weighed and amounted to 37.2 grams.

Police are continuing their investigations.

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FEATURE

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With 53 years in nursing, Sister Noshella Lalckecharan is Guyana’s longest-serving nurse

By Shane Marks

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oordinator of a Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Emergency Nursing, Sister Noshella Lalckecharan continues her reign as the longest-serving nurse of Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, surpassing fifty years of service.

This 76-year-old woman completed 53 years in the nursing profession on March 15, 2022.

“Sister Lalcky”, as she is popularly known among her colleagues, hails from Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD). She is the daughter of Lalckecharan, who was a tailor and barber and Sookdiah who was a housewife who also tended to the family’s cash crop farm.

Her parents were continually supportive of her academic and professional accomplishments.

Sister Noshella originally attended the Canadian Missionary Primary (an Anglican school) and later moved on to the Hindu College at Cove and John, ECD, where she graduated in 1964. She was the only child amongst her parents’

GPHC’s longest-serving nurse, Sister Noshella Lalckecharan

five children who got the chance to attend school and gain an education.

Upon her completion of secondary school, nurse Lalckecharan applied to the Georgetown Public Hospital to do the Registered Nursing (RN) programme for a duration of three years.

Noshella told Guyana Times in an interview that whilst waiting for a call from the hospital, she secured a job as a teacher at the age of 16.

She didn’t remain in the profession for a lengthy

time, since that was not the career path she had intended to pursue.

“At the age of sixteen plus, I was a teacher. I went and teach. But I didn’t like it, not that I didn’t like teaching, but I was more bent on nursing,” she said in an interview with Guyana Times.

Noshella’s love for nursing began when she was a little girl in primary school.

She said that she would attend Red Cross classes where she learned how to bandage and perform other medical duties that were

being taught at the time.

She said that it was this exposure that ignited her love for the nursing profession. Ironically, as a little girl, Noshella had a terrifying fear of blood - something that her father sometimes playfully teased her about. As she grew older and time went on, she grew apart from her blood phobia.

A few weeks before her twenty-first birthday, Sister Noshella received a letter informing her that she had been accepted into the nursing programme

and was required to begin training on March 15, 1969.

This moment of excitement is forever embedded into her memories, she said.

In September of the year 1972, at the end of the three years’ Registered Nursing (RN) programme, Lalckecharan wrote and passed her final exams.

She was originally placed in the Maternity Ward doing midwifery, then at the Outpatient Department.

By July 1973, she was sent to the Operating Room, for which she developed a fondness.

In the early 1980s, she was deployed to work at the Suddie Public Hospital where she performed duties in the Male Surgical Ward for a year. There she was responsible for the operating theatre but she later returned to the Georgetown Public Hospital to take up similar duties.

The courage-filled nurse continued working in the operating theatres for several years after. By 1996, she was promoted to the position of Theatre Supervisor, keeping that designation until 2001.

Soon after, she was transferred to the

Administrative Office to function as Assistant Director of Nursing which she occupied for a number of years. She also served as a part-time Clinical Supervisor on an Operating Room (OR) Technician programme that was being conducted at the GPHC in 2013.

From the year 2005 to 2007, Lalckecharan pursued studies at the University of Guyana, and at age 57, graduated with a Bachelor of Science Nursing degree. From being brought up in a home where she was the only one who attended high school, today, Sister Lalckecharan comes from a home where four out of five persons got the chance to attend university and graduate.

Nurse Noshella Lalckecharan is a true pioneer in her own right. In 2015 she was awarded the Medal of Service for her outstanding service to administer healthcare to the citizens of Guyana.

Noshella is a mother of two and a grandmother of four and currently has no intention of hanging up her scrubs anytime soon.

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20 NEWS

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Maria’s Lodge Nursery School gets modern sanitary facility

The newly-constructed washroom facility

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ohamed’s Enterprise through its Managing Director, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed recently constructed sanitation and storeroom facilities for the teachers and pupils of Maria’s Lodge Nursery School in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

This is the second major donation to schools in Essequibo for the past month. Only recently, he rehabilitated the computer room and installed several desktop computers at the Johanna Cecelia Secondary School to the tune of over $5 million.

A teacher of the school handing over a token of appreciation to Faoud Mohamed, representative of businessman Nazar “Shell” Mohamed

Nevertheless, this recent project is being done to a tune of $2 million. The facility was handed over to the school by Faoud Mohamed, a representative of Nazar Mohamed since the businessman could not have been there in person.

Despite not being there, through his representative, he expressed his satisfaction with the work done and encouraged the teachers and pupils to care the facility.

Mohamed explained that since the school was built, the sanitation facility was in the yard which was somewhat inconvenient, especially during the rainy season. However, the Head Teacher at the time made several attempts to have the facility erected in the building but to no avail.

In February of this year, a letter was penned and sent to Nazar Mohamed soliciting his assistance in constructing the washroom and storeroom facilities. During a visit to the region in March, Mohamed committed to financing the project. Soon after all the necessary approvals were granted the construction was undertaken by Kishan Deonarine and completed on May 4.

The construction work included building a teachers’ toilet, a girls’ toilet, a boys’ toilet, a bathroom, a storeroom, and a trestle.

In gratitude to the businessman, the Head Teacher, at the handing over ceremony stated that the facilities would not have been possible without the generous input of Mohamed.

“After twenty-six years of waiting, Maria’s Lodge Nursery School has finally been given these necessities.

And our gratitude and heartfelt thank you go out to the sole financer Mr Nazar Mohamed and family of Mohamed’s Enterprise”, the Head Teacher added.

She promised to cherish the new facilities. Also present at the handing over ceremony were the Regional Vice Chairman Humace Odit, Regional Education Officer (Nursery), Waneta Hunte and other officials.

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SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

22 NEWS

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pedestrian killed by truck at Madewini Timehri man nabbed after tossing gun, ammo in church yard identified as G/town resident

T

he pedestrian who was killed in an accident at Madewini, Soesdyke-Linden Highway on Friday has been identified as 30-year-old Lorenzo Sampson of Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown.

The body was identified as Sampson by his mother Lorraine Brower on Saturday at Carmen’s Funeral Home, Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

It was reported that the accident occurred at about 5:30h on Friday and involved a truck bearing registration number GAB 1668 that was at the time being driven by a 28-year-old resident of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Reports are that the motor lorry was proceeding north along the western side of the road when the pedestrian, who was sitting on a tyre on the western side of the road, allegedly ran from west going east and into the path of the motor lorry.

A

30-year-old resident of Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was arrested in the wee hours of Saturday after he allegedly tossed a haversack containing a .32 pistol, two spent shells, and a magazine into a city churchyard.

He was reportedly apprehended at about 02:00h along Croal Street, Georgetown, by three private security officers at-

The gun and matching ammunition found in the haversack

ceived, the three security officers were doing residential checks/patrol

The motor lorry that was involved in the accident

The driver of the motor lorry claimed he applied brakes, but because of the short distance between the vehicle and the pedestrian, the left side front of the vehicle struck the pedestrian.

As a result of being hit, the pedestrian fell on the road’s surface and received injuries to his head and body. He was picked up in an unconscious state

by the Police and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he was seen and examined by doctors on duty, who later pronounced him dead.

A breathalyser test was administered on the driver of the truck but no trace of alcohol was found in his system. He is presently in custody assisting with the ongoing investigation.

The car that was impounded

tached to the Blackwater Tactical Security Firm.

Based on reports re-

when they stopped to purchase food on Light Street between Robb and Regent

Streets. Whilst there, they heard several loud explosions coming from Regent Street.

Soon after, the men observed a male who was dressed in a black and white jersey and carrying a yellow haversack running along Light Street.

Without hesitation, the three security officers went in pursuit of the man who was running towards a Silver Toyota Spacio bearing registration number PVV 8934 that was parked at the corner of South Road and Light Street.

TURN TO PAGE 29

NEWS

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SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Millions unaccounted for Duo found dead in hotel parking lot in GWI’s 2017, 2018 audits ingested cyanide – Min Benn confirms

C

ompleted audit reports for financial activities at the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) throughout the years 2017 and 2018 have cited unaccountability for millions of dollars.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GWI, Shaik Baksh revealed this at a press conference on Friday at his head office where he also stated that the discrepancies extended to customer debts.

“They could not account for the inventory in some areas. This was so large that it led to a qualified opinion by the editors – both in 2017 and 2018. You can’t account for millions of dollars…The whole question of customer debts, there were a lot of grey areas. Those were the two main areas,” Baksh told media operatives.

During this reporting period, GWI was being spearheaded by former Managing Director, Richard Van WestCharles. The audits have since been sent to the Office of the Auditor General.

Meanwhile, the company is now working on the 2019 audit report and is eyeing completion this year.

“At the same time, we’re

GWI CEO Shaik Baksh

working on the 2020-2021 financial statements so that by the end of the year, we’re hoping to complete and be up to date with our financial reporting. This is important for any company or organisation, including GWI,” he revealed.

The CEO added that the company’s finances are now in order, through proper management. Within the past year, there have been small instances of theft and those employees have since been dismissed. Baksh said they have “tightened” control to prevent a recurrence.

One year ago, GWI unearthed almost $30 million in fraudulent wire trans-

fers. The fraud was discovered by the water authority’s Finance Department upon reconciling accounts for March 2021. The sum of $17,489,417 was debited from GWI’s account on March 16, 2021, while on March 24, 12,327,515 was transferred.

Later in June 2021, amid several damning revelations into the financial and procurement operations, a forensic audit was called. Baksh had underscored that the probe was necessary into the financial irregularities and procurement breaches within the utility entity. The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) was also called in to investigate.

Over the course of four years, an internal audit would have found that some $1.8 billion was expended to purchase SeaQuest (a water treatment chemical) which involved another company that led to a violation in the procurement laws. Along with this issue, fictitious charges and questionable delivery of goods were unearthed by an internal auditor which will also come under the scrutiny of the forensic investigation.

covered Hansraj sitting in a crunch-like position.

Both the Police via 911 and an ambulance with an EMT were summoned to the scene, where the two men were pronounced dead by a doctor. The Police stated no marks of violence were seen on the exposed parts of the two bodies.

However, video footage showed that the two men were seen leaving the hotel together just after 22:00h but Justin Teixeira and Richie Hansraj on one of their trips together returned some 50 minutes latoverseas er. Upon their return, the two ome Affairs Minister Hotel reported that they re- men never left their parked Robeson Benn con- ceived a phone call from a vehicle, video footage has firmed that 25-year- relative of Teixeira on the shown. old Richie Hansraj and evening of April 22 at about Additionally, a white hard 34-year-old Justin Teixeira, 23:30h, informing them that substance was found in a who were found dead in their he suffering from a seizure plastic container in the backcar in the Marriott Hotel and as such, asked for some- seat of the car which was later Parking Lot, would have in- one to check on him in his confirmed to contain cyanide. gested the lethal substance, room.

Autopsies performed on cyanide.

Another employee was April 25 on the bodies of men “There is confirmation sent to Teixeira’s room on the by Government Pathologist that cyanide was indeed in- sixth floor but it was emp- Dr Nehaul Singh returned ingested, further tests are be- ty. The hotel staff then went conclusive, thus the families ing done overseas… but the to Teixeira’s vehicle – a black of the two men were instructtest for cyanide was done in Vezel motor car (PAC 2607) ed to not cremate the bodies.

Guyana,” the Minister stated – in the parking lot, and the However, according to while adding that the final re- gruesome discovery was Minister Benn, with the conport will be submitted eventu- made. firmation of cyanide being inally.

Teixeira was reported- gested, permission was grantThe bodies of Hansraj and ly sitting in the driver’s seat, ed for the relatives to proceed Teixeira were found in the and all the windows of the ve- with cremation. Hansraj was wee hours April 23, 2022. hicle were halfway down. The cremated on May 4 while It was reported that an employee said he opened the Teixeira was cremated on employee of the Marriott front passenger door and dis- May 8.

H

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SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

32 new COVID cases recorded in 24h

T

he Health Ministry on Saturday related that 32 new COVID cases have been recorded as positives slowly continue to rise. Now, the total confirmed cases are 63,804 – 29,373 males and 34,431 females.

New statistics showed that the deaths have remained at 1228 while two patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), seven in institutional isolation and 266 in home isolation. Another person is being monitored in institutional quarantine.

Guyana has conducted 610,906 tests thus far, of which 62,301 positive patients have recovered.

On Friday, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony pointed out that the different subvariants

of Omicron have been circulating, as he pointed out the rise in infections locally. Following January’s wave of about 20,000 cases, linked to the BA.1 strain, authorities have concluded that the new spike could be linked to the BA.2 subvariant causing local infections. Presently, active cases have surpassed 250.

“One of the new subvariants is BA.2, which is now becoming very dominant globally. You’re seeing more countries in Europe, the Americas, having a BA.2 subvariant that is circulating…I think because we have such close contact with the US and other countries, eventually we would have those cases coming here as well.

Maybe this new increase in cases is perhaps being

fuelled by a BA.2 subvariant,” the Health Minister had pointed out.

In conjunction with close monitoring, he informed that samples would be sent for genomic sequencing to determine definitely which variant is circulating here.

Authorities are also examining the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, which has shown higher transmissibility.

A breakdown shows three new infections in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 20 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), four in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), two in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), and three in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD MAY 14, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

32 7 266

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

2

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

1

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

34,431

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

29,373

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

63,804

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

62,301

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED FULLY IMMUNISED TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

2520

REGION 2

2509

REGION 3

8100

REGION 4

31,597

REGION 5

2389

REGION 6

5860

REGION 7

2425

REGION 8

886

REGION 9

4042

REGION 10

3476

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

441,071 340,572 1228

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.

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SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ketley Primary School retains title as Literacy Bee champions

The pupils who represented their schools in the final round of the competition

Angelina Deonarine and Antwon Henry of Ketley Primary School pose with their teacher after winning the 2022 National Literacy Bee competition

K

etley Primary School in Georgetown has retained the title of Literacy Bee Champions when the final of the competition was held at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday. The school won the Literacy Bee competition back in 2020 – the first edition.

The school was represented by Angelina Deonarine and Antwon Henry, who scored a total

of 86 points in the final leg of the competition against Patentia Primary (Region Three) which was represented by Aiden George and Makayla Harding who scored 53 points.

Auchlyne Primary School (Region Six) was represented by Prunella Luke and Hannah Mahadeo and scored 43 points.

The Literacy Bee competition began two Saturdays ago at the Queen’s College

auditorium where six schools competed for a place in the semi-finals and final rounds.

Ketley Primary scored the highest points during the preliminary round and was automatically placed in the finals.

However, Auchlyne Primary, Patentia Primary and Christianburg Primary (Region 10) which was represented by Obriana Emanuel and Wanesha

Durant qualified to compete in the semi-final round. St Cuthbert’s Primary (Region Four) and 72 Miles Primary (Region Seven) were both eliminated during the preliminary stage.

Assistant Chief Education Officer (Literacy), Samantha Williams said that the Literacy Bee is a competition designed to test learners’ literacy skills at the Grade Five level. She noted that learners are encouraged to showcase their mastery of various aspects of the literacy curriculum such as spelling, reading, vocabulary, comprehension

and general knowledge.

These areas formed the categories under which the participants were quizzed during the competition.

Williams said that the content for the competition was drawn from the consolidated curriculum for Grades Four and Five.

The competition received corporate sponsorship from I-Secure Security Services Inc. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Quincy Anderson, congratulated all the participating schools. He commended the students for participating and their teachers for taking the time to prepare

their pupils to compete. He said that the competition will be an annual feature and looks forward to more schools participating from across the country.

Each learner received a certification of participation, while the 1st to 3rd place winners received a school and individual trophy. The winning school, Ketley Primary, also received $100,000 that will be used to fund any particular project highlighted by the school. The winners from Ketley Primary School also received two tablets from the Ministry’s National Literacy Unit.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GWI mulls doubling 18,000 e-billing customers by year-end …automated meter-reading app now developed

Commercial Services and Customer Relations Director, Andrea Khan

E

volving from its traditional approach of handling customers and complaints, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is urging stakeholders to get on board with its e-billing services.

Director of Commercial Services and Customer Relations, Andrea Khan pointed out that over 18,000 persons utilise the system, which is paperless and sports a higher efficiency. The aim is to double its e-billing customer base by the

end of 2022.

“We are taking a more aggressive approach towards our e-billing platforms. We currently have approximately 18,700 customers who have subscribed to receive e-bills. We’re looking to double this amount by the end of this year…We’re going to encourage customers to share their email addresses along with account numbers to us through our various forms of contact,” said Khan.

She added, “It will be timely. It’s paperless and it allows customers to budget their expenses. If you receive a bill on time, it means that you put GWI as your priority when it comes to your bill payments.”

With this mechanism, customers will no longer have to wait for the physical bills to be delivered to their homes. When the deadline for every month’s payment comes, they will receive an email detailing their balance to be paid, water consumption and other details found on the standard bill.

Meanwhile, the company has also relaunched its app.

The GWI app allows customers to view their account balance,

submit meter readings and report leakages. Persons can also seek a payment agency by location.

“We are utilising technology to improve our efficiency.

We are relaunching our GWI Customer Application. This app will improve our billing efficiency, GWI’s response to complaints as well as offer convenience to our customers.”

Other ways for customers to contact GWI are the call centre, website, and social media.

A WhatsApp chatbot is also in the developmental stages.

Meanwhile, their team has developed a meter reading application.

“This will be used by our meter reading personnel to obtain meter readings in a fast, accurate and efficient manner.

This will reduce any errors that may occur when a meter reader has to manually write or enter into the system, a meter reading. The process will now be automated,” the Director outlined.

This latest system will reduce estimated billings, allowing customers to pay for their actual consumption.

Executive Director of Operations, Jawaharlall Ramjug shared that GWI has also redeveloped the leakage management application for reports.

“This app will give the customer the ability to report a

leak in real-time, live from their smartphone whether you’re connected to the internet at the moment or not. Wherever you see a GWI complaint, whether it is a low pressure, leak, contaminated water, or any operational issue, you’d be able to

take a picture of the problem.

The location will be georeferenced once your location is on,” Ramjug explained.

A dashboard will be monitoring the reports once it reaches the company, after which technicians will be dispatched.

28 NEWS

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CoP outreach at Mosquito Hall

Police outpost, forming Scout Group among other issues discussed at meeting

Senior Superintendent of Regional Division 4 C, Khali Pareshram, addressing residents in the presence of acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken and Police Communications Unit Head Mark Ramoutar

A

cting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken along with Commander of Regional Division 4 C, Senior Superintendent Khali Pareshram met with residents of Mosquito Hall, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD), where several concerns were addressed.

The residents highlighted their concerns and issues affecting them in the community including drugs and alcohol use by students, loud music/noise nuisance, drinking and disrespectful attitude

especially by young men.

Hicken, who sat and listened attentively to the residents, has committed to helping the community and more so, raised several issues pertaining to flooding in the area with Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar.

Taking a brief pause in the meeting, the Acting Commissioner singled out several children who were present at the meeting to come forward in a group.

He spoke directly to them as he encouraged them to take their education seriously

Residents at the meeting on Saturday

and be the best that they can be, while urging them to stay away from drugs.

“I want you to promise me from today there will be no more drug smoking and if anybody encourages you to smoke drugs, tell them the Commissioner said not to do that as it is wrong and it is not healthy,” Hicken pleaded with the youths whom he labelled as the “catalyst for change”.

As he continued the meeting, the CoP took several on-the-spot decisions, one of which is to form a Scout Group in the community.

“Let me make this clear and I’m telling you now… we are going to bring scouts to Mahaica. This means that the children will be a part of the Scouts Group and that’s a national activity. So starting from Saturday (next week), you are going to see the Police coming in here in numbers and they are going to interact with the parents of the children,” the Top Cop said.

He said once the parents/ guardians sign the Scout Group consent form, he will get someone from the Scouts Association to visit the com-

munity to ensure the children are provided with their uniform/kit and are ready to take part in the Scout movement/activity on weekends.

“The Scouts programme will entail the children moving from this community to Georgetown in a centralised way and they’re going to be exposed to other children from communities so they can share ideas, they can share views and they can understand each other’s cultures. That itself will bring attitudinal changes to the community.”

In addressing the need

for enhanced Police presence in the community, Hicken highlighted that prevention is an important aspect of the Force’s Strategic Plan while adding, “We are going to have Police assigned to this community and we would like to have at least two or three pairs of Police and they’re going to be walking this community as a prevention.”

Further, he stated that the GPF will focus heavily on crime prevention while informing residents the he has taken not on their cries to establish an outpost in the community. “We’re going to look at the possibility of you having that outpost in a short period of time,” Hicken stated.

At the end of the community engagement, several hampers were distributed to the residents.

Saturday’s initiative is not an isolated one, as it is an ongoing effort being led by the Acting Commissioner himself, with tremendous support from his Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and the corporate sector and is in keeping with the Force’s five-point strategic plan, one of which focusses heavily on building partnerships with communities and civil society to create safer environments countrywide.

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SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022

29

Digicel Guyana singled out for best mobile network, coverage & fastest network G

lobal leaders in internet testing and analysis, Ookla, found that Digicel offers customers in Guyana the best mobile network as well as the best coverage and the best speeds.

According to a statement from the telecommunication company on Saturday, Ookla’s Speedtest testing data for the period July to December 2021 showed Digicel’s mobile network averaging download speeds of an impressive 40 Mbps and fast upload speeds of 10 Mbps, with the Digital operator also winning on coverage and quality – more than four times faster than the competitor network.

Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Guyana, Gregory Dean, said, “Our promise to customers is to give them the best network with the best speeds and the best coverage across the length and breadth of Guyana. Keeping that promise is what gets us up and at it every day.”

He continued, “Ookla’s

Digicel CEO, Gregory Dean

recognition of our speed, quality and coverage is a testament to the hard work of all of our staff and proof of our commitment to ensuring that our customers can live and enjoy their digital lives to the fullest thanks to Digicel’s superfast connectivity everywhere in Guyana.”

Digicel started operating in Guyana back in February 2008 and has since been lobbying and pushing for the liberalisation of the local telecoms sector. This was eventually realised in October 2020 shortly after the People’s Progressive

Timehri man nabbed...

FROM PAGE 22

The haversack that was retrieved from the church yard

However, as the security ranks approached the vehicle, a male occupant exited the car and joined the other man. It was reported that two of the security officers continued to chase after the male who was carrying the haversack.

During the chase, the security officers observed him throwing the haversack into a churchyard at Cummings Street between Brickdam and Croal Street. The man was eventually apprehended on Croal Street.

Nevertheless, the haversack was retrieved and searched during which a black .32 Sig Sauer pistol along with two .32 spent shells and a magazine were found therein.

The EBD resident was taken to the Alberttown Police Station where he identified himself as a resident of Timehri.

Meanwhile, the motor car, PVV 8934, was impounded at the Alberttown Police Station. A search conducted on the car revealed a driver’s licence belonging to another male also of Timehri, EBD, and an identification card of a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Corporal.

The suspect remains in custody, as investigations continue. Following the apprehension of the man, Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken lauded this sort of collaboration and partnership in crime-fighting.

Party/Civic (PPP/C) took office.

At the time, Dean welcomed the move and said the company was getting ready to bring a new era of highspeed connectivity and opportunity to the people of Guyana.

During a sit down with reporters back in March, the CEO said that while the company is looking to expand into new areas, Digicel is also working on upgrading its mobile Long-Term Evolution (LTE) services across Guyana and billions have been invested in this initiative.

“In terms of the mobile side of the network, we’ve invested $4.5 billion to take LTE across Guyana.

Currently, we have 86 per cent population coverage with the LTE. And our intention during this year, is to get to 96 per cent.”

“So, throughout our network, we want to ensure we’re able to have LTE service. So, you can have the speeds and the service throughout the network and not just in Georgetown,” Dean explained.

Moreover, the Digicel boss had also disclosed that the company is looking to start offering residential

landline services to customers in the next 12 months.

To facilitate this, the company is currently engaged in talks with the Government of Guyana to iron out outstanding issues, including those related to liberalisation.

According to Dean, the provision of fixed residential landline services is just one of the several services that Digicel wants to roll out now that the monopoly on the sector has been lifted by liberalisation.

“Both in terms of the residential and business, we are still engaged in discussions with the Government in terms of having adequate spectrum, and also the necessary permissions for offering residential services,” he said.

“In terms of timeline, we’re quite hopeful that most of the information that has been requested has been provided and we are hopeful, by the end of this month or next

month, we will have those issues resolved. I would say, once those things are resolved, we can look at within 12 months, having services live for customers.”

Previously, Digicel had been providing limited fixed services to business clients on an Internet Service Provider (ISP) permit. According to him, Digicel wants to expand this and get into the residential side of service.

Dean had pointed out that “landline” is an umbrella term for the host of services Digicel aims to provide, including internet connectivity. He explained that Digicel will roll out the latest technology in providing these services.

“I’m speaking more in terms of residential fibre services. On those fibre services, you can have both internets, you can have content over the fibre, you can have voice calls as well. So, the service

for the customer will be the same, but the technology, obviously, we will use the latest fibre rather than the copper system,” he explained.

Dean also provided an update on the 2000-kilometre sub-sea fibre optic cable it has been laying, that would link Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and French Guiana, while also providing service to the oil and gas sector. Last year, Digicel had partnered with French company Orange, to lay the French Guiana leg of the cable.

“Currently that project is on track. In terms of where we’re going with that subsea fibre, we’re coming off the North Coast of Trinidad, we’re going to Guyana, Suriname and also French Guiana. Currently, we’re working with multiple partners on this project and we’re still hopeful that we’re definitely going to have it landed in Guyana and operational by early 2024.”

“We’re hoping that with the arrival of the sub-sea fibre, both in terms of improved internet capacity in the country and also, we’ll have redundancy. As you know, Guyana already has two subsea fibres here,” Dean said.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022

IPL 2022: KKR vs Sunrisers Hyderabad…

Russell’s 49* and three wickets keep KKR’s hopes alive K olkata Knight Riders kept their campaign alive and pushed Sunrisers Hyderabad’s to the brink with a 54-run win which has given them a decent net-run-rate boost.

It took a responsible innings from Andre Russell to take KKR to a challenging total, after they decided to bat first. Russell’s 49 off 28 was among his slowest innings of this length or more, but he waited for the spinner’s over, which SRH held back because of his presence at the crease. Then, in the final over, bowled by Washington Sundar, he took 20 runs.

SRH’s batting woes continued in the chase, with Kane Williamson adding to arguably the worst IPL season for a batter and a captain.

Only Abhishek Sharma and Aiden Markram pushed KKR, but not for long enough to threaten a win.

Bat first, start slow

This is now the 10th match out of 13 in Pune that the side batting first has won. And yet, this was only the second time a team chose

to bat first. Even SRH would have done the same, which suggests they expected the pitch to slow down.

Before that, came a slow start in which Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Marco Jansen gave the KKR openers nothing. Just two boundaries came in the first four overs, which brought 20 runs for the loss of Venkatesh Iyer.

The transformation

Ajinkya Rahane, though, appeared to do his hamstring, and decided to take higher risks.

Then came the high pace of Umran Malik, who took out Rana, Rahane and Shreyas Iyer in his first two overs. And when Natarajan trapped Rinku Singh with a yorker, Russell walked in as early as the 12th over, with KKR on 94 for 5.

The gambit

Keeping an offspinner back for the death overs All of a sudden, a slow is not the innings went into overdrive. smartest idea Runs came quickly, wickets on paper, but fell too. Before the wickets KKR were five fell, though, Nitish R a n a down and transformed the Williamson slow start with perhaps 26 off 16. He hoped to get took 17 out of the 18 Russell out conceded in the fifth before needing over by T Natarajan, to bring Washington back. who was returning His quicks were nearly at their from an injury best against Russell. Malik, layoff, and then Bhuvneshwar and Natarajan ramped Jansen for collectively kept Russell and a six to end the Andre Russell powerplay. scored 49* off 28 balls Sam Billings quiet.

Start of SCA T20 Elite season delights Canadian-Guyanese Shiv Persaud

P

resident of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA), Canada-based Guyanese Shiv Persaud, has said he is delighted to see the start of the 2022 T20 Elite season. at Ashtonbee Park in Scarborough on Saturday, Persaud’s side, Victoria Park Cricket Club, suffered a 54-run defeat to United Titans, as one of the 12 matches got underway in brilliant sunshine. Persaud, who failed to trouble the score, has said he is indeed pleased to see the turnout and, more importantly, games were played in a friendly manner.

After reflecting on the past two years, when games were badly affected by the global pandemic, Persaud is now anticipating an action-packed season in the other tournaments, being played as well under the auspices of the SCA. “I [am] happy to see cricket is being played, given the fact we had two difficult years with the pandemic. Yes, we are expecting a great season, and I am sure every player is excited to get on the field

Shiv Persaud

too,” Persaud declared.

In the match, United Titans compiled a respectable 165-6 from their 20 overs, before bowling out Victoria Park for 111 in their 20th over.

Farrukh Chodhry led the way for the Titans with a scintillating 43-ball 83 that was laced with ten fours and four sixes. When Victoria Park batted, Anand Erramilli made 51 not out, as right-arm seamer Roshan Ali snatched 4-19 from 3.5 overs, while Chodhry proved his

all-round capability by picking up two wickets while conceding 12 runs from his four overs.

“You could have seen the excitement in the players coming out and playing the game,” Persaud has said. “Last year the season was shortened, but, as I said, we are expecting some fascinating cricket until October in every division,” right-handed batsman Persaud has related.

The Elite 50 Overs’ competition is slated to get cracking two Saturdays hence, and Persaud believes there will be the same level of enthralling cricket being played therein, because a large number of teams will be participating.

The different divisions will begin next week, including those for the youths and women.

Over the years, several former Guyana cricketers have featured for their respective clubs in the SCA tournaments. Among those players are Royston Crandon, Harrienarine Chattergoon, Trevon Garraway, Krishna Deosaran and Eugene LaFleur.

Russell was 10 off 11 and 30 off 23 at two points in his innings, which is usually a win for the bowling side. Billings eventually went past a-run-a-ball, but couldn’t manage major damage before falling to a slower ball from Bhuvneshwar in the 19th over.

In the process of looking for Russell’s wicket, though, SRH pushed their spinner’s over right to the end. To his credit, Russell played percentage cricket, not taking extravagant risks when he didn’t get the boundary balls from the quicks.

Washington began the last over well, with a yorker, and then conceded just a single to the new batter, Sunil Narine; but a whole over is too long a time for a spinner against these two hitters.

Washington missed the blockhole three times out of four in the rest of the over, and Russell hit all three for sixes.

Abhishek the lone warrior

In an interview at half time,

Russell said 170 would have been a good score, and that KKR had bonus runs. That would suggest SRH would need everything to go their way in the chase.

However, Williamson’s wretched run continued with yet another innings under a-run-a-ball. When he finally attempted a ramp, Russell bowled him in the fifth over.

At the other end, though, Abhishek took down a second legend this IPL season. After scoring 47 off 23 Rashid Khan balls, he consigned Narine to his costliest over this IPL, costing him 17 runs.

At the other end, though, runs hardly arrived. Rahul Tripathi tried as usual, but kept finding the fielders, none more frustratingly than the full-blooded drive that ended up as a return catch for Tim Southee.

Having faced only 27 balls out of 70, Abhishek eventually took one risk too many and skied Varun Chakravarthy.

SCOREBOARD KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS INNINGS (20 overs maximum) Venkatesh Iyer b Jansen 7 Ajinkya Rahane c Shashank Singh b Umran Malik 28 Nitish Rana c Shashank Singh b Umran Malik 26 Shreyas Iyer (c) c Tripathi b Umran Malik 15 Sam Billings † c Williamson b Kumar 34 Rinku Singh lbw b Natarajan 5 Andre Russell not out 49 Sunil Narine not out 1 Extras (lb 4, w 8) 12 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 8.85) 177/6 Did not bat: Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee , Varun Chakravarthy Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Venkatesh Iyer, 1.6 ov), 2-65 (Nitish Rana, 7.3 ov), 3-72 (Ajinkya Rahane, 7.6 ov), 4-83 (Shreyas Iyer, 9.6 ov), 5-94 (Rinku Singh, 11.3 ov), 6-157 (Sam Billings, 18.5 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-0-27-1 Marco Jansen 4-0-30-1 T Natarajan 4-0-43-1 Washington Sundar 4-0-40-0 Umran Malik 4-0-33-3

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD INNINGS (Target: 178 runs from 20 overs) Abhishek Sharma c †Billings b Varun 43 Kane Williamson (c)b Russell 9 Rahul Tripathi c & b Southee 9 Aiden Markram b Yadav 32 Nicholas Pooran †c & b Narine 2 Washington Sundar c VR Iyer b Russell 4 Shashank Singh c SS Iyer b Southee 11 Marco Jansen c †Billings b Russell 1 Bhuvneshwar Kumar not out 6 Umran Malik not out 3 Extras (w 3) 3 TOTAL 20 Ov (RR: 6.15) 123/8 Did not bat: T Natarajan Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Kane Williamson, 5.2 ov), 2-54 (Rahul Tripathi, 8.2 ov), 3-72 (Abhishek Sharma, 11.5 ov), 4-76 (Nicholas Pooran, 12.3 ov), 5-99 (Aiden Markram, 14.4 ov), 6-107 (Washington Sundar, 17.1 ov), 7-113 (Marco Jansen, 17.5 ov), 8-113 (Shashank Singh, 18.1 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Umesh Yadav 4-0-19-1 Tim Southee 4-0-23-2 Sunil Narine 4-0-34-1 Andre Russell 4-0-22-3 Varun Chakravarthy 4-0-25-1

Hardly a n y o n e has taken Narine on in this IPL, choosing instead to play him out, which showed in just the eight wickets for him coming into this match, but also an economy rate of well under six.

He went for 30 in his first three, but made up for it with his ninth wicket of Andre the season, that of Russell Nicholas Pooran, in also the fourth. bagged 3-22 With SRH now needing 102 off 45, Aiden Markram had to go for everything. He managed to hit three sixes before playing Umesh Yadav on.

The net-run-rate boost

It was now all about the margin of defeat, because net run rate can come in handy in the final equation. Shashank Singh and Washington Sundar batted normally until the end of the 17th, but then Russell and Southee took quick wickets to restrict SRH to 123 for 8. (Cricinfo)

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31 Restart of local football…

GFF outfits hinterland teams for relaunch of regional leagues GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022

I

GFF outfitting Rupununi clubs ahead of the relaunch of regional league football today (May 15)

n line with its long-term strategy to accelerate the development of male and female football in hinterland regions, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has

supplied football equipment to teams across the Rupununi in preparation for the national relaunch of regional association league football this weekend.

The GFF has provided 52 footballs and 300 training bibs to 26 clubs, including men’s and women’s teams affiliated to the Rupununi Football Association (RFA), which

operates four district-based leagues across Region 9.

“This is a historic weekend for football in Guyana. (It is) the first time that all nine regional association senior leagues have kicked off in unison across the nation,” GFF President Wayne Forde has said. “As we all know, the Rupununi has an unrivalled passion for the beautiful game among both male and female players, and it is vital that we provide the support needed to ensure they can perform to their best as we return to play after the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The recent provision of equipment has been made possible through the GFF Members Financial Assistance Programme (M-FAP), which democratises and redistributes FIFA Forward and other funding received by the GFF among its membership, under strict accountability criteria, to give members the resources they need to drive the development of football nationwide.

“We look forward to following the progress of these teams across Region 9 as they compete to play in the national playoffs later

in the year,” Forde added. “The GFF is committed to continue providing the necessary technical and logistical support to our members and community through our ground-breaking M-FAP development strategy.”

Regional competitive football kicks off across Guyana on Sunday, May 15 (today), under the auspices of the various Football Associations representing Bartica, Berbice, East Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara, Essequibo/Pomeroon, Georgetown, Rupununi, Upper Demerara, and the West Demerara.

GCB Treasurer Brian Sukhai cops “Best DBA Graduating Student” at Jacksonville University

Dr Brian Sukhai

H

aving successfully defended his doctoral research in February 2022, Brian Sukhai has been named the Best Graduating Student of Jacksonville University’s Doctor of Business Administration Class of 2022.

The award was announced at Jacksonville University’s commencement ceremony that was held on April 30 in Jacksonville, North Florida.

Dr. Sukhai’s dissertation

examined the impact financial misconduct has on firm value, liquidity, and earnings’ management, and his work was selected for presentation in July 2022 at the 2022 FMA European Conference in Lyon, France.

This conference brings together academics and practitioners with interests in financial decision-making, and provides a forum for presenting new research and discussing current issues in financial management and related topics.

“We are proud to call Dr. Sukhai an alumnus of the DBA Program at Jacksonville University. During his time here as a student, he has proven himself to be hard-working and persistent, with the skills needed to lead industry into the future.

The acceptance of his dissertation work at an internationally known venue only substantiates what we know, that Dr. Sukhai has the potential to change business practices worldwide for the better,” said Dr. Barbara Ritter, Dean, Davis College of Business.

Speaking about his achievement, Dr. Sukhai said: “By

God’s Grace, I am delighted to have completed a most rigorous DBA program at Jacksonville University, and the intention from my side now is to augment my contribution towards the development of my country, which is at a very exciting stage in its expansion trajectory” Named an “America’s Best College” in the south for more than 10 consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report, Jacksonville University is a premier private institution in northeast Florida. Founded in 1934, JU offers more than 100 majors, minors, and programs, including degrees in Business, Marine Science, Engineering, Physics, and Nursing, as well as those in the more contemporary and specialized fields of Aviation, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Film, Animation, and Sport.

Prior to his current role as General Manager of Skeldon Energy, Dr Sukhai held roles at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, The Privatization Unit, DFLSA, The EU Delegation to Guyana, and Power Producers

Queen’s College boasts refurbished basketball court

T

he students of Queen’s College are now better able to play basketball after benefiting from a newly- refurbished basketball court.

The much-needed upgrade to the facility was made possible by Alumni Phillip Jaiserrisingh through his company, Mention Services, along with the Queen’s College Old Students’ Association.

Jaiserrisingh's interest in refurbishing the basketball court peaked when his daughter, a basketball enthusiast, relayed to him that there was need for the upgrade.

The initiative was immediately welcomed by the Queen’s College Old Students’ Association, which, after consultation with the requisite stakeholders of the college, agreed to the rehabilitation works with the full sponsorship of Mention Services.

At a simple handing over ceremony on April 29, 2022, Jaiserrisingh expressed his pleasure to be able to make such a meaningful contribution to the Caribbean’s premier secondary institution.

Coming from the Class of 1989, he reflected on the integral role sports had played in the life of a Queen’s College student at that time, while admitting the critical service such a facility had given him and his colleagues.

Lenise Parker, Deputy Principal of Queen’s College, along with Alisande Jaiserrisingh, President of the newly-formed Basketball Club, received the state-of-the-art facility,

while expressing gratitude on behalf of the College and highlighting the crucial role it would play in the development of Queen’s College.

Shen Fung, Sports Advisor of the Queen’s College Old Students’ Association, who was present at the ceremony and had played a critical role in realisation of the project,

reminisced about his years of sport at the college, and the endless possibilities and opportunities for Queen’s College students with continued investment in the arena of sport.

The upgraded facility will now strengthen the ongoing efforts to restore Queen’s College to its glory days in sport, so as to mirror the unceasing and unpaired academic success the college enjoys.

Present at the proceedings also were Lisa Foster, Secretary of the Queen’s College Old Students’ Association, and Christopher Belfield, Public Relations Officer thereof, besides student representatives of the College.

and Distributors. He was a Guyana Scholar in 1996, and is a Fellow of the Association of

Chartered Accountants. He is also the current Treasurer of the Guyana Cricket Board, and is an

active member of the People’s Assembly of God Church in Industry, ECD.

GPF Inter-Regional Domino Competition…

Division 4'C' crowned champions, Headquarters captures female category

A

fter twelve years of participation in the GPF’s Inter-Division Domino Competition, Regional Division 4'C' Males have put on a spectacular performance to tally 78 games and be crowned champions, last evening (Friday May 13th) at the

Police Sports Club in Eve Leary, Georgetown.

Superintendent Alastair Roberts and Assistant Superintendent Jermaine Dufu marshalled the team to their championship for Division 4'C'.

Regional Division 4'B' placed

second with 70 games, and a superb display came from the most valuable player (MVP), Corporal Chrison Griffith, who scored the maximum 18 games and shared the first 'love' of the competition.

Police Headquarters ended in third position with 65 games.

In the fiercely contested Females category, Police Headquarters defeated Regional Division 4'B' and Regional Division #7 after amassing 83 games.

Regional Division 4'B' had 73 games, while Regional Division #7 finished with 70 games. Sergeant Sharie Marshall from Police Headquarters was also MVP with 18 games, and she shared the first love. (GPF)

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

SUNDAY, MAY 15, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana Cycling Federation’s Annual 3-Stage Cycle Race…

Team Foundation trio dominates first day action table stadium, with scores of raucous supporters positioning themselves at every corner to urge on their favourite racers. In approximately four minutes after Jeffrey and Campbell had completed that stage of the race, Deeraj Garbaran pipped Walter Grant-Stuart (fourth), Kemuel Moses (fifth) and Jason Cameron (sixth) to the line. That sprint saw the four riders stopping the clock at

Stand United junior rider Alexander Leung then came in tenth.

The race started with Jeffrey taking the lead from the get-go and setting the tone for the race. Eight miles into the race, Jeffrey’s Team Foundation partner Campbell joined him, and the duo left the competition in their wake.

Another Team Foundation rider, Jamual

race in two hours and 38 minutes, same time as Jeffrey.

Jamual John shows class in second stage

Jamual John is arguably the most consistent rider in

Campbell and John stage multiple attacks

After leaving the Mahaica Bridge, John and Padlock broke away from the peloton to meet leaders David Hicks and Dey. The four riders kept

Jamual John won the second stage Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

Clevicia Spencer finished ahead Double Trouble: Raynauth “Obeah of Denise Jeffrey in the first stage Man” Jeffrey and Akil Campbell finished together

T

eam Foundation made a clean sweep of the first and second stages of the three-stage cycle race yesterday, with Raynauth “Obeah Man” Jeffrey, Akil Campbell and Jamual John being the top riders.

Jeffrey and Campbell stopped the clock at one hour, 47 minutes and 13 seconds in the opening stage of the race - from Corriverton to New Amsterdam, a total of 40 miles.

In the second stage: from the Berbice Bridge junction to Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown, John stopped the clock in two hours, 35 minutes and 35 seconds.

Obean Man Jeffrey, Campbell steal the show

Clevicia Spencer finished ahead of Denise Jeffrey in the first stage

A total of 56 riders, including a five-man team from Suriname and a lone rider from Trinidad and Tobago, contested for honours under cool cloudy conditions, but “Obeah Man” Jeffrey and pre-race favourite Campbell were showstoppers, riding together for most of the race.

The Corentyne Highway was transformed into a veri-

one hour, 51 minutes and 28 seconds.

Four minutes and five seconds later, young Arjoon Sookhai came in seventh, after edging away from the peloton. Berbician Mario Washington came in eighth, finishing ahead of second-placed veteran Alex Mendes, who finished ninth overall in the first stage. We

John, was marked throughout the race by Kaieteur Attack riders, while the KFC boys had an ordinary showing in the first stage.

At two hours 11 minutes and 38 seconds, Clevicia Spencer emerged as the top female rider, followed

by Denise Jeffrey. Gary Benjamin was the top over50 wheelsman, finishing the

Guyana. After noting that everything went well for him in the first stage, although he failed to gain a top spot, he said his team got the results. However, in the second stage, he was at his best, despite being marked early by Andre “Padlock” Green.

Team Evolution’s Curtis Dey came in second in that second stage, while young Berbician junior rider David Hicks exceeded expectations to ride in third. Akil Campbell came in fourth, stopping the clock at two hours, 39 minutes, while Marus Keiler came in fifth, followed by the impressive differently-abled Walter Grant-Stuart.

firing together, until Padlock was dropped at Melanie, on the East Coast of Demerara.

Hicks was then dropped five minutes away from the finish line, but John and Dey powered through.

In the end, John proved to be a better sprinter, outclassing Dey to win the second stage.

After the race, Campbell said Team Foundation had a plan, but did not execute well, although it worked out the best way for the team.

Campbell said the second stage was a good race, and the aim was to get John up in the timings, a ploy which worked well. The full results with time of riders will be in the next publication.

GCB’s senior female inter-county T20 tournament…

Berbice thump Demerara, Essequibo beat Select XI I

n the second round of the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) senior female inter-county T20 tournament, Berbice thumped arch-rivals Demerara by eight wickets, while Essequibo humbled the Select XI by 23 runs.

Both matches were played at the Everest Cricket Club ground in Georgetown, and were watched by vocal and partisan gatherings.

In the big match of the day, played in the afternoon, Demerara posted 74-7 in 20 overs, after some disciplined bowling from “player of the match” Plaffina Millington, who claimed 3-10 in four top overs.

Captain Cherry-Ann Fraser top-scored for Demerara with 16,

but no other batter reached double figures. Extras contributed 13 to the Demerara total. Erva Giddings, Tremayne Smartt and Dian Prahalad each took one wicket.

In reply, Berbice reached the total in 15.1 overs to end on 752. Opener Sherica Campbelle topscored with 26 from 37 balls. Hers was an innings that included four boundaries. She was supported by Katana Mentore, who made 19, and Sheneta Grimmond, who scored an unbeaten 12. Mandy Mangru and Latisa Jordan each had one wicket.

And in the opening match at Everest, Essequibo posted 107-4 in 20 overs, while the Select XI were

restricted to 84-7 in their 20 overs.

For Essequibo, Kumarie Persaud made 43, while extras contributed 26 to the total.

Karishma Ramnauth, Niveena Ramnauth, Kimberly Sookdeo and Jamie Campbell each took one wicket.

In reply, Niveen Ramnauth top-scored with 17 for the Select XI, and Leah Kamalall made 12.

Despite extras contributing 29, the Select XI fell short by 23 runs.

Nafeeza Sabar had 3-12 and Analesia D’Aguiar had 2-18.

The tournament is expected to continue on Monday, with both matches being set for play at Everest.

Sherica Campbelle top-scored for Berbice (Brandon Corlette photo)

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