Guyana Times - Thursday December 31, 2020

P14

ANSA McAL donates 100 tablets to Education Ministry

…devices to be used for hinterland pilot project Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4515

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

Uninterrupted market access for Guyana as UK exits EU today Page 3

…Finance Minister signs new CARIFORUM-UK EPA

Asphalt Plant paid Page $9.8M to non- 7 existent company – probe finds

3 homeless after pregnant woman sets house on fire

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$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Bandits hijack taxi with P10 passengers Men robbed of car, cash by P8 drinking buddies 9 workplace deaths recorded in 5 months P13

Page 10

“Yankee” appeals 70-year sentence for murder of P2 Parika fuel dealer

Man serving 30 years for killing baby wants P12 sentence quashed

DHB Manager gifted himself $897,000 bracelet from public funds Page 15

Beepats to build Marriott Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Resort near CJIA Page 14

COVID-19: OxfordAstraZeneca P19 vaccine approved for use in UK

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Yankee” appeals 70-year sentence for murder of Parika fuel dealer

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mere five days after he was sentenced to 70 years in prison for the April 2016 murder of Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) businessman Seeram Singh, 44-yearold Curt Thomas filed an appeal challenging the decision of the trial court.

On November 11, 2020, Thomas, also known as “Yankee”, was found guilty by a jury of the April 30, 2016 murder of Singh, 52, who was shot to the head and hip during a robbery. He was subsequently sentenced to 70 years in jail by Justice Navindra Singh.

Thomas would only become eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 40 years. However, Thomas continued to maintain that he was innocent of the crime. Media reports at the time stated that Singh, a fuel dealer, of Lot 40 Parika Outfall, was on his mobile phone when he was attacked.

In an attempt to raise the alarm, the injured man ran towards a shop in the area, but the gunman gave chase and caught up with him. A scuffle ensued, and it was then that the gunman shot Singh. Reports are as the businessman fell, the gunman relieved him of two gold

Murder convict: Curt Thomas

chains and escaped. Singh was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

In a Notice of Appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, Thomas, through his lawyer, Lydon Amsterdam, is asking that his conviction and sentence be set aside. In doing so, the convict proffered eight grounds. He has mainly taken issue with how the identification parade was conducted.

According to his lawyer, the trial judge wrongly admitted the results of an identification parade even though there was conflicting evidence that tended to show that persons on the parade were not of a similar age, race, general appearance, and class of life as his

client.

“The learned trial judge during his summation of the evidence to the jury posed several rhetorical questions for their consideration which were prejudicial to the accused [Thomas] and may have influenced the jury in their deliberation of the evidence to arrive at a verdict, unfavourable to the accused,” argues Amsterdam.

Further, Attorney Amsterdam argues that the summation of the evidence by the trial judge was not balanced as Justice Singh emphasised aspects of the evidence favourable to the prosecution’s case and omitted to mention inconsistencies and contradictions in the evidence which tended to weaken the case for the prosecution.

Among other things, the lawyer contends that his client did not have a fair trial, because only a selected number of witnesses who gave evidence in the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) were called at the trial, and witnesses who gave evidence that conflicted with those witnesses and tended to show that anoth-

Murdered: Seeram Singh

er person may have killed Singh were not called at the trial.

Thomas submits that his sentence is too severe in all the circumstances of the case. “The learned trial judge utilised a formula in passing the sentence of 70 years that is without legal basis and he failed to take into account established sentencing guidelines and gave the accused a sentence that was inconsistent with the current sentencing practice,” Amsterdam further argues.

State Prosecutor Tuanna

Hardy had urged the jury to convict Thomas of the crime during her closing address.

The Prosecutor had told the jury that she was able to meet the burden of proof.

Hardy had insisted that it was Thomas who shot and killed the businessman. In doing so, she pointed to the testimonies of witnesses for the prosecution, including Rajmohan Autar, who positively identified Thomas during an identification parade.

The Prosecutor was keen to point out to the jury that the forensic analyst testified that the clothing said to be worn by Thomas on the night of the shooting which was submitted for testing tested positive for gunpowder residue. The Prosecutor had also told the jury that the witnesses called by her were credible.

In examining the unsworn testimony Thomas gave in his defence, Hardy pointed out that he brought no witnesses to disprove the prosecution’s case. Instead, she submitted, the witness whom he called to testify on his behalf placed him at

the location where the robbery-murder occurred.

During his virtual testimony from the Lusignan Prison, Thomas stated that he was nowhere near the crime scene, nor did he know Singh. He had alleged that one of the lead detectives in the case was trying to frame him for the murder.

He had claimed that his girlfriend and the Police rank had previously shared a relationship. Dorothy Pratt, the mother of Thomas’s girlfriend, testified on his behalf. The woman told the court that on the night in question, Thomas was at her home at 21:00h.

During cross-examination, however, Prosecutor Hardy challenged her evidence. Pratt, when questioned by the Prosecutor, was unable to account for Thomas’s whereabouts any time before or after that time. Against this backdrop, Prosecutor Hardy implored the jury to look at the evidence, for in doing so, they would arrive at the inescapable conclusion that it was Thomas who shot and killed the fuel dealer.

extreme erosion, a significant part of the road which is located in close proximity to the Christianburg and Blueberry Hill areas had disappeared. Prior to the commencement of works, a team of engineers and officials from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) had assessed the level of erosion. However, Gittens indicated that a Linden contractor was also working on the project.

“They will remove the entire area and replace the sub-base. They will relay the asphalt and do revetment to the area that is be-

ing eroded,” the Regional Vice Chairman said.

Gittens earlier noted that it was not the first time the area had suffered similar damage.

“The last time they had a problem there was the culvert had collapsed, but they have a plastic one there now, but the point where they dug up the road was not fixed properly. So, as a result of that, it was undermined by the rain and subsequently, that broke away and it is now a serious issue of erosion going on there. It’s something that should be considered emergency work...,” Gittens had indicated.

Emergency works commence on severely-eroded Linden road

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mergency works have commenced on a severely-eroded section of the Burnham Drive roadway in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The repairs to the damaged part of the road, which is considered a main thoroughfare in the community, recently commenced following appeals by residents and regional officials.

Regional Vice Chairman Douglas Gittens has indicated that the works

with Regional Chairman Deron Adams, had made

A section of the road that is blocked to facilitate emergency works

were being executed by the Public Works Ministry. Gittens, along

representations for repairs to the damaged section of the road. Owing to

NEWS

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, December 31 – 04:30h-06:00h and Friday, January 1 – 04:30h-06:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, December 31 – 05:20h-06:50h and Friday, January 1 – 06:00h-07:30h.

Uninterrupted market access for Guyana as UK exits EU today

…Finance Minister signs new CARIFORUM-UK EPA ic importance to Guyana’s Private Sector, considering that the UK is Guyana’s largest trading partner in Europe and sixth largest trading partner overall. It accounts for 2.1 per cent of imports, 8.8 per cent of all exports, and is an important market for exports of sugar, rice and rum.

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

An economic partnership agreement (EPA) is a type of

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light rain showers are expected throughout the day into the evening hours, with instances of thunder during the mid-morning to early-afternoon hours. Lightly to partly cloudy skies should follow.

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

Winds: Northerly to East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 3.57 metres.

High Tide: 17:23h reaching a maximum height of 2.67 metres.

Low Tide: 10:57h and 23:25h reaching minimum heights of 0.71 metre and 0.55 metre.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS D

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FREE TICKET

17 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

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LUCKY 3

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Afternoon Draw

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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PAY DAY

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18 SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2020

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

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Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

uyana has signed a new Caribbean Forum ( C A R I F O R U M ) UK Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) that would see the country benefiting from uninterrupted market access as the United Kingdom officially exits the European Union (EU) today.

The UK formally exited the EU on January 31, 2020, but was on a transition that would end today, December 31, 2020.

Since then, trade between CARIFORUM states and the UK has been governed by the CARIFORUMEU EPA. However, as of today, the CARIFORUM-EU EPA would cease to apply to trade between CARIFORUM states and the UK. Against this backdrop, Senior Minister in the Office of the President, with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, on Wednesday signed and issued a Ministerial Order that gives effect to the CARIFORUMUK EPA. The Ministerial Order brings into effect, from January 1, 2021 the CARIFORUM-UK EPA which will serve as the fundamental mechanism that ensures continuity in the existing preferential trading and investment relations, and facilitate uninterrupted market access and other EPA benefits for CARIFORUM states in trade with the UK.

The CARIFORUM-UK EPA is a roll-over agreement from the CARIFORUM-EU EPA, as it replicates all relevant sections of the existing EPA with necessary technical and administrative changes to make the agreement operable in a CARIFORUM-UK context.

The EPA is of econom-

free trade agreement for relationships with developing countries.

In addition to Guyana, other countries that would be covered by the CARIFORUM-UK EPA are: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, The Bahamas, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The Republic of Suriname has approved participation in principle.

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

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

Hope at the end of 2020

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t is the last day of 2020; a year that would no doubt take a prominent place in the history books of almost every country on the planet. But even as the world continues to fight a health crisis, with the successful development of the COVID-19 vaccines recently, there has been a great deal of hope that the virus would eventually be contained.

Scientists, health partners and policy makers have been relentless in their efforts to develop and test vaccines to fight the virus; which was done in record time. Quite a few vaccines have already been granted approval or are close to the stage of being approved for use. In some countries, the vaccines have already been administered to priority groups, and many are optimistic about the results. Through various international agreements and partnerships, developing countries such as Guyana now have hope that they too can access the vaccines, which are very crucial in containing the spread of the virus.

A few days ago, COVAX, the global initiative to ensure rapid and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all countries, regardless of income level, announced that it had arrangements in place to access nearly two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine candidates on behalf of 190 participating economies. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), for the vast majority of these deals, COVAX has guaranteed access to a portion of the first wave of production, followed by volume scales as further supply becomes available. WHO says the arrangements announced would enable all participating economies to have access to doses in the first half of 2021, with first deliveries anticipated to begin in the first quarter of 2021 - contingent upon regulatory approvals and countries’ readiness for delivery.

Given that these are arrangements for 2 billion doses of vaccine candidates, which are still under development, COVAX will continue developing its portfolio. This will be critical to achieving its goal of securing access to 2 billion doses of safe and effective, approved vaccines that are suitable for all participants’ contexts, and available by the end of 2021.

The new deals include the signing of an advance purchase agreement with AstraZeneca for 170 million doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford candidate, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Johnson & Johnson for 500 million doses of the Janssen candidate, which is currently being investigated as a single dose vaccine.

These deals are in addition to existing agreements COVAX has with the Serum Institute of India (SII) for 200 million doses – with options for up to 900 million doses more – of either the AstraZeneca/Oxford or Novavax candidates, as well as a statement of intent for 200 million doses of the Sanofi/GSK vaccine candidate.

In Guyana, the health authorities must be commended for the initiatives they have taken to prepare this country for the rollout of the vaccines. This process will require careful logistical planning and management, and also specialised resource capacity. The Minister of Health has already stated that the necessary cold-storage facilities required to store the vaccines are being put in place. The Ministry has also published bids for private contractors to procure and install refrigerators and vaccine carriers, which must be completed before Guyana receives its first quota of the COVID-19 vaccines in a matter of weeks.

Like WHO and other health partners, we believe that the recent announcements by COVAX offer the clearest pathway yet to end the acute phase of the pandemic, by protecting the most vulnerable populations around the world.

As stated by Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the arrival of vaccines is giving all of us a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. However, he was correct to point out that “we will only truly end the pandemic if we end it everywhere at the same time, which means it’s essential to vaccinate some people in all countries, rather than all people in some countries”.

Important to note too, he said, is that we must remember that “vaccines will complement, but not replace, the many other tools we have in our toolbox to stop transmission and save lives”. Guyana and all other countries must continue to use all of these tools to ensure that the virus is stopped in its tracks.

Visitors watch as a diver swims past a Christmas tree at the Jakarta Aquarium in Jakarta, Indonesia (AFP)

GOGEC responds to former T&T Minister Dear Editor, In response to Mariano Browne, former Trinidadian Minister of Trade, that Trinidad and Tobago has been slow to capitalise on Guyana’s oil discoveries, Mr Manniram Prashad, the President of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC), who is also a former Trade Minister, would like to bring to his attention that numerous Trinidadian businesses have been engaged in the oil and gas industry.

Guyana and Trinidad have always had excellent trading relations, even before oil was discovered, and it is no different now. Many

Trinidadian companies are members of GOGEC, and we maintain excellent relationship with Exxon and the Government.

As a member of Caricom, Guyana recognises the Treaty of Chaguaramas in all trade- related matters even though some of the countries in Caricom do not reciprocate as they should.

Guyana is one of the few countries in the world where foreigners establishing business are treated equally with Guyanese. In some cases, even better.

The experience and expertise of Trinidadians in the oil and gas sector is well recognized, as, only recent-

ly, we had two of their nationals - former Minister of Energy, Kevin Ramnarine, and Oil Expert Dr. Anthony Paul - serving as members of the Local Content Panel established by President Irfaan Ali. Guyanese must always remember that Trinidadians opened their doors to us when we went through a very difficult period, and we must not forget that as we welcome their knowledge and expertise in the oil and gas sector.

Guyanese hospitality is among the best in the world, and our kindness must not be taken for weakness. We have a strong and vibrant

Private Sector, supported by the Government. Our oil and gas industry must benefit all Guyanese, especially the poor and vulnerable.

We urge and suggest joint ventures and partnership agreements with Guyanese businesses. While we await the release of the Local Content Policy, we hope that Guyana and Guyanese businesses are well protected.

GOGEC will continue to be vigilant, and no one from outside or inside Guyana will be allowed to deprive Guyanese of their patrimony.

Dear Editor, I refer to a short letter to the Editor, “Raising minimum wages might not necessarily help the poor,” written by Mr Shawn Ori in response to an editorial: “Minimum wage – how far can it go?”

Mr Shawn Ori’s simple yet interesting piece hit the heart of the situation as it exists in Guyana. In our economy today, the minimum wage currently stands at $44,200 a month. I am convinced that this is not enough. While there is talk of an increase to $60,000 per month, I would like to give my personal opinion on this by stating it is the Government that should strive to reduce the cost of living. The increase in wages should not be the main focus.

Persons need the empowerment of their monies and their earnings. Giving an increase would only cause inflation, as every other conceivable item would also increase almost instanta-

neously. The extra money that the workers seem to have received might now be what I call "more coloured paper money in hand, or just play money." The benefit of the rise would only dissipate, and there would be no proper effect. This is the crux of the issue that I would like to touch on.

As a result of this increase, I foresee landlords increasing their rent simply because of the cost of purchasing their products to maintain their properties. Products such as paint, nails, construction materials, and labour would also increase. The price of vegetables and fruits would also increase automatically. It is indeed sad to say, but NIS would increase instantaneously, and sooner or later, Guyana Power and Light Inc. and Guyana Water Inc. would salivate to gain their share of the meagre, almost non-existent power of the pittance provided to the workers. Costs for virtually everything would rise in-

stantaneously, with stores and companies adding even more to increase their profits, while at the same time covering the expense of the increase.

As I mentioned above, the most critical aspect is to increase the value of money, or the spending power of the citizens of the country. The most important thing is for the Government to reduce the cost of purchasing the United States Dollar, which fluctuates between $205 and $230 dollars, according to the desperation of the buyer of the United States currency. The Government must lower the cost of living in such a way that the poor or the small may prosper. The reality is that even if the minimum wage goes up to $60,000 and the cost of living does not increase, it would still be difficult for a small family to survive on bills or expenditures such as rent, transport, power, water, or food, just to name a few.

This, in my opinion, is a

terrible situation. The system will increase wages and continue to offer useless coloured paper money as wages, but the cost-of-living would keep on increasing.

It all seems to me, therefore, to be a pyrrhic victory. It would be like pulling wool over people's eyes, by giving them an increase but the money has no power. Further, this increase at this time will be very difficult to maintain business, since the economy is currently broken and struggling with COVID-19 and the volcanic tornado in the form of political and economic mismanagement of the economy of the country during the 2015-2020 era.

I wish to commend the Government of Guyana, comprising its dynamic team of Ministers who have been fanning out to the various regions of Guyana to listen to the people, while creating projects to excite local economies within these regions.

Sincerely, Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber

Merely increasing wages will not impact lives

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

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

Guyana's upside in 2020, after suffering, struggling, suffocating from APNU/AFC's strangulation Dear Editor, If the APNU/AFC party provided an earful to listen to the downside of our beloved country Guyana in the leap year 2020, then the PPP/C party did provide a mouthful to talk about on the other side of the coin. To narrate on the upside of this dear land of ours, in a trying and testing year, when it is easy to conjure only negative things happening, it is a relief and change to welcome anything beneficially positive.

The best thing that happened in Guyana was the swearing in of a new and legitimate, duly elected President, Dr Irfaan Ali, replacing a “Sanctimonious Gangster” for a caretaker President, David Granger, who had to unwillingly demit the Office of the President after squatting in office for five months and being ordered to “step aside.” This good turn materialised due to the PPP/C party winning the General and Regional Elections held on March 2nd, and defeating the APNU/AFC party to form the new Government.

But this would not have been possible had it not been for many stakeholders condemning and preventing the APNU/AFC party and some GECOM officers and employees from attempting to rig and defraud the election process.

Guyana has a better reason to smile because many people, places and parties contributed to the upholding of democracy and to support the Guyanese people in the struggle to prevent dictatorship, defend freedom, and maintain peace. Those play-

ing significant roles include diplomats from the ABCE, Caricom, OAS, AOL, ACP, UN, The Elders, all the then Opposition parties, the vigilantes keeping watch on the ballot boxes, most local organisations, personnel from the media, and the people of Guyana at home and abroad.

One of Guyana’s proudest moments remains in the fact that not a single Head of State for any regional or international country supported Granger and his APNU/AFC party in their fishing expedition, when they attempted on numerous occasions to deny the free will of the Guyanese people and to undermine democracy in the country. Responding to Granger with, “The truth hurts”, according to past Chair of CARICOM, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley, the world did not budge, but stood beside Guyana to fight against APNU/AFC’s tyranny and bullyism. Also, Granger could not find an ally from any of his Caricom friends, who turned their backs on him.

On another positive note, it was good to see GECOM Chair, the honourable Justice (retired) Claudette Singh, enforcing her power to direct the CEO, Keith Lowenfield, to produce a final report as per the findings of the Caricom recount election result, which enabled her to declare the PPP/C party as the winner of the election, defeating the APNU/AFC party. A creditable note must also include the DPP, Shalimar AliHack, discontinuing criminal charges of misconduct in

public office against Madam Claudette Singh, brought by agents believed to be from the APNU/AFC party.

On a high note also, it was good to see so many female and young people appointed as MPs by the PPP/C party and the APNU/AFC party. Guyana again scored points in seeing the PPP/C party defeating the APNU/ AFC party’s frivolous and vexatious petitions both at the local courts and at the CCJ. Guyana rejoiced also in the dismissal of APNU/ AFC’s victimised charges politically motivated, brought against President Irfaan Ali, AG Mr. Anil Nandlall, Finance Minister Ashni Singh, and Winston Brassington.

Definitely, climbing up the scale was the PPP/C Government successfully piloting an emergency $330 billion budget to cover the remainder of the year from September to December 2020. Guyanese had a lot to cheer about on learning that the many taxes imposed on them by the APNU/AFC party were removed, reduced and reversed to the status of 2014, when the PPP/C was in Government. The Granger Government had punished the nation for five years, and the revenue demanded and squeezed from the people’s blood, sweat and tears was squandered by the callous and unscrupulous administration. Guyanese had to pay to upkeep the exuberant and exorbitant good life style of the APNU/AFC party. The Value Added Tax was removed from a number of goods and services, including water and electrici-

Merely increasing wages...

The excitement of the people is at a high level at this moment, and this mood needs to be consistent and even climb higher through services and attention to the people of this country.

Guyana is at the height of greatness, and our people need to see and feel the reality of the development and dynamism in the environment by holding something tangible in their hands, so that they can provide wealth to their families while feeling a sense of joy and victory as

Guyanese men and women.

At this juncture, I would also implore the Government, as I did years ago, to set up a system that teaches ordinary people to use the money to invest in places like Banks, New Building Society, Guyana Power and Light Inc. (when it becomes profitable, as in the United Kingdom, as it relates to electric power).

Shares may be purchased from companies in Guyana, thereby providing additional cash flow to companies in the form of investments, and en-

ty rates, exports, hinterland travel, medical supplies, and building and construction. Fees for the rental of agricultural land, irrigation and drainage have been reduced to 2014 figures. 50,000 house lots have been identified for housing, and the MIR was increased to $30 million. The 3 sugar estates closed by the APNU/AFC Government will be opened incrementally, and some $7 billion has already been disbursed to GuySuCo, and already almost a thousand workers were re-employed.

The 25 percent Corporate Tax on educational institutions was removed, and the uniform voucher allowance was doubled to $4,000 per child. Also, a cash grant of $15,000 will be made available to all public- school students, effective from Jan 1st. The PPP/C Government announced that 20,000 scholarships will be available and education should be free at UG from 2024.

The Indigenous people had a lot to cheer about with some $800 million allocated to the ADF, and the re-employment of some 2,000 CSOs who were fired by the APNU/AFC Government.

Pensioners’ allowance was increased to $25,000.

Guyanese applauded on learning from President Dr Irfaan Ali that there will be massive development in infrastructure.

Transformation plans include new schools, hospitals, roads, highways, Police stations, a new Demerara river high-span bridge, bridging Guyana and Suriname, and a deep-water harbour. A new city along the LindenSoesdyke highway was also

FROM PAGE 4

suring annual returns.

It is my prayer and desire that, after teaching people how to be prudent in their financial expenditure, the Government of Guyana can begin to provide every citizen of this country with an annual income similar to what

is done in places such as Kuwait and well-managed oil nations such as Norway and others. All of which would make for a better Guyana and Guyanese citizens!

Sincerely, Roshan Khan, Sr

announced, and the construction of more international hotels and another airport in Lethem. A hallmark achievement in 90 days was the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, bringing an end to GTT’s 30-year monopoly in Guyana. A professionally structured committee was implemented to handle the COVID-19 pandemic, and a cash relief of $25,000 was disbursed to over 150,000 Guyanese householders so far.

Suriname’s new President has already visited Guyana, US Secretary of State, the United Arab Emirates and many other financial investors from around the world are all interested in investing in Guyana. Guyana has earned US$200 million in revenue from its controversial oil industry, and plans are afoot for the gas-to-shore project.

The mining, bauxite and forest industries have started to expand, with previous established companies.

Guyana should be proud to end the year on a happy and high note, to learn that the International Court of Justice ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear the matter of the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela. The PPP/C Government’s generosity was extended to include bonuses to the Police, the Army and front-line workers.

After suffering, struggling and suffocating from the strangulation of APNU/AFC party’s knee on Guyanese neck, Guyana was privileged and heartened to

know that Guyana still has many kind-hearted people who genuinely care and are concerned about the welfare of the poor, underprivileged, handicapped and less fortunate. Many announced and unannounced Guyanese reached into their personal pockets to take care of their fellow Guyanese from all walks of life, from all villages and all ethnicities, and to share in their plights. The PPP/C party and Government, employers, organisations, institutions, houses of worship and private citizens gave generously in cash, clothes and food hampers to the needy in society in all three counties. The APNU/AFC party was limited and selectively involved. This charitable drive was caused by the hardship brought on by the APNU/AFC administration and the COVID-19 pandemic. This 2020 leap year did share its pros and cons with Guyana, and served its advantages and disadvantages. The expressed fear of a leap year myth did materialise and pervaded with its perilous qualms, psalms singing, open palms for help, distribution of alms, a calm after the storm, curious Peeping Toms, not wanting to bid salaam, and a jam-packed programme for the next year.

While many are sadly not with us to ring out the old year, hopefully, you may find something to cheer to ring in the New Year.

May God bless all. Happy New Year, Guyana!

Respectfully, Jai Lall

“H

elp ever, hurt never” That is true liberation! To get rid of moha (attachment) is true moksha (liberation).

Do not try to find faults with others. If you point an accusing finger at someone, remember that three fingers are pointing at you.

Satyam kanthasya bhushanam (Truth is the true ornament to the neck), and Hastasya bhushanam danam (charity is the true ornament to the hand). Your hands are useless if they do not perform acts of charity. You have to sanctify each limb of your body in sacred activities. You should empathise with those who are in difficulties and try to give them solace. Comfort and console them with soothing words. Those who talk harsh words are verily demons. If you hurt others’ feelings, you will be hurt twice as much. You cannot escape the consequences of your actions; you have to bear this truth in mind. Your life will be sanctified when you conduct yourselves in a manner not to hurt others! - Divine Discourse, Nov 19, 2002

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

Page

Foundation ◄

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

Circle Graphs or Pie Charts A circle graph compares parts of a whole to a whole.

They are also called pie charts because each looks like a pie that has been sliced up. When you read a pie chart, it does not always matter how big the whole is, because you are comparing parts to each other and the whole. However, sometimes you can calculate a whole exactly.

Examples: Which kind of bank note did Patricia save the most?

Step 1: Find the biggest segment of the pie chart.

Step 2: Read the label for that segment. Patricia saved more $20 bills than any other kind of bank note.

Patricia saved a total of 98 bank notes. How many of them were $20 bills?

Step 1: Look at the whole circle. You may not be able to tell exactly how big each part is. However, you can estimate. The $20 bills segment accounts for roughly one half of the circle.

The Bees & Wasps, & the Hornet

Step 2:Multiply ½ x 98 = 49. There are 49 $20 bills.

Calculate the value of the $20 bills segment: $20 x 49 = $980.

Types of pie charts

A Old Year’s Night party crown What you will need: Construction paper colouring pens scissors tape/glue Instructions: Cut out crowns from the construction paper.

Colour to your heart’s desire and add your wording: Happy New Year, etc.

Tape together both parts.

DONE! Enjoy.

(Adapted from hattifant.com)

store of honey had been found in a hollow tree, and the wasps declared positively that it belonged to them. The bees were just as sure that the treasure was theirs. The argument grew very pointed, and it looked as if the affair could not be settled without a battle, when at last, with much good sense, they agreed to let a judge decide the matter. So they brought the case before the hornet, justice of the peace in that part of the woods.

When the Judge called the case, witnesses declared that they had seen certain winged creatures in the neighbourhood of the hollow tree, who hummed loudly, and whose bodies were striped, yellow and black, like bees.

Counsel for the wasps immediately insisted that this description fitted his clients exactly.

Such evidence did not help Judge Hornet to any decision, so he adjourned court for six weeks to give him time to think it over. When the case came up again, both sides had a large number of witnesses. An ant was first to take the stand, and was about to be cross-examined, when a wise old bee addressed the Court.

"Your Honour," he said, "the case has now been pending for six weeks. If it is not decided soon, the honey will not be fit for anything. I move that the bees and the wasps be both instructed to build a honey comb. Then we shall soon see to whom the honey really belongs."

The wasps protested loudly. Wise Judge Hornet quickly understood why they did so: They knew they could not build a honey comb and fill it with honey.

"It is clear," said the Judge, "who made the comb and who could not have made it. The honey belongs to the bees."

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Asphalt Plant paid $9.8M to non-existent company – probe finds

T

he Asphalt Plant paid more than $9.8 million to a non-existent Trinidadian company back in 2015 – one year before the company was incorporated.

This was among a series of discrepancies unearthed during an investigation into allegations of a major racket at the Asphalt Plant dating back for several years.

Chartered Accountant Chateram Ramdihal led the high-level team of investigators, which included Head of the Inspectorate Division at the Public Works Ministry, Heidi Gillette; that Ministry’s Audit Manager Dexter Smith, and Engineer Brion Singh, to investigate the operations of the Plant, which is run by the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) Corporation.

Almost three months later, the team handed over a report of its findings to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill on Wednesday.

Ramdihal highlighted some of the findings, including the decision to purchase and sell cold mix.

Investigators said in the report that not only was this decision taken without the approval of the DHB Board, but no feasibility study was conducted to determine whether this venture would be a beneficial one.

In addition, the report detailed that the cold mix was purchased from a company in Trinidad and Tobago that was registered in that country in April 2016, the same year the cold mix was purchased.

“Hence, at the time of purchase, the company was not a known supplier of the product. Our analysis of the General Ledger revealed that the company was paid the sum of $9,814,600 on the 17th November, 2015, at the time when the company was not incorporated or a legal entity,” the report stated.

Moreover, the investigators say, the analysis revealed that the cost of procuring cold mix is approximately 11 times that of the procurement of asphalt.

But, in response, the plant management explained that the usage of cold mix was not to replace asphalt, but as an option for the early intervention of the then Ministry of Public Infrastructure road maintenance (all weather) and far outlying areas.

They also said the decision to sell cold mix was taken after consultation and deliberation with management of the then Public Infrastructure Ministry.

They added that they are unaware of the incorporation details of the Trinidadian company, but noted that there was no loss on this new product.

Nevertheless, the investigators say in their report that they “were unable to determine the rationale for acquiring cold mix from a new company rather than an established supplier.

Management advanced the Plant’s fund to a company that was legally non-existent, and, as such, exposed the Plant to the risk of non-recourse in the event of non-delivery.”

To this end, it was recommended that management ensure the cold mix is purchased from known suppliers in order to attract higher quality at a cheaper price, as well as to ensure advance payments are made only to established legal entities.

Recommendations were also made for management to ensure major decisions of this nature be approved by the DHB Board, and that feasibility studies are carried out.

The other findings of the report mostly had to do with the weaknesses in the operations of the Asphalt Plant that could allow for malprac-

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill receiving the report on the investigations into the Asphalt Plant from Chateram Ramdihal

tices to be capitalised on.

Lack of internal controls

The probe was ordered back in September, and the team later established - early October, following allegations - that persons at the Asphalt Plant and the Public Works Ministry were reselling asphalt to the Government for their own benefit.

Reports are that persons from the Ministry would order a certain amount of asphalt from the plant, to be billed to the Ministry. However, they would collect less than what was ordered, and sell the difference at discounted prices to select contractors.

Ramdihal said on Wednesday that while they were unable to ascertain whether the allegation is true, it could be “possible”, given the lack of internal controls. He pointed out that there were no records to show at the Ministry’s end that it had received the amount of asphalt it had paid for in advance. It was also discovered in one instance that the Ministry had overpaid for asphalt.

“Our investigation… revealed that the Ministry… purchased asphalt through a

pre-payment system, and did not have a system in place to reconcile how much they received against how much is paid for. And as such, we are unable to determine whether the allegation is true… [But] because of the overpayment and because of the lack of reconciliation, the allegation could be possible,” Ramdihal told the gathering at the Ministry’s Boardroom, where the report was handed over.

Other findings unearthed during the probe include the lack of credit policies, hence no credit approval limit was set for customers. This, the report said, resulted in all credit sales being approved by the General Manager without any evidence of a credit review process being carried out and credit limits set for the various customers.

“Management continues to sell goods on credit to Courtney Benn Construction Inc. despite having a large sum outstanding at the point of granting additional credit and against the decision of

the board, which is, to discontinue selling asphalt to this client until all monies owed are collected,” the report highlighted.

The Asphalt Plant was also flagged for loaning bitumen to Suresh Jagmohan (a competitor) and China Railways (at the time of loaning, there was no relationship between the two) without the approval of the board.

It must be noted that these transactions occurred on the 14th December, 2017 (Suresh Jagmohan) and 9th February, 2019 (China Railways) and were closed in the latter part of 2020.

Discrepancies were also found in relation to the weighing and transporting of asphalt.

It was found that large trucks with asphalt are weighed at the Demerara Harbour Bridge, which is located approximately 10 miles away from the Plant. The report said this resulted in a higher cost than the other option available, which is to use the scale next door for a fee of approximately G$3000.

“This practice exposes the Plant to the risk of asphalt being taken out [on the way] before it is weighed,” the investigators stated.

They also found that the cost of hiring transportation, mainly trucks to transport raw material, is more costly than if the Plant was to purchase its own transportation.

“Our analysis of the outsourcing of transportation services as against that of the procurement of the Plant’s own truck has revealed that the procurement of a truck would have resulted in savings of approximately sixty percent (60%) of the transportation cost incurred during

the period under review,” the report detailed.

Moreover, it was found that the Asphalt Plant disposed of some 118.9 tonnes of scrap metal to the tune of $1,877,368 in March, 2019 without a board of survey, as agreed to by the directors at the board meeting in August, 2017.

It was noted that the customer quoted $18,000 per tonne, but the sales was completed at a unit price of $15,789 per tonne.

“Our analysis revealed that adjustment was made to the quoted price for VAT, however, VAT is a recoverable element and therefore should not be deemed to be part of the quoted price,” the investigators found. Hence, they were unable to determine whether the Plant got ‘value for money’.

Upon receiving the report, Minister Edghill described the report as “very damning” and assured that measures will be taken to ensure that hemorrhaging of the public purse ceases.

“I will summon a special sitting of the Board of Directors of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, where the sole subject would be for the deliberations of the findings of this report and the adopting of recommendations or determining specific actions to be taken. Whoever is culpable will be dealt with based upon the principles of natural justice,” Edghill posited.

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, in echoing sentiments expressed by his colleague minister, also committed to ensure that corrective measures are taken for the deficiencies highlighted in the report. (G8)

8 NEWS Men robbed of car, cash by drinking buddies THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

T

wo men were robbed by their drinking buddies in separate robberies on Tuesday.

Reports are that Leroy Desantos, of Ocean View Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was robbed of his three gold chains by his drinking buddy. Police said that about 18:15h, the 25-year-old barber, along with the suspect and a few others, had just finished imbibing at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, when the barber joined the suspect’s car. The victim claimed that he fell asleep but awoke while in the vicinity of Crane, WCD, after the suspect stopped the car at Crane Old Road and he felt his chains being pulled from his neck. Police said the barber related that he managed to hold onto his chains. He told Police, after realising what had oc-

curred, he asked the suspect “what happened”.

It was then Desantos exited the car, and the suspect sped off almost immediately. He reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which ended up in a nearby trench. Desantos told investigators that following the incident, he made further checks and discovered his wallet which contained $50,000 was missing.

Following the alleged robbery, the suspect was contacted and told of the allegation which he denied.

He was then arrested and escorted to the Vreed-enHoop Police Station.

Police said three pieces of yellow metal chain were handed over to them by the victim, and were lodged at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station along with the car.

Investigations are ongo-

ing.

Meanwhile, in another robbery, Joshua Mangru, of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara (WBD), is also counting his losses, after a man with whom he was imbibing alcohol, allegedly stole his motor car on Tuesday about 19:40h at the Goed Fortuin Public Road.

Police said the car is a silver-grey 212, with licence plate number PGG 2003.

Reports are the car was parked on Goed Fortuin Public Road with the key in the ignition, when the suspect told the victim that he was going into the car to put on some music.

Mangru told Police that the man got into the car and reportedly drove away. He stated that the car is valued at $400,000.

Investigations are ongoing. (G9)

Thinking about…

A

…those resolutions s Rod Steward crooned (or “croaked”!), “Tonight’s the night” - Old Year’s night, that is. Or “New Year’s Eve”, if you will. As to whether “it’s gonna be all right”, the jury’s out on that!! But since folks will be preparing their “New Year’s Resolutions”, maybe your Eyewitness can offer some suggestions to some movers and shakers who might help nudge things in the right direction for the next year at least.

Your Eyewitness will begin with the politicians, since he knows that no matter what some may want to believe, in our dear land of Guyana, politics trumps EVERYTHING! So what resolutions should our young President Ali make?

We don’t have to worry about him resolving to ensure our development - which was kidnapped and held hostage by the rapacious PNC. Being head of the PPP slate, you know he’s dead serious about fulfilling their Manifesto Plans - as should be evident to one and all in the five short months he’s been President. Has any other administration EVER in our history done even half as much is such a short time?

What he should resolve to do is to face down the mayhem we all know the PNC gonna be launching as they see the PPP eating into their support base - through their even-handed development programme. As Granger and his cohorts in the PNC are challenged by various factions of the PNC that have sprung up, they’ll all compete with each other in the extremism department. So, on the maxim “forewarned is forearmed”, let’s get those water cannons operational!

As for Granger, he should resolve to follow in the footsteps of an old soldier who was the real deal - General Douglas MacArthur. In his farewell address to an unprecedented joint session of Congress, he quoted from the famous soldier’s ballad: ‘Old soldiers never die -they just fade away,’ saying, “And like the old soldier of that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away.” Granger should accept he’s no Eisenhower - who transitioned successfully from the army into politics. He was mediocre in the military - just a lapdog to Burnham as the latter used the military to cling on to power. And he was even more mediocre in politics when he threw away his opportunity to consolidate consensual politics.

With the foregoing advice on resolutions to Granger, your Eyewitness moves on to some ambitious young gun from inside the PNC, who may be raring to go. And the resolution is: don’t repeat Granger’s fatal mistake to craft a coalition in order to win an election - then treat the coalition partners like sh’t.

With all groups now minorities, all it’ll take to win elections is maintain good relations!

…an old-fashioned Old Years’ Night With COVID-19 showing no sign of easing up, your Eyewitness once again takes the opportunity to remind all you dear readers out there that tonight, please stay off the beaten path to your favourite nightspot. While Ramjattan’s curfew never made much sense to your Eyewitness, because who’ll imbibe will imbibe regardless, with that pesky virus lurking to jump into your lungs, it’s like playing Russian Roulette to be among crowds at this time.

And we know that if you’re in that club, come midnight, you and everyone in the joint (that’ll be jumpin’) will be belting out not just “Auld Lang Syne”, but also the aforementioned microscopic critters. So, instead, whip up a good, old-fashioned cook-up, whip up some eggnog, gather the family around, and retell those old stories of how it was “in the bad old days of Burnham”!

It’ll be a cautionary tale that’ll serve them well in the coming year, and will ensure you’ll be there with them. …the new year It’s not because your Eyewitness is a “glass-half-full” kinda guy that he believes next year can’t possibly be worse than 2020.

It’s because the Sanctimonious Gangster won’t be around to dole out Cool Aid to his supporters!

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

9

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 homeless after pregnant woman sets house on fire A

pregnant woman is now in Police custody after she allegedly set her partner’s two-storey North Ruimveldt, Georgetown home on fire during an argument on Tuesday evening.

When Guyana Times visited the area on Wednesday morning, neighbours said the pregnant woman and her partner, who is the owner of the property, had been arguing for most of the day on Tuesday.

According to neighbours, in the evening, they heard the woman telling the man that she wanted eggs to eat.

However, he responded by saying that he did not have any eggs.

The neighbours claimed that this led to another argument that lasted for some time.

It is alleged that during

was a loud explosion followed by flames around 21:30h.

The Fire Service was immediately summoned to the scene. However, the building was completely destroyed by the time the firefighters were able to douse the flames.

The three persons who were living at the house – the owner and two tenants are now homeless. The pregnant woman, who resides at another address, was taken into custody as investigations continue.

The ruins left behind after Tuesday evening’s fire

Bandits hijack taxi with passenger The North Ruimveldt, Georgetown house on fire

the argument, the man walked out of the yard, and shortly after, loud sounds

of falling dishes were heard coming from the building.

Within minutes, there

P

olice have launched an investigation into a hijacking on the East Coast of Demerara which has left a 34-year-old taxi driver counting his losses.

It was reported that about 20:30h on Tuesday, taxi driver Kevin Hope was called to a city hotel, where he picked up a male passenger to take him to a location at Good Success, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Police said that the taxi driver reported that upon his arrival at the location, he was confronted by two males.

He said that one of the men who was armed with a hand gun rushed towards him and struck him to his head.

He said the man discharged a round into the air during

the robbery.

Reports are that Hope was ordered to exit his vehicle, HC 8929, and he complied. The two bandits then boarded the vehicle with the passenger still in the car, and drove off in a southerly direction.

Hope told Police that

apart from the car, which was valued at $3.2 million, the armed bandits carted off one A21 Samsung cellphone valued $48,000, a jumper kit valued $15,000, a Motorola radio set valued $50,000 and $2000 in cash.

An investigation has been launched. (G9)

11

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man serving 30 years for killing baby wants sentence quashed A 24-year-old man who was found guilty of setting fire to a Kaneville, East Bank Demerara (EBD) house, killing an eight-month-old baby boy in the process, has moved to the Guyana Court of Appeal seeking to have his conviction and sentence quashed.

On December 2, 2020, Justice Sandil Kissoon sentenced Nigel Dodson to 30 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of the crime. Dodson only becomes eligible for parole after serving a minimum of 25 years.

Dodson has not yet retained a lawyer for the appeal; his Notice of Appeal

COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

US$ $51.34/barrel $225.00/ton $418.40/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change % +0.49 +0.14 +1.60

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1896.50

$1897.50

Low/High Change

$1875.60 +2.20

$1900.30 +0.12%

Murder convict: Nigel Dodson

was prepared on a form authorised by the prison authorities. However, during his trial at the High Court, he was represented by

Murdered: Romain Seth

Attorney-at-Law Adrian Thompson.

The charge against him stated that on January 23, 2017, he murdered eightmonth-old Romain Seth, during the furtherance of arson on a dwelling house.

Media reports stated that the early-morning fire destroyed the three-bedroom home of Michelle Menezes several days after Dodson, who resided at the same premises, threatened to kill her entire family, over his gun which had gone

missing. Dodson has maintained his innocence.

State Prosecutor Nafeeza Baig urged the court to impose a sentence that reflected the nature and gravity of the offence. Baig described Dodson as a “menace to society�, stating that the killing was premeditated and even after he was found guilty, he expressed no remorse.

In handing down the sentence, Justice Kissoon noted that Dodson set fire to the home, having no regard for the value of human life.

The Judge said that an entire family could have been destroyed as other persons were living at the home.

According to the Judge, Seth was an innocent baby who did not get to enjoy the wonders of life.

The Judge explained that the court must balance the interest of justice with the interest of society. In this regard, Justice Kissoon noted that the court had to ensure that the punishment imposed for the crime served as a deterrent to like-minded individuals who may want to consider committing similar heinous acts.

Because of Dodson’s young age, the Judge declined to impose the life sentence as he believed the young convict could be rehabilitated for reintegration into society. Justice Kissoon, in calculating an appropriate sentence for Dodson, started at a base of 25 years. To that, the Judge added five years for aggravating factors, including premeditation, endangering the lives of others, and destruction of property.

NEWS

13

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

9 workplace deaths recorded in 5 months …some public-sector entities are “tragedies waiting to happen”— Labour Minister

W

ith at least nine persons losing their lives as a result of workplace accidents within the past five months, Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton has announced that the presence of Labour and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Officers will be beefed up at worksites within the public sector, as some of them are “tragedies waiting to happen”.

Seven of the deaths occurred in the mining areas, while the remaining two happened on construction sites – one being at the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. Hamilton revealed that when he took control of the Labour Ministry, it was lacking staff in key departments.

“We have all these mining communities and areas, and no one to supervise activities for mining and forestry and what conditions people work under. There is nobody there to say to miners this is not the way you should be mining [or] people will die…,” the Minister noted.

To ensure full compliance with OHS policies, he said the Labour Ministry has been engaging with officials from across every region to ensure that their needs are met.

“I have visited all the regions. I have had conversations with all the Regional Democratic Councillors, all the municipalities so that I can get an overview of what is lacking in their regions.”

As such, he committed to establishing regional OHS offices.

According to Minister Hamilton, he intends to ensure that there are two Labour Officers and two OHS Officers functioning in each region, except for Region Four which will be

Dead: Cicero Ferreira Pereira

split into subdivisions with Labour and OHS Officers responsible for Georgetown and the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara respectively.

With regard to acquiring the technical staff, Hamilton disclosed that he has been engaging the Public Service Ministry as he intended to put measures in place to ensure that there was full compliance with OHS policies. He said that he was hoping to have the officers in place by early next year.

He added that the Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) would recommend persons to be trained.

“I don’t want a situation whereby I have to send people from Region Four to go and manage Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo).” The officers must be from the region, they are acquainted with the region and will do a better job...,” the Labour Minister noted.

Once the persons are identified, they will be brought to Georgetown where they will be trained for four to six months.

Tragedies waiting to happen

Come 2021, Hamilton said that Labour Officers and OHS Officers would be paying more attention to worksites within the pub-

lic sector. He pointed out, “I have journeyed across this country and visited public-sector entities that are tragedies waiting to happen where people will die and lose limbs if they are not rectified.”

According to him, Labour Officers and OHS Officers, for whatever reason, are of the view that they must only supervise worksites within the Private Sector. Minister Hamilton made it clear that this is not the case as the “law is for everybody”.

“I have said to Labour Officers, the same way you pay attention to the Private Sector, the same way you must pay attention to the public sector. Because in a public-sector agency you might have a tyrant running the place and because he/she is unsupervised by the labour department he/ she thinks they can do anything with employees.

“Those things will change, it has to change, because the same way you look at the Private Sector, you have to look at the public sector whether it be hospitals, whether it be Ministries, agencies regarding labour relation issues and occupational health and safety issues,” he added.

Moreover, the Minister said that at the level of Occupational Health and Safety, the Ministry now has to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, he said that there has been continuous collaboration with the Health Ministry to fashion the way forward.

Worksite deaths

Among the mining deaths that occurred this year is that of 20-year-old Clavor Paul. In mid-December, the miner was killed after the walls of a pit he was working in at St Elizabeth Backdam, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni),

Dead: Clavor Paul

caved in. Police said that at the time of the incident, Paul, of St Ignatius Village, Central Rupununi, was operating a ‘marrock engine’.

Meanwhile, in September, Donston John, 59, died at a mining pit at Konawaruk Backdam at Whitewater Mountain, Region Eight , after rocks caved in on him.

In July, Brazilian miner Cicero Ferreira Pereira, 55,

was killed after a 200-pound rock crushed him to death while he was working at Puruni Mines in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

He was employed with Hard Rock Mining Company, Puruni Mines.

Also, a 69-year-old engineer died in September after he fell from the fourth floor of a construction site at Happy Acres, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Dead is Keith Scipio of Lot 12 Kissoon Scheme, Good Hope, ECD. Based on Police reports, Scipio went to work at the construction site of a four-storey steel and concrete building where he held a meeting with all the workers on the fourth floor after which everyone went back to work. Subsequently, the engineer was observed walking towards a hole, which is located at the centre of the building, and he

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton

fell through to the bottom.

Sanitation worker Kevin Smith of Cummings Lodge, ECD, was killed on November 9, 2020, after the external lift he was using at the Infectious Diseases Hospital collapsed.

The recent mining deaths have triggered joint probes by the Labour Ministry and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

14 NEWS Beepats to build Marriott Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Resort near CJIA B THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

eepats Distributing Company has announced that it would be entering the hotel industry with intention to establish a Marriott Four-Point Sheraton Airport Hotel and Resort in close proximity to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Dennis Beepat, the eldest son of Madho Beepat, who recently passed away, heads the Beepats Marketing and Distribution Company, which has been serving Guyana’s home needs for more than 65 years.

Known for their Regent Street location, upon which it was established and then expanded into their Distribution Warehouse Centre in Sophia, the company is overseen by Jonathan and Kristofer, Dennis’s two sons, who hold different executive portfolios in the business today.

Dennis had a vision over 30 years ago, when he purchased a huge tract of land in proximity to the CJIA, that either his children or grandchildren would be the

Beepats Marketing and Distribution Company's Dennis Beepat and CEO of GO-Invest, Peter Ramsaroop

beneficiaries of a large-scale project in the future. Today that future has arrived with the steady growth of Guyana’s new oil industry and the promising expansion of the tourism industry, which is projected as one of the many ripple effects.

Beepats are aiming to utilise their 100-plus acres

of land to create and develop a unique airport hotel and resort. They have partnered with Arthur Warren Consultants, who have secured their LOI from Marriott’s 4 Point Sheraton, among a few other fourstar-rated hotels for this project. The resort is earmarked to have an official

water amusement park accompanied by a host of activities such as ATV trails, bicycle trails, ziplining, and a lazy river.

Additionally, they aim to create a blue water. white sand lagoon on the property. This will be developed by a US firm. The airport hotel amenities will be similar

to those of all four-star hotels with pool, gym, conference centre, restaurant et al catering to accommodate business personnel, airline crews and staff, diplomats, and other travellers.

The vision would allow the hotel to cater for the potential influx of visitors while providing a vacation destination for all Guyanese, Caribbean and foreign visitors to enjoy. The Beepats believe that the airport hotel and resort will become a hub for eco-tourism, where visitors can launch visits to all of Guyana’s other interior locations.

Jonathan Beepat, who is set to spearhead the Beepats hotel expansion project, stated: “We were very pleased and applaud the Government’s efforts in being transparent to issue the RFP for Hotel Projects for all Guyanese entrepreneurial minds to have this opportunity. We decided to take advantage of the vision which our father, Dennis, had begun in the acquiring of land in the Timehri area

many years ago.

While we will be new to the hotel industry, we know and understand Guyana, as we have been rooted here for generations and are accustomed to its business climate. We will not be reinventing the wheel, but rather utilising our resource pool of partners in their respective fields that have the experience and knowledge of establishing and managing internationally-branded hotels, resorts, and amusement parks around the world.

“It will be a multi-million-dollar project, and we believe that we, too, can add value to the landscape for Guyanese and foreigners alike to enjoy in our beautiful country. We wanted to focus on providing value for our fellow citizens, and thus why we decided to create a resort with the many amenities such as the lazy river, water park, blue lagoon et al, so that Guyanese may have an international destination experience right in their own backyard.”

ANSA McAL donates 100 tablets to Education Ministry …devices to be used for hinterland pilot project

A

NSA McAL Foundation donated 100 Amazon Fire Tablets to the Education Ministry to support the sector in Guyana.

Recognising the challenges learners across the Caribbean were encountering with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ANSA McAL Foundation embarked on an intervention to assist nations with addressing the challenges associated with learning.

Through its One Caribbean One Future One Yard virtual benefit concert, which was held on October 30, 2020, the company was able to raise funds to procure the 100 devices for Guyana. At a handing-over

ceremony on Tuesday, Education Minister Priya Manickchand underscored the timeliness and the importance of the donation, and expressed gratitude on behalf of the Ministry.

Guyana, like many other countries, has been grappling with the difficulties that COVID-19 has presented, Manickchand said.

She said that with schools being closed initially for the entire school population, devices were, and are still needed to ensure learning continues.

She noted that the majority of the tablets will go towards a pilot programme being embarked upon in the hinterland communities.

This entails pre-loaded tablets being given to hinter-

land students writing the 2021 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.

In brief remarks, ANSA McAL Guyana Managing Director Troy Cadogan said that the company was happy to assist, and noted that the organisation has a good track record of supporting education and community development in Guyana and across the Region. He explained that the company would continue to support such initiatives ensuring that its obligations to its corporate social responsibilities are met.

Other countries that will benefit from this intervention by ANSA McAL are St Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Barbados, and Jamaica.

University of Guyana Vice Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin, an ANSA McAL 2014 Laureate, presenting the tablets to Education Minister Priya Manickchand. Also in photo is ANSA McAL Guyana Managing Director Troy Cadogan

NEWS

15

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt does not want future DHB Manager gifted himself $897,000 bracelet generations burdened with GuyanaVenezuela controversy – Todd from public funds

T

he investigation into the operations of the Asphalt Plant, which is ran by the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) Corporation, has revealed the General Manager of the bridge company, Rawlston Adams, had spent in excess of $800,000 to purchase a bracelet for himself.

This was disclosed by Chartered Accountant Chateram Ramdihal during the handover of the report on Wednesday. Ramdihal had led a high-level team to conduct a probe into reports of an alleged racket at the Asphalt Plant and presented the report to Public Works Minister Juan Edghill.

“The Asphalt Plant, along with the Demerara Harbour Bridge, purchased in November 2019, a bracelet for the General Manager at the approval of the General Manager to the value of eight hundred and ninety-seven thousand Guyana Dollars (G$897,000) as a gift for International Men’s Day,” the report detailed.

It further noted that gifts were also given to all other men within the Corporation,

to an approximate value of $10,000 each, to mark the occasion of International Men’s Day. However, the investigators pointed out in the report that the DHB Board of Directors, at a meeting held in August 2016, had made a policy that gifts, donations and staff incentives must be approved by the Board. But in this instance, the General Manager approved the purchase of the bracelet himself.

According to Ramdihal, “Normally, approval for those limits should have

been done by the Board and if there is no Board at the time, the expectation is that it is escalated to the subject minister at the time.”

Meanwhile, the report further detailed that in addition to not obtaining the relevant approval for the purchase, the lack of an independent approval system can deem such a purchase to be a “misuse of the Plant funds for personal gain”.

In response to the investigators’ findings, the DHB management said: “Gifts were given to all men within the organisation. This is the standard practice in the organisation.”

Copies of the bills and receipts were also provided.

Nevertheless, the investigators recommended that management should ensure that the policies of the Plant are adhered to at all times.

A recommendation was also made for management to ensure that gifts to employees are done in accordance with generally-accepted principles and at arm’s length.

Efforts by Guyana Times to contact Adams for a comment on the findings of the report were futile. (G8)

ent’s money, securities or other assets; management of bank savings or securities accounts; and the organisation of contributions for the creation, operation, or management of companies.

In a recent interview with DPI, Langevine said the Unit is still working to have attorneys and accountants come on board.

“We have work ongoing currently with the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, where there is a consultant working with Guyana to look at the entire supervisory regime existing in Guyana, so that recommendations can be made on what changes can be put in place, so that we have a better supervisory framework

over the existing reporting entities and the new ones we want to bring on board,” he told DPI. With the support of the CFATF, the FIU head is hopeful they could bring the two primary sectors on board in early 2021.

Reports from the two sectors remain critical as Guyana prepares for its fourth round of mutual evaluation by the CFATF, scheduled for the first quarter of 2022. It is vital, too, as money-laundering vulnerability levels for attorneys and accountants/auditors are generally considered high, based on AML/CFT trends globally.

Meanwhile, Langevine said the FIU is again re-

DHB General Manager Rawlston Adams

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he Government hopes that when the border controversy case between Guyana and Venezuela is heard next year, the matter is put to rest and will not continue to burden taxpayers and future generations.

This was shared by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd during an interview on DPI’s ‘Progress Report’.

On December 18, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled it had jurisdiction to hear the case concerning the validity of the 1899 Award which settled the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela.

“We are looking forward to a very fruitful and well-represented position from Guyana. I think we are very comfortable as a people for all that we have achieved so far, and I think the people of Guyana are very optimistic for an outcome that would see the next generation not having to go through this,” he said.

“It requires a lot of costs; it can affect investment, and we do not want the next

generation to have to be spending taxpayers’ money to go through this. I think it is a necessary expense, but it is not what we want to be spending money on, not something that we believe is already final. I am hopeful the kids today would not have to deal with that,” the Minister stated.

Todd noted that President Dr Irfaan Ali did not want the matter to rest on the next generation’s shoulders. “That is why he is very focused and very passionate about ensuring the people of Guyana get the best representation pos-

minding persons to be vigilant and avoid being used to conduct transactions, through money transfer agencies, on behalf of unfamiliar persons.

The FIU continues to see such trends with the money transfer agencies.

“The agencies have been consistent with their re-

porting those to us, and we have consistently been analysing and sharing with law enforcement. We have also worked closely with the reporting entities, encouraging them to ensure that wherever they expect persons to be completing transactions on behalf of third parties, or where they are

Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd

sible,” he said.

The Foreign Minister said Guyana was represented by an excellent legal team and a very inclusive committee dealing with the border controversy. He said the Government was keen on taking a national approach to the matter, including the Opposition.

Todd said the recent ruling on the matter was a defining moment for Guyana.

He reiterated that Guyana remained firm on the 1899 Arbitral Award being complete and final. The Minister said that while Venezuela was not participating in the case, that did not prevent the Court from handing down a decision.

The December 18 ruling now allows the Court to proceed to hear the merits of the case. It will then decide the matter.

The ICJ has set January 15 as the date for the case management hearing.

During the hearing, the ICJ is expected to decide on the time to be allocated for the different elements of the hearing, presentation by the two sides, responses and deliberation by the judges.

Accountants, lawyers still to report to FIU – Director

Director of FIU, Matthew Langevine

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ccountants and lawyers are yet to begin reporting to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), which agency head Matthew Langevine said is due to the absence of an established supervisory authority.

Attorneys-at-law and accountants/auditors fall within the designated non-financial businesses or professions (DNFBPs) category, under the Anti-Money Laundering/ Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation.

Like other reporting entities, they are required to report suspicious transactions to the FIU “only when, on behalf of or for a client they engage in certain financial transactions as outlined under Section 18(11) of the AML/CFT Act 2009 (as amended).”

Such transactions include buying and selling real estate; managing cli-

not consistent with that person’s financial profile, that those transactions be reported to us at the FIU, or not be completed,” Langevine said.

If completed and suspicions arise, those transactions must be reported to the FIU for investigation, as required by the AML/CFT Act.

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana records further decrease in active COVID-19 cases

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he number of active novel coronavirus cases in Guyana continues to decline, reaching 346 cases on Wednesday.

According to the Ministry of Health’s updated Dashboard, 18 new COVID-19 cases were detected. This took the number of confirmed cases in the country to 6319 – 3267 males and 3052 females.

However, of the 346 active cases, five are patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while the other 341 persons are in isolation; that is, one person in institutional isolation and the remaining 340 in home isolation.

In addition, there are 26 persons in institutional isolation.

The COVID-19 death toll remains at 164, with the latest fatalities recorded last Saturday when a 53-year-old male and a 74-year-old female, both of Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), died.

Meanwhile, the number of persons to recover from the life-threatening disease continues to increase, with 5809 recoveries recorded on Wednesday – 32 more than the figure reported the previous day.

To date, Guyana has tested some 38,018 persons for the novel coronavirus.

Of the 18 new cases recorded on Wednesday, three are from Region One (BarimaWaini), two are from Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), four are from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), six are from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and three are from Region

Mahaicony Hospital to be upgraded

…to serve as premier health institution in Region 5

Works ongoing at the new A&E Department on Wednesday

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Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The figures remained the same in the other regions.

Since taking office, the PPP/C Government has embarked on a massive testing drive to ensure that all positive cases, especially asymptomatic cases, are detected. This has results in a high number of cases being detected.

Nevertheless, Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 EMERGENCY MEASURES (NO. 12), which are in effect until today, December 31, 2020.

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

During his COVID-19 update on Wednesday, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said the new measures for January 2021 are

being worked out, and should be out sometime today. He noted that the measures and guidelines are likely to remain the same.

Dr Anthony went on to reiterate that Guyanese should take all precautions during the holidays, and refrain from overindulging, which he said could have ill effects. He further pointed out the need for citizens to continue adhering to the prevention measures, so as to avoid a spike in COVID-19 cases.

“We have been talking to people, we have been warning people to continue to take preventative measures, and hopefully, people would listen to us and do the right things. If they don’t, then what you will notice is that we will get a surge in cases in January.

While we don’t want that to happen, it will be inevitable if people don’t comply with the guidelines that we have put out,” the Minister posited.

According to Dr Anthony, “While that looks

like a nice number, when you increase testing in practical areas, or if you are more aggressive in a particular area with testing, you will see those numbers going up. So, a lower number right now does not mean that somehow we are out of the woods. So I want to urge people to be careful, because we still have a long way to go if we’re going to exit this pandemic.”

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as at Wednesday, some 80,773,033 confirmed cases were reported globally, along with 1,783,619 deaths.

WHO also reported on Sunday that in the Region of the Americas; that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 35,072,919, while the death toll has gone up to 848,883.

With yet another COVID-19 vaccine – AstraZeneca – being approved for use in the United Kingdom, Minister Anthony says that a substantial portion of the global population will have to be vaccinated before the world can exit the novel coronavirus pandemic. (G8)

fforts are being made to upgrade the Mahaicony Hospital to become a leading health institution in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice). The region’s health department has already made a proposal to the Ministry of Finance for funding in the 2021 National Budget.

Regional Health Officer Dr Desmond Nicholson on Wednesday said the Region Five Health Department is seeking the establishment of Emergency Medical Service in that region as part of its major projects being proposed for 2021. “…we managed to procure two land ambulances in 2020 budget, and we are asking for two more land ambulances in 2021.

Additionally, we are looking to employ suitably qualified persons to fill the positions as EMTs, and we are also looking to purchase the necessary equipment that these persons will have to use to ensure that they are doing their job effectively and competently,” Dr Nicholson said.

Already, he said, the Mahaicony Hospital’s emergency room capacity has been increased from two beds to eight beds, with five recliners added.

"So we have increased the capacity at the Mahaicony Hospital in terms of emergency. We are working to get the theatres back on track. We have purchased some equipment this

Regional Health Officer, Dr Desmond Nicholson

year, such as theater operating lights, theatre operating tables, electrosurgical instruments and other instruments that are necessary for the execution and completion of surgical procedures. So we are well on our way to seeing, in 2021, the Mahaicony Hospital moving from a Cottage Hospital to a regional hospital," Nicholson added.

Meanwhile, the Number 28 Health Post is also to be upgraded to become a Health Centre, to be able to deliver primary health care.

Speaking of plans being proposed for 2021, Dr Nicholson explained that a boat and engine are also on the table for Moraikobai.

This year, a water ambulance was purchased for that Amerindian community, which is located 90 miles up the Mahaicony River.

"We also believe that in spite of having the water ambulance, it is necessary for us to have a health boat. We have been without a boat for some time. We will have to transport medical supplies, medicines, and health workers will have to go into Moraikobai on outreaches. So it is necessary for us to have another means of transportation."

Among the other projects being requested by the Health Department in Region Five for healthcare delivery in 2021 is a health post at lower Moraikobai.

Meanwhile, efforts are also being made to improve the region's waste management service, and funding is being proposed in the 2021 budget. According to Nicholson, this year, Health Service was able to purchase new incinerators for both the Mahaicony and Fort Wellington hospitals.

"These are incinerators that are capable of safely disposing of sharps as well as noninfectious waste," he explained. (Andrew Carmichael)

NEWS

17

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“Govt is ready to work!” Jamaica: Most wanted man used 2 women as human shields — Rodrigues tells F Region 3 residents

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ome 1,200 residents at Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara (Region Three: Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) are to receive improved water supply with the rehabilitation of the well in the West Bank Demerara community.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Hon. Susan Rodrigues, assured residents during a community engagement on Wednesday that the work will begin in January. Her visit was in response to residents’ pleas for Government’s intervention.

Numerous attempts were made to have the poor water quality remedied during the APNU/AFC years, all to no avail. However, Minister Rodrigues has said water woes will become a thing of the past.

“I had a first-hand look; and apart from the iron content, which I know is very high, not only in this community, but across the country, we have that issue and we are working to address that,” Minister Rodrigues said.

The minister said a feasibility study is currently being conducted to determine if potable water could be redirected through the Pouderoyen Treatment Plant to service the residents of Goed Fortuin. The

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, engaging a resident on his issue

report for this study is expected soon.

Another proposal, she noted, is the installation of inline water filters. “We have already placed (filters) in the budget, and we will make a case for those filters in the 2021 budget. This is something we could have easily put off for January next year, since it’s coming to the close of the year, but this is a demonstration to you (that) even today, we are still committed to working for you, on your behalf, and working around the clock to ensure we meet the needs and demand of each community,” the Minister explained.

As evening descended, the Minister travelled to La Grange, where she also held

discussions with residents.

The villagers voiced concerns about water, roads and housing, and Minister Rodrigues assured them of the Government’s commitment to addressing their issues.

Meanwhile, Minister Rodrigues said she would put “pen to paper” as early as next week to ensure her Cabinet colleagues are aware of the matters highlighted. “[T]he gyaff is over, and it’s time for us to deliver! We are committed to the promises we made in our manifesto, and we will do everything we can to ensure we improve your life, and to ensure the development that is coming to our country benefits each Guyanese,” the Minister stated.

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

itzroy Coore, branded as one of Clarendon’s most wanted criminals and who was shot dead by law enforcers in Manchester on Sunday, used two women as human shields in an attempt to escape after he was cornered in a house, the police have reported.

According to the police, the encounter with 26-yearold Coore occurred about 6:00 pm when an intelligence-driven operation led members from the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC) to premises in the community of May Day in Manchester.

“Upon the arrival of the police, they announced themselves and asked that the occupants exit the premises and surrender,” the constabulary said in a news release.

“Coore then appeared on the verandah, using two women as human shields.

The policemen sought to apprehend him, when he engaged one officer in a tussle. During the tussle Coore pulled a gun from his waistband, at which point another officer took evasive action and fired shots in Coore’s direction, hitting him. He was taken to a nearby medical facility where he was pronounced dead. A 9mm handgun was taken from him,” the police said.

Fitzroy Coore

Coore, the constabulary said, “was a top-tier member of the Effortville, Clarendon-based Lion Paw Gang as well as a member of the Bucks Common or Bucknor Gang. At the time of his death he was a notorious violence-producer who was formally wanted for murder and shooting with intent”.

The police said the intelligence they obtained was that Coore was actively planning to launch attacks in Effortville in reprisal for recent double murder.

“Coore was wanted for the August 22, 2019 double murder of Malaino March, o/c Mullings, and Stephen Sharpe o/c Shawn or Percy, and the wounding with intent of a two-year-old girl.

He was also a person of interest in at least 11 murders and four shootings in the parish of Clarendon alone.

He was an integral member of a criminal network known to be operating in the parishes of Clarendon, Manchester, St Elizabeth, and St Catherine,” the police said.

“On previous occasions Coore managed to evade police dragnets intended to bring him into custody for previous offences from as far back as 2015,” the release stated.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Fitz Bailey commended detectives from C-TOC, National Intelligence Bureau, and Clarendon, as well as the Jamaica Defence Force for their support and the “excellent investigative work” they conducted in this matter.

“While it was our intention to apprehend Coore and once again bring him before courts, I am pleased with the work of investigators on the ground,” the release quotes DCP Bailey. “They have been tracking the activities of this individual for several years now, interrupting his criminal activities along the way. Their excellent investigations gave us pin-point accuracy as to the whereabouts of one of the most feared violence-producers in Clarendon. Thankfully, he is no longer a threat to the lives and livelihoods of the people of Jamaica.”

(Jamaica Observer)

SYMPTOMS

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

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

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Or at least two of these symptoms:

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

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

(Adapted from BBC News)

Headache

Chills

Sore throat

Repeated shaking with chills

Muscle pain

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

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

Regional

2021 must be the Year of Caricom — Dr Keith Rowley

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he incoming Chairman of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley is challenging the regional integration movement to stronger outcomes in the year ahead.

of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

“Let this be the year that we make Caricom work for us, as we build back better and construct the resilient society that will provide a safe, prosperous and viable community for all of us,” Dr Rowley said as he prepares

The incoming Caricom Chairman, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley (file photo)

In his message to mark the start of 2021, Dr Rowley pointed to the Caricom’s relatively successful management of the health aspects

to assume the chairmanship of Caricom on January 1.

Dr Rowley said the successful management of the health aspects of COVID-19

by the concerted effort of all arms of the Community – Member States, institutions and the citizens, “demonstrated without a doubt that the answer to COVID-19 is Caricom”.

“In the recovery phase, we must employ the same collective, coordinated and focused actions that allowed us to control the spread of the virus,” Dr Rowley said.

(Excerpt from CMC)

Grenada to delay reopening of school

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he Education Ministry in Grenada has announced that schools will not be reopening on January 4 to start the second or Hilary term 2021.

Acting on the advice of the Health Ministry, the Education Ministry, in a statement, said that during the week commencing January 4, officers would seek to engage managers, principals, teachers and other key personnel to discuss

plans for the new term.

“This is deemed necessary, based on the prevailing circumstances related to COVID-19,” said the release.

It also issued an apology for all inconveniences that this development may cause.

“All decisions made to advance the engagement of our students will be done with due consideration for the health and safety of all

concerned. Every effort will be made to provide an update in the timeliest manner, once plans for Hilary Term 2021 are finalised.”

The delay for the start of the school term comes against the backdrop of a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases across the country since the weekend of December 12.

At least two minors are known to be infected with COVID-19. (CMC)

Vincentians on watch as volcanic activity continues

Although the magma has already made its way to the surface, changes in the magma composition below the ground can cause seismic events (taken from UWI’s Seismic Research Centre Facebook page. Photo credit: Kemron Alexander, Soufriere Monitoring Unit)

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n effusive eruption at the La Soufriere volcano in St Vincent has resulted in the island’s being put on an orange volcano alert level.

The UWI Seismic Research Centre (SRC) at St Augustine, Trinidad, said while there were no evacuation orders in effect, those living near the crater of the volcano should be on alert.

An orange alert means there is a highly-elevated

level of seismic (earthquake) and/or fumarolic (hot smoke and gases) activity or other unusual activity, and an eruption may begin within less than 24 hours.

But residents said there seemed to be no sense of urgency about the situation.

Effusive eruptions occur when molten rock (lava) reaches the earth’s surface and erupts passively.

The products of these eruptions are lava flows and lava

domes. They generally occur when there is low gas content in the magma (the hot fluid from which lava is formed).

The SRC said the eruption took place on Tuesday, and the mass of newly-formed rock remains confined to the crater of La Soufrière. However, sulphur-rich gas is coming out of the rock, which can make it difficult to breathe.

It said although the magma has already made its way to the surface, changes in the magma composition below the ground can cause seismic events, some of which may be felt over the next several weeks to months.

The volcano is near the northern tip of the island.

The capital, Kingstown, is close to the southern end.

St Vincent and the Grenadines Journalist at The News newspaper, Desmarie Greenaway said no one was evacuating, as there was no need at the time. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Argentine Senate approves abortion legalisation in historic decision

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rgentina’s Congress has legalised abortions up to the 14th week of pregnancy, a ground-breaking move for a region that has some of the world’s most restrictive termination laws.

Senators voted in favour of the bill after a marathon session with 38 in favour, 29 against and one abstention.

Until now, abortions were only permitted in cases of rape or when the mother’s health was at risk.

The bill had been approved by the Chamber of Deputies earlier this month.

The Catholic Church, which remains highly influential in Latin America, had opposed the move, calling on Senators to reject

the bill supported by centre-left President Alberto Fernández.

Pro-choice activists hope the passing of the law in Argentina – one of the largest and most influential countries in the region – will inspire other countries to follow suit.

Large crowds of campaigners both for and against abortion had gathered outside Congress in the capital Buenos Aires, following the debate on huge screens.

When the vote finally happened in the early hours of Wednesday, there was jubilation in the pro-choice camp.

Activists have cam-

paigned for a change in the law for years. The passing came two years after Senators narrowly voted against legalising abortion.

President Fernández had made reintroducing it one of his campaign promises. “I’m Catholic, but I have to legislate for everyone,” he argued.

The President also said providing free and legal abortions up to the 14th week of pregnancy was a matter of public health as “every year around 38,000 women” are taken to hospital due to clandestine terminations and that “since the restoration of democracy [in 1983] more than 3000 have died”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Brazil’s Braskem settles lawsuits over sinking city for US$1.75B

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razilian petrochemical company Braskem SA said on Wednesday it reached a 9.1 billion reais (US$1.75 billion) deal to settle lawsuits over cracks and sinking ground near its salt mines in the city of Maceio that requires thousands to be relocated.

The settlement adds 1.2 billion reais onto the company’s initial provisions of 7.9 billion reais established in the third quarter of 2020 related to the lawsuits, according to a Braskem securities filing on Wednesday.

A federal study found that Braskem’s salt mines were the cause of cracks that destabilised homes, although Braskem had previously said that the study is flawed. The damage has affected more than 9000 homes and some 17,000 residents must be relocated.

In March, Reuters reported that seven State and Federal Prosecutors said

Marcio da Rocha Cavalcante, 47, is pictured in an apartment with cracks linked to rock salt mining by the petrochemical company Braskem in Maceio, Brazil, January 27, 2020

Braskem’s early estimates of the costs for compensating and relocating residents were too low.

Braskem has stopped operations of its salt mines in Maceio, in the north-east-

ern coastal state of Alagoas.

In November, the company estimated that it would cost a further three billion reais to close the mines due to regulatory requirements.

(Reuters)

2nd Indigenous activist killed in Honduras this week

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onduran authorities said Wednesday they are investigating the murders of two activists and Indigenous leaders killed in separate incidents during the weekend.

On Sunday, Jose Adan Medina was found shot to death in a remote location in the community of El Volcan, also in western Honduras. Medina was a member of the Tolupan Indigenous group.

Felix Vasquez, a longtime environmental activist from the Lenca Indigenous group, was shot by masked men in front of relatives Saturday in his home in Santiago de Puringla.

Vasquez, who was seeking the nomination of the

Opposition Libre party to run for congress, had fought hydroelectric projects and land abuses for years. National elections are scheduled for March.

Alice H Shackelford, a United Nations resident coordinator in Honduras, called for Medina’s killers to be held to account.

“How sad the end of 2020!

Another human rights defender murdered!

Indigenous Tolupan leader Adan Mejia! Justice and zero impunity! Quick investigation and identification of the culprits as soon as possible,” Shackelford said on Twitter.

Yuri Mora, spokesman for the Honduras prosecutor’s office, said that the office on ethnic groups and

cultural patrimony was investigating Vasquez’s murder. He said investigators had executed searches and were about to call people in to make statements, but no arrests had been made.

He said Vasquez had filed complaints with the prosecutor’s office in the past against hydroelectric projects and on land management issues.

Honduras’s National Human Rights Commission condemned both killings and said it would investigate.

It confirmed that Vasquez had reported threats and harassment. The commission had requested protective measures for Vasquez in January 2020, but they were never implemented out. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil up despite another rig count increase

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aker Hughes reported on Friday that the number of oil and gas rigs in the United States rose by 3 to 351.

The oil and gas rig count has risen for six weeks in a row for a total gain of 41.

The oil rig count increased by three this week, while the number of gas rigs remained unchanged. The number of miscellaneous rigs were also unchanged.

Total oil and gas rigs in the United States are now down by 445 compared to this time last year.

The Energy Information Agency (EIA) estimate for oil production in the United States stayed the same during the week ending December 25, at 11.0 million barrels of oil per day, 2.1 million bpd off the all-time high reached earlier this year.

Canada’s overall rig count decreased this week, by 23. Oil and gas rigs in Canada are now at 59 active rigs, and down 26 year on year.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent were both trading up on Wednesday after falling in the couple of days prior over a new COVID-19 strain that has triggered multiple border crossing lockdowns around the world.

At 16:00h EDT, WTI was trading up 0.56 per cent on the day at US$48.27, essentially flat on the week, while Brent was trading up 0.49 per cent on the day, at US$51.34, also flat on the week. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Gilligan’s Island actress dies of COVID-19 complications

Dawn Wells (centre) played Mary Ann, the wholesome girl next door, on Gilligan’s Island

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merican actress Dawn Wells has died of causes related to COVID-19 at the age of 82.

Wells, who portrayed Mary Ann Summers in the classic sitcom “Gilligan’s Island”, passed away peacefully in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning, her publicist Harlan Boll said.

The iconic show ran for 98 episodes from 1964 to 1967.

“There is so much more to Dawn Wells” than the character that brought her fame, Boll said in a statement.

Wells represented her state of Nevada in the 1959 Miss America pageant before becoming a household

name on Gilligan’s Island, which was based around three women and four men stranded on a desert island.

At the time of the Vietnam War, many saw the light-hearted show as welcome respite.

Wells appeared in many other TV shows and films, including “77 Sunset Strip”, “Maverick”, and “Bonanza”.

But it is for “Gilligan’s Island” that Wells will be remembered and her following remained faithful decades on, with her Facebook boasting over 540,000 followers.

Many have been paying tribute on social media.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Blasts hit Yemen’s Aden airport as new unity Govt arrives

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large explosion struck the airport in the southern Yemeni city of Aden on Wednesday, shortly after a plane carrying the newly-formed Saudibacked Cabinet landed there, security officials said.

Yemen’s Interior Ministry said least 22 people were killed and 50 were wounded in the blast.

The source of the explosion was not immediately clear and no group claimed responsibility for attacking the airport. No one on the Government plane was hurt.

Hours after the attack, a second explosion was heard around Aden’s Maasheq presidential palace where the Cabinet members, including Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik, as well

as the Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, had been taken to safely, residents and local media said.

It was unclear what caused the second blast and there were no immediate re-

ports of casualties.

Abdulmalik condemned the airport attack as “treacherous” and “cowardly”.

“This treacherous, cowardly and terrorist attack, places the Government at

the heart of its responsibilities, which is the task of ending the coup, restoring the State, spreading stability and the recovery of our country,” Abdulmalik said.

An AFP correspondent at the airport said he heard two explosions. “At least two explosions were heard as the Cabinet members were leaving the aircraft,” the correspondent said.

Saudi State television Ekhbaria showed destroyed vehicles and smashed glass.

Plumes of white smoke rose from the scene.

Yemeni Information Minister Moammar AlEryani blamed the attack on the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, adding that all the members of the Government were safe. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

day. While the trade agreement maintains zero-tariff and zero-quota access between Britain and its biggest trading partner, there will be new customs formalities and paperwork.

Disruption is inevitable, said Sebastien Rivera, head of the National Federation of Road Hauliers in the northern Hauts-de-France region, home to the port of Calais

and Eurotunnel terminal through which millions of trucks pass each year.

“If you listen to the French and British authorities, the talk is of smart borders and full readiness, but that doesn’t stop us having doubts,” Rivera told Reuters in the northern town of Arras.

While Britain will phase in full customs formalities over

six months, EU States are imposing them immediately.

Meanwhile, the BBC reported parliamentarians overwhelmingly approved the UK’s post-Brexit trade deal with the EU. A bill bringing the deal into UK law was backed by the Commons by 521 to 73 votes after Parliament was recalled. (Excerpt from Reuters and BBC News)

The United Nations special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, condemned the explosion as an “unacceptable act of violence”

French truckers brace for disruption as Britain restores hard border with Europe

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ed tape, new “smart borders” that don’t talk to one another and ill-prepared traders threaten border chaos, French truckers warned a day before Britain restores a hard frontier with Europe.

After clinching a narrow trade deal a week ago, Britain will complete its transition out of Europe’s single market at 2300 GMT on to-

COVID-19: Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine approved for use in UK

T

he OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use in the United Kingdom, with the first doses due to be given on Monday.

There will be 530,000 doses available from next week, and vaccination centres will now start inviting patients to come and get the jab.

Priority groups for immunisation have already been identified, starting with care home residents, the over-80s, and health and care workers.

It comes as millions more in England are placed in tier four restrictions.

The UK has ordered 100 million doses of the new vaccine – enough to vacci-

nate 50 million people.

Eventually all over 50s and younger adults with health conditions will be offered a jab in the first phase of the rollout – more than 25 million people in total.

It is hoped that about two million patients a week could soon be vaccinated with two vaccines now approved.

On Tuesday, 53,135 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the UK – the highest single-day rise since mass testing began – as well as 414 more deaths within 28 days of a positive

It comes as millions more in England are placed in tier four restrictions as cases skyrocket

test.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has authorised two full dos-

es of the Oxford vaccine, with the second dose to be given four to 12 weeks after the first. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Landslide hits residential area in Reuters cameraman detained in Ethiopia has Norway, 10 hurt, 11 people missing seen no evidence against him, lawyer says

Reuters cameraman Kumerra Gemechu has been held in solitary confinement for nearly a week without charge or being given any evidence of wrongdoing, his lawyer said.

His lawyer Melkamu Ogo said on Wednesday that Police informed him that their lines of enquiry included accusations of disseminating false information,

communicating with groups fighting the Government, and disturbing the public’s peace and security.

However, he said he has seen no evidence.

Kumerra was arrested at his home in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa last Thursday and is being held until at least January 8 pending a Police investigation.

Kumerra’s family said he was being held in a cold cell and was sleeping on a mattress on the floor. However, they said they were being allowed to visit Kumerra, as is his lawyer, and have brought him extra clothing, food and medication.

Police and government officials did not respond to requests for comment.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

T

en people were injured, one of them critically, and 11 were classified as missing after a landslide in southern Norway swept away more than a dozen buildings in the early hours of Wednesday, Police said.

The landslide struck a residential area in the municipality of Gjerdrum, about 30 kilometres (19 miles) north of the capital Oslo. Police said more than 900 people had been

evacuated from the area.

Rescue workers continued to search the area for children and adults who were feared to have been caught in mud and debris, Police said.

“We are quite certain that there are people in the affected area, but we don’t know if all 11 are there or if the number is smaller,” Police spokesman Roger Pettersen told a news conference.

“We’re still searching for

survivors,” he said.

Photos of the site showed a large crater with destroyed buildings at the bottom of it. Other buildings hung on the edges of the crater, TV footage showed. Two more houses collapsed into the crater on Wednesday afternoon, broadcaster NRK reported.

Norway’s King Harald said the landslide had made a deep impression on him. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

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ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Be reasonable, and problem-solving will be within reach. Concentrate on being better. Choose a path that will lead to your happiness.

Make peace, love and romance priorities.

Give others the chance to voice an opinion. It may change your mind as well as improve your relationships. Arguing isn’t the solution; diplomacy will be necessary.

At the first sign of trouble, take a step back and evaluate your next move.

Don’t trust someone offering false information. Focus on personal improvement.

A bargain is only useful if you need what you are purchasing. Don’t believe all the hype about something that sounds too good to be real.

Don’t add to your angst; concentrate on diminishing stress.

Focus on love, self-improvement and preparing yourself for the best year ever.

Opportunities are heading your way, but how successful you are will depend on your ability to make things happen.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Catching up will help you put your life in perspective and believe in yourself. Put an end to whatever isn’t working for you, and start the new year on a positive note.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Put plans for the new year in place, and the changes you want to make to your living arrangements will fall into place. Make love, romance and keeping the peace your priorities.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Don’t let uncertainty hold you back or unfinished business stand in your way.

Embrace new beginnings, and make a decision that will impact your life. Don’t linger when the time is ripe for change.

You can bring in the SAGITTARIUS new year paying more at(Nov. 23tention to those you live Dec. 21) with and less to those urging you to be indulgent when caution is in your best interest.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Do something to occupy your time that will bring about a positive and productive change at home.

Set yourself up for success, not failure.

Be open to change, but don’t allow someone to push you in a direction that doesn’t suit your needs. Life is about choices; choose to do what’s best for you.

Be original in the way you approach others, and you will command the attention and help you require to get things done. Protect against health risks and people trying to undermine you.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

21

Local air badminton programme serves off at the National Park T he Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) on Tuesday (December 29) launched ‘Air Badminton’ The new outdoor game - at the National Park in Georgetown.

“We are very happy to have gotten this project off, especially during this pandemic situation, which caused our Sport to be on hold since April 2020,” GBA President Gokarn Ramdhani said about the Association’s accomplishment.

Sharing more about the new initiative, Ramdhani

stated in a missive, “This New Outdoor game was implemented by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and it's a great way to keep the players active and motivated until we can restart our Normal Training.

“We congratulate the players who participated, and their commitment shows just how much they missed playing and (are) eager to come out to hit the specially designed shuttlecock, which can withstand the wind to a point.

“The GBA would like to

give special thanks to Colonel Nazrul Hussain (of the) COVID-19 Task Force, Mr. Marvis Hoppie (of the) National Parks Commission, Mr Carlton Joao (of) Banks DIH, and the GBA Executives.

We wish all the athletes, coaches, administrators and the media a Happy New Year 2021,” The GBA Boss continued by saying.

Air badminton - the new outdoor game - is here!

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) and HSBC

jointly launched a new outdoor game, air badminton, and a new outdoor shuttlecock, the Air Shuttle, at a global launch ceremony outside the Tianhe Gymnasium in Guangzhou, China.

Air badminton is an ambitious new development project in partnership with HSBC, BWF’s global development partner, and is designed to create opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play badminton on hard, grass and sand surfaces in parks, gardens, streets, playgrounds and beaches around the world.

Bangladesh tour could spawn "fruitful careers" – says Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams

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RIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, believes next month's tour of Bangladesh could signal the start of “long and fruitful careers” for some members of the squad, once they grab the opportunities presented in the absence of seasoned players.

Several new players were yesterday included for their first international tour after 10 first-choice members of the Test and One-Day International sides declined selection for the January 20 to February 15 series due to “COVID-19-related concerns, or personal fears”.

Two others, white ball left-arm spinning all-rounder Fabien Allen, and Test wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, opted out of the tour for “personal reasons”.

“The circumstances with players choosing not to go is something I view as an opportunity,” Adams told an online media conference following the announcement of the Test and ODI squads for the tour of Bangladesh.

“The subcontinent has individual challenges that, over the years, a lot of West Indies players have almost made a name for themselves in touring pretty early in (their careers in) subcontinent conditions. And I look at a group of players that will not have the experience of some of those who have pulled out, but I don't think that they're short on talent; and I have every confidence that the management team that we have put around them in Phil Simmons and his support staff, that we have every chance of seeing not only good performances, but probably the start of some

very long and fruitful careers. This is the approach that I personally take when I look at a tour like this.”

The Test squad will miss captain and leading all-rounder Jason Holder, along with Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase and Shimron Hetmyer from the squad which toured New Zealand.

And the One-Day squad has been weakened by the absence of skipper Kieron Pollard, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Nicholas Pooran and Hetmyer.

Selectors have, meanwhile, called up the uncapped trio of Kavem Hodge, Kyle Mayers and Shayne Moseley in the 15-man Test squad; while Mayers, Akeal Hosein, Kjorn Ottley, Andre McCarthy, Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Jahmar Hamilton and Chemar Holder are all poised for their ODI debuts.

Though the squads are largely inexperienced, Adams said expectations are high, based on the talent levels.

“We'll get to see a slightly younger group touring now under different conditions than we have here in the Caribbean,” said the former West Indies captain. “I'd be lying if I said I didn't have a sense of excitement looking on what I consider to be a very talented, younger group of players under a really strong management team; and we're expecting good performances.”

The tour will be the third for West Indies amid the on-

Participants of the air badminton programme on Tuesday

Jimmy Adams

going global COVID-19 pandemic, following series away to England last July and New Zealand earlier this month.

And with players having to face the mental challenges of isolation and quarantine, and playing before empty stands in a bio-secure “bubble”, Adams said CWI has committed its full support to players in ensuring their good mental health is maintained.

“Life in the bubble is something that CWI has recognised can affect players; and to that end, for both the England tour (earlier in the year) and for this tour coming up to Bangladesh, part of the touring party will be a sports psychologist, who will actually tour instead of staying in the Caribbean and providing long-arm support.

“We're still in the relatively early stages on what effect this type of lifestyle and touring will have on players, and it is something that we're gathering data (on) tour by tour as we go along, through feedback from players,” he disclosed.

West Indies face Bangladesh in three ODIs from January 20th to 25th in Dhaka and Chattogram, and in two Tests from February 3rd to 15th in the same two cities.

The project has been 5 years in the making, starting with a vision to develop a new outdoor shuttlecock with increased durability, stability, and wind resistance, to allow people to have a more positive experience of badminton outdoors.

BWF President and Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games men’s singles gold medalist Poul-Erik Høyer officiated at the launch, and said air badminton provides a pathway for increased global participation in the sport, while opening up doors for a new, highly attractive form of competitive badminton.

“This is a momentous

occasion for badminton.

Strategically, air badminton will allow to fulfil our overall objective of putting a badminton racket in the hands of as many people as possible,” he said.

“Given that most people’s first experience with badminton comes in an indoor environment, we are now making it easier for everyone to access the sport through a new outdoor game and new shuttlecock, the Air Shuttle.

“In the future, we see air badminton as an exciting, new, energetic version of the sport. Overall, the aim is to inspire more people to play more badminton in more places.”

West Indies must keep working – says CWI Chief Selector Roger Harper – insists that ability to earn during pandemic is a positive

C

ricket West Indies’ Chief of Selectors, Roger Harper, believes the opportunity for cricketers to earn despite the ongoing global pandemic should be seen as a positive, with many other sportsmen being not so fortunate.

Recently, several players, including team captains Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard and Roston Chase, pulled out of the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, citing health and safety concerns. With the team about to embark on its third tour in a few months, concerns have been raised regarding the mental effect of having to quarantine for weeks at a time in order to participate in these competitions.

The West Indies were one of the first teams to resume playing international cricket when they toured England in July under heavy quarantine restrictions. The Windies then managed to keep busy with a tour of New Zealand earlier this month, and are expect-

Roger Harper

ed to tour Bangladesh next month.

While admitting it is a concern that CWI takes seriously and one that is still being assessed, Harper insists things have to be looked at in a positive manner, in light of the uncertainty the pandemic has unfurled.

“If you look at things from the other perspective, there are a lot of people looking for the opportunity to work, and continuing to do. I still think cricket is providing that opportunity for several people,” Harper told members of the media following the naming of an adjusted West Indies

squad on Tuesday.

“I know there is a vaccine on the horizon, and in some places it's being doled out. We don’t know how long before it gets to this region, but if cricket is going to survive, we have to seek every opportunity to play the sport at the international level, and continue to perform. Life in the general sense is being affected because several people are out of work, and would love the opportunity to work,” he said.

In attempts to mitigate the situation, the CWI has included a psychologist as part of the touring management team. (Sportsmax)

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

ExxonMobil, Tiger Rentals on board for ‘Bounce Back’ Classic

E

xxonMobil and Tiger Rentals are the latest corporate entities to lend their support to the ‘Bounce Back’ football tournament.

E x x o n M o b i l ’ s Communications Manager Nicholas Yearwood and Tiger Rentals’ General Manager Shane Singh yesterday both presented sponsorship cheques to Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde, and both expressed gratification at being part of the supporting cast of the twoday, four-team tournament, which kicked off on Tuesday and concludes tomorrow at the National Stadium.

The pair also expressed that they look forward to building stronger partnerships with football and the sports fraternity in the new

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VACANCIES ExxonMobil’s Nicholas Yearwood presenting sponsorship to GFF President Wayne Forde in the presence of Aubrey “Shanghai” Major

General Manager of Tiger Rentals, Shane Singh, making the presentation to GFF President Wayne Forde in the presence of Aubrey “Shanghai” Major

year.

Forde thanked Yearwood and Singh as representatives of their respective companies, and used the occasion to underscore the safety of the players competing in the tour-

nament.

“It is also important for me to use this occasion to state that the ‘Bounce Back’ football event is being organised and managed in the strictest possible compliance with the condi-

tions that were outlined by the COVID-19 Task Force.

We can assure the players and the parents of the players that this event is being managed responsibly, and we are not putting anyone at risk,” Forde declared.

He added that he would be happy to share with anyone the protocols that the GFF has developed with UEFA, and how those are informing the decisions the

GFF is taking to manage the tourney.

All players have been tested for COVID-19 prior to the event, which is a collaborative effort between the GFF, the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation; and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

The finals of the tournament, involving Linden All Stars and the GT All Stars, will kick off from 18:00hrs.

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Hosein welcomes West Indies ODI debut The economics of golf

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ED FORCE spinner Akeal Hosein and top-order batsman Kjorn Ottley will make their long-awaited West Indies (WI) One-Day International (ODI) debut at the tour of Bangladesh, which commences on January 10 and ends on February 15.

These two Trinidad and Tobago cricketers were selected by the Cricket West Indies (CWI) selection panel on Tuesday to participate in the three ODIs to be played in Dhaka and Chattogram, Bangladesh.

Hosein welcomes his first-time call-up to the senior regional squad, having previously represented the WI Under-19 in a quadrangular tournament in India (2011) and then in the World Cup the following year.

“It’s always a great feeling to be able to be selected to represent the WI. For me this is a big achievement, and something I’ve been looking forward to. Just happy feelings, and I’m looking forward to making the trip,” he said.

The 27year old’s last major performance came at the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in August, in which he played an integral role in carrying Trinbago Knight Riders to victory. He plays with

Queen’s Park Cricket Club and, like most regional players, has been anticipating the long-awaited call to earn his first maroon cap.

For the upcoming tour, the WI are scheduled to play three ODIs and two Tests. The two Test matches will form part of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC’s) World Test Championship, and the three ODIs are the first matches in West Indies ICC World Cup Super League campaign, with the opportunity to qualify for the ICC World Cup 2023.

Hosein welcomes the challenge to perform at the highest level. “As for every player, it’s just to go out there and do your best. As Pollard (Kieron) would say, it’s just another game of cricket.

Yes, you want to do your best, and it’s a big stage.

There may be s o m e butterflies involved, but I just want to go out there and enjoy the game.

Hopefully, once I do that, everything will take care of itself in terms of selecand

tion whatnot,” he added.

“I would think every cricketer in the Caribbean is working towards going the full distance and representing the WI. We all tend to

want to play outside (international), but I think our ultimate goal, firstly, is to be able to put on that maroon cap.”

During the CPL, Hosein, like all other participating cricketers and staff, had to abide by strict COVID-19 guidelines set out by organisers to limit players’ physical movement in and out of the “bio-secure bubble” which was set up at the Hilton Trinidad.

The left-arm spinner was, however, not selected to take part in similar tours taken by the WI team, which travelled to England and New Zealand in the latter half of 2020.

With the squads recently selected scheduled to fly to Bangladesh on January 10, then having to undergo similar quarantine restrictions, Hosein believes he would be able to adjust to the sport’s new normality.

“I won’t say there would be a lot of adjusting, because we’ve been going through that for a while now. We went through it with CPL. But having said that, it’s not something that’s easy on players. It does get frustrating and very difficult to deal with. But we have to make the adjustments until better could be done,” he said.

TT Red Force’s Jason Mohammed has been selected to captain the ODI team for the three-match series. Mohammed first captained the regional team back in 2017, in the final ODI against England in Southampton, after skipper Jason Holder had returned home for a family funeral.

Youngster Joshua Da Silva, who made his Test against New debut Zealand at the recent tour, has also earned a call-up to both the ODI and Test teams. (Adapted from TT Newsday article)

W

ho says golf can't be profitable and fun?

Just ask members of the University of Guyana Economics Society who came out to the Nexgen Golf Academy and Driving Range on Woolford Avenue to enjoy a day of fun and fundraising.

The idea of a bake sale paired with a day of golf was proposed by Project Coordinator Govindra Raghubansi to Guyana Golf Association President Aleem Hussain, who quickly encouraged the group by offering the location for their event, so that it would have a greater value and appeal to their supporters.

More than 30 persons attended the event, and most were given lessons by Hussain before they proceeded to share an afternoon of competition and lots of fun, picnicking under the trees and enjoying time together.

"This was a chance for all of us to relieve a lot of stress from studies, and we definitely want to do this again!" said Govindra.

UGES President Yasmin Fazil rated the experience a 10/10, and would absolutely recommend it to anyone, since it accomplished the goals set by the executive team - a successful fundraiser and leads of fun for the students.

"This was one of our best activities in terms of participation and feedback from the students, and they all indicated that they would love to return and play golf… something I myself didn't

expect that I would be able to do!" Fazil declared.

Hussain has said, "We continue to demonstrate that golf is a sport that persons of all ages, and especially those who have never played before, can enjoy; and we live up to the promise that in less than 5 minutes we can teach anyone how to hit the ball and start having fun."

The Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy have been extremely active in 2020, despite all the obstacles sports in general have faced, and is the only organisation that has seen its participation in the sport grow by over 400% in a single year.

From golf camps to charity events and competitions, the Nexgen Golf Academy has shown community involvement and dedication to development of the sport, taking full advantage of being one of the those COVID-19compliant activities.

With the emphasis being placed on schools, women and children, Hussain has said he feels confident that by the time he hands over leadership of the Association, Guyana would have already made great strides in the sport of golf, with plans to develop inter-school and inter-region tournaments and a national championship leading to development of an Olympic team.

For more information about the sport: how to play, learn or host an event, visit their Facebook page, Nexgen Golf Academy, or call 645-0944.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

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Georgetown to meet Linden in ‘Bounce Back’ Classic final T

he Georgetown All Stars survived a scare on Tuesday night to book the second slot in the ‘Bounce Back’ Football Classic jointly promoted by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) Organisation; and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Challenging the West Side All Stars, this encounter at the National Stadium at Providence was power-packed with a number of young promising players on the rise. The West Demerara goalkeeper was stunned by an early try, as Georgetown’s Nicholas McArthur let his artillery loose early, netting the first goal in the 2nd minute of the game.

Georgetown visibly controlled ball possession, but Trayon Bobb and Sheldon Holder from the other side were a force to be reckoned with. Mc Arthur, along with Kelsey Benjamin and Dorwin George, made many

Nicholas Mc Arthu r (m Stars (Je mima Holm iddle) netted a b race for th es Photo) e Georg

Dorwin George (on ball) tried to hold off Rondel Holder (13) as Trayon Bobb looked on (Jemima Holmes Photo)

attempts at the goal, but Rondel ‘Beast’ Holder was impeccable on the defensive line, keeping the youngsters at bay.

Georgetown could’ve had their second, and West Demerara their first, goal before the half, but both Ryan Hackett and Trayon

Bobb missed respective penalties. Hackett eventually picked up a card owing to his follow-up play after missing the penalty, causing West Demerara to change goalkeepers.

Halftime score said 1-0, but the West siders were unphased by the lead, as

they came out with all guns blazing in the second.

Sheldon Holder challenged Georgetown’s custodian Alex Murray in the 45th, and made a goal of it.

With the score at 1-1, Trayon Bobb later followed up with the second goal in the 57th, to put West

es there (in Bangladesh) would suit my kind of bowling. I have been dominating Regional cricket, and hopefully I can use the same knowledge and make that transition into Test cricket," Permaul explained.

Permaul said that, over the years, he has been improving on his game. He added that he gained more experience playing firstclass cricket, wherein he made the necessary changes to his bowling.

"I did a little bit of changes in my bowling. I used to bowl through and around, now I bowl straight, and

Demerara in cruise control.

The fairly young team representing the capital city were now under immense pressure, but refused to lose their composure. Nicholas Mc Arthur made it a braceall game in the 67th, netting his second goal of the night.

Just when it seemed as though the non-existent crowd would witness an extra-time affair, and with the final berth hanging in the balance, Daniel Wilson found the back of the net in the nick of time to hand Georgetown a victory.

The final of the ‘Bounce

4-Day," Permaul explained.

The 31-year-old has said he is not looking too far ahead. He explained that he is aiming to use this opportunity to tour Bangladesh to be at his optimum best.

"That Test series in Bangladesh is in front of me. I just want to go out and do all I can do, and put all on the field while utilising my opportunity to the best of my ability," he said.

Numbers don't lie: Permaul’s unbeatable record is set out below: In the 2014-15 season of the Regional 4-Day

A proud moment! Permaul receiving his Test cap from Sir Richie Richardson

By Brandon Corlette

I

t is not the return of the prodigal son, but it is the highly-anticipated return of Mr Consistent, Veerasammy Permaul, the man known as Gunnaz, who hails from the cricket crazy community of Albion on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice and has earned selection to the West Indies team that will play two Test matches in Bangladesh.

"Never give up! Great things take time." That had been Permaul's motto since he last played a Test match for the West Indies in June 2015. The humble left-arm spinner, who consistently showed his dominance for Guyana Jaguars at the

Regional level, has said he is grateful for another opportunity in the Test side.

Permaul told this publication that, over the years, he proved his skill at the Regional level, and this callup is a deserving one.

When a West Indies squad is selected and Permaul is not given an opportunity, just imagine the pain he feels after registering strong performances in Regional 4-Day cricket.

It's easy to look like a star when times are good, but when times are tough, your true character comes into full view. Permaul has displayed great character for the past five years in his inspirational journey, and has finally been rewarded.

Questioned about his experience when he is left out of a Test squad, Permaul said: "I always had it in my head that at some point in time I will get back in the West Indies team. I think performance over the years showed that I should have been in the team, but it's beyond my control. I just use this as an opportunity to say when God wants me back in the team, it will be; and it's finally here."

Back in 2012, Permaul made his Test debut in Bangladesh. He disclosed that he would use his previous experience in Bangladesh, in what he described as conditions similar to those in Guyana.

"Most likely, the pitch-

Permaul appealing in a Regional 4-Day encounter against Trinidad and Tobago

that gets me to bowl more consistent line and lengths, and that allows me to get my body towards the target.

That really played a part this year in the Regional

Tournament, Permaul took 67 wickets in ten matches.

He continued to show his skill and consistency year after year. During the 201516 season, Permaul played

etown All

Back’ Classic will be staged on Friday, January 1 at the same venue starting at 6pm. However, with no fans allowed, the game will be livestreamed on NCN, Enetworks and the Ministry’s Facebook page.

The teams will be vying for bragging rights along with cash and trophy prizes.

Mohamed’s Enterprises, the Trophy Stall and Ground Structures Engineering Consultants are sponsors.

(Jemima Holmes)

Veerasammy Permaul

eight matches and claimed 40 wickets. He then followed up that season with 41 wickets in the 2016-17 season, and 50 wickets in the 2017-18 season.

In the 2018-19 season, Permaul took 42 wickets; and in the 2019-20 season, back in March, Permaul took 50 wickets in only eight matches.

After his last Test back in 2015, Permaul played 55 first-class matches and took 290 wickets. He has a best bowling figure of 8 for 18; a best match haul figure of 15 for 77; and has taken 18 five-wicket hauls and seven 10-wicket hauls at an average of 16.90.

Permaul has played in 121 first-class matches, and has taken 536 wickets. He has a best bowling figure of 8-18 at 20.65, with 29 five-wicket hauls. Permaul has played six Test matches for the West Indies, and the place in which he made his Test debut will see him making a grand Test return.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2020

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