Guyana Times - Sunday November 29, 2020

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Wakenaam, Leguan get crime-fighting patrol boat Nationwide coverage coverage from from the the best best news news team team in in Guyana Guyana Nationwide Issue No. 4484 guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON BEACON OF OF TRUTH TRUTH THE

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020

Govt to spend $250M in road works at Tuschen, Zeelugt

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Pedestrian killed by speeding motor car P28 — driver flees scene after accident

Page 32

Albouystown businessman busted with gun, ammo P28

Granger’s withdrawal from petition sign of confusion in APNU/AFC camp – Nandlall

Spike in COVID-19 cases in Region 6

Page 29

Chairman P30 reiterates need for adherence to guidelines

— says does not change late service of petition

CGX relinquishes over 24 acres of deepwater harbour project land Page 3

— as Govt gives company 1-year ultimatum to drill well in Corentyne Block

Porter shot during Region 10 records 66% increase in foiled murders, armed robbery robberies — fatal accidents decrease on delivery truck 14-Y-O girl gives birth after allegedly raped by stepfather

P12 28 new COVID-19 positives reported in 24h

Page 25

See story on page 31

Page 8

Region 1 farmers to benefit P27 from $5M greenhouses

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Sunday, November 29 – 03:30h – 05:00h and Monday, November 30 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Sunday, November 29 – 15:30h – 17:00h and Monday, November 30 – 16:00h – 17:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers will prevail during the day. There will be light rain showers at night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly to North-Easterly to Northerly between 1.34 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 15:51h reaching a maximum height of 2.64 metres.

Low Tide: 09:27h and 21:50 reaching minimum heights of 0.69 metre and 0.55 metre.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2020

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$48.18/barrel

-0.89

Rough Rice

$228.6/ton

+2.05

London Sugar

$404.70/ton

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CGX relinquishes over 24 acres of deepwater harbour project land – as Govt gives company 1-year ultimatum to drill well in Corentyne Block

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ollowing negotiations with the Government of Guyana, CGX Energy Incorporated has agreed to relinquish 24.96 acres of land at the estuary of the Berbice River, earmarked for its deepwater project, as the Government gets tough on companies who do not fulfil project commitments.

This was revealed by the company on Saturday while noting that the previous 54.96 acres of land they had on the eastern bank of the Berbice River has now been reduced to no more than 30 acres. According to CGX, this was done by mutual consent.

Nor is this all. The company revealed that the Government, following discussions on the drilling delays in the Corentyne, has agreed to give CGX a one-year extension until November 27, 2021, by which time they are expected to commence drilling in the Corentyne Block.

“CGX Energy Inc and Frontera Energy Corporation, the joint venture partners announce that their constructive and collaborative discussions with the Government have been concluded with respect to the Corentyne Block with a rescheduling of the Joint Venture’s work commitments regarding its Petroleum Prospecting Licence for the Corentyne Block offshore Guyana.”

“The Joint Venture has remained committed throughout to completing its exploratory commitments in full, despite operational activities in Guyana being severely affected for much of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, delaying the Joint Venture’s exploration activities. The Joint Venture has been advised that the existing November 27, 2020 deadline for drilling the next well will be extended to November 27, 2021 subject to documentation,” CGX said.

CGX’s deepwater harbour project is located on the Berbice riverfront, adjacent to Crab Island. The Canadian company has had the land since 2010, when it secured a 50-year lease. But it was only recently that Grand Canal Industrial Estates Inc (GCIE), CGX’s subsidiary, advertised for a number of senior positions related to the deepwater harbour project, including the positions of Project Manager, Civil Engineer and Health, Safety and Environmental Officer.

Through the construction of its deepwater port, CGX hopes to support Guyana’s rapidly growing oil and gas sector, as well as agricultural exports, con-

An artist’s impression of CGX’s deepwater harbour

tainer imports and exports.

In addition, the deepwater harbour is expected to facilitate cruise ship docking and regional shipping.

The company has said it would construct a 91-metre x 30-metre wharf platform and a 49-metre x 12-metre approach trestle, which would be able to accommodate two platform supply vessels. In addition, it plans to build a compacted port site with warehousing and tubular storage.

It also has to dredge the access channel and basin offshore the wharf, as well as construct access roads and bridges and implement flood protection features for the site. The company had set itself a December 2021 target for the facility to be operational.

Meanwhile, the People’s

Progressive Party (PPP) has always said that it would review the extension the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, at the time in a caretaker mode, had granted to CGX for it to conduct its drilling activities in the Corentyne oil block.

Back in May 2019, the former Government had approved a Strategic Joint Venture between CGX Energy Inc and Frontera Energy Corporation to farm into two shallow-water offshore Petroleum Prospecting Licences for the Corentyne and Demerara Blocks – both of which are adjacent to ExxonMobil’s Stabroek Block, where multiple discoveries have been made.

The farm-in joint venture

allowed Frontera to acquire a 33.333 per cent working interest in the two blocks.

The agreement should have seen CGX’s Utakwaaka well in the Corentyne Block being drilled by November 27, 2019, with an additional exploration well being drilled

by November 27, 2022. In the Demerara Block, an exploration well was supposed to have been drilled by February 12, 2021, with a further exploration well being drilled by February 12, 2023.

However, CGX is yet to drill even one well in the Corentyne Block, something which the current Government has expressed concern over. This situation persists even as a number of new companies have expressed an interest in Guyana’s oil blocks.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020

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

Delivering COVID-19 vaccine

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rom all indications, it appears there are at least three COVID-19 vaccine candidates that should be ready for a first phase vaccination programme by next March. While we do not know exactly which vaccine we will be getting or purchasing - it is even possible that we may be using a combination of vaccines. But whatever the answer to those questions, our health sector and other related agencies will have to prepare for the most massive vaccination programme this country has ever seen.

Preparations will have to be made in several areas: firstly, to sensitise the public on the nature of the immunisation plan, the possible side effects of the vaccine, and how to deal with those. Secondly, to initiate the inoculation process with all health-care workers. The second-tier demographic would be the elderly, most likely above sixty-five, especially those with co-morbid conditions that place them at higher risk of becoming infected. Those co-morbid conditions must be determined and declared. The Government must at once begin to identify and locate those who are in those high-risk categories, and coordinate the information with our healthcare system so that an orderly and efficient immunisation programme can be planned.

Vaccination points would have to be identified - whether at all hospitals or health centres in the country. Vaccinators would also have to be identified, most likely from the nursing profession, since those professionals are already trained for the job. However, the most challenging aspect of the COVID-19 immunisation programme would be to ensure the necessary cold chain is in place. Vaccines are sensitive biological substances, and “cold chain” includes all of the materials, equipment and procedures used to maintain vaccines in the required temperature range of +2 °C to +8 °C from the time of manufacture until the vaccines are administered to individuals.

We would have to ensure there is a minimum of “cold chain incidents” which occur when vaccines are exposed to a temperature outside the required temperature range for any period of time and the potency of the vaccine is potentially compromised. Failure to adhere to cold chain requirements may therefore reduce vaccine potency, resulting in lack of protection against the COVID- 19 virus.

It is almost certain that our present cold chain would be inadequate for the demands of the massive immunisation programme. While purpose-built refrigerators are the preferred refrigerators for vaccine storage by health care providers and are required for vaccine storage at public health units, it is unlikely that we would be in a position to supply these to all the health centres. The main features of a purpose-built refrigerator include: Recorder; Microprocessor electronic control and alarm; Forced air evaporator coils Interior lighting; Easy access to vaccines and View through glass doors.

In a purpose-built refrigerator, nearly all of the internal space can be used for storing vaccines. The temperature regulation mechanism ensures narrow tolerances with internal temperatures. This provides appropriate temperature regulation; – Ongoing air circulation ensures that the temperature is distributed evenly; – An internal temperature between +2 °C and +8 °C is maintained; – An evaporator operates at +2 °C, preventing the vaccine from freezing; – The temperature recovery system is very quick; and – The forced air circulation helps to keep internal temperatures between +2 °C and +8 °C even when the ambient temperature changes.

Although it is not recommended, since they do not have the above-mentioned features, it is possible (although very complex) to manage kitchen and bar refrigerators to reduce the risk of heating and/or freezing the vaccines, which would destroy their efficacy. The necessary modifications and measures should be explained to health workers, and they have to be cautioned that there can be no deviation from the specified protocols.

It is envisaged that there would have to be vaccine stores in each Region from where they can be distributed to vaccination centres in ice-lined refrigerators or insulated containers.

As Guyanese prepare for one of the most exciting times of the year, MovieTowne on Sunday had its Christmas light-up, which undoubtedly added a festive mood to the environment. At the event, persons used the opportunity to take photos as the children were treated to goodies

Government’s performance Dear Editor, Everywhere I travelled on the coast last week, interacting with the public at random, I heard primarily praises for the performance of Government and some Ministers (those who constantly mingle with the public). The President and his Government have an almost 100% rating for their performance so far over three months into the administration. The personality and style of President Irfaan Ali and his team are very different from that of their predecessors.

The Ministers are very active, and get things done.

They are going around communities, being on the ground themselves to address public issues, with some earning sky-high ratings.

Some Ministers, like Anil Nandlall, Zulficar Mustapha, Collin Croal, Susan Rodrigues, Nigel Dharamlall, Vickram Bharrat and Vindy Persaud, among others, came in for special praise, especially for their activism and making their presence known in the public. People, a large majority, including growing numbers of supporters of the coalition, are thankful for the change in administration, and are expressing delight and gratitude that the country has been rid of the coalition.

The $25K household COVID grant has boosted the image of the Government, and people are asking why the coalition could not have helped them during the early period of the pandemic.

A large majority saw the previous coalition regime as a burden on the backs of the people. “Thank God they

are gone”, is the response of many about the coalition when asked about the change in administration. Members of the former coalition, top tier leadership in particular, should go out and interact with the public to get a sense of how they are viewed among their own supporters.

The response among many is not pleasant, and description of their performance is not flattering; horrendous, appalling, dreadful are among other negatives being used.

On the other hand, the description of the performance of the current Government, that of some Ministers in particular, who seem truly immersed into their job, is the complete opposite; praiseworthy, commendable, impressive are among other positives being used. Those I interacted with say that this new group of Ministers, the President and PM are very interactive and engaging with the public, while Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is very interactive with the media.

Most of the current Ministers find time to interact with people. The Ministers are not stuck in air-conditioned offices; they are doers, they don’t just talk, they walk the talk. In contrast, the previous group of Ministers of the coalition and their assistants were viewed as “wanting only to sit in office on the throne. That is why they get shai out”, said some poll respondents.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall leads in performance as “the best Minister” of the Government, and there is no comparing him with his predecessor. Respondents in the current poll say it is like

comparing the taste of lime with ripe sapodilla. Nandlall dazzles with his brilliance and erudition of law.

People like the idea of Ministers visiting their communities. Those I interacted with say Mustapha, Croal, Rodrigues, and Dharamlall are lauded for being very active on the ground. They seem to have a presence everywhere.

Agriculture Minister Mustapha seems to be loved by farmers. He has gone to almost every part of the country, trying to sort out agricultural issues. Farmers say he is the total opposite of Noel Holder, the coalition’s Minister of Agriculture.

Mustapha is described as very engaging and hands on. Farmers say he listens to them, accepts their complaints, and acts. He champions the interests of farmers, unlike his predecessor.

Accolades are also given to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, who is described as very calm, savvy, articulate, and reasoned.

Vickram Bharrat has the support of the miners, who say he listens to them and that he is nice to people. He has a wonderful personality, and he has learned the job very fast. Miners express confidence in him, saying he is doing a great job.

Infrastructure issues are also being addressed promptly. Telecom is a serious problem, with people everywhere complaining of poor service, dropped phone calls, and WIFI signals. The good news is that complaints across all Ministries are being dealt with almost instantly, at times by Ministers themselves.

People express concerns about COVID, which is a serious and challenging issue. Adequate protective steps were not taken to deter spread of infections under the coalition; people unknowingly spread the virus.

Not enough tests were done even though 1700 kits were donated to the Government in the first month of the pandemic. One could not get an accurate assessment of the presence of COVID among the public.

The secrecy of the operations of the Health Ministry led to the spread of the virus and the spike in the number of cases. Cases were first reported to the Minister, as opposed to the patient and attending doctor. The number of cases was underreported for political reasons. That has all changed with the change of administration in early August.

Dr. Frank Anthony has limited time to interact with the public on so many health issues, as he tries to control the spread of the virus that has been taking a growing toll on people. His performance is rated as very good.

There is now more testing, unlike under the coalition, when few tests were conducted. Test kits were hidden and results concealed away from the public.

Overall, the President and his Ministers, the Vice President and Prime Minister have earned the respect and admiration of the public. They are worthy of commendation.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram (Pollster)

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020

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

Constitutional reforms must bring about genuine & effective changes at the Guyana Elections Commission Dear Editor, Given the 2020 elections fiasco in Guyana, it can be strongly argued that the applied systems at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have deteriorated beyond acceptable levels.

The actions of controllers of the Secretariat served to encourage widespread tumultuous chaos and deepened ethnic divisions, while facilitating an outright vulgar robbery that defeats its purpose of existence. The situation urges immediate overarching review and purposeful remedial changes.

Criticisms of the body have morphed into a crescendo of widespread fraudulent embarrassment deserving of the handed down global condemnation.

Recognised weaknesses in the system of operation have been highlighted in several areas, exposing clandestine political agents, internal and external. Sadly, these players have used the breakdown to their advan-

tage, and much to the detriment of our democratic ideals. The international calls for reforms could not have been louder at this time.

The authors of this column have long advocated for necessary reforms that would bring about genuine and effective changes; those that would engender confidence in the institution to uphold its mandate of providing free and fair election results. Our nation has suffered for much too long under the vice grip of a power-hungry few, and therefore there should be no second thoughts about erasing this malignance, given that we had to be saved by our international neighbours and friends, who stood strong to reject the wanton attacks on democracy.

Notwithstanding, the claim and efforts to make changes to our Constitution are a serious matter which must be done in a comprehensive manner and with the inclusion of all stake-

holders. Guyanese must have an all-embracing constitution that reflects the desire for a better Guyana, as well as one that would empower social partnership and harmony while endearing the respect of the world.

It cannot be denied that in the past constitutional changes impacting GECOM were undertaken, and still we need to do more. The most significant ones include the 1980 changes, followed by those made in 1996-97.

They brought major improvements to a framework that was flagrantly violated in cycles under the previous governments of the People’s National Congress (PNC). Of note is that the brazen strategies to deflect from decency were tried once again in 2020 by this shameless and unforgiving cabal, breaching key constitutional tenets along the way.

One must therefore be wary of the seemingly innate characteristic intent of key players in the PNC,

who persist with their underhand pursuit and backdoor approaches to attain power. Definitely, it will not auger well for the reforms to be undertaken unless the key players are willing to abide by the rules.

Alternatively, strategic approaches to force them to do so must be conditioned on the inclusive presence of appropriate and enforceable penalties for attempts at electoral fraud.

The role and selection of GECOM officers and staff will always be centrally pivotal. Therefore, the cleansing must be addressed in a forensic and deep-seated manner. Aside from the limitations brought about by the abused autonomy, our nation cannot afford any sympathies for the pathetic executives who display ‘many shades of grey’ as they continue to hide key electoral evidence-based documents, including Statements of Poll.

When the upcoming Election petitions are heard,

GECOM must be prepared to make available and tender all documents that the court requests during the case. No doubt, the PNC and GECOM cabal would be trying to rely on the recount documents as an avoidance strategy to producing their Statements of Poll.

Further, CEO Keith Lowenfield must be grilled in a manner that would expose to the courts and the nation why he circulated and submitted four different incorrect tallies to the Commission in respect to Region #4 recount.

Also, to get to the bottom of the matter, legal practitioners must endeavour to extract the facts concerning the reasons why the GECOM CEO Keith Lowenfield submitted false reports to the Chairperson of the Commission. The petition must address all issues that were inimical to free and fair elections.

The false ‘broadsheet’ with the fictitious votes must, no doubt, be fully in-

vestigated, bringing to light its sinister origin and producers. The 2020 National and Regional Elections highlight numerous flaws in the electoral system. As a consequence, we must let the chips fall where they may, exposing all culpable elements in GECOM for all discovered wrongdoings.

The comprehensive broad-based notion that “adherence to the Constitution is of equal importance as the reform itself” by the Hon. Attorney General Mr. Anil Nandlall must be supported wholeheartedly.

Guyana can no longer afford the egregious constitutional breaches, new varied and foolish interpretations to years of accepted interpretations now resulting in months of intolerable court cases. We need to fix it now, and fix it properly, since we must never have any other elections under the same conditions.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

An open letter to Mr David Granger Dear Editor, This is an open letter to Mr Granger.

Dear Mr David Granger: In my analysis of your leadership style as President of Guyana, I have identified many flaws which contributed to your defeat at the 2020 polls. These flaws fell under one general heading: GOVERNANCE, which comprised several contributory factors, such as corruption, discrimination, vendetta politics, constitutional aberrations, electoral misconduct, and elitism.

When you were the

Leader of the Opposition (pre-2015), you had accused the PPPC Government of corruption, drug trafficking and race discrimination, among other things. Many Guyanese had agreed with your criticisms, and tended to embrace your promise of zero tolerance for corruption. Your desire to eliminate discrimination, initiate constitutional reform within 100 days, produce the good life for all Guyanese, and hold local government elections resonated well with Guyanese.

After 23 years in the polit-

ical wilderness (1992-2015), your coalition (APNU+AFC) was voted into power, partly in response to those promises. Your supporters were beaming with optimism and exuberance on your victory; a new era of political dispensation was in the making, as they saw your coalition being positioned strategically to manage the emerging oil sector.

Your victory had shattered the PPPC leadership and plunged it into despondency. They had to pull former President Mr Bharrat out of retirement to rescue

Walking the talk Dear Editor, It is long past the time when rhetoric should be considered ‘assertive action’ in the context of domestic violence prevention. The fact is that many have talked the talk over the years, but not followed up by requisite action; an attitude that reflects otherization - the attitude of expecting others to walk one’s talk.

I’m aware that, many years ago, at least one NGO involved in domestic violence prevention had approached the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry to partner in the journey to reduce this form of abuse, and had offered appropriate free training to all members of the Chamber.

To date, that offer has not been acknowledged.

However, the recent outpouring of the Chamber

gives hope that attitudes have changed, and so I suggest that the Chamber follows up its words with necessary action by ensuring that it be designated a domestic violence-free zone, along with all its members; and that domestic violence prevention training be offered to all its members and their staff.

All its members should also include counselling and other support services for all their employees, as it would be useful should any such employee is experiencing domestic abuse.

The Chamber should also ensure that all its members foster ongoing domestic violence prevention by collaborating to set up billboards and other signage; by including messages in their advertisements, especially on radio, TV and in the news-

papers; by supporting NGOs that are engaged in domestic violence prevention; and by having their leaders become spokespersons for domestic violence prevention.

Also, within their respective communities and among their employees, all the Chamber’s members should foster training of lay counsellors, who can be the first responders with respect to domestic violence prevention. I know of NGOs that offer such training for free.

In short, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry should lead the way in walking its talk with respect to domestic violence prevention, thereby setting an example for others to follow.

Sincerely, Annan Boodram

the party from tattering further. Mr Jagdeo rose to the challenge, and began to rebuild the party and restore its viability. PPPC members also felt that the AFC component of the coalition would check the excess of the PNCR and therefore help to calm their (PPPC) anxiety.

Introspection allowed the PPPC to conclude that their election loss in 2015 was attributed principally to complacency, arrogance, breakdown of the party’s grass roots organisation, and the perception of corruption.

Rather than tapping into the widespread goodwill that your Government had enjoyed in the beginning, you began instead to fire non-political Indo-Guyanese workers in the public service as well as non-Indo Guyanese workers thought to be sympathetic to the PPPC, as well as Amerindian CSO workers. Later, you fired sugar workers, most of whom were Indo-Guyanese.

Despite your campaign’s resounding promise that sugar ‘is too big to fail’ and that sugar workers will receive a 20% pay hike and rice farmers will receive $900 per bag of paddy, once in office, you recanted on those pledges and thus destroyed the faith of the 11% Indo-Guyanese that voted for your coalition in 2015.

Mr Granger, your systematic attempts to militarise the society through your appointment of ex-GDF officers who occupied strategic positions in the public service, as well as the re-activation of the People’s Militia

in December 2015 with a force strength of 1,500, combined with your re-organisation of the top hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force in August 2018, were all parts of your grand military design.

Other related measures included your refusal to hold election following the successful passage of the NCM (No Confidence Motion), a position criticised by your pollster Peter Wickham of CADRES; your unconstitutional appointment of James Patterson as GECOM Chair, and your failure to accept the 2020 election results that were duly certified by CARICOM. Your team tried valiantly to stage an electoral coup d’état after knowing that your party had lost the 2020 election. These and other actions such as creation of a spy agency (attested to by the Brassington mission in December 2015) had sent a chilling message that power consolidation had been central to your political ideology.

Now that you are out of Government, Mr. Granger, you have become more visible than when you were the President, but your utterances at public gatherings have not been progressive, but rather reactionary.

You have complained about the dismissals of PNCRaligned supporters in the public service by the PPPC Government. You failed to tell the people that when you were in Government, you said nonchalantly that the responsibility of Government is not to pro-

vide jobs, but rather to create an enabling environment. Yet, in practice during your 5-year term, your new hires were a phenomenal 10,000 workers.

The PPPC Government has been exercising its right to terminate the services of political appointees (who refused to resign) to make way for the appointment of the PPPC’s own political appointees, who are expected to promote their policies. Your firing of workers, Mr Granger, was ruthless, while the PPPC’s firing was less severe and done on a much lesser scale and in a measured way. While you fired thousands of workers, the majority of whom were Indo-Guyanese, the PPPC has terminated less than 300 political/contract workers.

Had you not embarked upon a vindictive campaign, with support of Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo, to destroy the livelihood of thousands of workers, your party would have been in a strong position to win the last election. While the PPPC carried out a good campaign, it was largely your party that made it possible for the PPPC to win the 2020 election. Many people voted for the PPPC not because they necessarily liked the party, but rather because they despised the vindictive, corrupt, and autocratic leadership of the PNCR led coalition.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

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14-Y-O girl gives birth after allegedly raped by stepfather

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14-year-old girl from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) reportedly gave birth on Saturday morning after she was earlier this year allegedly raped by her stepfather. She reportedly delivered at about 01:40h at a hospital in Region Six. The girl, who has a hearing disability, lived with her mother, her stepfather and six siblings.

Guyana Times understands that about ten weeks ago, the teenager's mother took her to a relative’s house and asked her to keep the child.

However, during her stay with the relative, it was observed that the child’s tummy was swelling and the relative had questioned her mother about it. The mother allegedly denied

that the girl was pregnant.

However, to confirm her suspicions, the concerned relative took the girl to a nearby clinic where it was confirmed that she was 33-weeks pregnant.

When the mother was confronted, she remained in denial despite being shown evidence in the form of an ultrasound.

Using sign language, the girl com-

municated with another relative and related that one evening, her stepfather came home under the influence of alcohol, held her down, and committed the act.

A relative told this publication that the matter was reported to the Childcare and Protection Agency (CC&PA) and an investigation is currently underway. A report was also made with the police.

The agency, however, made the necessary arrangements for the teenage mother to stay with the relative.

The culprit has since gone into hiding as Police make stringent effort to arrest him.

Nevertheless, hospital sources confirmed that both the baby and child are doing well.

Of the dead (AFC)…

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…speak only good ack in the day, when a classical education was de rigeur, the Latin phrase “De mortuis nihil nisi bonum” was quite popular. It means, “Of the dead, speak nothing but good”. It represents the age of civility, in which your Eyewitness was raised by grandparents who went back to the Edwardian era. He tells you, dear reader, all of this to explain his uneasiness in discussing what purports to be the “AFC” which has certainly become the “DEAD meat” prophesied by its leader Ramjattan.

But how can you be sympathetic to that lot of vipers, who (therefore) knew exactly what they were getting into when they hitched up with the PNC? It meant they allowed raw ambition, greed and avarice to overtake their faculties, and they’ve now paid the price. As old people would say: they made their bed, and they must now lie down in it. Supine and comatose!

What got your Eyewitness on this examination of the mortuary aphorism above as it relates to the AFC is the news that Raphael Trotman (of “Nassau” and “2%” fame) who was once “Minister of Natural Resources”, hasn’t even been appointed to the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources!! Oh, how low have the mighty fallen!! But then, the fall isn’t that extreme, is it? Even while the PNC was in Government, his benefactor from Nassau, David Granger, had stripped him of the Oil and Gas sector in his portfolio - which is where all the action in Natural Resources was gonna be!! He was replaced by a neophyte - with a degree in Environmental Science to boot!!

But back to the matter at hand - the Sectoral Committee.

Four of these were established back in 2001 as part of the “inclusive governance” demanded by the PNC after they violently protested in the streets of Georgetown and meted out some condign beatings on anyone they adjudged to be “PPP supporters”. Yeah…the PNC Berbice beatings echoed those of 1998. Anyhow, the Sectoral Committees were supposed to examine the full gamut of Government’s operations in real time, as opposed to the after-the-fact auditing function of the PAC. They can summon any Government official to be questioned on any ongoing policy or project - for instance, on the recent firings they claim are “racial”. There’s nothing to stop them from doing this, and in this way force the Government to avoid going in non-kosher directions!

So, when Trotman says he stepped aside to let the wet-behind-the-ears MPs hand-selected by Granger “get experience”, and he’ll be there in the background to help, you know he’s full of something!!

The PNC would rather cut their nose to have Trotman become relevant!! …expose sleepers When the PNC reneged on their promise to appoint the vice chairman in the RDCs they controlled - like Region 4 - from AFC members, David Patterson, the AFC General Secretary, resigned in a fit of righteous indignation. After all the humiliations the PNC had inflicted on the AFC during the five years they were yoked in (unholy) matrimony, this fella still thought there was honour among thieves? What a chump.

Or maybe not. After all, during the said five years, most of the PNC’s degradations were aimed at Ramjattan and Nagamootoo. Especially the former! Patterson, Trotman and Hughes were treated as if they were “born PNC”! So, your Eyewitness wasn’t in the least bit surprised when Patterson suddenly backflipped and announced that he’d “unresigned”!! He never explained how exactly his resignation from the AFC was going to pressure the PNC. But all of this is just gamesmanship. The only use the PNC have for the AFC is to occupy space on the Opposition benches.

To keep out Volda’s partisans! …denounce leader’s sycophancy The AFC’s claim to fame to the PNC is bringing in Indian Guyanese votes from Berbice. Yet Ramjattan remained mute when 7000 sugar workers were fired.

But is now livid over PPP’s “racial” firings in the Public Sector!!

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

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NEWS

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Ali praises efforts of Region 3 COVID-19 Response Team

The labour blame game E

ver so often, I get this feeling, during the 30 years I’ve returned to Guyana, that I am in a time loop. Take this claim that keeps on being made by African Guyanese ideologues, that Indian indentured labourers undercut the bargaining power of the freed slaves after 1838, and that is what pushed them off the plantations. “It’s like déjà vu all over again”, as Yogi Berra was alleged to have quipped.

In vain I’ve pointed out, over the years, that it’s futile to play the “blame game” when, in the development of capitalism, after constructing its base on the back of African chattel slave labour (following genocide of the Indigenous Peoples), it went on to appropriate the very form of unfree labour it had used before Ravi Dev slavery – indentured labour (of Europeans). There is no question the planters did intend to undercut the bargaining power of the freed slaves after Emancipation – but the new 19th Century indentureds were also contributing to what Marx dismissed as “primitive accumulation” in the drive of capitalism to create what he ironically called “doubly free labour”: free to sell their labour-power to anyone they choose, and freed from any ownership over the means of production!

But I was just as unsuccessful in pointing out that the details of their claim were so blatantly incorrect that it suggested that more was at play than careless historiography. In 1998, I noted in my paper, “Aetiology of an Ethnic Riot”: “It was not Indian labour that broke the back of African attempts to wrest higher wages from the planters. Rather, if labour were to be “blamed”, it was more the Portuguese and, ironically, fellow Africans from both the WI and Africa, who played key roles.

The ex-slaves called the strike of 1847 at a point of financial crisis for the planters, who -- encouraged by the indentureship of 15,747 Portuguese, 12,897 Africans from the WI, and 6957 Africans from Africa; a total of 35,601 compared with only 8692 Indians -- held off the demands for higher wages. After 1848, by when more than half of them had moved into villages and towns, the unskilled ex-slaves, by and large, decided to make their living off the plantations, because even though Indian indenture was suspended between 1838 and 1845, and then again in 1849-50, there was no movement back to the plantation by the Africans, nor was there any increase in the wage scale. Available land was the pull factor for the move.

What is also overlooked is that eventually there were more indentured Africans arriving from the Caribbean (40,783) than the Portuguese (30,078) from Madeira and from Africa (13,355). In fact, between 1835 and 1838, exactly 5000 exAfrican slaves had been brought from the smaller islands into Guyana. Somehow, these African indentured servants – mostly from Barbados – have been forgotten. Ironically, there were several instances recorded of Indian indentureds protesting that the West Indian indentureds were undercutting their wages!

I wrote to one interlocutor in 2004: The point I have been making is that we are going against the analyses of history made by eminent West Indian historians such as Williams and Rodney (among others) when we lay blame on the immigrants – whether Portuguese, Indian, Chinese, West Indian or African - who were all indentured.

It was the working of the systems imposed on us by the British, whether political (imperialism), economic (precapitalist) or cultural (cultural hegemony), that kept us all in thrall. Today, we are still busy blaming each other for our mess, and not questioning whether those bequeathed systems are not still contributing to our problems; and not determining whether we should get busy, as a first step, modifying them to assist in leading to greater equity and justice for all of us.

Twelve years later, after capitalism’s latest globalised financialised phase has imploded, the travails of “doubly free” labour continues, as Britain, Europe and the US blame immigrants who “took away their jobs”.

To what will I wake up tomorrow?

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has expressed his appreciation and support to the Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) COVID-19 Response Team. The Head of State acknowledged the efforts of the team on Thursday during the launch of the second in a series of SMART upgrades to healthcare facilities - the retrofitting of the Leonora Cottage Hospital.

Region Three is the third most populous region in Guyana. Its COVID-19 response team is being led by healthcare professionals, Private Sector actors, the regional administration office, and members of civil society. The President pointed out that the team has been doing an amazing job in supporting the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They are young shoulders on which we have placed tremendous responsibility. But governance is moving in a direction where you will have to be accountable. Where professionals must be accountable. As far as the financial architecture of the country allows us, we will support the healthcare system and we will support the professionals,” the Head of State added.

According to Ali, with the country facing a global pandemic, action at every level is required. He, however, noted that the greatest action is needed at the community and individual levels to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 safety measures.

He said, “Everyone is asking how fast can the economy be reopened but if we all conduct ourselves in con-

formity with the protocols and guidelines, the economy can be reopened much faster. Whether we like it or not, life has changed globally, we will have to learn to live with this pandemic. We will have to learn to unlearn old ways of doing things.”

“Public health is a very serious issue, and public health is not only about the healthcare professional communicating to the population what is needed. It requires the population to understand what is being communicated,” President

Ali noted.

The Health Ministry has been pleading with persons to observe the COVID-19 Emergency Measures which are in effect until tomorrow, November 30, 2020.

The wearing of face masks, maintaining six feet physical distance from others, and sanitising of hands are among them.

Anyone displaying symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information is being asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline on 231-

President Irfaan Ali

1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www. health.gov.gy.

12 NEWS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

28 new COVID-19 positives reported in 24h

T

he Health Ministry recorded 28 new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) over a 24-hour period, thus bringing the total positive cases to 5338.

To date, the data shows that of the 5338, 2761 are males and 2577 are females. The death toll remains at 149.

Based on statistics reported, three persons are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 87 in institutional isolation, 782 in home isolation and 41 in institutional quarantine. There have been 4317 recoveries – 65 of which were record-

ed in one day.

A breakdown of the new cases showed that one was recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini); one in Region Three (Essequibo Island-West Demerara); seven in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); five in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and 14 in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

The cases in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) remains at 123, 40, 208, 180 and

379 respectively.

As of Friday, Siparuta village in Region Six imposed a two-week lockdown as a result of new cases in the community.

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said during the last update that Orealla village also imposed restrictions on the movement of people to prevent further transmission. This was not a decision of the National COVID-19 Task Force, but one that was taken by the Village Council.

“We did not advise them that they need to do a lockdown; they did that on their own and they have that right as a Village Council to make those decisions.

On their own, they decided that they want to have a restriction of movements and they have imposed that,” the Minister was quoted as saying.

He stated that self-isolation will prevent a surge in cases, as well as assistance from the medical teams. As of present, the community is under close

monitoring.

“We have a medical presence in those communities as well, and if we see any patient that moves from an asymptomatic case to a symptomatic, then we will be monitoring them more closely. And, if there is a need, then we will bring them out to one of our hospital facilities where they can get additional care if that is required. So, we have a system that is set up.”

This past week, it was announced that capacity and infrastructure to manage the coronavirus pandemic locally will be enhanced, after grants were issued to Guyana by the Inter-American Development Bank and World Bank to the tune of US$22 million and US$7.5 million respectively. These funds will be used to enhance the country’s response to COVID-19. This includes resources, monitoring, evaluation and developing laboratory units across the country.

AstraZeneca also revealed that its COVID-19 vaccine is around 90 per cent effective, cheaper to produce and there are no issues with distribution.

Moreover, 700 million doses could be produced in the first quarter of 2021.

This comes after Pfizer and Moderna would have achieved 95 per cent effectiveness in the clinical trials of their vaccines. They have applied for emergency authorisation use from the US Food and Drug Administration, and this permission can give the greenlight for December production.

FEATURE

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 202O | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Need for accessible care for kidney failure patients led Nurse Olive Sinclair to start dialysis centres

Co-founder of Biomed Energy Enterprise, Nurse Olive Sinclair

By Lakhram Bhagirat

N

urse Olive Sinclair has been in the medical profession for over 32 years now and over the years she has worked in almost every aspect of the hospital system. She has a vast knowledge of the inner workings in the system as well as the needs of patients.

It was the knowledge of the needs of patients that moved Nurse Sinclair to establish Biomed Energy Enterprise Dialysis Clinic in December of 2015. She saw a void in providing quality care for kidney failure patients and sought to fill that gap.

Sinclair – a registered nurse – joined the medical profession almost immediately after she left school and worked in the Laboratory, X-ray and Pharmaceutical Departments at two hospitals. However, she soon felt as though those positions did not present her with a challenge so, in 1991, she applied for the Nursing Programme.

In 1994, she graduated from the programme as a Registered Nurse and was attached to the New Amsterdam Hospital in Berbice.

During her years as an RN, Sinclair worked in almost every department of the hospital but was originally trained as an Operating Room Nurse.

After a few years of working at the New Amsterdam Hospital, she took the bold step to move to Georgetown and took up a post at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

“At the Georgetown Hospital I was placed in the OR again and literally I wrote a letter asking to be removed and I was sent to ICU. I worked the regular ICU, the Cardiac ICU,” she recounted.

However, something was still missing for her and she believed that a bigger challenge was needed. She took up employment with a private clinic but that did not work out so she went back to the GPHC. In 2011, she got a challenge when she was recommended as a nurse to work in the Doobay Dialysis Centre on the East Coast of Demerara.

She was interviewed and appointed to serve as the Registered Nurse/ Administrator at the clinic. There she was further trained and worked for 4 years.

However, circumstances would cause her to part ways with the centre and in 2015 she decided to start her own dialysis unit since she already had the experience in the field.

She had co-founded Biomed Energy Enterprise back in 2013 and was setting up dialysis units, water systems, machines as well as servicing and maintaining them. She played a part in setting up the Doobay and GPHC units as well as some private institutions.

“I was financially stable to start (my own unit) and we started with one machine and as the months went by, I saw the need to have at least two more and Biomed Energy Enterprise grew from there.

Presently I have two locations,

one at Woodlands (Hospital in Georgetown) with 14 machines and one at Anamayah (Memorial Hospital in Berbice) with 4 machines,” Nurse Sinclair said.

Now she would travel to Berbice three days per week and the other four would be spent in Georgetown dialysing patients.

For a dialysis centre to become operational it requires far more planning and execution that just having patients.

It needs to have a water system which is the reverse osmosis water system then you need

special pipes for that water to go to the dialysis machine. You would need the dialysis machines and operators for them.

Technical personnel are also required to ensure that the machines are calibrated correctly, serviced and maintained for optimal functioning.

Sinclair and her Canadian business partner serve as that dynamic duo since he has over 40 years of experience in the dialysis arena and is responsible for all the technical work while she takes care of the clinical aspects of the operations.

Dialysis is one line of treat-

ment for persons whose kidney would have failed. A person can have acute renal failure which starts within 1-7 days, it happens within a short period of time and then the kidney kicks back in within three months to a year.

In chronic renal failure, the kidneys lose their function and for that individual to survive, they need hemodialysis. The process of hemodialysis is where the blood is removed from the patient, passed through a machine, through a filter or dialyser which acts or does some of the functions

which the kidney does and then that clean blood is returned to the patient.

For that procedure to happen the patient must have an access – to the blood that flows around in that individual.

There are three types of access.

There is the AV Fistula where an artery is connected to a vein and then allowed to heal for 6 weeks to three months before it can be used. There is the option where a graft is surgically inserted between an artery and a vein and the other type of access is the catheter.

TURN TO PAGE 16

14 FEATURE At 21, Guyanese Aftab Latif making waves in the Barbadian graphic design arena SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…hoping to further infiltrate Guyanese market

By Lakhram Bhagirat

W

hile most 21-yearolds are now finding their footing and deciding a career path, Aftab Latif is already on an upward trajectory in one of the most competitive fields – graphic designing – in the Caribbean island of Barbados.

Anywhere in the world, a career in visual arts is competitive. One has to constantly be on the top of their game and most importantly, innovative.

They have to be able to think

outside of the box and come up with unique concepts to convey exactly what their clients want. They need to be original and versed in various fields in order to be successful.

Had someone told Aftab Latif that he would have been a successful entrepreneur at the age of 21 in the visual arts field, he would have definitely laughed at them. The young man, from a very young age, had his eyes set in the skies and wanted to become a pilot while his family wanted to keep him grounded with a ca-

reer in architecture.

It was a constant battle with what he wanted to become and what he was pushed to do. However, that does not matter now because he loves every aspect of what he is doing today.

To understand the youth’s success, one must first understand the journey that led him from Uitvlugt on the West Coast of Demerara to St Michael in Barbados.

Latif grew up with his grandparents while his parents were in Barbados work-

ing but for him, their absence created a void. He recounted not being able to really focus on his studies and life in general was tougher without his parents. Nevertheless, his grandparents tried their best to ensure that he felt loved and supported.

They pushed him to be his best but without his parents, he was more focused on horsing around with his friends.

He spent hours playing cricket and just lazing around with those friends. After some of them moved on, he realised

that he needed to focus more on himself and began working on self-elevation.

In school, he was always interested in the arts. He was good at painting and was finding every possible opportunity to paint or draw.

His love for the arts led to him winning a visual arts competition back when he was in secondary school. However, he said that he never saw himself building a career in the field.

“I wrote 8 subjects for CXC and got 7 out of the 8. So my grandfather wanted to push me at what I do best and wanted me to study architecture at GTI (Georgetown Technical Institute) in Georgetown but I wasn’t fully on it. Three months after getting my CXC results, I always had a passion of becoming a pilot and my grandfather took it upon himself and call Ogle Airport to find out what is the procedure to enrol me to start the studies there. Eventually, my parents wanted me to come in Barbados and study architecture and I had to leave the piloting and come to Barbados in 2016,” he said.

When he arrived in Barbados, Latif enrolled at the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology to study architecture but the course was not being offered at that time, so he was presented with a few other courses and decided on Graphic Design and Printing Technology.

“When I enrolled in 2017, I had no clue of what the course was but I went ahead with it.

However, I was doing photoshop even before the course so it was not that hard. One month into the course, I fell in love with the printing side especially working the big printing press. While studying about 8 months into the course, the college saw my determination and placed me on multiple job attachments and I choose a company right across from my college to work with,” Latif related.

On the job training provided him with more advanced knowledge than many of his classmates and his curiosity even had him teaching a few things to his instructors as well. He was also the youngest printing press operator in the college back in 2017. He explained that it would usually take 5 years to learn the operation and even some trips to Germany to study with the manufacturers of the press.

“When I finish my studies in 2019, I was awarded a diploma in Graphic Design and Printing Technology. I was also awarded with offers from multiple companies across the Caribbean to work with. Eventually, at that time a printery in Guyana hired me to come down and print some flyers for them – it was the GECOM flyers on the voting process. I was responsible for printing that,” the youth recounted.

When he returned to Barbados, the idea of starting his own business began flooding his head and he related that to the companies he worked for. Eventually, he

would save enough money to get his idea off the ground and on July 2, 2020 – in the middle of a pandemic – he launched GraphicMood and Printing Services.

“I chose the name GraphicMood because I am always in a mood to do graphics. At the beginning, I still had my permanent job and my business at the side. However, the work was getting heavy at my own business so I had to leave the permanent job and focus more on developing my own business. But although I have my own company, a lot of other companies would call me and have me do work for them,” Latif said.

Right now, Latif’s business is a one-man operation and he does everything from the designing to delivery of his products. He designs and prints anything you can think of and the thing is he also does work for a lot of Guyanese organisations. He entices them with his quality and the fact that he offers free shipping to them.

However, he is thinking of opening a location in Guyana in the coming year so that he can better serve the local market.

Like any business, there are always going to be challenges and one of the major challenges for Latif’s field is that it is heavily saturated.

However, he believes that his product is unique since he is willing to learn.

“My skills have grown over the years by me pushing myself to do the work and working in different editing software. When a difficult job comes in, I think of the short term and the best solution to get a high-quality job and fast return to the client. I have worked with over 12 printing presses but over the years I have seen my work ethic developing. I study the mechanical turn of the presses and rather than bringing someone from Germany to fix it I do everything myself and I keep myself updated on the newer technology that comes out,” he said.

The young man sees himself spreading his wings to other territories and creating employment in the process.

He is not shy to teach persons about the trade and believes there is a place for everyone in the field once they have the passion and drive.

Throughout the process, he has remained grateful for the support he receives from his family, particularly his mother who is his biggest cheerleader.

“The advice for the younger generation is that dreams do come through. Set a goal, remember it and work towards it. Whatever you do, don’t give up and have the mindset that one day you’re gonna achieve it. It’s not gonna happen now, today or tomorrow everything takes time.”

FEATURE

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Jarryl Bryan

S

elf-published author Daryll Goodchild has won the Guyana Annual Magazine open short story contest for two years straight.

Armed with his second win, Goodchild is intent on bridging gaps and helping other writers find their inner muse.

Goodchild, who is 23 years old, sat down for an interview with this publication, where he spoke about his journey to winning the 2020 Edgar Mittleholzer open short story

dom of self-expression.

"I believe this time of self-expression is good, and a necessary staging ground for first understanding oneself, and this in turn helps one to look outward, realise that problems are so rarely unique problems to one person, but that the only difference is in the process of experiencing that problem. From there, the door to many characters open, and prose emerges before poetry," he explained.

With the Guyana Annual magazine, Goodchild had

Author Daryll Goodchild in Trinidad last year

prize, as well as what the future may hold for him.

It quickly became apparent that from an early age Goodchild, who grew up in Enterprise on the East Coast of Demerara, was a voracious reader but never really flexed the writing muscle- until high school.

"I attended St. Stanislaus College, where I experienced a renewed desire to write, for self-expression mainly.

Usually this took the form of poetry, and occasionally I'd also write a short story in between,” he said.

"I played with form and tried to see which one expressed my thoughts best at the time, poetry has never failed to do this for me. So

a platform to explore his style, self-express and vie for the competition's top honors. Last year, his story 'Old Mr. Greaves' copped the AJ Seymour prize for best short story. This year, it is his 'Lucky stars' story that has won the Edgar Mittleholzer prize for best short story.

"Lucky Stars was born of deep thought paid to the concept of hard work and materialism. It explores the rewarding nature of hard work, and the consequences of being solely materialistic - a risk that can pose personal harm," he explained.

In describing the importance of the Guyana Annual, he noted that the magazine is a consistent platform for prose

Goodchild's story 'Lucky stars' won first place in the open short story competition

even now as I write short stories, my style is to play with the rhythm of words and word groups."

Explaining his modus operandi, Goodchild noted that he tries to match the emotional pace of his writing with sentences that are long and rhythmic, or short and jerky sentences intended to have the reader stop and think.

According to Goodchild, his writing allows him the free-

writers and other creatives to introduce Guyana and the world to their work… in fact, he noted that there are few other opportunities for writers such as himself.

And it is this lack of opportunity that is partly responsible for Goodchild self-publishing his book 'Crassin de Riva', which he launched at the Boca literary festival last year. Goodchild made it clear that he was unwilling to wait

for years before traditional publishers published his book, during which time he would suffer what he called "creative death."

"The self-publishing of Crassin de Riva was not as difficult as I thought, but it's also not solitary. It's accomplished through support from many, and still is thriving due to the support of readers, friends and family,” he explained.

"I took the route of self-publishing mainly to avoid the creative decline (and death) that can result as one waits years for a reply from a foreign publishing house.

With Guyana lacking that service, writers here have to look to the regional press, and it's a longer shot than some are willing to make," Goodchild said.

In addition to self-publishing his book, Goodchild was part of the Guyana contingent that travelled to Trinidad and Tobago for Carifesta XIV.

Goodchild with his complimentary copy of the 2020 Guyana Annual magazine

According to him, the opportunity allowed him to participate in workshops and make useful contacts with performers, other writers, published authors and publishers.

It was an immersion in the caribbean culture and regional literature that Goodchild

needed. And he is now intent on using his experiences to help other writers, something which manifested in the virtual writers retreat he organized recently.

“Already I am trying to bridge gaps using the experiences and knowledge I

now possess. Weeks ago I organised the first writing retreat between Guyanese writers online. Together we went through content that could assist my fellow creatives to create a draft, submit to a process of beautifying and editing it, and finally making it available to others if that is the purpose of the writer.”

According to Goodchild, such experiences are good for writers looking to find critique partners and beta readers, who will be important in improving the quality of work they one day hope to have published. Asked to provide advice to up and coming writers like himself, Goodchild had this to say.

“Don't just write in isolation. Experience life, care for people and their lives, and *participate* in activities that grow your skills. And when you finally pick up a pen to write, you'll have something to say.”

16 FEATURE

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A

The Tradition of Advent

dvent is the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas (or sometimes from the 1st December to Christmas Day!). Advent means 'Coming' in Latin. This is the coming of Jesus into the world.

Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas.

There are three meanings of 'coming' that Christians describe in Advent. The first, and most thought of, happened about 2000 years ago when Jesus came into the world as a baby to live as a man and die for us. The second can happen now as Jesus wants to come into our lives now. And the third will happen in the future when Jesus comes back to the world as King and Judge, not a baby.

Advent Sunday can be from the 27th November (which it was in 2016) to the 3rd December (which it was in 2017)! Advent only

starts on the 1st December when Christmas Day is on a Wednesday (which will happen in 2019)! However, this year (2020) Advent begins on November 29.

No one is really sure when Advent was first celebrated but it dates back to at least 567 when monks were ordered to fast during December leading up to Christmas.

Some people fast (don't eat anything) during advent to help them concentrate on preparing to celebrate Jesus's coming. In many Orthodox and Eastern Catholics Churches, Advent lasts for 40 days and starts on November 15th and is also called the Nativity Fast. (Advent also starts on November 15th in Celtic Christianity.)

Orthodox Christians often do not eat meat and dairy during Advent, and depending on the day, also olive oil, wine and fish.

There are some Christmas Carols that are really Advent

Carols! These include 'People Look East', 'Come, thou long expected Jesus', 'Lo! He comes, with clouds descending' and perhaps the most popular Advent song 'O Come, O Come Emmanuel!'

Advent symbolizes the present situation of the church in these “last days” (Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2), as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah. Israel looked back to God’s past gracious actions on their behalf in leading them out of Egypt in the Exodus, and on this basis, they called for God once again to act for them. In the same way, the church, during Advent, looks back upon Christ’s coming in celebration while at the same time looking forward in eager anticipation to the coming of Christ’s

kingdom when he returns for his people. In this light, the Advent hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” perfectly represents the church’s cry during the Advent season: O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appears.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

To balance the two elements of remembrance and anticipation, the first two Sundays in Advent look forward to Christ’s second coming, and the last two Sundays look backward to remember Christ’s first coming. Over the course of the four weeks, Scripture readings move from passages about Christ’s return in judgment to Old Testament passages about the expectation of the coming Messiah to New Testament passages about the

announcements of Christ’s arrival by John the Baptist and the Angels.

There are several ways that Advent is counted down but the most common is by a calendar or candle(s).

There are two types of candle(s) that are used to count down to Christmas Day in Advent. The first looks like a normal candle, but has the days up to Christmas Day marked down the candle. On the first of December the candle is lit and burnt down to the first line on the candle. The same is done every day and then the rest of the candle is burnt on Christmas day. I use one of these candles to count down during Advent.

An Advent Crown is another form of candles that are used to count down Advent. These are often used in Churches rather than in people's homes.

The crown is often made up of a wreath of greenery and has four candles round the outside and one in the middle or in a separate place. Sometimes a more traditional candelabra

is used to display the five candles.

One candle is lit on the first Sunday of Advent, two are lit on the second Sunday and so on. Each candle has a different meaning in Christianity.

Different churches have given them different meanings, but I was taught the following: • The first represents Isaiah and other prophets in the Bible that predicted the coming of Jesus.

• The second represents the Bible.

• The third represents Mary, the mother of Jesus.

• The fourth represents John the Baptist, Jesus' cousin, who told the people in Israel to get ready for Jesus' teaching.

The middle or separate candle is lit on Christmas Day and represents Jesus, the light of the world. In many churches, the color purple is used to signify the season of Advent.

On the third Sunday, representing Mary, the color is sometimes changed to pink or rose.

Need for accessible...

The catheters are widely used in Guyana because most of the patients are diagnosed with renal failure when they show all the signs and symptoms – that is the retention of fluid, bad taste in their mouths, a smelly breath and low blood count. The disadvantage of that catheter is that it is infection-prone.

Nurse Sinclair has been conducting her own research to determine the needs of every region in Guyana for access to dialysis care. Thus far, she has found that there are about 175 or more kidney failure patients in Guyana with most dialysis centres located in the city.

She would have, under the previous Administration, submitted proposals for the setting up of dialysis units – through a public-private partnership – in 6 of the 10 Administrations but that never materialised. She said that there are plans in the pipeline for expansion to other regions but noted that she prefers to set those units up within the regional hospital system for a number of reasons.

“One of the advantages of having a dialysis unit within a hospital environment is that it takes away a lot of literal supervisory burden from you when it comes to the medical waste disposal. (In the hospital setting) The blood work can be readily done. If there is an emergency there is always doctors within the hospital, access to the ICU is very easy, medication is readily available within the hospital setting.

The hospital also does like the laundry, the attendants will move the patients from point A to point B and there are always cleaners available to keep the environment clean.

It also takes away a financial burden to some extent even though you pay for that within your rent and utilities fees,” she posited.

Another one of the driving forces for her decision to set up dialysis units in the hospital setting is the fact that there is always power. The Guyana Power and Light is notorious for its blackouts so it is critical that her units have a steady power supply.

Nurse Sinclair’s research has found the need for a dialysis unit in Region Three

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(Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) since she has patients travelling from as far as the Essequibo Coast to access dialysis services in Georgetown. She is hoping that she will be able to meet them halfway with a unit in Region Three so that it cuts their commute as well as brings some financial relief since dialysis sessions are in itself a huge financial burden.

Sinclair said that if she is given the permission to set up dialysis units at the regional hospitals then she can have them up and running in 14 days while noting that it is over a year now since the Linden Hospital Complex was supposed to have a unit set up by another firm and it is yet to happen.

Over the past five years, she has interacted with a number of persons and had the chance to hear of their burdens as it relates to accessing care for their kidney failure. She said that the common complaint is that of access to transportation and its cost.

“Some patients can go to work after dialysis, I have patients who start dialysis at 05:30 am, they leave at 9:30 am and then they go to work.

But then there are some patients after dialysis that need to relax, to go home and relax for an hour, have something to eat before they can get around to do their regular daily chores. So, it is very fatiguing on the patient’s body travelling those long distances and then cost for travelling is also a burden,” the experienced nurse said.

She is also advocating for more preventative testing to be done for those with diabetes and hypertension so that there may be early intervention for potential kidney failure patients. This, she said, will result in early acceptance of the condition and treatment as well.

Sinclair is hopeful of seeing dialysis access in every region, access to medication and more importantly more inspections of dialysis units. The Biomed Energy Enterprise Dialysis Unit has a qualified Nephrologist on staff along with ancillary staff qualified in various fields of functioning.

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Christmas Noise

s we enter the season of festivity and goodwill, there are some situations that can severely test your patience over Christmas and New Year. Loud music is one of the main elements of the noise which assails the public at this time. Every bar, and many restaurants and smaller shops seem to compete with each other in making more noise, and so do the minibuses.

The loud music in the minibuses is probably the nuisance which affects most citizens. It seems that many commercial folks feel that the greater the volume of noise they generate, the greater the number of customers they attract.

Noise is a daily occurrence. It can be described as unwanted or excessive sound, and includes vibrations which exceed permissible or allowable levels. Many people, especially noisemakers, are quick to think of noise as a by-product of recreation, their livelihood, or give no thought to it at all. Often, it’s the neighbour who is trying to sleep after a long day, or is desirous of having some quiet family time, who would raise an alarm or file a complaint with the relevant authorities. Whether we like it or not, noise is all around us, sources of noise are ever-present. Situations involving noise nuisances/disturbances often escalate when they become regular features.

Effects of noise on health Frequent exposure to noise can have serious implications for human health, among which are included, but are not limited to: increased heart rate leading to elevated blood pressure, sleep deprivation, headaches and migraines, psychological triggers for people with PTSD, anxiety etc. Noise also affects animals: hearing loss, disruption of migratory patterns, inability to hear and escape from predators, and abandonment of territory and loss of ability to reproduce.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is mandated under the Environmental Protection Act, Chapter 20:05, Laws of Guyana, to stem the creation of pollution havens, and preserve and protect the integrity of the natural environment. Further, the Noise Management Regulations established in 2000 set standards and gave the Agency enforcement powers for noise management.

Activities producing noise from construction, installation, operation, modification or extension of any facility must be authorised. Anyone who wishes to operate a loudspeaker or any other sound-making device or equipment at a public space (barbecues, shows, nightclubs) or any private premises must seek permission from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Depending on the nature of the activity, the EPA grants two types of noise permits – Short Term Noise Permit and LongTerm Noise Permit.

What you need for a Short-Term Noise Permit - Guyana Police Force approval: - NDC approval - Guyana Fire Service permit - Proof of event (flyer, poster) - Affidavit - Proof of rental (if you are renting the space) - $4000 fee - ID of applicant Kindly note that the EPA will not be issuing Short Term Noise Permits until further notice.

In fact, under the Environmental Protection (Noise Management) Regulations (2000), excessive emission of noise is an offence. Defaulters can be fined up to $700,000, and face up to one year of imprisonment. The regulations of 2000 were developed with the framework to manage noise pollution in the environment. Further, more than 40 officers of the Guyana Police Force were recently trained in noise management, which would enable the Noise Management Task Force to be better able to manage noise complaints.

As we move closer to the festive season, the Environmental Protection Agency advises citizens to desist from emitting noise at a level above the prescribed 100db decibel recreational limit.

Contact your local authority and report all matters of noise pollution. Be vigilant, and exercise caution as we celebrate.

Remember, your right to music is not your right to disturb others.

Remember to wear your mask, wash your hands, and follow all other guidelines prescribed for keeping safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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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FEATURE

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ANOTHER VIRUS AILMENT IN PUPPIES AND ADULT DOGS

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CANINE PARVOVIRUS (CPV)

ast week we dealt with questions pertaining to Canine Distemper. Today, we shall discuss another seriously lethal viral disease affecting unvaccinated puppies and young adult dogs, namely Canine Parvovirus (CPV).

Q: WHAT IS CPV? A: It is a relatively easily transmitted lethal viral disease affecting unvaccinated dogs, as well as other species (e.g. foxes) globally. Although dogs of all ages can be infected with CPV, puppies (6-20 weeks old) seem to more susceptible.

[I should mention in passing that the virus causing CPV is closely related to, but quite different from, a virus affecting cats. In some older books, you may even find the name “Feline Parvovirus” listed. That disease in cats goes under a more correct name of “Feline Panleukopenia”. We must not confuse the two diseases, even though the symptoms may be similar].

Q: HOW IS CPV

TRANSMITTED TO THE PUP/ DOG? A: i) From dog to dog – by direct and indirect transmission, usually via faeces, but also from the contaminated environment in which the pups (dogs) live. Ingesting faeces which contain the v i r u s , shed by other dogs, is a major source of infection. Even sniffing of an infected dog’s anus can facilitate transmission of the virus from one dog to another. ii) Animals moving from kennel to kennel, or from any physical environment where the virus is present, can transfer the CPV to clean surroundings.

Q: WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CPV? A: i) Since this virus primarily attacks certain structures in the intestinal (gut) wall, an initially soft/watery diarrhoea soon becomes a bloody discharge from the anus. ii) As a result of the loss of fluids (due to the diarrhoea), the ani-

mal becomes quickly dehydrated, and loses important elements needed for growth and general well-being. iii) Since the intestinal wall is weakened by the onslaught of the virus, bacteria (germs) secondarily invade the gut, causing further infection, septicemia, and deterioration of the health of the puppy (or adult), and creating a condition of shock, just prior to death. iv) Vomiting. v) Loss of appetite. vi) Listlessness. vii) Fever (especially in the first few days, at the beginning of the ailment).

Other important questions posed by caregivers: Q: CAN HUMANS GET CPV FROM THEIR DOGS? A: NO. Also, a dog/cat cannot be infected by a type of Parvovirus (B19) carried by humans.

Q: CAN THE PET AILING WITH CPV BE TREATED? A: This is one canine dis-

ease for which the caregiver needs to have veterinary involvement, as early as possible. Please note the symptoms could exhibit themselves as early as 3 days after the animal has been infected.

As I had mentioned when discussing Canine Distemper (last week; Kaieteur News, November 15, 2020), the treatment has to focus on alleviating/removing the symptoms.

The vet will prescribe/administer medications to counter the vomiting, fever, diarrhoea, bleeding, dehydration, listlessness, etc.

It may be better for the caregiver to leave the sick puppy/young adult dog in the vet’s hospital facilities.

Where these do not exist, the vet will explain to the caregiver what he/she can administer at home and how often the ailing animal needs to return to the Clinic for treatment.

The pet owner/caregiver must recognize that not only is this viral infection lethal, but the symptoms (once they appear) are devastating.

I mentioned above, for example,

that vomiting and diarrhoea lead to serious dehydration. The owner might find great difficulty in rehydrating an ailing pup which regurgitates even water and surely food. The ensuing “oral liquid intake/vomit” cycle is something even the vet will have difficulty in controlling, especially if he/she is seeing the sick animal only once or twice daily. Actually, the best (only) real way to counter dehydration, while offering energy supplements and treating secondary infections, is to place the animal on an intravenous drip for long periods.

Q: HOW GREAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THE PET’S SURVIVAL? A: The texts coming out of the USA and Europe speak of relatively high mortality rates. My own experience is that even with a relatively early CPV diagnosis (within 2-3 days post infection), many animals – especially fragile neonates (young pups) will die.

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Surinamese Embassy in Guyana hosted children of ‘Bless the Children Home’ in observance of its Independence

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s Republic of Suriname celebrated its Independence Anniversary on Wednesday last, the Surinamese Embassy in Georgetown treated the occupants Bless the Children Home located at Industry, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

In addition to the treat, a quantity of sanitizing products was donated to the home as part of helping to combat the Covid-19 virus.

This activity has been made feasible with contributions from loyal sponsors.

Chargé d'Affaires of the Surinamese Embassy, Liselle Blankendal stated that the Embassy has decided to make the children of the home happy especially on such momentous occasion for the Dutch-speaking country.

The children were also provided with information about Suriname in a fun, festive and interactive manner. The symbolic meaning of the flag’s colours were explained to the children by Gevencio Doorson, son of Chancellor Luancia Amalensi.

The children promised to do their best at school so that when

they grow up and have a job they will also visit the beautiful country of Suriname.

At the same time, Suriname also commemorates 45 years of diplomatic relations with the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on November 25, 2020.

This relationship between the two countries has always been good and is based on good neighborliness and long-term friendly ties.

With the appointment of the mutual Presidents namely President Santokhi and President

Ali respectively of Suriname and Guyana, the agreement has been made to deepen and expand the cooperation between the two countries.

This agreement has been recorded in the Strategic Dialogue and Collaboration Platform (SDCP),

which will take place through monitoring by mutual Presidents.

The launch of the SDCP took place on the country’s Independence Day with President Ali visiting Suriname to also take part in the celebration of the 45th Anniversary of Suriname's Independence.

FEATURE

HEALTH TIPS

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Chronic kidney disease (renal failure) Part- 2 minute.

TREATMENT OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

DR TARIQ JAGNARINE FAMILY MEDICINE, ENDOCRINOLOGY/ DIABETES

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hronic kidney disease is a worldwide health crisis.

However, chronic kidney disease can be treated. With early diagnosis and treatment, it is possible to slow or stop the progression of kidney disease.

DIAGNOSIS OF CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

The treatment and care for someone with renal failure starts with the primary care physician but eventually take a multidisciplinary approach involving an internist, nephrologist, nutritionist and vascular surgeon.

These doctors will check for signs and ask the patient about symptoms. The following tests may also be ordered: • Blood test – a blood test may be ordered to determine whether waste substances are being adequately filtered out. If levels of urea and creatinine are persistently high, the doctor will most likely diagnose endstage kidney disease.

• Urine test – a urine test helps find out whether there is either microscopic blood or protein in the urine.

• Kidney scans – kidney scans may include a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, computed tomography (CT) scan, or an ultrasound scan. The aim is to determine whether there are any blockages in the urine flow. These scans can also reveal the size and shape of the kidneys – in advanced stages of kidney disease the kidneys are smaller and have an uneven shape.

• Kidney biopsy – a small sample of kidney tissue is extracted and examined for cell damage. An analysis of kidney tissue makes it easier to make a precise diagnosis of kidney disease.

• Chest X-ray – the aim here is to check for pulmonary edema (fluid retained in the lungs).

• Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) – GFR is a test that measures the glomerular filtration rate – it compares the levels of waste products in the patient’s blood and urine. GFR measures how many millilitres of waste the kidneys can filter per minute. The kidneys of healthy individuals can typically filter over 90 ml per

There is no current cure for chronic kidney disease.

However, some therapies can help control the signs and symptoms, reduce the risk of complications, and slow the progression of the disease.

Patients with chronic kidney disease typically need to take a large number of medications. Treatments include: • A N A E M I A TREATMENT Haemoglobin is the substance in red blood cells that carries vital oxygen around the body. If haemoglobin levels are low, the patient has anaemia. Some kidney disease patients with anaemia will require blood transfusions, taking iron supplements, either in the form of daily ferrous sulphate tablets, or occasionally in the form of injections.

• P H O S P H A T E BALANCE People with kidney disease may not be able to eliminate phosphate from their body properly. Patients will be advised to reduce their nutritional phosphate intake – this usually means reducing consumption of dairy products, red meat, eggs, and fish.

• HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE High blood pressure is a common problem for patients with chronic kidney disease. It is important to bring the blood pressure down to protect the kidneys, and subsequently slow down the progression of the disease. Patients may need to be on multiple antihypertensive drugs in the care of a nephrologist.

• SKIN ITCHING Antihistamines, such as chlorphenamine, may help alleviate symptoms of itching.

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) NSAIDs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen should be avoided and only taken if a doctor recommends them.

E N D - S T A G E TREATMENT This is when the kidneys are functioning at less than 10-15 percent of normal capacity. The measures used thus far – diet, medications, and treatments controlling underlying causes – are no longer enough. The kidneys of patients with end-stage kidney disease cannot keep up with the waste and fluid elimination process on their own, resulting in the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant in order to survive.

Most doctors will try to delay the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant for as long as possible because they carry the risk of potentially serious complications.

KIDNEY DIALYSIS

There are two main types of kidney dialysis. Each type also has subtypes. The two main types are: • H a e m o d i a l y s i s : Blood is pumped out of the

patient’s body and goes through a dialyzer (an artificial kidney). The patient undergoes haemodialysis about three times per week. Each session lasts for at least 3 hours. Experts now recognize that more frequent sessions result in a better quality of life for the patient, but modern home-use dialysis machines are making this more regular use of haemodialysis possible.

• Peritoneal dialysis: The blood is filtered in the patient’s own abdomen; in the peritoneal cavity which contains a vast network of tiny

blood vessels. A catheter is implanted into the abdomen, into which a dialysis solution is infused and drained out for as long as is necessary to remove waste and excess fluid.

KIDNEY TRANSPLANT

The kidney donor and recipient should have the same blood type, cell-surface proteins and antibodies, in order to minimize the risk of rejection of the new kidney.

Siblings or very close relatives are usually the best types of donors. If a living donor is not possible, the search will begin for a cadaver donor

(dead person).

OTHER TREATMENT OPTIONS

• Diet Following a proper diet is vital for effective kidney failure treatment. Restricting the amount of protein in the diet may help slow down the progression of the disease.

Diet may also help alleviate symptoms of nausea. Salt intake must be carefully regulated to control hypertension.

Potassium and phosphorus consumption, over time, may also need to be restricted.

• Vitamin D Patients with kidney dis-

ease typically have low levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones. The vitamin D we obtain from the sun or food has to be activated by the kidneys before the body can use it. Patients may be given alpha calcidol, or calcitriol.

• Fluid retention People with chronic kidney disease need to be careful with their fluid intake. Most patients will be asked to restrict their fluid intake. If the kidneys do not work properly, the patient is much more susceptible to fluid build-up.

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HEALTH TIPS: Chronic kidney disease...

COMPLICATIONS

If the chronic kidney disease progresses to kidney failure, the following complications are pos-

sible: • Anaemia • Central nervous system damage

• Dry skin or skin color changes • Fluid retention • Hyperkalemia, when

blood potassium levels rise, possibly resulting in heart damage • Insomnia • Lower sex drive • Male erectile dysfunction • Osteomalacia, when bones become weak and break easily • Pericarditis, when the sac-like membrane around the heart becomes inflamed • Stomach ulcers • Weak immune system

PREVENTION

• Managing the chronic condition Some conditions increase the risk of chronic kidney disease (such as diabetes). Controlling the condition can significantly reduce the chances of developing kidney failure. Individuals should follow their doctor’s in-

FROM PAGE 21

structions, advice, and recommendations.

• Diet A healthy diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean meats or fish will help keep blood pressure down.

• Physical activity Regular physical exercise is ideal for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels; it also helps control chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Individuals should check with a doctor that an exercise program is suited to their age, weight, and health.

• Avoiding certain substances Including abusing alcohol and drugs. Avoid long-term exposure to heavy metals, such as lead. Avoid long-term exposure to fuels, solvents, and other tox-

ic chemicals.

Chronic kidney disease causes substantial global morbidity and increases cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. Unlike other chronic diseases with established strategies for screening, there has been no consensus on whether health systems should prioritize early identification and intervention for CKD. Guidelines on evaluating and managing early CKD are available but have not been universally adopted in the absence of incentives or quality measures for prioritizing CKD care. The burden of CKD falls disproportionately upon persons with lower socioeconomic status, who have a higher prevalence of CKD, limited access to treatment, and poorer outcomes.

Therefore, identifying and treating CKD at the earliest stages is an equity imperative.

FEATURE

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ANOTHER VIRUS AILMENT IN PUPPIES...

The general rule, according to many vets’ observations and experiences, is that if the disease is diagnosed early enough, and an aggressive treatment schedule is implemented and maintained, the chances of survival increase.

Nowadays, there seems to be a lower incidence of the disease in puppies and young adult dogs. This success is probably due to polyvalent vaccines (including CPV) which are routinely administered to 6-8 weekold puppies and young dogs.

We must nevertheless maintain our vigilance so as to ensure that our wards do not contract this CPV disease.

Q: PREVENTION A: Vaccination as early as 6 weeks of age. There is a vaccination protocol which must be followed.

Booster shots must be given annually.

Q: ARE SOME BREEDS ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO CPV? A: YES. It seems that German Shepherds, Dobermans, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers and Labradors exhibit the greatest incidence of CPV. That is according to the available literature. Here in Guyana, CPV infects and kills all breeds, including our “common breeds” indiscriminately.

Q: IS THERE A LABORATORY TEST THAT

CAN BE USED TO DETECT THIS VIRUS? A: Yes. Your vet can and will advise the caregiver accordingly.

Q: CAN A VACCINATED PUP/DOG ACQUIRE CPV? A: This would be highly unlikely, especially if the vaccine has been transported and stored well. It also helps immensely if the mother dog has been vaccinated before (never during) pregnancy.

Q: WHAT IS THE FUTURE LIKE FOR A DOG WHICH HAS SURVIVED CPV? A: Once a CPV patient has recovered from the disease, it is not likely that the

dog would contract the ailment again or succumb to it.

It is however important to know that dogs, having recovered from a bout of CPV, may serve as carriers and can even shed the virus, infecting the surrounding environment, thereby possibly infecting young unvaccinated animals

FROM PAGE 19

living in the vicinity.

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST SANITIZER AGAINST CPV? A: I always advise that any kennel and surrounding area, which had been exposed to a CPV infection, should be thoroughly cleansed with bleach (1-part bleach to 30

parts water).

I think we have covered all the salient points associated with this disease.

Should you have any further questions, please contact your vet. He or she would be most willing to give you the appropriate advice and definitive answers.

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TURKEY MEATLOAF Ingredients • 1 lb ground turkey • 2 slices bread • 1 carrot • ½ red bell pepper • ¼ onion • 1 egg Instructions 1. Blend bread in food processor to make breadcrumbs then finely chopped peeled carrot, seeded bell pepper and onion.

2. To a bowl add ground turkey, chopped vegetables, bread crumbs, egg, salt, black pepper and herbs. Mix with a spoon to just until combined.

3. Place on a baking pan and then shape to form a loaf.

Place into preheated oven at 375 degrees and bake for 30 minutes then remove from oven 4. In a small bowl mix ketchup, mustard and brown sugar and spread on top of the meatloaf. Turn oven temperature up to 450 degrees then bake the meatloaf for about 10 minutes or until the glaze is bubbling and the

• • • • • •

1 tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper 2 tbsp fresh herbs such as parsley and thyme 1/3 cup ketchup 1 tbsp grainy mustard 2 tbsp brown sugar

SHEPHERD’S PIE WITH SWEET POTATOES • • • • • •

Ingredients • 1 lb lean ground beef • 1 tsp oil • 1 small onion, finely chopped • ½ pack dried onion soup mix • 1 tbsp Kinder’s The Blend Seasoning • 1 tbsp flour

•

Instructions 1. Brown beef in pot with oil then add chopped onion, onion soup mix and Kinder’s The Blend Seasoning and stir to combine.

2. Cook for about 5 minutes until the onion softens, then add flour and mix well. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, then add beef broth.

3. Cook on medium for about 15 minutes until the meat is tender then remove from heat and add frozen peas and carrots. meatloaf is 160 degrees.

5. Cool before cutting into slices, serve warm. (Jehan Can Cook)

2 cups beef broth 1 cup frozen peas and carrots 4 large sweet potatoes About ½ cup heavy cream 2 tbsp butter 2 tsp Kinder’s Woodfired Garlic Seasoning to taste

4. B o i l sweet potatoes in salted water until soft then mash with heavy cream, butter, Kinder’s Woodfired Garlic Seasoning and salt. Mash until creamy and smooth.

5. P l a c e meat filling into a baking dish then top with mashed sweet potatoes.

6. P l a c e into an oven preheated to 350 degrees and bake for 20 minutes. (Jehan Can Cook)

CUSTARD ICE CREAM • • • •

Ingredients • 1 cup milk • 2 cups heavy cream • 6 egg yolks • 2/3 cup sugar Instructions 1. Place egg yolks, sugar and salt in a bowl. Whisk until eggs are pale in color and silky, about 2-3 minutes.

2. Place milk and cream in a heavy bottom pot then place on stove over low heat.

Heat milk just until bubbles start to form along the edges then remove from heat.

3. Slowly stream milk into egg mixture while whisking vigorously; whisk in about half of the milk. Mix about ½ cup milk with custard powder.

4. Combine egg mixture and custard mixture with remaining milk in the

Pinch of salt 2 tbsp custard powder 1 tsp vanilla extract Drop of almond extract

pot then cook on low heat for about 2-3 minutes. Do not allow to mixture to bowl.

5.

Remove from heat and allow to cool before straining into a bowl. When custard has cooled completely, cover and place into the fridge to chill for at least 4 hours.

6. Place into ice cream maker and follow the instructions of the machine.

Once ice cream has finished churning, place into a freezer safe bowl and freeze for at least 4 hours to harden. Enjoy!

(Jehan Can Cook)

Chili Ingredients • 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 1 medium onion, chopped • 1 medium green bell pepper,

chopped • 2 stalks celery, chopped • 1 tbsp tomato paste • 1 1/2 lb ground beef • 3 tbsp chili powder • 2 tsp ground cumin DIRECTIONS 1. In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion, pepper, and celery and cook until softened, 5 minutes. Add in tomato paste, stirring constantly until darker in color, about 2 minutes more.

Add ground beef and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 6 minutes more. Drain fat and return to heat.

• 1 tsp garlic powder • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes • 1 (15-oz.) can kidney beans, with liquid • 1 (15-oz.) can pinto beans,

with liquid • Shredded cheddar, for serving • Green onions, sliced, for serving 2. Add chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder, and season generously with salt and pepper.

Pour in crushed tomatoes, then fill can halfway with water, swirling to catch any remaining tomato, and add to pot. Add beans and their liquid and stir to combine.

Bring chili to a boil then reduce heat to low and let simmer until flavors meld and liquid is slightly reduced, about 40 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary.

3. Serve chili topped with cheddar and green onions.

NEWS

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Porter shot during foiled robbery on delivery truck

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porter was on Saturday afternoon shot after two armed men attempted to rob a delivery truck at Chesney village, Region Six (East

Based on information received, two men - one armed with a handgun - rode up on a motorcycle and attempted to rob the driver of the truck.

The bullet grazed Hardial on the jaw

The truck that the two men attempted to rob

Berbice-Corentyne).

The injured man, Lochan Matadeen of Number 63 Village, was shot to the abdomen and is now hospitalised while a bullet grazed the jaw of Ravuinrda Hardial, 32, a salesman of Sunshine Supermarket.

Woman who fatally stabbed brother gets bail on manslaughter charge

Hardial, who was making sure that the goods were placed into the lorry, told detectives that he saw the two men on a motorbike approaching but did not suspect anything.

Both men, he noted, had their faces con-

cealed - one with a fullface helmet and the other was wearing a mask.

However, as the motorcycle came to a halt, one of the men attacked Matadeen and took him to the back of the vehicle where he shot him while demanding cash.

During that time, the other bandit, who was armed with a knife, confronted Hardial but in retaliation, he picked up a piece of wood and a scuffle ensued between them.

Upon seeing this, the gunman discharged two rounds at Hardial but one of the bullets grazed him on the jaw. As persons rushed to the assistance of the two men, the bandits jumped on their motorcycle and made good their escape.

Meanwhile, the injured porter was picked up and taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where he was admitted.

The matter was reported and the police have launched an investigation.

Charged: Lasheena Morgow

Killed: Alex Morgow

hirty-one-year-old Lasheena Morgow, who fatally stabbed her brother, was released on $250,000 bail after being charged with manslaughter when she appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

During her court appearance, she was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that on November 22, 2020, at Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo, she unlawfully killed 20-year-old Alex Morgow. She will make another court appearance on December 16, 2020.

It was reported that the now dead young man was stabbed once to the left side chest and died al-

most immediately. Based on information, on the day in question, the young man and his 36-year-old reputed wife Joyann Atkinson were involved in a physical altercation over the food she had prepared.

Police said that the now dead man pushed Atkinson to the ground and began slapping and kicking her in the presence of his sister, who later intervened. This resulted in an altercation between the siblings. It was then the sister ran into the kitchen, armed herself with a knife, and rushed back to her brother.

The argument continued, during which she stabbed him. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Leonora Cottage Hospital.

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26 NEWS

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Caricom congratulates Barbados on 54th Independence Anniversary

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he Caribbean Community (Caricom) has extended congratulations to the Government and people of Barbados on its 54th Independence Anniversary.

Secretary General of Caricom, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque in a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Mia Mottley, noted that the anniversary finds the country in the midst of a testing period which has been faced with discipline, resolve, solidarity and vision.

He said these characteristics have served the

Caricom Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque

Government and people of Barbados extremely well over the years and are reflected in the anniversary’s theme “Standing Together, Renewing Hope”.

“Prime Minister, allow me to express the Community’s appreciation to you for the leadership role played by Barbados as the Chair of Caricom in the first half of 2020, as well as in your capacity as the lead Head of Government in the Caricom Quasi-Cabinet for matters related to the Caricom Single Market and Economy,” the Secretary General stated.

“The Community is deeply indebted to the commitment displayed by Barbados towards strengthening regional integration,” he added.

“Prime Minister, the Community joins with the Government and people of Barbados in celebrating this occasion, and assures you of its continued support and that of the Secretariat in your efforts towards the sustainable development of the country.”

Barbados became an independent nation on November 30, 1966.

Revamping the Tourism Sector (Part 5): Conclusion and recommendation

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he previous editions on this thematic area sought to outline a strategic policy framework designed to aid in the recovery programme of the tourism and hospitality sector, which was the most badly affected sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, tourism activities, which are captured under the services industry in GDP, accounted for a loss of 1.2 percent contribution to GDP, and, noting importantly that other services activities contracted by 51.2 percent, according to the Bank of Guyana’s Half Year Report for 2020, the 1.2 percent loss in GDP contribution from tourism can be translated to approximately Gy$11 billion. Therefore, the recovery cost of the sector might require a fraction of that, based on available financial resources, to about Gy$5 billion in the 2021 budget to implement the recovery measures proposed herein, using a “whole of government” approach as described within this framework.

In order to implement the proposed policy measures, a coordinated and harmonized approach is necessary in so doing, in order to yield effective results. For example, the reopening of the airports is critical for the tourism sector as well as efforts by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to attract additional airlines to operate in Guyana; namely, the airline to provide direct flights from Guyana to the United Kingdom. As such, much more efforts like these would be necessary in the medium-to-long-term.

While studies on the global impact of COVID-19 on tourism sectors have shown that, due to safety reasons, international travel will continue to be restricted and tourism markets will be badly affected until such time as COVID-19 dissipates, perhaps; in the case of Guyana, because of its embryonic oil and gas industry, where oil production continues, Guyana stands at an advantage over other countries in the region to drive the recovery of its tourism sector, and this must be recognized by policymakers. These are, for example: • Because oil production offshore is ongoing and more so Exxon recently received approval from the Government for its license to operate in their Payara development project, this means that we will continue to have expatriates coming into Guyana and we can expect a rotation of foreign workers.

There will also be foreigners entering the country to work and to explore investment opportunities for both foreign companies that are already operating in the sector within the value chain and potential investors.

• There will also be the return of Guyanese migrants from the Diaspora as a result of the economic trajectory Guyana is being placed and the aggressive transformational and development projects in the pipeline. In fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is slated to soon launch a Diaspora Engagement Strategy and Remigrant Policy Framework which will be implemented by the Diaspora Affairs Unit to be established within the Ministry.

In view of the aforementioned, a coordinated approach to facilitate the tourism recovery programme is paramount.

In so doing, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce should consider setting up a “Recovery Task Force”, made up of representatives from the following stakeholder groups: 1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Diaspora Affairs Unit 2. Guyana Office for Investment which now has a new and aggressive mandate to attract foreign investors 3. Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports 4. Ministry of Finance 5. Ministry of Education 6. Financial Institutions / Bankers Association 7. Private Sector Organizations (THAG, AmCham, GCCI, PSC, GMSA).

8. Small Business Bureau 9. Tourist Operators The mandate of the proposed task force should be focused on aggressively driving the implementation, conducting studies, monitoring and evaluation of the proposed policy measures and initiatives contained herein, provided that these are adopted by the Government as a working framework. Also, the recovery period should be targeted over a one-year period given that most of the measures proposed should be up for consideration in the 2021 budget.

It should be mentioned that in view of the ambitious development projects that will be implemented in 2021 such as the housing development drive, the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, coupled with increased oil production, the East Coast Bypass Road Project, among others. With these projects being carried out concurrently, a one-year period targeted for recovery of the tourism sector and the economy at large is relatively suffice and doable; but, would have to be driven aggressively, in a coordinated and harmonized manner.

About the Author: JC. Bhagwandin is an economic and financial analyst, lecturer and business & financial consultant. 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.

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Wakenaam, Leguan get crime-fighting patrol boat Three Liaison Officer, Dhansham Ramnarine and Chief Inspector Anthony.

In accepting the donation, Zaman expressed gratitude for the boat since for years the absence of a boat had hindered their crime-fight-

ing ability.

This patrol boat is among several items recently donated to the Division by the Ministry. “A motorcycle, grass cutter, printer, laminating machine, life jackets, and other items were given

as support to the Division,” Das stated.

He related that last weekend, the Community Policing Group of Leguaan was revamped and the Division’s Liaison Officer was appointed.

Region 1 farmers to benefit from $5M greenhouses Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn, along with other officials, at the handing over ceremony on Saturday

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he Community Policing Division Three, which has responsibility for the islands of Wakenaam and Leguaan, is now equipped with a patrol boat compliments of the Home Affairs Ministry.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn on Saturday handed over the aluminium boat that is powered by a 40 horsepower outdoor engine to Chairman of Division Three, Mustapha Zaman.

Minister Benn emphasised that equipping

Community Policing Groups with necessary resources is a signalled effort that crime-fighting at the community level will be successful.

“Other than gunmen going around some of the incidents appear to be people getting emotional and mud balling…We have to have empathy and understanding so we don’t get things degenerated any further,” he added.

Minister Benn believes that community policing groups should be the link be-

tween communities and the Guyana Police Force. The presence of these groups will reinvigorate community safety and security through enhanced performance and professionalism.

Also in attendance were Ministerial Advisor on Security, Harry Gill; Administrator of the National Community Policing of Guyana, Reshi Das; CPG National Chairman Kishore Gobin; Secretary of Division Three, Chandra Sahadeo; Division

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armers in the Moruca and Mabaruma sub-regions of Region One (Barima-Waini) will benefit from the establishment of two greenhouses valued at $5 million to protect cultivated plants from extreme temperatures.

Regional Executive Officer (REO) Tikaram Bisesar told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that this is the first time that the regional administration is focusing on the sector. The Region aims to realise the Government’s plans to decentralise agricultural support and services.

“We are currently on the verge of establishing agriculture programmes for the

Region One REO, Tikaram Bisesar

year. We will be building greenhouses in sub-regions to allow farmers to get better access to a nursery, planting materials among others. The contract would have been awarded and will start shortly,” the REO stated.

This initiative will complement the Agriculture

Ministry’s efforts to combat climate change and to practice climate-smart agriculture. This is particularly important as Guyana experiences prolonged dry and rainy seasons due to climate change.

“The programme of itself has not been gazetted as yet, but the Administration has allocated $20 million to help push the Region’s agriculture sector. Of course, these monies will be disbursed for the various aspects of our agriculture plan,” Bisesar noted.

The Administration intends to transform the Region’s budding agricultural potential into a lucrative agricultural hub.

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Albouystown businessman busted with gun, ammo

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36-year-old James and Garnett Streets, Albouystown, Georgetown businessman was on Saturday morning taken into custody after he was found with an illegal firearm and ammunition.

Based on reports received, the .9mm Taurus pistol and 16 live rounds of matching ammunition were discovered resting on the cover of a barrel in the businessman’s bedroom.

Ranks of A Division reportedly swooped down on the house after they received information that the businessman was brandishing a firearm when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

However, after the discovery, the businessman was

The firearms include one double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun, one 20-gauge shot-

– driver flees scene after accident

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The firearm and ammunition found in the businessman’s bedroom

told of the offence, cautioned and arrested. He was taken to the Ruimveldt Police Station where charges were instituted. The firearm and ammunition were lodged as Police continue their investigations.

On Thursday, during an eradication exercise at DeVeldt village, Berbice River, Police ranks discovered several firearms and a quantity of ammunition concealed under the floorboards of a building.

— MMG+ to be unavailable for four days

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and five .32 cartridges. No arrests were made during the operation.

Pedestrian killed by speeding motor car

New MMG+ app soon available on iPhones obile Money Guyana Inc (MMG+) has announced that its MMG+ app would soon be available to iPhone users.

“This is an exciting development and one that customers who use iPhones have been asking for,” said Bobita Ram, General Manager, MMG+ To facilitate the migration to the updated app and web portal, the existing MMG+ App and USSD (*123#) will be unavailable

gun, one .32 shotgun, two OPS air guns along with nine 12-gauge, one 20-gauge

from November 29 at 1:00h to December 2 at 18:00h.

During the four-day period, no transaction will be processed and new registrations will be delayed, explained Ram. “We are encouraging customers to do all of their transactions before this period. The service interruption is necessary since we will be transitioning to our new app and this will take some time,” Ram added.

It was highlighted that the goal of the up-

grade is to expand to support iPhones, as well as to roll out significantly more features, like QR codes for easy shopping and strengthened security mechanisms.

Ram offered an apology in advance, for any inconvenience the transition may cause customers, but added that “…the migration is necessary to drastically improve the service that so many Guyanese depend on, and to make life easy for them.”

pedestrian was on Friday evening pronounced dead on arrival at the Leonora Cottage Hospital, West Coast Demerara (WCD), after he was struck down by a speeding motor car along the Hydronie Public Road, Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

The dead man has been identified as Kayum Alie of Bushy Park Squatting Area, EBE. Based on information received, the car that was involved in the accident is registered to Sheldon Holder of Doctor Charles Scheme, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

However, Police investigation has revealed that on the day in question at about 21:55h, the motor car was proceeding along the roadway at an alleged fast rate of speed when it collided with Alie, who was standing on the median in the centre of the road.

As a result of the collision, the motor car reportedly toppled several times and crashed into a nearby shop where it came to a halt. Nevertheless, due to the impact, Alie sustained injuries to his body and was

assisted by the police and escorted to the hospital.

The driver, on the other hand, reportedly exited the vehicle and fled the scene.

Alie’s body was taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem Meanwhile, the vehicle was lodged at Leonora Police Station as the police make every effort to arrest the driver.

Only recently, Traffic Chief Ramesh Ashram disclosed that fatal accidents in Guyana for the year thus far have increased by a whopping 37 per cent when compared to the same time in 2019.

For the year 2020, there were 115 accidents, resulting in 125 deaths. From the fatalities, five were children. In comparison, the same period in 2019 re-

corded 84 accidents and 94 deaths. A significant amount of these accidents was caused by speeding and intoxicated drivers.

The Traffic Department has made a total of 46,266 cases against errant drivers thus far – 19,179 of the cases were for speeding, 786 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 1924 for breaching traffic light signals and 986 for failure to wear seat belts. Some cases were made out against persons who were using their mobile phones while driving.

He reiterated that the loss of so many lives for the year thus far is unacceptable while noting that in order to enable safer roadways for both pedestrians and drivers, the traffic rules must be adhered to.

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Granger’s withdrawal from petition is sign of confusion in APNU/AFC camp – Nandlall – says does not change late service of petition

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

Attorney-at-Law Mayo Robertson

Former President David Granger

ttorney General Anil Nandlall has posited that lawyers for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change sponsored election petition are in a state of confusion, judging by the hearings that have so far been conducted in the High Court.

Nandlall expressed this view during a recent interview with the Department of Public Information. He stated that the coalition’s lawyers are in a state of disar-

ray and confusion, evidenced by former President David Granger declining to oppose the petition.

“It is clear that the lawyers who are appearing in these petitions, the petitioners are in disarray because one is objecting to exactly what the other did and they are on the same side. So clearly there is an implosion, there is some degree of confusion within and among ranks of the lawyers,” Nandlall said.

“Is it that they did not consult him before they named him a respondent? Is it that they are confused on what the law says on the issue and how the procedure should be approached? Is it that they are not speaking to each other or clients? Or is it that they do not understand the law?” he also questioned.

The Attorney General pointed out that Granger’s withdrawal is especially odd since Granger’s lawyers are the ones who named him as

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a respondent. Nandlall questioned whether this may be a deliberate strategy to circumvent the late service of the petition.

“All the case law author-

ity that we have found existing throughout the commonwealth over the last 100 years, they say uniformly and consistently that once a petition is not served in the

manner provided for by the rules then the court has no jurisdiction to hear that petition,” the Attorney General explained.

TURN TO PAGE 30

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Spike in COVID-19 cases in Region 6

Chairman reiterates need for adherence to guidelines

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egion Six Chairman, David Armogan has reiterated calls for residents in the region to obey the COVID-19 guidelines set out by the Health Ministry, the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This call comes on the heels of a spike in cases in the ancient county. On Friday, the region recorded 25 new cases thus taking the total to 208.

To date, a total of 1124 tests were conducted of which 535 came back as negative and 208 as positive.

Based on statistics, the positive cases have tripled over the past month.

The spike in cases is mainly from the riverine communities of Siparuta, with a whopping 63 cases, and Orealla with 16.

The Regional Chairman on Friday at a press engagement related that 526 persons were tested from those

Region 6 Chairman David Armagon

communities but more than half of the results are yet to be released.

“So, when those results come, we well may see some degree of increase in those two particular areas. Because a lot of testing was done; a little bit more than half of the population

was tested in the OreallaSiparuta area,” Armogan said.

However, he noted that the number of active cases is of concern to the regional administration.

“Some of these people were tested about 12 days ago and they are asymptomatic. The protocol is that after fourteen days you can allow them to go free.”

As such, he reiterated the need to follow the guidelines.

"These are guidelines for the safety of every person in our region. There are some young people and not only young but middle-aged and old people as well who believed that COVID is a joke. COVID is a very serious disease; it is a very serious virus that is resulting in deaths all over the world."

Further, he stated that the region is collaborating with the police and the Regional COVID-19 Task Force to ensure citizens adhere to the rules.

"And the section which the advice seems not to be reaching are the ones that are creating a difficult situation for us in the region."

According to Armogan, the health system is not geared for the current spike and as such, containment is absolutely important.

"We have to put in all measures to ensure that there is the containment of the virus in all of these areas of our region," he added.

Meanwhile, Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr Vishalya Sharma posited that persons who have been tested positive need to remain in isolation.

“If you were swabbed even privately, just stay home. This is not something where we are going to lock you up. If you were tested at any point, just stay home.

Once your results are out, we would call you and based on that we would make a decision if you should be home isolated or institutionally isolated.”

She explained that in some cases, persons are taken to an institution to be

Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr Vishalya Sharma

quarantined once it is determined that they can put others at risk.

Currently, the region has two isolation and one quarantine facilities with a total capacity of 60 persons.

However, in light of the two deaths and 63 positive cases in Siparuta, the regional body and the Village Council have taken a decision to implement a lock-

down until December 11.

On this note, Armogan pointed out that the decision did not come from Government but the region is in discussion with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to provide assistance to the residents.

Meanwhile, the Regional Task Force, Armogan noted, is trying to educate residents on the dangers of the virus. “We don’t want to be punitive and we don’t want to have to lock people up but there comes a time when if people are not following the law and it is becoming a danger to other people, we will have to enforce certain measures and that is why we are engaging the police to enforce these measures.”

In addition, he stated that the business sector is also being cautioned to ensure that all precautions are being taken not only for workers but also for customers.

The National COVID-19 Task Force had indicated that businesses can lose their licences if they are found in breach of the COVID-19 guidelines.

Granger’s withdrawal from...

“Perhaps they think that to circumvent this identified and proven deficiency they can now get Mr Granger to file this document to say I am not opposing and if that is their thinking, they are wrong because whether a person is a proper respondent and whether that respondent being named can exercise a right, which the law gives him not to oppose are mutually exclusive concepts,” he added.

The election petition case will continue on Monday, where further deliberations will be held on applications to strike out the petition.

Last week Tuesday’s hearing before acting Chief Justice Roxane George saw an energetic exchange between Nandlall and Attorney-at-

Law Mayo Robertson, who represents petitioner Heston Bostwick.

During the hearing, Robertson made several unsuccessful attempts to have an application by Nandlall to strike out the petition rejected. Robertson had contended in his preliminary objections that Nandlall’s interlocutory application in the case did not obey the court’s previous orders and should not be allowed.

However, acting Chief Justice Roxane George had expressed the view that Robertson’s objections were without merit, since Nandlall’s applications did not prejudice the proceedings. George was also of the view that Robertson, having also breached court or-

FROM PAGE 29

ders previously, could see his election petition being struck out if he insisted on pressing his contention.

Another of Robertson’s contentions was that Granger was not a necessary party in the case. It was subsequently announced that Granger, who was APNU/AFC’s Presidential Candidate in the 2020 election, had filed a notice to the court that he would not be contesting the petition challenging the results of the election.

Granger’s move was made in keeping with provisions of Section 27(1) (a) and (2) of the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Act Cap 1:04 and rule 25 of the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Rule Cap 1:04.

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Region 10 records 66% increase in murders, armed robbery — fatal accidents decrease

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he Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Police Division has recorded a 66.6 per cent increase in murders, with six cases compared to two in 2019. This is for the period of January to November 2020. Of the six cases, five are engaging the attention of the courts.

“Through hard work and dedication of the admin team, we were able to solve or bring cases to the court - 5 cases, out of the 6 that were reported,” Deputy Commander, Wayne DeHearte stated during the launch of the Region 10 annual Christmas Policing Plan.

In addition, he stated that armed robbery where firearms were used also saw an increase of 66.6 per cent.

There were 15 reported cases this year compared to 5 in 2019.

“Thirteen of the 15 cases that were reported for this year, we were able to successfully solve these cases and bring them to the court,” he indicated.

In addition, the official stated that burglaries have decreased by 57.2 per cent, with seven reported cases this year as compared to 11 last year.

One shotgun and six pistols were recovered by Police this year when compared to none last year.

“For the year 2020, we were able to cease a number of firearms...we would have seized shotguns, pistols. We would have ceased a number of ammunitions...we’re working hard to ensure the guns are off of the streets,” DeHearte noted.

A total of 265 9mm am-

decrease in the number of serious accidents, with four recorded this year as compared to seven last year.

Minor accidents also deceased, with 4 this year

Deputy Commander Wayne DeHearte

munition were retrieved by the Division thus far for the year as compared to none for the same period last year.

Four .32 rounds of ammunition were recovered as compared to one last year.

Overall, there was a 4.6 per cent increase in crimes.

DeHearte said crime-solving is at the forefront for the Division.

“Crime is on our forefront, crime is foremost on our mind...persons are coming in from the diaspora, persons are going out there to shop, leaving their homes. Also going into the markets and shopping areas. We don’t want people to operate in the presence of fear...Guyana Police Force is working assiduously to ensure that our communities are safe... to ensure that if crimes are perpetuated, we work assiduously towards solving these crimes,” he stated.

Further, he added that the Police Force is aware that criminals congregate and plan to commit robberies. “But least do they know,

we also have to sit ourselves and plan how to maintain a safe environment and also to ensure that when crimes are perpetuated, they’re investigated and justice is had by the victims,” the Deputy Regional Commander said.

With respect to fatal accidents, the division has recorded an overall 100 per cent decrease.

According to the figures, no fatal accidents were recorded between the period this year, as compared to 3 around the same period in 2019. As such, DeHearte praised the hard work of the regional team.

“Coupled with the hard work from the Traffic Department in Linden, we were able to see at this point a hundred per cent decrease in fatal accidents...we have so far recorded no deaths as a result of accidents...It tells me that persons are adhering to the traffic laws... that the ranks are out there executing their functions,” he posited.

He also noted that the Division saw a 75 per cent

WCB smash-up leaves carpenter dead

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carpenter was on Saturday evening killed following an accident along the No. 5 Public Road, West Coast Berbice (WCB). Dead is 35-year-old Thussan Joe of No. 22 Village WCB. At the time of the accident, Joe was riding motorcycle, CG 7063 and involved a motorcar bearing registration number PZZ 415 driven by a 28-year-old man of Plantation Brahn WCB. Based on information received, motorcar reportedly made a U -turn and into the path of the Joe who was proceeding along the roadway.

As a result of the impact, the motorcyclist fell onto the parapet and sustained injuries about his body.

He was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Fort Wellington Public Hospital, where he

was seen and examined by a doctor on duty who pronounced him dead.

A breathalyzer test was conducted on the driver of the motorcar but there was no trace of alcohol in his system.

Both the motorcar and

the motorcycle were lodged at Fort Wellington Police Station while the driver remains in custody pending investigations.

Joe’s body was taken to the Anthony's Funeral Home awaiting a post mortem.

when compared to 8 last year. There was, however, an increase in damage accidents, with 7 being recorded this year as compared to 6 last year.

Meanwhile, he applauded the citizens of Linden, who he noted would have delivered timely information to Police.

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Govt to spend $250M in road works at Tuschen, Zeelugt

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inister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar announced during a visit to the community on Saturday that $185 million in road works will be undertaken at Tuschen on the East Bank of Essequibo.

For years, residents in the community have been complaining about the deplorable state of the roads.

During interactions with the residents, Minister Indar was told that accessing important facilities in Tuschen such as the health

centre has proven difficult due to the state of the roads.

Part of the works will see four main access roads being rehabilitated, including the street leading to the village's health centre.

Grubbing and grading and

shaping will be done in the streets leading up to the village's health centre.

Concerning the situation in Tuschen, he said, “You have the medical centre right here. So, imagine you are sick, you are getting a stroke or you are getting a

A section of the deplorable roads in Tuschen

heart attack and you have to [travel] on these roads.

By the time you reach to the [health centre], it gets worst.”

“We are rehabilitating these roads. All of the areas that are damaged we are taking them out. We are going to lay back the bedrock, we are going to do the compacting and then we will put back the asphalted concrete,” Indar explained.

Minister Indar pointed out that several contractors will be operating on the streets, as the goal is to complete the works promptly. “The most competitive persons won those bids so we are getting the best value for money. We have to ensure that the works are done to specification and not when we finish it two minutes after it is broken again.”

Chairman of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Vishal Ambedkar complained that no infrastructural works were done under the previous APNU/AFC Government although representation was made.

He added that mobilisation of the contractors should begin during the week and the works are expected to commence shortly. Regional Chairman, Inshaan Sheik Ayube said he was pleased to learn that the region will be moving forward and in the right direction.

Meanwhile, over in Zeelugt North, West Coast Demerara (WCD), four streets will also be rehabilitated to the tune of $65 million. Minister Indar explained that the goal is to start works in almost every community in Guyana.

Other members that accompanied Minister Indar on his visits include Member of Parliament Tandika Smith; Regional Vice Chairman, Omesh Satyanand; Georgienna George, community representatives and officials from the Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

When the PPP/C Government took office, it conducted conditional surveys on roads throughout the country with the aim of conducting repair works.

Father of 3 killed in EBD accident

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father of three was on Saturday, November 21, 2020, killed by a speeding truck while attempting to cross the Herstelling Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The dead man has been identified as 57-year-old Bridgemohan Persaud of Lot 84 Farm Squatting Area, EBD. Based on information received, the now dead man was heading home on his pedal cycle when a truck turned out of the overhead tank street and into the path of the cyclist.

Persaud, who was self-employed, sustained severe injuries to his body and was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Yaspeshar Persaud, a son of the dead man, told Inews on Saturday that after the accident, the driver of the truck was arrested but after 72 hours had expired, he was released from custody.

He further stated that the driver subsequently made a court appearance where he was slapped with a causing death by dangerous driving charge and placed on $200,000 bail.

Dead: Bridgemohan Persaud

The frustrated son posited that he was surprised the matter was not reported in the media and believed that the police down played the situation.

He further stated that since the accident, the owners of the truck have not even shown up at the family to offer their condolences. The family is now calling for justice to be served.

The dead man leaves to mourn three children and two grandchildren. An attempt to contact the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) proved futile.

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guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020

Regional

Cuban artists end rare protest, UK public figures urge airlines not to say authorities agree to talks facilitate upcoming deportation of J’cans

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rare public protest in Cuba of more than 300 artists, activists and members of the public outside the Culture Ministry to denounce repression and censorship ended early on Saturday after demonstrators said they agreed with officials to open an unprecedented dialogue.

Thirty of the protesters including performance artist Tania Bruguera and film director Fernando Perez met for more than four hours with Deputy Minister Fernando Rojas and said they had agreed to start a series of meetings to resolves differences.

The group said Rojas also agreed to review the cases of a rapper sentenced this month to eight months in jail on charges of contempt and a dissident artist detained since Thursday.

Not all of the protesters outside the Ministry were convinced by the non-binding reassurances, and were disappointed no officials came out to give a briefing

People gather in front of the Culture Ministry to show solidarity with dissident artists and to demand a dialogue over limits on freedom of expression, in Havana, Cuba, November 27, 2020

on the meeting.

But most said it was already a historic achievement to have forced the Government to talk with those who think differently and for some, broken the fear of speaking out in public in the one-party State.

The Government made no statement and did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the meeting.

The protest was sparked by authorities’ crackdown on

the San Isidro Movement of dissident artists and activists to which Matos belongs that formed two years ago to protest curbs on freedom of expression, often through irreverent performances.

The situation came to a head after authorities besieged the movement’s headquarters in Old Havana’s San Isidro district then on Thursday broke up a hunger strike there that had started to gain international attention. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Over 700 gang members in Central America arrested in US-assisted actions

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l Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras have brought criminal charges against more than 700 members of cross-border criminal organisations, primarily the MS-13 and 18th Street gangs, in a US-assisted effort, the US Department of Justice said on Friday.

The charges resulted from a one-week coordinated law enforcement action under Operation Regional Shield (ORS), a DOJ-led initiative to combat transnational organised crime that brings together authorities from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and the United States.

Tackling transnational human smuggling networks and gangs, including MS13, is a top priority for US President Donald Trump.

Prosecutors in El Salvador this week filed criminal charges against 1152 members of organised crime groups in the country, primarily MS-13 and 18th Street gangs, the statement said.

The national civil police captured 572 of the defendants on charges involving terrorism, murder, extortion, kidnapping, money laundering, human trafficking and human smuggling, among others.

In Guatemala, authori-

ties executed 80 search warrants, arrested 40 individuals and served 29 arrest warrants against people already in custody, all of whom are members of the 18th Street gang and MS-13, the DOJ said.

Guatemalan authorities seized drugs and a firearm, and filed charges for extortion, illicit association, conspiracy to commit murder and extortive obstruction.

In Honduras, the oneweek joint operation resulted in the arrest of over 75 MS-13 and 18th Street gang members and five police officers and the execution of over 10 search warrants. (Excerpt from Reuters)

cores of black public figures in the United Kingdom are urging airlines not to facilitate the deportation of some 50 Jamaicans next week.

According to The Guardian newspaper, a letter, which had 82 signatories, has been sent to six airlines known to have previously worked with the Home Office on deportation charter flights.

It urges the airline chiefs to refuse to operate the flight on December 2 if approached by the Home Office

and to pause the operation of deportation flights to Commonwealth countries for the foreseeable future.

The flight would be the second to Jamaica this year.

The public figures warned that if this flight and others like it go ahead, there is a risk of the unlawful removal of people who have the right to remain in the UK. One of the men deported from the UK to Jamaica on a charter flight in February 2020 was the grandson of a woman who arrived on the Empire Windrush and is

UK and Caribbean defence leaders hold meeting

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ritish and Caribbean defence leaders are hoping to meet annually to discuss continued mutual support and leveraging the strengths of each individual nation for the benefit of collective regional security, working in cooperation with the United Kingdom, according to a statement released here.

The statement said that the UK Chief of Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, recently hosted a successful inaugural defence conference with fellow chiefs of defence from across the Caribbean region and that “there was unanimous agreement among participating nations that this high-level engagement

should become an annual event, enabling the sharing of best practice, discussion of issues that unite the UK with Caribbean partners, and a means of driving forward developments”.

The meeting was attended by defence leaders from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts-Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago.

The statement said that the Caribbean focused conference comes just months after Sir Nick Carter made an unpublicised, 24-hour working visit to Jamaica in January.

UK Defence Attaché to the Caribbean, Lt Col

B

5587 positive cases with 2390 being active.

Trinidad and Tobago also recorded two deaths during the past 24 hours, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Ministry of Health.

The authorities said 36 people are in hospital and 29 in step-down facilities.

The number of people in quarantine in Suriname has also increased significantly between Thursday and Friday. According to the latest bulletin, 1428 people were in quarantine on Friday evening.

Suriname now has 5311 infections, including 19 active cases.

Four more people

have tested positive for COVID-19 in Barbados after undergoing second tests.

The number of people in isolation is 14.

Meanwhile, three people left the isolation facilities, bringing the number of recoveries to 249.

In St Lucia, a one-yearold child from Babonneau in the north of the island is among eight new cases recorded over the past 24 hours, pushing the country’s total to 246.

Meanwhile, police are searching for four young men who escaped from a state COVID-19 quarantine facility in Castries Friday.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Simon Westlake Royal Marines, noted that while the COVID-19 pandemic prevented a physical inaugural conference, the use of a virtual platform did not inhibit the UK’s most senior military leader from having constructive talks with his Caribbean partners.

Chief of Staff at the Barbados Defence Force, Colonel Glyne Grannum, who participated in the two-hour virtual forum said, “the conference was a most useful one in bringing together the cross-Atlantic military strategic leadership to discuss matters related to transnational security”. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Young: T&T not registering more migrants

Belize records significant number of deaths from COVID elize has recorded 10 deaths from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic over the past 24 hours, registering the most deaths in any single day in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) since the virus was first detected in the region in March.

The Office of the Director of Health Services said that three women were among the 10 deaths recorded that pushed the total in the country to 141.

It said that out of a total of 266 samples that were processed, 72 positive cases were recorded throughout the country.

According to the health authorities, the country has

still seeking to have his deportation order revoked, The Guardian reported.

Signatories to the letter include model Naomi Campbell, author Bernardine Evaristo, historian David Olusoga and actors Naomie Harris and Thandie Newton, as well as lawyers, broadcasters and NGO chiefs.

The newspaper said Windrush campaigners including Michael Braithwaite and Elwaldo Romeo have also signed. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Minister of National Security, Stuart Young, answering a question during Friday’s sitting of Parliament

N

ational Security Minister Stuart Young will be holding a meeting with his Venezuelan counterpart after Venezuela on Friday requested a meeting with him.

Young confirmed the meeting in Parliament on Friday while replying to Opposition queries. He said it will be a similar meeting to another which he held with Venezuela’s Internal Security Affairs Minister not long ago.

The request was received on Friday in a diplomatic

note from the Embassy of Venezuela.

This followed the illegal landing of 28 Venezuelans in T&T. The group was sent back to Venezuela on Sunday after they originally landed last Tuesday but returned and matters are now before the court.

Government stated it has halted deportations.

Arreaza’s message stated that on the instructions of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan Government “convened” the T&T

Government to a “necessary working meeting” to review issues of security, human mobility, the fight against crime and drug trafficking. He said it was the second such meeting in four months.

On other Opposition queries on the Venezuelan group being “deported,” Young said the group was “escorted” out of T&T’s border.

“The immigration law is very clear. I use the word ‘escorted’ - escorted does not mean ‘deported’,” he added.

On whether Government will open another registration to legalise more illegal Venezuelans in T&T, Young reiterated that at this stage he cannot say what was the future intention and while that may change, at this time there’s no plan to open another registration exercise.

Noting the 2019 registration exercise where T&T took in 16,523 Venezuelans, he said our size is something Government is very conscious of. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020

35

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS

Dozens killed in attack on farm workers in Nigeria

A Pandemic brings

forward predictions for peak oil demand

T

he COVID-19 pandemic this year has dented oil consumption and brought forward forecasts by energy majors, producers and analysts for when the world’s demand for oil may peak.

The rise of electric vehicles and a shift to renewable energy sources were already prompting downward revisions in forecasts for long-term oil demand.

While there is no consensus on when oil demand could peak, the revised predictions mark a boon to the fight against climate change and could weigh on oil companies’ plans to explore for and develop new resources.

BP forecasts COVID-19 will knock around 3 million barrels per day (bpd) off by 2025 and 2 million bpd by 2050 in its central scenario.

In its two aggressive scenarios, COVID-19 accelerates the slow down in oil consumption, leading to it peaking last year.

In the third scenario, oil demand peaks at around 2030.

Norwegian oil and gas firm Equinor expects global oil demand to peak by around 2027-2028, two to three years earlier than the company previously forecast.

“Earlier assumptions for peak oil demand to happen around 2030 may be challenged,” the Norwegian oil major said in its annual energy outlook.

Equinor sees oil demand at 99.5 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2030, and falling to 84 million bpd in 2050, under its central scenario, dubbed Reform.

Analysts at Bernstein Energy say IMF projections for GDP growth means global oil demand will again stand at 2019 levels of around 100 million bpd by 2023 before soon plateauing.

“Oil demand has not peaked, but it is likely not that far off either ... we expect demand will not peak until sometime in 2025-30.”

Norway’s biggest independent energy consultancy Rystad Energy sees global oil demand peaking at 102 bpd in 2028, revised down from a previous prediction of just over 106 million bpd in 2030.

“The lockdowns will stunt economic recovery in the short term and in the long term and the pandemic will also leave behind a legacy of behavioural changes that will also affect oil use,” said senior oil markets analyst Artyom Tchen.

The Paris-based International Energy Agency said peak oil demand is already a reality in advanced economies but is offset by a rise of 9 million bpd in developing economies between 2019-2030.

“The era of global oil demand growth will come to an end within the next 10 years, but in the absence in a large shift in Government policies, I don’t see a clear sign of a peak,” IEA chief Fatih Birol told Reuters.

“A global economic rebound would soon bring oil demand back to pre-crisis levels,” he said in an interview.

The rise in electric cars, renewable energy and plastics recycling will sap oil demand but growth in developing countries will push a peak beyond 2030, Goldman Sachs said.

“We do not expect global oil demand to peak before 2030 in our base case driven by solid fundamental economic growth, emerging market demographics and relatively low oil prices,” the bank said.

In its first-ever prediction for global oil demand to peak, the Organisation for the Petroleum Exporting Countries said demand would recover in the next two years but plateau by 2040.

“At the global level, oil demand is expected to increase by almost 10 million bpd over the long term, rising from 99.7 million bpd in 2019 to 109.3 million bpd in 2040 and to 109.1 million bpd in 2045,” it said in its World Oil Outlook.

That 2040 level stood at 1 million bpd below those the producer club predicted last year.

Royal Dutch Shell has held off on giving any prediction, but CEO Ben van Beurden told reporters this year that pandemic may have already brought about a peak in demand.

“Demand will take a long time to recover if it recovers at all,” van Beurden said.

“Energy demand, and certainty mobility demand, will be lower even when this crisis is more or less behind us. Will it mean that it will never recover? It is probably too early to say, but it will have a permanent knock for years,” he added.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

ttackers have killed dozens of people working in rice fields in northeastern Nigeria, according to several local sources cited by news agencies.

The assailants on Saturday tied up the agricultural workers and slit their throats in the village of Koshobe, near Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.

“We have recovered 43 dead bodies, all of them slaughtered, along with six others with serious injuries,” Babakura Kolo, a leader of a local militia fighting

armed groups in the region, told AFP news agency.

Reuters news agency, citing a village leader, a local fighter with the Zamarmari group and a police source, also reported the attack, putting the death toll to at least 40 people.

A search by the authorities for the attackers has been launched, it added.

Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are both active in northeast Nigeria. Tens of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict, which has displaced about

Protesters clash with Police at Paris protest against Police violence

People with banners and posters attend a demonstration against the "Global Security Bill” that rights groups say would make it a crime to circulate an image of a Police officer's face and would infringe journalists' freedom in France, at the Place de la Republique in Paris, November 28, 2020

H

undreds of black-clad protesters clashed with Police at the end of a demonstration against Police violence in Paris on Saturday after masked protesters launched fireworks at Police lines, put up barricades and threw stones.

The majority of the thousands of demonstrators marched peacefully, but small groups of masked protesters dressed in black smashed shop windows and set two cars, a motorcycle and a cafe on fire. The fires were put out quickly.

Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowds and in early evening water cannon sprayed remaining groups of protesters on Place de la Bastille.

The Interior Ministry said it had counted 46,000 protesters in Paris. Police said they had made nine arrests.

Thousands of people also

marched in Lille, Rennes, Strasbourg and other cities.

The protests follow the publication this week of CCTV footage of the minutes-long beating of Black music producer Michel Zecler by three police officers in Paris on Nov 21.

The incident has also fanned anger about a draft law that is seen as curbing the right of journalists to report on Police brutality.

The bill would make it a crime to circulate images of police officers in certain circumstances, which opponents say would limit press freedom.

The journalists’ organisations and civil liberty groups who organised the marches were joined by far-left militants, environmental activists and yellow vest protesters. The yellow vests have been protesting against Government policies for two years. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Authorities are searching for the attackers [Afolabi Sotunde/ Reuters]

two million since 2009.

The victims were labourers from Sokoto state in northwest Nigeria, roughly 1000km (600 miles) away, who had travelled to the northeast to find work, said another militiaman, Ibrahim Liman, who gave the same toll.

Eight others were missing, presumed to have been kidnapped by the attackers, he said.

The bodies were taken to nearby Zabarmari village, where they would be kept ahead of burial today, according to resident Mala Bunu who took part in the search and rescue operation.

Last month, Boko Haram fighters killed 22 farmers working on their irrigation fields near Maiduguri in two separate incidents. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Ethiopian military operation in Tigray is complete, Prime Minister says

E

thiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Saturday that military operations in the northern region of Tigray have been completed, shortly after he announced federal troops had seized full control of the regional capital Mekelle.

“I am pleased to share that we have completed and ceased the military operations in the Tigray region,” he said in a tweet.

Less than an hour earlier, he said in a statement, “The Federal Government is now fully in control of the city of Mekelle”.

There was no immediate comment from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) forces, who have been fighting Ethiopian troops for the past three weeks in a conflict that has sent shockwaves through the Horn of Africa.

Abiy said Police were searching for the TPLF leaders. It was not clear if any of

them had surrendered.

Authorities had said earlier that Government forces were in the final stages of an offensive in the region and would take care to protect civilians in Mekelle, a city of 500,000 people.

Abiy said the army had secured the release of thousands of troops from the Northern Command, a military unit based in Tigray, who he said had been held hostage by the TPLF. Federal troops had taken control of “the airport, public institutions, the regional administration office and other critical facilities,” Abiy said.

The Government had given the TPLF an ultimatum that expired on Wednesday to lay down arms or face an assault on the city.

Thousands of people are believed to have died during the fighting this month, and some 43,000 refugees have fled to neighbouring Sudan.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Deadly flooding hits Sardinia after heavy rains

A

t least three people have been killed on the Italian island of Sardinia after flooding caused by heavy rains.

Dramatic footage posted on social media showed rivers of mud flowing through the town of Bitti in Nuoro province.

Italian media say the three who have died there include an older man who

drowned at home and a man killed in his vehicle.

Strong winds and rain have battered the island since Friday, cutting off power and forcing some people to evacuate.

Andrea Soddu, Mayor of the province's main town of Nuoro, warned of "particularly heavy" rainfall in the area and asked citizens to exercise "maxi-

mum caution" in a post on Facebook.

One reporter from local newspaper La Nuova Sardegna posted footage of the flooding in Bitti.

There are also fears of flooding in the nearby towns of Torpè and Galtellì with further rains expected on Saturday.

Emergency services have moved some 150 res-

idents of Galtellì to municipal facilities, Mayor Giovanni Santo Porcu told ANSA news agency.

"We are monitoring the situation but first of all we are trying to protect public safety," he reportedly said.

In 2013, heavy flooding caused by Cyclone Cleopatra killed at least 18 people in Sardinia.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

36

guyanatimesgy.com

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Keep your ego in check and your mind on what you are trying to accomplish.

Concentrate on doing your best to make a difference.

Turn your attention to activities that will lift your spirits.

TAURUS A change of heart will (April 20- lead you in a better direcMay 20) tion. Consider what you want to do, and get started. Don’t let uncertainty hold you back.

Romance is on the rise.

Pay attention to what’s GEMINI going on around you. You (MAY 28may have to intervene if June 20) someone is misrepresenting a situation that involves you.

Do your part and carry on.

Size up what you can acCANCER (June 21- complish, and get started.

July 22) Worrying about what others do will hold you back. Put your best foot forward, and do what you can to live up to your own expectations.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Dilbert LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Peanuts

Join the front line of a cause you believe in. Fight for your rights and for those less fortunate or unable to fend for themselves.

Find a new way to reach out to people. An unexpected offer will encourage you to start something new.

Romance is favored. How you treat people will affect your productivity.

Take your anger and replace it with compassion and understanding. Sitting on the fence will not help you make a decision, but research and open discussions will.

Discuss personal plans with a loved one. Be open to suggestions and willing to compromise. An unexpected offer will encourage you to leave the past behind and embark on something new and exciting.

SAGITTARIUS A change at home will lift (Nov. 23your spirits. Making your space more manageable will Dec. 21) ease stress and encourage you to get more involved in projects that will make your life better.

Speak up about your feelCAPRICORN ings, intentions and plans.

(Dec. 22Share your emotions and Jan. 19) explore proposals that will bring you closer to a loved one. A domestic adjustment will improve your life.

Calvin and Hobbes

Check off what’s on your AQUARIUS to-do list and put your responsibilities behind you (Jan. 20early in the day. Enjoy Feb. 19) downtime with someone who brings out the best in you. Make fitness and good health your priorities.

PISCES Pay close attention to (Feb. 20- how you spend your money.

Mar. 20) A joint venture looks promising, as long as you share the expenses equally. An unexpected gift is heading your way.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020

37

Hamilton on pole in Bahrain Grand Prix W

orld champion Lewis Hamilton took his 10th pole position of the season at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Hamilton, who clinched a seventh title in Turkey two weeks ago, was a comfortable 0.289 seconds clear of Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who looked a threat to Mercedes through practice, fell back to his customary third. Team-mate Alexander Albon recovered from a heavy crash on Friday to take fourth; but the British-Thai driver was 0.6secs behind the Dutchman, and less than 0.1secs ahead of Racing Point's Sergio Perez.

Renault's Daniel Ricciardo and Esteban Ocon were sixth and seventh, separated by just 0.002secs, ahead of Alpha Tauri's Pierre Gasly and McLaren's Lando Norris.

Despite becoming, in Istanbul, the most successful driver in history, having equalled Michael Schumacher's record of titles and already surpassing his win tally, Hamilton is showing no sign of relaxing. In fact, he said he wanted to continue his run of form and

end the season on a high.

"I didn't celebrate too much," he said. "I was training and making sure I was ready for this, and keeping my eye on the ball.

With the pressure a little bit off, it's a bit of a release to go and drive like I just did," he said.

Hamilton was fastest on both runs in the final qualifying, but did not get the best out of his first lap, which was slower than he had managed on harder 'medium' tyres in second qualifying. That put him 0.146secs ahead of Verstappen, with Bottas third.

Hamilton said there was "plenty of room for improvement", and he went out and proved it. Although all three improved on their second runs, Hamilton moved further clear, with Bottas slipping in front of Verstappen for the customary front of the grid in 2020.

It was the 98th pole of Hamilton's career, and he can reach a century if he does the same at the final two races of the year, a remarkable achievement.

Bottas said: "It felt good. That's the problem, when it feels good and it feels like you

Hamilton said he "continues to be amazed" by his Mercedes team, after picking up his 98th career pole

are extracting the best from the car and the lap time is not there."

Verstappen described his lap as "quite decent", adding: "I just lacked a bit of rear grip."

The battle for third/fourth

While the top of the championship is settled, there is an epic scrap for third in the constructors' championship between Racing Point, McLaren, Renault and Ferrari, and for fourth in the drivers' chase between Perez,

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Ricciardo.

Perez gave himself and his team a boost with a strong performance, while Leclerc is stuck down in 12th place on an uncompetitive weekend for Ferrari.

Leclerc was beaten in qualifying by teammate Sebastian Vettel, who was 0.016secs ahead in 11th place for only the fourth time this season.

McLaren's Carlos Sainz was 15th, after a rear brake failure sent him into a spin at the start of second qualifying. (BBC Sport)

Sydney Thunder thrash GFF President Melbourne Stars by seven expresses condolences wickets to win WBBL title at Maradona’s death

Sydney Thunder won the inaugural WBBL title in 2015-16, but had since not reached the final

S GFF President Wayne Forde and Diego Maradona

G

uyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde on Saturday wrote to the President of the Argentina Football Association, Claudio Tapia, expressing his condolences on the passing of football legend Diego Maradona.

In his missive, Forde wrote, “On behalf of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and our passionate football community, I am moved to write to you to express my sincerest condolences following the shock news that the beautiful game has lost one of its greatest artists - Diego Maradona.

“As the global football community mourns togeth-

er, we stand in solidarity with our Argentinian brothers and sisters to remember the life of a true legend of football - a mercurial genius who touched so many lives with his supernatural talent and unforgettable style.

“I was fortunate enough to meet Diego during the 2017 FIFA Congress. His warmth and compassion stood out, along with his strong love for the game and football family. It was a personal highlight for me, as a lifelong football fan and a person who continues to play even during my tenure as the GFF President.

“In Diego’s presence, everyone is an adoring fan.

Watching Diego grace the

field inspired generations of players and fans. He towered above the game of football; his legacy will live on. All those moments of magic will never be forgotten.

“Maradona was most famously known for leading Argentina to a FIFA World Cup win in 1986 in Mexico, where he netted his renowned ‘Hand of God’ and “Goal of the Century’.

“While football has sadly lost one of its greatest sons this week, we know that his exploits will continue to inspire us even if he will never be replaced or surpassed.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the Argentine people."

ydney Thunder crushed a poor Melbourne Stars by seven wickets to win the Women's Big Bash League title.

The Stars elected to bat first, but against a superb Thunder bowling performance, crumbled to 86-9, the lowest ever total in a WBBL final.

England captain Heather Knight (26 not out) hit a six to secure victory, as she and Rachael Haynes (21 not out) eased their side to 87-3 off just 13.4 overs.

It is the Thunder's second title, having won the first WBBL in 2015-16.

"I'm so chuffed, what a performance by the bowlers," said Knight, who joined a largely young Thunder squad from Hobart Hurricanes this season. "I've really enjoyed the move, the team has been awesome, and it's amazing to be a part of the start of their journey."

The entire WBBL season was played in Sydney because of COVID-19 restrictions, with around 1,600 socially-distanced fans watching the final at the North Sydney Oval.

Knight brings calm in the chase Knight has proved to be a brilliant signing for a Thunder side that struggled last season. She finished the tournament with 446 runs, the most by a Thunder player in a single WBBL campaign.

Though the Stars never truly threatened to defend such a low total, Katherine Brunt removed England team-mate Tammy Beaumont for 16, before Rachel Trenaman (23) and SammyJo Johnson (one) fell in quick succession.

But Knight used her experience to calmly

accumulate alongside Thunder captain Haynes, to make the result all but safe before both freed their arms to win the title with 38 balls to spare.

Knight saved the best for last with a towering six down the ground to wrap up a dominant win.

"There was so much belief, so much positivity in our team, I'm just so happy," said Haynes.

Dismal Stars fail to shine Melbourne Stars finished top of the group table and dominated Perth Scorchers in their semi-final, but their batting line-up failed to adjust to the pitch, after captain Meg Lanning opted to set a total.

South Africa pace bowler Shabnim Ismail (212) was magnificent, removing Elyse Villani for one and taking the key wicket of Lanning (13) after the Australia captain had been dropped on zero by Beaumont.

Ismail was backed up superbly by SammyJo Johnson (2-11), who trapped South Africa batter Mignon du Preez lbw for just four, before England's Nat Sciver chipped to cover for 11.

Alanna King then fell to Knight for a duck, to leave the Stars reeling on 37-5; and, despite 20 from Annabel Sutherland and Brunt's 22 not out, they could not surpass the previous lowest total of 99 in a WBBL final by the Scorchers in 2017-18.

Remarkably, the Thunder's victory could have been even more dominant had they not spilled three easy chances, though Haynes made amends for her drop by taking four catches overall. (BBC Sport)

38

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020

6 teams book final spots in respective categories of PM T20 Cup

Regal defeated Spartans with some ease

By Timothy Jaikarran

A

ll intense action and fun in the sun came a bit closer to the grand finale as Regal Legends, Regal, Savage Legends, Wellman Masters, Fisherman Masters and Speedboat teams each booked a spot in their respective categories in the final round of play in the Prime Minister’s T20 Cup competition.

Their semifinal fixtures took place at different venues across Guyana, and the results are as follows:

O-50 CATEGORY

Thomas flexes his muscles

At the Everest Cricket Club, Regal Legends battled

Randolph Pierria scored a classy 56

President’s XI in a one-sided affair that saw Regal easily overcome their counterparts.

This was made possible

by Eric Thomas who, being in superb form, scored a brilliant 111 that enabled Regal, batting first, to post 218-4. The first three batsmen fell with scores of 11, 01 and 29; but when Thomas came to the crease, all hell broke loose. His 111 included 11 maximums and 7 boundaries.

When Thomas lost his wicket, Jagdesh Bojh produced a quickfire 39 to help Regal post a mammoth total.

Mikey Ifill bagged 2-34 for the President’s XI. When the President’s XI came to the crease, Mohamed Rafeek was the only one able

to find the ropes, as he contributed 54. Wickets tumbled at regular intervals, but Dennis Mangu contributed 42. However, like Rafeek, he received no support from his team, which folded for 166.

Fazleen Mohamed picked up 3 wickets, while Larry Singh and David Harper were each able to bag 2 wickets for the Regal.

Pierria guides Savage home

With the Savage team batted first in the second match at the Everest Cricket Club, Randolph Pierria, in continuing his fine form, produced a classy 56 that included 8 boundaries and 2 maximums. Nadir Baksh and Seemangal Yadram also contributed scores of 29 and 27

runs respectively, enabling Savage to end on 168-7.

Carl Scorce was able to pick up 2 wickets for his team, Parika Defenders, who in reply ended on 129 all out. This moment of victory was well savoured by Savage Legends, who celebrated their spot in the grand finale.

O-45 CATEGORY

The low-scoring thrillers

HS Masters folded for a meagre 73 in their low-scoring match again the Fisherman team, played at the Ogle Cricket Club, ECD. V. Bissoon top-scored with 27 in a losing effort, even as the Fisherman team’s bowlers wreaked havoc on their opponents, with P. Singh returning figures of 3-8, S.

Holder takes 2 as Windies restrict New Zealand A W

est Indies fast bowler Chemar Holder claimed two quick wickets to lead the team’s incursions into the New Zealand A batting line-up as the hosts made it to 249/4 at stumps on day three of the tour match in Queenstown.

The reply, anchored by Will Young’s unbeaten 80 from 161 balls, left the Kiwis still some 322 runs short of the Windies’ mammoth first innings total of 571.

Chemar Holder

SCOREBOARD WI- 571 NZ-A 249/4 (87 ov) Day 3: NZ A trail by 322 runs. CRR: 2.86 NEW ZEALAND A 1ST INNINGS HR Cooper lbw b CK Holder 54 R Ravindra lbw b Cornwall 52 WA Young not out 80 JF Carter c †Dowrich b CK Holder 1 KJ McClure lbw b JO Holder 20 CE McConchie (c) not out 25 Extras (b 2, lb 5, nb 10)

17

TOTAL (87 Ov, RR: 2.86)

249/4

Yet to bat: D Cleaver †, SM Solia, BV Sears, BM Tickner, MD Rae Fall of wickets: 1-100 (Rachin Ravindra, 35.3 ov), 2-130 (Henry Cooper, 45.4 ov), 3-137 (Joe Carter, 47.6 ov), 4-186 (Ken McClure, 66.4 ov) BOWLING AS Joseph CK Holder JO Holder RRS Cornwall KC Brathwaite RA Reifer J Blackwood

13-3-36-0 15-1-51-2 14-3-29-1 15-3-34-1 11-0-29-0 10-1-33-0 9-0-30-0

New Zealand resumed day 3 at 45 without loss, and pushed on to 100 before spinner Rahkeem Cornwall got the breakthrough with the lbw dismissal of Rachin Ravindra.

Ten overs later, his opening partner Henry Cooper also departed the scene, trapped lbw off the bowling of Holder. He left the crease having tallied a patient 54 in close to 200 minutes.

Joe Carter was next to bat, but did not last long. He faced only eight deliveries, making one run before being caught behind by Shane Dowrich off Holder.

West Indies captain Jason Holder then got in on the act with a delivery that caught Ken McClure lbw just before tea. McClure made 20 runs and faced 53 deliveries. New Zealand A captain Cole McConchie, however, partnered with Young to steady the ship before bad light ended the day’s play.

Speedboat celebrate their win

Mohabir taking 3-2, and Z. Hassan reaping 2-23.

In reply, Fisherman raced to 79-2, with R Fraser leading the charge with 53.

Another low-scoring affair at the Ogle Cricket Club saw Success Masters scoring a mere 85-8 against the Mike’s Wellman team, their batsmen finding difficulty in playing the Wellman bowlers.

No batsman on the Success team could surpass 20 runs, as Lester Thom, Greig De Franca, I. Mohamed and S Perch each bagged 2 wickets.

Mikes Wellman then made light work of the total, ending on 87-4 in 9.4 overs.

Greig De Franca top-scored with 51, while Azeemul Haniff supported with 26.

OPEN CATEGORY

Persaud, Gittens steal the show

Spartans Allstars had an impressive journey throughout the tournament, and even in their semifinal matchup, they posted an impressive 185 runs in their allotted 20 overs.

Everyone contributed to this total with small cameos, but the most notable performances came from Keyon Sinclair and Devindra Ramotar, each with 30. Roy Persaud took 4-33 and Delroy Perreira took 3-38.

Regal won this match by six wickets, thanks to the impressive scoring of Chien Gittens, who remained un-

beaten on 61 as he took the game out of the hands of his opponents, who required 24 off 18.

Speedboat reign supreme, Heartbreak for Ariel

This match was definitely the crowning glory of the semifinals. It had demonstrations of heart and guts, and offerings of thrill and emotion. Speedboat posted 2536 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to Lennox Marks’s 48, Greg Singh’s 84 and Safraz Esau’s 56.

This mammoth total appeared unattainable, but Ariel came dangerously close to overcoming it. The heroics of Quintin Sampson (85) could not win it for his team though, as everything came down to the last over with 26 needed.

K. Smith was able to hold his nerve and allow only 5 runs off his final over, picking up 2 wickets in the process. A noteworthy performance also came from Brian Mangal, with 74.

All final matches will be played at the Everest Cricket Club. In the O-50 category, Regal Legends would duke it out with Savage Legends. In the O-45 category, Wellman Masters would take on Fisherman Masters. All matches would commence at 09:30 hrs.

The finals of the OPEN CATEGORY will commence at 13:30 hrs with Regal battling it out with Speedboat.

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020

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“Gives us opportunities we’ve never had before”— Sanasie describes LBI

By Jemima Holmes

T

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is steadily working to transform the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Community Centre Ground into a state-of-the-art cricket facility, fit for regional and international excitement.

Already, the facility on the East Coast of Demerara is unrecognizable as the GCB have completed several phases of their plan, since acquiring the lease of January 2018.

Since then, several aspects of the old community center has been rebuilt or expanded and only recently, the inclusion of lights has brightened the circle.

In giving an exclusive update to the Guyana Times Sport, GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie boasted about the improvements of the ground, which should remain unbothered even if rains rears it’s head on a game day.

“Surely, given all the rain we’ve been having right now, on any given day, 15 minutes after the rain, you could be having a cricket match, once you cover the middle.

Yes, having a second venue that can drain as well as the National Stadium, gives us opportunities that we never had before,” Sanasie stated.

A look at the spanking new lights at LBI (Brandon Corlette Photo)

The long time GCB Secretary revealed the organization’s big hopes for the venue, which has been home to training for several national players over the past few weeks.

“When we finish at LBI which I hope is soon, we can at least host Regional Tournaments at two venues. LBI is not going to be up there for international cricket for some time but being owned and regu-

lated by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) we can house a lot of training. We already have hostel facility and indoor, outdoor practice facility,” he explained.

Furthermore, the next steps for the enhancement of the facility was detailed to this publication.

Sanasie shared, “So, in the second phase, we have finished the playing area and the lights would soon all be up. Two are already up and within a week, everything should be up there and the lights will be up and running. In the next phase we’re looking to build the media facility and the from there build a new international standard players’ facility.”

In spite of its bright and shiny appearance, there are constraints that may lengthen the GCB’s plan to complete the facility. Yet, Sanasie remained optimistic that the availability of resources will not hinder the venue’s progression.

“Yes, it’s been up and coming but given the availability of resources, that will depend on how long we will have to get it done,” the GCB Secretary said.

When asked if the GCB feels a relief at having another such high-quality venue, Sanasie answered in the affirmative, stating, “Yes, if you have ten facilities, it’s better than having one.”

Berbice leg of Time Trials shifted to December 13

L

ocal cyclists will have to wait a bit longer for that planned second leg of the Time Trial Series in Berbice, which has been shifted to December 13 owing to unforeseen circumstances.

The race was originally carded for this weekend, November 29, and the shift in date means it would now become the final leg of the three-time trial series, as the December 6 race in Linden will go ahead as planned.

Racing Secretary of the Guyana Cycling Federation, Malcolm Sonaram, said the route for the Berbice race remains the same.

The race will start at 09:00h in front of Benjamin’s Sport and Fitness Centre at Fyrish, proceed along the Number 19 road, and end at GUYOIL gas station at Palmyra.

The contact person for this leg is Randolph Roberts (628-8211).

The race in Linden will also start at 09:00h at Amelia’s Ward (KD&J Supermarket) and proceed to Moblissa Hill and back. The contact person is Jeffrey Yearwood (688-2995).

The first leg was held on Sunday last from Sparendaam to the Kitty Roundabout and back to the COVID-19 Hospital at Liliendaal. The experienced Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams (11:18.39s) was the fastest to complete the course, followed by Jamaul John (11:26.04s) and Briton John (11:38.70s).

Thirty-three riders participated in the event.

The Federation was granted permission by the relevant authorities to host the races. During the opening leg, all cyclists were required to undergo a temperature test and wear a face mask, made available. Social distancing was also obsered.

The Berbice leg will pedal off on December 13, after the Linden leg on December 6

CWI names A team to play New Zealand A N

Brandon King

icholas Pooran, who has expressed his interest in playing the longer format of the game, will get his opportunity to prove himself in New Zealand, following the end of their T20I series.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) today announced the West Indies A squad to play a two-match series against New Zealand A Team next month.

The four-day matches will be played from December 3-6 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui and on December 11-14 at Saxton Oval in Nelson.

The 14-member squad includes the six reserve players who are in New Zealand alongside the Test squad, along with several players with international experience in white-ball cricket, who are participating in the ongoing T20 International Series.

Roger Harper, CWI Lead Selector, said: ?This series will give our players an opportunity to play first-class

cricket against foreign opposition as well as experience different conditions here in New Zealand. It will also help to keep them in the frame should the need for replacements for the Test team arise, as we will have players who have been playing red ball cricket and in form to consider.?

The A squad reads: Fabian Allen, Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua DaSilva, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Preston McSween, Shayne Moseley, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Raymon Reifer, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas and Hayden Walsh.

West Indies A Team Tour Schedule December 3-6: West Indies A vs New Zealand A at Bay Oval December 11-14: West Indies A vs New Zealand A at Saxton Oval, Nelson

Fabian Allen

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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2020

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CWI

The LBI Cricket Facility (Brandon Corlette Photo)

names A team to play New

“Gives us opportunities we’ve never had before” Zealand A — Sanasie describes LBI 6 teams book final spots in respective categories of PM T20 Cup Page 39

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Eric Thomas scored 111

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