Guyana Times - Thursday, February 24, 2022

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Issue No. 4930

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

PRICE

Enmore Packaging Plant workers welcome transformation into oilfield service centre

$100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Men open P8 fire on CANU ranks during ganja bust …over $17M worth of drugs seized

Page 3

…job creation, industrialisation of East Coast corridor key focus – company

Legislature, Judiciary must modernise to keep pace with development – President Ali

Page 7

…says laws must support Guyana’s development trajectory

Active COVID-19 cases now P9 at 846 …33 new infections, 10 in ICU

High Court P16 orders City Hall to remove vendors in front of Water Street store

Wedding house brawl

Mon Repos man admits to killing 13-yearP11 old boy

Dancers performing at the flag-raising ceremony for the 52nd Republic Anniversary at Parliament Building (Office of the President photo)

Search for sunken vessel, missing fishermen unsuccessful Page 17

…underwater search boat damaged, to return to sea Friday – Captain Flores

Unlicensed driver Page dies 2 in WBD 3-vehicle collision

Bidding starts for design of new 8-storey Brickdam P15 Police Station

Black Bush Polder triple murder

Confessed killer begs for chance, promises to give tractor to victim’s family …jailed for 90 years

Page 15

2 NEWS Unlicensed driver dies in WBD 3-vehicle collision THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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49-year-old man was killed on Wednesday morning after the car which he was driving crashed into a motor lorry and another vehicle on the Schoonord Public Road, West Bank

Demerara.

Dead is Joseph Charles of Lot 55 Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge, Georgetown. Police have said that Charles was an unlicensed driver. Another occupant in the vehicle

with Charles, 23-year-old Alex Saul of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, has been hospitalised with a fractured leg and hip.

According to reports, motor lorry GWW 4927 was proceeding north along the western side of the Schoonord Public Road while Charles’s car, PVV 4804, was proceeding in the opposite direction, allegedly at a fast rate of speed when Charles reportedly lost control of the vehicle and it collided with the right front side of the lorry.

The Police have said that as a result of the impact, the car spun around and collided with another motor car, PZZ 513.

The collision led to Charles and Saul sustaining injuries about their bodies.

Both the driver of the lorry and the driver of the second motor car were unharmed.

With the assistance of ranks of the La Grange Fire Service, Charles and Saul were removed from the wrecked vehicle in an unconscious condition and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), where a doctor pronounced Charles dead on arrival.

Saul was admitted as a patient in the Emergency Unit of the hospital, suffering from a fractured left hip and leg. He is now in stable condition.

Charles’s body is presently lying at the West Demerara Hospital mortuary, awaiting

The aftermath of morning’s collision

Wednesday

post mortem examination.

Police have said that at the accident scene, the driver of the motor lorry, a 41-yearold resident of Timehri Public Road, East Bank Demerara, was breathalysed, but no trace of alcohol was found in his breath. A notice of intended prosecution has, nonetheless, been served, as further enquiries are in progress.

(G8)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Thursday, February 24 – 10:00h-11:30h and Friday, February 25 – 10:30h-12:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, February 24 – 09:55h – 11:25h and Friday, February 25 – 11:35h-13:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers are expected during the day and night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to East NorthEasterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 10:11h and 23:04h reaching maximum heights of 2.33 metres and 2.16 metres.

Low Tide: 16:25h reaching a minimum height of 0.89 metre.

Enmore Packaging Plant workers welcome transformation into oilfield service centre …job creation, industrialisation of East Coast corridor key focus – company

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orkers at the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s Enmore Packaging Plant on the East Coast of Demerara have welcomed the recent takeover of the facility by Guysons K+B Industries Inc (GKB), which has entered into an agreement with the Guyana Government to transform it into a modern oilfield service centre and manufacturing facility.

Last week, it was announced that Government has leased the Packaging Plant, located at the Enmore Estate, to local company Guysons Engineering which has partnered with US-based

The Enmore Packaging Plant is to be repurposed into a manufacturing facility for the oil and gas sector

keep the jobs [of the workers]… and with more doors open, so that we can continue with another process [in the oil and gas sector],”

Workers of the Enmore Packaging Plant meeting with officials last week

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$97.80/barrel

+0.99

Rough Rice

$278.154/ton

+0.55

London Sugar

$495.00/ton

0.00

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1911.40

$1912.40

Low/High Change

$1889.60 +2.50

$1915.00 +0.13%

K+B Industries to form the GKB joint venture that will be establishing the Enmore Manufacturing Facility to cater to the oil and gas sector.

As part of the agreement, the company will have to retain all the workers of the packaging plant and conduct training so that they can be absorbed into the new operations – something which the workers lauded.

“I feel it’s something good that they’re doing to have workers still remain on – all the workers, as they say, and the only thing is… transitioning; how to adapt in their field of work, and to see what they have to offer to the workers in terms of salaries when they starting…

[But] I’ll be open to explore what training they have to offer and see what I can adopt from the training as well,” Rhonda Gittens said.

She added that the opportunity was great also for other persons in the community and along the East Coast corridor, since employment opportunities inclusive of training would be available to them as well.

Moreover, the workers are also pleased with the fact that they too will be getting an opportunity to participate in the oil and gas industry.

“I feel very good about it ‘cause I feel comfortable that the Government

another worker, Kenneth Downer, stated.

“I am grateful that we can move from one level to

another level, and move forward with our life and future.”

Additionally, Bheenarie Parsram expressed her satisfaction with the fact that Government has engaged them – the workers – on the transition of the packaging plant.

“I feel that they are doing a pretty job, because at least they come and tell us.

Because I personally was wondering to know if is just like that they will take us off our job and they’re not going to give us anything… I appreciate what [they’re] doing, because [they’re] making sure that all the workers them have a job with the other company… I’m feeling very good because at least everybody will earn jobs from that,” the woman declared.

Last week, a team comprising Government

Ministers, including Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, and executives of GKB Industries met with the workers of the Packaging Plant.

It was disclosed at the engagement that in addition to securing their jobs, Government will also be giving the workers a twomonth bonus to assist them during the transition period.

Investment in the people

Meanwhile, Guysons K+B Industries has committed to invest in the people of the East Coast corridor, plugging an “unmatched” US$37.5 million (G$7.5 billion) to establish the Enmore Manufacturing Plant, a state-of-the-art oilfield services facility.

The company clarified that its lease is for the Enmore Packaging Plant and not the Sugar Estate – a site that was recommended by Government.

The packaging facility is approximately 100,000 sq. feet and its transformation would take an estimated 18 to 24 months.

GKB said the Packaging Plant could be repurposed and become operational, almost immediately, preserving jobs currently held at the Plant, with a guarantee of 150 employees by the end of the first year and 500 in five years.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

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

More public education campaigns

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or years, there has been much talk about climate change and the devastating impact it is having and is likely to have on communities and the world as a whole. However, while Governments and policymakers are busy debating the issues at the national and international levels, many believe that enough is not being done in terms of designing and implementing critical projects at the community level, to encourage and sensitise individuals about the need to play their part in mitigating the effects of climate change.

In fact, it could be argued that, on the global level, not many persons are educated about the issue, especially as it relates to the kind of impact climate change has on the environment and on individuals themselves. Citizens still do take the issue for granted, and do not pay much heed to the various messages about the need to change lifestyle patterns and so on.

Scientists have argued that the planet is indeed threatened by lifestyle patterns of individuals, and if persons continue to use resources the way we currently do, the planet’s reserves would be exhausted at an increasingly rapid pace. For many countries, there is still the challenge of getting everyone to not only understand and appreciate the idea of the need to work towards sustainable consumption, but also to take practical steps to move in this direction.

Certainly, Governments can set the framework with their policies; set targets, define standards, give incentives to make companies go green. Businesses and industries, together with researchers, can provide the solutions, but, in the end, the consumers have the power of the purse, whether they buy green products or not. The highly-touted green model reduces our ecological footprint, emits less greenhouse gases, uses less energy and raw materials, and can create new sources of growth and employment.

In essence, achieving economic growth and sustainable development requires that we urgently reduce our ecological footprint by changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources. As stated by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the efficient management of our shared natural resources, and the way we dispose of toxic waste and pollutants are important targets to achieving this goal.

Based on statistics, the world’s population is growing rapidly, as more than a billion new people will enter the middle class by 2050. Experts have predicted that if citizens do not change their consumption patterns, the global use of resources would be multiplied by 15, which is considered dangerous for our planet, as it would not be able to satisfy the needs of everyone.

At the individual level, every individual does play a crucial role in defining his/her own consumption patterns, and can, in a way, also contribute to the fight against climate change. For example, we can reduce the level of energy utilised, and the money that is saved on energy could instead be used to develop climate-friendly technologies and appliances.

Official records show that, on a global level, more than 70 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are related to household consumption. While it is accepted that it is not an easy task to get persons to change lifestyles and to work towards a climate- friendly environment, the task would be much easier if people are educated about the role they can play and the benefits of their own action.

Here, in Guyana, we still continue to dump garbage carelessly. For example, persons continue to dispose of plastics and Styrofoam items in a reckless manner, resulting in the clogging of drains and trenches, For sure, there is need for more effective public education campaigns on climate change, and to highlight the effects of poor environmental practices.

Scenes from Guyana’s 52nd Republic Anniversary celebrations

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

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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

Preposterous stand from the Opposition Dear Editor, The idea is most preposterous, that is, that there is an “Opposition motion seeking (the) expulsion of Dharamlall from Parliament.”

This motion is the continuation of the now infamous but dead ‘dildo’ statement made by him, the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development.

As we all recall, and can of course access the footage, Nigel Dharamlall, during a recent sitting of the National Assembly, uttered the distasteful remark. Now a motion has been submitted to Parliament by Opposition Parliamentarians Catherine Hughes and Nima Flue-Bess to refer the Minister to the Committee of Privileges and have him expelled from the House.

Let me back up please, as I want to ask those behind this motion about what

transpired when Opposition Members of Parliament protested the hearing of the NRF Bill, which they wanted to be sent to Parliamentary Special Select Committee for review. However, in being overruled, they resorted to disrupting the session. As was witnessed on the occasion and which can now be seen on social media, Coalition MPs stood banging on their desks when the Bill was called up for debate, and subsequently gathered in the pit of the Dome of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where National Assembly sittings were being held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bill was eventually passed, but the Opposition’s protest escalated into a physical confrontation with Parliament staff, after one of the Coalition MPs snatched the Parliament Mace from in front of the Speaker. I re-

mind our readers that “…no matter where Parliament sessions are being held, the space in the middle between the Government and Opposition sides is sacred ground and a peace zone.”

Therefore, it is forbidden territory, and no one is ever allowed to be in that area.

However, it was stormed by the Opposition MPs and supporters, who threateningly surrounded presenter of the Bill Dr. Ashni Singh in an intimidating and physically violent manner. The behaviour was so raucous it resulted in the compromising of the Control Room, as the internet was disconnected and the loudspeaker system shut down.

There is another case I want to bring to the fore; that is, when in Nov 30, 2018, the then Minister of Public Health and Chairwoman of the People’s National Congress (PNC) flatly said

that “I will only give jobs to PNC people.” The utterance emanated during her address at the party’s Region Four District Conference at Congress Place. At that time, she emphasised that “The only friends I got is PNC, so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC, and right now I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese and ah want one that is PNC.” Imagine!

I can go on to the crudely outspoken Opposition Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan, currently facing cyber-crime charges in the Magistrates’ Court, after being accused by IT Manager at the Guyana Elections Commission, Aneal Giddings, over statements that he allegedly made on his social media talk show. Mr. Giddings was singled out by Duncan, and he was allegedly referred to as a “jaggabat” and “trench

crappo,” two demeaning descriptions that are disrespectful and so caused him significant emotional distress and humiliation. Add to this that Sherod Duncan was publicly chided for his “vile, most repugnant onslaught” against Priya Manickchand. On that occasion, he used his Facebook page to describe in song Education Minister Priya Manickchand as a ‘wild hog’ that needs taming.

Against this background, the Opposition collective and their allies have no moral and ethical ground to sponsor any motion against Minister Dharamlall. The argument on their behalf is that “…Dharamlall, in response to questions posed by various Members of Parliament, “hurled abusive language to his parliamentary colleagues.” It stated further that “while being questioned by female

Members of Parliament on the Opposition side, and during his exchanges while being on the floor of this honourable House, he blurted out the words ‘You got to get a dildo, that’s what’s you looking for’.” The motion also stated the existence of evidence of the Minister’s outburst as a review of the closed-circuit video of the proceedings confirmed the utterance of the “offensive” words.”

Well, let us get the balance and see which side is heavier with negatives. I have this strong feeling that the criminality of the attempted purloining of the Mace and the ‘crappo and jagabat’ derogatory remarks is bothering the Opposition; they are looking for distractions. I am sure that they know the reality of 33/32.

Yours truly, H Singh

The lessons Guyanese should have learned Dear Editor, Money walks! Investors leave! These are the lessons Guyanese should have learned from the previous attempt to build the Amaila Hydroelectric power plant; facing a barrage of criticism, Blackstone (an American company) withdrew from the International Development Bank-funded project, which then became dormant throughout the APNU+AFC years. No major power source was added to the grid during those Granger years, and the men of Article 13 made no criticism then, because nothing planned equals zero to criticise. A win-win for Granger-Article 13, no doubt.

Fast forward to the present, and there are still objections to the project, despite a public tender process - in which it is clearly stated that the

Government of Guyana will not invest any money, and that the project would be implemented strictly by the Private Sector using Private Sector funding, and the GoG would simply buy any/all power produced by the plant.

Given that Christopher Ram is listed as a member of Article 13, I would deem it highly unlikely that he is ignorant of these conditions, even if others in the organisation are incapable of accessing public information.

Why then would Article 13 make an issue about the cost of anything but what the GoG will pay for that power?

Winston Brassington made a presentation at the 2022 Energy Conference (which can be viewed for free online), in which he stated the winning bidders submitted a cost of USD 0.0773 per kWh. Any

Guyanese knows we pay USD 0.30 per KWh presently, and our power demand has long since outstripped the supply.

The criticisms of Article 13 are a smokescreen at best, comparing costs to a hydro plant in Ethiopia.

Why do we care what it costs to build, if we are not footing the bill and are satisfied we are going to get power at less than a quarter of the price we pay for electricity now?

Article 13 speaks about costs GPL would incur to deliver electricity to the consumers; are they suggesting that we explore wireless power options? Or are they waiting on someone to offer to foot that small bill for us in true ‘beggar-bowl’ mentality mode?

Editor, Article 13 also attempted to make a populist argument that it was too costly to attend the

Missing or presumably drowned fishermen

Dear Editor, My condolences go out to the relatives of those fishermen who perished when they went out at sea to earn a living.

I do not know what are the local rules regarding persons on such small motor vessels; I know that, in Canada, the occupants on those types of vessels are required to wear life jackets.

Those men might not have been wearing any life jackets, and because of that, lives were lost.

Editor, I have seen a

popular Youtube sponsor in Guyana who goes as ARD, who is always a critic of the road conditions when he is going out on his money-making trips, which he showcases on his channel.

This man goes with persons in little boats along rivers in the hinterland and on the Atlantic Ocean to catch fish, some of which he gets, and of course to promote his business. The only person who wears a life jacket is he. I have seen a post with him and three men recently on the Atlantic Ocean

when they left from Ogle.

The three men were sitting on the edge of the boat and the water was rough. He was the operator, and the only one who was wearing a life jacket.

I would never go on such trips, knowing that I might be the only one who might survive if there was a disaster. I think that attitude is selfish, and the authorities need to pay attention to persons boating in deep waters.

Regards, Kenneth Singh

Energy Conference, thereby depriving Guyanese of access to vital information.

However, Christopher Ram was in attendance as a delegate, and Yog Mahadeo joined those protesting for an end to oil production outside; all presentations

were/are available for free via online video links.

The Energy Conference claim by Article 13 is either based on wilful ignorance or agenda-driven disingenuousness, or a combination; but whichever, Article 13 has detracted

much from the value valid civil society criticisms would offer a nation seeking to build for her future.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

Issues that would negatively affect pensioners

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wish to congratulate President Irfaan Ali and VP Jagdeo for their vision and the creation of the many exciting and excellent projects which can transform Guyana from an underdeveloped country to being one of full development.

I wish to highlight two issues that would have a negative effect on us pensioners, of which many of us have given humane services to our nation’s development.

The Pensioners Water Credit has been removed, and replaced by a new payment system which is worse than what existed under former President Granger’s Administration.

The current charges are $70 for the first 10cm (cubic metres) and $106 for all amounts consumed above 10cm.

Mr President and VP, many of us pensioners have dependents, and the marginal discount in charges is not appreciated.

The budgetary increase of $3,000 per month in pension payments is for a calendar year (12 months),

but it has been announced by the MoF and the MoHS that no payment would be made for the months of January and February

2022. This is not satisfactory.

Khalil Ahmed Pensioner

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Page

Foundation ◄

Test Complete the following test items 1. There are five hundred thousand, three hundred and fifty four people living in the city of Longe.

How would you write that number in standard form?

He measured the following amounts: 9mm, 7mm, 2mm, 6mm, 10mm, 2.5mm, and 1.57mm. Rounding to the nearest tenth of a millimetre, what was the total amount of rainfall during 2. Sara is collecting news- the seven-day period? papers for a recycling contest 7. Calculate at her school. She needs 384 a) 79 ÷ 55 = newspapers to win the conb) 35 ÷ 70 = test. So far she has collected c) 630 ÷ 8 = 289. Rounding to the nearest ten, how many newspapers 8. Johnny is mixing the Sara still needs to collect? paint he will use to paint his 3. Calculate wooden scooter. He needs one part blue to two parts a) 25 x 15 = red. If he is using 1 pint of b) 9 x 56 = c) 83 x 92 = red paint, how many pints of blue will he need? What will be the resultant colour?

4. Nafeeza bought five 9. Calculate pizzas for her class, but her classmates only ate 20% of (150 ÷ 5) = What is 50% of 4/5? three-quarters of each pizza.

How would Nafeeza express Express the number in both the amount of remaining piz- decimal and fraction form. za as an improper fraction?

10. Mana has a rope that 5. Calculate is 17.25 metres long. If 30% $13.50 + $10.00 + of the rope has been painted black, what portion of the $23.25 = rope has not been painted? $1090.00 – $735.25 = How many metres is that $7.07 + $2.93 = equivalent to?

6. Sebastian has been measuring the rainfall for the past seven days.

I

n this fun and easy human body science experiment for kids, we’re going to do what sweet and sugary soda can do to real teeth.

Materials:

Tooth – A tooth is most likely not available, but you can use an egg as a substitute Cola Glass

Instructions:

If you happen to have a tooth lying around or you are able to get one, this is a great demonstration.

Put some cola in the glass.

Drop the tooth in the glass for at least one week.

Check the tooth after a week and observe any changes.

How it works:

Soda is high in acid. The acid in soda will dissolve the minerals in teeth which will weaken them and allow them the potential to decay.

Make this a science project:

Try different types of sodas. Try sugar free sodas. Try brushing the tooth with different toothpastes and observing any differences.

From Pakaraima's peaks of pow'r To Courentyne's lush sands, Her children pledge each faithful hour To guard Guyana's lands.

To foil the shock of rude invader Who'd violate her earth, To cherish and defend forever The State that gave them birth.

We'll forge a nation's might soul Construct a nation's frame; Freedom our everlasting goal, Courage and truth our aim, Unyielding in our quest for peace Like ancient heroes brave, To strive and strive and never cease With Strength beyond the slave.

Guyana, climb the glorious perch To fame, prosperity; Join in the universal search For world-wide comity.

Your people what soe'er their breed Their hue or quality, With one firm never changing creed The nation's unity.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life” – Steve Jobs

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Legislature, Judiciary must modernise to keep pace with development – President Ali …says laws must support Guyana’s development trajectory

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s Guyana continues on its development trajectory, it is important that the laws of Guyana and the judicial system keep pace with this development. This point was reinforced by President Dr Irfaan Ali, in his speech on the occasion of Guyana’s 52nd Republic Anniversary.

In his speech on Tuesday evening, the President listed all the ways in which Guyana will develop, including in its energy sector, in housing, in the social services, education and health. But according to the President, the legislative and judicial arms of Government must modernise and organise to meet the new demands of this developed future.

“To support all of this, our governance system must be efficient, reliable, trustworthy, accountable, simple, responsive and flexible to the global environment in which we operate,” President Ali said in his address.

“These elements must be built on a modern constitution that must be developed from the people – a process that is ongoing.

Our laws must be reflective of the direction and development trajectory of the country,” President Ali also said.

After being delayed last year, the constitutional reform process will finally get

underway soon, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, SC, disclosed last month. He made this announcement on his weekly programme, “Issues In The News”, during which he revealed that he has already requested for a meeting to be held with the Parliamentary Standing Committee For Constitutional Reform.

“We are going to start the constitutional reform process. It was stymied last year because of COVID and a number of other matters. But I have already requested the National Assembly Committees Division to fix a date for a meeting to be scheduled of the Constitutional Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform and from there, the process will begin to achieve momentum and we will have constitutional reform,” the Attorney General had stated.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform was established under Article 119A of the Constitution, which states that “as soon as may be the beginning of each National Assembly there shall be appointed a Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform for the purpose of continually reviewing the effectiveness of the working of the Constitution and making periodic reports there on

to the National Assembly, with proposal for reform as necessary”.

It is noted that the Committee has the power to co-opt experts or enlist the aid of other persons of appropriate expertise, whether or not such experts or other persons are members of the National Assembly, to assist in its work.

The Committee is expected to have no less than six or more than 10 members nominated by the Committee of Selection.

As it is, Nandlall is the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform and the other members consist of four Government Members of Parliament (MPs) – Education Minister Priya Manickchand; Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr, Public Service Minister Sonia Parag and Attorneyat-Law Sanjeev Datadin – as well as four members from the A partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Opposition – Khemraj Ramjattan, Raphael Trotman, Dr Nicolette Henry, and Amanza Walton-Desir.

With consultations slated to commence this year, Nandlall expressed hope that there would be widespread participation by stakeholders from all quar-

ters. “…All these organisations that are making all these grand and big pronouncements, I hope that they will participate in the process so that we can have a healthy consultative exercise in relation to constitutional reform and the exercise can produce some solid recommendations that we can move forward with,” the Legal Affairs Minister had asserted. (G3)

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Enmore Packaging Plant workers...

FROM PAGE 3

According to the company, a minimum of 50 acres of land is required to effectively deliver OCTG (oil country tubular goods) and Premium Accessory Services to the local oil and gas sector. These services are currently being outsourced to companies in Trinidad and Tobago, United States, and other countries.

“This initiative would increase commercial activity on the East Coast corridor and tap into considerable foreign exchange-earning potential, bringing greater oil and gas revenues to Guyana.

Significantly, this would be the first time ever that these

services are provided in-country… GKB endeavours to train residents of the East Coast corridor.”

“We have committed to rehiring 100 per cent of the workers currently employed at the Enmore Packaging Plant. We will see to it that our expansion uplifts economically-depressed communities of the East Coast corridor with sustainable jobs which will serve as a revitalising lifeline for its youth and laid-off sugar workers… The capacity building and job creation potential of this project and its spillover effects cannot be understated.,” the com-

pany said in a recent missive.

It further noted that it has agreed to strict land development timelines and milestones over the first three years that will be monitored as the phased development occurs.

While both Government and the company have reassured stakeholders of the welfare of the workers, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has written the Sugar Corporation about the issue.

GuySuCo has promised to ensure GAWU is kept in the loop on the matter. (G8)

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Men open fire on CANU ranks during ganja bust …over $17M worth of drugs seized

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wo suspects who were trafficking some $17 million worth of ganja on Monday opened fire at ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) during an operation at Number 69 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

CANU officers intercepted motor car PKK 4588 and seized 129.6lbs of marijuana that were found therein.

However, the two men who were in the vehicle opened fire when confronted by the law enforcement officials.

The suspects managed to flee the scene.

On Wednesday, CANU said it is suspected that the illegal drugs were intended for transshipment to Suriname. CANU noted, too, that the substance carries a street value of G$17,640,000.

Stink and dutty…

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The drugs seized by CANU

…celebrations? our Eyewitness is still waiting to get a report on what went down at the “Stink and Dutty” concert at the National Stadium on the night before Republic Day. But folks appeared to’ve been blindsided by the notion of actually celebrating the birth of our Republic with something that can be described as “stink and dutty”!! But, in all these matters, you gotta look beneath the surface to see what’s really going on. And what your Eyewitness discovered is this “stink and dutty” shebang started back in 2016. That’s when permission was granted by the PNC Government for some private body to introduce “Carnival” into our Jubilee INDEPENDENCE Celebrations.

Remember Amna A's Buju concert tickets??!!

So, what started out as a tragedy - since you just don’t import a cultural event that took over 200 years to evolve - has now become the farce. It’s been brought forward to merge with Mash?? Well!! Now, Mash was always a weak imitation of Carnival, started by those upriver hicks at Mackenzie. And your Eyewitness knows that no matter how the Governments of the day tried to pump some life into it…that was the BEST they could do: have the event BARELY breathe!! But over in Trinidad, like with any organic festival coming out of the bowels of the lower classes, it PULSES with that energy that lies bottled up in the suppression of the masses!!

Not in Guyana!! So how do the organisers sell it? STINK AND DUTTY, that’s how!! Bill it as transgressive as they possibly could - and watch for the always-rebellious youths to come out!! In this case, the youths in Georgetown who wanna feel they’re avant-garde!! Some avant-garde when you’re imitating somebody else’s culture!! With oil now flowing here and Trinidad’s running out, there are a lot of Trinis here nowadays. Your Eyewitness wonders how they can keep from smirking and shaking their heads!!

But even more telling about where the PNC was coming from with their wholesale cogging from the Trinis was one of their spokespersons dubbing the THEME of his supposedly political show as “STINK AND DUTTY”!!

He revealed that the name wasn’t just some ironic take on the Trinis’ J’Ouvert. Not aware of the historical root of their smearing their bodies with oil and mud etc were the then slaves disguising themselves from the gaze of their masters as they frolicked!! The PNC could only see “stink and dutty”!! It’s truly said that what we see is determined by our lenses!! In this case, “stink and dutty” lenses!!

The PNC’s shill uses stink and dutty words as his schtick.

The mind boggles as to what the literalist revellers of the Stink and Dutty concert smeared over their bodies!! …hair pulling It was bound to happen sooner or later. The tension’s building in the Opposition camp to such intensity that an explosion’s inevitable. What with them incapable of even appointing an Opposition Leader - they can’t blame the PPP for this, can they?? - their ineptitude is eating away at their innards!! So out spurted the bile when one lesser leader from the APNU “coalition” took a verbal swing at a Trade Union myrmidon of the PNC and its rigging ways!!

“Not pulling his weight” was the complaint… “all bluster, and no action!!”

Well, who told him to say that? - never mind it’s true! So, oblivious to the irony he was proving the point on just spewing hot air, the Trade Unionist wrote a hot and sweaty letter to the press, defending his honour. Not pointing to any ACTION he or his outfit had taken (he couldn’t, since there was none!!) the fella alleged that there were actions the political lightweight party could’ve taken, but didn’t!!

The schoolyard retort: “if I’m a liar, so’re you!!” …washing out?

Well, the rain’s been coming down more than cats and dogs - pigs and cows?!! - for the last two days.

Is the big guy up there trying to get us to “clean up” our act?? Keep it comin’!!

The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

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

9 Active COVID-19 cases now at 846 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…33 new infections, 10 in ICU

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD FEBRUARY 23, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES

33

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

57

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

779

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

10

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

5

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

33,873

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

28,906

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

62,779

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

60,718

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

430,887

FULLY IMMUNISED

325,696

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

T

he total number of COVID-19 cases in Guyana has gone up to 62,779 after 33 more persons tested positive for the novel coronavirus within a 24-hour period.

Consequently, the active cases in the country are now at 846, including 10 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining persons in isolation – 57 in institutional isolation and the other 779 in home isolation.

Additionally, five more persons are in institutional quarantine.

The Health Ministry did not report any fatalities during Wednesday’s COVID-19 update hence the country’s death toll from the pandemic remains at 1215.

To date, some 60,718 persons have recovered after being infected with the life-threatening virus – 12 more recoveries than the figure reported the previous day.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Guyana, a total of 536,033 tests have been conducted countrywide;

1215

some 28,906 males and 33, 873 females were found to be positive.

New cases

Of the 33 cases recorded on Wednesday, three were from Region One (BarimaWaini); five from Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); a whopping 16 cases from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); four cases each from Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and one from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

There were no new cases detected in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice) within the 24-hour period.

While it is on the decline now, the surge in COVID-19 cases since late 2021 has been attributed to the Omicron variant, which though not as deadly as the Delta variant is highly transmissible.

As such, health authorities are urging persons to get vaccinated, and those who quali-

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN BE SAFE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC Wear a face mask.

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

Wash your hands or use handsanitizer If you have any symptoms, call the COVID-19 Hotline.

fy, to get their booster shots, in order to add a layer of protection against the virus.

The latest figures show that so far, over 430,870 or 84 per cent of adults have taken a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and of that number, some 325,696 or 63.5 per cent are fully vaccinated.

For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, more

than 33,400 or 45 per cent have received their first doses and some 24,050 or 33 per cent of them are fully immunised.

So far, in excess of 49,060 persons have returned for their booster shots.

However, as more people continue to get vaccinated, authorities are urging the public to continue observing all COVID-19 preventative measures, particularly masking in public, social distancing and frequent hand washing and sanitising – which are more significant now with the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant.

During his most recent COVID-19 update, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony disclosed that anxiety linked to the virus among the Guyanese population has been lowered when comparing the levels at the beginning of the pandemic and at present.

“At the beginning when people were locked away because of the curfew and there

was a lot of restriction on movement; at that point in time, people found it more challenging. Now that the society is more opened up, I don’t think people are so confined and some of the challenges or anxieties that people might have had in the early part of the pandemic have eased,” Dr Anthony stated, adding that better understanding of the virus has led to this as well.

However, the Health Minister outlined the need to still be vigilant and take all precautions.

Support for persons who are suffering from mental health issues owing to the pandemic, or long COVID post recovery, has been integrated into the health system’s response to the novel coronavirus.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) recent figures, some 426,624,859 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 5,899,578 deaths.

In the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020 REGION 1

2503

REGION 2

2457

REGION 3

8014

REGION 4

31,033

REGION 5

2348

REGION 6

5692

REGION 7

2413

REGION 8

887

REGION 9

3967

REGION 10

3465

America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 145,824,798 while the death toll in the region has gone up to 2,607,258.

As it relates to vaccination against COVID-19, WHO also reported that a total of 10,407,359,583 doses have been administered worldwide.

(G8)

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

6 young Region 2 entrepreneurs receive $6M in grants S

ix operators of small businesses in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) have each received $1 million as part of the Youth Entrepreneurship and Mentorship Programme fa-

cilitated by the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry (MCYS).

The delivery of their grants was done in a ceremony held on Tuesday in the Regional Democratic Council's (RDC's) board-

room.

While delivering remarks on behalf of Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr, Hyma Joseph said the cash was distributed so that the beneficiaries could commence

The six beneficiaries of the small business grants of $1 million from the Youth Entrepreneurship and Mentorship Programme

or expand their businesses.

Elaborating on the Mentorship Programme, Joseph said the MCYS has partnered with the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) in order to create an incubator system to check on each business that receive the grants.

"The Chamber of Commerce usually consists of businesses, and so we believe that these successful businessmen and women can share their ideas and their best practices… there will be the best breeding system for your small businesses being now created and now expanding."

Joseph said.

She told the youths that the grant is a temporary fix to their personal mission, but it is a start for them to become their own bosses.

She also took the opportunity to wish the young entrepreneurs the best of luck in starting and expanding their businesses, and advised that they use the money wisely on their businesses.

One of the beneficiaries, Amanda Edwards, thanked the MCYS for facilitating the grant. "I always want to open my own business and become my own boss, but at the said time, I didn't have the funds to start up…

However, I am thankful that the Ministry had launched the Entrepreneurship and Mentorship Programme, which I followed and submitted a proposal. Here I am today as a beneficiary…

“I would like to thank the Ministry for such grant, as it would assist me tremendously in finally opening my own business."

Tatyanna Moore, a young entrepreneur who sells miracle oil, also took the opportunity to thank Minister Ramson and his team for such a timely donation. She said the money would assist her greatly in expanding her business.

(G14)

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Wedding house brawl…

Mon Repos man admits to killing 13-year-old boy O

ne of two men charged with the murder of a 13-year-old boy, who was chopped and beaten during a brawl at a wedding house at Triumph, East Coast Demerara (ECD), has pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Initially indicted for

the capital offence of murder, when he appeared before Justice Simone MorrisRamlall at the Demerara High Court on Tuesday, Kevin Sahoye, 25, opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, thereby admitting that on August 14, 2016, at Plantain Walk Access Road,

Triumph, ECD, he unlawfully killed Daveanand Sanichar.

He also admitted that he wounded James Lall with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Sentencing for the convict has been deferred to March 10. Sahoye is being represented by Attorney-at-Law

Jury empanelled for trial of 2 accused in Linden execution-style killing in the vicinity of Matthews Lane in Christianburg/ Cholmondeley Hill, Region 10. He had been shot three times, including once to the head.

The now dead man’s relatives had told the Police that he had left his home three days before his body was discovered. They had also opined that he might have been lured into the bushy spot by someone he knew. (G1)

Murder accused Stafrei Alexander

S

tafrei Alexander and Owen Belfield are set to go on trial from next Monday, February 28, for the 2015 murder of Richard Remington, a resident of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Alexander, also known as “Ratty” and “Mad Dog”, and Owen Belfield are jointly charged with murdering Remington between February 9 and 12, 2015 at Wismar, Linden. Following

Murder accused Owen Belfield

their arraignment before Demerara High Court Judge Brassington Reynolds on Tuesday, these two defendants pleaded not guilty to the joint charge in regard to the capital offence. They are both being represented

by Attorney-at-Law Adrian Thompson. State Counsel Seeta Bishundial is presenting the case for the prosecution.

The decomposed remains of Remington were found in a clump of bushes along a track

Dead: Daveanand Sanichar

Confessed killer Kevin Sahoye

Everton Singh-Lammy, while State Counsel Cicelia Corbin is appearing on behalf of the State.

Sahoye and Raymond Wong, 32, were jointly charged with the teenager’s murder in August 2016, and were remanded. Following a Preliminary Inquiry (PI), they were both committed to stand trial, after a Magistrate ruled that a prima facie case had

been made out against them.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is yet to present Wong’s indictment.

Sanichar, of Beterverwagting, ECD, was with his family at a wedding a few houses away from his home when he got into an argument with a group of men over a young lady.

It was reported that the

Murder Wong

accused

Raymond

teenager Sanichar left the wedding house, only to return with a cutlass. He continued arguing with the group of men, during which one of them relieved him of the cutlass and dealt him several chops to the head and about his body.

Sanichar reportedly fell to the ground, and was severely beaten with pieces of wood by several persons. (G1)

12

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 20

Scenes of celebrations countrywide as Guyan Region One (Barima-Waini)

Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam)

Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)

Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni)

Region Three (Essequibo

Region Eight (P

13

022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

na celebrates its 52nd Republic Anniversary

o Islands-West Demerara)

Potaro-Siparuni)

Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica)

Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice)

Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)

Region 10 (Upper Demerara Berbice)

14

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Public Service Minister Sonia Parag joined Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States, Samuel Hinds at “An Evening of Culture” held to commemorate Guyana’s 52nd Republic Day Anniversary. The event was held on Tuesday evening at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Queens, New York

NEWS

15

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Black Bush Polder triple murder

Confessed killer begs for chance, promises to give tractor to victim’s family …jailed for 90 years

T

he two remaining convicts in the Black Bush Polder 2016 triple murder were on Monday each sentenced to three life sentences.

In handing down the sentence, Justice Sandil Kissoon said each life sentence is 30 years, and he ordered that they run concurrently.

The sentences were handed down following guilty pleas to the lesser count of manslaughter.

Carlon Chaitram and Rakesh Karamchand had earlier pleaded guilty and were awaiting sentencing.

They admitted that, between July 21 and 22, 2016, they murdered Pawan Chandradeo, 38; his son Jaikarran Chandradeo, 15; and his brother-inlaw Naresh Rooplall, 33, at Cookrite Savannah in Black Push Polder.

The Judge noted that the murderers were involved in a deliberate,

Bidding starts for design of new 8-storey Brickdam Police Station

B

The aftermath of the fire at Brickdam Police Station

idding has been opened by the Ministry of Home Affairs for consultants to design a new, eight-storey Brickdam Police Station, with bidders being invited to submit their bids to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) by March 15.

According to a statement from the Ministry, a consultant is being sought to undertake the design service for the construction of the Brickdam Police Station, which was gutted by a massive fire last year.

“Bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) Procedures specified in the Procurement Act 2003, and is open to all Bidders. Bidders are required to submit Technical

and Financial Proposals which must cover travelling expenses and reimbursements,” the statement has said.

It was explained that bidding documents can be inspected and purchased from the Ministry of Home Affairs upon payment of a non-refundable fee of $3,500 for each bid document. When it comes to the actual bids, these must be submitted in a plain, sealed envelope without anything to identify the bidder.

“Each envelope should state clearly the name of the project (for example, ‘Tender for Design Service for the Construction of Brickdam Police Station – 8 Storey) at the top lefthand corner.”

According to the Ministry, bids must be

submitted by March 15, with valid Compliance Certificates from the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the General Manager of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). It was explained that electronic bidding is not permitted.

“Bids will be opened at 09:00 hours on Tuesday 15th March 2022 in the Boardroom of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, Ministry of Finance, in the presence of those bidders or their representatives who choose to attend the opening.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs reserves the right to reject any or all the bids without assigning any reason.

TURN TO PAGE 16

highfalutin attack by shooting the victims individually at close range with a 12-gauge shotgun.

He said the extensive aggravating factors and the absence of mitigating circumstances make them culpable of the act, as they were involved in another criminal offence in the course of a joint criminal enterprise, acting in collusion, and the four took a joint decision to execute the victims to conceal their identity and their crime.

The trio had gone to the backdam to fish while three of the murderers had gone to the backdam to steal fuel from a rice farmer. They had taken ten 5-gallon jars for the fuel. One of the accused had told the court that, after he had fired the first two shots, the victims fell to the ground, and he then went over them and shot then at close range to their heads to ensure that they were killed. When the bodies were found, there were still cast nets tied to their hands.

Before passing the sentence, Justice Kissoon

asked Carlon Chaitram if he had anything to say.

Begging the Court for mercy, Chetram asked for another chance. He told the court that he would take care of the children of the deceased. He said he would provide sustenance for them every time he reaps rice. He said the court should consider the fact that he did not waste the court's time in a trial, and as such he should be given a reduced sentence.

Chetram pleaded with the court, saying that he was going to give a tractor and land to the wife, mother and sister of the three deceased.

“I beg you, please give me another chance,” he appealed to the court.

When asked what he has done for the family since the 2016 incident, he admitted that he had not reached out to them.

The three life sentences were handed to him, and they will run concurrently.

Earlier, there were probation reports presented in favour of the accused.

However, the Judge found that the reports did not

help the defence’s cause.

In arriving at the appropriate sentence, the trial Judge quoted several cases in which the court had passed sentences on persons who participated in killings but were not the ‘trigger man’.

Earlier, the number one accused, 24-year-old Jairam Chaitram, pleaded guilty to murder, and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Although a teenager, Jairam Chaitram was the man who had pulled the trigger, resulting in the death of the three.

“In other words, you are to spend the rest of your life in prison,” Justice Kissoon had told the 24-year-old man who had confessed to killing the fishermen because he wanted to conceal his identity to a criminal act he and the others had gone into the backlands to perpetrate.

Jagmohan, who opted to have a trial, was found guilty and sentenced to death.

The State’s case was presented by Attorney-atLaw Abigail Gibbs. (G4)

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

High Court orders City Hall to remove vendors in front of Water Street store D

emerara High Court Judge Justice JoAnn Barlow has ordered the City Engineer of Georgetown to take all necessary steps to remove all encumbrances from in front of the Collections Boutique and Gift Centre at Lot 27 Water Street, Georgetown.

Attorney-at-Law Siand Dhurjon, representing the business, said in a statement made on Tuesday.

In a judgement delivered in a lawsuit filed by business owner Diana Balram against the Town Clerk, Justice JoAnn Barlow has ordered the City Engineer to remove all vehicles, carts, drays, barrels, boxes from in front of the business property.

By way of a fixed date application filed in November 2021, the business, through its lawyer Siand Dhurjon, argued that certain bylaws under the Municipal and District Councils Act, Cap.28:01, places a statutory duty on the City Engineer to ensure that the pavements, streets, parapets, footpaths of Georgetown are not encumbered by persons placing things on them.

Balram swore in her affidavit that vendors were impeding and preventing access to her premises to an unacceptable extent by placing their structures, stalls, stands, boxes, goods and other things on the pavements, streets, footpaths, et cetera in front of her premises.

She also swore that “I am usually unable to drive my vehicle into my said premises in the afternoons. Often, cus-

Justice Jo-Ann Barlow

tomers would come to pick up goods and would be unable to make use of the driveway and entryway for ingress and egress.”

The businesswoman told the court that this would occur when deliveries are made to her business, and that she has been experiencing this problem for years.

Dhurjon said his client had written to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council and the City Engineer on many occasions, and had even visited the Council on three occasions concerning the issue, to no avail.

According to counsel Dhurjon, Attorney-at-Law Darren Wade appeared on behalf of the Town Clerk and City Engineer, and argued that when he and staff of the City Council visited the premises, nothing was blocking the entrance to Balram’s establishment. He said that Wade told the court that the City Council was doing all it can to clear up the area.

However, Dhurjon said an officer of the City Council appeared for the benefit of the court and stated that, indeed, vendors were blocking

Attorney for the Siand Dhurjon

applicant,

the pavement and accessways to Collections Boutique and Gift Centre, and that the City Council had not even sat to consider the issue raised by his client in her lawsuit in the nearly three months since it was filed.

Attorney Dhurjon said the lawsuit was served on an individual known as “Bucky”, who operated a fixed stall in front of Collections Boutique

and Gift Centre, and she was soon after removed.

However, Wade, Dhurjon

The Collections Boutique and Gift Centre at Lot 27 Water Street, Georgetown

noted, submitted that the City Council had no obligation under law to remove vehicles, carts, stalls, and other ‘mobile things’.

drays, barrels, boxes, things and all encumbrances on the pavements, streets, and footpaths from within the vicinity of the store.

Dhurjon has said that the court agreed with his submission that By-Law 10 makes no distinction between fixed or mobile things, and requires the pavements, streets, footpaths of the capital city to be unencumbered. To this end, he said, Justice Barlow commanded the City Engineer to remove all vehicles, carts,

Meanwhile, in December 2021, High Court Judge Simone Morris-Ramlall ordered the Town Clerk to instruct the Constabulary of the City of Georgetown to prohibit pavement vending in front of the Shamdas Kirplani Store located at 107 Regent Street, Lacytown, Georgetown.

The ruling came after Kanayalal and Meera Kirpalani – the transported owners of the Regent Street property – filed judicial review proceedings against the Town Clerk to have the City prevent persons from vending on the pavement in front of their store.

Like Balram, the Kirpalanis had complained that the encumbrance of the pavement and road by vendors had, over the years, affected their business. They said that persons traversing the pavement are inconvenienced as, at most times, the vendors occupy most of the pavement.

The order of Justice Morris-Ramlall in effect compelled the Town Clerk to order the City Constabulary to prevent any person or persons from carrying or placing any receptacle or other article on the pavement which would incommode the store owners’ property and/ or other persons in the use of the pavement in front of the building which houses the store. (G1)

Bidding starts for design...

FROM PAGE 15

“Technical proposals will be opened first.

Financial proposals will be opened after the evaluation of the technical proposals. However, both technical and financial proposals must be submitted on the opening date mentioned above,” the Ministry further explained.

Last year, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn had said that a modern Police Station complex would be constructed at Brickdam. In budget 2022, an allocation of $405 million was set aside for a new Brickdam Police Station. It had been announced that the Home Affairs Ministry would be consulting to determine

the structural make-up of the building.

“The Brickdam barracks are under rehabilitation forced on with the issues by the fire for $20 million…In respect to the new Brickdam Police Station, we have made three conceptual designs, (of) which we have adopted one. We intend to get, along with our engineering group, work with some consultants in respect of the structural, foundation design and issues related to the reticulation of the building,” Minister Benn had informed the National Assembly.

On October 2, 2021, a fire flattened the wooden complex which used to be the Brickdam Police

Station. Chase Green, a man who was arrested for robbery under arms, has since been remanded to prison for setting fire to the Brickdam Police Station. The fire, which started in the second-storey in the administrative building, had destroyed some 80 per cent of the Police station.

Police Headquarters had said that Green confessed to starting the fire.

Green reportedly confessed that he took a piece of sponge and wrapped it on a piece of wire which he lit and pushed through a ventilation hole in the cell over to a part that had some documents.

It was from there that the fire started.

NEWS

17

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Search for sunken vessel, missing fishermen unsuccessful …underwater search boat damaged, to return to sea Friday – Captain Flores House earlier in the day, they should be informing us right away, which is the lighthouse which works 24×7. We have the Coast Guard, we have our boat house, we have various entities that work 24×7 that they are to contact, and we activate emergency response to the distress, but that wasn’t done in this case.”

In addition to Captain Flores, the BoI established to investigate the matter

:

By Vahnu Manikchand and Amar Persaud

T

he search for the three fishermen who went missing after their vessel capsized on Saturday morning in the Atlantic Ocean has been unsuccessful thus far, and the Coast Guard team has returned to shore after the underwater boat was damaged by the ‘rough seas’.

This is according to Captain John Flores, one of the members of the high-level Board of Inquiry (BoI) that was set up by the Government to investigate the circumstances surrounding the sunken vessel – World Friend 307, which is owned by Noble House Seafoods Limited.

“They were unsuccessful in locating the vessel. They scanned the location where they removed the net, but it is not there, so they are returning to Georgetown,” Flores told Guyana Times on Wednesday evening.

Earlier in the day, he had related that the search-andrescue team had seemingly found the location where the vessel went under water, but fishing nets in the area obstructed the diving team from further investigating the deep sea in a bid to locate the missing men and fishing trawler.

The nets are suspected to be those of the vessel which capsized.

However, while the search team was able to remove the nets, Captain Flores disclosed, the team was forced to return to shore after their underwater vessel was damaged by rough weather out in the Atlantic.

“The vessel has some damages due to the rough seas.

Our survey boat that has the equipment affixed to it [to do underwater search]… Once we repair [it], we head out on Friday (to) widen the search,” he indicated.

Other search teams

Meanwhile, the missing fishermen’s families have also dispatched search teams in the Atlantic Ocean. But according to Flores, the Coast Guard’s underwater boat is needed to locate the capsized vessel.

“There are other boats there, but we have the boat that can do the underwater search. So, they are depending on us to locate it before any diving can be done,” he explained.

:

The three fishermen went missing after their trawler capsized in the Atlantic Ocean some 18 miles off of the Mahaicony Coast. Missing are 44-year-old Captain Harold Damon of Lot 4 Water Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown and two crew members: 46-year-old Winston Sam of Lot 32 Public Road, McDoom, Greater Georgetown and 78-year-old Ronald Burton of Lot 23 Water Street, Agricola, Greater Georgetown.

A fourth crew member, Vincent Dazzell, survived the tragedy and was rescued by another fishing boat and brought to shore on Saturday afternoon. Before coming to shore, however, they had spent some three hours exploring the area in search of the three missing fishermen, but to no avail.

With a week approaching since the boat mishap occurred, family members of the missing men are growing frustrated.

When contacted on Wednesday, Pamela Sam, sister of the missing man Winston Sam, expressed that the family is growing anxious now that four days have passed and there seems to be no sighting of the fishermen.

“Of course we are devastated here as the time goes by and nothing is being done…

We are worried and frustrated with the promises and nothing to back it up,” she expressed.

“I’m not looking for money.

We need closure, we need to see him dead or alive,” Pamela has expressed.

While acknowledging that efforts are underway to find the missing men, the sister expressed hope that the Government would keep up the search until the bodies are found.

“That will bring closure to us, and we will know what to do from there,” she explained.

On the other hand, Claudine Welch, daughter of the missing Ronald Burton, is in receipt of some slightly different information.

“My brother was there [on Tuesday]; they went in the water and they bring up all the nets and they saw the boat,” she revealed to this publication when contacted on Wednesday. She explained that her brother usually goes out in the mornings to join the search and returns in the evenings.

When contacted on Wednesday night, she said

:

Sam

they were yet to return to shore. The woman related that they would have to wait until her brother returns home to get updates on the search efforts.

However, Welch admitted that her family is also growing frustrated with the situation.

“It’s really frustrating for us; me, my brothers, my sisters, my whole family,” she expressed. “It’s really frustrating. When you go, they just talking about the boat, they aren’t talking (about) lives,” she added.

Welch stated that the younger family members still have hope that the man has survived the unfortunate incident. “The young siblings, they waiting for him to come, they have hope…”

“So, I’m just waiting on time, just waiting if we could have a body so we could get to bury him,” she added.

Welch also explained that her family is not too focused on a compensation package, but she reiterated her disappointment in the company’s handling of the situation.

“We might be living in this break down house as people might say… but we’re happy with what we have. Whatever people might want give, I’m not running to that part… the owner for Noble House, they have heart? They have a family, they have a soul, they could’ve at least say, ‘Let me go see these people in person’.

I would’ve feel so blessed, but nobody come,” the daughter reasoned.

Authorities have already announced that the company could face sanctions over its failure to promptly report the matter.

No records During a press conference on Monday, Director General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), Stephen Thomas, explained, “There are distress procedures. All vessels are required to have a card with the distress procedure close to the radio, so should there be an emergency, they would call all stations for any vessels within the vicinity, they would hear that and come to their assistance.”

Against this backdrop, the MARAD Head contended, “We have no records of calls being made from the vessel on that channel, the emergency channel. With respect with the contact that was made with Noble

also comprises of Yurlander Hughes of the Transport and Harbours Department, Ronald Charles of the Ministry of Public Works, Rawle Williams of the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, Ewart Wray of the Guyana Police Force Maritime Unit, Dwayne Vyphuis who is an Occupational Safety and Health Officer at the Labour Ministry, and Denzil Roberts who is the Head of the

Department of Fisheries at the Ministry of Agriculture.

Noble House Seafoods Limited has since issued a statement saying it would cooperate with this investigation as well as launch an internal probe of its own.

The company has also assured the families of the crew members that they would continue to “support all and every effort to locate the crew members”.

Guyana signs onto UN Inland Transport Committee Resolution …for the sustainable development of road networks, inland transport

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uyana has signed on to a resolution from the Inland Transport Committee (ITC) of the United Nations Economic Commission on Europe (UNECE). It commits countries to the sustainable development of their inland transport systems, particularly road networks.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, in Geneva, Switzerland as head of Guyana’s delegation to the 75th Anniversary of the ITC, signed the resolution on Tuesday, and delivered it to the Chair of the Inland Transport Committee, Kristof Schockaert.

According to a statement from the Minister, signing the resolution is intended to commit Guyana to a decade of sustainable inland transport and sustainable development.

Guyana’s delegation also consisted of Patrick Thompson, Chief Transport Planning Officer of the Ministry of Public Works; and Kerrlene Wills, Chargé d’Affaires of Guyana’s Permanent Mission in Geneva.

In his keynote speech at the anniversary’s Ministerial segment, Edghill highlighted the important role of transport as an enabler of sustainable development, and the need for more integrated approaches to policy making, including planning for land use, infrastructure development, public transport systems, and good delivery networks.

“I have no doubt that if we deliver a coordinated and sustained response to the global challenges of inland transport like we did in our efforts to combat COVID-19, then, at the end of this decade, history will judge us with favourable consideration,” Edghill said.

“In addition to their value and job creation, inland transport systems should be considered partly as enablers of sustainable development. Therefore, integrated approaches to policy making are imperative, including planning for land use, infrastructure development, public transport systems, and goods’ delivery

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill as he signed on to the resolution

networks for the provision of affordable, efficient, safe and secure transport; improving energy efficiency and, at the same time, reducing pollution and congestion.”

According to Edghill, there is much to lose if an economically stable transport plan is not in place. He noted that the lack of such a plan transfers higher costs to consumers, and increases the cost of living. Edghill provided anecdotal evidence of this.

“I recently heard about a major manufacturer in my country who imports a small but significant component of its propane gas business from Italy. What was explained to this company by its Italian supplier is that the factory has not been receiving the raw materials from their supplier for many months because of challenges brought on by the pandemic. No work at the factory meant none of their long-serving and dedicated workers could be paid.

“Eventually they decided to repurpose their business to manufacture pandemic-related goods that are currently in market demand.

Meanwhile in Guyana, the local manufacturer of propane gas is forced to source more

inferior components from a more expensive source, and then pass on the costs to the thousands of households who depend on propane gas to prepare every meal,” he said.

Among the key issues affecting Latin America and the Caribbean, which were highlighted by Edghill, was the rapid expansion of vehicular fleets, especially personal cars. He noted that this expansion has come at a time when road networks are struggling to keep pace with the increased traffic.

The ITC is the UN platform for inland transport, and has a strong focus on road safety, including eight key legal instruments covering issues such as traffic rules, road signs, vehicle regulations, the transport of dangerous goods, and professional driver fatigue.

The ITC has played an integral role in the development of inland transport standards used around the world, which are encapsulated in a number of legal instruments. Guyana is a signatory to two of the 59 legal instruments: Convention on Road Signs and Signals, of 8 November 1968; and the Convention on Road Traffic, of 8 November 1968.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Regional

Police fire at factory protesters Region must improve vaccination rates to stop COVID-19 spread – PAHO in Haiti, wounding 3 – AP

Haiti’s interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced minimum wage hikes on Sunday in an attempt to quell the protests [Odelyn Joseph/AP Photo]

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en wearing Police uniforms fired into a group of people at a protest in the Haitian capital, after thousands of Haitian factory workers launched a new strike to demand higher wages than those the Prime Minister announced earlier this week.

The Associated Press reported that it saw the men on Wednesday firing from inside a car with Police licence plates, wounding at least three people, including two Journalists covering the

event.

A Police spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment by AP and the condition of the wounded people was not immediately clear.

Earlier, Police had fired tear gas as protesters threw rocks at them and used trucks to block a main road near the international airport in Port-au-Prince.

It was the first day of a three-day strike organised by factory workers who also shut down an industrial park

earlier this month to protest their pay, which then was about 500 gourdes (US$4.80) for nine hours of work a day.

The developments come amid worsening economic and political conditions in Haiti in the aftermath of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July last year. The situation has the potential to grow worse amid a political deadlock as interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s term in office ended on February 7, setting off a legitimacy crisis and compounding the nation’s economic troubles.

Henry has insisted on remaining in office until elections can be held. No date has yet been set.

Haiti is currently reeling from a host of other crises. In 2010, the Caribbean island was rocked by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that killed an estimated 360,000 people and devastated much of the island. Amid persistent insecurity and gang violence, Haiti has struggled to recover and rebuild. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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ow vaccination coverage in many countries of the Caribbean must be urgently addressed to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect the most vulnerable, warned PAHO Director, Dr Carissa F Etienne, with health-care workers and the elderly remaining particularly at risk.

Out of the 13 countries and territories in the Americas that have not yet reached the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2021 goal of 40 per cent vaccination coverage, 10 are in the Caribbean, she said at a media briefing on Wednesday.

Vaccine hesitancy, a lack of vaccination centres in re-

mote areas, insufficient staff numbers, and limited coldchain infrastructure remain huge barriers to vaccination in many islands, but we now have the tools “to turn the tide on vaccinations in the Caribbean”.

With 700 million people now vaccinated in Latin America and the Caribbean, there are “real-word data to show that vaccines are safe and effective against COVID-19”, the PAHO Director said. But interventions must now be tailored to the needs of those that remain vulnerable in each country.

In some countries, this means ensuring that health-

Brazil’s Petrobras smashes all-time profit record amid Brent bonanza

Migrants clash with Police in Mexico border town

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ore than 20 people have been injured in clashes between migrants and Police in the town of Tapachula, on Mexico’s southern border, officials say.

Mexico’s National Migration Institute (INM) said about 100 migrants, mainly from Cuba, Haiti, and countries in Africa, joined in “violent protests”.

The INM said the migrants were trying to jump the queue for permits to allow them to continue their journey north.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people cross Mexico headed to the US. Migrants threw stones

and sticks at members of the National Guard and scuffles broke out between the two sides.

Rights activist Irineo Mujica told Reuters news agency that the migrants were “desperate” after waiting for months to be given an appointment with Mexico’s immigration authorities.

Most have been sleeping rough by the roadside and are relying on handouts to feed themselves.

While many want to reach the United States and are waiting for papers that will allow them to cross the country without being detained, others are applying for refugee or asylum status

to be able to stay in Mexico.

Official data suggests that the number of people requesting refuge or asylum in Mexico almost doubled between 2019 and 2021, overwhelming the authorities.

The immigration centre in Tapachula – the biggest in Mexico – has become one of the main bottlenecks on migrants’ journeys and the United Nations refugee agency has urged the authorities to do more to clear the backlog.

Last week, a group of migrants in the town sewed their mouths shut in protest at the slow pace at which their requests are being processed. (BBC News)

St Vincent’s agriculture exports increase

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he United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says food exports from St Vincent and the Grenadines increased during the first month of this year, signalling an evident recovery in the agriculture sector, following the severe impact of the La Soufriére volcano eruptions in 2021.

It said a total of 516,753 kilos of agricultural and fisheries products, valuing EC$1.3 million were sold to 13 countries in January, accord-

ing to data disseminated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry, and Labour.

It said that an inter-annual comparison to January 2021 reveals that there has been a five per cent increase in the quantity of exported products and a 38 per cent increase in the value.

“The United States was the main destination for the country’s exports in 2022, which represented a value of more than 300,000 [US] dol-

lars. Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados followed in second and third place. The other 10 export destinations were Anguilla, Bouvet Island, the British Virgin Islands, Canada, France, Great Britain, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Martin.”

In total, there were 42 types of exported agricultural and fisheries products, including tubers, vegetables, fruit, spices and lobster.

(Excerpt from CMC)

care workers are provided with the information they need to get vaccinated, including on potential side effects and how long the benefits of the vaccine last.

“These are legitimate questions that must be acknowledged and addressed so that we can better protect our health-care workers and everyone else,” Dr Etienne said.

In other countries, PAHO is working with Governments to ensure that vaccination centres are closer to the people who need them the most, and that hours of operation are convenient for those that work. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

A tanker truck leaves the Alberto Pasqualini Refinery of State-run oil company Petrobras in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, October 25, 2021

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razilian State-run oil company Petrobras smashed its all-time record for annual profits and dividend payouts in 2021, as sky-high Brent prices and a laser focus on the firm’s exploration and production business continued to bear fruit.

In a Wednesday evening securities filing, the firm, formally Petroleo Brasileiro

SA , posted a yearly net income of 106.7 billion reais (US$21.3 billion). That was more than double Petrobras’ previous record, set in 2019, when the firm posted a profit of 40.1 billion reais, which was about US$9.2 billion at the contemporaneous exchange rate.

It was also well above the Refinitiv consensus estimate of 74.3 billion reais,

thanks in part to significant one-off boosts, including asset divestments, impairment reversions, and a victory in a major tax dispute.

“Recurring” annual profit came in at 83.3 billion reais.

Shortly before releasing its results, Petrobras also announced that it was proposing a supplementary dividend of 2.861 reais per share at the next shareholders’ meeting in April. If approved as expected, dividends relative to the company’s 2021 performance will come to 7.773 reais per share, or 101.4 billion reais in total, a figure the company described as an all-time record.

The dividends in particular are likely to please the market. Analysts and investors have begun to pay close attention to the firm’s dividend payouts, which were paused for years as the company worked to whittle down its debt load. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cuba’s sugar industry headed toward worst season ever as production falters

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he Cuban sugar industry is barrelling again toward its worst season ever, according to official media reports and sources, threatening to dent both national pride and economic growth.

The 2022 harvest is set to fall well short of last year’s record low, according to official data and two local sugar experts. It is currently running at least 30 per cent shy of the communist-run Government’s goal of 900,000 tonnes.

Last year’s crop of 800,000 tonnes was the worst since 1908, just 10 per cent of a high of eight million tonnes in 1989.

Sugar was once the pride of Cuba, critical to its rum production and driving foreign exchange and employment in the island’s vast countryside.

The Government has not been able to finance the sector’s needs – including inputs, irrigation and spare parts – due to tough new US sanctions and the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Government will have to import and maybe cut the sugar quota on the monthly food ration. The bakeries will have to scramble to make sweets,” said one sugar expert consulted by Reuters, who asked to remain anonymous be-

cause he was not authorised to speak with foreign Journalists.

The Government had banked on a small increase in sugar output to meet its goal of four per cent growth this year after the economy shrank more than 11 per cent in 2020 and grew two per cent last year, reducing resources available to mills and plantations.

In a bid to revive the once iconic sector, Vice President Salvador Valdes Mesa in February crisscrossed the country urging mill workers, farmers and cane cutters to produce more. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS

Ukraine imposes state of emergency, summons citizens home

U Oil steadies as US seen unlikely to sanction Russian exports

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il prices steadied on Wednesday, holding below 2014 highs, as US officials indicated escalation between Russia and Ukraine was unlikely to result in sanctions on energy supplies from Russia, one of the world's top oil producers.

Brent crude remained unchanged, settling at US$96.84 a barrel, after hitting US$99.50, its highest since September 2014 on Tuesday.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures ended up 19 cents to US$92.10 a barrel. On Tuesday, WTI hit US$96.

Oil prices rose on Tuesday on fears that sanctions imposed by Western nations on Russia, after it sent troops into two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, could hit energy supplies.

Sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, Britain, Australia, Canada, and Japan were focused on Russian banks and elites, while Germany halted certification of a gas pipeline from Russia.

But the United States made it clear that sanctions agreed and those which may be imposed will not target oil and gas flows.

The Biden Administration is not expected to target Russia's crude oil and refined fuel sector with sanctions due to concerns about inflation and the harm it could do to its European allies, global oil markets and US consumers, Administration officials told Reuters.

Moscow denies planning an invasion and has described warnings as anti-Russian hysteria. But it has taken no steps to withdraw the troops deployed along Ukraine's frontiers.

Ukraine declared a state of emergency on Wednesday and told its citizens in Russia to flee, while Moscow began evacuating its Kyiv Embassy.

Analysts expect oil prices to continue seeing support from the RussiaUkraine crisis, with some Western countries promising more sanctions if Russia launches a full invasion.

"The prospect of more conflict in Ukraine should safeguard the geopolitical risk premium," said Stephen Brennock at brokerage PVM Oil. The potential return of more Iranian crude to the market weighed on prices, as Tehran and world powers inch closer to reviving a nuclear agreement.

"Nuclear talks in Vienna are reaching a sensitive and important point," Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Wednesday.

Yet analysts say there is little chance of Iranian crude returning to the market in the immediate future to ease current supply tightness.

"If a U.-Iran deal is reached, it will ease some of the pressure, but not enough to stop oil prices inching towards triple digits," Pratibha Thaker of the Economist Intelligence Unit said.

US crude stocks rose six million barrels last week while distillate stocks fell, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures late Tuesday.

Ahead of Government data today, analysts forecast a 400,000-barrel build in crude and a drawdown in fuel stockpiles. (Reuters)

Trial begins for exPolice Officer charged in Breonna Taylor raid

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he trial of a former Kentucky Police Officer charged with wanton endangerment during the 2020 shooting death of Breonna Taylor began on Wednesday, casting a spotlight on another case in the United States that sparked a summer of protests against racial injustice two years ago.

Detective Brett Hankison, 45, whose stray bullets hit a neighbouring apartment in the city of Louisville during the botched execution of a search warrant in March 2020, was the only officer charged in the case.

Prosecutors said the bullets endangered Taylor’s neighbours — a couple and their child. Hankison is charged with three counts of wanton endangerment, a low-level felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman was roused from bed when Police kicked in the door of her apartment using a “no-knock” warrant.

Police Officers killed her when they returned fire after her boyfriend shot once, thinking intruders were entering the apartment.

Police responded by firing 32 rounds, hitting Taylor six times. Taylor bled to death on the floor of her apartment, the Police did not render aid.

No one has been charged in her death.

Assistant Kentucky Attorney General Barbara Maines Whaley, in her opening statement, told jurors that the case is not about the killing of Taylor, for which the city of Louisville paid a $12 million wrongful death settlement to the slain woman’s family, an amount that would not bring her back. Nor, she said, is it about the decisions by Police that led to the raid. She said the charges are focused on Hankinson’s decision to fire blindly through Taylor’s apartment, endangering her neighbours. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

kraine has imposed a state of emergency and told its citizens in Russia to leave immediately, as Moscow began evacuating its Kyiv Embassy in the latest ominous signs of an all-out Russian military onslaught.

Shelling intensified on Wednesday at the line of contact in eastern Ukraine, where Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised the independence of two Moscow-backed rebel regions this week and where he has ordered the deployment of Russian troops as “peacekeepers”.

But there was still no clear indication of whether he plans to follow that up with a massed assault on Ukraine involving the tens of thousands of troops he has gathered near his neighbour’s borders.

“Predicting what might be the next step of Russia, the separatists or the personal decisions of the Russian President – I cannot say,” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Later on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Parliament overwhelmingly approved

people want peace. The Ukrainian authorities want peace," he said.

Sanctions

A Ukrainian serviceman stands at his position at the line of separation between Ukraine-held territory and rebel-held territory near Svitlodarsk, eastern Ukraine [Evgeniy Maloletka/AP Photo]

Zelenskyy’s decree that imposes a state of emergency for 30 days starting today.

The state of emergency allows authorities to impose restrictions on movement, block rallies, and ban political parties and organisations “in the interests of national security and public order”.

The Ukrainian Government has also announced compulsory military service for all men of fighting age.

Ukrainian Government and state websites, which have experienced outages in recent weeks blamed by

Kyiv on cyberattacks, were again offline on Wednesday.

Ukraine’s Parliament, Cabinet and Foreign Ministry websites were affected.

Moscow denies planning an invasion and has described warnings as anti-Russian hysteria. But it has taken no steps to withdraw the troops deployed along Ukraine’s frontiers.

Ukraine's President Zelenksy said that Russia has massed "nearly 200,000 troops on Ukraine's borders and thousands of combat vehicles".

In a late-night televised speech, Zelensky switched into Russian to "address Russian citizens as a citizen of Ukraine".

"Hear us. The Ukrainian

The United States has described Russia’s actions as the start of an “invasion”, but along with allies has so far unveiled mostly incremental sanctions, while making clear they were keeping tougher measures in reserve in case of a full-scale invasion.

As part of an initial tranche of sanctions, President Joe Biden said the US would impose sanctions on the company building Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

European Union sanctions approved on Wednesday will add all members of Russia’s lower House of Parliament who voted to recognise the separatist regions in Ukraine to a blacklist, freezing their assets and banning travel.

EU leaders were due to hold an emergency summit later today to discuss next steps.

The United Kingdom announced new restrictions banning Russia from the issuing of new bonds in its security markets, and called for its broadcasting regulator to investigate Russia’s RT international television news channel as a propaganda outlet. (Excerpts from Al Jazeera and Reuters)

Amsterdam Apple store: Man arrested over hostage standoff dies US truckers planning pandemic protest to begin heading to DC, as Canada lifts SoE

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Armed specialist officers were deployed to the scene

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27-year-old man who launched an hourslong hostage standoff at an Apple store in Amsterdam has died in hospital from his injuries.

The armed man had entered the store on Tuesday, taking one person hostage and demanding some €200 million (US$230 million) in cryptocurrency.

The suspect was deliberately hit by a Police car after running out of the building to chase the hostage, who had managed to escape.

An investigation is ongoing.

Police have not publicly named the suspect, but said he was a resident of Amsterdam with a criminal record. They have not yet established a motive.

They said an investiga-

tion had found that the suspect had explosives on his body, but that they were not ready to detonate.

Officers were first called to the Apple store in the Dutch capital's Leidseplein area about 17:40 local time (16:40 GMT) on Tuesday, after the camouflage-wearing suspect entered the building. Dozens of people fled the shop, while four hid in a cupboard.

Images circulated on Dutch media appeared to show a man waving a firearm in one hand while holding a person in his other arm.

After nearly five hours, the hostage managed to escape when water was delivered to the store at the request of the gunman.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

odelled after recent trucker protests in Canada, truck drivers in the United States are planning on setting off on a massive cross-country drive towards Washington, DC to protest against coronavirus restrictions.

Organisers of the “People’s Convoy” say they want to “jumpstart the economy” and reopen the country. Their 11-day trek that is estimated to be 4000km (2,500 miles) long will approach the Beltway – which encircles the US capital – on March 5, “but will not be going into DC proper”, according to a statement.

Separate truck convoys have been planned through online forums with names like the People’s Convoy and the American Truckers Freedom Fund – all with different starting points, departure dates and routes.

Some are scheduled to arrive in time for President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on March 1, though others may arrive afterwards.

The convoys follow the recent Canadian truckers’ protest which shut down the busiest US-Canada bor-

der crossing and besieged the streets of the capital, Ottawa, for weeks to protest against Government pandemic restrictions. The multiple blockades were broken up by Police last week, with more than 100 arrests.

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has revoked the State of Emergency (SoE) powers he invoked just over a week ago to end a weekslong anti-Government protest that paralysed the country’s capital.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, Trudeau said the Emergencies Act was necessary to help law enforcement agencies disperse large numbers of protesters who had descended on Ottawa in anger over coronavirus measures, among other grievances.

“We’re ready to confirm that the situation is no longer an emergency. Therefore, the federal Government will be ending the use of the Emergencies Act. We are confident that existing laws and bylaws are now sufficient to keep people safe,” Trudeau said.

(Excerpts from Al Jazeera)

20

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

(March 21-April 19)

Turn a passion into a project that makes you feel good about what you accomplish. Stop waiting for something to come along. Concentrate on what you want, and take responsibility for your happiness.

Shared expenses, joint ventures and unorthodox investments won't pan out as planned. Don't get swept up in someone else's dream. Protect your assets, interests and reputation.

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

(May 21-June 20)

Avoiding interference will carve a path to a successful venture. Take note of what you have, what you want and what you must do to maintain and surpass your expectations. Trust and believe in yourself.

Update your skills, consider other positions and take an honest look at the past and the changes you want to make.

Invest time, money and effort in your skills and the way you present yourself.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Take control of situations, and refuse to let anyone convince you to go against your gut feeling. Don't allow emotional matters to turn into costly affairs.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Keep busy; do something physical that makes you feel good about how you look and feel. A healthy routine and spending time doing things with people you love are encouraged.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Don't just wing it and expect to avoid setbacks. Use your intelligence and put a well-thought-out plan in place before you bring about a change that requires precision, detail and ample funds.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Rethink your strategy regarding earning your living. Don't be fooled by what others say or do. Misleading information will hold you hostage when you want to forge ahead and initiate plans.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

Put your emotions aside. Delve in, and don't stop until you are satisfied with the results. Discipline and moderation will help curb any temptation that comes your way.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Go it alone. Trust in your insight and ability to get things going all by yourself.

Information you receive will be disproportionate to your expectations.

TUESDAY'S WORD -- CONVIVIAL

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19)

Make your surroundings support a good mood and excellent output of work.

Achieving what you set out to accomplish will raise your spirit and ward off temptation. Don't waste time with rash people.

A well-balanced, positive attitude will help you overcome any controversy you encounter. Pick and choose your words wisely to avoid backlash from someone critical or negative.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

21

No-one says this is the end for Anderson and Broad, says England captain Joe Root …hopes senior pair will put themselves back in mix in early English season

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oe Root has insisted that James Anderson and Stuart Broad can win back their places in England’s Test side, after they were left out of the squad for the upcoming series against West Indies. This insistence has come as Anderson revealed he was “praying that this isn’t the end” of his international career.

Anderson addressed his omission publicly for the first time on Wednesday, saying that he had experienced “shock and disappointment”, and that “a five-minute phone call [with interim ECB Managing Director Andrew Strauss] doesn’t really clear much up”, after Broad had described feeling “confused and angry” in a newspaper column.

Root has stressed that while he sees the tour of the Caribbean as “an exciting challenge” and a “real opportunity” for the rest of England’s seamers - Chris Woakes and Mark Wood in particular - to lead the bowling attack, he hopes to see Anderson and Broad “very much in the mix” for selection at the start of the English summer.

“The fact they’re not there means there are different roles others have to fill,” Root said.

“They’ve taken the new ball for such a long time in English cricket (that) they’ve been leaders of the attack, had a lot of success, and deserve a huge amount of respect for it. But this is an opportunity for other guys to step into that space and become leaders as well.

Joe Root insists the door is not closed for James Anderson [pictured] or Stuart Broad

“Over time, [Woakes] has not played a huge amount of cricket away from home in the recent past,” Root added. “He’s constantly been our first-change bowler or second-change bowler, he’s not had the opportunity to bowl with the new ball away from home.

“That change in role and mindset might have a massive difference. He’s someone that’s done it in the white-ball game and grown massively from it, and gained a huge amount of confidence and ability from stepping into that void, and there’s no reason why he can’t do it with the red ball in hand as well.

“Other guys can step up as well.

Mark Wood had a fantastic tour of Australia. He bowled with heart, great passion, speed, endurance,

being able to do it for long periods of time. It’s a chance for him to grow and develop as a player as well. And really, I want those guys step into that void and enjoy that challenge, and enjoy becoming more senior within the group.”

While Root is not officially involved in selection meetings, he was consulted by the interim panel of Strauss, Paul Collingwood and James Taylor. He said that Anderson and Broad’s omission had been “a discussion point for a long period of time”, but added that England have been “slightly too honest” regarding selection in the past, and that he believes “certain things should stay in the room”.

“I’ve spoken both to Stuart and Jimmy, and they’re obviously disappointed, angry, and Stuart

in particular has voiced that quite publicly,” Root said in a press conference the day before England’s departure to the Caribbean ahead of the first Test in Antigua on March 8. “You’d expect that. I’ve got a huge amount of respect for both of them. It’s been made very clear: no-one is saying this is the end for them. It would be great to see Stuart and Jimmy very much in the mix at the start of the summer as well.

“At no stage has anyone said it’s the end for them. It would be great to see them starting the season and putting themselves in the mix for selection. You don’t want to look too far ahead.

Ultimately, we’ve got to look after what’s right in front of us. And that’s this tour and making sure we get as much of that right as we possibly can.

“If we’re in a position where they can come back into this team, then great, that’s only going to strengthen things. A lot can happen between now and then.

But no-one’s been told that it’s the end of the road.”

Speaking on his BBC podcast Tailenders, Anderson confirmed his intention to play for Lancashire in the early round of the County Championships this season, insisting that he has “one more go at digging deep” and adding: “I still love playing the game.”

“There is likely to be a new director of cricket and a new head coach in the summer, so I just

hope that whatever decision is made, it’s talked about in the way that it should be,” Anderson said.

“Another frustration for me over the last couple of weeks is (that) a five-minute phone call doesn’t really clear much up for you. I managed to get back to Burnley, and spent the day playing golf and having a few drinks with my mates, which I think just helps that bit. I’m praying that this isn’t the end, but if I never play for England again, I know I’ve got amazing people around me to support me, and that’s really important to me.

“I want to keep playing, I want to keep bowling, and we’ll just see what happens in the future. I’ve got to try and focus on stuff that I can control, and that’s playing cricket and showing people what I can do with a ball in my hand.

[There have] been quite a few texts between myself and Broady in particular, getting some initial frustration and anger out, but I think once that was gone, now it’s really trying to look to stuff that we can affect.”

Anderson took eight wickets at 23.37 across his three Tests in England’s 4-0 defeat in Australia this winter, conceding just 1.79

runs per over, but struggling for penetration. He insisted that he was happy with his performances on the tour, and highlighted his record since turning 35 in July 2017 - 160 wickets at 21.72 - as evidence that he is “not slowing down”.

“It was obviously a difficult tour of Australia, but I was happy with the way I bowled,” he said.

“I thought I put in some decent performances out there. I had a few days off when I was home, and then I was straight back trying to work in the gym at my fitness, trying to get my body back to where I want it to be, and start bowling again, getting ready again for that West Indies tour. I felt in good shape, and I still do.

“I’ve just got to look to the summer and try and show people what I can do, because I still feel like I’ve got the hunger and passion to play. I feel in great shape, I just want to keep bowling. When age is spoken about, actually, I’ve got better. Since I was 35, my record’s got even better. I know that I’m not slowing down, I’m not losing anything, as people often say, ‘Oh, he’s lost a yard of pace’, but I don’t feel like I’m doing that.”

(ESPNcricinfo)

Commonwealth Games Athletes allowed to protest about social injustice at Birmingham 2022

Zverev thrown out of Mexican Open A for unsportsmanlike conduct

W

orld number three, Alexander Zverev of Germany, has been thrown out of the Mexican Open after “unsportsmanlike conduct” that saw him attack the umpire’s chair at the end of a doubles match in Acapulco.

Zverev argued with the umpire during the decisive tie-break as he and Marcelo Melo lost 6-2 4-6 10-6 to Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara.

Zverev struck the umpire’s chair several times with his racquet.

The 24-year-old later apologised, calling his behaviour “unacceptable”.

Zverev was the defending champion in the singles event.

“Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco,” an ATP statement read.

His opponent, Peter Gojowczyk, has been given a walkover into the third round.

Zverev wrote on Instagram that he had “privately apologised” to umpire Alessandro Germani, and said he was “disappointed in myself”.

“As you know, I leave everything on the court. Yesterday, I left too much,” he wrote. “I am going to take the coming days to reflect on my actions and how I can ensure that it will not happen again.”

Britain’s Andy Murray has said Zverev’s behaviour was “dangerous and reckless”, while Novak Djokovic - the men’s world number one - added that the decision to disqualify the German was “correct”.

Former world number one Murray said: “I obviously understand lots of players, athletes across lots of sports, can get very frustrated. I’ve not always acted in the way I would want on the tennis court.

I’m certainly not claiming to be an angel. I’m n o t perfect myself.

However, when you’re ripping your te n n i s racket right next to the umpire multiple times, you can’t be doing that.”

Z v e r e v believed a ball was incorrectly

called out during the tie-break, and began yelling at the umpire, with the crowd taking the official’s side. Britain’s Glasspool and Finland’s Heliovaara then wrapped up the match with an ace on the next point.

Zverev hit the chair with his racquet three times, and came close to hitting the umpire’s foot at one point.

He continued yelling at the umpire, and took another swing as the umpire moved to climb down from his chair.

The ATP defines unsportsmanlike conduct as “any misconduct by a player that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the success of a tournament, ATP and/or the sport”.

Zverev is being investigated by the ATP over allegations that he was violent towards a former girlfriend. He has repeatedly denied the claims.

Analysis

Alexander Zverev

Russell Fuller, BBC tennis correspondent.

Sleep deprived, no doubt, after playing singles until nearly 5am the same morning, Zverev still has absolutely no excuse for his abusive, aggressive and menacing behaviour.

Umpire Germani and all his colleagues will now be looking towards the ATP for action.

The first call belongs to the tournament supervisor. He is likely to decide later today to withhold Zverev’s prize money and issue the Olympic champion with a fine.

And then the ATP Senior Vice-President for Rules and Competition must decide whether Zverev’s behaviour constitutes a ‘Player Major Offence’. If Zverev is found guilty under that code, as Nick Kyrgios was in 2019, he would be subject to a heavy fine, and even a possible suspension from the tour. (BBC Sport)

thletes will be able to protest against social injustice at this summer’s Commonwealth Games.

Competitors at Birmingham 2022 will be able to raise a fist to protest in favour of racial equality, and wave Pride flags in support of LGBT+ rights.

The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) will support athletes who want to highlight issues such as race, sexual orientation and social injustice. This contrasts with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) ‘Rule 50’. ‘Rule 50’ of the Olympic charter aims to stop protests and demonstrations in order to “protect the neutrality of sport and the Olympic Games”. However, it was relaxed for Tokyo 2020.

The CGF has released ‘Athlete Advocacy Guiding Principles’ for the Commonwealth Games, which will permit athletes to protest on the podium by making “positive expressions of their values”.

“It is the belief of the CGF that athlete advocacy and activism humanises, rather than politicises, sport,” CGF President Dame Louise Martin has said.

CGF Chief Executive Katie Sadleir told BBC Sport: “This athlete advocacy framework is about recognising that athletes are inspirational agents of change, and they have the right to express themselves. The Games provides that opportunity, as long as they do it within the code of conduct.

“It’s not about athletes disrupting competition or being disrespectful, but it is providing an opportunity if they wish to make a stance on something while they are on the podium or in the [Athletes’] Village.”

The Commonwealth Games will be held in Birmingham between 28 July and 8 August. (BBC Sport)

Athletes at Birmingham 2022 will be allowed to show their support and protest for issues such as LGBT+ rights and racial equality

22

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese Crandon named to NJCAA Region 15 Division 1 First Team A

sa freshman Akeem Crandon finished second in voting and was named to the NJCAA Region 15 Division 1 First Team on Sunday evening. The 6’10 freshman centre from Guyana has adapted extraordinarily well to his new surroundings during a pandemic.

Off the court, Akeem Crandon had a 3.91 grade point average during the fall semester. On the court, Crandon accepted every role asked of him on a nightly basis. Akeem averaged 12.6 points per game while shooting 49.1% from the field. His 10.5 rebounds per game were

the highest on the team.

This included 23 rebounds against Suffolk CC on 1216-2021 and 19 rebounds on 2-15-2022 against Monroe College.

Congratulations to Crandon for being named to Region 15 Division 1 First Team.

Established in 1985, ASA College has evolved into a two-year college with course offerings and student services that rival any of its kind nationally. ASA is dedicated to educating its students, and assisting them in moving on to a four-year college/university. We promote character traits such as disci-

pline, working with others, sportsmanship, and adhering to rules and regulations that would translate into specific careers paths. Our goal is to have the students’ athletic experience serve as an effective stepping stone for advancement to a fouryear school or their chosen career path. ASA College is a member of the NJCAA, and is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

ASA College, its faculty and staff, maintain memberships in the professional higher-education and civic organisations. (ASA College)

Akeem Crandon

Cycling season pedals off in G/town pummel East Berbice on Sunday, Feb 27 Coast Demerara T

DCB/Premier Insurance U15 InterAssociation 2022 tournament…

O

n the opening day of the DCB/Premier Insurance U15 InterAssociation 2022 tournament, Kishan Silas smashed a brilliant half century as Georgetown humbled East Coast Demerara at the MYO Ground.

Brandon Henry

reached double figures.

Bowling for Georgetown, Brandon Henry snatched

Mickel Sharma

East Coast won the toss and elected to bowl first, bowling out Georgetown for 185 from 45.3 overs of their allotted 50 overs. Opener Silas scored a comfortable 60 while being supported by Captain Dave Mohabir, who chipped it with 19. Shane Prince also produced 19, while Peter Khan contributed 13 and Emanuel Lewis contributed 11.

Mickel Sharma, the most destructive bowler for the East Coast, grabbed 6 for 23 from 6.3 overs with 3 maidens, while Alonzo Ramsingh, Munesh Outer, Arun Gainda and Ravin Persaud each collected one wicket.

In reply, East Coast struggled to reach their target, falling woefully short of their total as they could score only 66 all out from 38.2 overs of their allotted 50 overs.

Munesh Outer top scored with 13, while Aaron Kissoon scored 10, but no other batter

he first cycle race of the Berbice 2022 season is set for staging on Sunday, February 27 in New Amsterdam. This circuit race, open to cyclists from Regions Five (Mahica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), will pedal off from 9:00h.

Cyclists will assemble in front of the Rainbow Beer Garden on Republic Road & Charles Place, and the race will pedal towards Coburg Street, into Main Street, thence through Stanleytown to the Tacama Turn at Republic Road, for a total of ten laps.

Prizes will be awarded to the first four finishers in the senior category, the first three veterans and the top junior will also be awarded. Eight sprint prizes will be up for grabs.

President of Flying Ace Cycling Club, Randolph Roberts, said other big events will be held in Berbice, and those events

and give them $15,000 first prize. Cycling is very expensive, a tyre is more

This race is in collaboration with the Mashramani celebrations in New

The Annual Burnham Race, which was slated to pedal off Last Sunday from

Flying Ace Cycling Coach Randolph Roberts receiving sponsorship from Crystal Cummings, Funeral Director of Arokium Funeral Home

than $25,000. So, you have to give cyclists proper packages. For me, as the President of Flying Ace Cycling Club, I want the best for cyclists. I am looking… to business people to

Amsterdam, while the Arokium Funeral Home, Derick Funeral Home, Dexter Funeral Home, and Suresh Business Complex, among other sponsors, have come on board.

Carifesta Avenue towards the East Coast Demerara was postponed.

This race is expected to pedal off this Sunday as well, which means cycling action will be in Berbice and in Demerara on the same day.

CLASSIFIED ADS ACCOMMODATIONS Aracari Hotel, West Bank Demerara (Versailles – between Harbor Bridge and Vreed-n-Hoop) – Air Conditioned Comfort. Amenities include TV, Restaurant, Bar, Swimming Pool, Gym. Free Parking, Free WIFI. Spend 7 nights and get 1 Free. Rates from $45 US Breakfast Included. Long term rates available. Phone: 2642946-9 www.aracariresort.com

Kishan Silas

6 for 4 from 8 overs with 5 maidens, while Reyaz Latif claimed 2 for 11, and Prince and Mohabir each collected a wicket in support of the Georgetown bowling.

Georgetown won the match by 119 runs.

Yesterday, Wednesday, February 23, East Coast were slated to face Upper Demerara at Enmore Ground, East Coast, while East Bank Demerara were scheduled to go head-to-head with Georgetown at the MYO Ground. All matches started at 9:30 hrs.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITYRESTAURANT RENTAL Cycling action returns to Berbice

will be opened to cyclists countrywide.

“I would not invite cyclists from Georgetown

continue supporting Flying Ace, and I would like to thank those who are on board,” Roberts has said.

According to Roberts, this race was given the greenlight by the COVID-19 Task Force.

West Bank Demerara, (Versaillesbetween Harbor Bridge and Vreedn-Hoop): - Aracari Resort – Turn Key Business. Furnished and equipped.

Covid-19 reduced capacity is 60. Phone 264 2946; 626-5290.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Former England player Roland Butcher to conduct batting clinic in Berbice

– BCB assists youths from sub-associations

T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is pleased to announce that former England Test player Roland Butcher would be visiting shortly, after volunteering his services for a batting clinic for junior players.

Butcher, a family friend of BCB President Hilbert Foster, has said he has been very impressed with the developments taking place in the county, and wants to contribute. The dates for the visit would be announced shortly.

Butcher created history in 1980/1 when he became the first person of African extraction to represent England at the ODI and Test level. Butcher has scored 12,021 first class runs, with a highest score of 197 and seventeen centuries. He played three Test matches and three ODIs for England.

And over the last week, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) fulfilled another commitment to two sub-associations made at its recent Annual General Meeting.

BCB President Hilbert Foster had committed the BCB to assisting the sub-associations with trophies and other items to enable them to honour their players, especially youths.

The BCB has handed over trophies, framed certificates, gold medals, and six gifts to both sub- associations as the board strives to fulfill its commitment made in a manifesto presented to all members at the AGM. Foster has said that, with less than two months since the AGM, the BCB has fulfilled several of the commitments, and the coming weeks would see many more promises coming into

fruition. He said it is very important to keep youth players motivated, especially during this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and as such, apart from hosting its annual award ceremony, sub-associations would do

BCB President Hilbert Foster

likewise. This, he stated, would be done on an annual basis, and the board would do the same for youths in

4 more qualify for CARIFTA Games

G

uyana’s CARIFTA 2022 contingent to Jamaica has grown by a whopping four, as the young athletes showed up and ‘showed out’ over the last weekend at the second local trials for the regional event, held at the Leonora Track and Field Facility.

Shamar Horatio of Ramos James Athletics was arguably the star of the

peting in the Boys 17-19 category, first secured a slot in the 100m event after crossing the line a hundredth of a second earlier than he needed to in order to hit the 10.55s qualification mark.

Later, he sealed a spot in the sprint double, clocking 21.41s in the 200m race.

The qualifying standard was 21.50s.

Still

Harvey, after qualifying for the 13-16 1500m event in the first trial, sealed a spot in the 800m with a 2.18.06 run. However, another qualifier came out of that race, with Naris McPherson (Harvey’s clubmate) crossing the line in 2.18.24, just ahead of the 2.19.00 qualifying time.

Previously qual-

Four more youth athletes have earned a spot at the CARIFTA Games

show, securing qualifying times in two events for the CARIFTA Games.

Attoya Harvey meanwhile added another event to her lineup with a second qualification. Javon Roberts, Trevon Hamer and Naris McPherson were the other qualifiers.

Shamar Horatio, com-

in the boys’ 17-19 category, Running Brave’s Wesley Tyndall leaped a whopping 7.30m to complement his previous long jump. In the triple-jump event, Trevon Hamer from Mercury Fast Laners also booked his ticket to Jamaica with a 14.91m jump.

Running Brave’s Attoya

the New Amsterdam/Canje and Lower Corentyne areas, where there are no sub- associations.

President of the West Berbice Cricket Association, David Black, has expressed

ifying for the Games were Harvey, Tyndall, Adriel Austin, Keliza Smith and Anissa Gibbons.

The CARIFTA Games are scheduled to be hosted from April 16-18 in Jamaica.

This has been the second of three trials, with the third expected to be held early in March.

Roland Butcher

gratitude to the BCB and has said that, in the history of the association, the parent body has never previously assisted the area as it is doing currently. Black stated that, over the last few years, the sub-association and the clubs in the area have benefited from receipt of a pitch cover, wa-

ter pitchers, grass cutters, scorebooks, cricket balls, cricket gear, uniforms, school bags, educational materials, bicycles, educational grants, and first aid kits, among other things.

The two sub-associations would soon benefit from more cricket gear for youths in the area under a massive distribution drive which would start shortly.

Additionally, some 100 clubs across the county would each shortly receive a scorebook when the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club joins hands with the BCB. The club, over the decade, has assisted clubs

with a scorebook with sponsorship of Odyssey Tours on an annual basis.

The board coaching programme would also be expanded with the hosting of two more clinics for youths on Sunday February 27.

Former West Indies off-spinner Clyde Butts would host a one-day off-spinners clinic for about 40 spinners, while former national wicketkeeper Sheik Mohamed would work with about two dozen youths in a wicket-keeping clinic.

Foster noted that the BCB would be organising a large number of these clinics in 2022, as it strives to make sure that every youth is given equal opportunity to fulfill his/her potential.

DCB/Premier Insurance U15 Inter-Association tournament…

Rajaram confident of team’s performance

T

he Premier Insurance Company is hosting the DCB/Premiere Insurance U15 InterAssociation tournament, and while the action has already commenced, Captain of the East Bank Demerara Team, Roupie Rajaram, is confident of his team as the competition continues to progress.

The 14-year-old, who attends Soesdyke Secondary School and is a member of the Silver Bullet CC, will be hoping that just as his favourite player Virat Kohli was able to lead India to many titles, he can do the same for his team.

This publication sat with Rajaram and enquired what people should expect from the East Bank team going forward.

“It's a very exciting feeling, being my first time representing East Bank at this level,” he said. “There are lots of energy and team work in the camp. We have a good bunch of guys in the camp, and we've been gelling well as a team so far.

In terms of our batting and bowling unit, we've got a lot of genuine all-rounders in the team, so I think we've got a good batting line up as well as our bowling,” he has posited.

This talented young-

ster also noted that, as it pertains to preparation, it was tough in the beginning, but coach Daniel Barker has been working hard with the team to put in the time and effort; therefore, it is his belief that the entire camp’s spirit has been lifted, and everyone is ready to take on the tournament.

He has noted that the exposure would do him great because of his passion for cricket, and this w o u l d boost his game a lot, thus he would be taking in all the experience he can to further his cricketing career.

Going forward, the young Rajaram is urging his boys to stay focused on what they have set out to achieve, and whatever they do they must do it as a team.

East Bank Demerara Team:

Roupie Rajaram (Captain), Jaden Benjamin, Jordon Benjamin, Khemraj Millall, Shane Shivbarran, Ronaldo Pereira, Jeremiah Downer, Ravindra Singh, Josiah Lim (ViceCaptain), Sayyad Lakeram, Premaul Khiemraj (wk), Altaf Rahim, Trevor Lim, Rajiv Gorakh, Dravid Manohar. Coach is Daniel Barker, and Manager is Fazil Ishak.

East Bank Demerara Captain Roupie Rajaram

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022

Guyanese Crandon named to NJCAA Region 15 Division 1 First Team

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

Former England player Roland Butcher to conduct batting clinic in Berbice

Page 22

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– BCB assists youths from sub-associations Page 22

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