Guyana Times - Thursday May 6, 2021

Development Plan for Yellowtail oil field to be submitted this year − Hess Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

P11

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4639

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

US working with GECOM, AG on electoral reform ...as constitutional, electoral reforms high on agenda – President Ali Page 3

8 new hotels to be built in “next couple” of years − Edghill Page 7

2 more COVID-19 deaths, 173 new cases

Page 16

2012 Anna Catherina triple murder

Intensive review of Guyana’s oil sector to start next month

…as Govt seeks experts for oil sector Page oversight, gas-to-shore project 15

Father tells jury of finding “cold” bodies of daughter, grandsons

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P12 PM commissions Regional Health Training Centre in Region 1

Ganja unearthed during Mazaruni Prison, Bartica hotel raids P8

…urges preparation for influx of foreigners, expats

High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa and Minister within the Local Government Ministry, Anand Persaud along with Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Chairman David Armogan; Regional Executive Officer Narindra Persaud and President of Berbice India Cultural Committee, Sohan Persaud share a photo moment after visiting the Indian Arrival Monument installed at Palmyra Village in Berbice to celebrate the 183rd anniversary of Indian Arrival and offered floral tributes at the monument (Indian High Commission photo)

PRICE

Page 13

Guard injured as speeding truck slams P2 into car

Supreme Court seeks to combat staff's COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy P15 Pensioner struck off of pedal cycle by speeding P2 minibus Pork-knocker P12 shot by security guard

Linden youth P9 feared drowned

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guard injured as speeding Pensioner struck off of pedal cycle by speeding minibus truck slams into car

S

ixty-oneyear-old security guard Keith Griffith is now hospitalised after the motorcar he was driving was struck by a speeding lorry along the Number 63 Village, Corentyne public road in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Reports are that Griffith was driving motorcar PJJ 8191 when motor lorry GHH 1566, driven by a 26-year-old, slammed into his vehicle on Tuesday.

The motor lorry and motor car that were involved in the accident on the Corentyne Public Road Police have since said the motor lorhead-on with Griffith’s veGriffith was taken Public Hospital. ry, with three occupants, hicle, which at the time out of his vehicle by pubShortly after the acciwas proceeding south along was proceeding north along lic-spirited citizens in a dent, the driver of the mothe eastern drive lane at the western drive lane of semi-conscious condition, tor lorry was arrested and a fast rate of speed when, the said road. The collision and rushed to the Skeldon a breathalyzer test was while negotiating a right caused Griffith’s car to ca- Public Hospital, but be- conducted on him, but no turn, the driver lost con- reen into a concrete culvert cause of the severity of his trace of alcohol was found. trol of his vehicle and it before ending up in a near- injuries, he was transferred Investigations are ongoing. swerved west, colliding by trench. to the New Amsterdam (G9)

A

pensioner of Block CC Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD) is now hospitalised after a minibus struck him off his pedal cycle on the Better Hope Railway Embankment at around 08:00h on Tuesday.

Reports are that minibus BXX 9170, driven by a resident of Melanie, ECD, and the pedal cyclist were proceeding west along the southern driving lane of the road when the pedal cyclist signalled that he wanted to cross the road.

Police say the driver of a motor car stopped to allow the pensioner to cross the road, but the minibus overtook the car and collided with the pedal cyclist.

As a result of that collision, the pedal cyclist fell on the roadway and sustained injuries about his body. He was, however, picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Based on reports, he is suffering from a dislocated hip and punctured right leg.

The driver is currently in custody assisting with inves-

tigations.

Just a week ago, a 14-yearold pedal cyclist of Recht-DoorZee, West Bank Demerara (WBD) was hospitalised after a motorcar struck him.

That accident occurred on La Parfaite Harmonie Public Road, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Guyana Times has been informed that the driver of motorcar PZZ 2676 was proceeding south along the La Parfaite Harmonie Public Road when he collided with the teen.

As a result of the collision, the teen fell on the roadway and sustained multiple injuries about his body, while the driver sped away, leaving the teen lying on the ground.

The injured teen was picked up in a conscious state by public-spirited persons, and taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he has been admitted.

The injuries the teen sustained are a fractured left arm, head injuries, laceration to his right-side shoulder, and bruises about his body.

NEWS

3

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, May 6 – 01:30h-03:00h and 13:00h-14:30h and Friday, May 7 – 02:00h-03:30h and 13:30h-15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, May 6 – 13:10h-14:40h and Friday, May 7 – 14:00h-15:30h.

US working with GECOM, AG on electoral reform ...constitutional, electoral reforms high on agenda – President Ali

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers are expected throughout the day and into the night, interrupted by sunny weather in the early afternoon.

Temperatures should range between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 13:14h reaching a maximum height of 2.20 metres.

Low Tide: 06:48h and 19:15h reaching minimum heights of 1.09 metres and 0.95 metre.

TUESDAY, MAY 4, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS J

04 14 18

20 24 26

FREE TICKET

22 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

02 10 11 16 25 LUCKY 3

9

1

7

7

Afternoon Draw

3

3

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

02

03

09

11

12 16 17 SUPER

PAY DAY

PAY DAY FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021

01 02 04 13 16 13

09 12 13 19 20

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$68.96/barrel

+0.12

Rough Rice

$259.38/ton

-0.03

London Sugar

$461.20/ton

-0.26

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1786.30

$1787.30

Low/High Change

$1769.60 - 0.30

$1789.10 - 0.02%

President Dr Irfaan Ali

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has reassured that constitutional and electoral reforms are still top priorities for his Administration, noting that work is already ongoing on both fronts.

During his press conference last week, the Head of State in response to a question from Guyana Times contended that those reforms were “indeed critical”.

With regard to constitutional reform, he noted that the process has commenced.

“I’ve asked the [Attorney General] to move aggressively on this, so that the public consultation can commence on constitutional reform.

Constitutional reform must come from the people and as soon as that process commences, it will take us down the journey of constitutional reform,” he stated.

Similarly, President Ali pointed out that in relation to electoral reform, much work was also currently ongoing.

“A lot of international agencies are in discussions with both GECOM (Guyana Elections Commission) and the different stakeholders.

But more importantly, we as a people have to start the discussion on electoral reform, but that is high on the agenda. Also important on that agenda is the strengthening of GECOM and the internal reform of GECOM itself. So that we can have the best professionals in there managing and running an election,” the President posited.

The need for constitutional, and more so electoral, reform was underscored following last year’s March 2 General and Regional Elections, which led to a fivemonth tumultuous impasse.

There were concerted efforts by the former governing A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) and some GECOM officials to undermine democracy after the elections were held.

A number of ploys were involved, from GECOM officials inflating numbers to favour the former ruling party to supporters of the APNU/ AFC using the courts to drag out the process after the elections were held.

However, a 33-day recount showed that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) won the elec-

tions, but it took the firmness of local and regional courts; the resilience of GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh and threats of sanctions from the international community led by the United States before former President David Granger finally stepped aside and allowed President Ali to be sworn in.

From the inception of his Administration, Dr Ali had stressed that they first have to address the issues that caused the prolonged delays following last year’s polls before going ahead with preparations for another elections.

This was a recommendation made by all of the foreign electoral observation bodies that had monitored the 2020 elections as well as many of Guyana’s bilateral partners who saw first-hand the unfolding of events.

Among these were the United States, which has since committed to assisting Guyana in strengthening its electoral processes.

To this end, the US Department of State has recently announced that it was supporting an 18-month project to strengthen the capacity of GECOM and the Attorney General's Chambers to lay the groundwork as it relates to electoral reform.

The project, which will be implemented by the International Republican Institute (IRI), will also see efforts undertaken to encourage local civil society organisations (CSOs) to advocate for electoral reform in accordance with regional and international standards.

According to the US Embassy in Georgetown,

through this project, GECOM, the AG Chambers, and civil society bodies will collaboratively consolidate and improve local electoral and constitutional law knowledge, establish an internal timeline to address

electoral reform, improve collaboration for joint advocacy actions, and prioritise electoral and constitutional law issues while promoting reform through citizen engagement.

TURN TO PAGE 9

4

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 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

Taking COVID-19 and healthy lifestyles seriously

T

he COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impacts on individuals and communities as a whole are yet another stark reminder that both the health authorities and citizens must continue to take very seriously the issue of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

Based on what the medical professionals have found so far, the majority of the persons who have died from contracting COVID-19 had some kind of underlying heath complications, many of which are related to NCDs. Guyana’s COVID-19 death rate at the moment is 308. For a small population such as ours, this is quite disturbing, to say the least.

The Government previously pointed out that several critical areas in the nation’s healthcare delivery were ignored to a large extent, and this is why renewed efforts have to be made to bring all levels of the health sector up to par, including putting effective and efficient systems in place to tackle NCDs. According to PAHO/WHO, people with underlying health conditions such as NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer, have a higher risk of contracting severe COVID-19 disease, and are more likely to die from COVID-19.

Risk factors for NCDs can make people more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with COVID-19. For example, smokers may have reduced lung capacity, which would greatly increase risk of serious illness.

PAHO/WHO has suggested that informing populations about these health risks posed by COVID-19 is critical. In addition, health services need to be adapted to maintain essential NCD services to ensure continuity of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to poor lifestyle choices, such as tobacco use, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity, NCDs have resulted in large numbers of people falling sick and dying.

In 2007, CARICOM leaders signed what they described as the “ground-breaking” Port of Spain Declaration, aimed at uniting countries to stop the epidemic of NCDs. The declaration was recently evaluated by a team of regional and international experts.

Sometime last year, leading health expert Dr Alafia Samuels had disclosed that, based on a study, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago were found to have the highest mortality for premature cardiovascular disease and diabetes in the Americas.

In relation to Guyana’s case, while there have been some positive moves in tackling NCDs, such as finalising the Tobacco Control Legislation etc, some experts believe that enough is not being done in the fight against NCDs. It could be recalled that there was an NCD strategy in the years 2003-2008, and again in the years 2008-2015, which outlined a comprehensive and effective programme to fight NCDs. It is not clear if these are still being used as a guide by health authorities.

Former Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy was quoted in this newspaper as saying that some of the crucial programmes that were previously in place to tackle NCDs appear to have been reduced or totally abandoned during the tenure of the previous administration. Dr Ramsammy had, in particular, pointed to the aggressive education and awareness campaigns that were very much visible some years ago. Also, community health fairs and school programmes and other initiatives which were used to address issues such as positive lifestyles had become less visible.

These are all useful strategies to ensure the message of healthy lifestyles continues to reach everyone in every community across the country. From all indications, some of these measures are being taken, but they are being done in a limited fashion.

We believe that discussions surrounding NCDs should constantly be kept on the national development agenda, where serious efforts are made at all levels to reduce the large numbers of persons suffering or facing death. On this basis, there is need for more collaborative efforts among all stakeholders.

That said, while the various stakeholders are involved in the battle to conquer the COVID-19 pandemic, it is hoped that they would redouble their efforts to effectively address NCDs and their risk factors with a medium to long term vision.

A panda mascot tries to ride a bicycle with the aid of a chef in Beijing, China (VOA photo)

Will vaccination end the pandemic?

By Dr Nicole Ramlachan

T

he world celebrated World Immunisation Week (April 24-30), for which the theme this year was #VaccinesWorkforAll focusing on how vaccines – and the people who develop, deliver, and receive them – are heroes by working to protect the health of everyone, everywhere.

It is no timelier than right now, as these same heroes are developing and administering vaccines against COVID-19.

Historically, vaccines have saved us in the past, ever since the very first known commercial vaccine.

Today, we have lost over three million people in 12 months with cases rising exponentially once again.

Vaccination is the only way out of this pandemic.

Distrust of science, lack of political leadership, limited resources, environmental destruction, and refusal to follow public health guidelines have greatly contributed to the spread of pandemic viruses. COVID-19 is the first pandemic revealed on social media platforms. Conspiracy theorists reign supreme, with misin-

formation usually the first to spread like wildfire, with little truth to extinguishing its fervent blaze, its flames being fanned continuously by sceptical graduates of the University of the Internet, taught by Dr Google.

more than 225 million doses of vaccines were administered worldwide, with less than 200 associated deaths (which is less than those seen with the MMR vaccines administered to children). Any of the COVID-19 vaccines available are just as safe as and in most cases more effective than the influenza or any childhood vaccines we administer to our elderly and children every day.

Who am I?

I am a molecular geneticist, a mother, a daughter, a teacher and a concerned scientist, with no monetary interest in any vaccine or treatment available or being developed against COVID-19. I still, however, feel a strong sense of moral obligation to share my knowledge with the public to alleviate fears, counter untruths, encourage hesitaters and help the community understand what is at stake.

Are the risks of the vaccines more harmful than the risk of the COVID-19?

The normal reactions post-vaccination resemble those of any vaccine you or your three-month-old child may receive. Pain at site of injection, localised swelling, fever, chills, aches/pains, headaches, etc, are common.

Less common are anaphylactic responses, thrombolytic

How will this pandemic end?

clots and thrombocytopenia.

The general population’s risk of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) – one of the blood clot types observed in AstraZeneca/Oxford Vaxzevria recipients, is around five in a million. You are at a much greater risk after COVID-19 infection for blood clotting and associated death. After vaccination, the risk of clotting is not any greater than normal, unless you are in a high-risk category which can be evaluated genetically or biochemically. Daily, people accept 30 times more risk of clotting taking Viagra or birth control pills than they would be taking any vaccine, including the COVID-19 vaccines.

Why should you be vaccinated?

Pandemics in history have only ended without great loss in the population, through vaccination.

Without vaccinating 80 per cent of the eligible population, we will not achieve the herd immunity we need to end this pandemic, stop new variants and save our elderly, vulnerable and now children and youth from COVID-19. As of this week,

Without enough buyin by our populace or provisions made by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to achieve highenough rates of immunisation against COVID-19, we will be left behind, with our borders artificially shut to “reduce risk” while not only our people, but our economy and small businesses, die.

The rest of the world are charging towards achieving herd immunity with Israel, the UK and the US already over 65 per cent vaccinated and even countries in our region like Dominica and Barbados already over 25 per cent, while we are crawling forward with just one per cent. The caseload in T&T stands at over 9600 cases by RT-PCR with a seven-day increase of 10 per cent confirmed by the Ministry of Health. The COVID-19 infection will continue to rise, our population will eventually be completely locked out and locked in, with little recourse, if the population does not respond in time or the health authorities do not provide immediate action to vaccinate and achieve the herd immunity needed. (Excerpted from T&T Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

5

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

Electricity is the most versatile energy source

Dear Editor, If you’ve ever sat watching a thunderstorm, with mighty lightning bolts darting down from the sky, you’ll have some idea of the power of electricity. A bolt of lightning is a sudden, massive surge of electricity between the sky and the ground beneath. The energy in a single lightning bolt is enough to light 100 powerful lamps for a whole day, or to make about twenty thousand slices of toast!

Electricity is the most versatile energy source that we have. We have devised many gadgets and machines that run on electrical power to do useful work for us, and we also have developed many that simply amuse and entertain us.

Homes and businesses have

been using electricity for not much more than a hundred years.

Electricity has played a vital part in our past, but it could play a different role in our future. We have seen the mighty power lines that crisscross our communities and wiggle unseen beneath some of our streets carry electricity at enormously high voltages from power plants to our homes. It’s not unusual for power lines to be rated from 13,000 kv to 65,000 kv, but the appliances in our homes use voltages thousands of times smaller — typically just 110 to 250 volts. If you tried to power a toaster or a TV set from an electricity pylon, it would instantly explode!

(Don’t even think about trying, because the electricity

in overhead lines would almost certainly kill you) So there has to some way of reducing the high voltage electricity from power plants to the lower voltage electricity used by factories, offices, and homes. The piece of equipment that does this, humming with electromagnetic energy as it goes, is called a transformer. Let’s take a closer look at how it works!

Your first question is probably this: if our homes and offices are using photocopiers, computers, washing machines, and electric shavers rated at 110–250 volts, why don’t power stations simply transmit electricity at that voltage? Why do they use such high voltages? To explain that, we need to know a little about

how electricity travels.

As electricity flows down a metal wire, the electrons that carry its energy jiggle through the metal structure, bashing and crashing about, and generally wasting energy like unruly schoolchildren running down a corridor. That’s why wires get hot when electricity flows through them (something that’s very useful in electric toasters and other appliances that use heating elements). It turns out that the higher the voltage electricity you use, and the lower the current, the less energy is wasted in this way. So, the electricity that comes from power plants is sent down the wires at extremely high voltages to save energy.

But there’s another rea-

Newer firefighting techniques needed urgently in Guyana Dear Editor, I wish to offer my sincerest sympathy to the owner of Sharon’s Mall, to the various store owners that operated within that building, and to the hundreds of employees who are now without a job and income.

It is a sad reality that we lost a building of this magnitude! Lawyers, proprietors, expatriates and local Guyanese operated out of that building. To think about the hundreds of families who are now without an income, and the worry they and their families must be going through at this time, is truly saddening.

In various press releases, I have noted that there were only twenty (20) firefighters tending to the fire at such an imposing building. This, to me, is total ludicrous! A fire of such gargantuan magnitude needed more personnel to tend to it.

This horrific incident has reinforced my conviction that Guyana needs to undergo a certain evolution, some of which are as follows: 1) We need to have modern buildings that are equipped with, or have with fire suppression systems installed. It must be a prerequisite for offices, commercial buildings and homes alike to have these systems installed.

2) There is, in Guyana, a great need for modern trucks with automatic ladders that can reach a minimum of 10 storeys, in order to prepare for the future.

3) The Fire Station needs to be moved from its current abode on Water Street. It is surrounded by markets, vendors, and bus parks, thus constricting the free

flow of movement, which is critical in tending to a fire in a timely manner. I believe we are still locked in the colonial era, where that Water Street location has always been the base for the fire tenders in Georgetown.

Incidentally, that area is called “Donkey City.” We have evolved, and we have to continue to evolve away from the old way of seeing and doing things in this country.

The Government needs to act in haste on the following: 1: Consider setting up the most modern firefighting system in this country. Nowadays, firefighters are forging through the flames with high-tech gear, such as thermal imaging cameras, to help them see where they are going, and drones to get an eye-in-thesky perspective. Firefighting jet-packs are not just a fantasy for Dubai, they are the real deal. The water-propelled jet-packs were purchased by the United Arab Emirates in 2015 as a way to avoid traffic by turning to the sea. Now, we may not be able to afford this at the moment, but this is something we can consider in maybe 5 or 10 years’ time, as we progress as a nation.

2: Protecting our firefighters with the proper gear/apparatus that does not burn in fires.

3: Fire trucks need to be at strategic areas; example: the National Cultural Centre; near the Seawall; on Vlissengen Road; by Mercy Hospital, near to the American and Canadian embassies. We can also have one on the East Coast of Demerara, near the Shell Service Station or

the University of Guyana Turkeyen Campus; and on the East Bank of Demerara, near the Demerara Harbour Bridge. Those are some of the strategic areas we can place fire stations for more effectiveness.

4: All homes and businesses must be compelled to carry fire extinguishers and sand buckets. Some people may say - and very well so - that they cannot afford to purchase fire instruments, but the Government can use money from the Norway Fund to help the poor acquire this critical equipment which is so needed in every home!

5: A system must be set up in this country to have people trained to use a fire extinguisher. People should be educated on how to use a bucket of sand to put out a small fire. The bucket must be painted in RED. This education must be made available to the public via all social media platforms, and posted at all RDC and NDC buildings. Even the primary and secondary schoolaged children should be

taught how to put out a fire by using an extinguisher or a sand bucket. They can, in turn, train their parents. The relevant fire personnel can also make special effort to visit schools to offer training. In fact, one person per household should be trained as a firefighter in this country. Every business in both the public and private sectors should hold training seminars for its employees as a precautionary measure. Members of the Guyana Police Force can greatly assist in getting this proactive measure into speedy effect.

It is contemptible that, once again, fire trucks turn up at a burning building with damaged hoses, little or no water, and fire hydrants not in good working order. Where is the preventative maintenance mentality? How many more losses do we need? Are we really moving forward as a nation?

We can do better. We must recover and triumph!

Sincerely, Roshan Khan, Sr

son too. Industrial plants have huge factory machines that are much bigger and more energy-hungry than anything you have at home.

The energy an appliance uses is directly related (proportional) to the voltage it uses. So, instead of running on 110–250 volts, power-hungry machines might use 10,000 – 24,000 volts.

Smaller factories and machine shops may need supplies of 400 - 440 volts or so. In other words, different electricity users need different voltages. It makes sense to ship high-voltage electricity from the power station and then transform it to lower voltages when it reaches its various destinations.

Even so, centralised power stations are still very inefficient. About twothirds of the energy that arrives at a power plant in the form of raw fuel is wasted in the plant itself and on the journey to your home.

As we’ve already seen, there are lots of huge transformers in our communities, towns and cities, where the

high-voltage electricity from incoming power lines is converted into lower-voltages.

But there are lots of transformers in your home also.

Big electric appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers use relatively high voltages of 110–240 volts, but electronic devices such as laptop computers and chargers for MP3 players and mobile cellphones use relatively tiny voltages: a laptop needs about 15 volts, an iPod charger needs 12 volts, and a cellphone typically needs less than 6 volts when you charge up its battery. So electronic appliances like these have small transformers built into them (often mounted at the end of the power lead) to convert the 110– 240 volts of domestic supply into a smaller voltage they can use.

If you’ve ever wondered why things like cellphones have those big, fat chunky power cords, it’s because they contain transformers!

Sincerely, David Adams

Keeping quiet about a crime is a crime

Dear Editor, It just keeps getting bizarre, the unfolding events in the body in the shallow grave matter!

It is unbelievable that, knowing a crime no less than murder was committed, and keeping quiet for almost a month carries no con-

sequence.

Keeping quiet about a crime is a crime, and should attract consequences.

Did I read somewhere that the law is a three-letter word?

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

6

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark

Question 1

Wednesday’s answers

Robots at home

T

hink about the kinds of tasks robots can do in your home. Remember the repetitive and precise jobs robots have. Identify similar jobs at home — folding laundry, setting the table, etc — and then create your own robots on paper for specific tasks.

Create a description and illustration of each robot, including: • A name • What materials it is made of and details about its shape • How it looks and how it moves • What it can and can’t do • Any safety considerations • What is required to keep it working well (Adapted from startwithabook.org)

ACT I SCENE I Continued. Elsinore. A platform before the castle.

MARCELLUS: Thus twice before, and jump at this dead hour, With martial stalk hath he gone by our watch.

HORATIO: In what particular thought to work I know not; But in the gross and scope of my opinion, This bodes some strange eruption to our state.

MARCELLUS: Good now, sit down, and tell me, he that knows, Why this same strict and most observant watch So nightly toils the subject of the land, And why such daily cast of brazen cannon, And foreign mart for implements of war; Why such impress of shipwrights, whose sore task Does not divide the Sunday from the week; What might be toward, that this sweaty haste Doth make the night joint-labourer with the day: Who is't that can inform me?

HORATIO: That can I; At least, the whisper goes so. Our last king, Whose image even but now appear'd to us, Was, as you know, by Fortinbras of Norway, Thereto prick'd on by a most emulate pride, Dared to the combat; in which our valiant Hamlet-For so this side of our known world esteem'd him-Did slay this Fortinbras; who by a seal'd compact, Well ratified by law and heraldry, Did forfeit, with his life, all those his lands Which he stood seized of, to the conqueror: Against the which, a moiety competent Was gaged by our king; which had return'd To the inheritance of Fortinbras, Had he been vanquisher; as, by the same covenant, And carriage of the article design'd, His fell to Hamlet. Now, sir, young Fortinbras, Of unimproved mettle hot and full, Hath in the skirts of Norway here and there Shark'd up a list of lawless resolutes, For food and diet, to some enterprise That hath a stomach in't; which is no other-As it doth well appear unto our state-But to recover of us, by strong hand And terms compulsatory, those foresaid lands So by his father lost: and this, I take it, Is the main motive of our preparations, The source of this our watch and the chief head Of this post-haste and romage in the land.

BERNARDO: I think it be no other but e'en so: Well may it sort that this portentous figure Comes armed through our watch; so like the king That was and is the question of these wars.

HORATIO: A mote it is to trouble the mind's eye.

In the most high and palmy state of Rome, A little ere the mightiest Julius fell, The graves stood tenantless and the sheeted dead Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets: As stars with trains of fire and dews of blood, Disasters in the sun; and the moist star Upon whose influence Neptune's empire stands Was sick almost to doomsday with eclipse: And even the like precurse of fierce events, As harbingers preceding still the fates And prologue to the omen coming on, Have heaven and earth together demonstrated Unto our climatures and countrymen.-But soft, behold! lo, where it comes again!

Re-enter Ghost To be continued

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

8 new hotels to be built in “next couple” of years – Edghill …urges preparation for influx of foreigners, expats

The Radisson Blu Hotel is another hospitality venture expected to grace these shores

An artist’s impression of the Aiden Hotel

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill

P

ublic Works Minister Juan Edghill has said that, over the next couple of years, Guyana could see as many as eight new hotels going up as the hospitality industry grows in tandem with the oil and gas sector.

He said it is a transformation that the country as a whole has to prepare for.

Minister Edghill was at the time hosting a meeting, earlier this week, with travel agents. In addition to eight new hotels, he reminded that the Liza Two oil field in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana would be coming on stream as well. That means an influx of foreigners and expatriates flying into Guyana.

“How do we create an environment for the kind of transformation that is going to take place in Guyana? Liza Two is going to be here, and that means we’re going to have a lot more expatriates coming in to work. People coming to travel. Our tourism sector will see at least eight new hotels being built over the next couple of years.

We will be advertising worldwide for people to come to Guyana. What do we need to do?” Edghill questioned.

Edghill therefore noted the importance of working with stakeholders to create an environment conducive for this growth. The Minister also referred to the importance of local content amidst this growth, which he noted means more than just registering a local business.

“Local content for us is not just registering a local business. Because a lot of people believe if they register a local business (then) they are local. Local content is not just getting a director from Guyana to be registered in your business,” Edghill explained.

Back in March, the sod was turned for a US$15 million boutique hotel under the Aiden brand to be constructed in the heart of Georgetown.

The hotel, which would feature 101 “smart rooms”, is being constructed as part of the Best Western Hotel and Resorts franchise.

Globally recognised hotel brands like the Hyatt, Hilton and Radisson hotels have also expressed an interest in investing in Guyana.

And in November, the Government of Guyana, through the Tourism and Commerce Ministry and the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with investors for a US$90 million Hilton Hotel to be constructed at McDoom, Greater Georgetown.

The investors in the luxury hotel are part of a joint initiative among 658 Guyana Holdings, GREC Investment Group and TOTALTEC Oilfield Services Guyana Incorporated.

It was also announced that the 289-room branded hotel would be constructed in the already busy area which is home to many businesses such as Gafoors, Pritipaul Singh Investment, Guyana Shore Base Inc, Farm Supplies, and Schlumberger.

Construction was slated to begin in January 2021 and was expected to last for two years.

Around the same time, Chairman of the Giftland Group, Roy Beepat, announced plans to construct a US$100 million Radisson Blu Hotel as part of an international chain of hotels in several destinations around the world. According to Beepat, the agreement has already been finalised to offer this five-star package to Guyana.

Last year, local construction company R Bassoo & Sons Ltd entered into initial agreements with Marriott

Hotels International and the Government of Guyana to design and build a Marriott Courtyard – a US$20 million project – at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

This was in response to Government’s Request for

Proposals (RFP) for hotels to be constructed in the vicinity of Guyana’s main port of entry. The Marriott Courtyard at the CJIA would be the second Marriott Hotel brand in Guyana, and is anticipated to be open by 2023.

The Letter of Intent (LoI) with Marriott Hotels

International caters for a 6-storey Marriott Courtyard with 140 rooms and modern amenities. The hotel would be a minute’s drive from the entrance of the CJIA, and is expected to accommodate airline crews and staff, business personnel, diplomats, and other travellers.

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ganja unearthed during Mazaruni Prison, Bartica hotel raids

R

anks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) have unearthed a quantity of marijuana during raids conducted at the Mazaruni Prison and the Morocco Hotel in First Avenue Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

At the Mazaruni Prison

ing in a suspicious manner.

A search was conducted on his person, and, in his pants crotch, a bulky black parcel containing leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were found.

Further searches were conducted in the Tuck Shop at the prison, and two bulky black parcels containing a

Fixing…

E

The cannabis that was found at the hotel

The ganja that was found at the Mazaruni Prison

on Tuesday, officials were conducting daily checks in and around the Mazaruni Prison and compound when they observed a prisoner act-

quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis were found.

The narcotics, when weighed, amounted to 158

grams. The two other parcels were weighed separately, and amounted to 252 grams.

Also, on Tuesday, at about 17:30h, a party of Policemen conducted a raid at the Morocco Hotel in Bartica.

Three male suspects were searched, and Police found four small Ziplock bags containing a quantity of cannabis.

Further searches were carried out in the room the men occupied, and a bulky,

transparent parcel along with 21 small transparent parcels, all containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis, were found.

The suspects deferred ownership to each other, and were all arrested and taken to the Bartica Police Station.

The narcotics, when weighed, amounted to 560 grams.

The suspects remain in custody, pending charges.

(G9)

…the electoral system? ven before they finally took office, the PPP vowed to work to straighten out the electoral system, so that Guyana won’t have to suffer the agony of what it experienced for 8 months after the elections. But we do know that no matter what mechanisms we introduce, the PNC will undermine, subvert, and challenge them, don’t we? But this shouldn’t stop us from making it difficult for them. At a minimum, we have to ensure there are systems that’ll force their rigging out into the open, so that the citizenry and the international community can stand on the side of democracy, as they did last year.

So, we just learnt that the US State Department has contracted the International Republican Institute (IRI) for an 18-month stint to help out the AG Chambers and GECOM in this regard. Now, the IRI are very familiar with Guyana and the PNC’s labyrinthine manoeuvres to subvert elections here. In fact, they worked very closely with the PNC back in 2011 to mobilise their base with the “Vote like a Boss” campaign. It worked like a boss, and eased them into office.

What interested your Eyewitness very much was that part of the release that promised they’ll “improve collaboration for joint advocacy actions, and prioritise electoral and constitutional law issues while promoting reform through citizen engagement.” Now, your Eyewitness had already commented about the efforts of the woke chatterati class that have already jumped into the fray sometime last year with their well-publicised launch to gain an early pole position.

They had promised to fan out across the country to get ordinary folks aboard, but nothing has been heard from them since their “launch”. This, of course, brings up concerns as to exactly who they’re speaking for. Some people believe that certain sections of the society are “mentally lazy”, and your Eyewitness wonders whether they agree, and will target this now identified benighted group for “enlightenment”. We expect that when the IRI start their work in Guyana, they’ll spring to the fore, since their connections have long been forged in several previous incarnations.

One concern your Eyewitness has is the span of the “electoral reform”. There’s a persistent bunch that wants to use “electoral change”, to upend the entire system of governance for some nebulous “shared governance” model that’s never worked anywhere. For example, they tout Northern Ireland as an example. Have they followed the trials and tribulations of that agreement, even with its idiosyncratic features?

Guyana has become a nation of minorities, in which the objected-to “ethnic voting patterns” cannot put any party that relies on any one ethnic group into office.

Guyana, therefore, already has a built-in feature to guarantee moderating politics.

Let’s not fix what’s not broken.

…what’s broken Not because your Eyewitness says the system for electing a government is okay it means everything is hunkydory. It won’t - for the simple reason that the leaders in the PNC refuse to accept the rules of the democratic game and concede legitimacy to the winners. In every country, when a party or a coalition wins more than 50% of the vote - even by the tiniest whisker - the losers accept the legitimacy of the winners.

Just look at the bitterly contested elections in W. Bengal, where several persons were killed in elections violence.

Yet, the winners and losers are moving on. Right here in Guyana, when the PNC and AFC narrowly won the 2015 elections, even though the PPP challenged the elections results, they accepted the PNC as the Government.

So, what’s broken and needs fixing in Guyana are the PNC. They have to disabuse themselves of the notion that they’re the only party that can govern Guyana.

In our ethnically divided society, this assumption is racist!

…our COVID crisis And make no bones about it…we have a crisis on our hands. We’re all wringing our hands about India.

Does anyone care that Guyana’s death rate of 370/ million is more than twice India’s 162/million?

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

NEWS

9

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden youth feared drowned T

he family and friends of 20-yearold Akeem Davidson, a labourer of Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), are fearful that he might have drowned after he went under water while swimming on Tuesday.

Reports are that about 14:15h, Davidson was bathing in a creek at Mabura, which is located some 300

metres from his campsite.

At the time, Davidson’s friend, Sheldon Vanaco was also bathing in the creek.

According to the young man’s friends while they were swimming, Davidson went underwater and did not resurface.

Vanaco told investigators that he thought his friend was “playing”, but after 15 minutes elapsed and the young man did not

resurface, he got worried.

He revealed that he returned to camp and alerted their employer of what had transpired and they both went in search of Davidson, but their efforts were futile.

Police were dispatched to the area in search of the victim, but the search has so far been futile.

Both Vanaco and the camp owner were taken into custody. They are as-

US working with...

The project is part of ongoing support activities by the US Government to strengthen the capacity of Guyana’s governance for the benefit of all Guyanese.

This is especially significant given the critical role the US played in defending Guyana’s democracy last year. In fact, the US was the only country to impose visa restrictions against those persons who were responsible for or complicit in undermining Guyana’s democracy following the March 2 elections.

Since, then Guyana has been offered assistance, mostly technical, from several other bilateral partners – including Canada and India as well as various international organisations – to aid in the electoral reform process.

Meanwhile, several GECOM officials and staff – including Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers and Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo – have since been charged for electoral fraud.

Additionally, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Chairperson Volda Lawrence has been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud after she was the lone political party representative to sign the fraudulent declaration made by Mingo in which he inflated the figures in favour of the APNU/AFC coalition.

A national recount conducted showed that the PPP/C won the elections with 233, 336 votes – some 15,416 more votes than the 217,920 votes that the APNU/AFC secured.

Only last week, the Opposition coalition lost its lone surviving election petition that challenged the conduct and results of the March 2020 polls. Acting Chief Justice Roxane George, in dismissing the petition, ruled that nothing in the petition supported the claims of the petitioners as it related to irregularities during the elections.

Further, she found that there were no breaches or violations by GECOM that

FROM PAGE 3

would make the elections a sham or travesty. (G8)

sisting with the investigations.

Only on Wednesday, Guyana Times reported that 13-year-old Amuel Sancho

of Dazzell Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD) had drowned after he plunged into a trench at Belfield, ECD.

Police in a statement on Tuesday said Sancho and his relatives went swimming and between 14:00h and 15:30h on the day in question, he jumped into the trench and disappeared.

After the teen disappeared, his cousin went into the water to search for him, and after sometime he was fished out of the water in a motionless state.

The Police were summoned to the area and rushed the teenager to the CC Nicholson Hospital at Nabaclis, ECD, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

10

THURSDAY, MAY 6,, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

11

THURSDAY, MAY 6,, 2021| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 has significantly Development Plan for affected journalism Yellowtail oil field to be submitted this year − Hess – local Journalists …engineering work currently underway

Hess Chief Operating Officer Greg Hill

I

t is expected that the Field Development Plan (FDP) for Yellowtail, which would be oil giant ExxonMobil’s fourth oil development in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, would be submitted later this year.

This was revealed by Hess Chief Operating Officer, Greg Hill. Hill, who’s company is a co-venture partner of ExxonMobil in the Stabroek block, was at the time taking part in the 2021 first quarter earnings call.

While the operator is slated to submit the FDP later this year, Hill explained that for now, design work and front-end engineering, the process of establishing project costs and potential risks, is ongoing on the prospective Yellowtail oilfield.

“The operator expects to submit a plan of devel-

opment to the Government of Guyana in the second half of this year. Pending Government approval and project sanctioning, the Yellowtail project is expected to achieve first oil in 2025.

“The Stabroek Block exploration programme for the remainder of the year will focus on both Campanian, Liza-type reservoirs, and on the deeper Santonian reservoirs. In addition, key appraisal activities will be targeted in the southeast portion of the Stabroek Block to inform future developments,” Hill explained.

When it comes to drilling activity, Hill referred to the recent discovery of oil at the Uaru-2 well, which successfully appraised the Uaru-1 discovery while discovering oil at greater depths. He explained that with the well finding 120 feet of high-quality oil reservoirs, it means there is potentially more.

“The Stena DrillMax is currently appraising the Longtail discovery. Additional appraisal is planned at Mako and in the Turbot area, which will help define our fifth and sixth developments on the block,” Hill said.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer John Hess also spoke of the Yellowtail development. However, he also spoke about the potential for multiple Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels.

“Engineering work for a

Hess CEO John Hess

fourth development on the Stabroek Block, Yellowtail, is underway, with anticipated startup in 2025, pending Government approvals and project sanctioning. We continue to see the potential for at least six FPSOs on the block by 2027; and, longer term, for up to 10 FPSOs to develop the discovered resources on the block,” Hess said.

With the other developments, including the Liza Phase 2 and Payara developments, on track for their scheduled completion, and the Liza Phase 1 development averaging 120,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd), Guyana’s oil production is likely to exceed 500,000 bpd by 2024.

It was explained by Hill during that very conference call that, at the Liza Phase 2, the project is progressing according to plan. According

to him, approximately 90 per cent of the overall installation work is completed. This means that first oil for the Liza Phase 2 remains on track for early 2022.

“The Liza Unity FPSO, with a production capacity of 220 thousand gross barrels of oil per day, is preparing to sail from the Keppel yard in Singapore to Guyana midyear,” Hill had explained during the call.

The Payara development, meanwhile, is also progressing. According to Hill, 38 per cent of the overall work on this project, which will utilise the Liza Prosperity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, has been completed.

“The project will utilise the Liza Prosperity FPSO, which will have the capacity to produce up to 220 thousand gross barrels of oil per day. The FPSO hull is complete, and topsides construction activities have commenced in Singapore. First oil remains on track for 2024,” Hill had explained.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

GPA President Nazima Raghubir

Regional Journalist Wesley Gibbings

resident of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Nazima Raghubir, has disclosed that, locally, journalism and the lives of journalists have been significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

She made this statement during a panel discussion hosted by the United States Embassy under the theme "Preserving Journalistic Integrity amidst a Global Pandemic”.

Raghubir explained that media houses in Guyana had been tasked with providing live coverage for a turbulent electoral process and the pandemic simultaneously.

“When the pandemic became that thing that really changed our lives, Guyana was in the midst of an election cycle which lasted for five months. Prior to that, the media here was taken up by the no-confidence mo-

tion that was passed…and then the elections,” she detailed.

She explained that with the need to keep the public informed and to remain safe amid the pandemic, journalists were tasked with learning how to navigate throughout the unprecedented time.

“There were so many dos and don’ts at the beginning - there still are - you really had to navigate how you would have brought information to your audience,” she explained.

Raghubir added that the media have also made changes as to how information is gathered and how fast it is disseminated.

“You’re required to compete with lives news and bring live information…The media (have) been caught up in covering national issues, like the vaccination process,” Raghubir related.

P

TURN TO PAGE 13

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 6,, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PM commissions Regional Health Training Centre in Region 1

P

rime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips has commissioned a new building which will house the Regional Health Training Centre for Region One (Barima-Waini).

This is the first time that the region will have such a facility. The building, which is located in central Mabaruma, is equipped with two furnished classrooms, including one smart classroom; an administrative office space, air conditioning, and a furnished sitting area, the Department of Public Information has reported.

The first batch of 58 prospective community health

Prime Minister Mark Phillips cutting the ribbon during the commissioning of the Regional Health Training Centre for Region One. Also in photo are Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal and Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley, along with regional officials

workers will spend the next 14 weeks training at the facility, before returning to their respective communities in the region.

At the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Phillips encouraged the trainees to take advantage of their opportunities, so that when they return to their communities, they can improve the health of the residents.

“You have a role to impart knowledge and place your community on a path to good health practices. If you are successful in this, it will mean that there will be less work for the doctors, because everybody will be moving towards practising good health measures, which is a form of preventative medicine, and that itself is a success story for a programme like this,” the Prime Minister is quoted by DPI as saying.

Phillips also encouraged the prospective community health workers to focus on their personal growth and career development.

“The next thing you must do after you have graduated this course is to start and build your career in the health profession… Many times, when I address young people, I realise that they are full of enthusiasm, but

when it comes to focus, they are a bit confused; so, I’m taking this opportunity to ask you to stay focused in your approach to career development”.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, who was also present, told the trainees that not only would they be required to serve upon returning to their communities, but they would also be seen as part of the leadership.

“You will all be required to go back into your community and serve. And when you go back into your community and serve, you will not only be seen as just a health worker, and that’s the uniqueness of hinterland communities: once you hold certain positions within the village, you are also seen as leaders of those villages. So, you will have villagers who will depend on you and ask or appoint you to represent them and their issues”.

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley, and other regional officials were also present for the opening ceremony, which was held in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council at Mabaruma.

Pork-knocker shot by security guard

A

2 9 - y e a r - o l d pork-knocker of Queenstown Village, Essequibo Coast, Kurt Walcott is nursing a gunshot wound to his shoulder, sustained after he was shot by a security guard attached to a mining company operating at a backdam in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

Walcott told investigators that he was walking by a mining operation at Oku backdam, Cuyuni River on Tuesday when he heard a loud explosion and simul-

taneously felt a burning in his left shoulder. He said he then realised that he had been shot.

The suspect, a security guard, was armed with a .223 rifle. He was arrested and placed into Police custody, but is refusing to respond to questions during interrogation.

Walcott was taken to the Bartica Public Hospital, where he is being treated for his injuries.

The firearm has been lodged with the Police as investigations continue. (G9)

news@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

13

THURSDAY, MAY 6,, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2012 Anna Catherina triple murder…

Father tells jury of finding “cold” bodies of daughter, grandsons

A

distraught father has told a jury of finding the “cold”, lifeless bodies of his daughter and two grandsons at their Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara home on September 21, 2012.

Kumar Persaud was on Monday testifying in the trial of 36-year-old Abishai Caesar, who is accused of the triple murder. The murder accused, represented

by Attorney-at-law Rachael Bakker, is on trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court.

It is alleged that on September 24, 2012, at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara (WCD), Abishai Caesar murdered 41-year-old liquor store owner Jennifer Persaud and her sons: Afridi Bacchus, six, and 18-month-old Jadon Persaud. The murder accused has pleaded not guilty.

State Counsel Lisa Cave is presenting the case for the prosecution. During her opening remarks, Cave told the jurors that during September 2012, Caesar resided with his reputed wife Zoey Phillips at Anna Catherina. The couple were Jennifer Persaud’s neighbours. According to the prosecutor, between September 21 and 22, 2012, Caesar told his reputed wife that he was going over to Jennifer Persaud’s house because he wanted money. Cave said Caesar told Phillips that he would return home after getting the cash.

When he returned home, the prosecutor said, Caesar told his reputed wife what he had done to Persaud and her two children. The next day, the lifeless bodies of Persaud and her two sons were discovered by her father in their home.

According to Cave, the Police conducted investigations, and on April 22, 2016, Phillips went to the Police station and reported what Caesar had done to Jennifer Persaud and her family. He

Dead: Jennifer Persaud

Dead: Afridi Bacchus

Dead: Jadon Persaud

was subsequently charged with the murders.

The media reported Phillips told detectives that a short while after Caesar had gone over to the woman’s house, she had heard screams.

Phillips informed the Police that Caesar had gone to rob the woman, but whilst doing so, she woke up and saw him. Because she would be able to identify him, he was forced to attack her, killing her and her sons in the process. Caesar reportedly told his reputed wife what had happened.

Phillips had also told the Police that she was forced to keep quiet about the incident because Caesar was abusive.

had gone through a “zinc sheet that was flopping.”

“As I went through the zinc and we enter the yard, I noticed that the back door was open. I open the door, I turn to my grandson and told him not to touch anything. I went to the counter and, looking from the counter, there was a bed there, and nothing, and the house

was dark at the time,” he added.

According to the dead woman’s father, “I decided to go upstairs…I went to the first room, and I told my grandson to check the last room. I saw clothing for a child on the ground. I saw [Jadon’s] two feet out of the netting…I went over the bar and hold onto the

Cold bodies

Kumar Persaud testified that on September 21, 2012, he got off from work at about 21:30h and left for his Friendship, East Bank Demerara home.

He recounted that when he reached home, his wife told him something, after which he left for his daughter’s Anna Catherina, WCD home.

The witness told the court that he went over to one of his now-dead daughter’s neighbours who informed him that she had not seen Persaud. Kumar Persaud said that in order for him to gain access to his daughter’s yard, he and another one of his grandsons

COVID-19 has...

Raghubir detailed that as a journalist focused on health and science, reports were initially penned with a heavy research-based background. However, due to the need for live coverage, this has been slightly altered.

“You’re always competing with this live information and getting things out as soon as possible,” she explained.

Meanwhile, speaking from a regional perspective, Wesley Gibbings, an award-winning Trinidadian journalist, said there have been significant changes to the regional media landscape.

FROM PAGE 11

Gibbings explained that as media houses suffered tremendous economic strains during the pandemic, they sacrificed values and standards in exchange for commercial viability.

He added that issues which were not considered as “hard news”, like for example health, have now become the main focus of journalism.

“A coverage of health was seen as the soft side in the newsroom, but it’s now front and centre”, he explained.

Moreover, he stated that working throughout the pandemic has been an extremely difficult transition for journalists. (G15)

two feet, they were cold and stiff…”

He said that he found little Arif lying across his mother’s chest. “He was also cold,” Kumar Persaud said, adding that Jadon rolled out from the netting in the bedroom Jennifer was in.

The man said his grandchild was bleeding from the neck. “…so, I turn to my grandson and told him to let us go downstairs and call the Police. I call Leonora Police Station.”

He recalled that, a few minutes later, ranks from the Community Policing Group arrived, but he told them that they cannot enter the house. The father added that about 30 minutes later, a Police rank arrived and he told him, “Let us go inside,” and they went upstairs.

He recalled that the Policeman was on his phone for a while, and shortly after, other Policemen arrived

Murder accused Abishai Caesar

at the scene.

Kumar Persaud said that on September 24, 2012, he witnessed the post mortem examinations being conducted on the remains of his daughter and grandchildren.

This is Caesar’s second trial for these murders. His first trial had ended in a hung jury in 2019. (G1)

14 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 6,, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Artisanal seabob fishing: Through the eyes of Sooknanan Takchand, better known as “Eric” S

ooknanan Takchand, better known as “Eric” has been an artisanal seabob fisherman in Guyana for more than 50 years. He started fishing at age nine (9) to support his mother and younger siblings. Whatever he caught, Eric either sold or took home for family meals.

Today, a husband and father of four, Eric forms part of Guyana’s artisanal seabob industry, which contributes to almost 2% of the country’s total seabob landings. He mostly harvests seabob (coarse shrimp) and white belly shrimp (fine shrimp), which are processed in two ways: 1) by drying, and 2) by peeling to sell fresh in local markets.

“Most Guyanese utilise a lot of seafood, especially seabob. It is a daily meal for us. I can eat that all the time. My favourite is cur-

tool for wild-capture fisheries certification and eco-labelling programme that meets best practice requirements as set out by the United Nations Food and Agriculture O r g a n i z a t i o n (UNFAO).

Most of the industrial seabob catch is exported to North America.

As important players in the seabob value chain, both artisanal and industrial fishers are part of the FISH4ACP Project.

The UNFAO is the implementing partner for FISH4ACP, an initiative of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS).

The programme aims to make selected fisheries and

Fortuin can form an association to get better organised, and have greater impact at the national level in addressing issues such as declining stocks, more favourable duty concessions, piracy, acquiring boat licences, training for captain’s licences, and other important concerns of small-scale fisherfolk.

Economic impact

Selling seabob at local market

dock at Good Fortuin, looking for their meals. When the tide does not permit

preparation for their journey out to sea.

Artisanal seabob fishermen use the Chinese seine gear that catch the whitebelly, seabob shrimp and anything else that gets into the nets. Eric explained that the Chinese Seine gear is designed to be positioned at one spot, making it work better during the spring tide, when the tide and current are favourable. The current steers the catch into the nets. When the tide recedes, the fisherfolk haul the nets aboard and collect their catch.

so that our shrimp and fish can multiply. We are try-

Quantity per catch and price for seabob are challenging for fishermen and vendors when trying to find the balance to ensure profitable operations. Both vendors and fishers are key stakeholders in the value chain, they depend on each other.

According to Eric, COVID-19 has had a big impact on the seabob industry.

Environmental impact

Pulling in Chinese Seine

ried shrimp with dhal and rice,” Eric related.

Guyana’s seabob industry

Guyana is the world’s largest producer of Atlantic seabob (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri), a commercially important shrimp harvested from the Atlantic Coast, which stretches from the United States way down to Brazil.

Both industrial trawlers and artisanal fishers harvest seabob in Guyana, but most of the industrial catch is processed into frozen, peeled shrimp to supply local and international markets. The industrial trawlers that operate offshore harvest most of the seabob, and function in accordance with the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, which started in 2019. The certification tool measures the industrial seabob processes to ensure sustainability in operation and quality seafood products.

MSC certification is the only scientific measuring

aquaculture value chains in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific more sustainable.

In Guyana, FISH4ACP focuses on enhancing productivity and competitiveness of the Atlantic s e a b o b fisheries, while helping stakeholders overcome some of the challenges faced.

fishing, some of the artisanal fishermen can be seen repairing their nets and boats, building new vessels, or cleaning and servicing

To ensure sustainable fishing practices, Eric and other smallscale fisherfolk work for only about 60 hours per month, or in the spring tide for 10 days in every two weeks.

Eric explained the reason for this: “For a couple of years now, we were facing

ing to rest the area, and (are) doing our best to preserve the species for a better catch.”

The artisanal fishermen also believe that the Chinese Seine gear is environmentally friendly, because it is a stationary, small-scale operation.

Social impact

Artisanal seabob

A typical day for Eric and his fellow fisherfolk starts at break of dawn, when the red and white scarlet ibises and several other bird species noisily flock the fishing

Sooknanan Takchand

Collecting the catch

their other fishing gear.

On a usual fishing day, however, the workers equip their boats with iceboxes, fish crates, and nets in

depletion of catches. We are not producing the catch we used to produce before, so we are giving the sea time

Eric conveyed that artisanal fishing allows him to provide a stable livelihood for his family and educational opportunities for his children.

He was a member of the Region 3 Fishermen’s Co-operative Society before the group became inactive. He now hopes that the 30-plus fisherfolk operating at Good

“During this time, we relied on our savings to take care of our families, because the quarantine closed down everything and prevented people from shopping. This forced us to stop fishing for a few months, and to take the necessary precautions to protect our fishing gear at the landing site and at sea,” he explained.

Eric feels the FISH4ACP programme can help in several ways. With the information collected, the project can help artisanal fisherfolks identify the reasons for depletion in catches, and find solutions.

Fishers hope also that the project can provide training to help them manage their business, and assist to set up an association.

“I would like the artisanal fishery operation to be certified like the industrial fishery, so that we can sell our shrimp to them for exportation,” Eric also expressed. (Article submitted

by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

NEWS

15

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Intensive review of Guyana’s oil sector to start next month

…as Govt seeks experts for oil sector oversight, gas-to-shore project

T

he Government of Guyana has gone out seeking a number of consultancy services relating to the oil and gas sector.

These consultancies range from reviewing the state of Guyana’s oil sector architecture to a commercial negotiator for Guyana’s planned gas-to-shore project.

According to the Request For Proposal (RFP), the procurement process review consultant being sought is expected to start work from June 1, 2021, and will have a number of objectives, including reviewing the process for prequalification of suppliers and tender process used by oil companies,

to better ascertain that it follows international best practice.

It is also expected that the consultant would examine ways to maximise opportunities for local content, as well as review the supply chain activities while also coming up with recommendations for improving the system and sharing the expertise on contracting issues.

“The ProcurementsOFSE Consultant will work with the Senior Petroleum Economist and report to Senior Petroleum Coordinator, and will ensure that the project delivery is achieved from all ac-

Among the consultants being sought is a commercial negotiator for Guyana’s gas-to-shore project

Supreme Court seeks to combat staff's COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy

…embarks on sensitisation campaigns, vaccine drives

T

h e Supreme C o u r t of Judicature has embarked upon a series of COVID-19 sensitisation programmes to increase its staffers’ awareness of the deadly virus. The campaigns are also aimed at combating vaccination hesitancy, the Supreme Court said in a statement on Wednesday.

The first of these sessions was facilitated last year by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Nadine Ramsaran, who dealt with coping with the psychological effects of COVID-19.

Director of the University of Guyana School of Medicine, Dr Reeta Gobin, shared information in the second talk regarding the transmission of the virus.

The third health talk was done by Head of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr Tariq Jagnarine. He delivered a virtual presentation on the benefits of taking the COVID-19 vaccines, proof of the vaccines’ effectiveness, and the necessity of protecting oneself and each other from the virus. Dr Jagnarine also addressed the general concerns of staffers in relation to the safety of the vaccine, especially among persons with co-morbidities.

Another COVID-19 virtual sensitisation session for staffers is scheduled for Thursday. Head of Internal Medicine and Cardiology at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Dr Mahendra Carpen, will facilitate this session.

Apart from these sessions, the Judiciary, in collaboration with the Health Ministry, has embarked on

a vaccination drive for its staffers. This exercise commenced in March, and will continue in the months ahead. A special vaccination site has been set up at the Umana Yana in Georgetown for this purpose.

According to the media release, a large number of court staffers have already been vaccinated, while others are slated to take the jab at the next vaccination exercise. The Supreme Court has said the vaccination exercises were informative and well received by its employees, many of whom have indicated their intention to take the vaccine.

These sessions were hosted on Zoom, and were attended by staffers from courts as far away as in Lethem, on the Corentyne, in Essequibo, and at Linden.

Cognizant of the fact that vaccination alone cannot end the COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court has reinforced the implementation of its health and safety protocols, which were established with assistance from the Health Ministry.

Last month the Judiciary announced that a “few” of its staff members had tested positive for COVID-19.

Taking this into consideration, the Judiciary underscored that the health and safety of all court staffers, their family members and court users is of paramount concern.

Given that the Judiciary is designated as an essential service to the populace, the Supreme Court said, “Management wishes to also reiterate that we do not take lightly our obligation to provide a safe work environment for our staff and all our court customers, and will continue to take every precaution necessary to promote and maintain the health and well-being of us all.”

Since onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana, the management of the Supreme Court has said, it has done everything in its power, and has taken every precaution, including, but not limited to, regular sanitisation and fumigation, and the provision of personal protection equipment for staff.

The Supreme Court has been providing free transportation to and from work for staff, to minimise the risk associated with the use of public transportation.

Management has also stationed community health workers at court entrances.

Virtual platforms are being used to conduct trials and hearings.

The Supreme Court has also been paying Eureka Labs for conducting COVID-19 testing for its staffers. The Supreme Court has active COVID-19 management committees which meet regularly. (G1)

tivities,” the notice said.

“The Consultant selected for this assignment would work under the direction of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources, or other designated official within the Ministry, and would work closely with other Government agencies involved in the oil and gas sector as required.”

It was noted that the consultant’s work would last for a period of nine months, and that the consultant would make personal arrangements for accommodation, transport, health insurance, and other necessities while carrying out their services.

Prospective consultants have until May 21, 2021 to submit their applications.

In the past, there have been issues wherein oil and gas consultants hired under

the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government had ties to the very oil companies operating in Guyana. However, the Request for Proposals (RFP) makes clear that tenders must disclose potential conflicts of interest.

“The Consultant is required to comment on any potential, actual, or perceived conflicts of interest arising out of other assignments or a conflicting involvement in other assignments,” the document states.

“Where the Consultant currently represents any party or potential stakeholders that would create a conflict of interest, or to the extent any conflict of interest would arise in the future, the Consultant shall detail any measures that may be required to avoid

conflicts of interest in connection with the implementation of this assignment.”

Also being requested are consultants for petroleum data management, which would seek to better administer information to make it more transparent while liaising with the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI) and a consultant on critical infrastructure.

The Government is also seeking a commercial negotiator for Guyana’s US$900 million gas-to-shore project.

According to the RFP, this consultant would be providing support to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Gas to Power Task Force that was assembled by the Government last year. The consultant would also be expected to supply a Commercial Strategy for the gas-to-shore project, including a Gas Sales Agreement (GSA), Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), and other documents that would be necessary for the Wales Industrial Zone.

The gas-to-shore project is a game-changing initiative that would see gas from the Liza Field offshore Guyana being pumped onshore to generate power. The main objective of the initiative is to transport sufficient gas from the Stabroek Block’s petroleum operations to supply some 200-250 megawatts of energy to the national grid, leading to a significant reduction in electricity costs.

(G3)

16 NEWS

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 more COVID-19 deaths, 173 new cases …PAHO warns countries to prepare beds for spiking hospitalisation of young people

T

wo more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have died, according to the Health Ministry on Wednesday.

This now takes the total number of deaths from the virus in Guyana to 308.

These latest fatalities are a 58-year-old female and a 65-year-old male both from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

They died on Tuesday while receiving care at a medical facility.

With these, the COVID-19 death toll for May has gone up to 10 as persons continue to lose their lives to the deadly disease at a rapid pace.

Last month, some 65 persons succumbed to the virus.

New cases

Meanwhile, 173 new COVID-19 cases were detected from 1216 tests conducted in the last 24 hours.

According to the updated COVID-19 dashboard on Wednesday, the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana is now 13,829.

However, only 1849 of these are currently active cases. These comprise 16 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the remaining 1833 persons in isolation – 100 in institutional isolation and 1733 in home isolation.

There are also another 10 persons in institutional quarantine.

The number of persons who have recovered after contracting the life-threatening virus has gone up to 11,672 – 76 more recoveries

than the figure reported the previous day.

To date, 126,927 persons have been tested for the novel coronavirus in Guyana. Of that number, 6938 males and 6891 females were positive.

Of the 173 cases detected on Wednesday, one is from Region One (BarimaWaini), one from Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), 23 from the Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara region, a whopping 69 from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), two from Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 37 from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), 12 from Region

Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 21 from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and the remaining seven cases from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) saw no new cases in the previous 24 hours.

Hospitalisation of young people

In recent months, Guyana has been experiencing a deadlier wave of the novel coronavirus which has seen more young people being infected and requiring hospitalisation.

According to Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO)

Director, Dr Carissa Etienne, a similar pattern is seen as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates across the Americas.

“Adults of all ages – including young people – are becoming seriously ill.

Many of them are dying,” Dr Etienne said during her weekly media briefing.

“In Brazil, mortality rates have doubled among those younger than 39, quadrupled among those in their 40s, and tripled for those in their 50s between December 2020 and March 2021,” she continued. “This is tragic, and the consequences are dire for our families, our societies, and our future.”

She said that hospitalisation rates of people under 39 rose by more than 70 per cent in Chile during the past few months. In Brazil, hospitalisations have been highest among people in their 40s. “In some areas of the US, more people in their 20s are now being hospitalised for COVID-19 than people in their 70s,” Dr Etienne said.

“For much of the pandemic, our hospitals were filled with elderly COVID patients, many of whom had pre-existing conditions that made them more susceptible to severe disease,” Dr Etienne noted. “But look around Intensive Care Units [ICU] across our region today. You’ll see they’re filled not only with elderly patients, but also with younger people.”

Since healthy young people are more likely to survive, they may remain in hospitals for weeks, she said.

As a result, countries must be prepared for surging hospital demand.

“If infections continue to rise at this rate, we expect that over the next three months, countries across our

region will need to maintain and even increase their ICU bed capacity further,” she warned.

Countries should hire and train more health workers and specialised personnel, she said. Existing health workers should be supported “after operating in ‘crisis mode’ for so long,” she added.

“But we also can’t expand ICU capacity indefinitely. There are simply not enough health workers to hire and train in time. Which points us back to the best option: we must all recommit to a comprehensive response grounded in prevention, and maintain health care for COVID-19 and other conditions,” Dr Etienne said.

She said countries must continue public health measures – social distancing, wearing masks, and avoiding gatherings in closed spaces. Countries should “re-prioritise testing and contact tracing at the primary care level,” she said. And communication campaigns should be launched to remind younger people that they need to protect themselves.

“While vaccines are being rolled out as fast as possible, they are not a shortterm solution – we can’t rely on vaccines to bring down infections when there’s not enough vaccines to go around. They are one part of the comprehensive response that includes prevention through public health measures and improving readiness of health systems,” Dr Etienne said.

Turning to the pandemic’s toll across the Americas, Dr Etienne noted, “Nearly 40 per cent of all global COVID deaths reported last week took place right here in our region. Today, more Latin American countries than ever before are reporting more than 1000 COVID cases a day.”

She reported that infections were increasing rapidly in the Guianas and across Argentina and Colombia, “where weekly case counts are five times higher than they were this time last year”. In Central America, Guatemala is experiencing a significant increase in infections while Costa Rica is reporting record-high infections.

Puerto Rico and Cuba are driving infections in the Caribbean, although cases are also rising in many smaller islands. Nearly 70 per cent of total COVID-19 cases in Anguilla have been reported in the last 10 days.

Following the eruption of the La Soufrière volcano, cases are rising in St Vincent and the Grenadines among internally-displaced people.

In total, more than 1.3 million people were infected with COVID-19 in the Americas in the last week and more than 36,000 died from COVID-related complications. (G8)

NEWS

17

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Appeal Court upholds convict’s Sophia Detention Centre life sentence for murder escapee recaptured in Bush Lot

Convicted killer Dhupaul Singh

M

urder convict Dhupaul Singh has failed in his bid to have his life sentence overturned. In a unanimous ruling delivered on Tuesday, the Guyana Court of Appeal affirmed the life sentence imposed on him for the September 2, 2014 murder of farmer Balkissoon (only name), but lowered his eligibility for parole from 25 to 20 years.

Following a trial in 2016, Singh was found guilty of the crime by a jury.

Trial Judge Jo-Ann Barlow sentenced him to life with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

It was reported that the killing occurred at Helena Number Two Village, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.

On the day in question, Singh and Balkissoon, called “Balky”, were involved in a heated argument over remarks hurled by Singh at

the now dead man’s wife.

The row escalated into a scuffle during which Singh chopped Balkissoon about his body with a cutlass.

Singh, through his lawyer, Mark Conway, later filed an appeal against his conviction and sentence.

Among other things, the convicted killer argued Justice Barlow erred in law in giving the jury the summation on provocation. The defence lawyer argued that his client was robbed of a conviction for manslaughter because the Judge’s summation to the jury was lacking.

Against this backdrop, Conway had asked the court to set aside his client’s murder conviction. In doing so, he relied on the case of Kubert George v The State, which was decided by the very Guyana Court of Appeal.

Conway highlighted that in that case, the court set aside the murder conviction and substituted a verdict of guilty of manslaughter, and instituted a prison sentence of 20 years. The lawyer had also argued that the sentence imposed by the Trial Judge did not reflect the principles outlined in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) case of Romeo da Costa Hall v The Queen in which it is outlined that full credit should be given for any time spent on remand.

During the hearing of the appeal, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions , Dionne McCammon submitted that the sentence imposed on the

– 1 still on the run

A

Dead: Balkissoon

convict was duly served given the severity of the injuries the now dead man sustained, especially the fact that his head was almost severed.

She submitted that under the laws of Guyana, murder is punishable by the death penalty, and as such, Justice Barlow used her discretionary power to impose a life sentence in this case. Arguing that the sentence was not excessive, the Prosecutor noted that the convict would be given a chance after 25 years to be reintegrated into society.

McCammon submitted that the principles of sentencing, including retribution, deterrent, rehabilitation, and incapacitation, were considered in this case.

This appeal was heard by the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory, SC, and Rishi Persaud. (G1)

teenager, who, along with six others, had escaped from the Sophia Juvenile Detention Centre, Greater Georgetown last month, was recaptured on Wednesday.

The 17-year-old escapee, who was originally detained for murder, was found in a house at Bush Lot Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), sometime around 15:30h.

According to the Police, acting on information received, a party of Policemen went to the home in Bush Lot Village, where a search was conducted for the escaped juvenile. He was eventually found hiding in the lower flat of the building.

He was taken into custody and escorted to Central Police Station in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) to await transfer to the city.

The teenager was part of a group of seven who escaped from the detention facility on April 22, 2021. Three of the group were recaptured shortly after the escape and two others returned subsequent to that. With Wednesday’s capture of the 17-year-old, only one juvenile remains at large.

The Juvenile Holding Centre at Sophia, Greater Georgetown

It was initially reported that the teens had escaped from the facility between 02:30h and 02:40h on the day in question. However, an alarm was raised and quick response by law enforcement led to the recapturing of three of the escapees.

Later that day, a fourth juvenile was taken back to the facility by his mother.

Then, around 18:00h that same day, the fifth juvenile was recaptured with the aid of relatives.

This incident comes on the heels of 12 teenagers escaping from the Juvenile Holding Centre just over one year ago on May 5, 2020 after attacking the two Police Officers who were on guard

duty at the time.

The teens, who were housed in cell two and who had matters ranging from armed robbery to rape and murder, broke out of their cells and attacked the security personnel who were guarding the entrance of the building.

They reportedly relieved the unarmed Police Officers of the keys to some of the other cells after which the juveniles sprinted from the facility.

An alarm was raised and a search was conducted in nearby communities, where five were recaptured the following day and taken back into custody. Another six were recaptured in the following weeks.

Steps taken to better equip GLDA’s Epidemiology Unit

Public Service Minister honours Region 2 CSEC top performers

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha (centre) hands over contract documents to a representative of Marics and Company Limited in the presence of other Ministry officials (DPI photo)

T

Public Service Minister Sonia Parag congratulating Duvina Seurattan, Swasti Saytoo, and Tabitha Alves

P

ublic Service Minister Sonia Parag and the regional administration last week extended congratulations to Region Two’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams’ top performers at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) compound during the launch of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning.

The top students – Duvina Seurattan, Swasti Saytoo, and Tabitha Alves – were called on stage by the

Regional Executive Officer (REO) Devanand Ramdatt while Minister Parag publicly congratulated them on behalf of President Dr Irfaan Ali and the Education Minister, Priya Manickchand.

Seurattan, of Cullen Village, topped the region, achieving 21 subjects while Saytoo also secured 21 subjects and copped second in the region. In third was Alves, who gained 20 subjects.

“The President of

Guyana, along with the Minister of Education, is very elated and overjoyed with the excellent performance at the CSEC examination of the 2019/2020 academic year. I congratulate the top performers and all the other students who have excelled at the examination,” Minister Parag said as she congratulated the students.

She encouraged them to climb the academic ladder and continue to shine in their future endeavours.

he Government is investing in boosting the capacity of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) Epidemiology Unit to ensure the country remains free from many of the devastating foreign animal diseases such as footand-mouth disease, highly pathogenic avian influenza, and African swine fever.

On Wednesday, the GLDA inked a $9,396,878 contract with Marics and Company Limited for the supply and delivery of a vehicle equipped to conduct disease prevention and animal treatment services.

The vehicle will be deployed across the country to provide this service. According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report, the Epidemiology Unit currently conducts active and passive surveillance activities countrywide for several diseases such as classical and African swine fever,

foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza, Newcastle Disease, avian leucosis, equine infection anaemia, equine encephalitis, rabies, duck viral hepatitis, and other diseases.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, the DPI reported, said that the acquisition of the vehicle would help the GLDA to become more responsive.

“These diseases can have a devastating effect on the livestock industry and food security. They can also have a negative effect on trade, which will ultimately affect farmers and the country as a whole financially. The vehicle that will soon be acquired by the GLDA will help in the response to disease outbreaks should they occur. It will also assist with reports of disease outbreak investigations, vaccination for things like rabies, and blackleg. This vehicle will also help our officers to respond quickly to reports of

unusual deaths in livestock, as well as any suspected incursion of foreign animal diseases into Guyana’s territory. The contractor has also indicated that this vehicle will be handed over to GLDA within the next two months, which is almost three months ahead of schedule,” the Minister is quoted as saying.

The Minister also said the Government would continue to inject resources into the sector to ensure effective border and import quarantine policies and programmes are implemented.

For 2021, GLDA’s quarantine officers have already carried out several operations which resulted in 96 interceptions of animals and livestock products at some of Guyana’s major ports of entry. Following those activities, several actions were taken including quarantine of illegally-imported animals, sanitary disposal, and in some cases, euthanasia.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

Regional

Amid anger over deadly Mexico T&T vaccination drive going strong train crash, President vows justice T

J

ose Luis Hernandez Martinez crossed Mexico City every day on subway Line 12 between his home on the city’s south side and the body shop where he worked repairing mangled cars.

The 61-year-old’s train had emerged from beneath the city and was jostling along the elevated portion far from downtown late on Monday night when two of its bright orange cars suddenly fell into a void.

Hernandez Martinez was killed instantly, his son Luis Adrian Hernandez Juarez said, one of 25 people who died in one of the world’s largest subway system’s worst accidents on Monday night. More than 70 others were injured.

“My father was recovered without vital signs, with trauma to his thorax, his brain, his feet, his knees,” Hernandez Juarez told The Associated Press, gripping the death certificate.

Hernandez Juarez planned to bury his father on Wednesday as a string of funerals began across the city of more than nine million people amid boiling an-

A man standing by the coffin of Jose Hernandez Martinez who died on Monday night when an overpass of the metro partially collapsed in Mexico City, Mexico [Edgard Garrido/Reuters]

ger and frustration among the victims’ families and those who ride the sprawling subway daily.

A preliminary review suggested a failure in the horizontal support beams caused the accident, authorities said.

Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum had urged the public to avoid speculation and promised a thorough and independent investigation. But in a news conference on Wednesday, she suggested a structural problem had likely caused the

collapse, and drew attention to the fact that Line 12 had a “history”.

During his daily news conference, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Wednesday assured that “there will be justice”. He said that the Attorney General’s office had hired an independent firm to conduct an investigation.

Line 12 is Mexico City’s longest and newest, but has been plagued with problems since it began operating in 2012.

Foreign envoys surprised after El Salvador’s Bukele puts ‘private’ meeting on TV

F

oreign diplomats in El Salvador have criticised President Nayib Bukele for broadcasting on national television their purportedly private meeting with him, saying the broadcast came as a surprise.

Bukele held the talks with a group of envoys on Monday after his party at the weekend ousted the country’s top Prosecutor and all the key judges who sit on the Supreme Court’s constitutional chamber. The removal of the officials had drawn sharp rebukes from Washington, the European Union, and rights groups.

“I regret to report that President Bukele’s national broadcast of a meet-

ing held yesterday is not compatible with previous agreements that it was to be press-free and private,” Chilean Ambassador Renato Sepulveda said on Twitter late on Tuesday.

In the footage of the meeting, held in the Presidential House in the capital San Salvador, Bukele can be seen reading from his cellphone key articles of the country’s Constitution and complaining about international criticism.

He also said he was disappointed that the meeting was not attended by Charge d’Affaires of the United States Embassy, ??Brendan O’Brien.

The President’s office did

not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Washington has been critical of Bukele’s move against the Judges, who were a check on the President’s power after he tightened his control of Congress during mid-term elections in February.

France’s envoy, Francois Bonet, commented on Sepulveda’s Twitter post to say the broadcast was also a “surprise” to him.

“Thanks President @ nayibbukele for putting on national television a private meeting which we had yesterday,” added the European Union Ambassador Andreu Bassols on Twitter.

(Reuters)

Flow Jamaica boss wants deliberate damage to telecoms to be classified as major crime

A

s more Jamaicans become reliant on telecommunication options such as mobile and broadband services, Flow Country Manager Stephen Price is suggesting that deliberate damage to telecommunication apparatus be classified as domestic terrorism.

Price made the declaration at a recent Jamaica Observer Business Forum which examined the issue of infrastructure damage caused by vandals that leave communities isolated without network service, especially now during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Flow and other telecommunication providers have had to contend with an increase in infrastructure damage and theft in recent months which cost millions to replace while disrupting the flow of communication.

“Right now, if someone steals copper or vandalises a site, it’s petty larceny. Really and truly, I want this to be treated as domestic terrorism. When you terrorise citizens of a community and they’re not in contact with their people or the Police, it is a very serious issue. The country has to find a way to protect foreign direct invest-

ment, as this is so important because it keeps students connected for education, it keeps our citizens safe as they can call emergency services and Police to protect them from crime. We have to make sure that we find a balance in terms of how we do it.

We need the Government to step in,” stated Price.

Flow Jamaica has been replacing its older copper cables with a fibre-optic network which Price stated will allow for less lag time and redundancies caused by the issues associated with the current infrastructure. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

he vaccination drives at the North Central Health Authority and the Southwest Regional Health Authority (RHA) continued to attract thousands of people on Wednesday after vaccination began again on Monday.

Over 2000 people were vaccinated at the sites overseen by each RHA. NCRHA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Davlin Thomas said 1471 people were vaccinated on Tuesday, and he expected approximately the same number on Wednesday. He said there were people still showing up

without appointments demanding the vaccine.

“At St Joseph, we had to emphasise there are criteria to be followed and that they have to make appointments.

“We have to deal with the most vulnerable people first, it’s not about your ability to go to a party. That’s one we’re hearing all the time, that they have to leave the country soon. So people’s reasons are not necessarily those more holistic community reasons.

“We’re dealing with appointments, so there’s less

opportunity to slip someone in.

“We had a growing number of people who made appointments over the phone or WhatsApp who didn’t fit the criteria when they arrived.”

Thomas said complaints would have come from people who waited for hours hoping to get a vaccine, despite not having appointments.

“Another issue we’re having is ensuring we’re not creating congestion and opportunities for the virus to spread. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

Brazil’s central bank raises interest rate, promises June hike

B

razil’s central bank lifted its benchmark interest rate by 75 basis points and promised another hike of the same magnitude in June as it moves to bring inflation forecasts back down to target.

The central bank on Wednesday unanimously voted to raise the Selic by 75 basis points to 3.5 per cent, in line with estimates from all 39 economists in a Bloomberg survey and also the guidance given by policymakers at their prior meeting in March.

“For the next meeting the Committee foresees the continuation of the partial normalisation process with another adjustment of the same magnitude in the degree of monetary stimulus,” the bank’s Board said in a statement accompanying the decision.

The bank, led by its President Roberto Campos Neto, is acting to rein in inflation that’s surged above the target ceiling to a four-year high. Food and fuel costs have

Helping policymakers’ inflation fight is a stronger real: the Brazilian currency has jumped 5.5 per cent in the past month, the biggest gain among emerging market currencies, making imports less expensive [File: Jonne Roriz/Bloomberg]

jumped in recent months, and the Government recently restarted emergency aid that will firm up demand. Put together, analysts see consumer prices above target this year and next despite an incipient recovery.

“It’s the right decision since there are still risks in the inflation outlook,” David Beker, chief Brazil economist at Bank of America Corp, said

before the bank’s announcement, pointing to energy and wholesale goods as top inflation drivers.

Helping policymakers’ inflation fight is a stronger real.

The Brazilian currency has jumped 5.5 per cent in the past month, the biggest gain among emerging market currencies, making imports less expensive. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

US backing for Guatemala drug cartel fight key to ending graft, Minister says

G

uatemala has asked the United States for support in fighting drug cartel money-laundering that the Central American country sees as a key source of corruption, Foreign Minister Pedro Brolo said, as Washington ramps up a focus on graft in the region.

The Government of President Joe Biden has put the battle against corruption at the heart of efforts to slow migration to the United States from Central America.

Last month, Washington was outspoken in criticism of Guatemalan authorities for perceived backsliding on judicial independence; sanctioned a former and a current lawmaker for alleged corruption, and announced a plan to create an anti-corruption task force for Central America.

Brolo said a department in President Alejandro Giammattei’s office that

Guatemalan Foreign Minister Pedro Brolo

had US support was fighting corruption in the executive branch, and that the Government had identified that funds from drug traffickers were a key driver of graft.

“There is a historic cause of corruption in Guatemala and it is drug trafficking,” Brolo said in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday during a visit to Mexico.

“The President has asked for support, a collaboration to follow the traceability of laun-

dered money,” he said, calling money laundering a major cause of corruption and highlighting a new anti-laundering law proposed by Giammattei.

Guatemala is a major transit country for drugs, especially cocaine, and for trafficking proceeds.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment for more details of the request. Brolo did not give more details.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil moves higher on largest crude draw since January

O

il prices moved higher after the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a crude oil inventory draw of eight million barrels for the week to April 30.

In fuels, the inventory moves were mixed.

The oil inventory figure compared with a weekly draw of 7.688 million barrels estimated by the American Petroleum Institute (API) a day earlier, and with a moderate build of 100,000 barrels that the EIA reported for the previous week.

Analysts had expected the EIA to report a crude oil inventory decline of 2.19 million barrels for the period.

In gasoline, the authority estimated a minor stock build of 700,000 barrels for the last week of April. This compared with another modest build of 100,000 barrels for the previous week. Production last week averaged 9.1 million barrels per day (bpd), which compared with 9.6 million bpd during the previous week.

Oil prices are reflecting this trend, as well as expectations that travel will soon pick up thanks to mass vaccinations.

The European Union said this week it would seek to start allowing foreign tourists into the bloc beginning from June in an attempt to avoid a second ruined summer tourist season.

In the US, states began to relax movement restrictions as the rates of vaccinated people continued up.

At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at US$69.63 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate at US$66.43 per barrel, both up from opening. (Excerpted from Oilprice.com)

Students found guilty of killing Italian Policeman

T

wo US students have been found guilty of murdering a Police Officer in Italy following a year-long trial.

Mario Cerciello Rega, 35, was stabbed to death as he investigated a drug deal gone wrong in central Rome in 2019.

Californian students Finnegan Lee Elder and Gabriel Christian NataleHjorth were both given life sentences.

Elder had admitted to stabbing Rega 11 times, but maintained that he acted in self-defence, believing the Police Officer was a criminal.

Natale-Hjorth, 20, was convicted of helping him to conceal the weapon. Under Italian law, accomplices can also be charged with murder.

The two men had argued that Rega and his Police partner, who were not wearing uniforms, failed to identify themselves – al-

though the other officer denied this.

Last month, Prosecutor Maria Sabina Calabretta argued that the pair should be given life sentences, which she described as "a just penalty".

Elder and Natale-Hjorth were teenagers at the time of the incident.

Rega's murder received huge amounts of attention in Italy.

At the time of his death, the officer had only just returned to duty from his honeymoon. Large crowds turned out for his funeral at the same church where he was married just 43 days earlier.

But there have also been questions about how the case has been handled.

Rega’s partner also faced a "dereliction of duty" charge for not carrying his weapon at the time. Neither he nor Rega were armed, which is against procedure. (Excerpt from BBC News)

G7 ends talks with criticism of China and Russia

T

he Group of Seven (G7) has scolded China and Russia, casting the Kremlin as malicious and Beijing as a bully, but beyond words, there were few concrete steps aside from expressing support for Taiwan and Ukraine.

Founded in 1975 as a forum for the West’s richest nations to discuss crises such as the Organisation of Petroleum-Exporting Countries (OPEC) oil embargo, the G7 this week addressed what it perceives as the biggest current threats: China, Russia, and the coronavirus pandemic.

G7 Foreign Ministers, who met in London under tight coronavirus restrictions, said in a 12,400-word communique that Russia was trying to undermine democracies and threatening Ukraine while China was

guilty of human rights abuses and of using its economic clout to bully others.

There was, however, little concrete action mentioned in the communiqué that would unduly worry ei-

ther Chinese President Xi Jinping or his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

The G7 said it would bolster collective efforts to stop China’s “coercive economic policies” and to counter

Russian disinformation – part of a move to present the West as a much broader alliance than just the core G7 countries.

“I think [China is] more likely to need to, rather than react in anger, it is more likely going to need to take a look in the mirror and understand that it needs to take into account this growing body of opinion, that thinks these basic international rules have got to be adhered to,” British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said.

Russia denies it is meddling beyond its borders and says the West is gripped by anti-Russian hysteria.

China says the West is a bully and that its leaders have a post-imperial mindset that makes them feel they can act like global Policemen.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

for waiving intellectual property rights as an example of “leadership to address global health challenges”.

US President Joe Biden has faced increased pressure to back a World Trade Organisation (WTO) proposal to waive the patents, a move that would allow more countries to manufacture much-needed COVID-19 jabs.

“Now let’s all move together swiftly, in solidarity,

building on the ingenuity & commitment of scientists who produced life-saving #COVID19 vaccines,” Tedros tweeted.

Biden, who has overseen a rapid roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines in the US, has faced growing calls to do more to support global vaccine equity and share the country’s vaccine supply with other hard-hit nations.

Dozens of countries, as

well as rights groups, former world leaders and public health experts, have ramped up their calls for the patent waiver in recent weeks amid a deadly COVID-19 surge in several countries.

In a statement earlier on Tuesday, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said Washington would engage in negotiations with the WTO on the waivers.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

The G7 this week addressed what it perceives as the biggest current threats: China, Russia and the coronavirus pandemic [Niklas Halle'n/AFP]

“Monumental moment”: US backs COVID vaccine patent waivers

T

he head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has welcomed a decision by the United States to back intellectual property waivers for coronavirus vaccines, calling it “a monumental moment” in the fight against the deadly virus.

WHO Executive Director, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday commended the Biden Administration’s support

Malian woman gives birth to 9 babies

A

25-year-old Malian woman has given birth to nine babies –two more than doctors had detected during scans.

Halima Cisse gave birth to the nonuplets in Morocco.

Mali's Government flew her there for specialist care.

"I'm very happy," her husband told the BBC. "My wife and the babies [five girls and four boys] are doing well."

A woman who had eight babies in the US in 2009 holds the Guinness World Record for the most children delivered at a single birth to survive.

Two sets of nonuplets have previously been recorded – one born to a woman in Australia in 1971 and another to a woman in Malaysia

The nonuplets, one of whom is pictured here, are currently being cared for in incubators

in 1999 – but none of the babies survived more than a few days.

World record holder Nadya Suleman's octuplets have grown up and are now 12 years old. She conceived

them through in vitro fertilisation.

Fanta Siby, Mali's Health Minister, congratulated the medical teams in Mali and Morocco for the "happy outcome".

Cisse's pregnancy became a subject of fascination in Mali – even when it was thought she was only carrying septuplets, Reuters news agency reports.

Doctors in the West African nation had been concerned for her welfare and the chances of the babies' survival – so the Government intervened.

After a two-week stay in a hospital in Mali's capital, Bamako, the decision was made to move Cisse to Morocco on March 30, Dr Siby said.

After five weeks at the Moroccan clinic, she gave birth by Caesarean section on Tuesday, the Minister said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Some 200 rights groups push for UN arms embargo on Myanmar

M

ore than 200 civil society groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, called on the UN Security Council on Wednesday to impose an arms embargo on Myanmar to help protect civilians peacefully protesting a military coup.

Since the military seized power on February 1 and ousted an elected government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar has seen daily protests and a surge of violence with security forces killing hundreds of civilians.

"Imposing a global arms embargo on Myanmar is the

minimum necessary step the Security Council should take in response to the military's escalating violence," the civil society groups from around the world said in a joint statement.

However, diplomats say such a move by the 15-member Security Council is unlikely because China and

Russia – who are veto-powers along with the United States, France and Britain – have traditionally shielded Myanmar from any strong council action.

"We are not in favour of imposing sanctions and we do take it as the last resort in tackling conflicts," China's UN Ambassador Zhang Jun

said on Monday when asked whether Beijing would support stronger UN Security Council action on Myanmar.

Since the coup the Security Council has held several closed briefings on the situation and issued statements expressing concern and condemning violence against protesters.

"The time for statements has passed. The Security Council should take its consensus on Myanmar to a new level and agree on immediate and substantive action," the civil society groups said.

"Myanmar's people cannot afford to wait any longer for the Security Council to take action." (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Contact people you have worked with before, and you’ll hear about a position that interests you. Update your resume, add to your skills and qualifications, and push forward with your plans.

Consider your options and do what’s best for you. Don’t feel (April 20the need to follow the herd, but May 20) take action to ensure you don’t get left behind. Take the path that offers results you feel safe pursuing.

TAURUS

DILBERT

A colorful depiction will attract attention, but don’t venture (May 21- from the truth. How you presJune 20) ent what you know and are willing to do will influence the outcome. Stick to what’s worked in the past.

GEMINI

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

Use your imagination to come up with something that will make your job easier.

Consider the way something looks before you put it on display. A simple, elegant approach will fetch compliments.

Live and learn. Refuse to let LEO what others do influence the (July 23Aug. 22) way you react or the decisions you make. Focus on what you can accomplish all by yourself for a price you can afford.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Look on the bright side, and don’t feel bad if someone chooses not to be a part of your plans. Put your energy where it counts. It’s what you accomplish and the changes you adopt that will help you get ahead.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Plan to have some fun. A physical outlet will ease stress and help you gain perspective regarding how you want to live your life. Don’t feel you have to spend money to win someone’s favor.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Put some muscle and passion into whatever you want to achieve, and you will exceed your expectations. You don’t have to overdo it or overspend to come up with something great.

Stick to the facts, and quesSAGITTARIUS tion anything that sounds out(Nov. 23landish. A steady pace in a diDec. 21) rection that offers you a secure future will ease your mind and encourage you to simplify your life.

You’ll come up with an ex-

CAPRICORN citing way to turn your surroundings into an innovative (Dec. 22workstation. The inspiration Jan. 19) TUESDAY'S WORD - ADVOCATE

you get from the changes you make will help you raise your income.

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

Be careful what you share emotionally, physically and financially. Someone will take advantage of you if you don’t lay down ground rules. Keep an open mind, but don’t lose sight of what you are trying to accomplish.

Observe what others do and say, and it will help you decide (Feb. 20who is trustworthy. False inMarch 20) formation will come your way, and a deal that sounds amazing will fall short of your expectations.

PISCES

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

21

NBA round-up…

Tim Hardaway Jr ties Mavs' record with 10 treys

T

im Hardaway Jr. matched the franchise record with a career-high ten 3-pointers as part of a 36-point effort to help the Dallas Mavericks rally for a 127-113 victory over the host Miami Heat on Tuesday night.

Luka Doncic registered 23 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists as the Mavericks won for the seventh time in the past nine games.

Jalen Brunson scored 19 points and Jason Richardson added 17 for the Mavericks, who trailed by 11 in the opening minutes before outscoring the Heat 68-38 over the middle two quarters.

Goran Dragic and Duncan Robinson tallied 19 points for Miami, which was without five-time All-Star Jimmy Butler (illness). The Heat had a threegame winning streak snapped.

Suns 134, Cavaliers 118 (OT) Devin Booker's 31 points and Chris Paul's 23 points and 16 assists helped Phoenix hold off host Cleveland. The Suns have moved back into a tie with the Utah Jazz for the top spot in the Western Conference with their fifth consecutive victory.

Rookie Isaac Okoro scored a career-high 32 points and added six assists, nearly helping the Cavaliers avoid their seventh consecutive defeat. Collin Sexton tallied 29 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

After failing to pull away throughout regulation, Phoenix opened overtime with a 15-0 run fuelled by eight points from Mikal Bridges, who totalled 22 points to go with five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Clippers 105, Raptors 100 Paul George scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds,

overwhelming defensive effort in the fourth quarter, Milwaukee completed the two-game sweep to gain ground in the Eastern Conference chase with Brooklyn.

The Nets' Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 38 points, which included 6-of-12 shooting from 3-point range. Kevin Durant scored 32 points to move past Charles Barkley to No. 26 on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

helping Los Angeles rally late to defeat visiting Toronto.

Marcus Morris Sr. also had 22 points as the Clippers ended a three-game losing streak. Los Angeles overcame a six-point deficit in the last six minutes.

Patrick Beverley returned to the Los Angeles lineup for the first time since April 9, and scored eight points in 15 minutes.

Fred VanVleet had 27 points and 13 assists for the Raptors, who ended a Western trip at 1-3.

Hornets 102, Pistons 99 LaMelo Ball scored 23 points to lead Charlotte to a win at Detroit.

Terry Rozier scored 18 points and Caleb Martin added 17 points for Charlotte, which moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the idle Indiana Pacers for eighth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Hamidou Diallo scored a career-high 35 points and Sekou Doumbouya contributed a season-high 20 points for Detroit, which lost its fourth game in a row and fell for the seventh time in eight contests.

MoH win Cummings Electrical Cup

T

he female side of the Ministry of Health won the Inter Ministries tape ball cricket competition which was played at Durban Park on Saturday May 1 2021.

A total of 12 teams took part in the tournament, and the Ministry of Health team defeated Region 3 in the grand finale. MoH batted first and scored 48-3 in their allotted 4 overs. Region 3 could afford a total of only 22-5 in their 4 overs.

At the presentation ceremony, MoH won the Cummings Electrical Trophy with medals, while the Trophy Stall photos went to the runners up (Region 3).

Organiser of this tournament was James Lewis.

The females opted to play tape

Event Coordinator James Lewis

ball instead of softball, and it was decided that, with the same 7 players, they would play a 4 overs K.O format.

Other sponsors of the tournament were R&T Taxi Service and West Indian Sports Complex.

Bucks 124, Nets 118 Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a team-high 36 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and host Milwaukee scored its second win over Brooklyn in as many games.

The Bucks dominated the interior with advantages of 4430 scoring in the paint, 62-50 rebounding, and 20-9 on secondchance points.

Coupled with an

Pelicans 108, Warriors 103 Lonzo Ball scored 33 points and Zion Williamson had a double-double as host New Orleans held off Golden State.

Ball made 11 of 23 shots, including 7 of 13 from beyond the 3-point arc. Williamson tallied 23 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for New Orleans, which closed with a 13-5 run.

One night after scoring 41 points in a win at New Orleans,

Stephen Curry tallied 37 to lead the Warriors. However, he recorded just two points in the fourth quarter. Curry grabbed nine rebounds, and teammate Andrew Wiggins had 26 points.

Kings 103, Thunder 99 Buddy Hield compiled 18 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Kings to a win at Oklahoma City.

Delon Wright came up with a pair of big blocks in the game's closing moments to help the Kings hold off a furious Thunder run.

Wright, starting in place of Tyrese Haliburton (knee), scored the Kings' only two field goals in the final 5:40.

Darius Bazley scored 24 points to lead the Thunder, which lost a fourth consecutive game and fell for the 21st time in 23 games. (Reuters)

Romain Grosjean to make demo run in Mercedes

– following F1 career-ending crash at Bahrain last year

R

omain Grosjean is to drive a Mercedes on a one-off return to Formula 1 following his fiery accident at last year's Bahrain Grand Prix.

Grosjean will do a demonstration run in Lewis Hamilton's 2020 W10 at the French Grand Prix on 27 June, and a test at the same track two days later.

The Frenchman said getting back in an F1 car was "a special opportunity".

The move honours a pledge made by team boss Toto Wolff, as it became clear the crash would end Grosjean's F1 career.

"I didn't want to finish on that crash," Grosjean told BBC Breakfast. "While I was in the hospital, I read that Toto Wolff said he was happy to give me a day in the car if I could make

it back.

"When I was in my hospital bed in pain, I cherished that a lot, and I'm very thankful and grateful for the opportunity.

"It's rare you get the chance to drive a world champion Formula 1 car for fun and for pleasure - that's going to be super cool."

The 35-year-old suffered serious burns to his hands when his Haas car split the crash barrier in Bahrain, but has recovered full fitness and has switched to the US-based IndyCar series this year.

Grosjean said the thought of his three children potentially growing up without a father gave him an "extra piece of power and energy to jump out" of the car.

"I was well aware that my hands were burning and I knew it was ‘get out or die’,

but I managed to get out, and since then I'm very happy nowadays," he added.

"I worked very quickly after the crash with my psychologist, and when I jumped back in a racing car, it felt normal; I felt (at) home.

"The most important thing is I can play with my kids, I can cuddle them and I can drive a racing car."

He added that doing the test in his home country, at a track where last year's French Grand Prix had to be cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, would be a "very special day", with a limited number of fans set to attend.

"It's a good way to say goodbye to my fans. it'll be a beautiful experience, and I'm very lucky to have it."

Mercedes F1 boss Wolff said: "We are very happy to

support Romain with this special opportunity. The idea first came when it looked like Romain would be ending his active career in F1, and we didn't want his accident to be his last moment in an F1 car.

"Romain's accident reminds us of the dangers these guys face each time they climb into the cockpit, but it's also a testament to the incredible steps this sport has taken to improve safety over the year.

I know the F1 community will celebrate seeing Romain back on track."

Hamilton said: "I'm really happy to see Romain back in an F1 car after his accident last year. I'm looking forward to seeing him again in France, and welcoming him to the team for the weekend - although he better look after my W10!"

(BBC Sport)

22

T

Suspected corruptors identified – on 2 separate days during IPL 2021 at Delhi's Kotla

wo people were arrested with fake accreditations; on a different day, one man came in the garb of a cleaner.

Potential corruptors were spotted at the Feroz Shah

Kotla, Delhi on different days of the IPL 2021 season, including during the May 2 match between Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, BCCI's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) chief Shabir Hussein

Region 3 approves Leonora Secondary's golf facility

G

The teachers of Region 3

olf continues to make great strides in Guyana, but especially at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, as the Leonora Secondary School received approval for establishing an onsite golf training facility.

This was as a result of strong efforts by Head Mistress Faye Gittens, along with teachers Kharlyn Henry and Usha Banson, who were determined that their school should become the leader in development of the sport.

“Golf is part of the CSEC Physical Education syllabus, and one of the few sports that are fully COVID-19 compliant, so it is of great benefit for all involved."

As evidenced by the phenomenal growth of the game in the past year, golf has taken on a whole new life at the Ministry of Education’s Allied Arts Unit, but Region 3 has taken an aggressive approach to the sport and are leading the way forward based on the efforts of the Regional Executive Officer Jainarine Somwar, Regional Education Officer Devendre Persaud, Lindley Langhorne (Allied Arts), and Ulrich Charles (Region 3 Sports Coordinator).

June Ann Gonsalves, Assistant Chief Education Officer, Secondary Schools,

and the Allied Arts Unit headed by Lorraine BarkerKing combined efforts to ensure that golf is available to all students in Guyana's secondary schools, and there are plans to train teachers from an additional 50 schools in August. This would give over 10,000 students access to the sport by end of 2021.

Overseas-based Guyanese Danny Ramnarain, who hails from Leonora, has been extremely proactive in assisting with the development of the game in his old hometown, and will be on hand for the proposed opening of the facility later this year.

Golf is predicted to be one of the most popular sports in Guyana with two years, rivalling cricket and football, based on the new model that provides all equipment, smaller but easier to access courses, lower costs, no membership fees, shorter playing time, and many competitions.

There are several facilities being planned in Linden, Berbice, Essequibo and West Coast Demerara to help to build the skills of new players, who would eventually compete at national, international and Olympic level.

Chinkoo, Singh star for MMZ in New York National 40 overs

T

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

he Guyanese duo of Looknauth Chinkoo and Gajanand Singh had excellent performances in the New York National 40 overs competition. Playing for MetenMeer-Zorg (MMZ) over the weekend, Chinkoo, a former national youth player, slammed an unbeaten 103, while Singh scored 53 as MMZ stormed to a 5-wicket win against Elite Cricket Club at Whitestone 1.

The Elite Cricket Club won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring 220-5 in 40 overs. Guyanese Renwick Batson scored an unbeaten 66 from 72 balls, while Marlon Persaud supported with 48.

Randy Persaud, Looknauth Chinkoo, Ebran Ragman, Andy Mohammed and Rajiv Deonarine each picked up one wicket for MMZ. In reply, MMZ reached the total of 221 in 31.1 overs, with Chinkoo's top-class innings

being decorated with 11 sixes and one four. His “player of the match” knock of 103 came off 60 balls.

Singh's 54 came off 39 balls, and was decorated with six sixes and three fours. Michael Sultan with 2-33 and Marlon Persaud with 2-39 had decent outings with the ball in a losing effort.

Earlier that weekend, MMZ coasted to an opening victory in the New York National 30-overs with a win against Columbia Cricket Club. Rahul Sharma's 32 took Columbia to 90 all out in 25.1 overs. Avi Dhanpaul took 3-4 and Samuel Raghubir claimed 3-10 in six overs for the dominant MMZ. In response, MMZ cruised to 92-1 in 9.1 overs, with Azurdeen Mohammed scoring an unbeaten 48 from 28 balls, including five sixes. He was supported by Keith Edie who made 28.

Shekhadam Khandwawala told PTI. Two people with fake IPL accreditations were arrested by the Delhi Police on the day of that Royals-Sunrisers match.

In another incident - on a different match day at the same venue - one man "in the garb of a cleaner" fled after ACU officials had caught him having a telephone conversation.

He is currently being tracked

by Delhi Police after the ACU managed to retrieved two mobile phones from him.

It was suspected that he could have been engaging in 'pitch-siding', which is the act of relaying information from the ground to a remote location to beat the delay in the TV feed. It can be used to get an advantage while betting on passages in play before the live computerised odds shift.

"One of my ACU officers caught a person and handed over the details to Delhi Police.

While that particular offender managed to flee, leaving behind his two mobile phones, ACU lodged a complaint with the Delhi Police," Hussein told PTI on Wednesday. "We are thankful to Delhi Police that, in a separate incident, they caught two other persons from

the Kotla on ACU tip-off.

"So, on two separate days, these people managed to get access to Kotla. The one who fled came in the garb of a cleaner. However, we have all his details, as he was employed for the tournament. His Aadhar Card details have been handed over to Delhi Police," Hussein said.

"I am confident that he will be nabbed in a day or two. He is a small fry working for a couple of hundred or some thousand bucks maybe."

The man who fled came under suspicion when he was spotted on the phone by himself in a secluded area.

"He was standing (inside Feroz Shah Kotla premises) in a secluded area all by himself, and so one of our officers approached and asked him:

'What are you doing here?'

He said: "Main apne girlfriend se baat kar raha hoon" [I am talking to my girlfriend].

"My officer then asked him to dial the number he was talking to, and then asked him to hand over the phones. Just when he was going through the contents of his phone, the guy fled from the spot," Hussein said, without divulging which match-day this incident took place on.

"It was one of the evening matches in Delhi. He was wearing an ID card. Also, what raised suspicion was he had two mobiles," he said. "The information he may be supplying could be to someone more influential among bookmakers, and so we needed to inform the Delhi Police. Delhi Police have

responded positively, and the next instant two people were arrested."

Hussain also confirmed that the ACU didn't receive any complaint of corrupt approaches being made to players or support staff involved in IPL during the 29 games that were held before the tournament was postponed.

"Obviously with biobubble and no crowd around, it certainly becomes a bit easier to manage, as there is no physical proximity of questionable characters. When there is a crowd, it becomes difficult to check anyone and everyone," Hussein said.

He also said that during the Mumbai leg, the hotel in which the Sunrisers team was staying had three people with questionable records, and whose names were in the ACU database. However, they couldn't come in contact with any of the players.

"The moment we had information, we got in touch with Mumbai Police. The Police Commissioner of Mumbai took immediate cognizance, and the Mumbai Police got hold of those three," he added.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Christopher Griffith wins Arrival Day race – after chaotic finish with Briton John

CLASSIFIED ADS NOTICE

Christopher Griffith and Briton John battled until the end

A

n irregular sprint between Briton John and Christopher Griffith highlighted the excited Team Alanis/Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) 60-mile Arrival Day race which commenced at Carifesta Avenue and turned at the Halfway tree at Mahaicony to return for the finish at Carifesta Avenue.

Team Evolution's Christopher Griffith was named winner of the race, Briton came second, while Team Evolution's Curtis Dey (third), Alex Mendes (fourth), Paul Choo-Wee-Nam (fifth) and Kwamie Ridley (sixth) were the top finishers.

Alex Mendes was the top veteran, while Mario Washington won the junior category.

Live action Walter Grant-Stuart, who grabbed the first sprint prize, made an early jump with Jaikarran Sukhai, and the duo led the race and set the tone. Team Alanis's Paul Choo-Wee-Nam and Steven Fernandes closed the gap in pursuit of Stuart at Golden Grove, as the four cyclists led the way until an invasion came at Unity heading towards the finish.

Earlier, Briton John led the chasing peloton at Enmore

going towards the turning point, while the Berbician Andrew Hicks launched a brief but vicious attack, leaving the pack around Unity and chasing ‘the four leaders’: Choo-Wee-Nam, Stuart, Sukhai, and Fernandes, who were 25 seconds away from Hicks when he eventually abandoned the chase.

Top cyclist Jamual John and veteran Reginald Mendes suffered flat tyres early in the race. ‘The four leaders’ were first to turning point at Halfway tree at Mahaicony, while Briton John, Christopher Griffith and Kwamie 'Keyman' Ridley were 50 seconds away from the leaders.

The chasers invaded the leading four with approximately 18 miles to go in the race.

Briton then launched an attack, and dropped his counterparts, with only Griffith weathering the storm along the Cove and John area on the East Coast as they blazed towards the finish. Griffith continued to tail, but Briton launched attacks while passing Turkeyen.

The aggressive Briton then took to sprinting 300 metres before the finish, but Griffith was not backing down from the battle.

Griffith was looking to

overtake Briton on the inside but Briton was 'bracing' Griffith, who was unable to pass freely.

After the race, GCF racing secretary Malcolm Soonoram clarified that both Briton and Griffith were called upon and the situation was addressed along with representatives. The decision was that Briton John deviated from his line in the last 200 metres, and he was relegated.

"On a review, when we checked the picture of the finish line, Griffith actually won the race," Sonaram said.

The race was a commemoration of the birth anniversary of the late Jason Choo-Wee-Nam. Jason was the elder brother of Paul Choo-WeeNam, and was a successful junior cyclist in the 1980s. He died in a motor cycle accident in 1998, at the age of 24. Today Jason would have been 47 years old.

The event was given the green light from the National COVID-19 Task Force, and was supported by the Guyana Police Force. The next racing event is set for May 15 and May 16.

That race is the three-stage Independence Race sponsored by the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport.

Application for money lender certificate. Pursuant to section 4 of the Money Lender Act. I Cerdric Joel Weeks of lot 8 Den Amstel, Old Rd., West Coast Demerara, Guyana, am hereby giving notice that I have applied to the Magistrate of the West Demerara Magisterial District for a Certificate under the Money Lenders Act, authorizing the grant to me for a Money Lender License to carry on the Business of a money lender under the business title, “WEEKS FAST CASH PAWN SHOP”, at Y Blankenburg, Public Road, WCD, Guyana. Notice of any objection to the application should be sent forthwith to the Clerk of the Court of West Demerara Magisterial District and a copy of such notice should be sent to the subscriber, Cedric Joel Weeks (applicant) dated at West Demerara on this day April 21, 2021.

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

VACANCY Male Bond Clerk Requirements: 3 Subjects C.X.C Experience in dealing with customers. Send application at: Lens 136 Sheriff Street, C/Ville Tel: 227-2486 Email: lensgy@outlook. com

WANTED 219-5000, 227-2100 Wanted: Contract Cars Tel: 614-6202

Classified Ads $5+VAT per word

Call: 223-7230-1 Ext 50

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

CWI announces West Indies Men’s Central Contracts for 2021-2022 season

– No CWI international retainer contract as Guyanese trio axed

C

ricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed the international retainer contracts for the West Indies Men’s Team for the 20212022 season. A total of 18 players have been offered contracts for the upcoming 2021-22 season, which runs from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. In a twist of tales, Guyanese trio Keemo Paul, Shimron Hetmyer and Romario Shepherd were not given central retainer contracts.

For the first time, Nkrumah Bonner, Joshua Da Silva, Akeal Hosein and Kyle Mayers have been awarded international retainer contracts, whilst newly appointed Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Darren Bravo have received international contracts for red ball and white ball cricket respectively.

West Indies Men’s Team Lead Selector Roger Harper said, “Contracts offered for the 2021-22 period see 18 players being retained, a decrease of 4 from last year. Jason Holder is the only player to retain his all-format contract due to his strong Test and T20I performances during the evaluation period.”

Fabian Allen Jason Holder - 3rd T20I - Sri Lanka Harper added, “There are several new players offered red ball contracts, earned by their strong performances during the last period. A number of players were not retained because they did not meet the minimum requirements.”

CWI Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams, said, “I am happy for all the players who have been offered retainer contracts for the upcoming period.

Especially pleasing was the number of players who were awarded first-time contracts in recognition of their performances during the period under review. I know that the eleven players who have lost their international retainers will be striving and fighting hard to get back into the teams and earn their central contracts back next year.

“These players, along with our T20 specialists, will ensure that we have genuine competition for places, (which) will push everyone to attain higher standards of performance.”

The evaluation period for the 2021-22 contracts

covered performances and statistics from April 1, 2020 to April 1, 2021 (this was also supported by statistics from the previous 20192020 evaluation period).

This allows for all players to be appraised immediately after the evaluation period, and provides a notice period before new contracts on the July 1, 2021.

WEST INDIES MEN’S INTERNATIONAL RETAINER CONTRACTS 2021-2022 All-Format Contracts: Jason Holder.

Red Ball Contracts: Kraigg Brathwaite, Jermaine Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner*, Rahkeem Cornwall, Joshua Da Silva*, Shannon Gabriel, Kyle Mayers* and Kemar Roach.

White Ball Contracts: Kieron Pollard, Fabien Allen, Darren Bravo, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein*, Evin Lewis, Alzarri Joseph, Nicholas Pooran and Hayden Walsh Jr. *Players offered contracts for the first time in 20212022 Players who are no longer receiving international retainer contracts are: All Format Contracts: Roston Chase.

Linden youths benefit from Basil Butcher Trust Fund donation

E

arlier this week, four promising youth cricketers were presented with bicycles, in order to ease their travel woes to attend training sessions and school across Linden.

The bicycle donation was made possible through the Basil Butcher Memorial Trust Fund, and was spearheaded by the United States-based sons of former Guyana and West Indies cricketer Basil Butcher, who worked and lived in Linden for a major part of his retirement from the gentleman’s game.

Pamela Butcher was there at the presentation which was held outside the residence of Butcher's former Mackenzie Sports Club teammate Joseph London on Greenheart Street, central Mackenzie in Linden.

Butcher told the gathering, "On behalf of the Basil Butcher Memorial Trust and the Rosehall Town and Sports Club, I would like to make this presentation in collaboration with my three sons Basil Jr, Brian and Bruce. I hope the kids make good use of the bicycles and try to do their best to become the cricketers that this town will be proud of."

Vice president of the newly elected Upper Demerara Cricket Association (UDCA) Andrew Forsythe remarked that his new administration ensured that, "The four bicycles were given to youths across Linden, from

The late Basil Butcher

the Coomacka Mines, from Wisrock on the Wismar shore, from Mackenzie, Lower Kara Kara in Spiegthland and Amelia's Ward.”

“So, we ensured a spreading out of the bicycles across the community," Forsythe added.

He acknowledged that the Butcher family had invested in Linden with a business on Republic Avenue and still are showing an interest in the town.

Forsythe further signaled out the role played by Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Vice President Hilbert Foster in this effort through the Basil Butcher Memorial Trust Foundation to have the donation in Linden.

Forsythe said that the UDCA is going to push for the return of hard ball cricket competition in the Mining Town.

The players who were fortunate enough to receive the four bicycles were,

18-year-old Aaron Lewis of Amelia's Ward, 13-year-old Josiah Boston of the Linden Constabulary area, 15-year-old Joshua Manbodh of Mackenzie High School who lives at Speightland, and another 15-year-old Jade Simmons of Coomacka Mines.

The Community Development Cricket Officer of the GCB Mark Greenville informed that emphasis will be placed on developing the sport among the youths at the various levels.

He however was disappointed with the state of cricket in Linden while stating that, "We are looking to develop male and female players in the area."

Joseph London agreed with Grenville that the start must be with getting the youths involved in the game and the schools must be the focused on training.

Red Ball Contracts: Shamarh Brooks and Shane Dowrich.

White Ball Contracts: Sunil Ambris, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell, Romario Shepherd and Oshane Thomas.

All players who are no longer on international retainer contracts are offered an A* grade Regional Franchise Contract for the following year. (Windies Cricket)

RHTY&SC, MS/Denise Leow- Babb Memorial Programme 2021

5 RHTY&SC members benefit from $100,000 worth of bicycles – club pays tribute to late Vice President

"D

RHTYSC members and their parents pose with the cycles after the presentation

enise Leow-Babb was the first female elected to the position of Vice President of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), and she served with distinction for over five years. Denise was the person who spearheaded the formation of our female section, and was responsible for our involvement in female cricket.

"She was not only an outstanding administrator, but also a role model and mentor to every one of our females.

The success we enjoy today with our female cricketers is because of her, and the least we can do is to pay tribute to her memory."

Those were the words of RHTY&SC Organising Secretary Ravindranauth Kissoonlall as the club launched the first edition of the Denise Leow Babb Memorial Programme on Tuesday last at the Area H Ground.

Five under-19 players from the RHTY&SC membership each received a bicycle under the programme, which was sponsored by the club and the children of the late Vice President.

Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster has said that the club decided to honour Mrs Babb because she was not only an inspiration to her fellow administrators, but was the reason why the RHTY&SC invested heavily in female cricket back in 2008.

Because of her vision and hard work, the RHTY&SC has

produced four West Indies senior players along with dozens of Berbice and Guyana players. They include Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Marian Samaroo, Dian Prahalad, Plaffiana Millington, Meliane Henry, Oma Matadin, Jackie Singh and Sherika Campbelle.

Foster has said that Babb, who died overseas last year December after a long illness, played a major role in the development of the club’s Say No and Say Yes Programme, and was also spearhead of the personal development project which allows cricketers to give back to those less fortunate than them.

The cricketers who benefited from the $100,000 worth of cycles were Tyrone Hooper, Dharsanie Subramanie, Komalchand Ramnarance, Tyrell Hutson and Jeremaih Felix. They were selected based on their personal discipline, dedication to club activities, and family’s financial income.

Foster told the attentive youths and their parents that the RHTY&SC strongly believes in investing in its members, as the main objective is to make sure that they succeed not only on the cricket field, but in life as well.

He spoke broadly on the importance of education and personal discipline, while urging his audience to say no to crime, drugs and alcohol. He also disclosed that in 2021, the club would be distributing close to one million dollars’ worth of

cycles to less fortunate youths across Guyana in an effort to assist them to attend school and cricket practice.

Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu stated that the club, over the course of the next week, would be hosting several programmes as part of its 31st Annual Awards Ceremony.

He disclosed that due to the COVID-19 guidelines which are in place, the club would be unable to host a large gathering, and as such, several smaller events would be hosted.

Among the other activities to be hosted shortly would be the Tribute to Medical Workers, Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers, Basil Butcher Trust Fund, Tribute to Heroes, and Tribute to Outstanding Teachers.

A much smaller Awards Ceremony would be hosted on the 16th of May to honour outstanding long-serving members who have contributed to the club’s success over the last 31 years. Naidu expressed gratitude to the seven children of the late Vice President for their support of the programme, and reassured them that the club would continue to work hard every day to keep their mother’s legacy alive.

Jeremiah Felix, speaking on behalf of the players, thanked the club and the Babb family for the donation of the cycles. He said that joining the club was one of his best decisions as it had assisted him to stay away from the evil world of Satan and has assisted him to focus on the positives in life.

THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2021

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

CWI announces West Indies Men’s Central Contracts for 2021-2022 season

– No CWI international retainer contract as Guyanese trio axed Pg 23

Pg 23

Pg 22

Linden youths benefit from Christopher Griffith wins Arrival Day race Basil Butcher Trust Fund donation – after chaotic finish with Briton John GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.