Guyana Times - Thursday February 25, 2021

Twin sisters deliver babies minutes apart at NA Hospital

P13 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4570

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

APNU/AFC has nothing to offer but race-baiting – Walrond …condemns Opposition for radicalising, racialising debate Page 3

MPs clash over financing for Budget 2021

Page 7

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE: Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

More awareness needed among youths – P16 Greenidge Guyana approves vaccines from P9 Russia, China for emergency use Couple jailed for stabbing P8 neighbour

…APNU/AFC reminded of poor fiscal track record

Guyana-US business relations stronger than ever – US Ambassador

Page 15

Man to stand trial for rape of 13-year-old girl

P8

Nigerian man accused of P12 defrauding Guyanese women of over $6M US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch and Chief Investment Officer at the Guyana Office for Investment, Dr Peter Ramsaroop during a courtesy call on Wednesday (DPI photo)

COVID-19 banking relief measures still in effect – Finance Minister Page 9

…as persons complain of late fees, ATM charges by local banks

3 more COVID-19 fatalities Page 12 take Guyana’s death toll to 193 …5 new cases recorded

Manager found dead in ACME building after being locked in office …family demands answers

Page 10

Cathy Hughes’ laptop found P13 near her seat …after reported missing

2

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

3

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, February 25 – 03:30h – 05:00h and 13:30h-15:00h and Friday, February 26 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, February 25 – 15:00h – 16:30h and Friday, February 26 – 15:45h – 17:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Expect light rain during the day. There will be partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 15:38h reaching a maximum height of 2.55 metres.

Low Tide: 09:13h and 21:39h reaching minimum heights of 0.81 metre and 0.60 metre.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS H

01 09 11

17 19 23

FREE TICKET

24 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

10 14 16 23 24 LUCKY 3

5

3

0

1

Afternoon Draw

5

6

APNU/AFC has nothing to offer but race-baiting – Walrond …condemns Opposition for radicalising, racialising debate

T

ourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond on Wednesday took the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) to task for its divisive rhetoric when it comes to the dismissal of what she described as politically-compromised public servants.

She also condemned the Opposition for incessant radicalising and racialising of policy debate.

Allegations of ethnic cleansing have been levelled against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government

by Opposition members throughout the debates.

During her presentation on Budget 2021, however, Minister Walrond pointed out that many of these public servants were dismissed because they were openly politically inclined and moreover, obstructionists.

The Minister also noted that the term “ethnic cleansing” has a sordid history that is akin to genocide and, therefore, condemned the APNU/AFC’s reckless use of the term to score political points.

“In the aftermath of the election of March 2020, several persons in the public sector openly indicated that they were adamantly opposed, under any circumstances, to President Ali and to any PPP Government.

They openly said so! Some took to social media, some took to the mainstream press, some even took to streets.

Some of these Public Servants were captured on camera praying and referring to anyone outside of their “chosen political circle” as “devils”.

“Some said that the PPP/C were rigging the election. Others said that any PPP/C Administration

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

05

06

07

13

14 17 20

PAY DAY

SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2021

01 02

04 09

13

16

01 05

08 09

17

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$67.04/barrel

+2.49

Rough Rice

$235.8/ton

-0.53

London Sugar

$480.50/ton

+0.44

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1797.80

$1987.80

Low/High Change

$1782.70 -7.00

$1810.60 -0.39%

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond

would be illegitimate under any circumstances. Some said they had no intention nor inclination to work with a PPP/C Government.

These sentiments were not hidden, Mr Speaker. They were openly and bluntly expressed and, in some cases, unrelenting in their frequency,” Minister Walrond further contended.

She noted that many of these officials, instead of doing the honourable thing and resigning, stayed on the job and then proceeded to obstruct the Government’s agenda.

According to Walrond, some of these officials refused to cooperate with the new Government.

“And what choice does a government which is determined to deliver a programme for the people have but to part ways with those who are resolutely and demonstrably opposed to the Government itself regard-

less of its programmes, to the point that some of them demonstrate a willingness to obstruct the Administration.

How could such people be relied upon to carry out or implement an agenda they themselves openly profess to be against?”

Minister Walrond pointed out that some of the very people who were dismissed by the PPP Government have had cause to come out and distance themselves from the Opposition APNU/ AFC.

This is likely a reference to former Public Works Ministry Chief Works Officer Geoffrey Vaughn, who was terminated earlier this month. He was quoted in sections of the media, urging persons not to use his termination for political mileage.

Walrond also pointed out that despite its cries of ethnic cleansing, when the APNU/ AFC entered office in 2015, it terminated thousands of Community Support Officers (CSOs), many of whom were of Indigenous descent.

During his address to mark the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month 2020, President Dr Irfaan Ali had promised that the Government would rehire approximately 2000 of these CSOs who were terminated.

He had also made it clear that all the benefits aimed at empowering Amerindian communities which were “heartlessly snatched away” would be restored.

In this regard, he said that Community Development Plans (CDPs) would be reintroduced to ensure that Amerindians were able to determine the sustainable livelihoods they desire. (G3)

4

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Better can, and must, be done to curb domestic violence

I

t is no secret that women worldwide, including those in Guyana, continue to face unacceptable levels of violence in various forms. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that one in three women worldwide has experienced physical and/or sexual violence, mostly from an intimate partner.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further contributed to increasing risks of violence, particularly domestic violence, against women. The UN pointed to reports from countries around the world which suggest that restrictions in movement, social isolation, coupled with increased social and economic pressures, are leading to an increase in violence in the home.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has detailed the many problems women are faced with during lockdown, and made recommendations in relation to various forms of support governments and other partners could provide to ensure women are able to confront these challenges.

According to DSG Mohammed, women bear the brunt of increased care-work during this pandemic. School closures further worsen this burden, and place more stress on women.

The disruption of their livelihoods and their ability to earn a living – especially for those women who are informal wage workers – will decrease access to basic needs and services.

This situation increases stress on families, with the potential to intensify conflict and violence.

Violence against women and children has tremendous costs to communities, and can remain with women and children for a lifetime. If not dealt with effectively, it can also pass from one generation to another.

Over the years, the UN has been pushing countries towards implementing proactive measures to combat domestic violence. These measures have included criminalising genderbased violence; holding massive public awareness campaigns; providing training to equip both men and women to act as first responders; and supporting victims of the scourge at the community level.

Every year, during the 16 Days of Activism against GenderBased Violence, Guyana joins the WHO and other partners to raise awareness about the global need to prevent and respond to violence against women, and provide support to survivors.

As a matter of fact, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry late last year launched a new campaign, #enoughwiththeviolence, to coincide with the 16 Days of Activism.

However, not many women admit to being victims of violence. According to the Ministry, “Domestic violence remains a taboo, shuttered behind closed doors and only emerging as bloody faces, bruised limbs, broken spirits and dead bodies.

Fear of societal judgement, insecurities about children and finances, family pressure and manipulation keep this a hushed conversation or result in an overwhelming silence”.

As pointed out by the Human Services and Social Security Minister, “Violence against women is a heinous crime and a pervasive breach of human rights, yet it continues to be one of the longest, hardest challenges to the world, and involves psyches, attitudes, poverty, cultures, emotional manipulation, substance abuse and lack of education”.

We had previously called for urgent action to be taken by the Government and other partners to end violence against women. We are pleased that some steps are being taken in this regard. For example, the launching of the 914 emergency hotline that links survivors to agencies, advocacy programmes, referral pathways, microenterprise industries, public-private skills’ employment database- matching, and offer immediate help to extricate women from violent situations.

It was also revealed that nine Social Workers were trained through the Survivors Advocacy Programme to offer emotional support and crisis counselling to victims of domestic and sexual violence, and act on the victims’ behalf when necessary. These are all good initiatives.

We reiterate the call by the Minister that better can and must be done. Everyone must work in every home, school, office, community in every part of our country to expose violence against women where it exists, support the women, work with the perpetrators, create safe spaces, educate persons, and share solutions.

That said, we again urge the Government to reconvene a stakeholders’ engagement to tackle the issue of domestic violence. The aim should be to reassess and modify current strategies, taking into account the lessons learnt from past experiences.

Newly-promoted senior officers of the Guyana Defence Force were on Wednesday morning decorated with their new badges of rank

by Chief-of-Staff (ag), Brigadier Godfrey Bess and Branch Heads of the Force, along with their spouses or relatives, during a simple ceremony held at the Officers’ Club, Base Camp Ayanganna. In photo, Education Minister Priya Manickchand pins the new badge on her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Bhageshwar Murli (GDF photo)

Disrespect to the people of Guyana Dear Editor, It is with utter disgust that I write. The budget debates have begun, and what a show it was! As a Guyanese, I felt ashamed and disrespected. I was speechless when I read what transpired in the Parliament on Monday, 22nd February 2021.

From personal attacks to the display of a sex toy in Parliament makes me wonder “What next?” A woman attacking a man’s ability to father a child is the lowest of them all. The taunting of the LGBT community was a clear depiction of how low these “politicians” are willing to go.

Bear in mind that this was coming from both sides of the house. These are the very people who were elected by the citizens of Guyana to represent them.

With regard to the

Member of Parliament who made remarks about the ability of another to have children, I wonder if she realises that some of her supporters may be childless too! Imagine how offended and hurt they may have felt. The MPs who made remarks about the sexuality of others, I wonder if they realise that their support might also have come from members of the LGBT community.

An MP was also told to go mourn her father! I am appalled at what transpired at the opening of the 2021 Budget debates.

These are the people whom we elected to make representation for us and to propose legislation. These are the people who are expected to bring about change, yet they acted in the most unprofessional, uncouth and childish manner. I am not sure I would even al-

low my child to watch or read what transpired on Monday, let alone follow the remainder of the budget debates.

Our Members of Parliament stooped to the lowest of lows. From what occurred yesterday, we, as Guyanese, have little to look forward to. If what is in Parliament is the best of the best, then that leaves little to be desired, and even less to hope for!

Mr Speaker, take control of the house! You are there to ensure the MPs are kept in line and follow the rules of the house.

I ask you, Mr Speaker, to exercise your authority and execute your roles to the expectation of every Guyanese.

I call on every Member of Parliament to exercise some restraint and caution as they continue the budgetary debates. Remember

that you were elected to represent the masses, irrespective of the condition of their health and sexuality. Remember that you are being watched, and even emulated. Show some professionalism and exercise some control in what will prove to be some challenging days ahead.

I can’t help but wonder if these politicians would ever put the interest of every Guyanese first. The attacks were very personal and, to some extent, even inhumane. These aren’t qualities we would want in people representing our interests.

It is my hope that the Members of Parliament would heed the call to be professional and set an admirable example for the future of Guyana.

Yours faithfully, I Ram

Republic is 51 years strong Dear Editor, Congratulations to our nation on its 51st anniversary as a republic. During these difficult times, we should all take a moment to reflect on the blessings that have been bestowed on our country.

We have lost many during the pandemic, and though many are hesitant to celebrate during such a major health crisis, we must show resolve in the face of such obstacles, and remember that it was due to the

hard work and resolve of those who survived the difficulties of the past that our nation and its people remain stronger today than we were in the past.

Congratulations on achieving an uninterrupt-

ed 51 years as a Republic, and may our journey take us further together as One People, One Nation with One Destiny.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

5

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

Full disclosure needed from CWI President, Vice President Dear Editor, As a candidate nominated by the Barbados Cricket Association and the Guyana Cricket Board to run for the post of Vice President of Cricket West Indies Inc. (CWI) in CWI elections scheduled to be held on 29th March 2021, I feel compelled to call on the President and Vice President of CWI to publicly disclose the following:

1. Whether it is true that the Minister of Sports of Guyana consulted with Cricket West Indies Inc. (CWI) for appointment of a cricket Ombudsman, and to fix a date for Guyana Cricket Board elections.

2. Whether it is true that the President and Vice President of CWI, along with other persons of CWI, participated in a consultation, and agreed with the

Minister of Sports of Guyana to facilitate appointment of a Cricket Ombudsman and fix the date of 26th February 2021.

3. Whether it is true that the President and Vice President of CWI failed or refused to consult with the members of the Guyana Cricket Board and the full Board of Directors of CWI in respect of the said date set for the Guyana Cricket

Board elections.

4. If it is that the aforesaid at 1 to 3 above happened, then further disclose: (a) What was the date of the said consultation with the said Minister; (b) On what date did CWI receive my (Calvin G Hope’s) nomination papers and acknowledged the receipt of same; (c) When did the Full Board of CWI approve the

consultation to take place with the said Minister, and the results of the consultation; and (d) Whether I, Calvin G Hope, as a CWI Director and a candidate in the upcoming CWI election, was afforded an opportunity to be heard in respect of the decision purported to have been made as a result of consultation with the said Minister.

In the interest of trans-

parency and accountability, it is incumbent on the President and the Vice President of CWI to give full disclosure on the above matters, so as to be clear for all concerned that the acts related to the said consultation and the decision thereto can stand up to scrutiny.

Sincerely, Calvin G Hope CWI Director

Happy Republic Day, Guyana!

Dear Editor, Guyana is a Republican state, and is surrounded by Republican neighbours: Venezuela, Brazil, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. Guyana also shares Republican status with other Caribbean island friends: Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic and Haiti. Other sisterly Caribbean countries chose to retain the Queen as their Head (a Monarch) and are independent, with a Prime Minister, but are not a Republic, with a President: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, and the federations of St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Guyana was not a member of the 10 territories of the West Indies Federation Association, which was formed in 1958 and collapsed in 1962, being weak and limited to making decisions for internal affairs only.

Despite the association being as that of the Commonwealth nations, a body knitted as CARICOM, this tantalising question haunts many in the West Indies: Which is better off, being independent or being a republic?

The great son of Guyana’s soil, the honourable Sir Ron Saunders, had once op-ed on a conversation between Sir Lester Baird, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, and Cuban leader Fidel Castro back in 1994, shortly after the countries had established diplomatic relations. Sir Lester had indicated to Castro that he was contemplating relinquishing the Monarch as the country’s Head of State, and Castro had inquired why.

“Does she interfere with your Government?” Castro asked.

Sir Lester had replied in the negative, and added that her role was performed by a local representative, and it was only ceremonial, having no executive authority in the Government. Castro’s response shocked, surprised and left all flabbergasted and baffled. Castro advised, “In which case, you might consider remaining as you

are. The Queen doesn’t interfere with your Government, and she provides to foreign investors and others a level of confidence in the constitutional arrangements of your state.”

Interestingly, Barbados is considering going Republic this year, while Australia and Canada prefer not to, and remain independent, sovereign countries. The undermining question bothering allied Caribbean sisters and brothers is: Why try to fix a system that is not broken?

After the introduction of Universal Adult Suffrage in the elections of 1963, Cheddi Jagan, as Premier, was allowed to rule for only 133 days, and was forcefully removed from office by the British and replaced by an interim Government. The Proportional Representation formula enforced again by the British permitted a coalition between the PNC and United Force (UF) parties to gain more votes than the PPP party, thus enabling them to form the Government in 1964.

The hands of the British and Americans stabbed the PPP party in the back, and dirty money deployed by the CIA saw the violence fanning a flame which burnt the good relationship that had existed between East Indians and Blacks. Both Britain and America are responsible for destroying the unity of all ethnicities in Guyana, having supported the sly accomplice Peter D’Aguiar and the crafty and cunning Burnham, who deviously outfoxed Cheddi Jagan.

Britain divided India and Pakistan in 1947, and caused the bitterness that exists between the Muslims and the Hindus. Britain perpetuated apartheid in South Africa for some 300 years.

America glorified slavery for centuries. Guyanese still ask the question: Whom should we trust?

Guyana gained independence from Great Britain on 26th May 1966, and the PNC party ruled for 28 years until 1992, having rigged all the elections. Independence, with a French and Latin con-

nation, is defined as a person, nation, country or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self- government and usually sovereignty over its territory. The PNC party kept the PPP at bay, and foiled the exuberance of the UF party’s optimism. Burnham immediately proceeded to hurriedly dismantle the British systems and deployed his own methods, and impatiently removed “scars” of the British affluence and the master-servant touch.

The West Indian was depicting the face of a Black person with the domineering rulership of Burnham, Barrow, Bustamante, Bird and Williams. The people of Indian descent were suppressed and ignored, and not seen as a composition of the Caribbean. The Europeans and Portuguese in Guyana were silently taking a cue and began their exodus. Independence brought about the disman-

tling of a country of six races and the beginning of a reign of terror by a charismatic but shrewd leader. In a question of hindsight, was an immature Guyana ready for freedom to escape a safety net, endangering hospitality with hostility?

A Co-operative Republic of Guyana was declared on February 23rd, 1970, and Burnham quickly ventured into the many nationalisations of industries, and his party members joyfully began filling round holes with square pegs, compensation of loyalty to Burnhamism.

A republican state is a form of government, one in which power rests with the citizens and their legally elected representatives.

The country is considered a “public matter”, and not the private concern or property of rulers.

A rigged “referendum” was held in 1978. Burnham established the paramountcy of the PNC party over the state, Parliament and the

E

mbodiments of love!

Wherever you are, in w h a t e v e r circumstances you are placed in, do not ever forget God. Sarvada sarva kaleshu sarvatra Hari chintanam (Always, at all times, under all circumstances contemplate on God).

Whatever activity you undertake, dedicate it to God. All the powers in your body are the gifts of God. In fact, divinity pervades every inch, every cell and every atom of your body. If you waste such divine power, it amounts to sacrilege.

Dedicate your body, mind, intellect; in fact, everything of yours, to God! The games you play should not be limited to one day. In fact, life is a game; play it. Unity is divinity. Whatever you do, whatever you speak, whatever you think - in every aspect of your life - that unity must be reflected.

That is the true culture of the Bharatiyas (Indians).

(Divine Discourse, Jan 14, 2003)

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation

judiciary. The primary positions of power within a republic are attained through democracy, or a mix of democracy with oligarchy or autocracy, rather than being unalterably occupied by any given family lineage or group.

Burnham governed as a dictator with a party policy of divide and control. The Police Force, the Army, the Public Service, state agencies and all Government offices were employing PNC members and were staffed with 90 percent AfroGuyanese. One People, One Nation, One Destiny became a myth, a front, a farce, and a slogan as a whitewash to promote propaganda in name and nature only. Feed, clothe and house the nation was a concept ingrained to accommodate PNC party members through cooperative agencies with the presentation of party cards from holders.

As Guyanese began to awake with their backs

against the wall, mass migration began, and Burnham was only too happy with his evil plan.

National Service was conceptualised with the hope of a factory producing a master byproduct to change the landscape of Guyana’s impetus. But Man proposes and God disposes. Burnham thought he would have lived forever, as he was making an empire with a kingdom fit for himself as a permanent king and a messiah!

His plans were abruptly foiled and got cancelled in 1985.

Guyanese need to ask the pertinent question: Did becoming a republic state place a great value on virtue, or more stress on a strained status to remove stability and unity from the fray of politics? To those who want to clap and cheer, Guyanese would say, “Happy Republic Day!” Respectfully, Jai Lall

6

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Æsop’s Fables

Question 1:

Tuesday’s answers

FOR CHILDREN

1a) Ten pupils like chicken only (the number of students who like chicken only = the number of students in the chicken set – the number of students who like both chicken and fish) 1b) Twelve students like both chicken and fish (the intersection of the chicken and fish sets).

1c) Four pupils like neither chicken nor fish (the number of students outside the chicken and fish sets) 1d) Thirty-nine pupils are in Grade 6 B (The number of students in Grade 6 B = the number of students in the chicken and fish sets and those outside those sets)

Materials:

Square Paper

Instructions:

Start by folding the square in half corner to corner to make a triangle.

Fold that triangle in half corner to corner to form a smaller triangle.

Unfold the previous fold to get the larger triangle.

Fold the edges of the triangle into the newly-made crease to form a kite shape.

Fold the inside edges of the kite shape toward the outside edges.

Turn the paper upside down and blow gently into the open end. Your hovercraft should zoom away!

A

n Ass and a Cock were in a straw-yard together when a lion, desperate from hunger, approached the spot. He was about to spring upon the ass, when the cock (to the sound of whose voice the lion, it is said, has a singular aversion) crowed loudly, and the lion fled away as fast as he could. The ass, observing his trepidation at the mere crowing of a cock, summoned courage to attack him, and galloped after him for that purpose. He had run no long distance when the lion, turning about, seized him and tore him to pieces.

How it works:

The pocket under the hovercrafts trap air and create a zone of high pressure. Further, the air moving over the craft has lower pressure. This difference creates lift and gets rid of the friction that normally holds the paper in place on the table. Without friction holding it back, a little breath is all it takes to get the hovercraft speeding on its way!

Extra experiments:

These little hovercrafts are so easy to make, it doesn’t take long to build some out of different materials (newspaper, cardboard, aluminium foil) or different sizes see which ones drive the straightest, go the fastest, or take the most breath to get moving! (Scifun.org)

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MPs clash over financing for Budget 2021 …APNU/AFC reminded of poor fiscal track record

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

D

ay two of the 2021 budget debates opened on Wednesday with the Members of Parliament (MPs) on either side of the National Assembly debating the level of borrowing used to finance the $383.1 billion budget.

Opening the debates, Opposition MP Khemraj Ramjattan contended that the budget is financed by heavy borrowing. He claimed that under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, taxes rather than loans fuelled most of their budgets.

“I want to say that although there was a criticism concerning the APNU/AFC coalition Government: that we were taxing and spending, you are now borrowing and spending,” Ramjattan informed the house in his presentation.

However, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, whose presentation immediately followed Ramjattan’s, pointed out that the PPP Government left a healthy economy and a surplus treasury when it demitted office

in 2015. According to him, the PPP Government inherited the exact opposite last year.

“The honourable member talked about debt. The treasury was healthy, the economy was healthy, when we demitted office in 2015; so, you didn’t have to borrow money. But what we received August last year? The treasury was in a deficit and bankrupt. As a result, there were no funds,” Mustapha charged.

The Agriculture Minister noted that the way the APNU/AFC left the economy and treasury in 2015 mirrors the way the People’s National Congress (PNC) left Guyana back in 1992.

This point was reinforced by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh.

APNU/AFC’s dismal track record

Dr Singh addressed the issue himself in an interview with this publication. He recalled that prior to 1992, heavy borrowing under the then PNC Government had reduced Guyana’s creditworthiness.

“First of all, the APNU/

AFC has a dismal track record as it relates to managing debt and putting Guyana in a state of indebtedness. If you look back at the pre-1992 economic history of the country, it is the PNC in fact that brought Guyana to a state of bankruptcy, having accumulated over US$2billion worth of debt,” Dr Singh said.

“There was nothing tangible or visible that could be seen. Ordinarily, when a country borrows, it borrows to invest, particularly in initiatives or infrastructure, or to accumulate reserves.

When we came into power in 1992, there was no evidence of what that money was invested in.”

Dr Singh noted that judging from the country’s recent history between 2015 and 2020, the APNU/AFC has not learnt anything when it comes to managing debt. In fact, the Minister noted that, in some respects, the APNU/ AFC has gotten worse.

“What you see is, there is a situation where once again the APNU/AFC Government accumulated vast levels of indebtedness. What is worse this time, not only were they

incurring fiscal deficits, but in complete disregard for the law and good practices.

Instead of actually borrowing to finance their deficits, they decided to simply go the route of accumulating an overdraft at central bank.

“This is the clearest indication of how reckless and irresponsible they are in terms of fiscal management in the country. And so, we have now returned to the Government in a situation where the treasury is empty. We’re not borrowing because we want to borrow,” Dr Singh said.

The reality, according to the Minister, is that Government deposits have been depleted, the Government’s account at Central Bank is in overdraft, and there have been

AFC MP Khemraj Ramjattan

extra-budgetary borrowing that has to now be serviced by the current Government.

It had previously been revealed that at the end of 2019, Central Government recorded a deficit of $29.9 billion. According to the data, this widened by 11.5 per cent when compared with the deficit recorded in 2018.

And even though APNU/

AFC did not present a budget from November 2018 to the time they left office in August 2020, by mid last year, over $100 billion was exhausted from the treasury. The PPP Government was forced to bring to the National Assembly a Statement of Expenditure for the period January 1 to September 30, 2020 amounting to $183 billion. (G3)

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Couple jailed for Man to stand trial for stabbing neighbour rape of 13-year-old girl

A

A

Jailed: Kenese Bobb and Kemo Harlequin

couple were on Wednesday handed three-year prison sentences for stabbing their neighbour during an argument back in December 2019.

Kenese Bobb and Kemo Harlequin, both of Lot 15 D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown, were on trial before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

They had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge that stated that on December 10, 2019, at D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown, they unlawfully and maliciously wounded Jermaine Sampson with intent to maim, disable, disfigure, or cause grievous bodily harm.

The trial concluded on

Wednesday and they were found guilty by the Magistrate.

According to reports, on December 10, 2019, Harlequin and Sampson had a misunderstanding, and Bobb intervened.

It was then the couple went into the man’s home and hurled glass bottles at him. Sampson was dragged down his stairway and into the yard where he was stabbed about his body with kitchen knives by the couple.

The injured man was later picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. When the couple first appeared in court, the Police Prosecutor had objected to them being released on bail citing the serious nature of the offence. (G1)

30-year-old man was on Wednesday committed to stand trial at the High Court in Demerara for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl.

Collin Venture is accused of engaging in sexual penetration with the underage girl in September 2020 in Georgetown. He was first charged with the offence on January 13, 2021 when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He was not required to Rape accused: Collin Venture plead to the indictable charge er searched her phone and disand was released on $150,000 covered some very disturbing bail. Senior Magistrate Leron messages exchanged between Daly conducted a paper com- her and Venture. The young mittal and after assessing girl was confronted and she adthe evidence, ruled that a pri- mitted that Venture raped her. ma facie case was made out A report was made to the against the rape accused to put Police, and the man was arhim on trial at the High Court. rested and charged. Venture According to facts, Venture remains on bail pending the is known to the teenage girl and hearing and determination of it is alleged that he was in the his trial which is scheduled habit of taking her into a toilet for the next practicable sitting behind a shop where he would of the Demerara Assizes. As a rape her. The matter came to condition of bail he has to relight after the girl’s stepmoth- port weekly to the Police. (G1)

The sins of omission…

T

…from a man of the cloth he Chairman of the ERC is a man of the cloth…a Christian Bishop with a Doctorate, presumably in Theology. He represents Christians on the Commission, so he should know more than a thing about sins of commission and sins of omission - which are both sins in the eyes of God. Sins of commission we all know about…but sins of omission - not doing something we KNOW we ought to have done - are frequently swept under the rug. With ordinary folks who mightn’t know, we might overlook…but a BISHOP? What is your Eyewitness talking about? Well, if you asked that question, you obviously haven’t read the Bishop’s riposte to Commissioner Haji Rohan Khan’s (another man of the cloth - representing Muslims) stinging take down of his term as ERC Chair since 2018! The problem is, Bishop Smith’s letter raises more questions through his omissions than offers answers to Haji Khan’s rebukes.

Take Khan’s accusation that, under Smith’s leadership, the Commissioners awarded a Christmas bonus of $150,000 to each other (they’d originally proposed $200,000) which was way about what the Govt awarded to public servants.

Said Smith: “As is customary, the year-end honorarium (ex-gratia payment, in this case for COVID-19 relief) was approved by majority decision for staff members and Commissioners, including Khan. Government announced a payout to the Public Service which came weeks later, but the ERC had already made its decision on a payout in November for the aforementioned reason. The Government payout, therefore, was not applicable to the ERC in that instance.”

Really? Note that the good Bishop is silent on the quantum of what Khan claimed was a CHRISTMAS BONUS. But Smith says it was a “COVID-19 relief” decided on BEFORE the Govt’s COVID-19 $25,000 to public servants.

True, but the Government had announced a $25,000 COVID-19 relief to the ENTIRE NATION on Sept 7. Wasn’t that a signal that this was a ballpark figure for the ERC Commissioners? Why was it okay to presume that the ERC Commissioners were deserving SIX TIMES more than the average citizen??

Then, on Khan’s call out on the ERC’s silence on the W. Berbice riots following Granger’s provocative statements, Bishop Smith wrote, “following the murders of the Henry cousins and Haresh Singh, the Commission, in a press release (September 7, 2020) condemned the killings.”

But Haresh was killed on Sept 9!! How could that release include his murder??

But Bishop Smith’s major sin of omission was not to even mention Granger’s provocative statement to the W Berbice rioters to form a “self-defence society”, but to condemn Khan for calling for the victims to defend themselves. …by Henry Jeffrey Politically, Henry Jeffrey has been around the block and some. He started out with the PNC, went over to the PPP (Civic) after 1992, and now seems to be back with the PNC. Reporting on a talk he delivered to the PNC Executive last week, he claims that, back in the sixties, “the British Government…offered shared governance to the Guyanese leadership similar to what they were proposing at the time in Cyprus”.

But back in 8-21-19, he’d asserted that “although the problems in the two countries were similar and required similar solutions, the British recommendations for Guyana were DIFFERENT… Britain, in 1960, established the Republic of Cyprus (and) implemented shared governance arrangements.” But in Guyana “they introduced a PR system that enhanced the ethnic support of the PNC/ UF Opposition and brought them to Government. With some subsequent TWEAKING by Forbes Burnham, this PR arrangement has left Guyana in the present constitutional stranglehold.”

Seems Jeffrey “tweaked” the truth to blame the PPP as much as Burnham “tweaked” elections!! …and being a Christmas blow-blow A prominent businessman threatened the G/town Mayor with a $200M lawsuit if he didn’t apologise for accusing him of being a deadbeat.

Apology wasn’t offered, so was the lawsuit filed?

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

NEWS

9

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 banking relief measures still in effect — Finance Minister …as persons complain of late fees, ATM charges by local banks

I

n the wake of complaints from persons that certain local banks are still applying late fee charges on loans and charging Automated Teller Machine (ATM) fees, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh has said the banking relief measures should still be in effect, since they were extended by Government.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, the Finance Minister noted that these measures, intended to ease the financial burden on citizens in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, were extended.

“When we came into office, we implemented a number of relief measures. These included relief measures implemented through the central bank to cushion the impact of COVID on the private sector and households. To the best of my knowledge, those measures are still in

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

place, and should be complied with,” the Minister explained, while adding that he would look into the issue.

In a communique sent to the various commercial banks in Guyana last year December, Governor of the

Bank of Guyana, Dr Gobind Ganga, had indicated that all COVID-19 measures agreed to in August 2020 would be extended until June 30, 2021.

“The Bank of Guyana continues to monitor the developments surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on households and the business sector, and is prepared to take all necessary steps to protect the safety and soundness of the finance system,” Dr Ganga had detailed in the missive.

Back in August, President Dr Irfaan Ali had announced a series of measures agreed upon with the local banking sector to ease the burden on citizens. These included the waiver of ATM fees, lowered interest rates, and an extension of the moratorium on loan payments.

This means that customers with mortgages and other loans would be spared the

financial burden of servicing those loans during the pandemic. In addition, their loans would not be classified as non-performing, ensuring that they do not default.

“Commercial banks agreed to offer general concessional reductions of interest rates of one per cent and up to two per cent on customer loans below $10 million until December 30, 2020.

The existing lending rate ranges between 6.5 per cent and 16 per cent. Some commercial banks have agreed to apply special treatment to the interest accrued during the moratorium period,” the President had explained.

“Commercial banks have agreed to waive all bank charges, including ATM and Merchant Bank charges, to encourage more out-of-bank transactions as well as… transactions by senior citizens,” he noted, adding that

Governor of the Bank of Guyana, Dr Gobind Ganga

these measures would not impact the soundness of the banking sector.

The Head of State had also announced that the Bank of Guyana would relax certain requirements that would allow banks to cushion

their losses and increase liquidity by $9.4 billion. These requirements are set out in the 13 guidelines that the BoG uses to regulate financial institutions.

He pointed out that the Bank of Guyana would relax sections 14 and 15 of the Supervision Guideline Number Five until December 2020.

“Additionally, a waiver is being given to section 13 of Supervision Guideline Number Five. The relaxation of stringent statutory measures is intended to result in direct benefits for customers to banks by giving the financial institutions the ability to operate with more flexibility.”

Section 13 states that, “the hardcore of an overdraft facility shall be converted into a term loan, which specifies a fixed repayment programme.” (G3)

Guyana approves emergency use of vaccines from Russia, China

T

he Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) has granted emergency use approval of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine and China’s Sinopharm vaccine.

This is according to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, who explained during Wednesday’s COVID-19 update that one of the things vaccine makers want is to ensure that the countries where the vaccines are going grant permission for the use of the vaccine.

In the case of the Sputnik V vaccine, Dr Anthony disclosed that Guyana has been in discussions with the Russian manufacturers for weeks now.

“Those discussions have advanced, and we have been able, through our Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue an emergency use authorisation for these vaccines. We have also issued emergency use authorisation for the Sinopharm vaccines…,” he added.

The Health Minister went on to highlight the three methods authorities use before approving the vaccines for local use.

“The first is if the vaccine has been improved by what is called a stringent regulatory authority. So when we talk about stringent regulatory authorities, we are talking about the FDA in the United States, in Canada, in the UK, in Australia and in Europe…

“Once it has been approved by these authorities, then we would use the principle of reciprocity to be able to approve it here in Guyana,” he explained.

Another factor taken into consideration was whether the vaccine was approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). So far, the WHO has given emergency use approval to only two vaccines – the Pfizer and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines.

However, the Health Minister explained that WHO is expected to soon approve the Sputnik V and Sinopharm vaccines. The respective manufacturers of both of these vaccines have already submitted the relevant documents to WHO for approval.

Meanwhile, the third method used by Guyana to approve the vaccines here is

to see whether it has been approved by large countries in the South American and Caribbean region. With Sputnik V, it has already been given emergency use authorisation in Brazil and Argentina, as well as in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

According to Minister Anthony, Guyana is still finalising the arrangements for these vaccines to come here. The efficacy of the Sputnik V vaccine is 91.6 per cent and it is one of only three vaccines in the world with efficacy of over 90 per cent. The Sinopharm vaccine has an efficacy of 79.4 per cent.

Guyana has already granted emergency use approval for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine from India. A batch of 3000 AstraZeneca jabs was donated by the Government of Barbados, and it has already been used to vaccinate some 2000 frontline healthcare workers.

The AstraZeneca jab was developed by Oxford in the United Kingdom, and is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer. The local name for the AstraZeneca vaccine in

India is COVIDSHIELD. India has already donated thousands of the AstraZeneca jabs to Guyana via a 500,000 doses’ pledge to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

According to a BBC report, no one who took the AstraZeneca jab has been hospitalised or seriously ill due to COVID. The article cited a recent study which it said found that a single dose of the Oxford vaccine offers 76 per cent protection for three months, this went up to 82 per cent after the second dose.

Only on Monday, Dr Anthony said that the Ministry would go ahead and administer all the vaccines donated by Barbados as the first dose, and await the ar-

rival of follow-up vaccines to administer the second dose.

Meanwhile, Guyana is currently awaiting the arrival of another large batch of vaccines from the COVAX facility (co-led by WHO, UNICEF, GAVI – the Vaccine Alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) which was established to ensure there is equal access to, and distribution of, COVID-19 vaccines when they become available on the market.

On Wednesday, it was announced that the first set of vaccines under the COVAX facility arrived in Ghana, Africa, and according to WHO, they are working closely with governments and manufacturers to ensure health workers and older peo-

ple receive COVID-19 vaccines in all countries within the first 100 days of 2021.

There are currently over 180 countries under the COVAX arrangement.

Guyana is among those countries that are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines at no cost, and Government has already assured that these would also be distributed to citizens free of cost.

While Guyana is expected to receive some 104,000 vaccines under this facility, Minister Singh has noted that this could cover about 25 to 30 per cent of the population.

He added that they would be having discussions soon with COVAX to finalise dates and timelines for the arrival of the vaccines here. (G8)

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Manager found dead in ACME building after being locked in office …family demands answers

By Lawanda McAllister

A

54-year-old woman, who was a manager at ACME General Stores, was on Wednesday morning found dead in her office into which she was accidentally locked.

Dead is Sandra Dee-Barker of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD). She was last seen alive on Monday afternoon.

The woman’s family are very suspicious of the death and are demanding answers.

Dee-Barker was found in her office, located at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown on Wednesday at about 07:45h by a 25-yearold employee.

When Police arrived at the scene, the woman’s mo-

Dead: Sandra Dee-Barker

tionless body was seen lying on the floor in her office located on the third floor of the ACME building.

The body was examined

by EMT technicians, and DeeBarker was officially pronounced dead. Police have since said that the scene was processed and no marks of violence were seen, neither were there any signs of breakage or forced entry.

The woman’s brother, Lex Barker told Guyana Times that his sister lived alone, so no one realised that she was missing.

He said the last time their family heard from her was on Monday morning when she sent a “good morning” message in their family WhatsApp group.

“Some one of the staff went and check for her on

Monday… the door was locked; it was grilled apparently. They knocked on the door and got no reply. They called her phone and they heard her phone ringing from inside of the office, but assumed that she was probably in the washroom…that was the last anyone saw or heard from her,” the brother said.

He added, “Nobody did not even know that she did not go home… she was there

[at the office] all day on Tuesday.”

According to the brother, the employee related that they heard no screams or loud noises coming from his sister’s office. He further said the employees were unaware that she was left in the building.

The man said his sister never complained of having medical issues, and it was a shock that she was found in such a state.

“Nobody suspected anything, so we didn’t pay that any mind… it was quite a shock, because we weren’t expecting anything like this…”.

Lex Barker said from what he was told, his sister usually locked the grille to her office while she was inside; however, he said he could not understand how the employees knew that she was at work, called her phones repeatedly, heard her cellphone ringing in the office, and did not make any further inquiries.

He said he was trying to process how the cleaner got entry into his sister’s office and the other employees could not, to check on her.

“It is very strange to me that they were trying to get her, you are not getting her on her phone, you hear the phone ringing, and the door is locked from inside and no one checked. If the door was locked from the inside, she is inside; but everybody went away and locked up the place. That is the thing that is worrying me and I have to get more information on that,” the dead woman’s brother said.

Meanwhile, the woman’s only daughter, Renetta Barker, who lives in Barbados, said she last spoke to her mother on Monday, and she seemed “normal” and did not complain of feeling unwell.

“I didn’t contact her on Tuesday…I didn't think anything was wrong.... sometimes she wud go a day or two without checking in.

What I know is myself and her three grandchildren will never be able to overcome this loss,” the grieving woman said.

Dee-Barker’s body is presently at the Lyken Funeral home awaiting a post-mortem as investigations continue.

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CJ to rule on $100M false imprisonment 4 suspects in custody lawsuit filed by Jamaican against GPF for raping 98-year-

C

hief Justice (ag) Roxane George has completed hearing arguments and is set to rule in a lawsuit filed by Jamaican national Sandra Russell, who is seeking more than $100 million in damages from the State for false imprisonment.

In 2018, Russell confessed to trafficking 70 grams of marijuana and was sentenced to eight months in prison when she appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. In the lawsuit, Russell deposes that that initial sentence was reduced to three and a half months and she was kept in prison for an additional eight months.

In the circumstances, she is seeking millions of

the Guyana Police Force.

Russell said that she arrived in Guyana legally on May 13, 2013. However, on June 25, 2018, she was arrested by Police ranks at Omai Landing in the Essequibo River after 70 grams of marijuana was found in her possession. She was charged and placed before the court where she pleaded guilty to the offence.

In turn, she was sentenced to eight months in jail and fined $180,000.

Russell, in her Statement of Claim, said that after the sentence was imposed, she was taken to the New Amsterdam Prison to serve her time. While doing so, she claimed that her sentence was reduced to three and a half months. She

dollars in damages for false imprisonment and several declarations, including one that her fundamental rights as guaranteed under Articles 139, 141, and 148 of the Constitution of Guyana were breached by

was released from prison on November 10, 2018.

According to her, a female immigration officer then informed her that she would be taken to the Immigration Office to be processed for deportation to

old granny

A

Sandra Russell

Jamaica. However, she said that she was taken to the East La Penitence Police Station instead and was only released on $10,000 bail on July 7, 2019. While in custody, she said she was never taken before a Judge or Magistrate.

The Jamaican woman complained that the conditions at the East La Penitence Station were poor and she was left without proper and adequate meals which resulted in her being taken to a health centre for medications.

The woman believes that the Police had no authority to keep her in custody beyond 72 hours without seeking an extension from the court given the facts that she had completed serving her sentence. Against this backdrop, Russell is seeking in excess of $50 million for false imprisonment.

She is also seeking $10 million per day for every day

she spent in unlawful custody and over $20 million for inhumane and degrading treatment suffered by her.

She also wants the court to award her more than $20 million for breach of her freedom of movement as well as exemplary and aggravated damages, court costs, and any further orders the court deems just.

The other declarations Russell is seeking include a declaration that she was falsely imprisoned by the Guyana Police, a declaration that she suffered inhumane and degrading treatment by the State and another declaration that the Guyana Police Force had no legal authority to further imprison her beyond her prison sentence. (G1)

day after Police revealed that two persons were arrested for brutally beating and raping a 98-year-old woman of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice, they confirmed that a total of four persons are now in custody.

Those arrested are a 38-year-old fisherman, a 53-year-old labourer, a 23-year-old labourer, and a 24-year-old labourer, all of Rose Hall Town.

Police said of the four suspects, one was arrested in a cemetery in Crabwood Creek while another was arrested in Rose Hall Town.

On Tuesday morning, the elderly woman’s neighbour told Guyana Times that she went to the woman’s home to wake her up, so that they could go out.

However, she explained that as she arrived at the home, she observed that the door was open, and immediately thought that something was amiss. She also found a glass containing alcohol on the step.

As such, she called out for the elderly woman, who responded that “them boys come in and beat me up”. She said that the elderly woman related that the men choked her.

The neighbour related that as the elderly woman

showed herself and her injuries, it was then she realised that the nonagenarian’s face was swollen and there were bruises about her body. She immediately took a photo and alerted the caretaker.

Upon the caregiver’s arrival, and in attending to the victim, she observed that the elderly woman was very traumatised. At this time, she also noticed what appeared to be blood on the victim’s clothing and bedspread.

The caregiver immediately reported her suspicions via a call to the Police after which she accompanied the victim to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where a medical was done.

The medical certificate confirmed the suspicions.

When Guyana Times reached out to the woman’s caretaker on Wednesday morning, she said the elderly woman had to be referred to the New Amsterdam Hospital from the Port Mourant Public Hospital, given her condition.

The woman’s caretaker added that the nonagenarian had to undergo further tests, and receive saline and injections to stabilise her. She was subsequently discharged, but had to be taken back to the hospital on Wednesday.

Investigations are ongoing.

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 more COVID-19 fatalities take Guyana’s death toll to 193 …5 new cases recorded

T

he Health Ministry has reported that three more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died. This now takes the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 193 in Guyana.

These latest fatalities have been identified as a 65-year-old male from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), who died on Wednesday; and two other males: a 48-yearold also from Region Four and a 63-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), both of whom died on Tuesday.

All three persons have succumbed while receiving care at medical facilities, the

Ministry has noted.

On Sunday, Guyana recorded its 190th COVID-19 fatality when another 63-year-old male from Region Four died at a medical facility.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry reported on Wednesday that Guyana recorded five new COVID-19 cases from 827 tests conducted in the last 24 hours.

According to the Ministry’s updated Dashboard, the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana is now 8457 – 4380 males and 4077 females.

However, only 431 of these cases are currently active.

This includes seven patients in the COVID-19 Intensive

Care Unit (ICU) and other 424 persons in isolation, that is, 37 persons in institutional

isolation and the remaining 387 in home isolation.

There are also another 11 persons in institutional quarantine.

To date, some 7834 persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus here, 26 more recoveries than what was recorded the previous day.

Meanwhile, Guyana has tested some 62,389 persons for the novel coronavirus thus far.

The five new cases recorded on Wednesday were all detected in the DemeraraMahaica region, taking the total number of cases in the country’s most populated region to 3806.

The figures in the other nine regions remain the same, with 1019 cases in Region One (Barima-Waini), 234 in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 632 cases in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-

West Demerara), another 227 in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), 463 cases in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 770 in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), 245 cases in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), 415 in Region Nine (Upper Essequibo-Upper Takutu), and 646 cases in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraUpper Berbice).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as at Wednesday, some 111,762,965 confirmed cases were reported globally, along with 2,479,678 deaths.

Who also reported on Wednesday that in the Region of the Americas, that is, Latin America and the Caribbean, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 49,700,102, while the death toll in the region has gone up to 1,182, 592.

Since taking office, the PPP/C Government has embarked on a massive testing drive to ensure that all positives cases, especially asymptomatic cases, are detected.

As the number of cases continues to increase in the country, Government two weeks ago rolled out the administration of the COVID-19 vaccines to frontline workers and persons with comorbidities, to protect against the deadly virus.

That batch of AstraZeneca vaccines was donated by the Government of Barbados, and Guyana is currently awaiting the arrival

of more vaccines under the COVAX facility. Those are expected to arrive next month.

Nevertheless, local health authorities are reminding all Guyanese to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 EMERGENCY MEASURES (NO.14), which are in effect until February 28, 2021.

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

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotlines 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 IMMEDIATELY, or visit www.health.gov.gy.

(G8)

Nigerian man accused of defrauding Guyanese women of over $6M

A

Nigerian man who is allegedly part of an international criminal network, in which women are befriended on Facebook and promised lavish gifts and jewellery, was on Wednesday charged with obtaining monies by false pretence.

Uche Raymond Okoye, also known as Uche Parker, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer 11 charges. He was not required to enter a plea after the charges were read to him

by Magistrate Leron Daly.

According to the charges, between October and November 2020, at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he obtained $6,059,900 from Suruj Dei Balkaran, and $50,000 from another woman by falsely claiming that he had packages intended for them.

The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Prosecutor told the court that the man allegedly solicited funds from the women after he befriended them on Facebook under an alias name.

During that time, he informed them about the supposed packages containing the latest gadgets and electronic devices. He reportedly told the women that he would be sending the items, and that they would need to contact a representative who would clear the packages and deliver them. The representative he referred to was himself, the SOCU Prosecutor added.

Uche Raymond Okoye According to the Prosecutor, the Nigerian national sent the women a Whatsapp number on which he could be contacted about the transactions.

It is alleged that the women paid the monies, expecting the packages, but, every time, Balkaran was told of some complications and was instructed to send more cash via bank transfers and Western Union. She reportedly sent monies on 10 different occasions.

Last November, Okoye appeared at a city court and pleaded not guilty to two counts of obtaining money by false pretence, one count of demanding money by menace, and one count of illegal entry into Guyana. He was remanded to prison.

According to the Guyana

Police Force, Okoye entered Guyana from Brazil without presenting himself to the nearest immigration officer.

The Police have said he is part of a criminal network that has been operating in Guyana which has links to the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Paraguay and other countries.

According to the Police, the perpetrators would send a Facebook friend request to the intended victims, particularly women, and seek communication via WhatsApp. Police informed that the mastermind, who is residing overseas, would express a romantic interest in the women, and would later tell them he would be sending gifts and jewellery.

The women would later receive a call from someone purporting to be employed at a shipping company about a box arriving at the airport for them. At this point, the Police said, the women would be instructed to pay various sums of money to several individuals to uplift the boxes and to avoid prosecution.

These monies are sent to identified persons through money transfer services or a post office. But once the money is sent, the mastermind is never heard from again, and the victim never receives the packages.

The Guyana Police Force has alerted citizens, particularly women, about this scam.

(G1)

NEWS

13

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Twin sisters deliver babies minutes apart at NA Hospital and 09:23h respectively. Both babies weighed some three kilograms. Amesha and Amela were both admitted to the hospital on February 23.

In a statement posted by the Regional Democratic

The twin sisters at the New Amsterdam Hospital after they gave birth to their babies minutes apart

T

win sisters Amesha Thuesday Grant and Amela Latahsa Thuesday on Wednesday

gave birth to their babies some 13 minutes apart at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital.

The infants – a girl named Cassidy Miracle Grant and a boy named Myron Kingsley Rajgopaul – arrived at 09:10h

Cathy Hughes’ laptop found near her seat …after reported missing

R

egional Commander Khali Pareshram has indicated that contrary to reports, the laptop belonging to Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Cathy Hughes was never stolen.

According to a Police statement issued late Wednesday evening, Hughes reported that when the sitting of the National Assembly at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre recessed for lunch about 12:35h, she exited the dome after securing the laptop in its bag and placing same on her seat.

“About 14:30h, she returned and discovered the laptop was missing from her bag.”

The situation was brought to the attention of Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, who called in the Police.

“The scene was visited … about 15:30h and investigations revealed that Mrs Hughes attended Parliament and was seated in the southern section of the dome of the Conference Hall among several other Members of Parliament while Parliament was in session.

“A search was conducted and the computer was found by a Police rank at the back of the said chair which Mrs Hughes was occupying. Same was shown to her and she identified same to be hers.

Opposition Member of Parliament, Cathy Hughes

Statements were taken and an investigation is in progress,” the Police statement added.

Commander Pareshram explained that the laptop was recovered at the “same area where she was sitting”.

Man wanted for murder of Tiger Bay resident surrenders was bleeding from a wound to his abdomen.

Christopher was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Upon examination, a single gunshot wound was seen at the centre of his abdomen.

His body was taken to the hospital mortuary to await a post-mortem.

Surrendered: Osafo Grundall

Dead: Dale Christopher

safo Grundall, 42, of Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, has surrendered to the Police after a wanted bulletin was issued for his arrest in relation to the murder of 27-year-old Dale Christopher of Tiger Bay, Georgetown.

Grundall surrendered around 14:00h on Wednesday at the Brickdam Police Station. He is presently in custody assisting with the investigations.

The murder occurred on Tuesday morning during a party at Hill Street, Lodge, Georgetown.

Reports are that

Christopher had left home about 01:15h in the company of a friend to attend the party.

However, about 06:00h, two to three loud explosions suspected to be gunshots were heard, causing the crowd of about 500 to disperse.

At the time of the shooting, a DJ and selector were providing their services at the party, but were later informed that someone had been shot.

As such, they reportedly stopped the party, packed up their equipment, and left.

The Police stated that a taxi driver passing along Mandela Avenue at the time was stopped by three males carrying the injured man, who

O

Council of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), it was noted that the Regional Health Officer, Dr Vishalya Sharma and Medical Superintendent, Dr Vasana Henry were thrilled that the

institution was chosen by the mothers to care and manage their deliveries.

As such, hampers were provided to the mothers in celebration of this momentous occasion.

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Female murder suspect jailed Couple robbed by bandits after party for escaping from custody A

Dead: Bibi Nasmonisha Ramjit

A

woman who escaped from the Springlands Police Station lockups in November 2020 after she was arrested for the murder of an elderly woman has been jailed.

Jankie Tapsie, also called Samantha Khan, of Lot 180 Grass Fields Village, Lusignan, East Coast Demerara (ECD) appeared at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Alex Moore on Wednesday. The 29-yearold pleaded guilty to the charge, which stated that she escaped from lawful custody. The woman was sentenced to a six-month jail term.

On November 19, Police issued a wanted bulletin for Tapsie ,who had escaped from custody after being held in connection with the murder of the elderly La Grange woman, Bibi Nasmonisha Ramjit.

Authorities were of the view that the woman had gone to Suriname via the ‘backtrack’ route. As such, the Police contacted their counterparts in that country in their bid to find her.

She was arrested in the Dutch-speaking nation and handed over to Police in Guyana about a week ago.

On October 25, 2020, Ramjit, an elderly shop owner, was found dead with her mouth gagged in her La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD) home.

Ramjit’s house was reportedly ransacked, leading investigators to believe that the woman who lived alone was killed during the commission of a robbery.

It was reported that about four months prior to her death, Ramjit was terrorised, assaulted and robbed by several men who invaded her home. They escaped with a large sum of money.

According to a family member, Ramjit did not make a report to the Police, since she was fearful that the robbers would return.

One month after that incident, Ramjit was again robbed while she was sleeping in her hammock.

It is believed that the same group of men who committed the first robbery entered her home and removed an undisclosed sum of money, which had been kept in one of the bedrooms of the house.

34-year-old construction worker and his 33-year-old girlfriend were robbed of a quantity of items by six men, one of whom was armed with a gun after a party on Wednesday morning.

Troy Hinds, of West Bank Demerara (WBD), was allegedly robbed of $65,000 and a cellphone worth $50,000 while his girlfriend, Natasha Mc Kenzie, a cosme-

Jankie Tapsie, called Samantha Khan

On the day Ramjit was murdered, one of her customers had gone to pay some money he owed her, but after calling out several times and receiving no response, he thought something was amiss since both the doors to her shop and house were open.

As such, he went into the house where he made the horrific discovery. He raised an alarm and the Police were contacted.

One month after the woman’s body was discovered, a 34-year-old taxi driver was charged with her murder. Rishiram Singh, also known as “Shane”, of Lot 204 D’Anrade Street, Newtown, is currently before the court for murder.

It was after his arrest that Police began searching for Tapsie. She is expected to be slapped with a murder charge. (G4)

tologist, of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was also allegedly robbed of her cellphone worth $131,000 about 00:10h.

It was reported that the couple went to a party at Kaneville, EBD, and as they were walking to get transportation to return home, the six bandits attacked them from behind.

The couple told Police that the man with the gun

placed it at Hinds’ neck and pushed him to the ground where he began reliving him of the items. The cash was in his boots, but the bandit searched there too.

The bandit subsequently turned the gun on Mc Kenzie and relieved her of her valuables. The couple told Police that the men made good their escape on foot.

Investigations are ongoing. (G9)

Berbice men jailed for manslaughter, attempted murder

Gopaul Sewsankar, called “Romel”

T

wo men who had previously pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter were on Wednesday sentenced to a total of 20 years’ imprisonment.

27-year-old Gopaul Sewsankar, called ‘Romel’, of Yakusari North, Black Bush Polder, Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne), who unlawfully killed his younger brother Vishal Sahora in March 2017, was sentenced to nine years and two months’ imprisonment when the February session of the Berbice Criminal Assizes continued on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old Vishal was stabbed after the two brothers were imbibing.

Reports in 2017 were that Sewsankar had asked to borrow Sahora’s mo-

Leroy La Fleur, called “Devon”

torcycle, but the younger brother had refused his request and an argument and fight ensued, during which the teenager was stabbed to the chest.

Justice Simone MorrisRamlall presided over the trial.

Meanwhile, 35-yearold Stanley Edwards, called ‘Buckman’, unlawfully killed 40-year-old Sahadeo Sankar, a fisherman of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne on January 3, 2018.

He was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment for the offence.

The State’s case was presented by Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy, and the accused was represented by defence counsel Sureiyah Sabsook.

Sankar’s lifeless body

Stanley Edwards, called “Buckman”

was discovered in front of a grocery store in the area after he was allegedly beaten to death by Edwards. They were earlier imbibing alcohol together when an argument erupted.

State Prosecutor Hardy told the court that, on the day in question, the two men were involved in a fight and Sankar fell to the ground. Edwards took the opportunity to stamp him and then went to the Police.

Attempted murder

Also being sentenced on Wednesday was Leroy La Fleur, called “Devon”, 24, of Calabash Creek, Canje River. He received a sentence of six years 11 months for attempted murder.

On September 11, 2011, La Fleur attempted to kill Suraj Azeez, called “Collie Boy”, 32, of Canje River.

La Fleur, a farmer, and Azeez had an ongoing dispute, and on September 11, 2011, Azeez was at the estate pump at Calabash Creek up the Canje River catching fish with some other persons when he was chopped.

At the time, Azeez told investigators, he felt a chop across his right hand, and upon looking around, he saw the accused with a cutlass in his hands. The accused began chopping him about his body while threatening to kill him. According to the Prosecutor, the victim received injuries to his face, left arm and left leg.

Justice Simone MorrisRamlall, while noting that the injuries were not lifethreatening, noted that they could have serious long-term effects on the victim. (G4)

NEWS

15

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Caricom has been invaluable in Region’s Guyana-US fight against COVID-19 – PM Rowley business relations C stronger than ever – US Ambassador

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, and Chief Investment Officer at the Guyana Office for Investment, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, during a courtesy call on Wednesday (DPI photo)

U

nited States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, says business relations between Guyana and the US are stronger now more than ever. The Ambassador made this statement during a courtesy call on Chief Investment Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Dr Peter Ramsaroop, on Wednesday.

The meeting served as a follow-up to a visit last year by a team from the US International Development Finance Corporation.

In an invited comment to the Department of Public Information, Ambassador Lynch said she was pleased to be meeting with the agency to discuss several areas of mutual interest.

“We are talking about US business opportunities here, public-private partnerships perhaps, and I am just learning about Dr Ramsaroop’s priorities and where the development possibilities are for the future of Guyana at this important time,” Ambassador Lynch said.

She also noted that rela-

tions between the two countries continue to improve, and she is looking forward to working with the Government of Guyana.

“We have excellent relations between the Government and US businesses, and we hope, too, to work even harder to improve those relations. Of course, I think there are many opportunities here for US investors, and we look forward to expanding our work with the Government,” the Ambassador said.

Meanwhile, Ramsaroop told DPI there is a lot of investment interest in Guyana.

“There are significant US companies coming into the country looking for where those opportunities are,” he said.

The GO-Investment head noted that investment opportunities are in keeping with President Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision for transformational development, and span several sectors.

Dr Ramsaroop also thanked the US Ambassador for her advocacy for Guyana’s democracy.

T&T Police seek to contact family of Guyanese woman killed in accident

T

he Trinidad and Tobago Police Service issued a public appeal today for help to find relatives of a Guyanese woman, who was killed in a vehicular accident on February 19.

The woman, identified as Gangadai Kishore, was walking along the Chaguanas Main Road, near Williams Plaza, when she was struck by a vehicle.

The car, which struck Kishore, was involved in a vehicular accident moments before and the impact of the crash pushed the vehicle into her.

Anyone, who knows Kishore, can contact the

Gangadai Kishore

Chaguanas Police Station at (868) 665-5271 or (868) 665-4294. (looptt.com)

hairman of the Caribbean Community, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, has underscored the important role CARICOM has played in Member States’ fight against the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year.

He made this remark during the opening of the two-day Thirty-Second Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, which is being held virtually.

According to Dr Rowley, the novel coronavirus has reminded the region of the “importance and relevance of regionalism, multilateralism and South-South cooperation in today’s world, particularly during times of crisis such as the pandemic.”

He noted that Caricom has been invaluable in the fight of Member States against COVID-19. The evidence of this, he noted, has been replete over the last year; and the continued support provided to the Community by our regional institutions, led by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), and the most fervent demonstrations of regional solidarity through the sharing of PPEs (personal protective equipment), reagents and test kits, and most recently vaccines, have had significant impacts on our ability to combat the ravages of this nefarious disease.

“The generosity of the Governments of Barbados and Dominica in sharing their vaccine gifts received from the Government of India is particularly noteworthy and commendable.

Prime Minister Mottley, your pioneering role in securing the Community’s access to vaccines through the African Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP) showed great ingenuity, foresight and stamina,” Prime Minister Rowley pointed out.

He also expressed his “sincerest appreciation” to the Governments of India and of the African Union for “their benevolence” in allowing a pathway for the Region to access much-needed vaccines. He praised the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) and his team for their continued efforts to ensure vaccine availability equity.

While he pointed to “disappointment” over vaccine availability,” the Prime Minister said the Community continued to anticipate that its many approaches, requests and orders would soon result in satisfying deliveries of approved vaccines for “our anxious populations”.

“Today I also acknowledge and welcome the commitments made by the United States of America; the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and Northern Ireland; France, and Germany to the global mechanism COVAX, and to equi-

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd, along with other officials, virtually attended the opening of the Intersessional Meeting on Wednesday

table allocation of vaccines.

As we meet here now, we

Caricom Chairman, Prime Minister of T&T, Dr Keith Rowley

are all anxiously awaiting our first shipments of the life-saving vaccines from the COVAX experiment,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the pandemic had thrown the global economy into a tailspin, with very little sign of early recovery, and although CARICOM had relative success in its fight against COVID-19, the bloc was identified as one of the Caribbean’s most vulnerable to the virus, especially when the effect of travel bans on tourism services were taken into consideration.

“This sector is crucial to the survival of many of our Member States and

Associate Members,” the Caricom Chair pointed out.

According to Dr Rowley, the “perilous pandemic” had disrupted every segment of society as the Region continued to deal with traditional threats to development, such as climate change, external economic shocks, blacklisting and de-risking of financial institutions.

He told delegates that COVID-19 had highlighted the vulnerabilities of the Caribbean Community and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and called for vulnerability indices that took into account the impact climate change, natural disasters and global pandemic had on their development.

“This will permit Small Island Developing States access to much needed concessional financing to aid our recovery and build our resilience,” he outlined.

The impact of the pandemic on the Region, and the availability and procurement of vaccines were major themes in the Chairman’s Statement as well as in the presentations by the outgoing Caricom Chair, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, and CARICOM SecretaryGeneral Ambassador Irwin

LaRocque, whose tenure will come to an end in August.

President Dr Irfaan Ali attended the opening of the intersessional meeting virtually, along with Guyana’s Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd; Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Elizabeth Harper; Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, and other officials.

During the two-day meeting, regional Heads of Government will discuss the preparations for the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.

They will examine the status of implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and any outstanding issues which need to be resolved to ensure that full benefits from the CSME are realised.

The Meeting will also seek to advance the regional agenda on Food and Nutrition Security.

Heads of Government will deliberate on the framework for a joint Tourism Policy for CARICOM, as well as CARICOM’s relations with the new United States Administration.

Reparations and Regional Security are also matters on which the Heads of Government would deliberate. (G8)

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

More awareness needed among youths – Greenidge T

he need for more young people to be more interested in national issues such as the Guyana/Venezuela Border Controversy was highlighted at a recent public forum targeting youths on Wednesday.

The event was organised by youth group Empower Guyana, and among those who lobbied for more young people in Guyana to become more aware of the issue was the Guest Speaker, Advisor to the Foreign Affairs Minister on the Guyana/Venezuela Border Controversy, Carl Greenidge.

According to Greenidge, there is a public view that Guyanese youths are “shockingly insensitive” to issue that affect and determine their future. To this end, he urged young people to ensure they equip themselves with the necessary tools and information so they are aware of not just their future, but that of their future generations as well.

“This issue is really existential to Guyana. It concerns Guyana’s ability to survive, and therefore it is very important that we share time and ideas on this… Guyana is such a relatively young country, and what is done with, what is expose to, and what is organised by, youths will determine how well and where we go forward,” Greendige, a former Foreign Affairs Minister himself, noted.

Greenidge, who is also Guyana’s co-agent on the Border Controversy case, further pointed out that Venezuela’s biggest concern is its image on the global scene, hence it is op-

Carl Greenidge speaking at the public forum

posed to Guyana lobbying the international community for support in the border controversy.

To this end, he posited that young people should not only equip themselves with knowledge of the issue, but also use the tools available to them to advocate for Guyana’s sovereign rights and territorial integrity. But he contended that the interest must first be there.

“There has to be smart involvement by the youths… It is also a question of using the appropriate tools [to spread awareness]. But first of all, you have to have an interest, so that you can raise your own awareness and the awareness of other youths on the issue… But you, as citizens of the country, have to take an interest and participate in decision-making process and ensure that your voices are heard,” Greenidge posited.

Supporting this call was activist Ronald Austin Jr., who also underscored the important role social media can have in this regard. He urged the more-than-a-dozen young people gathered at the public forum to capitalise on the reach of such platforms to raise awareness of Guyana’s plight on

the international scene.

Austin Jr, expressed concerns that the current generation does not have the drive to take up this issue of Guyana’s sovereignty.

As such, to drive home the gravity of the border controversy, he pointed out that Venezuela is not just claiming 70 per cent of Guyana, but five of Guyana’s 10 Administrative Regions.

He further stated that the Spanish-speaking nation is not prepared to drop this issue, and that the border controversy might never go away.

To this end, he asserted that this current generation has to be “youths of consequence,” and not just make themselves educated on the Guyana/Venezuela Border Controversy, but drive a movement using social media platforms such as Twitter.

He outlined that major movements to highlight issues in small nations are sparked through social media in other countries.

The same could be don for Guyana, he noted.

This public forum comes days ahead of Friday’s case management hearing at the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ). The Court is expected to decide on the time to be allotted to each

of the parties. They will find out whether Venezuela will participate, and they will also give an opportunity to clear up any matters to deal with the procedures which the parties or the court may have.

Guyana approached the World Court in 2018, seeking a final and binding judgement to reinforce that the 1899 Arbitral Award remains valid and binding on all parties, and legal affirmation that Guyana’s Essequibo region, which contains much of Guyana’s natural resources, belongs to Guyana and not Venezuela.

However, on January 7, 2021, the Nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela issued a decree claiming sovereignty and exclusive sovereign rights to the waters and seabed adjacent to Guyana’s coast west of the Essequibo River – a move which President Dr Irfaan

Some of the young people at Wednesday’s forum

Ali has staunchly rejected.

The Guyanese leader declared on January 9 that Venezuela’s maritime border claim is a “legal nullity” that will not be recognised by Guyana or any other State in the world.

He added that while this latest move by the Spanishspeaking nation is “deeply disturbing”, it will not deter Guyana’s resolve to seek a final and binding resolution at the ICJ. However, in the past

few days, there has been an escalation of tension, brought on by Venezuela’s detention of the 11-member crew of two Guyaneseregistered fishing vessels – the Lady Nayera and the Sea Wolf – off the coast of Waini Point in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The men were eventually released upon the direction of President Maduro, and have since returned safely to Guyana’s shores.

$150M farm-to-market road to open up 30,000 acres of land in Berbice

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha turning the sod for the start of the road project at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice

H

undreds of farmers in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) are set to benefit from almost 30,000 acres of new farming lands that would become available with the establishment of an estimated $150 million farmto-market road at No. 52 Village, Corentyne this year.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has said the road, which would span from the public road to Canje Creek, is among several projects streamlined for implementation at strategic farming villages across Guyana.

“In Region Six, you will see between 20,000 (and) 30,000 acres of new lands being made available with the construction of all-weather road on the Corentyne Coast, which will satisfy the needs of hundreds of farmers there,” he told DPI in a recent interview.

A few days after being assigned to head the Ministry, Minister Mustapha travelled to the Ancient County to meet farmers who had been affected by overtopping. During that meeting, they implored him to upgrade the road to transport crops from farmlands.

Mustapha said the PPP/C Government is keen to ensure that the necessary structures are in place to enhance farmers’ livelihoods. He said, too, that he would continue to make representation at all levels for the men and women labouring in the fields.

The Ministry is also advancing its plan to expand the sector over the next five years, which would see the construction of several farm-to-market roads across the regions. This includes a projected $175 million road on the right bank of the Mahaicony Creek in Region Five; an estimated $150 million road on the left

bank of the Mahaica Creek in Region Four, and an estimated $100 million road at Salem, in Region Three.

Early last month, Dr Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, and Minister Mustapha officially turned the sod for the construction of a $327 million farm-tomarket road at Onverwagt in Region Five.

While these projects are now in the tendering phase, Minister Mustapha said, the process would be accelerated to meet farmers’ needs.

Mustapha said these 2021 interventions are all part of the PPP/C Government’s transformational agenda for Guyana.

He said that in just seven short months in office, the Government has had massive accomplishments in the sector, and it remains committed to delivering to the Guyanese people.

17 Biden lifts Trump-era ban blocking legal immigration to US P NEWS

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

resident Joe Biden on Wednesday lifted a freeze on green cards issued by his predecessor during the pandemic that lawyers said was blocking most legal immigration to the United States.

Former President Donald Trump last spring halted the issuance of green cards until the end of 2020 in the name of protecting the coronavirus-wracked job market — a reason that Trump gave to achieve many of the cuts to legal immigration that had eluded him before the pandemic.

Trump on December 31 extended those orders until the end of March.

Trump had deemed immigrants a “risk to the U.S. labor market” and blocked their entry to the United States in issuing Proclamation 10014 and Proclamation 10052.

Biden stated in his proclamation Wednesday that shutting the door on legal immigrants “does not advance the interests of the United States.”

“To the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here.

It also harms industries in the United States that utilize talent from around the world,” Biden stated in his proclamation.

President Joe Biden

Most immigrant visas were blocked by the orders, according to immigration lawyers.

As many as 120,000 family-based preference visas were lost largely because of the pandemic-related freeze in the 2020 budget year, according to the American Immigrant Lawyers Association.

Immigrants could not bring over family members unless they were U.S. citizens applying for visas for their spouses or children under the age of 21.

It also barred entry to immigrants with employment-based visas unless they were considered beneficial to the national interest such as health care professionals.

And it slammed the door on thousands of visa lottery winners who were randomly chosen from a pool of about 14 million applicants to be given green cards that would let them live permanently in the United States.

The blocked visas add to a growing backlog that has reached 437,000 for fami-

ly-based visas alone, said California immigration lawyer Curtis Morrison, who represented thousands of people blocked by the freeze.

“I’m thrilled for my clients who are now in a position that they can now enter the U.S.,” he said. “But that backlog will take years if the administration does not take ambitious measures.”

A federal judge last year issued a ruling that all but lifted Proclamation 10052 by allowing temporary foreign workers to enter the United States if their employers are members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce or several other large organizations that represent much of the U.S. economy.

But Proclamation 10014 continued to block thousands of immigrants.

Immigration lawyers said they were surprised Biden did not immediately lift the freeze like he did with Trump’s travel ban imposed against people from mostly Muslim-majority countries. As a result, some immigrants blocked by the travel ban found they still could not come to the United States because of the freeze.

Biden’s actions come only days after thousands of visa lottery winners at risk of having their visas expire won a court order that put their visas on hold by the judge in the case. Now they will be allowed to use their visas to enter the country.

The United States makes available up to 55,000 visas a year for immigrants whose nationalities are underrepresented in the U.S. population. The visas must be used within six months of being obtained.

Meanwhile, Biden has proposed legislation that would limit presidential authority to issue future bans against immigrants.

The president has not said whether there will be any redress for visa lottery

winners who lost out because of the pandemic-era policies.

But he is calling for the U.S. to increase the number of diversity visas available via the lottery each year from 55,000 to 80,000. (NBC New York)

Gonsalves criticises EU blacklisting of Dominica amid COVID-19 pandemic

O

utgoing Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (Caricom) Chairman Dr Ralph Gonsalves on Wednesday called on regional leaders to speak out against the “awful” decision by the European Union (EU) to blacklist Dominica as a non-cooperative jurisdiction for tax purposes, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

On Monday, the Council of the EU removed Barbados from the blacklist. However, it said Dominica had found itself in the same position as Barbados when it was added to the list in October last year, having received a ‘partially compliant’ rating from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Global Forum for Transparency and Exchange of Information.

Speaking at the opening of the 32nd Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom, being held virtual-

Dr Ralph Gonsalves

ly, Dr Gonsalves said he was “distressed” to hear about the placement of Dominica on the list, and he complained about regional countries being left out of the process of determining who is on the list.

“It is a terrible thing during this time. Barbados has had to endure that….

But we have to say something about this matter at this Conference,” the St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister said.

“We are not involved at all. There’s no inclusive process with the European

Commission and yet they simply use their power to declare another country a non-cooperative jurisdiction, even if that country satisfies all-inclusive processes of the OECD or the FATF [Financial Action Task Force]. And for it to be done at the time of the pandemic is just really awful. We see them as we are friends, but yet they behave like this towards us. I think we have to say something about this.”

Dr Gonsalves said that at this junction of the COVID-19 pandemic, “it’s really about two things fundamentally – jabs and jobs”.

“The jobs will come from the uptake of the economy, to the extent that we get any of it going, and there are proposals before us for strengthening the CSME – proposals in relation to the CARICOM Commission on the Economy and the initiatives in tourism and in agriculture,” he said. (CMC)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Regional

Venezuela expels head of EU Suriname looks to ramp up delegation after new sanctions oil production in a big way

S

V

enezuela expelled the head of the European Union’s delegation in Caracas, Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza announced on Wednesday, in response to fresh sanctions imposed by the EU. Speaking on national Venezuelan television, Arreaza said Isabel Brilhante had 72 hours to leave the country.

“Today, by decision of President Nicolás Maduro, we have delivered in Isabel Brilhante’s hands, who in recent years was the head of the European Union delegation in Venezuela, the declaration as ‘person non grata’,” he said.

“According to the Vienna convention, regarding diplomatic relations, she has been given a 72-hour deadline to leave the Venezuelan territory.”

Footage aired on Venezuelan State television showed Foreign Minister Arreaza presenting Brilhante – a national of Portugal – with a document, that he said formally declares the decision that she was no longer welcome in Venezuela.

On Monday, the EU

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza talking to the European Union’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Isabel Brilhante, during a meeting at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Caracas, Venezuela on February 24, 2021 [Manaure Quintero/Reuters]

imposed sanctions on 19 Venezuelan officials it accused of “undermining the Opposition’s electoral rights” and “serious violations of human rights” in the country, after allies of Maduro won legislative elections in December that the Venezuelan Opposition, as well as several other countries, said were fraudulent.

The EU said the measures are reversible and were not meant to affect the Venezuelan population.

“These targeted measures are designed not to have ad-

verse humanitarian effects or unintended consequences for the Venezuelan population, and can be reversed,” the Council of the EU said in a statement.

The sanctions froze the assets and imposed travel bans on the 19 officials “in view of the deteriorating situation in Venezuela following the December 2020 elections”, according to the statement.

The EU said it maintained sanctions on a total of 55 individuals in Venezuela.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Trinidad: Opposition Leader offers PM “2 simple solutions” for THA “charade”

O

pposition Leader Kamla PersadBissessar has called on the Prime Minister to end the “charade” in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) or he will be “tied up in court for a long time”.

She said the passing of last Friday’s Tobago House of Assembly (Amendment) Bill by a simple majority was unconstitutional and would be struck down in a court of law.

She said it was unconstitutional on several levels, including passage by a simple majority and the erosion of the assemblymen’s rights to salary and other properties

PM Dr Keith Rowley said there would be fresh elections in a 15-seat THA to break the deadlock.

During the United National Congress (UNC) Monday night virtual report, “If you want a tie-breaker, you can have it tomorrow morning and end all this charade now”, Persad-Bissessar said. “End new polls. End this going back to the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC).

“Rowley doesn’t want a tie-breaker, he wants to gerrymander boundaries and to plant himself down in Tobago forever. He wants

a new election to do that.

“Let the people of Tobago get the Government they voted for in terms of the THA. Let them govern their own affairs.”

She advised Government to use one of two options: either call another meeting for the clerk to come back in and, following the standing order, to elect a presiding officer.

When this is exhausted, go to standing order 92, which refers to the House of Representatives standing order 410 for drawing lots in the event of an equality of votes. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

audi Arabia’s surprise January 2021 one million barrel per day production cut has sparked a sense of bullishness over the outlook for crude oil.

The international Brent benchmark price has soared 25 per cent since the start of 2021, sparking considerable bullishness over the outlook for crude oil and energy companies. Substantially higher oil prices, coupled with a renewed sense of optimism in the wake of the devastating fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, have seen oil companies across the globe bolster investment for 2021.

One jurisdiction attracting considerable attention

from global oil companies is Suriname. The deeply- impoverished South American country, which emerged from a brewing political crisis in July 2020 only to be confronted by the severe economic fallout from the COIVD-19 pandemic, is readying itself to benefit from a major offshore oil boom.

Like neighbouring Guyana, whose burgeoning oil boom is delivering a tremendous economic windfall responsible for 2020 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanding by 26 per cent despite the pandemic, Suriname is anticipating a similar dividend.

The former Dutch colony of only 600,000 people has been hit particularly hard by the

pandemic. The International Monetary Fund predicted 2020 GDP contracted by 13 per cent, the second-largest decline in South America when excluding Venezuela.

This, along with the Fund estimating that 2021 GDP will only grow by a paltry 1.5 per cent, highlights the urgent need for the Government of President Chan Santokhi to identify ways of restarting Suriname’s fragile economy. A swag of major petroleum discoveries was made since the start of 2020, the latest being Apache and partner Total’s Keskesi East-1 in offshore Block 58, their fourth offshore Suriname discovery. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Rage boils over amid Argentina’s unrelenting femicide crisis

T

he women huddle close, crane their necks and take photos of the ornate advertising stand in the core of Argentina’s capital city that has been papered over with posters of men accused or convicted of murdering women.

The word “FEMICIDA” – woman killer – screams out in large black letters under each name.

The posters, like the thousands who gathered outside the Supreme Court of Argentina last week in protest, are a measure of the rage that exists in the country over rampant levels of violence against women.

It was the murder of 18-year-old Ursula Bahillo that pushed the women’s movement into the streets on February 17 in numbers not seen since Argentina’s Congress legalised elective abortion in December. This time, the mood was much more sombre.

Bahillo was killed in her hometown of Rojas, in the province of Buenos Aires, on February 8. Her ex-boyfriend, Police Officer Matias Ezequiel

A demonstrator holds a sign reading, “Stop killing us, we demand justice”, during a protest against violence towards women, in Buenos Aires, Argentina [Flor Guzzetti/Reuters]

Martinez, has been charged with femicide, with the aggravating factors of premeditation and cruelty.

“We want to be able to walk the streets without having to look over our shoulders,” said Fabiana Costa, a 26-year-old mother who lives in Quilmes, on the outskirts of the capital city, standing with a sign calling for “feminist judicial reform” outside the Supreme Court.

Advocates say Bahillo’s case has been a lightning rod because it clearly demon-

strates the many ways the State is failing to protect women.

She had filed several Police complaints against her ex-boyfriend and obtained a restraining order that was not enforced. The last time she went to authorities to report a complaint, she was told they did not work on weekends and that she would have to come back another day. On the following Monday, the day her panic button was slated to arrive, she was dead. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Ecuador jail fight: Dozens of Cocaine worth billions shipped inmates killed in gang war from Paraguay, Panama

A

t least 79 inmates have been killed in simultaneous fights in four jails in Ecuador, one of the deadliest incidents in the country’s prisons in years.

The military and Riot Police have been deployed in an effort to quell the violence, which started on Tuesday.

Experts say the fights were prompted by a battle for control of the jails after a gang leader was killed in December.

The number of dead is higher than the total of inmates killed in 2019 and 2020 combined.

Early on Wednesday lo-

cal time, prison authorities said the situation was now “under control”.

They updated the number of dead and said the violence had also engulfed a fourth jail.

The deadliest incident happened in Turi prison, in the city of Cuenca, where 34 were killed.

There were also fatalities in two prisons in the city of Guayaquil and in a jail in Latacunga. All of those killed were inmates, officials said.

The first reports of fights came in at about 09:00 local time (15:00 GMT) on Tuesday.

Tension had been running high since the killing

in December of Jorge Luis Zambrano, the leader of the Choneros gang.

Zambrano, alias “Itch”, was shot dead in a cafeteria just months after being released from jail.

During his time in prison, he and his gang ran a lucrative smuggling, drug dealing and extortion ring which mainly – but not exclusively – operates inside Ecuador’s jails.

Tuesday’s deadly fights are thought to have been over who should replace Zambrano and were said to have been planned and highly organised, according to Interior Minister Patricio Pazmiño. (Excerpt from BBC News)

C

ustoms authorities in Germany and Belgium have seized a record of more than 23 tonnes of cocaine that was destined for the Netherlands.

German officials discovered 16 tonnes in five shipping containers that had arrived in the port of Hamburg from Paraguay earlier this month.

Police in the Netherlands were notified and a further 7.2 tonnes of cocaine was seized at the Belgian port of Antwerp.

German officials said the cocaine had a street value of billions of euros.

A 28-year-old man suspected of involvement in

the trafficking of the drugs has been arrested in the Netherlands, Dutch Police said on Wednesday.

The two raids, which took place earlier this month, resulted in the seizure of an “enormous amount of cocaine”, customs officials said.

In Antwerp, the drug was hidden in a container filled with wooden blocks from Panama.

The cocaine found in the northern German city of Hamburg was concealed in tins of wall filler, which had entered Europe on a container ship from Paraguay.

Customs officers decided to take a closer look at the Paraguayan containers after

noticing “clear irregularities” with some of the contents –tin cans that were meant to be filled with putty.

“Beyond a layer of genuine goods, packed just behind the container door, numerous tin cans were in fact filled with other goods,” officials said.

Investigators then ordered the containers to be unloaded, and found cocaine stashed away in more than 1700 tins.

“This is the largest amount of cocaine ever seized in Europe and one of the largest single seizures worldwide,” German customs said, referring to the Hamburg haul alone. (Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Traders are betting on US$100 oil following Texas freeze

A

mid all the issues ignited in the Texas turmoil, and as oil prices roar to post-COVID highs, analysts across the energy space appear to be outdoing each other with their bullish forecasts.

Brent Crude prices could hit US$70 a barrel in the second quarter of 2021, while they are set to average US$60 this year, Bank of America said this week, raising its average price outlook

by US$10 a barrel from its previous projection.

Echoing Bank of America, Morgan Stanley also sees Brent touching the US$70 mark this year, but a bit later – in the third quarter, expecting “a much-improved market”, including on the demand side.

On Sunday, Goldman Sachs started the investment banks’ upgrades of oil price forecasts, expecting Brent Crude prices to hit US$75 a barrel in the third quarter this year, on the back of faster market rebalancing, lower expected inventories, and traders hedging against inflation.

But those forecasts all pale in comparison to Azerbaijan’s Socar Trading SA, which predicts global benchmark Brent could hit triple digits in the next 18 to 24 months, and Bank of America sees potential spikes above US$100 over the next few years on improving fundamentals and global stimulus.

Bloomberg reports, speculators are also getting in on the action, increasing bets in the options market that oil will reach the vaunted level by December 2022.

However, as Bloomberg notes, these forecasts for $100 are far from the current consensus. The median analyst forecast compiled by Bloomberg has Brent staying below US$65 a barrel through 2025. And there are plenty of reasons to be sceptical of such a resurgence. For one, the OPEC cuts that have limited supply are artificial, and the cartel has enough spare capacity to meet any shortfall should demand rocket following a worldwide recovery from the pandemic, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

COVAX vaccine-sharing scheme delivers 1st doses

G

hana has become the first country to receive coronavirus vaccines through the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative.

A delivery of 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrived in Accra on Wednesday. The first recipients are due to be healthcare workers.

The COVAX scheme aims to reduce the divide between rich countries and poorer nations unable to buy doses.

The programme is planning to deliver about two billion vaccine doses globally by the end of the year.

Ghana, which has a population of over 30 million, was chosen as the first re-

The WHO and Unicef said the delivery was a momentous occasion

cipient of the free vaccines after promising quick distribution and meeting the criteria set by COVAX. Further deliveries are expected to neighbouring Ivory Coast later this week, the COVAX alliance says.

Vaccinations are expected to start in Ghana next week, and, as well as health workers, those over 60, people with underlying health conditions, and senior officials are due to be prioritised.

The vaccines delivered to Accra were produced by the Serum Institute of India and developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.

The vaccine has been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and its roll-out in Ghana is not part of a trial.

The doses being sent to lower-income countries such as Ghana are funded by donations. As well as procuring and delivering the vaccines, COVAX partners are supporting local authorities in areas such as training people to administer the jabs and helping provide an adequate cold-chain storage and delivery system.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Niger’s Opposition Leader alleges election fraud, declares victory

N

iger’s Opposition Leader, Mahamane Ousmane has claimed that he narrowly won the country’s presidential election, as fresh violence erupted a day after official results gave victory to his rival by a wide margin.

“The compilation of results … which we have in our possession through our representatives in the various polling stations give us victory with 50.3 per cent of the vote,” Ousmane said on

Wednesday, according to a video of a speech he made in the south-eastern town of Zinder.

According to provisional results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), former Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum picked up 55.75 per cent of the vote in Sunday’s runoff and Ousmane 44.25 per cent.

Police clashed with Ousmane supporters in

the capital, Niamey, after CENI’s announcement on Tuesday, AFP news agency reported.

Sources in the city said at least one Police station and shops owned by people perceived as being close to the Government had been pillaged.

In Dosso, 100 kilometres (62 miles) south of Niamey, the offices of a pro-Government party were damaged by fire, residents said.

Further violence erupt-

ed on Wednesday morning in Niamey’s central market area. Protesters threw stones and Police responded with tear gas, and at least one petrol station was attacked, according to AFP. In the afternoon, protesters confronted security forces in the south-western town of Kollo, residents said.

Internet access was severely reduced on Wednesday in Niamey and Zinder. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

US patience with Iran on Johnson and Johnson Syria war: Russian renewing nuclear talks “not jets “bomb IS positions vaccine: FDA finds the in desert region” unlimited” – State Department single-shot jab safe

A

review by US regulators of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine has found it is safe and effective.

It paves the way for it to become the third COVID-19 vaccine to be authorised in the US, possibly within days.

The vaccine would be a cost-effective alternative to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and can be stored in a refrigerator instead of a freezer.

Results from trials were released by Johnson & Johnson last month.

The Belgian company Janssen, which is owned by the pharmaceutical giant, said its data showed the product was highly effective against severe disease.

It comes as Ghana became the first country to receive coronavirus vaccines through the Covax vaccine-sharing initiative.

The briefing document published by the US Food and Drug Administration

(FDA) gives more detail on the data submitted by Janssen to the regulator.

The FDA concludes that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has "known benefits" in reducing both symptomatic and severe illness.

Results from vaccine trials conducted in the US, South Africa and Brazil found its efficacy against the worst outcomes of the virus was "similarly high", but overall protection was lower in South Africa and Brazil, where virus variants have become dominant.

Data showed it was more than 85 per cent effective at preventing serious illness, but only 66 per cent effective overall, when moderate cases were included, when considering cases at least 28 days after vaccination.

Notably, there were no deaths among participants who had received the vaccine and no hospital admissions after 28 days post-vaccine. (Excerpt from BBC News)

R

ussian warplanes have carried out dozens of air strikes on the Islamic State (IS) group's positions in the Syrian Desert, activists say.

The jets are supporting an operation by Syrian pro-Government forces to secure the road between Homs and Deir al-Zour, according to a monitoring group.

IS militants have carried out a string of deadly ambushes and hit-and-run attacks in the region recently.

The latest, on Wednesday, reportedly killed nine soldiers and militiamen.

The UK-based Syrian

Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war in Syria via a network of sources, said three others had died on Tuesday when a landmine planted by IS exploded in the desert near al-Mayadeen, in south-eastern Deir al-Zour province.

Russian air strikes on Tuesday killed at least 10 IS militants in Deir al-Zour and eastern Hama province, while there were no immediate reports of casualties from Wednesday's strikes in the al-Shawla area and what it described as "the Aleppo-Raqqa-Hama triangle", it added. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Iran has not formally responded to a US offer last week to talk in a joint meeting with the countries that negotiated the deal

T

he United States’ patience with Iran on returning to discussions over the 2015 nuclear deal is “not unlimited”, State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Wednesday.

Iran has not formally responded to a US offer last week to talk in a joint meeting with the countries that negotiated the deal.

Asked at a news briefing whether there was an expiration date on the of-

fer, Price said Iran’s moves away from compliance with the 2015 agreement’s restrictions on its nuclear activities made the issue an “urgent challenge” for the United States.

“Our patience is not unlimited, but we do believe, and the President has been clear on this ... that the most effective way to ensure Iran could never acquire a nuclear weapon was through diplomacy,” Price said. (Reuters)

20

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

DILBERT

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

Let others make the first moves. Don't put yourself at risk or do something that will make you look bad or taint your reputation. Look inward and make personal changes that will build confidence.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Observation is your best friend. Make corrections, be articulate and show compassion. You will gain respect and ward off discord. Expand your interests. Listen and think.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Keep your plans secret until you have everything in place. Preparation will help you come out ahead. A personal or physical change will give you the boost you require to gain recognition.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Don't jump to conclusions or make assumptions. Stand back and let situations play out naturally.

Distance yourself from people trying to get you involved in a questionable joint venture.

PEANUTS

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Attending virtual meetings, connecting with people who have something to offer and exploring new possibilities regarding your professional goals are favored. Trust your intuition when dealing with pushy people.

Stick to what you know and do best. Don't get involved in bureaucratic matters if you aren't prepared with facts to back your claims. Concentrate on personal changes that will bring you peace of mind.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You are better off doing things on your own. Joint endeavors will lead to disappointment, arguments and loss. Use your intelligence and charm to outmaneuver someone trying to push you in an unwise direction.

SCORPIO

Don't count on someone using emotional means to manipulate you. Avoid people who keep changing their minds or who are unpredictable. Build relationships with people who share your values.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS Put your money to proper use. Look at your options, (Nov. 23and consider offers that can Dec. 21) lead to a better professional position. Don't spend unnecessarily or expect others to pay your way.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

An unexpected offer will grab your attention. Before you take action, go over details diligently. Leave nothing to chance, and look for pitfalls that can lead to a disagreement or loss.

You'll be indecisive if you receive mixed messages.

Question whatever you don't understand, and if you don't get a satisfactory explanation, be prepared to walk away.

Don't stop until you reach your goal. Use your intuition to navigate your way through any challenges you face. Trust in your ability to make things happen.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

21

Successes of the Lusignan Golf Club tourneys are testament to the club’s hard work

The winners and sponsors with their trophies

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) is definitely the place to be for professional and aspiring golfers, as it is Guyana’s only complete golf course.

Led by Patanjilee Persaud, the club has already taken major strides thus far as it aims to seek out corporate sponsors

to not only make the club better known, but to promote the game of golf as well.

To date, the LGC has hosted the Panko Steel Fabrication Golf Tournament and the AgroServices-Amazon Planx Tournament, and will soon be hosting the Suresh Jagmohan Construction Services Tournament. These

tournaments are a definite testament to the hard work of the Patanjilee Persaud-led committee as it continues to popularise the game of golf within all reaches in Guyana.

With onset of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, tough times descended on every sporting discipline in Guyana, but the Lusignan Golf Club was able to

ECCB elects office-bearers, ratifies updated constitution

E

lections of office-bearers of the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) were held on Friday, 19th February 2021 at the LBI Pavilion, ECD after a notice was published by the 16 affiliated clubs calling for the elections in order to address the absence of a functioning East Coast Cricket Board.

However, 2 of the affiliated clubs were absent from that engagement.

The following persons have been elected to positions in the East Coast Cricket Board: President, Ashmul Ali; 1st Vice President, Lalta Gainda; 2nd Vice President, Beemraj Ramkelawan; Secretary, Jitlall Jowharilall; Treasurer, Yeuvraj Khemraj; Asst Secretary/Treasurer, Davindra Ramtahal; Marketing Manager, Quancy Cummings; Committee Members: Atamdeo Persaud, Ramnarine Chatura and Chatterpaul Balkissoon.

The updated Constitution of the ECCB was also unanimously ratified by the affiliated clubs.

Members were concerned that, over the years, some clubs have played no cricket but continued to be included in the business of the ECCB only at the time of voting. The constitution was revised to adjust and provide for voting members, and to regularise some recent changes to coincide with requirements for notices etc, and also to adhere to new requirements of the Cricket Administration Act and the revised DCB Constitution.

ECCB President Ashmul Ali reminded members of their obligations, and addressed current issues affecting cricket on the East Coast

and nationally. He said many want to hold office but do not function, leaving the work to be done by a few. Members were alarmed that a Demerara Cricket Board election was fixed for 11:30 AM on the very day, suggesting that someone was trying to bypass legitimate clubs from having a say in regard to cricket administration on the East Coast.

Member clubs claimed that imposters were presenting themselves as representatives of ECCB. A decision was also taken by a few of the members to challenge the Demerara Cricket Board elections in court, as it was convened without an Ombudsman verifying the eligible clubs and representatives of ECCB. The Executives promised to labour assiduously to continue the work of the East Coast Cricket Committee that had carried the mantle of producing players, because of the constant applications to the court on the issue of which name can or cannot be used on the East Coast to play cricket.

It was emphasised that 90% of the clubs on the East Coast of Demerara must be able to handle their affairs. The ECCB is currently hosting an under-15 competition, but has pledged to stage a T20 tournament shortly.

Vice President Lalta Gainda, who has been a sponsor of youth cricket on the East Coast for the past five years, has promised to continue this and other developmental initiatives.

The winners with their trophies and fresh vegetable hampers from Agro Services

give back to its community as its members played their part in the fight against COVID-19. And now, although the pandemic is still prevalent, Guyana is in a somewhat better position to accommodate the restart of certain sports.

From this position, the LGC, a name synonymous with the game of golf, has taken full advantage of the opportunity to restart the playing of golf in Guyana, it being deemed COVID-19 compliant. The club promotes social distancing and observes all COVID-19 protocols during its competitions.

The club will have its

hands full as it gears up to host the Guyana Tournament and the Lusignan Day Open tournament, which are expected to attract participation of many of Guyana’s top golfers. The recently concluded AgroServices-Amazon Planx tournament was graced with the participation of top players Max Persaud, Patanjilee Persaud, Avinash Persaud, Troy Cadogan, Ravi Persaud, Brian Hackett, veteran Maurice Solomon, Mike Mangal and Guillermo Escarraga, among others.

The 9-hole course is one that will challenge many -

even the cream of the crop is wary of it - as it features thick grass, ditches, and small ponds that will cause golfers havoc; but who doesn’t love a good challenge in the game of golf? To top it all off, the club is planning to add another 5 holes to its course in the new year.

In short, golf is in Guyana to stay, and LGC members are working arduously to ensure that the year that was missed because of the dreadful pandemic is made up for, and that things are back on track where the beloved sport of golf is concerned.

CWI high-performance fielding workshop helps drive on-field improvement

A

s part of CWI’s new Coach Development Programme, Cricket West Indies (CWI) hosted, on Tuesday, February 23, a highperformance workshop designed to improve the standard of fielding in the game across the entire region.

Coaches from all six territorial professional franchises were involved, as well as several players now participating in the CG Insurance Super50 Cup. The on-field presentation was led by Trevor Penney, the current West Indies Men’s Assistant Coach, an experienced international fielding coach who has also performed a variety of high-profile coaching roles across the IPL, CPL, and Australian domestic cricket.

Penney, along with fellow West Indies Men’s Assistant Coach Rayon Griffith, shared cuttingedge fielding techniques already in operation to prepare the West Indies squads for the upcoming CG Insurance T20 Internationals, CG Insurance One-Day Internationals, and Test matches against Sri Lanka.

The workshop was also attended by the following West Indies legends: Shivnarine Chanderpaul, assistant coach/manager of Guyana Jaguars; Courtney Walsh, Head Coach of West Indies Women’s team; and cricket consultant Sir Curtly Ambrose.

The workshop was organised and coordinated by Chris Brabazon, CWI’s Coach Development Manager, and conducted at the world-famous Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

CWI’s new Coach Development Programme includes a variety of high-performance coaching workshops that are all designed to equip regional coaches with the latest practical coaching methods and technologies required to help West Indian players perform at their peak and be successful at the highest levels of the game.

Key areas covered in this workshop included mental approach and attitude to fielding; anticipation; intercepting ground balls (including

diving/sliding); and throwing techniques (including direct hits).

Trevor Penney has said: “This was a great morning with our dedicated regional coaches and some of the best fielders we have. It was all about sharing information as we look to improve cricket in the West Indies and produce better equipped players. It’s all about the fundamentals. (It was all about) going back to the basics and fixing some of the things that need attention. It was wonderful to see the level of enthusiasm, the interaction, the awareness and skill from everyone involved.”

Chris Brabazon added: “Whenever we have access to our top specialists and coaches of Trevor Penney’s calibre, we will continue to find ways to connect them with our coaches and players across the region, to enhance our West Indies Cricket Pathway. This CWI high-performance workshop marks the start of what will be an ongoing series of events that are designed to empower our regional coaches with the knowledge required to develop world-class West Indian cricketers.”

Courtney Walsh said: “This was a great step forward as we send the message that all the coaches in the region are working on the same page with techniques and player development, as we try to do what is best for our cricket athletes. We were trying to get some basic information shared, and it was very helpful. For me, it was very beneficial, and I was happy to participate.”

To maximise the impact of this and future workshops, CWI will be developing the footage into shorter coaching videos to be shared with coaches and players across the region within the new CWI Coach Development Programme.

This programme is a key part of the new “Cricket First” strategy and investment plan designed to implement a sustainable world-class coach development system across the breadth of the West Indies Cricket Pathway. This will ultimately lead to the development of better players through better coaching. (CWI)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Red Force power to Super50 final after brushing aside Scorpions Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis added quick runs (CWI Media/Phillip Spooner photos)

Kieron Pollard

CLASSIFIED ADS LEARN TO DRIVE Shalom Enterprise Driving School 2 Croal Street, Stabroek You can also obtain an International Driving Permit covering over 134 Countries.

Contact us: 227-3835 / 627-6155.

WhatsApp: 619-0106. Join us on FaceBook.

PUPPIES FOR SALE Mix Breed Puppies For sale Contact : 253-3114/692-0126

TAXI SERVICE Elegant Cabs 231-1494 / 226-4277 Cell #: 625-6600 24 hrs.

GR Taxi

227-1982, 225-7878 219-5000, 227-2100 Wanted: Contract Cars Tel: 614-6202

Nicholas Pooran

T

rinidad and Tobago Red Force have stormed to the final of the CG Insurance Regional Super50 Cup with a sixwicket win against the Jamaica Scorpions in the first of the semi-final matches to be played.

Red Force have kept their record perfect in this tournament, Ravi Rampaul’s 4-29 in 10 overs having led a collective team effort that included half-centuries from Lendl Simmons and Nicholas Pooran in chasing 256.

Red Force Captain Kieron Pollard won the toss and opted to field first. After right-arm pacer Anderson Phillip snapped up the wicket of the Scorpions’ Aldane Thomas with the score on 5-1, John Campbell and Brandon King added 108 runs to revive the Scorpions’ innings.

After King was eventually bowled by Phillip for an 81-ball 58, which included five fours and one six, Andre McCarthy partnered Campbell with the score at 113-2, scored in 27.1 overs, and these senior batsmen took the score to 171-

3 in 36.1 overs. McCarthy looked aggressive in his 29-ball 35, which was decorated with three fours and one six.

Skipper Rovman Powell came and went for a 12-ball 16, and Fabian Allen was caught by Pooran off the probing Rampaul, thereby reducing the Scorpions to 203-5 in 41.6 overs. Rampaul kept things tight, and the Scorpions’ scoring rate was kept below par despite Campbell’s presence at the crease.

Eventually, the left-handed opener Campbell fell for 88, which came off 131 balls and included four boundaries and a solitary six.

At 226-6 in 45.5 overs, the Scorpions lacked the firepower at the back end despite Nkrumah Bonner’s 16-ball 20, thus the Jamaicans ended their innings on 255-7, scored in 50 overs.

Rampaul was the star bowler, claiming 4-29 in 10 overs, while Phillip claimed 2-41 in seven overs.

In response, Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons put 63 runs on

the board in 10 overs before the opening wicket fell when Lewis attempted to hit another six. He contributed 24 runs from the 31 balls he faced.

Darren Bravo (19), edging one to the keeper, departed with the score at 98-2, but Lendl Simmons continued to score quickly. His innings came to an end after he had faced 70 balls and scored 68 runs, which were decorated with three sixes and seven fours.

Leading batsman in the tournament, Jason Mohammed, chipped in with a 71-ball 41, but the talented Nicholas Pooran and skipper Kieron Pollard added an unbeaten 58-runs in a partnership. Pooran eventually was not out on 54 from 40 balls, inclusive of four fours and two sixes, while Pollard’s 36 came off 18 balls, and was decorated with five sixes and one four as Red Force ended on 256-4 in 42.1 overs.

Odean Smith had 2-54 while Rampaul was adjudged the CG Insurance Player of the Match. Red Force will await

the determination of either the Guyana Jaguars or the Windward Islands Volcanoes as

their opponents in the grand final to be played on February 27.

SCOREBOARD Jamaica John Campbell lbw b Rampaul . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Aldane Thomas c Pooran b Phillip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Brandon King b Phillip . . . . 58 Andre McCarthy c Rampaul b Khan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Rovman Powell c Simmons b Rampaul . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Fabian Allen c Pooran b Rampaul . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Nkruma Bonner b Rampaul . 20 Odean Smith not out . . . . 15 Jamie Merchant not out . . . 6 Extras: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Total: (7 wickets, 50.0) . . . 255 Did not bat: Jeavor Royal and Derval Green.

Fall-of-wickets: 1-5, 2-113, 3-171, 4-194, 5-203, 6-226, 7-240 Bowling: Anderson Phillip 7-041-2; Ravi Rampaul 10-0-29-4; Akeal Hosein 4-0-33-0; Khary

Pierre 7-0-36-0; Kieron Pollard 7-0-33-0; Jason Mohammed 5-0-38-0; Imran Khan 10-0-39-1.

Trinidad and Tobago Lendl Simmons c Bonner b Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Evin Lewis c Allen b Royal . . 24 Darren Bravo c Thomas b Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Jason Mohammed b Smith . . 41 Nicolas Pooran not out . . . 54 Kieron Pollard not out . . . . 36 Extras: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Total: (4 wickets, 42.1) . . . 256 Did not bat: Imran Khan, Ravi Rampaul, Anderson Phillip, Akeal Hosein and Khary Pierre.

Fall-of-wickets: 1-63, 2-98, 3-139, 4-198 Bowling: Jamie Merchant 1-260; Derval Green 3-0-31-0; Jeavor Royal 10-1-61-1; Odean Smith 7-0-54-2; Fabian Allen 9.1-0-641; Andre McCarthy 3-0-16-0.

Committee elected to manage Bush Lot Ground in Region 5

R

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW!

– after Sport Minister’s intervention

ajiv Kishun is the new President of the recently reformed Bush Lot Ground Management Committee on the West Coast of Berbice in Region 5 (MahaicaBerbice), following intervention and work from Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. The Minister of Sport, whose portfolio includes the upkeep and The Full management Committee of the Bush Lot Sports management of Ground. From left: Ryan Chitranjan Jaikissoon, Heeralall community grounds, Darsan, Indra Joylall, Dhanpaul Sukha (back), Philbert Kellawan (back), Christopher Bissoon (back), MP visited Bush Lot, Faizal Jaffarally, Region 5 Vice Chairman Rion Peters WCB on February (centre), Premdat Beecham, Joel Dilchand, Dhanraj 13 and interacted Ganesh, Rajiv Kishun and Chitranjandas Nipekra with residents on a number of issues on getting work done at the ground, affecting them. He soon discovered and transparency and accountability that one of their main concerns was issues were also ventilated. the issue of management of the affairs After 2015, the ground had of the community sports ground. fallen under management of the He was then briefed on the NDC, and the same members who previous committee that had managed had previously managed the ground the ground from 2008 to 2015, and selected themselves to continue doing was assailed with concerns relative to so without any consultation with proper consultation with the residents the residents. Those members were

councillors of the NDC. During the past five years, the NDC did very little, if anything, for the enhancement and development of the Bush Lot sports ground.

Upon hearing all of this, the Minister made a commitment to the residents, before whom he outlined his plans and pledged his support towards development of the ground and facility.

At that point, Ramson Jr ordered that residents of the village elect, on February 21, persons to be responsible for managing the affairs of the sports ground.

The Honourable MP Faizal Jaffarally and Region 5 Vice Chairman Rion Peters chaired, monitored, and subsequently declared the results of the elections, which were attended by a large number of residents. The residents voted overwhelmingly for the undermentioned individuals to be responsible for managing the affairs of the Bush Lot Ground, WCB. The New Management Committee now comprises President: Mr Rajiv Kishun; Vice President: Mr Dhanraj Ganesh; Secretary: Dr Joel Dilchand; Treasurer: Mr Dhanpaul Sukha; Assistant secretary/treasurer: Ms Indra Joylall; Youth Development Officer: Mr Premdat Beecham; Committee Members: 1. Mr Heeralall Darsan 2. Mr Ryan Chitranjan Jaikissoon 3. Mr Christopher Bissoon 4. Mr Philbert Kellawan 5. Mr Chitranjandas Nipekra

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CG Insurance Regional Super50

23

Jaguars focused on semi-final clash with Windward Islands Volcanoes

By Brandon Corlette

B

oosted by the inclusion of West Indies players Raymon Reifer and Veerasammy Permaul, the Guyana Jaguars are seeking to register a collective and winning team effort against the Windward Islands Volcanoes in today's semi-final match of the CG Insurance Regional Super50 tournament. Action starts from 13:30h at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

On the eve of this match, captain Leon Johnson has said the Jaguars will not be complacent, even though they brushed aside the Volcanoes on Monday last. The skipper noted that his team would be aiming to get the batting right and avoid any further collapse.

He noted that the Jaguars have gotten better in the field, and teams that are impressive in the tournament are likely to win.

Speaking on the return of Reifer and Permaul, Johnson, in a virtual presser, said: "They give the team a big boost.

Raymon brings another dimension with his leftarm seam, and we all know Permaul is crafty and we know what he can do."

Tevin Imlach (CWI Photos/ Phillip Spooner)

With the return of this duo meeting most of the Jaguars players performing well in the tournament thus far, Johnson has said it would be a headache to select eleven players to ‘put on the park’.

Although having scored two half-centuries, Shimron Hetmyer has been guilty of gifting his wicket away on many occasions. Johnson has said management spoke to Hetmyer and he has owned up to his mistakes.

"He played a more mature innings. I spoke to him and told him that's how he needs to play, and we saw that in the last game against Windward Islands. Hopefully, he keeps that up mentally and that good form in the next two games," Johnson said.

The legendary S h i v n a r i n e Chanderpaul is in the squad, and Johnson says he has been very influential to the team, and his presence is invaluable.

Johnson also spoke of Tevin Imlach who has seemingly solved the problem regarding the Jaguars’ opening partnership. He noted that Imlach has been working hard, and this leftright combination has been working.

Meanwhile, Volcanoes skipper Sunil Ambris has said his team would be aiming to brush off the rust from their "bad day at the office."

Volcanoes, who defeated the Jaguars in a semi-final match a few years ago, will be boosted by the return of Kaveem Hodge. Johnson has said he is cautious of this development, but believes that the team that plays good cricket on the day would win.

Of the last five matches between these two teams, Jaguars won four while the Volcanoes have won one of those matches.

Chandrapaul Hemraj is the leading batsman for the

Jaguars this season with 195 runs in five innings, while Christopher Barnwell has 170 runs and Shimron Hetmyer has recorded 167 runs.

In the bowling department, Gudakesh Motie has 12 wickets, while Nial Smith has eight scalps.

The Windward Islands Volcanoes, who recently recorded a poor batting display against the Jaguars, will be led by Sunil Ambris who recorded 192 runs, while Keron Cottoy has made 175 runs.

In the Volcanoes bowling department, leftarm spinner Larry Edwards has taken seven wickets.

Guyana Jaguars: Leon Johnson (captain), Shimron Hetmyer (vice-captain), Christopher Barnwell, Anthony Bramble, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Tevin Imlach, Keon Joseph, Ramaal Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Akshaya Persaud, Raymon Reifer, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith; Esuan Crandon (Head Coach).

Windward Islands Volcanoes: Sunil Ambris (captain), Andre Fletcher (vice-captain), Alick Athanaze, Roland Cato, Keron Cottoy, Kenneth Dember, Larry Edward, Kavem Hodge, Ryan John, Ray Jordan, Kimani Melius, Preston McSween, Kevin Stoute, Emmanuel Stewart, Obed McCoy; Andrew Richardson (Head Coach)

Keon Joseph did well against the Volcanoes on Monday

Guyanese Nicola Ramdyhan Mohamed, Narine scores big in Atlanta champion Mash Day chess G

Ricardo Narine of Queen’s College

W

hile there was not any public festivity for Republic Day, the local world of chess had much excitement, as the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) hosted its annual Mashramani tournament on February 23rd.

This online tournament saw participation from more than 50 players in two categories; namely, seniors and juniors. The seniors didn’t see a big turnout, only ten players; but the younger chess prodigies were eager to get into competition, and 45 of them, ranging in ages from 8 to 19 years, were present.

The 9-round event (for both categories) was staged on the Turnello Chess platform. The senior category saw most of those who recently competed in the 2020 Senior Chess Championships.

Irshad Mohamed come out on top with an unblemished 9 points. The next best competitor was National Blitz Chess Champion Davion Mars, who transferred his rapid knowledge online for 7.5 points. Glenford Corlette, who finished amongst the top in the National Senior, had good returns on Mash Day, garnering 7 points. Completing the

Alec Lumelino of Queen’s College top five for the Seniors were Murphy Bagot and Steve Leung, who picked up 5 and 4.5 points respectively.

Ricardo Narine of Queen’s College championed the Junior division with a resounding 7.5 points.

Alec Lumelino, also of Queen’s College, trailed closely with 7 points, but had to settle for second place, owing to the half-point deficit. Keron Sandiford of Saint Stanislaus College also finished on 7 points, but copped third place. Oluwadare Clement Oyeyipo and Adia Alphonso completed the top five finishers in the younger division with 6 points each. Alphonso, of Marian Academy, was eventually adjudged the best female finisher.

Meanwhile, “honourable mention” for the Under-12 participants went to Omar Sharrif and Anya Lall.

Making the incentives a bit sweeter for the Mash tournament’s participants, the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) accumulated a purse of $50,000 which would be disseminated as cash prizes to the successful participants.

uyanese tennis prodigy Nicola Ramdyhan has, for the first time ever on Tuesday, witnessed her face and name plastered across the skyline of Atlanta, Georgia.

The Clark Atlanta University tennis player is one of five CAU students who are being honoured by Georgia’s Own Credit Union for Black History Month.

Each day this week, the students will have their picture and name featured on the company’s 174-foot digital sign on top of the iconic former Equitable Building in downtown Atlanta.

Two of those students will be awarded a US$1,000 grant towards their area of study.

“I’m really excited! I’ve never seen myself on a building like this. It’s really a big deal,” Ramdyhan said about the monumental achievement.

Probed about her immediate goals, the 23-year-old Guyanese shared that she is focused on racking up more championships.

“My main goal is just to top the achievements I’ve earned during the previous seasons I’ve played. If it means securing another championship or getting further into the regional tournament afterwards, I’m definitely going for that,” she stated.

The former St. Joseph’s High and the Bishops’ High School student returned to Guyana last year following the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. She explained the impact that it has had on her game.

She revealed, “This season is definitely different from the past ones, but I’m definitely grateful that we have one this year.

“One of the differences (is

that) there’s a significant reduction of matches, but I’m still hopeful that my teammates and I put forward our best effort into each match that we have, and secure a championship again this year.”

Ramdyhan, who has always been able to balance sport and academics, elaborated on her experience as a student athlete. “To me, being a student athlete means being committed to a sport you enjoy, while also excelling academic-wise and just trying to be a role model to others, whether it’s your teammates, your classmates; helping to represent your school in a way that you know how,” she shared.

According to the Clarke Atlanta University Panthers’ website, Ramdyhan has been on the CAU Dean’s List, and has been a CAU scholar athlete every semester since she stepped on campus.

A member of the Phi Kappa Phi honour fraternity, Ramdyhan is also a member of the CAU Isabella T. Jenkins Honors and Scholars Program, and has been an All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All Academic pick every year.

She was one of eight members of the CAU tennis team who last summer were named to the 2020 Division II Women’s Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s AllAcademic Team, and were named ITA Scholar Athletes.

On the court, she was the SIAC’s Freshman of the Year in 2018, after going 14-4 in singles competition, and was a key member of the Lady Panthers’ 2019 SIAC championship squad.

Ramdyhan also finds time to volunteer to teach the basics of tennis to youngsters in Southwest Atlanta’s Healing Community Center, and to serve as a VITA volunteer tax preparer in Atlanta’s West End community.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021

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

Ravi Rampaul has picked up his second “player of the match” award

Successes of the Lusignan Golf Club tourneys are testament to the club’s hard work Pg 23

Red Force power to Super50 final after brushing aside Scorpions Pg 22

LGC President Patanjilee Persaud

Page 23

CG Insurance Regional Super50

Jaguars focused on semi-final clash with Windward Islands Volcanoes

Pg 23 Guyanese Nicola Ramdyhan pointing upwards to her name being splashed across the Atlanta skyline

Guyanese Nicola Ramdyhan scores big in Atlanta

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.