Guyana Times - Thursday November 26, 2020

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Issue No. 4481

P15

THE BEACON OF TRUTH THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Guyana, Suriname to benefit from accelerated growth & development – President Ali

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Businesswoman, husband robbed at gunpoint P10 — suspect nabbed with over $2M, other items

Stepdaughter among 5 in P2 custody for murder of Soesdyke businessman

— touts opportunity for more trade, partnerships Page 3 during extraordinary address to Suriname's National Assembly

Govt making efforts to increase ease of doing business – Walrond Page 7

Pedestrian killed in Agricola P17 accident identified as Tucville resident

...single-window system among initiatives in pipeline as regional MoU signed

43 children motherless after 17 women slaughtered by partners in 2020

Father holds mother at gunpoint, abducts newborn baby — Guyana launches #enoughwiththeviolence campaign Page 10

Page 13

World Bank pumps US$7.5M into Guyana’s fight against COVID-19 Page 16

Guyana’s P16 COVID-19 death toll now at 149

— 47 new cases detected in 24h

P2 2 arrested following MetenMeer-Zorg robbery

TSU ranks in P16 custody for disappearance of 150 firearms

2 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Stepdaughter among 5 in custody for murder of Soesdyke businessman

A

s investigations intensify into the gunning down of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD) businessman Terrence Dickie, the Police have arrested the dead man’s stepdaughter and four others.

Guyana Times understands that the stepdaughter was arrested late on Tuesday. A source close to these investigations explained that four other men from the community are presently being grilled at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with the murder.

One of those men, Guyana Times understands, had perpetrated an armed robbery on the businessman some time ago. He was reportedly arrested after detectives had reviewed that CCTV footage.

He was subsequently charged for the crime.

However, Police are exploring the possibility that the

The now dead man and his wife, Loyola Dickie, on their wedding day

same man was involved in the robbery/ murder which occurred in the wee hours of Monday.

“He was in the house before and he knew where the

DVR set up was, and it can be that not to get caught, he removed it… We are exploring all possible angles, and once we have sufficient evidence, we will prosecute,” a

source explained.

The lone person who was arrested hours after the crime has since given the Police an alibi which is being looked into. He reportedly told detectives that he was imbibing with some friends late on Sunday evening, and had become highly intoxicated. Upon waking up the next morning, he realised that he had slept on a parked minibus.

He has insisted that he was not involved in the crime, but, at the same time, he could not provide the Police with a valid address.

Fifty-three-year-old Dickie, also called “Jappy”, of Lot 5 Public Road, Soesdyke, EBD was shot once to his chest after four armed men who identified themselves as Police officers invaded his property on Monday. They reportedly escaped with an undisclosed sum of money.

It was reported that at about 00:30h on the day in

Relatives of the murdered man at the Timehri awaiting answers

question, four armed men gained access to the building through a window that was left open in the lower flat of the two-storey building.

After gaining entry, the men reportedly woke up the dead man’s nephew, who is an immigration officer, held him at gunpoint, and instructed him to call out for the victim.

As the businessman opened his bedroom door, one of the armed bandits discharged a round that hit him to the chest and caused him to collapse to the floor.

While Dickie was on the floor bleeding, the men shift-

Police Station

ed their attention to his wife, from whom they demanded cash and other valuables; and out of fear, the woman handed over an undisclosed sum of cash to the men.

Not satisfied with their booty, the men ransacked a room in search of more money, but came up empty-handed. They then made good their escape, but not before removing the DVR player from the premises.

The man was later picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

2 arrested following Meten-Meer-Zorg robbery

S

hortly after terrorising and robbing four West Coast Demerara (WCD) residents on Tuesday evening along the MetenMeer-Zorg Public Road, the Police arrested two persons suspected to have been involved in the crime.

Based on information

ter they reportedly put up a fight.

However, Ramlall was eventually relieved of his mobile phones while Raghemoudan was relieved of her mobile phone and cash.

In addition, Jaipaul was robbed of a gold band and

received, about 18:30h, Shiradatt Ramlall,25, of Railway View, Meten-MeerZorg; Aneela Raghemoudan, 33, a housewife of Leonora Seafield; Paul Jaipaul, 25, of Meten-Meer-Zorg and Lohouna Rakesh Pitamber, 29, also of Meter-Meer-Zorg, were relieved of their personal belongings by two men on a red and white XR motorcycle.

Police investigations revealed that the victims were heading home when they were confronted by the two men.

During the ordeal, one of the men whipped out a silver object suspected to be a handgun and dealt Ramlall, Jaipaul and Pitamber several blows to their faces af-

ring along with his mobile phone. The fourth victim, Pitamber was relieved of his mobile phone and cash.

After committing the robbery, the men made good their escape on the motorcycle.

A report was subsequently lodged and acting on information received, Police ranks went to the area where they intercepted two residents of Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBD) with a motorcycle fitting the description of the one used by the men who committed the robbery.

The two young men were taken into custody and are assisting with the investigations.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, November 26 – 02:00h-03:30h and 13:00h-14:30h and Friday, November 27 – 02:30h-04:00h and 13:30h-15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, November 26 – 14:00h-15:30h and Friday, November 27 – 14:30h-16:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light showers will prevail during the day with sunny conditions in the late afternoon. Partly cloudy skies and light rain showers are expected in the evening. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to South SouthEasterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 14:07h reaching a maximum height of 2.40 metres.

Low Tide: 07:40h and 20:04h reaching minimum heights of 0.88 metre and 0.80 metre.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS G

01 07 11

12 14 15

FREE TICKET

27 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

02 07 08 14 23 LUCKY 3

6

6

3

8

Afternoon Draw

5

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

04

05

12

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16 19

PAY DAY

21 SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020

02 04 08 09 15

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

COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

US$ $48.61/barrel $226.044/ton $408.60/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change % +1.54 +1.36 -0.70

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1809.00

$1810.00

Low/High Change

$1802.90 +0.90

$1819.80 +0.05%

Guyana, Suriname to benefit from accelerated growth & development – President Ali

– touts opportunity for more trade, partnerships during extraordinary address to Suriname's National Assembly

O

n day three of his first foreign trip as Head of State, President Dr Irfaan Ali used his address to the Suriname National Assembly to tout increased bilateral trade and partnerships between Guyana and the Dutch-speaking republic, and it is expected that that address would undoubtedly accelerate growth and development of relations between the two states.

President Ali addressed the National Assembly, along with Suriname President Chan Santokhi and assembled diplomats, on Wednesday. According to the Head of State, this present time represents a golden opportunity to boost relations between Guyana and Suriname on an unprecedented level.

“I pledge the solidarity of my Government with the people of Suriname, and commit to working to ensure enhanced cooperation for our mutual benefit. The future of our economies is intertwined. I believe we should seize this special period to strengthen our bilateral relations,” he said.

“We have a golden opportunity to begin to dismantle the impediments through bilateral trade, especially if there are no legal obstructions. We should take advantage of both the synergies and complementarities of our economies to deepen economic and social integration.

Guyana and Suriname are also part of the Caribbean Community.”

According to President Ali, the 45th Anniversary of the Republic of Suriname comes at a time when both states are positioned to take the lead in regional integration. He even gave agriculture as an area wherein this integration could take place.

According to Ali, the two states could fulfill a great proportion of the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) food needs.

President Ali made it clear that Guyana and Suriname share much in common. From a historical perspective, he reflected on the shared struggles to attain political independence.

He recalled that both countries also concluded elections this year, although with varying results.

“Both Guyana and Suriname held elections this year. Both governments were elected. Democracy remains the strongest ally for development. It allows our electorates to hold their governments accountable.

Guyana looks forward to working with Suriname to ensure greater respect for democratic norms and values,” President Ali said.

“Democracy helps to unlock the latent potential of our economies, and to boost investor confidence. Indeed, Guyana and Suriname are totally perched to benefit from accelerated growth

President Dr Irfaan Ali and Surinamese President Chan Santokhi (right) at the extraordinary session of the Suriname National Assembly

and development, not only through the exploitation of our natural resources, but through the abundant potential that lies in agriculture, value added, tourism and expanded trade,” he said.

According to the President, the investor-interest these resources are now garnering following the conclusion of the elections are a testament to the benefits of political independence.

According to him, investors and entrepreneurs are now knocking on their doors, more eager than ever to do business.

“As Suriname celebrates and enters into the 46th year of its independence, and as Guyana prepares to celebrate its 55th year of independence next year, I believe that both of us should create a dedicated pathway that would deepen economic and social cooperation. My Government is prepared to exert its energies in working with the Government of Suriname on the creation of such a plan,” President Ali said.

Since President Ali took the reins of Government, there has been a deepening of bilateral relations with Suriname. The Suriname President has spoken of bridging the Corentyne river and, in October, came to Guyana on a state visit.

President Ali returned a visit of his own on Monday to Suriname, where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd and his Surinamese counterpart Albert Ramdin at the Presidential Palace in Paramaribo.

Currently in the design phase, it is understood that the Corentyne River Bridge will be a flat bridge from Guyana to Long Island in the Corentyne River, and then a high-span bridge from there to the Surinamese mainland to allow for heavy marine traffic. This bridge is expected to promote the safe movement of people and products.

Moreover, it is anticipated that Long Island will become an economic hub and free zone that will also see major infrastructural development such as hotels, recreational parks, entertainment spots, tourist attractions, malls and farmers’ markets.

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guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

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

Enough with the violence

Y

esterday (Wednesday, November 25) was observed as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Every year, this day serves as a global advocacy effort aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women.

It is no secret that women worldwide, including those in Guyana, continue to face unacceptable levels of violence in various forms.

The WHO has estimated that nearly 1 in 3 women worldwide has experienced physical and/or sexual violence, mostly from an intimate partner.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further contributed to increasing risks of violence, particularly domestic violence, against women.

The UN recently pointed to reports from countries around the world which suggest that restrictions in movement, social isolation, coupled with increased social and economic pressures, are leading to an increase in violence in the home.

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

According to DSG Mohammed, women bear the brunt of increased care-work during this pandemic. School closures further worsen this burden, and place more stress on women. The disruption of their livelihoods and their ability to earn a living – especially for those women who are informal wage workers – will decrease access to basic needs and services. This situation increases stress on families with the potential to intensify conflict and violence.

Violence against women and children has tremendous costs to communities, and can remain with women and children for a lifetime.

If not dealt with effectively, it can also pass from one generation to another.

Over the years, the UN has been pushing countries towards implementing proactive measures to combat domestic violence.

These measures have included criminalising gender-based violence; holding massive public awareness campaigns; providing training to equip both men and women to act as first responders; and supporting victims of the scourge at the community level.

With effect from 25 November to 10 December, during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, Guyana will join the WHO and other partners to raise awareness about the global need to prevent and respond to violence against women, and provide support to survivors.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has launched a new campaign, <<#enoughwiththeviolence>>, to coincide with the initiative. According to the Ministry, 17 lives have already been lost this year, resulting in 43 children being motherless.

However, not many women admit to being victims of violence.

According to the Ministry, “Domestic violence remains a taboo, shuttered behind closed doors and only emerging as bloody faces, bruised limbs, broken spirits and dead bodies. Fear of societal judgement, insecurities about children and finances, family pressure and manipulation keep this a hushed conversation or result in an overwhelming silence”.

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

We had previously called for urgent action to be taken by the Government and other partners to end violence against women.

We are pleased that some steps are being taken in this regard.

For example, it was recently announced that the 914 emergency hotline will be launched in December, and will link survivors to agencies, advocacy programmes, referral pathways, microenterprise industries, public-private skills employment database matching, and offer immediate help to extricate women from violent situations.

According to the Ministry, the 24-Hour Hotline Operators will offer support, referral to victims and survivors, family, friends and professionals via an integration of the services available at both the Domestic Violence Unit and the Childcare and Protection Agency.

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

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

That said, we again urge the Government to reconvene a stakeholders’ engagement to tackle the issue of domestic violence.

The aim should be to reassess and modify current strategies, taking into account the lessons learnt from past experiences.

First Lady of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, HE Arya Ali and First Lady of Suriname, HE Mellisa Santokhi-Seenacherry at the Independence State dinner to commemorate Suriname’s 45th Independence Anniversary

Dilemma of political and contract workers Dear Editor, The hiring of political advisors, political operatives, and contract workers when a new Government assumes office is a normal and customary practice, as is illustrated by the ‘transition’ between the outgoing administration of President Donald Trump and the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden.

In Guyana, however, this transition, including the hiring of workers, has become an area of contention which has been precipitated by the GPSU (Guyana Public Service Union) and the APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change) political parties (which will henceforth be referred to as PNCR).

These entities had contended, during the PPP/C administration (pre-2015) that the system of appointment of political appointees, advisors, and contact workers also undermined the role of the Public Service Commission (PSC), whose responsibility is to hire, promote, examine work conditions of public servants, and discipline those who are errant. They also alleged that the hiring of contract and political-type employees had placed traditional public servants at a disadvantage. The latter have been getting lower salaries compared with contract and politically appointed workers for doing similar or even higher-level jobs.

However, once in Government, the PNCR bloated the public service employment roll with over 10,000 new employees (during 2015-2020), says a top PPPC Government offi-

cial on a recent Globespan programme. A significant percentage of the new employees were (1) on contract and/or (ii) were party supporters/members. And the GPSU and others kept quiet on this issue, as well as on the massive firing of thousands of workers (1,972 Amerindian CSOs, several hundred Indo-Guyanese in the public service, and 6,000 IndoGuyanese sugar workers who were thought to be supporters of the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/ Civic).

According to a PPP/C Government functionary, “The public service [under the PNCR] was embedded with many political appointees that were found in all the Ministries, and who were on contract and receiving high salaries; had few qualifications, if any; and were not working, except doing open political work for the PNCR. Their services were terminated, but they were given their leave and benefits.”

To decrease the level of contract and/or political appointees, and to enhance workers’ productivity, their professionalism, as well as make them responsive to the requirements of the Government’s policies, the PPPC administration, as did the PNCR Government before but on a much lesser scale, terminated several of those contract and politically appointed workers to clear the way to have their (PPPC) own political appointees, contract workers, and technical advisors to fill some of those positions. The terminations were not carried out ruthlessly, as were done by the PNCR in 2015, but rather in a measured way to ease the level of dis-

ruption.

The President, under the constitution, has the power to appoint and terminate Permanent Secretaries and Regional Executive Officers (REOs).

Accordingly, President Irfaan Ali terminated the services of 8 Permanent Secretaries (PSs) and six (6) Regional Executive Officers (REOs) who were on contract. Three of the PSs were on the fixed establishment, and have been sent on accumulated leave, and would be re-assigned to other positions with same level of remuneration and benefits. Some 20 CEOs (Chief Executive Officers) of state entities have been terminated. Some of them have been linked to corruption and are under criminal investigation.

I have learnt that 60 staff members, comprising personal assistants, confidential secretaries and drivers, who were hired on contract by the former President and his Cabinet, have been terminated. Other staff hired by the PNCR have been placed on the fixed establishment, and therefore remain in the system.

Some of the staff hired by the PNCR administration were terminated because their positions have become redundant consequent upon the reorganisation of a few ministries, like that of Citizenship, and the closure and movement of departmental units like Social Cohesion (SC). The State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) was disbanded.

The lower-level skilled staff will be re-assigned elsewhere. The Energy and Environment Departments are being downsized.

Contrary to some crit-

ics, a Government source confirms that no one on the fixed pensionable establishment has been terminated, and that terminated workers have been given their benefits.

To define those terminations as “ethnic cleansing” is unfortunate and is a reckless use of language. What the PPP/C is doing is to clean up the system to make it more functionally productive and responsive to the needs of the people. PNCR operative Rickford Burke’s claim that over 900 of their PNCR supporters were fired by the PPP/C is patently false.

He also castigated David Granger for sipping tea at Pearl and remaining silent on this perceived travesty.

Well, Mr Granger knows that the figure of 900+ is more than 3 times the actual terminations, and he is also conscious that his PNCR administration fired thousands of workers, including 7,000 alone from the sugar industry, with 6,000 being IndoGuyanese.

To avoid allegations of discrimination or ethnic cleansing, it is advisable that the Government considers bringing legislation to Parliament to determine the optimal level and type of political appointees, contract workers and technical advisors that any Government can hire. And such appointees should be given contracts only for the duration of time that the Government is in office. It should be left to the President of the succeeding government to determine if he/she wants to retain, or terminate, or extend any contract.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

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

A new book critically exposes the destruction of Burnham’s “cooperative socialism” Dear Editor, Economic policy preferences and political power are inextricably linked. Post-World War 2 leaders of newly-independent states are hard-pressed to strike a balance between the two to ensure the viability of the state. In the case of Guyana, the economic and political impact of the Forbes Burnham/ PNC control of Guyanese society since independence remains an area that has generally been understudied by scholars.

A new study undertaken by Dr Ramesh Gampat, and appropriately titled Guyana’s Great Economic Downswing, 1977-1990, takes readers deep into the Forbes Burnham/PNC years, and critically examines Burnham’s bold attempt to mould a new Guyanese society with the imposition of an economic model consistent with his socialist ideology.

Dr Ramesh Gampat, a Guyanaborn economist who worked for three decades with the United Nations Development Programme, has lived through the era in question. This important study falls within his “primary domain of training and expertise”. His ability to present a reader-friendly data-driven study on Guyana’s economic development exposes the PNC government’s failure on two levels during a crucial period during the young nation’s development: the need to establish a functioning democracy following independence, and the experiment to

transform the capitalist-oriented Guyanese economy into a socialist one.

This research creates an opportunity to compare the characteristics of the Guyanese economy before, during and after the consolidation of the PNC dictatorship.

Readers are compelled to note that the data provided as supporting evidence for claims made by the author is quite convincing, revealing and reliable.

More specifically, Dr Gampat’s study focuses on Guyana’s political and economic development from 1977 to 1990, a 14-year period which saw the two major transformative developments in Guyana, the construction of a political dictatorship and the experiment in Cooperative Socialist economic development that was designed to “make the small man a real man”.

The construction of the political dictatorship was facilitated by “party paramountcy” under Forbes Burnham and his ruling People’s National Congress.

The other key aspect of the downswing was a bold move to nationalise and control the economy under the guise of “cooperative socialism”. Both plans were designed to expand the role of the state and its institutions.

The effect was that both of these transformations, occurring almost simultaneously, led to the strengthening of a political dictatorship and economic disaster for Guyana. It is this “dark” period in

Guyana’s development that has led to what Dr Gampat appropriately terms “The Great Economic Downswing,” a 14-year period during which the economy got smaller by 2.7 percent annually.

The strength of the book lies in its marshalling of reliable data to produce a comparative analysis that convincingly supports a central theme, namely that Burnham’s economic experiment was a colossal failure, especially when measured against economic indicators before 1977 and after 1990. This downswing is synonymous with the slide into dictatorship, decline of state functions, and the inability of the state to deliver necessary resources to its population.

Alternatively, when these factors are used as measurements before and after the downswing, the author notes that Guyana’s economy shows economic growth.

During these years, Guyana witnessed out migration, a brain drain, and growing corruption. One glaring fact tells the picture clearly: “Poverty rose from 30 percent of the population in 1971 to 86 percent in 1989. For the 14 years preceding, during and after the Great Downswing, the gain in life expectancy at birth was 1.4 years, 1 year and 3 years respectively”. Guyana was on its way to becoming a failed state, competing with Haiti to be recognized as the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

The 14 years that represent

the Great Downswing to which Dr Gampat referred were identified by a number of specific discernible characteristics of the Guyanese political economy. They include: • Government ownership and control of about 80 percent of the economy by the early 1980s, leading to an over-sized public sector, with the cooperative sector as the third plank of a tri-sectoral economy • An annual mean contraction of the economy by 2.7 percent throughout the Great Downswing • Massive build-up of Government deficit, which averaged 44.2 percent of GDP • Extraordinary deterioration of the physical infrastructure, including roads, drainage and irrigation canals, sea defence, school and health facilities, leading to inefficient use of prime agricultural lands • Steep decline in educational achievement and health care • African-dominated institutions, denial of free and fair elections, and entrenched racism Aside from the destruction of the economy, Burnham’s cooperative socialism had reduced the “size” of the small man, whose life span became shorter and bodymass index (BMI) smaller via sheer malnutrition and the sheer psychological stress of insecurity and impoverishment.

Dr Gampat’s study can serve as a lesson to Guyanese leaders about what type of policies are bound to

produce negative growth or unwanted economic decline. The conclusions of the study are even more revealing. The author identifies a number of important lessons that can be learnt since independence, particularly from the Great Downswing. They include, among others: • Economic growth is not the solution to the country’s long-standing and bitter ethnic problem. In Guyana, growth averaged 3.4 percent since 1991, but ethnic conflict still continues to increase • Corruption is inextricably linked to ethnic conflict (tribalism) and political power • Discrimination, marginalisation and victimisation of Indians were hallmarks of the failed PNC experiment, and ethnic conflict is still a factor in Guyanese politics today.

Written with great clarity and supporting evidence, without the usual economic models that often confuse the layman, this book provides a clear understanding of an understudied period in Guyana’s history, particularly the failed experiment to introduce cooperative socialism under the Burnham dictatorship.

Dictatorship is definitely not a solution to Guyana’s ethnic problem and its economic underdevelopment.

Sincerely, Baytoram Ramharack

If you see, hear or know something, say or do something

Dear Editor, In the midst of COVID-19, crime, corruption, collusion and commerce, the Coalition Party has recently come in for more criticism for its callous performance, including cunning craftsmanship, during its tenure in governance. An ongoing issue is the recent revelation of the oil saga, which is creating mayhem and havoc in many corners, and causing uncomfortable discomfiture. The APNU/AFC Government had signed a lopsided oil agreement that is unfavourable to Guyana’s interest.

Then there is the case of several plots of State land which were leased by individuals and then resold, resulting in huge profits. This has particularly been the case on the East Bank of Demerara. A popular attorney and member of the People’s National Congress Reform, James Bond, has been arrested for questioning in relation to the land giveaways under the former APNU/AFC Coalition.

Another matter of engagement is the process of dumping over $742M worth of expired drugs by the Ministry of Health, which has begun since Thursday. This was disclosed by Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, who added that the drugs have cost approximately $3 million of taxpayers’ money to be wasted.

While COVID-19 is taking a severe toll on the lives of Guyanese, the crime situation is out of control, and its rampage is destroy-

ing the peace of mind of all Guyanese. It is very chaotic and has devastating effects politically, economically, sociologically and psychologically on the lives of all Guyanese and residents of the country and abroad.

This cumbersome problem is causing a panic with relatives abroad, and is currently contributing as a destabilising factor in each and every home in Guyana.

This deplorable and unacceptable matter perpetuates both white collar and blue-collar criminal activities.

Recently, Guyana-born sociologist and former senior lecturer in the faculty of Social Science at the University of Guyana, Dr. Tara Singh, had ample reasons to write not once, but twice, this month regarding the terrible and horrific crime situation in Guyana.

He has articulated some of the damaging effects, and has called for a national forum to engage in a conversation regarding this heinous situation. Dr. Tara Singh has also impressed the urgency of this forum because of the gravity of its explosiveness. Many editorial pieces, reporters and writers have echoed and endorsed his sentiments, and reiterated the need for the immediate intervention of Government.

The past Government had turned a blind eye to this challenge, and had opened the room to entertain speculations. Guyana has been the victim of so much corruption and collusion under

the APNU/AFC regime, and it is only now that Guyanese are becoming aware of all the white-collar crimes committed during that regime’s past five years in office. Even though this comes as no surprise, it is the Guyanese public, more so the man in the street, who has to pay the cost.

As if to add salt to the profusely bleeding wound, since the publication of Dr. Singh’s last article, it would seem as if crime has taken an affront, and criminals have been further provoked. It is as if they are competing with the law enforcement officers and challenging them to come catch them. A recent spate of incidents is grave concern for reflection: On Nov. 20th, Deonarine Harripersaud was robbed of $3 million dollars while withdrawing cash at the bank in Number Nauth Village, Upper Corentyne, East Berbice. last Friday, it was discovered that there is a $150 million fraud at the Finance Dept. of the Guyana Police Force. A Sophia couple, Nyron Wilson, 33, and Nadira John, 19, were busted with $1.5 million in narcotics.

Some 116 persons were arrested in Berbice for breaching the COVID-19 protocols last Friday and Saturday.

11 GRA staffers were suspended last Saturday as authorities continue their investigation into the Belgium seizure of 11.5 tons of cocaine shipped from Guyana, worth about US$1 billion. Last Saturday, Koretta Otho, 28, of Plaisance, ECD, was confronted by armed bandits in

front of her home and robbed of some $100 thousand worth of cash and articles. 3 inmates escaped last Saturday from the Lusignan Holding Bay. The issue of people escaping from the prisons has to do with administrative issues at the prisons. There is corruption at the level of the prison officers. We have been firing prison officers for smuggling ganja, rum, vodka, whiskey, and cigarettes into the prisons.

There are issues of prisoners making knives there, and so searches have to be conducted, a senior officer explained. Last Sunday, a 52- year-old man from Tuschen Housing Scheme, EBE allegedly took his life.

An argument over undercooked rice resulted in a woman stabbing her brother to death at Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo on Sunday afternoon. Eight men from Corentyne, East Berbice, were arrested on Sunday for engaging in cock-fighting and for being in breach of the COVID-19 emergency measures. On Monday night, CANU intercepted a Suriname-based Guyanese woman with 1.948 kilograms of cocaine at the CJIA. 53-year-old businessman Terrence Dickie of Soesdyke, EBD was shot dead in the wee hours of Monday by armed bandits during a home invasion. Last Monday, illegal logs from illegal mining were seized in the Potaro-Siparuni area.

It is obvious that the crime situation is massively out of control, and re-

inforcement is required from the Police Force, the GDF, the People’s Militia, the Neighbourhood Watch Committees, the private security firms, and the public at large.

The Government is encouraged to take immediate actions and steps to curb this gigantic problem, and the Minister of Home Affairs is urged to pay attention to

Dr. Tara Singh’s suggestions. This matter is past “nipping in the bud”, and is deeply rooted in the heart of Guyana and seeded in each home. Guyanese are urged: if you see, hear or know something, say or do something.

It is your life that may be at stake.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Page

Foundation ◄

Æsop’s Fables

T

he basic metric unit of mass is the gram (g).

There are also milligrams (mg); centigrams (cg) and kilograms (kg).

Since you know about metric prefixes, you could probably make the following list yourself!

1cg = 10mg 1g = 100cg 1kg = 1000g Remember All metric units are powers of 10

Example:

How many grams are in an object that has a mass of 4.5kg?

Step 1: Think: 1000g = 1kg

What do I need?

Two 1-quart milk cartons Two small pocket mirrors (flat, square ones work best) Utility knife or X-Acto knife Ruler Pencil or pen Masking tape

DANGER!

An X-Acto knife is very, very sharp. Have a grownup do all the cutting in this activity.

Instructions

1. Use the knife to cut around the top of each milk carton, removing the peaked "roof".

2. Cut a hole at the bottom of the front of one milk carton. Leave about 1/4 inch of carton on each side of the hole.

3. Put the carton on its side and turn it so the hole you just cut is facing to your right. On the side that's facing up, measure 2 and 3/4 inches up the left edge of the carton, and use the pencil to make a mark there.

Now, use your ruler to draw a diagonal line from the bottom right corner to the mark you made.

4. Starting at the bottom right corner, cut on that line. Don't cut all the way to the left edge of the carton – just make the cut as long as one side of your mirror.

If your mirror is thick, widen the cut to fit.

5. Slide the mirror through the slot so the reflecting side faces the hole in the front of the carton. Tape the mirror loosely in place.

6. Hold the carton up to your eye and look through the hole that you cut. You should see your ceiling

FOR CHILDREN Step 2: Multiply 1000 by 4.5 = 4500g.

Exercises: Calculate 1) 200g = ______kg 2) 30kg = __________ mg 3) 300mg + 1200g = __________ g 4) 10g + 4500mg = _____ kg 5) 10g + 100kg = __________ g 6) 450mg + 55kg = __________ g 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

Wednesday’s answers 1.1l = __1100____ml 0.69l = _____690_____ ml 300ml + 1200l = ______1200.3____ l 10l + 100ml = __0.0101___ kl 10kl + 10ml = ____ 10,000.01______ l 45l + 55l = ____100,000______ ml

through the top of the carton. If what you see looks tilted, adjust the mirror and tape it again.

7. Repeat steps 2 through 6 with the second milk carton.

8. Stand one carton up on a table, with the hole facing you. Place the other carton upside-down, with the mirror on the top and the hole facing away from you.

9. Use your hand to pinch the open end of the upside-down carton just enough for it to slide into the other carton. Tape the two cartons together.

10. Now you have a periscope! If you look through the bottom hole, you can see over fences that are taller than you. If you look through the top hole, you can see under tables. If you hold it sideways, you can see around corners.

Pull quote

Wow! I didn't know that!

Periscope comes from two Greek words, peri, meaning "around", and scopus, "to look". A periscope lets you look around walls, corners, or other obstacles. Submarines have periscopes so the sailors inside can see what's on the surface of the water, even if the ship itself is below the waves.

How does my periscope work?

Light always reflects away from a mirror at the same angle that it hits the mirror. In your periscope, light hits the top mirror at a 45-degree angle and reflects away at the same angle, which bounces it down to the bottom mirror. That reflected light hits the second mirror at a 45-degree angle and reflects away at the same angle, right into your eye. (Excerpted from exploratorium.edu)

A

crab one day grew disgusted with the sands in which he lived. He decided to take a stroll to the meadow not far inland. There he would find better fare than briny water and sand mites. So off he crawled to the meadow. But there a hungry fox spied him, and in a twinkling, ate him up, both shell and claw.

WORD SEARCH

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7

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Local Content Panel submits 1st report to Natural Resources Minister

– with recommendations on how Guyanese can benefit from foreign investments

A

lmost three months after it was first established, the Advisory Panel on Local Content that was convened

by President Dr. Irfaan Ali has submitted its first report to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat.

It is understood that the report contains recommendations on how Guyana can go about building a strong local content framework, not only for the oil and gas sector, but also for other non-oil sectors.

Previously, the Natural Resources Minister had held a meeting with the panel, during which the importance of providing opportunities in the oil and gas sector for goods and services produced locally, as well as for skilled and semi-skilled labour, was emphasised.

And as part of their work towards compiling the report, the panel had held a number of engagements with stakeholders, including the private sector and government agencies like

the Department of Energy.

President Ali had assembled the team of experts at the end of August to advise Government on the formulation of a strong Local Content Policy that would ensure all citizens benefit from the country’s lucrative oil and gas sector, as well as other sectors that see Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Among the experts on the panel is Trinidadian Local Content expert Anthony Paul. Paul has played a critical role in the formulation of local content policies in Ghana, and has been vocal about local content issues in Guyana.

Paul is the Principal Consultant, Energy and Strategy, Association of Caribbean Energy Specialist Limited. He spearheaded a Rapid Analysis of the State of Readiness of Guyana’s Hydrocarbon Regulatory Framework study facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2016.

Chair of the Local Content Panel, Shyam Nokta handing over the report to Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat

Also on the panel is former Foreign Affairs Minister under the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, Carl Greenidge. Greenidge, an economist by profession, also served as Finance Minister from 1983 to 1992.

Apart from Paul and Greenidge, the panel includes former Trinidad

Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine. Ramnarine is no stranger to these shores, having given speeches and been vocal on energy-related issues affecting Guyana.

Ramnarine served as the Minister of Energy of Trinidad and Tobago (2011 to 2015). During his tenure, he created a positive climate for investment, including the fiscal reforms which re-

sulted in major investments in deep-water exploration.

Prior to being appointed Energy Minister, he held positions in the Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago and at British Gas, where he worked as the Lead Economist.

Ramnarine holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry; a Master of Science degree in Petroleum

Engineering; and a Master’s Degree in Business (MBA).

Since leaving ministerial office, he has worked as an energy consultant and as a lecturer at the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business.

The panel also includes Finance Professor Floyd Haynes and trade unionist Carvil Duncan. Haynes is an adjunct Professor in Finance and Accounting at the University of the District of Columbia and a public lecturer in Leadership and Management.

Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Head, former presidential advisor Shyam Nokta, is the Chairman of the panel. Nokta also previously served as Head of the Office of Climate Change, where he coordinated Guyana’s response to climate change, the development and implementation of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), and REDD+ Partnership with the Kingdom of Norway.

Govt making efforts to increase ease of doing business – Walrond ...single-window system among initiatives in pipeline as regional MoU signed

Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond

T

he Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) on Wednesday inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with other members of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) manufacturing associations.

The signing of the MoU took place via virtual means, and saw representatives from other regional manufacturing associations taking part.

Regional Trade Ministers also took part in the event, with Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, promoting the local economy.

“As you know, Guyana is making giant economic steps, and our projected economic growth for 2020 is 26.2 per cent. This positive trajectory is expected to continue in 2021. I know a lot of this has been tied to oil production, but let me

say that our manufacturing (sector deserves credit),” Walrond said.

The Minister also invited manufacturers in the Caribbean to pursue partnerships with Guyana.

According to her, the Government is ensuring that an enabling environment for doing business in Guyana is created.

“From a Government standpoint, we are pursuing all approaches to create an enabling environment for trade and investment.

We are working diligently to implement the single windows project, which will positively impact the ease of doing business in Guyana.

“We are also committed to improving the cost and reliability of electricity supply. We expect this will significantly reduce manufacturing cost, bringing Guyana closer in alignment to international reality,” she explained.

Meanwhile, GMSA Executive Ramsay Ali signed the MoU on behalf of his association. He was optimistic that the MoU would result in greater collaboration to address issues with trade in the region.

“We have an MoU now, (we can) deal with the macro issues. We talked about collaboration with the established associations in Caricom, then this is a good place for us to start. We know what the issues are, we have touched on the issues, and I’m sure we can deal with them in such a way that all our territories will benefit,” Ali said.

has been a flurry of investor interest in Guyana. This interest has seen visits from teams led by Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum, a member of the ruling family of Dubai, and the head of the United States (US) Development Bank, Adam Boehler, to Guyana.

The Government has also taken steps in the 2020 budget to attract more in-

GMSA Executive Ramsay Ali

In the World Bank’s 2020 Doing Business Report, Guyana was ranked at 134 out of 190 countries.

This came with a score of 55.5. The Ease of Doing Business Index is one of the most comprehensive studies done by the World Bank, in which it looks at key indicators such as registering, compliance, taxation, obtaining loans and similar factors such as administrative procedures. It also looks at legal measures such as protection and settlements.

The World Bank’s 2018 Report had rated Guyana 134 among 190 economies in the ease of doing business; eight places down from 2017’s 126 global ranking.

Previously, Guyana ranked 124th in 2016 and an alltime high in 2015 at 140.

The country’s best ranking was in 2008 when it was ranked a record low of 98.

With President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s ascension to the reins of government in August of this year, there

vestors in various sectors.

For instance, several key budget measures were introduced, including tax concessions on agro-processing, cold storage and packaging; the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on exports, and allowing exporters, including those in the fishing, rice and timber industries, to reclaim input VAT. There were also mea-

sures to reduce investment and production costs, including the removal of VAT on building and construction materials, electricity and water; the removal of VAT on fertilizers, agro-chemicals, pesticides and key inputs into the poultry sector; and the zero-rating of the poultry industry.

8 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Man gets 10 years for killing taxi driver during robbery

T

wenty-three-year-old Shawn Collins was on Tuesday sentenced to 10 years in prison for the January 2014 unlawful killing of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD) taxi driver Raphael Campbell.

Collins, who was initially charged with the capital offence of murder, opted to plead guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

The sentence was handed down by Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara.

Collins was jointly charged with former Police Constable Shawn Edinboro and Michael Bishop for the heinous crime. A date is yet to be set for Edinboro’s and Bishop’s court hearing.

Shawn Collins

trio

It was reported that the murdered 30-year-old

Campbell between January 2 and January 3, 2014. Reports are that on January 2, 2020, Campbell picked up a few male passengers at Camp Street, Georgetown and took them to a village on the East Coast of Demerara, where he was robbed and slain.

His body was found the next day.

Police had stated that Edinboro, Bishop, Collins and some other men were stopped at a roadblock on the LindenSoesdyke Highway. They were found in a motor car that was stolen from Campbell.

During the sentence hearing, State Prosecutor Tyra Bakker said that Collins’ killing was a senseless and cowardly

act. The Prosecutor pointed out that the taxi driver was killed while plying his trade, leaving a family behind to mourn.

The Prosecutor urged the court that the sentence should be one that reflected the nature and gravity of the crime and served as a deterrent to others from committing such an offence.

“A message should be sent to youths that they should not succumb to peer pressure,” Bakker added.

In the end, Justice Singh sentenced Collins to 10 years in prison and ordered that the prison authorities deduct the time he spent in pre-trial custody.

Protecting…

A

…our border couple of days ago, 26 Haitians were nabbed in two buses on route to Lethem, and 5 persons who arranged for their travel were arrested. No, they weren’t arrested because they obviously violated the COVID-19 regulations on public transportation, which forbid them from accepting more than half of their normal passenger load. The charges, we were told, were for “trafficking” the Haitians.

Not to get too technical, but when the subject was raised the last time, before the elections, when scads of Haitians were plying the same route, the PNC, then in Government, had pointed out that the element of “coercion” necessary for the “trafficking in persons” charge to stick was missing.

The Haitians were willing to get over to Brazil or Suriname, and not many were staying in Guyana.

But the international law on the subject also covers trafficking migrants - which these Haitians are. The UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) says this about “migrant smuggling”: “Smuggling of Migrants is a crime involving the procurement for financial or other material benefit of illegal entry of a person into a State of which that person is not a national or resident. It undermines the integrity of countries and communities, and costs thousands of people their lives every year.”

The second objection that the PNC had raised, which had something to do with this smuggling of migrants, was that it would violate our obligations to Haiti as a member of Caricom - which promotes the “free movement of citizens” in our territories. But they failed to acknowledge that at the 29th intersessional meeting of Caricom leaders in February 2018, there was an agreement that while Haitians could enter a Caricom country freely by just presenting a passport, they had to prove that they had sufficient financial resources to live during a period of 6 months, without becoming a burden on the country visited.

For Guyana, this would mean at least US$500 monthly, or US$3000 for the six months for each person.

Now, every Guyanese who tried to enter Barbados over the last three decades should known their chagrin about this demand - even though they were card carrying (or visa bearing) members of CariCom. We protested then, but our leaders had to concede that Barbados had a right to deal with potential burdens on their state treasury.

Fact of the matter is that with Guyana projected to be the only economy in the region to grow in the near future - and what growth: 26%!! - we should expect a huge influx of persons who would want to remain here. We’ll move from an “in-transit” route to a fixed destination.

We need an immigration and international border policy right now! …our lives From the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the beginning of the year - we had our first case (imported) in March - epidemiologists warned about a “second wave”.

This was based on experience from previous epidemics and pandemics. It was caused by a number of factors - for example, mutations of the virus, but especially from folks relaxing on precautionary measures over time. Well, the US and Europe are in the throes of their “second wave”, with exponential rises in their infection and hospitalization rates. But yet the US just warned its citizens to refrain for travelling to Guyana! What does that tell us about our state of affairs on the COVID front? And it IS A “front” - as in a “war front”!

We’ve opened up to save our economy, and so ought not to be surprised at our sustained infection rate. Every gathering has some potential for transmission. The point is, if people meet and don’t wear masks, the chances of infection rise.

Enforcement must be toughened!! Fines for “no masks”! …the licence to loot The PNC lawyer - whom they gave the licence to loot after being arrested over the Peters Hall looting, protested that he wasn’t given a lie detector test!

There’s now a constitutional right to a lie detector test?

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

NEWS

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

State Visit to Suriname…

Policymakers must create environment for developmental opportunities – President Ali …says Guyana-Suriname relations will unlock massive economic prospects

G

uyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali has posited that, as policymakers, political leaders owe it to their people to create an enabling environment for developmental opportunities.

The President made the remarks last evening during his address at a dinner reception hosted

by Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and First Lady Mellisa Santokhi-Seenacherry to usher in the country’s 45th Independence Anniversary.

President Ali is leading a

President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and President Irfaan Ali pose with the Guyanese delegation

President Irfaan Ali and his Surinamese counterpart, President Chandrikapersad Santokhi sharing a light moment during the reception

high-level delegation to the Dutch-speaking republic on his first overseas visit since taking office in August.

He is expected to return to Guyana today.

Ali hailed the strengthened cooperation between

Guyana and Suriname as a milestone in bilateral relations, which has economic and human resources’ potential that would positively impact the Guiana Shield.

The President pointed to the importance of necessary investment, efficient business structure, greater connectivity, and about bridging the existing gaps towards social cohesion. He said these components would also contribute to enhanced private sector participation.

“Today, both of our countries present exciting opportunities for the private sector.

We have the duty as leaders, as policymakers, to create an

enabling environment so that the private sector can benefit from the possibilities. It is in this spirit that we celebrate today. But as my brother from Brazil said, the fundamentals for society are democracy, security and the rule of law, and we must ensure at all times that these principles remain the foundation upon which we build our societies and communities.

“The time has come for us to translate our potential into action by outlining a clear vision, a clear path that is time-bound, so that all of our people can understand the common destination, the common path that

President Irfaan Ali addressing the reception

we would like our development to take,” he said.

The Head of State noted that the future requires a private sector that is vibrant and outward-looking. He explained that it requires a private sector that can incorporate opportunities beyond its national borders and boundaries.

He also extended Independence Day greeting to the Surinamese people: “It gives me great honour and privilege to convey congratulations on behalf of the people of Guyana to the people of Suriname as you celebrate

your 45th Anniversary. We wish you nothing but continued success. We wish you prosperity, and we wish that the citizens of Suriname would continue to enjoy good health and peace,” Ali informed.

Meanwhile, Surinamese President Santokhi reflected on his hopes and aspirations as a young man on the eve of independence. He noted that despite the contentious period the country endured, political leaders found a way to enter a new harmonious phase.

TURN TO PAGE 11

10 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Father holds mother Businesswoman, husband robbed at gunpoint at gunpoint, abducts – suspect nabbed with over $2M, other items A newborn baby

P

olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the abduction of a newborn girl which occurred on November 24 at around 20:45hrs at the Tuschen Squatting Area, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

The mother, a 19-year-old, told investigators that she was breast-feeding the baby at home when the child’s father – with whom she had shared a relationship – appeared in the house and demanded that she hand over the baby. The teen mom said she refused to hand over the child, and the man whipped out a handgun and pointed it in her direction. He then took the baby and escaped.

The matter was reported to the Police, and ranks immediately began searching for the suspect. He was later intercepted in public transportation, with the baby in his possession.

In fact, the baby was being held by a female passenger in the vehicle.

They were all taken to the Vreeden-Hoop Police Station, where they were questioned.

The female passenger claimed that she does not know the suspect, and that he had asked her to hold the baby just before the lawmen stopped the vehicle. The suspect has confirmed the woman’s story.

The father remains in Police custody and the child has been handed over to her mother. When contacted, Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Police Force, Royston Andries-Junor, confirmed that investigations are ongoing into the matter.

49-year-old businesswoman and her husband were on Tuesday evening robbed by two armed men at Mabura, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Based on reports received on the day in question, the victims went about their business and when they arrived home at approximately 23:00h, they were confronted by an armed suspect who pointed a firearm at the businesswoman and demanded that she hand over her belongings while his accomplice waited outside on a motorcycle.

The armed man discharged several rounds into the air as he relieved her of a bag containing $3.4 million, a quantity of raw gold valued $800,000 and a wedding band valued at $80,000.

After committing the robbery, the men escaped on the motorcycle. The couple later discovered that their home had been ransacked and two smartphones along with a GPS were missing.

The matter was reported and based on information received, Police ranks went to a location in Mabura where they saw a parked black XR motorcycle

The items that were recovered

without registration plates.

As the Police ranks continued to search the area, a male was seen and he reportedly discharged several rounds at the ranks who attempted to apprehend him.

Nevertheless, he was cornered and caught. He was identified as a 30-year-old pork-knocker of Wismar, Linden.

A search of his person unearthed a black haversack containing $2.33 million, a digital

scale, two cellphones and one .38 Special Revolver with five live rounds of ammunition.

Meanwhile, the black XR motorcycle which was found at the scene was identified as the one that was reported stolen by a 30-year-old plant operator of Buck Hill, Wismar Squatting Area on Monday. The suspect is in custody assisting with investigations as the Police launch a manhunt for the other suspect.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

9 foreign companies express interest to revitalise sugar industry

S

Skeldon Sugar Estate

everal entities across the globe have signalled their interest in partnering with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) as the Government of Guyana forges ahead with plans to reopen the Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon sugar estates.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar

Enmore Sugar Estate

Srinivasa, said that at least three Indian companies have already expressed interest in entering into a joint venture with the Guyana Government, and more companies are likely to come on board.

“Already three companies have expressed their interest in coming…in response to the Government’s

pointed to the sugar sector in India, which is completely occupied by the Private Sector. Dr Srinivasa explained that almost all the sugar mills there have diversified their operations, thus making their ventures more profitable.

Under the previous APNU/AFC Government, four of Guyana’s seven es-

circular… The next process is awaiting [a decision from Government]. As far as I understand, there are many companies that have already expressed their interest, so once that Expression of Interest phase is over, [the Government] will call for consultations…,” Dr Srinivasa had said.

The notice inviting EOIs was first published back in September, and noted that “The Government of Guyana, as the sole shareholder, is supportive of this initiative to invite interests from the Private Sector to participate in different forms in the ownership or operation of GuySuCo.” According to the Indian High Commissioner, the introduction of the Private Sector into the sugar industry would yield good results for Guyana. In fact, he

tates – Wales, Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon – were closed, resulting in thousands of sugar workers being placed on the breadline.

The PPP had promised on the elections campaign trail to reopen these estates, and within weeks of being in office, have taken steps in this direction while also injecting funds to keep the cash-strapped and heavily indebted GuySuCo afloat with the three remaining estates – Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt.

During a tour of the estates in Berbice last month, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said Government is hopeful to have the Private Sector on board in reviving the sugar industry to a viable state.

He had noted that already there has been good feedback from the local Private

Rose Hall Sugar Estate

Corporation (GuySuCo), Sasenarine Singh, without delving into much details, related that nine foreign entities along with one local company have signalled interest in joining hands with the Corporation for the revitalisation of the industry.

He was keen to note that the process is still in its infancy stage and requires all the “business confidentiality” that could be afforded at this time. However, he stated that thus far they have received EOIs from Asia, North America, South America and the Caribbean.

“Interests are being expressed in sugar refinery, ethanol production, several applications for agro-energy, distillery and packaged sugar,” he said.

Recently, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency Dr KJ

Policymakers must create...

“It gives me great pleasure to thank each of you for honouring the people of Suriname at this highest level. As we face the challenges of the future, I wish to thank you for your support in ensuring that we succeed in shaping Suriname into a prosperous country; a safe and democratic place that abides by the rules of laws, and honours its international obligations. Your support in moving Suriname forward is highly appreciated, and we are grateful for that,” the Suriname leader said.

He said the ties between the countries are “historically old”, and expressed his confidence that the shared

values and interests would continue to be a force of unity, and that the alliances forged would endure.

“We are bound by history and by the ties between our people. Let us cherish these bonds and unpack their possibilities… As we celebrate our alliances for decades to come, I wish to invite you to raise your glasses to the continued friendship between our countries, of our peoples, and to the prosperity and happiness of all!”

President Ali and a delegation of high-level Government officials have also engaged in a series of bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation, developing greater syn-

FROM PAGE 9

ergies, and advancing strategic dialogue on mutually beneficial projects.

On Tuesday, Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd and his Surinamese counterpart Albert Ramdin signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two nations for the bridging of the Corentyne River – the border between Guyana and Suriname.

Another of the agreements inked between the two countries is the Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform Agreement, which outlines areas of mutual interest and provides a platform for investment and collaboration.

Sector in investing in the sugar sector.

Moreover, the Agriculture Minister had pointed out that due to gross neglect under the coalition regime, the three remaining factories are now only operating at 40-60 per cent capacity. In order to correct this situation and restore the estates to full operation,

the Guyana Government has tapped into India’s expertise in the sector.

He said requests for technical assistance in the areas of both factory operations as well as field cultivation were made.

Under new leadership, GuySuCo has already embarked on steps to revamp the industry and has already

rehired hundreds of sugar workers who were previously sacked. It was reported that by year-end, some 300 workers would be rehired at the Skeldon Estate alone.

Meanwhile, Minister Mustapha has also engaged private cane farmers in Berbice, who produce 32 per cent of the sugarcanes used

by GuySuCo.

12 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

School uniform cash grant distribution kicks off in Linden

Minister Priya Manickchand handing over a voucher to a parent on Tuesday

T

he cash grant distribution of students’ uniform vouchers was officially launched in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Tuesday.

This came on the heels of Prime Minister Mark Phillips launching a similar project in Kwakwani on Friday last.

In Linden on Tuesday, Education Minister Priya

Manickchand explained that $4,000 grant is being handed over in an effort to provide assistance to parents and students in the form of uniform and school-related supplies.

The Minister assured those present at the launch that the Ministry is working in all the administrative regions to ensure that the educational needs of students are met, despite

the challenges that came with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister added that the school grant is just one form of assistance which would be provided to citizens by the Government.

The Minister reiterated that the distribution of the vouchers is in preparation for reopening of schools, while adding that the Ministry is aware of the struggles faced by parents during the pandemic and assured that the ‘We Care’ cash grant which was started by the PPP/C administration will continue next year with each student in the public school sector receiving $15,000.

This, she explained, will continue to grow until it reaches $50,000 within the next 5 years.

“These are ways we hope we can bring a little bit of relief…It will not cater for all your needs…but it’s going to be an assistance…I really hope that

Education Minister Priya Manickchand addressing parents and students in Linden

we can lighten your pockets…”, the Minister iterated.

Manickchand further stated that her Ministry is expected to provide students with the necessary textbooks as another means of support.

“We know that parents particularly are very worried about their children’s education. We know you are concerned deeply about (your children) being out of school. We know you are worried about what would happen to your children’s future, and the truth is you have every reason to worry. We are also worried because all the research in the world that has been

done on the issue suggests very clearly that the longer you stay out of school, the more you are likely to suffer from learning loss…We are aware, too, that while we have this responsibility to make sure we engage your children, we have to do it safely.”

She related that studies have shown that the longer students stay out of school, the more likely they are to drop out.

The Minister said COVID-19 has caused severe disruption to the education system across the world.

“Many of your children have not been engaged. I know particularly we were

talking to teachers here in Linden… and I am aware that less than 60 percent of your students have been engaged online. What we look forward to do is to find different ways…that we can engage our children…

Teachers use all kinds of methods and means to try to engage our students. We know, though, that that has challenges, because not everybody has internet and some who have internet it’s not strong enough; and not everybody has devices.”

Manickchand told parents that the Ministry has worked tirelessly to ensure students at all levels are engaged academically through the radio, television via the Guyana Learning Channel, worksheets, or virtually. It was noted that worksheets have proven to be most effective in reaching students at all levels across every region.

In addition, she noted that printed worksheets are being distributed as a means to ensure that students are meaningfully engaged.

NEWS

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls

43 children motherless after 17 women slaughtered by partners in 2020

– Guyana launches #enoughwiththeviolence campaign launched the 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM in Guyana on Wednesday.

The Minister said in her message there should be

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud

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s Guyana joins the rest of the world in observing the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, it was pointed out that 17 women were killed by their partners for the year thus far, leaving at least 43 children motherless.

This was revealed by Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud, who on Wednesday launched the #enoughwiththeviolence campaign that is aimed at bringing definitive actions to eliminate domestic violence in Guyana.

“I launch a primary prevention campaign aimed at reducing violence against women - #enoughwiththeviolence. Our stance together will create an umbrella of protection for legions of women. We must be the hope for children, so they will not have to live without the love of their mothers; and we must be the conscience of a country that will not tolerate an iota of violence against women. #enoughwiththeviolence,” the Minister said in her message.

She added that the Domestic Violence Hotline – 914 emergency hotline – will be launched next month to link survivors to various agencies, advocacy programmes, referral pathways, microenterprise industries, public-private skills’ employment database matching; and offer immediate help to extricate women from violent situations.

She stressed that every incident of domestic violence should be reported, in an effort to preserve life and in getting potential victims out before it becomes too late.

The 24-hour hotline operators will offer support, referral to victims and survivors, family, friends and professionals via an integration of the services available at both the Domestic Violence Unit and the Childcare and Protection Agency. Nine Social Workers were trained through the Survivors Advocacy Programme to offer emotional support and crisis counselling to victims of domestic and sexual violence, and to act on the victims’ behalf when necessary.

“A sustained multi-sec-

toral approach and critical partnerships with civil society organisations and other stakeholders will create the momentum to stop this relentless escalation of violence. A centralised database system will be developed in the first quarter of 2021 to facilitate information sharing and capture reports in a systematic manner, to guide intervention and programme and policy development,” she said.

In addition, she noted that while the lives of women are at constant risk, some women are still afraid to come forward and say they are victims.

Domestic violence remains a taboo in Guyana, shuttered behind closed doors and only emerging as bloody faces, bruised limbs, broken spirits and dead bodies, Dr Persaud pointed out.

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

She noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has kept many women in proximity to their abusers, and reporting has become challenging. Fists, knives, guns, hurtful words continue to be used, instead of discussion or counselling.

“We all know that violence against women is a heinous crime; that it is a pervasive breach of human rights; yet, it continues to be one of the longest, hardest challenges to the world, and involves psyches, attitudes, poverty, cultures, emotional manipulation, substance abuse and lack of education.

While we struggle to find the solution, women continue to cower in fear, tell doctors that they fell down the stairs to explain injuries from merciless beatings, and lawyers and case workers continue to plead with them to stay away from their perpetrators,” Minister Persaud said.

She called on everyone to play their part to expose violence against women where it exists, support the women, work with the perpetrators, create safe spaces, educate persons, and share solutions.

The Minister also

no more violence against women in the dark. The Spotlight is on it through a one billion Guyana dollars’ donation from the

European Union/United Nations Spotlight investment in strategic and catalytic programmes, given to address the root causes

of violence against women and to develop strong safety nets to support women in violent circumstances over a three year-period.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Crabwood Creek residents call out NDC for corruption, neglect of responsibilities

Local Development Minister residents of Crabwood Creek

Nigel Dharamlall addresses

esidents have vented their concerns over the services provided by the Crabwood Creek Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). These include poor customer service and neglect of responsibili-

ties.

During a recent meeting with Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall, residents posited that more needed to be done by the members of the NDC while

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highlighting that the infrastructure in the community was deteriorating.

In addition, one resident claimed that he was verbally abused by a Councillor; the Minister has since asked the Regional Executive Officer to look into the allegation.

He noted that the Ministry would not condone such behaviour.

“Any staff of any NDC that behaves like that will be taken to the Local Government Commission,” the Minister said.

Meanwhile, Chandrradoe Damru told the Minister that the NDC Chairman attempted to remove the members of the Management Board without a reason.

He also accused office staff

A resident raising a concern at the outreach

and members of the Water Users’ Association of corruption.

“These are complaints that are being received from different areas of the country. I would encourage him too that the waters users should be audited so that we

can know how the resources are spent. This is not the first complaint I have received about the Water Users Association and I know for a fact that [the] Agriculture Minister is addressing them,” Dharamlall stated.

Another resident, Sahadeo Anga told the Minister that the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) had been destroying the streets and that the NDC was informed, but the situation remained unchanged. The deteriorating streets were a major concern for the residents.

“When someone gets sick is a problem to get them to the hospital. As soon as it

drizzle, you have to put on a [pair of] long boots. We also need some street lights,” he said.

In addition, the residents called on the Minister to lobby GTT to install landline phones in the community.

However, the Minister promised that some repairs would be done on the streets while outlining that the way forward would be for the NDC to have consultations with the community before it embarked on any project.

He also promised residents that street lights would be installed in the community before the end of the year.

“But you would have to decide as a community, which are the critical areas to be fixed and I will support whatever the community decides and as for the street lights, you will decide where they will go. You will make that decision; not the NDC. As a matter of fact, part of our new way of work is that the NDC will have to go out in the community and meet with you to determine priorities,” the Minister added.

GTT announces winners of Diwali Home Light Up Competition

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1st prize winner

TT has rewarded three talented individuals with free Internet service for three months, as a result of their submissions to the company’s Diwali Home Light Up Competition.

“2020 has been a challenging year and we wanted to remind Guyanese that while we practise social distancing during this pandemic, we are connected as a people – and taking time to celebrate special occasions, like Diwali, remains important as a means to unite and literally provide rays of hope to us all,” GTT Chief Marketing Officer Orson Ferguson stated.

“Our virtual competition awarded very real effort to ‘light up’ homes and other special places with creativity. We thank those who participated – and whole-

3rd prize winner

2nd prize winner

heartedly congratulate our winners,” Ferguson added.

Deodat Siriram, T ejyas Dasa Singh and Ambika KowlessarLalbarry were awarded first, second and third place respectively, based on their submissions and online votes received.

They will receive three months of Broadband service courtesy of the telecommunications giant.

The online Diwali Home Light Up Competition was l a u n c h e d

by GTT earlier this month with an open invitation to persons to submit an image of their light-up in celebration of Diwali 2020.

15 CIOG donates over 200,000 face masks in fight against COVID-19 NEWS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Some of the masks that were handed over on Wednesday

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ith the aim of fighting the COVID-19 pan-

demic, the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) on Wednesday do-

Guyana procures US$4M in heavy-duty drainage pumps from India

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K J Srinivasa and team inspecting the installation of one of the drainage pumps

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obile and fixed heavy-duty drainage pumps which were procured under a Line of Credit financing of US$4 million from India are being installed at several locations around the country.

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, H E Dr K J Srinivasa, on Wednesday visited the wards of Ruimveldt and Sussex Street, Albuoystown in Georgetown and Nootenzuil and Hope on the East Coast

tions - at Devonshire Castle and Hampton Court on the Essequibo Coast on 18th November, where installation of two fixed pumps is being carried out at each station.

This work is progressing as per plan, and is expected to be completed by first week of December 2020.

The Government of India arranged procurement and installation of nine fixed and three mobile high-capacity irrigation pumps for agricultur-

The technical team installing one of the pumps

of Demerara (ECD) to have a first-hand look at the installation and commissioning of the pumps.

The pumps are being installed by a technical team from India. The mobile pumps were installed at Ruimveldt and Sussex Street, Georgetown, while fixed pumps are being commissioned at Nootenzuil and Hope, ECD. High Commissioner Srinivasa had also visited two other pump sta-

al purposes and for mitigation of flooding in Georgetown and its environs.

The contract for the work was awarded to M.S Apollo International Limited of Gurgaon, India, which has been working with the National Drainage & Irrigation Authority (NDIA) of Guyana.

Supervision for installation and commissioning of all the 12 pumps will be carried out by the Indian company in the next two months.

nated 200,000 facemasks for distribution to several Government Ministries.

These masks will be distributed to the Health, Education, and Human Services and Social Security Ministries.

In brief remarks, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony expressed Government’s gratitude to the CIOG, and noted that acquiring personal protective equipment (PPE) has been challenging during the pandemic.

“We are grateful from the inception that the CIOG has been partnering with us and has made several donations to the most vulnerable persons in our population…

This gesture of goodwill in our time of need will certainly go a far way in this pandemic,” Dr Anthony said.

Human Services Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud echoed similar sentiments, while noting that her Ministry deals with the country’s vulnerable population, and the masks would provide much-needed protection during the pandemic.

From L-R: CIOG President(ag), Goolzar Namdar; Sheikh Moeen ul Hack; Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud, CIOG General Manager Shameena Haniff-Najab; and Director of the National COVID-19 Task Force, Colonel Nazrul Hussain

“I want to thank the CIOG for ensuring this can happen, and (for) allowing the people to benefit, because the risk of exposure is a great one, and masking is a layer of protection that is needed,” she said.

The CIOG views the donation as part of its civic duty

and religious responsibility.

Acting President of the organisation, Goolzar Namdar, has said the contribution is not a one-off initiative.

“We are not finished here; we will continue on the regional level. We will look at the temples, mosques, churches, Policemen, and ev-

ery area we see fit to distribute masks,” Namdar promised.

The donation was facilitated by businessman Asad-Al-Sanad of AlSanad Holdings in Kuwait.

The arrangement was brokered through the Guyana Embassy in Kuwait.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll now at 149 – 47 new cases detected in 24h

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uyana has recorded its 149th COVID-19 related death after a 53-year-old female from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) succumbed while receiving treatment at one of the medical facilities. Her death has now brought the total to 23 for the month thus far.

The recent death was that of 69-year-old Rudolph Williams, the Deputy Mayor of Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

He passed away at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Tuesday afternoon in the COVID-19 Intensive Care

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

Unit (ICU). Following his death, his immediate family members have been placed in quarantine.

The Ministry has since

expressed condolences to the families of the two deceased and will make every effort to provide all the necessary support during this difficult time to render any assistance needed.

However, the Health Ministry has reported that 47 new cases were detected in a 24-hour period. This now takes the total number of infected cases to 5236.

The 47 new cases that were detected on Wednesday were from the 364 tests that were conducted. The new cases were recorded in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Region Three (Essequibo

TSU ranks in custody for disappearance of 150 firearms

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s investigations continue into the disappearance of 150 firearms from the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), six Police ranks have been taken into custody.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum confirmed this on Wednesday evening, and also pointed out that the ranks are all members of the TSU. He noted that while the men will be grilled, detectives welcome any information that may be useful in the probe.

It was reported that an audit into the Guyana Police Force (GPF) revealed that over 150 firearms have vanished under the previous APNU/AFC Government.

It is understood that these weapons were either seized from criminals and were to be exhibits in cases, or were firearms lodged by private citizens.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum

Subject Minister Robeson Benn had assured that all efforts would be made to track down the firearms, but said he could not give further details until he had completed a perusal of the report. Minister Benn also confirmed that the financial aspect of the audit is continuing.

Under the previous A Partnership for National

Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, Khemraj Ramjattan – who served as Minister of Public Security – had had oversight of the GPF. Efforts to contact him on the matter have proved futile.

In the past, guns that have gone missing from the hands of the Joint Services have subsequently been linked to criminal activities. During the 2018 Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Lindo Creek massacre, it was revealed that a number of weapons and ammunition which were stolen in February 2006 were later used in the commission of various crimes.

The 2019 audit into the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) is the last time an audit was conducted into the operations of the Police Force.

That audit had turned up a

heap of financial irregularities, and ultimately resulted in the removal of the then SOCU Head, Sydney James.

The probe into the operations of the white-collar crime-fighting unit was triggered when the former British adviser to SOCU, Dr Sam Sittlington, made a number of startling allegations against the Unit.

Following the allegations, James was subjected to questioning over allegations of improper spending, as part of the investigation and audit which stemmed from the termination of the services of the British adviser.

In February 2018, during his address at the opening of the Annual Police Officers’ Conference, then President David Granger had called for an incorruptible Police Force.

He had said that Security Sector Reform, which his administration was committed to and was working on implementing, would seek to tackle this issue that is plaguing the country’s premier law enforcement agency.

Islands-West Demerara); Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

As at Wednesday, the total number of persons in ICU has been increased by one, while 108 are in institutional isolation, and 731 in home isolation. To date, 4,242 persons have recovered, with a total of 28,542 tests being done thus far since March.

However, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony is again appealing to citizens and members of the business community to take heed to the COVID-19 guidelines. During Tuesday’s COVID-19 Update, Minister Anthony encouraged citizens to be responsible and to join the Government’s efforts to stop the spread of the disease in the country.

The Minister has said local businesses play a crucial role in helping to manage public compliance. “We want to urge people and businesses to put measures in place to help us with the reduction of these cases, and those measures would include: one, to ensure that people coming to your business wear a mask; that people coming into your business sanitise their hands; and that you try to have social distancing within your busi-

ness.”

Minister Anthony said some businesses have been doing a fantastic job with the measures, and reiterated his appeal for others to come onboard.

“We want more people to comply, because if all of us, if all the business owners put these measures in place, then we are helping to prevent the disease from transmitting. We don’t know who are the carriers of this infection, who might be asymptomatic; so, if people are going to be in crowded areas, there is that possibility of being exposed.

So, again, we want businesses to help us,” Dr Anthony has said.

Minister Anthony has said the National COVID-19 Task Force implemented its education campaign, COVI-Curb, to ensure people are familiar with the COVID-19 guidelines.

He added that the task force would rather not go the route of identifying people and taking them to court for not wearing masks or for breaching the curfew. The Minister acknowledged the local Christmas traditions, but noted that Guyana is not the only country dealing with the disease. He is again urging everyone to do their part in the fight against COVID-19.

World Bank pumps US$7.5M into Guyana’s fight against COVID-19

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he World Bank approved on Wednesday the US$7.5 million Guyana COVID-19 Emergency Response Project to support the country in tackling the current pandemic and strengthening the country’s health system.

“The World Bank is working with member countries in the Caribbean to help them respond to COVID-19 and prepare for a resilient recovery.

This financing for Guyana will help the country tackle the current crisis and handle future emergencies,” said World Bank Caribbean Country Director Tahseen Sayed. “The project will strengthen care for COVID-19 patients, improve the country’s ability to identify positive cases, and enhance the health system’s capacity to deliver critical care to vulnerable populations, including the elderly and people with chronic conditions.”

The Guyana COVID-19 Emergency Response Project will strengthen laboratory capacity, support screening and surveillance, improve contact

tracing, and equip healthcare facilities for more effective treatment and care of COVID-19 patients.

The Project will also include activities specifically targeted to reach local communities across the country and in the hinterland regions through expansion of contact tracing and psychosocial support to vulnerable households.

Risk communication materials will be translated into local languages to ensure that vulnerable groups have access to reliable information about the virus and its spread.

Finally, the Project will also contribute to preparing

the health system for the effective deployment of a safe and approved COVID-19 vaccine.

Guyana receives interest-free financing from the International Development Association (IDA), with a maturity of 40 years, including a grace period of 10 years.

In late July 2020, Guyana also benefitted from a US$1 million grant through the World Bank-administered Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF), which was disbursed to the Pan American Health Organisation-World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO).

NEWS

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 10 Police Division rolls out Christmas Policing Plan – to place focus on crime & traffic

Deputy Regional Police Commander Wayne DeHearte

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he Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Police Division rolled out its Christmas Policing Plan on Tuesday, and its focus is on crime and traffic.

The Plan, which would be in effect from November 15, 2020 to January 15, 2021, was presented at a ceremony hosted at the Constabulary Hall in Linden in the presence of Regional stakeholders.

Region 10 Commander,

Superintendent Hugh Winter, in delivering opening remarks, assured those present that the plan would ensure the security and safety of all citizens within Region 10 as they go about their activities during the Christmas season.

“It is noted, an increase of Police presence in the business shopping area and communities generally. Our ranks are involved in foot, vehicular, bicycles, motorcy-

cle, ATV and marine patrols.

Under the COVID-19 gazetted order, we’re also mandated to carry out functions under those guidelines…

Collectively, we are expected to be extremely vigilant at this time, since there will be an increase in financial activities during the period…I can assure you that the ranks in Region 10 will be in full strength…”, the Regional Commander declared.

According to Winter, Policing at this time would be based on a joint effort between enforcement officers and residents of the various communities. Further, he thanked members of the Community Policing Group (CPG) for their continued support to crime prevention, and appealed to the general public to be cautious and to observe the COVID-19 health and safety guidelines during the holidays.

Deputy Regional Police Commander Wayne DeHearte, in presenting the Plan, reminded that the mandate of the Guyana

Regional Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter

Police Force is to detect and prevent crime, as well as the preservation of law, order and peace among other things.

He said that around this time there will be heightened social activities, road traffic and visitors to the community, as well as the likelihood of an increase in opportunistic crimes. As such, he noted that the Division aims to provide a safe and secure environment by addressing the occurrence of criminal activities.

“Our main focus…the most heightened activity for this period is the financial activity…Also, we have a mandate to look at increase of activities in the business area and the business sectors throughout Region 10…

We are operating in the presence of the pandemic, and the Guyana Police Force, at the jumpstart when COVID hit, we focused and continue to focus on maintaining safe communities”, he noted.

The Plan also aims at reducing traffic congestion and preventing road accidents.

According to the Plan, there will be intelligence-led op-

erations, including cordon and search exercises, enhanced Police community relationship in an effort to solve crimes, an increase in anti-crime and traffic patrols, increased raids and road blocks, and stops-andsearches.

DeHearte noted that the Division will network with other divisions and agencies to execute its plan. The monitoring of Post Offices and vulnerable areas is also high on the agenda. DeHearte noted that with the increase in traffic, the Traffic Department aims to maintain effective traffic flows throughout the Division, particularly in business areas.

As a result, the Department will collaborate with the Regional Road Safety Association to promote “zero accidents”. The Division hopes to achieve this by means of educating the public, making roadways safer through enhanced road signs and markings, traffic enforcement, seminars, and community engagements.

DeHearte noted that the Traffic Department last Sunday repainted and enhanced road markings in Linden.

32 Guyanese graduate from Hugh Wooding Law School Pedestrian killed in

The Guyanese students who graduated from the Hugh Wooding Law School this year

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remarkable group of 32 Guyanese students has graduated from the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) this year, having completed the Legal Education Certificate (LEC) of the Council of Legal Education - a prerequisite to practise law in the Commonwealth Caribbean.

Despite being faced with the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, they persevered and completed their studies to becoming attorneys-at-law.

Those who graduated are: Mohamed Ali, Jason Barnes, Deborah Barrow-Graham, Olivia Bess, Edmond Cooper, Cicelia Corbin, Jubilante Cutting, Texine Daw, Casey D’Aguiar, Jamaal Duff, Latifa Elliot, Cassandra Forde, Carlyle Goring, Kiswana Jefford, Jimelle Joseph, Saskea Lynch, Twedale Marks, Aisha McLean, Faa’izah Mustafa, Esther Osbourne, Shareefah Parks, Asasha Ramzan,

Lloyd Rodney, Taneisha Saygon, Omar Shariff, Aquilah Shepherd, Debra Singh, Teakaram Singh, Dester Smartt, Edrianna Stephen, Andreanna Thompson and Khawn Rodney.

In the October 2020 issue of The Gravel, a publication by the HWLS, the school’s principal, Miriam Samaru, extended best wishes to the graduating class of 2020 and urged them to be the very best in their careers as attorneys-at-law.

“We hope that we made a difference and that you will become ethical, committed, and hardworking attorneys-at-law. Represent the Hugh Wooding brand proudly and be the best you can be. The experience this year is going to be unique as we all adapt and adjust to life during a pandemic.

A few months ago, this was unimaginable. We have had to learn about the new normal, pivoting, and the true meaning of resilience. None

of this is normal though. It has been hard on everyone, but it is amazing how easily we can become resilient,” she added.

The Council of Legal Education was created in 1971 and operates three law schools in the region: the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad – both established in 1973 – and the Eugene Dupuch Law School in the Bahamas, which was established in 1998.

To be admitted to these law schools, persons must have first obtained a bachelor’s degree in law. NonUniversity of the West Indies law degree graduates can be admitted to the law schools if they are successful in the Council of Legal Education’s annual entrance examination.

Each year, the top 25 students from the University of Guyana’s Department of Law gain automatic acceptance to the HWLS to read

for their LEC. The remainder would have to sit the law school’s entrance examinations.

Graduates from the University of the West Indies and the University of Guyana must then complete two years of study and practical training at one of the three schools to be qualified to practise as an attorney.

Each year, the Government of Guyana offers fully-funded scholarships to the HWLS. The scholarships are offered through the Public Service Ministry and are open to new and continuing students.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be the holder of a Bachelor of Laws Degree with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.3. The applicant must be under the age of 35 and must have obtained the Bachelor of Laws Degree within the last five years.

The applicant must also have an acceptance letter from the HWLS. Present students wishing to apply must have passed in year one studies with at least three courses passed with Grade A. The Hugh Wooding Law School offers a two-year programme at the cost of G$6,292,568.

Students would still have to foot the cost of boarding, food, and school-related expenses.

Last year, four UG law degree graduates were awarded Government scholarships to pursue the LEC at the HWLS: Simran Gajraj, the Department’s best graduating student; Melissa Adolphus; Thalia Thompson, and Nakesha Cosbert.

Agricola accident identified as Tucville resident

A photo of the fatal accident which was captured on CCTV footage

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he pedestrian who was killed after he was struck down by a truck at Agricola, Greater Georgetown has been identified as Kevin Monderson, 34, of Lot 16 Tucville Squatting Area, Georgetown. The man’s body was positively identified by his aunt Bridget Monderson on Tuesday.

It was reported that the accident occurred on Monday at around 07:10h, as the truck was proceeding towards Georgetown.

At the time, the third lane for northbound traffic was activated.

The driver claimed that in the vicinity of Agricola road head, he observed a man standing on the median, but the man suddenly attempted to cross the road without paying attention to the southbound traffic.

As such, he walked into the path of the truck, thus causing a collision. As he fell onto the roadway,

the truck’s rear right side wheel ran over both of his legs.

He was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was attended to by a doctor on duty and admitted in a critical condition. He had also suffered severe head injuries, internal bleeding and broken legs.

The pedestrian succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday at about 07:30h while being treated in the Emergency Unit. Following the accident, the driver of the truck was taken into custody to assist with investigations.

On Monday, at the launch of Road Safety Week, Traffic Chief Ramesh Ashram disclosed that fatal accidents in Guyana for the year thus far have increased by a whopping 37 per cent when compared to the same period in 2019.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Regional

UN “deeply concerned” over T&T’s Govt 5 compete for Reggae Grammy decision to deport Venezuelan nationals I t’s a case of the veterans vs the young in the Best Reggae Album category of the 63rd Grammy Awards. The nominations were announced on Tuesday via www.grammy.com.

The nominees are “Upside Down 2020” by Buju Banton, “One World” by The Wailers, “It All Comes Back to Love” by Maxi Priest, “Got to Be Tough” by Toots and the Maytals, and “Higher Place” by Skip Marley.

Skip Marley has had a good year. Aside from earn-

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nternational condemnation of the treatment of Venezuelan nationals, including 16 children, continues to rise as the United Nations Human Rights Office condemned the decision to deport the group over the weekend.

UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Liz Throssell in a comment post to their social media page on Wednesday said the UN was “deeply concerned at the decision by Trinidad and Tobago to deport 16 Venezuelan children and nine adults at the same time as an application was being lodged against their removal”.

Throssell added, “With regard to refugee and migrant children, States have a special duty of care – the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all decisions affecting them.

Children should never be forcibly deported based on their, or their parents’, migration status. The precondition to any return involving a child is that an

The 16 Venezuelan children and 11 adults who were deported over the weekend on Tuesday returned to Trinidad and Tobago

independent and impartial decision has been taken, involving child protection officials, and that a return is a sustainable solution that will ensure the rights, welfare, and best interests of the child.”

Citing the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the statement continued: “We, therefore, call on the Trinidad and Tobago authorities to safeguard the human rights of refugee and migrant children regardless of their status, including by ensuring access to due process and procedural safeguards, consis-

tent with the principle of non-refoulement.”

The UN again urged that Governments should suspend all forced returns amid the COVID-19 pandemic to safeguard the health of migrants, particularly children.

Drenched, cold and hungry, the 16 Venezuelan children and 11 adults who were deported over the weekend on Tuesday returned to Trinidad and Tobago’s shores after three days on the rough seas.

(Excerpted from Trinidad Guardian)

Windrush generation: UK “unlawfully ignored” immigration rules warnings

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he Home Office unlawfully ignored warnings that changes to immigration rules would create “serious injustices” for the Windrush generation, a report by the equalities watchdog says.

It found the “hostile environment” policy, designed to deter “irregular” migrants from settling, had harmed many people already living in the UK. The Windrush generation came from the Caribbean to the UK from 1948 to 1971.

The Home Office said it was determined to “right the wrongs suffered” by them.

Labour said Ministers should be “deeply ashamed” of the report’s findings.

An estimated 500,000 people living in the United Kingdom make up the surviving members of the Windrush generation.

They were granted indefinite leave to remain in 1971, but thousands were children who had travelled on their parents’ passports.

Because of this, many were unable to prove they had the right to live in the country when “hostile environment” immigration policies – demanding the showing of documentation – began in 2012, under Theresa May as Home Secretary.

This adversely affected their access to housing, banking, work, benefits, health care and driving, while many were threat-

ened with deportation.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report found a “lack of organisation-wide commitment, including by senior leadership, to the importance of equality and the Home Office’s obligations under the equality duty placed on Government departments”.

It added: “Any action taken to record and respond to negative equality impacts was perfunctory, and therefore insufficient.”

The report also said: “From 2012, this [hostile environment] agenda accelerated the impact of decades of complex policy and practice based on a history of white and black immigrants being treated differently.”

(Excerpt from BBC News)

ing two Soul Train Music Award nominations recently, he topped the Billboard Adult R&B Songs chart in May with “Slow Down” featuring HER. His current single “Make Me Feel” featuring Rick Ross and Ari Lennox has hit the chart’s Top 20.

Marley’s “Higher Place” went to number two on the Billboard Reggae Albums chart. Island Records released it in August. It has songs with his uncle Damian Marley and grand-

Brazilian state sues Carrefour unit for US$38M in damages for beating death of Black man

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State Attorney in southern Brazil is suing a unit of France’s Carrefour SA seeking 200 million reais (US$37.6 million) in damages after security guards beat a Black man to death at one of its stores.

On Friday, a widely circulated video showed security guards at a Carrefour Brasil store in the city of Porto Alegre brutally beating João Alberto Silveira Freitas, following an argument between him and a store employee.

Silveira Freitas’ death sparked a national conversation about race in Brazil, which often likes to think of itself as devoid of racism, despite vast inequalities between races in almost every aspect of life.

The store in Porto Alegre in the state of Rio Grande do Sul was overrun by protesters as was one location in São Paulo, while Carrefour

A demonstrator burns objects to block a street during a protest against racism, after Joao Alberto Silveira Freitas was beaten to death by security guards at a Carrefour supermarket in Porto Alegre, Brazil, November 23, 2020

Brasil’s shares plunged.

In addition to seeking damages, the lawsuit by the state public defender’s office asked a court to shut the store in Porto Alegre “with the objective of reducing the risk of possible hostile acts that could occur during protests”.

In a statement, Carrefour Brasil said it still had not

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a four-year-old and a nineyear-old boy.

The Health Ministry said that there has been a consistent decrease in the number of laboratory confirmed cases of dengue fever since epidemiological week 41, ending October 10, when 194 new cases were recorded.

“There has also been a decrease in clinically diagnosed cases of dengue fever,” the statement said, adding that the illness continue to affect all health districts, with most cases reported as occurring in persons who live in the Pembroke, Kingstown and Calliaqua Health Districts.

“The Marriaqua and Chateaubelair Health Districts are now ranked as fourth and fifth for the number of reported cases of dengue fever. Persons in the 0 to 15-year-old age group continue to account for the majority of cases, with an attack rate of 3.54 per cent in the 5 to 14-year age group,” the statement said.

It said that the Vector Control Unit continues to implement an intensified integrated vector control programme aimed at reducing the mosquito, which spreads the dengue virus, through source reduction. (Excerpt from CMC)

been formally cited by the public defender’s office, adding that it would provide any information needed by the Government.

Among the other demands listed in the lawsuit is the creation of a plan to combat racism and discriminatory treatment by the retailer in Porto Alegre.

(Reuters)

“The fight continues”: Colombia protests persist despite pandemic

Girl dies from dengue in St Vincent 10-year-old girl has died from dengue fever, the seventh person to have fallen victim to the mosquito-borne illness.

The Health Ministry in a statement on Monday, said that the number of confirmed cases in the country has reached 1617. It said that the girl had “an underlying cardiac condition” when she was admitted to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on November 14.

The death is the first since late October, when a 30-year-old female died as a result of the dengue fever. So far, six people have died from dengue including

father Bob. Marley also picked up a nomination in the Best R&B Song category for “Slow Down”. This is the first time in the history of the Grammy Awards that a Jamaican has been nominated in a major R&B category.

He was elated at the nods.

“Thanks and praise to the Most High. Feeling blessed to see the fruits of our work. Grateful,” he told the Jamaica Observer Tuesday.

(Jamaica Observer)

Rose petals form a circle surrounding a picture of Dilan Cruz on the site where he was shot during a protest to commemorate a year since his death in Bogota, Colombia, on November 23, 2020

H

undreds of people gathered at a street corner in downtown Bogota on Monday to commemorate the anniversary of Dilan Cruz’s death. His mother and sister arranged a circle of flowers on the street where the 18-year-old was shot by Police a year earlier during an anti-Government protest, with his clothes and a framed portrait placed in the centre.

Throughout the vigil, the mostly young crowd chanted: “Dilan didn’t die, Dilan was

killed!”

The killing of Cruz, who was shot with a projectile by Riot Police at close range, fuelled Colombia’s burgeoning anti-Government protests in late 2019. What began in November as a “National Strike” against labour reforms, quickly evolved into a nationwide anti-Government movement.

Hundreds of thousands of Colombians rallied to express their anger with the Administration of President

Ivan Duque over a range of issues, including its implementation of the 2016 peace deal, economic reforms, inattention to rural populations, inequality and the assassination of social leaders.

The protest movement lost momentum earlier this year amid the country’s coronavirus outbreak, with Duque in March introducing wide-ranging restrictions in an attempt to minimise the virus’s spread. Much of the country remained under lockdown for six months as the Government banned mass gatherings.

Colombia has confirmed more than 1.25 million cases of COVID-19 and its death toll from the disease has passed 35,000, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally. Its economy has also deteriorated amid the restrictions, with some sectors only re-opening in September. Informal workers, who make up roughly 47 per cent of Colombia’s workforce, have been the hardest hit and are also the most vulnerable to COVID-19.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

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19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS COVID-19 forces Exxon to slash oil price forecast

I

n the wake of the pandemic, ExxonMobil has significantly lowered its expectations about oil prices for the next seven years, expecting Brent Crude to average between US$50 and US$55 a barrel until 2025, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing internal Exxon documents it had reviewed.

Exxon, unlike its peers in Europe, does not publicly disclose its internal assumptions about oil prices.

Both Exxon and the other US supermajor Chevron continue to see their in-house oil price forecasts as proprietary information, despite increased shareholder pressure to report that information to give shareholders insights into the price assumptions on which they base their investment decisions.

According to the internal Exxon documents from September reviewed by The Journal, last year Exxon expected Brent Crude to average US$62 a barrel through 2025 and to then rise to US$72 per barrel in 2026 and 2027. But this year, the supermajor sees Brent averaging up to US$55 per barrel for the next five years, and US$60 a barrel for 2026 and 2027.

All oil majors except Exxon have made this year significant writedowns in the value of their assets owing to lower long-term oil price assumptions and the uncertainty of whether oil demand will return to pre-pandemic levels. The top executives of BP and Shell are not ruling out the notion that the world may never return to its 'normal' pre-virus levels of consumption of around 100 million barrels per day (bpd).

Exxon’s chief executive Darren Woods told all employees last month that “the current situation is temporary – but with an uncertain path and pace of recovery”.

“Even accounting for the short-term demand impact of COVID-19, the investment case is still clear,” Woods said about global oil demand. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

Trump pardons ex-National Security Adviser Flynn

U

S President Donald Trump has pardoned his former top security adviser Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. The President said the widely expected act of clemency was his "Great Honor".

Flynn was among former aides to President Trump convicted during a Justice Department investigation into alleged Russian election interference.

He admitted in 2017 to lying to the FBI about contacts with Russia's envoy, then tried to withdraw his plea.

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn

Flynn responded to the president's announcement by posting a tweet containing a US flag emoji and a Biblical verse, Jeremiah 1:19.

The verse says: "'They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,' declares the Lord."

Flynn's supporters see him as the victim of a political vendetta by the outgoing Obama Administration to delegitimise the incoming Trump Administration with unsubstantiated claims of Russian collusion.

A 22-month Justice Department investigation concluded in 2019 there was no evidence to establish that Trump or any of his associates had conspired with the Kremlin to win the 2016

election.

Earlier this year, Trump commuted the sentence of Roger Stone, another ally who was charged in that special counsel inquiry.

Stone was convicted of lying to Congress, obstruction and witness tampering, but the Republican President said he had been unfairly targeted in a witch-hunt.

US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler led Democratic condemnation of the pardon for Flynn.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Global coronavirus cases surpass 60 million – Reuters tally

O

fficials in the United States, the worst-affected country in the world, urged Americans to stay home for the imminent Thanksgiving holiday as soaring numbers of COVID-19 patients pushed medical professionals to the brink.

The United States has reported one million new COVID-19 cases in less than a week, taking its total reported infections to over 12.5 million and its death toll to 260,000, according to the Reuters data based on official statements.

Globally, infections stood at 60.005 million and deaths at 1.4 million.

An analysis of the Reuters

data showed the rate of new infections picking up globally. It took just 17 days to go from 50 million cases to 60 million, compared with the 21 days it took to go from 40 million to 50 million. Around 580,000 cases have been reported each day over the past week and around half of all cases since the start of the pandemic were reported over the past 70 days.

In Europe, one million new cases were recorded over just five days, for a total of more than 16 million cases, including 365,000 deaths.

Governments across Europe are struggling to impose restrictions on public life while allowing fami-

lies to celebrate Christmas without further fuelling outbreaks.

While a national lockdown in England is due to end next week, Germany, Spain, and Italy have all announced restrictions over the holiday period, including limits on house guests.

The Latin American region has the highest number of reported deaths in the world, representing about 21 per cent of all global cases and over 31 per cent of all global deaths reported.

Brazil last week joined the United States and India as the only countries to have recorded more than six million infections. With almost 170,000 confirmed fatalities,

Brazil has the world’s second-highest death toll.

While India remains the second-worst affected country in the world with almost 9.2 million cases, it has continued to report a slowdown in new cases in recent weeks. It has reported an average of around 44,000 cases a day over the past week, well down from a peak of just under 97,900 cases in mid-September.

Asia-Pacific countries such as China, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand had shown how rapid, local, and intrusive steps can be effective in extinguishing outbreaks.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

President Xi congratulates Saudi woman activist's trial Biden, hopes for win- “moved to terrorism court” win China-US ties T

C

hinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden for his election victory earlier this month and expressed hope for “win-win cooperation” amid a number of conflicts between the world’s top two economies over trade, technology, and security.

In a congratulatory message on Wednesday, Xi told Biden that “healthy and stable” relations were “the common expectation of the international community”, according to a statement carried by the official Xinhua News Agency.

“We hope the two sides will uphold the spirit of non-conflict and non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, will focus on cooperation, control differences, and promote healthy and stable development of Chinese-US relations,” the statement said.

News networks in the United States called the November 3 presidential race in Biden’s favour on November 7, prompting leaders around the world to congratulate the former Vice President for his victory over President Donald Trump.

Xi’s message meant that China has now become one of the last major governments to congratulate Biden. There was no explanation for the delay, but some commentators suggested Beijing might want to avoid straining relations with Trump, who has yet to concede defeat.

Relations between China and the US are at their worst in decades with disputes ranging from technology and trade to Hong Kong and the coronavirus pandemic. The Trump Administration has unleashed a barrage of sanctions against Beijing.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

he family of the jailed Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul says her trial has been transferred to a terrorism tribunal.

Hathloul's sister Lina had expressed hope that she would be freed when the trial resumed in Riyadh on Wednesday.

But she said their parents had now been informed that the case would be heard by the Specialised Criminal Court.

Hathloul and 12 other activists are accused of conspiring with foreign organisations hostile to the Kingdom.

They were arrested in

May 2018, weeks before King Salman lifted a ban on women driving that they had campaigned against for years.

Last weekend's G20 summit hosted by Saudi Arabia was overshadowed by calls from international human rights groups to free the women and other imprisoned critics of the Government.

The Kingdom rejected the calls, saying it would not allow people to lecture it.

The BBC's Chief International Correspondent Lyse Doucet, who is in Riyadh, says Loujain al-Hathloul has come to symbolise activists detained in Saudi jails.

Loujain al-Hathloul was prominent in the campaign to win the right for Saudi women to drive

The 31-year-old first came to prominence as a campaigner for women's right to drive in

the kingdom.

Saudi officials insist her detention has nothing to do with that issue. They say the charges she faces are related to her contacts with foreign diplomats, media, and activist groups.

Hathloul's family say she was held incommunicado for three months following her arrest, and that she was subjected to electric shocks, whippings, and sexual harassment.

They also allege that she was offered freedom if she agreed to say she was not tortured.

The Saudi Government denies the allegations of torture.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Cyclone Nivar: Heavy rain lashes India as storm approaches

H

eavy rains have been lashing the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu as it braces for Cyclone Nivar.

Officials said it was expected to make landfall on the south-eastern coast shortly after midnight, intensifying into a "very severe cyclonic storm".

Rain has already felled

trees and flooded much of the state capital, Chennai (formerly Madras).

Tens of thousands of people have been asked to leave their homes and move to relief centres in south-eastern states.

The cyclone is expected to bring winds gusting up to 145 kilometres per hour (90mph), India's Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

All fishing boats have been advised to return to harbours.

Thirty disaster response teams have been deployed across Tamil Nadu, the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh and the tiny territory of Pondicherry (also known as Puducherry).

The Coast Guard has deployed offshore patrol vehicles, helicopters and aircraft

for assistance and surveillance.

There are fears of flooding in Chennai, where people living in low-lying areas are being evacuated.

In 2015, widespread flooding in Chennai owing to heavy rains and overflowing rivers brought the city to a standstill. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Pay closer attention to contracts, money matters and partnerships. Be aggressive, but don't let anger or frustration take the reins. Remain calm and offer sound suggestions.

You are overdue for a TAURUS change.

Consider how you (April 20would like to present who you May 20) are to the world. An opportunity to ask someone to repay a favor will help you professionally and personally.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Get involved in something you care about and make a difference. Refuse to let anyone bait you into an argument. Don't be afraid to do things differently.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Give others the same freedom you want in return. Don't waste time trying to change someone's mind. A change someone makes may not be to your liking, but it will be beneficial in the end.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Sort through what you need and want. A change of plans will give you the chance to explore different lifestyles. You will discover you have more options than you realize.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Pay closer attention to your relationships with others. Don't start something you cannot finish.

Uncertainty will prevail if you send mixed messages.

A physical outlet will help clear your mind.

SCORPIO

Pay closer attention to your responsibilities. Don't leave anything undone or to chance. Use your intellect and intuition, and you'll find the best solution.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

YESTERDAY'S WORD - DISCREDIT

Take care of your responsibilities. If you rely on someone, you'll be disappointed. Refrain from sharing too much information or presenting something you are working on prematurely.

Improve your surroundings. Your lifestyle will impact your attitude and ability to forge ahead with confidence. Trust and believe in yourself, not in what someone wants you to believe.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

It's good to be passionate about something, but not when it gets in the way of success. Settle down and refuse to let anger, ego and frustration take charge.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Make plans that will help you capitalize on your skills.

Concentrate on what you enjoy doing and what you do well. Ignore people who don't believe in you. Do your own thing.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Mixed emotions will stand between you and what you want to accomplish. Be patient and focus on your objective, and doors will open. The help you need will appear. A joint venture will lead to victory.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

21

Table tennis to serve off in 2nd week of December T

able tennis action is set to return in December 2020. It was originally set to be run off on November 27(tomorrow), but that date has been pushed back to the period December 11 to 14.

President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Godfrey Munroe, is preparing his charges to be match ready in case they are called upon to participate in a competition.

The Guyana Table Tennis Association, in a statement, has said it intends to follow all rules and regulations governing the Ministry of Health’s safety protocols for players. As such, while in consultation, it would also adhere to the guidelines of the National COVID-19 Task Force and the ITTF. Guyana Times Sport asked the Guyana Table Tennis Association President Godfrey Munroe about the way forward, and he said, “The reason the restart has been pushed (back) is we just want to ensure that everything has been put in

When it was once safe to engage in a game of table tennis

place. It is not something of a major issue, but while we have had an estimated date, we realised that we would need more time, nothing major.

“In terms of my expectations, it’s not only about the competition. We have resumed mild training, but we are looking at competitions in early January 2021. Also reintegrating the national team training programme and try our best to see how to bring

back our activities slowly.”

Munroe noted that there are key competitions that both males and females will be preparing for. However, he noted that everything is dependent upon what happens at the world stage, as the COVID-19 pandemic is still in effect.

Munroe related that while the schedules are there, the ITTF would restructure them in case of an outbreak. He

reiterated that the situation is kind of fluid, as players would need to be tested and quarantined etc., but he is

GTTF President Munroe

preparing them to be match ready in case of a call-up for overseas competitions.

Diego Maradona dies: How Argentina legend starred at Mexico 1986 – and was World Cup handball king Maradona (five). That's about the only category where he did not come out on top.

He added five assists to those five goals in his seven appearances, giving him the most goal involvements (10) of any player, ahead of the USSR's Igor Belanov (eight), and Lineker, Careca and Preben Elkjaer Larsen (six).

It stands to reason that Maradona also created more goalscoring chances (27) than any other player. Next on the list was France's Alain Giresse (24), then Klaus Allofs (23), Michel Platini (19) and Careca (17).

De Grandhomme ruled out of WI Tests; Santner to captain final T20I

N

ew Zealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against the West Indies with a bone bruising in his right foot. He will be replaced by Daryl Mitchell in the squad.

Mitchell Santner has been named Ajaz Patel's cover for the first Test, starting on December 3, after the spinner's left calf tear didn't improve enough in time.

Santner has also been named as the captain of New Zealand for the third T20I on Monday.

He will take over from Tim Southee (who's been rested

for the game) and will become the eighth T20I captain for New Zealand.

"It's disappointing for Colin to be ruled out of the Tests completely and he'll now target being fit and available for the Boxing Day Test at Bay Oval," head coach Gary Stead said. "Ajaz will join the team in Hamilton to have treatment and train. We will make a call on the second Test in Wellington closer to the time.

"The unavailability of Colin and Ajaz has obviously had a flow on effect to our T20 squad who are providing the replacement players for

the Test squad. I highlighted last week how tight and complex the schedule was - so when you throw in some injuries, it really begins to challenge how you juggle your resources.

"Mitch and Daryl will be available for the final T20 game, before linking up with the Test squad on Tuesday where we will monitor them closely to ensure they're fit and fresh ahead of the first Test on Thursday.

"They both proved last summer in the Tests against England what they can do in our conditions with Mitch scoring a century and claiming three wickets at Bay Oval, while Daryl produced a polished half-century on debut at Seddon Park.

"I'd like to acknowledge Mitch Santner for taking on the responsibility to captain the T20 side. It's a great honour to lead your country and I know his calm demeanour along with the sheer amount of international experience he's amassed in the past five years will hold him in good stead.

"With just two days between the two series, we've made the decision to have our T20 players, who are also Test regulars, assemble in Hamilton on the Monday and that reflects our focus on the World Test Championship. (cricbuzz)

Godfrey

The Restart tournament will see the introduction of a Top-12 and Top-16 duel format to allow scheduling and time-tabling matches in advance. This will aid in limiting the number of players participating, and allow for social distancing.

With the date pushed back, this would give players time to train and prepare for reengagement. The games will be streamed online, which would allow for persons to view the matches, and although both national junior boys and junior girls and their senior counterparts will compete, the plan is to have cash incentives for the senior categories and trophies for the Juniors.

W

herever you stand on football's GOAT debate, you can't deny the legacy of Diego Maradona.

Some would place him behind Lionel Messi as Argentina's greatest ever footballer, and short of Pele in the sport's pantheon of the mighty; others would say Maradona eclipses them all.

It's a debate that has raged for decades, and one that is not likely to be settled for some time.

But nobody can argue that Maradona – who died on Wednesday at the age of 60 – produced a string of performances to rival anything the World Cup has ever witnessed in Mexico in 1986.

From the group stage to the final with West Germany, via the 'Goal of the Century' and a brazen moment of cheating, Maradona was so far above his contemporaries that the sheer idea of anyone else winning the Golden Ball was laughable.

Argentina beat South Korea, drew with Italy and defeated Bulgaria in their group, then saw off Uruguay, England and Belgium in the knockouts before a 3-2 final defeat of West Germany.

As Opta data shows, Maradona was the beating heart of the Albiceleste's second World Cup triumph.

TAKE MY BREATH AWAY Gary Lineker was the only player to score more goals (six) at the 1986 World Cup than

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH Everyone, most famously West Germany, tried to man-mark Maradona out of the equation. None succeeded.

He completed 53 dribbles across the tournament, a tally that puts the rest of the competition to shame. The next highest number was recorded by USSR's Ivan Yaremchuk, who managed 16.

Of course, that kind of dazzling play will always attract a more prosaic approach from the opposition. Maradona was fouled 53 times, more than double the number of anyone else (Enzo Francescoli was next on 27 fouls won).

EDGE OF HEAVEN Maradona's all-round impact on proceedings could only come from a player given freedom to drop deeper and seize the ball from lesser men. It's incredible, then, that he managed 44 touches in the opposition box, eight more than the next-highest on the list, Brazil's Careca.

Lineker, winner of the Golden Boot, had 31 such touches.

Lineker and England have, of course, never forgotten Maradona's impact on their 2-1 quarter-final defeat in Mexico City. It was the scene of his greatest goal – a mazy, miraculous waltz through the heart of the opposition that ended with the bamboozling of goalkeeper Peter Shilton – and his crowning moment of infamy, when 'The Hand of God' punched Argentina into the lead.

Perhaps that wasn't such a one-off, though.

Since 1966, no player has committed as many handballs at the World Cup as Maradona (seven) – and they're just the ones the referees spotted.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Heimraj Resaul wins GTA "Safe Tennis" Tournament — Murray wins consolation

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eimraj Resaul, 19 years old and presently a college player in the US, defeated Benjaton Osbourne 6-0, 6-1 in the final of the GTA 'Safe Tennis' Tournament; while, in the consolation final, Ronald Murray defeated Javed Khan 6-2, 6-3 to round off the action.

Heimraj’s toughest match of the tournament was in the semifinals against Gavin Lewis, a former college player. That match went 3 sets, but he excelled to claim the gold.

Cristy Campbell, First Vice President of the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association, expressed gratitude to Minister Ramson

for his support, and mentioned that his has already become a household name to tennis players after mere months in office.

“Three weeks ago, at the opening of the tournament, Minister mentioned that he has moved tennis into a core sport, and I have received calls from sponsors expressing interest in tennis since that announcement. I also thank the ITF for sponsoring this tournament, and I congratulate the gentlemen who have displayed a high level of competition, albeit being displaced from training for many months due to the pandemic. To our two coordinators, Shelly Daly

and Andre Lopes, who both worked tirelessly to run a smooth tournament, thank you.

“Congratulations to Heimraj for winning his first men’s title. I know you’ve toiled in the Men’s category since you were about 12 years old, and I am happy to see your perseverance and hard work pay off while balancing sport and academics.” Campbell declared.

Minister Ramson reiterated his call for tennis to be played at the best level now that he has categorised tennis as a core sport. He also re-emphasised Government’s support to develop-

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Heimraj Resaul

ment of sports in Guyana with better infrastructure and top tier training.

The other results were:

Consolation semi-finals Javed Khan defeated Wayne Baker 6-7 (7-2), 6-4 (10-7)

Main semi-finals

Benjaton Osbourne defeated Andre Lopes 7-5, 6-2 Heimraj Resaul defeated Gavin Lewis 6-2, 6-7 (71), (10-2)

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The other semifinal consolation

Ronald Murray got a walkover from David Rose The tournament commenced on November 7th and ran for 3 weekends. The male adult competition had 19 participants. Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson jnr, who attending the opening ceremony & served the first ball, also witnessed the finals & presented the trophies afterwards.

One (1) Receptionist/Clerk Must know to read, write and speak Spanish fluently.

One Cook Must know to prepare Cuban dishes. Both positions require Valid Food Handlers Permit and Police Clearance. Call or WhatsApp : 681-8140

DCC receives another donation Everest CC awards from International SOS High Commissioner Quinn with Life Membership

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The spanking new lawn-mower being handed over to DCC’s acting president, Lawrence Smith

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lobal health and security service firm International SOS has made another sterling donation to the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC). The Queenstown, Georgetown-based club is now the recipient of a spanking new lawn-mower and a grass cutter to aid in the maintenance of the club’s facilities.

The International SOS company also handed out materials to ensure the club receives a much-needed facelift to usher in the anticipated return of cricket, which was forced into a hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The donation is the second instance International SOS has extended benevolence to the club.

In explaining the company’s interest in DCC, Project Manager for International SOS (Guyana), Mark Jackson, said the executives of the company were drawn to the DCC’s rich cricketing history and was eager to be a part of its future.

“International SOS chose the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) two years ago to partner with, and it’s at the director level that they take a very special interest in this club for

a number of reasons. One is that they recognise that youth cricket will be where it goes in the future for Guyana,” Jackson explained.

He added: “Ten legends came from this small club in Queenstown in Georgetown. I sat on my bed last night and thought about how many legends New Zealand, with a population of five million, produced. I can think of three that come to mind. (Richard Hadlee is one such) “You guys are…amazing…you produced ten global players that are recognised all over the world for their great sporting achievements, and that’s something that needs to be recognised. I trust the youth cricketers here can take this and drive it and lean into it.”

The company currently sponsors DCC’s first and second division teams and conducts regular health and safety lectures with the club. Jackson’s company has also sponsored several scholarship packages for young cricketers at the club.

The handing over ceremony was attended by two of DCC’s most recent West Indies players, Travis Dowlin and Christopher Barnwell.

Krista Norton (right) presents HE Greg Quinn with the Honorary Life Membership at his official residence in Bel Air, Georgetown

O

utgoing British High Commissioner to Guyana, His Excellency Greg Quinn, was named an Honorary Life Member of the Everest Cricket Club as a token of appreciation for his work for the club and country.

At a simple ceremony on Tuesday in Georgetown, Club Manager of Everest CC, Krista Norton, presented His Excellency Greg Quinn with the Honorary Life Membership card.

HE Quinn will soon depart Guyana after close to six years of diplomatic service here. Over the years, the sport enthusiast also developed a close connection with the historic sporting venue, where he once featured in a celebrity cricket match to raise funds for charity.

In a farewell message, President of Everest CC, Manzoor Nadir, thanked HE Quinn for his dedicated and outstanding service to Guyana, and wished him well in his future endeavours.

“Thanks for being a positive influence on our club and also a generous donor during the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic. Safe travels, hope to see you soon,” he said.

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GUYANATIMESGY.COM

By Brandon Corlette

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uyana’s Romario Shepherd has played seven International matches for the West Indies, after he recorded some consistent performances for the Guyana Jaguars and the Guyana Amazon Warriors.

A slingy fast bowler, Shepherd is known for his skilled death bowling, and he served as the perfect replacement for death-bowling specialist Dwayne Bravo.

West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons, responding to a question posted by this daily publication, said Shepherd is expected to play a role similar to what he played for the Amazon Warriors in the Hero Caribbean Premier League.

“He is one of the players who have done well for Guyana, especially in CPL; and he bowls well at the top. He is one of the better death bowlers in the Caribbean, and that is the role he will have to play in the team,” Simmons said.

Shepherd has bowled in 19 innings for

Shepherd is all smiles in a practice session in New Zealand

the Amazon Warriors, and has taken 23 wickets at an average of 20.6 and an economy rate of 8.1. With the bat, he has only made 89

runs, but packs a punch as a lower-order batsman with a strike rate of 158.9.

“We have seen him hit the ball a few times, but we hope, in this team, he does not get that opportunity too often,” Simmons shared.

The seasoned Head Coach is hoping that Shepherd keeps working, and be one of the best in the business.

Shepherd made his international debut last year against Afghanistan, and received his cap from the same Bravo. He has played five One-Day Internationals and two T20 Internationals (T20Is). In the 2020 CPL, Shepherd grabbed just six wickets, and scored 15 runs from eight matches for the Guyana Amazon Warriors; but, over the years, he has shown his ability.

West Indies T20 Squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Fabian Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, Shimron

23

West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons

Hetmyer, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr. and Kesrick Williams.

Andre Russell's LPL involvement 'news to me', says Phil Simmons

W

hen West Indies play their first T20I against New Zealand in Auckland on Friday, they will do so without one of the format's best players in Andre Russell.

Russell will be in Sri Lanka, where he will be competing for the Colombo Kings in the inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Russell declined selection for the tour back in October, but the circumstances surrounding his absence are increasingly unclear, not least after Phil Simmons, West Indies' head coach, said in a media briefing on Wednesday morning that he was unaware of Russell's whereabouts.

Asked for his take on Russell's participation in the league and the fact he is in Sri Lanka rather than taking part in the tour, Simmons responded: "Is he?

That's news to me. I haven't spoken to him since we came down here [to New Zealand]."

Simmons said, "He was at the IPL, and I haven't spoken to him since then. I didn't know he was in Sri Lanka. I can't answer your question about that until I know what the whole situation is."

When West Indies announced their squads for the tour, CWI said that Russell, along with Lendl Simmons a n d

Andre Russell is not part of Kieron Pollard's West Indies T20I squad in New Zealand (BCCI)

Evin Lewis, had opted out of selection.

"CWI fully respects their decision to choose to do so, and states that this will not impact consideration for future selection," a media release said.

Roger Harper, CWI lead selector, said in a virtual press conference that Russell "said that he wasn't really handling the whole thing very well, and that he needed some time to clear his head and get himself together, because he's been going from one lockdown, so to speak, to another."

In a subsequent press conference, Harper suggested that Russell might struggle to regain his place in the T20I side if those on the tour impressed in his absence.

"I think (that) as we move forward, we will look at

Andre Russell

all situations, all players, and determine whether we need to continue to look at those players, continue to consider those players, or we need to move on," he said.

"A lot of things are determined by how well the team performs. I think if players in the team perform exceedingly well, then it will make it difficult for those that are

not on the tour to get back into the team. So, a lot of things will be taken into consideration as we move forward."

After being signed in the LPL draft, Russell initially withdrew from the tournament, citing fitness issues, before declaring himself available again. Towards the end of the IPL, Russell signalled that he was some way short of full fitness following an injury, despite returning to the Kolkata Knight Riders side in time for their final group match against Rajasthan Royals.

He told Star Sports, the tournament's broadcaster, after that fixture that he had "a grade two, grade three hamstring tear," but that he had rushed back after it had healed faster than expected.

"When I looked at the scan, it was very ugly. That type of result normally would be six to eight weeks out," he had said.

Russell then stayed in the UAE after the end of the tournament, posting photos on his Instagram account of himself and Chris Gayle at a Dubai nightclub, at a shisha bar, and with a local barber.

He flew to Sri Lanka last week ahead of the LPL, with videos of him wearing the Colombo Kings jersey as part of a promotional photoshoot appearing on Tuesday.

Russell has been only a sporadic member of West Indies' T20I side in the last three years, regularly missing games in order to manage his injuries. Since August 2018, he has played only twice in the format, with both of his appearances coming in the series win against Sri Lanka earlier this year, and he does not have a CWI central contract.

West Indies' series in New Zealand starts at Eden Park on Friday night (tomorrow night), while the Colombo Kings get their LPL season underway on Thursday. (ESPN Cricinfo)

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

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