Guyana Times - Thursday March 4, 2021

GMSA records successful year despite COVID-19 pandemic, P13 elections impasse Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana Issue No. 4577

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Venezuela’s fighter jets invade Guyana’s airspace guyanatimesgy.com

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

See story on page 3

P14 CANU unearths over 99 lbs ganja in Berbice

....Guyana issues protest note to Venezuela ...Govt condemns move as “aggressive” and “intimidatory”” “intimidatory

Man shot, P15 robbed of $4M at horse race betting shop

MV Barima gas pump P11 explodes

...Army “vigilant” ...Army – Chief of Staff

Lowenfield received $25M in salary, allowances from Jan 2020 to date Scotiabank reaches $1.1B set agreement to sell local aside for operations to T&T bank hosting of LGE See story on page 2

Page 10

See story on page 7

…announcement “premature”, “inappropriate” – Finance Minister …process for Govt’s approval not initiated

Speaker suspends Parliament after alleged altercation between MPs

…Police investigating alleged assault – Harmon

Page 9

Guyana records P15 another COVID-19 death …22 new cases

Boat with P7 decomposed bodies in Nicaragua's waters not same vessel sighted off Guyana – Benn Breaching COVID-19 guidelines

P12

“Selector Seen Up” to do community service for hosting party

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Lowenfield received $25M in salary, allowances from Jan 2020 to date

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mbattled Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield has been paid some $25 million in salary and other benefits during the period from January 2020 to date.

This was revealed by Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira in response to questions posed by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and Deputy Speaker Lenox Shuman during the consideration of the Budget estimates for the Guyana Elections Commission on Wednesday.

Lowenfield, who is currently facing several fraud charges over last year March’s General and Regional Elections and is

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira

on administrative leave, has already cashed in on $3.5 million thus far this year.

According to Teixeira, the $25 million paid to Lowenfield from January 2020 to February 2021 also

included allowances.

During this period, the CEO benefited from $120,000 in travel allowance; $360,000 in entertainment allowance; vacation allowance to the tune of $1.4 million; another

$120,000 for uniform allowance, and gratuity in the sum of $787,648, along with $6 million for security allowance.

There have been mounting calls for the embattled CEO to be removed from the Elections Commission before another election is held.

In fact, Minister Teixeira will still be available if there is to be a replacement in the position. This was in response to another question from Shuman.

“In consideration of what transpired last year, would the Honourable Minister clarify if there is any provision in the budget to pay the CEO to take an early exit so that we can have clean elections in

Embattled Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

2021,” Shuman, the lone representative of the LJP/ ANUG/TNM Joinder party in Parliament, asked.

This question was followed by loud uproar in the House from APNU/ AFC Opposition MPs. Nevertheless, Minister Teixeira answered, “The budgetary provision has been made for Chief Elections Officer. If it is not the present, it still has money to pay a new Chief Elections Officer… There is provision, were the decision to be taken, that GECOM could fill the position, as they have more funds available to hire a new Chief Elections Officer.”

Moreover, it was disclosed that another $16.5 million has been budgeted this year for the annual salary of Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, who is also facing criminal charges for electoral fraud, and is now the acting CEO. This sum, however, includes both her basic salary and allowances. Myers earns $6 million annually, according to Teixeira. Her allowances include $250,854 NIS; travel allowance in the sum of 204,000; another $1.6 million for entertainment etc; acting allowance to the tune of $483,888; vacation allowance in the sum of $865,216; uniform allowance of $120,000 and gratuity of $1.3 million.

While the position of Assistant CEO is currently vacant, some $12.1 million plus allowances were budgeted for the post in the likelihood it be filled this year.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister also disclosed the salary and allowances of the GECOM Chair, (ret’d) Justice Claudette Singh, who earns just over $2 million monthly – amounting to an annual salary of $24 million. This is in addition to some $13.4 million in allowances.

Moreover, the salary of the six GECOM Commissioners – Bibi Shaddick, Sase Gunraj, Manoj Narayan, Vincent Alexander, Charles Corbin and Desmond Trotman – was given as $478,485 monthly for each of them, amounting to $59.1 million annually. This is in addition to allowances amounting to $9 million each for Commissioners Gunraj and Narayan, and $8.8 million each for the other four Commissioners, who are all above the age of 65.

Lowenfield is currently facing three counts of forgery and three counts of misconduct in public office. He has been placed on $300,000 bail.

Myers, meanwhile, has been slapped with two counts of misconduct in public office, and has been placed on $300,000 bail in relation to both charges.

These two were charged along with GECOM officials including embattled Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, who is on $600,000 bail for charges similar to what Myers is facing.

Additionally, People’s National Congress Reform Chairperson Volda Lawrence and APNU/AFC activist Carol Joseph are also before the courts on electoral fraud charges.

(G8)

NEWS

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, March 4 – 09:30h – 11:00h and Friday, March 5 – 10:00h – 11:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, March 4 – 07:50h – 09:20h and Friday, March 5 – 08:40h – 10:10h.

Venezuela’s fighter jets invade Guyana’s airspace ....Guyana issues protest note to Venezuela ...Govt condemns move as “aggressive” and “intimidatory” ...Army “vigilant” – Chief of Staff

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain and thundery showers are expected during the day. Light rain showers are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 08:05h and 20:37h reaching maximum heights of 2.65 metres and 2.49 metres.

Low Tide: 14:07h reaching a minimum height of 0.58 metre.

Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd

By Jarryl Bryan

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little more than a month after Venezuela illegally detained 12 Guyanese fishermen in Guyana’s maritime space, the Government of Guyana has had to sharply condemn the unauthorised entry of two Venezuelan fighter jets into Guyana’s airspace.

ing in an easterly direction.

“The Government of Guyana condemns this latest act of aggression by the Venezuelan Armed Forces as a violation of the sovereignty of Guyana over the air above its territory,” the Ministry said.

In the statement, it reminded that this latest act of hostility follows on the heels of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro’s decree on January 7, reigniting Venezuela’s unlawful claim to Guyana’s maritime space, including its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and land territory west of the Essequibo river.

“The Government wishes to remind that this latest hostility (also) follows closely on the heels of…the illegal interception and detention of two Guyanese fishing vessels and their crew in Guyana’s wa-

A still shot from the video of one of the Venezuelan Sukhoi SU-30 jets which flew over Guyana’s airspace

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At least one of the jets was filmed flying over Eteringbang in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) on Tuesday. The video showing the jet -- a Russian-made, twin-engine, two-seat Sukhoi SU-30 fighter aircraft flying over some trees -- was reportedly captured by a miner and sparked much speculation when it made the rounds on social media.

Sukhoi SU-30 fighter aircraft were developed in the Soviet Union by Russia’s Sukhoi Aviation Corporation.

Vigilan When contacted by this publication, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff Brigadier General Godfrey Bess was tightlipped, saying only that the Force has stepped up its vigilance, and that Guyanese can be assured the borders are secure.

“This matter is being addressed through the diplomatic channels. What I can say (is that) we reported, and would have seen, unauthorised aircraft in our airspace, and we are monitoring the situation.

Since yesterday we have not seen it again. Our borders are safe, and we are alert,” Bess said.

Condemned Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry subsequently issued a statement in which it condemned Venezuela’s actions and cited this as the latest in a series of intimidatory and lawless acts committed by the Spanish- speaking country against Guyana.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana wishes to inform that on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at approximately 13:20 hrs, two Venezuelan Army Sukhoi SU 30 fighter jets overflew the community of Eteringbang and the air strip at a very low altitude of 1500 feet.

“The fighter jets circled the location once, before proceed-

ters, and the resolutions of the Special Commission for the Defence of the “Guayana Esequiba” and Territorial Sovereignty which recommended the convening a session of this Special Commission to the Essequibo with the assistance of the Venezuelan Armed Forces.”

The incursion of the two Venezuelan fighter jets into Guyana’s territory, the Ministry said, is a clear indication that “the Government of Venezuela is prepared to use aggression and intimidation to accomplish what cannot be accomplished by legal means the surrender by Guyana of its patrimony. The Government

of Guyana exhorts the Government of Venezuela, and its agents, to behave in a manner consistent with international law and good neighbourly relations,” the statement said.

Protest Note Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd on Wednesday summoned the Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Luis Edgardo Diaz Monclus, to hand over a protest note and register the Government of Guyana’s condemnation of the recent violation of Guyana’s sovereignty.

Minister Todd informed the ambassador that on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at approximately 13:20h, two Venezuelan Sukhoi SU30 fighter jets flew over the community of Eteringbang and the airstrip at a very low altitude.

The fighter jets then circled the location once before proceeding in an easterly direction.

The Minister voiced the Government's concerns on the act of aggression and stated that such an action was a clear violation of Guyana’s territorial space as well as International law and convention.

Further, the Foreign Minister noted that this act not only challenged the good neighbourly relations, but, by extension, peace and stability of the region.

He reiterated President

GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Godfrey Bess

Ali's commitment to engaging with Venezuela in areas of mutual interest for the betterment and prosperity of the peoples of Guyana and Venezuela.

A statement from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said Ambassador Monclus registered his disappointment at hearing of this development, and mentioned that he is only aware of a reconnaissance mission within Venezuelan territory to monitor narco-trafficking and illegal activities.

He said Venezuela is committed to peaceful relations with Guyana, and committed to transmitting the information from the Foreign Minister to his Capital.

He promised to provide feedback in a timely manner.

Int’l community According to the Ministry, the international community will be kept informed of all actions undertaken by Venezuela as it seeks to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana, as well as threaten the peace and security of the region.

TURN TO PAGE 9

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

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

Preventing and responding to violence

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report published by the World Health Organization, (WHO) in collaboration with UNICEF, UNESCO, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on Violence against Children and the End Violence Partnership, half of the world’s children, or approximately 1 billion children, are each year affected by physical, sexual or psychological violence; suffering injuries, disabilities and death because countries have failed to follow established strategies to protect them.

The report – Global Status Report on Preventing Violence Against Children 2020 – is the first of its kind, charting progress in 155 countries against the “INSPIRE” framework, a set of seven strategies for preventing and responding to violence against children.

The report signals a clear need in all countries, including Guyana, to scale up efforts to implement these strategies. While 88% of the countries surveyed have key laws in place to protect children against violence, less than half of countries (47%) have said these were being strongly enforced. It is therefore clear that having the policy framework in place is not enough, there is a serious challenge as it relates to implementation.

The data for the report was compiled through a survey administered between 2018 and 2019, with responses from over 1000 decision-makers from 155 countries. The INSPIRE strategies, launched in 2016, call for the implementation and enforcement of laws; changing norms and values to make violence unacceptable; creating safe physical environments for children; providing support to parents and caregivers; strengthening income and economic security and stability; improving response and support services for victims; and providing children with education and life skills.

The report also includes the first ever global homicide estimates specifically for children under 18 years of age – previous estimates were based on data that included 18-to-19-year-olds.

It finds that, in 2017, around 40,000 children were victims of homicide.

Of the INSPIRE strategies, only access to schools through enrollment showed the most progress, with 54% of countries reporting that a sufficient number of children in need were being reached in this way. Between 32% and 37% of countries considered that victims of violence could access support services, while 26% of countries provided programmes on parent and caregiver support; 21% of countries had programmes to change harmful norms; and 15% of countries had modifications to provide safe physical environments for children.

Although a majority of countries (83%) have national data on violence against children, only 21% used these to set baselines and national targets to prevent and respond to violence against children.

According to the report’s findings, about 80% of countries have national plans of action and policies, but only one-fifth have plans that are fully funded or have measurable targets. A lack of funding and inadequate professional capacity are likely contributing factors and a reason why implementation has been slow.

The report also noted that stay-at-home measures, including school closures, have limited the usual sources of support for families and individuals such as friends, extended family or professionals. This further erodes victims’ ability to successfully cope with crises and the new routines of daily life. Spikes in calls to helplines for child abuse and intimate partner violence have been observed.

And while online communities have become central to maintaining many children’s learning, support and play, an increase in harmful online behaviours, including cyberbullying, risky online behaviour, and sexual exploitation have been identified.

WHO has underlined the need for global action to ensure that the necessary financial and technical support is available to all countries. It notes also that monitoring and evaluation are crucial to determining the extent to which these prevention efforts are effectively delivered to all who need them.

Dr Howard Taylor, a representative of End Violence Partnership, puts it this way: “Ending violence against children is the right thing to do, a smart investment to make, and it’s possible…We can and must create a world where every child can thrive free from violence and become a new generation of adults to experience healthy and prosperous lives.”

Like WHO and other partners, we believe that it is time to fully fund comprehensive national action plans that would keep children safe at home, at school, online, and in their communities.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo chats with US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch and former Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Eddie Boyer at a corporate dinner hosted by the PSC (Office of the Vice President photo)

Full participation of youth in decision- and policy-making is key Dear Editor, During the APNU/AFC term in Government, one would have noticed that the involvement of youth in policy-making was non-existent at the Cabinet, Parliamentary, and Local Government levels.

With this in mind, the PPP/C party made a conscious decision, when crafting and establishing their manifesto, to include a Youth Advisory Council to the President of Guyana when he was elected. This was done to create an avenue wherein young people are engaged, and would continue to be engaged, in the country’s policy-making.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic has once more demonstrated its commitment, in keeping with its Manifesto promises to the people of Guyana. The Government has allocated another $60M in Budget 2021 to the soon-to-be-established youth Advisory Council, which adds to the $25 million allocated in

Budget 2020. these monies are to ensure that the Council is fully established this year.

The Youth Advisory Council’s Secretariat has already been established within the Office of the President.

The monies will fund the recruitment of a Youth Empowerment Coordinator and representatives from each of the 10 Administrative Regions.

The Youth Advisory Council initiative, which was reiterated by President Irfaan Ali during his inauguration speech, promises to allow young people the opportunity to help shape their own lives in the future, as the PPP/C Administration plans to increase opportunities for youth, sports and cultural activities over the next five years.

It must be known that the youth body is not a non-governmental organisation, but one that would fall under the purview of the President.

This is to directly engage young people on issues surrounding jobs, housing, education, among other matters which allow them to be creative and available in getting everyone to work together on one task, providing the opportunity for youth. It would also allow for collaboration, and to create a finished product which would help them to feel a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose, both as individuals and as a group, which would offer them tremendous professional development opportunities.

Fortunately, listening to young people themselves can help us keep youth interested, challenged, and prepared for the next stage of their lives. When adults believe in the capacity of young people, and create opportunities for them to lead; when young people engage, they feel valued and believe they’re an important part of their country’s development, so they show up and speak up. They practice new

skills, and gain confidence so they can always maximise their potential.

Full participation of youth in decision and policy-making is key to shaping a brighter future for Guyana’s development. The PPP/C must be commented for boosting youth participation in an effort to shape a better Guyana for” all”, based on 2020-2025 Agenda principles.

We all want to live in richer societies, and have better access to education and better jobs. These aspirations of ours must make us firm believers in the Sustainable Development Goals, and staunch promoters of the PPP Government’s 2020-2025 agenda, which is now emphasising the role young people could play in implementing their agenda targets as they relate to education, infrastructure development, and poverty eradication.

Sincerely, David Adams

March 2nd: a saga to remember Dear Editor, A year has passed since the nightmare that was the March 2020 election. Never again must we return to such a dark period in our nation’s history. Never again!

Democracy was put on trial, as we were nearly transported back to totalitarian days of the 70s and 80s.

The struggle brought out the hero in some and the hypocrite in others. The former group should have their contributions recognised while the latter is in need of serious introspection.

Personally, I didn’t think the huge mess could’ve happened, but it did. I honestly felt we had come a far way

from the rigged elections of 1968, 1973, 1980, 1985. I scoffed at the elders around me fearing that the PNC-led coalition would have tried to rig to stay in power. Boy, was I wrong?

A big salute to everyone who stood up for the will of the people to be heard during those dark five

months. There are so many people whose names should be honoured on record but they may go down as unsung heroes. Every single person who guarded the ballot boxes and took part in the recount should go on record as champions of democracy in Guyana.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

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

Punt Dumper System vs March 2nd: a aged Cane Gantry System saga...

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Dear Editor, The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) wishes to clarify several grave inaccuracies pertaining to the operations at the Corporation’s largest producing estate (Albion/ Port Mourant), appearing in a letter dated March 3, 2021 that was published in the Guyana Times newspapers. While the Corporation welcomes and respects constructive criticism on its projects and operations, it is imperative that accuracy in public discourse be maintained at all times.

The plan to replace the existing aged Cane Gantry System (sling system) with a Punt Dumper System was on the discussion table for decades (even under consideration by the Booker Tate Operational Team led

by Paul Worthington), so this is not a new topic, but it was not done previously because of a combination of other priorities in the industry.

The preliminary studies have shown that, at Albion/ Port Mourant Estate, the annual operational cost of running a Punt Dumper System vs. the aged Cane Gantry System (sling system) is G$106.9 million cheaper. This translates to this investment in a Punt Dumper System paying for itself within 4 years.

When using the aged Cane Gantry System (sling system), the efficiency of cane supply to the factory is often disrupted due

to the bursting of slings.

Further, delays are driven by the time taken to search for sling stuck in between cane bundles. This archaic act of searching for slings is a serious occupational, health and safety hazard. Due to these setbacks in using the aged Cane Gantry System (sling system), there are delays in feeding the boilers with bagasse, which results in the inordinate consumption of diesel; an unnecessary expense.

The Albion / Port Mourant Estates lose an average of 2.7 weeks of grinding time annually because these delays. The consequence of this situation is an annual loss of revenue at the Albion / Port Mourant Estates totaling approximately G$489 million. This loss will be materially reduced when a Cane Punt Dumper is operational at the Albion / Port Mourant Estates.

Moreover, there is a further loss to the Estates totally approximately G$18 million annually because there are greater spillage losses using the aged Cane Gantry System (sling system). Again, these losses would be materially reduced when the Cane Punt Dumper is operational at this Estates.

If one compares the operations at the Blairmont Estates where there is a functional Punt Dumper System and that at Albion / Port Mourant Estates where there is the aged

Cane Gantry System (sling system), one would find that there is a higher build up of extraneous matters at Albion / Port Mourant Estates mainly because of the inability of the aged Cane Gantry System (sling

Finally, it is a mystery that the figure of 150,000 MT was derived as the potential for these three Estates (Albion / Port Mourant, Blairmont & Uitvlugt). Guysuco’s records indicate (supported

system) to self clean. Such a situation creates an environment for the growth of bacteria (Leuconostoc spp.) and the more active deterioration of punts because of these residual matters.

This bacterial growth contributes to a more rapid sugar inversion situation, which is no good to the sugar recovery process. The consequence of this situation is an additional annual loss of revenue at the Albion / Port Mourant Estates totaling some G$141 million thanks to the aged Cane Gantry System. The Albion / Port Mourant Estates incur further $12.5 million annually in unnecessary costs to sanitize punts to eliminate the bacteria. If all of these costs are added up, the cost benefit analysis can only conclude to one outcome.

by the graph above) that these three Estates never surpass or even came close to achieving such a target in the last 15 years.

The average production on these three Estates over the last 15 years was 102,265 MT. So that figure of G$5 billion seems to be derived from a mistaken perception of the facts.

The public is encouraged to visit our Head Office at LBI Estate to share their concerns and seek clarifications on any matter that concerns them pertaining to the advancement of the Industry. Nonetheless, GuySuCo welcome the discourse so we can do what is best for the 8,400 workers and Guyana.

Yours sincerely, GuySuCo Communications Team

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any students pray, “If I pass with a first class, I’ll break five coconuts at Your feet.” Does this mean God does not have coconuts at His disposal?

All objects we offer, like leaf, flower, water, etc., have an allegorical significance. The word narikela stands for a coconut. Every Indian must grasp the inner meaning of offering a coconut to God. We never offer the coconut as it is. We remove the fibre that covers it and offer the fruit that is free from all the external fibre. Only then is it possible to break the coconut. By breaking the coconut, the water in it flows out. The heart is the coconut and it is covered by the fibre of desire. The water that flows out is the samskara or purification. The fibres on the surface are the desires.

We must strip the heart of all desires and offer the core without the fibre. It then becomes an offering to God. (Ch 17, Summer Showers in Brindavan, 1972)

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation

Further, how can one forget the unbiased journalists who exposed the transparent attempts to rig in favour of the Coalition? Their coverage throughout the saga day after day painstakingly must not go unnoticed.

They are champions of democracy in Guyana. Every single activist who advocated for democracy to be upheld through the press or social media shouldn’t go unnoticed, as every single voice mattered.

It was beautiful to see many youths see past ethnicity and political bias to call out the attempts to rig. It was also saddening to see those who could not see past such biases, but that underscores the need for national healing. One cannot forget of course, those who tried their hardest to racialise the issue of the election as well as spread misinformation to deceive and exploit the coalition supporters. This dangerous “Trumpian” style utilized by individuals at home and in the diaspora, claiming to care about their support base should go on record. For such poisonous

rhetoric showed how even free speech can be turned into a weapon against democracy. These individuals are demagogues.

However, the story does not end here. We know what is needed: Much needed strengthening of electoral laws to prevent such an incident from recurring and traumatising future generations. Also, national healing is needed.

This election showed how divided we are as a nation. One half of the country was lied to and made to feel that they will be victimised if the PPP gets into power. The other half was worried of mass post-election violence that typically targets PPP supporters.

There is no national unity at all here, and not only is it on the Government to put in the work to fix it, but it’s on us too. We have to embrace each other, find common areas of understanding, accept differences, and march onwards to the hope that one day we can achieve the elusive “one people, one nation, one destiny”.

Yours faithfully, Nikhil Sankar

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

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Foundation ◄

Æsop’s Fables

Jai bought 4 different items from the list shown below. Two of the items cost the same amount. He paid with $200.00.

Question 1 Wednesday’s answers

If Jai received $23.60 change, what four items did he buy?

1a) 32/3 x 3/4 ÷ 15/6 First, do the multiplication part of the problem: 3 2/3 x 3/4 Step 1: Convert the mixed number to an improper fraction: 3 2/3 x 3/4 = 11/3 x 3/4 Step 2: Multiply the numerators of the fractions to get the new numerator, and multiply the denominators of the fractions to get the new denominator: 11/3 x 3/4 = (11 x 3)/(3 x 4) = 33/12

Mia received some pocket money. She spent 3/5 of it on food and 3/10 of the remaining amount on stationery. She saved the rest of the money. i) What fraction of her money did Mia spend on stationery? ii) If Mia saved $28.00, how much pocket money did she receive?

Step 3: Set up the division part of the sum: 32/3 x 3/4 ÷ 15/6 = 33/12 ÷ 15/6 (since the result of 3 2/3 x 3/4 = 33/12 ) First, convert the mixed number to an improper fraction: 33/12 ÷ 11/6 Step 4: To divide any fraction by a fraction, multiply the first fraction by

FOR CHILDREN the reciprocal of the second fraction: 33/12 ÷ 11/6 = 33/12 x 6/11 = (11 x 3)/(12 x 11) = 198/132 Step 5: Simplify the resulting fraction if necessary: 198/132 = 1 66/132 = 1 1/2 bi) $90.75 = 75% of original price 75% = 75/100 Original price = $90.75 ÷ 75 x 100 = $121 bii) Paul buys 10 books @ $90.75 each So, the total cost of the books = $90.75 x 10 = $907.5 VAT = 16% 16% = 16/100 = 0.16 Total amount paid = cost of books + VAT ( which is 16% of cost of books) = $907.5 + ($907.5 x 0.16) = $907.5 + ($145.2) = $1052.7

O

Note: This experiment is not to be used to look at the actual sun. Looking directly at the sun can be harmful. shoebox scissors black card yellow tissue paper tape toothpick

Materials

Instructions

Cut a window at each end of your shoebox and then cut a slit across the width (or top) of the box lid.

Cut out a square of black card small enough to slide into the slit in the box.

Cut out a circle from the middle of the card and stick yellow tissue paper over the hole (this is your sun).

Stick the toothpick to the black card circle (you will

use this as your moon).

Slide the square of black card into the slot on the box and hold the box up to the light. Look through it to see your sun

nce upon a time, when the sun announced his intention to take a wife, the frogs lifted up their voices in clamour to the sky.

Jupiter, disturbed by the noise of their croaking, inquired the cause of their complaint. One of them said, “The sun, now while he is single, parches up the marsh, and compels us to die miserably in our arid homes. What will be our future condition if he should beget other suns?’

How does it work?

When you look through the box’s window you will see the model sun shining brightly. However, when you start to slowly lower the blank card circle or moon into the slit of the box, you will slowly see the model sun disappear and create an eclipse.

Further experiments

Use different types of light, a flashlight, daylight, tv light. How does different types of light affect the experiment?

What if the real Sun was a blue star or a red star or even a purple star? Use different coloured tissue paper to see how that would change the way we see an eclipse. (sciencefun.org)

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

with decomposed bodies in $1.1B set aside for hosting of LGE Boat Nicaragua's waters not same vessel …as Govt, Opposition MPs spar over voters’ list

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he National Assembly’s Committee of Supply on Wednesday approved some $4.1 billion for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), of which some $1.1 billion is earmarked for the hosting of Local Government Elections (LGE), slated to be held later this year.

However, the monies were not approved without a fiery exchange between the two sides, particularly over the voters’ list for the Local Government polls.

In response to questions from the APNU/ AFC Opposition MPs, Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira disclosed that monies to the tune of $1.1 billion have been set aside for the hosting of Local Government Elections, and that preparatory activities such as training for polling day staff are likely to start in the third quarter of the year.

During his contribution to the 2021 Budget debates, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall had disclosed that Local Government Elections will be held later this year.

However, when asked

by Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones on Wednesday whether monies were specifically budgeted for a House-to-House registration exercise, Minister Teixeira responded in the negative. She noting that the seven-member Elections Commission, which approved GECOM’s budget presented to the Finance Ministry, will have to make that decision, and if they in fact decide to go ahead with the exercise, then additional funding can be sought.

This sparked a heated debate, with APNU/AFC parliamentarian Tabitha Sarabo-Halley questioning the decision of the Commission to approve the budget without recognising the need for a new voters’ list.

Teixeira responded by saying that she cannot see in the minds of the seven commissioners, and therefore cannot anticipate what led them to approving GECOM’s budget without making provisions for a new voters’ list.

“That is not an issue that I can answer here. That is for the Chairman and the Commission; and there-

Parliamentary Affairs Governance Minister Teixeira

and Gail

fore, if the Opposition has a concern, they should go to the Chairman and the Commission. It is not an issue that can be answered in the house under the Budget… And the Opposition has three Commissioners [at GECOM] who represent their interests. Surely, I believe – knowing the three individuals as I do - that they’re highly competent to raise their concerns,” Teixeira contended.

Voters list

Despite this, the Opposition parliamentarian continued to press on the issue of a new voters list, citing a report submitted by the Caricom Observation Team that monitored the March 2, 2020 elections and aftermath which had recommended among other things that a new voters list be prepared before another election is held.

However, Teixeira contended, “…there are many recommendations that came out of the elections… The Honorable Member is asking me to commit to one recommendation when there about 30 recommendations made in all the international reports on those elections. I am not going to do it, Madam.

That is an issue for we, as a people, to look through and to also raise with GECOM. But there are other issues we have to raise with GECOM which are a concern to us, which is to prevent any attempt in the future to hijack an election.

“One of the recommendations in one of the reports says that charges should be brought against the people who are responsible for hijacking the elections. Will the Honourable Member support us on that?” the Governance Minister fur-

ther questioned after the Opposition MP asked whether Government would support the establishment of a new voters’ list.

Meanwhile, Minister Teixeira also disclosed that funds have been budgeted for the printing of 500,000 ballot papers based on the last Local Government polls held in 2018 – a topic which was intensely questioned

by Opposition MP David Patterson.

“Our last General Elections, only about 450,000 persons voted, so I would ask the Honourable Minister, if you are catering for 500,000… isn’t that an indication that you’re over-catering and there’re bloated numbers on the list?”

Patterson enquired.

However, in defend GECOM’s decision to ascertain how many ballots to print, Teixeira pointed out that the Opposition is getting “excited” over the ‘500,000’ ballot papers earmarked to be printed, but has failed to recognise that there are sometimes spoilt ballots and, more importantly, there cannot be a shortage of ballots.

She further outlined that even if there are extra ballots, these are returned to GECOM. “You cannot have exact ballots for voters… Please remember that the number of ballots have to match the number on the voters list. If the people turn up or not, the list has to reflect that… because to under-produce ballot papers would mean that people would be denied the right to vote,” she argued.

The Minster went on to address Patterson’s contention that approximately 250,000 persons voted at the 2018 LGE, saying it is irrelevant. She posited that GECOM cannot control voters’ turnout on polling day.

“Unfortunately, Mr Patterson, I cannot help it if your supporters didn’t go out to vote. The point is, they

sighted off Guyana – Benn

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Opposition MP David Patterson

were on the list. So when you had in Georgetown 30odd per cent turnout, they were your supporters. If you can’t mobilise your support, that is not GECOM’s fault, that’s not a fault in the ballot paper production. That’s a problem with the political parties,” she pointed out.

Moreover, Minister Teixeira reminded that the High Court in Guyana already ruled in August 2019 that existing registrants cannot be removed from the voters’ list unless they are deceased or otherwise disqualified in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana.

This was after GECOM embarked on a registration exercise with the aim of creating a new list of electorates.

“We’ve had a ruling since [2019]. GECOM cannot be above the law and do what it likes. It has to obey the law, and the law says you cannot remove somebody [from the list] unless the person produces a death certificate.

Any other person remains on the list. That is what the Chief Justice [Roxane George] ruled in this country, and so we can’t play ‘round with these issues and make them political… The number of ballots can never be less than whatever the number is on the voters’ list.

To do that would be treacherous, because it would mean that you would disenfranchise people,” Teixeira asserted. (G8)

hen Nicaraguan authorities made an announcement on Tuesday that the bodies of six migrants were found drifting in a small boat off their coast, there was speculation that this was the very boat sighted in Guyana’s waters some weeks ago, but this has turned out not to be the case.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn confirmed that the boat Nicaragua found was not the same one that was sighted off the coast of Guyana and subsequently disappeared.

“I don’t know if it passed through Guyana’s waters at some time, but it’s not the same boat. It’s almost similar construction, a bit different, but it’s not the same boat. You (have to consider) the currents to explain why a boat which could lose its propulsion off West Africa drift all the way over here,” Minister Benn said.

Minister Benn noted that it was well-documented historical fact that westerly currents and winds were able to transport ships much larger than the one found off the coast of Nicaragua from the African coast.

“Interestingly, one of the men in the boat had a passport from Mauritania (a north-western African country). And remember, if boats lose their engines on the west African coast, they will drift south and then when they hit the north equatorial current they will drift west,” he explained.

The Nicaraguan Interior Ministry had said that a Republic of Guinea passport belonging to a 31-yearold man was found on one of the bodies. The passport, according to reports, had no Nicaraguan entry stamp in it.

According to reports, the boat was found drifting about a mile (1 1/2 kilome-

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn

tres) out to sea near Cayo Las Palomas. Reports indicated that the corpses were all too badly decomposed for immediate identification.

However, the Ministry had said that an initial examination of the bodies had indicated that they all likely died of dehydration or heatstroke, and that time of death was approximately a month ago.

On February 15, a boat that was suspected to have some 10 decomposed bodies was sighted drifting some 112 nautical miles off Guyana’s coast. However, attempts to retrieve the boat were hampered by bad weather and the boat subsequently disappeared, either drifting further out to sea or possibly being submerged owing to inclement weather conditions.

At a press conference following the boat’s disappearance, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had told the media that no boat has been reported missing in Guyana and that he had made contact with the authorities in Suriname to inquire if they had any reports of a missing vessel and crew, but there have been no reports of a missing boat or crew.

Meanwhile, Minister Benn had said at the press conference that when or if authorities retrieve the vessel, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will take charge in investigating to determine the origin of the victims and the circumstances surrounding the situation.

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Lindener charged with various offences granted bail in the sum of $240,000

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wenty-two-yearold Seymour Junior Shepherd of Lot 146 Half Mile, Wismar, Linden was yesterday arraigned before Linden Magistrate Wanda Fortune on three charges – narcotics trafficking, grievous bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon.

Shepherd was arrested

by Police on February 17 for the offence of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. It is alleged that

he had 23 grams of cannabis in his possession at the time.

He was also charged for possession of an offensive weapon. It is alleged that

he had a knife in his possession, and that he inflicted grievous bodily harm on Clemsford Bradford.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to those charges, and was placed on bail in the sum of 200,000 on the charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm; $40,000 bail on the charge of possession of narcotics, and was placed on self-bail for the charge of possession of an offensive weapon.

The cases have been adjourned to March 15.

Linden duo remanded Lindener charged for violating for cow theft, larceny COVID-19 restriction

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wo Lindeners who on Monday appeared before Linden Magistrate Wanda Fortune on four counts of break-andenter-and-larceny and an additional larceny charge have been remanded to prison.

It is alleged that Jermaine Anderson, also called “Main”, and Lawrence John broke and entered the homes of Joseph Outar, Troy Anthony, Keith Alleyne and Shaun Sullivan and stole a number of items therefrom, including micro-

waves, gas stoves and gas bottles.

These defendants were not required to plead to the charges, and the Magistrate refused to place them on bail.

These two have also been charged with stealing a cow valued $180,000, the property of Deon London, between February 13 and 24 at Wismar, Linden. They were not required to plead to this charge, and were also refused bail. Their cases will continue on March 22.

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breached

oel Waldron of Buck Hill, Wismar, Linden appeared before Linden Magistrate Wanda Fortune on Monday charged with the offence of breach of restriction on social activities.

It is alleged that he

hosted a private party on February 27 at Buck Hill, Wismar.

However, Waldron pleaded not guilty to the charge, and was placed on bail in the sum of $20,000.

The case will continue on April 15.

A year…

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…after PNC’s shamelessness our Eyewitness waited till today to comment about the March 2nd elections. You know why? Because it’s only today, March 4, that he knew for sure that “t’ings na regular” with the voting that had gone so smoothly on March 2. The professionalism continued into the night, as ALL of the 2300+ Polling Stations added up their ballots and posted the Statements of Poll (SOPs) for all to see before the night was over.

The SOPs were duly transferred to the 10 Regional Officers and, by evening the following day, nine of the ten ROs reported their counts. Wasn’t difficult, was it? Just tally up the SOPs’ numbers. So far, so good! But in Reg 4, with the largest number of SOPs, constipation had stepped in: SOPS going in but nothing coming out! That night, the tabulation was halted by RO Mingo - a name that would live in infamy!

- after one staff developed “pregnancy pains”. The tabulation was promised to be resumed the next morning at 9am, but -lo and behold - Mingo promptly developed “chest pains”, which caused him to be rushed to the GPHC. He was soon discharged, but we all knew by then that the rig was on!! We would have to experience revelations like GECOM staff calling Harmon - the PNC campaign manager, the PNC refusing to show its SOPs; spread sheets and flash drives disappearing and re-appearing; numbers produced not matching stakeholders’ SOPs; and finally, Mingo’s unilateral declaration that caused the entire Diplomatic Corps to walk out.

In the meantime, the said Diplomatic Corps and other invited Election Observers were threatened with expulsion, causing Bruce Golding, the former Jamaican PM and Chair of the Commonwealth Observer Mission, to nearly suffer apoplexy! Then, of course, came the recount; the banishment of the CariCom Observer Team and their re-entry on circumscribed terms; the announcement by Ramjattan that he’d personally gone operational and snagged several Russian spies who were hacking our pencil-and-paper voting; the sudden discovery by the PNC that the dead and emigrated were voting; their announcement of the numbers that signalled the PPP had won, followed by the refusal of Lowenfield to accept their numbers.

He then disenfranchised over 100,000 voters to declare the PNC the winner, and back to the judiciary the whole thing went - as it had during the year it took for the PNC to be told they should’ve demitted office since Dec 22, 2018! After the CCJ ruled that Lowenfield couldn’t make up numbers, Granger - dubbed “the Sanctimonious Gangster” by CariCom - knew the game was up.

But it still took threats from the entire West and the rest (of the world) to finally have him decamp on Aug 2nd.

Good riddance to bad rubbish!

…of playing the race card The year since March 2, 2020 has also been one of living dangerously, with the PNC pulling out the race card it created since its formation in 1958, when megalomaniac Burnham split the unified PPP. In mobilising African-Guyanese under the banner of the PNC, he insisted the PPP was a racial party and African-Guyanese could count only on him. And this has been the PNC’s modus operandi ever since!

So, it shouldn’t have surprised anyone that when the PNC discovered they’d lost the elections by March 3 - after looking at their SOPs - they thundered that the PPP had rigged them out of office! Mainly by claiming that 40 ballot boxes from Indian-Guyanese-dominated areas on the East Coast Demerara were counted and dead and emigrated IndianGuyanese had also voted.

Another incendiary accusation was that the mainly African- Guyanese Disciplined Forces’ votes hadn’t been counted!

It was into that incendiary, racially polarised atmosphere that Granger tossed his lit match on the West Coast of Berbice! …bravery But while the last year was a time of danger, it was also a time of bravery. Standing up to the PNC’s bullyism, many Guyanese rose to the challenge and repelled them.

They’ll be rewarded with President Ali’s “Order of Democracy”!

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

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Speaker suspends Parliament after alleged altercation between MPs …Police investigating alleged assault – Harmon

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peaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, was forced to suspend Wednesday’s parliamentary session following an alleged altercation between Members of Parliament Kwame McCoy and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley.

Reports are that the two Parliamentarians had a confrontation during which it was alleged that McCoy, who is the Minister of Public Affairs within the Office of the President, physically assaulted the Opposition MP. The APNU+AFC Opposition demanded that the House Speaker address the issue immediately. However, the Speaker indicated that he would deal with the matter when the consideration of the budget estimates they were dealing with at the time in the Committee of Supply was completed and returned to the National Assembly.

This, however, angered the Opposition, causing them to stage a walkout led by Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon.

Still dissatisfied, the Opposition MPs started to persistently hit on the desks in the Dome loudly. This resulted in the Speaker suspending the session and later adjourning the day’s proceedings until today.

Denied

Minister Kwame McCoy

Sometime after, 18 Opposition MPs returned to the Dome of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) which is being used to hold parliamentary sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and again raised the issue.

This time, Speaker Nadir cited Standing Order 12, which states that they will have to revert to the Assembly from the Committee of Supply, and then, “…the 18 members can stand and will be heard.”

Meanwhile, in response to the allegations against him, Minister McCoy “emphatically and completely” denied assaulting MP Sarabo-Halley.

“At no time did I touch Ms. Halley with my phone or any part of my body. At the time in question, outside the Parliament Chamber, I had just completed a verbal exchange with Mr Keith Lowenfield, who attended the Committee of Supply.

After Mr Lowenfield’s departure, I began to speak with Minister Anand Persaud. I observed the presence of Ms. Halley, who was approximately four feet away from me. We exchanged words, but there was absolutely no physical contact whatsoever,” McCoy detailed in

Venezuela’s fighter jets...

On January 21, two Guyana-registered fishing vessels, Lady Nayera and Sea Wolf, and their crews were operating off the coast of Waini Point in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) when they were intercepted by the Venezuelan Naval vessel Commandante Hugo Chávez GC 24, which was illegally traversing Guyana’s waters.

The Venezuelans boarded the vessels, and the captains were instructed to chart a course to Port Guiria, where they were detained. The Lady Nayera crew comprised Captain Richard Ramnarine,

Ramlakan Kamal, Nick Raghubar, Javin Boston, Michael Domingo and Joel Joseph.

The other ship, the Sea Wolf, was captained by Toney Garraway, while the crew members were Errol Gardener, Orland Roberts, Christopher Shaw, Shirvin Oneil and Randy Henry.

The men were subsequently brought before a Venezuelan court, and reports emerged that they could have been kept in custody for some 45 days pending an investigation.

However, Venezuela came under immense diplomatic pressure to release the men, and on February 2, the

FROM PAGE 3

fishermen were released on the orders of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro himself, with the legal proceedings against them discontinued. They arrived in Guyana on February 6.

Venezuela’s acts of aggression come even as Guyana inches closer to a final, binding judicial settlement of its border with Venezuela. The International Court of Justice (ICJ), which met a little over a week ago, is expected to soon set various timelines by which Guyana and Venezuela would have to make their respective submissions in the border controversy case.

Opposition Member of Parliament, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley

a statement on Wednesday night.

The Minister went on to say that the allegation is “totally false, malicious, and intended to cause me embarrassment and public ridicule. I am seeking the advice of my attorneys-at-law on the way forward. I urge the Guyana Police Force to fully investigate this matter and institute the necessary charges against Ms. Halley, and I am prepared to prosecute any charges vigorously.”

Meanwhile, in a subsequent interview, Minister Persaud recounted that his colleague Minister and Lowenfield were in a verbal exchange when SaraboHalley appeared shortly after and got between the two men. “[She] was telling Kwame, ‘Move from here!

Move from here!’ Kwame took out his phone and was trying to video what took

place. They were about three feet apart from each other, and I never saw Kwame assaulting anyone. I was a loner there,” Persaud related.

Nonetheless, Prime Minister (Ret’d) Brigadier Mark Phillips has also called for a thorough investigation of the incident.

“We expect who’s conducting the investigation (to) be very objective. Utilise whatever camera footage is available to come to an objective conclusion. We have no reason to disbelieve Minister Kwame McCoy… We had a discussion with him and we have no reason to disbelieve him. As far as we’re concerned, he is sincere. However, this matter has to be investigated, and we have to get down to the truth,” PM Phillips has posited.

Police investigating

During a subsequent press conference later on Wednesday night, Opposition Leader Harmon disclosed that the Police were brought in and are moving at a rapid pace.

He noted that investigators have reviewed CCTV footage from the ACCC but this requires further investigation.

“Unfortunately, what that video footage showed was that there are some areas of the National Assembly that are not covered by the cameras… The video footage offers you evidence of what may have happened before

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon

and after,” Harmon noted during a virtual press conference.

Nevertheless, the Opposition Leader noted that the Police will now have to rely on eyewitnesses.

However, when pressed on who these persons are – whether they were Coalition members or Parliament staff – Harmon refused to say.

Moreover, after he confirmed that MP SaraboHalley sought medical attention, the Opposition Leader further declined to share what that medical stated.

Meanwhile, he contended that the party would make a determination after the probe wraps up, most likely today, on whether it would continue to participate in the ongoing Consideration of the 2021 Budget Estimates.

According to the Opposition Leader, an apology would not be “sufficient”. (G8)

10 NEWS

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Scotiabank reaches agreement to sell local operations to T&T bank …announcement “premature”, “inappropriate” – Finance Minister …process for Govt’s approval not initiated

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cotiabank, which has for some time been looking to sell its operations in Guyana, has reached an

Scotiabank made the announcement on Wednesday, noting that after it sells its operations, all of its approxi-

“I wish to say that the Government of Guyana considers it extremely unfortunate that this transaction was announced, considering that any such transaction is subject to a specified regulatory process… We consider it premature to announce a transaction of this nature, particularly given that the regulatory process to consider the request for such a transaction is yet to be initiated, much less concluded” Finance Minister agreement with the Trinidad and Tobago-based First Citizens bank to sell its operations. This is despite the fact that Government approval has yet to be granted.

mately 180 employees would remain to continue supporting operations in its four local branches.

According to Scotiabank’s statement, the transaction

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

supports First Citizens’ strategic growth across the region, and leverages its strengths in innovation and excellence to the benefit of all stakeholders.

“Until regulatory approvals are obtained and the transaction closes, Scotiabank’s operations in Guyana will continue as usual. First Citizens and Scotiabank will work together to facilitate a smooth

transition for the business,” Scotiabank has said, adding that First Citizens is one of the leading financial services groups in the Englishspeaking Caribbean.

Headquartered in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, First Citizens offers a full range of retail, corporate and investment banking services, as well as wealth management, trustee and brokerage services to clients through its operations in Barbados, Costa Rica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Approval not initiated

Meanwhile, Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, in a video broadcast on Wednesday, noted that the “sale” has only just been brought to his attention.

According to Minister Singh, Scotiabank’s announcement is both premature and inappropriate when one considers the regulatory approvals that have to be granted before the bank can sell its operations.

“I wish to say that the Government of Guyana considers it extremely unfortunate that this transaction was announced, considering that any such transaction is subject to a specified regulatory process.

“In particular, Section 12 of the Financial Institutions Act stipulates that no finan-

Scotiabank operations at Carmichael Street, Georgetown

cial institution may transfer the whole or a substantial part of its operations in Guyana without the prior approval of the Bank of Guyana.

“We consider it premature to announce a transaction of this nature, particularly given that the regulatory process to consider the request for such a transaction is yet to be initiated, much less concluded,” Minister Singh said.

The Minister noted that both the Government and Central Bank intend to ensure that the law is complied with in its entirety, and that due diligence is carried out before Scotiabank can sell its operations.

“I wish also to reiterate that both the Government of Guyana and Central Bank remain firmly committed to maintaining a strong, vibrant, dynamic, and growing financial sector.

“Particularly at this junction of our economic history, it is important that the financial sector is adequately equipped to meet the needs of our evolving economy, which, as viewers would know, is cur-

rently going through dramatic changes.”

In this regard, he added that the primary objective remains the preservation of a strong and stable financial sector, one that is dynamic and competitive and can meet the needs of Guyana’s economy.

In 2019, Scotiabank’s attempts to sell its operations in Guyana to Republic Financial Holdings Limited came to a screeching halt when the Bank of Guyana denied its application.

Besides Guyana, Scotiabank was also looking to sell its operations in St Maarten, Anguilla, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Dominica, St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

At the time, Governor of the Central Bank of Guyana, Dr Gobind Ganga, had told Guyana Times that the application was denied in light of concerns about “concentration” and “competition”, which would have negative impacts on the country’s financial system.

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Govt working with ExxonMobil to MV Barima gas prevent defects on future FPSOs pump explodes …as Private Sector, Marine Conservation Society sign MoU

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echanical defects on the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel have already resulted in half a billion cubic feet of gas being flared offshore Guyana. According to the Government, work is ongoing to ensure these defects do not recur on future FPSO vessels brought in by ExxonMobil.

Making this pronouncement was Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Marine Conservation Society, headed by environmentalist Annette Arjoon, and Environmental Management Consultancy.

According to the Minister, the Government remains committed to safeguarding the environment.

He noted that ExxonMobil’s current flaring offshore Guyana is unacceptable, and Government is working closely with the oil company to prevent future recurrences.

“I know we have taken a lot of flak recently for the flaring. As a Government, we strongly condemn the flaring offshore Guyana. It was an unfortunate situation that we have found ourselves in.

However, the Ministry of Natural Resources has been working closely on a daily basis with EEPGL to ensure that this issue is fixed, and it is fixed properly, so that there is no (recurrence),” Minister Bharrat said.

He noted that, in addition, Government has engaged “EEPGL ExxonMobil to ensure that the future FPSOs, (those are) the Liza Unity and Prosperity, don’t have this manufacturers’ defect on these larger FPSOs which will arrive in another year or two. So, we have been putting systems in place to ensure that not only is it reduced, but prevented in the future.”

EEPGL had announced that it was experiencing technical problems with the seal on Liza Destiny’s flash gas compressor in January of this year. The problem resulted in Exxon having to reduce its production and also conduct routine flaring.

It was subsequently re-

Marine Conservation Society founder Annette Arjoon and GM&SA President Shyam Nokta at the signing of the MoU on Wednesday. Also in photo are Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and AMCHAM President Zulfikar Ally

vealed that Exxon had been flaring 16 million cubic feet of gas per day, an increase from the volume of flaring the company conducted last year, which reportedly ranged between 12 and 15 million cubic feet. A calculation would show that, at current rates, Exxon has flared over 500 million cubic feet of gas since January of this year. It is a situation that Exxon executives have said no one is happy with, even as they work along with the regulatory agencies.

Currently, the gas compressor is in a workshop in Germany, where repairs and upgrades are expected to be done.

While some have called for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to act, their hands are, in fact, tied. At a recent press conference, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had pointed out that Exxon is limited to flaring 14 billion cubic feet of gas. This is per the approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which means that according to calculations, Exxon wouldn’t reach that flaring ceiling at current levels until the end of April 2021.

Partnership

Besides oil and gas, the Minister reflected on the importance of a partnership between the state and non-governmental actors to protect the environment.

This point was reinforced

by Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) President Shyam Nokta.

“When you look at Guyana’s path over many years, we have a good story to tell. We’re still a country with over 80 per cent of

our forests relatively intact.

One of the lowest rates of deforestation globally. A high level of species endemism.

We’re still discovering more and more of what we have.

In fact, a lot of it is still to be discovered.

“However, a lot of this is coming under pressure. And when you look at how rapidly, as a country, we’re likely to advance in so many sectors, and as our economy diversifies and grows, it means we have to redouble our efforts at balancing development and the environment.”

In light of this, Nokta said this requires action at all levels, including Government, NGOs, and the Private Sector. For this reason, he noted the need to for-

malise this collaboration, as evidenced by the signing of the MOU. “We cannot exclude the Private Sector. And so, this is an opportunity to bring together NGOs and Private Sectors to work towards a common purpose. And our MOU is essentially to advance a number of initiatives: looking at how we can protect ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and with a particular focus on mangroves and marine environments.

“And this will cover studies, biodiversity assessments and monitoring exercises. And in this regard, we’re looking to work closely with the Ministry of Natural Resources,” Nokta said, further explaining what the MOU would seek to do.

MV Barima on fire [Carl Fraser photo]

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uthorities are assessing the damage the MV Barima sustained after a fire erupted in the engine room of the vessel yesterday.

The Public Works Ministry, along with the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), in a statement on Wednesday said the vessel caught afire at about 11:30h after a gas pump exploded in the engine room. The incident occurred whilst cargo was being offloaded from the vessel, but the fire was brought under control.

The MV Barima is currently at Port Kaituma in Region One (BarimaWaini). The vessel had departed Port Georgetown on

February 27 and arrived at Port Kaituma on February 28.

Officials from T&HD as well as the ministries of Public Works and Home Affairs are working “as a matter of urgency to verify the source of the fire and the extent of the damage done to the vessel”.

The T&HD is also currently engaging external engineers to assist in conducting an immediate investigation into this incident, and to provide a full report on the cause of the fire.

The public has also been assured that all attempts would be made to ensure that the service is back in operation at the soonest possible time.

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PI into father, daughter murder down to final 2 witnesses

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he Prosecution is expected to close its case this Friday in the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murders of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara money changer Aaron Latchman and his daughter Arianna Latchman.

When the matter continued on Wednesday at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts, the Police Prosecutor called four witnesses to give evidence. The prosecutor was instructed by presiding Magistrate Alisha George to have the final two witnesses testify on Friday.

The PI had been stalled for several months after 25-year-old Mark Rufina,

one of the five men charged with the killings, escaped from the Lusignan Prison between October 20 and October 21, 2020. The murder accused remains on the run.

In light of the circum-

stances, the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) advised that the court proceeds with the matter against the other four accused.

The others charged with the murders are 37-year-old

Paul Chan, called “Anthony”, a bus conductor of Dennis Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown; 44-year-old Troy Abrams, called “Rasta

of William Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

It has been reported that on the day of the murder, both Aaron and his

Arianna Latchman and her father Aaron Latchman

Man”, a vendor of Middle Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara (EBD); 37-yearold Lloyd Sadloo of Mocha Arcadia, EBD; and 41-yearold Sean Thomas, called “Yankee”, an electrician

19-year-old daughter had just returned to their Lot 58 Robert Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara home when they were attacked by armed men. It is alleged that the men in question

had reportedly held the man and his daughter at gunpoint, and had taken them into the upper flat of their home, where they demanded money.

Upon receiving a bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash, the men then shot the money changer and his daughter before escaping from the scene.

Shortly after, the businessman and his daughter were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where they were both pronounced dead.

Sometime later, a motor car that belonged to the dead businessman, which was used by the bandits, was found at Front Road, La Penitence, Georgetown.

During a search of the vehicle, an illegal firearm and several rounds of ammunition were found.

Two of the murder accused – Abrams and Sadloo – had previously been arrested and placed before the court for varying offences, ranging from robbery under arms to trafficking in narcotics.

In fact, in 2016, Abrams was found guilty and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for robbery under arms committed on moneychangers Rayburn Fraser and Osaffo Ward at America Street, Georgetown on November 3, 2015.

Breaching COVID-19 guidelines

“Selector Seen Up” to do community service for hosting party

Negus Mcfarlane, also known as “Selector Seen Up”

Delon Jennis

Salassie Mcfarlane

popular music selector and two other men were on Wednesday sentenced to

perform 40 hours of community service at D’Urban Park in Georgetown after they appeared in court and plead-

ed guilty to hosting a party, thereby breaching the gazetted COVID-19 orders.

Negus Mcfarlane, popularly known as “Selector Seen Up”, Aubrey Solomon, and Collin Graig were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. They pleaded guilty to the charge.

They were ordered to perform community service or serve three weeks in jail.

Meanwhile, Delon Jennis, Salassie Mcfarlane, and Keith Fletcher appeared in court on similar charges. They, however, pleaded not guilty. It is alleged that on February 27, 2021, at Lodge, Georgetown, they hosted a party in breach of the COVID-19 measures.

They were each released on $5000 bail.

They were instructed to make their next court appearance on March 22, 2021.

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(G1)

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GMSA records successful year despite COVID-19 pandemic, elections impasse …elects new Board of Directors

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espite the prevailing threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the five-month elections impasse, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has recorded a successful year, having been able to collaborate with several international organisations to boost Guyana’s manufacturing sector.

This was disclosed by GMSA President Shyam Nokta at the Association’s Annual General Meeting, which was held on Tuesday.

During the virtual meeting, the new Board of Directors was elected and the President’s Report and Audited Financial Reports were presented to members.

Nokta, who has been President of the Association for the past three consecutive years, said that he took over leadership during a challeng-

ing period, as Guyana was grappling with the election crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notwithstanding these challenges, under his leadership, the GMSA showed tremendous resilience and made significant accomplishments in the various sub-sectors, while focusing on strengthening the organisation and improving governance, strengthening collaboration with key stakeholders, supporting the membership, and undertaking key initiatives.

“As we look to the new year, notwithstanding the challenges of COVID 19, there is a high level of optimism in the Private Sector. Guyana is on the cusp of transformation never before seen. Growth is expected to quadruple and immense opportunities opened up for all Guyanese. As a business support organisation, the

GMSA needs to organise ourselves for this growth, so we can be competitive not only at home but regionally and internationally,” Nokta said.

He, however, told members that perhaps the bigger challenge would be how “we ensure our economy remains diversified, how we support and strengthen traditional sectors even as we encourage a new sector into the economy, and how we reconcile oil and gas with green/low carbon development”.

According to him, this will continue to be the primary focus of the new Board.

Some of the GMSA’s most notable accomplishments for the year were an ExxonMobil sponsorship to support the establishment of a web portal linking products and service providers in the agro-processing sector with potential clients nationally, regionally,

GMSA President Shyam Nokta

and internationally.

GMSA was also able to secure a grant from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for the feasibility study of establishing a Consolidated Log Yard operation in Guyana.

It also collaborated with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and participated at the level of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) of Caricom, and the National Advisory Committee on External Negotiations (NACEN) to represent the in-

terests of local manufacturers related to trade barriers.

The GMSA also collaborated with Triple C Consultancy and the University of the West Indies to offer several short courses in the area of agro-processing, aimed at building the capacity of agro-processors, farmers, and employees of agro-businesses.

There were also collaborations with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Guyana Development Initiative (GDI) to successfully host a webinar under the theme “Opportunities for Strengthening the Value Chain and Expanding Agriculture in a PostCOVID-19 Environment”.

According to the GMSA, the webinar was designed to bring together leaders in the Government, multilateral organisations, and the Private Sector, to share perspectives and experiences to identify actions to address key challeng-

es which could set the stage for collaborative efforts.

The Association was also able to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Diaspora Global Network (UGDGN) to provide support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the areas of financing, market expansion, capacity building, and knowledge transfer.

The GMSA said that it was pleasing to see that many of its proposed measures were included in the National Budgets for 2020 and 2021.

In the meantime, 13 members were selected to serve for the year 2020-2021. The Board is expected to convene its first meeting within two weeks to elect the new executive, and formally install the new sub-sector chairs as part of the Board. The GMSA will formally introduce the new Board in the coming weeks after the new President and Vice President are elected.

Murder accused sues State Local animal sanctuary gives over 4-year delay in retrial giant armadillo a 2nd chance

Murder accused: Lennox Wayne

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awyers for Lennox Wayne, who has been awaiting a retrial on a murder charge since 2017, have filed constitutional proceedings in the High Court requesting that their client be able to access bail. Through his lawyers – Nigel Hughes and Ronald Daniels – Wayne is also asking the Court to award him damages in excess of $100,000 for breach of his fundamental right.

In doing so, they are contending that Wayne’s fundamental right to a fair trial within a reasonable time as guaranteed under Article 144 of the Constitution of Guyana has been infringed upon due to the delay in the retrial. In May 2017, Wayne, called “Two Colours”, and his co-accused Melroy Doris went on trial for the murder of 19-year-old cosmetologist Ashmini Harriram ,who was gunned down on July 10, 2014, at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. That trial ended in a hung jury.

Accordingly, the trial Judge ordered that the men face a retrial at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Criminal Assizes.

But almost four years later, the two accused killers have not been taken to court for a new trial. In the circumstances, Wayne is contending that his right to a fair trial within a reasonable time has been contravened.

In a Fixed Date Application (FDA), which comes up for hearing on March 23, 2021, before Justice Navindra Singh, Wayne is further ask-

ing for a permanent stay of the proceedings for the murder charge against him. He is seeking an order permitting him to access bail pending the determination of the FDA. Apart from these, he wants a declaration that his right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time as guaranteed under Article 144 of the Constitution has been infringed; interests; costs, and such further or other orders the court deems just.

According to Wayne, in 2014, he was jointly charged with another person for the murder. He said that a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the offence commenced in October 2014 at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court. After a prima facie case was determined to have been made out against him at the close of the PI, he was committed to stand trial by the Magistrate in 2015 at the Demerara Assizes commencing in January of the following year.

He said that his matter came up for trial in April 2017, and weeks later, ended in a hung jury. As such, Wayne deposes that he was scheduled for a retrial. Despite his name being listed on the Demerara Criminal Assizes for retrial in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, he said he was yet to appear before a Judge and jury.

Wayne pointed out that he was advised by his lawyers and verily believes that they have made several oral and written requests to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and several State Counsels for his retrial to commence. These requests, he added, have been to no avail.

According to Wayne, he was also advised by counsel and believes that they inquired of the State Counsel from May through August 2020 about the commencement of the Demerara Criminal Assizes and also kept apace with the COVID-19 Emergency Practice Directions issued by the Supreme Court of Judicature, during which

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Dead: Ashmini Harriram

time no provisions were made for jury trials.

Given the foregoing, Wayne is asking that the reliefs in his application be granted.

Harriram was shot dead just as she disembarked a minibus in Lusignan.

According to reports, the young woman, of Lot 9 B Lusignan Embankment, and her mother were returning from Georgetown. A man who was waiting in a parked vehicle took away her cellphone and shot her.

She was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

n commemoration of World Wildlife Day, which is observed on March 3 every year, the Hyde Park Zoo Sanctuary (HPZ) decided to share a story of how it helped to nurse a giant armadillo that was on the brink of dying back to life.

In a statement, the organisation noted that just shy of a year ago, in the midst of the pandemic, on March 23, a giant armadillo lay in a state of near death on the Lethem trail.

Giant armadillos are an endangered species widely distributed in various South American habitats.

Giant armadillos, listed as ‘Vulnerable to Extinction’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), are rare throughout their range, and have experienced local extinctions in Uruguay and elsewhere.

They are often hunted for sport and/or the meat.

Young giant armadillos are almost never seen in the wild.

It is, therefore, unknown how the young armadillo found his way onto the busy loam trail that connects Georgetown to Lethem.

The giant armadillo named Gerry Kumar

The animal was discovered by miners, who reportedly proceeded to use a sharp weapon to cut the armadillo’s shell, leaving her in critical condition.

Following this ordeal, a “Good Samaritan”, who also came upon the injured mammal, immediately contacted the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission.

The Commission arranged a rescue mission in collaboration with HPZ Sanctuary and Tropical Gardens.

Once the injured giant armadillo was safely transported to the city, HPZ received the animal and immediately arranged her veterinary treatment at her new home at the Sanctuary.

Under constant care and

supervision, the armadillo, named Gerry Kumar, who has become a member of the Sanctuary’s wildlife family, was able to make a miraculous and full recovery.

Today, Gerry, as she is fondly known, lives a happy and safe life among similar mammalian species in her spacious enclosure.

HPZ Sanctuary and Tropical Gardens noted that it would continue to carry out its mission to rescue and rehabilitate animals. HPZ is a privately-owned animal sanctuary located in Georgetown, Guyana.

Founded in 1999, HPZ is located at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The directors are Violet Mohanlall and Praimnauth Mohanlall.

(G11)

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Tensions escalate as Linden Hospital CEO returns to duty

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urses at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) and Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) officials continued protest action outside the hospital on Wednesday, after the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rudy Small returned to office.

Small was believed to have been removed from his post following allegations that he made slanderous remarks about nurses during an interview with a local online news agency.

On Wednesday, Police had to be called in at the LHC after confrontations

wishes to caution that we expect you to conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the position you are employed in. We expect that you will engage in activities with the staff that mend the tension in the relationship that presently exists,” the letter stated.

However, Regional Chairman Deron Adams maintained that RHO

Nurses and other staffers outside the Linden Hospital Complex on Wednesday

Small. One of the documents was a letter of apology.

“I am issuing an unequivocal apology to the nurses and all staff of the Linden Hospital Complex. I made a statement that was hurtful to the nurses and that must have hurt other staff.

There is no excuse for my public utterances on this matter, and I am, therefore, sincerely apologising to all those that my utterances have hurt. I have disThe Linden Hospital driver being escorted by Police following his arrest appointed those who placed their reportedly turned violent, with a nurse alleging that taken into custody. The confidence in me and for she was physically assault- Commander said the hospi- that I am truly sorry,” Small ed by a hospital driver, who tal driver, however, is “as- said in the letter.

He added that when he allegedly also damaged her sisting with the investigaassumed the post of the LHC tion”. phone.

CEO in November 2020, he The driver was arrestProtesting nurses committed to manage the ed at the hospital and takProtesting nurses also hospital in the best interests en into Police custody. The CEO was also escorted by alleged that the CEO is- of the people of Linden and Police in a hospital vehicle sued “threats” to a nurse Region 10. “I committed to from the compound as nurs- during the confrontations on work with my management es aggressively shouted, re- Wednesday. After the CEO and technical colleagues to iterating calls for his remov- left the hospital, Regional ensure we together – unitHealth Officer (RHO), Dr ed in our mission – will al.

Regional Commander, Gregory Harris handed make the Linden Hospital Superintendent Hugh over documents on behalf of one of the best functioning Winter later told Guyana Times that Small was escorted by Police just “for safe passage” and was not

hospitals in Guyana and a place we could all be proud of. I had promised that the Linden Hospital Complex will be an institution that will bring pride to the people of Region 10,” he stated in the letter.

Small continued that he remained committed to these ideals and to the mission, as he reiterated his commitment. “ I genuinely believe that the staff of the Linden Hospital Complex is a dedicated and committed staff, and I am renewing my promise to work with our staff to ensure the mission is achieved. I have learnt much since coming to the Linden Hospital Complex and every day prepares me to be better. I will work diligently with all staff to ensure that the original mission of a successful and great institution is promoted every day,” he said.

The other document was a letter dated March 2, 2021 from the Health Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Malcolm Watkins, which stated that the Ministry, having had a frank discussion with the CEO, had decided that he return to his position.

“The Ministry of Health

Harris was named in a previous letter from the Ministry to be the person to take up temporary responsibility for the LHC. “My position remains clear. We are in support of the decision that has been taken by the nurses...What is he doing here?” Adams said following a meeting with the RHO and union representatives at the hospital on Wednesday.

CANU unearths over 99 lbs ganja in Berbice

The 25 parcels of ganja unearthed by CANU in NA

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anks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Wednesday morning unearthed nearly 100lbs of marijuana during an operation in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

According to CANU, a motor car was intercepted by the law enforcement officials

and a search of the vehicle uncovered 25 parcels of suspected marijuana.

The parcels weighed 44.974 kilograms, which is equivalent to 99.1 pounds.

Three persons, including a woman, have been arrested. Investigations are ongoing.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Jamaican drug bust

Containers may have been tampered with after security check – CANU

The Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited (Jamaica Observer photo)

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hippers of the consignments that were busted with cocaine in Jamaica are currently assisting with a joint investigation into the matter.

This is according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) which provided an update on the probe into the 139.4-kilogram (306-pound) cocaine bust made at the Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited on March 1, 2021.

CANU said investigations it conducted in collaboration with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) confirmed that both containers in question left a city wharf in Georgetown.

Investigations also re-

vealed that security checks were done by GRA officials prior to the departure of the shipments and it is suspected that the containers may have been tampered with after those security checks.

Jamaican law enforcement agents conducted searches of several trans-shipment containers coming from Guyana and cocaine was unearthed in two of them. One container, which was packed with logs, was found to have a box with parcels of cocaine. The second container had multiple duffle bags that also contained parcels of cocaine. Both containers were seized and an investigation launched. The consignments were destined

for Haiti and China.

Meanwhile, a senior law enforcement official in Guyana told Guyana Times on Tuesday that according to the records reviewed, the containers were cleared by customs for shipment. According to the official, the containers were shipped to Jamaica from Guyana with no stops before their arrival on the island. This drug bust came just after a huge bust in August 2020 in Hamburg, Germany. In that bust, officials in Germany discovered 1.5 tonnes of cocaine in a container of rice. Some three months after, 11.5 tonnes of cocaine was discovered in Belgium in a shipment of scrap metal from Guyana.

Man shot, robbed of $4M at horse race betting shop

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H e r s t e l l i n g Squatting Area, East Bank Demerara (EBD) man was on Wednesday afternoon shot and robbed of some $4 million in cash at a horse race betting shop on Robb Street, Georgetown.

Terry Persaud, 60, was shot about 15:00h by a lone

gunman.

Persaud was at the shop placing bets when the gunman approached and demanded that he hand over his haversack, which contained the money.

However, the man refused, so the bandit whipped out a gun and shot him to his right thigh.

The bandit then grabbed the haversack and escaped on a black motorcycle, which was parked on Robb Street.

The victim was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was presently receiving medical attention. An investigation has been launched.

Guyana records another COVID-19 death …22 new cases

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uyana has recorded another COVID-19related death, bringing the country’s death toll to 199.

The latest fatality is a 52-year-old female from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) who died on March 2.

In its daily update, the Ministry noted that 22 new cases were confirmed from 603 tests, taking Guyana’s confirmed cases to 8648.

However, of this number, 8043 persons have fully recovered.

Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) recorded 15 new cases, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) five and Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) two.

Figures from the updated dashboard show that six persons remain in the Intensive Care Unit; 36 in institutional isolation, 364 in home isolation and 14 in institutional quarantine.

To date, health officials have tested 67,025 persons.

Private facilities

Meanwhile, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Wednesday said that private facilities could apply to the Ministry for certification to conduct the antigen test for COVID-19.

An assessment would be done to determine applicants’ capacity.

“That process of accessing and allowing additional sites to be able to do antigen testing is continuing, and if there’s any Private Sector entity that would like to do the antigen testing, what you need to do is to apply to the Ministry of Health and we would then send a team to do the assessment to see if we should register you as a provider. So, in that way, we are increasing the capacity to be able to do testing using this antigen

method,” the Minister said.

Already, the Ministry has certified the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital, Woodlands Hospital, St Joseph Mercy Hospital, Davis Memorial Hospital and Anamayah Memorial Hospital to conduct antigen tests. Minister Anthony said a few more facilities were currently under consideration.

He also said increasing the Government’s testing capacity countrywide has been a major focus of the Ministry, starting with the National Public Health Reference Laboratory.

“We have done that in several ways, 1) at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory, we have been increasing our capacity by buying more equipment and by training more people to handle the equipment and automating the process. So, by doing that, something that would have probably taken eight

hours to do, which is what happened when we came in, we have automated and reduced processing time to maybe an hour or two.”

Several systems at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory have been automated, the Minister disclosed.

Additionally, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is also available outside of Georgetown.

“We have equipment at Lethem Hospital where if you have the signs and symptoms or you want to be tested, we can test you there and within 60 minutes or so, you can get back the result to determine whether you are positive or not.”

Similar facilities have been set up at Mabaruma, Region One (BarimaWaini) and in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Body of unidentified man NA Mayor concerned found in South Road canal about indiscriminate

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he body of an unidentified man was on Wednesday retrieved from the South Road canal at Croal and Wellington Streets, Georgetown.

The man’s body was discovered by a passer-by about 12:30h as it was floating in the canal.

A vendor who plies his trade nearby said he was at his stand working when a man who was passing called out to him and told him that there was a body in the canal.

The vendor said he went

The South Road canal at Croal and Wellington Streets, Georgetown, where the body was found on Wednesday

over to the canal, where he saw the body of a man

floating face down.

The vendor said

the

Police were immediately summoned, and upon their arrival, the body was taken out of the water and examined.

He told Guyana Times that the body was not in a decomposed state and was fully clothed.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Police said that the corpse was then taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital and was in the mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

The investigation is ongoing. (G9)

dumping of garbage

Finish 2020 work before applying for 2021 – Public Works Minister One of several garbage piles that have been developing around the town of New Amsterdam

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cting New Amsterdam Mayor W a i n w r i g h t McIntosh has expressed concern over indiscriminate dumping of garbage on parapets in the township.

The acting Mayor joined other residents of his con-

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said.

The acting Mayor added that it was appalling that while some residents have been trying to ensure that the constituency was in keeping with the prescribed standards and expectations of all the en-

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill inspecting sea defence work at Number 62 Beach Corentyne

ublic Works Minister Juan Edghill is calling on contractors who were issued contracts last year to complete those contracts before applying for contracts under the 2021 National Budget.

The Minister made the announcement while inspecting sea defence works between Numbers 59 and 63 Villages on the Corentyne,

Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). The works comprise a total of one kilometre, being done in two lots of 500 metres each.

The contract is being executed by A & S Contractors and was awarded in December last year. The project is expected to be completed within two weeks.

Edghill has expressed delight at the pace at which

the project has been going when compared with similar contracts along coastal regions.

“This is good, because when this contract was awarded along with the other sea defence contracts in 2020, I met with all of the sea defence contractors and I told them to get on with the work,” Edghill said.

Currently, sea defence work

is ongoing at Cornelia Ida and Uitvlugt, both located on the West Coast of Demerara, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

“I think this is a good example that with good leadership and the drive, we can get things done,” the Public Works Minister told reporters.

Meanwhile, the Corentyne contract is being funded by Government to the tune of $444 million while a similar contract to reinforce the sea defence at Number 78, Corriverton is being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). That project will entail the placing of boulders to make a riprap to protect 981 metres of vulnerable sea defence along the Upper Corentyne.

“I want to say to all other contractors, ‘follow the pattern of A & S on this one’. By no means should A & S take this to mean that they have reached the pinnacle and could relax on the others. This is the gold standard we want to see continuing; people take a job and work day and night.

All of the contractors are aware – if you don’t finish your work from the 2020 budget, don’t even attempt bidding for projects in the 2021 budget,” Edghill declared.

The Minister noted that there was still much work left to be done to secure both sea and river defences in the country. “This is an important aspect of national development, because of the extensiveness and how low Guyana is,” Edghill said. (G4)

Residents of NA engage in a clean-up exercise

stituency on Sunday to clean up, but was not pleased by what he saw as they cleaned.

It was not the first Sunday that the acting Mayor has gone into the streets to clean as part of a project which spans from 43 Stanleytown to Pope Street, New Amsterdam (Constituency Number Five). Sunday’s clean-up was done in cross streets and not along the major roads as before. Under the project, solid waste which residents had accumulated in their personal garbage bins was also removed. “…so as to make their burden light in terms of solid waste management.

During this exercise, we used the opportunity to collect that and to ensure that streets within the constituency are well-kept and maintained,” McIntosh

vironmental policies, factions of society have been showing no regard for the efforts. McIntosh pointed out that in some sections of the township, persons have been dumping solid waste indiscriminately.

Much of the garbage piles which have been developing around the town comprise commercial waste. He noted that skip bins were placed at strategic locations around NA for residents to dispose of their waste properly. The acting Mayor referred to indiscriminate disposal of solid waste as an irresponsible act by residents, noting that the environmental code was being violated.

McIntosh is encouraging citizens to be the vanguard of their communities and not allow persons to dump garbage indiscriminately.

(G4)

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

T&T Govt gives registered Venezuelans 6-month extension

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overnment will extend the registration of Venezuelan migrants for another six months beginning Monday, National Security Minister Stuart Young said at a media conference on Tuesday.

He said the exercise will run from March 8-26, 2021 and is aimed at updating information on the over 16,000 Venezuelan migrants who were registered in 2019.

Young said once these nationals are processed and approved, they will be allowed to stay in the country for an additional six months.

Asked by the media whether Government will consider granting a longer extension, given that T&T’s borders remain closed, Young said, “At this time, this is the Government’s policy, we are doing it in a six-month cycle. I

do not predict the future, so it may be in the future we may take a different decision but at this stage, we still continue to maintain a six-month cycle.”

Young emphasised that Venezuelans who are not currently registered will not be allowed to do so in the upcoming exercise.

“What we are requiring persons to do is download their forms. The forms, 17A, from our website, the Ministry of National Security website, all that information will be provided. You have to fill out the forms and there are requirements to provide certain information, copies of certain documents, et cetera and you are to drop these off in drop boxes,” Young explained.

He said drop boxes will be provided at various locations and all information about the process will be available on

the ministry’s website and social media pages.

Between May 31 to June 14, 2019, the Government allowed Venezuelans, who came to T&T either legally or illegally due to the economic crisis in their country, to register to be allowed to work here for up to a year. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions and border closure over the last year, various extensions were granted to them.

According to Young, in the last few weeks, he has had to sign off on the cancellation of several registration cards. In some cases, he said Venezuelan nationals wanted to return to their home country while others had to be deported in light of criminal offences.

“I would have personally cancelled just under about 50 registration cards,” Young

said.

In the last six months, Young said there were over 250 repatriation exercises, not including the 96 Venezuelans who returned to their country last week via the Venezuelan state airline Conviasa.

Asked to provide an update on the regularisation of the use of pepper spray meanwhile, Young said the decision to allow the use of pepper spray by the public was announced last month in light of nationwide calls by women following the disappearance and killing of Andrea Bharatt. He said the necessary amendments to the legislation were yet to be taken before the Cabinet by the Attorney General.

“I don’t know if it will come before us this week or hopefully next week,” he stated. (T&T Guardian)

Toronto van attack: man found guilty of killing 10 people

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Canadian man who killed 10 people by ploughing a van into pedestrians in Toronto has been found guilty on all 26 charges related to the 2018 attack.

Alek Minassian had admitted the attack, but his lawyers argued he was not criminally responsible due to his autism spectrum disorder.

Justice Anne Malloy has dismissed this claim, saying the attack was the “act of a reasoning mind”.

Minassian faced 10 charges of murder and 16 charges of attempted murder.

Throughout the ruling, Justice Malloy refused to name the attacker, 28, referring to him instead as John

Doe, and said she would not give him the notoriety “he sought from the start”.

Malloy accepted his diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but ruled that he was capable of understanding his actions on April 2018 were both legally and morally wrong.

At trial, defence lawyer Boris Bytensky said ASD had left his client without the ability to develop empathy, saying in closing arguments the attacker had no conception of the damage his actions caused.

On Wednesday, Justice Malloy rejected this line of argument.

“Lack of empathy for the suffering of victims, even an

incapacity to empathise for whatever reason, does not constitute a defence,” she said.

Minassian rented the van some three weeks before he used it as a weapon on a major Toronto street. He told investigators he had set out to kill as many people as possible and that he drew inspiration from the misogynistic “incel” movement of mostly online groups of young men who blame their lack of sexual activity on women.

Asked by investigators how he felt about the harm he had caused, the attacker replied: “I feel like I accomplished my mission”.

Witnesses described seeing a white van mount the

pavement on Toronto’s busy Yonge Street on 23 April 2018 and run down pedestrians.

Victims of the attack ranged in age from 22 to 94.

Delivering the verdict on Wednesday, Justice Malloy said the killer had selected the van with a particular goal in mind - picking a vehicle small enough to be mobile, but large enough to inflict “maximum damage”.

Minassian was arrested shortly after crashing the van near the scene of the attack.

His victims included 80-year-old grandmother Dorothy Sewell, 45-yearold single mother Renuka Amarasinghe and Ji Hun Kim, 22, a student from South Korea. (BBC)

NY Governor apologises, won’t resign over sexual harassment claims

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ew York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Wednesday that he will not resign over several allegations of sexual harassment by young women and instead offered an apology and a willingness to “fully cooperate” with an investigation into his conduct.

“I’m not going to resign,” he said during a news conference and argued that calls for his resignation were politically motivated. Cuomo’s public profile and his popularity rose last year when New York was the epicentre of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, and he began conducting daily televised coronavirus updates.

His reassuring attitude won him favour among New Yorkers who during statewide lockdowns were glued to his lengthy news conferences, during which he talked about the virus, politics and his family.

In November, he won an Emmy award. But in recent weeks, his administration has been engulfed in a series of scandals.

Two women, Lindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett, who previously worked in his administration, have accused him of sexual misconduct.

And on March 1, a third woman, Anna Ruch, 33, whom he had never met before, accused him of making unwanted sexual advances during a wedding. A picture emerged of Cuomo, who is 63, touching her face.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

“You can go find hundreds of pictures of me kissing people, men, women – it is my usual and customary way of greeting,” Cuomo claimed.

But he added that he felt “awful” and “embarrassed” by the allegations.

“I didn’t know at the time I was making her feel uncomfortable.

However, what I also understand is, it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter my intent, what matters is, if anybody was offended by it,” he said. “[I] f they were offended by it, I apologise and if they were hurt by it, I apologise and if they felt pain from it, I apologise, I apologise.”

Following the news conference, Boylan responded to Cuomo and said his claim that he was unaware he was making female staff feel uncomfortable in the workplace makes him unfit for office.

“How can New Yorkers trust you to lead our state if you ‘don’t know’ when you’ve been inappropriate with your own staff?” she wrote in a tweet. (Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Regional

Brazil reports new single- At least 7 university students day record for COVID deaths fall to death in Bolivia

A

B

razil’s São Paulo state has announced new “code red” COVID-19 restrictions, as the country registered a new single-day record number of coronavirus-related deaths for the second straight day.

The country’s Health Ministry said on Wednesday that 1910 additional deaths and 71,704 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the past 24 hours.

It was the second consecutive day that Brazil registered a record high number of deaths.

“For the first time since the pandemic began, we are seeing a deterioration across the entire country,” public health institute Fiocruz said before the latest figures were published.

“The situation is alarming.”

Brazil has recorded more than 257,000 coronavirus-related deaths – the second highest tally in the world after the United States – as well as over 10.6 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Brazilian President Jair

t least seven students have died and five seriously injured when they fell from the fourth floor of a university building in Bolivia after a metal railing gave way on Tuesday, the Government said.

Footage of the incident shows students crammed into a narrow passageway trying to enter an assembly hall.

A metal railing can be seen giving way under the

People walking in a popular shopping street amid the COVID-19 outbreak in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on December 17, 2020 [File: Amanda Perobelli/Reuters]

Bolsonaro has faced widespread criticism and protests over his handling of the pandemic, as the farright leader has downplayed the threat of the virus and eschewed public health measures.

The Government has also struggled to secure, distribute, and administer COVID-19 vaccines.

On Wednesday, São Paulo State Governor Joao Doria announced that a two-week partial lockdown would come into effect on Saturday in an effort to curb

the spread of the virus.

Bars and restaurants will operate only via delivery and malls and non-essential business will be shut, the Governor told reporters during a news conference, but schools, churches, grocery stores and health services would remain open.

Doria said São Paulo state, which is home to 46.3 million people, has been receiving a new intensive care patient every two minutes and is “on the brink of a health system collapse”.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Jamaica Govt has long-term water plan to address drought, PM Holness says

P

rime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that the Government has a longterm plan to improve the country’s water supply, as Jamaica approaches the cyclical dry season.

“In a few weeks’ time, we are heading back into dry season, and at that point in time, the public focus will shift again, and then it will be a different conversation about what is the Government doing,” Holness said.

“Government has a longterm plan, and that plan is being rolled out, not just in-

crementally or sequentially, but there are many projects happening all over the place.”

Holness made this statement on Friday, February 26, while touring a section of Spanish Town Road in Kingston where the National Water Commission (NWC) is installing transmission and distribution mains to improve the water supply in sections of the Corporate Area.

As part of the project, which should be completed

by December 2021, aged infrastructure, which lead to

frequent breaks and leaks, will be replaced, the NWC said.

The Spanish Town Transmission Main project is being undertaken to the tune of J$3.5 billion.

During the tour, Holness also revealed that plans were now being developed for the Content Water Supply Project that would bring water from the Rio Cobre in St Catherine to the Corporate Area. He said that the plan was in the final stages and should be signed off by Cabinet in the near future. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Bahamas PM urges full support for UWI

A

s annual budget meetings at the University of the West Indies (The UWI) commenced on Tuesday, Prime Minister of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Dr Hubert Minnis, urged fellow Governments to invest more in the regional university for the future economic development.

Addressing the opening ceremony for the meetings of technical advisory committees (TACs) for the UWI, Minnis called for an investment rather than an expenditure approach to the university.

“Allow me to make a plea to all the Governments

of contributing territories to make good on their subventions, particularly in these unprecedented financial times – the current and post-pandemic periods,” he said.

He added: “The circumstances of COVID-19 dictate that we must work together to ensure that the UWI, our internationally recognised, esteemed university, stays afloat.

Therefore, we must carefully plug any holes that we may have found in our regional flagship university.”

Minnis also congratulated the UWI on its high reputation and global development and expressed

his pride in being a UWI graduate himself.

Critical decisions aimed at bolstering the financial sustainability of the UWI would be made as the meetings ended Wednesday.

They facilitate dialogue among all 17 of the university’s contributing member governments in shaping operating budgets.

The gatherings, hosted by the Government of The Bahamas this year, comprise senior Government officials and Permanent Secretaries in the Ministries responsible for tertiary education and finance among other key stakeholders. (CMC)

weight of the pushing and shoving students, with several plummeting to the concrete floor below at the El Alto university near La Paz. Others clutched on to fellow students to stop their fall.

“From this accident, seven have died and five are in a critical state, some of them stabilised” in hospitals in the city of El Alto, near La Paz, Health Minister Jayson Auza said.

Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo had earlier reported five deaths and three injuries related to the incident, but the total was revised after the Health Ministry reviewed the case details.

The injured and deceased were between the ages of 20 and 24.

Del Castillo said he had ordered an investigation into the accident. (Al Jazeera)

Venezuela sent gold to Mali, UAE for cash, Opposition claims

V

enezuela sent gold to Mali in 2020 via Russian-owned planes to exchange for euros and United States dollars that President Nicolás Maduro’s Government used to remain afloat despite US sanctions, an Opposition representative said on Wednesday.

Julio Borges, designated by Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó as his chief overseas envoy, told reporters that the gold was refined in Mali and then resold primarily in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to allow for Maduro’s Administration to obtain the equivalent of at least one billion in euros (US$1.21 billion).

The US, which accuses Maduro of rigging his 2018 re-election, imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s State oil company in early 2019 in a bid to pressure Maduro to resign. His socialist Government has increasingly turned to the sale of monetary gold as a source of income, with central bank reserves dropping to a 50-year low.

“We are requesting

Venezuelan gold was refined in Mali and then resold primarily in the United Arab Emirates, Julio Borges, the Opposition Leader’s chief overseas envoy, told reporters on Wednesday [File: Reuters]

that US and European authorities make their system for dismantling these types of organised crime groups more sophisticated,” Borges said, adding that the Opposition had been tracking the Venezuelan gold trade for the past year, culminating in the report presented Wednesday.

Borges said that Noor Capital – an Emirati company that in early 2019 said it had bought three tonnes of gold from

Venezuela’s central bank, but would refrain from further transactions until Venezuela’s situation stabilised – had been involved in the 2020 transactions.

Noor Capital did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday. Noor had said in January 2019 that its purchases of Venezuelan gold were in accordance with “international standards and laws in place” as of January 21 of that year.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

T&T woman killed 24 hours after complaining of physical abuse

L

ess than 24 hours after 53-year-old Karen Rauseo complained that she was being physically abused, her battered and bruised body was found in her apartment.

The mother of two had only moved into the apartment with a close male relative on Monday evening.

Police believe she may have been beaten to death, but they are awaiting the results of an autopsy to confirm the cause of death.

A 59-year-old close male relative, a mason, is assisting Police with their investigations.

Police had initially gotten a report of a sudden death at the Buen Intento Road address.

When they arrived the male relative reported that

Karen Rauseo

he had left her asleep at the downstairs apartment around 05:00h on Tuesday and went to Claxton Bay to work.

He told Police that around 17:00h he returned to the apartment and found her body on the floor near the kitchen.

Police observed that

Rauseo was clad only in a pair of jeans and there were injuries to her face, left eye, right ear, and chest as well as blood on her ears, nose, and mouth.

Police found a bloodstained orange towel at the apartment.

In an interview, the landlord, Patrick Daniel, who lives upstairs the apartment, said Rauseo worked at a bar and the owner had asked him to rent her the apartment.

He said on Sunday she had cleaned the apartment and on Monday evening she and a man moved into the apartment.

Daniel, a snow cone vendor, said around 21;00h he heard quarrelling and as though someone was being beaten. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil surges after record US fuel supply drop from deep freeze

O

il jumped the most in more than a week after a US Government report showed a record drop in domestic fuel inventories from the aftermath of a deep freeze that shuttered refineries in several states.

Crude futures in New York climbed 2.6 per cent on Wednesday, snapping a three-day streak of losses. US gasoline inventories tumbled last week by the most since 1990 after a polar blast wiped out more than five million barrels a day of refining capacity in late February along the US Gulf Coast, according to Energy Information Administration data. Crude stockpiles swelled with refineries still shut.

“The market expected some noise from the storm’s lingering effects,” said Matt Sallee, portfolio manager at Tortoise, a firm that manages roughly US$8 billion in energy-related assets. “Absent the magnitude of the changes, things came in pretty much as expected with the enormous product draw more than offsetting the record crude build.”

The US data also showed gasoline supplied, a gauge for demand, surged the most since May, supporting those who say the oil market needs more barrels from producers as Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries-plus (OPEC+) heads into a meeting today. The group is poised to agree on a coordinated production hike to cool the rapid surge in crude prices.

Oil has rallied more than 25 per cent so far this year, shepherded by the OPEC+ alliance’s continued production curbs and expectations for demand to meaningfully rebound as COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out worldwide. That strength though has paved the way for the alliance to unleash more barrels, with OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo saying Tuesday that both the wider economic outlook and oil-market fundamentals continue to improve. The group could return the bulk of the 1.5 million-barrel-a-day hike that’s up for debate.

There are two parts to the potential production ramp-up that OPEC+ will discuss. The first is whether the cartel will proceed with a 500,000-barrel-a-day collective increase in April. The second is the question of how Saudi Arabia could phase out its extra reduction of 1 million barrels a day. (Excerpt from Bloomberg)

Pakistani PM to face confidence vote after Senate blow

As per unofficial results, Pakistani PM Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party still made the largest gains in the election [File: Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]

P

rime Minister Imran Khan will face a vote of confidence from the country’s Parliament after suffering defeat on a key seat in the country’s Senate elections, party officials say.

Elections for 48 seats of the Senate, the 96-member Upper House of Parliament, were held on Wednesday, with legislators voting through the day in the country’s provincial assemblies and in the National Assembly, the Lower House of Parliament.

Official results are expected on Thursday, but unofficial results from the country’s Election Commission

indicated Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had suffered a key defeat in the National Assembly, where the Opposition candidate defeated the PTI’s Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.

In a close vote, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of the Opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) defeated Shaikh, who currently serves as the country’s Finance Minister, by 169 to 164 votes, according to unofficial results.

The result came as a blow to Khan’s PTI as his party and its allies control the National Assembly, and the implication is that some members or allies may have defected when they voted by secret ballot.

Following the announcement of that result, senior PTI leader and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi addressed a press conference in the capital Islamabad alleging the Opposition engaged in corrupt practices to sway lawmakers’ voters.

“Imran Khan and his party have made a unanimous decision that [the Prime Minister] will seek a vote of confidence from this house,” said Qureshi.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

UN: 38 killed in “bloodiest day” since coup hit Myanmar

A

t least 38 people were killed in anti-coup protests in Myanmar on Wednesday, the United Nations said, in the bloodiest crackdown yet on peaceful demonstrations against a military coup.

Security forces opened fire on people protesting against military rule across Myanmar, a day after neighbouring countries called for restraint and offered to help Myanmar resolve the crisis.

Police and soldiers opened fire with live rounds with little warning, witnesses said.

Describing Wednesday’s death toll as “shocking”, Christine Schraner Burgener, the United Nations’ envoy on Myanmar, said in New York there were “now more than 50 people [dead] since the coup started and many are wounded”.

She cited weapons experts who examined video footage that appeared to show Police

Protesters react after Police fired tear gas during a demonstration against the military coup in Mandalay on Wednesday [AFP]

using 9mm sub-machine guns to fire live ammunition at people.

“I saw today very disturbing video clips. One was [showing] Police beating a volunteer medical crew; they were not armed,” Burgener told a virtual briefing.

“Another video clip

Sweden attack: Terrorism suspected after mass stabbing in Vetlanda

A

man has injured eight people, three seriously, in a stabbing attack in a south Swedish town which Police are treating as suspected terrorism.

The assailant, who is in his twenties, struck in five different locations in the centre of Vetlanda around 15:00 (14:00 GMT), Police say.

Within minutes he was shot and wounded by Police, and is now in custody.

Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said the "horrific violence" was a reminder of "how frail our safe existence is".

"We face these despicable actions with the combined force of the community," he posted on Facebook.

Extra Police officers have been put on patrol in the area.

Five different crime scenes, a few hundred metres apart, were identified, local Police Chief Jonas Lindell said.

One eyewitness, florist Asa Karlqvist, told local newspaper Vetlanda-Posten: "We heard a scream from the street. Then we saw a man en-

ter the store, shouting that he had been stabbed.

"Blood was pouring from his shoulder, so we got towels and applied pressure on the wound." line Local resident Olivia Strandberg told broadcaster SVT she had seen from her window the suspect being taken away.

"I had just gotten to my apartment when my best friend wrote me and said, 'Don't go out!'" she said.

No details were given of the weapon used.

Detectives initially said they had classified the attack as attempted murder, but later announced they had opened a terrorist investigation and were working closely with the Swedish security Police.

According to the local Police Chief, the suspect is a resident of the area and previously known to Police but in the past he was only suspected of "petty crimes", AFP news agency reports. (Excerpt from BBC News)

showed a protester was taken away from Police and they shot him from very near, maybe one metre. He

didn’t resist his arrest and it seems he died on the street.”

The envoy said about 1200 people have been detained in Myanmar since last month’s coup and many families do not know their health condition or whereabouts.

“How can we watch this situation longer? Every tool available is needed now to stop this situation. We need now a unity of the international community, so it’s up to the member states to take the right measures,” Burgener said.

A spokesperson for Myanmar’s ruling military council did not answer telephone calls seeking comment, Reuters news agency reported. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Violence erupts as kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls return to families

O

ne moment, Hadiza was weeping and flinging her arms around her father for the first time since her abduction; the next – gunfire and tear gas filled the air and people ran for cover.

It was supposed to be a joyous reunion to end the fiveday ordeal of 279 girls kidnapped last week from the Jangebe Government Girls Science Secondary School in a remote corner of northwest Nigeria.

Cheering children had lined the street as buses brought the girls, grinning and waving, back to their school from the Zamfara state capital Gusau, where they had been cared for since their release on Tuesday.

“Thank you! Thank you!” yelled one.

Relatives crammed around the buses, and parents laughed with joy as they found their daughters, who shouted “Thank God!”.

Less than 40 minutes later, pandemonium broke out.

As Government officials in a hall were giving lengthy speeches in front of the girls, impatient parents burst in and grabbed their children to take them home.

The officials ran out and

A rescued JSS Jangebe schoolgirl reacting after arriving in Jangebe, Zamfara, Nigeria March 3, 2021

shortly afterwards, reporters heard gunshots outside the school gates.

They saw Police firing tear gas at a group of protesters outside the school, and soldiers shooting into the air.

At least three people were hit by bullets, but it was not immediately clear by whom.

A Reuters journalist’s video showed hundreds of people fleeing down a side street.

Two girls grabbed hands, ducked –- and then ran as the soldiers fired.

Elsewhere, people threw rocks at Government officials’ and reporters’ cars hurriedly leaving town. (Excerpt from Reuters)

South Africa, China seize fake coronavirus vaccines – Interpol

S

ecurity officials in China and South Africa seized thousands of counterfeit doses of the coronavirus vaccine, the global Police agency Interpol revealed on Wednesday.

The international Police force said in a statement that 400 vials, equivalent to about 2400 doses, containing the fake vaccine were found at a warehouse in Germiston outside Johannesburg in South Africa, where officers also re-

covered fake masks and arrested three Chinese citizens and a Zambian national.

“Since COVID-19 reached the shores of South Africa, the Government has adopted an integrated multi-disciplinary law enforcement approach,” said Brigadier Vish Naidoo, South African national Police spokesperson, according to the Interpol statement.

“This, together with our association with counter-

parts from all Interpol member countries, is proving to be very effective as we have seen in the arrests for foreign nationals attempting to peddle fake vaccines to unsuspecting people within South Africa.”

In China, Police successfully identified a network selling counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines in an investigation supported by Interpol, which has 194 member countries, it said.

Police raided the manu-

facturing premises resulting in the arrest of some 80 suspects and seized more than 3000 fake vaccines on the scene, it said.

“The Chinese Government attaches great importance to vaccine security. Chinese Police are conducting a targeted campaign to prevent and crack down on crimes related to vaccines,” a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Public Security said.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

Pay attention to detail.

Don’t risk your health and physical well-being. Rely on your intelligence, not your emotions, when making financial decisions. An abrupt change will cause trouble.

TAURUS

Listen to others before you reveal your feelings or intentions. Have your facts straight and a reasonable alternative prepared before you try to persuade others to do things your way.

(March 21April 19)

(April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

You’ll adjust quicker than you anticipate if you make a move or change the way you do things. Let your imagination lead the way, and you’ll see the potential in something or someone.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Concentrate on something you enjoy doing. Refuse to let others upset you. Pay attention to what and who will help you gain the most.

Invest time and money in something that you do well.

PEANUTS

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

You’ll be ill-advised by someone using emotional tactics. Focus on facts, the truth and what you see with your own eyes. Do things for yourself, and avoid being put in a challenging position.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Concentrate on home, family and what brings you joy. Nurture meaningful relationships, and strive to make your home welcoming.

A lifestyle change will be energising.

Figure out the best way to proceed, then take action. Don’t wait for someone to step in and take charge.

Indecisiveness will be your downfall. Engage in doing what you do best.

Discuss what’s bothering you to nullify a challenging situation. The sooner you find out where you stand, the easier it will be to make adjustments. New beginnings will lead to better days ahead.

Don’t support someone SAGITTARIUS who has a hidden agenda or (Nov. 23uses manipulative tactics to Dec. 21) sway people’s opinions. Take a no-nonsense approach to how you live, what you believe and how you treat others.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Channel your energy into getting ahead. Productivity will lead to opportunity.

Take action, and turn an idea into something concrete. A change of heart will help you make progress.

A challenge will leave you feeling confused. Take a closer look, and you’ll discover that you have the upper hand. Use your experience to overcome any change that comes your way.

Push for what you want.

Be aware of what’s going on around you, and use whatever is available to realize your pursuits. A change of heart will help you ditch something that is holding you back.

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

ss-roots tournaments… a r g B BC

The winning Kilcoy Cricket Club

21

The winning Chesney Cricket Team

Chesney win Deonarine Challenge Cup, Kilcoy win Chattergoon Brothers Challenge Cup

T

he efforts of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) to promote the game of cricket at the local level on Sunday last received a major boost with the hosting of four grass-roots tournaments. Two of the grassroot tournaments were played at the Fyrish and Chesney grounds.

At the Fyrish Ground, newcomers Kilcoy Cricket Club defeated the home team to lift the Chattergoon Brothers Challenge Cup in its inaugural tournament. Four teams in the area participated in the one-day tournament: Fyrish, Kilcoy, Nigg Intruders and Courtland.

In the opening rounds, Kilcoy defeated

Courtland by 25 runs while Fyrish crushed Nigg Intruders by 9 wickets. In the final, Fyrish were dismissed for just 95 runs, scored in 15 of their allotted 20 overs.

Chandradatt Roopnarine top scored with 33 (4x4, 2x6), while Kevin Subramanie chipped in with 19 (2x4). Steve Persaud took 5 for 11 and Jamal Cort took 2 for 16.

Needing to score 99 runs from 20 overs to lift their first ever BCB Second Division title, Kilcoy raced to 100 for 1 in just 9 overs, as Kevin Persaud blasted 51 not out from just 20 balls, which included 6 sixes and 3 fours.

Levi Thomas supported with an unbeaten 30 (3x6, 2x4), and Kevin Subramanie took

the only wicket to fall, for 29 runs.

Steve Persaud was named Man of the Finals for his winning knock.

Over at the Chesney Ground, the home team eased past Jai Hind CC while Sand Reef defeated Albion Open in the opening rounds. Sand Reef was making a welcome return to Berbice Cricket after an absence of over a decade. The final was reduced to 15 overs per side after a passing shower of rain had affected play for over an hour.

Chesney, batting first, reached an impressive 169 for 5 from their allotted overs, with Naresh Kissoon top scoring with 80 not out from 30 balls, which included 6

fours and 7 massive sixes. Imran Khan (14) and Narine Deonarine (15) were the other batsmen to reached double figures.

Ralph Balkarran took 3 for 27 for Sand Reef, who in reply were restricted to 111 for 5 to lose by 58 runs. Leon Ramsammy top scored with an impressive 46, while Keion Hafeez supported with 21. Veteran bowler Narine Deonarine took 2 wickets for 11 runs from his 2 overs. Kissoon was named Man of the Finals.

Chairman of the BCB Competitions Committee, Leslie Solomon, hailed the two tournaments as huge successes, and committed the Berbice Board to hosting

them on an annual basis.

The tournaments were the brainchild of BCB President Hilbert Foster, and their objectives were to promote the game at the grass-roots levels, to give weaker clubs the opportunity to win a BCB tournament, to renew passion for the game after the enforced one year break due to the coronavirus, and to identify new talents for the county.

The Chattergoon Brothers Cup was sponsored by former West Indies Under-19 player Hemnarine Chattergoon, while the Deonarine Challenge Cup was supported by former Test all-rounder Narsingh Deonarine.

Transport U-17 and senior teams Whim CC win Nagamootoo Brothers Challenge Cup; Kennard register consecutive wins in weekend practice matches Memorial CC clinch Karran and Son General Store title BCB grass-roots tournaments…

A

The Winning Kennard Memorial Team

O

ne objective of the Berbice Cricket Board-organised grass-roots one day cricket tournaments is to allow smaller clubs the opportunity to win a BCB title. That objective was achieved in the first set of tournaments, as two teams won their first ever BCB-organised tournament.

Whim Cricket Club and the Kennard Memorial Cricket Club on Sunday last emerged respective champions of the Nagamootoo Brothers Challenge Cup and the Karran and Son General Store Tournament.

At the Kennard Memorial Ground in Bush Lot Farm, Central Corentyne, the home team created history with their first ever BCB title. Earlier in the day, they had defeated arch rivals Ramnarine Memorial off the last ball of the first-round match, while No 43 Village eased past Kildonan Cricket Club.

Kennard Memorial won the toss in the finals and batted. They amassed 156 for 6 in 15 overs, with S. Seolall’s 38 (4x4, 1x6), R. Bassoo’s 42 (3x6, 3x4) and C. Mankarran’s 20 been the principal scores.

Leg-spinner Tameshwar Ramessar took 3 for 18 from 3 overs and was the main wicket taker for the visiting No 43 Cricket

BCB Head Coach Winston Smith handing over the Karran and Son Trophy to the Kennard Memorial Team

Club. No 43, in reply, were bowled out for 135 scored in 14.4 overs, to lose by 21 runs. A. Dayram scored 20, Dennis Dean scored 24, and Ricardo Pottaya scored 21 as the top scorers for the visitors. Y. Danroop took 3 for 21 for the champions.

Coordinators of the tournaments were Winston Smith for the Karran and Son tournament and Karran Ramsammy for the Nagamootoo Brothers Challenge Cup. Both Smith and Ramsammy extended thanks to the BCB and the sponsors for their investment in village cricket.

The two tournaments are part of a package of 10 that would be played across Berbice as part of an effort to promote cricket at the grass-roots level, and to bring back the passion for the game after the enforced COVID-19 break for over a year.

Mahendra Nagamootoo is a former West Indies player whose brother, Vishal, played for Guyana at both the junior and senior levels, while Mankarran Singh is a former first division player.

Transport under-17 team beat a DCC under-17 team by 47 runs in a practice match played at the DCC ground on Sunday 28th February, while a Transport Senior Team defeated Ace Warriors by 56 runs in a 20-over affair played at the Transport Sports Club ground.

In the first match, a 45-over affair, Transport won the toss and batted first, scoring 162. Very tight bowling from the DCC youths restricted the score, but the opening pair of Ryan Latif and Jeremiah Hohenkirk laboured on to post 23 runs in the first 10 overs.

The partnership was broken with the score at 33 in the 13th over with Ryan Latif having scored 17. Jeremiah Hohenkirk scored 19, while Gabriel Rookhum scored a quick 25 (4x4) and Shaquan Walters got off the mark with a 6 over long in his score of quick 19 (1x6 2x 4).

Bowling for DCC, Jaden Dowlin, son of Travis Dowlin, took 3 for 28, while Gustavo Hutson took 3 for 19, Idris Allen took 2 for 7, and Daniel Mootoo took 2 for 11.

W h e n DCC batted, they were bowled out for 115 scored in 43.4 overs.

Jonathan Van Lange Shilo Adams scored 25, scored and Shamar a matchYearwood, winning w h o half-century

threatened at the end, scored a quick 21.

Of the Transport bowlers, captain Alvin Mohabeer took 6 for 27 from 8.2 overs, and got support from Riyad Latiff and Dave Mohabir who each took 2 wickets.

Each team gave a good account of itself, bowling tightly and fielding brilliantly in order to give all members of each squad a chance to bowl and bat.

These teams would be meeting again in an under-19 practice match at the DCC. In the second match, Transport beat Ace Warriors by 56 runs. Ace Warriors won the toss and asked Transport to bat first on a sticky wicket. Wicketkeeping batsman Shilo Adams scored an even 50 (1x6 3x4). He received support from Akeem Redman, who scored a cameo 26(3x6). Transport scored 120 all out in 18.3 overs. When Ace Warriors bowled, Sherwin White took 3 for 25, Roger Aarons took 2 for 29, and Wayne Whyte took 2 for 4.

When Ace Warriors batted, they were bundled out for 74, scored in 19.2 overs.

Oniel Favorite scored 17, Wayne Whyte scored 16, and Roger Aarons scored 16.

Bowling for Transport, N o e l Haynes took 2 for 24 and Alvin Shaquan Mohabir Walters took 6-27 took 2 for 1.

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

Guyana to compete at FIBA Esports Open III F

– GABF General Secretary ecstatic to be part of event

or the first time ever, Guyana will be competing at the FIBA Esports Open III. The third edition of the tournament has been announced by FIBA on February 16th, 2021.

FIBA Esports is part of the Guyana Basketball Federation’s (GABF’s) innovation activities under the “Enlarge the GABF Family” strategic priority.

The global event has more than doubled in size to 38 teams, from the inaugural tournament which took place last June. Guyana will compete in the Americas Conference, which is due to take place in late April.

Selection to represent Guyana at the FIBA Esports Open III is open to all top NBA2K players, and the GABF is inviting players from both genders to apply online.

As obtained in the

GABF General Secretary, Patrick Haynes

Argentina captured the honours in 2020 in the South America Conference to retain the title they won in the inaugural event

previous event, conferences will be played across three weekends, this time in April

and early May 2021. FIBA will confirm the exact dates in due course.

GABF General Secretary Patrick Haynes has said: “We’re excited to part of FIBA’s Esports Open for the

first time this year. The gaming world has seen rapid growth, evidenced by the large number of gamers and fans involved, and the timing and opportunities make sense for the GABF to add an e-national team to compete in future international FIBA competitions.

“Our preparations are underway, and we wish all players who will be representing Guyana the best of luck.”

Each team will have seven players – five on the court and two reserves. Guyana has registered for the Current Gen Division, where players will be allowed to play with the Play Station 4 (PS4) version of NBA2K21 using Pro-AM mode.

Teams are once again allowed to have full customisation of player avatars, uniforms and arena designs.

Fans will once again be able to watch the action unfold, with 70+ hours of live content being streamed on FIBA’s Facebook, Twitch and YouTube channels and live on the Olympic Channel. Each game will be available online with live commentary in English, as well as a daily show featuring up to 12 games.

Those interested can register online at: http://guyana.basketball/ en/esports/

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10-man Sheffield United beat Aston Villa for 4th Premier league win

B

ottom club Sheffield United survived for more than 30 minutes with 10 men to claim only the fourth Premier League win of their disappointing season and dent Aston Villa’s European ambitions.

David McGoldrick fired his side ahead inside the six-yard area after being picked out by George Baldock following a lovely move that started inside the Blades’ half.

Then United defender Phil Jagielka was sent off for a foul on Anwar El Ghazi after referee Robert Jones viewed the incident on a pitchside monitor and changed the yellow card he had initially given him to a red.

Villa’s Ollie Watkins headed against the post shortly before Jagielka’s red card, but the visitors were unable to take advantage of the 38-year-old former Everton player’s dismissal.

The result ended a four-match losing run for Chris Wilder’s spirited side who, despite victory, remain 12 points from safety in the Premier League, with 11 matches to play.

Villa could have moved three points from a Champions League place with a win, but were bitterly disappointing.

Blades shows appetite for the fight

Despite his side’s seemingly hopeless position at the foot of the table, Wilder said before the game that his players would not be waving the white flag between now and the end of a wretched season that has produced

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW!

Aston Villa lost away from home for the first time since 27 January

21 defeats.

They responded to their manager’s words with a gutsy performance that was even more impressive given they lost their most experienced player in the 57th minute.

Jagielka sent El Ghazi crashing as he was about to race clear, though it required a check on the monitor before the yellow card was upgraded to red.

Former England centre-back Jagielka had earlier made a superb block to deny Bertrand Traore an

equaliser as the Blades dug deep to win for only the fourth time in the Premier League this season.

They remained resolute in the closing stages when Villa were desperately searching for an equaliser, Oliver Norwood throwing himself at Ezri Konsa’s shot during a frantic finish.

Eight months after finishing ninth in the table with 19 more points than Villa, despite this result, it will require an extraordinary set of circumstances for Sheffield United to stay

up.

At least they showed an appetite for a fight in spite of their position, as Villa joined Manchester United, Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion as the sides to lose to the Blades this season.

What’s next?

Both teams are at home on Saturday, with Southampton visiting Sheffield United (15:00 GMT) before Aston Villa host a West Midlands derby with Wolves (17:30). (BBC Sport)

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

CPL sees 381% increase in media exposure T

he Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has delivered record value for the Caribbean during the 2020 season, with the tourist boards across the region receiving US$258 million in media exposure.

Whilst the tournament was held behind closed doors in Trinidad & Tobago, the Hero CPL worked closely with all six host countries to ensure that the Caribbean was promoted as a must-visit destination. Both the live broadcast and the league’s digital channels carried bespoke tourism content for each of its partners.

The total exposure of US$258 million is an increase of 381 per cent on the 2019 figure, with

CPL COO Pete Russell

the tourist boards in Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts &

Nevis, Saint Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago benefiting from the Hero

CPL promoting the unique attributes of each of the countries.

These figures were generated from an independent report compiled by YouGov Sport – one of the most respected research firms in the world.

The increase in exposure was driven by the Hero CPL’s record broadcast and digital audience of 523.5 million in 2020.

“Our host countries are the heart and soul of the Hero CPL, and every year we work very hard to get them as much coverage as possible. That was made more difficult this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning the

games could only be played in one country, but we are delighted that we have still been able to deliver these stunning results,” said CPL COO Pete Russell.

“We would like to thank all our host countries for their support, and we look forward to building on our successful partnerships in the coming years.” (CPL)

West Indies beat Sri Lanka in 1st T20I

– Pollard slams 6 sixes in an over

I

Chris Gayle was out for a golden duck

t is extremely rare to witness six sixes in an over, or a hat-trick. West Indies’ erratic four-wicket victory against Sri Lanka on Wednesday in Antigua featured both.

All the drama unfolded in the second innings with West Indies chasing a modest 132 for victory at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

West Indies were cruising on 52 without loss in the fourth over, with Evin Lewis and Lendl Simmons punishing the Sri Lanka bowlers, when spinner Akila Dananjaya turned the match on its head with a hat-trick. Evin Lewis was caught at long off for 28, then Chris Gayle was out leg before for a duck and Dananjaya completed the feat when Nicholas Pooran nicked one to wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella for a duck. It soon became 62/4 when Simmons fell for 26.

However, Pollard wiped the smile off Dananjaya’s

Obed McCoy and Sinclair celebrates

face in the sixth over as the West Indies captain struck the spinner for six consecutive sixes. It was the second time a batsman achieved that in T20 international cricket.

The excitement did not end there, as PWH de Silva kept Sri Lanka interested with the wickets of Pollard and Fabian Allen in consecutive deliveries. The match was now hanging in the balance with West Indies 101/6 in the seventh over.

Shortly after, Jason Holder was dropped on the boundary which would have given Sri Lanka a strong chance of emerging victorious.

Dwayne B r a v o brought a level head to the proceedings,

and, along with Holder, took West Indies to 134/6 after 13.1 overs to grab the win.

Sri Lanka batting first posted 131/9, with fast bowler Obed McCoy being the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 2/25 in four overs.

Sri Lanka were poised to score a competitive total in getting to 71/1 in the tenth over. However, Sri Lanka lost wickets regularly for the remainder of the innings through an all-round bowling effort led by McCoy. Each of the six bowlers

used by West Indies captain Kieron Pollard took at least one wicket. They included debutant Kevin Sinclair (1/26), Fidel Edwards (1/29), Jason Holder (1/19), Dwayne Bravo (1/26) and Fabian Allen (1/4).

Pathum Nissanka (39) and Niroshan Dickwella (33) were the top scorers for Sri Lanka. The pair combined to put on 51 for the second wicket. The second match will be played on Friday at 18:00h. (Newsday)

SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka Innings (20 overs maximum) Niroshan Dickwella† b Holder 33 Danushka Gunathilaka c Pollard b Sinclair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Pathum Nissanka st †Pooran b Allen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Dinesh Chandimal c Holder b McCoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Angelo Mathews (c) c Simmons b Edwards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Thisara Perera c Bravo b McCoy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 PWH de Silva c Allen b Bravo 12 Ashen Bandara run out (Allen/†Pooran) . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Akila Dananjaya not out . . . . . 9 Dushmantha Chameera run out (Holder/†Pooran) . . . . . . . . . . 2 Extras: (lb 2, w 3) . . . . . . . . . . 5 Total: (20 Ov, RR: 6.55, 9 wickets) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Did not bat: Nuwan Pradeep.

Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Danushka Gunathilaka, 2.6 ov), 2-71 (Niroshan Dickwella, 9.6 ov), 3-83 (Pathum Nissanka, 12.2 ov), 4-96 (Angelo Mathews, 13.6 ov), 5-97 (Dinesh Chandimal, 14.1 ov), 6-106 (Thisara Perera, 16.2 ov), 7-111 (PWH de Silva, 17.2 ov), 8-126 (Ashen Bandara, 19.3 ov), 9-131 (Dushmantha Chameera, 19.6 ov).

Bowling: Kevin Sinclair 3-0-26-

1; Fidel Edwards 4-0-29-1; Jason Holder 4-0-19-1; Obed McCoy 4-0-25-2; Dwayne Bravo 4-026-1; Fabian Allen 1-0-4-1.

West Indies Innings (target: 132 runs from 20 overs) Lendl Simmons lbw b de Silva 26 Evin Lewis c Gunathilaka b Dananjaya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Chris Gayle lbw b Dananjaya . . 0 Nicholas Pooran † c †Dickwella b Dananjaya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Kieron Pollard (c) lbw b de Silva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Jason Holder not out . . . . . . 29 Fabian Allen lbw b de Silva . . . 0 Dwayne Bravo not out . . . . . . 4 Extras: (lb 4, nb 1, w 4) . . . . . . 9 Total: (13.1 Ov, RR: 10.17, 6 wickets) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Did not bat: Kevin Sinclair, Obed McCoy, Fidel Edwards Fall of wickets: 1-52 (Evin Lewis, 3.2 ov), 2-52 (Chris Gayle, 3.3 ov), 3-52 (Nicholas Pooran, 3.4 ov), 4-62 (Lendl Simmons, 4.6 ov), 5-101 (Kieron Pollard, 6.4 ov), 6-101 (Fabian Allen, 6.5 ov).

Bowling: Angelo Mathews 1-0-19-0; Akila Dananjaya 4-062-3; Dushmantha Chameera 3-0-29-0; PWH de Silva 4-012-3; Ashen Bandara 1-0-2-0; Nuwan Pradeep 0.1-0-6-0.

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021

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

West Indies beat Sri Lanka in 1st T20I Pg 23

– Pollard slams 6 sixes in an over

CPL sees 381% increase in media exposure Pg 23

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