Guyana Times - Thursday April 15, 2021

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Govt to sensitise pensioners on hassle-free pension options Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4618

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

Govt will decide on 2nd COVID-19 cash grant by year end – VP

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

GDF rank dies in horrific P14 Homestretch Avenue accident

Page 3

COVID-19 death toll climbs to 262 as 4 more die

See story on page 7

Jury acquits P11 “Grey Boy” of Crum-Ewing’s murder

…97 new cases recorded …Eccles, Campbellville, Lusignan among hotspots in Region 4

Guyana Shore Base to complete US$16M expansion by October

Page 10

Mason jailed for killing lover’s P8 husband

Transformer P17 explosion, circuit breaker problems cause power outages on WCD

Bedridden pensioner dies after Sophia fire

Guyanese fashion designer murdered in Trinidad Page 2

Dead: Vanci Hodge

Page 15

2021 UN Economic and Social Council

See story on page 9

Finance Minister calls for increased concessional financing

Berbice man P15 crashes car, lands in ditch after pig runs across road Extreme rainfall causes flooding at Speightland, Kara Kara P14

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese fashion designer murdered in Trinidad

By LaWanda McAllister

A

uthorities in the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago have launched an investigation into the murder of a young Guyanese fashion designer, cosmetologist, and runway coach, who was found dead in his apartment with multiple stab wounds about his body.

Dead is 27-year-old

Latchman Singh, popularly known as Marcus or Marc Anthony Singh, who originally hailed from Seventh Street Marthersville, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Trinidad Police said they were called to the apartment in El Dorado around 18:30h on Tuesday by one of Singh’s roommates, who claimed that he was found in a motionless state.

Latchman Singh

When they arrived on the scene, they found Singh’s underwear-clad body that bore several stab wounds.

On Wednesday, the dead man’s family members in Guyana said that they were struggling to gather infor-

mation surrounding his horrific demise and were devastated over the fact that they may not get back his body for burial.

Speaking with Guyana Times, his mother, Bibi Zabeda Kassim, who has since fallen ill after receiving the news of her son’s murder, said that her other children tried to break the news to her delicately.

“My kids called me and told me that they got bad news for me, so I ask them, ‘what is it?’ and they told me they heard that Anthony get murder. I didn’t believe at the set moment, but when I see it started to be on social media, then I had believed it. My daughter spoke more with the Police and so over there, but that is all that I heard,” the grieving mother told this publication.

Kassim said her son left

Bibi Zabeda Kassim lying in her hammock as she tries to come to grips with her son’s death. Also in photo are Latchman Singh’s sister and father

Guyana some six years ago to live in Trinidad, with the aim of bettering his skills.

She said since he left, he had never returned home, adding that the last time she heard from her son was on April 1, when he called her to wish her a happy birthday.

When asked if Singh complained of having problems with anyone, his mother said her son never told her of any such issues. However, his sister, Deepa Singh said her brother did at one point confided in her that he was experiencing some challenges, but she said it was nothing detailed.

“At one time yes, he did have a problem, but they sort it out. He wanted to come back to Guyana, because he wanted to start career here too, but then I didn’t hear him say anything again. I spoke with him only on Monday on video call and he was preparing breakfast and that was the last time I heard from him,” the tearful woman said.

Singh’s family said based on what they heard, the fashion designer shared an apartment with two other

persons. They said he did not have any family members in the twin-island republic, but did have friends there.

They also told this publication that based on the information they received, there was no forced entry into the designer’s room.

His sister Geeta said they were told that he was stabbed twice to the back of his head.

“I don’t even know if anybody heard him scream, because he has a very loud scream, he mussy really scream…,” his sister said.

Singh’s mother said their family was in constant contact with authorities in Trinidad and was hopeful that justice would be gotten as soon as possible.

“This not something easy and I can never get back a son and this was a murder. Every mother would feel it for their child. If he was a bad person, he was a gambler, or he was smoking and things like that, I wouldn’t have been grieving this much, but my son was very humble and he didn’t deserve to die like that. So, all I am asking for is justice from the authorities in Trinidad,” she said.

The family also said it was heart-rending that Singh’s body would not be able to come home for his burial, and they would not be able to bid him farewell in person, as Trinidad and Tobago’s borders remain closed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We don’t know anybody there and we have no contact really, just for the few people…we would have to send money up there to bury him,” they said.

Nevertheless, the family is pleading with both local and Trinidadian officials to allow members to travel so they can properly say goodbye to their loved one.

The day after Singh was murdered, a plethora of posts flooded social media sites, offering condolences to his family. He was described by his friends as “talented, brilliant and a creative soul that was full of life. His family also described him as “an inspiration to many”.

3 Govt will decide on 2nd COVID-19 cash grant by year end — VP NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, April 15 – 04:00h-05:30h and Friday, April 16 – 04:00h-05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, April 15 – 05:30h-07:00h and Friday, April 16 – 05:55h-07:25h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine in the early-morning hours will give way to light rain showers until the early afternoon followed by cloudy skies for the rest of the day. Cloudy conditions and light rain showers are expected during the night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 06:07h and 18:31h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.57 metres.

Low Tide: 12:05h reaching a minimum height of 0.52 metre.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

T

he Government is considering a second countrywide COVID-19 cash grant distribution exercise. This was revealed

by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.

After taking office in

acted as a stimulus for the economy.

“In that (emergency) budget, we removed taxes or reduced taxes and put in place other incentives that would be equivalent, when you annualise it, to $40 billion more in people’s pockets in tax savings.”

“And then, in the 2021 budget, we added to that.

So, already, we see the benefit of this in the economy.

The money that we gave out was not so much a stimulus to the economy, although it did serve that purpose. That was more to assist households with food and so. And a lot of people were appreciative of that,” he said.

On September 7 last, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced that

File photo: Scene from the first phase of the cash grant distribution

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021

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August 2020, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) rolled out a $25,000 per household cash grant to assist households during the COVID-19 pandemic. During a programme on a US-based online radio station, Jagdeo said consideration for a second countrywide cash grant distribution exercise would be given by this year end. He was at the time asked about the Government’s efforts to provide a stimulus for the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Right now, we don’t have a second plan (for a cash grant) immediately, because we’ve not completely rolled out that plan as yet. There were people who filled up a pink form that we now have to go back and reassess. We’ll have to determine by the end of the year whether we’ll have another programme, because, logistically, it was very difficult to roll out; we had to go to every home.

“We continue with the hamper programme, but it’s more selective now. But the stimulus itself was through the tax measures. That, the $7 or $8 billion we spent in the cash grant, that also was spent back into the economy, so it did serve as a stimulus too,” the Vice President explained during the interview.

Jagdeo expounded that the two budgets passed by the PPP Government, the $330 billion emergency budget in September 2020 and the $353.8 billion budget passed in March of this year,

every household would benefit from the grant among other measures to help cushion the effects of the pandemic. The grant also sought to stimulate the economy by increasing people’s spending power.

Distribution began on September 29, 2020 in the farthest regions, giv-

en their vulnerable economic state. Citizens across the country have praised the Government for this measure, due to its timeliness.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, had announced last month that the second phase of the Government’s $25,000 household COVID-19 cash grant initiative would begin soon.

The Minister had encouraged citizens to work along with the distribution teams

to ensure a smooth process.

He had said the workers and Police faced several challenges to complete their task in the first phase due to residents’ behaviour.

“I’d like to encourage residents once again to make sure that they treat this process with some diligence and fairness, and also to avoid abusing and violating the staffers who will come around to do the distribution of the COVID cash grant in the second phase,” Dharamlall had said. (G3)

4

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 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

Callously abusive to our environment

I

t is apparent and glaring that some citizens have become increasingly irresponsible in disposing of trash, which eventually ends up in our drains and waterways. The voluminous build-up of garbage in some communities across the country speaks of a society that is yet to be trained on proper waste disposal. We are guilty of indiscriminate dumping of garbage.

A casual drive around many communities would reveal the shocking truth: in many areas, there is garbage strewn across the reserves and roadways. As an attempt to conceal the act of indiscriminate dumping, some perpetrators dispose of their trash at night, and would go so far as to travel to neighbouring communities and villages to commit the act.

How sad that we have become so callously abusive of our environment. We only think of Mother Nature when calamity or disaster strikes. Every human being should go the extra mile in caring for our one and only Mother Earth.

Many of the smaller communities do not have regular garbage disposal services, and most private collectors would service these areas at least once a week. Does this then excuse the action of residents to take their waste elsewhere?

There are so many other options for solid waste disposal.

In most developed and developing countries, like Guyana, with increasing populations, prosperity and urbanisation, it remains a major challenge for municipalities to collect, recycle, treat and dispose of increasing quantities of solid waste, especially in a changing climate. Everyone is aware of the issues we are facing with solid waste management.

However, for years now, calls for citizens here to dispose of their waste in a responsible manner have fallen on deaf ears, and the build-up of garbage in and around the city and villages continues to be repeated. Governments and businesses all over the world are realising how serious the problem is, and are taking steps towards putting policy mechanisms in place to ensure that the environment is protected from various forms of pollution.

Isn’t it high time we took part in making our society garbage-free? Communities cannot rely solely on our Government to clean up the environment. A concerted effort is highly needed.

A cornerstone of sustainable development is the establishment of affordable, effective, and truly sustainable waste management practices. We should therefore make it a daily habit to help control the floods and other problems caused by the mountains of garbage we throw away. What is lacking is discipline in disposing of our garbage properly.

Several international reports have stated that the carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the Earth’s atmosphere have surged past an important threshold and may not dip below it for “many generations”. The 400 parts per million (ppm) benchmark was broken globally for the first time in recorded history some years ago.

What is alarming is that experts say the last time CO2 was above 400 ppm was three to five million years ago!

It is time to consider the reality facing the world today, and it is even more crucial to take stock of the individual responsibility for this global situation. It is highly improbable that citizens do not yet know the impacts of climate change and are unaware of current challenges across the globe in regard to access to potable water, arable lands and in some severe cases access to food.

The time has long since passed for affirmative action, and the hour of reckoning is upon us. The Earth itself is sending a message and it behooves us to change our attitudes and behaviours, it is time we see the importance of becoming waste-wise and take the pledge to make a concerted effort to recycle more, and reduce the waste sent to the landfill. If not today, when would be the perfect time for action?

All citizens should pledge to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle when possible, and Rejoice in the wonderful creation we have been given.

Acting British High Commissioner to Guyana, Ross Denny paid a courtesy call on Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir.

Denny was given a tour of the Public Building, Brickdam, Georgetown (Parliament of Guyana photo)

What else do you need to know?

Dear Editor, The financial aspect of the undertaking is indeed a “no-brainer”, as our VP indicated, when one examines the benefits that derive from the gas-toshore project. It is clear that the potential benefits far outweigh any challenges that may be encountered along the way.

The gas-to-shore project is something that would be beneficial to all Guyana and to every Guyanese. This project would slash the cost of electricity, which would then have spin-off effects in which every Guyanese would benefit. The electricity tariffs in Guyana range between 25 cents and 35 cents per kilowatt hour, and that’s one of the highest electricity costs in the region. This is something that hinders business development and investors coming to Guyana. It discourages multinationals from establishing operations here.

The reason for this high cost is that our country relies heavily on power from generators that use diesel, which is expensive and isn’t effective in producing energy. It is evident through many studies that the gas-to-power project would cut the price of electricity by at least half.

Exxon have completed studies and offshore surveys on the pipeline, and they are ready to work with our PPP/C Government on the plans.

ExxonMobil had completed a technical feasibility study back in 2016, further cementing Government’s position that the project is financially feasible. Such a study assesses the details of how you intend to deliver a product or service to customers.

Back in 2017, a feasibility study was undertaken by the former administration to examine the costs and associated impacts of bringing natural gas to shore by way of a pipeline, and a number of sites were shortlisted for the establishment of a natural gas power plant.

Guyanese must know that there are clear benefits in having a gas-to-shore project for Guyana. It would reduce oil imports and reduce emissions.

Exxon made it clear that there are no technical barriers

that exist for piping natural gas from the Stabroek Block to shore for power generation and other applications in Guyana, and the company remains engaged with the Government of Guyana for implementation of the project.

However, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expected to triple in the coming years, making this project a reality is key to wealth creation in Guyana. As the use of natural gas to provide energy in Guyana continues to form a major part of our Government’s plans to deliver significant benefits to our country and our citizens, piping gas to shore would allow for flexible power generation, with significantly reduced CO2 emissions at a competitive price, making it a long-term solution to meeting the country’s energy needs, which are expected to have a transformational effect on manufacturing, which would result in the sector becoming more competitive regionally.

With that being said, Exxon have identified, and they are certain they can deliver, the kind of volumes of gas that are needed to support a gas-powered plant, which is about 50 million cubic feet of gas per day. The gas-topower project, which is a major initiative being undertaken in Guyana, would see a pipeline landing in Wales, where our Government is looking to develop a commercial zone. Among the facilities being considered for that area is a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) plant, LPG is a flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as fuel in heating appliances, as cooking gas, and to fuel vehicles.

In addition to power generation, there are other uses for natural gas, such as the production of feedstock and fertilisers which can be used in the agricultural sector, and for exports.

We will see development of agro-facilities, agro-processing facilities. Guyana will be on the cusp of transformation never seen before. Growth is expected to quadruple, and immense opportunities would be opened up for all Guyanese. The local Private Sector need not look towards only exponential growth, but to organising themselves for evolutionary growth, so that

they can be competitive.

Our Government has a national energy plan that is looking at reducing the cost of energy by almost 50 to 60 percent, making Guyana now a competitive area for manufacturing within the region; for packaging and processing and integrating the opportunities in all the islands and communities with our national energy plan.

The piping of natural gas to shore in Guyana for the generation of cheaper power is expected to have a significant impact on the manufacturing and other productive sectors, and reduce the burden of high electricity rates for citizens, while leading to job creation from the establishment of new industries. The number of jobs to be created is approximately 3,000 as a result of those operations.

The question is: “What else do you need to know?” Once the proposed gas-to-shore project comes on stream, Guyana’s electricity costs could be reduced from 30 US cents to six, or even three US cents per kilowatt hour (kWh).

Outsiders are always quick to say, “Oh it’s going to be too

expensive; you can’t do it.”

Guyanese, we must not always buy that perspective. Let’s look at Norway. It was faced with a similar situation in the early 1970s, today Norway has one of the best gas-to-shore piping infrastructure networks in the world. Norway produces 5,763,408 million cubic feet (MMcf) of natural gas per year (as of 2015) ranking 7th in the world.

Guyana’s oil and gas sector is growing and developing, and we need the types of gas piping infrastructure similar to that which now exists in Norway.

This is a matter of priority, and, as Guyanese, we must look very, very seriously before dismissing our gas-to-shore project as undoable in a country like ours, where, theoretically, we have already started to witness a much higher level of GDP per capita. It simply means building this type of infrastructure must be part and parcel of that kind of development and wealth creation for Guyana, making the project economically viable.

Dear Editor, To start off the Holy Month of Ramadan, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at in Linden worked with Humanity First Linden, a humanitarian relief organisation, to distribute food hampers in Linden.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, used to be a very generous and giving person. However, in the month of Ramadan, he was exceptionally generous. Thus, in this month of Ramadan, the Muslims of Guyana also try their best to indulge in good deeds, and to develop good morals and character throughout the month, and try to carry these traits over in the rest of the year. Aside from this, prayer is a main focal point. Therefore, by serving the community and praying, we fulfill our purpose as Muslims, which is to fulfill the rights of mankind and also to fulfill the rites to God. With this intention, the

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at in Linden also strived to give back to the community by way of distribution of food hampers.

Four volunteers helped in this process, and, through torrents of rain, we were able to benefit many individuals and families.

In conclusion, when we give, it also allows us to become humble and increase in gratitude.

There is always someone in more need than you, and when one realises that, he/she would be more willing to give and help neighbours. This is the way we can make our communities in Guyana better places.

I wish all my Muslim brothers and sisters a blessed Ramadan; and to those who are not Muslims, I wish that they have a blessed month as well.

Sincerely, David Adams

The month of giving

Sincerely, Maulana Fahd Peerzada Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Linden

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 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

Govt is on right path to developing oil and gas sector GHK Lall’s gas-to-shore Dear Editor, It is quite unfortunate that, as a Guyanese, I had to sit and read the views expressed by international lawyer Melinda Janki regarding the prosperity of my beloved country. As someone with a keen interest in the budding oil and gas sector, I paid close attention to the points she stressed on in her expression, titled “PPP/C, Coalition incapable of leading Guyanese to safe and prosperous future In face of climate change….

– Int’l Lawyer”. Most notably, she based her position on the fact that Guyana’s proposed petroleum production goes against President Joe Biden’s climate change aims and strategies.

I found this to be interesting because a simple internet search would indicate that the Leaders Summit on Climate is focused on underscoring the urgency - and the economic benefits - of stronger climate action. Such aims of the summit reflect Guyana’s steadfast commitment over the years in terms of advancing a low carbon development pathway.

The Government of Guyana’s commitment in this regard is nothing unfamiliar, and is public knowledge; so, I do not comprehend how Ms Janki would posit

that Guyana’s proposed petroleum production is in direct opposition to President Biden’s climate change aims and strategies.

In fact, I have done some research on Guyana’s petroleum production, and that research, coupled with several media reports over the years, indicates that Guyana would be able to strengthen its climate action from the benefits that would be derived from the petroleum production.

At the same time, the October 30, 2020 edition of the Guyana Chronicle newspaper covered His Excellency President Irfaan Ali’s address at a virtual Climate Change Conference with over 130 countries, wherein he stressed on the importance of mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

The President also expressed commitment towards protecting the natural environment, and called on the G-77 to focus on advancing development in the same regard.

If the Government of Guyana were not committed to improving its climate action, given its petroleum prospect, why would the President have taken such a strong stance on climate change at the virtual meeting with the G-77? Also, why would the Government out-

line in its manifesto that it intends to retain its status as a carbon sink economy if it were incapable of doing so?

The fact that such is the reality causes me to question the views expressed by Ms Janki in her epistle.

Additionally, I found it alarming that Ms Janki wrote that it appears that the production from the Stabroek block is driven by ExxonMobil’s demands, rather than the concern for the wellbeing of the Guyanese people. I know for a fact that such a budding sector would offer a host of advantages for Guyanese. Notably, in terms of climate action, the petroleum sector would also boost Guyana’s mitigation and adaptation efforts significantly.

For instance, I know that the cost of transitioning to a net-zero economy would be very high. In order to achieve this without putting pressure on available resources, the petroleum sector would be able to allow such to happen easier. This is because Guyana would be able to make more major investments towards a new, clean, energy economy. Anyone can understand this, so I am not sure why Ms Janki is of a different view.

Lastly, Ms Janki concluded her expression by citing Article 36 of the

Constitution, which states that the well-being of the nation depends on preserving clean air, fertile soils, pure water, and the rich diversity of plants, animals and ecosystems. She stated that this article should be the basis for Guyana’s immediate transition to a prosperous bluegreen economy powered by 100% renewable energy.

However, I do not believe that Article 36 is applicable in this regard, given that it does not deal with the development prospect of the petroleum sector and climate action. In fact, natural gas is known to have one of the smallest carbon footprints.

As the Government of Guyana is focused on developing the gas-to-shore project, I know that, as Guyanese, there will be countless benefits heading our way.

Therefore, the expression of Ms Janki’s regarding the Government being incapable of leading Guyanese to a safe and prosperous future is misguided. I believe that the PPP/C Government is on the right path to developing the oil and gas sector, and at the rate at which the sector is expanding, it is safe to say that prosperity is guaranteed.

Yours respectfully, Erin Northe

President Ali tells it like it is: Harmon must quit “illegitimate Govt” narrative and face reality Dear Editor, I am very happy that President Dr Irfaan Ali is remaining most inflexible in his position that Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon and his parliamentary colleagues recognise the winning People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government as legitimate.

In fact, Harmon’s quest for dialogue with this PPP/C Government exposes his confused and contorted state of mind. It also reveals a contradiction in his philosophy and politics.

I ask a simple question: “Is Harmon a rational, law-respecting person?

As far back as September 2020, President Irfan Ali, at the United Nations 75th General Assembly, made his policy clear: “…my Government is committed to greater political inclusion and to enacting institutional reforms to ensure that democracy, the rule of law, and constitutional rights be respected.”

However, what we have is a case where Harmon is eager to meet with President Ali in what he says is in the ‘national interest,’ but, at the same time, he is maintaining his ‘non-recognition of the PPP/C Government.’ Mr. Harmon needs to be schooled; the two positions are in contradistinction. At the personal level, he may disrespect the PPP/C and the President, but at the legal and political level, he is without a choice; he must bow to the Government of the day.

In this maleficent, contradictory posture, Harmon has actually gone ahead in his bid to get the help of the Caribbean

Community (CARICOM) to mediate on the current stalemate between him (really his APNU+AFC) and the Irfaan Ali Government. Currently, he is upset at the ‘no-response as yet’ from CARICOM. Well, let me recap a few important matters, and make my point clear: that Harmon is ‘way out of order.’

In July of 2020, more than three months after the 2020 Elections, the then ruling Coalition, via Harmon, their point man, made it abundantly clear that they would not heed calls to concede that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) did in fact win the elections, even as he was part of the effort to stymie the official declaration of the election result, which showed a PPP/C victory.

He was emphatic then, and stated that “calls to concede in the circumstance (that they themselves created), irrespective of the sources (from) they were coming at the time, were prematurely a coercive ploy, a violation of (our) constitution and laws.”

He said, “We will not bend,” even though all knew that the three Reports submitted by Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield to the Elections Commission were marred by fictitious and manufactured figures, and did not follow due procedures and legal processes. Harmon wanted ratification for a false win; that is, a stolen victory, to be aided and abetted by all of the observers.

We all recall how the likes of St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and Barbados

Prime Minister Mia Mottley were verbally harangued all because CARICOM et al wanted Guyana’s democracy to be preserved.

Back then, Harmon’s reason was that “Guyana is an independent and sovereign state, and respects and cherishes relations at a diplomatic level with all states.” He resisted the calls for such by Caricom (and the other legitimate international observer teams). In fact, his exact words were: “We stand firm against any threats or actions which are aimed at violating the trust which exists between our leadership and our people.”

Let me add another piece from Harmon at this time.

This filibustering politician said that the Organization of American States (OAS) went into the “boundary of “interference” when it declared that the National Recount would yield a credible result for the March 2nd General and Regional Elections. Now he seems oblivious of ‘boundaries’ and ‘interference,’ more so in a totally domestic matter. So, I am very surprised that he is begging that help come his way from the said people he renounced when he was not being supported in his quest to steal the 2020 Guyana Elections.

I reiterate (from a legal standpoint too) that the PPP/C won ‘fair and square.’ This means that Harmon will have to bend and accept this legitimate Government. He may continue to disrespect the Government and President Ali, but he cannot get by without accepting and recognising the ruling party.

I am with President Ali, as he “…urged the Opposition Leader to desist from the false narrative he perpetuates, that the PPP is not the legitimate Government, and “There’s no compromise on that.”

Yours truly, Baldeo Mathura

and solar energy projects’ comparison is misguided Dear Editor, I find it quite baffling that, as a young Guyanese, I am able to foresee the countless opportunities which would follow the gas-to-shore project much clearer than Mr. GHK Lall. Undoubtedly, the gas-to-shore project, when compared to a solar energy project, is more beneficial to the Guyanese populace, including young individuals like me, who are currently unemployed.

Recently, I took note of Mr. GHK Lall’s missive that encouraged a sideby-side comparison of gasto-shore and solar energy projects in terms of determining which is cheaper and could offer the better answer for energy dilemmas in Guyana. However, Mr. GHK Lall failed to realise and shed light on the fact that even though solar energy is known to be a cleaner alternative to natural gas, the spin-off benefits of natural gas are far greater than those of solar energy.

In fact, as the gas-toshore project expands to the point where it could be utilised, there would be need for power plants, gas facilities, and other supporting industries, so as to ensure that Guyanese benefit in every regard. This means that the country would see the introduction of new industries, which ultimately would create thousands of jobs for Guyanese who, like me, are unemployed.

With a solar energy project, the number of jobs that would be created, as well as the number of industries that would be intro-

duced are incomparable to the gas-to-shore project. Any right-thinking Guyanese would support the gas-toshore project as against a solar energy project without hesitation.

At the same time, it is a fact that the natural gas which would be piped to shore would be significantly inexpensive. This would mean that Guyanese taxpayers’ dollars would not have to be injected into getting the gas to shore, as the cost would be met by the operators themselves. I learnt of this through the Ministry of Education’s offering of online courses through Coursera, which allowed me to gain a certificate in Oil and Gas Operations as well as insight into gas-to-shore operations.

One of the things that were taught was that when operators are able to meet the cost of investment, it would later form part of the total cost recovery. I believe that this is advantageous, as it would mean that Guyana would be able to save hundreds of millions in foreign currency.

Therefore, I believe that the comparison made by Mr GHK Lall between the gasto-shore project and a solar energy project is misguided. The main reason for my viewpoint is that the gasto-shore project offers advantages and opportunities that are far greater than those of a solar energy project. Perhaps Mr GHK Lall should revisit the comparison he made and do some additional research.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

6

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄ Wednesday’s answers c + p ≤ 10 c ≥ 2p

I

n Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, if you didn’t like the days’ weather, you didn’t eat.

Real weather might not affect your day or your daily meals as much as the unique weather conditions of Chewandswallow, but most people do have strong feelings about weather. Some love hot, sunny days; others enjoy gentle spring rain. Some people complain about snow and cold; others dislike thunderstorms.

Talk with your child about his feelings about different types of weather.

Encourage him to offer descriptions of how different types of weather look, smells, feel and sounds. Looking at nonfiction books about weather may stimulate thinking. Together, write down his ideas.

Now encourage him to use his brainstorm to create an alliterative poem about his most favorite or least favorite weather. Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sound in two or more neighboring words or syllables, such as “the wintry wind whistles.” Talk with your child about other examples of alliteration that he’s likely encountered in brand names and advertising — like Best Buy, Red Robin, Chuck E. Cheese’s, Krispy Kreme — and why the alliteration helps make words and phrases memorable.

Alliterative words twist the tongue and are fun to read and say! A poem full of alliteration is like a tiny tornado in your mouth.

Offer your child paper and pencil and have him write a poem that is at least five lines long and uses alliteration at least three times. Read his poem aloud or record him reading it if possible so he can appreciate the repetition of sounds and hear the quickness and intensity alliteration adds to his writing.

Waiting for the Sound of Thunder

While the sounds of a thunderstorm can be frightening for some children, most kids love to make noise of their own! Ask your child what he would do if he had the job of making special sound effects for a movie about weather. Have him gather kitchen and household items that he thinks could imitate the sounds of rain falling on the roof, wind, hail, rushing or splashing water, and thunder and lightning. Then let him make the sounds for you to see if you can correctly guess which weather effect it is. Talk with your child about what really makes the noises of weather. Is it the rain or the object the rain strikes? Does weather sound different in different places?

Variation: If you have a smart phone or tablet, let your child try to imitate weather sounds using a musical instrument app. Or use real instruments if available. (readingrockets.org)

Questions: What type of poem is it? What is it all about? How did you know what it was about?

WORD SEARCH

7 COVID-19 death toll climbs to 262 as 4 more die NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…97 new cases recorded …Eccles, Campbellville, Lusignan among hotspots in Region 4

A

nother four persons who had tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died, according to the Ministry of Health.

This now takes the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 262.

The latest fatalities are two males from Region Four

(Demerara-Mahaica), ages 79 and 67 and an 86-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman both from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The four died while receiving care at medical facilities.

With these, the COVID-19 death toll for the month of April has gone up to 19.

There were already five fatalities from the pandemic recorded earlier this week. On Sunday, a 64-year-old man from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) and a 60-yearold woman from Region 3 (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara) died, while another 64-year-old male from Region Four died on Monday.

New cases

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has also reported on Wednesday that a whopping 97 more persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Guyana.

According to the updated COVID-19 Dashboard, the country’s total number of confirmed cases now stands at 11,374, of which 5769 are males and 5605 females.

However, only 1234 of these are currently active cases. This includes 13 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 1,219 persons in isolation, that is, 76 in institutional isolation and the other 1,143 in

home isolation. Additionally, another 11 persons are in institutional quarantine.

To date, some 9880 persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus in the country – 84 more recoveries than the figure reported the previous day.

A total of 102,053 persons have thus far been test-

ed for the novel coronavirus in Guyana. Of the 97 new cases recorded on Wednesday, one was detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), five in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 20 in Region Three, a whopping 55 cases in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) one in Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice), another five cases in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and 10 in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

The figures in the other three regions – Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Region Nine (Upper Essequibo-Takutu) – remained the same.

The rising number of COVID-19 cases and deaths comes as local authorities continue to battle with a new wave of the novel coronavirus that is seeing infected persons becoming sicker and requiring hospitalisation.

Hotspots

During his Wednesday update on the novel coronavirus situation in Guyana, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony revealed that there are currently 74 infected persons hospitalised across the country.

These include nine persons at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, three at the New Amsterdam Hospital, another

three at Linden Hospital and the remaining at the Ocean View Hospital, where 15 persons are on ventilators to assist with their breathing in the COVID-19 ICU. According to Dr Anthony, Region Four continues to be the epicentre for the pandemic outbreak in Guyana, with several communities emerg-

ing as hotspots. These include Diamond, Herstelling and Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara; Kitty and Campbellville in Georgetown along with parts of South Ruimveldt, and Lugisnan and Good Hope on the East of Demerara.

The Minister noted that while other communities in these areas also have cases, the specific communities have high numbers.

In order to curb to the spread of COVID-19, government has rolled out its COVID-19 vaccination campaign in February last.

While there has been a tremendous response to the vaccination campaign with some 67,524 persons immunised with their first shot as at Tuesday, Dr Anthony noted that they are still working aggressively to sensitise communities about the benefits of taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

“What we’re trying to do is work with the different community groups in dispelling whatever myths they have and to try to get people to come out to the immunisation centres. We have moved away from some of the fixed sites that we have, and we have gone closer into the community, and I think that is working,” he posited.

Moreover, the Health Minister noted that they are

also moving the vaccination exercise to riverine communities. In fact, he noted that they have already commenced an assessment at the Berbice River area to ascertain the population and what is needed in order to rollout vaccination there.

“By next week, they are planning to go back and do the immunisation,” he added.

The Minister went on to say, “We also would encourage community leaders, health care workers and train them in order to understand better how the vaccine works, and to pass them on to the different people of the community.

That is an ongoing exercise.

We’ve also been working with a number of the community leaders to get them to understand a little more about vaccine, and hopefully they can then work with their peers and persons within community to help them to understand how these things work.”

Meanwhile, health authorities are reminding all Guyanese to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 EMERGENCY M E A S U R E S (NO.16), which was extended for this month and will be in effect until April 30, 2021.

Among these measures is the 22:30h (10 pm) to 04:00h (4 am) national curfew which remains intact.

Restaurants and places of worship are to continue to operate at 40 per cent capacity. Gyms are to operate at 50 per cent capacity, while sporting events are permitted only with approval from the Health Minister.

The order further emphasises the need for correct and

consistent use of a face mask when leaving home; the importance of maintaining the six-foot physical distance from others, and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. (G8)

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mason jailed for killing lover’s reputed husband

S

terfon Barlow, 38, was on Wednesday handed a 10-year prison sentence on a manslaughter charge in regard to the July 2, 2016 unlawful killing of Sherwin Johnson, his lover’s reputed husband.

In February, Barlow and his lover, Alexis Turpin, went on trial for Johnson’s murder.

That trial, however, ended in a hung jury. Accordingly, Justice Brassington Reynolds had ordered a retrial for both of them. The following month, Barlow opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. He returned before Justice Reynolds on Wednesday for sentencing.

According to reports,

Confessed killer: Sterfon Barlow

Turpin and Johnson had parented a child and had lived together at Chapel Street, Lodge, Georgetown. It has been reported that Johnson

arrived home on July 2, 2016 and found Turpin in bed with Barlow, a mason. The heated argument that ensued between the parties escalated into a fight, during which Turpin and Barlow reportedly dealt Johnson several stabs about his body with a knife. They also lashed the man with pieces of wood and a crowbar.

Following the beating, Johnson was hospitalised while Turpin and Barlow were charged with attempted murder. However, after Johnson succumbed to his injuries, the charge against Turpin and Barlow was upgraded to murder.

Barlow and Turpin had each reportedly given cau-

Whatever happened to...

Murder accused: Alexis Turpin

tionary statements detailing their roles in the incident.

Turpin is still awaiting trial for the offence. Her case is expected to be called again at the April session of the Demerara Criminal Assizes, which is currently in progress.

Before sentence was passed on the confessed killer, a probation report was presented to the Court.

During an interview with a probation officer, Barlow disclosed that Turpin would invite him to her home at nights. He revealed that one day he visited her during the daytime, but her reputed husband Johnson was at home. According to Barlow, an argument broke out between Turpin and Johnson and Johnson hit her.

Barlow told the probation officer that as a result of Johnson hitting Turpin, he hollered at Johnson, who ran out of the house, tripped, and hit his head on the concrete stairway. He said that when Johnson got up, he armed himself with a piece of wood, attacked him and a fight broke out between them.

The probation officer said that residents in Barlow’s neighbourhood described him as being very helpful and caring, and were shocked at his involvement in this crime.

Prison officials, according to the probation officer, described him as a very quiet inmate who attended classes on anger management.

The probation officer further told the court that Barlow has expressed remorse for his actions, and in doing so, stated that he had no intention of killing the man. As such, he told the probation officer that he is begging the Court for leniency, since he has two children, aged five and seven.

Family members of the now dead man have said that their loved one had been a hardworking man who supported his five children. For her part, State Prosecutor Tyra Bakker asked the Court to consider the nature and gravity of the offence when imposing a sentence on Barlow.

In sentencing the confessed killer, Justice Reynolds started at a base of 18 years, from which he made several deductions for factors that included expression of remorse and time spent in pretrial custody. In the end, the Judge ordered Barlow to serve a further 10 years’ imprisonment for the crime.

Barlow was represented by defence counsel Clyde Forde. (G1)

N

…elections reform ow, your Eyewitness wants to make it clear from the onset that he’s making a distinction between “elections reform” and “electoral reform”. So, what’s the distinction? Well, in his book, “elections reform” has to do with fixing kinks that we’ve encountered with the holding of elections, while “electoral reform” goes into the esoteric matter of tinkering with the electoral system to better deliver “democracy”.

The latter is best illustrated by the change in 1964 from “First Past the Post” (FPTP) to “Proportional Representation” (PR), which led to the mess we’ve found ourselves in. And then in the 2000s, when we modified PR to a “Mixed System” of PR and FPTP - which, as we know to our cost - has done nothing to fix anything. Fortuitously, the need for “electoral reform” is now moot, since - like Darwin’s evolutionary model, working through natural selection - the demographics have changed through reactive emigration, so that we’re now a nation of minorities. And, as such, if any party wants to win elections, it has to appeal beyond its ethnic base. In other words, it has to become a “national party” in deeds and not just words. Case closed!

So, we move to elections reform. Why? Well, for the simple reason that it doesn’t matter what electoral system we’re going to use, at the end, we HAVE to use elections to determine who governs “democratically”! So, if we don’t get this right, we’re just spinning wheels when we talk about “democracy”. Now, what’s wrong with our elections?

Well, absolutely nothing when it comes to casting and counting votes, if we go by what happened on March 2!

All the problems emanated from the GECOM Secretariat. We can start with the instructions that went to some 29 polling stations to the effect that the polling documents etc should be sent to the RO, and not enclosed in the box with the ballots. This caused a big stink that still reeks, since the PNC has since used this incident to question the elections’ results. Then, of course, there are the infamous and critical incidents at the Reg 4 RO HQ, spearheaded by Mingo and other GECOM staff.

How do we prevent these from recurring? The problem has to do with the system that selects the personnel, when the terms of employment might be racially neutral but are interpreted in a racially biased manner. This was supposed to be investigated by the ERC, but was stymied when various managers from the GECOM Secretariat refused to give testimony. And this is where we have to be if we’re ever to have confidence in our elections.

We can’t pretend that our racial preferences don’t seep into our professional roles.

…Plantation white Your Eyewitness is tickled pink (figuratively speaking, since he’s quite melanin-suffused, thank you!) to read that we’re increasing our shipments of packaged brown sugar. While there’s an additional cost for the packaging, from the announcement that we’re getting twice the price (US 34 cents per pound?) we’re certainly doing better at reaching our production cost of US 40 cents per pound.

But the goal is to make profits, no? And towards this end, a lot of money’s been spent on fixing the factories and field practices to become more efficient, and we’ll have to see how those work out.

But your Eyewitness wants to remind the powers-thatbe about the long discussed and negotiated agreement on producing “Plantation white sugar” - along with Belize to satisfy our Caribbean demand at refined sugar prices!

This is primarily used by the Regional food manufacturing industry.

All it takes is a modification to our present sugar factories to introduce sulphur dioxide to “bleach” the impurities.

What’s the holdup?

…Granger When he was introduced as the new PNC leader back in 2011, Granger was touted as a grand strategic thinker who’d play chess while the PPP was stuck with checkers!

So, what’s his present strategy? Rope-a-dope?

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

NEWS

9

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2021 UN Economic and Social Council

Finance Minister calls for increased concessional financing …notes importance of funding for developing, vulnerable States

F

inance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, using the platform of the 2021 United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Forum on Financing for Development, has called for increased concessional financing for the developing world.

The Minister was at the time virtually attending the forum, where he emphasised the urgent need to address the challenges faced

by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in accessing financing to meet their development needs. This is especially in light of the targets set by the developed countries.

Singh, a statement from the Finance Ministry said, reminded the forum that the global community has entered the last decade before expected delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He also noted that it is also a uniquely challenging time in human history since the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked more havoc worldwide than any other public health issue in living memory. This has also had the effect of exacerbating pre-existing systemic challenges in the global economy.

“Vulnerable countries,

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

including Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and low-lying coastal states such as Guyana are still grappling with these pre-existing challenges while we now confront the harsh and lasting socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic,” he said.

“I reiterate the heightened urgency with which the official development assistance targets set by developed countries now need to be met. I also repeat the call for the use of a vulnerability index to supplement the criteria for determining access to concessional financing.”

He also noted that the

immediate and most urgent challenge was stemming the pandemic, but highlighted that Guyana was concerned that developing countries were encountering hurdles in accessing adequate supplies of vaccines at affordable prices and on fair terms.

“Achieving herd immunity in our population is absolutely critical to our economic recovery. I emphasise the need to ensure affordable and adequate access to vaccines, particularly for the most vulnerable States,” Dr Singh pointed out as he underscored the urgency of upscaling action towards full implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.

The Senior Finance Minister also highlighted that in Guyana’s case, it has spent heavily on its response to the pandemic, as total expenditure increased by 15.2 per cent in 2020 and the Central Government’s fiscal deficit expanded to 9.4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020 compared to 2.8 per cent in 2019.

However, the Minister pointed out that more resources were now required to coordinate health responses, ensure equitable access to healthcare,

and invest in recovery.

Additionally, global partnership and solidarity are more critical now than ever before. Singh also expressed disappointment that the commitment by developed countries to provide $100 billion in climate finance by 2020 has not been met.

“This must be remedied

urgently. Further, we must explore innovative financing methods which would require the strong support of development banks at all levels. Guyana strongly advocates enhanced support for low-carbon development models,” Dr Singh urged.

The purpose of the forum was to encourage high-level

political engagement to advance priority actions that will set the world on track for the recovery and beyond, and to allow for the promotion and sharing of concrete national, regional and global experiences and initiatives on financing the SDGs in a rapidly-evolving context.

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana Shore Base to complete US$16M expansion by October

Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar (black mask, pointing), during his visit to GYSBI

G

uyana Shore Base (GYSBI), a Guyanese owned port company that serves as a crucial conduit between ExxonMobil’s operations offshore and the supplies on shore, is close to completing the US$16 million expansion of its facilities.

This was revealed during a tour of its Houston, East Bank Demerara (EBD) facilities by Minister with-

in the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar.

Indar explained that the Government has issued over a dozen permits for GYSBI to conduct its construction activities, and those permits have been put to good use.

He noted that the expansion, which would see GYSBI building two additional berths to moor vessels coming in from the

open ocean, would be completed in October, and that the berths were constructed with full local content being realised.

“Next door at GYSBI is a US$16 million project, of which I’ve clarified from the developers that most of (the works went) to local contractors, sand providers, transportation people. Local people are getting that.

“Berth one and berth two, which are constructed here, berths three and four are the new ones. Those will generate, post construction, 144 full time workers. So that is work for Guyanese people.

“Local people are building it. Local people are monitoring the quality control of that construction project. I’m pleased with the development I’m seeing here.

I understand that, by the end of October, that project will finish. Which will allow Guyana to do heavy lifts.

Heavy lifting, which requires heavy duty equipment capable of lifting and installing thousands of tons of equipment onto drilling and oil production facilities, presents a number of logistical challenges. Indar is of the view that Guyana would now be able to provide these services.

“As you know, heavy lifts are done in Trinidad.

And all the services associated with those heavy lifts, whether it’s transportation, crane services, logistics

or brokerage, all of that is done in Trinidad, and then put on vessels and go offshore.”

The Minister encouraged the investor to continue with the project. He noted that in the construction, certain technology, known as open cell, is being used.

According to him, this type of technology is very advanced.

Another observation the Minister made was that, had the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government gone ahead with plans to construct the new Demerara River Bridge from Houston to Versailles, West Bank of Demerara (WBD), GYSBI would not have been able to expand the way they have.

“I’m standing at the edge of the work here, and, further south, the bridge under the previous Government was supposed to go (this way).

That is no longer the case.

The alignment isn’t here.

The alignment is between La Grange and Nandy Park.

That means the impediment that was placed on development here is no longer here anymore. That doesn’t exist, so development can continue to expand in this part of the river bank,” he said.

GYSBI is a majority Guyanese owned company with its operations located in Muneshwer’s Houston port. It was contracted by oil giant ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), to provide shore base services back in 2017.

Exxon is, so far, the sole oil producing company in Guyana. Guyana, with oil giant ExxonMobil as operator, only began producing oil on December 20, 2019 in the Stabroek block, lifting its first million barrels of profit oil from the Liza1 well in February 2020.

Oil tanker Cap Phillippe transported this lift from the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, allowing Guyana to receive its first payment the next month. (G3)

Breaching COVID-19 measures

Club Altitude owner, “Killa” on $5000 bail for employees, patrons charged damaging Police vehicle

Dead: Ricardo Fagundes

R

ondell Bacchus, called “Killa”, who was taken into custody for questioning and later released on station bail for the murder of Ricardo Fagundes, called “Paper Shorts”, was on Wednesday charged with damaging a Police vehicle.

The 40-year-old defendant was released on $5,000 bail after he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The man faced two charges before the Magistrate. The first charge stated that on April 9, 2021, at the Brickdam Police

Station, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously damaged a windshield valued $24,561 on a motor vehicle. The second charge alleged that Bacchus damaged a triangular glass worth $32,000 on the said vehicle.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Last week, Bacchus was released on $100,000 station bail after spending a few days in Police custody, where he was being questioned about the murder of Fagundes. This was after the 72-hour detention limit had expired. As a condition of station bail, he is required to report to the Police on specific days.

However, it was reported that while Bacchus was being escorted from the lockups at the Brickdam Police Station following his release, he maliciously damaged a Police vehicle.

Bacchus surrendered to the Police after a wanted bulletin was issued for him to be questioned in the murder of Fagundes, which took place on March 21, outside of a popular night club on Main Street, Georgetown.

Rondel Bacchus

Fagundes, a 42-year-old gold dealer of Lot 25 Sandy Babb Street, Georgetown, was shot several times about his body at about 22:00h on the night in question. While information remains sketchy about what had transpired, the Police have said that the now dead Fagundes had been in the company of a close friend partying at a Main Street, Georgetown nightspot when his mobile phone rang. As such, he reportedly exited the club to take the call, but, soon after, several gunshots were heard.

Patrons of the club, including the now dead man’s friend, rushed out to enquire, but saw Fagundes lying motionlessly in a pool of blood close to his motor car. Bacchus was previous charged with the 2008 murder of scrap metal dealer Akbar Alli. Following his appearance at the High Court, he had pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and had been sentenced to 16 years, eight months’ imprisonment.

Johanna Craigan

Joy Craigan

eer Rahaman, the owner of Altitude Cocktail Bar and Grill, which is located at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty, Georgetown; his employees and patrons of the popular hangout spot were on Wednesday charged with breaching the national COVID-19 measures.

They were hauled before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Rahaman pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on March 13 and April 4, at the club, he hosted a party in breach of the COVID-19 measures. In a plea of mitigation, the proprietor explained that on both occasions, he was in the process of closing when the Police arrived and made arrests.

Rahaman was ordered to pay a fine of $16,350 or if he defaulted, serve one month in prison.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Nickel Thomas, a bartender; Tiffany Ross, 32, who is

employed with the Guyana Post Office Corporation and Club Altitude; Kalvin Ramkellawan, 18, who operates a hookah business at the said club and Fiona Samuels 28, who is also employed at the club, were charged for attending a private party.

The party was held on March 13. All of them pleaded guilty to the charge except Samuels. Those who pleaded guilty were fined $16,350, or would, on default, serve one-month imprisonment.

Samuels was released on $5000 bail and was scheduled to make her next court appearance on April 21.

Also, Joy Craigan, 19, and Johanna Craigan,18, were charged with attending a private party at the club’s location on March 13. They both pleaded guilty to the charge and apologised to the court. They too were fined $16,350 or would, on default, serve one-month imprisonment.

The Police Prosecutor told the court that ranks

M

Tiffany Ross

Kalvin Ramkellawan

of the Guyana Police Force and COVID-19 Taskforce were conducting curfew operations around Georgetown when they visited the club and arrested the persons who were in breach of the COVID-19 measures.

Moreover, the COVID-19 Taskforce has temporarily closed Altitude Cocktail Bar and Grill for its breach of the national COVID-19 measures. (G1)

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jury acquits “Grey Boy” of Crum-Ewing’s murder A fter spending almost six years as a remanded prisoner, 45-year-old Regan Rodrigues was on Wednesday found not guilty of the March 10, 2015 murder of Courtney CrumEwing, who was gunned down at Third Avenue, Diamond, East Bank Demerara.

Rodrigues, also known as “Grey Boy”, had been on trial for the offence before Justice Sandil Kissoon and a 12-member jury at the High Court in Demerara.

Following close of the prosecution’s case, which was presented

by State Counsels Lisa Cave and Tyra Bakker, Rodrigues’s lawyer, Adrian Thompson, submitted that there was no case to answer, and Justice Kissoon upheld the submission.

In the circumstances, the judge instructed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty, after which he discharged the accused and told him he was free to go.

At the announcement of the verdict, Rodrigues, who appeared in court virtually from the Lusignan Prison, burst into tears as he stood and thanked the judge and jury.

Following the commencement of his trial on Monday, Rodrigues had pleaded not guilty to the murder charge.

According to reports, 40-yearold Crum-Ewing, a father of three, was gunned down while he was encouraging residents in the area to vote at the May 2015 General and Regional Elections.

It was reported that CrumEwing’s motionless body was found with gunshot wounds to the temple, back of the head, and stomach.

The Police, in a statement, had said the political activist was accosted by four men in a car, one of whom discharged several rounds that hit him about the body. It was reported that the killer(s) used a .32 pistol to execute him.

Police

Gun, ammo find Sergeant

Dwayne

lodged and the necessary records made.

Deficient, tenuous

Acquitted: Regan “ Grey Boy” Rodrigues

Harvey, who was among the witness called by the Prosecution, testified that on July 13, 2015, he and a party of Police ranks searched Rodrigues's home at Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, where they discovered narcotics, and an illegal gun and several rounds of ammunition.

According to Sergeant Harvey, Rodrigues was told by a rank that he was being arrested for possession of illegal arms and ammunition, and was subsequently cautioned, to which he replied, “Officer give me a chance nah! I can’t turn in this gun, this gun do nuff things.”

The Police witness recounted that Rodrigues was arrested and escorted out of the house, during which he pushed the arresting rank aside, jumped into the Demerara River, and made good his escape. Harvey said a rank gave chase behind Rodrigues, but was unable to apprehend him.

Sergeant Harvey added that the arresting rank took possession of the illegal gun and ammunition, and took them to the Ruimveldt Police Station, where they were

In upholding Thompson's nocase submission, Justice Kissoon described the evidence adduced by the prosecution as “deficient” and “tenuous”. Justice Kissoon noted that the effect of the evidence presented by the prosecution is that ballistics tests connected the gun found in Rodrigues’s home as the weapon that had inflicted the fatal injuries on Crum-Ewing.

According to Justice Kissoon, although Rodrigues was charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, those charges were dismissed by a competent court of jurisdiction, the Magistrates’ Courts.

The Judge said that, based on the evidence presented before him, the Police witnesses testified that they prepared their statements pursuant to Rodrigues’s arrest for unlawful possession of arms and ammo.

“The State was seeking to establish that he had possession and control of the weapon. Because this is the plank of the state’s case, that this weapon is the property of [Rodrigues], and being the property of the accused, it then had to have been the accused, based on circumstantial evidence, as the owner of that weapon, who would have shot the deceased on the 10th March 2015.”

In conclusion, Justice Kissoon underscored, “after reviewing the entirety of the evidence before this court, I find that the State has failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused for the offence of murder…. There is absolutely no evidence before this court that is capable of establishing the elements of the offence of murder. The evidence as adduced by the State, the court finds, separate and apart from being deficient, was tenuous and does not, as a matter of law, establish the suffi-

Dead: Courtney Crum-Ewing

ciency of the evidence to call upon the accused to lead a defence.”

Previously discharged

Following his arrest for CrumEwing’s murder in 2015, Rodrigues was charged. On two occasions he was discharged by Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman, who, at the conclusion of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) in 2017, held that there was insufficient evidence to commit him to stand trial for the offence at the High Court.

A few days later, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, ordered Magistrate Latchman to reopen the PI to facilitate additional evidence from Police witnesses, and to rule on the voluntariness of oral statements purportedly given to detectives by Rodrigues.

The Magistrate complied with the DPP’s directive, and after doing so, ruled again that there was no evidence against Rodrigues to put him on trial. As such, the Magistrate discharged Rodrigues for the second time. But following the discharge, the DPP issued a letter to Magistrate Latchman, instructing her to commit Rodrigues

to stand trial in the High Court.

However, Magistrate Latchman had underscored that while the DPP is of the “opinion” that there is evidence against Rodrigues for the indictable offence, her court maintains there is no evidence against Rodrigues in relation to the murder committed on CrumEwing. The Magistrate then discharged Rodrigues again. But the Police had refused to release him from custody.

The DPP then commenced proceedings in the High Court in which she advanced, among other things, that the Magistrate had exceeded her authority in refusing to comply with her instructions to commit Rodrigues to trial.

The DPP had sought other orders directing the Magistrate to show why she should not be compelled and directed to reopen the PI as directed, and make the committal.

In January 2018, Justice of Appeal Dawn Gregory denied Magistrate Latchman’s request to stay a ruling by High Court Justice Brassington Reynolds to commit Rodrigues to stand trial for murder. Consequently, the Magistrate was compelled to make the committal.

Magistrate Latchman has appealed the ruling by Justice Reynolds. The matter is yet to be called at the Guyana Court of Appeal.

Convictions

In October 2017, Rodrigues was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of threatening Crum-Ewing’s mother, Donna Harcourt. The Court heard that on August 12, 2017, at Regent and Alexander Streets, Georgetown, he threatened the woman.

Prior to this, he was also sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty by a city Magistrate of escaping from Police custody. (G1)

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

1 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

14 NEWS GDF rank dies in horrific Homestretch Avenue accident A THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

36-year-old Guyana Defence Force (GDF) sergeant of Craig Street, Campbellville, Georgetown,died following a horrific two-vehicle collision along Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

Dead is Brian Mitchell.

A seven-year-old child who was in his vehicle also sustained injuries.

Reports are that on Tuesday evening, Mitchell was driving motor car PNN 5516 when he reportedly swerved and collided with motor car PVV 3684, which was being driven by

The accident scene at Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown

Shopkeeper nabbed with ganja during Police raid

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56-year-old shopkeeper of Fifth Street, Prospect, East Bank Demerara (EBD) is now in Police custody after he was found with a quantity of ganja during a Police raid on the EBD and in Georgetown on Tuesday.

Based on reports received, a party of Policemen carried out searches on several houses and persons in Norton Street, Bagotstown and at Fifth Street, Prospect, EBD. A search was carried out on the home of the shopkeeper, and a black plastic bag containing a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems were found stashed in the roof of the house, which is presently under construction.

The ganja that was found at the shopkeeper’s home

The shopkeeper was told of the offence, arrested, and escorted to Providence Police Station, where the cannabis was weighed in his presence, amounting to 112 grams.

He is presently in custody assisting with the investigation.

Also on Tuesday, Guyana Times reported that several persons were arrested

during a Police operation in the mining town of Linden.

The raid was conducted at Victory Valley, Silvertown, One Mile and Half Mile, Blueberry Hill, Block 22, Green Valley, Retrieve, Dagarrad Avenue and Mackenzie.

During the exercise, which was conducted to search for drugs, illegal fire-

arms, ammunition or anything unlawfully obtained, the Police found 440 grams of ganja and 2.5 grams of “molly”.

Three youths from Victory Valley were arrested for attempt to commit a felony and a 33-year-old unemployed male of Republic Avenue, Mackenzie was also arrested for the offence of break and enter and larceny.

In addition, a 40-yearold man and a 34-year-old female of Oronoque Drive, Retrieve were arrested for possession of 440 grams of cannabis and 2.5 grams of methylenedioxymethamphetamine commonly known as “molly” or ecstasy. The pills were found in 19 transparent Ziploc plastic bags.

(G9)

Taishan Shanks and had a female passenger.

Police have since said that investigations revealed that motor car PVV 3684 was proceeding east along Homestretch Avenue while motor car PNN 5516 was proceeding west. According to Police, as Shanks was in the vicinity of Help and Shelter, he saw the other vehicle swerve from the southern side of the road, from behind another vehicle and end up in his path. As a result, his vehicle and motor car PNN 5516 collided.

Mitchell and the sevenyear-old were picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where the driver was subsequently pronounced dead. The child was treated for a broken leg and later admitted to the medical facility.

Shanks and the lone passenger of motor car PVV 3684 were also taken to the medical institution where they were treated for lacerations about their bodies and later discharged.

Investigations are ongoing.

Just two months ago, two young people died after the car in which they were travelling crashed into a utility pole along Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown.

Twenty-year-old Dakera Gittens, of Festival City, died on the spot while 18-year-old Tonika

Dead: Brian Mitchell

Halley, of Phase 2 East La Penitence, Georgetown, died while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Based on reports, the dead youths and others were having a night out and as they were heading along Homestretch Avenue, the driver lost control of the motor car and slammed into the pole.

The car then flipped several times and ended up in a nearby trench. At the time of the accident, four persons were in the vehicle.

Following the accident, Rayon Alves, 19, of East La Penitence, was arraigned for the deaths of the two young people. Alves was slapped with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving. (G9)

Extreme rainfall causes flooding at Speightland, Kara Kara

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he communities of Speightland and Kara Kara at Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have been experiencing severe flooding as extreme rainfall continues.

Farmers in the communities have suffered losses as crops are flooded and livestock affected.

According to residents, the situation is compounded by an overflow of sand from mined-out areas into the Kara Kara creek. They have noted that previous and current mining activities also continue to have an impact.

Speightland resident and farmer Lionel Edwards highlighted a specific point near the “Kara Kara Blue Lake”, where there is severe erosion, with sand being deposited into the creek.

He explained that natural phenomena such as tremors have also led to sand deposits in the waterway.

Communities of Speightland and Kara Kara at Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 experiencing flooding as a result of extreme rainfall

“The main issue is the flooding of the lands, caused by the erosion of the sand...

As soon as the weather pattern change, it’s flooding out everything...It’s flooding right through the Kara Kara villages, the schemes,

all over. All the riverine areas does be flood out,” Edwards noted.

He noted that the creek

has not been desilted for some time, relating that there used to be a project to clear the creek, but the sand would not be cleared.

A look at the communities which are accessed through the creek revealed flooded livestock pens and farms.

“Most residents now is doing cash crops for small income to come in, to suffice themselves. And with the flooding, this will really be a challenging time for them, because the land will overflow, overtop with the water and they can’t plant,” Edwards related as he assessed the situation on the ground.

On reflecting on how previous mining activities have contributed to the problem, Edwards said these were conducted too close to the creek.

“They did the ‘stripping limit’ to mine the bauxite too near to the creek and every time they get a rain session or season, the sand keep flowing from this direction (mined-out area) all the time,” he said.

tening hills in these areas but to no avail. He said he has also written several letters asking for assistance to have the creek cleared, as he stressed the need for a diversion or re-channelling of the waterway. The issue,

Edwards noted that he has requested for the present mining company in the community to assist in flat-

he noted, is serious and requires urgent attention.

“I would be glad if the relevant authorities can look

into this matter...and rechannel this creek, because if it continues to be like this, we wouldn’t get this creek anymore to use. And it got a lot of people doing farming beyond here and they depend on the creek for transportation,” the resident noted.

“We also need this creek to be cleared – both sides.

All the debris. We need it to be an annual thing,” he continued.

Residents highlighted that in times past, such works would be executed by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), but noted that it lacked the capacity to properly execute them.

“All this sand contributing to the overflowing of the Kara Kara Creek and it’s stretching going over to the Christiansburg burial ground area. We really need the creek to be desilted...the depth of the creek was up to 40 feet deep ... now you can walk across when the tide is low, because of the sand that build up inside...

According to scientists, the weather just began. So you can imagine what will happen over the next days or weeks or months,” Edwards stressed.

Residents are also calling for a revitalisation of the Community Development Council (CDC), which could look into such issues as they stressed the need for new elections. (Utamu Belle)

15 Bedridden pensioner dies after Sophia fire R NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

elatives of a bed-ridden 74-year-old woman believe she died from smoke inhalation after a fire broke out in their neighbours’ yard, destroying several living quarters and leaving over 20 persons homeless.

Dead is Vanci Hodge of Lot 7 Lamaha Park Squatting Area, Greater Georgetown.

Her husband of 17 years, Leon James, told Guyana Times that a fire broke out in their neighbour’s yard sometime between 09:00h and 10:00h on Wednesday, and shortly after, they brought out his wife from her room, which was next to the burning house.

“When I look over in the neighbour yard, I saw fire coming through the roof and everybody screaming and shouting… The fire started to spread [on the building close to us] and the smoke started to come over, so I lift my wife [off the bed] and bring her outside,” he recalled.

Dead: Vanci Hodge

At the time, he said the woman was having a hard time breathing, so they rushed her to the hospital.

Another relative said she died on the way to the hospital.

Hodge has been bed-ridden since late last year after she was diagnosed with cancer that has spread throughout her body.

“Apparently the smoke suffocated her, that’s my assumption… She was in bed since October last year and she couldn’t do anything for

she self… We were trying with her but eventually this fire came on this morning and that was the end of her.

I guess she would have been here for some more time, if wasn’t for the fire,” the grieving man related.

James said the fire scorched their outer walls and broken the glass of several windows.

Meanwhile at the Lot 6 Lamaha Park residence, where 15 adults and seven children – all related – were living in several apartments, occupants say the fire was reportedly started in one of the apartments, where a kerosene stove was left on.

Moses, one of the occupants who was home at the time when the fire broke out, said they tried to break open the door to that home to put out the blaze and stop it from spreading, but were unable to do so. Within minutes, he noted that the blaze had engulfed most of the wooden

Enough time for students to prepare for and ace 2021 CSEC, CAPE exams – Manickchand

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lthough students have not yet returned to the classroom in full following the Easter term break, Education Minister Priya Manickchand is confident that they would perform well at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) this year.

This is according to a report from the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The Minister said despite the pandemic, students are receiving quality education that would ensure their success.

“We believe that there is enough time from when our students entered in October to June to be able to not only prepare but prepare and ace these exams.

“We believe that even if a student might not have been as robust and aggressive and assertive in their studies from October to now, that between now – April – and June there is enough time, given the way the CXC exams are structured, if a student puts his or her head down and focuses on what the syllabus is asking for, there is enough time to pass the exams,” she said.

Students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 returned to the classrooms on Monday after the Easter break.

After Guyana’s first COVID-19 case was recorded in March 2020, schools were closed for eight months. When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration came into office in August, Minister Manickchand spearheaded several initiatives to reduce learning loss. This included the production and distribution of worksheets for students countrywide, the expansion and provision of scheduled tuition via the Guyana Learning Channel, and the provision of training

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

for teachers to increase their competence to teach through Zoom and other virtual platforms.

After consultations with the Health Ministry, parents

and students, the Education Ministry took a decision to restart classroom instruction for senior students on November 9, 2020. The aim was to ensure they were prepared for this year’s CXC exams.

The CXC has also made provisions for students who are not ready to write the exam in June to do so in January or May 2022, at no additional cost. The fees paid for the 2021 sitting would be deferred to the following year. To further support students, the School Based Assessments from 2021 would also be used to tally their grades.

The remnants of the premises at the Lamaha Park squatting area after Wednesday morning's fire

structures in the yard.

“It started in the back room, but the fire run to the other rooms and my other family things them get [burn up]… The fire wuk out everything. It even spread to the next-door neighbours and we try to out off these houses before they catch too,” the man related.

The only building in the yard that was spared by the inferno was a shop which Moses operates at the front of the yard.

Olivia Griffith, a single mother of two, told this publication that she was at the clinic with her four-monthold baby when she received a call about the fire.

“When I come back with

the car, we saw the entire place on fire. Everything burn up. Nobody ain’t get to save anything. It was shocking to me, because I gone out thinking my place safe,” the woman said.

Griffith, who operates a vending stand outside her home to maintain her family, said all of the items along with their children’s belongings were destroyed in the blaze. Now, she is pleading with members of the public for assistance.

“I would glad for lil’ help from anybody… I don’t know where I starting from, but I have to start over. So I’m asking anybody that’s out there that is willing to help me, please help,” the distraught

woman said.

Another occupant, Zonobia Whyte, who also lost all her belongings and life savings, is also asking for assistance. She was at work when she received the dreaded call from her mother, informing her that their house was on fire.

“It was shocking to me and at first, I didn’t believe it, but after she told me that everything burn flat I started to cry… When I come home, I reach a house with nothing – all documents, savings that I had to do important things – everything was burnt to ashes… I gotta start all over again and I would really appreciate if anyone could help,” Whyte requested. (G8)

Berbice man crashes car, lands in ditch after pig runs across road

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23-year-old man of Alness Village, Corentyne, Berbice on Tuesday evening crashed the vehicle he was driving after a pig ran across the road.

The accident occurred about 18:00h along the Tain Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

Police said the car was pro-

ceeding west along the southern drive lane at a normal rate of speed when the driver, Clinton Mallay, alleged that a pig ran across the road.

The driver said he applied brakes, swerved north and lost control of his vehicle, which ended up in a trench.

Mallay was taken out of his vehicle in a conscious state

by public-spirited citizens and escorted to Port Mourant Public Hospital, where he was seen by a doctor on duty and admitted for observation after complaining of chest pain.

His condition is regarded as stable. A breathalyser test conducted on the driver returned a reading of zero.

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt to sensitise pensioners on hassle-free pension options H uman Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Vasini Persaud, has reiterated her commitment to improving the quality of pension delivery and increasing the options for the more than 58,000 pensioners benefitting from the Old Age Pension scheme.

Against this backdrop, the Ministry will be sensitising pensioners on the hassle-free options available to access their pension.

To kick-start the educational drive, the Ministry will be hosting a weekly LIVE Question and Answer (Q&A) session on the Ministry’s Facebook page every Thursday at 9:00am from April 22, 2021 to respond to all pension related concerns.

The Ministry’s personnel would be guests on a number of radio stations to discuss pension-related matters, including the two newer options the Ministry has introduced this year to complement the post office system, in order to allow ease of collecting pension.

Pension vouchers may now be redeemed at any of the Western Union or

MoneyGram locations in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10, in addition to the post offices countrywide.

“Pension vouchers can be encashed at these locations throughout the month, and not only during the first week of the month. They can avoid lines and crowds by using any of the new options as we work to improve pension delivery,” Minister Persaud added.

Introduction of the banking system would facilitate pensions being deposited in pensioners’ accounts within the first five days of each month. No taxes are applied to pension through the banking system. However, pensioners utilising the banking system must submitt their Life Certificates at all the Ministry locations every quar-

ter in order to continue receiving bank payments. Life Certificates must be signed and stamped by either a Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths, Medical Practitioner, Head Teacher, Minister of Religion, or a Manager of a Bank or Branch of a Bank.

The Ministry also provides the direct payment service to pensioners who live in remote

simplify and expedite the processes, the Ministry has dedicated special lines to facilitate all clarifications and queries.

The numbers are as follows: Banking system 227-0130; new applications/ Shut-ins and remote services 227-4410 or 225-6565 ext. 2301, and reporting of elderly abuse – 914.

Training is also a crucial element in the delivery of quality service, and according to Minister Persaud, the

communities. Pensioners in over forty remote communities, notably in Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9, already benefit from this service. To optimise this service in view of the logistics, these direct payments will be made every six months.

The direct payment service option is also available to pensioners who qualify for the Ministry’s SHUT-IN services.

Persons who have serious mobility issues, visual impairment, or are bedridden would be eligible to have their pension delivered directly to their homes. The Ministry has established a Register to facilitate this option, and once the information provided is verified, direct payment will commence.

To date, the Ministry has facilitated over three thousand, four hundred and fifty-nine (3,459) pensioners via the Shut-In system throughout the ten administrative regions.

To qualify for the pension bank deposits or shut-in delivery systems, pensioners must apply. All pension application approval processes will be within 3 weeks from time of submission of the application form.

Meanwhile, in an effort to

Ministry will continuously train its Probation Officers, who have to interface with the pensioners. Policies will continue to be developed to bolster the efficiency of the pension systems, and there will be consistent review.

“The Ministry of Human Services is very people-oriented, and, as such, our staff must be courteous and helpful at all times,” the Minister reiterated.

Labour Ministry probing child labour at Region 2 coconut estates

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inister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, has said his Ministry is reviewing reports of child labour occurring at two coconut estates in the PomeroonSupenaam (Region Two).

The Minister said he observed the incidents during a visit to the estates at the weekend, and the Region’s Labour Officer was engaged to address the matter. The youngsters alleged that they had been working without safety gear, and are forced to work overtime without compensation.

“The matter, at the level of the Ministry, we are going to pay attention to, because we have certain international obligations to ensure that the issue of child labour is arrested in Guyana; so that is what we are going to continue to do.

“They should not be working there at all. Whilst a 16-year-old is allowed to work, they should not be working in any environment, especially a factory environment. It is a dangerous environment, and in the case of these young men,

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton during a recent visit to a coconut estate (DPI photo)

they were not even 16 years old,” he said.

As such, the Region’s Labour and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) officers would be visiting both companies and the young workers for further evaluation.

Minister Hamilton has said the Government’s policy on child labour is firm, and while people may claim ignorance of the law, they must comply.

“I am allowing ignorance of people even though they might not be ignorant. And, I have

said publicly that, as I see it, that I will allow up to the third quarter of the year for persons to address this; and after this period, I will deal with those matters utilising the law.”

This Ministry is observing Occupational Safety and Health Month under the theme, “Investing in OSH systems, capitalising on safety and healthy working environment in times of crisis.”

As such, a comprehensive programme focusing on safety and health, including COVID-19 precautions in the workplace, has been launched.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Transformer explosion, circuit breaker problems cause power outages on WCD F

ollowing several reports from residents along the West Coast of Demerara about power outages occurring every 30 minutes, Minister within the Public Works Ministry, Deodat Indar, confirmed to Guyana Times on Wednesday evening that there was an issue at the breaker at the sub-station in Edinburgh, Leonora.

“There is a breaker that keeps tripping all the time there. It happened this afternoon, so the [GPL workers] ran the entire line from there till to Parika, but they didn’t see any sparking or anything

on the line. So, they went back to the substation to see if anything happened there itself,” he noted.

Additionally, he noted that at Zeelugt Phase Three, East Bank Essequibo, there were several outages within an hour, adding that was a “localised fault” and not anything on the distribution system itself. He said that the GPL team was on the ground fixing the issue.

Meanwhile, there was also an explosion at one of the transformers at Hague, WCD. It resulted in low-voltage in the area. The Minister within the Public Works

Ministry added that a team had also been dispatched there.

Earlier on Wednesday, Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) announced that the source

of the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) shutdown that occurred on Monday was identified and corrected.

In a statement, GPL said a comprehensive investiga-

tion that was conducted by a technical team identified two damaged conductors and connectors on the 69 kV Transmission Line 3 bay (an area that houses circuit breakers and disconnect

switches) at the Garden of Eden (GoE) Power Plant.

The damaged conductors and connectors resulted in an overload of two Wartsila engines at GoE, which triggered the loss of another two engines at the same location, followed by six other engines at the Kingston Power Plant and the eventual collapse of the DBIS. “Our company continues to conduct comprehensive maintenance and invest in significant upgrade of the GoE Power Plant in preparation for the commissioning of a new 45.5 megawatt Power Plant,” GPL has said.

Dixie finalises decision to Argentina closes schools, close Antigua operations imposes curfew in Buenos Aires as COVID-19 cases spike E

Argentina’s President, Alberto Fernandez gestures during the announcement that Argentina and Mexico will produce and distribute an experimental coronavirus vaccine, at the Olivos Presidential residence, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, August 12, 2020

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rgentina’s government will tighten pandemic restrictions in and around the capital Buenos Aires to rein in a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases, including shutting schools and imposing a curfew from 8pm to limit social activity.

President Alberto Fernández, 62, given his allclear earlier in the day after he was infected with the vi-

rus, said the South American country needed to “gain time” in the fight against COVID-19 after daily cases hit a record this week.

“The virus is attacking us and is far from giving in,” the center-left leader said in a televised address.

The measures will see schools closed in Greater Buenos Aires from Monday, and the suspension of indoor

sports, recreational, religious and cultural activities until April 30.

Argentina registered 25,157 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, after hitting a record 27,001 cases on Tuesday. The country has seen a total 2.6 million people infected, with 58,542 deaths.

Fernandez’s Peronist government had been keen to avoid a blanket lockdown to protect a fragile economic recovery and with poverty rates rising, but has been forced to toughen restrictions by the recent sharp rise in cases.

This week the governor of Buenos Aires province said Argentina was facing “a tsunami” of cases. The opposition mayor of Buenos Aires city has, however, opposed school closures.

In some neighborhoods of the city, citizens honked car horns and banged on pans to express their disagreement with the measures, local television footage showed.

(Reuters)

Jamaica CMO warns against complacency after first COVID jab

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hief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Jacqueline Bisasor-McKenzie is warning people who have received the first jab of the AstraZeneca vaccine not to become complacent in observing the COVID-19 infection, prevention and control measures.

Speaking during a digital press conference on Wednesday, Dr BisasorMcKenzie said, “You need to continue to do the same thing that we have been speaking about all of this time — you have to wear your mask; you have to practise physical distancing; you have to hand sanitise; you have to sanitise frequently used areas; you have to stay at home if you are sick; and all the other things that we have said in terms of infec-

tion prevention and control.”

The CMO reminded that even with the vaccine, people can still get and transmit the virus.

“If you have been exposed to COVID before or after you have had your second dose, some persons will still get COVID,” she said.

“We are still in the community transmission phase and so many persons around you may have COVID. If you are infected in the first days after the vaccine, you will have no protection from the vaccine and therefore you may develop a severe illness.

“After about two or three weeks with the vaccine on board — and remember it is not going to prevent everyone from getting COVID — but if your body has started now to develop some immu-

nity, it will be a mild illness but it is still possible to transmit COVID to others who may not be vaccinated and they may get a severe illness,” Dr BisasorMcKenzie continued.

She also reminded the public that there is a considerable decrease in the protection that is afforded if individuals do not get the second dose of the vaccine.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton added that the ministry will begin scheduling second doses in May. “After we have all gotten fully vaccinated, two doses on board, a good percentage of the population, 60 per cent of the population vaccinated, then we can get back to life,” Dr Bisasor-McKenzie said. (Jamaica Observer)

fforts to have Dixie reconsider its exit from Antigua and Barbuda have failed.

The call centre on Old Parham Road informed staff moments ago that the company will close on April 27th.

Staff is not required to work during that period. They have been on temporary layoff since last week.

The company told staff via a zoom meeting that they will be paid full severance and bonuses. They will also be allowed to keep the comput-

ers they have been using for work.

Close to 200 people are employed there some of them for many years.

Prime Minister Gaston

Browne said last week he asked the company to delay their exit given the harsh economic times. The closure is said to be based on “regulatory issues.” (Antigua Newsroom)

Tobago’s hospitality industry bracing for further economic decline

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eads of Tobago’s hospitality industry say they support the rollback restrictions implemented by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to address the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, noting it’s “unfortunate” everyone had not followed COVID protocols, leading to increased cases.

Chris James, Kaye Trotman, and Nicholas Hardwicke said the new restrictions may not have further weakened Tobago’s economy if the usual financial cushion from the Easter vacation had materialised.

They said occupancy rates fell below the expected over 90 per cent, and restrictions on restaurants’ sale of alcohol and seating capacity, prevented the food and beverage sector from accessing the increased visitors’ arrivals benefits.

At the MoH media briefing yesterday, Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh announced beaches would close again except for turtle conservationists, restaurants revert to curbside pickup, and public gatherings reduced from 10 to five, for the next three weeks.

Reacting to the the announcement, James, who is president of Tobago’s Bed and Breakfast, SelfCatering Association

Unique Accommodation and Trotman, president of the Hotel and Tourism Association, said the Government must save citizens’ lives regardless of the economic consequences.

James said the occupancy rate for the four-day Easter weekend was 79.1 per cent.

Going forward, the figures show that we are looking at 18 per cent for the remainder of April. We do not have figures for further ahead than that,” James told Guardian Media.

Trotman said the bed and breakfast sector reported less than 60 per cent occupancy rate for Easter–some members had no guests while others were fully booked.

R e s t a u r a t e u r Hardwicke said he did well for the Easter season “Under the limits of not being able to sell alco-

hol and with only 50 per cent seating capacity at the restaurant,” he said Hardwicke, who owns Seahorse Inn Restaurant and Bar, said having to revert to curbside pickup is “an exercise in a slow death.”

He says he hoped the Government is using scientific data to reintroduce the rollback of the measures.

All the hospitality veterans say they look forward to this country’s vaccination rollout plan and residents doing their part to allow the economy to reopen.

According to Tobago’s Health Division, as of yesterday, there are 23 active COVID cases on the island– two new cases in the last 24 hours. Since last year when testing began in Tobago, there have been 185 positive cases and two persons have died. (T&T Guardian)

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

Regional

La Soufrière commemorates its own Haiti’s Prime Minister resigns, anniversary; potable water short replacement appointed

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he people of St Vincent and the Grenadines needed no reminder on Tuesday of the 42nd anniversary of the 1979 eruption of the La Soufrière volcano.

It did so itself. At around 6:30h the volcano erupted, the fifth day of the ongoing activities sending another large plume of ash into the air.

And for yet another day, in this west coast town, located 12 miles north from the capital, Kingstown, eyes turned skyward in many areas of St Vincent.

“The volcano is at alert level red,” warned the Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the University of the West Indies (UWI), noting that the volcano continues to erupt explosively and has now begun to generate pyroclastic density currents – hot (200°C-700°C), ground-hugging flows of ash and debris.

“Explosions and accompanying ashfall, of similar or larger magnitude, are likely to continue to occur over the next few days impacting St Vincent and neighbouring islands,” the SRC added.

People are still amazed by the strange beauty of the grey ash plumes against the blue sky, with some saying that “Our Lady La Soufriere”

H

Ash rises into the air as La Soufrière volcano erupts on the eastern Caribbean island of St Vincent,

has uncorked her birthday champagne.

In St Lucia, residents see the spray of the “champagne”, and in Soufrière, 24 miles south of Castries on the west coast, Arletta Johny uses her mobile phone to capture the “celebration”.

Volcanic ash has blanketed St Vincent since Friday, choking off its water supply, and making driving in some areas akin to attempting to stand up in a water slide.

Volcanic ash has also been deposited in large areas of Barbados.

In St Vincent, many residents had never experienced a volcanic eruption and some who had silently looked forward to it are now explicitly

saying they have had enough.

The devastation in the danger zone in northern St Vincent is expected to be further compounded, one day after Robertson and his team visited the area on board a coast guard vessel and found scenes of utter destruction.

Meanwhile, Petro Anderson, a full-time Bottle and Glass resident, complained about the lack of potable water.

“We need some fresh water because all of the water that we filled up is finished.

So that is my main concern,” said Anderson as she adjusted her facemask, now a shield against volcanic ash as well as the coronavirus . (Excerpt from CMC)

Trinidad: 40,000 vaccines from India arrive

T

he 40,000 doses of COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccines from India has arrived in Trinidad and Tobago.

The vaccines came via a flight that landed at the Piarco International Airport Tuesday night.

In a release, the Foreign and Caricom Affairs Ministry said the delivery “further strengthens the longstanding relationship between the Governments and people of both countries”.

The doses will be trans-

ferred to the Health Ministry and added to the current stock of COVID-19 vaccines which are being used to inoculate the population.

In his remarks on handing over of the vaccines, Indian High Commissioner to T&T, Arun Kumar Sahu urged citizens to avail themselves of the doses.

“I urge all Trinbagonians to believe in science and take the vaccine if they are eligible and vaccines are available. It is our duty and responsibility to be safe and keep others

safe,” he said.

Among those he thanked included Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley; Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh; Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister, Dr Amery Browne; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

The doses were initially carded to arrive on Monday, but were delayed due to inclement weather. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

aitian Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe announced early Wednesday that he has resigned, as the country faces a spike in killings and kidnappings and prepares for an upcoming constitutional referendum and a general election later this year.

Jouthe, who served as Prime Minister since March 2020, did not provide an explanation for his resignation, but President Jovenel Moise said a new Prime Minister had been appointed.

“The resignation of the Government, which I accepted, will make it possible to address the glaring problem of insecurity and continue discussions with a view to reaching the consensus necessary for the political and institutional stability of our country. Minister Claude Joseph has been appointed PM,” Moise tweeted in French.

Haitian Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe has announced his resignation [File: Andres Martinez Casares/Reuters]

Jouthe had previously tried to submit his resignation, but President Moise had rejected it at the time.

Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has been plagued by poverty, insecurity, natural disaster, and the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, kidnappings for ransom have surged as

armed gangs have gained growing influence, with the Caribbean country facing an ongoing political crisis.

Anger has been piqued by the abductions on Sunday of seven members of the Catholic clergy in Croix-desBouquets, a town northeast of the capital Port-au-Prince.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Venezuela’s seeking of specific vaccines will slow inoculation, Guaidó says

V

enezuela is risking further delays to an already stalled COVID-19 vaccination campaign by seeking to use specific brands of vaccines while shunning readily available ones, Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó said on Wednesday.

The COVAX global vaccine programme has offered to sell doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to Venezuela, pending a payment arrangement, but the Government of President Nicolás Maduro blocked its use following concerns about blood clotting.

Guaidó told a news conference that Maduro allies had internally discussed the idea of seeking out the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but that they had not mentioned it in talks with the

Opposition or formally requested access to the vaccine.

“Insisting on one type of vaccine over another means delaying, it means complicating” the vaccination campaign, he said. “There are not enough vaccines on Planet Earth to meet the needs at this time.”

Venezuela’s Information Ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The J&J vaccine is one of the most sought-after shots because it inoculates in a single dose and is thus cheaper and logistically simpler.

Venezuela has received 750,000 vaccines via Russia and China, but has one of the region’s lowest vaccination rates. The shots have mostly gone to healthcare workers, although the country recently began inoculating senior citizens. (Excerpt from Reuters)

UNC boycotts Parliament again Brazil Senate investigating Bolsonaro’s handling of COVID-19 T

T

he Brazilian Senate has launched an inquiry into President Jair Bolsonaro’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, widely condemned by medical experts as one of the world’s worst.

The country’s death toll from the disease, the second-highest after the United States, is expected to surpass 360,000 on Wednesday, as the seven-day average of daily deaths remains above 3000.

The National Council of Health Secretaries reported 3808 deaths and 82,186 new cases on Tuesday.

Bolsonaro, a far-right populist and former Army Captain, downplayed the

pandemic from the start, dismissing it as a “little flu” and casting doubt on the effectiveness of masks and vaccines, and has continued to rally against lockdown measures and authorities that implement them.

“Can’t they understand that this policy of closing everything, of lockdown is wrong?” Bolsonaro asked a crowd of his supporters at the gates of the presidential palace in the capital Brasilia on Wednesday.

The same afternoon, Brazil’s Supreme Court authorised the opening of the Senate inquiry, known locally by its Portuguese acronym CPI, in a move welcomed by Opposition Senators.

One of the main focuses will be how hospitals in the Amazonian capital of Manaus came to run out of oxygen. Another will be former Health Minister General Eduardo Pazuello, who federal prosecutors on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against for omission during the oxygen crisis in Manaus.

Senators in the President’s ruling coalition have urged that the inquiry not be used for “political” purposes.

“We need to focus on bringing positive results to our country,” Senator Nelsinho Trad, a Bolsonaro ally, told CNN Brazil Tuesday. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

he Opposition United National Congress (UNC) on Wednesday boycotted the House of Representatives for a second time.

This means the UNC has boycotted Parliament three times in less than a week. The party first boycotted the House on April 9, after expressing concerns about its Members of Parliament (MPs) and parliamentary staff contracting COVID-19 after the Prime Minister was diagnosed with the virus on April 6.

On April 9, Deputy Speaker Esmond Forde approved requests from Dr Rowley, Speaker Bridgid Annisette-George and Chaguanas West MP Dinesh Rambally to be ex-

cused from that day’s sitting of the House. Forde approved no other requests for leave by MPs. The UNC boycotted the Senate on Tuesday, again for fear of contracting COVID-19. As the House sitting began, AnnisetteGeorge said, “I have received correspondence from 18 members of the Opposition of their absence from today’s sitting.” She did not identify who these 18 MPs were. There are 19 UNC MPs in the House.

At the time, AnnisetteGeorge did not say she was granting them leave of absence. But after the sitting ended, part of a statement about the proceedings on the Parliament’s website said, “The Speaker granted leave of absence to 18 mem-

Speaker George

Bridgid

Annisette-

bers of the Opposition from today’s sitting.”

National Security Minister Stuart Young condemned their absence.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil posts highest finish since mid-March

O

il futures ended sharply higher Wednesday, as the International Energy Agency (IEA) lifted its demand outlook for crude and a US Government report revealed a third-weekly drop in weekly inventories, prompting prices to post their highest finish since mid-March.

In its monthly report, the IEA raised its forecast for global oil demand in 2021 by 230,000 barrels a day from its previous forecast. It now sees an increase of 5.7 million barrels a day from 2020 to 96.7 million barrels a day this year.

“Oil prices might be breaking out of their month-long wicked trading range as the normally pessimistic IEA is sounding pretty darn bullish,” said Phil Flynn, senior market analyst at The Price Futures Group, in a daily report.

On Tuesday, the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) increased its 2021 demand forecast by 100,000 barrels a day. It expects global oil demand to climb by about six million barrels a day to reach 96.5 million barrels a day this year. OPEC also raised its forecast for global economic growth to 5.4 per cent from 5.1 per cent. (Excerpt from Market Watch)

Biden to begin end to “America's longest war” on May 1 T he US will continue to support Afghanistan after withdrawing all US troops, but not "militarily", President Joe Biden has pledged.

"It is time to end America's longest war," he said in a speech from the White House room where US airstrikes there were first declared in 2001.

The pull-out is to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, officials say.

At least 2500 US troops are part of the 9600-strong NATO Afghan mission.

The number of US troops on the ground in Afghanistan fluctuates, and US media report the current total is closer to 3500.

US and NATO officials have said the Taliban, a hardline Islamist move-

President Joe Biden will begin withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan on May 1

ment, have so far failed to live up to commitments to reduce violence in Afghanistan.

In Kabul, Afghan officials say they will continue peace talks in preparation for the

withdrawal.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tweeted that he had spoken on the phone with Biden on Wednesday, and that the country "respects the US decision and we will

work with our US partners to ensure a smooth transition".

He added that Afghanistan's defence forces "are fully capable of defending its people and country".

"We cannot continue the cycle of extending or expanding our military presence in Afghanistan hoping to create the ideal conditions for our withdrawal, expecting a different result," said Biden, the fourth president to oversee the war.

"While we will not stay involved in Afghanistan militarily, our diplomatic and humanitarian work will continue," he continued, adding: "We will continue to support the Government of Afghanistan." (Excerpt from BBC News)

Niger: “Total mourning” as 20 As COVID rages in Canada, Atlantic provinces preschool children perish in fire set model to follow

P

eople in Niger are mourning 20 preschool children – aged between three and five – trapped in the flames of a horrific fire at a school on the outskirts of the country’s capital, Niamey.

The young victims perished on Tuesday when the blaze tore through buildings made of wood and straw in the impoverished poor “Pays-

A bartender wearing a protective mask arranges glasses at a bar in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Monday, November 16, 2020 [File: Tim Krochak/Bloomberg via Getty Images]

A

s Canada grapples with a devastating third wave of COVID-19, the country’s eastern region stands as an oasis of normalcy, with case numbers dwindling and many of the most onerous restrictions now lifted.

While the four Atlantic provinces have only around 200 active cases combined, the national hotspot of Ontario has surpassed 30,000, with new infections being detected daily in record numbers. The provinces of Alberta and Quebec are also in the throes of a severe third wave, each with more than 10,000 active cases, and British Columbia follows close behind.

Beyond the sparsely populated territories of northern Canada, where COVID-19 has been all but eliminated, the Atlantic provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador are being hailed as a unique success story.

“The Atlantic provinces all had strong communication, collaboration [and] cooperation between public health authorities, which is almost entirely absent elsewhere in

Canada. That allowed them to coordinate their strategies,” Colin Furness, an infection control epidemiologist at the University of Toronto, told Al Jazeera.

Strict limitations on travel from outside the region helped to minimise new cases, and by keeping the case count low, “they were able to really pounce on new cases with contact tracing, testing and isolation,” he added.

Beyond case numbers, infection rates show a stark difference between eastern Canada and the rest of the country: As of Monday, the rate of total cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began in Nova Scotia was 181 per 100,000 population, compared with 2654 per 100,000 population in Ontario.

From the outset, Atlantic Canada’s relative remoteness and small population, as compared with dense urban centres such as Toronto and Montreal, helped it avoid a more severe outbreak. The eastern region, home to about 2.4 million people, is not a global travel hub, making COVID-19 easier to control. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Bas” neighbourhood that was built in a former clay quarry near Niamey airport.

On Wednesday, anguished parents and teachers gathered at the school. Wiping away tears with her veil, the school’s director Habiba Gaya said all of Niger was in “total mourning”.

“The little children, innocents, were really burned alive in this fire,” she told

AFP news agency, explaining that while older children were able to make it out, those aged five and under were not.

“They were little so they weren’t able to run.”

The inferno spread so quickly that one mourning father, who identified himself only by his first name, Abdoulaye, said it had already destroyed the classrooms by the time firefighters arrived at the scene.

“Rescuers set off rapidly and the fire was put out…

but the intensity of the fire was enormous,” fire service commander Sidi Mohamed said on public television on Tuesday.

It was not immediately known what started the fire but authorities said that high winds in the area allowed the blaze to spread rapidly.

Only the remains of desks and corrugated metal sheets were still visible among the debris, with charred books, pencil cases and backpacks scattered among the ashes.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

US, European powers warn Iran over “dangerous” uranium enrichment move Bernie Madoff

dies in prison

FILE PHOTO: A view of the Natanz uranium enrichment facility 250 km (155 miles) south of the Iranian capital Tehran, March 30, 2005 (REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi)

T

he United States and the European countries party to the Iran nuclear deal pushed back on Wednesday against Tehran’s decision to enrich uranium at 60 per cent purity, with the top US diplomat calling the move “provocative” and questioning Iran’s seriousness about talks.

Iran has said it will enrich uranium to 60 per cent – a big step closer to the 90 per cent that is weapons-grade material – in response to what it says was an act of sabotage

by Israel against its key nuclear facility last week.

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said Tehran’s intent raised questions about its seriousness over the talks in Vienna between Iran and the world powers to revive the 2015 nuclear accord.

“We take very seriously its provocative announcement of an intent to begin enriching uranium at 60 per cent,” Blinken told a news conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels. “I have to tell you the step calls into question Iran’s seriousness with regard the nuclear talks,” he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

B

Bernie Madoff

ernie Madoff, a Wall Street financier disgraced after he admitted to one of the biggest frauds in US financial history, has died in prison at age 82.

His death was announced by the Bureau of Prisons.

Madoff had been serving a 150-year sentence after he pleaded guilty in 2009 to running a Ponzi scheme, which paid investors with money from new clients rather than actual profits.

It collapsed during the

2008 financial crisis.

"Bernie, up until his death, lived with guilt and remorse for his crimes," his lawyer Brandon Sample said in a statement.

"Although the crimes Bernie was convicted of have come to define who he was – he was also a father and a husband. He was soft-spoken and an intellectual.

Bernie was by no means perfect. But no man is."

Madoff, the son of European immigrants who grew up in New York, set up his eponymous firm Bernard L Madoff Investment Securities in 1960.

The company became one of the largest market-makers – matching buyers and sellers of stocks – and Madoff served as chairman of the Nasdaq Stock Exchange.

The firm was investigated eight times by the US Securities and Exchange Commission because it made exceptional returns.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

20

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

Adjust your lifestyle and

(March 21- how you relate to others.

April 19) Focus on fitness, health and

exploring the things that bring you the most joy. Don’t share secrets or let anyone take advantage of you.

Don’t rely on others. If you want to change, roll up your (April 20sleeves and put in the time May 20) and effort to make it happen.

Keep your plans simple, reasonable and practical.

TAURUS

DILBERT

Broaden your horizons.

GEMINI Keep up with technology, (May 21- trends and how to use your June 20) skills to make a profit. Be aware of any limitations or rules that could stand in your way. Work with people you trust.

PEANUTS

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Do sufficient research.

Take the initiative, and don’t rely on someone to do things for you. Using force will work against you. Look for an innovative way to use your skills.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Stop worrying about what others do; concentrate on your abilities. Educational pursuits, personal growth and self-improvement are favored.

Think about your relationships with others.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Remain calm, regardless of what others do or say.

Go about your business and make changes that suit your lifestyle and goals. Invest more time and money in acquiring skills and knowledge.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You’ll receive false information. Verify what you hear before you spread the word. A joint venture or shared expenses will cause stress. Take measures to counteract anyone trying to push you in the wrong direction.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Get involved in something you believe in or can do to help others. Sharing information and skills will lead to unexpected rewards. You won’t welcome a lifestyle change, but it will be to your advantage in the end.

Take a moment to considSAGITTARIUS er what’s fact and what’s fic(Nov. 23tion. You’ll be given mixed Dec. 21) messages by people you think you can trust. Look at every angle and bide your time.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Look for a unique way to put your skills and ideas to use. Refuse to let anyone discourage you from doing your own thing. A domestic change will pay off.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Take care of personal business. Refrain from sharing secrets or letting others get involved in your plans.

It’s best to have everything in place before you go public.

Surprise will be your friend.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

An emotional situation will develop if you aren’t upfront regarding your plans.

Keep everyone in the loop and deal with issues as they arise, and you will accomplish the most. Play it safe.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

21

Jason Holder among Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year, Pollard named Leading T20 Player in the World!

F

ormer West Indies Captain Jason Holder has expressed his delight at being named among Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year.

Holder, who was among the West Indies best-performing players during the recently concluded series against Sri Lanka, was named alongside Zak Crawley, Mohammed Rizwan, Dominic Sibley and Darren Stevens.

Meantime, Holder’s West Indies’ teammate and white-ball captain, Kieron Pollard, has been named The Leading T20 Cricketer in the World.

Holder said the recognition is the reward for his hard work.

“This award means so much to me. I’m delighted that my efforts to play well and make a contribution have been bearing fruit, and I just want to continue and reach higher heights,” he said.

“To be named one of The Five Wisden Cricketers of the Year is

something truly special, as, over the years, I have seen a list of great players who have etched their names in history. The last recipient from West Indies was Shai Hope in 2017, and after seeing his performances, it inspired me to be one of the Wisden Cricketers of the future.”

CWI President Ricky Skerritt

has praised the talented allrounder. “Congratulations to Jason, whose all-round cricket excellence is making all West Indians proud. For such a relatively young and intelligent athlete, he should get even better,” he said.

Jimmy Adams, CWI’s Director of Cricket, said Holder was

deserving of the recognition.

“On behalf of all of us at Cricket West Indies, I want to congratulate Jason on his being selected as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year,” Adams said.

“In a period that has thrown up many challenges, he has performed consistently with

Real Madrid knock Liverpool out of Champions League

Liverpool’s Champions League campaign has ended in disappointment as Real Madrid set up a semi-final meeting with Chelsea by keeping Jurgen Klopp’s side at bay in a goalless draw at Anfield.

Real arrived at Anfield protecting a 3-1 lead from the first leg, and while they eventually went through in relative comfort, Liverpool will curse themselves for missing several glorious first-half chances.

Mohamed Salah shot straight at Real keeper Thibaut Courtois, who also saved well from James Milner in the opening moments, and shot over when he should have hit the target, while Georginio Wijnaldum was also guilty of squandering an opportunity to at least apply pressure to Zinedine Zidane’s side.

Real’s best chance saw Benzema drive in a shot that was deflected on to the post, while Courtois was in action again to block Roberto Firmino’s angled shot after the break.

Liverpool ran out of steam and ideas as the second half wore on, and Real defended with defiance and resilience to seal the win and set up a meeting with another Premier League side in Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea.

Decisive

Liverpool were always fighting the odds, as they trailed from the first leg, but

Mohamed Salah’s early miss was among multiple chances Liverpool were unable to take

Klopp knew an early goal would have revived memories of previous Anfield comebacks in Europe - albeit they were in front of full houses, rather than a deserted stadium.

And Liverpool have only themselves to blame, because they certainly created those chances in the first half, the surprise being it was the normally reliable Salah who was guilty of two bad misses that could have rattled Real’s nerves.

Approximately 400 home fans gathered outside in an attempt to fashion some of the old atmosphere, but, sadly, the only impact they made was to create more negative headlines with a disgraceful attack on the Real Madrid team coach, which left the bus damaged.

The Spanish giants received an apology from their opponents, and Merseyside Police announced an investigation to find those responsi-

ble.

Liverpool gave it everything for the 90 minutes, but it was the lack of cutting edge that has characterised so many of their Anfield displays this season; it removed any hope they had of turning this tie around, and it proved their undoing.

As time went on, Real grew more confident and comfortable, and the introduction of the likes of Diogo Jota and Thiago Alcantara, who was disappointing, could not shift the tie the hosts’ way.

Klopp and his players must now lift themselves to chase a place in the Premier League’s top four, to ensure they return to this competition next season.

Chelsea cannot underestimate Real

The latest incarnation of Real Madrid under Zinedine Zidane is hardly a vintage version. Indeed, for large por-

tions of this Champions League quarter-final second leg, they were careless and scrappy.

However, they got the job done over two legs by showing their quality and threat at home, then discipline and organisation at Anfield.

And this is the warning Chelsea must heed in the last four.

Real do not resemble their great predecessors, but they still managed to overcome Liverpool - an injury-hit Liverpool it must be said - despite missing the twin defensive rocks Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane, whom they will hope to have back against Chelsea.

And as Liverpool became increasingly desperate, so Real’s street wisdom came to the fore to ensure a lowkey and comfortable last 20 minutes, with barely any serious alarms.

Chelsea will be well aware of the class of their former keeper Courtois, who excelled here; the enduring quality of Luka Modric; and the battle-hardened, relentless striking ability of veteran Karim Benzema.

Thomas Tuchel has no reason to fear Real, but they will command his full respect, and Zidane’s trademark has been finding a way to win the Champions League. (BBC Sport)

distinction and dignity both on and off the field, and we wish him all the success possible going forward.”

Holder joins a list of distinguished West Indies players who have been named among Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year.

See the list below.

2021 – Jason Holder 2018 – Shai Hope 2013 – Marlon Samuels 2008 – Shiv Chanderpaul (Ottis Gibson) 1997 – (Phil Simmons) 1995 – (Brian Lara) 1992 – Curtly Ambrose, Richie Richardson 1991 – (Desmond Haynes) 1989 – Jeff Dujon (Franklyn Stephenson) 1987 – (Courtney Walsh) 1985 – Larry Gomes 1983 – (Alvin Kallicharran, Malcolm Marshall) 1980 – Joel Garner 1979 – (John Shepherd) 1977 – Gordon Greenidge,

Michael Holding, Viv Richards 1975 – (Andy Roberts) 1974 – Keith Boyce, Roy Fredericks 1972 – (Lance Gibbs) 1971 – (Clive Lloyd) 1970 – Basil Butcher 1967 – Seymour Nurse 1964 – Charlie Griffith, Conrad Hunte, Rohan Kanhai, Garfield Sobers 1959 – (Roy Marshall) 1958 – OG “Collie” Smith, Clyde Walcott 1951 – Sonny Ramadhin, Alf Valentine, Everton Weekes, Frank Worrell 1940 – Learie Constantine 1934 – George Headley 1915 – (Sydney Gordon Smith) West Indies Wisden Cricketers of the Year Names in brackets indicate the player was chosen for his feats for a county team. All others were picked mainly for their feats at the international level. (Sportsmax)

Man City in Champions League last four – thanks to Maharez and Foden

M

anchester City are through to the semi-finals of the Champions League for only the second time, after sealing victory over Borussia Dortmund in the last eight, courtesy of a comeback win in Germany.

Holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg, City found themselves needing to chase the tie when 17-year-old England international Jude Bellingham curled in a superb shot from the edge of the box.

Stung by the concession, the visitors threw everything they could muster at the German side, with Kevin de Bruyne smashing an effort off the bar before Mahrez saw a shot blocked on the line by the brilliant Bellingham.

The crucial breakthrough for City came early in the second half, as Emre Can was penalised for handling in the box and Mahrez stepped up to fire his side ahead again in the tie.

Phil Foden sealed it, adding to the late goal he scored at the Etihad to give his side their first-leg lead with a fierce drive that found the Dortmund goal via the post.

City will face Paris StGermain in the semi-finals, with the French side having eliminated holders Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

It is the first time City have reached the semis under current boss Pep Guardiola, who twice won the competition during his time as manager of Barcelona.

Their previous appearance in the last four came in 2015-16, when they were knocked out by Monaco in Manuel Pellegrini’s final season in charge.

The defeat likely ends Dortmund’s hopes of playing in next season’s Champions League, with them fifth in the Bundesliga, seven points behind fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt. (BBC Sport)

22 Shahbaz grabs victory for Royal Challengers with three-wicket over THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

T

hey did it again at Chepauk.

Only the cast changed, the drama remained the same. The team batting first got a below-par total, in the region of 150. The team batting second was cruising in their chase, and looked like they would walk it.

Cue collapse, mayhem, and a thrilling win pulled from the jaws of defeat.

If the Mumbai Indians did it to Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday, it was the turn of the Royal Challengers Bangalore to pull a rabbit out of the hat against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday.

The hero of a five-run win was the previously unheralded Shahbaz Ahmed, who might not even have been sure of making the XI, given that Devdutt Padikkal was returning and the Royal Challengers had plenty of bowling options already.

But Ahmed, with his leftarm darts, turned a game the Sunrisers had in their grasp on its head with a triple-wicket over in the 17th, as the Royal Challengers surged back into the contest. When Ahmed came on to bowl only his second over, the Sunrisers were 115 for 2, with 35 needed off 24. Jonny Bairstow and Manish Pandey, both coming off half-centuries, were at the crease, but Ahmed went on to get both in the over, and add the wicket of the big-hitting Abdul Samad too.

ESPNcricinfo's Smart Stats told the story of the match turning in that over, as the Sunrisers went from a win probability of 80.83 at the start of the over to 37.49 at its end.

It capped a fantastic day for Ahmed, who was pushed up to No.3 in the batting order, and made a useful 14 off 10 too. He

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Glenn Maxwell scored 59

RCB celebrating the win

didn't bowl more than those two overs, but ended with figures of 3 for 7.

He was not the only great positive for the Royal Challengers, with Glenn Maxwell notching a fine half-century earlier to drag them to 149 for 8, giving the bowlers something to defend.

That something turned out to be just enough at the end, as the Sunrisers unravelled to fall short by six runs. With victory, the Royal Challengers also moved to the top of the IPL 2021 table with two wins in two games.

The Rashid Khan effect T h e R o y a l Challengers didn't have too hot a start, which is critical t o do against the Sunrisers, because the middle overs are manned by Rashid Khan.

His four overs were always going to be crucial, and the Royal Challengers needed their big three of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell to take Rashid on and deny him his usual

breakthroughs. Rashid bowled 18 balls to the three combined, gave up only 15 runs, and took the wicket of the most dangerous of them all - de Villiers. It was a masterclass in T20 bowling, never offering a hit-me ball, and still being threatening enough that batsmen of that quality had to protect their wickets.

He ended with 4-0-182 across two spells, having conceded only a solitary four.

Maxwell turns up The last time Maxwell had scored a fifty in the IPL was before Rashid Khan was even part of the IPL, way back in 2016, when he made 68 off 42 against Kolkata Knight Riders.

A new franchise, the surety that he'll be batting at four, and a team management that clearly believes in him have started Maxwell off in this IPL better than he has in years. He wasn’t fluent,

opening game loss, David Warner was at his blistering best. He didn't get much of the strike initially, but that didn't hamper his rhythm, with the boundaries flowing.

In perhaps a tactical error by the Royal Challengers, Warner faced only two balls from Washington Sundar, who was brought on in the powerplay alright, but only in the fifth over.

Manish Pandey struggled to pierce the gaps during a secondwicket stand of 83, during which the Sunrisers were still cruising, thanks to Warner's hitting at the other end. He looked in prime touch, until he swatted a slower bouncer from Kyle Jamieson down long-on's throat.

Ahmed turns it around Warner's dismissal still left the Sunrisers needing 54 off 40 with eight wickets in hand, a fairly straightforward task in most T20 chases. However, the Sunrisers bowled a succession of tight overs that inched the required rate forward, until Kohli brought

o n Ahmed for the 17th over.

Both Pandey and Bairstow thought t h a t was an o v e r t h e y could target to ease up the

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(Ext 55)

David Warner scored 57

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD INNINGS (TARGET: 150 RUNS FROM 20 OVERS) Wriddhiman Saha † c Maxwell b Mohammed Siraj 1 David Warner (c) c Christian b Jamieson 54 Manish Pandey c Patel b Shahbaz Ahmed 38 Jonny Bairstow c †de Villiers b Shahbaz Ahmed 12 Abdul Samad c & b Shahbaz Ahmed 0 Vijay Shankar c Kohli b Patel 3 Jason Holder c Christian b Mohammed Siraj 4 Rashid Khan run out (Mohammed Siraj/†de Villiers) 17 Bhuvneshwar Kumar not out 2 Shahbaz Nadeem c Shahbaz Ahmed b Patel 0 0 T Natarajan not out Extras (b 4, lb 2, nb 2, w 4) 12 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 7.15) 143/9 Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Wriddhiman Saha, 2.2 ov), 2-96 (David Warner, 13.2 ov), 3-115 (Jonny Bairstow, 16.1 ov), 4-115 (Manish Pandey, 16.2 ov), 5-116 (Abdul Samad, 16.6 ov), 6-123 (Vijay Shankar, 17.6 ov), 7-130 (Jason Holder, 18.3 ov), 8-142 (Rashid Khan, 19.4 ov), 9-142 (Shahbaz Nadeem, 19.5 ov) O-M-R-W BOWLING Mohammed Siraj 4-1-25-2 Kyle Jamieson 3-0-30-1 2-0-14-0 Washington Sundar Yuzvendra Chahal 4-0-29-0 4-0-25-2 Harshal Patel 1-0-7-0 Dan Christian Shahbaz Ahmed 2-0-7-3

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chase, b u t A h m e d ' s va r i at i o n s in angles and awkward height meant none of the batsmen could quite get a hold of him, and each one ended up skying the ball for easy catches.

That one over completely turned things around, and the Sunrisers' brittle middle order cracked under the pressure, as batsmen kept falling even as the required rate kept rising.

(ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE INNINGS (20 OVERS MAXIMUM) Virat Kohli (c) c Shankar b Holder 33 Devdutt Padikkal c Nadeem b Kumar 11 Shahbaz Ahmed c Rashid Khan b Nadeem 14 Glenn Maxwell c †Saha b Holder 59 AB de Villiers † c Warner b Rashid Khan 1 Washington Sundar c Pandey b Rashid Khan 8 Dan Christian c †Saha b Natarajan 1 Kyle Jamieson c Pandey b Holder 12 0 Harshal Patel not out Extras (lb 3, w 7) 10 TOTAL (20 Ov, RR: 7.45) 149/8 Did not bat: Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Devdutt Padikkal, 2.5 ov), 2-47 (Shahbaz Ahmed, 6.1 ov), 3-91 (Virat Kohli, 12.1 ov), 4-95 (AB de Villiers, 13.4 ov), 5-105 (Washington Sundar, 15.5 ov), 6-109 (Dan Christian, 16.4 ov), 7-136 (Kyle Jamieson, 19.1 ov), 8-149 (Glenn Maxwell, 19.6 ov) BOWLING O-M-R-W Bhuvneshwar Kumar 4-0-30-1 4-0-30-3 Jason Holder Shahbaz Nadeem 4-0-36-1 4-0-32-1 T Natarajan 4-0-18-2 Rashid Khan

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The GuyBiz donation is a boost for the GCB

to start with, having come in the over before Rashid started bowling, and took a while to get used to the pace of the Chepauk pitch.

He was on 9 off 16 at the halfway mark when he got stuck into Shahbaz Nadeem, looting two sixes and a four in a 22-run over, and then he kept ticking to tide over the loss of Kohli and de Villiers, before crunching boundaries at the death, with 24 runs biffed off his final 11 balls.

He brought up his half-century in the last over off 38 balls, and ended with 59 off 41. That the Royal Challengers got something to bowl at despite Kohli never taking off in making 33 off 29 and de Villiers out for just 1 off 5, was down to Maxwell.

Warner takes off After a failure in their

he Guyana Cricket Board on Wednesday (April 14) received a generous supply of masks and sanitisers from manager of GuyBiz, Ishwar Singh.

GuyBiz is a reputable procurement company located in Berbice, but targets customers across the length and breadth of Guyana. Ishwar Singh is himself a former senior inter-county player, and is the brother of Gajanand Singh, a former national cricketer.

In brief remarks, the businessman explained that his company is very interested in the safety and welfare of the players, and that given the ongoing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, he thought it worthwhile to make this contribution to the cricketers.

GCB Secretary Ronald Williams expressed gratitude to GuyBiz for the donation of COVID-19 supplies, and noted that this timely initiative would be of great assistance to the safety and welfare of the players.

Williams was partic-

ularly high in praise for Ishwar Singh, for this gesture in giving back to the game. He pointed out that the COVID-19 safety measures are now an integral part of the GCB’s planning process and, in this regard, the contribution by GuyBiz is most welcome.

GCB Assistant Secretary Davteerth Anandjit also expressed appreciation to Ishwar Singh and his company.

He indicated that such a contribution speaks volumes of the efforts being taken by those in the Private Sector to assist sporting organisations to carry out their responsibility of ensuring that sporting activities are conducted within the established COVID-19 guidelines, as laid out by the National Task Force.

Anandjit remarked that, with the recent rise in recorded COVID-19 cases, such a gesture from GuyBiz is praiseworthy, as it would help the GCB to reinforce the importance of the COVID-19 guidelines in the various cricket-related activities.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Rose optimistic of Guyana’s chances against Nicaragua “This is a statement game, we have to win,” says Rose

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he Guyana National Basketball side will face off against Nicaragua in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Pre-Qualifiers today at 21:00 hrs in El Salvador. The qual-

The team is captained by Stanton Rose Jr and is cocaptained by Delroy James.

While the team consists of experienced players, it is also balanced out nicely with young talent. In a sit down with this publication, captain Stanton Rose Jr gave a brief

The team during a practice session

ifiers will take place at the José Adolfo Pineda National Gymnasium.

insight into how the team is planning to take on its counterparts.

Rose said, “We are preparing to play. I have been doing my research to see the players and get familiar with some of the names. They (Nicaragua) don’t have a full roster of players that play together.

What they have are clippings of them playing for different clubs. I have been speaking to Anthony Moe, who has been giving me tips as he has played over here.

“The team is doing okay. We had a great practice session last night. Everybody was in sync and is ready to work.

The team is coming along. Before, we weren’t where we wanted to be, but it would seem that upon our arrival everyone is turning up the heat and taking things up a notch and is locked in.”

Rose also said he is very confident in his team, as everyone wants to play defense and put the ball in the basket.

He noted that while there is a tad more work to be done on the defense, the team is ready and he is confident of the outcome.

“The atmosphere is kind of like Guyana. It’s hot, we’ve been expecting it. After we were in the gym last night, we realized how hot it was, and we know that we will take full advantage of that. The team needs to play a well-balanced offense and defense, and we need to bring that energy and beat Nicaragua. This is a statement game, so we have to beat them.”

If Guyana is to fall within the top three (3) teams, it would advance to the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 – Americas

Sir Clive Lloyd commences legal action against Guyana Chronicle

L

egendary former West Indies Cricket captain Sir Clive Lloyd has commenced legal action against the Guyana Chronicle after a “libellous” article was published under the headline “Holder has outlived his usefulness in the position, says Lloyd.”

Appearing on the most recent Mason and Guest radio programme, Sir Clive's Attorney, Ralph Thorne, QC, confidently claimed that the legendary skipper never spoke to the reporter.

A few weeks ago, when the article was published, Sir Clive also expressed his disappointment at the article, claiming that he

never spoke to the reporter.

The article was published on March 13, 2021 in the print copy and the online edition, which was later taken down while the publication issued an apology. Attorney Thorne has said he would represent the great man and ensure justice is served.

“It is with great honour that I am representing Sir Clive Lloyd in association with Guyanese Counsel. Let them (Guyana Chronicle) understand that we are pressing ahead with that case on behalf of one of the great West Indians of the last 100 years,” Thorne said.

“This case will be pursued with vigour to its

very logical end, and we will insist, in a very public forum and in a very public manner, that justice should come to Sir Clive Lloyd. You’re not going to meet a more distinguished West Indian than Sir Clive Lloyd, and therefore newspapers must be very careful how they portray our heroes. Sir Clive Lloyd is a West Indian hero, an authentic West Indian hero,” Thorne explained.

A few weeks ago, Sir Clive said on the Mason and Guest radio programme: “I never said anything like that! I find it so disrespectful that people can do as they like, put your name to something and say you have said that.

No, that is wrong! I have never said anything like that!

“A friend of mine spoke to the Sports Editor at the Chronicle, and he didn’t even come back and explain anything really, so I am very disappointed, because I never spoke to that reporter.”

Lloyd has declared that Jason Holder is a guy for whom he has great regard.

“I sort of promoted him as captain. I will never go out to say anything like that to anyone. I don’t have anything against Holder,” Lloyd clarified.

Asked if he had made contact with the reporter, Lloyd replied in the negative.

Regional 4-Day not completely off the table, says Jimmy Adams

D

espite news circulating to the effect that the West Indies Regional 4-Day tournament for 2021 has been cancelled, Director of Cricket for Cricket West Indies (CWI), Jimmy Adams, has said that hosting the tournament this year is not off the table.

Asked on the Mason and Guest radio programme if there is a possibility that Regional cricket would be played, Adams said: "We are still looking for a window in which to host Regional cricket.

It is still on the table. What I would not be able to say is what window that is possible.

“Is it that we do it in the window during South Africa (or) after South Africa, and all of that is tied up with the COVID-19 situation in the Caribbean."

Earlier in the week, Sukesh Maniam, a Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) shareholder representative, along with Kerwin John, said at the CWI Annual General Meeting on Sunday that

Guyana Jaguars were dethroned by Barbados Pride in the last Regional 4-Day tournament

the tournament has been cancelled owing to COVID-19.

The initial staging of the Regional 4-Day was set to commence in late April, with five rounds being played in Barbados and Trinidad respectively. However, that window is off the table.

Jimmy Adams, the CWI Director of Cricket, has said that CWI would continue the "Best v Best" concept by bringing the best players in the

Region together.

"We will continue the concept of bringing together the best 24 players to play amongst themselves, with a carrot of potential selection to an international team. In the back of all that, we will be reassessing the landscape for the earliest opportunity to revert 4-Day cricket back to the territories," Adams said.

Further, he noted that having the best players in

the respective territories playing among themselves is a second-best option.

"From discussion that I had, we are very clear that soon as a window presents itself where it is safe to bring all our Caribbean players into a venue and travel into and out of that venue is a safe option, we will take it at an early opportunity.

It might not be ten rounds but a shortened version. We are desperate to keep our Firstclass and fringe First-class players playing competitive cricket," Adams explained.

The long-serving Director was also delighted to see the players who performed in the West Indies Test Team against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are products of the Regional 4-Day tournament. In March 2020, the pandemic brought the 4-Day Championship to a halt with two rounds remaining, and, as a result, Barbados Pride were declared the winners, thumping the Guyana Jaguars. (Brandon Corlette)

Pre-Qualifiers in July 2021.

After the Nicaragua matchup, the Guyanese side would face off against Jamaica tomorrow at 18:00

hrs, and then El Salvador (21:00 hrs) and Costa Rica (18:00 hrs) on April 17-18.

All Guyana’s games will be broadcasted via the E-Networks’ E1 Channel.

Munroe stresses need for better investment in sport

I

t is no secret that funding is the key to success in most sports. While money doesn’t necessarily drive an individual athlete’s performance, funding can provide a more conducive environment for success, with amenities like better training, care and facilities.

President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Godfrey Munroe, share a similar sentiment as he expressed his belief that sport requires a lot more investments.

“I want to say, in a Guyana context (that), seriously, sporting wise, we really got to look at how investment is made in sports. In terms of giving our athletes the best chance to succeed, I think that requires a lot of financial input and strategising. A lot of times the blame is cast, but there’s limited finances to deal with,” Munroe shared earlier this week.

In the current sport climate especially, where a number of sport disciplines are aiming at Olympic Qualification, Munroe highlighted that in order to reap rewards, such investments need to be made with regard to preparation.

He explained, “If we’re speaking about Olympic Qualification and Olympic medals, some studies would prove that it comes at a cost. You have to really start looking at the key structures and systems.”

Munroe shared that while the team in Argentina would h a v e been

working towards Olympic Qualification, the drawback of bettering their world rankings is still a positive outcome from the tournament.

“In terms of expectations, you know, again, we’re coming against higher-financed teams, so one must be realistic; but we must be optimistic,” the GTTA President commented.

He added optimistically, “I believe us stepping out in this regard would help us to position our teams, because a lot of times, for the games that would be held in the future, like the Commonwealth Games and the Islamic Games and other key games that are scheduled for later in the year, and the World Championships, more than likely they will not be able to host qualification events.

So, what will happen is that they will use world ranking provisions; so, I think this will help us also to position ourselves.”

Nonetheless, Munroe is proud of the team’s decision to represent the Golden Arrowhead this week. “But, over all, I want to give the players a pat on the shoulder for showing their resilience and showing that commitment to going out and representing their country,” Munroe stated.

After a dismal run in the Singles Division of the Latin American Olympic

Qualifiers in Argentina, the team will be rooting for Chelsea Edghill and Shemar Britton, who will team up for the Mixed Doubles competition on Saturday.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021

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

Pg 23

Pg 23

Munroe stresses Rose optimistic of Guyana’s need for better chances against Nicaragua investment in sport “This is a statement game, we have to win,” says Rose Pg 23

Regional 4-Day not completely off the table, says Jimmy Adams Sir Clive Lloyd commences legal See storie on page 23

action against Guyana Chronicle

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