Guyana Times - Sunday May 30, 2021

“When you see my work, it’s part of me you’re seeing” – Photojournalist Abel Harris Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4663 guyanatimesgy.com

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THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021

President orders evacuation of stranded livestock in Black Bush Polder Page 3

…pledges food, water, shelter to Kwakwani residents Liberty Avenue in Queens, NY co-named Little Guyana

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WHAT'S INSIDE: Bail for illegal gun suspects

Gun crimes a threat to safety of citizens – AG expresses “grave concern” …hints at reporting Magistrates to JSC

COVID-19 death toll at 382 as 2 more die P33 …98 new cases recorded

Early morning fire destroys P9 Montrose house

GDF rank drowns after boat capsizes

… “I see you, I respect you, and I appreciate you” – Mayor Bill de Blasio to NYC-based Guyanese

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Uncle, nephew kill each other in brutal, bloody fight Page 11

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APNU/AFC Cabinet used George Norton as a pawn – Jagdeo

…charges over Sussex St bond to be discontinued

Pauline Chase is new GBA President

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SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, May 30 – 04:00h – 05:30h and Monday, May 31 – 09:00h – 10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, May 30 – 07:05h – 08:35h and Monday, May 31 – 07:55h – 09:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Expect thundery showers during the day. There will be light cloud at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 07:05h and 19:45h reaching maximum heights of 2.58 metres and 2.34 metres.

Low Tide: 13:14h reaching a minimum height of 0.66 metre.

President orders evacuation of stranded livestock in Black Bush Polder …pledges food, water, shelter to Kwakwani residents …over 600 hampers distributed

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n a hands-on approach, President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday continued his onthe-ground flood assessment by visiting affected communities along the Upper Berbice River in Region 10, where he reassured residents that all essential items including food and shelter would be provided to them.

During the visit, the Head of State assessed the situation at Lamp Island, Kwakwani – one of the severely affected communities in the country – Bamboo Landing, Hururu Mission and Ladern’s Ville.

President Ali listened to the concerns of scores of residents whose homes and farmlands are inundated due to persistent rainfall over the last week. He reassured them that his Government, working with all stakeholders, including the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), will ensure that food, water and health supplies are provided.

He further explained that shelters would be set up at various Government buildings to ensure that flood-affected residents have places to stay safe and secure until the floodwaters recede.

President in Black Bush

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When it comes to Black Bush Polder in Region Six, President Ali was able to assess the scale of the flooding on Saturday afternoon via a helicopter over large swathes of land inundated by water.

After visiting Kwakwani, a severely flood-affected community, the President journeyed to Port Mourant and then via road into Lesbeholden in Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice.

In Lesbeholden, the Head of State interacted with a number of residents and as he did in Kwakwani, solicited opinions on solutions both immediate and long-term.

It was explained that the Government will be giving the farmers feed to take into Cookrite Savannah today.

Additionally, fuel will be provided for the farmers’ tractors so that they can take them in.

The President also gave instructions for steps to be taken to evacuate livestock that are stranded in mud.

A team of officers from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) will be visiting the savannahs on Monday to provide whatever medical aid is required to ensure that sick animals survive.

Hundreds of heads of cattle, and other smaller animals are trapped in floodwaters in the savannahs aback Black Bush Polder.

Black Bush Polder relies heavily on agriculture and livestock and a natural disaster like floods has the potential to wipe out of the way of life of thousands.

President Ali was accompanied by the Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill; Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess; CDC Head, Lieutenant Kester Craig and other officials.

CDC

Meanwhile, the CDC on Saturday morning packed and sent off trucks with relief

hampers to Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). Some 600 food hampers and 600 cleaning hampers were handed over to the regional authority in Linden.

During visits to the mining communities, which were spearheaded by Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier General Mark Phillips, residents pointed to a number of issues caused by the flooding. Over at Three Friends Mines, residents noted that farmlands, gardens and livestock were affected.

Several homes were also still underwater and at one point a road was cut off from a section of the community due to intense flooding. Speaking to residents of Coomacka Mines, the Prime Minister said while the hampers were not sufficient for everyone, the aim was to ensure that those who are adversely affected receive assistance.

"From Government's side, we recognise this as a disaster, because a lot of people are affected, not only in Coomacka, but throughout communities across Region 10...We are working to bring relief to those who are affected in every community throughout Guyana, because this is not a flood that has affected Region 10 alone... this is

President Dr Irfaan Ali visiting residents affected by the flood.

Also in picture is Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

a flood that has affected every community in Guyana.”

“This is an exercise that we've embarked on throughout this rainy season, because it is our intention as a Government to go into every community that is affected by the floods, do an assessment and to manage the whole situation by bringing relief/supplies to you,” Phillips told residents.

The Prime Minister also said that Government has seen first-hand the effects caused by flooding throughout the country and will continue to work to bring relief. According to him, they have been informed that flooding is an annual occurrence, but this year communities have been hit particularly hard.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021

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

The floods of Guyana

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arge swathes of our interior regions and the coastland are experiencing heavy rainfall and floods that have inundated many communities. While we may have some rains through the year, there are two “rainy seasons” on the coast: during December-January and May-June, when the precipitation is particularly heavy. For the interior regions, there is generally one rainy season: during May-June, and, as such, it coincides then with the coastal pattern. We are in the midst of this confluence.

The average rainfall during these months is usually about 14 inches, but it is clear this has been exceeded in the flooded areas this month. It is commonsensical that if the rainfall runoff exceeds the drainage infrastructure - natural or manmade - flooding would occur. And this is what we are witnessing. On the coastland, this challenge becomes exacerbated because of the peculiar nature of our settlement.

Before the coming of the Dutch in the 17th century, the coastland was covered with mangrove that kept out the Atlantic and also facilitated the sedimentation of the rich alluvial mud the rivers disgorged into it. The Atlantic itself brought from the mouth of the Amazon River alluvial mud that lent the brown colour to the waters off our coasts unlike the azure waters of the Caribbean, to which we are historically linked. After exhausting the soils in the riverine areas in their earliest settlements, the Dutch moved to the coast; and, using African slave labour, cleared the mangrove and created an intricate hydraulic system for draining the lands to make it suitable for cultivating sugar cane, cotton and coffee. These coastland settlements were five feet under the sea level.

To keep out the Atlantic, the Dutch created earthen sea dams (dykes) and later, concrete sea walls. Seven miles inland, they constructed a second series of earthen “back dams” to create conservancies from which water for irrigation could be supplied via sluices all year round.

A tremendously intricate network of irrigation canals was dug around each cane field, with corresponding drainage canals that led to the Atlantic Ocean and ended in “kokers” or sluices.

These kokers are opened at low tides to allow accumulated water to drain out, and closed during high tides to keep out the raging Atlantic. It should be appreciated that keeping the coastland as a livable human habitat demands continuous attention to maintain the integrity of the sea and back dams, the canals and the kokers. Failure in any one of them can lead to flooding, especially in this age of rising seas due to rising atmospheric temperatures.

During the great flood of 2005, which occurred during the end of the December-January rainy season, Guyanese on the coast experienced the full effect of how catastrophic floods can be. Regions 3, 4 and 5 were declared disaster areas as 290,000 persons were affected. Guyanese learnt a new word - “lepto” - to describe the effects of the deadly waterborne leptospirosis disease. Now that the entire country is affected, one hoped that forewarned would have led to being forearmed; but, unfortunately, we appear to have developed amnesia on the lessons of 2005, even though in 2014-2015 there was another deluge that challenged our capabilities and defenses. One glaring lacuna was the regulation promulgated in 2005: that no house should be constructed less than four feet above the ground. This had been the rule since the days of the Dutch settlement, but had been allowed to lapse after Independence. From the pictures of the effects of the present floods, this rule is still being followed in the breach, if at all.

The other factor contributing to flooding is the filling in of canals and the concreting over of drains in the villages.

Even in Georgetown, most of the present divided streets such as Camp Street - had been separated by canals, which were filled in. With climate change ensuring rising seas and more intense rainfalls, unless we intend to desert the coastlands, we have to return to the basics of the hydraulics the Dutch have bequeathed us.

First Lady Arya Ali, in partnership with the Health Ministry, hosted a COVID-19 vaccination drive on Main Street, Georgetown, where hundreds of persons received first and second doses of the vaccine. (Office of the First Lady photos)

PNC, David Granger must accept that electoral reform is a must Dear Editor, During his tenure as substantive and caretaker President of Guyana, David Granger displayed varied dispositions. These serve to evidence evolution of measures from a behind-thescene pretentious orchestrator to directing consistently increasing displays of various forms of cognitive dissonance. Amidst the increasing public calls for his replacement by elements within the PNC, one has to ponder whether the obvious darkening shades of irrationality and bordering senile degradation are the real contributors.

Published media articles report former President David Granger’s declaration of support for the evidence-driven, callous and fraudulent actions taken by the Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield. These are no longer unbelievable nor surprising. Notably, he was at one point labelled ‘a Sanctimonious Gangster’.

Mr Granger played, and remains rigid in the role of, the pious, manipulative deflector, although the grounds for such have been publicly eroded, even within his support base.

An article published in a section of the media, titled “Granger endorses Lowenfield chopping of 115,000 votes” dated June 30, 2020, reports that “President David Granger last evening endorsed a controversial report by Chief Election Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield which invalidated the votes of 25% of Guyanese electors.” This was done while the whole world stood up in objection to the ransom-permitted election fiasco during

the five months following voting on March 2, 2020.

In particular, these were against the Lowenfield report to GECOM on June 23rd, through which he disenfranchised 115,787 voters by invalidating approximately twenty-five percent of the votes cast.

More recently, Mr Granger emerged from his slumber to make shallow pronouncements regarding our necessary electoral reforms. He emphasised that the Guyana Court of Appeal should rule on electoral matters, not the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

Could rational thinking citizens accept such gullibility?

It is not forgotten that the Judiciary in Guyana came in for serious criticisms consequent to their unacceptable ruling that thirty-three is not the majority of sixty-five in the resultant matter related to the December 2018 Noconfidence Motion.

Furthermore, the Guyana Appellate Court, in rulings on various election-related matters that were subsequently examined by our Apex Court, revealed questionable shortcomings and an insult to our commitment to the foundations of an acceptable final Regional Justice position.

Notably, on the issue “Votes Cast”, the matter brought by the APNU was thrown out after CCJ President Justice Adrian Saunders made his ruling.

Granger’s ramblings that the Court of Appeal, in his view, is competent to rule on internal electoral matters is a manifestation of emerged senility.

The PNC and David Granger must accept that

Electoral Reform is a must.

The Carter formula concerning the Chairman and the Commission is still an appropriate base position from which we will appreciate reviews towards a better formula. Lest we lose sight that the ideal of the reforms is to improve the system of producing acceptable results from transparent, free and fair elections, the unnecessary hypocritical ramblings to stymie the process by rejecting international assistance will dissipate.

It is obvious that, out of justified necessity, a review of the mechanism towards the appointment of the Chairperson and Commissioners, as well as their scope of performance and delivery, must be looked at. Notwithstanding, while we are looking at these details, we must not forget that it is not the two major parties selecting the Chairperson and the Commissioners.

The Parties (political), the Political Parties in Parliament, are supposed to nominate six names and send them to the President for his consideration for the Chairperson.

In the current system, the Government will nominate three Commissioners, the Opposition Parties in Parliament normally nominate three Commissioners.

Hence, it is expected that the PNC/ APNU will nominate two and the others will get an opportunity to nominate one of the Commissioners.

Further, there is also a need for the re-examination of the Representation of the People’s Act (RoPA).

Electoral Reforms are a must, and we should not have a system where

Commissioners are perpetually on the Commission.

Such corrections are necessary to counter the loss of delivery of constitutional objectivity in favour of partisan party advantages.

Editor, the recent ruling

by Chief Justice Roxanne George, that the Statements of Poll for March 2020 Elections be provided to the Police and Director of Public Prosecutions, is solid in law and must be applauded. It establishes that the Judiciary has ensured the affirmation of the significant central democratic pillar that will ensure the conduct of appropriate investigations regarding the anomalies in these elections.

No longer will the shielding of these corrupt officials be tolerated.

The Chief Justice has consistently delivered solid and sound judicial decisions in response to repeated attempts by the conspirators to subvert the will of the people, and those who have sought to twist the laws of our country. There has been an erotic, eerie silence since she decided on the SOPs, particularly from the camp of the PNC, as main stakeholders to benefit from the plot. One would hope that the strong messages would likely deter future considerations toward the obvious mindset of the leading power-hungry cabal.

Then again, one has to consider the increasing delusional traits being perpetrated by the likes of David Granger, to see the new deflections and whether a new frenzied ploy will be adopted by the cabal.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021

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Racist statement again from PNC top brass Dear Editor, Happy Independence to all Guyanese. As I sat and was going through Facebook, I saw APNU was live, so I decided to check to see if they have their own PNC Independence celebration and flag-raising ceremony.

However, there was the former Minister of Finance talking up village economies and development within the various villages, especially the strongholds of PNC, as they launched a Market Day in Ithaca. What shocked me about three minutes into watching was when that very former PNC Minister told the gathering there in Ithaca, that when they see people who don’t look like

them, don’t chase them, but use them.

We all know that Ithaca is predominantly Africans, and for the former Minister to make such a statement, it really shows the racism deeper in the PNC and its top brass members that walk this country trying to win votes by using race.

My understanding of that statement is that Mr Jordan is telling the predominantly Africanpopulated Ithaca that when people of other races, such as Indians, Amerindians, Chinese, Portuguese and all other races who don’t look like Africans, come to your village, use them. Use them in what form I don’t know, but Jordan will have to answer to that, because

of those other races entering Ithaca to visit their Market Day, it means the other races will support the people of Ithaca, and not be used by the people of Ithaca.

Jordan and the PNC fail to realise that “Massa Days” done, and the days of slavery are long gone.

I don’t know who the people of Ithaca can use, and as an Indian, I will be bluntly clear to Jordan and PNC in saying that “NO ONE CAN USE ME IN NO WAY if I go into Ithaca or any village of this wide Guyana.

Mr Jordan should also tell us if it’s true that he recently took his vehicle to a wash bay in his village, and when he parked and

Lowenfield must come clean

Dear Editor, The verdict is out, the SoPs must be turned over to the DPP for the commencement of prosecutorial proceedings into the malpractices of the March, 2020 General and Regional Elections. These documents, which hitherto were hidden from public view and kept as private property, would now have to be turned over to the relevant authorities for the trial to move forward.

We are now about to see the criminal trial of CEO Lowenfield, a man who thought within himself that he could have stolen an election with impunity. I am talking about one of the most barefaced acts of fraud ever to plague this country since Independence.

Now, why he attempted that feat right before the eyes of an international audience is one of the things we are going to get to the bottom of as this trial continues. One possible rea-

son I can come up with is that Lowenfield had reasoned that he had done it in 2015, so why not do it again?

This is the only rational reason that I can come up with at this stage. Maybe other reasons might emerge as the trial proceeds; however, mine still holds supreme thus far.

For five long months, numerous court cases were filed, trying to block the publication of the elections results, while The CEO kept coming up with repeated doses of fraudulent figures.

These manoeuvrings can only be summed up as the manifestation of a wellthought-out plan, one of which Lowenfield thought would somehow evade public scrutiny. Well, all of that façade he was putting up will come crashing down as the trial begins.

Judging from the actions of Lowenfield, one is forced to ask the question: Why did GECOM hold an election

in the first place, when the sole purpose of the CEO is to subvert it and install whomsoever he wishes? Why conduct an election when a single official can decide which party wins and which party loses? Isn’t this the sum total of what we witnessed this past year? This is the clear logic that we are faced with.

So, I must say to Lowenfield, “You have to come clean this time around”, as to why he attempted that rigging stunt of his, as well as the intellectual authors behind his fraudulent actions. Barring this, he would have a torrid time convincing a court of law, or any court for that matter, why the full brunt of the law should not be his portion. I say do not waste the court’s time, because it will only lengthen your sentencing.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

President orders...

came out, everyone that was sitting there walked away from him, leaving him alone there, causing him to go away. Is this true, Winston Jordan?

Winston Jordan, the people of Ithaca won’t listen to you because they live peacefully and united with their partner villages of Blairmont, Shieldstown and Rosignol. They live in unity and share ideas and even meals at times. They drink together and dance together. They travel together. They go to church together. They play sports together. The children go to school together.

The people of Ithaca, since I have been visiting that area as an Indian, never ever show any racist side of things to me or anyone else from another race who enter that village.

The people of Ithaca are not racist like you, Winston Jordan, and therefore stop going about trying to cause racial tension that can bring more harm to Region 5. Your good friend in PNC, who is a lawyer, did that a few months ago and caused the region to suffer because of racism that is being used

by PNC to gain some sort of attention.

Jordan, you need to tell this nation why you would tell an African-dominated village to use people of other races when they visit their village? What do you mean by “using them”?

Why would you use the term “use them” and not “embrace them”?

I call on the ethnic Relations Commission to investigate this statement made by the former PNC Finance Minister Winston Jordan on Wednesday 26th May 2021 in Ithaca.

Please, ERC, don’t wait

FROM PAGE 3

"The focus, as a priority is for those who are actually affected by the flooding...

We have seen a lot of people that live especially along the edge of the river, they're basically under water right now and we hope that they can be the ones who will get the hampers - those who are severely affected.”

“This is an annual flooding, I'm told, however, this year it is unusual. That's why the water is so high and affecting Kwakwani, that's why the water is so high here in the Demerara River and affecting you.

Additional hampers will be donated to the communities, to reach every household,” Phillips noted.

In recognition of how flooding can exacerbate health issues, Prime Minister Phillips also explained that Government

is aware that communities are presently affected by COVID-19 and will put additional systems in place for assistance in this regard.

"That is the commitment of the Government, first of all to deal with those who are affected immediately by the flooding and also afterwards to bring in some more hampers to everybody because we recognise that everybody is affected by COVID-19," he assured.

Evacuation

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has meanwhile signalled that the Government is preparing for mass evacuation if need be. During an interview with social commentator Mikhail Rodriguez, he explained that “The Central Government will provide

resources for rebuilding of infrastructure and to address livelihood. Because many people have not only had hardships, but they lost their farmlands and the animals they had. So, there would be support for this after we get past the immediate issues.”

He explained that the Government is prepared to help persons with the recovery phase in the future but for now, regional officials have been exhorted to be liaisons between the people and the Central Government.

“We made it clear to all the regional officials, councillors, that they must be visible in the communities right across the region and they must say this to people and see if they need immediate help. Contact us so we can provide the resources

so that people can get food and shelter at this stage.

And if necessary, be evacuated. That’s our key priority,” he said.

Several Government officials have visited affected areas over the last few days, including Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, who journeyed to Black Bush Polder in Berbice on Wednesday.

Guyana is faced with severe rainfall in several parts of the country and according to information from the Hydrometeorological Service, heavy rainfall will likely continue over the next few days.

A number of communities in Guyana, especially those in low-lying and riverine areas, are currently flooded, due to heavy rainfall. (G3)

for any report to be made, just call Jordan and ask for the tape and listen to him saying, “When people come here and don’t look like you, don’t chase them, but use them.”

I call on Winston Jordan to tell us what you mean by “use them” if they don’t look like you when they enter Ithaca.

I find that Winston Jordan is an outright racist, like several of his affiliates, and the most surprising part is the newly-wed in the PNC, the former AFC (AFC is PNC) leader Khemraj Ramjattan, and several of those former AFC (AFC is now PNC) political opportunist MPs and members stood there and allowed Winston Jordan to use that term without even walking away in protest.

Anyway, I understand that if any of you former

AFC (AFC is PNC) MPs talk against any statement made by PNC members, David Granger as head of the list will kick you guys out as MPs. So, Winston Jordan, please stop spreading race hate in this country, and try to defend your failure as a former Finance Minister under the PNC five years in government. I will deal with village economies, development and empowerment that you are preaching now, and could not have done in those five years in a later missive.

Stop being a racist Jordan, and allow Guyanese to live as “One Guyana”.

Regards Abel Seetaram Fmr Reg 5 RDC Councillor

6 NEWS

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Pauline Chase is new GBA President

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he Bar Association of Guyana has elected Attorney-at-Law Pauline Chase as its new President. Chase was elected during the Association’s virtual Annual General Meeting on Friday. Chase, the Bar Association said, is the fourth woman to serve as President of the GBA in its 41-year history.

In a statement on Saturday, the Bar Association said that Chase’s father, Ashton Chase, OE, SC, served as a distinguished past President. This

Pauline Chase

accomplishment of Ms Chase, it added, makes her the first

progeny to serve as President of the association. Chase has been in practice for over 20 years at the Chambers of Ashton Chase Associates.

Meanwhile, outgoing President Teni Housty, having served two immediate past consecutive one-year-terms, was ineligible under the Rules of the Association for re-election. He was unanimously elected as a Vice President together with Jamela A Ali, SC. Keoma D Griffith, the outgoing Assistant Secretary, was

elected as Secretary of the Association. Ashely King is the new Assistant Secretary while Naresh Poonai was returned as Treasurer for the second consecutive term. The Returning Officer, Joshua Abdool, also declared Robin Stoby, SC; Kamal Ramkarran; Horatio Edmonson; KA Juman Yassin, SC; Onassis Granville and Donavon Rangiah duly elected as Council Members, filling the remaining six offices on the Bar Council, the executive body of the Association.

Harrinand Persaud is new President of THAG

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hief Financial and Marketing Officer of King's Jewellery World, Harrinand Persaud has been elected as President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG).

Persaud, who holds an MBA, is also the Chief Financial and Marketing Officer of King’s Hotel &

Residences, Bistro Cafe & Bar, King’s Duty-Free, Lehr Inc and Starr Computer.

He along with the new executive council of THAG were elected during the virtual Annual General Meeting.

Following his election, Persaud shared that it is a great honour and privilege to serve as President

of THAG, while extending special thanks to immediate past President, Mitra Ramkumar; Executive Director, Treina Butts and Executive Officer, Oslyn Martindale, whom he said have all worked tirelessly over the years. “[Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse impact on tourism and hospitality businesses,] Guyana will continue to be a top tourist destination and attraction,” Persaud said and as such he appealed to members to be ready whilst staying safe.

“With a mass vaccination programme in place, our industry will bloom again, as is evident in other countries. We will continue to follow the safe practice guidelines, and gradually, herd immunity will be achieved,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Ramkumar, who is the Chief Financial Officer, Roraima Airways Inc, will serve as the immediate past President and provide continuity and guidance to the newly elected President. Persaud endeavoured to work closely with the Executives, Directors, and members of THAG, promising to call upon them for their continued support, advice and guidance.

“We will continue to

Chief Financial and Marketing Officer of King's Jewellery World, Harrinand Persaud

work closely on projects and partnerships already established. He committed to sharing detailed plans in subsequent engagements.”

The new Executive of THAG are Vice President, Kenneth Shivdyal; Destination Development Manager, Wilderness Explorers; Treasurer, Camille Boodhoo; Managing Director, Old Fort Tours & Angellina’s Travel Service.

Committee Members are Eduardo Reple, General Manager, Guyana Marriott Hotel Georgetown; Dane Gobin, CEO, Iwokrama; Zena Bone, Owner, Adel’s Rainforest Resort and Victor Pires, Managing Director, Bullseye Investments.

The Association’s membership re-appointed Ram & McRae as its auditors for the new financial year.

REIMAGINE| RECREATE| RESTORE ‘RESTORE EARTH’

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orld Environment Day takes place every year on June 5. It is the United Nations’ leading day for promoting worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental public outreach, and is celebrated by millions of people across the world. This year’s observance of World Environment Day will be on the theme of “ecosystem restoration”, and focus will be on resetting our relation with nature. It will also mark the formal launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021–2030.

Pakistan to host WED 2021 Led by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Government of Pakistan – in one of the world’s most ambitious afforestation efforts – plans to expand and restore the country’s forests through a 10-billion-tree-tsunami spread over 5 years. The campaign includes restoring mangroves and forests, as well as planting trees in urban settings, including schools, colleges, public parks and green belts. Pakistan has launched an Ecosystem Restoration Fund to support nature-based solutions to climate change, and facilitate the transition towards environmentally resilient, ecologically targeted initiatives covering afforestation and biodiversity conservation.

Recently, the Prime Minister of Pakistan launched the Protected Area Initiative to develop 15 model protected areas across the country, to conserve over 7,300 sq km of land area and create over 5,500 green jobs.

Do you know which sport the Pakastani PM is famous for?

Ecosystem Restoration Decade Ecosystems support all life on Earth. The healthier our ecosystems are, the healthier the planet - and its people. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. It can help to end poverty, combat climate change, and prevent a mass extinction. It would succeed only if everyone plays a part. The UN Decade is intended to massively scale up the restoration of degraded and destroyed ecosystems to fight the climate crisis; prevent the loss of a million species; and enhance food security, water supply and livelihoods.

World Environment Day is a once-a-year activity; however, it doesn’t mean that we should pay attention to the environment only on that one day. Irrespective of the day, organisation, event, country, theme — preserving nature is our responsibility.

1. Bring a change in your lifestyle. See how we can live better with nature, and make little alterations in our day-to-day life.

2. Educate other people. This is not a fight we can win alone; even if we are able to create awareness for a small minority of people, it can create a world of difference.

3. Respect biodiversity & nature. Biodiversity plays an important role in offering ecological services that make life livable on Earth. Each species, no matter how big or small, has a mind-boggling impact on the ecosystem.

4. Ensure that your business is authorised and in compliance with all environmental regulations.

5. Support local conservation efforts This is our moment.

We cannot turn back time. But we can grow trees, green our cities, rewild our gardens, change our diets, and clean up rivers and coasts. We are the generation that can make peace with nature. Let’s get active, not anxious.

This World Environment Day, join #GenerationRestoration to revive and protect our ecosystems.

Do you know which of the Sustainable Development Goals the Ecosystem Decade supports?

For more information on WED visit https://www. worldenvironmentday.global/ https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/ pakistan-host-world-environment-day-2021 https://medium.com/climate-conscious/pakistan-to-hostworld-environment-day-2021-3ca161a72de4 Remember to pick up a copy of the newspapers on Saturday June 05 to learn more about EPA’s World Environment Day and upcoming anniversary.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O ECEA Programme, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN, or email us at: eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.

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

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Too much...

O

…fatty, foreign foods ne of the things that struck your Eyewitness as he looked around his country on its 55th anniversary of “Independence” was the number of people who were clearly obese. Let’s call a spade a spade! Was this progress, he wondered? After all, at Independence we were told how exploited we’d been, with the implication being that we didn’t get to enjoy the good life as those white British imperialists did!

And the good life, to us, meant copious amounts of food and drink, which we imagined were consumed in the palatial quarters of the segregated housing of the Brits. Even the type of food we envied. The freshly-grown vegetables and ground provisions that we were allowed to grow and eat since the days of slavery were disparaged.

We envied, and longed for, the foreign foods that were imported by the overlords to load their tables. Much of those foods were canned or pickled to preserve them; hence our craving for sardines, corned beef and corned mutton, condensed milk, corn and other vegetables - all out of cans!

Did you know that Burnham asked for, received, and consumed an entire can of condensed milk just hours before he died? Ironically, condensed milk had been banned by him! Anyhow, fifty-five years after Independence, we’re importing humungous quantities of vegetables and canned foods from up North. We still consider those foods as superior to our local fare. Can you imagine sitting down at the Marriott and wolfing down some tripe? Nah…it’s salmon and peas or linguine, or whatever.

For the masses, we’re being overrun with fast-food joints from the “developed world” that we emulate as the lodestone of our “sophistication”. To be independent is to eat “foreign”! Ain’t it wonderful? Well, not really!

Cause we’re all getting fat! Trinidad is ahead of us in this area because of their oil wealth since the 1970s. Can you believe they’ve knocked off the US from their pedestal as the fattest set of people in the Western Hemisphere?

Yup…that’s true. And even without our oil revenues kicking in, we’re following closely in their tracks. Have you sat in one of those open eating areas in the shopping malls and looked at the people around you? Yup… they’re massive, aren’t they? But the problem is that the same developed countries we admire and emulate have discovered that eating all this fancy fried food and getting fat isn’t good for you. You become prime candidates for cardiac complications - already the number 1 cause of deaths here.

So, c’mon people…if you really want to enjoy being independent, being unhealthy and obese ain’t the way to do it.

So, it’s time we get physical and eat healthy!

…connectivity?

As your Eyewitness has been counterintuitively pointing out, there are some silver linings behind this COVID-19 dark cloud. It just goes to prove that the old saw “necessity is the mother of invention” is a fundamental axiom. What did the COVID-19 pandemic force us to do?

Sequester ourselves from each other, that’s what! So only “essential services” are allowed.

But what about us making a living even when our services aren’t “essential” - like what your Eyewitness does! Well, come the need, comes the solution - the internet. Seen up to now as just connecting folks for fun, we now see it can connect us for work. How many of us are now working out of our homes?! It’s a Revolution, that’s what it is. And it doesn’t stop there.

Think of classrooms - whether for the schools or universities. They’re all plugged in to their students via smart rooms or smart phones etc via the internet. And there’s no going back to the past.

Welcome to the brave new world! …BOGOs You know the Buy-One-Get-One- Free ploy, don’t you?

It’s a basic switch-and-bait move that makes you think you’re getting a bargain when you’re just parting with your money.

It’s also standard in politics!

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

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Early morning fire destroys Montrose house

T

hree persons - a 70-yearold man, his 41-year-old daughter and 40-year-old sonin-law – have been left homeless, after a massive fire destroyed their Third Street Montrose, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home early Saturday morning.

Reports are the fire started at about 01:40h, leaving the displaced family of three counting millions of dollars in losses.

When Guyana Times visited the scene on Saturday, only the frame of the house was left standing.

None of the three occupants were there, however, another daughter of

Flames engulfing the house on Saturday morning

the 70-year-old pensioner, who lives nearby, Asha Ojha told this publication it was her father who suspected something was amiss in the house when he smelled smoke.

“My dad was out playing some games and he started to smell smoke. And when they went to investigate, one of them went upstairs and when they opened the door, there was a fire coming out. So, at that point they could not have gotten into the upstairs. So, they ran back downstairs, and all they were able to do was get the two cars out the yard.”

The woman said that the upper flat of the two-storey wooden and concrete building was not occupied by anyone. She said the dwelling was done downstairs.

As the fire began spreading rapidly through the house, the family, with the help of neighbours, formed

What remains of the Montrose, ECD house

a bucket brigade, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Ojha was unable to say what might have started the fire but said her family was unable to save anything.

“The neighbour told us; he was the first person that reached upstairs. He said he saw it coming out of the ceiling. But as I said when

they opened the door. It was coming through the door. At this point in time, it’s really difficult how much we lost because the furnishings were equivalent to two households. And it’s a big house.”

When asked how the family is coping with the loss of their home, Ojha said the family is devastated.

“Right now, my sister is very traumatised, she’s the one that was there, and my brother-in-law is even more so…so, we’re trying to deal with that and to calm them before we are able to see, how to move on,” she said.

She said that family and friends have offered tremendous support to them since the incident.

“A lot of friends have been coming and pouring in support and helping with clothing and so because they were not able to save anything at all… at this point we don’t want to ask for public assistance, because we don’t want to put the public under pressure …everybody has their own issues,” the woman related.

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire. (G9)

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APNU/AFC Cabinet used George Norton as a pawn – Jagdeo …charges over Sussex St bond to be discontinued

V

ice President Bharrat Jagdeo has signalled that the Administration will not be pursuing charges against former Minister of Health under the then A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, Dr George Norton, for his role in the Sussex Street bond controversy.

The Vice President made this revelation during an interview with social commentator Mikhail Rodriguez.

According to Jagdeo, Dr Norton acted pursuant to instructions from the then APNU/AFC Cabinet and it would make no sense pursuing a pawn of the former Government.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

“We are not rushing forward to charge everyone willy nilly… they had a case against Norton, and we recognised that Norton acted pursuant to the Cabinet and

we’re dropping that case too.

Doesn’t make sense prosecuting George Norton for something that the Cabinet ordered him to do,” Jagdeo said in the interview.

“George Norton was a pawn. No use we drag him through the court. We don’t have an enemy image like what they did. Go after all the PPP leaders like they did. Like Nigel Dharamlall, who they charged because he was a member of the Board and the Rice Board didn’t update the general ledger. And he was charged, as a member of the Board!

Which is a function of management. That’s how they were vindictive.”

He referenced current Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and former Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Winston Brassington.

The two men were charged under the former APNU/AFC Government for their role in land sales that were approved by the previous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Cabinet.

Jagdeo noted that other members of the PPP were also witch-hunted by the authorities, which included the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA).

“Look how many times we were invited to SOCU. (Former) Prime Minister Sam Hinds had to go.

(Former President Donald) Ramotar had to go to SOCU. (Former Head of the Presidential Secretariat) Roger Luncheon had to go to SOCU. I had to go to SOCU.” “Almost every Minister from the PPP Cabinet had to go to SOCU. And they did not find a shred of evidence.

Not for SOCU or SARA to come up with charges that

Former Health Minister Dr George Norton

could have had a prosecution. They were just frivolous,” he said.

Misconduct in public office

Norton was charged back in April for misconduct in public office for his role in the Sussex Street, Georgetown bond fiasco.

The Audit Office of Guyana had conducted a special audit into the Sussex Street drug bond rental which found that there were clear breaches of the Procurement Act and recommended that the Police be called in and the Legal Affairs Ministry take disciplinary steps where necessary.

According to the report on the special audit produced by Auditor General Deodat Sharma and addressed to Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, the contract for a medical storage bond was not advertised or publicly procured by the former Administration.

This is a breach of Tender Board procedures and the Procurement Act of 2003. The then Public Health Ministry always claimed that it rented the bond from Linden Holdings Inc because it was needed on an emergency basis.

However, the Audit Office

found that despite $25 million being paid for the first two months, the bond was rented (July and August 2016), the bond was not used until the third month.

Another issue is the fact that the bond was underutilised and under-equipped despite contractual stipulations. For instance, the contract mandated that the building would be equipped with 16 upright refrigerators. But at the time of physical verification on April 11, 2017, only 14 were seen.

Additionally, physical verification done by the Audit Office in 2017 found that the bond contained only 472 IUD kits and associated supplies and 1200 umbilical cord clamps. In addition, there were 2130 amphotericin 50mg injections and 8300 condoms.

There is also uncertainty about the date the contract actually ended. The contract was supposed to last from June 1, 2016 to June 30, 2019. In accordance with the need for one-year notice, then Public Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Trevor Thomas had sent an initial Notice of Quit letter dated October 31, 2016, informing Linden Holdings of the intention to vacate the premises by November 1, 2017.

“However, examination of this letter revealed that it was unsigned and issued without the official letterhead of the Ministry.

Evidence was seen whereby someone would have signed a Document Transmission Slip on 8 November 2016 receiving the Notice to Quit,” the Auditor General had said. (G3)

NEWS

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Burnham’s totalitarian legacy

W

e have just commemorated the 55th Anniversary of our Independence, which was granted to Forbes Burnham and the PNC after they colluded with the British and the Americans to oust the PPP of Cheddi Jagan “by any means necessary”. The US, as later expressed by James Schlesinger, was contrite over their action, but by the time the PNC was forced to relinquish power in 1992 through free and fair elections, Burnham had so corrupted the institutions to create a totalitarian state that we still have not become freed of its effects.

After 1968, the PNC jettisoned its junior coalition partner, the UF, and started rigging elections to retain Ravi Dev power as a minority regime.

We witnessed the PNC under Granger attempting to repeat the elections’ rigging. Burnham introduced a form of governance (post-1968) that sought to establish and maintain absolute control over the state and society.

He used the following stratagems: First: A single mass party, led by a dictator. While Burnham allowed other parties to exist during the electoral-rigging era, those parties never threatened the PNC’s rule, and Guyana in actuality became a one-party state. That is: while other parties might have been permitted to exist, they were never allowed to compete effectively with the PNC. If they ever posed a real threat to the regime, as the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) did briefly by 1979, the totalitarian “sharper steel”, in the words of Burnham, was bared. In the same year (not coincidentally), a new Constitution confirmed Burnham’s absolute control over Guyana.

Second: A system of terroristic control. The House of Israel — loyal to the PNC; kick-down-the-door bandits; arbitrary search and seizures by the Police; Police informers in every locality; assassinations, ostentatious marches by the army through opposition strongholds, etc kept the Opposition under control, and the Opposition population in terror. Indians responded to the pressure by mass migration, joining the earlier wave of migrants, primarily Portuguese, who had fled the PPP “initiatives” during their 1957-1964 terms at the helm. Soon half the country was abroad. For those who remained, corruption was institutionalised, as it became the avenue of relating to, and dealing with, the system. Corruption was power, and absolute corruption became absolute power.

Third: A near monopoly control over mass communication and education. The Government’s nationalisation of, and PNC control over, the media (radio and newspapers, television was not permitted), and establishment of the GPSA in tandem with a programme of harassment of the Opposition newspapers through libel suits and bans on newsprint, consummated this imperative.

Schools were all nationalised, and mass games introduced.

Fourth: A near monopoly control over the “coercive” apparatus of the state. The Guyana Disciplined Forces — Army, Police Force, Fire Service, National Service, People’s Militia and National Guard Service — were expanded exponentially, staffed with a ninety per cent African membership. All officers swore personal loyalty to the leader of the PNC, to provide — along with the similarly constituted Police Force — the coercive basis for the PNC’s rule.

David Granger was in charge of their ideological training.

Fifth: The central control and direction of the economy. By the PNC’s boast, they nationalised eighty per cent of the economy by 1976. Party membership and support for the Party’s position became prerequisites for maintaining a job. In Burnham’s words, those who were fired stayed fired.

The co-operative, which was to be the cornerstone of the economy, was to be the vehicle for rewarding the lower-class African Guyanese supporter, but by the late 1970s, most had collapsed. African Guyanese now joined the exodus to the “outside”.

Sixth: A near monopoly over all civil organisations. Trade Unions, religious organisations, schools, cultural organisations and social bodies were all either subverted or controlled by the PNC’s intimidation: by buying off compliant leadership, or by the creation of paper organisations which were given governmental recognition and a place at the Government’s trough.

Indian Guyanese leaders were placed in highly visible but essentially powerless positions to create a façade of a “non-racial” Government.

Seventh: An official ideology. The PNC announced in 1974 it was a Marxist-Leninist party, and was reorganised as the “vanguard of the masses”. While there have been interminable discussions as to the “sincerity” of the PNC in its avowal, at a minimum, MarxismLeninism gave the PNC an appropriate vocabulary and methodical postulate for its innovations and excesses.

This is the Burnhamite legacy that Granger has promised to fulfill.

Forewarned is forearmed.

Uncle, nephew kill each other in brutal, bloody fight A

bloody fight between a man and his nephew has sent the community of Coomacka Mines, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), into a state of shock, after the two men chopped each other to death in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

Dead are 58-year-old Leonard Reece of Three Friends, Coomacka Mines, and his nephew, 36-year-old Ronald Wong, who is said to be of unsound mind.

Reports are that the incident occurred sometime between 01:15h and 03:00h on Saturday.

Police have since said that during April, Wong was released from prison after serving time for attempted murder and moved in with his uncle, Reece, who would usually cook for him on a daily basis.

According to Police, the Chairman of Three Friends, Coomacka Mines, who lives about two houses away from Reece, reported that at about

01:15h on Saturday morning, she was awoken by sounds from Reece’s house.

She told Police that she immediately went out on her verandah where she saw Reece’s 25-year-old son jump through the eastern window of the house shouting “murder, murder”.

The woman immediately raised an alarm and other neighbours went over to the house; Reece’s body was seen with several wounds, covered in blood and clothed only in black boxer briefs.

The Police said that Wong’s body was later found lying face down in a paddle-

boat in the river with several chop wounds.

Meanwhile, Leonard Reece’s brother, Maurice Reece, who lives in Industrial Area, Mackenzie, Linden, told Police he received a

phone call at about 01:30h from his niece, who informed him that his nephew, Wong, had chopped Reece.

Maurice Reece then called his brother-in-law, Walter, who related the same story to him.

He subsequently went to the Mackenzie Police station and made a report. Based on reports received, the Police are working on the theory that they both chopped each other during a confrontation.

Persons are currently being interviewed and statements are being taken as the investigation continues. (G9)

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Anna Regina to get Independence Park

A

contract has been awarded for the construction of a recreational park at Anna Region, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). The park, which will be located near the famous Anna Regina High Bridge, is being built as part of the celebration of Guyana’s 55th Independence Anniversary.

The $1,920,000 contract was awarded to Aadil Baksh and the construction is expected to conclude within three months.

Speaking briefly about the project, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Devanand

Ramdatt said that the contract was awarded to a private company, which has taken the leading role in establishing an attractive and relaxing park that will aid in boosting tourism in the region.

M e a n w h i l e , Superintendent of Works, Deoshankar Mohan said that the construction of the Independence Park will include the building of its walkway and landfilling so there will be no flooding and adequate space for activities.

“For the development

of the park, it will be boosted by residents who will be utilising the park… the area will be managed and maintained by the Anna Regina Town Council. I am thankful because this is one of the aims that we have to beautify the town and modernise it with recreational facilities for residents,” Mayor Rajendra Prabulall, who was also at the site visit, said.

Walkway bridge

The area at which the Independence Park will be constructed

Additionally, residents of Wakapao village, also on the Essequibo Coast, will soon benefit from the

construction of a $3 million wooden walkway bridge, which will be built across swampy surroundings to connect close communities. The project is being facilitated by the Government through the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

Toshao Lloyd Pereira and Deputy Toshao Troy Williams of the Amerindian village met with the regional administration to discuss funding for a bridge at Curemeru, Wakapao, and received positive feedback along with funds for the construction.

TURN TO PAGE 30

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More drugs found in NA prison

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Prison Service on Saturday found a quantity of ganja at the New Amsterdam Prison, and also at Weldaad, Region Five, West Coast Berbice, during separate raids.

During a search at the New Amsterdam Prison on Saturday, 160 grams of cannabis was unearthed in the prison compound.

Additionally, while searching the facility, a bulky parcel wrapped in transparent plastic containing a quantity of leaves and stems suspected to be cannabis was found abandoned south of the western side of the prison.

Also on Saturday, Police arrested a 40-year-old woman of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, with 9525.4 grams of cannabis.

It was reported that ranks were conducting a road block exercise when they stopped a hire car and conducted a search. At the time, there were two passengers in the vehicle,

Police acting on information received intercepted minibus BYY 5866, which was carrying about 10 passengers. The minibus was taken into the station’s compound, and a search of the vehicle was conducted in the presence of its occupants

and the driver.

It was then a red, white and blue travelling bag was found under the conductor’s seat, and upon inspection, two wrapped parcels containing cannabis were found.

It was later found out

that the bag belonged to a passenger who had joined the minibus at Rosignol.

The suspect was told of the offence, but he denied ownership of the bag. He was nevertheless arrested and placed into Police custody. (G9)

Anna Regina to get...

FORM PAGE 29

The ganja that was found in NA Prison

which included the woman. According to Police, further searches on the vehicle unearthed a multi-coloured shopping bag that was in the trunk. Upon investigating, two wrapped parcels containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were found. The woman

was arrested and is in Police custody as investigation continues.

Just two days ago a 34-year-old man was arrested after being intercepted with a quantity of ganja at a road block in front of the Fort Wellington Police Station, WCB.

Toshao Lloyd Pereira of Wakapao speaking at the meeting. Also in photo are Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva and REO Devanand Ramdatt

Speaking at the meeting, REO Ramdatt said that the project is an additional capital project under the 2021 Budgetary allocations. The contract was not awarded to a contractor but would be undertaken by the Village Council, which will work along with the Engineering Department of the region.

Ramdatt called on Pereira and Williams to have in the community, a high level of accountability and transparency in order to complete the project.

“I want you to focus on

having a consultation with the community so that we can use this as a model. The bridge will benefit residents and provide them with comfort because over nursery aged students have to walk to and from school a total of six miles at an average,” Ramdatt said.

Toshao Lloyd Pereira in response thanked the Government for the funding, noting that he will also be consulting with members of the community for the project.

The Wakapao community has a population of over

1900 persons and comprises smaller villages and islands - Corriea, Mora, Yarasharima and Mabel Sandy - that are connected by the vast savanna.

The regional administration is currently constructing a nursery school at Mabel Sandy which was previously housed under the primary school and a landing is also being constructed at Curemeru which would give access to the mainland where hunters, loggers and farmers have easy access to move their products.

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Liberty Avenue in Queens, NY co-named Little Guyana

…“I see you, I respect you, and I appreciate you” – Mayor Bill de Blasio to NYC-based Guyanese

P

ride beamed amongst the Guyanese Diaspora in New York on Saturday morning as Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill, Queens, was co-named “Little Guyana Avenue” in recognition of the contribution of Guyanese to the development of the city.

Scores of Guyanese braved the rain to attend

Saturday’s co-naming ceremony was attended by Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, who highlighted that this significant ceremony was being done just days after Guyana celebrated its 55th Independence Anniversary.

“We view this as a very important recognition of our country and of our people…

I want the people here, com-

Guyana’s Public Affairs Minister Kwame McKoy sharing a photo with NYC-based Guyanese and well-wishers on Saturday

the unveiling of the new street sign, co-naming the popular Liberty Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard intersection as “Little Guyana Avenue”.

Liberty Avenue has long been referred to as Little

munity here to be proud of this co-naming and to live up to what people expect of Guyana [and Guyanese], and to make Guyana and Guyanese proud; and to make your community as it were, a better place,” he

Guyana given the large Guyanese population living and operating businesses there. In fact, the wider Richmond Hill area in Queens, by extension, has earned this title for being home to the largest Guyanese community outside of Guyana.

urged.

Persaud went on to encourage the Guyanese Diaspora to also play a role in the development drive that is taking off here in Guyana. “…Think about Guyana, think about what you can do. Think about how you can

also participate in what’s taking place in our country. And our Government, we want to engage our Diaspora in a more significant way and we see this recognition here as aiding and also supporting our efforts in not only recognising but connecting Guyanese living here with Guyana,”

the Foreign Secretary posited.

Also, present at the unveiling ceremony was Guyana’s Public Affairs Minister, Kwame McKoy as well as Congressman Gregory Meeks.

Meanwhile, Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio lauded the Guyanese community for their contribution to the development of the city, noting that this recognition is well-deserved.

“You have earned this day for all you have done for this city and for this country,” he stated.

Mayor de Blasio, who has been lauded for hiring several Guyanese in high-ranking posts in his office, said the Guyanese community is also contributing to the leadership of New York City in a big way.

“I am not just Mayor of New York City; I am Mayor of the largest Guyanese

community outside of Guyana and I’m proud of that because this community has done so much. But I’ve heard from community members too often feeling unseen and forgotten in the context of this great metropolis but I want to say, I see you; I respect you and I appreciate you. And I want to make sure that today is one of the many things we do to fully acknowledge the strength and importance of this community,” the Mayor noted.

He further added that the Guyanese community represents the possibility of diverse people coming together as one, which he said is what New York City stands for as well.

This co-naming came about after New York City Council Member, Adrienne Adams voted to approve the co-naming legislation in December 2020.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio

Following the ceremonial unveiling of the “Little Guyana Avenue” sign, attendees were treated with several performances including from popular Guyanese artiste, Terry Gajraj, who some say manifested this significant name change in his 2019 track “Richmond Hill Ah Little Guyana”. He performed this song on Saturday.

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Bail for illegal gun suspects

Gun crimes a threat to safety of citizens – AG expresses “grave concern” …hints at reporting Magistrates to JSC

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

A

ttorney General and Senior Counsel Anil Nandlall has hinted at the State seeking judicial reviews from the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), after a Magistrate’s decision to grant bail to four men charged with illegal possession of firearms raised eyebrows and received widespread criticism.

Many social media posts in expressing outrage at the decision pointed out that the decision was particularly perplexing at a time when there has been a number of armed robberies and the killing of a Trans Guyana Airways employee

by bandits on Friday during the course of a robbery. In a statement on Saturday, Nandlall called attention to the decision and expressed his concerns.

“The decision of a learned Magistrate in the Georgetown Magistrate Court on the 28th of May, 2021, to release on bail, on their first appearance, four men, charged with having in their possession, guns and ammunition without a license, has evoked grave concern and criticism among members of the public; and I dare say, rightfully so,” the AG said, adding that based upon the information published in the press, one of the young men had a Glock 9mm pistol concealed in his crotch.

“The other three were seated in a car, in which a .32 pistol and ammunition were found concealed under the driver’s seat. From this narrative, no inference, favorable to the defendants can be drawn.”

The Attorney General noted that crime is a serious problem in the country and gun-related crimes in particular are a threat to the safety of all citizens.

In light of this, he noted that the courts should take

these factors into consideration when deciding whether to grant or refuse bail.

“In order to circumscribe the discretion in respect of the grant of bail in relation to firearm offences, obviously due to their devastating prevalence and the accompanying societal damage, the 9th Parliament of Guyana unanimously enacted an amendment to the Firearms Act, Chapter 16:05, Laws of Guyana in the following terms,” he said.

According to the AG, no person arrested for any offence under Section 16, Section 37 or Section 38 shall be admitted to bail, unless the prosecution has had an opportunity to intervene and unless there

are special reasons for admitting the person to bail which shall be recorded in writing and the trial shall be within reasonable time.

Nandlall added that it is evident that the offence allegedly committed by the four men is captured under Section 16 of the Firearms Act. He noted that while media reports allude to a prosecutor being present in the court, there is no allusion to any sort of “special reasons” that would merit the defendants being granted bail. He went on to hint that judicial review of such decisions may become necessary.

“The term ‘special reasons’ has been judicially interpreted and thereby confined to relate to the ‘offence’ and not the ‘offender.’

Based upon the facts elucidated in the news report, it is impossible to conceive what would have constituted ‘special reasons’, thereby enabling the learned Magistrate to admit these persons to bail. It is my hope that the statutory prescription was complied with and those ‘special reasons’ were recorded in writing.”

“As the Executive Officer of the State under whose responsibility the Justice Sector falls, I can relate to both the public’s concern and criticism. I can also relate to the negative impact which such a decision may have on the morale of the law enforcement agencies of the State. Perhaps the State may soon have to resort to the extreme measure of subjecting like decisions of Magistrates to judicial review in the High Court and lodge complaints with the Judicial Service Commission.”

In his statement, Nandlall alluded to the four men, including two foreign nationals who were nabbed with illegal guns and ammunition in Georgetown on Independence Day and who were on Friday charged and released on $200,000 bail each.

Charged are Antonio Fraser, a driver of Lot 94 D’Urban Street, Georgetown; Tahj Fraser of 47 Norton Street, Lodge, Georgetown; Keith Cains, a labourer of Lot 22 D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown, and Brandon Barker, a taxi

driver of Lot 85 D’Urban Street, Lodge, Georgetown.

The men appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Antonio Fraser faced a separate charge which alleged that on May 26, 2021, at Main Street, Georgetown, he had a 9mm Glock-19 pistol along with a matching round of ammunition in his possession when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

Meanwhile, Tahj Fraser, Cains, and Barker were jointly charged. It is alleged that on May 26, 2021, at Brickdam, Georgetown, they had a .32 Taurus pistol and two matching rounds of ammunition in their possession when they were not the holder of a firearm licence.

The men pleaded not guilty to the charges. As a condition of bail, they were instructed to report to the Brickdam Police Station and lodge their passports with the court until the hearing and determination of their trial. Their next court date is June 25.

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SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 death toll at 382 as 2 more die …98 new cases recorded

ExxonMobil’s impending strategic change, and the implications for Guyana

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midst long-time mounting criticism of ExxonMobil’s energy transition strategy, pro-climate change activists have managed to convince Exxon’s shareholders to replace two of its directors, recently at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting.

This development is expected to have implications for Guyana’s emerging sector and future development of its oil resources.

ExxonMobil commenced exploration activities in Guyana since 1999/2000, struck oil in commercial quantities in 2015, and commenced drilling/ production activities five years after its Guyana find - in December 2019 - following which the global pandemic struck shortly after and led to oil price virtually collapsing to zero during the height of the pandemic.

Oil price is now recovering, as the global economy is grappling with the effects of the pandemic, while some countries remain in lockdown mode and semi-lockdown mode, and some are reopening their economies in a safe and sustainable manner. This, coupled with the fact that it has been established and accepted by many that the global oil industry perhaps has another 20–30 years in which it can remain commercially viable, is the precise reason why Guyana is regarded as ExxonMobil’s strategic investment that can aid the company’s financial recovery and lucrative return on investment for its shareholders.

This is also the reason why ExxonMobil needs to ramp up production capacity in Guyana rapidly, and the reason why Guyana is regarded as ExxonMobil’s cash cow.

Current situation: * ExxonMobil’s current Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with the Guyana Government will remain as it is, despite a number of inherent weaknesses. However, it is not the worst contract, and the Government is seeking to maximise value for Guyanese in the current circumstance through local content. This is a shrewd strategy on the part of the Government to secure more value for Guyanese. * The Guyana Government has made it abundantly clear, though, that future PSAs will be very different, given that the country is in a position of stronger bargaining power, where it is known that there is in excess of 9 billion oil equivalent barrels of recoverable crude. * This means that any new oil company wishing to enter the Guyana market will be subject to relatively stronger fiscal terms, a higher signing bonus compared to the US$18 million that was brokered by the previous Government, local content obligations that are expected to be legislated, and regulation of the sector.

Potential implications for Guyana of Exxon’s impending strategic change * By imposing spending cuts, this would mean scaling back investments in Guyana by ExxonMobil. ExxonMobil’s projected investment for Guyana over the life of the project, which is 30 years, is about US$60 billion. Under the new Board, it is likely that Exxon’s spending would be cut, which means Exxon is likely to reduce its investment in Guyana. This will affect Guyana, because if Exxon cuts its Guyana investment significantly, Guyana would be in a predicament in terms of developing the oil and gas resources for maximum gains. * Further, in such a situation, Exxon’s competitors that are perhaps considering to enter the Guyana market would have a stronger bargaining power over Guyana, to obtain a more favourable deal, like Exxon did previously with a weaker Government. * In such a scenario, Guyana might be forced to accept a less favourable deal, if no other oil company is incentivised enough to develop the rest of Guyana’s oil resource – while noting that time is running out in terms of the commercial life of the industry.

About the Author: JC. Bhagwandin is a financial and economic analyst; and an Adjunct Professor at Texila American University, Business College. The views expressed are exclusively his own and do not necessarily represent those of this newspaper and the institutions he represents. For comments, send to jbbankingadvice@ gmail.com.

T

wo more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died, bringing the total number of deaths from the pandemic in Guyana to 382.

According to the Health Ministry on Saturday, the latest fatalities are a 73-yearold male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a 67-year-old woman from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara). They both died on Friday while receiving care at medical facilities.

Only Saturday, the Ministry reported four other COVID-19 deaths.

Nevertheless, with these two latest fatalities on Saturday, May has now become the deadliest month - with a death toll of 81 - since the outbreak of the virus here last year. April had the second highest figure with 66 deaths.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry’s updated COVID-19 dashboard for Saturday showed some 98 new COVID-19 cases were detected in the last 24 hours.

This now takes the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 16,822 – 8344 males and 8478 females.

However, only 1972 of these are currently active cases including 22 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 1950 persons in isolation, that is, 109 in institutional isolation and the other 1841 in home isolation.

There are also two more persons in institutional quarantine.

To date, some 14,468 persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus in Guyana – 92 more recoveries than the figure recorded the previous day.

Additionally, a total of 152,486 persons have been tested so far for the novel coronavirus in Guyana.

New cases Of the 98 new COVID-19 cases detected on Saturday, three were from Region One (Barima-Waini); 16 from Region Three; 40 cases from the Demerara-Mahaica region, seven from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 20 from

Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), another three cases from Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), one from Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), two more from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and six cases from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) was the only region without any new cases in the last 24 hours.

In order to protect citizens and move towards achieving herd immunity, the Guyana Government has been aggressively rolling out the COVID-19 vaccination campaign and pleading with per-

sons to get immunised against the deadly virus.

To date, over 194,700 persons have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in Guyana, of which more than 65,500 persons are now fully immunised. These numbers are expected to rise as the vaccination exercise continues to be rolled out across the country.

In the meantime, health authorities are urging Guyanese to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 17), which are in effect until May 31, 2021.

TURN TO PAGE 34

34 NEWS

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GDF rank drowns COVID-19 death toll at 382... after boat capsizes

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Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank on Saturday drowned after the boat he was travelling in capsized in a flooded creek at Karasabai Village, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Dead is Lance Corporal Barrington John of Paramakatoi Village, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni). He served at the 241 Company of the 2 Infantry Battalion.

In a statement late Saturday evening, the GDF said LCPL John drowned during the withdrawal of ranks from an Observation Post at Karasabai Village.

“As ranks from the

Dead: Lance Corporal Barrington John

Observation Post Karasabai Village

at at-

tempted to cross the flooded Urara Creek via boat, in the vicinity of Karasabai, the boat capsized with all ranks. LCPL Barrington John went underwater due to the strong currents and was later recovered in an unconscious state,” the army said in the missive.

John was rushed to the Karasabai District Hospital where the doctor pronounced him dead on arrival.

The family of the late soldier has since been made aware of the incident.

The Guyana Defence Force extended deepest condolences to his loved ones.

This order emphasises, among other things, the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others, and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The order also imposes a 22:30h (10:30 pm) to 04:00h (4 am) national curfew, which the National COVID-19 Taskforce has been working to enforce by prosecuting persons who are in breach of the measures.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of Saturday, some

FROM PAGE 33

169,118,995 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 3,519,175 deaths.

The WHO also reported on Wednesday that in the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 67,001,369 while the death toll in the region has gone up to 1,641,040.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 6246674 immediately or visit the Ministry of Health’s website.

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021

35

News

More direct ways needed to hold investors accountable for environment – US Environmental Advocate

…“we are a rule-based country” – Jagdeo …says Govt insists investors follow environmental guidelines challenge and how we infuse justice there… There may be long-term changes that need to be advocated for, and maybe Governmentto-Government isn’t the way to do it, but community-to-Government could be,” the Environment Justice Public Advocate posited.

By Vahnu Manikchand

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s countries around the world move towards more sustainable development as part of efforts to fight the climate crisis, governments will have to play a more stringent role in holding investors accountable for adhering to environment best practices.

This is according to Regina Strong, who serves as the Environmental Justice Public Advocate in the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) in the United States. She recently delivered a briefing to journalists around the world who participated in a threeweek Virtual Report Tour (VRT) on “Combatting the Climate Crisis through US Innovation” hosted by the US Department of State’s Foreign Press Centers (FPC).

When it comes to advocating for environmental justice, Strong pointed out that this “justice” can be elusive. However, she noted that environmental justice has to be incorporated into future plans to address climate change.

“If you’re looking at impact versus opportunity, that’s where the justice comes. How does it impact people, and how do you hold folks accountable for the results? And that’s a hard thing… I am at heart an advocate and activist, and so I truly believe that there are and there should be more direct ways to [hold people accountable]. I’m new to Government, it’s been a little over two years, and what I’ve learned is there are a whole lot of reasons why it’s harder to get to what on the ground may seem like injustices and get them addressed,” the Environment Justice Public Advocate noted.

In response to a question from <<<Guyana Times>>> on how Governments can ensure adherence to environmental best practices especially by foreign investors, Strong acknowledged that this can be challenging. But in the same breath, she contended that governments need look at the bigger picture of the impact of certain projects on the environment.

“Governments come into the process that a company may be looking to do, whether they’re investing [or] whether they’re existing companies looking to

Environmental impact

US Environmental Justice Public Advocate Regina Strong

do changes, we come in at a slice of that process… We have to regulate [if] they ask us to approve something… One of the things that I’ve always found challenging is because everything’s divided up so much, we only ask for that slice. I think it is incumbent upon us as Government to ask for a bigger-picture look.

How does this [project or investment] fit in and where will the impact [on the environment] be? So, asking the right questions up front is – sometimes people feel like it’s – well, it’s not our role because we’re only regulating this slice, but how will you know the impact of the bigger picture if you don’t ask that question?

So, I would argue that that has to be part of practice. It may not be now, but I think it should become part of the practice as you work with industries,” she explained.

Further, Strong went on to underscore the need to make communities more resilient in advocating for change in how development is being undertaken, and ensuring it is done more sustainably.

“Some of the things that have been pushed quite a bit are community benefit agreements where industry finds ways to work with community to mitigate whatever impacts exist there. And those aren’t always a full panacea or a full solving of issues, but it brings them into the mix.

So, it’s not just Government trying to figure it out, because you’re right; if they’re going to impact the environment negatively or impact communities, community health in a negative way, they still may be within whatever the regulatory framework [there] is to do that. So how do we work around that is part of the

This suggestion of community involvement in sustainable development comes on the heels of residents of the community of Malgre Tout/Versailles, West Bank Demerara, complaining about the removal of a large swathe of mangroves by developer, Tristar Incorporated, which is constructing a shore-based facility there.

It was reported that the developer cleared more mangroves than it was permitted to, and stakeholders, including surrounding residents, have since expressed concerns about the negative impacts this move could have as it relates to flooding.

Another environmental issue that has sparked controversy here is the flaring of gas offshore Guyana where US oil major, ExxonMobil Guyana, is producing oil.

Exxon has come under fire over its increased flaring activities in recent years, which continued earlier this year following an equipment failure. In fact, the recurring technical issue has resulted in the oil company still flaring in the Stabroek Block.

This has had environmentalists up in arms over the harmful effects flaring has on the environment.

EPA response

In response to mounting pressure, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earlier this month modified the Environmental Permit for the Liza-1 Development Project to include, among other things, a fee of US$30 per tonne of excess carbon emissions that is flared – something that was missing from the permit approved by the previous APNU/AFC Administration.

As a result of this change, Exxon will now have to pay the Guyana Government some US1.3 million for the excess flaring. The oil major had applied to continue flaring for a 36-day period, which started on May 26.

Based on calculations,

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had disclosed that this 36-day flaring will rack up a fee of some US$1.3 million.

“They say they’re flaring about 15 million cubic feet per day now. That would be equivalent to about 1152 tonnes of CO2e (Carbon Dioxide equivalent) …It should take us to 1.3 million US dollars,” Jagdeo told reporters during a recent press conference.

Meanwhile, with regards to Tristar’s shorebased facility, Government has given the go ahead for the more than US$100 million project.

Follow the rules

But according to the Vice President, it would have to seek all the regulatory permits consistent with the law.

“So, if the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and the residents don’t want it there, then they’ll have to move,” he posited.

Nevertheless, Jagdeo, who was awarded the United Nations "Champion of the Earth" award in 2010

during his presidency for his signature Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), agreed that investors will have to adhere to and follow environment rules.

“It’s a rules-based country… They all have to follow the rules. I don’t think this was just a rule-based thing [but] that’s one thing you have to agree with – people need to follow the rules,” the Vice President had said in response to a question from Guyana Times.

Notwithstanding, Jagdeo had defended the project by explaining that the area where the mangroves were cleared is pegged for massive development and would provide over 20,000 jobs that will not just benefit Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) but neighbouring Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

He further pointed out that while mangroves have been a critical sea defence for Guyana, the plants along the Demerara River would not prevent floods.

“The mangrove fringe don't prevent flooding.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Water can pass through the roots; you have to have structures there too… It will have structures to prevent flooding. The way I see it the whole area will be developed,” According to Jagdeo, the removal of the mangroves along that fringe will be mitigated by replanting some 6000 acres of mined out areas. “…We need to balance development with [the environment] and how we’re going to protect the area from flooding… We have to develop our rivers too.

When you go to the developed countries, both sides of the rivers are developed etc,” the VP contended.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Look at the possibilities.

Discuss your intentions with people who will offer honest answers. Don’t leave yourself open for abuse or disappointment. Take charge, and don’t look back.

Question everything and TAURUS everyone.

Stay on top of what (April 20May 20) others are doing and how it could affect your life. Be blunt about what you want to happen to avoid unwanted surprises.

Take care of money and GEMINI health matters first. Show ded(MAY 28ication to those who are supJune 20) portive and offer sound advice.

Look at any risks involved before you step into restrictive situations

CANCER Mull over documents and in(June 21- vestments. A unique loophole July 22) or option will help you make a move that will ease stress. Don’t trust anyone to take care of personal matters for you.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Use common sense to figure out a way to counter any obstacle that stands in your way. Stick to the truth, and verify what others say. A romantic gesture will bring you closer to a loved one.

VIRGO

Keep things in perspective. Take control and bring about the changes you want.

Don’t feel that you must give in to others when you have your own responsibilities to fulfill.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Set goals, and take care of your responsibilities quickly and efficiently. Do something that makes you happy, and surround yourself with positive people who encourage you to explore possibilities.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Dilbert

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Peanuts

As soon as you take care of your responsibilities, restrictions will evaporate. Be open to suggestions and willing to do things differently, and you’ll quickly be on the road to victory.

Keep your eye on everySAGITTARIUS thing and everyone. Be wary (Nov. 23of temptation and false claims.

Dec. 21) Make a promise to do your best for yourself and for those you love. Find creative ways to lower your overhead.

CAPRICORN Put your energy where it counts. Nurturing others will (Dec. 22Jan. 19) make a difference. All work and

no play will lead to loneliness.

Make sure to have some fun! Help others when you can.

Calvin and Hobbes

Personal

improvements

AQUARIUS will lead to unexpected gains.

(Jan. 20Don’t overdo it physically or Feb. 19) take health risks, but strive to look and be your best. The little touches you add will appeal to upbeat people.

PISCES (Feb. 20Mar. 20)

You’ll become engaged in an argument if you aren’t willing to compromise or share equally. Consider the consequences, then come up with a fair plan.

Keeping the peace will help you gain approval.

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021

37

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Energy companies are scrambling for cyber insurance

U

S energy companies are urgently building their cyberattack insurance coverage following the Colonial Pipeline network attack earlier this month, Reuters has reported, adding that premiums were likely to rise on this increased demand.

A ransomware attack shut down the largest fuel pipeline in the United States two weeks ago, causing panic buying of gasoline and diesel along the East Coast and a consequent shortage of fuels that shut down hundreds of filling stations. The pipeline was restarted after its operator paid the hackers some US$4 million.

The Colonial pipeline is the biggest pipeline infrastructure in the United States, running 5500 miles from Houston to Linden, New Jersey, carrying some 2.5 million barrels of gasoline and diesel daily.

The attack was a wake-up call for businesses and the Government alike, showing the growing vulnerability of systems increasingly dependent on software. Now, everyone wants more insurance against cyberattacks.

As with other services where demand greatly outstrips supply, the spike in demand is sending prices higher, with insurers now preparing to increase premiums by as much as 25 to 40 per cent, Reuters reports. The increase will not be only for the energy industry, the report also notes.

Currently, only some 50 per cent of pipeline operators in the United States are insured against cyberattacks, according to Crum & Forster executive, as quoted by Reuters.

The cyber insurance industry is a growing one, the Insurance Journal noted in a recent report that also said last year had seen a more than 28 per cent increase in standalone cyber policy premiums. Between 2017 and 2020, premiums grew at an average annual rate of 19 per cent. Claims, meanwhile, grew a lot more, by 38 per cent, the report also noted. In 2020, the cyber insurance market in the country hit US$2.7 billion.

Ransomware attacks are quickly turning into a serious problem globally, Fitch Ratings noted following the Colonial Pipeline attack.

In 2020 alone, they shot up by as much as 485 per cent. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Mayor of Colombia's Cali reports 13 deaths, says many were possibly protest-related

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t least 13 people died on Friday in the Colombian city of Cali, the epicentre of demonstrations across the country, and many of those deaths may have been linked to protests, Mayor Jorge Ivan Ospina said on Saturday.

Friday marked a month of often bloody demonstrations across the country. The Government has linked 17 civilian deaths and the deaths of two Police Officers to the protests, which started on April 28, while rights groups say dozens more civilians have been killed by security forces.

The protests were originally to oppose a now-withdrawn tax reform but have since expanded. The unrest has also pressured the Government

A demonstrator gestures during a protest demanding Government action to tackle poverty, Police violence and inequalities in healthcare and education systems, in Bogota, Colombia, May 28, 2021

into shelving health reform and prompted the resignation of former Finance Minister Alberto Carrasquilla.

"This fateful day has meant a very significant number of deaths, however we still can't say if all the deaths from May 28 are fully linked and

Vietnam detects new hybrid of two COVID variants

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uthorities in Vietnam have detected a new coronavirus variant that is a combination of the variants found in India and the United Kingdom and spreads quickly by air, the Health Minister has said.

After successfully containing the virus for most of last year, Vietnam is grappling with a rise in infections since late April that accounts for more than half of the total 6856 registered cases. So far, there have been 47 deaths.

Orphans, soldiers, students: N Korea turns to 'volunteers' for coal mines, construction

Brazil protesters denounce Bolsonaro over COVID crisis

P

rotesters have taken to the streets across Brazil to protest against far-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed more than 459,000 people in the South American nation.

Bolsonaro has been widely criticised for downplaying the risks of the coronavirus and eschewing public health measures, such as lockdowns and curfews.

A Brazilian Senate commission is conducting an investigation into his Government’s coronavirus policies, including whether it failed to secure COVID-19 vaccines, touted unproven drugs, and pressured local leaders who sought to impose health restrictions.

Holding signs reading “Bolsonaro out”, protesters rallied in several Brazilian cities and towns on Saturday to demand his resignation, including Salvador, Belo Horizonte, and the capital, Brasilia.

Reporting from Rio de Janeiro, Al Jazeera’s

Monica Yanakiew said many demonstrators had turned out despite earlier concerns over holding large public protests during the pandemic.

“It came to a point where now they say we really have to go out and show that there is an opposition to Bolsonaro’s Government,” said Yanakiew, adding that left-wing parties and civil society organisations were also present.

“The common denominator is they want Bolsonaro out.”

Bolsonaro has remained defiant despite the criticism, however, and he continues to reject coronavirus-related restrictions.

But recent polls show the former army captain’s approval rating is dropping – Datafolha recently said 45 per cent of Brazilians said his Government is “bad” or “terrible” – and he could face a stiff challenge from ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in next year’s presidential elections. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

associated with the protests," Ospina said in a video message.

Talks between the Government and the protest leaders, including union leaders who have formed a national strike committee, have stalled.

In addition to the 13 deaths reported by the Attorney General's office, 34 people have also been reported injured, Ospina added.

At least five of the deaths on Friday were directly linked to the protests, the city's security secretary, Carlos Rojas, said earlier on Saturday.

Confirmation of the cause of the deaths is expected to be announced today, a representative of the Attorney General's office said.

Following the violence in and around Colombia's third-largest city on Friday, President Ivan Duque ordered "the maximum deployment" of military personnel to Cali and Valle del Cauca province, of which the city is the regional capital. (Excerpt from Reuters)

O

rphans, conscripted soldiers, and students - some appearing to be children - are "volunteering" to work manual labour in North Korea, including in coal mines, farms, and large construction projects, the country's state media have reported.

Hundreds of graduates of orphan schools "volunteered to work in difficult fields", according to reports by state news agency KCNA. The reports did not specify the orphans' ages, but said they had graduated from middle schools, and photos published in state newspapers showed youths who appeared to be in their teens.

On Saturday KCNA reported that more than 700 orphans had volunteered to work on cooperative farms, an iron and steel complex, and in forestry, among other areas.

On Thursday, the agency reported that around 150 graduates from three orphan schools had volunteered to

work at coal mines and farms. "(The graduates of orphan schools) volunteered to work in major worksites for socialist construction out of their will to glorify their youth in the struggle for the prosperity of the country," KCNA said.

"They finished their school courses under the warm care of the mother Party."

Drastic measures taken by North Korea to contain COVID-19 have exacerbated human rights abuses and economic hardship for its citizens, including reports of starvation, the United Nations has said.

According to the 2020 US State Department report on human rights practices, in some cases children ages 16 and 17 were enrolled in military-style construction brigades for 10-year periods and subjected to long working hours and hazardous work.

North Korea has denied reports of human rights abuses, and says the issues are politicised by its enemies.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

“Vietnam has uncovered a new COVID-19 variant combining characteristics of the two existing variants first found in India and the UK,” Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long said on Saturday, describing it as a hybrid of the two known variants.

“That the new one is an Indian variant with mutations that originally belong to the UK variant is very dangerous,” he told a Government meeting, a recording of which was obtained by Reuters news agency.

There were seven known coronavirus variants in Vietnam before Long’s announcement, according to the Ministry of Health.

L o n g said Vietnam would soon publish genome data of the newly identified variant, which he said was more transmissible than the previously known types.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified four variants of SARS-CoV-2 of global concern. These include variants that were identified first in India, the UK, South Africa, and Brazil.

Long said laboratory cultures of the new variant showed the virus replicated itself very quickly, possibly explaining why so many new cases had appeared in different parts of the country in a short period of time.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

“No longer afraid”: Palestinians vow to fight Jerusalem evictions

J

erusalem’s District Court postponed a ruling this week on an appeal by seven Palestinian families, comprising 44 people, facing expulsion from their homes in the Batan al-Hawa area of Silwan.

Palestinians say, however, what they see as the “Judaisation” of East Jerusalem, incorporating expulsions, will continue – it is just a matter of time.

The court delay on Wednesday followed an earlier ruling by the magistrate’s court that the families, part of 19 families from Batan al-Hawa, be expelled from their homes to make way for Israeli settlers who claim they lived there before 1948 when the state of Israel was established.

Walid Husseini – nephew of the late Faisal Husseini who was the Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) liaison representative to the 1991 Madrid Conference peace talks –

told Al Jazeera this time the Palestinians will not give up when the expulsions begin again.

“The situation on the ground is similar to that during the first Intifada as more Palestinians are becoming politicised and are no longer afraid,” said Husseini, a former journalist who took part in the first Palestinian uprising.

Israel’s expulsion of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem has been an ongoing process over the years followed by periods of quiet and delays as international criticism grew and pressure on Israel increased.

Israeli organisation Peace Now said the planned expulsions were part of wider plans by Israeli settler movements, in coordination with Israeli authorities, to expel about 100 families from Batan al-Hawa, based on ownership claims from before 1948. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021

Chelsea needle Manchester City in Champions League Final – Havertz seals 2nd Champions League triumph for the Blues

K

ai Havertz scored the only goal of the game as Chelsea won the Champions League for a second time by beating Manchester City 1-0 in an allEnglish final in Porto.

Chelsea forward Havertz saved his first Champions League goal for the biggest stage at Estadio do Dragao on Saturday, opening the scoring late in the first half.

Thomas Tuchel’s hugely impressive, well-drilled side held on to break City hearts, denying the Premier League champions a treble in their first Champions League final.

Tuchel had suffered the agony of defeat in the biggest game in European club football last year as Paris Saint-Germain boss, but his fellow German, Havertz,

ensured he got the better of Pep Guardiola for a third time in just over a month.

City, surprisingly starting without both Fernandinho and Rodri for only the second time this season, had the first chance when Ederson sent Raheem Sterling clear with a brilliant pass, but the forward’s poor touch allowed a combination of Reece James and Edouard Mendy to advert the danger.

Timo Werner’s intelligent runs and pace was unsettling the City’s defence, but he missed his kick when Germany team-mate Havertz picked him out before finishing tamely, after Mason Mount had presented him with a glorious chance.

A magnificent tackle from Antonio Rudiger denied Phil

Foden when he looked set to open the scoring, and it was Chelsea who took the lead after Thiago Silva had limped off.

Mount was the architect, spotting a huge hole at the heart of the City’s defence and threading a pinpoint throughball for Havertz, who

rounded Ederson and slotted home three minutes before the break.

City suffered another big blow early in the second half when a tearful and shaken Kevin De Bruyne was forced off with a black eye following a collision with Rudiger, who was shown a yellow card.

The verdict from referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz and the VAR was no penalty when City thought James had handled before Fernandinho replaced Bernardo Silva.

Substitute Christian Pulisic spurned a golden opportunity to give Chelsea breathing space 18 minutes from time when he failed to hit the target after Havertz played him in on a blistering break.

Guardiola sent on Sergio Augero for his final City appearance, but there was no dream swansong for City’s record goalscorer, as Riyad Mahrez sliced a shot just wide deep into seven minutes of stoppage time, as Chelsea held on to be crowned champions of Europe.

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“Glad to be at home”

V

– says Ravi Rampaul on Trinbago Knight Riders’ selection

eteran pacer Ravi Rampaul is making an anticipated return to this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament, as he has been drafted by defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) on Friday.

The 36-year-old Rampaul, former West Indies Under-19 wicketkeeper Leonardo Julien and Sri Lanka’s left-arm fast bowler Isuru Udana were the final three additions to the championship team at Friday’s CPL virtual player draft.

Rampaul’s selection comes on the heels of a dominant display at the 2021 Regional Super50 Cup with eventual winners Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. This, however, would be his first stint with TKR. From 2014 to 2017, Rampaul represented the Barbados Tridents, and was part of the team which lifted the trophy in his first year there. In 2015, the Bajan franchise also finished as runners-up.

After a four-year hiatus from the CPL, the right-arm fast bowler is ready for his longawaited return to the CPL circuit.

“I’m elated to get picked up

by TKR! It’s a good feeling to come back and play cricket in the Caribbean, after being away for so long. I’m really happy and

excited about the tournament this year. First time I would be playing for TKR, so I’m glad to be at home,” he said.

For the past five years, Rampaul has plied his trade mainly in English county cricket.

Since his introduction to English domestic cricket in 2015, he represented Surrey in his first two years. The former WI pacer then shifted allegiance to Derbyshire for the next three years.

Rampaul has expressed pleasure that TKR were able to retain the majority of their title-winning team, and he anticipates a highly competitive tournament. TKR, however, will be without veteran allrounder Dwayne Bravo, who will represent St Kitts/Nevis Patriots this year.

In return, the Patriots traded wicketkeeper/batsman Denesh Ramdin to the defending champions.

“You would expect that players shift around. The key point for me in the draft is that TKR retained the majority of their players. That’s a positive sign that they were able to maintain the main players.

“Everyone already knows each other, so when we meet as a team, we would go directly into cricket and into playing and

performing,” he said.

Rampaul holds in high regard the leadership traits of TKR skipper Kieron Pollard. When Tridents won the CPL in 2014, Pollard was the captain of the Bajan franchise while Rampaul was a player there.

Pollard also captained Rampaul and the TT Red Force team to Super50 victory earlier this year. The burly pacer expressed pleasure to reunite with Pollard under the TKR banner, and believes the skipper has the drive to lead the team to another flawless CPL victory.

“The three years I played with Barbados Tridents, Pollard was the captain there. This year, for the Super50, he was also my captain. He’s a good leader, and he motivates you a lot.

“I’m really happy that he is captain, and he encourages you to want to perform for the team.

Whatever I can do to help the team, I am here. Hopefully, they can repeat the feat this year,” he added.

With the recent Governmentimplemented state of emergency owing to a high increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths nationally, outdoor sports and exercise have been prohibited, to prevent the spread of the virus.

Rampaul, however, has opted to continue his training

Sir Andy adamant professional league not benefiting West Indies cricket

F

ormer West Indies fast bowler Sir Andy Roberts has renewed calls for the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) to be scrapped, or revamped in a way that benefits players beyond those selected by the participating franchises.

Sir Andy, whose views on the PCL are well known, has said that, in its current format, only those cricketers selected on a yearly basis benefit from the initiative.

“Everybody (has) to fight to earn a living, and not just 15 people. And when you spend all of your resources into 90 cricketers, then what is left for the other 2,000 cricketers around the Caribbean? They are left on their own, and hence that is why we are not seeing much players

Sir Andy Roberts

coming forward,” he said.

The once feared fast bowler has suggested that funds currently being spent on the league could be filtered into the various boards to fund development programmes, as more players stand to benefit that way.

“The associations are going to tell you they don’t have money to buy balls, and they don’t have money to prepare pitches for you to practise. Which clubs in Antigua have monies that you can say they are going to have a 20-man squad to train?

We must have more focused people who are willing to go and make sacrifice so that they can become better cricketers.

People may feel because I say to scrap it, and maybe scrap it may not be the right term, but I have to say something, because it is not working out,” Sir Andy has said.

CWI on Thursday hosted the virtual Professional Cricketers Draft for the 2021-2022 season.

(Adapted from the Antigua Observer)

regime at home, in an effort to get into the best possible shape before the CPL bowls off on August 28.

“We were doing some training with the national team, but that was called off. I have a little exercise equipment at home and a backyard to do some running, so I am trying to

keep myself fit. There’s not much bowling or cricket skills you can do, but at least you can work on your fitness again,” Rampaul concluded.

The 2021 CPL ends on September 19, and all 33 games are being played at Warner Park Stadium in Basseterre, St Kitts.

(Adapted from TT Newsday)

BCCI to conduct remaining matches of VIVO IPL in UAE 2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW!

T

he Indian Premier League season will be completed in the United Arab Emirates during September and October this year.

A statement released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday outlined the planned resumption of a campaign that was suspended in early May amid the worsening coronavirus crisis within the country.

The 2021 edition of the Twenty20 tournament was halted following positive cases within the IPL bubble, forcing fixtures to be rearranged.

However, the BCCI’s media release has said the switch in location had been made to avoid clashing with the monsoon season in India, which usually begins in late May or early June and continues into October.

Last year’s tournament was staged entirely in the UAE due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Mumbai Indians winning a fifth title by beating Delhi Capitals in the final.

As well as announcing a

new venue for the IPL, the BCCI revealed they will “seek an extension” from the International Cricket Council over a decision on the T20 World Cup, which India is due to stage in October and November.

“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced to complete the remaining matches of VIVO Indian Premier League 2021 season in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) considering the monsoon season in India in the months of SeptemberOctober this year,” the BCCI statement read.

“The decision was taken at a special general meeting (SGM) held virtually, where members unanimously agreed to resume IPL. “The BCCI SGM further authorised the office bearers to seek an extension of time from the ICC to take an appropriate call on the hosting of ICC T20 World Cup 2021.”

The fifth and final Test of India’s series in England begins at Old Trafford on September 10. (Sportsmax)

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

39 Positions not guaranteed in Test squad - Coach Simmons GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021

By Brandon Corlette

W

hile the Caribbean’s Test squad is yet to be announced, West Indies are currently in St Lucia preparing for the upcoming South Africa Series that will bowl off on June 10 with an exciting Test match.

The men in maroon will play a Best v Best 4-Day match from May 31. According t o West Indies H e a d Coach Phil Simmons, he is hoping that Shai Hope and Darren Bravo sharing a light moment during a practice session in St Lucia in the Best v Best match, continue to play well; Recently, Jamaican fastplayers can push and guys who bowler Marquino Mindley each other for are out returned a positive COVID-19 positions in the n e e d result, and as a result, the players final Test squad. t o were required to train in small “Yes, we had groups after returning negative four good Test tests. Since then, Simmons said, matches, but the camp was unsettled during people should s h o w the week, but it was back to know that, at t h a t normal. the same time, they want “The small groups have gone there position is John Campbell to get back well, and in the small groups, we not guaranteed continues to find in,” Simmons can push guys a little bit more; favour (CWI photos) unless they told CWI media. and it turned out to be well,

especially the facilities that have been given here. It’s been great,” Simmons said.

West Indies hit their best Test ranking, number six, since 2013 after a series win in Bangladesh and a drawn series against Sri Lanka.

The South Africans, who are one slot below West Indies on the rankings, are in transition process, but the squad features some big players and the series will be evenly contested.

This current West Indies team looks settled, but the biggest issue is who would be the opening partner of Kraigg Brathwaite. John Campbell has been the struggling opener, but according to CWI selectors, it is not the end of the road for Campbell, who is also included in the 30-man training squad.

One selector indicated that not enough openers are knocking down the doors regionally, hence Campbell’s extended run.

West Indies’ most consistent One-Day International batsman, Shai Hope, has struggled in the Test format, but he was also seen in the 30-man camp. Hope,

West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons and Assistant Coach Roddy Estwick

the returning Kieran Powell or Sheyne Moseley (specialist opener) might be options at the top of the order.

CWI HIGH-PERFORMANCE 30-MAN TRAINING SQUAD: Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Keron Cottoy, Joshua Da Silva, Shannon Gabriel, Keon Harding, Jahmar Hamilton, Kavem Hodge,

Chemar Holder, Shai Hope, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Preston McSween, Marquino Mindley, Shayne Moseley, Paul Palmer, Veerasammy Permaul, Anderson Phillip, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer, Jayden Seales, Nial Smith, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr. and Jomel Warrican.

West Indies first Test against South Africa is set to bowl off on June 10, while the second Test is set for June 18.

Minister Nigel Dharamlall is Patron of Sebai Sports Club

– Minister Collin Croal makes donation to the club

Port Kaituma in the NorthWest District of Region One (Barima-Waini), club members have recently rebuilt the cricket pitch and constructed a stage, benab, mini-bleachers and flag pole to add to the recreational Minister of Local Government ground. and Regional Development, Having obtained the Nigel Dharamlall Minister’s agreement to become its patron, the club n a visit to the community of Sebai last Sunday, expressed its satisfaction by Local Government and stating that it feels very elated Regional Development Minister to have the Minister on board.

Nigel Dharamlall was asked to At first it was very difficult to become Patron of the Sebai have Ministers meet the people, the Club said, but now, through Sports Club.

Club Chairman Wazim this Government, the Ministers Hutson made this request of the are meeting the people; so, it Minister at a public meeting, was an opportune time, when and unsurprisingly, the Minister they met the Minister, for them to make their request. humbly agreed.

The Club is also looking to This is the first time ever that the rapidly growing and do some work on the grounds, increasingly popular Sebai since the COVID-19 pandemic Sports Club has had a Minister is still in effect. Moreover, the of a sitting Government as a club is aiming to have erected a multipurpose building with patron.

Located about 22 miles from modern amenities, as these are

O

Some of the work being done at the ground

A donation of two bats, a volleyball and a football was made to Chairman of the Sebai Sports Club, Wazim Hutson

all structures needed for the recreational ground.

Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley, on a visit to Sebai on Tuesday last to attend the inaugural Independence Day flag-raising ceremony, made a timely donation of $20,000

to the village, which would go towards buying uniforms for club members; while Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal donated two cricket bats, a volleyball and a football to the club through its chairman Wazim Hutson.

Kendalls Union Sports Club celebrating 55 with 55

O

n May 26, 2021, the Kendalls Union Sports Club of Number 19 Village, Corentyne celebrated Guyana’s 55th Independence anniversary by giving food hampers to 55 senior citizens of that community.

The event was sponsored by the club’s official sponsor, Shudeo Bachan & Family.

Each of those 55 senior citizens received a food hamper and a meal. During the programme, brief remarks were made by NDC Chairman Hitnarine.

Club President Albert Budhoo explained it that was an honour to celebrate

Guyana’s 55 Independence anniversary with these

persons who, in their younger days, have sacrifice

and contributed to the development of Guyana.

He said the club would continue to support residents in any way it can, and is hoping to make this an annual event.

He encouraged all residents, especially the youths, to join the sports club, which offers recreational opportunities for persons in the field of sports.

The club would soon be launching their women’s arm with the objective of providing classes to educate and empower young girls and women within the community.

Courses offered would include music, cosmetology and cooking.

Hutson expressed gratitude to Minister Croal and Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley for the timely and important donations, and assured that all registered members of the club would benefit from this development and

transformation.

Upon a recent request, the club had received $20,000 to aid in obtaining construction plastic for the newly built stage.

The club is currently registering its members for cricket and football.

Inaugural Pomeroon Under-15 Cricket League starts today

F

our teams will commence the inaugural Pomeroon Under-15 30-over Cricket League on Sunday at the Calvary venue.

At 9am, Jacklow Crazy X1 will tackle Charity X1, and in the afternoon, Friendship Club’s X1 will match skills with Macaseema Rising Stars X1.

Notably, the competition will be launched before the action begins.

According to organiser Ernesto Demattos, the competition would be played on a round-robin basis before the top teams engage in a final on a date to be announced. He revealed that the youth players are excited to play the game, and he thanked all who have contributed to making this possible. Demattos, who was recently elected president of the Pomeroon Cricket Committee,

has said this is about continued development for the young, aspiring cricketers.

For the Pomeroon leg of the Under-15 Competition, at least four (4) teams from Upper and Lower Pomeroon would play a Round-Robin tournament, and the incentives would be the same as obtains in the Essequibo Coast leg.

Among the incentives are: Man of the Match, Best Bowler, Best Batsman, Most Valuable Player (MVP), Winner’s and 2nd Placer’s trophies. Former Pomeroon youth players Delvin Austin, Sherman Austin and Oscar Richmond, along with businessman Imtiaz Barakat of Charity, Essequibo Coast, have already pledged their continued support for this initiative to help the Pomeroon youths.

All COVID-19 measures would be put in place.

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

SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

Chelsea Edghill

By Jemima Holmes

I

t appears as though voicing her concerns weeks ago about a lack of support did the trick for Chelsea Edghill, as the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) today afforded her the opportunity to go into high level training ahead of her Tokyo Olympics appearance. This came on the heels of the Guyana Lottery Company announcing their sponsorship of the athlete for the next year, on Friday.

The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) is expected to expend over $12,000 USD on Chelsea Edghill’s Olympic preparation, following the players acquisition of a wild card spot in the games.

During a media engagement on Saturday morning, GOA President K.A. Juman Yassin made the anticipated announcement.

“The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) is very happy to be able to do a bit

GOA backs Chelsea Edghill for Olympics with US$12,000 funding more for Chelsea. We were able to support the table tennis team in their quest to qualify in Argentina and now we are happy to be able to support Chelsea so that she could have as much training as possible, so that when she competes, she would be at a higher level,” Yassin announced.

Detailing the areas in which Chelsea will receive assistance, Guyana Table Tennis Association President Godfrey Munroe shared that they are hoping to give her the best preparation possible, in a safe environment, and have since agreed on Portugal, where she plays professionally at Lusitana Lourosa.

“One of the key areas, however, is that Chelsea’s club Lourosa, don’t have the amount of sparring partners, so, in discussing with Chelsea, we decided that we will need to advance her participating in a couple of more high yield centers in Portugal, which would be CAR, which is a

From Left: Deidre Baynes-Edghill, GTTA President Godfrey Munroe, GOA President K.A. Juman-Yassin, Chelsea Edghill and Coach Idi Lewis

national center, Portugal. And then there is Mirandela. We wanted to include possibly competitions for simulation, to ensure that she she’s able to have a feel of competition, because we know that just practice and practice and not without being able to play in competitive environments is not a situation,” the GTTA President explained.

As such, he shared the massive lists of elements the GOA would be taking care

of, after their meeting and discussing the situation, “And in this regard, the Committee decided along with the President that we would support Chelsea payment for the training at the high yield centers, which would be for the two months, which is at Mirandela and CAR. We paid for physiotherapy and recovery sessions, the highperformance training, her physical training, her therapy and recovery, which would

include aqua, including gymnastic, postural gymnastic, nutritional supplements, the airfare from Guyana Portugal and then back to Tokyo and concluding back to Portugal or Guyana.”

“And this would include her apartment rentals while in Portugal and her food,” Munroe added.

In the meantime, before Edghill returns to Portugal, her local coach Idi Lewis detailed her current training regimen here.

“For the remainder of her time in Guyana, what we’ll try to do is simulate the training she would do in Europe. Which is about six to seven hours a day, including a lot of multiball, a lot of tactical work, game simulation and in the evening, she works on strength and conditioning,” Lewis revealed.

On the other hand, as Edghill expressed her gratitude to those involved, the 23-yearold highlighted that it is a relief, not having to worry about the

finances.

“I’d just like to say thank you to everyone at the GOA, the GTTA, Idi and all those who have been supporting throughout the years. Moving forward, I think its great the GOA has my back 100% in preparing for the games,” Edghill shared.

She further stated, “For me, it’s a great feeling not to have to worry about the financing and all I need to do now is focus on training.

However, in the past, you know even though I was funded by my parents and what not, they ensured I didn’t have to worry about the finance part of things and it would just give me an ease, just to be able to focus on the task at hand, which is representing Guyana at the Olympic games.”

Chelsea Edghill will become Guyana’s first Table Tennis Olympian after receiving one of two Universality spots from the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

…New Captain expected to be a leader on and off the field

By Jemima Holmes

T

he Senior Men’s National Football Team set off on Saturday afternoon for St. Kitts and Nevis, where they will play the two remaining games in the FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers.

The local arm of Golden Jaguars departed the Eugene F. Correia Airport, Ogle for Antigua and Barbuda, before they make their way to St. Kitts and Nevis.

They will meet with the team’s international group in the twin island, before they get to training ahead of their first game on Friday.

The Guyana Times Sport caught up with the team just before their departure and spoke with Head Coach Marcio Maximo, who highlighted that, this week will be crucial as he looks to explore the team’s strengths and weaknesses, ahead of the must win games.

“We training according to our style, according to our opponent, because they have strong points and weakness

points and we’ll explore it, especially in last five days before the match, we need to explore it. And look at what we can do to take advantage of the situation, Maximo told the Guyana Times Sport.

Upon being probed about the squad that he selected for the next two games, Marcio solidified his faith in the team. “(Yes, definitely) The guys are definitely motivated and we did a good training in Guyana and even maintained information about overseas The Golden Jags local players and staff before their departure from Guyana (Jemima Holmes Photo) players,” Maximo said about shared some qualities he will be coach extension on the pitch great team.” the 23-man squad that was looking for in the next captain. and I think that that’s the main “I’m very honoured to be announced on Thursday.

The Golden Jaguars quality our captain should a part of the Guyana Golden “Like I told you, everybody Head Coach related to this have,” he noted.

Jaguars,” Simpson gushed. is professional, no part time publication, “It was two good For National team debutant Expressing similar because for select players part captains before but you know, Osafa Simpson, this was an sentiments to his teammate time, it doesn’t make sense cycles change, not only in opportunity he was expecting Simpson about the composition you have National program. football, other areas. We have and is looking to make the most of the team, Forward Trayon But now the group will go well some in our minds, but we’ll of it.

Bobb is keen on making Guyana to represent Guyana and do a converse with the guys first.

The debutant shared, “I proud. good performance.”

Basically, he should be a good know that I would’ve been “For me, the team has been When asked by this leader, not only on the pitch but picked this time around because training for over a month now, publication about the vacant off the pitch as well. And that of the hard work that I put out so we’re very prepared. Because position of captain, which is all players respect as image to and I am very thankful for the of the previous performance, now open due to Sam Cox’ follow” coach selecting me to be a part we’re working hard to achieve non-selection, Coach Maximo “Of course, any captain is of the squad because we have our goals, go out there and put

out our best performance and come out with a good result,” Bobb stated.

On the topic of the team having to travel to Antigua and Barbuda; the Guyana Football Federation has informed that they were rushed into making last minute plans to use Antigua and Barbuda as its training base after the St. Kitts and Nevis authorities informed that the team will not be permitted to arrive in that country until June 2 for the June 4 game on the advice of their National COVID-19 Task Force.

The GFF added, “The Golden Jaguars, who were scheduled to travel on May 29 to St. Kitts and Nevis, will now arrive there on June 2, and GFF President Wayne Forde said, “We are extremely grateful to the authorities and our football colleagues in Antigua and Barbuda for facilitating this encampment, so that the Golden Jaguars can prepare properly as a unit before these vital fixtures.”

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