Guyana Times - Thursday, June 23, 2022

Schoolchildren to receive $30,000 cash P12 grant in July Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 5048

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

Brazil’s Petrobras buys 1st crude shipment from Guyana Page 7

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Work on gas-toshore project P9 already underway – Natural Resources Minister …contract will be awarded by year end

De Kinderen P8 woman nabbed with cocaine

…as State-owned Brazilian company looks to diversify suppliers

Persons can be subpoenaed to participate in elections CoI – VP See story on page 3

Guyanese stabbed to PSC supports death in Suriname Govt’s action Page 14

against evaders of Local Content law …as Ramps Logistics Page 2

denied Local Content Certificate

Mother seeks Police intervention after teen daughter runs away with ‘uncle’

Page 11

Co-worker P8 remanded for murder of logger

Govt discusses financing for Linden-Soesdyke Highway Project with IsDB P13 Unvaccinated Region 2 P11 pensioner dies from COVID-19 …107 new cases, 2 in ICU

“No politics in agriculture!” P15 – Minister to Region 7 farmers

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PSC supports Govt’s action against evaders of Local Content law …as Ramps Logistics denied Local Content Certificate

T

he recent announcement by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government that it will take companies trying to circumvent the Local Content Act to court has been met with praise from the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

On Wednesday, the PSC threw its support behind the Government’s stance as articulated recently by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.

In particular, the PSC expressed concern over the ongoing practice of some companies to bundle contracts, which often limits local businesses participating in the value chain.

“The Commission will continue its advocacy to ensure that the Local Content law aids the utilisation of Guyanese goods and services and supports skills development, and the training and employment of citizens,” the PSC said.

“The PSC recognises the

PSC Chairman Paul Cheong

commitment shown by the Government of Guyana to ensure that Guyanese benefit from the oil and gas industry, but notes that the onus is also on the business community to support implementation of the Local Content law,” the Commission added.

The PSC also reminded local businesses to get registered by visiting the Local Content Secretariat at 116-117 Cowan Street,

Kingston, Georgetown. In addition, they can share their experiences regarding local content.

During a recent press conference, Jagdeo had spoken of foreign companies operating in Guyana who are consistently trying to beat the Local Content Act passed last year. Some of these manoeuvrings include the creation of shell companies and using some members of the Guyanese Diaspora to do so.

“We have a big battle with some of them trying to change the way they incorporate; trying to use legal means to bypass the preferences that we have given only to Guyanese. We have a strong position. You may see us end up in court with them.

“But just think about the carve-out. A foreign company or a tier-one company cannot rent a building unless it is from a local – for offices or for dwelling or

can’t hire transport except from local or provide security services. Only locals can do that,” Jagdeo had further explained.

Ramps Logistics

Meanwhile Ramps Logistics Guyana Incorporated, in announcing that it would hold a press conference today, revealed that the Government has denied it a Local Content Certificate - one of the requirements of the Act. The Trinidadian company, which provides freight forwarding and supply chain management services, said that it has done work for oil companies operating in Guyana ranging from Tullow to ExxonMobil and claimed that it followed all the requisite guidelines.

“Ramps Logistics Guyana Inc has followed all the required guidelines to apply for this Certificate and was denied. Against that backdrop, we are hosting a press conference to share information that has recently come to hand in the matter that is relevant to all companies and inves-

Ramps Logistics CEO Shaun Rampersaud

tors seeking to invest in Guyana,” Ramps said.

According to the company, Ramps Logistics Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shaun Rampersad, Logistics Director Samantha Cole and Logistics Specialist (Regional) Brandi Archer will be at the press conference.

According to the Local Content Act passed last year, oil and gas companies operating in Guyana, as well as their contractors and sub-contractors, must procure from Guyanese companies by the end of 2022, 90 per cent of office space rental and accommodation services; 90 per

cent of janitorial, laundry and catering services; 95 per cent of pest control services; 100 per cent of local insurance services; 75 per cent of local supply of food; and 90 per cent of local accounting services. These are just some of the 40 different services outlined in the first schedule.

The Act also defines a local company as one incorporated under the Companies Act and beneficially owned by Guyanese nationals. Beneficial ownership is defined as owning 51 per cent of the company.

Additionally, a local company is expected to have Guyanese in at least 75 per cent of executive and senior management positions and at least 90 per cent in non-managerial and other positions.

When the Local Content Act was passed, Section 12 had required companies in the extractive industry to submit local content reports every six months to ensure they were complying with the Act. This was to ensure the Government could keep an eye on these companies’ compliance. (G3)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

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

Thursday, June 23 – no closure and Friday, June 24 – 01:00h-02:30h.

Persons can be subpoenaed to participate in elections CoI – VP …ToRs to determine jurisdiction, parameters of probe to be determined

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, June 23 – 12:40h-14:10h and Friday, June 24 – 13:35h-15:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunshine is expected in the early-morning and late-afternoon hours interrupted by cloudy conditions and light to heavy rainfall. Partly cloudy skies are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 12:25h reaching a maximum height of 2.24 metres.

Low Tide: 18:18h reaching a minimum height of 0.96 metre.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2022

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COMMODITIES Indicators

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$1849.40 -0.26%

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

T

he Guyana Government is setting the stage for an international probe into the events that occurred during the March 2020 General and Regional Elections and led to a five months’ impasse, and Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has warned that persons who refuse to participate can be subpoenaed to testify during the Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday announced the members of the CoI, which will be Chaired by Justice of Appeal (retired) Stanley John of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The other members are former Attorney General, High Court Judge, and acting Justice of Appeal in the Eastern Caribbean, Justice Godfrey P Smith, SC; former Chair and Chief Elections Commissioner of India, Dr S Y Quraishi; and former acting Chancellor of Guyana’s Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh.

Additionally, it has been noted that former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr Nasim Zaidi; and Ghanian Election Administrator Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, who was appointed a Commonwealth Advisor to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) leading up to the 2020 elections, will both serve as resource personnel to the CoI. It has been noted that, in the coming weeks, the intended Commissioners and resource personnel would review the reports and documentation, set out modalities, and commence working.

But while the scope of work of the Commission is yet to be determined, VP Jagdeo has noted that the CoI would be empowered to summon persons who are deemed important to the probe but who refuse to participate, to answer questions and provide evidence.

“This Commission of Inquiry shall be very uncomfortable for the same people who have so boldly been calling for the internal review (at GECOM). Suddenly, I think, they’ve gone quiet because they realise that many of them would be subpoenaed to participate in a CoI,” he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

According to the Vice President, the PPP/C Government had held back from conducting the CoI, something which President Ali had promised to undertake in his August 2020 Inauguration Speech. This, he explained, was as a result of the number

of persons currently before the courts on electoral fraud-related charges. However, Cabinet made a decision recently that the CoI was needed.

This was especially after the APNU/AFC Opposition had been pushing for an internal review at GECOM to determine what went wrong at the country’s electoral body following the March 2, 2020 elections.

GECOM Chair, Justice (retired) Claudette Singh, has already reasoned that any review focused on investigating actual occurrences during the 2020 elections would be outside the scope of GECOM’s power.

She contended that should the intention of a proposed review be to consider if there are, in fact, potential weaknesses in the processes employed by GECOM for the conduct of elections, and to propose improved methods or processes for future elections, then this can and should be undertaken.

Justice Singh made these positions known in writing following a request made some five months ago by the Opposition Commissioners that an internal investigation be launched into the events of the 2020 elections.

Nothing to fear

The Coalition Opposition had claimed that the PPP/C had something to hide, since it did not support the conduct of the internal probe.

Responding to those claims, VP Jagdeo contended otherwise during Tuesday’s press briefing.

“The PPP has nothing to fear from such a Commission

the Opposition Leader said he never made such a pronouncement to produce any SoPs.

ToRs

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton

of Inquiry. We believe that the Commission of Inquiry will find that APNU, as we all know, sought to steal the elections… So (AFC Leader Khemraj) Ramjattam and the others may have to tell the public and CoI how the Russians helped the PPP rig the elections, and (Opposition Leader Aubrey) Norton will have to present his Statements of Poll before the CoI and you’ve heard all the nonsense that we were fed with in the five months’ period…

“They would then get a chance to present the evidence to the CoI. So, we have nothing to fear… They wanted a review, but now they getting more than a review – a CoI,” the Vice President posited.

Only last month, Norton had agreed to hand over the party’s winning SoPs if Jagdeo does a public debate with him.

The two officials were at the time engaged in an informal conversation at a reception in the presence of several persons, including media operatives. However, days later,

Meanwhile, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, S.C., has since explained that works are expected to commence soon to establish the Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the CoI before the four-member team begins the probe.

“The Terms of Reference will have to be drawn up, and that will determine the jurisdiction and the parameters within which the Commission of Inquiry will conduct its work,” Nandlall said during this week’s edition of his weekly programme – Issues In The News.

Following a largely smooth polling day on March 2, 2020, Guyana was thrown into a tumultuous five-month political and electoral impasse after the then incumbent APNU/ AFC regime attempted to steal the election.

It was found during a subsequent national recount process that former Returning Officer for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Clairmont Mingo, had heavily inflated the votes in favour of the Coalition party.

Since the election fiasco unfolded, several persons that served within the apparatus of GECOM have already been charged with electoral fraud. These include former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, former PNCR Minister Volda Lawrence, and Mingo, among others. (G8)

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

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

Reducing traffic violations

T

here is always an element of risk whenever someone uses the roadways, be they a motorist, passenger, cyclist or pedestrian. This is somewhat inherent, since it is believed that accidents will happen. Often, the fault is not with the one being cautious.

The risks may manifest in various forms, such as a lack of street lighting while driving at nights; potholes which, when swerved from, could place a vehicle in the direct path of another; absence or non-functioning of traffic lights, which can create uncertainty among drivers; roaming animals; speeding; drinking and driving; narrow streets, and lack of traffic signage. In addition, disregard of basic traffic etiquette and other rules exacerbate the risks.

Seemingly common now is the disrespect for designated major roads. Many drivers, including some within the public transportation system, refuse to adhere to what is mandatory. As a result, a number of accidents occur frequently at some of these points. Similarly, the practice of running red lights and the green signal that allows pedestrians to cross continues unabated, predominantly by minibus drivers. The danger that poses needs no explanation.

While a plethora of traffic violations are committed on a daily basis, some appear more prominent. Undertaking and cutting in front of a vehicle, and the sticking out of a minibus conductor’s arm to do likewise from the other side, seem to be the new norm of driving. Aside from the obvious danger, especially to young and inexperienced drivers, and apart from being an irritant, it is blatant bullyism and a potent source for road rage.

It appears that those who engage in such practices do not see themselves as being errant, or what they do as a traffic violation. Lanes that allow for turning-on-red are abused, and used as if they are the right-of-way. In the city, many roads other than what are authorised for minibus routes are used as thoroughfares. Speeding is foremost, causing areas that are supposed to be free of minibuses to become dangerous.

In addition, some drivers seemingly take pride in having an alcoholic beverage in their possession while transporting passengers. Adding to the woes of those who abide by traffic rules, they are verbally abused when trying to stave off a potential transgressor. These practices are not unknown to the Police, and while the Police cannot be at all points where violations occur, there is the expectation for more and sustained intervention in the interest of safety for all road users.

This does not take away from the valiant efforts of a few dedicated traffic officers, who do their best to curb the situation – one which has reached alarming proportions.

What is desperately needed is a sustained campaign to reduce traffic violations, and let the law take its course on the errant ones, regardless of who they are. The carelessness exhibited puts all road users at risk. This is where the National Road Safety Council would need to be supported, and probably empowered, to have a more visible presence and increased influence all year round.

It must be noted that drivers are not the only violators of traffic rules, for some pedestrians are equally guilty.

Aside from the common jaywalking, they cross busy intersections when not authorised, and refuse to use the overhead pedestrian walkways, thereby bringing danger to themselves and others. Like errant drivers, they seem empowered to not observe basic traffic rules. This will change only when there is a constant stream of violators ascending the stairs of the courts across the country.

Regional Awards: Students from both primary and secondary schools in Georgetown were on Wednesday honoured by the Education Department for their academic achievements, as Georgetown hosted its awards ceremony for the academic year 2020–2021 at the National Cultural Centre. Students were awarded for outstanding academic performance at the National Grade Six Assessment; Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC®), and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE®) in 2021 (Education Ministry photo)

World Refugee Day: As a former refugee, I want safety for all

By Diane Bahati

M

ost refugees do not want to leave their homes. In my family’s case, a volcano erupted just 8km (5 miles) away from the only house they ever knew. Black smoke rolled above Lake Kivu, filling our streets, choking us. Conflict from the civil war forced my family to flee again. We then sought safety in Uganda.

My father described the Ugandan refugee camp as a boundless desert with scant supplies and little water. Our family remained there for two and a half years on the brink of starvation. Yet, we persisted. We survived, and by some miracle, were granted asylum in the United States.

To this day, the smell of rotisserie chicken draws me back to my first meal in the United States. I remember the plastic container, the warmth of the chicken creating condensation on the lid, juices seeping out of the moist meat, and the pattern of the hotel bedspread upon which my family of 10 sat in Salt Lake City, Utah – a world away from our beloved home in Africa.

This modest meal exemplified joy and possibility after such strife. Sitting together, enjoying this bounty, we did not have much, other than the clothes on our backs, but we felt like the richest people in the world. Our wealth was not measured in monetary value. We were rich within our hearts, because we

Diane Bahati

were no longer afraid. We were no longer hungry. We were safe.

My family and I are the lucky ones. According to a recent United Nations report, the number of people forced to flee conflict, violence and persecution has now crossed a staggering milestone - more than 100 million. Of these refugees, nearly half are children.

Millions are exploited.

Their journeys are often deadly, and when they do arrive at a place of safety, they are denied access to basic rights such as education and healthcare.

The conflict in Ukraine has brought unfathomable heartbreak, but I would argue that it has also shown humanity at its best. More than 7.6 million people have fled Ukraine.

People opened their homes and offered warm meals.

Neighbouring countries have opened schools for

Ukrainian children, and are providing healthcare to families fleeing violence. The European Union offered temporary protection to migrants.

Organisations like the Red Cross and Red Crescent have offered mental health support to help heal the invisible wounds of war. The response has been nothing short of incredible.

While Ukraine has dominated the headlines, I implore you to make this the moment when you open your hearts to the plight of refugees from around the world. My message to people, governments and world leaders is simple: please keep this spirit of generosity alive.

Violence and conflict continue around the globe.

Migrants from all over the world need your compassion.

Today I am a sophomore at the University of

Utah. I plan to go to law school, and am committed to helping others. Migrant voices like mine need to be at the heart of the policy process in this country and on the global stage.

Last month I visited the UN, where global leaders gathered to propose solutions to the complex problems of migration. While there, I had the opportunity to meet with Francesco Rocca, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

He said, “Ethnicity and nationality should not become deciding factors in saving lives.” I agree.

Protecting people forced to flee their homes, no matter where they are from, is our shared responsibility.

I firmly believe that if you have the knowledge, it is within your power to help change the world. The solutions to the challenges of global migration are complex and varied, but our response to the conflict in Ukraine demonstrates that we can work together to find tangible solutions at the local, regional, and global levels to help those who need it most. We have more work to do to help migrants around the world, but I know we can do it together. There are families still waiting to share their first meal together in a safe place. Let us help them do so. (Al Jazeera) (Diane Bahati is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a volunteer and board member of the American Red Cross of Utah)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

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

Guyana needs the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project Dear Editor, The Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Power (AFHP) project has become a political football. There are ‘gurus’, “experts”, pressure groups, consultants, laymen, and an assortment of others on the playing field.

While kicking the football, they pontificate on the costs, the environmental effects, the need for more study, dry river – no power, discrediting the consultants, sowing distrust, doubting every word that comes out from the mouths of the proponents (essentially Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo), and so on. Kicking the football around is more important than scoring a goal for the Guyanese public.

Countries that are signatories to the Paris Agreement – reduction of carbon emissions by 45% by 2030, and reach net zero by 2050 - are scrambling to secure power sources to satisfy this agreement and grow their economies. Guyana is blessed with several clean, sustainable, and renewable power sources.

The Guyana Government has selected a matrix of so-

lar, wind, gas, and hydropower to grow the country’s economy and significantly lower power costs to the consumers. Each of the selected power sources has certain advantages and disadvantages. The energy and climate benefits from each source have to be examined for economic viability, and environmental and social effects. The key is to select a matrix that one or more of the power sources offset the disadvantages of one.

Solar and wind are intermittent power sources, and the current costs for energy storage from these two sources are exorbitant. Neither of these power sources is reliable to guarantee base power demands. Gas, recently discovered offshore in Guyana, is not a very clean, and not a renewable source, but can serve as a transitional power source. Hydropower is the world’s largest source of clean, renewable and sustainable energy.

The Paris Agreement and the war in Ukraine are impetus for new hydropower projects and increasing capacity on existing dams worldwide. China has been building thousands of new,

mostly massive (e.g., Three Gorges), hydroelectric dams to fuel its growth. Similarly, countries in Asia, Africa and the Pacific are following suit.

This article focuses on hydropower from the Amaila Falls, to separate facts from fiction and to address some of the key technical concerns on the necessity for this energy source for Guyana.

Guyana is endowed with hydropower potential to meet all of its current and anticipated needs.

The Guyana Energy Agency shows a list with over 300 – yes, over 300 -- studies on hydropower potential since 1946. The writer had the opportunity to work on one such study, the feasibility studies for power generation from the Tiboku Falls in the Mazaruni River, conducted

by Shawinigan Engineering Company Limited.

By 2025, the total electric power demand in Guyana is estimated at 450MW. The AFHP is designed to produce 165MW. Hydropower is the only power source currently available to produce power on demand. In fact, several hydropower facilities

in the world are dedicated to producing peak power.

One such facility, for which the writer developed a daily operating profile to meet peak power demand and minimise downstream environmental negative impacts in California, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Nebraska, is the Glen Canyon Dam (total capacity 1,320MW) in the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park. AFHP can be operated to address shortfall in power generation from solar and wind, as a backup and as an on-demand power generation facility.

AFHP is a low carbon, low cost, renewable energy source. The reservoir created is a water storage facility that can be used for agriculture, industries and recreation.

Using a Build, Own, Operate, Transfer (BOOT) model, AFHP’s estimated construction cost is US$700 million, and the estimated Guyana Government electric energy purchase cost is 7.7 cents per kW. The large estimated price tag which is paid by the contractor in the BOOT model has been a source of misin-

formation and disinformation. Whether the construction cost rises to US$1B or drops to US$0.5B is the responsibility of the BOOT contractor, not the people of Guyana. It is quite likely that the actual cost of construction will be higher than US$700 million because the actual cost for any civil engineering project, whether it is a house or a hydropower dam, varies from estimated cost. A large portion of the cost in any civil engineering construction is subjected to the vagaries of nature (rainfall, floods, earthquakes, etc.); market fluctuations for labour, materials and equipment; social, health and political transgressions (e.g., strikes, pandemic, war).

The Guyana Government needs to ensure that the BOOT contractor has solid financial instruments, technical capacity and capability, enforceable contract terms, and must provide

quality, incorruptible project management to oversee the project.

There are several social and environmental concerns with hydropower. However, this is not unique to hydropower; each energy option, including solar and wind, has its own set of environmental issues, thus the decision on the source or sources of renewable, sustainable energy is complex. Nevertheless, a decision has to be made in the best interest of the country’s sustainable, resilient development with environmental stewardship and efficient resource management.

The Guyana Government’s current matrix of clean power sources is a step in the right direction. Without hydropower, Guyana cannot have a reliable electric power grid.

Sincerely, Dr Muniram Budhu

CIOG stands by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo Dear Editor, The Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG) wishes to put on record that it dismisses all the innuendos and gossip emanating from Vice News, which attempt to portray Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo as corrupt. The ulterior motive hoping to emerge was nonexistent. Instead, the seeds were planted in the minds of the unsuspecting, some semblance of corruption, and create doubt in the minds of people.

However, the fact remains that not only is he the Champion of the Earth and the Architect of Modern Guyana, but Dr. Jagdeo remains a statesman close to the heart of the Muslim community in Guyana. For the care of orphans and vulnerable, the provision of lands for the construction of Masjids, spending time and interacting at ev-

ery stratum of the Muslim Community, the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana stands resolutely behind this indefatigable fighter for our country.

The role of a free and independent press can be two-dimensional – positive and negative. The free press can act as a deterrent to corruption by detecting the process or orchestrating and releasing false campaigns and accusations. The media have an obligation to be socially responsible, to see that all sides are represented, and that the public has enough information to decide; and that the media do not take on themselves such responsibility, it may be necessary for some other agency of the public to enforce it. These actions should not remotely be justified as being conducted under the rubric of the freedom of the press. It is not.

Further, the Dr.

Mohamed Irfaan Ali Administration is one about getting the work done efficiently. The organisational culture of this Government is predicated on holding firm to the long-held, trusted values such as integrity and ethics, which form the catalytical and transformational socio-economic trajectory in which our country is head-

ing.

The Central Islamic Organization (CIOG) recognises Dr. Jagdeo as the Champion of the Earth and the Champion of Democracy, and stands resolutely behind him.

Sincerely, The Central Executive Council, CIOG

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Brazil’s Petrobras buys 1st crude shipment from Guyana …as State-owned Brazilian company looks to diversify suppliers

G

uyana has registered two lifts of one million barrels of crude each from the Liza Phase One and the Liza Phase Two projects operated by ExxonMobil for the month of June, and Brazilian stateowned company Petrobras has already purchased one of these lifts of crude.

According to a report from the Nasdaq, Petrobras last week bought what would be its first shipment of crude from Guyana. The one million barrels of crude, which were loaded from the Liza Destiny and will be discharged by this month end, will be refined in Brazil.

With Brent crude prices solidly over the US$100 a barrel mark since April, this sale is likely to have netted over US$100 million. It is understood that the Bahamas-flagged tanker Cascade Spirit is carrying the crude shipment. A Petrobras spokesperson was quoted in the Nasdaq report as saying that the stateowned company is constantly on the lookout for different suppliers.

"Petrobras constantly monitors the international

Cascade Spirit, the Bahamas-flagged tanker that is carrying the crude for Petrobras

oil market, looking for different suppliers and new production worldwide…the selection of crude grades varies, depending on economic scenarios, trying to identify those that can meet domestic and international demand of refined products, aiming at greater profitability for Petrobras," the company spokesperson was quoted as saying.

While this marks Petrobras’s first purchase of crude from Guyana, Mataripe, an independent

refinery located in Brazil and operated by Acelen, is reported to have bought two cargoes of Liza crude since January.

In a recent side interview with the media, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat had revealed that two crude lifts of one million barrels each were made last week. When it comes to how much money Guyana would make from those lifts, Bharrat had noted that that would depend on the world market price for crude.

Prices for Brent crude are currently at US$113 a barrel. According to the Minister, the next lifts would be in July and August, and would come from the Liza Unity and Liza Destiny respectively.

“We already have a contract with Saudi Aramco with Destiny. That’s a one-

year contract. And then for Unity, in keeping with the crude-lifting agreement, we’ve been doing the spot sale, accepting bids from the co-vees as well as other interested parties. And obviously, we’ve been selling to the best offer we receive.

That’s the bottom line for us: getting as much as possible for the country,” he said.

According to Bharrat, this would be the approach moving forward for crude from the Liza Destiny. The Minister also noted that, naturally, the companies would be expected to have the capacity to market the crude.

Back in April, for the first time in Guyana’s short oil production history, Guyana had had as many as two oil lifts in one month, with lifts from the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity FPSO vessels crossing paths.

In March, Bharrat had explained that the country got approximately US$95

million for the previous lift.

And with Brent crude prices averaging US$120 per barrel at that time, he had noted that Guyana could expect to make over US$100 million for each lift, should both lifts from the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity be completed in April.

The historically high oil prices (oil prices have not exceeded US$100 on the global market since 2014) are part of the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It is, however, a double-edged sword where Guyana is concerned. That is because of the sharp rise in oil prices at the local pumps.

When the lifts were completed in April, the Guyana Government had announced it would be receiving US$106 million for its first oil lift entitlement from the Liza Unity FPSO vessel, having already sold the lift via a competitive bidding process to an ExxonMobil affiliate. (G3)

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Vendor robbed of $1M worth of jewellery

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47-year-old vendor of East Ruimveldt, Georgetown was on Tuesday robbed of $1 million worth of jewellery after someone reportedly broke into her home. The break-in occurred between 16:00h and 23:45h, Police said on Wednesday.

According to the vendor, about 16:00h on Tuesday, she secured her home and went to work, but upon her return at about 23:45h, she realised that something was amiss.

She told Police that as she entered the house and went into her bedroom,

she noticed a window facing east was ajar with the wooden bars pried out. The

room and wardrobe were also ransacked.

The woman said she further made checks and discovered that one gold band valued at $270,000; seven gold rings valued at $756,000; one gold chain valued at $63,000 and one pair of gold earrings valued at $27,000 were missing.

Several persons in the area were questioned, however, no one was arrested.

An investigation has been launched. (G9)

Co-worker remanded for murder of logger quired to plead to the indictable charge of murder.

He has been remanded to prison, and the case is set to continue on July 14.

While a detailed report on the murder has not been issued by the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Times has been informed that Hansraj, 29, of Wakenaam,

Remanded: Seon Russell

Dead: Naresh Hansraj

eon Russell, called ‘Basha,’ has been remanded to prison for the murder of Naresh Hansraj, called ‘Master’.

Reports are that the murder took place in an in-

cident that occurred on May 29, 2022 at Tiger Creek, Essequibo River.

Russell, 35, appeared on Tuesday before Bartica Magistrate Crystal Lambert, and was not re-

S

Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), was allegedly shot dead

by Russell, who was his co-worker.

Shortly after that shooting incident, the Police had issued a wanted bulletin for Russell, who was later arrested, and has now been charged for the offence. (G9)

De Kinderen woman nabbed with cocaine

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29-year-old vendor of De Kinderen, West Coast Demerara (WCD) has been busted with

The cocaine that was found in the woman’s possession

3.3 grams of cocaine in her possession.

It has been reported that Police ranks were on patrol at Parika, EBE on Wednesday at about 11:30h when a corporal who was on the patrol observed the woman standing on the Parika main roadway.

The ranks approached the woman and requested to carry out a search on a bag she had in her possession. The woman consented, and then reached into the bag and took out a small, transparent Ziplock plastic bag containing a quantity of a small, whitish, rocklike substance resembling cocaine.

The Police have said the woman then handed over the transparent Ziplock plastic bag to the corporal.

She was later arrested and escorted to the Parika Police Station, where the 32 pellets in the bag were weighed and amounted to 3.3 grams.

The 29-year-old woman is in custody, pending charges. (G9)

Finally... ...checking the (soiled) bedsheet

Y

es…yes…yes! Your Eyewitness had also been wondering when we’d be getting the long-promised CoI into the barefaced actions by operatives of the GECOM Secretariat - working in cahoots with their PNC conspirators on the outside - who threw our 2020 elections into a loop that took five months to deliver a result!! A world record that - like the Jonestown suicide number placed a blot on our country’s already sullied name. Well, the names were announced by our President just as he flew off to the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Rwanda.

And, as such, it wasn’t a coincidence that he must’ve gotten the cooperation of that global institution, since the members of the Commission were all from Commonwealth nations, like Trinidad (Justice of Appeal Stanley John); India (former Chief Elections Commissioner of India, Dr S. Y. Quraishi); Eastern Caribbean (Justice Godfrey P. Smith, SC) and Guyana (former Chancellor Carl Singh). Providing professional support for the Commissioners will be two experts on running elections, one from Ghana (Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, former Chairman of the Ghana Elections Commission) and the other from India (Dr Nasim Zaidi, former Chief Elections Commissioner of India).

The latter two gentlemen are thoroughly au fait not only with elections per se, but elections in Guyana!! They were here throughout the 2020 elections and its fivemonth dénouement, advising the Chairwoman of GECOM during her travails!! They would’ve already witnessed all the labyrinthine twists and turns that took place here between March 2 and Aug 2, 2020. Who better to advise the Commissioners about the context of what went down, and what will be going down when they come down!??!

But by the time they do come down, your Eyewitness is predicting the Opposition’s gonna be throwing all sorts of red herrings (and dead meat!!) across the trail of Mingogate to throw them off scent!! First off the bat, they’ll be questioning the suitability of the members of the Commission. They’ll insist they don’t understand OUR social realities – like one PNC Commissioner had told Mia Mottley!! Well, excuse me!! The Trini Justice fella lives in an identical society, but never mind!! And Ghana and India are even more ethnically complex than Guyana!!

The Opposition will also be objecting to the President appointing the Commission and giving them their “terms of reference” – never mind they haven’t even seen the ToR!!

Obviously, under the Granger Principle of Appointment they follow, Norton should’ve selected the Commissioners and composed the ToR!!! The biggest uproar, of course, will be over former Chancellor Carl Singh: that they didn’t agree to his confirmation tells it all about how the PNC sees HIM!!

Nothing less than picking four candidates from the PNC list at the 2020 elections would’ve satisfied them!! …BRICS back Remember “BRICS” – the serendipitous acronym that stood for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa??

The “emerging economies” that were going to introduce a whole new world order - away from the westerncentric model that ruled the roost for the last 500 years??

Well, after making a big splash and launching their own development bank and stuff…they seem to’ve dropped off the radar. In fact, they’re meeting even as your Eyewitness writes – but since it’s done virtually, no one’s the wiser!!

So, what happened??

Ambition and self-interest, that’s what!! These have been the driving forces in international relations even before there were international relations!! So, you had China jostling with India over their borders, and even blood being spilled up in the Himalayas!! Russia insisted they weren’t getting any respect from China - which used to be their junior partner back in the day!! South Africa and Brazil were always the junior partners.

So, today, Ukraine’s gotta be on the agenda –with China and Russia elbowing India to be more assertive!! …a (Chinese) conflict of interest?

Opposition Leader Norton has demanded VP Jagdeo resign for discussing investments outside his portfolio with a Chinese “businessman”. He did the same when Min of State Harmon was jetting around in China with Chinese logging companies?

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

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

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Work on gas-to-shore project already underway – Natural Resources Minister …contract will be awarded by year end

Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

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ork on the Gasto-Shore project, which will see pipelines being built from offshore to Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD), is already underway, and according to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, physical manifestations of that work will be apparent by next year.

During the sod-turning ceremony for the Vreeden-Hoop shore base facility on Wednesday, Bharrat explained that work on the project, inclusive of mapping the pipeline route, has already started. He assured that the contract to construct the power plant would be awarded by year-end.

“I want to say to you that that project has already started. You might not see physical work as yet, but there’s a lot of work happening behind the scenes.

We’ve already mapped out the pipeline route, coming in from Crane all the way down to Wales area. Alastair and team are working from offshore coming in. And next year, I believe, we’ll start

seeing some physical work,” he explained.

“Before the ending of the year, we will award a contract to a company to start construction of the power plant. So, it’s not something we’re just speaking of all the time, or a pipe dream we’re trying to sell people; it is something that will happen before the election. By 2024, we will have power from that power plant in Region Three,” he disclosed.

Minister Bharrat explained that once the project is finished, it would ensure that blackouts are a thing of the past. The benefits of the project would include slashing by half the electricity bill that Guyanese are currently paying.

The Minister acknowledged that a lot of times when the Government speaks of upcoming projects, there are those who doubt whether the project would come to fruition in the near future. Bharrat has assured that not only would thus project be completed by 2024, but work has already started.

Bharrat also responded to persons who have been critical of the Government’s decision to land the gasto-shore pipeline in Wales.

According to him, the people of Wales deserve to benefit from the economic offshoots of the oil and gas sector just as much as persons in any other corner of Guyana.

“Wales was decided as the best area because you also have access to the Demerara River. And it’s not only about the power plant or the NGL plant, it is about the Industrial Manufacturing Park that will be built around the powerplant in the Wales area.

Because we want to move our country forward, and the only way we will move forward is if we venture into value-added,” he explained.

With a timetable to deliver rich gas by the end of 2024 and the NGL plant to be online by 2025, works are progressing on getting the project off the ground. As such, during the first half of this year, Exxon was expected to source the materials and pipelines, so that they are available for when construction starts later this year.

The scope of the US$900 million gas-to-shore project consists of the construction of 225 kilometres of pipeline from the Liza field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, where Exxon and its partners are currently producing oil. It features approximately 220 kilometres of a subsea pipeline offshore that will run from the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity floating, production, storage

An Artistic impression of the gas-to-shore project

and offloading (FPSO) vessels in the Stabroek Block to the shore. Upon landing on the West Coast Demerara shore, the pipeline would continue for approximately 25 kilometres to the NGL plant at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

The pipeline would be 12 inches wide, and is expected to transport per day some 50 million standard cubic feet (mscfpd) of dry gas to the NGL plant, but it has the capacity to push as much as 120 mscfpd.

The pipeline’s route on-

shore would follow the same path as the fibre-optic cables, and will terminate at Hermitage, part of the Wales Development Zone (WDZ) which will house the gas-to-shore project.

The Guyana Government has invited interested parties to make investments in the WDZ, which would be heavily industrialised, and for which approximately 150 acres of land have been allocated. Those lands were previously used by the Wales Sugar Estate.

The other component of

the project is the construction of a combined cycle power plant that would generate up to 300 megawatts (MW) of power, with a net 250MW delivered into the Guyana Power and Light Grid at a sub-station located on the East Bank of the Demerara River.

It is expected that the nine companies that were prequalified for the gas-toshore project would be invited to submit their proposals for constructing the project once the requests for proposals (RFP) go out. (G3)

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mother seeks Police intervention Unvaccinated Region 2 pensioner dies from COVID-19 after teen daughter runs away with ‘uncle’

…107 new cases, 2 in ICU

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nother person who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has died, according to the Health Ministry on Wednesday.

This latest fatality is an 85-year-old female from Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), who died since June 9, 2022. She was unvaccinated at the time of her death.

With this, the total number of deaths from the virus in Guyana has gone up to 1249.

Meanwhile, the Ministry also reported on Wednesday that some 107 new COVID-19 cases were recorded within the previous 24-hour period.

This now takes the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana to 66,695, of which only 855 are currently active cases. These comprise two patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining persons in isolation – 22 in institutional isolation and the other 831 in home isolation. One person is in institutional quarantine.

To date, some 64,591 persons have recovered from the life-threatening virus in the country – 45 more recoveries than the figure reported the previous day.

Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Guyana more than two years ago, a total of 654,068 tests have been conducted countrywide and of this figure, some 30, 607 males and 36, 088 females were found to be positive.

Of the 107 new cases recorded on Wednesday, three were from Region One (Barima-Waini), 20 cases from Pomeroon-Supenaam, three from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), a whopping 68 cases from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), another 10 from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and the remaining three cases from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

There were no new cases recorded in the other four regions across the country within the reporting 24-hour period.

After a prolonged period of declining cases, the Guyana Government, back in March, removed most restrictions as the country moved to recover from the pandemic and return to normalcy. But in recent weeks, there have a spike in COVID cases here, which

GUYANA COVID-19 DASHBOARD JUNE 22, 2022 UPDATE

NUMBER OF NEW CASES NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL ISOLATION

107 22

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN HOME ISOLATION

831

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN COVID-19 ICU

2

NUMBER OF PERSONS IN INSTITUTIONAL QUARANTINE

1

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (FEMALES)

36,088

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES BY GENDER (MALES)

30,607

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES IN GUYANA SINCE 2020

66,695

NUMBER OF RECOVERED CASES

64,591

REGION 1

2547

REGION 2

2846

REGION 3

8364

REGION 4

33,114

REGION 5

2464

REGION 6

6374

REGION 7

2469

REGION 8

886

REGION 9

4075

REGION 10

3556

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

TOTAL 1st DOSE VACCINATED

442,087

FULLY IMMUNISED

341,687

TOTAL NUMBER OF DEATHS

DISTRIBUTION OF TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES SINCE MARCH 2020

1249

Keep a physical distance of at least 6 feet.

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

GET MEDICAL ADVICE ON COVID-19 FROM MOH 24/7 HOTLINE NUMBERS: 2311166; 226 7480; 624 6674; 624 2819; 624 3067 OR 180/181.

health authorities have attributed to the BA.2 subvariant of the Omicron strain.

Persons have been urged to continue taking precautionary measures such as masking in public and vaccination, especially for those who are qualified to get their booster shots as an added layer of protection against the virus.

Latest figures show that so far, more than 443, 177 or 86.4 per cent of adults have taken a first dose, while some 342, 918 or 66.8 per cent are fully vaccinated. In addition, in excess of 67, 500 persons have returned for their third-dose booster shots thus far.

For adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17, just over 25,500 or 35 per

cent are fully vaccinated. Vaccination is also available for children between the ages of five and 11 , and hundreds of them have already received a first dose.

According to recent figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO), some 538, 321, 874 confirmed cases were reported globally along with 6, 320, 599 deaths.

In the Region of the Americas, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 160, 932, 224 while the death toll has gone up to 2,754, 867.

As it relates to vaccination against COVID-19, WHO also reported that a total of 11, 912, 594, 538 doses have been administered worldwide. (G8)

A

mother is seeking more meaningful assistance from the Police after her 15-year-old daughter went missing and is believed to have run away with her ‘uncle’.

The Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) was told months ago that the teen was having an inappropriate relationship with a taxi driver.

The 29-year-old mother of two told Guyana Times that her 15-year-old daughter ran away from home on Sunday afternoon.

The family resides at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Within hours of the incident, a report was made to the Fort Wellington Police Station and by the next day, the mother learnt that the child was at an aunt in the same village and the Police were informed.

“When I take the Police and go, she done gone away and the auntie did not say anything and the Police did not carry the auntie dem to the Station and question them and ask them anything at all,” the mother said.

According to the woman, the taxi driver’s car is currently parked outside his parents’ house. She said the young man was well known to her.

In fact, she referred to him as ‘uncle’.

“I was in Barbados with my husband working and my daughter use to stay with my mother while I was in Barbados and my sister use

to send this guy at my mother house to go and help she do work, so come the relationship going on.”

The woman said that after her mother’s death, she found out about the relationship between her daughter and the taxi driver and contacted the CCPA. According to her, the teenager had posted a video with herself and the taxi driver who had had a relationship with her 37-year-old aunt.

This is not the first report being made of the child running with the ‘uncle’. The first incident allegedly occurred in February when the child was 14 years old.

“The first time I catch her, I carry her to the Welfare (Department) and the Welfare say that she got to go back to school and I tell the Welfare that she living with a stepfather and the stepfather and I decide that we don’t want she back in we home. So, let she go to the ‘Girl School’ or let the Welfare carry she somewhere else.” According to the woman, her daughter was placed in the custody of an aunt, but the young man was still in contact with the teenager.

As a result, when the teenager fell ill and requested to be with her mother, she took her to the Welfare Department.

“The Welfare tell me to give she a second chance and I say okay I will do that. Now when I carry she home she start again,” her mother said.

The woman believes that the Police could play a more active role in the case. (G4)

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Schoolchildren to receive Community Police to help $30,000 cash grant in July in school road safety patrol

G

Education Minister Priya Manickchand

uyanese students would each start receiving the $30,000 cash grant at the end of July, Education Minister Priya Manickchand has announced.

Speaking at the Georgetown Education Department’s Regional Awards Ceremony for the academic year 2020-2121 on Wednesday, the Minister said, “We are giving, from the Government level, the most support parents and students have ever seen in this country…the last week

of July, every single student…in this country: nursery, primary and secondary, will receive $30,000 as an assistance to getting themselves outfitted.”

The DPI has reported that the Minister also announced that assistance would be given in the form of textbooks to every child in primary school, as was done for children in Grades Five and Six. Additionally, every student from Grade Seven to 13 would have all Mathematics, English and Literature textbooks re-

quired, while efforts would be made over the next two years for all secondary school students to have all the textbooks needed.

“These are small interventions, but you know what they mean,” Manickchand is quoted as saying.

Last year, the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant and the School Uniform and Supplies grant had seen every child in both public and private schools receiving a total of $19,000 each.

Though it was first intended to benefit public school children only, Government later extended the initiative to private school students.

This year, the cash grant has increased from $19,000 to $25,0000 dollars, while the school uniform and supplies grant has increased from $4,000 to $5,000, bringing the total to $30,000.

“Those changes ought to see significant output, better output, and less coming out of the pockets of families,” Manickchand is quoted as saying by DPI. The Government, in its manifesto, had promised that by 2025, each child would receive $50,000.

“If we are going to do this together: the Ministry, the Government, parents, school teachers and students, then surely we should be able to see better results,” the Education Minister has said.

tate.

Two months ago, Chief Education Officer, Dr Marcel Hutson met with Assistant Chief Education Officer for Health and Family Life Education (ACEO-HFLE), Carol Benn and other representatives from the unit along with representatives from the National Road Safety Council and the Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department, to discuss a road safety plan of action.

During the meeting, the

Neighbourhood Policing Ranks being trained (above and below) in traffic patrol

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few months after the Education Ministry announced that it would be enhancing the Road Safety Patrols Programme in schools across the country, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) made the move to train community Police ranks to help in the school road patrols.

The training exercise was conducted on Monday by Divisional Traffic Inspector of Regional Division 4C Inspector M Craig. The ranks were taught both theory and practical exercises, in traffic direction at the Divisional Headquarters, Cove and John Police Station, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

During the session, all Neighbourhood Policing Ranks from the Division were trained on how to command and control pedestrian crossings, how to gain drivers' attention by pointing in their direction, prop-

er signals, and hand movements.

The practical aspect of the training was done on the Cove and John Public Road, ECD. The training was aimed at enhancing the knowledge of the community-based ranks, who have commenced patrols around schools in their respective districts and who would assist in the directions of Schools Road Safety Patrols, which the Division intends to resusci-

Chief Education Officer stated that it was important for students to be equipped with the knowledge on how to properly utilise roadways.

With the recent expansion of Mandela Avenue and to ensure students use the roadway correctly, students at the North Ruimveldt and East Ruimveldt Secondary Schools have already been sensitised, with 15 students of each school a part of the Road Safety Patrols. (G9)

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt discusses financing for LindenSoesdyke Highway Project with IsDB

Public Works Minister and his team with the visiting Mission from Islamic Development Bank

T

he Guyana Government is advancing its infrastructure development agenda, and is currently having discussions with officials from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) on the LindenSoesdyke Highway Project.

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill met on Wednesday morning with a Mission from the IsDB. The visiting team was led

by Lead Global Transport Specialist -Economic and Social Infrastructure Department, General Directorate for Global Practices & Partnerships of the IsDB, Atiq Ahmad.

Edghill was joined by Permanent Secretary of

the Public Works Ministry, Vladim Persaud; Director of the Project Cycle Management Division

Linden-Soesdyke Highway

at the Finance Ministry, Dr. Tarachand Balgobin; and Chief Transport and Planning Officer, Patrick

Thompson.

The IsDB team was introduced to their local technical counterparts from the Public Works Ministry.

During the meeting, Edghill reiterated the im-

portance of the LindenSoesdyke Highway Project, and assured the visiting team there is already an accountability system in place to ensure this project is executed efficiently.

“This project will ensure the benefits of all communities and regions,” the Public Works Minister related.

The Linden Soesdyke Highway is the main road link that connects Guyana’s coastland to the mining town of Linden and the country’s interior regions.

Government is looking to obtain a US$120 million loan from the bank to execute this project.

Earlier this month, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, attended the IsDB Annual Meetings 2022, which were

held from June 1 to 4 under the theme: "Beyond Recovery: Resilience and Sustainability”, in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

Dr Singh had stated that, “The Islamic Development Bank will continue to be a highly valued development partner. We are already at an advanced stage of developing new projects for our portfolio with the Bank, including one in transport infrastructure that is due to go to the executive board in September. Others, mostly in advancing the infrastructure upgrade and build-out agenda, will follow later.”

President Dr Irfaan Ali subsequently told Guyana Times that the project the Finance Minister spoke about was the LindenSoesdyke Highway.

TURN TO PAGE 16

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23,, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese stabbed to death in Suriname

Two of the suspects who were arrested for the murder of Guyanese Herman Dexter

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dispute in front of a bar in Suriname has left a Guyanese fisherman dead and three per-

sons in Police custody.

Reports coming out of Suriname stated that the fatal stabbing occurred in front

of the Osies Paradise on the Eugène Albert Gesselstraat.

Dead is 28-year-old Herman Dexter.

TURN TO PAGE 16

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

“No politics in agriculture!” – Minister to Region 7 farmers

A swine farmer raising an issue during the meeting

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griculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has maintained that Government has no political agenda when it comes to the agricultural sector, adding that all farmers are key to ensuring food security as they are the ones who are supplying the food everyone eats.

The Minister made this pellucid while meeting with farmers from riverine communities in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). In a release from the Agriculture Ministry, it was stated that the meeting, which was held at the Bartica Community Centre Ground on Wednesday, came as a follow-up meeting to one held recently by President Dr Irfaan Ali, during which several agricultural issues were raised.

During the engagement,

farmers told the Minister that they were grateful for all that the Government was doing to drive agricultural development in the country, but needed better farm-tomarket access roads, agricultural inputs such as fertilisers and seeds, farming tools, and the need for better drainage of their farmlands.

Over the past year, farmers in several communities in the region have been left to count their losses due to extensive flooding, which is a direct result of the impacts of climate change. Extended rainy periods and swollen riverbanks continue to affect many farmers, often resulting in them suffering severe losses owing to flooding.

Apart from issues with flooding, farmers present also told the Minister that in order for them to operate, they would need assistance with farm

implements such as tillers as well as agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, and Acoushi ants’ bait.

Mustapha, while responding to issues raised, explained that the issues faced in the region, particularly flooding, were mostly caused by heavy rains and overtopping of the rivers into farmland. However, he said that a team from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) would visit the affected areas to see what could be done to minimise the flooding.

Additionally, he told the farmers that a team from the Ministry, comprising officers from the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), would return to the area within a week to

A Bartica farmer speaking with Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

conduct an assessment. He also said that the Ministry would make some of the requested farming tools available.

According to the release, Mustapha also told farmers that there is demand for root crops in several Caricom States and that the Government, through the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (New GMC), was willing to assist with securing markets for those crops.

“This is an area where we can do a lot of root

crops. Things like cassava and sweet potatoes. We can work along with you to develop a processing facility here. During a recent visit to Barbados with His Excellency, [President Ali], there were interests made in accessing cassava flour.

We are the only country in the Caribbean that can supply them with cassava flour. There is a ready market there. We can provide cassava mills and help the farmers. The Ministry has made similar interventions in Region Nine where about

50 cassava mills were donated to villages to produce cassava flour. We can also help you to package it to make it more attractive and find markets for you,” he added.

Mustapha also said that the Ministry through NAREI would also work with farmers to develop shadehouses to minimise the effects of climate change on their cultivation in addition to improved extension services which would see farmers benefiting from monthly engagements with extension staff attached to the Ministry.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Business owners affected by ongoing infrastructural works benefit from training

The business owners who attended the training

S

everal business owners whose businesses are being affected by ongoing infrastructural works under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP) in Sophia, Greater Georgetown are benefiting from capacity-building training to assist them during this challenging period.

The two-day training comes just after the businesses benefited from income allowances through the AHUAP-Livelihood Restoration Plan.

Each allowance was

based on the recorded income for the various business during the affected period.

To be eligible, the business owners had to be operating business on a residential/ commercial lot, and have legal rights to the land. The operating businesses fall within the following areas: Block ‘X’ Liliendaal; Section ‘B’ Pattensen; Sections ‘C’ and ‘D’ Turkeyen; and Section ‘C’ Cummings Lodge.

At the launching of the training session on Wednesday, it was explained that this is the sec-

ond batch of business owners to be trained. The first batch was trained in March.

A similar exercise was also held in March for seventeen (17) persons affected under Phase One of the programme.

The current batch will be trained in financial management, record-keeping, entrepreneurial awareness, small business development, business regularisation, and cash advisory.

Meanwhile, Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, who was present at the training session, said the training will be a great

help to the business owners.

“This will enhance the knowledge you have, and bring development to yourself and your community,” Minister Croal told participants as he urged them to make the best of the opportunity.

He also stated that small businesses are important for the country’s economic growth and job creation.

Speaking about the development of Sophia, he noted that the Government is committed to working with the community to ensure its development.

AHUAP is an InterAmerican Development Bank-funded project being implemented through CHPA to improve the quality of life for Guyanese in urban and peri-urban

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal

Georgetown by providing access to affordable housing and basic infrastructure for low-income populations.

The capacity-building training falls under the Livelihood Restoration Plan of AHUAP, which is

designed to ensure that all project-affected persons (PAPs) who are economically displaced by the programme’s activities have their socio-economic conditions re-established or improved.

Govt discusses financing...

Meanwhile, speaking at an event last weekend, Minister Edghill disclosed that Government is looking to soon “come to a closure with financing” for the highway project. He noted that the design of the project features two roundabouts at both ends of the LindenSoesdyke Highway – at the Soesdyke Junction and at the Millie's Hideout Junction.

“We're putting roundabouts at both (ends of the highway) for better traffic flow, and we're expanding the highway so that you can have flowing lanes continuously, even when a vehicle is parked. So, it must be broader, and parked trucks with lumber that have caused so many accidents must be off the carriageway, and traffic must continue to flow. We have to expand the width, and some of the bridges will have to be expanded,” the Public Works Minister stated.

Previously, the Government had said it is hoping for the financing to be approved in June, so that it may start rehabilitation

work along the 72-kilometre-long thoroughfare before the end of this year. These works include paving the highway from the Soesdyke Junction all the way into Linden.

In 2022, Government had allocated some $2.6 billion for the rehabilitation of the entire Soesdyke-Linden Highway. This is in addition to the $150 million spent last year to resurface sections of the highway.

The upgrade to the highway is part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration’s comprehensive highway development plan for Guyana.

On the East Bank of Demerara alone, the Ali-led regime has already built an alternative four-lane highway from Mandela Avenue to Eccles, which was completed in April to the tune of $2.3 billion.

That road is currently being extended from Eccles to Great Diamond at the cost of $13.3 billion. It has been reported that the road would be further extended to Craig, EBD, in order to

alleviate the bottlenecks between Diamond and Grove on the East Bank.

Additionally, Minister Edghill on Sunday disclosed that Government would also be upgrading and expanding the two-lane road from Grove (at the entrance to Diamond Housing Scheme) all the way to Timehri before the end of this year.

Some $2.1 billion was set aside in Budget 2022 for the widening and paving of the East Bank Highway from Grove to Timehri.

These projects are in addition to the much-anticipated four-lane bypass road project from Ogle, East Coast Demerara to Eccles, East Bank Demerara – the contract for which will be signed on Friday with Indiabased construction company Ashoka Buildcon Limited.

This bypass road will be a critical link for accessing the country’s two international airports – the Eugene F. Correia International Airport at Ogle and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri, EBD. (G8)

Guyanese stabbed to...

The Waterkant, an online media outlet in Suriname, reported that there was an altercation outside the bar, and security camera footage showed that during the struggle with a knife, the suspect stabbed the victim in the vicinity of his heart.

Dexter then collapsed and died at the scene.

The Police of Nieuwe Haven and RBTP managed

to arrest one of the suspects – a 19-year-old. The Waterkant reported that two other suspects, ages 20 and 22, were later arrested.

According to Surinamese law enforcement authorities, more arrests will follow since according to ClosedCircuit Television (CCTV) footage, there were others present in the van in which the suspects left following

FROM PAGE 13

FROM PAGE 14

the stabbing.

The Waterkant reported that Dexter's body was taken for an autopsy after consultation with the Surinamese Public Prosecution Service.

It was also reported that the public prosecutor’s office has since handed over the case to the Capital Offences Department for further investigations.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana to donate Latin America and the Caribbean move towards a care society flood relief supplies must …putting the sustainability of life and the planet at the centre to Suriname W

G

uyana’s eastern neighbour, Suriname, is set to receive a large quantity of food supplies aimed at providing relief to the many flood-impacted residents there.

This support comes from the Government of Guyana through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), which said on Wednesday that the supplies, which would be delivered during this week,

consist of essential food items.

S u r i n a m e ’ s Ambassador to Guyana, Liselle Blankendal, has expressed gratitude for the timely contribution, as she was part of an official handover with the CDC Director General (ag), Major Loring Benons.

The floods in Suriname began in March of this year, and have affected mainly the eastern parts of the country.

omen’s Affairs Ministers and representatives of international organisations, academia and civil society are participating in the Special Meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, which was inaugurated on Wednesday in Chile.

An emphatic call to avert setbacks on gender equality and women’s autonomy in today’s global crisis scenario and to move towards a care society in the region, which would put the sustainability of human life and of the planet at the centre, was made today by authorities and international officials during the inauguration of the Special Meeting of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, which is being held under a hybrid format at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Santiago, Chile.

At the event – which spans two days and includes the participation of Ministers of Women’s Affairs and authorities from Mechanisms for Women’s Advancement

in Latin American and Caribbean countries, along with representatives of international organisations, academia and civil society – attendees are examining the preparations for the XV Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on November 7-11, precisely with the main theme of “The care society: horizon for a sustainable recovery with gender equality.”

Participating in the opening session of the gathering – where the Regional Gender Agenda’s 45 years in existence is also being celebrated – were Raúl GarcíaBuchaca, Deputy Executive Secretary for Management and Programme Analysis of ECLAC; María-Noel Vaeza, Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Woman (UN Women); and Antonia Orellana, Minister of Women’s Affairs and Gender Equity of Chile, in her capacity as Chair of the Presiding Officers of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean. Subsequent to that, Ana Güezmes, Director of ECLAC’s Division for

Gender Affairs, presented progress on the drafting of the XV Regional Conference’s position document.

García-Buchaca recalled that the crisis stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic “has deepened the structural constraints of gender inequality and limited women’s economic, physical and decision-making autonomy” in the region.

For that reason, he highlighted the role that Chile is currently playing – as Chair of the Presiding Officers of the Conference – along with Argentina – as host of the XV Conference – in formulating gender equality policies from a feminist perspective, especially those geared towards building national care systems.

Latin America and the Caribbean is the only region in the world where a Regional Gender Agenda has been advanced for the last 45 years, serving as a guide for public policies, actions, and decisions in our countries for promoting gender equality and sustainable development, ECLAC’s representative underscored.

“The theme of the XV Regional Conference on Women will be, precisely, how to move towards a care society where time, work, resources and power are redis-

tributed. Because a sustainable recovery with gender equality is urgently needed. We need to change the course of this configuration that is based on inequality and adopt a different development pattern, one that would recognise people’s interdependence and put the sustainability of human life and of the planet at the centre,” García-Buchaca affirmed.

UN Women Regional Director Vaeza likewise sustained: “Care is critical. If we do not have care systems, we are not going to have time to participate in politics or in the economy, or at the negotiating table, which is our right. We need academia, the Private Sector, civil society and, primarily, the political will of States. We hope this will be very present at the XV Regional Conference on Women.” In addition, she referred to the 45th Anniversary of the Regional Conference, emphasising the strength of that intergovernmental space for regional cooperation, indicating: “I like to imagine a strong Regional Conference on Women, with vision and the steadfast determination to achieve goals and results as well as solutions, so that the Governments of our region can put women at the centre.” (ECLAC)

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

Regional

Mother and 4 children killed in Jamaica Argentine truck drivers J block roads at harvest peak, protest lack of diesel

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ngry Argentine truck drivers blocked highways on Wednesday, protesting shortages and rising prices for diesel fuel, just as the country’s crucial grains harvest requires transport amid surging inflation.

Truck driver unions said the protests across the major corn and soybeans exporting nation will continue for an unspecified amount of time, aimed at pressuring the Government to do more to address the extended motor fuel shortages and rising prices.

Outside the capital Buenos Aires, standstill traffic on a main highway extended some seven kilometres (four miles) as a result of one of the protests, called for by commercial transportation unions.

National truck drivers union UNTRA asked the Government to assure what it described as proportional diesel prices, according to a statement on Wednesday. Other associations joined in on the highway blockades, blasting

A donkey cart passes next to truck drivers protesting extended shortages for diesel fuel and rising prices, in the outskirts of Tucuman, Argentina, June 22, 2022 (Reuters/Walter Monteros)

the spiking cost of diesel.

Nearly the entire country, or 21 of 23 provinces, suffer fuel shortages, according to the national freight transport federation Fadeeac.

Senior Government officials laid the blame for the shortages on growing demand as the economy recovers from a pandemic-led slowdown.

“The lack of diesel is a conflict, a complaint, that really has to do with growth,” said presidential spokeswoman Gabriela Cerruti, speaking on

local broadcaster Radio Con Vos. She added that the problems are being resolved, but did not go into specifics.

This month, the Government raised required biodiesel content in diesel blends, hoping that could help alleviate shortages of the industrial motor fuel.

Domestic demand for diesel jumped 14 per cent yearover-year in the first quarter, according to government data.

(Reuters)

Barbados, Caricom open diplomatic mission in Kenya B

arbados and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) have taken another step in their relations in Africa with the official opening of a diplomatic mission in Kenya.

Barbados’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Jerome Walcott on Tuesday officially opened the Caricom diplomatic mission in Nairobi, Kenya, marking the first of its kind for Barbados on the continent.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, while speaking at Caricom’s new offices in the South Tower of the Two Rivers Office Complex, Walcott said this event marked a major milestone in relations be-

tween Barbados and Africa.

“The commissioning of this mission here in Kenya, the first diplomatic mission of Barbados to be commissioned on the African continent, is a testament of Barbados’s outreach to the motherland and cradle of civilisation, where many of our ancestors were born,” Walcott said.

The Minister said Barbados was pursuing new relationships and partners in Africa “with the aim of deepening engagement and cooperation with like-minded nations both bilaterally and multilaterally”.

Walcott, who was accompanied by Barbados’ High Commissioner to Kenya and

Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Nairobi, William Alexander McDonald and Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office Alies Jordan, explained this latest development was the result of a continued commitment to cooperation made between Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta.

With regard to Kenya, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Raychelle Omamo said the opening was a fulfilment of a promise to secure a home for the Caribbean community in Kenya, made

by Kenyatta during his visit to Barbados in 2019. (Excerpt from Nation News)

motivated, unnecessary” and that he was filing a legal motion to free him.

According to a Police source, Ribeiro’s arrest is part of the so-called “Access Paid” operation aimed at investigating corruption and influence peddling related to the spending of public funds from an education development fund.

In a statement on Wednesday, Police stressed that their investigations have uncovered “possible evidence” of crimes involving the use of public money.

Ribeiro resigned in March after allegations surfaced that he gave preferential treatment to two pastors for educational funding in return for bribes.

He was the third Education Minister to quit under Bolsonaro, who ran on a pledge to curb corruption.

When accusations against Ribeiro first emerged earlier this year, Bolsonaro called them “cowardice”, adding that he fully trusted him.

The Education Ministry has confirmed that a Police team visited its offices, adding that it was cooperating with investigations.

The probes focus on crimes such as influence peddling, abuse of power, and other corruption-related charges.

Local media said an evangelical pastor linked to Bolsonaro was also arrested in the operation.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

amaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness says that all resources necessary will be deployed to bring to justice the perpetrator(s) involved in the killing of 31-year-old Kemisha Wright and her four children in the town of Chapelton in the central parish of Clarendon, on Tuesday The children are Kimana Smith, 15; Shemari Smith, 10; Kafana Smith, 5 and 23-month-old Kishaun Henry.

In a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Holness strongly condemned the “heinous and senseless act of violence”.

He noted that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has started its investigations and appealed

to persons with information to come forward.

“The Police, the Minister of National Security, have assured me that they are going to be putting all the resources into ensuring that the perpetrator is caught and brought to justice.

“I want to express my deep sympathies to the family of young Kemisha and her children and to let them know that the entire nation is praying for them and surrounding them with love and support,” the Prime Minister said.

Holness decried the act as a “new low in the level of violence in the society” and urged all Jamaicans to turn away from violence as a means of resolving disputes and conflict.

“All Jamaicans must unequivocally condemn the

murder of four innocent children and their mother… This is not just domestic dispute. This murder represents an attack on our civility, an attack on our sensibilities and it is an attack on our nation,” he said, urging an all-of-society approach and commitment to stamping out violence.

Meanwhile, the Police, later in the day, reported that the person of interest in the killing still being sought.

According to reports, shortly before dawn, the bodies of Kemisha Wright and her children were discovered. All had their throats slashed.

The person of interest has been identified as 23-year-old Rushane Barnett.

(Excerpt from CMC)

T&T and Nepal establish diplomatic relationship

T

rinidad and Tobago and the Democratic Republic of Nepal have formally established diplomatic relations. Signing the joint communiqué on behalf of Trinidad and Tobago was Ambassador Dennis Francis and on behalf of Nepal, His Excellency Amrit Bahadur Rai, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, New York.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry of T&T said in a release: “In a simple and dignified ceremony, which took place at the premises of the Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations, New York, on June 16, 2022, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal formally established diplomatic relations, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961.

Diplomatic staff of both Permanent Missions wit-

T&T Ambassador Dennis Francis and Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Amrit Bahadur Rai signed the joint communiqué

nessed the historic occasion.

Prior to the signing ceremony, both Ambassadors met and acknowledged that their countries already enjoy a cooperative and friendly relationship at the United Nations and other multilateral fora, including as fellow members of the Group of 77, the largest bloc of developing countries, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

They noted that while the countries were geographically distant, Trinidad and

Tobago and Nepal share significant philosophical, cultural and historical similarities, while also facing multiple, common challenges in achieving sustainable development.

As such, the Permanent Representatives recognised the importance of intensifying their strategic collaboration at the United Nations as a means of overcoming these challenges for the betterment of both their peoples. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Ecuador protests: Security Brazil’s ex-Education Minister arrested on corruption charges concerns after Police station attack

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razil’s former top education official was arrested on corruption charges, the President said on Wednesday, noting his former aide will answer for his actions ahead of elections later this year in which graft scandals loom large for voters.

“If he is innocent, no problem. If he is guilty, he will pay,” President Jair Bolsonaro told local broadcaster Radio Itatiaia, referring to former Education Minister Milton Ribeiro.

“The Government is collaborating with the investigation. We don’t condone any of this.”

In a statement, Ribeiro’s lawyer Daniel Bialski said his client’s arrest was “unfair, un-

T

he Interior Minister of Ecuador has said police cannot guarantee security in the town of Puyo, after clashes on Tuesday in which a Police station was attacked and one protester died.

The Minister, Patricio Carrillo, said 18 officers were still missing.

The violence broke out on the ninth day of national protests against the Government’s economic and social policies.

The protesters’ list of demands includes reducing the cost of fuel and price caps on agricultural goods.

The protests have been organised by a powerful Indigenous organisation, the Confederation of Indigenous

Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie).

Demonstrations have been taking place all over the country. On Tuesday, there were also riots in the capital, Quito, as an estimated 10,000 Indigenous people took to the city streets to oppose President Guillermo Lasso’s conservative Government.

Conaie said the demonstrator killed in Puyo on Tuesday, named as Byron Guatatuca, had been shot at point-blank range and the organisation blamed the Government for his death.

But Carillo, in a news conference on Wednesday, said the violence had been caused by “radical” members of the Kichwa and Shuar Indigenous communities,

who had begun attacking Police in an “absolutely irrational” manner.

The nationwide demonstrations began earlier this month with a series of roadblocks as protesters used piles of burning tyres, trees and mounds of earth to cut off access to Quito.

But last week, Conaie vowed to step up the protests after its leader, Leonidas Iza, was briefly arrested.

He has been banned from leaving Ecuador and ordered to appear before the provincial attorney general’s office twice a week.

Ecuador has been grappling with rising levels of inflation, unemployment, and poverty.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil falls around 3% as investors eye US Fed rate hikes

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il prices tumbled around three per cent on Wednesday as investors worried that rate hikes by the Federal Reserve could push the US economy into recession, dampening demand for fuel.

Brent crude futures fell US$2.91, or 2.5 per cent, to settle at US$111.74 a barrel. The global benchmark hit a session low of US$107.03, its lowest since May 19.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell US$3.33, or three per cent, to settle at US$106.19 a barrel. The session low was US$101.53, its lowest since May 11.

Investors assessed on Wednesday how interest rate hikes designed to cool soaring inflation might stall an economic recovery.

Oil prices pared losses, however, during the session after Fed Chair Jerome Powell pledged an "overarching focus" on bringing down inflation and reiterated that ongoing increases in the central bank's policy rate would be appropriate, with the pace depending on the economic outlook.

"Powell seemed to change the mood of the market by seeming confident about the US economy," said Phil Flynn, analyst at Price Futures. "His words have soothed the market and put a bottom on prices for the short-term."

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden called on Congress to pass a three-month suspension of the federal gasoline tax to help combat record pump prices and provide temporary relief for American families this summer.

While lower pump prices could actually boost demand for fuel and support crude prices, PVM analyst Stephen Brennock said traders could be worried the Biden Administration might take further measures to cool high energy prices.

Lawmakers of both major parties have expressed resistance to suspending the federal gasoline tax.

The White House asked the chief executives of seven oil companies to a meeting today to discuss ways to increase production capacity and reduce gasoline prices of around US$5 a gallon.

Biden has publicly criticised Big Oil for banking big profits, but he has rarely spoken directly to the heads of energy companies or their representatives, White House records and interviews with industry sources show.

Chevron Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Wirth said criticising the oil industry was not the way to bring down fuel prices and the Government should change its approach. Biden replied he was unaware oil executives could "get their feelings hurt that easily".

US oil refining capacity fell in 2021 for the second year in a row, Government data showed, as plant shutdowns kept whittling away on their ability to produce gasoline and diesel.

US crude stocks rose by about 5.6 million barrels last week, gasoline inventories increased by 1.2 million barrels, while distillate stocks fell by about 1.7 million barrels, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute (API) figures on Wednesday.

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said its weekly oil data, which was scheduled for release today, would be delayed at least until next week owing to systems issues. It was unclear when the EIA will publish the report.

The US$2.4 trillion set to be invested globally in energy this year includes record spending on renewables, but falls short of plugging a supply gap and tackling climate change, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said. (Reuters)

Ukraine's Zelenskiy looks to EU offer as Russia pounds cities U krainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday hailed the European Union's expected offer of candidate status for his battle-weary nation as Russian forces pounded Ukraine's second-biggest city Kharkiv and the eastern Donbas region.

European leaders will formally set Ukraine on the long road to EU membership at a summit in Brussels today.

Though mainly symbolic, the move will help lift national morale at a very difficult time in a four-month conflict that has killed thousands, displaced millions, and flattened towns and cities.

The war has also had a massive impact on the global economy and European security arrangements, driving up

A worker from the war crimes prosecutor's office takes in the damage from overnight shelling that landed on a building of Kharkiv's Housing and Communal College as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues in Kharkiv, Ukraine, June 21, 2022 (Reuters/ Leah Millis)

gas, oil and food prices, pushing the EU to reduce its heavy reliance on Russian energy and prompting Finland and Sweden to seek NATO mem-

bership.

The EU will temporarily shift back to coal to cope with dwindling Russian gas flows without derailing longer term

climate goals, an EU official said on Wednesday, as a tight gas market and soaring prices set off a race for alternative fuels.

Zelenskiy said he believed all 27 EU countries will support Ukraine's candidate status.

"We deserve it," Zelenskiy told crowds in Amsterdam via video-link.

Diplomats say it will take Ukraine a decade or more to meet the criteria for joining the EU. But EU leaders say the bloc must make a gesture that recognises Ukraine's sacrifice.

With its forces running low on ammunition as a fierce war of attrition grinds on in the Donbas, Ukraine has more urgent priorities in the near term. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Biden asks Congress for gas tax holiday to lower record pump prices

U

S President Joe Biden on Wednesday called for a three-month suspension of the federal gasoline tax to combat record prices, but opposition from lawmakers within his own party suggests the request may never be met.

American families pay-

ing much more for gasoline deserve some financial relief, Biden said as he pushed Congress to act, while commenting that a suspension of the 18.4 cents per gallon tax was not enough.

"I fully understand that a gas tax holiday alone is not going to fix the problem, but

Afghanistan earthquake kills at least 1000, toll expected to rise

it will provide families some immediate relief, just a little bit of breathing room, as we continue working on bringing down prices for the long haul," Biden said.

The President also urged states to temporarily suspend state fuel taxes, which are often higher than federal rates.

He is also asking major oil companies to suggest ideas on how to bring back idled refining capacity when they meet with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Thursday.

Biden and his advisers face increasing pressure to act as record-high gas pric-

es and overall inflation weigh on the President's opinion poll ratings and cast doubt on Democrats' chances of retaining congressional power in November 8 elections.

The administration says the main causes of high prices are the impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February and oil companies reaping sky-high profits as gasoline demand rises with the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic apparently over. Oil companies complain that Biden's Administration is unfairly vilifying the industry. (Excerpt from Reuters)

At BRICS summit, China sets stage to tout governance model People carry injured persons to a helicopter following a massive earthquake, in Paktika Province, Afghanistan, June 22, 2022, in this screen grab taken from a video

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he death toll from an earthquake in Afghanistan on Wednesday hit 1000, disaster management officials said, with more than 600 injured and the toll expected to grow as information trickles in from remote mountain villages.

Houses were reduced to rubble and bodies swathed in blankets lay on the ground after the magnitude 6.1 earthquake, photographs in Afghan media showed.

An unknown number of people remained stuck under rubble and in outlying areas, health and aid workers said, and rescue operations were complicated by difficult conditions including heavy rains, landslides, and many villages being nestled in inaccessible hillside areas.

"Many people are still buried under the soil. The rescue teams of the Islamic Emirate

have arrived and with the help of local people are trying to take out the dead and injured," a health worker at a hospital in the hard-hit Paktika province said, asking for anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Mounting a rescue operation will prove a major test for the hard-line Islamist Taliban authorities, who took over the country last August after two decades of war and have been cut off from much international assistance because of sanctions. The Taliban-led Defence Ministry is leading rescue efforts.

Loretta Hieber Girardet from the United Nations' disaster risk reduction office said efforts to provide relief and save people trapped under rubble would face huge challenges due to the terrain and weather. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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hina will host the 14th BRICS Summit today in what analysts see as a chance for Beijing to promote its governance and development model at a time of global instability.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will join with the leaders of Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa via video link to discuss issues of mutual concern as part of the summit themed around ushering in a “new era” for global development.

Ahead of the summit in Beijing, Chinese State media have praised the BRICS – an acronym for the five emerging economies that together account for about one-quarter of the global economy – for boosting “multilateral cooperation with non-Western styles, forms and principles”, and stressed the importance of the bloc at a time when “the US (is) pulling its Western allies to ‘rebel’ against glo-

balisation”.

In May, Xi called on the group to “reject Cold War mentality and bloc confrontation, and work together to build a global community of security for all”.

Despite their substantial differences, the leaders of the five countries maintain a certain distance from the United States-led liberal order.

None of the leaders of Brazil, China, India, or South Africa openly condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for his country’s invasion of Ukraine earlier in the year.

Set against a complex geopolitical backdrop that includes war in Europe and growing economic decoupling between China and the US, the 2022 summit provides Beijing with a timely platform to promote its vision for how international relations should be conducted, according to analysts.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

guyanatimesgy.com

DAILY HOROSCOPES

ARCHIE

Spice things up, speak up and use your experience as a guide. Be bold and confident, and keep your eye on what's ahead of you. A dynamic display of how you operate will draw interest.

(March 21-April 19)

DILBERT (April 20-May 20)

Keep secrets until you feel comfortable sharing them. Your vision of how things will unfold may not resemble what transpires. Be ready to do some fancy footwork to maintain the status quo.

Use your charm to win acceptance and favors. Get involved in something you care about. Your manner and accomplishments will win you compliments and valuable interest.

(May 21-June 20) Cover your bases and prepare to counter anything or anyone who gets in your way. Have a plan in place, and put your energy where it will do some good.

Avoid temptation and extravagance.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

Take the high road, adjust to whatever challenges you encounter and give your all until you feel confident you did your best. You will come up with new and exciting options if you do some research.

(July 23-Aug. 22) A lifestyle change will lead to personal growth, new connections and better relationships with friends, family and co-workers. Invest time and energy into something you enjoy doing.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Don't let uncertainty lead to loss.

Keep track of your assets and liabilities to ensure you don't miss an opportunity.

Use intelligence to charm someone with whom you'd like to work.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23) A change will lift your spirits and help you figure out what's best for you.

Back away from pressure. Let your intuition guide you, and something good will unfold.

SUDOKU (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

A responsible attitude will give you the edge in a competitive situation. By opening your doors to friends and relatives, you will gain valuable insight.

Romance is favored.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) You'll quickly figure out what's expected of you if you discuss your intentions with a friend, relative or loved one.

Be quick to make adjustments that will help keep the peace.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Keep your emotions under control, and use intelligence and charm to persuade others to see things your way. Pay attention to how much things cost and what you can afford.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) A quiet pursuit will ensure success.

Look at what's possible, and don't hesitate to go for the brass ring. Change begins with you, so take control and make things happen.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

21

WI vs Bangladesh: Test series, Game 2 of 2…

West Indies name unchanged 13-member squad

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he Cricket West Indies (CWI) Men’s Selection Panel has named an unchanged squad to face Bangladesh in the second Test in the Padma Bridge – Dream Fulfilled - Friendship Test series presented by Walton.

The match will be played at the Daren Sammy Stadium in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia, from June 24-28. West Indies have a 1-0 lead in the 2-match series, having won the first match by seven wickets at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua & Barbuda on Sunday, June 19.

Kemar Roach was named the Player-of-the-Match in the opening contest. He had match figures of 7-74, including matchwinning figures of 5-53 in the

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he PGA Tour has announced schedule changes and prize money increases in order to stem the flow of big-name players joining the rival LIV Golf International Series.

Brooks Koepka has become the ninth major champion to sign up to the controversial Saudi Arabiabacked league, rocking the PGA Tour on Wednesday.

The American has joined Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Bryson DeChambeau in the breakaway competition.

Defecting players have been indefinitely suspended from PGA Tour events, but have been allowed to play at last week’s U.S. Open, and participate in next month’s 150th Open at St Andrews.

The PGA had been rumoured to be mulling over a switch to a calendar-year schedule, alongside increased purses and the creation of new no-cut international events featuring the Tour’s top 50 players.

Commissioner Jay Monahan has confirmed those alterations at a press conference ahead of the Travelers Championship, stressing the PGA’s need to innovate to remain golf’s leading

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second innings. This took him to 249 wickets in his career, and has placed him in joint sixth position, alongside the legendary Michael Holding, on the West Indies alltime list of wicket-takers. Roach is also the leading West Indies bowler, at eighth position in the latest ICC Test Match bowling rankings.

Lead Selector, the Most Honourable Dr Desmond Haynes, has said: “It was a very good victory in Antigua. The team played really well, and must be feeling really confident heading into Saint Lucia for the second match. We have a group of players who are very disciplined and are giving 100 percent. Great credit to our bowlers, who worked really hard

in the first Test match.

“We can’t take Bangladesh lightly, they also bowled really well, and were quite disciplined.

I know we will try our utmost to win the second match.”

Haynes added: “Kemar is a legend. He has done really well for West Indies. He made a great start to his career, then had some injuries, then he worked his way back, and is our leading bowler. He’s among the best in the world. I am very pleased with his performances, not just on the field, but the way he had been guiding the younger players, and the way he has been interacting with the other members of the team.”

Fans can purchase tickets via the new WINDIES

FULL SQUAD * Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain) * Jermaine Blackwood (Vice Captain) * Nkrumah Bonner * John Campbell * Joshua Da Silva * Alzarri Joseph * Kyle Mayers * Gudakesh Motie * Anderson Phillip * Raymon Reifer * Kemar Roach * Jayden Seales * Devon Thomas

competition.

“I want to talk about where the PGA Tour is headed. We don’t expect to overcome this current challenge by relying on our legacy and track record alone,” he said.

“We’ve been on a path for a number of years to strengthen and evolve our product for the benefit of our fans and players alike. Those plans are obviously accelerated in light of the current environment.

“We have some exciting developments coming out of yesterday’s Policy Board meeting that will further secure our status as the pre-eminent golf tour in the world. This includes moving forward with our future product model for the 202223 season and beyond; a return to a calendar-year schedule beginning in 2024, with the FedEx Cup contested from January to August; culminating with the FedEx Cup play-offs, and followed by the fall events. “(The Tour will also add) revised field sizes for the FedEx Cup play-offs in 2023 and beyond, (and) the creation of a series of up to three international events to be played after the conclusion of the fall schedule, which will include the top 50 players from the FedEx Cup points list.

“Alongside these changes, the Policy Board also amended

the resource allocation plan to increase purse sizes at eight events during the 2022-23 season, with an average purse at $20 million.

“There is more work to be done, and details to confirm, but implementing substantial changes to our schedule gives us the best opportunity to not only drive earnings to our players, but also improve our product and create a platform for continued growth in the future,” he has said.

Rory McIlroy, a vocal opponent of LIV Golf, had earlier stated he supported the changes, saying to Sky Sports: “I think having the FedEx Cup season go to a calendar year, that would be a pretty good idea. So, then, it gives guys the opportunity to play if they want to play in the fall, or if they don’t want to play in the fall, they don’t have to, they’re not forced to.

“You’re trying to give playing opportunities and create prize funds for the lower half of the membership, but also trying to accommodate what the upper half of the membership want as well, with an off-season time away from the FedEx Cup schedule. So, it’s a balance.”

Monahan added that the PGA could not wish to compete financially with the rival tour,

headed by two-time major champion Greg Norman, which he described as “irrational”.

“I am not naive,” Monahan has said. “If this is an arms race and if the only weapons are dollar bills, the PGA Tour can’t compete with a foreign monarchy that is spending billions of dollars in an attempt to buy the game of golf. We welcome good, healthy competition, the LIV Series is not that; it’s an irrational threat, one not concerned with the return on investment or true growth of the game.

“Currently, no one organisation owns or dominates the game of golf; instead, the various entities work together to meet our own respective priorities, but with the best interests of the game at heart.

When someone attempts to buy the sport and dismantle the institutions that are intrinsically invested in growth, and focus only on a personal priority, that partnership evaporates.

Instead, we end up with one person, one entity, using endless amounts of money to direct employees towards their personal goals, which may or may not change tomorrow or the next day.

“I doubt that’s the vision any of us have for the game.”

(Sportsmax)

Match schedule for Padma Bridge – Dream Fulfilled –

Friendship Test Series, presented

by Walton * June 16-20: 1st Padma Bridge – Dream Fulfilled Friendship Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua –

West Indies won by 7 wickets * June 24-28: 2nd Padma Bridge – Dream Fulfilled Friendship Test at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St Lucia. Local start time 10am/9am Jamaica

Italy striker Vieri urges Lukaku to prove worth and rediscover Inter form

Christian Vieri

R

omelu Lukaku must rediscover the form that fired Inter to the Scudetto in 2021, should he return to the Nerazzurri, former Italy striker Christian Vieri has said.

Lukaku scored 24 goals under the stewardship of Antonio Conte, as Inter lifted the Serie A title in the 2020-21 campaign, before he returned to Chelsea for a club-record £97.5 million fee.

The Belgium international has struggled on his Stamford Bridge return, scoring just eight times in 26 Premier League appearances.

Lukaku is widely expected to head back to Inter on loan less than a year after leaving, as Simone Inzaghi looks to assemble his side to reclaim the Scudetto from fierce rivals Milan. The 29-year-old would hope to regain the confidence he had during his two-year spell with Inter, with no Nerazzurri player scoring more times (64), providing more assists (17), or creating as many chances (133), in all competitions in that period.

Vieri understands the pressure of a big-money move, having joined Inter in a then world-record €49m transfer in 1999 from Lazio, but he insists Lukaku must find the old version of himself with the Nerazzurri.

“I wouldn’t want to talk about players who haven’t signed yet. We’ll see how it ends, the teams are working to become stronger and stronger,” Vieri has said on his podcast. “He is still a great player; he has scored many goals all over the world. Last year he did very badly with Chelsea, few games, and

very few goals. If he returns, he will have to prove that he is the Lukaku seen at Inter.”

While Inzaghi will be delighted to bolster his attacking ranks, with Paulo Dybala also reportedly set to arrive from Juventus, not all at Inter are keen to welcome Lukaku back. After Lukaku expressed his desire to return to Inter in a controversial interview in December, the Nerazzurri supporters group Curva Nord unveiled a banner stating: “It doesn’t matter who runs away in the rain, what matters is who stays in the storm. Bye, Romelu”.

Curva Nord issued another statement on Wednesday, assuring they have not forgotten about Lukaku’s exit to Chelsea that they felt betrayed the Nerazzurri.

“He was supported and treated like a king, now he is one like another player,” the group posted on Instagram.

“We took note of Lukaku’s betrayal, and we were very upset. To a footballer, these things can be forgiven over time, but they remain. Let us also be clear to everyone that we will never cheer against Lukaku if he wears the Inter shirt again. However, we invite all Inter fans not to fall into the trap of running immediately and drooling after him.

“In addition to a clear instinctive emotional aspect, pretending that nothing has happened would only give a further acceleration to that process that has been going on for years, aimed at making us all stupid and supine consumers.”

(Sportsmax)

Romelu Lukaku

22

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CLASSIFIED ADS ACCOMMODATIONS

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) would be looking to expertly utilise their recently acquired knowledge of conducting professional leagues in order to transform Guyana’s outlook in that area.

Following a three-day workshop which focused on professional club and league development -- conducted over the weekend at the GFF’s National Training Center at Providence, EBD -- the Federation and its members are now in a better place when it comes to planning and logistics.

“I was very pleased, and not surprised at all, with the level of interaction and engagement; and talking to my presidents and secretaries that participated in the workshop, they all felt that it was very beneficial,” GFF President Wayne Forde has said in a short

assessment of the UEFA Assist-led workshop.

“To me, it brought them to a place of enlightenment. We talk a lot about professional football, and we watch a lot of professional football on the pitch, but very few persons would know what it takes to get to the level that we so much admire; and while we are arguably some distance away from professional football at its fullness, I think if we start to take deliberate baby steps with some consistency, in the not-so-distant future, we can all look back and be very proud of where it all started.”

UEFA Assist International Relations Project Specialist Chris Milnes has also been delighted with the major boost that local clubs and associations have received.

Milnes said, “I think we both agree that this was a

GFF President Wayne Forde

real milestone in terms of development of football, men's football in Guyana. So, we really treated this as an opportunity to bring together the regional associations, to bring together the clubs, to bring together the GFF,

WI great Courtney Walsh endorses “Five for Fun” programme … Urges students to take their education seriously

because everyone needs to work together. These key stakeholders cannot achieve what we would like them to achieve without working together,” the UEFA Assist Representative has added.

One aspect that has caught the GFF boss’s attention is handling sponsorship, a tactic which he hopes to utilise in order to build more partnerships for the Federation.

“We don't like to use the word ‘sponsorship’, but ‘engaging partners and people who may want to invest in football’. I think the workshop focused on income-generation from the club perspective, and there were certainly tools there that even the Federation can utilise,” Forde commented.

“Partnerships are important.

And what we have learned --

and you may have seen some momentum in us gaining more and more partnerships -- we've learned that a critical component of securing an investment partnership is taking time to understand what that partner may need in terms of the reciprocation of value,” he explained.

Quizzed about how the league education would be linked to the GFF’s Elite League, Forde responded that it could be of some assistance; but, he said, the GFF is thinking beyond the Elite League.

“It has a connection to the Elite League, because the Elite League is the highest level of local male competition,” he explained.

Forde continued, “The Pro League project that we've been working with UEFA Assist and CONCACAF on for the past 20 months I believe, or more, is a completely different creature, and this has taken it to a different level altogether.

“So, yes, the information and knowledge that was shared during the workshop will benefit the Elite League clubs, which will automatically benefit the league, benefit how the Federation operates the league; but we're aiming a little bit higher, we're a little bit more ambitious,” he disclosed.

The UEFA Assist Workshop commenced on Saturday last and has concluded.

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Sir Curtly believes Roach will get to 300 Test wickets

Courtney Walsh

By Timothy Jaikarran

C

ricket West Indies and Republic Bank joined hands on Tuesday, June 21, to launch the “Five for Fun” programme in Guyana at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Homestretch Avenue in Georgetown.

This is a programme that caters for children at the grassroots level, and it has the full endorsement of the legendary West Indies pacer Courtney Walsh.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, Walsh was asked his view on the “Five for Fun” programme, and he responded as follows: “It’s good, because it gives kids the opportunity to express themselves and be out there and have a bit of fun. So, programmes like these I fully endorse, because you never know where your next star is going to come from; and I think having something like this around, where you can see them out in the open playing, will give you a chance to spot talent as well. So, everything for it is a win-win.”

Further, Walsh noted that the programme has lots of potential, as it can produce future stars for the West Indies. He related that young talents would be seen for the first time in the “Five for Fun”, and hopefully they can be spotted in the regional group or under their age group, and they can progress from there.

He divulged that the programme would definitely give a major boost and opportunity for children to

come out and play, and take part and be spotted from there.

Walsh has advised the children participating in the programme to go out and have fun, while being obedient to their coaches. He explained that originality is key, and they should always back themselves to do things, as they are never too old or young to learn.

Moreover, he has said that for the children in the programme, it is key to have fun and listen to their coaches, and this would benefit them in the long run.

Pertaining to the role of sports and education, the West Indies great commented, “Education is the key; that is the first and foremost (thing) you have to do (get educated). You have to ensure you take your

The programme caters for children between the ages of 8 and 11 years old

sessions for physical education teachers and coaches from July 1-3, 2022; Republic Bank’s “Five for Fun” Summer Training Camp from 8 July to 2 August, 2022; and Republic Bank’s Inter-County Festival from 3-7 October, 2022. The Republic Bank’s National Finals would be held on 14 October, 2022, and would be hosted in Georgetown, and an advanced cricket talent camp would be held from 26-28 October, 2022.

“Five for Fun” pits boys and girls of all abilities together as equals. Each “Five for Fun” game involves 5 players per team playing five 6-ball overs. Each batter would face an over from a single bowler. If a batter is ‘out’, that batter would still face their

Courtney Walsh sharing a moment with Education Minister Priya Manickchand

education seriously, and then balance that out with the sports.

I would say to them: ‘Make sure you pay keen attention to your education, and go and have fun with your sports’.”

The “Five for Fun” programme would also entail

allotted overs, but 3 runs would be deducted from the team’s score.

In his illustrious career, Courtney Walsh has claimed 519 wickets in 132 Tests, and another 227 wickets in 205 ODI matches.

… “He has been a great servant,” he says

F

Kemar Roach

ormer West Indies fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose has labelled Kemar Roach “a great servant” of the game, and someone for whom he has a great deal of respect.

Those comments came as Sir Curtly congratulated the fast bowler on his latest milestone: joining legendary pace bowler Michael Holding on 249 Test wickets on the All-Time West Indies Test Wickets List.

“Kemar Roach has been a great servant of West Indies cricket for a number of years, and I remember when he came onto the scene first, bowling with extreme pace. We all can remember that tour of Australia, when he had the great Ricky Ponting hopping and skipping, and not too many bowlers do that to the great Ricky Ponting,” Sir Curtly has said.

“He got an injury that curtailed his pace, but he came back, even though he has lost some of his pace; but he was still very clever in seaming the ball around, so Kemar Roach is somebody that I am really happy for. I have a

lot of time for him; he is a very respectful person, a hard worker, and he listens to what you have to say,” Sir Curtly has said.

Last Saturday, the 33-yearold Roach put in another stirring performance against one of his favourite opponents, Bangladesh, picking up his 10th five-wicket haul. The figures of five for 54 put the Barbadian level at sixth all-time on the list of the regional team’s top wicket-takers, shoulder-to-shoulder with the revered Holding, and 10 behind Joel Garner for fifth.

Sir Curtly believes that Roach has what it takes to achieve his goal of 300 Test wickets.

“He is only one wicket away from 250, which would get him past the great Michael Holding, and I am hoping he could stay long enough to at least get to 300 wickets. He would have deserved it for his hard work over the years, and his dedication to West Indies cricket,” he said.

Roach has claimed 125 wickets in 95 One Day International (ODI) matches, and another 11 in 10 T20 matches. (Antigua Observer)

223-7230-1

(Ext 55)

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

CPL launches THE 6IXTY – Cricket’s Power Game T

here is a new format of cricket coming to the Caribbean in 2022 with Cricket West Indies and the Caribbean Premier League bringing fans THE 6IXTY – Cricket’s Power Game.

The first edition of THE 6IXTY will see men’s and women’s teams competing in a new 60ball tournament featuring many of the best cricketers from around the world, with SKYEXCH being the title sponsor for 2022.

This revolutionary format will see brand new innovations that would change T10 cricket and make the game even fasterpaced and more action-packed.

Fans can look forward to the following exciting new rules: • Each batting team has six wickets – at the fall of the sixth wicket, they are all out.

• Each batting team has two PowerPlay overs. They can unlock a third PowerPlay by hitting two sixes in the first 12 balls. This extra PowerPlay over can be

Hero CPL CEO, Pete Russell

CWI President, Ricky Skerritt

taken at any time between overs 3-9.

• There will be 30 balls bowled from one end before the action switches to the other end for the final 30 balls.

• The 30 balls will be delivered as 5 separate overs, with no bowler being able to bowl more than 2 overs for the innings.

• If teams do not bowl their overs within the allotted time, a member of their team is

removed from the field for the final six balls.

• Fans will vote for the timing of a “Mystery Free Hit” wherein a batter can’t be dismissed by the bowler.

The first edition of THE 6IXTY will take place from 24 to 28 August in St Kitts & Nevis at one of world cricket’s fastest scoring grounds – Warner Park.

Future expansion plans of the 6IXTY include the potential of

multiple events at different locations across the Caribbean and beyond.

THE 6IXTY is a joint venture between Cricket West Indies and the Caribbean Premier League, with the two organisations working closely to create another world-class event.

Ricky Skerritt, President of Cricket West Indies, has said: “THE 6IXTY has come about because of a close collaboration between CPL and CWI, which is the way forward. I am really excited about the innovation, excitement, and entertainment that it is going to bring to the fans.”

Pete Russell, Hero CPL’s CEO, has said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for both CPL and Cricket West Indies, as we create a tournament that will see cricket fans brought closer to the game.

There will be world-class men’s and women’s cricketers taking part in a fantastic event for the Caribbean; and this, combined

CG Insurance Women's Super50…

Barbados into final after Matthews, Alleyne and Knight sisters impress

By Brandon Corlette at Providence, EBD

bat as she looked for quick runs, and she was the eventual topscorer with 41 from 74 balls. She struck one six and a four. Leandra Ramdeen, who made 10, was the only other batter to reach double figures.

Alleyne was the pick of the bowlers with 4-31 from seven overs, while the consistent Matthews had 3-20 from seven overs. Barbados yielded 53 extras as Trinidad made 133 all out in 31.2 overs.

In response, Trinidad attacked from the get-go, with spinners operating from both ends.

T

he Barbados Women's Team have continued to show their class in Caribbean women's cricket.

Led by solid performances from captain Hayley Matthews, Aaliyah Alleyne and the Knight twin sisters, Barbados defeated Trinidad and Tobago by nine wickets (DLS method) at Providence, to reach the final of the CG Insurance Women's Super50 tourney.

Matthews led the batting with an unbeaten 50, while Kyshona Knight made 49 not out and Kycia Knight scored 32, as Barbados ended on 137-1 in 30.2 overs, replying to Trinidad's 133 all out.

Seamer Aaliyah Alleyne was the star with the ball, picking up four wickets in the rain-affected contest.

Alleyne and Matthews together restricted Trinidad.

Aaliyah Alleyne bowling during her four-wicket haul against Trinidad and Tobago (Brandon Corlette photos)

The rains came at 10:01h and put the ground under water, but play resumed at 13:00h with Trinidad and Tobago on 21-0 after 2.4 overs. The match was then reduced to 33 overs, and Aaliyah Alleyne, who exploited the moisture and a bit of grass covering, got the ball rolling by

SCOREBOARD Trinidad and Tobago Women Batting Reniece Boyce b Alleyne 5 Rachael Vincent b Alleyne 1 Britney Cooper b Alleyne 5 Shenelle Lord lbw b Alleyne 4 Anisa Mohammed c Bruce b Matthews 9 Lee-Ann Kirby c Carrington b Selman 41 Kirbyina Alexander c Selman b Matthews 1 Kamara Ragoobar st Knight b Matthews 0 Karishma Ramharack lbw b Williams 2 Leandra Ramdeen c Carrington b Bruce 10 Steffie Soogrim not out 2 Total (10 wickets, 31.2, 53 extras) 133 FOW: 26/1 (3.1) Reniece Boyce 27/2 (3.3) Rachael Vincent 38/3 (5.2) Britney Cooper 42/4 (7.3) Shenelle Lord 63/5 (14.5) Anisa Mohammed 72/6

(16.2) Kirbyina Alexander 72/7 (16.3) Kamara Ragoobar 79/8 (17.6) Karishma Ramharack 129/9 (30.5) Leandra Ramdeen 133/10 (31.2) Lee-Ann Kirby Bowling Shanika Bruce (5-0-28-1) Aaliyah Alleyne (7-0-31-4) Shakera Selman (6.2-1-11-1) Hayley Matthews (7-1-20-3) Aaliyah Williams (6-0-29-1) Barbados Women Batting Kycia Knight c None b Ramdeen 32 Hayley Matthews not out 50 Kyshona Knight not out 49 TOTAL (1 wicket, 30.2 6 extras) 137 FOW: 61-1 (16.4) Kycia Knight Bowling Karishma Ramharack (6-1-17-0) Anisa Mohammed (6.2-0-26-0) Leandra Ramdeen (7-0-21-1) Steffie Soogrim (2-0-14-0) Kamara Ragoobar (7-0-35-0) Shenelle Lord (2-0-20-0)

Hayley Matthews claimed three wickets

removing both openers in the fourth over.

Spot on with her deliveries, the right-arm seamer shattered the stumps of Rachel Vincent (01), and Reniece Boyce (05), before destroying the furniture of Britney Cooper with a yorker.

Trinidad and Tobago by then had lost three wickets for 38 runs.

Hayley Matthews came on at the other end, and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Matthews bowled with great flight, and also produced a surprise arm ball that went quicker through the air.

Trinidad were reeling at 79-8 after 18 overs, with Matthews doing the damage in the middle.

She removed Anisa Mohammed for nine, Kirbyina Alexander for one, and Kamara Ragoobar for a duck.

Then the right-handed LeeAnn Kirby came and dropped anchor. She began to throw her

Openers Hayley Matthews and Kycia Knight started cautiously, but Kycia looked at ease for the first time when she struck Mohammed for a sweetly timed four over her head.

Kycia and Matthews added 61 runs before Kycia was removed for 32 runs from 50 balls.

Matthews continued to dig deep in an innings which she started cautiously. She ended unbeaten on 50 from 86 balls, with two fours in the mix as she continued to be the leading player this season.

Kyshona Knight played aggressively, and sealed the deal by striking seven fours and one six in her unbeaten 49 from 45 balls.

Barbados now await the other team for the final on Saturday, June 25. Guyana and Jamaica will play the second semi-final today, Thursday June 23, from 9:30h local time.

with cutting-edge innovations, signals a great moment for all

23

fans of West Indian cricket.”

(CPLT20)

Martin Braithwaite and his family, who, with the exception of his father Keith Braithwaite, are visiting Guyana for the first time Story and Photos Jemima Holmes

B

by

arcelona Football Club forward Martin Braithwaite has arrived in Guyana, the place of his father Keith Braithwaite’s birth, for his first-ever visit to the Land of Many Waters.

Braithwaite’s presence in Guyana marks the strengthening of the partnership between the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Danish Football Association (DFA), which was first brought to life back in 2019.

Braithwaite will serve as the Goodwill Ambassador between the two football bodies.

“I know he is the pride of the Danish people, but I will also say today he is the pride of the Guyanese people, and we would regard him as a son of the soil,” GFF President Wayne Forde declared on Wednesday afternoon during a press briefing alongside Braithwaite at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

Referring to the DFAGFF partnership, which saw its first Memorandum of Understanding being signed in 2019 through the efforts of UEFA Assist, Forde has said he is elated to witness its growth.

The GFF boss shared, “I’m pleased that today we are making one further step in an already progressive relationship. A few years back this was just a discussion, and here we are, making tangible steps to a relationship that will endure for many years.”

Braithwaite, who will have a packed schedule for the remainder of the week in Guyana, and is hoping his presence here would be able to inspire the country’s youths, has said, “We should push especially the youths to follow their dreams and work hard, because you don’t know who you’re talking to; it might be the next big thing, the next big footballer or entrepreneur.

“Especially coming from Guyana, I know the stories from my dad, how he used to provide as a kid to put dinner on the table. So, you just have

to dream and work hard, and things will go your way,” the Danish forward went on to add.

Although he was sure from an early age about his longing to play for the Danish National Team, Braithwaite disclosed that he has been honoured to have the opportunity extended to him to play for the Golden Jaguars team years ago.

On the topic of choosing national teams, he said, “I grew up in Denmark, and I saw the Danish National Team playing, so I always saw myself playing for that team. And I remember getting the callup to play for the Guyanese National Team. It was a proud moment; I was really proud that they even knew who I was.

“Cause it was always part of me, part of my home, my second home.”

Also visiting Guyana is the Executive Secretary of the DFA, Nikkel Bierg, who is elated at the forging of Guyana’s partnership with the Danish.

“The Danish FA wishes to express appreciation to President (Forde) and the whole Football Federation for splendid cooperation throughout the years. Even though the pandemic put the cooperation on hold, we’re very happy to kick off the second half of the cooperation,” Bierg has said.

Meanwhile, UEFA Assist’s International Relations Project Specialist Chris Milnes is another who is happy to witness the transformation of the relationship, since it epitomises the vision of UEFA Assist.

“One of the key areas in this collaboration and this project is through our support that we offer to UEFA member associations like the DBU, to develop their own programmes of our sister confederations,” Milnes expressed. “I’m delighted that you’ve come to Guyana for the first time, and I think (that), over the next couple of days, it will be fantastic for you to discover this brilliant country,” he said in turning his attention to Braithwaite.

THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022

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

Pg 23

GFF President Wayne Forde presenting Martin Braithwaite with a commemorative Golden Jaguars jersey (Jemima Holmes Photo)

joins DBU-GFF collab as Goodwill Ambassador

Pg 23

CG Insurance Women's Super50…

Barbados into final after Matthews, Alleyne and Knight sisters impress

Page 22

Pg 23 UEFA Assist IR Project Specialist, Chris Milnes

Barbados players celebrating a T&T wicket in the first semi-final

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