Guyana Times - Thursday, January 21, 2021

Stop using physical violence to punish P9 children — Human Services Minister Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4535

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

PRICE

Guyana’s sugar to continue dutyfree, quota-free access to UK market

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Page 3

Taxi driver dies in WCB head-on P11 collision

P12 4 fined $100,000 each for racial Facebook posts during elections

President Ali congratulates US President Biden, VP Harris See story on page 7

Millions in taxpayers' money spent on buying jewellery, bed sets, other gifts for Patterson, Ferguson

Field Hospital relocated to P9 Ocean View facility …as WDRH lacks personnel capacity

Murder convict stabbed to neck at Lusignan P10 Prison

Page 7

DUI charge

…fmr Minister admits to receiving gold bands

P11

Gary Best to know fate on February 9

…DHBC GM resigns, Asphalt Plant Head transferred

No Cabinet approval, Govt files $414.3M no witnesses: Patterson’s Ministry lawsuit against contractor, sole-sourced $72M contract Caricom Insurance St Rose's High School project

Page 2

Page 10

P2 65 new COVID-19 cases recorded

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

St Rose’s High School project

Govt files $414.3M lawsuit against contractor, Caricom Insurance

T

he Attorney General’s Chambers has instituted legal proceedings against Courtney Benn Contracting Services and its insurance company, Caricom General Insurance for breach of contract in relation to rehabilitation of the St Rose’s High School in Georgetown.

According to the statement of claim released to the media on Wednesday, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC is seeking on behalf of the State a total of $414.3 million from the respondents, over the botched construction of the school.

A sum of $100 million in damages is being sought from the construction company, as well as a sum of $105.8 million payable under the performance bond issued by Caricom General Insurance.

Aggravated damages of $100 million are also being sought, while claims are also being made for $41.230 million in liquidated damages.

In the statement of claim, the AG contends that Courtney Benn Contracting

Contractor Courtney Benn

failed to execute the scope of works as agreed upon in the work schedule. It was noted that in August 2020, an assessment found that only nine per cent of all the works had been executed, after nine months had elapsed.

“The aforesaid assessment by the Project Manager also concluded of all the works executed by the firstnamed defendant was only the driving of piles and re-

construction works for the St Rose’s Secondary School was not furthered in any way,” the statement of claim says.

In November of last year, the Legal Affairs Ministry had cause to terminate a number of contracts inherited from the previous Government which had been delayed and for which the costs had become inflated.

One such contract was for the construction of a new St Rose’s High School.

The contract for this project was awarded since August of 2018. However, the contractor only managed to complete a small fraction of the works it was contracted to do.

Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited (CBCSL), the contractor that was initially awarded the over $350 million contract through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) to construct the school, was subsequently booted off the project.

It was revealed in November that Nandlall, on behalf of the Government,

The site at the St Rose’s High School

wrote to the company informing it that the contract was being terminated on the grounds that it had failed to complete the project in a timely manner and in accordance with work schedules. “…Your company has committed a fundamental breach of the terms of the contract and as a result thereof, the Government of Guyana hereby exercises its right to ter-

minate the contract with immediate effect,” Nandlall set out in his letter.

Guyana Times had meanwhile done an interview with Education Minister Priya Manickchand earlier this month, who had said the project was under review and would soon be retendered.

It was only on Tuesday that it was announced that a statement of claim was filed

against another contractor, BK International and the North American Fire and General Insurance Company (Nafico).

According to that statement of claim, Government was seeking $717.8 million in damages from the respondents for BK’s breach of contract in the construction of the Yarrowkabra Secondary School. (G3)

those who have been affected. Now that we have identified the positives and isolated them, we are now working with the community to sensitise them and we will be doing some more testing over the next couple of days,” Dr Anthony noted.

Moreover, the Health Minister said they were also monitoring Mahdia and Paramakatoi, in the PotaroSiparuni Region, which have recorded several cases.

“We have our medical team on standby and will be monitoring the developments in these communities,” he added.

Moraikobai in Region Five and New Amsterdam and Orealla-Siparuta in Region Six are also being closely monitored.

According to Minister Anthony, New Amsterdam has recorded 36 positive cases. He went on to urge Moraikobai residents to co-operate with health officials to suppress cases there.

Dr Anthony said while it was only recently that border communities were under closer supervision, a number of new cases have been recorded.

This is not unusual, he said, and the Regional Task Force in Region Six is monitoring the situation.

“We have a few cases we are monitoring, but it’s not that alarming. However, we have to take precautions, educate persons, and remind them to practise social distancing and to wear masks,” Minister Anthony said, as he continued to encourage the public to observe the gazetted precautionary measures to suppress the virus.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as of Wednesday, some 94,963,847 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 2,050,857 deaths.

Who also reported in the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 42,184,253 while the death toll has gone up to 969,089. (G8)

65 new COVID-19 cases recorded

T

he Health Ministry reported on Wednesday that 65 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in Guyana during the 24 hours prior.

According to the Ministry’s updated COVID-19 dashboard, the total number of confirmed cases in the country is now 7015 – 3592 males and 3423 females.

Of these, however, only 579 cases are active. These comprise seven patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 572 persons in isolation – 29 persons in institutional isolation and 543 in home isolation.

In addition, there are 22 persons in institutional quarantine.

The COVID-19 death toll remains at 170 with the last fatality recorded on January 10 when a 65-year-old male from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) died while receiving care at a medical facility.

On the other hand, the number of persons who have recovered from the life-threatening disease to date has gone up to 6266 – 60 more recoveries than the figure reported the previous day.

Meanwhile, Guyana has tested some 44,665 persons for the novel coronavirus thus far.

Of the 65 new cases recorded on Wednesday, one was detected in Region One (Barima-Waini); 11 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); 41 cases in Demerara-Mahaica; one case each in Regions Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); two in Region Nine (Upper Essequibo-Upper Takutu) and seven cases in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The figures in the other two regions – Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) – remained the same.

As the number of COVID-19 cases in Guyana continues to raise, health authorities are working on monitoring the situation, particularly in hinterland communities across the country.

In fact, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony during his COVID-19 update on Wednesday said medical officials are monitoring the spike in cases in Regions Five, Six

and Eight.

Additionally, he disclosed that a medical team was dispatched to Waramadong, Region Seven, after a spike in COVID-19 cases was recorded. The community has recorded 10 positive cases and according to the Minister, the medical team there will also conduct sanitisation and sensitisation exercises.

“In a lot of these communities, persons are not wearing masks so they are exposed to

NEWS

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, January 21 – 10:00h-11:30h and Friday, January 22 – 00:30h-02:00h and 10:30h-12:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, January 21 – 09:40h-11:10h and Friday, January 22 –10:55h-12:25h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine will prevail during the day. Partly cloudy skies are expected during the evening.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 10:19h and 22:52h reaching maximum heights of 2.22 metres and 2.16 metres.

Low Tide: 16:20h reaching a minimum height of 1.01 metres.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

02 06 09

10 25 26

FREE TICKET

04 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

01 11 17 22 23 LUCKY 3

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Afternoon Draw

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9

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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15 16

PAY DAY

19 SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$56.08/barrel

+0.32

Rough Rice

$237.654/ton

0.00

London Sugar

$456.00/ton

+1.06

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1872.20

$1873.20

Low/High Change

$1831.90 +0.20

$1873.70 +0.01%

Guyana’s sugar to continue dutyfree, quota-free access to UK market G

uyana will continue to enjoy the duty-free and quota-free access for its sugar to markets in the United Kingdom (UK), which has officially exited the European Union on December 31, 2020.

This was emphasised by Minister of International Trade of Great Britain, Ranil Jayawardena, during a virtual meeting with Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd on Wednesday. During the engagement, the two ministers held discussions on the Caribbean Forum-United Kingdom (CARIFORUMUK) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the new UK policy for sugar.

Guyana signed the CARIFOURM-UK EPA and a Memorandum of Understanding provisionally applying the Agreement on March 22, 2019. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation thereafter took steps to ratify the Agreement by the December 31, 2020 deadline.

A Ministerial Order was also issued from the Office of the Minister of Finance to modify the Customs Act so that internal adjustments could be made to Guyana’s tariff schedule to reflect the Agreement.

A statement from the Foreign Affairs Minister on Wednesday stated that the rollover Agreement allows for continuity in trade and preferential access previously provided under the CARIFORUM-EU EPA. As such, the Minister noted that Guyana will continue to enjoy duty-free quota-free access for sugar to the UK market, and other provisions related to goods and services’ liberalisation, investment, and development cooperation will continue to apply.

“I am happy that we were able to achieve this seamless transition following Brexit,” Minister Todd said, according to the missive.

Moreover, he conveyed his confidence in the strengthening of trade relations between Guyana and the UK. Minister Todd highlighted the importance of the local sugar industry, and noted that internal adjustments are being made to increase the efficiency of the sector.

“Sugar is vital in terms of our agricultural sector, and with the oil revenues, we plan to ensure that we can diversify and improve cost reduction and efficiency,” the Foreign Affairs Minister noted.

Effective January 1, 2021, the UK implemented a new policy on sugar. The UK Global Tariff (UKGT) replaces the EU’s Common External Tariff (CET). This new policy sets an autonomous tariff-rate quota (ATQ) of 260,000 metric tons (MT)

Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd held a virtual meeting with Minister of International Trade of Great Britain, Ranil Jayawardena (left on the computer screen) on Wednesday

of sugar entering the UK market at a 0 percent rate of duty, with an out of quota rate of £28 per 100kg of raw sugar for 12 months, effective January 1, 2021.

According to Minister Jayawardena, “the ATQ essentially seeks to advance all British producers, processors, and consumers, whilst also maintaining preferential trade with certain countries and supporting costs.”

Minister Jayawardena indicated that quota volumes will be reviewed at the end of each year, and amendments made to the policy accordingly.

Further, the British Minister emphasised that the policy is meant to support the long-term survival of the UK sugar refinery industry, which will be in the mutual interest of both UK consumers and suppliers of raw cane sugar.

Meanwhile, during the meeting, the Ministers also committed to addressing hindrances to trade, and pledged to advance invest-

ment opportunities for the benefit of the private sector of both countries.

Moving forward, technical teams from Guyana and the UK will meet to explore areas of mutual interest and possible collaboration in terms of trade.

The Foreign Minister was accompanied by Director of the Foreign Trade Department, Dr. Diana DaSilvaGlasgow, while Minister Jayawardena was joined by Deputy Head of the British High Commission, Mr. Ray Davidson; Temporary Head of the Caribbean Team, US, Canada and Caribbean

Department (USCCAD), Americas Directorate, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, His Excellency Greg Quinn; and Policy Advisor, Mr. Leon Wilson.

The UK is Guyana’s largest trading partner in Europe, and is the sixth largest trading partner overall. It accounts for 2.1% of imports, 8.8% of all exports, and is an important market for exports of sugar, rice and rum.

At the regional level, the UK is the largest trading partner for CARIFORUM. It absorbs 25% of exports from the region. (G8)

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 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

Keeping children safe from violence

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ccording to a report published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in collaboration with UNICEF, UNESCO, the Special Representative of the United Nations SecretaryGeneral on Violence against Children and the End Violence Partnership, half of the world’s children, or approximately 1 billion children, each year are affected by physical, sexual or psychological violence, suffering injuries, disabilities and death because countries have failed to follow established strategies to protect them.

The report – Global Status Report on Preventing Violence Against Children 2020 – is the first of its kind, charting progress in 155 countries against the “INSPIRE” framework, a set of seven strategies for preventing and responding to violence against children.

The report signals a clear need in all countries, including Guyana, to scale up efforts to implement these strategies. While 88% of the countries surveyed have key laws in place to protect children against violence, less than half of countries (47%) said these were being strongly enforced. It is therefore clear that having the policy framework in place is not enough, there is a serious challenge as it relates to implementation.

The data for the report was compiled through a survey administered between 2018 and 2019, with responses from over 1000 decision-makers from 155 countries. The INSPIRE strategies launched in 2016 call for the implementation and enforcement of laws; changing norms and values to make violence unacceptable; creating safe physical environments for children; providing support to parent and caregivers; strengthening income and economic security and stability; improving response and support services for victims; and providing children with education and life skills.

The report also includes the first ever global homicide estimates specifically for children under 18 years of age – previous estimates were based on data that included 18-to-19-year-olds. It finds that, in 2017, around 40,000 children were victims of homicide.

Of the INSPIRE strategies, only access to schools through enrollment showed the most progress, with 54% of countries reporting that a sufficient number of children in need were being reached in this way. Between 32% to 37% of countries considered that victims of violence could access support services, while 26% of countries provided programmes on parent and caregiver support; 21% of countries had programmes to change harmful norms; and 15% of countries had modifications to provide safe physical environments for children.

Although a majority of countries (83%) have national data on violence against children, only 21% used these to set baselines and national targets to prevent and respond to violence against children.

According to the report’s findings, about 80% of countries have national plans of action and policies but only one-fifth have plans that are fully funded or have measurable targets. A lack of funding combined with inadequate professional capacity are likely contributing factors and a reason why implementation has been slow.

The report also noted that stay-at-home measures including school closures have limited the usual sources of support for families and individuals such as friends, extended family or professionals. This further erodes victims’ ability to successfully cope with crises and the new routines of daily life. Spikes in calls to helplines for child abuse and intimate partner violence have been observed.

And while online communities have become central to maintain many children’s learning, support and play, an increase in harmful online behaviours including cyberbullying, risky online behaviour and sexual exploitation have been identified.

WHO has underlined the need for global action to ensure that the necessary financial and technical support is available to all countries. It notes also that monitoring and evaluation are crucial to determine the extent to which these prevention efforts are effectively delivered to all who need them.

Dr Howard Taylor, a representatives of End Violence Partnership puts it this way: “Ending violence against children is the right thing to do, a smart investment to make, and it’s possible…We can and must create a world where every child can thrive free from violence and become a new generation of adults to experience healthy and prosperous lives.”

Like WHO and other partners, we believe that it is time to fully fund comprehensive national action plans that would keep children safe at home, at school, online, and in their communities.

President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States on the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington, US, January 20, 2021 (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)

Joe Biden can’t heal America without help from the rest of the world

By Gordon Brown, former UK Prime Minister

O

n the campaign trail, Joe Biden quoted the following words of his favourite poet, Seamus Heaney: “Hope for a great sea change / on the far side of revenge.”

As the US President-elect finally took the oath of office in Washington DC, the rest of the world desperately needs him to effect a sea change. If his first task is to reunite a divided America, his second is to end American isolationism: to show Americans that they need the world, and show the world that we still need America.

Given the intertwined triple threats of the pandemic, economic collapse, and climate catastrophe, his presidency will be defined not by the previous benchmarks of 100 days, but rather by its first 10 or 20 days. The Trump impeachment trial notwithstanding, day one will see Biden delivering on his plans to roll out mass vaccination and to reboot the ailing US economy by forcing the biggest fiscal stimulus in history through Congress.

Given that body’s new political makeup and Biden’s own inclinations, his multitrillion-dollar plan will be greener than anything ever contemplated

by US lawmakers.

But Biden must then go global. His presidency will be forged or broken on the anvil of those existential crises, and the internationalist in him knows that not one of these three domestic objectives – a virus-free, an economically resilient and a pollution-free US – can be fully realised without multilateral cooperation. Yet this is something that economic nationalists in both the US’s main political parties have not just rejected but scorned.

Once, in the unipolar world immediately after the Cold War, the US acted multilaterally (think of the glob-

al coalition that ousted Iraq from Kuwait 30 years ago).

Recently, in a multipolar world, it has been acting unilaterally. Breaking with the aggressive populist nationalism of the Trump years will not be easy.

So we should not expect a rerun of the lofty “go anywhere, pay any price” internationalism of the past. This thinking was once so dominant that John F Kennedy’s inaugural address in 1961 made scarcely any mention of domestic concerns. Nor should we expect any attempt by Biden to repeat Bill Clinton’s global Third Way of the 1990s – an over-triumphalist attempt, at a time of undisputed American hegemony, to lock every country into an updated “Washington consensus”.

Now, in a world where there are many competing centres of power, and two and a half centuries after its Declaration of Independence, the United States needs a more modest “declaration of interdependence”.

And the Biden I came to know from working with him during the global financial crisis will not only be the most Atlanticist of recent presidents, but will make the most of his reputation as the great conciliator.

The President-elect knows that immunising the US will not be enough to protect its citizens as long as poor countries cannot afford vaccinations and the virus continues to mutate and potentially reinfect those previously immunised. The US and Europe should lead a consortium of G20 countries to cover the estimated US$30 billion shortfall in funds needed to vaccinate the entire world.

This is a bargain compared with the trillions in economic activity that will be lost if the pandemic rages on or, once contained, returns.

Even before COVID, the US, like all advanced economies, was facing a high-unem-

ployment low-growth decade, and no major economy – or developing-world nation – will fully recover the reduced output and lost jobs of 2020 unless and until there is a synchronised global plan that lifts growth.

In today’s low-inflation and low-interest-rate environment, there is a global surplus of savings waiting to be invested, and public investment that boosts productivity will pay for itself by creating a virtuous circle of consumer demand, growth and rising tax revenues. I know from my experience during the global financial crisis that if the US, Europe and Asia agree to coordinate their fiscal stimuli, the multiplier effect – the spillover from increased trade and consumption – will be twice as effective in delivering growth as if each bloc acts on its own.

The dividend from heightened cooperation could be upwards of 20 million much-needed jobs – and that boost could be even bigger if President Biden overturned President Trump’s objections to emergency aid for Africa and the developing world. What could become a 21st-century Marshall plan could include debt relief; the creation of US$1.2 trillion of new international money through what are called special drawing rights; and matching funds for health, education and poverty reduction from the IMF and World Bank.

Biden, who has rejoined the Paris climate accords, should also announce that he will attend this December’s COP26 climate conference in Glasgow. He has already said that the 2020s may be our last chance to avoid catastrophic global warming. His domestic energy initiatives will be welcome, but not enough. The transition to a net-zero carbon economy is the greatest international endeavour of our times, and the US and Europe must now lead, persuading all countries, rich and poor, to im-

plement a global green new deal and agree carbon reduction targets for 2030.

Trump’s abject failures and his legacy, a more insecure world, present Biden with another historic opportunity. The Joe Biden I know will signal his determination to stand up to Chinese illiberalism and Russian opportunism.

He will act quickly to secure a revamped Iranian treaty that not only constrains Tehran’s nuclear ambitions but also tackles its sponsorship of terrorism.

But underpinning these immediate imperatives is a profound generational challenge. Since the 1980s, when Biden went to Moscow to help Ronald Reagan secure his nuclear weapons reductions deal with President Gorbachev, he has been in the forefront of demands for nuclear disarmament.

I believe Biden could be the first President of the nuclear age to declare and deliver a “no first use” policy on nuclear weapons. By also negotiating global bans on both nuclear testing and the enrichment of uranium, his presidency could usher in a decade of disarmament. These historic steps would pave the way for the renunciation by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Turkey of any nuclear aspirations, the further isolation of North Korea, and the downgrading of the role of nuclear weapons on the road to their eventual elimination.

Not since Franklin Roosevelt, nearly 90 years ago, has a US president come to office amid so many pressing crises and so loud a clamour for change. FDR’s words on his inaugural day, a powerful call to “action and action now”, apply with equal force to these perilous days. And President Biden knows it. His task is no less than, as Seamus Heaney put it, to “make hope and history rhyme”. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

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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

Patterson should resign now as Chair of Public Accounts Committee!

Dear Editor, Recent revelations of “jewelrygate” show what the PNC (APNU/AFC) meant by having the good life. They were having a grand time having fun with taxpayers’ money running in to hundreds of thousands of dollars. A few were having the “good life” – not the masses of working poor living hand to mouth and living from paycheck to paycheck, trying to make ends meet on their minimum wages. A disabled person on Public Assistance gets about $7,000 per month (and sometimes they try to take that away), while Ministers get birthday gifts worth hundreds of thou-

sands of dollars.

Using public funds for extravagant gifts for Ministers and senior officials of agencies seems fraudulent, immoral and a violation of government rules. If this is a violation of rules, I call on the government to fire, discipline, or charge every person in every agency involved in these scams, who signed on the documents ordering and approving those transactions. This new administration should move hastily to impose the required sanctions, including terminations, on every accounting and approving officer who conspired to push through the paperwork.

Bishop Edghill should be commended for exposing this corruption.

There seems to be an abundance of evidence that Mr. Patterson may have received these expensive gifts from several agencies under his portfolio. He should do the decent thing and resign immediately, or be removed by those authorized to remove him.

Giving away oil blocks, public lands, public assets, is as iniquitous as a Minister’s assistant initiating paper work to secure expensive gifts for the bosses. As I said in my recent article, “Don’t Steal, the Government Hates Competition,” Guyana is

a rich country, but we are poor because of this type of ongoing stealing of national resources.

Here are some Guyanese viewpoints on Internet sites: “Patterson stated that ‘the practice of giving memorabilia and other gifts to Ministers is not new, and Ministers from both sides of the political divide have been presented with gifts and other memorabilia on numerous special occasions.’ Giving by whom and for what purpose? It is vital that one recognizes what is deemed ‘giving of gifts’; one must note the contents AND context. Giving a gift of a hand-made bas-

The perception worsens Squatters destroying our peaceful community

Dear Editor, The recent article on the status of the investigation of the murder of young Haresh Singh raises much concern. The lack of a status update to the family and perceived lack of continued work to solve the murder is a situation that we cannot permit to continue.

We have seen the violence around the murders in the African-Guyanese community and the open attacks on the IndianGuyanese community as a result of increasing hate and ongoing political controversy. The Police and the current administration must ensure that we do not risk the resumption of violence due to the perceived neglect by the Police.

They already suffer from the perception of being racist against the IndianGuyanese community and biased towards supporting

the African-Guyanese community. For this reason, CRG is calling upon the national security apparatus to ensure that swift justice is pursued and achieved in this unfortunate hate crime, that has stained our nation. It is becoming very clear how divided our society is at this stage of its development.

The leaders of the Opposition, who called for justice for the murders in the African-Guyanese community, should also be calling for the same level of justice for the Indian Guyanese community. The Guyana Police Force must move quickly to correctly solve these murders before the level of hate in our society becomes uncontrollable and unfixable.

With increasing concern, Jamil Changlee

I

f we invite some great person, such as a saint or a learned person to our house, some preparations will have to be made at home, to make it presentable. We have to clean the house and the surroundings before the guest comes. A house which is not clean lacks sacredness and great people would not go to such places. In the same way, if we invited a minister or governor to our village, we would clean the road and decorate the path and keep everything fit and proper for receiving the eminent visitor. If we take so much care and precaution when we invite a person who has only a temporary position, how much more clean should we keep our heart when we invite the very Creator and Protector of the world Himself to enter! Krishna said: “Arjuna, you are taking Me as the charioteer of your chariot.

Take Me as the charioteer of your life. The seat on which I am seated in this chariot is very clean and well decorated. Think how clean and how grand your heart should be to make it a seat for Me if I become the charioteer of your heart.” (Divine Discourse, Sep 12, 1984)

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation

Dear Editor, Residents living at Good Hope Phase three on the East Coast of Demerara are calling on the relevant authorities to investigate and remove squatters who are taking up illegal residency on Government reserves and private properties.

These squatters are involved in all sorts of illegal activities, which is affecting law-abiding citizens daily,

some of these activities include illegal GPL and GWI connectivity, selling of marijuana, and planting of same.

Added to this, they are dumping and burning garbage on the roadways, blasting of offensive music day and night.

Editor, these squatters have been destroying our peaceful community.

Sincerely, Name provided

ket from a community is different from having a HALF MILLION DOLLAR WRIST BAND that is given by the Board with whom the protagonist is associated (Devanand Bhagwan).

“It is a conflict of interest to take such (humongous) gifts. It is outrageous by any standard - especially in the context of a poor country where most of the people have difficulty coping from day to day.”

“The blame game goes back and forth, a never-ending cycle, let’s say the now Govt. loses the next election, they too will also be blamed for the monies they fill their pockets with and you know what? They really really fill their pockets till there’s no more space to put it, in the meantime the Guyanese people are the real sufferers here, the supporters of the Govt. whoev-

er is in power supports the filling of the pockets so.. whatever (Tiger).

“Whether it is $500,000 in gifts of gold pieces or $3B in fake road projects, all must be investigated and the guilty made to reimburse the government. Even if the stolen money is being worn on somebody’s wrist or around their neck or invested in FLORIDA or in a palatial ranch on the sea coast. This idea of the the Big Devil stealing billions trying Little Devils for stealing thousands may make for political comedy but not when it involves the devils stealing from the people (Emile Mervin). Mr. Patterson must do the decent thing and resign now from the Public Accounts Committee.

Sincerely, Dr Jerry Jailall

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

Foundation ◄

Page

Module test 3

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

trip, how much water and trail mix and many sandwiches should Kim bring for class?

Complete the following test items 1) Calculate

25 ÷ 0.25

0.36 ÷ 0.6

16.4 ÷ 2.5

4) Last week, Jai spent 3.5 hours repairing his bike over a period of 4.5 days. How many hours a day, on average, did Jai spend working on his bike?

2) Calculate the following: 22/31 ÷ 7, 36 ÷ 8/15 , 18/36 ÷ 3/15 3) Kim is in charge of providing bottled water and snacks for her class field trip. Each student will be carrying 0.56 litre of water and 1 sandwich and 0.1 pound of trail mix during the trip. If there are 35 students on the

5) Wendy is making chocolate chip cookies. Each batch requires 3 1/3 cups of sugar and 1/3 of a bag of chocolate chips. If Wendy makes 5 batches of cookies, how many cups of sugar and bags of chocolate chips will she use?

Wednesday’s answers Which of the following triangles is obtuse? ___B_______ Right-angled? ___C_______ acute? ___A_______ 4 + (8 – 3)3 + 5(3 + 2) – 5 (5) = 19

Which of the following angles is 3,356,725.0094 written in scientific obtuse? The angle measuring 135 degrees notation = 3.3567250094 x 106 Right? The angle measuring 90 degrees acute? The angle measuring 62 degrees Manny spent US$15.3 on his collection. US$15.3 = G$3182.4

What you need:

2 pieces of card stock 18×24 sheet of paper (tag board is fine!)

Brush and cup of water Water soluble markers Glue Scissors Glue gun

What you do:

Look at the four orders: Doric, Ionic Corinthian and Composite.

Fold the 8×10 sheet of paper in half and then in half again creating 4 squares.

Recreate each order in each square.

Display papers.

Choose an order you would like to recreate on the larger sheet of paper.

Create the order in pencil and trace in a water-soluble marker.

Paint over the marker with water. (This will make the marker line spread and look antique.)

Recreate the same order again using a second sheet of paper.

Trace over with marker and paint over again.

Cut both orders out of the page with the scissors.

Fold the second drawing in half and open it up again.

Glue the folded order to the first drawing of the order.

Display on a wall for all to see! (kinderart.com)

A

n ant nimbly running about in the sunshine in search of food came across a chrysalis that was very near its time of change. The chrysalis moved its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the ant, who then saw for the first time that it was alive.

“Poor, pitiable animal!” cried the Ant disdainfully. “What a sad fate is yours! While I can run hither and thither, at my pleasure, and, if I wish, ascend the tallest tree, you lie imprisoned here in your shell, with power only to move a joint or two of your scaly tail.”

The chrysalis heard all this, but did not try to make any reply. A few days after, when the ant passed that way again, nothing but the shell remained. Wondering what had become of its contents, he felt himself suddenly shaded and fanned by the gorgeous wings of a beautiful butterfly.

“Behold in me,” said the butterfly, “your much-pitied friend! Boast now of your powers to run and climb as long as you can get me to listen.” So saying, the butterfly rose in the air, and, borne along and aloft on the summer breeze, was soon lost to the sight of the ant forever.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Millions in taxpayers’ money spent on buying jewellery, bed sets, other gifts for Patterson, Ferguson

…fmr Minister admits to receiving gold bands …DHBC GM resigns, Asphalt Plant Head transferred

bed sets, were purchased by the DHBC. According to Edghill, these were all listed as donations.

However, under the Integrity Commission Act, gifts and donations must be declared to the Integrity Commission. He questioned whether this was done, and urged the commission to investigate and take action where necessary.

Asphalt plant

R

Former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

evelations that former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson received hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Company (DHBC) might only be the tip of the iceberg.

Documents released by his successor, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, show that other agencies that fell under Patterson’s remit also vied to provide the former Minister with millions of dollars in gifts, using taxpayers’ money.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Edghill showed the media an extensive paper trail of Ministry vouchers and receipts from jewellery stores, showing that over $2.6 million worth of gifts and personal items were purchased for Patterson. And one thing these gifts have in common is that they were purchased at various times as gifts for Patterson’s birthday.

For instance, $704,292 worth of gifts were purchased for Patterson by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) in May of 2020 - in the middle of the contentious period that followed the March 2 General and Regional Elections. In another case, Edghill showed documents

Former Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson

and receipts indicating that on May 4, 2020, a further $387,000 was spent.

“Everyone will recall we had an election in March 2020, May of 2020 is when we’re in the middle of court cases and getting ready for a recount. Mr. Patterson had his birthday, and gifts were bought for Mr. Patterson,” Edghill said.

“These are the kind of gifts Mr Patterson accepted, that he said followed the rules and he thought everything was okay. At no time did he say to the agency heads, why are you bringing me these expensive gifts?

Where is the moral compass, that you will sit and preside and accept gifts of $704,000?

“In May 2018, a further $600,000 was spent by the Maritime Administration for gifts for Patterson on his birthday. This includes a sum of $300,000 was spent

by MARAD for the purchase of gift items for the former Minister on May 3, 2018.

The next day, $384,700 was also spent on gifts for the Minister.

At some point in time, it seemed as though the agency had given up on purchasing jewellery gifts for the former Minister and purchased a $516,000 gift certificate from King’s Jewelry World.

Edghill’s documents includ-

ed a receipt from King’s Jewellery to that effect.

On May 4, 2017, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) spent $117,200 in a gift from King’s Jewellery World for the Minister. The Transport and Harbours Department and Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) were also flagged for buying gifts and memorabilia for the then Minister, although in the airport’s case it was for the purchase of a $25,000 memorabilia that Edghill noted he had no problem with.

But Edghill also revealed that Patterson was collecting items purchased by agencies under his remit as far back as 2015, months after coming to office. Edghill brought with him a spreadsheet of items he said were purchased for Patterson and his then junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson.

Bed sets, iPad, laptops

According to Edghill, the two Ministers had a pair of Dell Latitude laptop computers and Apple iPads purchased for them.

Additionally, personal items like double and single mattresses, a double bunk bed, queen size mattresses and bed sets, as well as king size mattresses and

The gifts revealed at Edghill’s press conference do not include the money spent buying gold jewellery for the former Minister from the DHBC Asphalt Plant Fund – purchases he acknowledged receiving in a statement today.

In a statement released by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition- a statement devoid of any criticism of the gifting spree on taxpayers’ money - Patterson admitted to accepting some of the gifts, but insisted that the practice is nothing new.

Patterson also contended that he thought all the gifts he received were purchased by the various agencies after they got the necessary clearance to do so.

The APNU/AFC statement posited that Patterson “assumed that gifts presented to him during his incumbency were fully compliant with

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

the procurement guidelines of the giving agency.”

It was revealed over the weekend that the asphalt plant audit ordered by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government uncovered records showing that $424,700 of taxpayers’ money was spent to purchase a hand band for former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson, who is Edghill’s predecessor.

Additionally, a sum of $76,300 was spent to purchase a tie pin for the former Minister. Based on the records, the gifts were purchased for Patterson’s birthday celebration in 2017.

But Patterson is not the only public official for whom generous gifts were purchased using money from the Asphalt Fund.

The investigation into the operations of the asphalt plant had also revealed that the General Manager

of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Company, Rawlston Adams, had spent in excess of $800,000 to purchase a bracelet for himself.

According to Edghill, who held a meeting with officials from the DHBC on Wednesday to ensure a smooth transition, Adams has since resigned from his position as General Manager. Additionally, the former head of the Asphalt Plant, Troy Halley, has since been transferred to the DHBC. “There is an interim arrangement on how the bridge and plant will be managed, until the board is able to put in place the necessary mechanisms for interviews, shortlisting and appointment of a General Manager. These actions are necessary actions to ensure public confidence in a public corporation as it relates to public monies.

The investigative report on the asphalt plant has been quite damning. The remaining managers and senior people have been spoken to by me and the board, and more changes are to come,” he said.

Minister Edghill also made it clear to the media that a shakeup is imminent at the other agencies falling under his remit that facilitated this gift buying spree under the former APNU/ AFC Government. (G3)

8 NEWS Teen on bail for intent to commit robbery THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

E

ighteen-year-old Elmont Edwards, of Wisroc Housing Scheme, Wismar, Linden, was granted bail by Magistrate Wanda Fortune when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday to answer to the charge of assault with intent to commit a robbery.

The Prosecution is contending that the teen assaulted the Virtual Complainant (VC) , Slevin Hercules, a taxi driver, with intent to rob him on December 11, 2020 at

Third Phase, Amelia’s Ward, Linden. Edwards, who was represented by Attorneyat-Law Yondessa Welcome,

pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on $75,000 bail. The case will continue on February 24.

Also, at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, an elderly man, who appeared before Magistrate Fortune, charged with the offence of making use of abusive language, was granted $10,000 bail.

Sixty-four-year-old Allan Fraser, of Amelia’s Ward, is accused of using abusive language against 58-year-old Rawlette Bacchus of Phase 2, Central Amelia’s Ward. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The case was adjourned to February 4. (G13)

And the beat goes on...

G

…with the (PNC) Bling Brigade reed is a drive that only increases as it’s pandered to: the more you get, the more you crave. It’s like an addiction wherein the votaries are just as compulsive in satisfying the monkey on their back as your average street-corner junkie. Take, for instance, the slow, unfolding (nasty) drama revealing Minister David Patterson’s evident addiction for bling - the signifier of ghetto creed!

The fella was introduced to politics with the AFC as a staid, upstanding, nondescript land surveyor. Doesn’t get more banal and duller than that, as far as professions go, does it? Well, you never know! For as soon as the AFC sidled into office with the PNC - voila!! - from what we’re now learning, Patterson’s revealed himself to be as addicted to bling as any of the denizens of our inner-city ghettos! And uses the same method to obtain them - ripping off us (poor) slobs.

The nation had been shocked when they learnt that the manager of the DHB awarded himself a $900,000 gold bracelet last November for “International Men’s Day”. But it’s now clear that he must’ve been reacting to the depredations of his subject Minister, Patterson. This worthy appears to’ve carried off more loot from our treasury (in the form of bling) than Morgan the Pirate after the sacking of Portobello!

We heard about the $504,000 gold bracelet from 2017… but we now learn about $704,292 worth of purchases from Steve’s Jewellery last May - even as he was in the midst of finding “anomalies” during the vote recount. Must’ve been to reduce his tensions! Interspersed with those bling acquisitions were purchases that included perfume.

Evidently, it’s infra-dig to be sporting all that bling without the appropriate odour!

But it wasn’t just the manager of the DHB who was inspired by Patterson to dip his mind in the till for purchasing bling: his junior Minister, Annette Ferguson, did quite well for herself in the gifts department, thank you! What with offerings from the DHB, Asphalt Plant and various other debts under the control of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure. But just to show they weren’t totally ghetto in their tastes, they also had the DHB/Asphalt “donate” $6.7 million to purchase Samsung smart-phones ($406,000), Dell Laptops ($765,000) and Apple IPad Air ($427,000) for them!! The donations also covered queen size beds and other bedroom furniture.

Maybe these were for sleeping in at the office when they pulled all-nighters!

All your Eyewitness can say is that this PNC Bling Brigade was a real “nevah-see, come-fuh-see” bunch of retrogrades!

But he wonders why Patterson never patronised the jewellery business (Topaz) of his fellow AFC Exec Dominic Gaskin. …against Venezuela According to U.S. President Joe Biden’s nominee for Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, their Democratic administration will continue the policy of the departed Republicans to recognise Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaido as that country’s president. Not only that…

Blinken told members of the US Senate that Biden would seek to “more effectively target” sanctions on the country, aimed at ousting Maduro.

So much for the armchair generals of the PNC who predicted Biden would pivot away from Trump’s policies in the region!! As the Americans have consistently maintained, they’re practitioners of realist politics in international affairs.

And a cardinal principle of such politics is “there are no permanent enemies or permanent friends - only permanent interests!”

So, when the PNC counted on the Americans to close their eyes to their March rigging attempt - as they’d done with Burnham - they ignored the fact that the Cold War’s over.

The PPP satisfies the US interest of upholding democracy, so that they’re consistent in demanding democracy in Venezuela! …with elections rigging Meanwhile, over in Uganda, what could’ve been Guyana in our elections - but for the US, CariCom and the West - is playing out.

Ruling since 1986, Museveni has home-confined the Opposition Leader who claimed rigging.

But the African Union hasn’t supported the US Ambassador’s concern.

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

NEWS

9

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Field hospital relocated to Ocean View facility …as WDRH lacks personnel capacity

T

he mobile field hospital donated by the Qatari Government to boost Guyana’s capacity to fight the COVID-19 pandemic will be set up in the compound of the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

This was revealed

by Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony during Wednesday’s COVID-19 update. He disclosed that while the West Demerara Regional Hospital in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) was first considered to have the field hospital established there, a decision was taken to shift the location to the Ocean View facility.

According to the Health Minister, this was found to be the best option because of the availability of more personnel at the Liliendaal fa-

sonnel at Ocean View, we think it might be more appropriate to set it up in the compound of the Ocean View facility; and it will complement what we’re doing at the Ocean View facility, cause we’ve already built in some diagnostic infrastructure and some other things that can complement this hospital,” Dr Anthony explained.

He clarified that there are “quite a lot” of staff at the Ocean View Hospital, ranging from doctors to nurses to pharmacists, as well as physiotherapists and the administrators.

The field hospital, along with added amenities, arrived on a Qatar Emiri Air Force Boeing C-17 Globemaster jet at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Tuesday evening.

The donation of mobile facility is part of a commitment

The Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal

cility.

“Initially, we were thinking West Dem Hospital, because we went there and identified the space and so forth. But upon closer analysis on the amount of personnel we have there to run the facility, it would be a challenge both in terms of nursing personnel and doctors.

So what we have decided, because we already have a lot of capacity in terms of per-

made by the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to President Irfaan Ali during a telephone conversation following the latter man’s inauguration back in August 2020.

In a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday evening, President Ali said, “I thank the Emir and people of Qatar for their love and support.

Weeks after my inauguration, the Emir and I spoke,

and he promised to fly in a field hospital and accessories. Today, he delivered on that promise. Soon, we will be establishing our embassy in Qatar, and together we will accomplish lots more for the people of our two countries.”

The mobile facility came with 60 beds, 60 mattresses, 12 air-conditioners, 60 pillows, 60 blankets, eight carpets, one generator, 20 respirators, 20,000 types of small and large medical equipment, and one diesel tank.

Minister Anthony, who along with other officials was at the airport to receive the equipment, noted during Wednesday’s COVID-19 update that this new hospital and the added equipment will boost the country’s capacity to manage and treat the critically ill COVID-19 patients.

“The field hospital, as we understand, has 60 beds, and we would be able to manage patients; both critical and non-critical patients. 20 of the 60 beds would be ICU (Intensive Care Unit) beds.

It would have monitors [and] it would have ventilators so that we would be able to manage patients who have a more severe, critical form of COVID. So, with this donation alone, it would really boost our capacity to manage severely ill and critically ill patients,” Dr Anthony posited.

Guyana’s current capacity at the Ocean view Hospital, which houses the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, is approximately 25 beds. Now, with the addition of another 20 beds, the Health Minister said, the ICU care will be significantly enhanced – almost doubled.

The mobile field hospital is expected to be set up by local technical personnel in the coming days, according

The mobile field hospital, along with added equipment, arrived in Guyana on Tuesday evening

to Minister Anthony.

“The facility, we would be setting it up and, of course, we will be getting guidance and instructions from the Qatari on how to do so,” Dr Anthony stated.

While he could not give a cost for the mobile field hospital, the Health Minister did note that the relationship between Guyana and Qatar would strengthen and evolve going forward, especially in the area of health.

(G8)

Stop using physical violence to punish children — Human Services Minister

H

uman Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud is pleading with parents to use alternative methods to punish their children, instead of violent forms of discipline, “perceived as the accepted norm”.

“I am making an appeal to parents across the board to desist from using beating and other violent means to discipline their children. We have seen the escalation of such violence to a point where a child recently struggled for her life for many days,” Minister Persaud stated.

Alluding to the many studies linked to beating and other means of causing pain, the Human Services Minister explained, “The

longstanding effects are quite damaging”, with children usually exhibiting increased aggression and antisocial behaviour; sustaining physical injury, and suffering from mental health issues.

Therefore, in an effort to address and tackle this societal norm, Minister Persaud divulged, during the first quarter of 2021, the Ministry would launch an aggressive campaign, “Say No To Beating Our Children.”

Cognisant of the fact that there are aggravating factors that lead to frustrating situations, Dr Persaud stressed that “physically hurting a child should not be an option”.

“It is my fervent hope that this new campaign

will guide and sensitise parents that unconditional love, support and encouragement are key traits that children need to flourish and bloom,” the Minister is quoted as saying in a release from her office.

To amplify her message to curb the physical abuse, Dr Persaud emphatically stated: “Let us start the year by committing to not fulfilling the old adage of ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’. Instead, I appeal to you, put away the rod.

Speak to your child. Love your child. Listen to your child, and have a great relationship with your child, so we can build a safe, secure environment for all the children in Guyana.

Say no to beating your children,” she appealed.

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

No Cabinet approval, no witnesses: Patterson's Ministry sole-sourced $72M contract

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he Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Wednesday heard shocking details of the former Public Infrastructure Ministry, which was headed by David Patterson, sole-sourcing a contract to procure motion scales from a company in 2016, with no Cabinet approval, witnesses, or even date. Additionally, the contract had no National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) number.

It was revealed that the contract was signed without any witnesses, and even

worse, Cabinet approval was only granted afterwards.

The contract in question was for the purchase of three motion scales for the sum of $72.2 million.

However, only two of the scales were delivered as of 2019, despite the contractor being given a delivery period of 90 days. The contract provided for an advance payment of 50 per cent of the contract sum within thirty days of signing of the contract and the balance on delivery.

“As at 31 December 2016, the full contract sum was

the Ministry told the AG, however, the contractor had not responded in a timely manner.

PS’s inability

Former Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

paid. It was also observed that a performance bond

was not presented for audit examination. Further, at the time of the audit in September 2017, the scales have not been delivered.

There was no evidence to show that an addendum to this contract was prepared,” Auditor General Deodat Sharma had said in his 2016 report.

In the Auditor General’s briefing notes for the PAC, it was explained that as of 2019 two of the scales were on the wharf awaiting documents to clear them, while the Ministry was actively trying to engage the contractor to supply the third scale and the missing documents. According to what

It was pointed out by acting PAC Chairman Jermaine Figueira that such a contract would be null and void. He questioned how then Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry, Balraj Balram, a man with extensive experience, could have signed such a contract.

But Balram, who participated in the session virtually, could not remember how or why he signed the contract without witnesses or Cabinet approval. Balram informed the PAC that he signed a number of contracts over the years and could not remember particulars about this specific contract.

“As far as I can recollect, the Ministry took a decision to buy new equipment rather than reconditioned ones. And any payment of that amount would have to be provided by a bond. That bond is still in existence when I left there in early 2017,” Balram said.

“I honestly cannot recollect so far back, five years

ago, why witnesses did not sign the contract… I agree (that witnesses should have signed it) … with due regard, I cannot recall. I know I signed a contract, but I’ve signed several contracts in that particular year and I cannot recall signing a contract without an NPTAB number or date or witnesses,” he added.

Meanwhile, PAC member Juretha Fernandes was very critical of the former PS’s inability to give clarity on the award of the contract. According to her, this is the very reason the PAC is meeting.

“It is unacceptable for an accounting officer during this period to present himself before this Committee and just be guided by words from the Auditor General report. The whole reason we have them present is to give details about what went on,” Fernandes said.

For the examination of the then Public Infrastructure Ministry, former Minister David Patterson, the substantive PAC Chair, recused himself. Also recusing himself was current Public Works Minister and PAC member Juan Edghill. (G3)

Inmate stabbed to neck at Lusignan Prison

T

wenty-eight-year-old Alvin Jones, popularly known as ‘Hot skull’, is now hospitalised with a stab wound to his neck, after he was attacked by another inmate at the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara on Monday.

Guyana Times understands that Jones was allegedly wounded at around 08:30h on Monday by a 49-year-old prisoner who is serving a three-year sentence for robbery and possession of firearm and ammunition.

It was reported that on Sunday an argument ensued between the two men after “Hot skull” had touched the other inmate inappropriately.

It was also reported that the 49-year-old was taunted by another prisoner throughout the day. As a

Hospitalised: Alvin Jones

result, on the following day, he waited until Jones went to shower, and attacked him from behind with a sharpened object.

The 28-year-old Jones was stabbed to his left side neck, and was subsequently transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital

(GPHC), where he was admitted a patient in stable condition. The other inmate was placed in solitary confinement at the Lusignan Prison, and the matter was later reported to the Police.

In December last year, Jones was sentenced to more than 43 years’ imprisonment for the murder of amateur footballer Paul Daniels. It was reported that on February 2, 2017, Paul Daniels, 32, called “Dundee”, a footballer attached to the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), was gunned down moments after taking his fiancée to her home at Independence Boulevard, Georgetown.

Based on reports, two armed men entered the home through a door which was left open on the northern side of the building.

Upon entering the house, they held Daniels and his fiancée at gunpoint, and relieved him of a gold chain which he was wearing and an undisclosed sum of cash before exiting the house.

Daniels, who had also been a carpenter, went in pursuit of the men, and during the chase, the suspects discharged several rounds at him, one of which hit him in the region of his stomach and chest. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. (G9)

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Taxi driver dies in WCB head-on collision

Dead: Andre Joseph

A

Corentyne taxi driver was killed in a headon collision along the West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) Public Road.

Dead is 29-year-old Andre Joseph, of Manchester, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

The accident occurred on Wednesday about 04:30h at Number 23 Village.

Both drivers were allegedly speeding around

The car Andre Joseph was driving

a turn, causing the headon collision. According to

Police, motor car HB 2975, which was driven by Joseph,

was heading east while HC 7197, which was driven by a 39-year-old man of Number 53 Village, Corentyne, was heading west on his way to Georgetown when the vehicles collided.

Johnson had two passengers in the car at the time of the accident – Ron Mitchell 49, and Hywon Williams, 29, both of Number 53 Village. The passengers also sustained injuries.

Following the accident, the two drivers and the injured passengers were taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital where Joseph, who had been pinned in his vehicle, was pronounced dead on arrival.

The other driver, along with Mitchell and Williams, were subsequently transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital for further medical attention.

Police have since said that a breathalyser test was conducted on the driver of the other car and no trace of alcohol was found.

One of the now dead man’s cousins, Junior Collins

DUI charge

Gary Best to know fate on February 9

Former GDF Chief-of-Staff and PNCR Executive Member Gary Best

S

enior Magistrate Clive Nurse has fixed February 9 to rule on whether a case has been made out against former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff, Rear Admiral Gary Best for the offence of driving under the influence (DUI).

Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh on Wednesday laid over a written submission to the court in response to a submission of no case to answer presented by Best’s lawyers Nigel Hughes, Ronald Daniels, and Sophia Findlay. The lawyers are contending the prosecution has failed to prove the elements of the offence, and as such, the charge should be dismissed.

On December 3, 2020, Magistrate Rondel Weever dismissed a causing deathby-dangerous-driving charge against Best. It had been alleged that on February 8, 2020, at Georgetown, he drove Land Cruiser PRR 8182 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the death of former national cyclist Jude Bentley. At the

time of the accident, Police alleged that Best was under the influence of alcohol.

In dismissing the charge, Magistrate Weever held that the Prosecution’s case contained many gaps that the court could not fill, and to do so would be inviting the court to speculate.

According to Magistrate Weever, a crucial element in the Prosecution’s case was not established, that is, whether Best was driving dangerously. The Director of

Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack has since filed an appeal with the Court of Appeal asking that the Magistrate’s decision be set aside.

According to reports, Bentley, 41, was struck down and run over by the vehicle driven by Best on Clive Lloyd Drive near the Russian Embassy turn in Georgetown. The accident occurred around 04:00h.

Reports are that both Best and Bentley were travelling in an easterly direction.

It was alleged that Bentley, who was on his way to meet a group of cyclists, suddenly appeared in front of Best’s vehicle. Best had claimed that he applied brakes, but the right side of the front of his vehicle collided with Bentley, who was knocked onto the roadway. Police reported that Best was driving under the influence of alcohol.

Best is an Executive Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and a former presidential advisor under

the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government. (G1)

The other car that was involved in the accident

said Joseph spent the night in Georgetown to assist a relative and was heading back home when the accident occurred.

Meanwhile, another cousin, Tiffany Collins said she was able to speak with the passengers who said that both cars were speeding around a turn when they collided.

“The passenger he was crying out for chest pain. He

said they were not speeding as in speeding, but they were taking the turn at a fast rate,” she said.

There are reports that inclement weather contributed to the delay in accessing the necessary equipment to cut open the car to remove Joseph.

Joseph leaves to mourn two children.

Police are continuing their investigations. (G4)

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

4 fined $100,000 each for racial burglary at PSC Facebook posts during elections Cops retrieve fingerprints as flash drives, milk stolen F our women were on Wednesday hauled before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan for inciting racial tension during the March 2020 elections period.

Those charged are Tiffany Greene, Lashona Chester, Stacy Smarte, and Glynis Gibson. They pleaded guilty to the charge brought against them by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) which stated that during the month of March 2020, on their Facebook pages, they caused racial or ethnic violence or hatred and excited hostility or ill-will on the basis of race. During their court appearance, the women begged for leniency, noting that they were firsttime offenders. They were each fined $100,000 and given a stern warning by Chief

Fined: Stacy Smarte

Fined: Glynis Gibson

Magistrate McLennan.

Last December, three persons faced similar charges.

They were John Gobin, Steve Anthony Barakat, and Lashona Chester. Gobin pleaded guilty and was fined $20,000. The Magistrate warned him not to repeat the offence or publish any

similar material in the future. Barakat pleaded not guilty and was placed on $30,000 bail. At the time, Chester, who was fined on Wednesday, was not served by the ERC as they were making efforts to locate her.

Only two weeks ago, the ERC announced that it

would be heading full steam ahead with new strategies to address issues of ethnic relations and racially-motivated crimes.

The Commission’s Chairman, John Smith in an interview with another section of the media said that over the years, the Commission has been taking a lenient approach in addressing the issue of racial or ethnic violence or hatred among the Guyanese people, and it has to come to an end.

Over the years, the ERC has come under harsh criticism for being silent on statements of racial discrimination and ethnic violence on social media platforms, and has now opted to take this approach.

P

olice have managed to retrieve fingerprints as they questioned several persons over the break-in that occurred at the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Guyana Police Force (GPF) Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor clarified that the theft occurred at the Public Service Commission and not the Police Service Commission as was initially revealed.

Andries-Junor explained that an employee of the Commission arrived at work on January 19 and observed that his desk drawer had been pried open. Further checks

were made and it was noticed that the desk drawers of four other officers were tumbled. Missing were a total of four flash drives containing information such as dismissal, transfers, promotions, pension qualifications, and appointments for employees of the various Ministries and regions.

Some seven bottles of Ensure milk were also missing.

The GPF said it was observed that the glass window above the toilet in a lavatory, located on the southern side of the building, was opened; however, no signs of breakage were seen on the premises.

Investigations are ongoing.

Murder convict challenges 43-year sentence Man beaten after …claims jail time “startlingly inappropriate, excessive”

T

wenty-eight-year-old Alvin Jones, who was found guilty of murder and slapped with a 43year prison term, has filed an appeal in which he is arguing that the sentence is “startlingly inappropriate and excessive”, and not in keeping with guidelines set out by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

On December 22, 2020, Jones, also known as “Hot Skull”, was found guilty of the February 2, 2017 murder of amateur footballer Paul Daniels in his trial for the capital offence before Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Demerara High Court.

It was reported that during a robbery on February 2, 2017, at Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, Georgetown, Jones murdered Daniels.

Reports are that on the day

Murder convict: Alvin Jones

in question, Daniels was at his girlfriend’s home when two armed men entered the home and relieved him of his gold chain and an undisclosed sum of cash.

As the men were escaping, Daniels reportedly attempted to chase after them, but was instead

shot to the chest, after which the men left on two separate bicycles. Daniels was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the trial Judge, Jones’s lawyer Stanley Moore, SC, has filed an appeal against his client’s conviction and sentence at the Guyana Court of Appeal.

While he has complained of several instances of misdirection by the trial judge, Moore has particularly taken issue with the sentence imposed.

According to Moore, the 43-year prison term does not reflect an adherence to the principles and guidelines “so fully and clearly” set out in the decision of the CCJ in the Guyanese case of Linton Pompey vs the Director of Public

Killed: Paul Daniels

Prosecutions.

Arguing that the sentence is excessive in all the circumstances of the case, Moore has submitted that the sentence effectively condemns his client to incarceration for the remainder of his youthful, productive, and rehabilitative life.

Further, Moore argues that the sentence has fallen outside the range of sentences for the offence of murder in Guyana.

Moore complains that, before delivering the sentence, the trial judge did not deliver any written reason for imposing the sentence.

The lawyer is further contending that the trial judge misdirected the jury on the law of murder and the issue of identification evidence.

“The learned trial judge failed to direct the jury fully and properly on the defence of [Jones]. The learned trial judge failed to direct the jury on the failure of the prosecution to disclose to [Jones] the details of several identification parades conducted by the Police.”

Taking this into consideration, Moore is of the view that his client had an unfair trial.

The Court of Appeal is yet to fix a date for hearing this case. (G1)

stumbling into bandits committing robbery

A screenshot of the video that was seen by this publication on social media

A

man was beaten by two motorcycle bandits on Monday at the corner of New Market and Thomas Street Georgetown, because he had stumbled upon them committing a robbery.

In a video seen by this publication, the man was walking in the vicinity of the Pro Care Pharmacy when the incident occurred.

The video showed a motorcycle pulling up to the corner, and the pillion riders hopping off and attempting to rob a woman who walking in the area. At the time, a nurse was standing at the corner of the said road.

As one of the bandits grabbed the woman’s bag, the nurse saw what was unfolding and made good her escape. The man, who appeared to have no knowledge of what was happening, turned the corner and walked into the men committing the robbery.

The robbers then attacked him and dealt him several cuffs to his face and about his body, as he knelt covering his head. He then began to run away, but the bandits gave chase.

He managed to escape, and the suspects returned to where their motorcycle was parked, hopped on

it and made good their escape with the woman’s bag in hand.

Police have since launched an investigation into the incident, and the hunt is now on for the men.

Just recently a 45-yearold man of Ruby Back, East Bank Essequibo was robbed of his valuables by four armed men at Alexander Street, within the vicinity of the Bourda Market, Georgetown.

The man, who plies his trade in the vicinity of Alexander Street, was at his stall when he was approached by the four men, who rode pedal cycles.

One of the suspects was armed with a black handgun while the others were armed with knives.

It was reported that the suspect with the gun had allegedly pointed the weapon at the victim’s head and ordered him to remain silent. He then dealt the man a lash to the left side of his face, while demanding that he hand over cash.

The man was relieved of his LG cellphone valued at $30,000 along with $40,000 in cash, as the armed suspects made good their escape in a southerly direction along Alexander Street, Georgetown. (G9)

NEWS

13

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Attempts to rig elections

“We have no control over the courts” – AG …Judge, jury, defence application mode to delay justice – special prosecutor Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), former Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence.

No control

Attorney General Anil Nandlall

A

ttorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has made it clear that the Government has no control of the court system, which is an independent constitutional body.

He made this comment on the heels of criticisms about the delay in the prosecution of several high-ranking officials from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and the A Party for National Unity (APNU) who have been charged for their alleged attempts to rig the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, has since hired a team of special prosecutors to prosecute the electoral fraud cases against Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; Deputy CEO, Roxane Myers; GECOM clerks Denise Bob-Cummings and Michelle Miller; Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo; GECOM Elections Officer Shefern February, and Information Technology Officer Enrique Livan; APNU/AFC activist Carol Joseph, and

“Persons are now becoming critical. They are not seeing the case with the persons charged in relation to the criminal offences at GECOM… They are becoming impatient because they are not seeing anything going on in the trial,” Nandlall said during a recent interview on a local radio programme.

In this regard, the Attorney General explained that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government gov-

Special prosecutor Glen Hanoman

erns the country in accordance with the laws and Constitution. “You have to understand that we [PPP/C] manage and govern this country in accordance with the laws and the constitution. I cannot speak for other Governments,” he asserted.

“We do not control the Police Force; we do not dictate to the Police Force. All we can do is make a report

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

and activate a process. That process for the purpose of criminal investigation and prosecution is manned by independent agencies of the Constitution and statutory bodies.”

According to him, the Police Force is not a department of Government.

He added that although Robeson Benn is the Home Affairs Minister, he cannot dictate the day-to-day operations of the Police Force. “The Police Force is under the superintendence of a Commissioner that has a management hierarchy.

[Government] cannot interfere with the Police and direct them how to investigate,” he noted.

The Attorney General went on to explain that the matters then move from the Police to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions - another independent constitutional institution insulated from any form of political influence by the Government for legal advice.

Embattled Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo

PNCR Chairperson and former Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

“That office must also function independently. We cannot tell the DPP what to do or to accelerate a process; we can make public calls like everyone else. We can be critical that the process is taking long. And from there it goes to the courts if the DPP decides that charges are going to be filed.

votes while the PPP/C gained 166,343 votes. How he arrived at those figures is unknown, since the certified results from recount exercise supervised by GECOM and a high-level team from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) pellucidly showed that the PPP/C won with 233,336 votes while the

“Usually, defence lawyers will always prefer a summary trial, because the magistrates have a statutory maximum penalty that they can impose, that is, five years; whereas, if you go to a judge and jury you can get life imprisonment… So, I believe that the applications by the defence are really meant to delay justice rather than for any other proper purpose” – Glen Hanoman

The Guyana Oil Company Limited brought the curtains down on their highly successful “Be A Super 95 Millionaire” Christmas Promotion with a Grand Presentation to winners hosted at their Regent Street Service Station, Georgetown on Tuesday.

Guyoil’s 2020 Christmas promotion commenced on December 11th 2020 and resulted in 60 persons across Guyana winning a total of more than $4,000,000 in cash and other prizes. Each week, since the start of the promotion, a randomly chosen customer won a major cash prize, and consolation prizes were also given to an additional 11 randomly chosen customers. Those who won cash prizes were Roy Lennox Marshall of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara; Quincy Dennis of Kiltearn, Corentyne Berbice; Dennis Vieira of Moruca, North West District, Essequibo; and Rajendra Mahadeo and Annique Rigby of Wismar, Linden.

In addition to the major cash prizes given each week, over one million dollars in consolation prizes, inclusive of flat screen televisions, tablets, Giftland vouchers, Grocery vouchers and fuel vouchers, were won by more than 55 persons who consistently supported Guyoil’s Super 95 gasoline brand.

“The court, again, is another independent constitutional link in the chain over which we have no control.

So, the cases are there,” Nandlall said in conclusion.

Charges

Shortly after the PPP/C Government took office on August 02, 2020, the Police instituted charges against Lowenfield and others. Lowenfield is facing three counts of forgery and three counts of misconduct in public office. He was released on $300,000 bail. His deputy, Myers, is also facing two similar charges.

Mingo is facing similar charges too; in fact, four of them. He was ordered to post bail in the sum of $600,000.

Lawrence, on the other hand, was slapped with two charges for conspiracy to commit fraud at the March 02, 2020, General and Regional Elections. She was placed on bail.

Joseph is charged jointly with Mingo for forgery.

Meanwhile, Livian is facing fraud charges, while February is accused of conspiring to commit fraud.

They have all been released on bail.

Lowenfield’s report claimed that APNU/AFC coalition garnered 171,825

coalition garnered 217,920.

The recount exercise also proved that Mingo heavily inflated the figures in Region Four – Guyana’s largest voting District – in favour of the then caretaker APNU/AFC regime.

Special prosecutors

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has hired six special prosecutors to prosecute these electoral fraud cases. However, the trial has not commenced in any of the cases.

One of the special prosecutors, Attorney-at-Law Glen Hanoman, explained to Guyana Times that the more than 25 matters are currently before two magistrates – Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs – neither of whom have decided the mode of the trial; that is, whether to hear the matters summarily and dispose of them in the magistrate’s court, or conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine whatever the matter can be heard before a judge and jury in the High Court.

In fact, contrary to the misleading headline in the State newspaper, Hanoman explained that it is the defence, and not the prosecution, that is seeking to have the matter heard before a

Deputy Chief Elections Officer Roxane Myers

judge and jury.

Moreover, Hanoman pointed out that the individual matters can also be consolidated and heard together in the lower court, since they all have the same witnesses and evidence. He added that such matters have never been in the High Court before.

According to the special prosecutor, the defence’s application will not only cause the matter to be prolonged in the courts, but also put the accused at risk of facing more severe sentencing, including life sentences.

“Usually, defence lawyers will always prefer a summary trial, because the magistrates have a statutory maximum penalty that they can impose, that is, five years; whereas, if you go to a judge and jury you can get life imprisonment…

So, I believe that the applications by the defence are really meant to delay justice rather than for any other proper purpose,” he posited.

According to the laws, the magistrate is required to hear deposition from the prosecution and the defence before making a decision on the mode of trial, but that decision must be in conformity with the laws, which say matters should be heard efficiently and in convenience to the state.

Nevertheless, Hanoman noted that Magistrate Isaacs, who is hearing the cases filed against Lowenfield, has set a date in March to make a decision on the mode of trial; and, in the meantime, has asked the defence to put in writing its reasons for wanting the matter to go to the High Court. The defence was given a date for submission, after which the prosecution will respond.

However, in the matters before the Chief Magistrate, who is hearing the bulk of the cases filed, nothing has been fixed to determine the mode of trial. Hanoman told this newspaper that when the matter comes up on January 28, he will request Chief Magistrate McLennan to also ask the defence to put their request in writing.

The special prosecutor says he anticipates these matters taking several years in the courts.

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President Ali congratulates US President Biden, VP Harris

President Dr Irfaan Ali

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali on Wednesday afternoon extended congratulations to the 46th President of the United States of America, Joseph

says Guyana completely shares.

President Ali went on to say that Guyana stands together with the Biden-led administration in defence of unity, democracy and peace.

“Your call for unity and democracy are critical components of good governance which we share completely with you. We pray that God continues to bless the Government and people of the United States. We stand together with you in defence of unity, democracy and peace," President Ali posited in his congratulatory message.

The Head of State had previously said he is looking forward to working

US Vice President Kamala Harris taking her oath of office on Wednesday R. Biden Jr., and Vice President Kamala Harris following their inauguration earlier in the day.

In a Facebook post, the Guyanese leader said President Biden’s call for unity and democracy are critical components of good governance which he

with the new US President to confront critical and strategic matters of interest to the international community, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and to further strengthen elations between Guyana and the US. President Biden defeated Donald Trump to

clinch the White House following a cliff-hanger vote count at the November 2020 election.

The 78-yearold Democrat is the oldest U.S. President to take office; and after taking his oath of office, administered

by Chief Justice John Roberts at the Capitol Building under heavy security and in the presence of a scant gathering of dignitaries, including three former US presidents, Biden vowed to uphold and defend the C onst it ut ion of the United States in his inaugural address to the nation.

He also pleaded for unity in what has been described as a “divided nation”, and promised to be a president for all Americans, urging that they give him a chance.

“Today, on this January day, my whole soul is in this: Bringing America together; uniting our people and uniting our nation. I ask every American to join me in this cause. Uniting to fight the common foes we face: anger, resentment, hatred, extremism, lawlessness, violence. dis-

US President Joe Biden taking his oath of office

ease, joblessness, hopelessness.

“With unity we can do great things. Important things. We can right wrongs. We can put people to work in good jobs. We can teach our children in safe schools. We can overcome this deadly virus. We can reward work, rebuild the middle class, and make health care secure for all.

We can deliver racial justice.

“To all those who supported our campaign, I am humbled by the faith you have placed in us. To all those who did not support us, let me say this: Hear me out as we move forward. Take a measure of me and my heart, and if you still disagree, so be it.

That’s democracy. That’s America. The right to dissent peaceably within the guardrails of our republic is perhaps our nation’s great-

est strength. Yet, hear me clearly: Disagreement must not lead to disunion.

And I pledge this to you: I will be a president for all Americans. I will fight as hard for those who did not support me as for those who did,” President Biden reassured.

Wednesday’s inauguration has gone down in history, as Vice President Harris is the first female, and first Black and South Asian person to become Vice President.

Upon taking office, President Biden immediately went to work and signed a raft of measures, reversing some of Trump’s policies.

The executive orders signed sought to establish the mandatory wearing of mask and social distancing in federal buildings, a new White House office on coronavirus, bringing an end to a travel ban on visitors from some Muslimmajority nations, and reversing Trump’s withdrawal of the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, among other things. (G8)

Suddie Hospital to commission $40M operating theatre by mid-year

R

egion Two Regional Health Officer Dr Ranjeev Singh has said the Region plans to fully operationalise its $40.9 million operating theatre at the Suddie Public Hospital by the middle of the year.

He said funds to ensure that this project comes to fruition would be allocated in the 2021 budget.

Dr Singh told the Department of Public Information that while the theatre has been completed, only minor surgery can be conducted, as it has not yet been fully furnished.

He said he is hopeful that this would soon be rectified, as the delayed works mean that patients are referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), which incurs an additional financial burden on them.

“We want to have that theatre up and running, so that we can not only reduce our referrals to Georgetown Public

Region Two Regional Health Officer, Dr Ranjeev Singh

Hospital Corporation (GPHC), we can do some major surgery here as well.

That is what I’m hoping to achieve, or accomplish. By the end of this half of the year, we can start having surgeries done here that were not done before,” the doctor said.

He also said the Region would advocate for this development, despite the

COVID-19 environment, as the hospital also serves Wakenaam Island and even Moruca, BarimaWaini (Region One). In 2018, the then ANPU/AFC Government had signed a $40.9 million contract with Rakesh Samaroo of Builders Hardware to establish the state-of-the-art operating theatre, following a request from the regional administration. The Suddie Public Hospital is the largest hospital within the region. The region also procured a dental chair and electrocardiograph machine (EKG) among other equipment, to increase the level of service offered by the hospital.

Funds for these purchases were sourced from the 2020 Emergency Budget.

Since attaining his position, Dr Singh said, he has been able to address the region’s drug shortage, which is one of the region’s biggest achievements. He said the medicine stock is monitored to ensure that a shortage does not recur. “When I say shortage of drugs, it is not any kind of drug but critical drugs, much-needed. I can safely say that the health sector in this region does not have a drug shortage. If we do, it is very little, and they are not the chronic disease neither the critical drugs,” he said.

The RHO added that the administration hopes to close other gaps in the Region’s health sector to improve the delivery of healthcare services.

NEWS

15

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Agri Minister, Indian High Commissioner discuss aquaculture development, partnership for sugar industry A griculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa, have discussed areas for collaboration to develop the agriculture sector in keeping with Government’s plans to positively transform the sector.

Among the areas which were high on the agenda were aquaculture and sugar. During the meeting, Mustapha pointed to President Dr Irfaan Ali’s most recent announcement, that Government plans to develop an aquaculture ‘masterplan’.

Mustapha, during the meeting, said, “We’ll have an aquaculture conference, bringing the aquaculture farmers together in an organised manner while concentrating our resources to ensure we develop the aquaculture sector in Guyana.

“There are a lot of people in the diaspora who’ve expressed interest in coming to invest in aquaculture.

We are currently looking at lands and other things to be able to properly develop this masterplan.”

He requested the assistance of the High Commissioner to have specialists in aquaculture development come to Guyana to work with officials in the sector to build capacity and give technical support, a release from the Ministry stated.

Sugar Industry

During the meeting, Mustapha stated that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is currently executing critical rehabilitation works to its operating estates.

“What we are doing right now is looking at critical works that we have to do in these operating estates. A lot of funds will be expended to ensure that we bring the estates to a standard where they can operate better than they are now. As it stands now, these three estates that are operating right now are operating at just between 50% to 60% capacity. We have to build them up, because over the last five years there hasn’t been any critical capital works done on them.

“During this out-of-crop period, there are a lot of

works being done on the factories. The boilers are being looked at, the chains are being looked at, we are also looking to put in a new punt dump at Albion, among other things, so that we can have more efficiency,” he is quoted as saying.

Mustapha also sought an update on Government’s request for the assistance of the High Commissioner to facilitate bringing specialists to Guyana to assist with this process.

Facilitate request

While responding to that request, High Commissioner Srinivasa said steps have already been taken to facilitate the request.

“That request is already in the advanced stage of decision-making. Because of this COVID situation, we’ve had some setbacks. Everybody is working in silos. Once the pandemic has somewhat stabilised, we’ll be able to advance with these plans. I’m keenly following up with it,” the High Commissioner is quoted as saying.

The Minister also updated the High Commissioner

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa, during the meeting

on the Expressions of Interest by the Indian companies looking to partner with Government to revitalise the sugar industry.

“We are working on reopening, as it stands now, in a phased stage, with Rose Hall being first. There has also been a lot of Expressions of Interest (EOI) in Skeldon.

We are looking at all the Expressions and we’ll make

a decision shortly. We’ll have interviews and things like that. We are going all out to reopen Rose Hall, so (that) by the first crop of 2022, hopefully we can produce sugar.

We’ll also be ensuring that we concentrate on the three operating estates, to bring them back on par and back to capacity,” Mustapha said.

He further noted that the revitalisation of the Skeldon

Estate would most likely be done through a Public/ Private Partnership investment with companies overseas. He added that the GuySuCo Board is currently developing a business plan that would soon be presented to him, President Dr Irfaan Ali, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, and the Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh.

Over $2B in housing infrastructural works for Region 6 …200 houses to be constructed

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal addressing a Region Six resident’s land matter

T

he Housing and Water Ministry will be investing over $2 billion in infrastructural works in Region Six, (East BerbiceCorentyne) under their 2021 work programme.

Minister Collin Croal made this announcement during an engagement with Region Six residents in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council office.

“Last year, you saw us announcing a number of works to commence here in Region Six to the tune of $54 million. I can tell you (that) in our 2021 programme, we intend to invest in infrastructure works a minimum of $2 billion in the initial phase. These are for works in Hampshire, Williamsburg, No. 75 Village, No. 79 Village, and Ordnance Fortlands.

“We will also have coming on stream the construction of 200 houses.

One hundred intended for

Williamsburg and another 100 for Fortlands, catering for low-income,” Croal is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

The infrastructural works also cover the development of road networks and access to water, he said.

The initiative would provide and create much-needed jobs in the Region.

Croal said the President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Aliled Government aims to enhance citizens’ lives.

Through the ‘Dream Realised’ initiative, 300 Berbicians received house lots in December. To date, over 3,600 house lots have been delivered over the span of four months in three regions, through the same initiative. Further, he said the Ministry is working to address the backlog in the issuance of transports in the Region.

“I am advised we have

currently over 500 transports that are being processed for Region Six as part of our backlog, so we intend to have that completed in the shortest possible time.”

A similar exercise would be conducted on a larger scale in Region Five to address the backlog there.

“In March, we will have a massive - and when I say massive, the entire team [will be in] Region Five during March. The reason being that we are currently working on fast-tracking the processing of a number of transports from the backlog. So, we are working with the legal team, and then to put it through the necessary process with the Land Court.”

The PPP/C Government is committed to allocating 50,000 house lots over five years, as outlined in its manifesto. In the 2020 Emergency Budget, the Government implemented several measures to make homeownership affordable for all. Those include the reversal of the value-added tax on building materials to make building homes more affordable.

Government also increased the mortgage interest relief ceiling for loans/mortgages to $30 million.

Region Six Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain and Regional Executive Officer Narindra Persaud, personnel from the Ministry, the Central Housing and Planning Authority, and the Guyana Water Incorporated also attended the outreach.

A section of the attendees in the Boardroom of the Region Six Regional Democratic Council

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana trying to avoid Dutch Cuba says Trump sanctions cost it US$20Billion disease – Dr Ashni Singh G

uyana is doing everything in its power to avoid the dangers of Dutch disease, which has befallen many oil-rich countries around the world.

Senior Minister with responsibility for finance in the Office of the President, Dr Ashni Singh made this statement on Wednesday, during a virtual roundtable discussion on Guyana’s finance and investment with LatinFinance.

LatinFinance is a source of financial market intelligence of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Dr Singh said Guyana’s petroleum sector would boost its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

However, the Government would be managing the economic inflow to ensure it addresses the country’s immediate developmental needs, as well as plans for sustainability. The Minister said the Government was also trying to avoid a situation where revenues from the petroleum sector undermined the competitiveness of the nonoil economy.

“We want to make sure that we avoid the pitfalls that we’ve seen other countries that have gone this route before in culture, and here I mean excessive dependence on or excessive exposure to a single sector. We recognise our oil and gas will

Senior Minister with responsibility for finance, Dr Ashni Singh

drive a dramatic expansion, but we recognise, too, that we need to ensure that we put in place all of the macro structures that are necessary to avoid, for example, Dutch disease,” Dr Singh is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying during the webinar.

Dr Singh said the Government has placed a lot of “policy emphasis” on ensuring that the non-oil economy continues to be competitive and contribute to the country’s overall GDP growth.

“We’re anticipating a rapid expansion on the services side,

logistics, transport and on the construction side – construction of infrastructure, construction of office buildings. On the services side, rapid expansion in services including financial services, all of which will contribute to rapid expansion in real output,” Dr Singh relayed.

With a sovereign wealth fund in place, the Finance Minister said the revenues there would be managed in accordance with the highest international standards.

“So, what does that mean?

We’ve subscribed to all of the major international standards for managing resource revenue responsibly and sustainably. This means ensuring that we address issues like the inter-generational issues and also the Dutch disease issues, because what you don’t want is a rapid inflow.”

Dr Singh noted that the Government wants to ensure the country and economy are prepared. Investopedia states that “Dutch disease is an economic term for the negative consequences that can arise from a spike in the value of a nation’s currency. It is primarily associated with the new discovery or exploitation of a valuable natural resource and the unexpected repercussions that such a discovery can have on the overall economy of a nation.”

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

T

he Trump administration's stepped-up sanctions against Cuba cost the communist-run island some US$20 billion, a foreign ministry official said Wednesday.

"The damage to the bilateral relationship during this time has been considerable, and the economic harm to Cuba immense," Johana Tabalada, a senior ministry official, told AFP. "We estimate it at about $20 billion," she said by email.

Trump, whose term ended Wednesday with the swearing-in of Joe Biden as America's 46th president, used his time in power to tighten the screws on Cuba.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration returned the island to a list of state sponsors of terrorism, undoing then-President Barack Obama's 2015 move to remove it.

Biden was vice president at the time.

Trump reversed many of Obama's moves to normalise relations with Cuba.

Tabalada said 240 measures were taken against Cuba under the 45th

US president.

They include a ban on American cruise ships stopping over on the island, a blacklist for a range of Cuban companies and bosses, prosecution of foreign companies doing business on the island, and making it difficult for Cubans working abroad to send money home.

"There is objective and palpable damage to the standard of living of the Cuban people because of measures that were exactly taken to cause such damage," the official said.

Tabalada said the island nation was hoping for better relations with the United States under the new Democrat president.

"Biden has said that he wants to reverse the damage caused by Trump and we have no reason to doubt his commitment," she said. (AFP) Biden has promised to pay attention to human rights in Cuba but also to bring back some of Obama's policies to normalise ties, including allowing Cuban-Americans to visit and send money.

SYMPTOMS

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms or combinations of symptoms may have COVID-19:

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF? Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

Fever People who think they may be affected by coronavirus need to call the Public Health Ministry hotline 227-4986/624-3067 for further advice. They should not go to their GP, A&E, pharmacy or hospital.

If you have come into contact with somebody who may be infected, you may be told to self-isolate. People needing to do so should take "common-sense" steps to avoid close contact with other people.

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

Muscle pain

Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have New loss of taste mild illness. or smell

17 Biden sworn in as US President NEWS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Jill Biden holds the Bible during the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol in Washington, US, January 20, 2021

D

emocrat Joe Biden was sworn in as President of the United States on Wednesday, vowing to end the “uncivil war” in a deeply-divided country reeling from a battered economy and a raging coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 400, 000 Americans.

With his hand on a five-inch thick heirloom Bible that has been in his family for more than a century, Biden took the oath of office administered by US Chief Justice John Roberts that binds the President to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States”.

“Through a crucible for the ages, America has been tested anew, and America has risen to the challenge,” Biden said in his inaugural address. “Today we celebrate the triumph not of a candidate, but of a cause: the cause of democra-

Top Republicans, including Vice President Mike Pence and the party’s congressional leaders, attended Biden’s inauguration, along with former US Presidents Barack Obama, George W Bush and Bill Clinton.

Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and India, became the first Black person, first woman and first Asian American to serve as Vice President after she was sworn in by US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the court’s first Latina member.

Biden takes office at a time of deep national unease, with the country facing what his advisers have described as four compounding crises: the pandemic, the economic downtown, climate change, and racial inequality. He has promised immediate action, including a raft of executive orders

Kamala Harris is sworn in as US Vice President as her husband Doug Emhoff holds a Bible during the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States, January 20, 2021

cy…At this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”

Biden, 78, became the oldest US President in history at a scaledback ceremony in Washington that was largely stripped of its usual pomp and circumstance, due both to the coronavirus and security concerns following the January 6 assault on the US Capitol by supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump. The norm-defying Trump flouted one last convention on his way out of the White House when he refused to meet with Biden or attend his successor’s inauguration, breaking with a political tradition seen as affirming the peaceful transfer of power.

Trump, who never conceded the November 3 election, did not mention Biden by name in his final remarks as President on Wednesday morning, when he touted his Administration’s record and promised to be back “in some form”. He boarded Air Force One for the last time and headed to his Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida.

on his first day in office.

After a bitter campaign marked

by Trump’s baseless allegations of election fraud, Biden struck a conciliatory tone, asking Americans who did not vote for him to give him a chance to be their president as well.

“To overcome these challenges to restore the soul and secure the future of America requires so much more than words. It requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy: unity,” he said. “We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this – if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts.”

The ceremony on Wednesday unfolded in front of a heavily fortified US Capitol, where a mob of Trump supporters stormed the building two weeks ago, enraged by his false claims that the election was stolen with millions of fraudulent votes.

The violence prompted the

Democratic-controlled US House of Representatives to impeach Trump last week for an unprecedented second time.

Thousands of National Guard troops were called into the city after the siege, which left five people dead and briefly forced lawmakers into hiding. Instead of a throng of supporters, the National Mall on Wednesday was covered by nearly 200, 000 flags and 56 pillars of light meant to represent people from US states and territories.

“Here we stand, just days after a riotous mob thought they could use violence to silence the will of the people, to stop the work on our democracy, to drive us from this sacred ground,” Biden said. “It did not happen; it will never happen.

Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.”

Harris makes history

Kamala Harris made history on Wednesday when she was sworn in as Joe Biden’s Vice President, becoming the first woman, the first Black American and the first Asian American to hold the second highest US office.

Looking ahead, Harris, 56, is seen as an obvious contender for the Democratic Party’s 2024 presidential nomination should Biden, 78, decide not to seek a second term. Harris has yet to weigh in publicly on such speculation.

A US Senator from California the past four years, Harris has shattered many a glass ceiling.

She served as San Francisco’s first female District Attorney and was California’s first woman of colour to be elected Attorney General.

Harris has resigned her Senate seat, but she still will play a prominent role in the chamber. The US Vice President serves as Senate President, casting any tie-breaking votes in the 100-member chamber. With it split evenly between Democrats and Republicans, Harris gives her party control of the Senate.

Her background in criminal justice could help the new Biden Administration tackle the issues of racial equality and policing after the country was swept by protests last year. She is expected to be a top adviser on judicial nominations.

Harris is the daughter of immigrants, with her mother coming to the United States from India and her father from Jamaica.

She had her sights set on becoming the first woman US President when she competed against Biden and others for their party’s 2020 nomination. Harris dropped out of the race after a campaign hurt by her wavering views on healthcare and indecision about embracing her past as a prosecutor.

Biden looked beyond some of the harsh words she had for him in that campaign to name Harris as his running mate last August. She has proven to be a valuable and polished stand-in, appealing especially to women, liberals, and voters of colour.

Harris developed a deep fundraising network during her Senate and White House bids. She was instrumental in Biden’s raking in record sums of money in the closing months of the campaign against Republican incumbent Donald Trump. Her selection sparked a burst of excitement in the Democratic voter base and among the party’s donors.

As the Senate’s only Black woman, Harris emerged as a leading voice on racial justice and Police reform after Minneapolis Police killed African-American man George Floyd in May. She

marched with protesters on the streets of Washington and won over some liberal sceptics.

Asked on the CBS programme 60 Minutes last year why, given Biden’s age, he believed Harris would be ready to step into the presidency if something happened to him, Biden rapidly fired off five reasons.

“Number one, her values.

Number two, she is smart as a devil, and number three, she has a backbone like a ramrod. Number four, she is really principled. And number five, she has had significant experience in the largest state in the union in running the justice department that’s only second in size to the United States Justice Department. And obviously, I hope that never becomes a question,” Biden said.

Harris is married to Attorney

our transatlantic security.”

German President FrankWalter Steinmeier, in a video statement: “Today is a good day for democracy. In the United States of America, it has faced tremendous challenges – and endured. Despite the attempts to tear at America’s institutional fabric, election workers and Governors, the Judiciary and Congress, have proven strong.

I am greatly relieved that, today, Joe Biden is being sworn in as President and will be moving into the White House. I know many people in Germany share this feeling.”

Pope Francis, in a message to Biden:

“Under your leadership, may the American people continue to

Harris bumps fists with President Joe Biden after she was sworn in as Vice President

Douglas Emhoff, who has adopted the Twitter handle @ SecondGentleman. His two children from a previous marriage refer to their stepmother as “Momala”.

World leaders react

Here’s how world leaders are reacting to US President Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday, replacing Donald Trump.

European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, in a tweet: “The United States is back. And Europe stands ready. To reconnect with an old and trusted partner, to breathe new life into our cherished alliance. I look forward to working together with @JoeBiden.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, speaking in Parliament:

draw strength from the lofty political, ethical and religious values that have inspired the nation since its founding.”

“I likewise ask God, the source of all wisdom and truth, to guide your efforts to foster understanding, reconciliation and peace within the United States and among the nations of the world in order to advance the universal common good.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, In A Tweet: “Best wishes on this most significant day for the American people! We are together. We will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet. Welcome back to the Paris Agreement!”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, IN A

The Capitol during the inauguration

“I look forward to working with him (Biden), and with his new administration, strengthening the partnership between our countries and working on our shared priorities: from tackling climate change, building back better from the pandemic and strengthening

STATEMENT: Canada and the United States “will continue this partnership as we fight the global COVID-19 pandemic and support a sustainable economic recovery that will build back better for everyone”.

(Excerpts from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

Regional

UWI, Caricom partner to combat Trinidad: Union chief begs PM to climate-change health impact intervene in failed refinery bid

T

he University of West Indies (UWI), St Augustine is partnering with Caricom on an initiative designed to help reduce mortality and morbidity from the health impacts of climate change.

In a statement on Tuesday, UWI said there was a need for the European Union-funded initiative, “Building Climate Resilient Health Systems in the Caribbean,” as the “health impacts of climate change are evident across the Caribbean”.

The release spotlighted violent hurricanes, heatwaves, increased air pollution, rising sea levels, and COVID-19 and other pandemics as climate-change-related issues affecting the Region.

Professor of veterinary virology at the School of

Professor Christopher Oura

Veterinary Medicine at UWI and team-lead Chris Oura emphasised the close relationship between health and climate, saying, “They are both wicked problems that are having a severe impact.

We need to increase resil-

ience in our health. We need to look after our environment. Otherwise, we’re going to be hit again harder by pandemics, and we’re going to be hit harder by climate change.”

Oura revealed that even though many Caricom countries are developing their national adaptation plans for climate change, “in a lot of those plans, there are no health elements at all”.

He said real transformation could not happen without community involvement.

“All this change generally in these kinds of areas comes from the bottom up and comes from the community.”

The release highlighted four key components of the project, which was coordinated by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

(Excerpt from Newsday)

Mexico’s President singles out Twitter employee for past Opposition party work

M

exico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador singled out a local employee of Twitter on Wednesday and appeared to suggest his former connections to an Opposition party could compromise the company’s ability to be neutral.

Lopez Obrador has been critical of social media for banning former US President Donald Trump, with whom he had good relations.

He chastised Facebook Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Zuckerberg for shuttering Trump’s account after his supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6, calling it a “bad sign” that private companies could

“censor” opinion.

In his daily morning conference on Wednesday, the Mexican leader projected onto a large screen the LinkedIn profile of Hugo Rodriguez Nicolat, who works on public policy for Twitter in Mexico, and highlighted his past work for the National Action Party (PAN).

“The director of Twitter in Mexico was a campaigner or sympathiser very close to PAN, the one who currently runs Twitter,” Lopez Obrador said, using the wrong title. “(He) was even an advisor to a very famous PAN Senator.”

Lopez Obrador read out chunks of Rodriguez’s LinkedIn profile, including

his role in 2005 and 2006 as an international projects coordinator for PAN, which held power in Mexico from 2000 to 2012.

He added it was important to know the identities of people who work for companies such as Twitter because “neutrality is very difficult”.

He also said he hoped for “professional” work, although it was not clear if he was referring to Twitter or Rodriguez specifically.

Twitter’s Mexico office, without naming Lopez Obrador, said comments singling out a single employee were “unfortunate”. It also said any decisions about compliance were made by a team. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Former Bermudian Premier faces 13 counts of corruption

Former Premier Dr Ewart Brown

F

ormer Bermudian Premier, Dr Ewart Brown was on Wednesday charged with 13 counts of corruption in the Magistrates’ Court.

Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions, Cindy Clarke said the charges against the former leader who appeared before the court remotely via Zoom, include five related to agreements with the Lahey

Clinic in Massachusetts, through which he allegedly received US$4.01 million in monthly payments between 2001 and 2010.

The remaining eight charges relate to allegations of corruptly obtaining $350,500 in donations to benefit the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) and the Bermuda Health Foundation between 2004 and 2010.

The offences allegedly took place between 2001 and 2010, with the earlier offences taking place while Dr Brown was the Minister of Tourism and Transport and the latter taking place while he was Premier.

Dr Brown, 75, was not required to enter a plea to any of the charges because they must be heard by the Supreme Court.

He remained silent during the proceedings, only speaking to confirm he could

hear Senior Magistrate Juan Wolffe.

Wolffe released Dr Brown, who was Premier between 2006 and 2010, on $250,000 bail with a surety of the same amount.

Dr Brown was named as a “non-party co-conspirator” in a 2017 lawsuit brought by the former One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) Government against the Lahey Clinic.

The legal action in Boston against Lahey Clinic alleged there was a conspiracy between the health provider and Brown to conduct excessive medical scans.

Both Brown and the Lahey Clinic denied the allegations.

The case was dismissed

by Judge Indira Talwani of the US District Court in March 2018, because Bermuda had not shown that it suffered any injuries in the US. (Excerpt from CMC)

D

espite being rejected by the Trinidad Government for a second time, Patriotic Energies and Technologies Co Ltd is seeking a meeting with Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley to show it has the financial backing to acquire the former assets of Petrotrin.

Patriotic’s parent organisation, the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) said on Tuesday it had engaged Swiss investment bank Credit Suisse to financially back its efforts to acquire the Guaracara Refining Company and the Paria Fuel Trading Company.

In a media conference at the OWTU’s Paramount Building headquarters in San Fernando, President General Ancel Roget appealed to Dr Rowley to bring justice to the failed negotiation between Patriotic and a Cabinetappointed evaluation committee.

On Monday, Cabinet rejected Patriotic’s bid and opted to accept new offers for an operator for the tank farm, port, and mothballed refinery.

But Tuesday, Roget said

OWTU President General Ancel Roget shows documents during Tuesday’s press conference at the Union’s Paramount Building headquarters in San Fernando

Patriotic remained committed to restarting the refinery and was hoping the Government would give it another chance on securing the deal.

“We call on the honourable Prime Minister, we call on you as perhaps the only person, in your capacity as leader of the Government of Trinidad & Tobago, to meet with us, to have your team meet with us and to examine the veracity of our claim, but more importantly, the commitment of Credit Suisse to close this,” Roget said.

Responding to issues raised during a joint media conference by Finance Minister Colm Imbert and Energy and Energy Industries Minister Franklin Khan, Roget said Imbert made it seem as though Patriotic did not have the money to complete the acquisition. However, he said the main issue remained the lien attached to Trinidad Holding Company Ltd (TPHL), which is the parent company of Guaracara and Paria. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

8-year-old among dengue deaths in Barbados

B

arbados has recorded two dengue-related deaths, but health officials are reassuring the public they are on top of the situation.

Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George, while not indicating when the deaths occurred, said one deceased was a young

child, eight years old, who had a pre-existing significant condition and officials were “awaiting confirmation”.

He did not reveal the age or gender of the other individual, only saying that the person did not have any predisposing conditions, which made it worrisome.

Dr George was speaking on Tuesday at a press conference at the Pan American Health Organisation, Dayrells Road, Christ Church, where he and Health and Wellness Minister Jeffrey Bostic were receiving a donation of equipment.

(Nation News)

Antigua PM writes new US President on climate change

A

ntigua and Barbudan Prime Minister Gaston Browne wrote to new US President Joe Biden on Wednesday afternoon, immediately after his inauguration, welcoming his Administration’s decision to commit to the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

Writing in his capacity as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) for the 2021-2022 period, Browne thanked President Biden for his “foresight and concern” and said the 44-member alliance looked forward to his leadership.

He said that AOSIS, comprising small island and low-lying coastal developing states that are most gravely threatened by climate change, was delighted at the Biden Administration’s decision to integrate climate change into the US foreign policy and national security strategies.

“It is vital that every na-

Prime Minister Gaston Browne

tion acts to preserve the planet for future generations; to save the most vulnerable countries from extinction; and to protect the global community from the consequences of enlarged numbers of refugees, economic destruction, public health emergencies, food insecurity and conflict,” Browne wrote.

“I know you will agree that reducing and eliminating the causes of climate change must remain a priority of each nation’s efforts.

We are already failing to limit

the global average temperature to a 1.5 degrees Celsius increase above pre-industrial levels. It is urgent that: (i) the machinery for global financial flows, including through International Financial Institutions, be adjusted to ensure that every country is served in accordance with its needs; and (ii) resources be provided to allow the most vulnerable countries to adapt to the present alarming conditions and to prepare for future negative conditions.”

(Excerpt from CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil rises on Inauguration Day as markets eye big stimulus act

O

il prices rose for a second consecutive day on Wednesday, as the market expects the new US Administration to “act big” on the next COVID-29 relief package.

As of 09:17h ET on Wednesday, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) Crude was up 1.53 per cent at US$53.77, and Brent Crude prices were trading above US$56 a barrel – up by 1.16 per cent at US$56.52, very close to the 11-month high prices hit last week.

The US dollar dropped after Treasury Secretary nominee Janet Yellen told the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday that the US should “act big” on the upcoming stimulus package. The weaker dollar makes crude cheaper for holders of other currencies, while the overall bullish market sentiment also sent investors and speculators to riskier assets, such as shares and commodities.

On Wednesday, the market was looking beyond the nearterm oil demand scares, stoked by the continued lockdowns in many parts of Europe and now returning in parts of China, too.

On Tuesday, Germany extended its lockdown until the middle of February.

But market participants were looking beyond the first quarter, hopeful that a large stimulus package in the US would result in a rebound in the world’s biggest economy, and relief packages in other economies will also help growth, and by extension, oil demand, later this year.

Although it cut oil demand forecasts for Q1 and 2021, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its closely-watched Oil Market Report on Tuesday that “much more oil is likely to be required, given our forecast for a substantial improvement in demand in the second half of the year”. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Biden announces return to global climate accord, new curbs on US oil industry

U

S President Joe Biden on Wednesday announced America’s return to the international Paris Agreement to fight climate change, the centrepiece of a raft of day-one executive orders.

The announcements also included a sweeping order to review all of former President Donald Trump’s actions weakening climate change protections, the revocation of a vital permit for TC Energy’s Keystone XL oil pipeline project from Canada, and a moratorium on oil and gas leasing activities in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge that Trump’s Administration had recently opened to development.

The orders by the newly sworn-in President will mark the start of a major policy reversal in the world’s second-largest greenhouse gas emitter behind China.

Biden has promised to put the United States on a track

US President Joe Biden signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, after his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States, US, January 20, 2021.

to net-zero emissions by 2050 to match the steep and swift global cuts that scientists say are needed to avoid the most devastating impacts of global warming, using curbs on fossil fuels, and massive investments in clean energy.

The path will not be easy, though, with political divisions in the United States, opposition from fossil fuel companies, and wary inter-

New COVID-19 variant defeats plasma treatment, may reduce vaccine efficacy

Indian state renames dragon fruit lotus Healthcare workers tend to a patient at a temporary ward set up during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa, January 19, 2021

T

Dragon fruit, which is not native to China, is now being grown in India

A

n Indian state has decided to rename dragon fruit because of the original name's "association with China".

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said the fruit would now be called kamalam, Sanskrit for the lotus flower.

The lotus is sacred to Hindus and is India's national flower.

Relations have nosedived in recent months between India and China, whose troops are locked in a tense stand-off along their long Himalayan frontier.

India began cultivating dragon fruit only in recent years and it's now grown in parts of Gujarat too. It be-

longs to a family of cactus – and is believed to have earned its fearsome name because its pointy outer layer resembles the scales of a dragon.

Though it's a tropical fruit native to Central America and is largely imported from South America, many in India associate it with China because of its name.

Rivals India and China are often described as the elephant and the dragon respectively, and relations between the neighbours have been especially frosty since their armies clashed high in the Himalayas in the summer. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he new COVID-19 variant identified in South Africa can evade the antibodies that attack it in treatments using blood plasma from previously recovered patients, and may reduce the efficacy of the current line of vaccines, scientists said on Wednesday.

Researchers are racing to establish whether the vaccines currently being rolled out across the globe are effective against the so-called 501Y.V2 variant, identified

by South African genomics experts late last year in Nelson Mandela Bay. “This lineage exhibits complete escape from three classes of therapeutically relevant monoclonal antibodies,” the team of scientists from three South African universities working with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) wrote in a paper published in the bioRxiv journal.

“Furthermore, 501Y.V2 shows substantial or complete escape from neutralising antibodies in COVID-19

convalescent plasma,” they wrote, adding that their conclusions “highlight the prospect of reinfection ... and may foreshadow reduced efficacy of current spike-based vaccines”.

The 501Y.V2 variant is 50 per cent more infectious than previous ones, South African researchers said this week. It has already spread to at least 20 countries since being reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) in late December.

It is one of several new variants discovered in recent months, including others first found in England and Brazil.

Meanwhile, the BBC reported Zimbabwe's Foreign Minister, Sibusiso Moyo has died after succumbing to COVID-19, the Government says.

Zimbabwe has recorded a surge in COVID-19 cases since the festive season.

There have been 28,675 cases and 825 deaths since the virus was detected in the country last March. (Excerpts from Reuters and BBC News)

national partners concerned about US policy shifts obstructing the way.

Biden’s orders also require Government agencies to consider revising vehicle fuel ef-

ficiency standards and methane emissions curbs, and to study the possibility of re-expanding the boundaries of wilderness national monuments that had been reduced in size by the Trump Administration.

In addition, Biden signed orders targeting COVID-19, racial inequity and providing support for underserved communities.

Aides said the actions the Democratic President signed included a mask mandate on federal property and for federal employees, an order to establish a new White House office coordinating the response to the coronavirus, and halting the process of withdrawing from the World Health Organisation. (Excerpt from Reuters)

At least 3 dead in central Madrid building explosion

A

t least three people died and 11 were injured on Wednesday afternoon when a building in central Madrid was blown apart by an explosion, with four of the wounded requiring hospitalisation.

All available evidence pointed to the blast in Calle Toledo, a street leading out from the city centre, being caused by a gas leak, Madrid’s Emergency Services said, although the factors which triggered the leak were yet to be determined.

“It was completely nerve-wracking ... I heard and felt the explosion, but didn’t know where it came from,” said local Isabel Romero, whose eight-year-old son is a student at a school next to the building where the explosion occurred.

“All of the windows in one of the classrooms shattered and the children were very

shaken.”

Firefighters were still on the scene late in the evening, with Madrid’s Emergency Services tweeting: “The (building’s) state has yet to be determined ... and gas is burning at a controlled rate.”

Electrician David Santos Muñoz, a 35-year-old father of four, was identified as one of the dead, Madrid’s Archdiocese said in a tweet, saying he had gone to the parish-owned building earlier in the day to lend a hand.

Spanish authorities said an 85-year-old woman also died in the explosion, and Bulgaria’s Foreign Ministry said the third victim was a 47-year-old Bulgarian citizen.

The building was a complex which provided residential training for priests and also gave meals to homeless people, a neighbour said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

China imposes sanctions on 28 Trump-era officials, including Pompeo

C

hina said on Wednesday it wanted to cooperate with President Joe Biden’s new US Administration, while announcing sanctions against “lying and cheating” outgoing Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo and 27 other top officials under Donald Trump.

The move was a sign of China’s anger, especially at an accusation Pompeo made on his final full day in office that China had committed genocide against its Uighur Muslims, an assessment that Biden’s choice to succeed Pompeo, Anthony Blinken, said he shared.

In a striking repudiation of its relationship with Washington under Trump, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced the sanctions in a statement that appeared on its website around the time

that Biden was taking the presidential oath.

Pompeo and the others had “planned, promoted and executed a series of crazy moves, gravely interfered in China’s internal affairs, undermined China’s interests, offended the Chinese people, and seriously disrupted China-US relations,” it said.

The 28 ex-officials and immediate family members would be banned from entering mainland China, Hong Kong or Macao, and companies and institutions associated with them restricted from doing business with China.

China has repeatedly rejected accusations of abuse in its western Xinjiang region, where a United Nations panel has said at least one million Uighurs and other Muslims had been detained in camps.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

20

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Stick to the truth. You don’t have to sugarcoat or exaggerate to get what you want. Intelligence will be all you need to persuade others to see things your way. Be careful with your money.

Avoid joint ventures, investments and risky projects.

Don’t let anyone talk you into something that you don’t like. Concentrate on working hard and doing your best.

Romance is in the stars.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Take one step at a time.

Consider every angle before you commit to anything.

Uncertainty will mount as the day unfolds, and you’ll be glad you opted to take your time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

SUDOKU

Separate work and personal issues to avoid giving someone the upper hand.

Focus more on individual gains, growth and living a healthy lifestyle. Love and romance will ease stress and improve your day.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Reach out to those you have a good rapport with, and you’ll get the help you need. Take advantage of a last-minute change by having a backup plan in place.

Use your intelligence.

Express your feelings, and it will help you make better decisions. Reach out to a loved one and make an effort to spend more time with him or her. Romance is favored.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Concentrate on letting go of the past and moving forward with greater optimism and less stress. Don’t let your emotions interfere with the things that you need to do. Do what’s best for you.

SCORPIO

Question everyone and everything. You want to be positive that you are making the right decisions before you proceed. Life-changing opportunities will require dedication and discipline.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Turn something you enSAGITTARIUS joy doing into a lucrative en(Nov. 23deavor. Exploit the services Dec. 21) and skills you have to offer instead of letting others take advantage of you and your attributes.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19) YESTERDAY'S WORD -- WROUGHT

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Let your intuition lead the way. Focus on what you know and do best. Make your living space more conducive to achieving your goals. Don’t let anyone interfere with your plans.

Rethink your strategy, and consider your motives.

A change someone makes will give you a reason to reconsider matters. Don’t let uncertainty take charge; follow your heart, and do what’s best for you.

Offer help for the right reasons. Ulterior motives will lead to trouble. Be open about your expectations; rewards for your honesty will come your way. A trendy new image will give you confidence.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

21

Randolph Roberts is newly elected Flying Ace cycling club President

– commits to working hard – aims to provide local cyclists with international tours

T

he New Amsterdambased Flying Ace cycling club recently elected Randolph Roberts as its new President.

In elections held at the club's headquarters at Alexander Street in New Amsterdam, former President of the club, John Lewis, was elected First Vice-President,

while Mursaline Bacchus was elected Second Vicepresident.

Top cyclist Balram Narine has been elected Secretary, while former female cyclist Marcia Dick is Assistant Secretary.

Roberts has also been elected Treasurer, while Narine is Club Captain.

Jeremiah Joseph is the

Vice-Captain, while Ronda Russell is the club's honorary member.

Former Mayor Errol Alphonso is the Flying Ace patron, while Fizal Ally, Eli Hazel, Pearl Arokium, Myron Rose and Neil Reece are committee members.

As President, Roberts has said, he is aiming to carry the mantle of his fore-

bearand work harder in order for the club to achieve more. He noted that he is planning to co-operate with his members, and is aiming for his cyclists to receive more exposure in 2021 by somehow giving them the opportunity to participate in international tours.

"I am also hoping that this COVID-19 situation

gets better, and we can have more cycling events in the year," Roberts has said.

Roberts thanked former President John Lewis, who also threw his full support behind this new administration.

"I thanked him for his time spent and the work he has done over the years for the club."

The newly elected President also thanked the business community for their support over the years, and extended gratitude to the Regional Democratic Council. He is looking forward for the support of the local cyclists and the Guyana Cycling Federation as he embarks on his journey.

Hetmyer retained; Paul, Rutherford, Cottrell released – As IPL retention lists circulate

rounders Daniel Sams and Harshal Patel from the Delhi Capitals in an all-cash deal.

Meanwhile, both Adam Zampa and the player he replaced last season, Kane Richardson, have been retained by RCB. Released are: Chris Morris, A a r o n Finch, Shimron Hetmyer will have another season with the M o e e n Ali, Isuru Delhi Capitals Udana, Dale teve Smith, Lasith Malinga, Steyn, Shivam Dube, Umesh Glenn Maxwell and Chris Yadav, Pawan Negi, Gurkeerat Morris are among the bigMann, Parthiv Patel name players released by the Squad: Virat Kohli (c), AB eight franchises on Wednesday de Villiers, Devdutt Padikkal, (January 20) ahead of the 2021 Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep IPL auction, which is set to take Saini, Washington Sundar, place in February.

Yuzvendra Chahal, Joshua While Royal Challengers Philippe, Pavan Deshpande, Bangalore have released Shahbaz Ahamad, Adam 10 players, the most by any Zampa, Kane Richardson, Daniel franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad Sams (T), Harshal Patel (T) and Kolkata Knight Riders Slots Remaining: 11 (3 have let go of only five each. overseas) Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have also made two big Sunrisers Hyderabad announcements on the day SRH, who finished third in appointing Sanju Samson as the IPL 2020, have released only five captain and Kumar Sangakkara players from their squad ahead as the director of cricket. of the auction. Billy Stanlake and Delhi Capitals and RCB have Fabian Allen, neither of whom also been involved in an all-cash played a game for the franchise trade, with all-rounders Daniel last season, have been released, Sams and Harshal Patel moving while among the Indians, Yarra to the Virat Kohli-led side. With Prithviraj, Sanjay Yadav and the trading window still open, B Sandeep failed to get an retained players could still extension with the franchise. move across squads before the Prithviraj had come in as a auction. replacement for Bhuvneshwar Kumar last season after the Royal Challengers Bangalore veteran pacer had suffered an Royal Challengers Bangalore injury early in the tournament. have released 10 players, 5 Released are: Sanjay Yadav, foreigners and five Indians, B Sandeep, Billy Stanlake, ahead of the 2021 IPL auctions.

Fabian Allen, Yarra Prithviraj The Virat Kohli-led team will Squad: David Warner (c), also be without Parthiv Patel, Abhishek Sharma, Basil Thampi, who has retired from IPL, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jonny Dale Steyn, who is skipping the Bairstow, Kane Williamson, tournament this season.

Manish Pandey, Mohammad RCB have traded in all-

S

Nabi, Rashid Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Shahbaz Nadeem, Shreevats Goswami, Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed, T Natarajan, Vijay Shankar, Wriddhiman Saha, Abdul Samad, Mitchell Marsh, Jason Holder, Priyam Garg, Virat Singh Slots Remaining: 3 (1 overseas)

Delhi Capitals Delhi Capitals have released five players from their squad that reached the final last season. Those released include three foreigners and two Indians. With Alex Carey released, they have only one wicketkeeper - Rishabh Pant - retained in the side. DC have also traded all-rounders Harshal Patel and Daniel Sams to RCB in an all-cash deal.

Released: Alex Carey, Keemo Paul, Sandeep Lamichhane, Tushar Deshpande, Mohit Sharma, Jason Roy, Harshal Patel (T), Daniel Sams (T) Squad: Shreyas Iyer (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Amit Mishra, Avesh Khan, Axar Patel, Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Prithvi Shaw, R Ashwin, Rishabh Pant, Shikhar Dhawan, Lalit Yadav, Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Anrich Nortje, Pravin Dubey, Chris Woakes Slots Remaining: 8 (3 overseas) Kolkata Knight Riders KKR will go into the auction with a 17-member squad already available, after having released only five players from the team. The two-time champions have released Tom Banton and Chris Green among the foreign players, and Siddhesh Lad, Nikhil Naik and M Siddharth among the Indians.

Released: M Siddharth, Nikhil Naik, Siddhesh Lad, Chris Green, Tom Banton Squad: Dinesh Karthik, Andre Russell, Kamlesh

season, has retained.

N a ga r ko t i , Kuldeep Yadav, Lockie Ferguson, Nitish Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Rinku Singh, Sandeep Warrier, Shivam Mavi, Shubman Gill, Sunil Narine, Eoin Morgan (c), Pat Cummins, Rahul Tripathi, Varun Chakravarthy, Ali Khan, Tim Seifert Slots Remaining: 7 (1 overseas)

Rajasthan Royals Sanju Samson will lead the Royals after the franchise opted to release Steve Smith ahead of the IPL 2021 auction, which allows them to add INR 12.5 Crore to their purse for the auction.

Meanwhile, Kumar Sangakkara will join the franchise as the Director of Cricket.

Even as they have released eight players, with a 17-member core retained, they are unlikely to be too busy at the auction.

Released: Steve Smith, Ankit Rajpoot, Oshane Thomas, Akash Singh, Varun Aaron, Tom Curran, Anirudha Joshi, Shashank Singh Squad: Sanju Samson (c), Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Tewatia, Mahipal Lomror, Kartik Tyagi, Andrew Tye, Jaydev Unadkat, Mayank Markande, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Anuj Rawat, David Miller, Manan Vohra, Robin Uthappa Slots Remaining: 8 (3 overseas) Kings XI Punjab Kings XI Punjab have released two of their most expensive buys - Glenn Maxwell and Sheldon Cottrell - ahead of the 2021 IPL auction. The pair had forgettable seasons with the franchise in the 2020 season. Among foreign players, they have also released James

Keemo Paul spent two seasons with the Delhi Capitals

Neesham, Mujeeb ur Rahman and Hardus Viljoen, apart from four Indians.

Released: Glenn Maxwell, Karun Nair, Hardus Viljoen, Jagadeesha Suchith, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Sheldon Cottrell, Jimmy Neesham, Krishnappa Gowtham, Tajinder Singh.

Squad: KL Rahul (c), Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Prabhsimran Singh, Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Darshan Nalkande, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel Slots Remaining: 9 (5 overseas) Chennai Super Kings CSK have released six players from their squad ahead of the auction. Shane Watson, who retired from all forms of cricket after the last season of IPL, is the only foreigner to have not been retained by the MS Dhoni-led side. Kedar Jadhav, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla and Murali Vijay are among those released, while Suresh Raina, who missed the 2020

been

Released: Kedar Jadhav, Harbhajan Singh, Shane Watson, Monu Singh, Piyush Chawla, Murali Vijay Squad: MS Dhoni (c), Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, KM Asif, Deepak Chahar, Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, Narayan Jagadeesan, Karn Sharma, Lungi Ngidi, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shardul Thakur, Josh Hazlewood, R Sai Kishore, Sam Curran Slots Remaining: 7 (1 overseas) Mumbai Indians The five-time champions have off-loaded almost their entire foreign pace battery, save Trent Boult, ahead of the 2021 IPL auction. The IPL title-holders have retained only three other foreign players - Kieron Pollard, Quinton de Kock and Chris Lynn. However, they have retained most of their Indian contingent, apart from Prince Balwant Rai Singh and Digvijay Deshmukh.

Released: Mitchell McCleneghan, James Pattinson, Lasith Malinga, Nathan CoulterNile, Sherfane Rutherford, Digvijay Deshmukh, Prince Balwant Rai Singh Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Aditya Tare, Anmolpreet Singh, Anukul Roy, Dhawal Kulkarni, Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Jasprit Bumrah, Jayant Yadav, Kieron Pollard, Krunal Pandya, Quinton de Kock, Rahul Chahar, Suryakumar Yadav, Chris Lynn, Mohsin Khan, Saurabh Tiwary, Trent Boult Slots Remaining: 7 (4 overseas) * (T) = Traded Player* Purse amounts to be confirmed for franchises by IPL GC. (Cricbuzz)

22 Golf in schools is no longer a dream, but a reality

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

T

he training for the secondary schools Golf pilot programme got off to a wonderful start, with PE teachers from Berbice, Linden, Georgetown, East Coast Demerara and Essequibo all participating in a group training at the Nexgen Golf Academy on Woolford Avenue.

The four-hour session was attended by 14 participants, and Head of the Allied Arts Unit in the Ministry of Education, Ms. Barker-King, was on hand to welcome them along with Department Head Nicholas Fraser and Programme Coordinator Al Junior Wilson.

Speaking to the group of teachers, Ms. Barker-King encouraged them to embrace their mandate as leaders of an incredible programme that would be the beacon for future

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First training for teachers and head of the Allied Arts Unit, Ms Barker-King, and Nicholas Fraser

generations.

“You have a responsibility

Muneshwer’s Ltd supports Golden Jaguars’ World Cup journey with health products

From R - L GFF Exco Member Dion Inniss, Muneshwer’s Ltd Secretary Ms Priscilia Ramcharran and Mr Richard

M

u n e s h w e r ’s Limited on Tuesday donated a range of health and sanitation products to the Guyana Senior Men’s National Team as players and staff begin preparations for 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March.

Following approval from the National COVID-19 Task Force, the Golden Jaguars commenced training this month at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre at Providence with strict hygiene and health protocols in place, including COVID-19 tests, mask wearing, and the regular sanitisation of equipment.

To support the team, Muneshwer’s has provided high-quality masks, hand sanitiser, soap and paper towels to ensure that players and staff remain as safe as possible while in training.

“On behalf of the management of Muneshwer’s Limited, we are very pleased to partner with the Guyana Football Federation and to donate these items that we hope will go a very long way in assisting the organisation,” said Richard Coddett, Health, Safety, Security and Environment Manager at Muneshwer’s.

“Muneshwer’s, as part of its corporate social responsibility, is very pleased to be part of this

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partnership, and we will continue to do much more of this because we understand the importance of football in society and the role it plays in helping our youths.”

The handover took place at GFF headquarters in Georgetown, with GFF Executive Committee member Dion Inniss receiving the essential items from Coddett and Muneshwer’s Secretary Priscilia Ramcharran.

“We would like to extend our gratitude to the Muneshwers board and senior management; we welcome you with open arms. As Mr. Coddett mentioned in his remarks, this will not be the company’s last gesture, which is already good news,” Inniss said.

“The Golden Jaguars are embarking on a very exciting journey to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Cognisant of the protocols and regulations that we must adhere to, we have reached out to seek assistance from corporate Guyana for sanitising products and equipment, and Muneshwer’s has been the first to step forward to assist us.”

“The World Cup campaign is an extremely expensive venture, if you want to be serious about it, so we are extremely grateful for this gesture and we look forward to other corporate entities coming forward to assist us,” Inniss said.

to yourselves and our learners all across the country, and you’ve been chosen to lead a programme that will impact the lives of our children forever. We are grateful to Mr. Hussain and the Guyana Golf Association, along with the Nexgen Golf Academy for their support in making the dream of playing Golf a reality for thousands of children.”

Mr. Fraser said he was pleased with the results so far, and is excited about the prospects of seeing golf take a top position in the schools due to its unique COVID-compliant qualities.

“As educators, sports activities are very important, and we are glad that the partnership with Aleem can provide an alternative to contact sports during this unprecedented period in our history,” he said.

Reaction from the teachers was extremely positive, and the competitive nature was quickly evident as they spent over four hours learning and competing among themselves.

The immediate goal of this

initiative is to build a team in all the pilot schools to engage in a chip and putt competition in six weeks’ time.

As seen from the energetic nature of the President of the Guyana Golf Association, the plan to bring Golf to the forefront of all sports is quickly becoming a reality, as more and more persons are getting involved in the game.

Hussain has often emphasised that the only reasons golf isn’t Number 1 in Guyana are because of accessibility and affordability, two things that he is working to change as soon as possible.

“We are focused on creating facilities in as many regions as possible, and providing equipment and balls so that everyone can have a chance to try the sport. A major part of the strategy was put in place when the programme was approved by the CEO and Deputy CEO of the Secondary Schools after prompting by Ms. Barker-King and Mr. Fraser,” he said.

“With access to over 100,000 children in the school system, the Golf Association

and Allied Arts Unit feel it is viable to have at least 5% of them take up the sport, and expect that one parent will also be enticed into participating, thereby creating at least 7,00010,000 new players in less than two years! It is important to note that no other sport has ever experienced such growth” said Ms. Barker-King, explaining that she was happy that such an opportunity was at their disposal though the efforts of Mr. Hussain.

Through partnerships with the Scouts Association of Guyana and the Guyana Teachers Union, Nexgen Global has been able to establish a fully lighted driving range and Academy in Georgetown, and now can offer training to approximately 14,000 teachers as a part of that affiliation.

The cost of learning the game for kids is as low as $500/hour and the facility is open daily until 8pm. You can join the more than 500 new players having fun and learning the game by calling 645-0944 or visiting the Nexgen Golf Academy Facebook page.

Nuggets star Jokic with another double-double, Jazz win sixth straight

N

ikola Jokic enhanced his MVP credentials with another double-double in the NBA as the Denver Nuggets eased past the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-101.

Two-time All-Star Jokic led the Nuggets with a game-high 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in just three quarters on Tuesday.

Jokic – averaging a triple-double in 2020-21 – has posted a double-double in every game he has

played for the Nuggets this season, a league-high 14.

The Nuggets outscored the Thunder 66-43 in the second and third quarters to win for the second time in three games, with teammate Paul Millsap also putting up a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Luguentz Dort had 20 points on eight-of-11 shooting for the visiting Thunder in Denver.

The Utah Jazz, meanwhile, stayed hot with a 118-102 victory against

the New Orleans Pelicans.

Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists to lead the Jazz to their sixth successive win.

Rudy Gobert (13 points and 18 rebounds) and Jordan Clarkson (18 points) also made contributions for the in-form Jazz.

Zion Williamson’s game-high 32 points were not enough for the Pelicans, who have dropped six of their past seven games. (Sportsmax)

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Motie grabs 5 in second Jaguars' practice match Story and Photos by Brandon Corlette

L

eft-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie bowled with extreme control in his spell of 5-22 in the Guyana Jaguars Super50 second practice match at La Bonne Intention (LBI).

Under clear skies, Johnson's XI won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring 109 all out in 32.1 overs. In response, Vishaul Singh's XI, led by Kevlon Anderson's solid 34 ensured

Singh's XI

Kevlon Anderson looked solid in his 34

went downhill for Johnson's XI as the final nine wickets fell for 49 runs.

Shimron Hetmyer, batting at number three was removed for a six-ball duck when he was trapped on his boot and was adjudged legbefore to Keon Joseph at 61-2.

Christopher Barnwell jumps for Griffith, playing joy after removing Singh an unusual role, was the third the victory, ending the match man to fall, scoring a cautious 16. It was Joseph again with at 110-4 in 19.3 overs.

Earlier, Chandrapaul the breakthrough. The lad Hemraj got some runs under from West Berbice, who was his belt, hitting a top-score of selected to play Super50, since 41 for Johnson's XI. He added he last played in 2010, did his 61 runs with his opening job as first change bowler, after partner, Trevon Griffith. Hemraj he removed both Hetmyer and was dismissed by Shepherd Griffith.

The spinners then at 60-1 in 8.3 overs, after his innings was decorated with came and made merry. An four sixes and two fours. Things impressive Kevin Sinclair, who

bowls with great control, took a return catch that saw the end of Johnson for four, with the score at 76-4 in 15.3 overs.

In the next over, the lad from Albion, opened the floodgates, removing the big Christopher Barnwell for four. At regular intervals, Motie made the ball talk. He removed Akshaya Persaud (03), Anthony Bramble (09), Renaldo Ali Mohamad (03) and Quinten Sampson (00).

It was a nice battle between Ramaal Lewis and Devendra Bishoo. After Lewis was beaten by some sharp turn off Bishoo, he slammed Bishoo to the fence but the experience player came back and ended Lewis's innings for 15. In addition to Motie's 5-22 in 10 overs, which included four maidens, Joseph had 2-28 in four overs while Sinclair had 1-12 in seven overs,inclusive of one maiden. Shepherd claimed 1-19 and Bishoo had 1-9.

In the chase of 110, Assad Fudadin who is set for a grand

return to the Jaguars team, played a deligtful shot down the ground off Pestano, which went for a sweet six. That was his only scoring shot as his innings concluded when parttime spinner, Hemraj picked up his wicket. Fudadin was caught at mid-off at 8-1. His fellow Berbician, the West Indies youth player, Anderson looked at his solid best.

He showed no flaw, with the exception when he was dropped on 17 at slip by Griffith. He rotated the strike and found the gaps, playing ball along the carpet. He added 58 runs with Tevin Imlach; but the former who looked promising, was removed by the upbeat Barnwell. Imlach made 17 and he departed with the score on 66-2 in 12.1 overs.

Barnwell continued to probe and he removed Singh for 09, when Anthnony Bramble took a sharp catch.

Tagnenarine Chanderpaul played an unbeaten innings of 28, decorated with three fours and two sixes while Anderson innings of 34, included one four and three 3-shots. Barnwell

claimed 2-28 in six overs while Lewis and Hemraj had one wicket each. The third and final practice match is set for Friday

at LBI as Guyana Jaguars finalize their preparation ahead of the Regional Super50 Cup set for February 7 in Antigua.

SCOREBOARD Johnson XI T Griffith c Anderson b Joseph 16 C Hemraj c Fudadin b Shepherd 41 S Hetmyer lbw b Joseph 0 L Johnson C&B Sinclair 4 C Barnwell c Anderson b Motie 4 A Persaud lbw Motie 3 A Bramble stump b Motie 9 R Alimohamed c Savory b Motie 3 R Lewis c Foo b Bishoo 15 Q Sampson lbw Motie 0 A Adams not out 2 Total: 109 All out (32.1 Overs) Bowling R Shepherd N Smith K Joseph J Foo K Sinclair G Motie D Bishoo

4-19-1 2.5-16-0 4-28-2 1-1-0 7-12-1 10-22-5 4.1-9-1

Singh’s XI A Fudadin c Sampson b Hemraj 6 K Anderson c Alimohamed b Lewis 34 T Imlach lbw bBarnwell 17 V Singh cBramble b Barnwell 9 T Chandrapaul not out 28 J Foo not out 0 Total: 110- 4 (19.3 Overs) Bowling C Pestano 3-24-0 C Hemraj 4-9-1 C Barnwell 6-28-2 S Sankar 3-18-0 A Adams 3.3-28-0 R Lewis 2-3-1

AP Invitational set for June 19

…String of sponsors already on board

A

fter missing out in 2020, the Aliann Pompey Invitational Track meet is on for 2021, as the organizers look for the best ways to compete and combat COVID-19.

Aliann Pompey, who founded the AP Invitational back in 2016, shared an update on the process of organising this year’s meet amidst a g l o b a l pandemic. “ I a m

Aliann Pompey said in an invited comment.

The Associate Head Coach at St. John’s University, USA stated, “To say the desire for a s e n s e of normalcy

the end of July. We have a number of challenges we will face as we aim to deliver a competition of the highest quality.”

The meet, which lends exposure and even acts as a qualifying event for Guyanese speedsters, will be welcomed with open arms this year for athletes who are hoping to make the cut for the Tokyo Olympics.

As such, Pompey expressed her elation at being able to put on a high-level event for local and regional track stars.

O n that note, the World

thrilled that we can move forward with this year’s API for a number of reasons. We can’t deny the effects that the pandemic has had on our lives,” Guyanese Olympian

is great is an understatement. I think this is the opportunity to bring sports back in a major way. It gives the athletes a chance to qualify for the Olympics Games slated to begin at

Olympians Association Executive Board member shared, “The API fits perfectly on the international calendar. It’s late enough to give athletes a chance to get in peak shape and its

well within the qualifying window for the Olympics Games. It continues to be a great resource for our region, being one of limited regional competitions on the World Athletics Continental Tour.

In talking with athletes and their agents, interest is substantial as they monitor the quickly changing travel restrictions and protocol to make it a reality.”

With some 150 days to go before the June 19 competition date, the event will not be short of sponsors, as some of the usual suspects indicated their interest in the event already.

“I want to point out that none of our previous sponsors have said no, the GOA, Sentinel Security, Sleepin Hotel & Casino and the Ministry of Tourism had made early and resounding commitment - while others are still in the process of evaluating available resources before fully committing,” Pompey informed.

She continued, “I’d like to take this time to appeal to other businesses, corporations and individuals who would like to align themselves with the competition to do so.”

The event will be hosted at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara.

“Health and safety are absolutely at the forefront of everything we will do - of the Guyanese public, athletes and other guests. We have to make sure we adhere to local and international protocols and best practices, so that we are not contributing in any way to the spread of the virus. I am thrilled that our partners and sponsors are back for another year. I can’t stress enough how much of our success has been because of their support,” the Olympian concluded.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021

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

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Pg 23

Hetmyer retained; Paul, Rutherford, Motie grabs 5 in second Cottrell released Jaguars’ practice match – As IPL retention lists circulate Pg 23

Page 22

Golf in schools is no longer a dream, but a reality

AP Invitational set for June 19 …String of sponsors already on board

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