Guyana Times - Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Guyana supports Canadasponsored “Declaration against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations” See story on page 2

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4561

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

Companies must be held accountable to Local Content Policy – President Page 3

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Affirmative P14 action proposed to ensure all benefit from Local Content Policy … disadvantaged, underserved communities will be targeted

2 new COVID-19 mortalities

P11

…1 new case from 112 tests

Bandit places gun in woman's mouth while demanding valuables P10 Teen seriously

…says maximum benefits for locals, but not to deter foreign investors injured after …Guyana cannot only rely on companies’ “goodwill” – VP crashing ATV

Fishing vessel with decomposed bodies found offshore Guyana AFC locked Govt sues in a broken, BK Marine abusive, one-sided for trespass, – former relationship MP resigns rent arrears David Patterson, Rawlston Adams deny fraud charge Page 7

P14

Guyanese art teacher found murdered in apartment P15

Page 7

Page 10

Page 11

Soldiers implicated P11 in rape allegations removed from Mabaruma

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana supports Canada-sponsored “Declaration against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations” …endorses initiative

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau

G

overnment has given its support to the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in Stateto-State Relations – which was launched by Canada to impel action against this global problem.

On Monday, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau launched the Declaration and has already received support from 58 countries, the European Union and the eighth United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

It speaks to the practice globally where foreign na-

tionals are arbitrarily arrested, sentenced or detained by countries in attempts to leverage them for “diplomatic gains” with other States.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd in commending the Government of Canada, said Guyana fully endorses this initiative. This is especially since small States like Guyana remain most vulnerable and at-risk if the practice of arbitrary arrest, detention and sentencing prevails.

“The Government of Guyana strongly condemns politically motivated arbitrary arrest, detention and sentencing of foreign nationals and embraces the position that every person, regardless of who they are and where they are, is entitled to the protection of their basic human rights and fundamental freedoms as established in international law. Every State has the responsibility to safeguard these rights, not just for their citizens but for foreign nationals within their jurisdiction,” Todd said in his statement.

The Minister went on to label the detention of foreign nationals as a “political tool”,

“The Government of Guyana strongly condemns politically motivated arbitrary arrest, detention and sentencing of foreign nationals and embraces the position that every person, regardless of who they are and where they are, is entitled to the protection of their basic human rights and fundamental freedoms as established in international law. Every State has the responsibility to safeguard these rights, not just for their citizens but for foreign nationals within their jurisdiction.” – Minister Todd and it contravenes customary international law, the rights of due process and many provisions of international treaties- including but not limited to, Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 25 of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man. Further, he said that Guyana’s Government endorses Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations under which consular officers shall be free to communicate with nationals of the sending State and to have ac-

cess to them; to be informed if a national of that State is arrested or committed to prison or to custody pending trial or is detained in any other manner. Consular officers, the convention notes, shall also be free to visit and communicate with a detained national, as well as arrange for legal representation.

According to Todd, foreign citizens should never be used as political pawns and Guyana stands resolutely for human, civil and political rights. His statement encouraged other States to end the practice of arbitrary arrest and detention; further asking the UN to promote and pursue the Declaration within their framework.

He continued, “Finally, the Government of Guyana is continuously increasing efforts to improve the treatment of per-

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd expresses the Government’s support for this initiative

sons detained within the confines of our municipal laws in a humane manner. At the international level, Guyana stands ready to support similar and all initiatives that support and improve the protection and promotion of human rights for all in accordance with international law.”

In a press release, the Canadian Government said over a quarter of the world’s countries from every region have shared similar concerns and took the human decision to endorse the declaration to protect their people.

“Countries from every continent are coming together to denounce this unjust practice which exposes people who live, work and travel abroad to greater risk,” the released said.

Just a few weeks ago, 12 Guyanese fishermen were released by Venezuela after their vessels – Lady Nayera

and the Sea Wolf – were illegally intercepted in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

On January 21, the two Guyanese-registered fishing vessels and 12-man crew were operating off the coast of Waini Point in Guyana’s EEZ when they were stopped by the Venezuelan naval vessel, Commandante Hugo Chavez GC 24, that was illegally traversing Guyana’s waters.

The Venezuelans boarded the vessels and the captains were instructed to chart a course to Port Guiria, where they were detained and kept.

The men were subsequently brought before a Venezuelan court, after which reports had emerged that they could be kept in custody for some 45 days pending an investigation. However, Venezuela came under immense diplomatic pressure and President Nicolás Maduro ordered the release of the men. (G12)

NEWS

3

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, February 16 – 04:30h – 06:00h and Wednesday, February 17 – 09:00h – 10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, February 16 – 06:40h – 08:10h and Wednesday, February 17 – 07: 50h – 08:35h.

Companies must be held accountable to Local Content Policy – President

…says maximum benefits for locals, but not to deter foreign investors …Guyana cannot only rely on companies’ “goodwill” – VP

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Expect sunshine during the day. There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 20 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 2.23 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 07:18h and 19:38h reaching maximum heights of 2.56 metres and 2.54 metres.

Low Tide: 13:11h reaching a minimum height of 0.65 metre.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS O

04 05 08

10 12 16

FREE TICKET

26 Bonus Ball

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

05 07 09 14 25 LUCKY 3

0

2

4

1

Afternoon Draw

3

1

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01

04

07

08

10 15 16

PAY DAY

SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2021

03 05

11 13 16 13

03 11

13 14 21

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$62.43/barrel

+2.07

Rough Rice

$230.94/ton

+0.13

London Sugar

$469.60/ton

0

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1823.90

$1824.90

Low/High Change

$1815.20 +5.50

$1825.40 +0.30%

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

W

ith consultations underway on the Local Content Policy, President Dr Irfaan Ali has emphasised the importance of ensuring that companies can be held accountable to the provisions of the Local Content Policy (LCP).

The consultations were launched at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Monday with senior Government officials and stakeholders. In his address to those gathered, President Ali reminded of the need to ensure that companies are indeed following the Local Content Policy.

“An important part of the Local Content Policy is accountability.

And Government has an important responsibility in ensuring there’s accountability, through the audits and the monthly evaluations,” President Ali said.

“So that also will be part of the Local Content Policy.

How do we determine whether they’re in compliance with the policy or not? And how do we hold you accountable to the policy,” the President added.

For better context, the President explained that the Local Content Policy is not just for oil and gas, but all sectors that will see foreign direct investment. He emphasised that the consultation must therefore be broadbased. President Ali also noted that although the policy should have maximum benefits for locals, it should not deter foreign investors.

“The Local Content Policy is set in the national development framework. It is not set in oil and gas. Guyana, our future, is not only about oil and gas. Oil and gas is the catalyst that pushes us. It is a key factor (but) we do not intend for this discussion to be narrowly positioned on oil and gas.”

“We are not here to say that we want to minimise foreign investment; that will be to our detriment. But we want the investors who are coming in to recognise that through legislative mechanisms, through regulations, through institutions that they have to commit to local content; and not only committed to local content, but we are going to move with you in setting targets as to the levels of local content.”

President Ali also said that his Government is ready and willing to play its part in this development process since it recognises that there is an existing gap when it comes to capital, human resource capability and technology.

He pointed out that his Administration has already committed to building a stable macroeconomic environment, improving the ease of doing business, improving the efficiency of Government institutions, and improving legislation to respond to our economy’s future needs. In addition to this, President Ali added that the country will also get an oil and gas training institute.

“In recognising that there is an existing gap, we have to put systems in place now to quickly bridge that gap. In the intervening period, while we bridge this gap, we are saying that we also have to define a space for local business and local participation,” Ali said.

The President’s view on holding companies accountable was shared by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. According to him, the Government cannot rely on the goodwill of companies to do what is right. And like Ali, he too made it clear that the policy is not to deter oil companies.

“As the President pointed out, there has to be rigid compliance and monitoring, all of these things. We can’t just leave it to the goodwill of individuals. With the best intentions, often this doesn’t happen,” Jagdeo said.

“The Local Content Policy

President Irfaan Ali during the consultation

was not created to disincentivise investment. But it’s a promise that we made to our people, about shared prosperity. And this has to happen.

And this policy will be bolstered by the future evolution of the (Production Sharing Agreement).”

The idea of consultation of the LCP is in keeping with the PPP/C manifesto before entering Government. The Head of State reiterated that his Administration wants all Guyanese to be involved and benefit from our forthcoming

wealth.

After addressing the gathering, Jagdeo then opened the consultation process, which saw meaningful discussions between stakeholders. Several Government Ministers and officials, along with Private Sector representatives, were also at the consultation.

It is understood that the consultations will remain open for the next month.

Persons will be able to submit their views, either at the forum or online. (G3)

4

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

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

Lifestyle changes needed towards environment

T

he issue of recycling is becoming a major concern for both the general public and the economy. Scientific research has suggested that due to lifestyle patterns of citizens, the earth’s natural resources are being depleted too quickly to sustain a healthy balance. The earth’s natural resources are being consumed at a rate that reinforces the idea that we are living for today, and future generations will be paying for the consequences that result from our lifestyle choices.

For years now, calls for citizens here to dispose of their waste in a responsible manner have fallen on deaf ears, and the build-up of garbage in and around the city continues to be repeated.

Governments and businesses all over the world are realising how serious the problem is, and are taking steps towards putting policy mechanisms in place to ensure that the environment is protected from various forms of pollution. Recycling, along with reducing consumption, has proven to be an effective way to counter the damage we have been doing to the earth for centuries.

A major part of recycling relates to how best we can recycle much of what we use, instead of turning it into unusable waste. For the sake of emphasis, recycling is important as a means of reducing poisonous emissions into the atmosphere, and also to postpone depletion of our natural resources.

Guyana has indeed taken some time to get “on board”, while many companies and individuals in other parts of the world are improving their recycling habits by coming up with more ways to reduce and reuse what they use. In essence, while there has been much talk about the need to recycle certain products to save our environment from further damage, in a practical sense, the concept has not as yet taken much root here. Only a handful of companies have shown that they are really serious about moving in this direction. For example, in a bid to support the efforts to sustain and maintain a clean and healthy environment through the provision of proper disposal mechanisms and technology, one local company had launched a line of biodegradable products, called Eco Pak. The Eco Pak products consist of bio-degradable tableware, including bowls, boxes, and cups, which are all environmentally-friendly products because of the materials and the process utilised to manufacture them.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government had, in the past, made an offer of tax-free concessions to individuals and businesses willing to invest and set up recycling plants for plastics and Styrofoam. This was viewed as a good start, and from all indications, a few companies had expressed an interest in taking up the offer. However, we are not certain how far these companies have gone ahead with actual implementation of the project ideas.

That being said, if we are serious about maintaining a healthy and clean environment, consumers must demand that businesses engage in practices that are more ecofriendly. For example, consumers must be encouraged to purchase from companies that manufacture more ecofriendly products.

As part of efforts to spread the message of recycling, a comprehensive education and public awareness campaign would need to be carried out, using every available means.

Following this, the authorities should explore setting up recycling centres across the country, since it makes no sense preaching about recycling if the necessary infrastructural support system is not present.

In addition to its positive impacts on the environment, recycling brings in a lot of money for many countries.

Companies make huge sums from basically utilising the materials that would otherwise have been thrown away.

As this publication had previously said, we believe there is need for lifestyle changes among our citizens, and it would be very helpful if the schools, religious organisations, and local Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and municipalities in every region start the conversation with citizens about recycling. This should be done with direct involvement of the decision-makers.

The aerobatic demonstration team of the Italian Air Force, The Frecce Tricolori (“Tricolor Arrows”), performs before the start of the Alpine World Ski Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy (Reuters)

Sad state of affairs that Opposition MPs are not able to read, comprehend documents Dear Editor, Please permit me space in your newspaper to respond to a missive floating around on social media written by APNU/AFC firsttime Member of Parliament Juretha Fernandes where she sought to discredit

Servants wages and salaries.

But the PPP must now find a way to fix such a grave omission in an attempt to salvage their tarnished public image.”

Now here are the facts: 1. Ms Fernandes is partially correct - those specific words do not appear in

NB the line item 6141 is only used in the Ministry of Finance’s budget. In other words, no other Ministry or agency will allocate sums under this line item.

Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Budget Agencies etc have to request the

rectly stated by the VP over $10 billion, is budgeted for salary increases.

Editor, it is a sad state of affairs when Members of Parliament especially those who boast of their high intellectual prowess are not able to read and

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo’s assertions that public servants would receive a salary increase.

In the VP’s Facebook post, he stated that there is over $10 billion under the head “revision of wages of salaries” which caters for salary increases. To counter, Ms Fernandes was adamant that there is no mention of this heading in any of the three budget estimate volumes.

She then concluded that “the 2021 budget did not cater for any increase, revision or otherwise, in Public

the budget estimates. What the MP ought to have known is that the line item 6141 to which the Vice President refers was changed from “revision of wages of salaries” to “other employment costs” in 2014. As such, she should have examined this line to ascertain whether funds were budgeted before coming to a conclusion

amount necessary to facilitate salary increase payments by way of memorandum to the Finance Secretary.

1. Secondly, there was no omission – and absolutely no need to fix anything. In the 2021 Budget estimates, under the same 6141 line item, $10,094,889,000, as cor-

comprehend documents, in this case, the budget, which they are expected to scrutinise.

Nevertheless, I hope Ms Fernandes and the rest of her colleagues read this letter and become more equipped to function in their roles. More importantly, I hope that public servants disregard the misinformation being promulgated by the mischievous few.

Extracted from 2014 budget estimates Volume 1

Sincerely, John Edghill

Any flaring other than for safety should raise questions, but must be put into context Dear Editor, A look at global flaring data provided me with an eye-opening moment. After months of frightening reports of flaring numbers that mean little without context, it was notable, to say the least, to see World Bank numbers on flaring showing Guyana…nowhere. While it is unfortunate that flaring issues related to the compressor continue to this day, it is in no way the existential threat that some in the media have framed it to be.

The devil, as they say, is in the details.

When compared to other countries, Guyana did not even make the top 30 on the World Bank’s Global Gas Flaring report. 2019 flaring rates for countries like Nigeria, Algeria, and Russia all dwarf the 10 billion cubic feet of gas said to have been flared here in 2020 by orders of magnitude. Ecuador, dead last on the World Bank’s list, still flared several times what we did last year. Now, any flaring other than for safety should raise questions but it must be put into context of what is happening around the world.

Publishing per capita numbers, as some outlets here have chosen to do, is deeply misleading in a small country like ours. That goes double for some reports that have not bothered to convert between cubic feet and cubic metres -- sometimes overstating the problem by many times as a result.

As has been said in the past, the teething pains, and operational issues since first oil in December 2019 are not wholly unexpected and have been well documented in the media. But there is still more ExxonMobil must do

to address the compressor issues and work to maintain Guyana’s identity as a green country and a carbon sink.

The sooner ExxonMobil can make a permanent fix on its compressor, the sooner it can meet its goal of no routine flaring aboard the production ships, the better. I am hopeful that this is much sooner than later and that the lessons learned here will help Exxon avoid a repeat of the same issues in the future.

Sincerely, Donald Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

5

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

Selection of Law Reform Commission members - an opportunity for progressive governance Dear Editor, The Law Reform Commission (Amendment) Bill approved by Parliament on Thursday, February 12, amended the selection procedure for members of the Commission.

While the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) welcomes the purpose of the amendment, namely, to ensure a broad-based selection procedure for members of the Commission that goes well beyond its tradi-

tional monopoly by the legal community, the modernising spirit, however, is endangered by proposed rules of selection that will frustrate the diversity and momentum being sought.

This problem is not peculiar to the Law Reform Commission.

Selection procedures for statutory bodies in general are obsolete, contributing to their being largely ineffective as progressive governance mechanisms. The funda-

mental defect in the selection process traditionally has been the practice of Governments appointing individuals to national Boards, Commissions and Directorships, without a clear rationale to justified selection. Without such rules or guiding principles, selection for State Boards is vulnerable to the practice of rewarding supporters.

The current process largely mirrors the selec-

tion of MPs from party lists, rendering the chosen as accountable only to the leader who selected them rather than the people who they supposedly represent, thereby frustrating the diverse civic energies these bodies are intended to mobilise.

The amended Law Reform Act provides an opportunity to move decisively away from this feeble governance tradition by identifying diverse sectors

Is PNC fast becoming an obsolete Opposition?

Dear Editor, Three noteworthy matters took place this past week, they are, the inaugural address by the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali, the budget presentation

by Dr Ashni Singh and the PNC’s protest, I shall direct my comments specifically to the last-mentioned action.

Now, the PNC Opposition is in a very serious bind, in that they do not recognise the legitimate existence of the PPP/C Administration and as such, they would like to mount protest actions at various auspicious events to embarrass the Government. Their claim is that the Irfaan Ali Government was fraudulently installed and should be resisted at every available opportunity.

Be that as it may, it is very ludicrous of them to take the route they are tak-

ing, because, if they have questions about the process in which the PPP/C came to office, then, the decent thing is to take your queries to the appropriate forum, that is, to a court of law.

This they actually did in an election petition filed some months ago, and which we are soon to go into great details. But the PNC cannot wait for those hearings to begin, probably thinking that they will not stand a ghost of a chance with those watered-down facts, so they have now resigned themselves to a life of disgraceful acts all under the name of protest.

The latest events in their quest was a Trumpian invasion of the house with placards and loud shouts of “fraud.” They were not there to attend Parliament, certainly not, but in an expressed battle mode to dis-

rupt proceedings. It was a yard fowl scenario with their nonstop heckling, as a friend of mine puts it “this yard fowl behaviour with wanton lawlessness,” should not be condoned.

Yard fowl belongs to the yard or better still on the roadside! It was a pathetic display of “yardie” behaviour, with the controversial Patterson scaling the Police barricade, the spikes ripping away his clothing; it could have also ripped that part of his anatomy to shreds. This sort of behaviour was all happening here in good old Guyana.

And to think of it, the PNC not being satisfied with such belligerence, would turn again and lie to the public that they were arbitrarily locked out of Parliament by the Speaker.

This is a very egregious remark coming from the

main Opposition party and I call on the Speaker to demand an apology from those involved. This sort of behaviour will not be allowed to flourish here, our Parliament is a dignified and hallowed place and as such all those who come within its walls should act in the appropriate dignified way.

So, while some of their supporters might run away with the silly idea that they represent a strong political party, the majority of us prefer to hang our heads in shame to see the degradation we have fallen into. I too join with the moral majority in denouncing them, we see them as desperate people who are in the final stages of becoming obsolete in Guyana’s rapidly evolving politics.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

T

here are three types of minds: (1) minds like ginned cotton, ready to receive the spark of highest wisdom and to give up in one instant blaze, the weakness and prejudices of ages, (2) minds like dry wood, who succeed but only after some little time, and (3) minds like green logs, which resist the onslaught of the fire of jnana with all their might. Herds of cattle run towards a mirage to slake their thirst, but you ought to be wiser. You have discrimination (viveka), and renunciation (vairagya); you can detach yourselves consciously from pursuits which you discover as deleterious. Sit quietly for a few minutes and ponder over the fate of those who run towards the mirage. Are they happy? Do they have the strength to bear distress and distinction with equanimity?

Have they a glimpse of the beauty, the truth, and the grandeur of the Universe which is the handiwork of God? – Divine Discourse, Jan 13, 1965

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation

from which members should be selected. In addition to “organisations that appear to represent the legal profession”, the Act identifies the Private Sector, trade unions, religious organisations and - included during the parliamentary debate Indigenous peoples.

As indicated earlier, while the aspiration should be welcomed, the key to ensuring its efficacy lies in the criteria for selection.

In this regard, the new Act regurgitates procedures which should have been left in the dust long ago. The requirement that members - from outside the legal profession - should have ten years of experience in “banking, commerce or other fields” seems arbitrary.

Nor are there criteria for gender, age, or geographic balance.

In fairness to the Attorney General’s Chambers, developing a procedure for selection of participants outside of the legal realm is largely unchartered territory and an issue across all Commissions and Boards.

This challenge will appear with increased frequency as the pressure is increasing to progressively involve the civil and business sectors in decision-making processes of the State.

Rather than attempt to either resolve this in isolation for the Law Reform Commission, the Attorney General and Ministry of Governance might want to

seize this opportunity to review the whole issue, particularly in light of the fact that similar challenges are down the road in relation to electoral and constitutional reform.

Specialised sub-committees, allowed for by the revised law, provide potential channels to accommodate an ambitious programme of reform without the need to overload the Commission itself.

A suggested first step might be for the Minister to determine the sectors to be allocated places on the Commission taking into consideration the reform agenda to be addressed by the Commission and the interest in those sectors in having a place on the Commission. Secondly, put the onus on the designated sectors to devise and propose to the Minister what a fair, efficient and timebound selection process might look like. Thirdly, following Ministerial approval of selection processes, each sector then implements its selection.

In addition to ensuring the process is inclusive within each sector, personal criteria applicable to all candidates should be devised, to ensure integrity, competence and willingness to devote the time required.

Sincerely, Executive Committee Guyana Human Rights Association

6

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

Question 1:

Monday’s answers 1ai) The number of red tomatoes = the total – the green tomatoes = 40 – 18 = 22 1aii) The fraction of tomatoes that are red

= the number that are red

the total

Reduce to lowest possible numbers

= 22/40 = 11/20

1bi) The ratio of red to tomatoes to green tomatoes = the number of red tomatoes : the number of tomatoes = 22:18 1bii) The ratio 22:18 in its simplest form is 11:9

Homemade Play Dough Materials:

3 cups of flour

1 ½ cups of salt 6 tsp cream of tartar 3 tbsp of oil 3 cups of water

Instructions:

Junior Scientists must have a responsible adult assistant to help!

Dissolve salt in the water.

Pour all ingredients into a large pot.

Stir constantly over medium heat until a ball forms by pulling away from

the sides.

Knead the dough mixture until the texture matches playdough (1-2 minutes).

Store in plastic container. Should

last for at least 3 months.

You can even try adding a package of Kool Aid to give the playdough colour and a nice scent! (scienceisfun. org)

A

labourer lay listening to a nightingale's song throughout the summer night. So pleased was he with it that the next night he set a trap for it and captured it. "Now that I have caught thee," he cried, "thou shalt always sing to me."

"We nightingales never sing in a cage." said the bird.

"Then I'll eat thee." said the labourer. "I have always heard say that a nightingale on toast is dainty morsel."

"Nay, kill me not," said the nightingale; "but let me free, and I'll tell thee three things far better worth than my poor body." The labourer let him loose, and he flew up to a branch of a tree and said: "Never believe a captive's promise; that's one thing.

Then again: Keep what you have. And third piece of advice is: Sorrow not over what is lost forever."

Then the song-bird flew away.

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fishing vessel with decomposed bodies found offshore Guyana C

hief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess has confirmed that a vessel was found offshore Guyana with several bodies while noting that the GDF would have received the report along with photographs from the crew of another boat which was passing with a tug.

He noted that the vessel with the bodies is being towed to shore by the vessel that found it. Presently, he noted that no Coast Guard team was dispatched to the area but explained that once the vessel reaches the shore, more information will be provided.

In addition, he did not have information with respect to the number of bod-

Chief of Staff Godfrey Bess

ies on board the vessel.

“We are aware that a vessel was found by another boat offshore Guyana and as such, we are in contact with the Police, Maritime

Administration (MARAD), Port Health Authorities and other relevant agencies as we work collaboratively to investigate the discovery,” the Chief of Staff added.

Guyana Times was told that the fishing boat with the bodies was spotted some 74 miles offshore Guyana.

Nevertheless, reports reaching this publication revealed that the bodies are in a state of decomposition except one that is identifiable. Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Robeson Benn when contacted on Monday said that he was briefed on the situation and the relevant authorities are being mobilised to launch a full-scale investigation when the bodies arrive on Guyana’s shore.

Public Security Minister Robeson Benn

Due to the distance that has to be covered, the vessels are expected to reach ashore sometime this morning.

AFC locked in a broken, abusive, onesided relationship – former MP resigns

F

ormer Member of Parliament for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition, Reynard Ward has resigned from the party.

Ward tendered his resignation on Monday.

In a letter sent to General Secretary David Patterson, the former parliamentarian said the party has failed to implement changes related to constitutional reform and has locked itself in a one-sided relationship with the APNU. “I must, strongly note my service to the Alliance For Change (AFC) for the past years as the party fought for the advancement of policies, programs and projects that should have brought development to our nation on every front, some of which it did achieve, but failed on others especially that of constitutional reform,” the letter said in part.

“Unfortunately, I don’t share the belief that the par-

ty.

Former AFC Member of Parliament Reynard Ward

ty holds that key anymore and has now locked itself inside that door and in a broken, abusive and one-sided relationship that was not supported by many,” Ward said in his resignation letter.

Ward has now joined a long list of senior members of the party who have walked away from the par-

In August last, longtime member Gobin Harbhajan resigned from the party, stating that it has strayed from its core values.

Two months later, Abel Seetaram, a former Regional Councillor for Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) also resigned and later that same month Audwin Rutherford, a parliamentarian for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) resigned, contending that it has lost its way and has been subsumed by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR).

Those were the same reasons given by Linden Alliance, who resigned from the party the following month.

However, one month prior, former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson resigned from the position of General Secretary. He later withdrew the resignation.

According to Ward,

during the pre-coalition era, the party was considered the public’s “pitbull” but is now a puppet to the People’s National Congress.

“There seems to be no hope for a better tomorrow with the current players even with a reshuffle.

The bitterness and backbiting will eat away the very fact that many hard-working hands built over the trust over the years,” the agricultural scientist told Patterson in his letter.

Efforts to contact the party’s General Secretary for a comment on this most recent resignation proved futile. (G4)

On January 21 last, two Guyanese-registered fishing vessels and 12-man crew that were operating off the coast of Waini Point in Guyana’s EEZ were intercepted by the Venezuelan naval vessel Commandante Hugo Chavez GC 24, which was illegally traversing Guyana’s waters.

The Venezuelans reportedly boarded the vessels and the captains were instructed to chart a course to Port Guiria, where they were detained until their release.

The crew of one of the ships, the Lady Nayera, comprised Captain Richard Ramnarine and crew members Ramlakan Kamal, Nick Raghubar, Javin Boston, Michael Domingo and Joel Joseph.

The other ship, the Sea Wolf, was under the charge of Captain Toney Garraway, and the crew members were Errol Gardener, Orland Roberts, Christopher Shaw, Shirvin Oneil and Randy Henry.

In Venezuela, the men were brought before a Venezuelan court, after which reports had emerged that they could be kept in custody for some 45 days pending an investigation.

However, Guyana and a number of countries had condemned Venezuela’s actions and urged the Spanish-speaking country to release the fishermen. A few days later the vessels along with the 12-member crew were released.

Meanwhile, since the economic crises in Venezuela, its citizens have been using small vessels to flee to Trinidad and Tobago and some instances, Guyana. In addition, there have been several piracy attacks on fishermen in both the Essequibo and Corentyne Rivers. In light of the discovery of the bodies, there are a number of speculations but those can only be cleared once a full investigation is conducted.

(G10)

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Trio on $1.5M bail for narco trafficking

The day after...

Troy Jacobs

T

hree men, who were reportedly nabbed by ranks of the Customs

Ivor Anderson

Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) with a quantity of cannabis, were granted bail when they

Perez Cush

appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday.

Troy Jacobs, 46, a businessman of Penny Lane, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown; Ivor Anderson, 75, of Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), along with Perez Cush, 43, a barber of Newton Kitty, Georgetown, all appeared before Magistrate Sherdell Isaacs-Marcus charged for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The charges read by Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus stated that on February 12, 2021, between Homestretch and Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, the men were found with 3.156 kilograms of cannabis. Jacobs, Anderson, and Cush all denied the charge.

Jacobs and Anderson were both represented by Attorney-at-Law Adrian Thompson.

Thompson in a bail application told the court that at the time of the incident, Jacobs was the owner/dr of the car and was unaware of what the bag contained.

In addition, he stated that the car had two other occupants at the time, therefore, there was no evidence implicating Jacobs to the charge.

In relation to Anderson, Thompson explained that his client has been legally blind for a number of years and that he is also advanced in age. He clarified that the parcel was given to the senior citizen by a friend, who had asked him to take it to someone on their behalf. As such, when he received the bag, he was unable to check the contents of the parcel.

Thompson added that Anderson, who resides in Potaro-Siparuni, had come to Georgetown on the day in question to undergo eye surgery.

The three men were all granted $500,000 bail each and the case will continue on March 1. As a condition for bail, they were all required to lodge their passports.

According to reports, the trio was intercepted on February 12, 2021, while they were travelling along the route of Homestretch and Mandela Avenue, Georgetown. A search conducted on the vehicle by CANU ranks resulted in a parcel said to contain cannabis being unearthed. (G15)

Y

...the love fest our Eyewitness was accused of being a misogynist (if not a misanthrope) for ignoring “Valentine’s Day” in yesterday’s column. The first, Dear Reader, hates women while the latter is churlish towards our entire species! Nothing could be further from the truth! It’s just that since the Budget was announced (and he’s old enough to appreciate calypsonian advice “no money, no love”), he felt constrained to set his priorities straight!!

So, now on to showering love and affection on our female of the species in general, and our better halves in particular! Let it be stated for the record that your Eyewitness did his bit with the flowers and chocolates.

After all, he didn’t want winter to descend in to his humble abode with the cold shoulder and even colder cutting looks from the object of his affections! But if the truth be told, he really isn’t into these occasions that started out as well-meaning attempts for us to live better lives with each other, but have now become so commercialised that all the human feeling has been sucked from them. Not only Valentine’s Day but Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc.

They’ve all become totally mechanical processes where you walk into a store, plunk down your cash, and you’re given some pieces of merchandise that’s supposed to signal your “love” for wife, mother, father and so on. It just sucks all the spontaneity from expressing what’s supposed to be the sentiment that is ultimately responsible for keeping us going as a species. Love – it really does make the world go round.

But where did this Valentine’s Day come from? Like Christmas and Easter – and so many of our observances in the (westernised) modern world – it all began in the practices of the Roman Empire. In the case of Valentine’s Day, this came out of the “Feast of Lupercalia” – which was “a bloody, violent and sexually-charged celebration awash with animal sacrifice, random matchmaking and coupling in the hopes of warding off evil spirits and infertility”.

More specifically, male youths would run naked through the streets where willing females would bare their skin to be whipped with thongs of leather and “couple” with each other as suited their fancy!

After Rome fell to Christianity, the revelries were (sadly?) banned. But unlike Burnham who banned certain foods in Guyana, the Christian Romans realised bans aren’t effective unless substitutes are provided. At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St Valentine’s Day, and gradually the “Pagan” practices were sublimated into signalling “love” for females in less direct ways. Such as sending love letters and such like.

In our modern times, we were convinced that flowers and chocolate would do the trick!

Ah...for the good old days!! ...the vaccination Even though the number of deaths from COVID-19 keeps rising inexorably worldwide, most Guyanese are still sceptical of taking the vaccine – now starting to be unrolled. In this reaction, they’re in sync with folks in the rest of the world. Surprisingly high percentages of folks in the developed countries – who you’d think are au fait with the science of vaccines – like DOCTORS! – fall into the sceptical and dubious category!

So, your Eyewitness is suggesting that all 1500 persons – health workers and Caricom employees – who got the initial shots of AstraZeneca (hat tip again to Barbados) should be monitored for their reactions. He’s pretty certain that the Ministry of Health – which is headed by a Medical Doctor (Dr Frank Anthony) – would’ve implemented a system for such a feedback. All that needs to be done is to make the details public. And the same after the second shot is given in May. This would go a far way to alleviate (high) anxiety! ...the Local Content consultations Compliments to President Ali for keeping his word to host nationwide consultations on Local Content regulations for the O&G industry.

Your Eyewitness’s proposal is that all foreign companies must allocate at least 10 per cent shares to a Guyanese partner.

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

NEWS

9

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Budget 2021 a “return of spending power”– Chambers of Commerce, Unions T

he policies and investments set out in Budget 2021 continue to collect positive feedback and praises from different sections of society – who have all lauded Government’s vision to better the livelihoods of Guyanese.

On Monday, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) welcomed the measures and allocations that were proposed in the 2021 budget, noting that it will benefit people from all walks of life. Budget 2021 was presented on Friday by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, introducing a slew of plans to develop the various sectors.

In a statement, FITUG indicated that it took note of several initiatives that will raise the disposable income and ease some of the burdens that were brought on by the former coalition Administration. Moreover, it will improve the livelihoods of those persons in the vulnerable cross-section.

“The increase in the school grant, reduction in water tariffs, hikes in old age pensions and public assistance, removal of VAT on internet and data services, and the expanding the list of zero-rated products can well translate into thousands of dollars remaining in the pockets of the working people. Indeed, these are most welcomed more so in view of the several challenges that still confront our people, especially our vulnerable population,” the Federation expressed.

The Union also spoke

FITUG President Carvil Duncan

on the significant allocations that were made to the health and education sectors, noting that it speaks of Government’s commitment to safeguarding the population and building a knowledge-based economy.

“Indeed, these two fundamental policies play a seminal role in our ongoing development and the massive sums earmarked could see much transformation in these two important areas.

Significant efforts we recognised have been placed on enhancing national infrastructure and may certainly ease the many woes our people have in getting from place to place. Modern and efficient infrastructure is desperately needed and the budget we see makes a significant first step to correcting many of the maladies that prevail.”

In recognising that many dreams of homeownership were “dashed over” in the

last five years, policies by the new Government to bring this back on the front burner were praised. Now, they noted, persons will get closer to transforming these dreams into reality.

FITUG further elucidated, “The budget also spoke to the exciting economic times that have gripped our country. Indeed, there is a great deal to anticipate.

In as much as the times are bright, we recognise the Government laying a foundation for the period ahead.

We find this commendable as such policies augur well for this and future generations of Guyanese. Indeed, our country, we have long known, has great untapped potential. It is heartening to see some of this potential being unlocked through the transformative agenda laid out by the Government.”

Spending power

Meanwhile, the business community has also thrown great confidence behind the Administration’s plans for this fiscal year. The Bartica Chambers of Commerce commended Government on Budget 2021, viewing it as a “return of spending power” for the poor and working class.

Spokesperson Sherwyn Downer penned, “Duty-free concessions and other tax exemptions for miners and the mining industry is most welcome and timely as miners continue to struggle with night cost of maintenance and transportation of goods and services to the interior even as mining remains

Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce President Mohamed Raffik

the largest contributor to Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product.

The Bartica Chamber of Commerce joins with the Private Sector Commission of Guyana and all regional sectoral bodies in commending the Irfaan Ali Administration on Budget 2021.”

President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, Mohamed Raffik also chose to share his take by observing that the tax reversals and nonexistent new taxes will incentivise the Private Sector and bring relief to the ordinary man.

“It is good to see the Party keeping its campaign promise, with each school child to receive $15,000, an increase from last year. This measure

alone will put billions of dollars of disposable income directly in the hands of the ordinary man…To boost the housing drive, there was further zero-rating of construction materials and an increase of the loan ceiling of the New Building Society.

Together with the above, the removal of VAT on some basic food items will help the ordinary man and bring ease to the hardships faced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Raffik said there are areas where the Chamber would like to see improvement, including increased online transactions for renewal of driver’s licence and online payment for other services. It, however, noted that there was a stark difference in the budgets presented by this Government and the last, where the latter was filled with avenues to burden the population.

The Chamber stated, “We would have liked to see an increase in the income tax threshold, but as a whole, this kind of budget of reducing the tax burden on the population and incentivising key productive areas like forestry, the gold mining and other productive sectors, will definitely move our country forward and, in our view, is the key difference between this Government and the last one, where then the increased tax burden and

Bartica Chambers of Commerce spokesperson Sherwyn Downer

heavy bureaucracy had only served to isolate and demotivate the Private Sector.” (G12)

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt sues BK Marine for trespass, rent arrears

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

A

ttorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, has initiated legal proceedings against BK Marine - a subsidiary of the BK Group of Companies for trespass over its occupation of a bond at Lot 5 Water Street,

Kingston, Georgetown, in the compound of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD).

Nandlall has also claimed rent arrears against BK Marine in the sum of $8.4 million for the period August 1, 2009, to January 15, 2021. In a Statement of Claim, he deposed that he is entitled to possession of the bond and is therefore asking the High Court for an order evicting BK Marine from the property.

Also, the Attorney General has asked the court to award damages for trespass, mesne profits from August 1, 2009, until BK Marine vacates the bond, interest in accordance with Section 12 of the Law Reform Miscellaneous Act, such further or other orders as the court deems just and reasonable as well as costs.

Nandlall said that on

agreed to the payment of an advance of three annual rents of $1.8 million and thereafter on an annual basis. BK Marine subsequently took possession of the bond, he added. Nandlall, however, said that BK Marine stopped paying rent for the bond space from August 1, 2009, and as a consequence, the agreement was immediately terminated by T&HD.

BK Group of Companies CEO Brian Tiwarie

August 1, 2003, T&HD entered into an agreement with BK Marine for the rental of the bond which measures 43,966 square feet at an annual rental price of $600,000.

He stated that under the agreement, BK Marine

2-year-old dies suddenly after suffering from high fever

A

two-year-old lad was pronounced dead on Sunday after his mother rushed him to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital, Region One (Barima-Waini) with high a temperature. The dead lad is of Barima Kariabo, North West District (NWD).

Police preliminary investigations revealed that

the infant’s mother, Nicole Campbell, took him home on February 9, 2021. However, at about 16:00h on the said day, the child started to develop a high fever. On February, 13 at about 23:30h, the woman said that her child’s condition worsened.

Soon after, she explained that the child became motionless and it was then, he

was rushed to the Barima Kariabo Health Centre where he was immediately taken to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital.

At about 12:00h on Sunday, he was examined by a doctor, who pronounced him dead. The body is at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem.

According to Nandlall, notwithstanding the termination of the agreement, BK Marine continues to occupy the property and has failed and/or neglected to vacate the premises or pay an annual rent of $600,000.

Taking this into consideration, Nandlall submitted that BK Marine has incurred the sum of $8.4 million in arrears of rent

from August 1, 2009, to January 15, 2021.

He further submitted that as a result of BK Marine’s occupation of the bond, he was unable to use or rent it and as a consequence, claimed loss and mesne profit. He is also asking for a declaration that BK Marine committed a trespass in its continued occupation of the bond. (G1)

Bandit places gun in woman’s mouth while demanding valuables

S

ixty-two-yearold Cheryl Barker of Hummingbird Street, Festival City, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was left traumatised after three armed men invaded her property and robbed her in the wee hours of Monday.

The incident occurred at about 01:30h by the three men - one of whom was armed with a handgun and another a cutlass. They reportedly escaped with $160,000, one mobile phone and one 32-inch television set.

Based on reports received, the elderly woman was awakened by the sounds of persons walking in her living room and she started to scream.

At that point, she was confronted by the three men, who held her down on the bed and demanded money and jewellery.

The Police stated that

one of the suspects then placed the gun into the victim’s mouth while the others ransacked the apartment.

After finding the cash and other items, they made good their escape. After leaving, the Police were

contacted and upon checking the surroundings, it is believed that the men gained entry into the house by removing several louvre panes from a window.

No arrest was made but the area has been dusted for fingerprints.

11 David Patterson, Rawlston Adams deny fraud charge NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

A

lliance for Change (AFC) General Secretary and former Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson and former General Manager of the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DHBC), Rawlston Adams returned to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday where they pleaded not guilty to a joint fraud charge.

They were each released on $200,000 bail during their initial court appearance last month. The charge against them states that between November 18, 2016, and February 1, 2018, they conspired with other persons unknown to defraud the DHBC Asphalt Plant of

AFC General Secretary David Patterson

$162,635,015.

The funds were for a project about a feasibility

study and design for a new bridge across the Demerara River, which was not a function of that corporation and as such the monies from the Asphalt Plant account could not be used.

Patterson, who serves as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, is being represented by Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes, Ronald BurchSmith, and Khemraj Ramjattan, while Adams is represented by Attorney-atLaw Glenn Hanoman.

Attorney-at-Law Leslyn Noble is the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) prosecutor.

Patterson and Adams return to court on March 1, 2021, to collect statements.

In November of 2020, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill had disclosed that the Guyana Police Force was actively probing the award of the 2016 $145 million contract to LievenseCSO. The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) and the Auditor General had redflagged Patterson for requesting from the then Cabinet that the feasibility contract be sole-sourced instead of being processed through the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB).

The PPC had found that the bidding process was annulled because of non-responsive bidders. Following

2 new COVID-19 mortalities …1 new case from 112 tests

West Demerara), 3666 in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), 223 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 456 in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), 733 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), 245 in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), 412 in Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 641 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

New developments have emerged amid the administration of coronavirus vaccines in Guyana, which started on Thursday as health workers received their shots.

Vaccines

A

71-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and 70-year-old male from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) are Guyana’s latest COVID-19 death. This raises the death toll to 187.

This was announced by the Health Ministry, stating that the elderly man died on Sunday while receiving care at a medical facility.

Prior to this, the last fatalities were reported on Thursday after two males – an 84-year-old and 59-yearold from Region Four - succumbed in the designated coronavirus facilities.

On Monday, only one

new COVID-19 case was detected in Region Four from a total of 112 samples. The confirmed cases are 8232.

From this number, the gender breakdown is 4282 males and 3950 females. A total of 7399 persons have recovered from the virus as 647 active cases remain.

There are still seven persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with 45 persons in institutional isolation, 595 in home isolation and 26 in institutional quarantine.

Some 1017 cases have been detected in Region One (Barima-Waini), 233 in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 604 in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony assured on Monday that thousands of vaccines will reach Guyana by the end of this month.

They will finish the medical sector first before moving on to another group of the population.

“Our expectation is that by the end of the month, we will be receiving thousands of vaccines. I think we will have enough vaccines to cover at least all the healthcare workers and then move on to the other population groups,” he informed.

The Minister said that the teams that are conducting the immunisation are well-schooled in the areas which should be checked and examined before a vaccine is delivered.

“Anyone who would come to get their vaccines would go through several minutes

DHBC Former General Manager Rawlston Adams

investigations, it was revealed that several companies had bid for the project for the feasibility study and design for the bridge and 12 companies had been shortlisted. But only two of the 12 companies had made proposals. As such, the bidding process was annulled.

NPTAB had approved for the project to be re-tendered. However, the project was not re-tendered.

Instead, LievenseCSO was engaged by the then Public Infrastructure Ministry to do the work. It was revealed that the bid from LievenseCSO was “unsolicited”, but Patterson took the company’s proposal to Cabinet for approval.

Approval was granted for the company to be engaged.

Monies to be spent on the project were taken from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Asphalt Plant account. Reports indicate that in 2017, $215.3 million was used from the fund, while in 2018 a further $74 million was withdrawn.

The original sum approved by Cabinet for the contract was $161.5 million.

It is understood that the contract price for the handpicked LievenseCSO was actually $148 million. (G1)

Soldiers implicated in rape allegations removed from Mabaruma …Army launches BoI

T

of getting the information pertaining to the vaccine.

They’re given a brochure with additional information on the vaccine. When you go through that first step of getting this information, then you can make a decision whether you want to proceed and then you sit down with the next person on the team and they’ll go through a checklist with you. That is to verify whether or not you’re eligible.”

After confirming eligibility for the vaccine, the nurse will administer the vaccine after going through the process once more. The patient is required to wait for some 15 to 20 minutes for observation. If there are no immediate symptoms, they can leave.

Minor symptoms are common with vaccines since they mimic the virus to a lower extent. Normal side effects include swelling, redness, fever, headaches and tiredness. (G12)

he Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has launched a Board of Inquiry (BoI) into the rape allegations made against five of its ranks stationed at Mabaruma, North West District (NWD). As such, the ranks were pulled from the community to facilitate the investigations.

“The conduct and professionalism of our ranks are premier factors in our mission accomplishment. The Force will, therefore, spare no measure to ensure our ranks uphold our values and standards, and maintain the confidence of the communities which we are sworn to serve and defend,” the Force stated in a release to the media on Monday.

In addition, it stated that the Force’s operational posture on the border remained alert and the safety and security of citizens were assured.

On Sunday, the Force stated that five ranks were subjected to an allegation of rape in Mabaruma, NWD. While the details surrounding the incident are not available, the GDF in a release stated that soldiers are cooperating with the Police

as the investigation is ongoing.

In addition, the Force wishes to assure the public that it remains committed to the preservation of law and order.

In October 2018, two soldiers – Rawlston Reid, 22, of Dochfour Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD), and Isaiah Rawlins, 21, of Wisroc, Linden – allegedly raped a 26-year-old female in Essequibo, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

It was reported that on October 13, 2018, the two soldiers, who were placed on $300,000 bail each, allegedly had forceful sex with the woman.

The woman was at the time with her boyfriend at a community centre ground eating chips when they were approached by the soldiers, who are known to them.

The couple were ordered to have sex for the soldiers to see and when they refused, they were beaten and robbed. The woman’s boyfriend was forced to watch the entire ordeal before they stripped him of his gold chains worth $180,000.

The men have since been dismissed from the military.

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Health budget will fix challenges, heighten COVID-19 preparation – Dr Anthony H

ealth Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Monday welcomed the allocation that was set aside from the 2021 budget for the sector, noting that it will be used to alleviate some of the challenges currently faced.

Speaking during the COVID-19 update, it was highlighted that needed supplies and equipment will be sourced with the $53.5 billion that will be injected into the sector this year.

The health minister expressed that they are “extremely pleased” with this sum.

“As it relates to health, we are extremely pleased that we have been given such a generous allocation because what this allows us to do is fix some of the problems and challenges that we have in the sector, things like shortages of medicines,

trying to get equipment for health centers and district hospitals and so forth.”

He added, “These are ongoing issues that we have and with this amount of money, we will be able to rectify some of these problems. It's not going to solve everything but will certainly go a long way in fixing the problems that we currently have in the sector. We are extremely pleased with the allocation.”

The entire allotment is divided into $1.8B for purchasing of critical medical equipment, $322 million for the procurement of medical equipment, $35 million to enhance the emergency medical services, $900 million for HIV treatment and testing, $70 million for essential medication for psychiatric patients among others.

In terms of infrastruc-

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

ture, $2.8B has been budgeted for the expansion and modernization of health infrastructure. Within this, the continued implementation of the $860 million SMART Hospital initiative will result in operationalization of the upgraded

Leonora Hospital, and the commissioning of the upgraded Diamond Diagnostic Centre and Mabaruma Hospital in 2021, while works will advance on the Lethem and Paramakatoi Hospitals.

Government will also

endeavour to complete the construction of a polyclinic at Festival City and the remodeling of the Skeldon Hospital at a combined cost of $88.3 million to now cater for surgical interventions including an operating room, recovery room and an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Other areas that will benefit in capital investments focused on providing surgical interventions are Aishalton and Kumaka District Hospitals, with over $100 million earmarked for these projects.

Moreover, some $140 million has been set aside for financing of maternal waiting homes and facilities at Moruca, Enmore, and Kato; and another $100 million for the construction and retrofitting of the maternity ward and wing at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

For 2021, Government

has made a provision of over $750 million to support the rolling out of COVID-19 vaccines from February.

The Minister said additional resources will be pumped into the procurement of equipment for the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

“In terms of equipment, the things that you really need in this instance to deal with COVID-19 would be things like ventilators and monitors and so forth.

We have an ICU at the Liliendaal facility where we have about 25 beds. We have a number of ventilators there and we want to secure some more monitors.

With the allocation that we have, we will be able to get additional monitors to be utilized by patients who come there,” he revealed.

(G12)

Brawl land bus drivers, vendor, housewife before court

O

n Monday, three bus drivers appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to multiple counts of assault.

Patrick Dundas, Adrian Brandt, and Sherlock Drayton all appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs.

A fourth defendant, Ryan Parasram, who was also involved in the incident, was absent from the hearing.

The charges read to Brandt stated that on January 22 at D’Urban Street, Georgetown, he assaulted Drayton. It was further alleged that on February 4, 2021, Brandt displayed threatening behaviour to Parasram at the Number 47 bus park in Georgetown.

Patrick Dundas

Adrian Brandt

Alissa Ali

Deondra Jack

Brandt pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Meanwhile, the charges read to Dundas stated that also on January 22, he used

abusive language towards Dundas. Additionally, a second charge stated that on the same day, he assaulted Brandt causing him bodi-

ly harm and further threatened him at the Number 47 bus park.

Dundas pleaded not guilty to all three charges.

Drayton, on the other hand, was charged for assaulting Brandt at the Number 47 bus park also on January 22. Drayton denied

the allegations. All three men were released on $5000 bail on each charge.

In addition, two other defendants – Deondra Jack and Alissa Alli – also appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs on assault charges.

Jack, a 41-year-old vendor, was charged with assault committed on Ali at Success Street, Charlestown, Georgetown on February 10.

She pleaded not guilty.

Ali, 31, a housewife, was charged with using abusive language towards Jack at Success Street, Charlestown, Georgetown on February 10. She too pleaded not guilty.

Both women were granted bail in the sum of $10,000 each. (G15)

NEWS

13

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Foiled Republic Bank robbery

Prosecution closes case, defence to make no-case submissions

T

Shawn Grimmond

he trial of the four men accused of attempting to carry out a daring robbery at Republic Bank’s Water Street, Georgetown branch on July 4, 2017, is coming to an end.

Those charged are former Police Constables Anfernee Blackman of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown and Gladston George of Princes Street, Lodge, Georgetown; former Republic Bank employee Shawn Grimmond of Kitty, Georgetown; and Keron Saunders of Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

They are on trial before

Anfernee Blackman

Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. They were each released on $500, 000 bail pending trial.

The prosecution has closed its case against the four accused, whose lawyers were instructed to lay over their respective no-case submissions on February 25.

Another former employee of the bank, Jamal Haynes was also slapped with charges for attempting to commit a robbery and illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

He was sentenced to a total of six years’ imprisonment

after he pleaded guilty to the charges at his first court appearance in July 2017.

During the attempted robbery, 23-year-old Elton Wray, an agronomist, was shot dead by Police.

He was a beneficiary of a Government of Guyana scholarship to China and graduated with a degree in agronomy. At the time of his death, he was serving his second year of the fiveyear obligatory contract.

According to reports, Haynes and Grimmond knew that businesses would have deposited substantial amounts of cash into the

Sophia man slapped with murder charge

R

andy Wiggins, of D Field Reserve Dam, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was on Monday slapped with a murder charge and appeared before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Courts.

It is alleged that the 26-year-old man on February 8, at C Field Reserve Dam, Sophia, murdered Kevin Smith. The murder accused returns to court on March 24.

Murder accused: Randy Wiggins

Police said that on February 8 about 18:30h, 36-year-old Smith was at home when he was attacked

by Wiggins, who was armed with a knife and allegedly went to the house to evict the now dead man. As a result, a scuffle ensued and it was then Wiggins reportedly stabbed the man about his body.

Smith fell to the ground and died almost immediately. Wiggins then made good his escape, but was later apprehended by the Police. (G1)

Gladston George

chutes through night deposits. As such, a plan was hatched for the robbers to grab that money which would have been emptied into a canister by a female employee.

However, things went awry when their accomplices broke into the bank without knowing that they had received a text message

Keron Saunders

from Grimmond who was already at work informing them to hold off since the employee who was supposed to open the canister was not at work.

After receiving reports of the robbery, Police responded promptly. The bandits engaged the officers in a shootout which resulted in the death of Wray.

Haynes was also shot as he attempted to evade the lawmen. Saunders subsequently surrendered and was taken into Police custody.

The others were all implicated in the robbery by Haynes and were later arrested. Police said that three high-powered pistols were recovered from the crime scene. (G1)

PME confirms minibus driver drowned

T

he results of a post-mortem examination (PME) conducted on the body of 25-year-old Eusi Lindo, who was fished out of a Linden blue lake last Friday has given the cause of death as drowning. The PME was conducted at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Georgetown, on Monday by Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh. The body was then handed over to relatives for burial.

The body of the Lot 600 Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident was recovered from the blue lake at Richmond Hill, Mackenzie, Linden, on Friday, a day after he went missing after venturing into the lake during an outing with friends. His body was

Dead: Eusi Lindo

discovered at the location at about 17:34h by diver Paul Vanhersal, who was contracted by relatives.

Lindo and about nine friends along with his girlfriend travelled to the blue lake in Linden on Thursday.

During the outing, the cou-

ple reportedly ventured into the lake, where they walked until the water was at the height of their shoulders, when according to the girlfriend, she turned away.

Shortly after, the woman told investigators she heard a “splashing” sound. Upon looking around, she saw her boyfriend “splashing” around in the water. The woman related that she initially thought he was joking around. However, she reportedly told investigators that he pulled her hand and they began to go underwater. The woman, however, managed to pull away and swim to shore, while Lindo went underwater. The girlfriend and other friends were later questioned by Police in relation to the incident. (G13)

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Affirmative action proposed to ensure all benefit from Local Content Policy …disadvantaged, underserved communities will be targeted

A panel of experts set up by President Irfaan Ali submitted recommendations for the LCP back in November

A

ffirmative action which will see the State reaching out to disadvantaged and traditionally underserved communities to ensure they too benefit from the Local Content Policy is one of the strategies contained in the draft policy that was released this month.

The policy is currently being subjected to consultations, which opened at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) on Monday.

According to the draft policy document, it is important that the policy be implemented in a way that ensures everyone can benefit.

“To achieve its goal, the Government of Guyana will ensure that Guyanese are given preferred access to opportunities for employment and to provide goods and services, particularly where the capability exists and from traditionally underserved or disadvantaged groups or communities,” the policy states.

According to the policy, the Government will also seek to “identify and aggressively pursue strategic opportunities for local capacity development and participation that give Guyanese the maximum possible benefit now and in the future by developing the competencies of Guyanese where the

demand supports the required investment in capacity building.”

Additionally, the policy states that the Government will ensure that Guyanese get an opportunity to gain experience in areas where they are not yet at the optimal level of competence. The policy will also set out to extend Guyanese participation in national development and global competitiveness.

The policy points to the importance of ensuring that Guyanese improve their capabilities through practical means like partnerships.

According to the policy, this is so that Guyanese can become internationally competitive and grow their foothold in the sector.

It was also pointed out that the policy must ensure that procurement, partnership and other activities facilitate participation from Guyanese and that the process is not rigged to deny Guyanese opportunities or frustrate the policy goals.

According to the document, the policy must also be enforced by appropriate legislation that allows for clarity, transparency, accountability, and consistency in the application of the policy. Targets must also be set, as well as schedules for the progression of implementing the Local Content Policy in specific goods and

Teen seriously injured after crashing ATV

A

19-year-old man of Arakaka, North West District (NWD), Region One (BarimaWaini), was medevaced to Georgetown following an accident on Sunday.

Based on information received, the teenager, who is a shopkeeper, was riding an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) belonging to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) at the time of the accident.

Police stated that at about 09:00h on Sunday, the teenager was proceeding

along the Arakaka access road on the ATV at a fast rate of speed when he lost control. As a result, the vehicle toppled several times, thus causing the teen to sustain injuries about his body.

He was picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Pakera District Hospital where he was treated for head injuries.

As a result of the extent of his injuries, he was medevaced to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

An investigation has been launched.

services.

“Using the opportunities to participate in country, made possible by the world scale and profitable resources recently brought under production, Guyanese oil and gas professionals and services companies will grow in competence along the value chain and develop an internationally competitive export industry,” the draft policy states.

“More importantly, those competencies will be built in a manner that allows us to enhance existing sectors of the economy and add new ones so as to support national sustainable development with seamless adjustments in the economy in spite of the inevitability of swings in fortune of the oil and gas markets and depletion of our bounty.”

It is understood that the consultations which started

on Monday will remain open for the next month. Persons will be able to submit their views, either at the forum or online, where they will be seen by policymakers.

Several Government Ministers and officials, along with Private Sector representatives, were at Monday’s consultation, including President Dr Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Mark Phillips. The idea of consultation of the LCP is in keeping with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) manifesto before entering Government.

In August of last year, President Ali had assembled a team 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 were 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.

Also on the panel was former Foreign Affairs Minister under the previous A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change

The draft policy document

(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 included former Trinidad Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine.

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.

The panel also included Finance Professor Floyd Haynes and trade unionist Carvil Duncan, while it was chaired by Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Head, former presidential advisor Shyam Nokta. This panel got to work in August and by November, submitted its recommendations to the Government on a Local Content Policy. (G3)

TOPCO launches range of 1-litre juices

T

ropical Orchards Products Company Limited (TOPCO), a subsidiary of Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), on Monday announced the launch of its new range of TOPCO one-litre juices and juice drinks, in four flavours, on the local market.

The DDL group invested $4 billion in a new Tetra Pak packaging plant, as well as a fruit processing plant in 2020.

In spite of COVID-19 and its many limitations, the DDL Group said it remained committed to responding both to consumer demand and to a commitment made to farmers that TOPCO would provide a growing market for their produce.

The TOPCO expansion is a part of a larger fiveyear $10 billion expansion project, announced by DDL Executive Chairman Komal Samaroo in 2017. In describing the project, Samaroo said that “Despite oil and gas, the agriculture sector must be developed. He noted that the value-added processing of the nation’s fruits

TOPCO’s new line of one-litre juices

and vegetables into pulp and juices, and eventually milk supplied by local dairy farmers, for local consumption and export is a huge step in that direction.”

Prior to the expansion, TOPCO was purchasing 1 million pounds of cherry, passion fruit, carambola and guava from farmers per year. With the expansion, the volume is expected to in-

crease to 4 million pounds per year. The range of fruits is also being expanded to include mangoes, pineapple, and citrus.

Set to reap tremendous benefits are our local farmers. Samaroo noted that “Farmers will benefit from this project through a guarantee that their supply of fruits to TOPCO is secure, with stability of prices in

spite of market demand/supply conditions. There is also the potential to increase their cultivation of fruits to increase supply to TOPCO”.

He added that “Another benefit to farmers will be the ability to collaborate with a network of technical and financial agriculture support agencies, as part of the holistic market-driven approach to developing partnerships with local fruits and dairy farmers.”

The new one-litre TOPCO juices provide a practical and nutritious ready-to-drink product for which there is an increased demand both locally and in the region. TOPCO’s progression into the one-litre category makes it a healthy juice choice for the entire family, as these juices are also rich in vitamin C to boost your immune system.

The new one litre juices and juice drinks are available in four fruity delicious flavours – pineapple, orange, unsweetened orange and cherry, and are now available at leading supermarkets countrywide.

NEWS

15

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese art teacher found Corentyne fisherman on $150,000 bail for raping housewife murdered in apartment

Guyanese teacher: Rhonda Thomas

A

Guyanese teacher that taught art at the Methodist Agogic Center (MAC) identified as Rhonda Thomas was reportedly found stabbed to death on Monday. Police Spokesman Joe Josepha confirmed that a female was found in a home at White Sands Road Beacon Hill stabbed to death.

Several persons who knew the victim reported that the victim is a wellknown art teacher that hails from Guyana. They said Thomas taught art at the Methodist Agogic Center for over a decade. Reports are that Ms Thomas just recently obtained a divorce which some described as a “bitter divorce procedure”.

However, there is no indi-

cation if the divorce has any relation to the brutal murder. Friends of the deceased teacher described her as a hard worker. They said besides her teaching job at the MAC School, Thomas was a security guard and later became a part-time employee of Maho as an interior decorator.

As soon as more information is released by Police this article will be updated.

SMN News extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the late Rhonda Thomas.

The Police Patrol and Ambulance department were sent to White Sands Road in Beacon Hill, on Monday, February 15th, 2021, at approximately 12:00 pm where they en-

countered a female victim who was lying on the ground in her home and not showing any signs of life.

After conducting a brief investigation on the scene it was concluded that the victim died of foul play. The doctor, who arrived later on the scene pronounced the death of the victim. The body of the victim has been confiscated for further investigation.

So far, the Police have no clear picture of what had taken place up to now.

If you or anyone you know may have information as to what took place do not hesitate to contact the Police Detective Department at +1 721 54 22222 or the anonymous tip line on 9300 (free of charge).

You can also visit the website at www.policesxm. sx to report crime anonymously via the tip contact form, or you can leave a private message via our Facebook page (Police Force of Sint Maarten - Korps Politie Sint Maarten) if you know the suspect something.

This investigation is currently ongoing, more details into what took place will be provided as soon as they become available. Police Force would like to express its condolence to the family of the deceased. (St Martin News Network)

Colombia to start COVID-19 vaccinations on Wednesday – President

C

olombia will begin COVID-19 vaccinations on Wednesday following the arrival of the country’s first vaccines, from Pfizer Inc, President Ivan Duque said in his nightly broadcast on Monday.

The government had planned to administer the first dose this coming Saturday, following the Monday arrival of the country’s first vaccine doses. The health ministry last week said it was expecting more than 5.7 million doses from different providers in February and March.

“Today we received this first batch,” Duque said.

“The vaccination process will begin the day after tomorrow, on Wednesday, Feb. 17.”

The first vaccinations will take place in the cities of Sincelejo and Monteria, capitals of Colombia’s Sucre and Cordoba provinces respectively, Health Minister Fernando Ruiz said during the broadcast.

Vaccinations will begin on Thursday in capital city Bogota, as well as other large cities.

The goal is to vaccinate 1 million Colombians in the first 30 days and Monday’s shipment is the first of a block of 1.65 million which

will arrive over the next three weeks.

The country has the capacity to conduct up to 100,000 vaccinations per day, the health ministry added. Front-line health-

care workers will be the first to be vaccinated, followed by those over 80 years old.

Colombia has recorded just under 2.2 million cases of coronavirus and 57,786 deaths. (Reuters)

A

Corentyne, Berbice fisherman was on Monday released on $150,000 bail when he appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court charged with rape.

Shamkumar Ramnarace of Number 60 Village, Corentyne, is accused of raping a housewife in September 2020.

The 35-year-old man was charged under the Sexual Offences Act Chapter 8:03 and was not required to

plead to the indictable charge when he appeared before Magistrate Alex

Moore. The case will continue on March 8. (G4)

Orientation held for domestic violence hotline operators

The 914 hotline operators

T

he Human Services and Social Security Ministry on Monday hosted an orientation exercise for 17 domestic violence hotline operators. The operators will be manning the 914 toll-free hotline, which was established to be a safe space where men, women and children suffering abuse could seek help.

During brief remarks at the event held at the Palms Geriatric Home, Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud told the operators that the 914 hotline would play a critical role in providing support to victims of domestic abuse.

“The way in which violence goes and because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many persons experiencing violence are in very close proximity with the perpetrators of the abuse and violence and it is extremely difficult to not only get that strength to call, but to find that space, to seek help and when they do find all of those things, to call 914, we must give them help,” the Minister is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

The Minister added that

it is imperative that trust is built between the persons calling and the operators.

The Ministry would be hosting continuous training, and assessment and evaluation of each operator on a regular basis.

“Trust is very critical, so your intervention will be in many different ways. There will be need for immediate intervention. Someone’s in the throes of a violent situation right now, and is calling for help. That help should be forthcoming because you have the list of first-line responders who you should be calling to get that help, don’t just call and leave it, follow up,” Persaud explained.

According to the DPI report, Persaud said in addition to help such as shelter and counselling, people must be able to access support through the Difficult Circumstances Unit as well as Public Assistance.

Through the Ministry’s Cottage Industry Skills initiative, training would also be provided to adults, including single-parents, since poverty is a contributing fac-

tor to domestic violence.

The orientation was conducted by Akilah Doris of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Policy Unit. The operators were also exposed to training in conflict management and resolution in the workplace.

The Ministry launched the 914 hotline in December in collaboration with UNICEF, Digicel Guyana, GTT and the Guyana Telecommunications Agency. Budget 2021 provides for a significant increase in the subvention to the organisations providing support to victims of domestic violence, including Help and Shelter, which will benefit from over $50 million this year.

In addition to the establishment of a court superintendent department, which will be equipped with a cadre of lawyers to lead prosecutions in each regional division for cases of domestic violence, a Survivors Advocates Programme will also be implemented to offer emotional support and crisis counselling to victims of violence and abuse.

Driver hospitalised after hitting teen on Corentyne highway

O

n person is now hospitalised with a fractured pelvis after the car he was driving hit a teenager and slammed into a parked vehicle on Valentine’s Day. Injured is Tateram Karan, 42, of Meida Farm Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-

Corentyne).

According to the Police, Karan was driving his motor car, PYY 5425, at a fast rate of speed on Friendship Public Road heading in the same direction as the 18-year-old pedestrian when he hit the teen’s left arm, causing her to fall onto the roadway. The car then

collided with a lorry parked on the parapet. Both Karan and the teen were taken to Port Mourant Public Hospital. Karan was transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was admitted as a patient suffering from a fractured right pelvis. (G15)

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Independent commission to investigate Capitol riots

U

S House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Congress will establish an "outside, independent" commission to investigate the 6 January attack on the US Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump.

In a letter to lawmakers, she said the commission would be modelled on the inquiry into the 11 September 2001 attacks on New York and the Pentagon.

"We must get to the truth of how this happened," she said.

Former President Trump was acquitted by the Senate of inciting the violence.

But Democrats and some Republicans have backed an independent probe into the riots, which left five people dead.

Pelosi said that US Army Lieutenant General Russel Honoré had, over the past few weeks, been assessing the security needs of the Capitol in light of the attack.

"It is clear from his findings and from the impeachment trial that we must get to the truth of how this happened," she said.

The commission, she said, "would investigate and report on the facts and causes" of the attack; "the interference with the peaceful transfer of power"; and the "preparedness and response" of both the Capitol

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

police and other branches of law enforcement.

She also said that, based on Lt Gen Honoré's initial findings, Congress needed to allocate additional funding to "provide for the safety of members and the security of the Capitol".

Trump survived his second impeachment trial - the only president to face the process twice - on Saturday, after Democrat prosecutors failed to secure the twothirds majority needed to convict him.

The vote split largely along party lines, with the seven Republicans joining the Senate's 48 Democrats and two independents in voting to convict.

The senior Republican in Congress, Senator Mitch McConnell, had voted against conviction on con-

stitutional grounds, but after the vote declared Trump "responsible" for the assault on the Capitol.

"President Trump is still liable for everything he did while he was in office," McConnell told the chamber. "He didn't get away with anything yet."

Other Republicans have also expressed support for an independent inquiry into the riots, including a close ally of Trump, Senator Lindsay Graham. He told Fox News Sunday that the former president bore some culpability for events on 6 January.

"His behaviour after the election was over the top," Sen Graham said. "We need a 9/11 commission to find out what happened and make sure it never happens again." (BBC News)

JetBlue probing actions of worker after kidnapping allegations

A

JetBlue spokesman has confirmed that the airline is investigating reports that one of its flight attendants who, after testing positive for the novel coronavirus, reportedly faked that she was kidnapped in Jamaica and was being trafficked by a local hotel accompanied by her mother.

The United States flight attendant, Kalina Collier, yesterday departed the island on a flight from Sangster International Airport.

Derek Dombrowski, a JetBlue spokesman, said the airline is aware of reports that Collier, who was vacationing in Jamaica, had been required to quarantine due to coronavirus health regulations and that she has safely returned to the United States after her quarantine expired, a NBC News report said.

"We have full confidence in Jamaica's health protocols and it is important everyone follows the rules," Dombrowski is quoted as saying in a statement

Monday.

"We hold each JetBlue crewmember to the highest standards when it comes to personal integrity and we are conducting an urgent investigation into the actions of our crewmember."

Collier left the island after both the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) strongly refuted the claims that surfaced on social media that she was kidnapped. (Jamaica Observer)

Woman killed outside Queens car wash

A

woman about to pick up her vehicle at a Queens car wash Monday was killed when an attendant driving a Jeep out of the car wash bay mowed her down, police said.

The 54-year-old victim was outside the Crossbay Car Wash & Lube on Cross Bay Blvd. at Gold St. in Ozone Park just before 2 p.m. when she was struck.

A 43-year-old car wash attendant was pulling a Jeep out of the car wash bay and lost control, hitting the woman and a parked car, cops said. The woman was not the Jeep’s owner, police said.

Workers at a nearby towing and junkyard watched the scene in horror Monday.

“She was standing right there, waiting for her car. The guy driving the Jeep suddenly hit the gas and he rolled right over her and crashed,” one worker told the Daily News.

Her car, a red Ford Escape, pulled out right after the Jeep, the worker said.

Medics rushed the woman to Jamaica Hospital but she couldn’t be saved.

A 43-year-old man working as a car wash attendant was pulling a grey Jeep out of the car wash bay and lost control, hitting the woman and a parked car (Theodore Parisienne/for New York Daily News)

“Her family came, and they were a mess.

You could see it in their faces,” the tow yard worker said.

The gruesome scene was caught on surveillance video, police sources said.

Police took the attendant into custody.

Charges against him were pending while the crash investigation continued. (New York Daily News)

NEWS

17

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Body cameras for special T&T Police units

S

pecial units within the T&T Police Service (TTPS) will soon be equipped with body cameras.

National Security Minister Stuart Young said yesterday that during a meeting with Police Commissioner, Gary Griffith, he was told that the units include the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), the Inter-Agency Task Force and Guard and Emergency Branch.

“They are going to be some of the next units to be provided with body cameras by the Commissioner of Police and administrative arm of the Police Service.”

Speaking on the issue, Griffith said did not think there would be any objection to body cameras as they will be equipped to protect the officers.

“The body cameras will now defend my police officers when they are wrongfully accused,” Griffith said.

Officers of SORT are among those now subject to an investigation into the deaths of two suspects in the Andrea Bharatt kidnapping and murder.

The minister, meanwhile, maintains that no external agencies are needed for an investigation into the deaths of the two suspects in the kidnapping and murder of Andrea Bharatt, Andrew Morris and Joel Balcon.

The two men died while in police custody.

Young addressed a media conference yesterday and responded to calls made by the Law Association of T&T (LATT) to bring in foreign investigators to ensure that the investigation is entirely independent.

Young said he is well aware that Morris and

He also disclosed that as of yesterday morning 10-12 reports have already been generated by the police coming out of this investigation which has been sent to the PCA. “They’ve been provided with all reports coming out of this investigation by what I’ve called a multi-divisional, multi-unit investigation in the TTPS. I was told that police officers also sustained injuries in the circumstances surrounding it. At this stage I cannot say what took place nor can I provide any report in writing.”

He said he was told by police that they were not in possession of the videos from which the allegations stemmed.

National Security Minister Stuart Young

Balcon passed away while under police responsibility.

“As I’ve always said as the Minister of National Security, it is my position that no one is above the law.”

“There should never be a cover-up and everyone is subject to the parameters of the law,” he added.

Young said if there are video recordings of what is alleged to have taken place with Morris while in police custody, he expects whoever is in possession of those recordings will take it to the proper authorities for proper investigation.

He said he had a meeting with Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith and the three acting deputies – McDonald Jacob, Beverly Lewis, and Joanne Archie – to ask them and get an account on the allegations.

“As the Minister of National Security and a government, I will never

encourage or condone any lawlessness. So from my meeting this morning with the CoP and three acting deputies, I asked them what was taking place with respect to the death of these two individuals whilst in police custody. I was informed firstly, that there was an active ongoing investigation by the PCA (Police Complaints Authority),” Young said.

“I was also told of the following steps taken by the TTPS; 1. The PSB is an active participant in the investigation and has also appointed investigators from the two divisions - these gentlemen were the Northern Division and the North Eastern Division - so investigators from those separate divisions are also part. Officers from Homicide have also been appointed to be part of the body of police officers investigating these incidents,” Young said.

“The powers of the authority are sufficient in my respectful opinion, and the PCA has the power to do what we the population is requiring them to do,” he added.

Young reiterated that there has been absolutely no justification for why the PCA isn’t the body that should carry out this type of investigation.

“So at this stage, I don’t think there is any need for foreign aid. Let’s see what the PCA does and if it has further requests, cause the PCA can bring people in and so on, but at this stage, there is no need for it and I was a little surprised to see that suggestion by the law association.”

Police Commissioner Gary Griffith also said yesterday that a full-scale investigation is being conducted into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of suspects Andrew Morris and Joel Balcon while in police custody. (T&T Guardian)

Ebola: DR Congo launches Butembo vaccination campaign

A

n Ebola vaccination campaign has been launched in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo after an outbreak earlier this month, the WHO has said.

DR Congo has confirmed four cases of Ebola since a resurgence of the virus was announced on 7 February in Butembo.

Health workers at a medical centre, where the first Ebola patient was treated, were the first to be vaccinated, the WHO said.

The news comes a day after Guinea, in West Africa, declared an outbreak.

A previous Ebola outbreak in DR Congo was declared over in June 2020.

It had claimed the lives of 2,287 people since August 2018. About 8,000 doses of the Ervebo vaccine, which were kept after the outbreak, are being used in the latest inoculation campaign, the BBC’s Emery Makumeno reports from the capital Kinshasa.

Ervebo was the first Ebola vaccine to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2019. Separately, Guinea on Sunday declared a new Ebola outbreak, following seven confirmed cases and three deaths.

They fell ill with diarrhoea, vomiting and bleeding after attending the

burial of a nurse near the south-eastern city of Nzérékoré. “The WHO is on full alert and is in contact with the manufacturer [of a vaccine] to ensure the necessary doses are made available as quickly as possible to help fight back,” the AFP news agency quoted Alfred George Ki-Zerbo, the WHO representative in Guinea, as saying.

Between 2013 and 2016 more than 11,000 people died in the West Africa Ebola epidemic, which began in Guinea.

Liberia’s President George Weah has put the health authorities on heightened alert to prevent the spread

of the virus.

The BBC’s Umaru Fofana in Sierra Leone says there is far more fear of Ebola in the country than Covid-19.

He says the existence of new vaccines does provide some sense of relief there is a global emergency stockpile of 500,000, made available through Gavi, the international vaccine alliance.

The three countries have a joint population of 22.5 million, prompting concerns that manufacturers would have little time to produce more if needed at a time when Covid vaccines are their preoccupation, our reporter says. (BBC)

New York should have released care home death data faster – Cuomo

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

T

he governor of the US state of New York has said his administration should have released information faster on coronavirus-related deaths in nursing homes, after reports emerged that thousands more residents died of COVID-19 than the state’s official tallies had previously acknowledged.

In a news conference on Monday, Andrew Cuomo said he took “total responsibility” for creating an information “void” that contributed to confusion and misinformation.

“We should have done a better job providing more public information” about nursing home deaths, said Cuomo, calling it a “mistake” that allowed “scepticism, cynicism, conspiracy theories” to take hold.

“We made a mistake in creating the void when we didn’t provide information,” he continued. “I take total responsibility for that.”

State legislators have called for investigations, for stripping Cuomo of his emergency powers and even for his resignation after new details emerged this week about why certain nursing home data was not disclosed for months, despite requests from lawmakers and others.

Cuomo admitted that accurate information should have been provided more quickly but insisted the state was not intentionally underreporting the death toll.

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) for months dramatically underreported the statewide number of COVID-19 deaths among long-term care residents. It now stands at nearly 15,000, up from the 8,500 previously disclosed.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James published a report on January 28 that “a larger number of nursing home residents died from COVID-19 than the [DOH] published nursing home data reflected.”

The total may have been “undercounted by as much as 50 percent”, the report found.

“The investigations also revealed that nursing homes’ lack of compliance with infection control protocols put residents at increased risk of harm, and facilities that had lower pre-pandemic staffing ratings had higher COVID-19 fatality rates.”

James’s office is continuing its investigation, looking into more than 20 nursing home facilities.

Also on Monday, Cuomo addressed a news report that Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa told Democratic state legislators that the Cuomo administration held off on providing the legislature data on nursing home deaths because it feared that information would be used against them by then-President Donald Trump.

DeRosa, according to a phone call obtained by the New York Post, said the state “‘froze’ out of fear that the true numbers would ‘be used against us’ by federal prosecutors” amid Trump’s calls for Cuomo’s COVID-19 response be investigated by the US Justice Department.

Cuomo said his staff had told legislators about a request from the Justice Department for nursing home data and that they were told the Cuomo administration would prioritise the Justice Department request over the legislature’s.

The New York governor, whose administration received accolades for its handling of the pandemic after an initial outbreak in March and April of last year, has long faced criticism for a March 25 order to send infected nursing home patients back to elder-care facilities to make space in hospitals.

The DOH released a report mid-last year that claimed the policy, which was reversed in May, was “not a significant factor” for the death toll.

Cuomo said on Monday that “COVID was already present in 98 percent of nursing homes where COVID patients were sent”.

(Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

Regional

More unrest in Haiti over Dead kidnap victim's father presidential term dispute appeals for T&T to fight for women

“I

T

housands of people have taken to the streets of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and other cities for renewed protests against the Government.

They lit barricades of burning tyres and debris, demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse.

Some demonstrators were reportedly injured as Police fired rubber bullets to disperse them.

The cause of the Caribbean nation's fresh unrest is a bitter dispute over Moïse's legitimacy.

Haiti's Opposition says that Moïse's five-year term should have ended on February 7, 2021, five years to the day since his predecessor in office, Michel Martelly, stepped down.

Moïse, however, insists he has one more year to serve as he did not take office until February 7, 2017.

The year-long delay was caused by allegations of electoral fraud which eventual-

Fresh anti-Government protests erupted in various cities on Sunday

ly saw the result of the 2015 election being annulled and fresh polls being held, which were won by Moïse.

Moïse's time in office has been rocky as he faced repeated accusations of corruption and was challenged by waves of often violent anti-Government protests.

He has been ruling by decree for the past year after his Administration failed to hold scheduled legislative elections in October 2019.

On February 7, the day his opponents said his term should have ended, he said

that a "coup to overthrow his government and assassinate him" had been foiled.

Twenty-three alleged coup-plotters were detained including a senior Supreme Court Iudge, Ivickel Dabresil. Dabresil had reportedly been chosen by the Opposition to act as "provisional president" to replace Moïse.

With Dabresil in detention, the Opposition named another Supreme Court Judge, Joseph Mécène JeanLouis, as interim leader.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Power cuts hit 4.7 million users in northern Mexico after cold snap

A

cold snap knocked out power for 4.7 million users in northern Mexico early on Monday, triggering a scramble by authorities to restore service and bring in extra fuel, with parts of the neighbouring United States also hit hard.

Frozen pipelines and a squeeze on natural gas deliveries from Texas roiled several northern states, though by midday, service had been restored to 58 per cent of the affected, Mexican national electricity grid operator CENACE said.

The outage hit about

6950 megawatts of load, CENACE said, urging people in the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo Leon, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Tamaulipas to curb power usage.

The freeze also knocked out electricity for more than two million customers in Texas.

Guillermo Nevarez, a senior executive at State power utility the Comision Federal de Electricidad (CFE), said 4.7 million users had initially been affected by the outage and by around midday, service had been restored to almost 2.6

million of them.

The CFE vowed to use energy from other sources to help cover shortfalls, and said the recent spike in natural gas prices caused by the crunch would add 20 billion pesos to its costs. But users’ electricity rates should not be affected, it said.

To help offset the US natural gas shortfall, two shipments would arrive in the ports of Manzanillo and Altamira in the next few days, said Miguel Reyes, another senior CFE executive, speaking at a virtual news conference with Nevarez.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Better ties with US must come with freedom, Cubans say in letter

A

n end to "political repression" in Cuba should be a prerequisite for any talks on normalising relations with Washington post-Donald Trump, a group of activists from the communist-run country said Monday.

In an open letter addressed to the Governments in Washington and Havana, the authors said they wanted Cuba to advance towards better ties with the rest of the world, "but first and foremost with its own people".

"Let Cuba insert itself in the world as a truly sovereign and democratic country, respectful of human rights... All negotiations must focus on this objective," said the letter signed by 331 Cuban nationals and expats.

During his term, Trump tightened sanctions that have been in place against Cuba since 1962, and reversed many of his predecessor Barack Obama's moves to ease tensions with the island nation.

The new US President, Joe Biden, has promised to bring back some of Obama's policies to normalise ties, while also paying attention to human rights concerns in the country of some 11.2 million people.

Monday's letter listed a set of "minimum and essential conditions" for any talks, in-

hope everyone stay out and stay up and fight for women in this country.”

These were the words of Randolph Bharatt, father of kidnap and murder victim Andrea Bharatt, as he addressed a crowd of hundreds gathered at Eddie Hart Grounds, Tacarigua on the evening of her funeral on Friday.

Bharatt thanked those who came out and said he was overwhelmed by the number of people.

“I’m thankful to see all these people, I never expected to see all this, it is overwhelming. This is history in

cluding the immediate release "of more than 100 political prisoners unjustly convicted for exercising their rights".

Furthermore, "the end of political repression and economic restrictions on citizens must constitute an imperative for the continuation of negotiations".’

The group demanded broad, public participation in any normalisation talks, which must be transparent and overseen by independent mediators.

"All negotiations should have as its main premise the recognition of civic, economic, and political rights of the Cuban people," said the letter. (Excerpt from AFP)

many of whom wore pink, his daughter's favourite colour. People hugged him and gave him small gifts and tokens. Others gave him their condolences and called him a hero. Parents brought their children to say hello and take photos with him.

People turned up singly, in groups, as families, adults, children of every creed and race. The mood was sombre, with many holding candles and pink balloons. As more and more people streamed in, they spread over the savannah.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Peru’s Foreign Minister resigns over COVID vaccine scandal

P

eru’s Foreign Minister has resigned, the second top official to step down amid a growing scandal over politicians receiving COVID-19 vaccinations well before the general public.

Elizabeth Astete tweeted on Sunday that she had been vaccinated last month, calling it a “serious mistake” and saying she would not get a second dose.

Health Minister Pilar Mazzetti also stepped down last week following a newspaper report that ex-President Martin Vizcarra had received a shot of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine in October.

Peruvian media said that Attorney General Zoraida Avalos had opened a “preliminary investigation” against Vizcarra and others responsible for the early vaccination of senior officials.

Public resentment over officials receiving vaccinations – despite there being no date for a wider immunisation drive – has grown.

The Government has said it intends to inoculate 10 million people by July.

The Latin American na-

Peruvian Foreign Minister Elizabeth Astete resigned amid a political scandal after the complaint that former President Martin Vizcarra and other Government officials were vaccinated months before immunisation started in the country [File: Luis Iparraguire/ Peruvian Presidency/AFP]

tion has been badly hit by the pandemic, with its hospitals overwhelmed and a targeted vaccination programme for health workers rolling out only from February 8 after it received 300,000 doses of the vaccine.

Vizcarra, 57, received the jab just weeks before being impeached and removed from office on charges he was “morally incompetent”.

The ex-President – who is now campaigning for a seat in Congress – admitted last week he and his wife

had taken part in a vaccine trial, adding he had kept quiet about it as “volunteers have to maintain confidentiality”.

Lima’s Cayetano Heredia University, which is leading clinical tests of the Sinopharm vaccine, on Sunday denied Vizcarra had been a trial volunteer.

Vizcarra expressed “great surprise” at the university’s statement, reiterating he had received two doses as a trial subject. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Desperation to migrate grows in battered Honduras

P

A woman walks near graffiti with the Cuban flag in Havana, on January 12, 2021 (Photo: AFP)

Trinidad and Tobago. And this is for Trinidad, and the world, this is the beginning.”

He said the Government was taking too long to make legislative changes which could protect women and bring perpetrators of crime to justice. He had harsh words for those who kill women.

“All the men who are killing women, they have no children, no mothers, who made them?”

Surrounded by his family, an emotional Bharatt walked through the crowd, pausing to talk to people and exchange greetings,

overty, gang violence, the COVID-19 pandemic and devastation wrought by hurricanes are driving migration out of Honduras.

The second-largest city in Honduras, San Pedro Sula, is the economic engine and the departure gate for thousands of Honduran migrants in recent years. There, many families are caught in a cycle of migration. Poverty and gang violence push them out and increasingly aggressive measures to stop them, driven by the United States Government, scuttle their efforts and send them back.

The economic damage of the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastation wrought by November’s hurricanes have only added to

those driving forces. Word of a new administration in the US with a softer approach to migrants has raised hopes, too.

In his first weeks in office, US President Joe Biden signed nine executive orders reversing Trump measures related to family separation, border security, and immigration. But fearing a surge in immigration, the Administration also sent the message that little will change quickly for migrants arriving at the southern US border.

The Sula Valley, Honduras’s most agriculturally productive, was so heavily damaged by hurricanes Iota and Eta that international organisations have warned of a food crisis. The

World Food Programme says three million Hondurans face food insecurity, six times higher than before the hurricanes. The dual hurricanes affected an estimated four million of 10 million Honduran people. The area is also Honduras’s hardest-hit by COVID-19 infections.

“It’s a vicious cycle,” said Dana Graber Ladek, Head of the International Organisation for Migration office in Mexico. “They’re suffering poverty, violence, the hurricanes, unemployment, domestic violence, and with that dream of a new [US] Administration, of new opportunities, they’re going to try [to migrate] again and again.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil hits 13-month highs as market rebalances

O

il prices soared to their highest in about 13 months on Monday as vaccine rollouts promised to revive demand and producers kept supply reined in.

Brent crude was up 70 cents, or 1.1 per cent, at US$63.13 a barrel at 12:15 pm EST (1715 GMT) after hitting a session peak of US$63.76, its highest since Jan 22 last year.

US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gained 63 cents, or 1.1 per cent, at US$60.10 after touching US$60.95, the highest since Jan 8 last year.

Oil prices gained about 5 per cent last week.

US markets were closed Monday for the Presidents Day holiday.

Prices have rallied over recent weeks on tightening supplies, largely due to production cuts from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allied producers in the wider OPEC+ group of producers.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the global oil market is on a recovery path and prices this year could average US$45-US$60 a barrel.

“We’ve seen low volatility in the past few months. This means the market is balanced and the prices we are seeing today are in line with the market situation,” Novak was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has pushed for the first major legislative undertaking of his term, turning to a bipartisan group of local officials on Friday for help on his US$1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan.

“The long-awaited US$1.9 trillion package has not been passed. As the latest US job data hints at a struggling labour market the relief package cannot come soon enough for some,” said Tamas Varga, oil analyst at London brokerage PVM Oil Associates.

“The stimulus will likely be approved in some shape or form,” he added.

In a move that could tighten supply further, workers will decide on Monday whether to strike this week at Norway’s largest oil loading terminal. A strike could disrupt production at fields responsible for a third of the country’s crude output.

US production could be affected this week as well by unusually cold weather in Texas and Oklahoma. Temperatures in Midland, Texas, the heart of the US Permian Basin, the country’s largest shale region, dropped into single digits Fahrenheit.

Millions of people were without power and some refineries curtailed processing as well due to the cold, which ranged from 21 to minus 8 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 6 to minus 22 Celsius).

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala makes history as Head of WTO T

hree months after the Trump Administration rejected her, former Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received unanimous backing on Monday to become the first woman and first African Director General of the World Trade Organisation.

A self-declared “doer” with a track record of taking on seemingly intractable problems, Okonjo-Iweala will have her work cut out for her at the trade body, even with Donald Trump, who had threatened to pull the United States out of the organisation, no longer in the White House.

As Director General, a position that wields limited formal power, OkonjoIweala, 66, will need to broker international trade talks in the face of persistent USChina conflict; respond to pressure to reform trade rules; and counter protectionism heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

She told Reuters in an interview on Monday that her top priority would be to ensure the trade body does more to address the COVID-19 pandemic, calling the disparities in vaccine rates between rich and poor countries “unconscionable” and urging members to lift export restrictions on medi-

Incoming World Trade Organisation President (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

cal items.

China’s delegate pledged

“full support” for her.

A 25-year veteran of the World Bank, where she oversaw an $81 billion portfolio, Okonjo-Iweala ran against seven other candidates by espousing a belief in trade’s ability to lift people out of poverty.

She studied development economics at Harvard after experiencing civil war in Nigeria as a teenager.

She returned to the country in 2003 to serve as Finance Minister and backers point to her hard-nose negotiating skills that helped seal a deal to cancel billions of dollars of Nigerian debt with the Paris Club of creditor nations in 2005. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Myanmar coup: Protesters face up to 20 years in prison under new law

M

found to incite “hatred or contempt” towards the coup leaders, the military said.

The legal changes were announced as armoured vehicles appeared on the streets of several cities.

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in

protests in recent days.

The demonstrators are demanding the release from detention of their elected leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and the restoration of democracy in Myanmar, also known as Burma.

On Monday, Suu Kyi’s lawyer said she would be detained for a further two days. She will then be tried via video link at a court in the capital Nay Pyi Taw on Wednesday, Khin Maung Zaw added.

Suu Kyi was rounded up with other members of the Government on February 1, but her detention was due to end on February 15, according to Reuters news agency.

The charges against her include possession of unlaw-

ful communication devices walkie-talkies used by her security staff.

Her party was elected in a resounding victory last November, but the military has alleged voter fraud without providing proof.

Internet access in Myanmar is being blocked for a second consecutive night, an internet service provider has told BBC Burmese.

The military government on Saturday gave itself the power to make arrests, carry out searches and hold people for more than 24 hours without a court ruling.

It has also told journalists not to describe the military’s takeover as a coup. (Excerpt from BBC News)

to China.

Asked by Reuters about any action he wanted to improve transparency, Johnson said: “I think what the world needs to see is a general agreement on how we track data surrounding zoonotic pandemics... and we want a joint agreement on transparency.”

“I think one of the attractive ideas that we have seen in the last few months has been a proposal for a global treaty on pandemics, so that signa-

tory countries make sure that they contribute all the data they have and we are able to get to the bottom of what’s happened and stop it happening again,” he said at a news conference.

“That is the sensible thing to do.”

The COVID-19 outbreak, which was first detected in China in late 2019, has killed 2.4 million people, tipped the global economy into its worst peacetime slump since the

Great Depression and upended normal life for billions of people.

Britain’s Foreign Minister Dominic Raab said on Sunday he shared US concerns about the level of access given to a World Health Organisation COVID-19 fact-finding mission to China, while Johnson has said he supports US President Joe Biden in the need for more data from the investigation. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Protesters are defying a clampdown on opposition

yanmar’s military has warned anti-coup protesters across the country that they could face up to 20 years in prison if they obstruct the armed forces.

Long sentences and fines will also apply to those

US seeks to defuse UK’s Johnson says world needs diplomatic spat with Turkey pandemic treaty to ensure transparency

T

he United States has attempted to de-escalate a diplomatic dispute with NATO ally Turkey, which had earlier summoned the US ambassador about a statement on the killing of 13 kidnapped Turks in Iraq.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had lashed out at the State Department’s initial hesitance to blame the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) for the deaths, calling the initial US statement “a farce”.

Turkey said on Sunday fighters from the outlawed PKK executed the 13 captives, including Turkish military and police personnel. The PKK blamed Turkish air raids for the 13 deaths.

The US initially said it condemned the killings if it was confirmed that responsibility lay with the PKK. Ankara, already angered by Washington’s partnership with Kurdish fighters in neighbouring Syria, was infuriated by the conditionality of the US statement and summoned the US ambassador to Ankara to convey “in the strongest terms” its reaction.

Later on Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu expressed condolences and said Washington believed the PKK was responsible for the deaths.

“The Secretary expressed condolences for the deaths of Turkish hostages in northern Iraq and affirmed our view that PKK terrorists bear responsibility,” State Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.

Turkey this month launched a military operation against PKK bases in northern Iraq that Erdogan said on Monday was designed in part to free the 13 hostages.

At least 48 members of the Kurdish armed group were also killed during the operation, according to Turkey’s defence minister.

The PKK, dubbed a “terrorist” group by the US and Turkey’s other Western allies, has been waging an armed rebellion against the Turkish state since 1984 that is believed to have left tens of thousands dead. (Al Jazeera)

B

ritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that world powers should clinch a global treaty on pandemics to ensure proper transparency after the novel coronavirus outbreak which originated in China.

Johnson said he would be keen to agree a global treaty on pandemics where countries agreed to share data, amid British and US concern over access given to a World Health Organisation (WHO) mission

DRC: Dozens killed, hundreds missing in Congo River boat disaster

A

t least 60 people have died and hundreds are missing after a boat capsized in the Congo River in western Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to a Government official.

Steve Mbikayi, Minister for Humanitarian Action, told Al Jazeera on Monday 700 people were on board

the vessel that sunk near the village of Longola Ekoti, in Mai-Ndombe province, the previous night.

“So far the rescue team has recovered 60 lifeless bodies and 300 survivors.

There are still several missing after this shipwreck,” Mbikayi said.

The vessel had departed from the capital, Kinshasa,

and was heading to Equator province.

“The main cause of the sinking remains the overload of goods and the excess number of passengers in the whaling boat,” the Minister said, adding “that night navigation also played a role in the sinking”.

Boat accidents are common in the vast mineral-rich

country because vessels are often overloaded with passengers and cargo. Most of the passengers travelling on vessels also often do not wear life jackets.

Last month, at least three people, two children and one woman, drowned after a passenger boat sank in Lake Kivu. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

20

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

You stand to get ahead if you share your ideas and follow through with your plans.

Be aware that someone will be eager to take credit for what you do; be prepared to stick up for yourself.

Put your creative imagination to the test at work, and you’ll come up with a great idea that leads to a transformation. Education and preparation will help you take on a profitable challenge.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Do what’s best for you. Help yourself instead of putting your time and effort into something that benefits someone else.

Pledge to do your own thing and to work alongside people who have as much to offer as you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

SUDOKU

Update a license, contract or personal identification.

Don’t take an unnecessary risk that may leave you in a precarious position at work or with an organization or group. Control your temper.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Keep your eyes on your objective. It doesn’t matter what everyone else is doing; what does matter is that you take care of your responsibilities and forge ahead relentlessly.

Open your mind to change. Look for ways you can use your skills and knowledge to open a conversation that can lead to an exciting position. Don’t sell yourself short. Have your resume ready to go.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Be creative without overspending. You can find a way to overcome any obstacle. Laziness and relying on others will be your downfalls. Pick up the slack by doing the work yourself.

SCORPIO

Use your charm to avoid getting into an argument.

Listen attentively, and go about your business. The less fuss you make, the easier it will be to get things done your way.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

You’ll spin heads with SAGITTARIUS your outgoing, spirited na(Nov. 23ture. Others will take notice Dec. 21) of what you bring to the table. A romantic encounter will encourage you to nurture a meaningful relationship.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

You will be tempted to make a change. Take precautions before you spend money. Refuse to buy into someone’s plans. Don’t settle for anything less than what you want.

Spend more time taking care of personal matters.

How you handle domestic responsibilities will affect the way others treat you. Be willing to compromise when faced with a dilemma.

Keep your secrets to yourself. An emotional incident can affect your reputation and your chance to advance. Look inward, then make the necessary adjustments.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

21

Mohammed's 122 takes TT Red Force to 3-wicket victory over Barbados Pride J

ason Mohammed scored a timely hundred and Evin Lewis, 61 as the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force battled to a three-wicket win with five balls to spare over the Barbados Pride in the CG Insurance Super50 tournament in Antigua on Monday.

Chasing a relatively-modest target of 254, Trinidad started out well despite losing the wicket of Kjorn Ottley for four in the second over of the innings.

His dismissal brought Mohammed, who provided a well-needed backbone to the Trinidad line-up. He and Lewis put on 117 for the second wicket in 19 overs.

Kieron Pollard bagged a fifer

When Lewis got out to Roston Chase for 61, Mohammed and Denesh Ramdin added 29 over the next eight overs as the bowling tightened.

Then came the slide that saw Trinidad fall away from 150 for 2 to 158 for 5 as Ramdin fell for 10 and Kieron Pollard and Nicholas Pooran went without scoring.

However, Mohammed found a useful partner in Sunil Narine, who scored 18 in a partnership worth 49.

Akeal Hosein helped Mohammed add another 45 before the latter fell for 122 that included 10 fours and two sixes and brought Trinidad to within sight of

Bishop hails Brathwaite "Captain Fantastic" following series win

I

nterim Test Captain Kraigg Brathwaite has been branded a “general of the highest proportions”

by Ian Bishop, with the outstanding former West Indies fast bowler contending the seasoned opener had moulded the side into “national heroes”, in the wake of the series whitewash of Bangladesh.

The 28-year-old was thrust into the role of leading an inexperienced 15man squad for the two-Test series after regular Captain Jason Holder declined selection over COVID-19 fears.

Holder was joined by Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, and Shimron Hetmyer in opting out, resulting in the backbone of the Test side’s batting disappearing for the series.

On Sunday, however, Brathwaite produced a captaincy masterclass as he presided over a thrilling 17run victory in the second Test, snatching three wickets with his unpractised offspin to play a key role in bowling Bangladesh out for 213.

“When you look at the way the opening partnership [for Bangladesh went], 59 for that opening partnership, to have this capitulation instituted by a brilliant move from the Captain to bring himself on [was outstanding],” Bishop gushed following the result at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.

“Kraigg Brathwaite is a general of the highest pro-

portions. His captaincy today has been spot on. There were times you could’ve thought – and I’m sure he would’ve thought – [to bring Shannon Gabriel back].

“Shannon Gabriel was loosening up for about an hour. Every time he started loosening up, someone got a wicket.

“Jomel Warrican [was] brilliant in the end, [he] struggled a little bit early, [but finished] with three for 47.

“Brathwaite [got] three for 25, Rahkeem Cornwall [got] nine wickets in the Test match – national heroes all.

“They braved the pandemic when others didn’t make it and to win this twomatch series two-nil has been a tremendous, tremendous accomplishment for the West Indies team.”

He continued: “It is a series victory for the ages, given all that has been stacked against them coming on this tour to Bangladesh.

These men have achieved what many thought impos-

sible. “”Captain Fantastic” Kraigg Brathwaite has made his men national heroes.”

The fairytale started in Chattogram when West Indies, fielding three debutants, stunned the hosts by three wickets after chasing down an improbable 395 on the final day.

Kyle Mayers, on debut, struck an historic unbeaten 210 and in concert with another debutant, Nkrumah Bonner (86), put on 216 in a fourth-wicket stand to underpin the run chase.

When West Indies collapsed from 41 for three overnight to 117 in their second innings on Sunday’s fourth day and set Bangladesh 231 for victory, a series win seemed set to elude them.

However, Brathwaite proved inspirational with field settings and the rotation of bowlers, and his players responded favourably to upset the hosts again.

The 53-year-old Bishop, who claimed 161 wickets

from 43 Tests and has since become a well-respected international TV analyst, said Brathwaite had left a firm imprint of his own leadership and industry on the touring side.

“The team reflects Kraigg Brathwaite’s leadership. Kraigg is industrious, hard-working, and has a great work ethic and the team reflects that personality,” Bishop argued.

“They are coachable. A friend of mine told me years ago that if a team has players that are always willing to learn and are coachable, there is no limit as to what they can achieve.

“I’m not saying this team is the number one team suddenly in the world or they are the number three team – that is the ultimate goal.

This team is on the road on that journey. They’ve taken significant strides on this tour.

“How many would have given them a chance to win two-nil coming here? I don’t know of any. Their self-belief is so aspirational.”

Bishop dismissed any notion that the quality of opposition had diminished the significance of the side’s achievement.

“People may say it is only Bangladesh, but Bangladesh at home have proven to be a difficult opponent for even higher-ranked teams,” Bishop pointed out.

“So, with the inexperience in this West Indies batting line-up, this is a tremendous achievement.”

(CMC)

victory at 252 for 7. Hosein was unbeaten at the end on 20 as Trinidad managed to get to 256 without further loss.

Chase, who also got the wickets of Pooran and Ramdin, finished 3-21 from his 10 overs and Dominic Drake 2-47.

Earlier, half-centuries from Justin Greaves, Johnathan Carter, and Roston Chase were undermined by a five-wicket haul from Pollard as Barbados Pride scored 253 for 9 from their 50 overs.

Greaves hit six fours and a six in his score of 62 and featured in an opening stand of 44 with Zachary McCaskie (16) and 42 with Shamarh Brooks, who made 20.

However, it was Carter and Chase, who came together at 106 for 3, who managed to push the score along producing a fourth-wicket stand of 102 before Carter got out to Hosein for 56.

Red Force Captain Pollard then went to work taking the next five wickets including that of Chase for 56, as the Pride slumped from 208 for 4 to 253 for 9.

Chase and Holder had

Jason Mohammed scored a timely 122 managed to put together 33 runs between them before the latter was dismissed for 18 with the score at 241 in the 48th over.

Pollard finished with 5 for 17 from three overs while Hosein took 2-44.

(Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD Barbados Zachary McCaskie lbw b Hosein Justin Greaves Ramdin b Rampaul Sharmarh Brooks run out Jonathan Carter c Ottley b Hosein Roston Chase c Pooran b Pollard Jason Holder c Phillip b Pollard Ashley Nurse c Rampaul b Pollard Dominic Drakes c Ottley b Pollard Tevyn Walcott c Pooran b Pollard Joshua Bishop Chemar Holder Total: 253-9 off 50 overs Bowler Akeal Hosein Ravi Rampaul Anderson Phillip Imran Khan Sunil Narine Jason Mohammed Kieron Pollard

16 62 20 56 56 18 8 0 3 0 0

10-1-44-2 9- 0-39-1 5- 0-35-0 8-0-57-0 10-0-37-0 5-0-22-0 3 0 17 5

Trinidad and Tobago Evin Lewis c Nurse b Chase 61 Kjorn Ottley lbw b Drakes 4 Jason Mohammed c Chase b Holder 122 Denesh Ramdin c Bishop b Chase 10 Nicolas Pooran c Greaves b Chase 0 Kieron Pollard c Brooks b Drakes 0 Sunil Narine c & b Bishop 18 Akeal Hosein 20 Imran Khan 0 Total: 256 -7 off 49.1 overs Bowler Jason Holder Dominic Drakes Ashley Nurse Joshua Bishop Chemar Holder Roston Chase Jonathan Carter

10-1-47-1 7-0-47-2 9-0-47-0 6-0-35-1 6-0-55-0 10-2-21-3 1-0-2-0

22 Chairperson Bethune and members CLASSIFIED ADS promise to advance community game GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

U

…as GFF delivers official appointment letters and ToRs

pper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) President Terrence Mitchell on Saturday last delivered letters of appointment, along with the Terms of Reference (ToRs), to the Chairman, Secretary and Committee Members of the Region 10 Sub-Region 2 Football Committee at Kwakwani.

This move was a direct follow-up to the historic outreach the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde undertook at the end of November 2020 to Kwakwani ,where he promised to work with the elected members to advance and rekindle the development of the game there.

Mitchell, in expressing delight that the GFF was happy to be present in the community once again but this time to deliver official letters of appointment, noted that the COVID-19 pandemic continued to be a challenge for the nation.

However, he was happy that the Committee has been interacting and putting things

UDFA President Terrence Mitchell (third left) and GFF’s Keeran Williams (right) with some members of the Region 10 Sub-Region 2 Football Committee after the Committee received their appointment letters

in place for the future.

He noted that the Federation was committed to finding the best strategies towards the continuous growth and development of Guyana’s football while expressing optimism that the contribution of the Region 10 Sub-Region 2 Football Committee would be valuable towards the overall

AIBA Virtual Forum in America slated for February 21 …to develop NFs through experience exchange

T

Federations on a regular basis.

We do not avoid International tough questions, we are here to B o x i n g Association hear and solve it,” he added.

(AIBA) will On February be hosting its Continental 7, AIBA held its Forum for African Forum with 40 counAmerica virtutries participatally this year ing virtually. on February Nairobi, Kenya 21, owing to AIBA President the coronavirus became the capUmar Kremlev pandemic. ital of the event; AIBA President Umar Kremlev visited the country Kremlev claimed that to hold official meetings and the developing National to train and communicate Federations (NFs) will learn with the national team. a lot from their experienced During the Forum, the colleagues.

AIBA leadership and the “American continent is National Federations of the full of talented athletes and continent discussed a number coaches who dedicated their of key issues, including relife to boxing. They have forms, new AIBA Committees shown their passion for box- and competition calendar, deing during competitions, no velopment plan for National matter winning or losing. I Federations, communication am confident that the lead- strategy, report from the leers of the continent, being gal group, and took part in the role models, will help the Q&A sessions. They also their developing colleagues held an anti-doping semiand share their considerable nar with the International experience. Thus, we will Testing Agency (ITA) Head be more united and strong,” of Testing, Matteo Vallini.

The AIBA President had Kremlev said.

“We are actively imple- a training session with the menting reforms and we will Kenyan national team and discuss them with National presented to athletes boxFederations of America to ing equipment. The decision build our future together. We to build a boxing academy appreciate feedback from our in the country was also takmember countries; it helps us en. Kremlev expressed conto improve a lot in each direc- fidence that it would help to tion. Our big initiative, AIBA develop boxing not only in Forums, is helping us to be the country but in the whole in touch with the National region. h

e

growth of the sport.

“On behalf of the GFF and President Forde, I would like to once again thank you all for taking on the challenge of re-energising the game in this area.

Like the GFF, we at the UDFA level would be working along with you to ensure that you succeed as an extension of our Association.

You’ll receive every bit of assistance you need to return the game to the glory days,” Mitchell declared.

Region 10 Sub-Region 2 Football Committee Chairman Harlan Bethune, in response, expressed thanks on behalf of the

Committee to Mitchell and the GFF for the level of efficiency shown ever since the inaugural visit last year.

“We here in Kwakwani are very excited to receive the official letters of appointment, along with the Terms of Reference which will guide the way we operate. We are committed to functioning in an effective way to grow the game here and by extension, Guyana.

We will be working along with the COVID-19 committee here to get the game back up and running once again when it is appropriate and safe.”

Bethune also stated that

they were currently working on putting together their work programme which would guide how things are done in a uniform way.

The Region 10 SubRegion 2 Football Committee appointment letters took effect from January 1, 2021 and the Chairman would be required to report to the GFF Executive Committee on their work on a regular basis.

The full committee reads: Harlan Bethune (Chairman); Ann Gordon (Secretary) and Members: Dean Gordon, Dion Ross, Winslow Mc Curdy, Stephon Profit, Royston Hytmiah, Dave Causway, Dellon Patoir, Hubert Williams, Dereck Daniels, Carl Pitt and Jimmy Mc Clean.

Among the objectives of the Committee are to: develop and implement strategic plans for football development and competition in Sub Region #2, Region 10; develop strategic plans for the inclusion and participation of Clubs in the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) and Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Tournaments, and Players in the National Team Programmes; and develop and implement competitions, fundraising events, and other football activities.

Simone Biles “would not feel comfortable” allowing daughter to be part of USA Gymnastics

S

imone Biles says if she was a mother she would not allow her daughter to be part of USA Gymnastics following the Larry Nassar sex abuse scandal.

USA Gymnastics' ex-doctor Nassar was jailed for up to 300 years in 2018 for abusing more than 250 athletes, including Biles.

Biles has previously called for an independent investigation.

"It's far from over," Biles, 23, told CBS. "There's still a lot of questions that still need to be answered."

When asked on the 60 Minutes programme if she had a daughter, would she allow her to join the programme, the four-time Olympic gold medallist said: "No. Because I don't feel comfortable enough, because they haven't taken accountability for their actions and what they've done.

"And they haven't assured us that it's never going to happen again."

Biles, who has won 19 world titles, said she felt personally let down by USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic Committee.

She added: "We bring

LEARN TO DRIVE

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

Contact us: 227-3835 / 627-6155.

WhatsApp: 619-0106. Join us on FaceBook.

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

TAXI SERVICE Elegant Cabs 231-1494 / 226-4277 Cell #: 623-6600 24 hrs.

GR Taxi

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

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW!

Simone Biles

them medals. We do our part. You can't do your part in return? It's just, like, it's sickening."

Asked what questions remain unanswered, she responded: "Just who knew what, when? You guys have failed so many athletes. And most of us underage. You guys don't think that's a bigger problem? Like, if that were me and I knew something I'd want it resolved immediately."

In January 2020, USA Gymnastics announced a plan to pay a US$215 million settlement to the group of athletes abused by Nassar.

In a 2018 interview with the BBC, Biles said she was "relieved" after speaking out about Nassar after feeling "a lot of pressure" to keep the truth to herself for so long.

USA Gymnastics President and chief executive Li Li Leung told CBS they "recognise how deeply we have broken the trust of our athletes and community, and are working hard to build that trust back".

She continued: "Everything we do now is aimed at creating a safe, inclusive, and positive culture for everyone who participates in our sport."

US Olympic and Paralympic boss Sarah Hirshland wanted to "repeat" their apology "to all those who have been harmed and underscore our commitment to uncovering and addressing the organisational failures that contributed to an environment in which Nassar preyed on athletes".

(BBC Sport)

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Teaching moment!

Leslain Baird passes on some javelin knowledge to a youngster

Leslain Baird loads up a throw

T

23

Baird, Archibald happy with returns at 1st meet

he nation’s athletes were gifted with perfect weather on Sunday as they set out for a day filled with activities, marking their return to the synthetic track after a year.

For two athletes in particular, it was a great start to their Olympic 2020 hopes.

The male side of the competition saw quite a few turn out, causing a number of heats to be run off in feature events, but the same could not be said for the female contest, where the

participation of the Linden athletes was dearly missed.

For Emmanuel Archibald, who emerged from the Open 100m sprint with the best time, clocking 10.21s was a personal record and a great way to start his Olympic campaign.

“It wasn’t a bad performance, I got a PR for the first meet. I was glad with the performance. I feel I could’ve done better, but it’s the first meet,” an ecstatic Archibald told

Emmanuel Archibald

Guyana Times Sport.

He added optimistically, “’I’m right there. To open the season with a PR (personal record) which is 10.21s, I feel I could run at least 10.05 the next one.”

Archibald, who had an exceptional outing on Sunday, also sprang to 8.10m in the long jump event. He led the competition by a distance, with the next best jumper, Micaiah Washington, managing 7.50m. Wesley Tyndal completed the top three with a

jump of 7.00m.

Another athlete who met a personal goal on Sunday was javelin specialist Leslain Baird, who was quite content with a season-opening throw of 77m.

“Coming into this competition here, I was very confident. I throw above my coach’s expectations, which was between 73 and 75 he had given me to throw, but, actually, I got 77, which is very great. He told me to just come out, enjoy the competition, and see where

I’m at. I got a season best which is 77, just a metre away from my best and the national record, which is very good,” the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank told this publication.

The Athletics Association of Guyana is slated to host another two developmental meets before the National Seniors on April 17-18. After which, the South American Senior Championships are scheduled for May 14 to May 16.

(Jemima Holmes)

Rajpat's unbeaten 91 hands Belle Vue victory over West Side Warriors

The victorious Belle Vue

I

n recent cricketing ac- The Belle Vue bowltion at the Belle Vue ers did nothing wrong Ground, the home as they were tight in team defeated West Side their line and length Warriors, a Tuschen-based and gave much effort team, by nine wickets and in this match-up.

24 balls in a 25-over contest.

In reply, Belle Vue were led by Belle Vue Demerara's current wick- scored 177-1 etkeeper-batsman Nicholas in 21 overs.

Rajpat, who smashed five The innings sixes and seven fours in his was dom91 not out. inated by Earlier in the match, Rajpat, who West Side Warriors won scored freethe toss and batted first. ly and played They posted 175-7 in their top-class shots 25 overs; top-scoring was to all parts of Akeem Mullin with 52 the ground. It not out (3×4) (2×6), with was a great Orlando Giddings mak- sight to see ing 48 not out (6×6). The the 17-yearWarriors as their name Nicholas Rajpat suggest showed great will handed Belle Vue and fought to the very another win with a end. Despite a few wickfluent 91 not out ets falling, they pushed on to post a total worth defend- old left-handing. Bowling for Belle Vue ed batsman smashwere stand-in skipper Ryan ing balls all over Seecharran, who had 3-28 the ground. But in his five overs, and Daniel Rajpat was not Roberts, who supported left to do all the with 2-18 in his five overs. work as Krishna

Singh supported with 43 not out (3×4) (1×6) and the duo put on 167 runs in 118 balls. The lone batsman whose w i c k et fell was Dingo Fredricks 5 (1×4), who was bowled by Satesh Ramdeen.

While the W a r r i o r s picked up an early wicket, the partnership of Rajpat and Krishna frustrated them as the pair continued to eat away at the total. In the end, Belle Vue registered yet another comfortable win as they continue to impress in the 2021 cricket season.

Sri Lanka tour to West Indies to go ahead

W

ith the PCR tests carried out on the 35 cricketers in the Sri Lanka squad along with the coaching staff, net bowlers, and the HPC staff returning negative COVID-19 results, Sri Lanka’s cricket tour of the West Indies is once again back on track to go ahead.

The tour was thrown into jeopardy when two members of the training camp – batsman Lahiru Thirimanne and Head Coach Mickey Arthur tested positive and the training for the tour came to an abrupt halt last week.

But following the negative results returned on the rest of the training squad, the players returned to training Friday after first undergoing a fitness test to ascertain their fitness levels.

“The players underwent a fitness test yesterday and again today. They started training yesterday. We have not got the results of the fit-

ness test yet. The reports will be submitted to us by today,” said Sri Lanka Cricket Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ashley de Silva on Saturday.

“We were waiting for the PCR tests to come out, so now all of them have been tested negative. We are seeking the views of the cricket committee and hopefully, we might get a feedback. When we spoke to them verbally, they sounded positive for us to go ahead with the tour after pushing it back by about a week,” he said.

De Silva said that the itinerary would remain the same without any reduction in the number of matches.

“There will not be any changes to the number of matches, but the only change will be in the order of matches. Earlier, it was 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is and the 2 Tests, but we have shown our preference to play the 3 T20Is first and then the 3ODIs and the 2 Tests. We are waiting for

a confirmation from Cricket West Indies,” said De Silva.

“We were supposed to go to the West Indies on 18 February, but we have requested Cricket West Indies to push the itinerary back by about four to five days so that there will be enough time and when the team goes there, they will have some time to carry out their training. We haven’t finalised the itinerary as yet,” he said.

According to De Silva, Head Coach Arthur will go with the team, but Thirimanne’s selection will be based on medical advice.

“Arthur is only a trainer, so there is no issue with him, he would be released in another four days’ time.

Thirimanne has to train and practise physically, so we have to get the doctor’s advice on him whether he will be fit enough to undergo strenuous physical activity,” said De Silva. (Cricket Sri Lanka)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021

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

Emmanuel Archibald

Pg 23

Baird, Archibald happy with returns at 1st meet Pg 22

Pg 23

Sri Lanka tour to West Indies to go ahead Chairperson Bethune and members promise to advance community game …as GFF delivers official appointment letters and ToRs Pg 23

Rajpat’s unbeaten 91 hands Belle Vue victory over West Side Warriors

Region 10 Sub-Region 2 Football Committee Member Stephon Profit (right) receives his letter from UDFA President Terrence Mitchell in the presence of Committee Chairman Harlan Bethune

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