Guyana Times - Tuesday, February 9, 2021

New COVID-19 variants P12

Govt exploring avenues to conduct gene sequencing Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4554

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021

Budget 2021 to be presented on Friday Page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Bertram Collins College to be restructured P11 – Min Parag

…to continue delivery of manifesto promises – Finance Minister

Equipment failure will not impact ExxonMobil’s next oil lift – production manager

Another man P8 charged for gunning down contractor

Page 9

…company flaring 16m cubic ft of gas daily, producing 120,000 bpd

Consortium of investors can finance gas-toshore project P7 – analyst …says Guyana’s future tied to affordable energy

Earthquake P16 assessments conducted in South Rupununi

Enhancing road linkages: Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat and Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall led a team of officials from the Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Administration; the Guyana Forestry Commission and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission to inspect 140 kilometres of roads, culverts, bridges and accompanying linkages between Buck Hall, Essequibo River to Tapir Landing and Aranka, Cuyuni River, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) (Natural Resources Ministry photo)

Govt remains mindful of cybersecurity threats with increased ICT reliance – PM

Page 13

…$US17.4M …US$17.4M to improve Internet in 200 communities

COVID-19 death 2 dead, 5 injured in weekend toll rises to 181 Page 10

…41 new cases, 7 persons in ICU

Page 10

motorcycle accidents

Former cop P2 accused of raping schoolgirl to face retrial

WBD man wanted for forging lease P11

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Former cop accused of raping schoolgirl to face retrial

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he trial of Enfield Prince, a former policeman who is accused of raping an underage girl, ended on Monday with a hung jury. In the circumstances, Prince will have to face a new trial for the offence at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes. He remains on bail.

The charge against him states that on January 23, 2015, in the county of Demerara, he engaged in sexual penetration with a 15-year-old girl. Prince was arraigned before Justice JoAnn Barlow for the offence.

After deliberations, the jury was unable to arrive at a verdict.

Prosecutors Nafeeza Baig and Sarah Martin appeared for the State, while Prince was represented by

Accused of rape: Enfield Prince

Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat.

According to the facts of the case, on January 23,

2015, the young girl was sent home from school and while on her way home, she met one of her female friends who was also sent home from school.

They went to Jerries Restaurant and Bar and while there, the virtual complainant’s friend borrowed her cell phone to call a taxi driver.

They boarded the car and went to Sophia, Greater Georgetown. The virtual complainant was of the impression that she was going by her friend’s house in Sophia.

But the taxi driver took the two girls to Prince’s home. While there, it is alleged that Prince and the taxi driver took the virtual complainant into a bedroom and raped her.

A few minutes after, Police ranks and welfare officers arrived at Prince’s home.

Prince reportedly verbally abused the Police ranks and welfare officers and left his home on a motorcycle belonging to the Guyana Police Force. The taxi driver also left. The girls were subsequently taken from the house to the Turkeyen Police Station.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, February 9 – 02:30h – 04:00h and 13:30h – 15:00h and Wednesday, February 10 – 03:00h – 04:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, February 9 – 14:50h – 16:20h and Wednesday, February 10 – 15:40h – 17:10h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light cloud will prevail during the day and night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly to NorthEasterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 15:05h reaching a maximum height of 2.46 metres.

Low Tide: 08: 37h and 21:11h reaching minimum heights of 0.92 metre and 0.71 metre.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2021

LOTTERY NUMBERS K

03 10 11

26 27 28

FREE TICKET

13 Bonus Ball

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2021

DAILY MILLIONS

01 13 14 18 24 LUCKY 3

1

6

3

9

Afternoon Draw

8

1

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

05

09

10

11

12 15 20

PAY DAY

SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021

03 06

08 16 17 13

04 07

09 11 17

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

$60.56/barrel

+2.01

Rough Rice

$234.27/ton

+0.09

London Sugar

$472.00/ton

-0.59

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1839.90

$1840.90

Low/High Change

$1806.60 +9.50

$1842.80 +0.52%

Budget 2021 to be presented on Friday …to continue delivery of manifesto promises

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udget 2021 will be delivered in the National Assembly on Friday - a feat that would make this the second budget the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government has been able to deliver in just five months.

This was announced by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh on Monday. While announcing the news, the Minister recalled the multiple consultations that the Government has held with stakeholders.

“As many of you know, we have been engaged in wide-ranging consultations.

Most recently last weekend, when we met with representatives of the Private Sector and organised labour to discuss issues of shared interest. We received a lot of very good suggestions from those who were gathered. Many on issues that would impact on 2021, others on policy issues or even beyond.”

“You would be aware that His Excellency also convened about two weeks ago, an engagement with a number of political parties and stakeholders. There again, we received a lot of very valuable suggestions, ideas, issues put on the table for consideration,” the Minister said.

Minister Singh noted that in light of the progress the Government has made in budget preparation, it was decided that the budget will be presented on Friday, February 12. He also explained that between now and Friday, there will be an intense period where the budget is finalised. He also laid out what people can expect from the budget.

“Expect that Budget 2021 will continue to deliver on the wide range of promises and commitments and undertakings included in the manifesto. We consider our manifesto to be our

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

contract with our people of Guyana. It was on the basis of our manifesto that we were elected into office. And we intend to deliver.”

“Budget 2020 already started, notwithstanding it was an emergency budget, to deliver on some of these promises. It contained a number of emergency measures aimed at bringing immediate relief to the people of Guyana, particularly in the context of COVID-19,” Singh also said.

He noted that Budget 2021 will therefore continue in the same vein, rolling out initiatives that were started in Budget 2020, while advancing other initiatives that the Government committed to in their 2020 General and Regional Elections manifesto. The budget will also outline the PPP Government’s plans for the medium term.

This year’s budget will be the first full-year national economic plan presented by the PPP/C Government since taking office in August

2020. The previous budget, which it presented in September 2020, was an emergency one that nevertheless contained sweeping measures rolling back the heavy taxation measures inherited from the former Government.

Budget 2021 comes at a time when it is expected that the commencement of the construction of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge will be among several projects that will take centre stage this year.

Major highways across the East and West Coasts and East Bank of Demerara

will also be commissioned.

Preparatory work is also set to start for the construction of the highway to Brazil and the Deep Water Harbour in Berbice.

It was only on Saturday that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira met with Private Sector and labour representatives at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) to discuss issues of interest to those stakeholders.

The meeting saw participation from a wide range of umbrella and sectoral representative bodies, including several from the small business sector. At the engagement, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo emphasised the Government’s commitment to deliver its manifesto promises, several of which have already been initiated in Budget 2020. He also indicated that Budget 2021 and the budgets for subsequent years will continue to build on these manifesto promises.

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 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

Death toll on our roadways

O

ver the weekend, two persons died and five others were injured in separate accidents all involving motorcycles. We are only two months into 2021 and the number of road fatalities has left numerous families in mourning, even as concern is being expressed over the reasons for these accidents and more so, the lawlessness on our roadways. In many of the cases, the Police have stated that a common theme appears to be the unnecessary taking of risk, speed, and alcohol.

The sudden and shocking death of someone close, especially as a result of an accident, can never be easy. The ensuing excruciating pain and mental trauma that are inflicted on surviving relatives can be unbearable.

In a fleeting moment, families are plunged into sadness and despair having received the dreadful news that an accident took the life of someone dear to them. That’s the painful result and often, its real and lingering impact may be hidden from the spotlight of the media.

The reality is, people, including those who survive an accident, suffer in unimaginable ways. The recent spate of accidents even prompted some to ask the question of how many more? One interpretation from that simple question speaks to whether lessons are being learnt from accidents over time. In other words, how many more have to die before better care is taken while using the roadways?

Given what has taken place since the year started, one could not be faulted for concluding that the results of the accidents may not have inspired more responsible behaviour.

However, judging from sentiments expressed on social media, it appears that more cognisance has seemingly been brought to the mindsets of many.

While that is extremely heartening, there is uncertainty as to whether the mindsets of the regular errant drivers have been impacted, or have they learnt anything from what were obviously painful experiences of others. Judging from what continues to take place on the roadways, it seems clear that many drivers haven’t learnt or are clearly refusing to even be bothered by the harrowing fatal accidents.

On a daily basis, many drivers use the roadways in a very reckless manner, thereby, endangering occupants and other road users — the least, themselves. It becomes painful even to see how they manoeuvre, seemingly, without an iota of care for others. Again, it brings into question the role of law enforcement to try and curb such irresponsible behaviour, especially since some traffic violations do occur in the presence of Police.

Even if the Police were to offer an excuse, inexcusable as it may be, there is none that can be offered for not using the public CCTV cameras to take action against the errant drivers. Many of these cameras are strategically placed at some intersections where traffic lights are mounted and other areas. Very often, persons, generally using the cameras from their cellphones, would snap and post a picture of a traffic violation.

It begs another question: if members of the public can take the time and effort to highlight daily traffic violations and from which the Police sometimes intervene, why can’t the Police itself use the CCTV cameras in a sustained effort to make defaulters face the law? Millions of taxpayers’ dollars were used to procure and mount those cameras; therefore, their value must be to benefit the public.

In addition, the suggestion for undercover cops to pose as passengers is repeated. That would help to authenticate, if nothing else is working, violations of speeding, reckless driving, and overloading among others.

Importantly, the Police must holistically demonstrate that sense of commitment to genuinely collaborate with members of the public to collectively tackle the situation.

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister, Hugh Todd and Ambassador of the United States of America, Sarah-Ann Lynch met on Monday to discuss matters on the bilateral agenda of Guyana and the USA (Foreign Affairs Ministry photo)

Joe Harmon is full of harm and has no harmony Dear Editor, Last week, Leader of the Opposition party decided to write the Indian Government that Guyana’s proposed appointment of past APUN/AFC member, Mr Charrandas Persaud as High Commissioner, could hurt relations between the two Commonwealth member nations. Can you imagine the audacity, the hypocrisy and idiocy! In a poorly-worded letter crafted to attract sympathetic attention, dated February 4, 2021, and addressed to the External Relations Minister, Mr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, he stated, “The people of Guyana have always enjoyed cordial relations with the Government and people of India and we are concerned that Mr Persaud’s appointment may place a significant strain on this important relationship.” Gross uncertainty was expressed while trying to pull a rabbit out of thin air. He forgot, not only India but the entire international community had witnessed the wholesale and glaring attempt by his APNU/AFC party to rig the last General and Regional Elections on March 2, 2020. Mr Persaud has publicly declared from the inception that his vote on the December 2018 NoConfidence Motion (NCM) was a vote of conscience and not on party line. Doesn’t he realise how shameful he appeared in the eyes of India when he supported that 34 is the majority of 65? India will whiplash him with the CCJ’s decision and make him look like a foolish schoolboy (wearing the dunce cap).

He further clumsily purported, “Accordingly, we are of the view that the appointment of Mr Persaud to such an important portfolio is likely to be viewed by the Guyanese people as a reward for an endorsement of

his treasonous act.” What a hearty laugh India must be enjoying, rollicking and wondering at the poor intelligence of an attorney and military trained person. India’s Parliament has accommodated some 27 No-Confidence Motions and sees no harm but harmony for its tolerance.

“Lil Joe” needs to grow up and learn more about the history of Indian politics. India must have finally realised the jokers from a circus are in full time and not part-time employment as struggling entertainers on the global sphere.

Guyanese still remember former Public Security Minister Ramjattan’s major probe into an alleged corrupt transaction when he exclaimed and declared on an NCN show in December 2018, “We are now learning that there is absolutely a connection with bribery, of some big sum of money…. money which I understand he had wanted to transfer overseas and all of that.” Of yes, big bucks certainly passed for securing gun licences during his tenure.

Would India not wonder why Joe colluded with Granger, Lowenfield and others not to release the SoPs? Would India not be amazed at Joe and the APNU/AFC party being severely thrashed by the CCJ for a hat trick, knowing how cricket is India’s best past time? India would very well recall the fodder of Joe and his party’s handpicked choice back in June 2016 of the rogue contractor, Fedders Lloyd, barred by India, for the construction of the defunct Specialty Hospital.

India would lambaste Joe when he was Minister of State, for siding with then President Granger, for the illegal appointment of James Patterson as GECOM’s Chairman back in October 2017. He had arrogantly pro-

fessed, “I have said to you this is what the Constitution requires. I have described the characteristics of fit and proper.” Fit and proper for what and for whom…clean bowled by the stinging remarks of the learned Judges on the CCJ’s bench.

In his letter to India, Joe observed of Mr Persaud that he, “Does not enjoy the confidence of a large segment of the Guyanese population and is mired in controversy.”

Really Joe, India would be patiently awaiting the outcome of all of Joe and his gang’s revealed audited corruption and controversial financial decisions amounting to billions of dollars. India will be interested also in wanting for Joe to explain his APNU/ AFC camp’s besmirching remarks of Prime Minister Mark Phillips as “Black tokenism.” Doesn’t Joe realise he is dealing with a Mr Modi who is India’s Prime Minister for the world’s largest democracy? Hindsight or short sight is not oversight from the guy who was footballed around from a Minister to a “Director General”, to a CEO for a virus and then ousted as a Leader for a lame and limping party, laughed at being a lopsided Opposition.

India will figure out what a character Joe is, one, from his contradiction with the then President Granger on his acceptance of the elections result back in July 2020 and two, his poor judgement and biases of the justice system. India would reflect on Joe’s words pertaining to the Speaker of the House back in December 2017, “The Speaker’s ruling must be obeyed.” India would be perplexed now to know how come the current Speaker of the House has to reprimand Joseph Harmon and Sherod Duncan for publicly accusing him, Mr Manzoor Nadir, of showing bias in the National

Assembly.

The biggest lash back to Joe Harmon’s presumptuousness will be India’s inquiry into his racial insinuations back in September 2020 when he and Granger directly and deliberately caused violence in Berbice, resulting in the loss of lives and properties, injuries, destruction and damages.

India would redirect Joe’s attention to the founder of Heal Guyana, Sharon Lalljee-Richard’s words when she justified, “Double standards are unacceptable when it comes to race relations and violence in Guyana. After one electoral term of passionately promoting social cohesion during his presidency, David Arthur Granger and the now Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon visited the grieving relatives of the Henry family, and, during that occasion, took it upon themselves to utter irresponsible words which served to instigate an outburst of violence among protesters who were demonstrating their discontent over the brutal murders of Isaiah and Joel Henry.”

Perhaps, the crux of the matter will settle with India not taking lightly to Joe Harmon’s letter in December 2020, when he denied a request for a farewell courtesy call by outgoing Canadian High Commissioner, Lillian Chatterjee, also incidentally, a person of Indian descent.

In a letter to her, Harmon had accused her of breaching diplomatic protocol. Joe Harmon would be ashamed to discuss with India, his and party members’ role in the hooliganism, black-guardedness and busing down of diplomats and all the observers during the counting of the votes.

Respectively, Jai Lall

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021

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

Guyanese show appreciation for traditional American sport Dear Editor, Guyanese Americans showed their appreciation for the annual Super Bowl on Sunday evening by tuning in to the game that was carried live on television. It is the custom to host parties and invite friends, neighbours, and relatives to watch the game and have a fun time. Guyanese hosted Super Bowl parties as mainstream Americans did.

Because of COVID-19, invited guests were restricted.

Viewers all over the world usually watch the game that probably has the largest audience and viewership of any American sport. More and more people globally are

into the sport that is similar to soccer but played differently. Cricket has no money in America. Guyanese Americans are urged to indulge in American sports which tend to have a huge payday.

The game historically has the largest TV and live audience in the US, if not globally. This year, because of COVID-19, the audience was restricted to just around five thousand, mostly health workers who received gratis tickets chosen from among raffled names.

Normally, attendance was some 70K in a giant size stadium. COVID-19 has really disrupted lives and taken a

toll on revenues.

Very few Guyanese play or watch American football.

Virtually every American is into the game. It is talked about on all TV and radio programmes and print media. Students and colleagues talk about it. So Guyanese adults and youth show interests because of their colleagues or peers and because it is part of the American culture. Football is to America what cricket is to England or Guyana. Once you live in America, you become acculturated into it — part of American cultural diffusion to immigrant communities.

The Super Bowl is usu-

ally on the first Sunday of February. It is the final of the annual American football league. The season begins around September and ends in January with playoffs between the various division leaders. It is a multi-billion dollar business.

The rights to the Super Bowl itself is probably hundreds of millions of American dollars. The top teams are in the playoff of each division.

The two winners of the playoffs of each division go into the Super Bowl. American football is not the same as soccer or mainstream world football. American football is played mostly with the hands and hardly with the

feet. The ball is oval-shaped.

The players tackle opponents to prevent them from moving the ball into the “goal post”.

It is the tradition on Super Bowl Sunday for Americans to watch the game with friends and families or at restaurants or bars. But this year, there are restrictions not only for the live audience at the game but also at restaurants and bars. The snow on Sunday did not make it possible to patronise restaurants and bars. Most people watched the game at home.

Guyanese did the same.

It is the tradition to snack on assorted chips,

dips including guacamole (pear or avocado choka), pizza, cutlets, sandwiches, fried chicken, cookies, cakes, pretzels, hot dog, chilli, salsa, ice cream, and the like. These are washed down with beer or hard drinks and, of course, soft drinks. Guyanese have introduced their pholourie, bara, baiganee, channa, salt saye, black eye, chicken foot, dhal puri and varied curries, pine tarts, black eye cakes, and other traditional delicacies into the snack pool. It is a case of Guyanese inserting their cuisine and snacks into a traditional American rite.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Diplomatic relations Former Finance Minister should not get excited are between Govts, to take credit for his counterproductive work not individuals Dear Editor, The letter to the Indian Minister on the Administration’s choice of ambassador to that country concluded that should the appointment be confirmed, it would sour relations between the two countries.

Relations were not soured for five long and arduous

months between the two countries, when the nation was held hostage. Further, diplomatic relations are between states and governments, not individuals.

The suggestion is debased.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

ERC National Conversation postponed Dear Editor, The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), regrettably informs that due to circumstances beyond its control, it is unable at this point in time to host the second instalment of the National Conversation on improving ethnic relations in Guyana.

During the launch of the inaugural National Conversation on December 14, 2020, the Commission indicated that the sec-

ond round would be held in January 2021.

The Commission wishes to assure that it is working assiduously to have the conversation continued within the shortest possible time and apologises for the inconvenience and not being able to meet the expectations of those desirous of participating.

Sincerely, Ethnic Relations Commission

Dear Editor, I refer to a letter that appeared in the Stabroek News on February 8, 2021, in which the former Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan responded to Mike Persaud on the US$4 million bakery to be set up in Guyana by the Fernandes Group – a Surinamese bakery.

In his response, the former Finance Minister sought to take credit for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Invest arm that is now lending to the Private Sector. The Minister stated that during his tenure as Finance Minister, he worked tirelessly to get IDB Invest and IDB Lab to invest in bankable projects within the Private Sector.

The manner in which the

former Minister expressed himself in the letter gives one the impression that the IDB could not find any bankable projects to lend during his five-year tenure and is only now finding bankable projects. Clearly, the former Minister does not seem to understand the workings of the economy.

It was his contractionary fiscal agenda during the last five years, egregious economic policies which in turn stymied the Private Sector and resulted in the underperformance of the productive sectors, coupled with the lack of any major development projects – that explains why IDB Invest could not find any bankable projects. The simple answer is that there were none because of how the economy

E

ducation is not to be taken as a process of filling an empty sack and pouring out its contents, making its sack empty again. It is not the head that has to be filled through education, it is the heart that has to be cleansed, expanded and illumined.

Education is for life, not a living. The sign of the educated man is the humility that he has not been able to know the vast unknown that still remains to be explored. The educated man must realise that he has more obligations than privileges, more duties than rights. He has to serve the society amidst which he is placed and the heritage that has been handed over by forefathers. He should be delighted to serve and not desire to dominate. For service is divine; service makes life worthwhile. Service is the best way to use one’s skills, intelligence, strength and resources. (Divine Discourse, Apr 01, 1973)

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation

was managed under his tenure.

This outturn also partly explains the high levels of non-performing loans in the banking sector of more than 11 per cent which is higher than universally set benchmarks.

Editor, please permit me to include the links of three articles I wrote responding to the former Finance Minister directly on several issues on the economy – with the view to engage him in a public debate on these matters.

See links below to articles inviting the former Minister’s response: https://guyanatimesgy. com/former-finance-ministers-argument-on-the-increase-of-the-debt-ceiling-comical-and-disingenu-

ous-part-1/ https://guyanatimesgy. com/former-finance-ministers-argument-on-increase-of-debt-ceiling-comical-and-disingenuous-part-2/ https://www.kaieteurnewsonline. com/2020/04/23/we-neednot-get-excited-about-oiland-gas-as-it-is-merely-apremium/ Editor, the former Minister of Finance should not take credit for counterproductive work.

I eagerly await a response to the above articles written by the undersigned in direct response to former Finance Minister Winston Jordan on several occasions.

Yours faithfully, JC Bhagwandin

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

1. Set A = {Months of the year beginning with J}

i) How many members are in the set?

ii) Draw a Venn diagram showing the elements of Set A and its complement 2. What is the mean and mode of the data set

1, 6, 4, 6, 7, 3, 2, 3 ?

Friday’s answers cont’d Perimeter (circumference) of a circle = pi x diameter or 2πr Area of a circle = pi x the square of its radius or πr2 Perimeter of a triangle = side + base + side or (a+b+c) Area of a triangle = base x height x ½ pi = 3.14 Shape 6 perimeter

= (4 + 5 + 3) + (3.14 x (5)) = 27.7cm = 27.7cm ( 1 decimal place)

Shape 6 area

= (3 x 4 x ½) + (3.14 x (2.52)) = 6 + 6.25 = 12.6cm2 = 12.6cm2 ( 1 decimal place)

FOR CHILDREN Five packets of macaroni cost $1100.

How much will 20 packets cost?

1 packet of macaroni cost $1100 ÷ 5 = $220 20 packets of macaroni cost $220 x 20 = $4400 If a 5% discount is offered on every packet in excess of 10 purchased on Tuesday, what would 20 packets cost on Tuesdays.

If a 5% discount is offered on every packet in excess of 10 purchased on Tuesday, buying 20 makes you eligible for a discount on 10 packets. Therefore, 10 packets would be sold at the regular price and 10 at the discounted price 5% discount on $220 = $220 ÷ 100 x 5 = $11 Price after the discount = $220 – $11 = $209 Total cost = ($220 x 10) + ($209 x 10) = ($2200) + ($2090) = $4290 If each package costs $90 to produce, what is the percentage profit?

Profit = Selling Price (SP) – Cost Price (CP) = $220 – $90 = $130

A

Materials • • • • •

Coffee filters Washable markers Plates Water Water dropper or syringe

S

heifer saw an ox hard at work harnessed to a plough, and tormented him with reflections on his unhappy fate in being compelled to labour.

Shortly afterwards, at the harvest festival, the owner released the ox from his yoke, but bound the heifer with cords and led her away to be slain in honour of the occasion. The ox saw what was being done, and said with a smile to the heifer: “For this you were allowed to live in idleness, because you were presently to be sacrificed.”

• Scissors • Mini solo cup or mini clay pot • Pipe cleaners

How to make the flowers

tart by flattening a coffee filter on a plate or other easy to clean surface. Using a washable marker draw a thick lined circle about half way between the middle and edge. You can use one colour, alternate colours, or even create a few circles (leave a wide space in between). There are no rules, except to ensure lots of white space is left to allow spreading of the colours.

Now add about a teaspoon of water to the middle of the coffee filter. As the water moves through the paper it will spread the colours out, and depending on your colours, may cause them to separate. You should end up with a beautiful water coloured papers.

Æsop’s Fables

Let dry completely.

Take your coffee filter paper and grab it in the middle, roll and bunch it to gather it up and form your flower. You should have a small “stalk”.

Wrap the pipe cleaners around the “stalk”. Your flower is now complete. Repeat the process to create more flowers and then arrange them in the miniature solo cup or clay pot. (Adapted from steampoweredfamily.com)

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Consortium of investors Govt moves ahead with Region 10 housing programme can finance gas-toshore project – analyst …says Guyana’s future tied to affordable energy

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he gas-to-shore project, an ambitious initiative that will see gas from the Liza field offshore Guyana being pumped onshore to generate power, can be financed by a consortium of investors to make the project a reality. This was the view of one financial analyst.

In an interview with this publication, Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin was asked about the project. With concerns in sections of society regarding the financing of the project, Bhagwandin noted that having a consortium of investors invest in the project is one of the financing options that should be explored.

“You ask me about financing options for the project… an example of an option that can be pursued is… the Government can hold a 15 or 20 per cent equity and then they can get a consortium of investors to invest in equity or stock or borrow from the capital market,” the analyst suggested.

The analyst acknowledged that there are a number of estimates appearing in sections of society, regarding how much the project would cost. While sceptical that the project would even cost $1 billion, Bhagwandin cautioned that it is still too early to pronounce on the estimated cost of the project, particularly as the Gasto-Shore Task Force is still reviewing the project.

“Now there’s a lot of numbers out there. One time it was said there’s some feasibility study that says the project can cost $1.7 billion.

What we know as of now is that the Government has set up a special task force to deal with the implementa-

Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin

tion and negotiation on this project.”

“So those details are still being worked out. They’re still evaluating the studies, perhaps conducting studies and they are still working with Exxon. So, if one must pronounce, you have to do it in a very pragmatic way.”

Bhagwandin also did comparisons of Guyana’s energy costs and Trinidad, to emphasise the importance of Guyana bringing down its costs. According to him, Guyana’s economic future and its low carbon future is tied to reducing its energy costs with natural gas.

“Let’s look at some comparisons.

Trinidad and Tobago have been for a long time the regional powerhouse, in terms of being the most developed economy. They have the most advanced financial market.

Their GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is four times our GDP, their per capita is four (times) our per capita income,” Bhagwandin said.

“In Guyana, the average cost for US cents per kilowatt is 25-30 cents per kilowatt of power. Trinidad is less than 10 cents. And Trinidad energy is more

than 80 per cent driven by natural gas. They’re natural; gas driven. When we talk about environmentally friendly, when we talk about a low carbon strategy in a climate change world, natural gas is far greener than what we use right now to produce energy.”

The Government has set an ambitious timeline of 2023 to complete the transformative gas-to-shore project, the main objective of which is to transport sufficient gas from the Stabroek Block’s petroleum operations to supply some 200250 megawatts of energy to the national grid, leading to a significant reduction in electricity costs.

The Government has identified the former Wales Sugar Estate, West Bank Demerara, as the site for establishing the power generation plant, a location that Bhagwandin said makes economic sense as it will open avenues for greater development.

The Government believes that the gas-to-shore project will transform Guyana’s economic landscape, bringing tremendous development for all. Additionally, the Government is also mulling building a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) plant at the site that will have the potential to cater to the energy needs of the people.

President Dr Irfaan Ali had previously said the landing of the gas-to-shore pipeline in Region Three would lead to “big industrial development taking place there that is linked to not only power generation and a power plant.” He also said the investment on the Demerara River’s shoreside would create massive opportunities and a trickle-down effect. (G3)

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall met with Housing and Water Ministers Collin Croal and Susan Rodrigues along with NICIL, CH&PA and GLSC officials

F

ollowing a commitment by President Dr Irfaan Ali, when he led a Cabinet Outreach to Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), where he committed to address several housing issues in the region, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall met with Housing and Water Ministers Collin Croal and Susan Rodrigues on Monday.

The meeting served to address issues and provide clarity in the exercise of ensuring the identified lands are transferred from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) to regularise and allot house lots and certificates of titles to residents of Region 10.

NICIL currently holds the title for the lands in question and the Attorney General is keen on ensuring any legal hurdle is cleared

and the process is addressed in a timely manner.

Also present at the meeting were Chief Executive Officer of the CHPA, Sherwyn Greaves; Chairman of NICIL, Paul Cheong; Chief Executive

Officer of NICIL, Radha Krishna Sharma; Registrar of Lands, Rosalie Robertson; and Manager of Surveys, Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), Rene Duesbury

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Couple on bail for assault, narco possession

A

34-year-old block maker appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday to answer to charges of possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The charge which was read by Magistrate Sherdell Isaacs stated that on February 2, Kennard Reid was found with 137.3 grams of cannabis at Bamboo Drive, Meadow Brook, Georgetown.

The man, who was represented by Attorney-at-Law Lawrence Harris, denied the charge. In a bail application, the attorney said that the cannabis was not found on his client’s person nor his home. Harris told the court that the prohibited substance was rather fished out from a nearby trench with a stick by the ranks. He further stated that his client’s home has been searched three times in the last two and a half months; each search resulting in missing property.

According to Harris, his client’s CCTV footage provides evidence to support that the drugs were not found at his home.

The Police Prosecutor informed the court that the drugs were thrown over the fence by Reid and into a

Kennard Reid

nearby trench.

Reid was granted $60,000 bail and ordered to return to court on March 15.

Meanwhile, Fabiana Cooper, Reid’s reputed wife also appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The 26-year-old hairdresser appeared before Magistrate Sherdell Isaacs to answer to a charge of assaulting a peace officer. It is alleged that on February 2 at Meadow Brook, Georgetown, the woman assaulted a Police officer while he was conducting a raid at her home.

Cooper denied the charges. Like her reputed husband, she was represented by attorney Harris.

Harris in a bail applica-

tion for the woman said that the CCTV footage shows no assault and that the woman was arrested when she went to visit her husband at the station.

The Police Prosecutor in his submissions to the court said that Cooper assaulted the officer during the raid at her home and was arrested when she visited her husband at the station. She was released on $10,000 bail and the case will also continue on March 15.

Youth...

Fabiana Cooper

Another man charged for gunning down contractor

T

wenty-five-year-old Daniel Parris was on Monday remanded to prison for the murder of 60-year-old Peter Gonsalves, a contractor.

Daniel Parris appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that on December 7, 2020, at Garnett Street, Kitty, Georgetown, while in the company of another person, he murdered Gonsalves in the course or

Murdered: Peter Gonsalves

furtherance of a robbery.

He was remanded until March 1.

Parris is the second person to be charged for Gonsalves’ death. In December 2020, his alleged accomplice, Kacey Heyliger, was remanded for the murder of Gonsalves.

Heyliger, 28, was arrested and later identified during an ID parade.

He appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

On December 7, 2020, Peter Gonsalves, a father of four, was gunned down during a robbery in front of Red Bar, at Garnett Street and Vlissengen Road, Georgetown.

At the time, he was in the company of a coworker, who was a passenger on Gonsalves’ bike.

During the ordeal, the pillion rider fell to the ground and the two men, who were armed, made good their escape with the now dead man’s XR motorcycle, CJ 600.

Gonsalves was shot at least three times about his body by the two men – one of whom was armed with a handgun. They reportedly trailed him to the drinking bar.

Parris is no stranger to the law and was jailed back in May 2017 for 18 months.

He pleaded guilty to committing the violent robbery. The facts of the case state that at High Street, Georgetown, on April 28, 2017, he robbed the victim of a Samsung Galaxy S5 phone, valued at $40,000, a phone case valued at $4000 and $50,000.(G15)

F

...and entrepreneurship inance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh was reported to’ve called on our youths to prepare themselves to take advantage of our growing economy – heralded as the highest growth rate in the world at 40 per cent! Noting that most might be considering qualifying themselves academically or technically for JOBS, he advised youths to consider becoming their own bosses as ENTREPRENEURS. That is, to identify some need or other in the world and open up businesses to satisfy those needs – whether in services or goods.

This is a very timely call since at the very max, the much-touted “local content” for the petroleum industry (the source of the 40% growth) will only amount to a few thousand jobs. And while these are welcome, let’s be honest and accept that they’ll be low-level grunts at best in the near term. Because the oil industry is contracting faster than a collapsing supernova, there are foreign experts galore who’re competing for the highly skilled jobs.

Unless we have some kind of legislation that COMPELS the Oil Majors to train locals for high-level jobs, they’ll take the easy path to hire already qualified foreign.

But back to the call for youthful entrepreneurs. Sure, this is the way to go...and not because of our “growing” economy, but because of globalisation: the entire world can now be our market! In fact, if young entrepreneurs are to move beyond generating income exceeding what their peers will earn in the job market, they’ll have to look beyond Guyanese markets. Your Eyewitness’s concern, however, is that youth entrepreneurship in this brave new world will favour (as in the burgeoning online learning industry) their more urbanised cohorts and leave rural and hinterland youths further behind.

So, what’s the solution? Well, the Government will just have to ensure that they shouldn’t just ensure the “training” they’re conducting be extended into those neglected areas, but they should expand the training to exploit identified new business opportunities. There are only so many opportunities in the STEM area that’s receiving so much attention!

Take for example, agricultural diversification, that’s supposed to be the bedrock of us avoiding the dreaded “Dutch Disease”. Can’t the Government have NAREI identify some specific crops – say ginger, turmeric, peppers, lentils, etc – that can be grown on our coast?

Then train rural and hinterland youth how to cultivate, process and market the crops? Surely some of the lands on the shuttered estates that are being reopened – but now at a downsized scale – can be allocated to these youths.

Since our youths have been brainwashed to only see “education” for white-collar jobs as the way out and up from poverty, the Government will have to broaden its concept of education to include agro entrepreneurship! ...and discovery The columnist Ian McDonald recently reminisced that when he was at Cambridge in 1953/54 he met a James Watson. He realised “much later in life” that Watson was the discoverer of the structure of DNA – the basis of life.

Even if we didn’t know squat about genetics and DNA a year ago, with COVID-19, and the mad rush to come up with a vaccine to deal with it, we’ve all gotten a crash course on the subject! In 1953, Watson was just 25 years old, but as with most of the scientific discoveries that have changed our world beyond belief, it has been youth that made most of the seminal breakthroughs!

In his old age, Watson controversially asserted a connection between genetics and intelligence to malign Africans.

But to read his “Double Helix” that recounts the discovery of DNA is to share in the exuberance of youth and their capacity to conquer brave new worlds.

It’s rated the 7th greatest non-fiction book of all time! ...and experience Just days after young Kyle Mayers miraculously won that Test against Bangladesh for us, 43-year-old Tom Brady led the Tampa Buccaneers to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl.

Youth must be balanced with experience!

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

9 Equipment failure will not impact ExxonMobil’s next oil lift – production manager NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…company flaring 16m cubic ft of gas daily, producing 120,000 bpd

Slide showing the malfunctioning compressor being lifted and shipped

By Jarryl Bryan

T

he recent equipment failure onboard the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel offshore Guyana will not have an impact on the upcoming oil lift expected within the next week. This is according to ExxonMobil’s Production Manager.

Last week, Esso Exploration & Production Guyana Limited announced that it was experiencing technical problems with the seal on Liza Destiny’s flash gas compressor. The problem resulted in Exxon reducing its production and conducting flaring.

During a virtual media briefing on Monday, Exxon’s Production Manager Mark Ryan was asked about the potential impact this will have on the upcoming oil lift.

In times past when Exxon has had to reduce production due to routine flaring

of gas, the company has delayed lifting oil in order to reach its desired target of one million barrels of oil.

This happened most recently in December 2020, when a shortfall of approximately 15,000 bpd in oil production caused a lift that was originally scheduled for November of last year, to be rescheduled for the following month. According to Ryan, however, it will have no effect on the lift schedule.

“We are constantly updating our lift schedule. It’s a constant update based on performance over time,” Exxon’s Country Manager Alastair Routledge said, while Ryan further explained that the next lift will occur by next week and will not be impacted by the equipment failure.

It was also revealed that Exxon is currently flaring 16 million cubic feet of gas per day, an increase from the volume of flaring the company conducted last year

which reportedly ranged between 12 and 15 million cubic feet.

It is a situation that the two Exxon executives said no one is happy with, even as they work along with the regulatory agencies.

Additionally, Exxon is currently producing around 120,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd). Before the flaring, production was at 130,000 bpd.

Meanwhile, Ryan explained that the compressor is currently on its way to Germany, where it will be examined and fixed. He noted that the workforce on the FPSO had to lift the gas compressor from its subsea position, load it into a container and bring it onshore on Saturday on a support vessel.

“It then got repurposed into a crate, ready for air shipment overseas to Germany. And late last night (Sunday) I can confirm that the compressor

along with some of the key piping connecting it and the critical spare parts that we have, left here on its way to Belgium and its arrived in Europe and is being transported to Germany.”

“We have all our subject matter experts from SBM (Offshore), MAN Turbo, ExxonMobil, are at the shop ready to receive it and per-

Exxon Country Manager Alastair Routledge

Production Manager Mark Ryan

form an inspection. We expect that to happen in the middle of the week,” the manager explained.

When asked, Routledge noted that it is far too early to say exactly what the problem is with the compressor.

However, he gave a tentative estimate of eight weeks during which the compressor is likely to be out of commission.

“It’s an uncertain timeline. We have some estimates but it really depends on as we open the equipment and machinery in the workshop in Germany, what do we find, what repairs and upgrades are required. But order of magnitude, it’s approximately eight weeks to do this,” Routledge said.

This is not the first time EEPGL has had issues with equipment failure. Last year, in response to the prolonged flaring which had environmentalists up in arms, Exxon had also cut back on oil production in an effort to reduce flaring after the fuel injection system was not commissioned. It subsequently commissioned a gas injection system to cut out flaring.

Back in December on the oil company’s first year anniversary since commencing production in 2019, Routledge had expressed disappointment at the equipment issues they experienced and had also assured that routine flaring would not be used.

10 NEWS COVID-19 death toll rises to 181 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…41 new cases, 7 persons in ICU

A

nother death from the novel coronavirus disease has been reported in Guyana – a 74-year-old man from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

He succumbed while receiving medical attention on Sunday and is regarded as the country’s 181st COVID-19 death.

Prior to this, the last death was reported on Friday after an 86-year-old male from Region Four also succumbed at a medical facility.

Meanwhile, 41 new cases were reported on Monday, a majority of which emerged from Waramadong in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

This latest figure has moved the total confirmed cases recorded in Guyana to 8023. However, active cases are 865. Some 4177 males and 3846 females contracted the virus – of which 6977 have recovered completely.

There are seven patients in the Intensive Care Unit, 41 persons in institutional isolation, 817 in home isolation and eight in institutional quarantine.

Health officials have tested 53,059 persons since the virus was detected locally.

New cases

A breakdown of the new infections showed that two new cases were detected in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), 14 in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica),

and 25 in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

There are still 1014 cases in Region One (Barima-Waini), 232 in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 215 in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), 447 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 242 in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), 410 in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo) and 625 in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

With testing over the weekend in Warmadong, a number of new positive cases emerged. The Region Seven community had witnessed a spike in cases over the past few weeks and a doctor is onsite to assist with detections and treatment.

Recently, students were among the infections and were isolated at one of the dorm facilities.

The health team will return as officials contemplate on establishing additional measures.

H e a l t h Minister, Dr Frank Anthony informed during the coronavirus update,

determine if there are undetected cases. Infections continue to rise in the other regions, prompting surveillance from the Ministry. However, these are in smaller numbers.

On the mobile testing initiative which the Ministry had started, Dr Anthony said there are scenarios where people refuse to be tested. The Ministry is contemplating the practicability of continuing such in light of these challenges.

“We have gone into communities where we have seen high COVID prevalence but unfortunately, we’ll spend sometimes twothree days there and people don’t come to be tested.

We’re trying to weigh the benefits of doing it…It’s not that we don’t want to do it but when we go into these communities, we can solicit a response.” (G12)

“There’s ongoing discussion about those measures and we’ll be working with the community to ensure that we reduce the amount of cases. Those persons who have tested positive are currently in isolation.

The community centre in the village is being used as an isolation centre and there were students who have tested positive. There are four dorms at the secondary so one would be utilised as an isolation centre for the students that tested positive.”

Neighbouring communities have monitored to

2 dead, 5 injured in weekend motorcycle accidents T

hree separate accidents over the weekend involving motorcycles have left two persons dead and five injured.

The most recent occurred on Sunday at Arapaima Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, which claimed the life of a motorcyclist and left two pedestrians injured.

Dead is 26-year-old Kemston Richards of Plum Park, Sophia. The injured persons have been identified as 24-year-old Kevin Fletcher and a 15-year-old from East La Penitence.

The accident occurred at about 15:30h as Richards was proceeding north on Arapaima Street with motorcycle CK 7533.

Due to the fast rate in which he was travelling, the biker lost control and collided into a utility pole.

The unidentified man that was involved in Saturday’s accident

scious state by public-spirited citizens and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty.

The body is presently at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting a post-mortem examination.

The 15-year-old pedestrian was examined by doc-

Arapaima Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown, where the fatal accident occurred

He fell onto the roadway and sustained injuries about his body. The motorcycle travelled some distance in an eastern direction and collided with the pedestrians.

The now dead man was picked up in an uncon-

tors and later discharged.

Police are continuing their investigation.

Collision with horse

On Saturday, a motorcyclist and his pillion rider also sustained injuries after they collided with

a horse at Ogle Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara.

Those injured were 27-year-old Linden Mentis of Vryheid’s Lust, ECD, and 20-year-old Esther Marks of South Better Hope, ECD. According to Police, Mentis was riding motorcycle CK 501 along the northern pathway with Marks on the pillion when an unbranded horse dashed into his path from the southern side. He collided with the rear end of the animal.

Both persons were picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital in an unconscious state. They are currently receiving medical attention.

Unidentified

On Saturday evening, a male pedestrian was also killed after being struck on the Rupert Craig Highway.

At about 18:40h, the motorcyclist was proceeding west when he collided with a pedestrian who was attempting to cross the highway in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy. Following the collision, both the rider and the unidentified man were picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where they received medical attention.

The pedestrian, however, succumbed to his injuries at about 18:55h that evening. Police have since sought assistance from the public to identify the deceased man, who is of Indian descent and appears to be in his late 40s.

(G12)

NEWS

11

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bertram Collins College to be restructured – Min Parag

Public Service Minister Sonia Parag

T

he Bertram Collins College of the Public Service will be restructured in the future to model a different form of “national trade”.

This is according to Public Service Minister, Sonia Parag on Monday amid reports that Government will be closing the institution. She told Guyana Times that this is not the case but the goal is to transform the current operations.

“It is being restructured, targeted towards a different form of national trading that will be looked at by the Ministry of Public Service. It is really to train persons who are in the public service,” the Minister said.

Parag said details on Government’s holistic plan for the institu-

tion will emerge in the coming days as the budget presentations continue. The College, located at Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara, was opened in 2016 under the former coalition Administration to train persons desirous of entering the public service.

In November 2020, President Dr Irfaan Ali had committed to improving and retooling the public service to adjust to the growing economy. During the swearing in of the new Public Service Appellate Tribunal, Ali pointed out that the goal is to have a public service that provides timely and quality service to citizens, thereby eliminating “the royal-runaround.”

“We want public servants who are productive and who provide value for money. We want a public service which is equipped with the skills necessary for national development.

The public service is being restructured to be able to attract and retain highly skilled individuals,” the Head of State was quoted as saying.

Additionally, he said that a growing and diversified economy would demand qualified, trained and skilled individuals in the public service. This would entail individual changes related to the sector and public servants.

WBD man wanted for forging lease

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has issued a wanted bulletin for Stephen Persaud, 41, of Lot 49 Vive La Force, West Bank Demerara, for questioning in relation to forgery of an agreement of lease on October 5, 2020.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Stephen Persaud is asked to contact the Police on telephone numbers (592) 268-2343, (592) 267-2804, (592) 267-2399, (592) 225-81496, (592) 6014632, (592) 226-9122, (592) 227-1149, 911 or the nearest Police station.

All information will be

Wanted: Stephen Persaud

treated with the strictest confidence, the Police said.

(G15)

“Citizens are entitled to courteous and efficient service. People often have to travel long distances to seek Government services, such as birth and death certificates, pensions, school placements, and health services. Public service must ensure minimal inconvenience for members of the public. They must be assured of an efficient and satisfactory service.”

Under the leadership of Parag, the Public Service Ministry also underwent organisational reconstruing last year to enhance its

effectiveness. While recognising that changes need to be made, she had signalled at reforming the public service into a professional outfit through the introduction of a code of ethics and code of conduct. This would allow for periodic assessments of public servants to determine their level of performance.

The Minister had said, “The Public Service

Ministry is committed under my command to foster a professional public service, instilled with and committed to a culture of excellence by driving change and innovating, facilitating continuous professional development, implementing administrative reforms, creating conditions for conducive work environments, promoting and maintaining accountability.” (G12)

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

New COVID-19 variants

Govt exploring avenues to conduct gene sequencing N

ew variants of the COVID-19 virus have been circulating in several countries, sparking efforts by Government to conduct gene sequencing. This is to detect these strains but Guyana is not equipped with such resources.

Speaking during the coronavirus update on Monday, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony said that Government has since facilitated discussion with the Pan American Health Organisation and the Center for Disease Control to work out an arrangement.

Samples have already been sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency for analysis, of which the results are yet to return.

The motive behind these undertakings is to determine whether any of the variants are spreading locally. Some of the new strains

are said to be highly transmissible.

“We’re looking at several options, one of which is sending 10 samples per month to CARPHA so that they can do the sequencing. In addition to that, we’re working through PAHO to be able to send samples to CDC. Hopefully, through these arrangements and analysis of the sequencing, we’ll be able to at least have some sense on the types of variants that are circulating in Guyana,” the Minister suggested.

In the past weeks, two variants were detected in Brazil, causing Guyana to cease all border travel and flights. There is tighter security at the border regions, through routine patrols by the Joint Services to prevent any illegal crossings from the neighbouring country.

At the end of January, PAHO had informed that three variants of the SARS-

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

CoV-2 virus were detected across 14 countries in the Americas. PAHO Incident Manager Sylvain Aldighieri had asked local authorities to strengthen activities to monitor the virus and expand surveillance.

“Mutations are an expected part of the spread of

any virus…That’s why we’re asking national and local authorities to continue to strengthen existing disease control activities, including monitoring COVID-19 closely. We need epidemiological surveillance, including expanding regional genomics surveillance, outbreak

investigation, and contact tracing. Where appropriate, we need to adjust public health and social measures to reduce transmission,” Aldighieri had noted.

Referring to the two variants detected in the United Kingdom and South Africa, Aldighieri said that so far, they do not appear to have generated community transmission in the Region of the Americas. So far, cases appear to be limited to people travelling from the two countries or connected to people travelling from those countries.

The third variant, detected in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, is most prevalent locally and researchers have recently suggested a causal link with the increase observed during the last weeks in hospitalisations in Manaus.

Testing important

Meanwhile, Dr Anthony

said testing has been an important component of tackling the virus. PCR and antigen tests have been procured continuously to roll out extensive testing. Now, six private entities are certified to conduct antigen tests.

“In addition to testing that has been happening in the public sector, we also have an expansion of testing in the Private Sector.

There is one lab that is capable of doing PCR testing and we have now licensed about six other labs to be able to do the antigen testing. The Ministry has been inspecting and working with a number of other laboratories who have expressed an interest in doing antigen testing,” he said.

An updated list will be released in the near future on the list of private agencies which are certified to conduct testing. (G12)

Major repairs needed for Casaurina Drive Road – Region 10 Vice Chairman

The state of Casaurina Drive Road, Linden, Region 10

F

ollowing assessments of major road networks in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), Vice Chairman Douglas Gittens has asserted that there are numerous thoroughfares in the community in need of emergency repairs. On the list of priorities is the road which links the Casaurina Drive and the Washer Pond roads. The roadway, which has been subjected to numerous upgrades in the past, is presently in a deplorable state.

Motorists have also highlighted the dangers when traversing the area during the rainy season as there is usually a build-up of floodwaters along the bend of the road. According to the regional Vice Chairman, there is also a need for drainage work to be executed.

“The area is so bad it holds up traffic. There are several big potholes in the road as a result of poor

drainage in the vicinity.

There is a culvert that runs under the road in two places in the area. Both have collapsed so the water gathers up in those areas. And that water has undermined the strength of the road, thus the holes. The drainage is non-existent, so when the rain falls, it damages the road in two places,” Gittens said.

He noted that regional agencies have tried to remedy the situation, however, there is a need for more advanced work to be carried out.

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) only recently completed the rehabilitation of roads under the budget prepared by the Council, which was chaired by former Regional Chairman Renis Morian. However, residents have noted that several other major roads in the community are still in need of upgrades.

NEWS

13

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt remains mindful of cybersecurity threats with increased ICT reliance – PM

…US$17.4M to improve internet in 200 communities

P

rime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Monday told members of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organisations (CANTO) that the Government has noted the importance of cybersecurity and remains mindful of the security implications of increased reliance on Information and Communications Technology (ICTs) in many facets of life. These, he said, include implications for the confidentiality of personal communications, integrity in key systems such as banking as well as key infrastructure where the technology is enabled.

“Here, too, we look to operators and ICT firms to make suitable investments in securing data in the interest of our citizens.

Operators must also look to partner with governments and regulators to develop protocols on how to coordinate responses to cybersecurity incidents,” Phillips told members of CANTO. During the virtual meeting, the Prime Minister, who delivered the feature address at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) and mini-exhibition, also informed that the Government would be investing US$17.4 million to improve the ICT capabilities of more than 200 communities in Guyana.

He underscored the importance of technology in overhauling the traditional ways in which the region has conducted business.

“Prior to 2020, the possibilities of Information and Communication Technologies for transforming our economies were already evident. Now, with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a pressing imperative to ensure the widespread rollout and adoption of ICTs. Undisputedly, such technologies are instrumental to our ability to respond to the pandemic,” the Prime Minister is quoted as saying in a Department of Public Information report.

He emphasised that ICTs are enabling remote access to work and school for citizens and have also forced the country to break through barriers that have previously prevented the delivery of more Government services online.

“Our Government has continuously given our commitment to ensuring equitable development for residents in hin-

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips delivering the feature address at the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organisations’ AGM and mini-exhibition

terland communities and chief among those priorities include access to ICTs. US$17.4 million has been earmarked for improving internet connectivity to 200 communities throughout Guyana which will be rolled out this year. 35,000 households in those communities will also be presented with an upgrade in solar panels to power their homes.”

The Prime Minister said that Guyana is not lost on the benefits of ICTs, and recognises their immense capabilities. As a result, the country welcomes available opportunities as it relates to advancing telecommunications, especially in the business sector.

It was along this thrust, he explained, that Guyana sought to deliver on the key promise of liberalisation of the telecommunications sector within a mere 64 days of assuming office.

As a result, vast prospects for business investments within multiple industries have been created.

The liberalisation of the sector, Phillips explained, brings the country’s telecommunications industry in line with regional and global standards. He stressed that the Government is willing to work with all stakeholders to ensure that citizens have access to innovative and modern services.

“It was an important step given that the Caribbean region holds massive potential for growth in the telecoms sector, providing a considerably high contribution to the region’s Gross Domestic Product considering the markets in other Caribbean countries are relatively liberalised,” he added, while noting that CANTO can be a key partner to governments of the region.

Innovations said

Phillips

that

Government is also interested in mobile telephones based on satellite technology that can sustainably serve the hinterland and

remote populations.

He said that along with cybersecurity, focus is also on enhanced technology.

“As I consider the primary focus of this conference; its emphasis on innovation, in cybersecurity and how Caribbean operators are preparing for 5G and cloud services, I look at Guyana’s position and acknowledge that, while we are still to complete considerations relating to 5G assignments and rollouts, our country can still serve as a potential jurisdiction for the location of data centres.

It is well-known that to successfully execute the power of 5G, data will need to flow quickly from the end-user to the data centre (and vice versa). As such, more data centres will be needed

to host and stream data at significantly higher speeds, volumes, and lower latencies,” the Prime Minister is quoted as saying.

He stressed that the potential of 5G and its benefits are fascinating and can take technology to “new heights” beyond just smartphones, and can be applied to multiple industries and high-tech devices such as self-driving cars, improved drone technology, smart factories, and even in bringing new service paradigms to healthcare.

As it relates to Guyana, the Prime Minister explained, the Government has delivered to the business environment through liberalisation and now looks to the Private Sector of the region – that is the

membership of CANTO – to deliver with investment, jobs and affordable, innovative services for consumers; as well as a price relief for consumers, particularly amid the pandemic.

He said that on the regional scene, Caribbean Heads of Governments have called for the elimination of roaming charges in the region in pursuit of realising a true single market, and as a result, is looking forward to a dialogue with operators on how this can be sustainably realised.

He echoed the Secretary General’s previous sentiments that the region cannot progress without the collaboration of all stakeholders.

14 NEWS Deeds Registrar seeking to overturn fraud conviction T TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

oday, the Guyana Court of Appeal will hold a further Case Management Conference (CMC) in an appeal filed

by Registrar of Deeds, Azeena Baksh, who is seeking to have her conviction for fraud overturned. On March 11, 2020, Baksh was found guilty of fraudulently procuring over $4.5 million while being employed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) between 2014 and 2017.

The charge against her stated that while being employed by the JSC between May 1, 2014, and January 31, 2017, in Georgetown, she caused or procured valuable securities in the sum of $4,534,486 million to be delivered to her Bank of Nova Scotia account for her own use, pretending she was a contracted employee at the Deeds Registry.

Charges were instituted against her in 2017. Then, the Legal Affairs Ministry had disclosed that the Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority had requested an

investigation to be launched into financial irregularities into Baksh’s payroll documentation.

Upon her appointment as the Deeds Registrar in 2012, Baksh received a salary of $326,171 monthly, as well as duty, entertainment, and house allowances among many other benefits that were approved by the JSC. But the Legal Affairs Ministry said that she increased her salary to $400,000 in 2014 when the Deeds Registry was merged with the Commercial Registry, without the approval of the JSC. It was further reported that Baksh – being the sole person with authority to sign off on such documents – approved gratuity to herself and several staff members from the period May 2014 to November 2016.

Following a trial before Magistrate Leron Daly, she was found guilty of the offence. Magistrate Daly ordered that she repay the full sum she fraudulently procured. On the day of her conviction, she was ordered

Deeds Registrar Azeena Baksh

to lodge $1 million and was given three months to repay the balance.

Dissatisfied with the decision of the lower court, Baksh, through her lawyer Nigel Hughes, is asking that the decision of the Magistrate “be wholly revered, set aside and/ or discharged.” The CMC will be presided over by Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards and Justices of Appeal Dawn GregoryBarnes and Rishi Persaud.

Never revoked

Despite being convict-

ed, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, on Monday evening confirmed that Baksh is still the Registrar of Deeds since her appointment was never rescinded or revoked by the JSC. The tenure of the last JSC expired on September 12, 2017.

The last JSC was appointed by former President Donald Ramotar on September 11, 2014. The tenure of each appointed member is for three years, therefore, the tenure of the last Commission expired on September 12, 2017.

Among other things, the

functions of the JSC are to advise the President on the appointment of Judges, except for the Chancellor and the Chief Justice.

It also has the power to make appointments to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in the following offices – Commissioner of Title, Magistrate, Director of Public Prosecutions, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Registrar of the High Court, Deputy Registrar of the High Court, Registrar of Deeds and Deputy Registrar of Deeds and to such offices connected with the courts or for appointment to which legal qualifications are required as may be prescribed by Parliament.

Nandlall had previously said that the Legal Affairs Ministry has no powers to appoint, discipline, or dismiss anyone in relation to the office of the Registrar of Deeds. He explained that if Baksh’s conviction is quashed or set aside by the Court of Appeal, then the Board of the Deeds and Commercial Registry will address the issue of her resumption, since, for all intent and purposes, she remains the Registrar of

Deeds, having not been removed by the JSC.

Politically motivated

The Attorney General has on numerous occasions roasted his predecessor Basil Williams for playing a major role in instituting charges against Baksh.

Nandlall had said, “In my humble view, the decision to charge Baksh was a politically-driven one by my predecessor. Baksh was charged for simply receiving her salary from the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority, an Authority established by the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority Act, which authorised the transfer of all staff from the Deeds Registry and converted them into employees of the Authority, inclusive of the Registrar of Deeds.”

“In my respectful view, there is nothing wrong with a person being appointed by one agency and paid by another. If that person received two sets of remuneration, it would have been a different matter. That is not the case. The Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority Act authorises the payment of all staff of the Authority, inclusive of the Registrar of Deeds.” (G1)

UG collaborates with IRO to foster discussions on promoting harmony

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he University of Guyana (UG) and the Inter-Religious Organisation of Guyana (IRO) recently collaborated to host another interfaith panel discussion on Friday last. This time the discussion was done virtually.

The University, in a statement on Monday, said it supported and partnered with the IRO to facilitate the event that formed part of the activities that the latter had developed in observance of the United Nations’ World Inter-Faith Harmony Week. This observance is a yearly feature which has been held in the first week of February since 2010 to promote harmony among all religions, faiths and beliefs in the various places of worship around the world.

This year’s panel discussion was the first to be held virtually. The University’s

Supplies and Logistics Officer, Adrian Sam, who is an advocate for youth and religion in his community, facilitated the programme. The 2021 panel discussion theme was “The Role of Religion in Creating Harmonious Societies.”

There were presentations from representatives of the Baha’i community, Dr Laureen Pierre; President of the Guyana Council of Churches, Reverend Andrew Morris-Grant; Head of the West Demerara Arya Samaj, Pandit Dhanrajie Haimraj and President of the Al-Mustafa Islamic Trust, Maulana Tasdeeq Aabidi.

The IRO had expressed that “it is important that programmes to develop social cohesion include young people who aspire for spiritual and intellectual growth and to make a contribution to social progress.”

NEWS

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GuySuCo embarking on its turnaround plan A

s the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) enters the beginning of the precrop meetings at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt in preparation for the first crop under new management, the Corporation is only focusing on producing what can be sold for more cash.

This is according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sasenarine Singh.

He said the aim is to expand the market for value-added packaged sugar both locally and internationally.

Apart from preserving 8200 jobs, GuySuCo is aiming at producing sugar at a lower price than the finished product will be sold for.

Grinding at the Albion, Uitvlugt and Blairmont Estates is expected to commence around February 20, and last for 12 weeks. The crop is expected to produce 42,609 metric tonnes.

He said that last year the Corporation surpassed its 77,000 metric tonnes by more

than 11,000 metric tons as production ended at 88,868 metric tonnes. However, that was the revised target as weather patterns was blamed in November 2020 for GuySuCo missing its production target.

This year the Corporation is targetting 97,420 metric tonnes.

The CEO noted that those figures are realistic and are not based on figures from the first crop last year but based on the current facts.

“This year the target is more doable, it is more achievable and it is more pragmatic. Gone are the days where fuzzy maths creates some of these targets.

We are going to generate our target based on the acne standing on the ground. If there is cane on the ground, we will build a target around it because that is how it becomes real,” the CEO said.

He was at the time speaking with the media after a field visit of the Blairmount Estate on Monday.

He said the Corporation will make a turnaround and outlined some of the strategies being implemented to ensure that is realised.

“This turnaround is not a marathon. It will require careful deliberate and conscientious actions and work plan. We have the foundation which is the five-year strategic plan. At all levels, we have been training and retraining our staff to be cost-conscious and to be very focused on the market.”

He said efforts are being made to ensure that GuySuCo gets better prices for all of its products and by-products including molasses.

Singh said the Corporation has signed a one-year deal with Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL) which offers a much higher price for molasses.

“GuySuCo was also able to secure a US$30 per metric tonnes increase on prices in our main international market - Trinidad. We have been able to expand the mar-

GuySuCo CEO Sasenarine Singh

ket in St Vincent and (there) are negotiations to restart sale to Grenada for the first time in years,” he added.

The vision of GuySuCo, the CEO told the media, is “to produce what we can sell at a stronger price and to push into making our primary market the package sugar market. To this end, we are about to expand the operations at the Enmore Packaging Plant and the Blairmont Packaging Plant.”

The CEO said a three-ti-

er approach is being adopted to ensure the turnaround – increasing the stream of revenues by changing the sale mix into more packaged sugar and other value-added products rather than raw bulk sugar; reviewing the entire value chain to ensure that non-value-added costs are hunted and estimated and; to remain committed to carrying out the charge that was given by President Dr Irfaan Ali. “We want to produce

what we can sell for the most possible cash. We are not excited selling raw bulk sugar in the marker; it is an afterthought, if it happens it happens because we had no alternative. Our primary market going forward will remain packaged value-added sugar.”

He said the corporation is soon to launch its sixth brand of packaged sugar which is expected to be sold on both the local and international markets.

The corporation currently sells packaged “Demerara Gold”, “Enmore Crystals”, “Berbice Gold”, “Cuisine” and “Brown Sugar”.

“We are selling sugar in those packets between US$679 to US$790. At the bulk sugar level, we sell it for US$320.”

The CEO is encouraging and inviting persons who are desirous of becoming distributors both locally and abroad to get on board and help to sell the packaged sugar.

Murder accused to know fate today GTT raises $10M through virtual Pinktober 2020 events L

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uyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) company’s Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens said she was thrilled that the company, with the input from Guyanese, was able to meet its targeted fundraising, despite the coronavirus pandemic. She made this announcement on World Cancer Day. In light of the COVID 19 pandemic, GTT’s Pinktober events had to be hosted virtually. The 2020 Pinktober outreach consisted of a series of virtual and interactive activities, including Fit and Pink Friday, a newly added TikTok challenge, Pink Fridays and a

dedicated Mental Health Day in addition to the annual sales of Pinktober branded items.

Gittens, on behalf of GTT, pledged to continue the fight against cancer through fundraising to support cancer care - and by being the champion of cancer awareness in Guyana.

“We knew it was impossi-

ble to host our regular activities, especially with the necessary physical distancing policies in place. However, we are eternally grateful to all who were able to purchase a Pinktober bottle and sponsor our Pinktober events, thereby joining us in a national effort to combat cancer and ensure cancer care provision. Your support will go towards strengthening our fight against cancer and is a truly tangible reminder that we are in this together,” Gittens said.

All proceeds went into cancer care and treatment to the benefit of patients across Guyana. (G15)

es Charles Critchlow, who is accused of murdering his brotherin-law back in 2016, will know his fate today when a 12-member jury returns from deliberations. Critchlow, 64, is on trial for the offence before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Demerara.

Critchlow is accused of murdering his brother-inlaw, 56-year-old Terrence Adams, on May 12, 2016. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge. On Monday, State Prosecutor Tiffini Lyken and Defence Counsel Rachael Bakker presented closing arguments following the close of the case for the prosecution.

This morning, Justice Singh will sum up the evi-

Dead: Terrence Adams

dence before sending it to the jury for deliberation on a verdict. Based on reports, Adams, called “Sleepy” and “Uncle Terry”, of North Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was stabbed to death during an argument with Critchlow.

Murder accused: Les Charles Critchlow

He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

At the time of his demise, Adams operated a small rum shop at his residence.

16 NEWS Earthquake assessments conducted in South Rupununi H TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ome Affairs Minister Robeson Benn has dispelled the fears of residents in the South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), who were considering abandoning their villages in the wake of the January 31 earthquake, which was most pronounced in that area of Guyana.

Benn, a geologist by profession, visited the villages of Katoonarib and Sawariwau, Deep South Rupununi, where there were structural damage and cracks in the earth’s surface.

He was accompanied by fellow geologist Leandro Pires; Director General of the Civil Defence Commission, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, and a CDC team on the weekend visit.

The technical team conducted inspections to gather information to prepare for any recurrence.

During a community meeting in Katoonarib on Saturday, Minister Benn noted that earthquakes in that area were rare and persons should not migrate.

“This is not necessary, and it will only cause enormous distress, dislocation and unnecessary expenditure of money. There is no

need to leave your homesteads to go to any other place.”

Benn also rebuffed rumours that the earth’s plate’s shift was caused by the oil extraction activities in Guyana’s maritime space.

“That is completely impossible. If that were the case, we would have lost the seawalls, the city of Georgetown and everything would have been in the ocean already. Not to happen all the way out here, some 700 miles in the Rupununi. It is totally unrelated, and I want to dispel those suggestions that it is related to oil extraction out on the coast or in the ocean. We have taken out much more volumes of pure water for drinking than we have for oil for those sediments going out there. So, those things are totally untenable in relation to these events.”

The Home Affairs Minister noted that a geological technical report on the earthquake’s effects would be completed and shared with the Government and the affected communities.

Meanwhile, Head Teacher of Sawariwau Primary, Lennox Henry complained that vibrations and loud rumblings were being felt and heard

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn along with fellow geologist Leandro Pires; Director General of the Civil Defence Commission, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, and a CDC team visiting an area in Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo)

continuously. He added that they felt a movement of the earth as recently as Sunday morning.

Pires noted that the rumbling sounds are normal following an earthquake and should not be a cause for concern. He added that a release of energy causes the noise through the cracks in the earth.

“It supposed to happen for another couple of weeks, and then after that, it should finish. It is a very rare event for an earth-

quake to happen inside a stable plate like where the whole of South America is located, except for the Andes Mountains,” the geologist said.

Benn also assured the residents that there would be seismic and audio monitoring and gravity and monoatomic assessments of the area.

Minor damages

Meanwhile, CDC Head Lt Col Craig reported that there was minor damage as

a result of the quake. Two houses in Katoonarib suffered some damage, while there were several cracks in houses and Government facilities in Sawariwau.

Of concern to the CDC is the type of materials used to construct buildings in the Rupununi. The buildings mainly have thatched roofs made from ité palm and walls made from adobe bricks, which cannot withstand an earthquake’s shocks.

“They are good un-

der normal circumstances but thinking about seismic actions like what has occurred, some emphasis may have to be looked at how can we improve the construction and the building codes for these areas. So, we are going to have some discussions with Public Infrastructure to come and do some structural assessments to come up with recommendations of improvements in terms of construction,” Lt Col Craig said.

One resident of Katoonarib whose wall collapsed, Grace Cyril, relayed that the incident occurred while she was out of the area. She expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Regional Democratic Council to repair her home.

During an inspection in Katoonarib, the team observed visible cracks in the earth and three areas of sizable depressions.

Over the next three days, a small team from the CDC will conduct continuous assessments in the affected communities.

Meanwhile, Deputy Toshao of Katoonarib, Florie Singh is satisfied with the Government and the CDC’s intervention.

The shift of the earth’s plate occurred about 10km below the surface.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Colombia to offer temporary protected UK coronavirus variant status to 1 million Venezuelan migrants spreading “rapidly”

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olombia will temporarily normalise the status of almost one million undocumented Venezuelan migrants, President Ivan Duque said on Monday during a visit by the UN Refugee Agency.

Some 56 per cent — around 950,000 — of the 1.7 million Venezuelans to have arrived in Colombia fleeing economic and political crises in their homeland, are undocumented and will benefit from the measure.

“We’ve published the decision of our country to create a temporary protected status in Colombia that allows us to normalise these migrants in our country,” Duque said, alongside UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

The migrants will benefit from a 10-year protection, giving them time to apply for a residence visa if they wish to stay in the country.

According to the UN, 34

per cent of the 5.4 million Venezuelans who have fled the country since 2015 are in Colombia, which has no diplomatic relations with its neighbour.

The process will begin with the registration of the undocumented migrants that will include their place of residence and socioeconomic conditions, while they will also be included in a “biometric register,” said Duque.

He said the move would have “national security benefits” as it would help identify any migrants involved in criminal activities, but said would also have a humanitarian boost because they also would enjoy equal rights.

“I really think that we are witnessing a historic gesture ...emblematic for the region, even for the whole world,” Grandi said.

The president came under fire in December when announcing that undocumented

through US – study finds

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Colombian President Ivan Duque(R) greets UN High Commissioner for Refugees Italian Filippo Grandi (L) in Bogota, Colombia (AFP photo)

Venezuelans would not be included in Colombia’s immunisation process against the novel coronavirus, due to begin on February 20.

He later revised that position and asked for international help after criticising what he called a “meager” response from organisations and other countries to Latin America’s

worst migration crisis.

Grandi said the new move to grant Venezuelans temporary protected status will allow “greater vaccination coverage” in Colombia, which has a population of 50 million but has already racked up more than two million coronavirus cases, with 55,900 deaths.

(AFP)

Man, 70, oldest to row Atlantic unassisted

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70-year-old man has raised more than £700,000 for dementia research after rowing 3,000 miles unassisted across the Atlantic.

Frank Rothwell, from Oldham, set off from the Canary Islands on 12 December in a boat nicknamed “Never Too Old” and reached Antigua on Saturday.

He said crossing the finish line was a “completely euphoric moment”.

He also paid tribute to his brother-in-law, who died aged 62 with Alzheimer’s disease during the journey.

“While rowing, I received heart-breaking messages from people who have had similar experiences to my own, with my brother-in-law, Roger, so I hope I’ve helped other families in some way too,” he said.

In April, Guinness World Records and the Ocean Rowing Society confirmed 72-year-old Graham Walters, from Leicestershire, as the oldest person to row solo across the Atlantic, despite being towed the final few miles to shore.

At 70, Rothwell is the oldest person to complete the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge. Rothwell has previously spent five weeks on a deserted island for a Bear Grylls TV programme.

Speaking after his journey, he said: “I felt quite emotional approaching the finish.

“It took six long weeks to row the Atlantic, but the challenge itself has taken over 18 months of training and preparation, so I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved and the unbelievable journey I’ve been on.”

Frank Rothwell reached Antigua after a 3,000-mile solo unassisted journey

Rothwell reached Antigua before his Valentine’s Day target and was reunited with Judith, his wife of 50 years.

The charitable foundation of the supermarket firm Iceland Foods has pledged to double the first £500,000 of dona-

tions.

The company’s founder Sir Malcolm Walker said he had known Rothwell for many years and “knew his determination”.

“But seeing the heart-warming and generous

support he’s receiving from the public is astounding,” he added.

Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, added that Rothwell’s attempt to raise £1m was a “crucial lifeline” for research efforts.

“By taking on such a monumental challenge at 70 years old, he has helped to spread awareness and inspired people of all ages to take on their own challenges,” she said. (BBC)

he coronavirus variant that has moved through the UK is now spreading “rapidly” through the US, according to a new study published on Sunday.

The more contagious strain is nearly doubling its prevalence among confirmed cases in the US every nine days.

The spread of the variant, known as B.1.1.7, has put added pressure on vaccination efforts worldwide.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has predicted it could be the predominant strain by March.

The report, posted on the preprint server MedRxiv, is a collaboration of several researchers and scientists.

It has not yet been peer-reviewed or published in a journal.

Case numbers of the new variant are still somewhat small in the US. According to the CDC, Florida leads the country in reported cases of B.1.1.7 with 187 as of Thursday, followed by California with 145.

“Our study shows that the US is on a similar trajectory as other countries where B.1.1.7 rapidly became the dominant SARSCoV-2 variant, requiring immediate and decisive action to minimize Covid-19 morbidity and mortality,” the report’s authors wrote.

This new strain is 35-

45% more transmissible than other strains of the virus currently in the US, the report found.

When the CDC first warned of the new variant’s presence in the US in mid-January, it was present in less than 0.5% of cases. By the end of the month, this figure had jumped to 3.6%, according to the study.

The report comes as the United States’ winter virus surge passes its peak. Daily cases throughout the country have been falling for about a month, since early January.

But the average daily death toll remains extremely high - some 3,000 per day - and hospitals remain under immense pressure.

The B.1.1.7 variant, first discovered in Britain, has so far spread to more than 50 countries.

As with the original virus, the risk is highest for the elderly and for those with significant underlying health conditions.

There has been some suggestion that the strain may be associated with a 30% higher risk of death, but the evidence on this is not strong, and the data is still uncertain.

Current vaccines were designed around earlier variants but initial studies have indicated that that the Pfizer, Oxford-AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines will all protect against the B.1.1.7 strain. (BBC)

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Regional

Honduran President target of US Failure to contain COVID jeopardises investigation, court filings show Latin America recovery: IMF

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U

nited States Prosecutors are investigating Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, according to a new court filing seen by the Reuters news agency, piling pressure on a leader who Prosecutors have already accused in court of participation in the nation’s bloody narcotics trade.

In a court document filed Friday night in the Southern District of New York in the case of Geovanny Fuentes Ramirez, an alleged Honduran drug trafficker, US Federal Prosecutors said Hernandez himself was the target of an investigation, along with other “high-ranking officials”.

The filing did not say what Hernandez, who has been President since 2014, is being investigated for.

Last month, US Prosecutors said in a court filing related to the same case that Hernandez had by 2013 “accepted millions of dollars in drug-trafficking proceeds and, in exchange, promised drug traffickers

US Prosecutors are investigating Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez, according to a new court filing [File: Jorge Cabrera/Reuters]

protection from Prosecutors, law enforcement, and [later] extradition to the United States”.

The Honduran Government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Hernandez has repeatedly denied any ties to drug cartels.

The Honduran President has been a key US ally in Central America and the investigation could complicate the Biden Administration’s

efforts to invest US$4 billion in the region, including in Honduras, to address the root causes of migration.

The Prosecutors also said that assistance from the Honduran Government in ongoing investigations “has hardly been forthcoming”, accusing the Honduran Government of providing “limited records” and not honouring extradition requests for potential witnesses against the President.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

he economic recovery of Latin America will remain uneven and at risk unless Governments take control of the pandemic and COVID-19 cases decrease, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned Monday.

“If there are no major achievements in vaccinations, if we cannot reverse the trend that we have seen in infections and mortality, then clearly, that recovery would be at risk,” said Alejandro Werner, the IMF’s Western Hemisphere Department Director, during a press conference on the Fund’s economic outlook for the Region.

The IMF forecasts that Latin America’s economy

will grow 4.1 per cent in 2021 — an upwards revision from the 3.6 per cent it predicted last October — but also reiterates that unless there was a major reduction in coronavirus cases, that recovery will stall.

Economic strife on the continent is not a new phenomenon brought forth by the pandemic. Latin America’s economy has been “floundering” since 2014, and in many countries, the dire economic situation has led to social unrest, Werner said.

Werner also underscored the importance of opening up space for the Private Sector to do its job to improve social indicators.

“Each country is going to have to look at policy changes, reforms that could speed up growth [and] open up greater opportunities,” he said. “The post-pandemic scenario is going to call for social consensus, and in those countries that have shown the State is weak in areas of education and health, such areas will have to be strengthened.”

The Region’s economies bounced back better than expected from a sharp contraction owing to strict lockdowns and restrictions in the second quarter of 2020, but COVID-19’s second wave at the end of last year now threatens that recovery.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Trinidad: Citizens create public sex offenders registry

Ecuador: Arauz heading to election runoff, runner-up in dispute

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eft-wing economist Andres Arauz is heading to an election runoff in Ecuador after voters cast their ballots across the South American nation on Sunday, but his opponent in the next round of voting remains unclear.

Indigenous leader Yaku Perez, who had been a distant third in polls ahead of the vote, is neck-and-neck with Guillermo Lasso, a former banker and candidate of the right-wing Creating Opportunities (CREO) party.

With nearly 98 per cent of the vote counted, Perez led Lasso by less than a quarter of a percentage point, mak-

ing a recount likely. Either candidate could request hand recounts.

Arauz had secured 32.19 per cent of the vote, ahead of Perez with 19.81 per cent and Lasso with 19.6 per cent, the Reuters news agency reported.

On Monday, Perez said his vote count in three provinces was well behind the vote count for his party in the legislature, which he said was evidence of vote tampering. He did not present any evidence of fraud.

“Let’s open the ballot boxes in Manabi, Guayas, and Pichincha,” Perez said during a news conference, referring to the three prov-

inces.

The elections council’s website said 13 per cent of poll statements show some type of inconsistency, meaning they would have to be reviewed once all the votes are counted.

Perez and his supporters began a vigil on Sunday night outside a Quito hotel where election authorities were counting votes, vowing to prevent voter fraud.

Lasso, in a celebratory rally in his home city of Guayaquil, said that a full review of poll statements would show he would make the runoff. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Barbados gears for vaccine roll-out

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arbados will be ready to roll out the first batch of the AstraZeneca vaccine late this month.

Co-coordinator of the National COVID-19 vaccination campaign, Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand informed the country Sunday night that the first vaccines would arrive later this week.

“We were helping the Ministry develop a National COVID-19 Deployment Plan before and on Saturday, we started to refine and develop an operational plan,” the retired physician said during a nationally-televised media briefing.

Dr Ferdinand said several special teams would be established, led by senior health sisters from each of

Dr Elizabeth Ferdinand (GP)

the nine polyclinics. She revealed they were hoping to have 30 teams, each with eight or nine people, to handle the roll-out of the vaccine.

Dr Ferdinand added Barbadians should not be overly concerned about talk surrounding whether AstraZeneca was safe for

black people.

“The vaccine is suitable for everyone. As far as race, ethnicity or sex is concerned, it is safe for everyone. When we look at the vaccine, trials were done where persons are not white. It has been tested in many ethnic people,” she stressed.

She cautioned, however, that people who were allergic to ingredients of AstraZeneca, or those who had severe allergies, would not be vaccinated.

She also revealed that before the vaccination process is started, a fullscale public education programme would be undertaken to inform Barbadians of the benefits that come with vaccination. (Excerpt from Nation News)

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My Trini Experience website which is a citizens sex offenders registry

s calls widen across Trinidad for a sex offenders registry to be made public, some have taken matters into their own hands creating a website called My Trini Experience.

The website, according to the creator or creators, has compiled a “comprehensive” list of articles of people charged with violent crimes against women in this country.

On the website, it states, “We search the Internet and the news to bring you information on persons with “Charges” brought before them in the criminal courts of Trinidad and Tobago.”

It warned that the website was not an official Government information site and “all persons are viewed as innocent until proven guilty”.

My Trini Experience also encourages survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence to share their stories It added, “We know and understand that many cases never make it to court and many victims and survivors don’t get an opportunity to share their stories. So get in touch with us because we will love to highlight your story across our social platforms.

We highlight the stories of survivors, those whose per-

petrators have been charged and some of those that never made it to the courts.”

So far My Trini Experience’s Registry has the names, pictures and information of close to 40 men charged with various crimes against women.

It also called on citizens with information on crimes against women to provide the information, and once verified it will be posted on the site.

My Trini Experience, which appears to have been recently posted, has won the praise of many on social media. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

“No, no”: Mexican President rejects mask-wearing after COVID-19 recovery

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exican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Monday said he would not wear a face mask after his recovery from COVID-19, in spite of widespread support from top officials and the public for the measure.

In his first news conference since testing positive for COVID-19 on January 24, Lopez Obrador brushed aside repeated questions from reporters about whether he would wear a mask to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.

“No, no,” the President said. “Additionally, according to what the doctors say, now

I’m not contagious.”

When first asked on Monday whether he would set an example by wearing a mask, he skipped the question and instead launched into a polemic about his adversaries trying to thwart him.

The popular President is a strong advocate of free speech, and has used his daily morning news conferences to pillory opponents. Some critics argue he is unwilling to do anything that might make him look like he was being muzzled.

Unlike many of his top officials, Lopez Obrador has shunned face masks through-

out the pandemic. His attitude, however, goes against the grain of Mexican public opinion, which is overwhelmingly of the view that wearing one is useful, polls show.

Following the President’s positive diagnosis, some Mexicans said they thought he could have avoided getting infected had he worn a mask and respected social-distancing measures more.

But Lopez Obrador praised his Government for not imposing stricter curbs to contain the virus, which has killed more than 166,000 people in Mexico, the world’s third-highest death toll.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil rises 2% to more than 1-year high on supply cuts, stimulus hopes

O

il prices rose 2 per cent on Monday to their highest in over a year, with Brent nudging past US$60 a barrel, boosted by supply cuts among key producers and hopes for further US economic stimulus.

Brent rose US$1.22, or 2.1 per cent, to settle at US$60.56 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate rose US$1.12, or 2 per cent, to settle at US$57.97 a barrel. Both benchmarks were at the highest since January 2020.

“Managing to breach $60 again feels like the market is finally resurfacing after the long struggle and (taking) a proper breath,” said Rystad Energy’s vice president for oil markets Paola Rodriguez Masiu. “It offers a feeling of normality again.”

Brent and WTI have risen more than 60 per cent since the start of November due to optimism around coronavirus vaccine distributions as well as production cuts from OPEC+ members.

“There seems to be a paradigm shift in the market,” said Phil Flynn, senior analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago.

“There is a sense that the glut of oil supply is disappearing more rapidly than anybody thought possible.”

Saudi Arabia pledged extra supply cuts in February and March following reductions by other members of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies.

In a sign that prompt supplies are tightening, the six-month Brent spread hit a high of US$2.54 on Monday, its widest since January last year, a signal of demand for current supply.

OCBC economist Howie Lee said the world’s top exporter Saudi Arabia sent a “very bullish signal” last week when it kept monthly crude prices to Asia unchanged despite expectations for small cuts.

“I don’t think anybody dares to short the market when Saudi is like this,” he added.

Investors are keeping watch on a US$1.9 trillion COVID-19 aid package for the United States that is expected to be passed as soon as this month.

Hopes that Iranian oil exports would soon return to the market have been dampened, supporting oil prices.

US President Joe Biden said the United States would not lift sanctions on Iran simply to get it back to the negotiating table, while Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said all sanctions should be lifted first. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Myanmar general repeats pledge of new election as thousands join protests against coup

M

yanmar’s military leader said on Monday his junta would hold a new election and hand power to the winner as tens of thousands of people took to the streets for a third day to protest against the coup that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian Government.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was speaking in a televised address, his first to the country since last Monday’s military takeover. He did not say when the election would be held, but repeated claims that last November’s poll, won by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, had been fraudulent.

In the capital Naypyitaw, crowds of protesters chanted anti-coup slogans and told Police they should serve the people not the military, according to media and a live feed of events.

Police turned water cannon on protesters and warned that they might use live fire if the demonstrators did not disperse, but the protests ended without bloodshed.

Demonstrations also took place in the commercial capital Yangon and elsewhere.

Gatherings have so far been largely peaceful, unlike bloody crackdowns on previous protests, in 1988 and 2007 in particular when hundreds were killed.

The US Embassy said it had received reports that a curfew had been imposed in Yangon and Mandalay, the second-biggest city, from 8 pm to 4 am local time.

The generals had already tried to justify their takeover on the grounds of election fraud - rejected by the election committee - and had promised a new poll. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Morocco: At least 24 dead in Tangier factory flood

M

ore than 24 people have died after heavy rain flooded an illegal underground textile factory in Morocco, authorities say.

A further 10 people were rescued from the workshop, located in the basement of a house in Tangier.

It's not known how many people were in the building at the time of the flood.

Rescue workers are still at the scene and an investigation has been launched.

Morocco has been experiencing heavy rains in recent weeks.

A local man used rope to bring many of those trapped inside the building to safety, according to reports

Blocked or poorly maintained drains often worsen flooding in Morocco's cities.

Videos from Tangier over

the past few days show cars completely submerged in water.

Local media reports say

water poured into the basement of the building where people were working.

Many of those trapped inside were rescued by a local man who used a rope to bring them to safety, AFP news reports.

One Government official said those killed were all aged between 20 and 40.

Morocco's textile and leather industry is heavily reliant on informal operations including unregulated factories leading to unsafe conditions for workers. (Excerpt from BBC News)

EU states expel 3 Russian diplomats in tit-for-tat

G

ermany, Poland and Sweden have each expelled a Russian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move after Russia expelled three diplomats from those countries.

The Kremlin accused the three EU diplomats of participating in mass street protests in support of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Their expulsion was announced while EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell was visiting Moscow on Friday.

The three countries affected condemned Russia's move as unjustified.

One Russian diplomat must now leave the Berlin embassy, another the Stockholm embassy and a third the Russian consulate in Poznan, Poland.

The German Foreign Ministry said its diplomat expelled from Moscow had merely been "observing developments in Russia by lawful means", in line with diplomatic conventions.

Borrell published a blog piece on Sunday giving a

bleak assessment of the state of EU-Russia ties.

He wrote that "an aggressively-staged press conference and the expulsion of three EU diplomats during my visit indicate that the Russian authorities did not want to seize this opportunity to have a more constructive dialogue with the EU".

The signals he received from Russia, he said, "confirmed that Europe and Russia are drifting apart".

The EU has condemned the jailing of Navalny and

called for his immediate release. It has also urged Russia to hold a transparent investigation into the poisoning of Navalny last August with the nerve agent Novichok.

Navalny, 44, accuses Russian President Vladimir Putin of directly ordering the attack.

The Kremlin denies any role in the poisoning and disputes the Western conclusion that Novichok - an extremely toxic Russian chemical weapon - was used.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Global health officials back AstraZeneca vaccine after South Africa study rings alarm

H

ealth officials around the world gave their backing to the AstraZeneca vaccine against COVID-19, after a study showing it had little effect against mild disease caused by the variant now spreading quickly in South Africa rang global alarm.

The prospect that new virus variants could evolve the ability to elude vaccines is one of the main risks hanging over the global strategy to emerge from the pandemic by rolling out vaccines this year.

South Africa, where a new variant now accounts for the vast bulk of cases, initially announced a pause in its roll-

out of a million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

But it said on Monday it could still roll it out in a “stepped manner”, giving out 100,000 doses and monitoring it to see if it prevents hospitalisations and deaths.

“It is vastly too early to be dismissing this vaccine,” said Richard Hatchett, CEO of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, a foundation that co-leads the global COVAX programme to provide vaccine doses in poor countries.

More than 330 million doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine form the overwhelming majority of doses that COVAX aims

A vial of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is pictured at Basingstoke Fire Station, in Basingstoke, Britain February 4, 2021

to begin rolling out in a first phase in poor countries beginning as soon as this month.

If the vaccine does not work well against new evolving variants of the virus, it could

be an ominous sign for other vaccines as well, showing that the virus can potentially thwart the efforts of scientists to fight it. (Excerpt from Reuters)

China to build the world’s biggest dam on sacred Tibetan river

I

n the foothills of the Himalayas, where the ancient Yarlung civilisation established the first Tibetan Empire, China has plans to build the world’s biggest hydroelectric dam.

In November of last year, China’s state-owned media shared plans for a 60-gigawatt mega-dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo river in the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR).

Now with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060,

Beijing has redoubled its efforts on its hydropower projects in Tibet, even though the dams have drawn criticism from Tibetan rights groups and environmentalists.

The Yarlung Tsangpo is of particular significance, as it represents the body of the goddess Dorje Phagmo, one of the highest incarnations in Tibetan culture.

Tempa Gyaltsen Zamlha, the head of Environment and Development at the Tibetan

Policy Institute, said this reverence for the natural world was born from the Tibetan Plateau’s unique landscape and dates back centuries.

But since China, controlled by the Communist Party (CCP), annexed Tibet in 1950, Zamlha said Tibetans have lost all say in what happens on their land.

“We had absolutely no dams before Chinese occupation, not because we were not able to harness it, but because

we had immense respect for the nature of the rivers,” he told Al Jazeera.

“There’s a very strict tradition that no one will go near certain streams or do anything that would disturb it.

You don’t even need laws – every Tibetan abides by it.

“The Chinese will do anything to benefit their growth and this is very frustrating because Tibetans are not consulted.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Put your differences with colleagues aside; focus your energy on getting things done on time. It’s up to you to make decisions that support your happiness. Make an effort to promote relaxation.

Take on something that interests you. A new position, project or partnership will challenge you intellectually and push you to learn more and take better care of yourself and your financial future.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Offer suggestions, do your part and put unfinished business to rest. Handle money matters, contracts or joint endeavors with enthusiasm. Your efforts will result in rewards.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Don’t let the actions of others upset you. Take the initiative, look out for your interests and get things done on time. Opportunity is apparent, but it’s up to you to take advantage of it.

PEANUTS

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Keep things moving forward. A positive attitude will help ward off interference. Stay focused on what you are trying to achieve.

It’s a good day for romance.

Live and learn. Take your time, listen carefully and make changes that improve your social standing, attitude and relationships. Don’t take a risk with your health.

Do what’s best for you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Control your emotions and concentrate on your responsibilities. How you conduct business, handle investments and deal with health issues will be crucial. Be mindful of others when making changes.

SCORPIO

Proceed with caution.

A problem with a partner, friend or relative will surface if you are outspoken or indulgent. Relax, be introspective and let situations unfold naturally.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Take hold of whatever SAGITTARIUS situation you face. Be posi(Nov. 23tive, offer insight and make Dec. 21) conclusions based on facts, not on hearsay. The way you present your ideas will determine how they’re greeted.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Formulate your plan, then put it in motion. Don’t let what others do or say deter you from reaching your destination. A unique approach will lead to an exciting offer.

Someone will outsmart you if you don’t prepare appropriately. Leave nothing to chance, and you will outmaneuver anyone who tries to upstage you. Romance is favored.

Look for an opportunity, and don’t hesitate to take advantage of an offer. How you conduct yourself will make an impression on someone who can help you advance.

Make suggestions and offer solutions, but don’t share personal information.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021

RHTY&SC cricket teams launch Solar Lights Project

…M&P Investment Inc makes significant contribution

“N

ever in the history of Guyana has a youth and sports organisation contributed to the development of their community as the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC). We are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of the people around us. Most importantly, we want our players to be agents of change and to develop a culture of paying it forward.”

Those were the words of RHTY&SC Assistant Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Simon Naidu during a simple ceremony, which marked the launch of a Solar Lights project for the township of Rose Hall.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, who is spearheading the project, disclosed that the teams were aiming to install several solar lights around Guyana’s smallest township.

The project is being organised under the club’s Say No to Crime programme.

Naidu stated that at least 30 solar lights would be installed around the township. The 20-year-old RHTY&SC Assistant Secretary/ CEO stated that the teams

M&P Investment CEO Maria Walcott hands over the donation to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster

have observed a sudden rise of petty crime in Rose Hall, occurring particularly in areas where there are no lights. The teams – Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy Under-12 and Under-13, Farfan and Mendes Ltd Under-15, Bakewell Under-17 and SecondDivision, Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Female, Namilco First-Division and Under-21 – will purchase the solar lights and hand them

over to the Town Council for installation. They are expected to select the sites for the lights after conducting a survey.

The efforts of the 10 cricket teams received a major boost when the management of M&P Investment Inc handed over funds to purchase 10 of the lights. The company is currently in the process of constructing a day-care centre in the Area H Ground and readily agreed to the teams’

request for assistance.

Owner of the company, Pierre Walcott stated that M&P Investment Inc strongly believed in giving back to the communities in which it worked, and noted that he was very impressed with the work of the Club.

Secretary/CEO Foster stated that the RHTY&SC was grateful for the company’s assistance and he was confident that funds for all the solar lights would be obtained shortly.

Special emphasis, he stated, will be placed on the Say No to Crime programme in 2021 as the rise in criminal activities is affecting the entire township.

Pepsi Under-19 Captain Jonathan Rampersaud, a former national junior player, stated that the 10 cricket teams in 2021 were aiming to complete at least 60 activities under the Say No to Crime programme. They include publication of posters and stickers, donations to the Police outpost, youth information booklets, law enforcement officers award ceremonies, the solar lights project and television programmes.

Demerara are the reigning champions of the U-19 tournament

GCB announces U19 teams as tournament bowls off tomorrow

U

nder-19 players from across the three counties of Guyana, who were unable, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, to compete in the previously-planned Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/Hand-in-Hand Under-19 Inter-County Tournament for 2020, will now be afforded the opportunity of competing against each other from Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at the LBI Ground.

Round one of the tournament will witness Demerara competing against the Cinderella County, Essequibo on Wednesday, February 10. Round two will see Essequibo taking on the Ancient County, Berbice on Friday, February 12, while on Sunday, February 14, 2021, Demerara and Berbice will battle in the final round of the round-robin tournament. The matches involving Essequibo are tentatively scheduled to commence at 08:45h to facilitate travel, while the Sunday match is scheduled to begin from 09:15h.

The team with the most points shall be deemed winner of the tournament. However, in the event of teams finishing on equal points, the title will be given to the team with the most wins; if teams are even on wins and points, the team which were the winner of the match between them shall be deemed the winner; if teams are still equal, the team with the highest net run rate would be declared the winner.

The U-19 county teams are as follow: Demerara: Andre Samaroo (Captain); Nicholas Rajpat; Chaitram Balgobin; Michael Pooran; Mathew Nandu; Ushardeva Balgobin; Sachin Singh; Mavendra Dindyal; Andre Seepersaud; Dwain Dick; Shamar Yearwood; Ariel Tilku; Bryon Bowen; Alvin Mohabir and Zachory Johad. The standbys are: Rudranauth Kission, Marlon Boele, Jaden Campbell, Trevon Charles, Rashid Benjamine and Jeffery Blairs.

Berbice: Isiah Thorne; Rampertab

Ramnauth; Ricardo Ramdehol; Seon Glasgow (Vice Captain); Marvon Prashad; Shamar Angel; Jonathan Rampersaud; Tyrese Sealey; Chanderpaul Govindhan; Nigel Deodat; Gourav Ramesh; Doorsammy Mahadeo; Aaron Beharry; Gevon Shultz (Captain) and Leon Swammy. The standbys are: Collis Noble, Jeremy Sandia, Reyad Karim, Sarwan Chaitnarine, Zeynul Ramsammy, Tomani Casear, and Abdul Ramsammy. The Berbice U-19 Manager is Neil Rudder and the Coach is Winston Smith.

Essequibo: Lance Roberts; Ameer Singh (Captain); Azim Mohammed; Bhadesh Parsotam; Nicko Vincent; Carl Gilgeous; Jarrad Allicock; Mahesh Ramnarine; Abdol Nadir; Sheldon Charles; Wazim Mohamed; Mark Mohabeer; Jason Holder; Oren Gibson and Aryan Persaud. The Essequibo Manager is Nazeer Mohamed and the Coach is Andy Ramnarine.

21

Panthera Solutions Inc pumps $300,000 into RHTY&SC cricket development …Mings Products and Services Ltd donates cricket balls

Cristal Smith and Ray Mclean of Panthera Solutions Inc hand over the donation to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster

T

he efforts of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS, to expand its cricket developmental programme received a major boost on Friday last when Panthera Solutions Inc handed over a donation of $300,000 to Club Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hilbert Foster.

The funds are for the purchasing of junior cricket gear for the Club’s Under-12, Under-13 and Under-15 teams and a full-page advertisement in the 22nd edition of the Club’s Youth Review Magazine.

Foster stated that the one-year absence from the cricket field owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic affected the RHTY&SC Cricket Developmental Programme as B Jordan Meredith of Mings Products management was and Services Ltd hands over cricket unable to organise balls to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Foster any activities. The Under-12, Under-13 and Under-15 teams are the nursery of the RHTY&SC cricketing structure, and Foster stated that every year the Club would ensure that special emphasis was placed on the members of those teams. The Club, he stated, has a free membership policy and provides all of the necessary equipment to members. Panthera Solutions inc’s sponsorship was used to acquire all the necessary cricket and coaching gear for the Cricket Development Programme. The items purchased included bats, batting pads, batting gloves, and wicketkeeping pads and gloves.

Panthera Solutions Inc is a joint venture of Farfan and Mendes Ltd of Guyana and the Crosbie Group of Companies based in Canada. The company has been supportive of the activities of the Club and has sponsored its Christmas Charity Programme, Christmas Village, Annual Youth Review Magazine, and Youth Information Booklets since 2019. General Manager Andrew Dinsdale stated that the company was very impressed by the outstanding work of the RHTY&SC, and was delighted to support the Cricket Development Programme. Cricket Manager Rabindranauth Kissoonlall stated that the three teams have a combined membership of more than 60 youths between the ages of nine and fifteen. The gear and equipment, he stated, would be used by the coaching staff of the Club to make sure that all the players fulfil their full potential.

The RHTY&SC in April would be publishing a 48-page magazine to highlight its outstanding work during 2020. The magazine would be published at the Fand H Printery in Georgetown. Meanwhile, Mings Products and Services Ltd on Friday last handed over four boxes of cricket balls for the Cricket Development Programme.

The company has been supporting the Club with cricket balls since 2002. B Jordan Meredith of the company’s Human Resources Department handed over the cricket balls to Foster, who hailed Mings for its support over the years. He stated that Mings had played a major role in the careers of players like Assad Fudadin, Delbert Hicks, Kevin Sinclair, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, Kevlon Anderson, Sylus Tyndall, Junior Williams, Keith Simpson, Clinton Pestano, Erva Giddings and Shabika Gajnabi among others. The balls, Foster stated, would be used for practice sessions and also matches. Special thanks were expressed to Stanley Ming and Colin Ming for their support over the years.

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021

LGC hosts successful Panko Steel Golf Tournament …“Club aiming for 2 corporate sponsors per month” – Secretary

By Timothy Jaikarran

P

anko Steel Fabrication generously sponsored the first tournament for the year in which several prizes and trophies were awarded.

The tournament, which was held on Sunday, February 7, saw a turnout Owner of Panko of 54 players who observed Steel, Lakeram the COVID-19 guidelines Ramsundar and his throughout the day. daughter Sandy The competition was played under Mahen a nine-hole Harry and better-ball forRakesh Harry (– mat. Coming 27). The Lowest in first were gross went to Richard Haniff Azurdeen Shaw and Wayne and Avinash Chan (–25). In Persaud (– 31) second place and the nearwere Vijay Deo est to the pin and Hardeo – Richard Ganpat (–26); H a n i f f . third place Panko Steel went to Mike Fabrication Guyadin and was well-repDino Bissessar resented d Wayne Chan (–26); fourth by its ownRichard Haniff an winners were the overall place went er, Lakeram to Ayube Ramsundar Subhan and and his family, who assisted in the Bholaram Deo (–27) and fifth were presentation of prizes.

Sharing his sentiments at the end of the competition was Secretary of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), Chet Bowling who said, “We had a fantastic tournament; the enthusiasm was great. We would like to thank our sponsor Panko LGC Secretary Chet Bowling during an interview with Sports Steel Fabrication Journalist Timothy Jaikarran, alongside LGC President Pur Persaud, and Panko Steel Fabrication owner Lakeram as he made a Ramsundar and secretary Amisha Ramsundar generous donation. A big part of Club to get at least two corporate Panko’s donation went not only to sponsors per month going forward, the Lusignan Golf Club but to char- disclosing that in the future there ity as well, and I think that is good would be the Guyana Tournament demonstration of good corporate re- and the Lusignan Day Open tournasponsibility. And once again, I just ment. want to thank Panko for that enIn terms of the plans the Club thusiasm and it was fantastic and has for the future, Bowling said, everyone enjoyed themselves and “The LGC is the only club with a hence, we are looking forward for it nine-hole in Guyana; this is the only to happen again.” proper club in Guyana and we intend Bowling was adamant that it to build on it. There are other activwas a privilege to host the first ities happening in Guyana but we tournament of the year during the think that this is a great start and COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that we intend on holding on to that mowith the help of Club President Pur mentum.”

Persaud, who was the driving force, The LGC again thanked Panko much was accomplished. Bowling re- Steel Fabrication for its contribution iterated that it was the hope of the to the development of golf in Guyana.

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RHTY&SC’s Say No/Say Yes 2021 Programme…

Andrews Art, B and J Civil Works, GuyOil and Superbet on board 2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW!

T

The GuyOil Public Relations Officer hands over the sponsorship cheque to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Foster

he efforts of the 10 cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) to have a positive influence in the lives of youths received a massive boost when several companies came on board with financial donations on Friday.

The companies making contributions were Andrews Art of Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD); B and J Civil Works; Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil); Superbet and a major security company which wishes to remain nameless. They donated a combined $400,000 worth of items and funds.

Club Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hilbert Foster and Vice President Mark Papannah received the donations during a visit

A representative of Superbet hands over the donation to the RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO

to the city. Andrews Art, Superbet, B and J Civil Works and the security company donated a combined $280,000 worth of trophies, medals, certificate frames and special prizes to the programme, which targets over 80,000 youths in the Ancient County. GuyOil handed over a cheque for $100,000 to the Club.

The main objectives of the 30-yearold programme are to get youths to say no to drugs, tobacco, premarital sex, crime, suicide, and alcohol and yes to education, sports, religion, culture, and life. Foster stated that the programme is one of the most cherished in the RHTY&SC list of activities as the Club strongly believes in assisting youths to fulfil their full potential in the sports arena and in the classroom.

Mishal Juman of Andrews Art hands over the donation to RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster

The 10 cricket clubs over the years have used a wide array of activities to promote the Say No/Say Yes message and in 2021, would be organising several sports tournaments and educational competitions including debates, essays, and spelling bees. The teams would also be hosting several award ceremonies to honour outstanding youths, teachers, students, sports persons, law enforcement officers, and medical workers among others. Donated items would be used to honour the awardees and the winners of the different competitions. Among the other activities planned for the year under the programmes are youth information booklets, Youth Review Magazine, youth inspiration forum, summer camp. crick-

et academy, distribution of bicycles and school bags, publications of posters, billboards and Christmas Village. Foster expressed gratitude to Mrs C Juman of Andrews Arts, Mrs Beverly Tapps of B and J Civil Works and the management of GuyOil and Superbet for their cooperation. He assured that the Club and cricket teams would work hard to ensure that the 2021 edition of the programme was successful and achieve all of its objectives.

The 10 teams of the RHTY&SC are Poonai Pharmacy Under-12 and Under-13; Farfan and Mendes Under-15; Bakewell Under-17 and Second-Division; Pepsi Under-19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, Namilco Thunderbolt Flour Under-21 and First-Division.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Hetmyer, Shepherd class acts alongside rain hand Jaguars 1st win

T

he action continued in the CG Insurance Regional Super50 Cup at the Coolidge Ground where the rains came in favour of the Guyana Jaguars in their battle with the Barbados Pride. Though the rain was not needed as the Jaguars were on par to register their first win, they still got across the line, but 56 runs beyond the score needed by the D/L method.

Batting first, the Jaguars o p e n e r s Chandrapaul Hemraj and Assad Fudadin took to the c re a s e .

H e m r a j was more aggressive as he found the ropes with ease unlike his partner Fudadin who struggled to find any sort of momentum.

Fudadin fell victim to Ashley

Romario Shepherd

Nurse, scoring 5 off some 24 deliveries, with the score at 48-1.

This brought the

experienced Shimron Hetymer to the crease and he smashed the ball to all parts of the ground.

Despite the Jaguars suffering a major collapse, losing some of their most experienced players within a matter of minutes, they moved from 48-1 to 88-5.

Hemraj was out for 35, and Leon Johnson, Akshaya Persaud, and Christopher Barnwell all fell for meagre scores.

Nevertheless, Hetmyer continued to rally, but eventually his wicket fell for an aggressive 80 off 52 balls with the score on 159-7. The Jaguars looked as though they would have been bowled Shimron Hetmyer out for less than 200, but in came the score to 235 all out in 41.4 Romario Shepherd and turned overs. the innings around with a Bowling for the Pride were magnificent 58 not out to take Jason Holder 3-53, Ashley

Harrigan chases balance in move to Fruta Conquerors

By Jemima Holmes

S

ome of the best players are known for their sacrifices in the name of better; moving out of their comfort zone to achieve whatever it is that they aspire to. In recent weeks, during the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) transfer window, we have seen similar moves.

One player who took the opportunity to make a step up

elevating, I felt a way. But Fruta is all about development, to develop my football as well.

So, I said, I’ll go to Fruta and be a better player,” he further explained.

Harrigan, who fell in love with the sport in his younger years after watching his elder brothers and uncles playing, even had the opportunity to lead the Annandale Secondary School football team for a year as captain – an experience

Harrigan (right) led the Annandale Secondary team in 2019/2020

was Jerome Harrigan, who was tasked with making a difficult decision between familiarity and betterment.

“Knowing that BV is my home town, I felt a way in leaving, but I have to leave for the better, so I made the move,” an emotional Harrigan stated when speaking with Guyana Times Sport about his transfer to Fruta Conquerors Football Club.

The 17-year-old utilised the recent football transfer window to make the move which he described as for ‘developmental reasons’.

“I would say BV doesn’t have a programme right now, but when I saw top players

from which he gained immense knowledge.

“It showed up a lot about my leadership and my communication as well. Like talking rapidly to the players just pushed me to be a captain of any team. It pushed me to play a different type of football, not just playing with my feet. Like just being better academically as well,” Harrigan explained.

He shared, “I mostly did the book work with them as well, the tactical things and it pushed me a lot.”

When probed about the role he would like to play in Fruta’s team, Harrigan revealed that he was open to serving in

any position.

“If I’m called upon to play any part in the field, even in the goal, you know I’m always ready,” the centre back joked.

The coronavirus pandemic has hindered many athletes by limiting their playing and Harrigan is no exception.

Nonetheless, the teenager divulged to this publication how he managed to stay fit and balance his schooling at the same time.

“It was very difficult.

Because in the afternoon, I would do couple minutes of work, but classes wiped it off. So, in the morning, I got up and did 30 minutes of ball movement. But it was very difficult, even now.”

The Government Technical Institute (GTI) student continued, “I don’t want to miss any classes ‘cause those teachers seem extremely strict. When it comes to football you know, it’s hard to see your brother and cousins going with a boots to play. But I knocked my mind and said I have to get my grades; football will always come.”

Although he is hyperfocused on maintaining his educational focus, Harrigan doesn’t want to be caught unfit when competitive football does return.

“I try to keep fit ‘cause I know when football does return fully, it will be a difficult task for some players and I don’t want to be in that group,” he reasoned.

Although not being able to make a list of youngsters who are being groomed for national duties, Harrigan is optimistic about his future in the sport, but reiterated his commitment to his education.

“Like when there’s trials and these things, there goes school again. Many times, Coach tells me to come and

Nurse 3-44, and Chemar Holder 2-49.

The Barbados Pride, in reply to a set target of 236 off 50 overs, found themselves in somewhat of a similar position as the Jaguars. They lost key wickets upfront thanks to the efforts of Kevin Sinclair, who bagged 2-17, while Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie and Nial Smith all bagged one

wicket each. Hemraj was also economical went his 10 overs as he only went for 27 runs.

The rains came more than once and thus halted the daynight encounter and gave the Jaguars a comfortable win in the end, with the Pride on 91-5, saving them from what would have been a humiliating defeat for a team with many senior players.

SCOREBOARD Guyana Assad Fudadin c Holder b Nurse 5 Chanderpaul Hemraj c Holder b Holder 35 Shimron Hetmyer c Nurse b Holder 80 Leon Johnson c McCaskie b Nurse 4 Christopher Barnwell lbw b Nurse 2 Akshaya Persaud c Nurse b Holder 5 Anthony Bramble c McCaskie b Harding 14 Romario Shepherd not out 58 Kevin Sinclair c Brooks b Jordan 0 Gudakesh Motie c Walcott b Holder 13 Nial Smith c Walcott b Holder 1 Total (10 wickets, 41.4) (18 extras) 235 BOWLING Akeem Jordan Jason Holder

6--0-52-1 9.4-0-53-3

Ashley Nurse Chemar Holder Keon Harding Roston Chase

10-1-44-3 7-0-49-2 6-0-16-1 3-0-19-0

Barbados Zachary McCaskie lbw b Shepherd 25 Justin Greaves c Hetmyer b Sinclair 8 Sharmarh Brooks b Smith 21 Jonathan Carter not out 16 Roston Chase b Sinclair 9 Jason Holder c&b Moti-Kanhai 1 Tevyn Walcott not out 8 Did not bat: Keon Harding, Akeem Jordan, Chemar Holder, Ashley Nurse Total (5 wickets, 29.3) (3 extras) 91 BOWLING Chanderpaul Hemraj 10-1-27-0 Romario Shepherd 5-1-17-1 Kevin Sinclair 7-1-17-2 Nial Smith 4-0-15-1 Gudakesh Motie 3-0-14-1

President Ali made life member of Everest Cricket Club Jerome Harrigan

train and I can’t make it.

“So, when the team picked, I wasn’t surprised like I can’t see my name, I didn’t train.

Lots of people asking ‘how you ain’t in the national team?’ I would say I’m national quality, yeah, but when it comes to school, my mother don’t play,” he cheekily recounted.

“They motivate me a lot, you know now, it could be next competition, Under 20 or whatever, but hopefully we (he and his brother, Jamar Harrigan) get to play together in the national team,” he added.

Highlighting his hopes to balance every aspect of his life, the centre back noted that getting a scholarship would be his ideal situation in future.

“I think that’s an ideal something that would make me play better football as well.

When I get a scholarship, it would put me in the spotlight.

And you know I keep my schoolwork intact as well, so that wouldn’t be a problem.

Fruta comes again: I’m at a club that pushes development, so I think I will come through with that,” the optimistic Harrigan told this publication.

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali was on Monday made a life member of the Everest Cricket Club.

President Ali has been an active member of the club over the years, and according to Club President and Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, the Guyanese Head of State has always been up to date with his membership payment.

“The President of Guyana is always honoured with honorary membership of the Everest Cricket Club, but today we will be making His

Excellency a life member.”

In receiving the membership, President Ali said that Everest Cricket Club has a long history in Guyana.

He said that the facility has been a premium one and has been instrumental in sport and other social activities.

“I am happy to be given this honour of life member, I wish the club well; I hope the management will continue to improve not only the physical conditions of the club, but will grow the membership, and will see the ground being optimally utilised for the benefit of Guyana.”

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2021

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

President Ali made Hetmyer, Shepherd life member of class acts alongside Everest Cricket Club rain hand Jaguars Pg 23

1st win

Page Page 2323

LGC hosts successful Panko Steel Golf Tournament

Pg 22

…“Club aiming for 2 corporate sponsors per month” – Secretary

The winners and sponsors with their trophies

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