Guyana Times - Tuesday, January 5, 2021

CXC completes 80% of P requested exam reviews 15

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4519

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

Gold production outlook for 2021 positive – Gold Board

…as more dealers flood Guyana …declarations dip in 2020

See story on page 3

APNU/AFC spent $290M from lotto fund on 2020 Jubilee

PRICE

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P13 Youth unemployment reached 30.2% in 1st quarter of 2020 …labour force survey starts on Thursday

Criminal backlog at Appeal Court reduced by P15 15 cases

Page 13

…$88.2M for flag raising; $50M for Carnival, Buju Banton concert

Armed bandits invade Director charged Essequibo Coast for falsifying restaurant $40M invoice to GRA Van West-Charles’ fuel company

Page 14

Page 8

2 more persons succumb to COVID-19

Page 9

Page 11

Seamen duped into oil and gas training course …paid over $8.4M

…21 new cases recorded

NICIL securing alternative employment for redundant Wales Estate staff Page 7

Little Diamond P14 river defence breach temporarily fixed – NDC …80 households affected

Berbice firefighters battle 2 fires within P16 6 hours

Several dorm students test positive for P10 COVID-19 – Health Minister Antigen tests, P12 travel restriction helped curb Region 7 COVID cases P12 Forestry Commission to be fully operational again – Bharrat

2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

3

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, January 5 – 09:30h – 11:00h and Wednesday, January 6 – 10:30h – 12:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, January 5 – 08:55h – 10:25h and Wednesday, January 6 – 10:00h – 11:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Gold production outlook for 2021 positive – Gold Board …as more dealers flood Guyana …declarations dip in 2020

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers will prevail during the day.

There will be light rain showers and partly cloudy conditions during the night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: South-Easterly to Easterly to East NorthEasterly to North-Easterly to North NorthEasterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 09:07h and 21:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.41 metres and 2.42 metres.

Low Tide: 15:03h reaching a minimum height of 0.82 metre.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS D

04 07 10

14 20 26

FREE TICKET

17 Bonus Ball

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2021 DAILY MILLIONS

05 07 11 19 23 LUCKY 3

3

6

3

5

Afternoon Draw

1

6

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

04

11

13

15

17 18

PAY DAY

20 SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2020

03 07 08 13 17

01 04 09 11 18

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

COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

US$ $51.09/barrel $227.93/ton $420.90/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change % -1.39 -0.21 +0.60

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1936.50

$1937.50

Low/High Change

$1818.30 -5.70

$1946.10 -0.29%

By Jarryl Bryan

T

he Guyana Gold Board (GGB) is on course to record reduced gold declarations for last year as compared to 2019, with preliminary figures so far showing a 7.97 per cent reduction in declarations.

This was revealed by GGB General Manager Eondrene Thompson, in an exclusive interview with this publication. According to Thompson, their preliminary figures show that for 2020, 584,291 ounces of gold was declared.

However, she stressed that these figures are not final.

“So far, what we’re showing is that for 2020, we’ve declared 7.97 per cent less than what we’ve declared in 2019. But I wish to reiterate that the figures are not final. They’re preliminary. We’re working on our final figures… it has to do with the dealers and their competitors,” Thompson said. Meanwhile, this publication understands from sources that El Dorado Trading was the top gold producer for last year.

In 2019, gold declarations were 634,905 ounces.

Thompson attributed this drop to the period of inactivity from the two largest gold producers. She noted that one of them, Troy Resources, had at one point suspended its operations following an accident.

The other company, Aurora Gold Mine, was previously managed by Canadian company Guyana Goldfields. That was until Goldfields moved to downsize and then sold its operations last year, with Chinese company Zijin Mining Group eventually taking over.

“The shortfall comes from the two biggest investors that we have. Troy Resources had suspended operations due to an industrial accident. And the Guyana Goldfields changed management and as such,

they had their own mining challenges. So that’s where the shortfall comes from,” Thompson told this publication.

Positive 2021 outlook

Asked about the outlook for 2021, Thompson noted that it is a positive one.

According to her, more gold companies are in the process of entering the market and this coupled with the historical performance of the sector, augurs well for an improved year.

“Yes, 2021 seems to be a brighter year than 2020, because of the very fact that we have more dealers, prospective dealers, coming in. We’ve not finalised that as yet. And we have shown an upward trend towards the end of the year.

And I trust that this trajectory continues.”

While 2020 saw reduced gold declarations compared to the previous year, it did

see a number of gold finds.

For instance, Australiabased mining company Alicanto Minerals made its first-ever gold find in Guyana in November, only days after another mining company, Troy Resources, announced that it had found gold deposits underground.

According to Alicanto, it discovered a maiden resource of 500,000 ounces of gold at its Arakaka gold mine, which is located in Region One. According to the company, this works out to 1.8 grams per tonne (g/t) of milled ore.

Alicanto’s Managing Director, Peter George, was even quoted as saying that the 500,000-ounce maiden find was just the start of what he believed would be a rapidly growing inventory at Arakaka.

“This resource is shallow, the mineralisation remains open in all directions and we already have numerous intersections outside the resource which will form part of

Gold Board General Manager Eondrene Thompson

the next estimate,” George said. “We also have multiple walk-up targets with multi-million-ounce bulk tonnage potential that remain to be drilled,” he had said.

Alicanto’s discovery came on the heels of fellow Australian mining company Troy Resources, which announced that it had found some 15 grams per tonne of milled ore or g/t, at its Karouni, Smarts Underground Mine in Region Two.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 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

Harrowing fatal accidents

O

ver the New Year’s holiday weekend, three persons lost their lives on Guyana’s roadways while 10 were injured. These daunting figures unfolded as persons ushered in the new year.

In the aftermath of this recent horrendous and seemingly unprecedented number of fatal road accidents within a fairly short period of time, the consequences have attracted national attention. Many families are now left trying to cope with the loss of loved ones. Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) alone has had three horrific road deaths a mere two days into the new year.

The sudden and shocking death of someone close, especially due to 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 were 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 holiday weekend spate of accidents even prompted some to ask the question, 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, 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 by eyewitnesses, 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 if they have 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 have not 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; and 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.

The general public is hurting and is pleading for help.

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.

Many of those violations involve a minibus. It begs another question: if members of the public can take the time and effort to highlight daily traffic violations and based on these efforts, the Police sometimes intervene, why can’t the Police themselves 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 the benefit of the public.

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

The pain people feel is real and crushing.

A traditional large puppet figure known as “Ondel-ondel” performs on a sidewalk of the main road in Jakarta, Indonesia (Reuters/Willy Kurniawan)

A Conversation on Racism in Guyana

Dear Editor, The difficulty in analyzing “racism” or “ethnicization” can be illustrated in a recent debate on the sugar industry.

Attorney General, Hon Anil Nandlall, expressed shock over Opposition MP, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan’s statement that the decision by the PPPC government to re-open the three (3) closed sugar estates was racist.

Mr. Nandlall responded tersely: “if the decision to reopen the sugar estates was a racist one, then logically the APNU-AFC’s decision to close them was also racist.”

Two politicians view the same problem of the sugar industry-which employs an overwhelming majority of Indo-Guyanese- with different lens: Mr. Ramjattan asserts that racism drove the government policy to reopen the sugar estates, while Mr. Nandall justifies it on economic grounds.

Mr. Ramjattan believes that the sugar industry is not financially viable, given the heavy losses it incurred since 2012, and therefore concludes that the rationale for re-opening the estates has to be racist and not economic. Contrary to Ramjattan’s view, that was a “political and not a racial decision since the PPPC government is not seeking to oppress other groups,” notes Ravi Dev. The PPPC government has also proffered a plethora of other economic reasons for their sugar policy.

Given the historic and formidable connection between sugar and the economy (supporting other activities/ programs: sports, healthcare, housing, drainage, and irrigation) to spend less than 5% of the country’s annual budget on sugar “subsidy” to restore 7,000 jobs is

sound public policy. Bauxite at Linden and Kwakwani is subsidized annually for $(G) 2.9 billion. Bauxite, like sugar, is a strategic industry around which vibrant communities were built. “If you destroy sugar or bauxite, you destroy those communities, too.”

It is normal public policy for countries to subsidize agriculture, including sugar.

For instance, the European Union and the USA subsidize agriculture in the sum of €59 billion and $(US) 22 billion respectively, but the specific size of their subsidy for sugar is not available.

In India, the annual subsidy on sugar is $(US) 1.7 billion.

These countries rightfully view subsidy as investment.

Why the racist rants?

How does Guyanese interpret racism? Simply stated, “racism” is the expression and/or the practice of hate, discrimination, race baiting, and bias directed by an individual or group or an institution against another on the basis of essentially on how they “look or sound.” It is not based upon any classical ideology of innate differences (whether biological or otherwise) but on how one “looks and sound” and which may be buttressed by one’s cultural traits.

The latter is captured in the process of “ethnicization.” “Ethnicity” and “race” can be treated as equivalent because of the unique origins of the “six peoples” and both are viewed as drivers of ethnic conflict. It is noted that while Guyanese politicians have the capacity to stir up racism, they did not invent it. But they have been using it as an effective political tool to mobilize their supporters.

The sugar industry shows how the allocation of resources, is often de-

fined by opposition forces as “racism,” or “ethnicization,” rather than by genuine economic need. Linking the allocation of resources with allegations of racism found its fullest manifestation in the early 1960s (19621964). This was the period when race insecurity was pronounced and when AfroGuyanese felt that they would be dominated by the superior numeric strength of Indo-Guyanese, although they (Afro-Guyanese) had full control of the armed forces. However, demographic changes since 2002 have neutralized the effect of ethnicity or race on forming the government which has been the source of the accusations of racism on the premise that governments decide who gets what, why and how.

Given that no race group now constitutes a majority, the level of race insecurity among Afro-Guyanese should theoretically decline since no one group has a demographic advantage.

Ironically, Indo-Guyanese continues to feel insecure because of their gross under-representation in the armed forces, although the party to which they are aligned is in power.

There is no evidence in Guyana to suggest that enhanced economic condition is compatible with a decrease in the level of racism.

The PPPC says that under its governance the economic position of Afro-Guyanese has been enhanced, but this position did not ease racism nor lead to any significant increase in PPPC support among Afro-Guyanese.

During the period 1976 to 1985 the PNC government owned and controlled 80% of the economy, yet that did not translate into any major economic benefit to the Afro-

Guyanese people, whose poverty rate exceeded 50% as did Indo-Guyanese. The Amerindian poverty rate was 75%.

Irrespective of philosophical differences, there is some convergence on the notion of “inclusive governance” as a mechanism to minimize racism. However, people’s perception of inclusivity differs; cultural adherents (like Ravi Dev and Eusi Kwayana), for example, believe that inclusivity is best expressed in a federal system, while political and intellectual adherents (like Dr David Hinds and Vincent Alexander) believe that it lies in executive power sharing. What system is more effective and acceptable will have to be determined by the Guyanese people after a national conversation and the conduct of a referendum.

Pending a resolution on the idea of inclusive governance, some suggested short-term measures to reduce racism include but is not limited to the enactment of equal opportunity laws, compliance mechanisms, affirmative action, quotas, and poverty reduction.

Long term measure to ease racism resides in the socialization process where values and habits are internalized and imbedded into children and young adults.

It is much easier to learn something than to unlearn it. The socialization process should be a team effort involving parents, schools, churches, leaders, and role models. We start from the home and move interactively to the school, to the church, to the community and then to the wider society.

Sincerely, Dr Tara Singh

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

5

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

Will Guyanese make a difference in Georgia’s Senate Elections

Dear Editor, The state of Georgia holds special elections on January 5 to choose two Senators who will decide which party controls the US Senate (currently 50-48). The Republicans need only win one to retain control while the Democrats need to win both for a tie that will give them control through the Vice President who sits in the Senate as Chair and as tie-breaker.

The next Vice President is Kamala Harris, a Democrat.

The election is critical and a lot of money is being spent by both political parties and all four candidates since legislative control of Washington hangs in the balance. The two Democrats have raised over US$100 million each over the last two months pumping the money in the race. The Republicans have raised US$68 million and US$64 million, respectively. Close to US$300 million will have been spent on this special election, signalling its critical importance.

This does not include the tens of millions spent before November.

There are thousands of Guyanese settled in Georgia.

Will their votes matter make a difference? How will they vote? Who will win the two Senate seats?

Guyanese (of both major races) have been moving to Georgia in small numbers since the 1990s because of the lower cost of living and then in the US northeast.

Property costs are also much lower and Guyanese prefer to own rather than rent.

Jobs were also easily available. Many former (Afro) Guyanese soldiers and police are settled in Georgia.

Former President David Granger visited and interacted with APNU supporters. (Curiously, in a speech in 2017 he reminded them how the PNC won elections during the 1960s thru the 1980s and rhetorically asked whether the coalition should return to that method of winning an election.) Many for-

mer soldiers and Police returned to Guyana to vote in the March 2 elections. There are also significant numbers of Indos; several Indos own agricultural (agricultural and fruit) and animal farms in Georgia. Guyanese are largely employed as educators, security guards, and in the health professions.

There are also tens of thousands of nationals of other Caribbean and Asian countries settled in Georgia; their votes will decide the Senate outcomes.

Guyanese are divided in their preference.

Afros tilt almost exclusively for the Democrats. Black Americans (over 90 per cent) tend to vote Democrat. Indos are heavily Democraticoriented but some are leaning Republican.

Indian Americans (80 per cent) lean Democrat. Tens of thousands of Asians (Orientals or Mongoloids and Indians) have been settling in Georgia over the last two decades. The Asians are mostly

professionals. Indians own various businesses including in the hotel or hospitality and industry and have stations, convenience shops, and other small businesses.

Thousands of Indians are also employed as medical professionals (doctors and nurses). Media reports stated that Asian votes made a difference in the November elections, with over 80 per cent voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, tilting the Presidential contest in their favour. Their votes may have prevented the Republican Senate candidates from getting over 50 per cent of the votes, necessary for victories.

Because the Republicans failed to cross 50 per cent of the votes last November, runoffs are held on January 5 between the two contenders of each contest. Georgia requires that a candidate win a majority of votes, failing that there is a runoff.

There were two contests because the six-year term for

$25,000 grant to State workers welcomed

Dear Editor, The recent announcement by President Dr Irfaan Ali that all workers of the State will benefit from a $25,000 grant is most welcomed. For its part, the GAWU recognises that the gesture by the Government will certainly assist recipients and their families who undoubtedly are deeply appreciative. We recognise that the grant comes on the heels of several other measures taken by the Administration to ease the

cost-of-living and to put more monies in the pockets of ordinary Guyanese.

We saw too the President bringing an end to the haughty discrimination that had been meted out to sugar workers since 2015.

The President, in his announcement, extended the grant to sugar workers as well. Indeed, it can be seen as a tangible demonstration of the Government’s stated intention to treat all equally. Certainly, the sugar workers can once again

consider themselves children of the State, no longer left in the cold or forced to accept scraps from the tables as they were treated by the deposed elites. We were heartened to learn of the President’s commitment to further support to the industry as well. This is welcomed news and it reiterates the Government’s seriousness to revitalise the important industry.

We see the efforts of the Government as yet another measure to restore the dig-

nity to our nation’s workers.

Indeed, we recognise there is still some ways yet to go but we hold too that the last few months seem to indicate that better times are ahead.

Undoubtedly, our people look forward to such reprieves, especially considering the taxing burdens they had to fetch during the stint of the coalition.

Sincerely, Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU)

D

ivinity is present in everyone in an unmanifested form. Every man is the embodiment of the Divine Sat-ChitAnanda (BeingAwarenessBliss).

This has been described categorically in the Bhagavad Gita. As God is the embodiment of love, man is also an embodiment of love. But man today does not manifest it fully and properly because of his selfishness and self-centredness. Though humanity has advanced considerably in the material and scientific spheres, it has gone down grievously morally and spiritually. Selfishness is predominant in every action. Behind every thought and every word, self-interest is prominent. It is only when this selfishness is eradicated can Divinity reveal itself. In rendering Seva (service), there should be a recognition of the omnipresence of the Divine in all human beings. Men have not developed the spirit of Tyaga (sacrifice) or aversion to Bhoga (sensual pleasures). True service calls for a spirit of sacrifice. Sacrifice has been declared to be the only means to achieve immortality. (Divine Discourse, Mar 23, 1989)

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation

one Senator was over and he was seeking re-election. The other Republican was filling in for another Republican Senator who resigned and was required to seek voter approval to complete the remaining two years of that Senator’s six-year term.

Last November, the two Republican candidates received just 50 per cent of the votes, way ahead of their Democratic contenders. One led the closest democrat by some 78K votes and the other led by 35K votes. This lead gives the Republicans the edge to retain both seats. But the outcome is a toss-up, especially since the Democrats are outspending Republicans in the media war and analysts feel they can go either way. Biden won the state by just 14K

votes, suggesting split-ticket voting.

Every vote matters!

Thus, Guyanese are urged to cast their ballot if they have not done so in early voting or mail-in (absentee) ballot.

Over half the electorate already cast votes.

Currently, polls put the two Republican candidates slightly ahead of the Democrats, making the elections a dead heat. The polls have been a see-saw with the candidates alternating in the lead marginally.

Because Georgia has been a Republican-oriented state for decades, this writer feels the Republican candidates hold the edge. But they can go any way.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

PPP/C must exculpate itself from GECOM’s improprieties Dear Editor, GECOM remains a sore thumb in the new PPP/C’s Administration. It astonishes the world that nothing has been done to take action against the GECOM’s top brass who have been accused of the most heinous improprieties. By Public Service procedures and custom, the officers of a Department who are criminally charged before the Courts or are suspected of improprieties, are suspended, sent on leave without pay or dismissed.

Such action is the responsibility of the Chairman of the

GECOM since GECOM is an independent entity and not under the Public Service Commission.

When Dr Irfaan Ali assumed office as President nearly half-a-year ago, he promised to appoint a Commission to recommend on the reformation of GECOM and appropriate action against errant staff.

Would President Ali and Chairman of GECOM now act appropriately and promptly?

Yours sincerely, Paul Validum Ramlochan

6

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Æsop’s Fables

A

FOR CHILDREN

Stem-and-Leaf Plots

stem-and-leaf plot organises data and helps you compare it.

Think of the plot as a plant with stems. Each stem may have a different number of leaves.

Example: To read this, attach each leaf to its stem. In Mrs Levy Maths class, the test scores were 67, 68, 69, 75, 76, 76, 83, 85, 87, 89, 89, 91, 91, 93, and 99. You will notice that the data is organised from least to greatest.

In this stem-and-leaf plot, the stems are the scores (in tens) and the leaves are the ones of the scores. To find the ***range*** in a stem-and-leaf plot, look at the first leaf on the first stem and the last leaf on the last stem.

Subtract the smaller number from the larger one.

Range = 99 – 67 = 32 Maths test scores in In Mrs Levy Maths class

Stems 1

6 7 8 9

Stems 1

Leaves

7 89 566 35799 1139

Leaves

6 39 4 8 3778 1455

T

he bee has many specialised body parts — from compound (multiple) eyes with ultraviolet vision to pollen baskets on the outside back legs. Bees are built to contribute to the survival of their colony (family).

Bees also contribute to our survival. Without their pollination of many fruits and vegetables, our food supply would be greatly reduced. As a bee visits flowers in search of their food (nectar), tiny grains of pollen from the anther (the male part) of a flower stick to the bee’s body. As the bee moves on to other flowers, it takes the pollen along, transferring it onto the stigma (the female part) of the next flower and starts the pollination process — how a flower or plant develops new seeds.

Task: Design and draw a robot that could complete the transfer of pollen from one blossom to another and help a plant grow its fruit.

Supplies Drawing supplies: paper, pencil, markers, ruler Household junk — containers, boxes, rubber bands, pipe cleaners,

Stems 1

Leaves

Exercises: Interpret 1) What are the data points for this stem-and-leaf plot? What is the range?

1 2 3 4

2) Make a stem-and-leaf plot from the following data: 32, 33, 34, 45, 51, 77, 78, 99

paper clips, Styrofoam, toothpicks, etc — or a building set such as LEGO or K’NEX (optional) Getting Started Think about what you read about how a bee performs her pollen-collecting task. Then, draw a bee and point out the bee anatomy that makes the bee good at pollinating.

Monday’s answers 1) 2 3) 4 5) 5.2

2) 4)

5.5 9

Now, focus on a new type of pollinator — a robotic one of your own design. To started, discuss: What materials could be used to build the robot What tasks do the bee robot need to complete?

How could it be constructed?

What could be the harm or benefit to nature of having robots perform pollination?

How will the robot understand its environment?

Create and explain your design.

If you are interested, use some of the materials listed above to create your robot or a 3-D model.

What kind of reaction might your robot get from a real bee?

Buzz about Robots Compare or get inspiration from the robot bees at Harvard University: http://micro.seas.harvard.edu Learn why cuteness counts in robot design: http://labcast.media.mit. edu/?p=206 (Adapted from startwithabook.org)

T

here was once a cat who was so watchful, that a mouse hardly dared show the tip of his whiskers for fear of being eaten alive. That cat seemed to be everywhere at once with his claws all ready for a pounce. At last the mice kept so closely to their dens, that the cat saw he would have to use his wits well to catch one. So one day he climbed up on a shelf and hung from it, head downward, as if he were dead, holding himself up by clinging to some ropes with one paw.

When the mice peeped out and saw him in that position, they thought he had been hung up there in punishment for some misdeed. Very timidly at first they stuck out their heads and sniffed about carefully. But as nothing stirred, all trooped joyfully out to celebrate the death of the cat.

Just then the cat let go his hold, and before the mice recovered from their surprise, he had made an end of three or four.

Now the mice kept more strictly at home than ever. But the cat, who was still hungry for mice, knew more tricks than one. Rolling himself in flour until he was covered completely, he lay down in the flour bin, with one eye open for the mice.

Sure enough, the mice soon began to come out. To the cat it was almost as if he already had a plump young mouse under his claws, when an old rat, who had had much experience with cats and traps, and had even lost a part of his tail to pay for it, sat up at a safe distance from a hole in the wall where he lived.

“Take care!” he cried. “That may be a heap of meal, but it looks to me very much like the cat. Whatever it is, it is wisest to keep at a safe distance.”

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

7

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NICIL securing alternative employment for redundant Wales Estate staff

I

n the wake of reports that over 60 workers have been dismissed from the Wales Estate by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), it has been clarified by the State agency that these workers are, in fact, being reorganised and in some cases, alternative employment is being sought.

The Guyana Agriculture and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) had sent out a statement in which it expressed concern over the dismissal of what it said were over 60 workers, mostly security guards and labourers. According to the Union, these workers were in the process of being unionised.

But in a statement on Monday, NICIL explained that they have been in the process of reorganising operations at the estate and creating a flagship project called the Wales Development Authority (WDA). As a consequence, the workers became redundant.

Nevertheless, NICIL clarified that not only were there only 49 fortnightly paid workers as at yearend, but that they have been in the process of seeking alternative employment for these workers. This includes

The former Wales Sugar Estate, which is slated for a flagship project

employment with an independent security company, guarding the immovable assets at the Wales Estate during the transition process.

“NICIL maintained 49 fortnightly paid workers, as at December 31, 2020.

These workers were deployed in various fields including Administration, Compound Maintenance, Field Workshop, Agriculture with Security workers making up the majority of workers, namely thirty-two (32) workers on record.”

“The security workers were allowed to secure employment through the recently engaged private security company and the other

workers would be contracted as necessary on an adhoc basis to provide maintenance services on the Estate,” NICIL said.

GAWU had claimed that when the Trade Union Recognition & Certification Board (TURCB) sought to conduct a survey to have the workers unionised, NICIL did not cooperate. But NICIL explained that they were in the process of transitioning.

“NICIL sought to reorganise its operations across its varied locations, given that from 2017 most of the equipment and machinery of the Wales Estate were transferred to other Estates to enhance their operation-

al efficiency and optimise their operations. Other remaining assets were utilised in NICIL’s Rice Cultivation Project, which was discontinued in October 2020 given that it was not feasible to continue thereafter.”

“At the time of NICIL’s receipt of a letter from Trade Union Recognition & Certification Board (TURCB) plans were already in train to effect the transfer of the Wales Estate to facilitate the creation of the Wales Development Authority. NICIL’s actions to separate from fortnightly paid workers were in full support of its intent to ready the Estate for the ultimate transition.”

Top officials from NICIL, including Chairman Paul Cheong and Chief Executive Officer R K Sharma, met with GAWU on Monday in order to discuss the issues.

Moreover, Cheong explained to this publication when contacted that further meetings will be held between NICIL, GAWU and the Ministry of Labour.

Back in 2016, the former APNU/AFC Government closed the Wales Estate, and the following year shut down the Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates, putting over 7000 sugar workers on the breadline.

The downsizing of the sugar industry saw only

the Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion Estates being in operation. The assets of the closed estates were put under the control of the Special Purpose Unit of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) for divestment.

Under the PPP Government, the corporation is eyeing the reopening of Enmore and Rose Hall Estates by 2022. It is expected that the Rose Hall factory will be the first to become operational, while the Skeldon factory will be returned to operation by 2023.

The Wales factory will be divested.

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Van West-Charles’ fuel company

Director charged for falsifying $40M invoice to GRA Doom and gloom...

Atlantic Fuels Director Eugene Gilbert

A

tlantic Fuels, a fuel company owned by former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Richard Van West-Charles, a prominent supporter of the APNU/ AFC and a former People’s National Congress (PNC) executive, was on Monday taken to court over falsifying an invoice for $40 million and declaring it to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The company’s Director, 67-year-old Eugene Gilbert, was summoned to attend court in December 2020, after Commissioner General of GRA Godfrey Statia filed a complaint against the company at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Gilbert pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to him by Principal Magistrate Sherdel IsaacsMarcus. The charge stated that on November 12, 2020, at GRA’s Camp Street, Georgetown headquarters,

Former GWI CEO Richard Van West-Charles

Atlantic Fuels caused to be made and subscribed a false declaration on invoice number 100, contrary to the Customs Act. The invoice amount was US$200,000, which is equivalent to GY$40,000,000.

The charge was instituted under Section 217 (1) (a) of the Customs Act, which reads: “Any person who, in any matter relating to the customs, or under the control or management of the Comptroller – (a) makes and subscribes, or causes to be made and subscribed, any

false declaration; or…”

On summary conviction, the person is liable to a fine of $25,000, together with imprisonment for three years.

Gilbert returns to court on February 21, 2021, to collect statements.

When contacted on Monday, the company’s lawyer, Siand Dhurjon, would only state: “The charge will be keenly contested as it is both bad in law and facts.”

Guyana Times understands that the invoice was for 635,353 litres of diesel which was sourced from

a company in Suriname.

Atlantic Fuels Inc claimed that it shipped the fuel from company A for one price, but GRA said that it shipped it from company B for another price.

The fuel has since been seized and detained by the GRA and the Guyana Energy Agency.

Atlantic Fuels Inc has been embroiled in controversy. In 2019, the company had been under GRA’s radar for under-invoicing and falsifying invoices. As a result,

A GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia

GRA went after the fuel company for taxes for that year.

Also, in 2019, a city business, South American Breaking and Recycling Inc, filed a lawsuit against Van West-Charles, his company, and China Zhonghao Inc, over a fuel deal that reportedly went bad. South American Breaking and Recycling Inc claimed that it entered into an agreement with the parties in a joint venture using the licence of Atlantic Fuels to import fuel.

According to court documents, it was agreed that South American Breaking and Recycling Inc would import 639,000 litres of diesel at US$0.61 per litre and then sell it to China Zhonghao for $198 per litre. But South American Breaking and Recycling Inc claimed that its partners flouted the agreement.

The company further claimed that it was bypassed after Atlantic Fuels entered into an arrangement with China Zhonghao.

The company alleged that the fuel shipment amounted to $126.5 million and that Atlantic Fuel and Van WestCharles refused to refund $12.4 million in expenses it had incurred.

Van West-Charles was granted the fuel import licence in 2015 under controversial circumstances, having registered the company in February 2015. At the time, however, persons familiar with the process had questioned how he qualified for the licence when a storage bond, environmental permits, and public notices to persons residing in the location are among the requirements which were not met.

Previous investigations done by this publication in 2016 had been unable to find a storage bond for Atlantic Fuels. Van West-Charles, who was appointed as GWI CEO a mere month before he gained his fuel import licence, was relieved of his duties days after the PPP entered office in August 2020.

Atlantic Fuels Inc has its headquarters at Lot 16 Sublot A Mudlot, Kingston, Georgetown.

...naysayers s the Irfaan Ali-PPP Administration rolls out its development plan – as adumbrated in its Manifesto – your Eyewitness notes a troubling development.

The moment an initiative is announced, naysayers ooze out of the woodwork to predict apocalyptic consequences and insist that the project be abandoned. These are the same people, however, who’d flagellate the PPP for “not doing anything” to develop the country.

For instance, there’s one local “international” lawyer – who not so incidentally has advocated we leave the oil discovered offshore right where it is! She’s concerned about the deleterious impact of fossil fuel extraction and use on climate change!! So, while the rest of the world have abandoned their promises to cap carbon emissions, like Atlas, Guyana should bear that burden – for “mankind’s common good”! So, what if the oil revenues could help us from falling below Haiti in the development index!? So, the PPP Government’s criticised for allowing development of the oil fields!

Anyhow, she recently participated in a discussion of the Government’s decision to bring the natural gas – associated with the oil – ashore to be used for downstream industries like generating electricity, bottling cooking gas, and possibly producing ammonium (nitrogen) fertilisers for our agricultural needs. Not surprisingly, one of the other “experts” immediately recommended abandoning the project! Not for the possible environmental impact which the “international lawyer” again raised, but that “the way the contracts were negotiated for this oil endeavour (gave) no confidence that the country has any ability to negotiate the best price for a pipeline and other infrastructure to bring gas to shore”! The decision by the PPP Government “was a recipe for bankruptcy”!

Imagine that! Never mind that that oil contract was negotiated by another government (the APNU/AFC) and had been comprehensively critiqued as to its loopholes. The premise is that all of us natives – doesn’t matter what party or government – are incapable of learning from mistakes!!

Hot on the heels of this advice to abandon the gas-to-shore project, came another naysayer – but this time from an expert who didn’t have the cojones to put his name to his letter.

Now there’s nothing wrong – and everything right – about citizens critiquing governmental actions. After all, Governments are spending citizens’ money. But there should be some logic to the critique or criticism. The main objection by this invertebrate was that the PPP had invested heavily in the Skeldon Sugar Factory, which didn’t fulfil its promise – and THEREFORE the same thing will happen to the GTS project!! And also, the pipeline to Wales “would disrupt ships and fishing”!

So, what’s the message from these naysayers? Guyana should revert to a presumably non-intrusive cave-man lifestyle!

Trouble is, we don’t have caves! ...contract workers’ fate The PNC has made heavy going on some contract workers who’ve been terminated from some Ministries. Now while Public Servants have security of tenure, generally contract workers aren’t Public Servants! The latter’s appointments and dismissals are under the purview of the Public Service Commission...and as far back as 2017, it had advised the PNC Government to either transition the contract workers into the Public Service or cut back on the numbers.

To no avail. It was just revealed by the Auditor General’s Report that once again the Ministry of the Presidency was the greatest violator of the practice. From 307 in 2017 they ballooned to 471 in 2019 that absorbed 75 per cent of the $1.375 BILLION paid to contract workers in the entire government!! Now we know about these multimilliondollar-per-month high flyers, don’t we? Think Clive Thomas and his deputy in SOCU, for instance!!

Even the cleaners in the MotP received more than a doctor starting out at GPHC after five years of study!! ...and bling Why doesn’t it surprise your Eyewitness that Public Servants using Government accommodations didn’t pay their token rental during the PNC years? The entire Government was a vehicle for servicing their perceived supporters.

Which explains that $900,000 bracelet “gift”!

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

NEWS

9

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Seamen duped into oil and gas training course

…paid over $8.4M

Some of the seamen who claimed that they were duped into taking a fake course to gain employment in the oil and gas sector

S

everal seamen, who were hoping to get employment in the oil sector are claiming that they were duped into doing an oil

and gas training and have now been told that the certificate they received is fake.

According to the seamen, they respond to an ad-

vertisement for training and recruiting by an agency for an oil company in Guyana.

They said that the school offering the courses is located in New Amsterdam and had advertised two courses for applicants. Those courses were the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) and Lifting and Banksman course.

To complete the course, applicants were required to pay a total fee of $260,000 for the two courses.

According to Odwin Sinclair, 34, of Khotbradt, East Bank, Berbice, he along with several other seamen did the courses in January 2020. At the end of the seven-day course, they were promised that they would receive their certificates in six weeks. Sinclair said that

The seamen taking part in the “training” to get their certificates

at the end of the six weeks he went back to the school and upon inquiring about his certificates, he was told that they had not arrived as yet but were on the way.

“So, with that information, I went to Transport and Harbour Department [to see] how long it would take for them to issue me with a discharge book; that is a document to sail upon receiving this STCW certificate. So, they enquired where I got the certificate from, so, I told them and they told me that there is only one accredited school in Guyana authorised to transact seaman’s affairs and that is a school in Georgetown – no one else.

So, with that information, I went to the police station and made a report,” Sinclair said.

TURN TO PAGE 12

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Several dorm students test positive for COVID-19 – Health Minister

H

ealth Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Monday announced that several dorm students have tested positive for COVID-19 after they were swabbed before returning to school.

During the COVID-19 update, he informed that testing was done over the weekend as students turned up to the dorms for the Easter semester. The total number of infected cases is yet to be determined, since testing is still ongoing.

“Over the last couple days of testing, we did find a number of students who were positive and those have been isolated. Generally, these students are all asymptomatic, meaning they have no signs or symptoms

of the disease…It’s still an ongoing exercise. We haven’t totalled the amount as yet. We expect that there will be quite a few because, with every one of the dorms, people are coming from different areas and therefore, we’ll have to keep monitoring.”

This publication understands that the positive students are asymptomatic and will be isolated from the general population. Throughout the 10 days, they will be supplied with educational material to continue lesson activities.

“We have to isolate them because if we put them with the general population of students, then they are going to spread it. Isolation would be required, that they

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

stay by themselves in a separate room. They will be given food and educational materials so that they can continue their learning.

They will have to remain there for at least 10 days,” Dr Anthony informed.

The Health Ministry had implemented a system during the last reopening, whereby all students from dorms were tested after returning to school. It was continued this term, using rapid antigen and PCR

tests.

“We started a programme whereby as students come into these dorm schools, we’ll be able to test them. We deployed both our antigen rapid tests to these areas as well as PCR tests. So, all the students who would come back to the dorms would be tested and we’d then be able to assure the Ministry of Education that they have a safe environment.”

Last November, eight students who were being housed at the President’s College dorm, had tested positive. That was out of a total of 139 students housed at the educational facility. All eight of them were from Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni). After that, five

teachers, six students and two ancillary staffers in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) were also positive.

Schools have reopened for Grades 10, 11 and 12 and those attending practical, technical and vocational institutes. These institutions would have been closed on March 16, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Education Ministry has given parents the option of keeping their children home if they are uncomfortable sending them back to school in the COVID-19 situation. Parents can also opt to have their children transferred to the nearest secondary school – a process that can be completed in less than 24 hours. (G12)

NEWS

11

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 persons succumb to COVID-19 …21 new cases recorded

T

he Health Ministry on Monday informed that two more persons who tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) succumbed while receiving treatment.

This now takes the total number of deaths from the pandemic to 166.

The latest fatalities are two males - a 70-yearold from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and an 85-year-old from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Prior to this announcement on Monday, the previous deaths were reported on December 22 – an 88-yearold man from Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and a 68-year-old woman from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

In the latest dashboard, 21 new coronavirus cases were reported from seven administrative regions.

This brings the total confirmed cases to 6379.

A breakdown showed that three new cases were recorded in Region One (Barima-Waini), seven in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), two in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), five in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), one in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and two in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The cases in Regions Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni),

would accept that approval because it meant that the vaccine would have undergone a rigorous set of evaluation.”

The Ministry has reminded the public of the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home; maintaining the six feet physical distance from others and good hand hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or needs any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotline 2311166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www. health.gov.gy. (G12)

Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remain at 342, 199 and 396 respectively.

Four persons are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), nine in institutional isolation, 264 on home isolation and 22 in institutional quarantine. There are 277 active cases in Guyana, while 5936 patients have recovered.

To date, 38,995 persons have been tested, of which 3294 males and 3085 females were infected.

Spike expected

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony shared on Monday that they are expecting a spike in cases of the coronavirus, following the Christmas season activities when many persons would have failed to adhere to the national measures.

“We are expecting a spike because, over the holiday, you would have seen people socialising, not adhering to the guidelines.

That was unfortunate so we are going to expect that a lot of people might have been exposed and therefore, a large per cent of them would come to the health system.”

In light of this, he said increased testing is planned along with the preparation of hospitals for an increased number of positive patients.

The latter so that if hospitalisation proves necessary, it is available.

“The incubation period for SARS-COV-2 is approximately 14 days. Therefore, any time between the point of exposure to this 14-day period, you will see people start manifesting signs and symptoms. So, we have to be on the alert. The doctors and medical personnel have been looking at this. While we are planning for a surge, we hope we don’t have one because if we have too many people coming into the health system, it can easily overwhelm the system,” the Minister explained.

On the aspect of vaccines, he ascertained, “Once a vaccine has been approved by the WHO (World Health Organisation), then we

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Forestry Commission to be fully Antigen tests, travel restriction helped curb operational again – Bharrat Region 7 COVID cases N atural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat has said the capacity of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) has been strengthened and the entity will soon be fully operational again. Under the APNU/AFC Administration, the regulatory body was plunged into economic distress, leaving a trail of uncertainty in its wake.

However, with support from the PPP/C Government, the Commission has now rebounded.

“We aim to have the GFC stand on its own footing come first quarter 2021, with the new measures implemented in the latter quarter of 2020. We will strengthen the competence and experience of the Commission with an

emphasis on enhancing its monitoring and enforcement arm and improving interactions amongst stakeholders,” Minister Vickram told DPI last week.

When the PPP/C Government returned to office in August 2020, it found a bankrupt Commission, which was also hundreds of millions of dollars in debt.

A $4 billion surplus which was left in the treasury in 2015, was also missing. The Commission was also struggling to pay its staff.

The Government was, however, able to immediately disburse some $350 million to cover operational costs and wages for the remainder of 2020.

The 2020 emergency budget also provided a host of

incentives for the forestry sector, opening a path to recovery for the Commission.

Among the measures offered in the budget was the removal of value-added tax (VAT) and duties on machinery and equipment, tax concessions on all-terrain vehicles, an amendment to the log export policy, removal of VAT on hinterland travel and a $1.5 billion allocation to improve hinterland infrastructure.

Bharrat said the measures will open up a host of investment opportunities within the sector.

“The removal of VAT coupled with the tax concessions will allow for cheaper and easier procurement of machinery and equipment and could lead to greater

Seamen duped into...

Several other persons have also reported to the Police, claiming that they were defrauded by the school. Those reports were made on March 13, 2020.

In fact, a total of 56 persons would have been part of five different classes and would have completed training after paying in excess of $150,000 each.

The seamen said they were promised that the school and its collaborating oil and gas employment agency would also find jobs for them - either in the industry or at sea.

“We called to Panama to enquire whether the school have been authorised by them and the company said

that the particular school is not authorised. We have emails from the company showing that the school is not authorised,” Sinclair, who was part of a group of eight seamen, told this publication.

According to Sinclair, they have also been shown copies of a ‘certificate’ which does not represent the courses they paid for.

Meanwhile, Carlos Reid, 31, of Sanvoort, West Canje, said he decided to get the Police involved after not getting satisfactory answers from the school.

“Six weeks had passed and we did not collect a certificate and she [the proprietor] keep dodging us and

investments in the sector.

Improving hinterland infrastructure such as roads and bridges, along with the removal of VAT on air travel will also boost the sector as it will reduce the cost of transport for both people and material.”

Meanwhile, Bharrat said the Government intends to maintain the 40 per cent Common External Tariff (CET) which will increase the competitiveness of local lumber and incentivise local producers to improve on quality standards, thereby increasing local production.

He said the Ministry remains committed to working with the stakeholders in the sector so they can re-tool and re-capitalise their operations.

FROM PAGE 9

not answering her phone and giving lame excuses, so, we [got] worried. We did a background check and the company told us via email that the certificate is not valid and is fake. So, when we told her that we don’t want that certificate she told us that the certificate is legit and it is higher than the one that we need,” Reid explained.

Additionally, Gary Darlington, who paid $165,000 to the school for the two courses, said he has so far been refunded $70,000.

Darlington said that was part of the money he used to pay for the courses from an agency which is situated in

Georgetown and he has since received his certificates.

When contacted, head of the school and collaborating oil and gas employment agency (name provided) told this publication that the Panama accredited school could only have issued the certificates during the pandemic if it started as online courses.

The woman said that all of the transactions the school/agency is involved in are legitimate, adding that the certificate the seamen want to be issued with will become useless in five years and the one she is recommending to them is the only one which will soon be recognised.

Region Seven Chairman Kenneth Williams

C

hairman of Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Kenneth Williams has said the COVID-19 antigen tests administered by the Health Ministry and the restriction on travel to and from the district during December 2020 led to a reduction in positive cases.

During December, the gazetted COVID-19 precautionary measures only permitted essential travel to and from Region Seven.

While the other gazetted measures remain in place until January month-end, the Region lifted its lockdown on travel for the new year.

In an interview with DPI on Monday, the Regional Chairman said the travel restriction helped to raise awareness about the importance of individual responsibility in curbing the transmission of the disease.

However, he was quick to praise the Region’s frontline workers for their service during the pandemic.

“While the lockdown did help in some sort of way to bring persons to the realisation that they cannot take the current situation for granted, we have to give our frontline workers much props for a job well done and weathering this storm without any complaints. They managed to increase testing extensively.”

The antigen test provided results within 20-30 minutes and allowed for faster diagnoses and treatment for COVID patients, which enabled a normalising of other care and services provided at hospitals. Previously, healthcare workers had to wait 24 hours for results from a COVID-19 PCR test before admitting or treating a patient.

Meanwhile, Williams said over the holiday season, many residents flouted the COVID-19 measures, but the administration remains resolute in enforcing them.

“For the last few days, I must admit that it was not the sight anyone wanted to see, especially during Christmas. While the administration will remain vigilant to ensure that instances do not reoccur, it is also our residents’ responsibility to adhere to the guidelines given,” he said.

As of January 3, the region reported 542 COVID cases.

NEWS

13

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC spent $290M from lotto fund on 2020 Jubilee …$88.2M for flag raising; $50M for Carnival, Buju Banton concert

T

he 2019 Auditor General report has revealed that the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government spent some $290 million from the lotto fund on Guyana’s 2020 Golden Jubilee, among other things.

According to the report, $600 million was budgeted for funds from the lotto fund under the category of miscellaneous revenue.

However, the

former Government only transferred $32.5 million to the Consolidated Fund. The rest was spent on a number of activities.

For instance, $290 million was spent on cultural activities related to the Golden Jubilee, which was held in February 2020 and featured a number of competitions and even commemorative pieces.

Further, $150 million was spent to rehabilitate grounds and recreational parks, while $88.2 million

was spent on the flag-raising ceremony back in 2019.

The former Government also spent $49.4 million to send Guyana’s delegation to Carifesta XIV in Trinidad and Tobago in 2019.

Meanwhile, $27.8 million was spent hosting the emancipation celebration activities. The AG revealed that a further $50 million was spent supporting the Guyana Carnival 2019 and for the Buju Banton “Long Walk to Freedom” concert.

In 2019, then Opposition

Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had lambasted the former Government for purchasing $40 million worth in tickets for the upcoming Buju Banton show, with hardearned taxpayers’ dollars.

Jagdeo had revealed that the money was used to purchase 8000 tickets for the show which was held at the Guyana National Stadium and which were then handed out to the people. The cost of each ticket was $5000.

At the time, then Social

Youth unemployment reached 30.2% in 1st quarter of 2020 …labour force survey starts on Thursday

T

he first quarter of 2020 brought on some worrying figures for the local labour market, with a youth unemployment rate of 30.2 per cent.

This is according to the Bureau of Statistics in its latest report, as it gears up to start the quarterly labour force survey on Thursday.

According to published data, the overall unemployment rate within the reporting period was 12.8 per cent. Meanwhile, in rural communities, there was a higher unemployment rate among women.

“The rural unemployed population represents the vast majority of the total unemployed for the first quarter of 2020 and the unemployment rate for women appears to be higher than that for men. The rural unemployed population represents the vast majority

of the total unemployed for the first quarter of 2020 and the unemployment rate for women appears to be higher than that for men,” the Bureau highlighted.

The data showed that in the first quarter of 2020, the total population aged 15 and above residing in Guyana was 602,765 persons. Of this number, a majority of 71.8 per cent was based in rural areas and women slightly outnumbered men within the working-age population.

“Such a proportion is more than reversed if one look at the labour force (the percentage of working-age population actively engaged in the labour market) where men represent 58.3 per cent of the total.”

As it relates to employment-to-population ratio, it has increased from 42.4 per cent from the fourth quarter 2019 to 43.9 per cent in the

first quarter 2020.

The report further outlined, “The indicator based on usual hours worked per week shows that the share of workers in time-related underemployment was recorded at 3.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2020, an increase from that recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019, 3.5 per cent.”

The first half of 2020 witnessed a decline in both private and public sector employment, one of the fallouts of the coronavirus pandemic that saw Guyana limiting economic activity to essential services and reducing hiring at public corporations, according to the Bank of Guyana in its halfyear report, where it is stated that during the period until June 2020, there was a significant decline in Private Sector employment.

This was primarily so in

the services sector such as wholesale and retail trade and transportation, which would have been affected by more persons opting to stay home and conserve money, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the other hand, public sector employment fell by 3.3 per cent up to the end of June 2020. This was due to lower employment by Central Government, while the rest of the public sector employment saw a reduction of 8.7 per cent.

Employment in public corporations, which would include entities like the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), declined. This was particularly the case with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which saw a 12.7 per cent drop in recruitment. (G12)

File photo: PNCR General Secretary Amna Ally distributing tickets for the Buju Banton concert in 2019

Protection Minister Amna Ally had denied that Government monies were used to purchase the tickets. According to Ally, the monies were not taken from the public coffers but were, in fact, People’s National Congress (PNC) money.

The AG also found that $45 million was used from the fund to purchase equipment and do infrastructural work for the Linden Broadcasting Network, as well as $11.4 million for sponsoring Guyana’s senior football team to participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2019.

The former APNU/AFC Government has previously been red-flagged for its use of the lotto fund. In his 2015 report, the Auditor General had said that Government used millions from the fund for the building of the controversial D’Urban Park, Georgetown, without parliamentary approval.

According to Sharma’s findings, the Guyana Government was using the

24 per cent of the lottery proceeds it was earning to spend with Cabinet approval. Sharma, in his report, noted that at the beginning of 2015, that account held some $1.4 billion and it received an additional $421 million in 2015.

The Auditor General had said that following checks on the accounts, it was found that while Government transferred $1 billion of that money to the Consolidated Fund In 2015, it held on to just over half a billion dollars to remain under the control of the Ministry of the Presidency and it spent $305 million on various activities.

According to a breakdown of the expenditure provided by the Auditor General, $36.5 million went towards the rehabilitation of the controversial D’Urban Park; $63.7 million went towards Mashramani celebrations while another $51 million was utilised for “music”.

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Little Diamond river defence breach temporarily fixed – NDC …80 households affected

E

fforts have been successful in temporarily mending the defence structure at Little Diamond, East Bank Demerara – which collapsed last week and flooded many house-

holds.

The breach, which was reported on December 31, was fixed through collaboration from the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, National Drainage

and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Public Works Ministry and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).

Guyana Times spoke with Works Chairman at the NDC, Wilfred Bassant,

Armed bandits invade Essequibo Coast restaurant

T

he owners of a Chinese restaurant at Charity, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), were on Sunday robbed at gunpoint by two armed men.

The couple was relieved of two mobile phones and $80,000 in cash.

Based on information received, at about 11:00h on the day in question, two men - one wearing a face mask and the other, a cap, hoodie and a blue bandana covering his face - walked into the restaurant and held the victims at gunpoint.

During the ordeal, the two men demanded cash and other valuables. The couple reportedly put up a resistance, thus causing the bandits to assault them.

Eventually, the two men escaped with the phone and cash. The Police were summoned and an investigation was launched. The Police have since retrieved and are reviewing the CCTV footage. No arrests were made.

This comes one week af-

ter three armed men executed a daring robbery on the Su Ping Chinese Restaurant at Reliance Settlement, East Canje, Berbice.

It was reported that two Mondays ago, at about 21:00h, proprietor of the restaurant, Shoa Mei Li, was bathing her son in the yard when a strange sound was heard emanating from the yard.

As such, her husband went to inquire, and he saw a male carrying a long gun. Without hesitation, he ran into the restaurant and locked the door, leaving his

wife and child outside.

Police investigations revealed that three armed men, all dressed in dark-coloured clothing, confronted the woman and dealt her several blows to the head with a knife.

They then took her into the living quarters and demanded money, and out of fear for her life and that of her son, she handed over $330,000 in cash. Not satisfied, they confiscated the woman’s iPhone 7 before they made good their escape. No arrests were made in that robbery.

Relief hampers were distributed to affected residents

on Monday, who stated that BK Group was contracted to construct a sluice in the said area. However, to facilitate such, part of the dam had to be excavated.

When the tides rose last week, the current structure could not withstand the waves and eventually collapsed. Some 80 families faced significant losses from the flooding.

“Over two years, the koker is in construction and because of how it was, part of the dam had to be excavated…So when the tides

rose, the old revetments broke away. Over 80 residents were affected, so much that we had to call out the CDC to render assistance,” Bassant shared.

The official explained that this is just a temporary fix to the issue, and the contracted company is now tasked with completing the project. He said at the time of the incident, there were no machinery or employees on standby, which compounded the issue.

“I would say it’s a temporary fix because they have to

do the revetment,” he told this publication.

After the flooding, Director of the CDC, Kester Craig gave an update that they were in the process of distributing flood relief hampers to the affected households in Little Diamond. In one section, 36 families received cleaning supplies and 44 more families had to receive theirs before the exercise concluded. At that time, the water was also receding.

Guyana’s defence structure, which primarily protects the coastland from high tides and flooding, would have seen several breaches in recent time. The Dantzig foreshore on the East Coast of Demerara breached last year, causing widespread flooding to both residential and farming communities.

At the time, rice farmers saw their fields being wiped out as saltwater from the Atlantic Ocean swept through the land. Cattle farmers had difficulty locating animals and many died.

Cash crop farmers were also not spared and poultry farmers suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses.

Many residential communities remained under water for weeks after spring tides. Some persons were forced to leave their home for months. (G12)

NEWS

15

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Criminal backlog at Appeal CXC completes 80% of Court reduced by 15 cases requested exam reviews …discussions underway for 2021 exams

T

T

he backlog plaguing the criminal division of the Guyana Court of Appeal has been reduced by 15 cases, according to end of year statistics released by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). During 2020, the Office of the DPP said it appeared in 15 appeals at the Appeal Court.

Of these 15 appeals, six were for the offence of murder, four for manslaughter, two for sexual offences and one each for the offences of attempt to commit murder, falsification of accounts by clerk or servant and robbery with aggravation.

According to the Office of the DPP, there were 10 appeals against conviction and sentence. One of these appeals was withdrawn and one was allowed. The other eight appeals were allowed in part.

In two of the eight cases, the appeal against the conviction of murder was allowed and the offence of manslaughter

was substituted. The appellants were sentenced accordingly.

In the other six cases, the appeal against conviction was dismissed and the sentences were varied.

There was one application to appeal against life sentence; it was dismissed.

Furthermore, there were two applications for bail; one of these was denied, while the other was granted. There were another two applications for extension of time to appeal; one of these was granted while the other one was withdrawn and discontinued.

Meanwhile, during 2020, the Demerara Full Court sat for three matters for the offences of unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and using a computer to humiliate a person.

In one case, the application was dismissed as the court was informed that the appellant had died.

In the other case, the court ruled that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the application or to grant bail. This too was dismissed. In the third case, an application was made to leave the jurisdiction and it was granted by the court.

The Berbice Full Court sat for two appeals for the offences of dangerous driving and sexual assault. One appellant withdrew his application, while the other application was dismissed since the appellant and his legal counsel were absent.

Over at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, appeared in person in the case of Linton Pompey v the State.

This was an appeal against conviction and sentence for three sexual offences, including two counts of rape of a child under 16. The appeal against conviction was dismissed and the appeal against sentence was granted; the sentence was varied.

he Caribbean Examinations Council has completed 80 per cent of the reviews that were officially requested of the examination body, consequent to the release of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) results for 2020.

In a statement on Monday, the Council said that the final results were shared with the local registrars on December 31. The grades were to be released on January 4 to students via the online student portal.

“The Caribbean Examinations Council appreciates the patience and understanding of our stakeholders as we finalise grades for Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination July/August 2020 examinations. Throughout the review process, we have endeavoured to be thorough and to comply with our quality assurance processes,” the statement added, Currently, the examination body said it is in dialogue with the Ministries of Education across the region to finalise details for the administration of the regional examinations in 2021.

“These details will be shared with our stakeholders and made public within the coming weeks,” CXC said.

For the 2020 examinations, CXC changed its for-

mat from Papers 1 and 2 coupled with SBAs owing to the global coronavirus pandemic. This somewhat threw students off balance and it was a move that the local Education Ministry criticised following the dissatisfaction with the results.

In Guyana, a total of 20 schools in 15 CSEC and CAPE subject areas had received ungraded results, and subjects that were affected included: English A, Mathematics, Principles of Business, Office Administration, Human & Social Biology, Theatre Arts, Physical Education & Sports and Economics.

The CAPE subjects that were affected are: Geography Unit One, Caribbean Studies, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Accounting Units One and Two, Law Unit One and Pure Mathematics Units One and Two. These revelations sparked widespread public outrage, with students demanding answers from the examinations body as it relates to the poor grades assigned.

It was upon regional concerns from students that the Council instructed a team to review the moderation pro-

cess applied to the SchoolBased Assessments (SBAs) and the grading process for the exams, among other related matters.

The Independent Review Team, convened by the Chairman of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, has completed its report on the review of the modified approach for the administration of the 2020 Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

The review process, according to Dr Wesley during a press conference last October, included remarking of the review script as well as the School-Based Assessment. He noted that if after the process is completed the grade remains the same then the candidate will be advised as such, adding that if the grade changes and becomes higher then the same process is applied but it would also include a full refund of the review fees.

Additionally, CXC had taken the decision to set aside its policy of awarding a decreased grade after the review process. However, that will only apply to the 2020 examinations. Beckles identified that in 20 countries in the Caribbean, a total of 11,578 students who sat the 2020 CSEC examinations received ungraded in one or more subject area.

16 NEWS Berbice firefighters battle 2 fires within 6 hours TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

The Area R Babu John, Corentyne structure destroyed by fire Damage to the Adelphi, East Canje building

F

irefighters in Berbice were forced to respond to two fires within six hours. The first fire occurred shortly after

20:00h on Sunday night and the other at about 01:00h on Monday morning. Reports are that shortly after 01:00h on Monday, flames were

seen coming from the Lot 4 Adelphi, East Canje building but the occupant, a 24-yearold cattle farmer, was not at home. Police have since said that the owner, Delory Paul, was at a party when he received information that his

home was on fire. This newspaper was told that the man rushed home and observed that smoke was emanating from the house. Neighbours formed a bucket brigade and contained the fire until the fire service arrived.

As a result of the fire, there was extensive damage to the

floor and wall where what appeared to be a mattress was placed. The fire service has since launched an investigation. Meanwhile, at about 20:00h on Sunday, a fire was seen coming from a building at Lot 122 - Area R - Babu John, Corentyne.

Raymond Mangru, 30, who occupied the house, said he

was not at home but was informed that the building was on fire. When he arrived, the entire house was in flames. A unit from the Rose Hall Town Fire Station responded and was able to contain the blaze. Mangru is self-employed. An investigation has been launched into that fire also. (G4)

Taskforce established to monitor flood-prone areas

W

ith the Hydromet Department of the Agriculture Ministry recently issuing an advisory alerting fishermen and other persons residing on the coast of instances of high waves coupled with above-normal tides, in addition to the increase in rainfall, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha recently established a task force to closely monitor developments in these areas.

The task force, which comprises a number of technical officials from Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara); Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne),

was mandated, a release from the Ministry stated, to report instances of flooding, heavy rainfall and breaches in sea defences and drainage and irrigation structures along the coast and other low-lying areas.

Minister Mustapha said given the seriousness of the advisory and Guyana’s geographical position, it was important to have a team in place.

“We are currently experiencing extreme rainfall as part of our NovemberJanuary rainy period. The Hydromet Department also forecasted high waves and above normal tides. With all this information at hand, it was critical for me to establish this task force so that information about what is happening on the ground can be filtered across the sector in a timely manner. I’ve also instructed our regional engineers and other officers to

provide daily reports about rainfall in their respective areas and how it is affecting persons and their farming activities,” Mustapha said.

He further disclosed that the NDIA has been working with regional officials to conduct some works to ensure drainage channels in several farming communities are cleared. This, the Minister said, would improve the drainage capacity in these areas should there be any occurrence of flooding.

Additionally, a team from the Ministry is currently working with cash crop and livestock farmers who experienced losses recently as a result of flooding due to heavy rainfall.

Improving long-term drainage capability

In an effort to improve the country’s drainage capacity in the long term, Mustapha noted that the

Ministry is working to develop a drainage system that can withstand the impacts of climate change, which has resulted in an increase in rainfall in a short period of time.

He added that this year, the Ministry plans to install a number of additional high-capacity pumps to its fleet of drainage pumps.

“We’re working to develop an overall structure that will improve our current drainage system. This year, we plan to install a number of new pumps across the country since we cannot rely solely on gravity drainage.

With climate change having such a great impact on the weather patterns, we have to prepare our system and have it functioning at its fullest capacity in the long term, especially since rainfall has become a lot more unpredictable,” Minister Mustapha said.

NEWS

17

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Children with special education New legislation coming to needs receive tablets from guide hospitality sector Education Ministry

T

hree children with Special Education Needs from the mining town of Linden are now in a better position to learn.

Their mother, Nicola Peters, reached out directly to the Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, on social media for assistance with electronic tablets to ensure her children can continue learning while schools are closed for the majority of the school population due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The three children – aged eight, 13 and 15, who all have

some form of disability, received two tablets to be used by the three of them from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alfred King, on Monday morning at the Ministry’s Brickdam head office.

The Permanent Secretary, who made the presentation on behalf of Manickchand to the three children who were accompanied by their mother and father, Nicola and Ovid Peters, noted that the Education Ministry will continue to assist where possible. He

said that the Minister of Education is passionate in ensuring that during the pandemic learning loss is significantly reduced among learners.

The mother explained that Shakira has not been to school for many years since she can only move around in a wheelchair or if she is assisted. Notwithstanding her challenges, the mother explained that she “catches on” quickly and the tablet will go a far way in ensuring that the child continues to learn.

A

ttorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, said plans are on stream to draft new legislation to guide Guyana’s hospitality sector and other services as the petroleum sector emerges. The Attorney General made these statements after being admitted to the Inner Bar as a newly appointed Senior Counsel during a special sitting of the Full Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature Wednesday last.

He said these laws are necessary as Guyana becomes the newest oil-producing State, which will lead to an increased need for a raft of legal services.

According to a Department of Public Information report, Nandlall said that Guyana is at an unprecedented precipice, where the petroleum sector is projected to transform the nation. Therefore, the legal professionals and the Judiciary must be prepared for the new heights which the country is expected to achieve. The complete, modern arbitration architecture being pursued locally will require extensive as well as specialised training for law students, lawyers and Judges.

“We must equip ourselves and we must be able to rise to the occasion. It will require an almost complete overhaul; we have to build a

new legal architecture in the coming years, a complete body of new oil and gas and related legislation will be enacted, many are currently in draft,” the AG is quoted as saying.

Guyana is already seeing growing interest from major international players in the hospitality sector. The Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Radisson Hotels, and the Hilton Hotels and Resorts are among international brands that have already expressed interest in Guyana.

The new laws will also cater for the construction of townhouses, condominiums and zoning in relation to commercial and industrial use of lands.

US further extends physical presence requirements for Employment Eligibility British actress to appear in court for Verification for Caribbean immigrants breaching Barbados COVID-19 regulations

T

he United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has further extended the physical presence requirements associated with Employment Eligibility Verification for Caribbean and other immigrants due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ICE said that the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, had extended this policy until December 31, 2020.

“Due to the continued precautions related to COVID-19, the Department of Homeland Security will extend this policy until January 31, 2021,” said ICE about the latest extension.

On March 19, due to precautions implemented by employers and employees associated with COVID-19, DHS said it would exercise prosecutorial discretion to defer the physical presence requirements associated with the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) under section 274A of the US Immigration and Nationality Act. “This policy only applies to employers and workplaces that are operating remotely,” said ICE in a statement.

“If there are employees physically present at a work location, no exceptions are being implemented at this time for in-person verification of identity and employment eligibility documentation for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.

“Going forward DHS will continue to monitor the ongo-

ing national emergency and provide updated guidance as needed,” added ICE, alluding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The immigration agency said that employers with employees taking physical proximity precautions, due to COVID-19, will not be required to review the employee’s identity and employment authorisation documents in the employee’s physical presence. However, ICE said employers must inspect the Section Two documents remotely — such as over video link, fax or email — and obtain, inspect and retain copies of the documents, within three business days for purposes of completing Section Two. ICE said employers also should enter “COVID-19” as the reason for the physical inspection delay in the Section

Two Additional Information field once physical inspection takes place after normal operations resume.

“Once the documents have been physically inspected, the employer should add ‘documents physically examined’ with the date of inspection to the Section Two additional information field on the Form 1-9, or to section three as appropriate,” ICE said.

Once normal operations resume, ICE warns that all employees who were on board using remote verification, must report to their employer within three business days for in-person verification of identity and employment eligibility documentation for Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.

In March, New York Attorney General Letitia James had called on US Attorney General William Barr, as well as members of New York’s immigration courts, to take action and stop the further spread of COVID-19 by immediately halting in-person immigration hearings for Caribbean and other nationals.

James wanted Barr and the immigration courts to move instead to telephonic hearings and electronic filings. (CMC)

T

he police have confirmed reports that British actress and former Miss Great Britain, Zara Holland, 25, is scheduled to appear in a local court on Wednesday on charges of breaching COVID-19 regulations.

Holland, best known for her role in the British reality programme Love Island, arrived in Barbados on December 27 with her boyfriend Elliot Love and was reportedly tested for COVID-19 the following day.

They were placed in quarantine and instructed to remain at a hotel until the results were known; however, when personnel from the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit visited the resort, they then discovered that Holland had left the property without permission.

Holland, along with her boyfriend — who later tested positive for the virus — was later intercepted at the Grantley Adams International airport, attempting to leave the island.

On the weekend, Holland presented herself to the police and was served with a summons related to the offence.

In a statement published by Barbados Today, Holland was quoted as saying that

British actress and former Miss Great Britain, Zara Holland

the incident is a “massive mix-up and misunderstanding” and apologised to “the entire country of Barbados”.

“I am currently working closely with the local authorities to rectify any issues on my part and will issue an update and full statement which I think is the only right thing to do to the government and citizens of Barbados.” (CMC)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

Regional

Brazil scrambles to secure Mexico eyes plan to deal with COVID-19 vaccine from India migrants left by Trump policies

T

B

razil made a diplomatic push on Monday to guarantee an Indiamade shipment of British drugmaker AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, hoping to avoid export restrictions that could delay immunisations during the world’s second-deadliest outbreak.

In parallel, Brazil’s private clinics struck a preliminary deal for an alternative injection made by India’s Bharat Biotech despite a lack of public results from late-stage trials.

The scramble by Brazil’s Government and Private Sector underscored how Latin America’s largest nation, once an example of mass immunisation success in the developing world, has fallen behind peers in the race to inoculate against the coronavirus.

Plans by Brazil’s Fiocruz Institute to import AstraZeneca’s vaccine in bulk, filling and finishing doses locally, would only have one million doses ready by the second week of February, the head of

the Government-funded biomedical centre told Reuters last week.

Amid rising criticism of its slow response and a death toll approaching 200,000, second only to the United States, Brazil is now rushing to import finished doses, playing catch up to neighbouring Chile and Argentina where inoculations are under way.

However, the chief executive of the Serum Institute of India told the Reuters news agency on Sunday he expected India’s Government to re-

strict the export of COVID-19 vaccines.

That raised red flags in Brasilia, where health regulator Anvisa had granted approval on New Year’s Eve to import two million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from India. Two people familiar with the matter said diplomats were working to confirm the shipment would not be affected by any export ban. Fiocruz confirmed that Brazil’s Foreign Ministry was leading the talks. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Parties and packed beaches raises concerns over COVID

A

large dance party attended by about 1000 people in the state of Veracruz has caused outrage in Mexico. Several bands played at the party held in the local baseball stadium, and videos shared online suggested that party-goers weren’t abiding by social distancing rules.

A local politician denied having organised the party.

Mexico has the fourth-highest number of COVID-19 fatalities in the world with more than 127,000 deaths.

There is also concern in Argentina over packed beaches in Buenos Aires

province. Enio García, who leads a team advising the Health Ministry in the province, said he did not rule out the introduction of a curfew to curb the spread of the virus. “We have to be careful though, because we don’t want people to hold clandestine parties instead,” he said.

Meanwhile, photos of dozens of people in an apparent party on No Man’s Land in Tobago has attracted the attention of the Police, for possible breaches of the Public Health Regulations regarding COVID-19.

Police Commissioner

Gary Griffith has, however, suggested the hands of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) are tied because of where the event occurred.

Responding to questions surrounding images of a large number of people gathered at No Man’s Land in Tobago on Sunday, the Police Commissioner confirmed that he saw the images being circulated on social media, but he said what the images pictured was no different from what occurred at other beaches.

(Excerpt from BBC News and Trinidad Guardian)

he Mexican Government said on Monday it would come up with a plan to deal with migrants stuck in the country as a result of outgoing US President Donald Trump’s policies, while stressing that Mexico is not to blame for the flows of people.

The Interior Ministry said it and the Foreign Ministry would work out how to deal with migrants left inside the country by Trump’s so-called Remain in Mexico policy after US President-elect Joe Biden pledged to dismantle the programme.

Mexico would work with

the Governments of the United States, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador to address the migration challenge, Interior Minister Olga Sanchez told a meeting of Ambassadors, according to comments shared by the Government.

“We’re not the cause of the problem, but we reiterate our willingness to be part of the solution,” she said.

Under Remain in Mexico, migrants with US asylum claims have stayed in Mexico while their requests are processed.

“We will formulate a plan for the migrants still

in Mexico with this programme,” Sanchez said, without elaborating. “It’s foreseeable that in the distant future, there will be an increase in the flow of migrants trying to get to the United States via Mexico.”

Meanwhile, as Mexico celebrated its accession to the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member, the Government said it would work to crack down on arms trafficking, an issue it has often pressed upon Washington.

Mexico will sit on the Security Council from 2021 to 2022. (Reuters)

Rowley, Kamla launch campaigns as 2021 election fever begins

E

lection action 2021 started Monday morning.

Monday was Nomination Day for candidates in the upcoming Tobago House of Assembly (THA) polls and by-elections occurring in five municipal corporation seats in Trinidad.

Both elections are on January 25.

This will be the 11th THA election after the Assembly’s term ended last year.

The five by-elections are to replace councillors who moved on to become Members of Parliament after the August 10 General Election.

The by-elections are in the following districts: Point Fortin (Hollywood); Princes Town (St Mary’s/ Hindustan); Chaguanas (Cunupia); Arima (Arima Central) and Diego Martin (Morne Coco/Alyce Glen).

However, the People’s National Movement (PNM) which had announced in early December, Shazam Lalloosingh as its St Mary’s /Hindustan candidate, changed that to Martina Loubon-Le Gendre last week, the party confirmed

UNC leader Kamla Persad Bissessar addresses supporters at a political meeting in 2019.

Sunday.

Candidates who will contest filed nomination papers with Election and Boundaries Commission (EBC) officers for the various areas from 9 am.

The PNM is contesting both THA polls and the five by-elections.

The United National Congress (UNC) is not contesting the THA polls and will contest the five by-elections only.

Among the PNM’s THA opponents is the unity platform of the Tobago Forwards

(TF) and Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP).

The PDP and TF formed a coalition last November.

Both the PNM and PDP/TF platform have full slates of 12 candidates.

Also expected to contest the THA polls is independent candidate Anthony Hector plus the UTP’s Richardo Phillip and CARM’s Nickocy Phillips.

Tobago’s electorate has risen from 48,677 in 2016 to 50,789.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Scientist tells Vincentians to be on alert, but not to panic

O

ne of the scientists monitoring the La Soufrière volcano, which began erupting effusively one week ago, says residents should remain on high alert, but not panic about the situation.

“In summary, you may have to remain at a high [alert] level for a long time.

You need to keep listening out, you don’t have to get overly concerned . . . . What you need to do is that if the volcano goes explosive, essentially, we need to move off the mountain for a certain period of time until it gets rid of all that explosion.

And then at some point, you may be able to come back,”

Richard Robertson, a geologist, said during an interview on local radio over the weekend.

Robertson is among a team of specialists from the Seismic Research Unit at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine campus in Trinidad and Tobago that has been dispatched to help monitor the volcano.

“Good or bad, the effusive part in Soufrière has often gone on for longer than the explosive part.

So it may go on for a little while and so people need to sort of be prepared for a longer haul – a few weeks, at least, of this going on and,

therefore, being at a high level of alert. But don’t get complacent, don’t get overly panicky about the situation, but just be prepared . . . .”

Emergency management officials have been using aircraft to monitor the growth of a new dome, which was discovered last Tuesday in the volcano that last erupted in 1979.

The 1979 event, an explosive eruption that took place on April 13, Good Friday, is said to have resulted in the evacuation of 20,000 people from North Leeward and North Windward. (Excerpt from Nation News)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil slides with US stocks as OPEC+ delays output decision

O

il prices slipped from multi-month highs to end more than 1 per cent lower on the first trading day of the year after OPEC+ failed to decide on Monday whether to increase output in February and agreed to meet again today.

Brent futures settled 71 cents, or 1.4 per cent, lower at US$51.09 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell 90 cents, or 1.9 per cent, to settle at US$47.62.

Earlier in the session, WTI hit its highest since February and Brent its highest since March. The premium of Brent over WTI reached its highest since May. The S&P 500 and the Dow also fell from record levels as President Donald Trump travels to Georgia in a bid to keep the US Senate in the hands of his Republican Party ahead of Tuesday’s run-off election in the battleground state.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, known as OPEC+, will resume talks on Tuesday after reaching a deadlock over February oil output levels as Saudi Arabia argued against pumping more due to new coronavirus lockdowns while Russia led calls for higher production citing recovering demand.

“Anything can happen, but Russia may not want to lose face and capitulate so easily. It looks like we may be in for some lengthy negotiations,” said Bjornar Tonhaugen, Head of Oil Markets at Rystad Energy.

In Europe, England was set for a new lockdown to try to slow a surge in COVID-19 cases that threatens to overwhelm parts of the health system, while Germany was weighing whether to allow a delay in administering a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to make scarce supplies go further.

In the Middle East, meanwhile, the news was mixed.

Oil prices gained some support earlier in the day after Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized a South Koreanflagged tanker in Gulf waters and Iran resumed uranium enrichment at an underground nuclear facility.

But later in the day, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister said Saudi Arabia will reopen its airspace and land and sea border to Qatar as of Monday as part of a deal seeking to resolve a political dispute that led Riyadh and its allies to impose a boycott on Qatar. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Saudi Arabia “to open airspace, land and sea border” with Qatar

S

audi Arabia will reopen its airspace and land and sea border to Qatar as of Monday, Kuwait’s Foreign Minister said, citing a deal towards resolving a political dispute that led Riyadh and its allies to impose a boycott on Qatar.

“Based on [Kuwait’s ruler Emir] Sheikh Nawaf’s proposal, it was agreed to open the airspace and land and sea borders between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar, starting from this evening,” Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser Al-Sabah said on state TV on Monday.

In June 2017, the blockading countries – Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt – accused Qatar, among other things, of supporting terrorism and being too close to Iran and severed economic and diplomatic ties. They also imposed a land, sea and air blockade on Qatar.

Qatar has repeatedly de-

nied the allegations and said there was “no legitimate justification” for the severance of relations.

Kuwait has been mediating between Qatar and four Arab states.

Last month, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was invited to the bloc’s summit meeting, which will be held in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

On Monday evening, Qatar’s Government Communications Office confirmed that Sheikh Tamim will attend the summit that takes place in Saudi’s northwest Al-Ula province.

In remarks carried by the Saudi state-run news agency on Monday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the GCC summit will be “inclusive”, leading the states toward “reunification and solidarity in facing the challenges of our region”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

S Africa COVID variant more infectious than UK strain – Hancock

B

ritish Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the new COVID-19 variant identified in South Africa is a bigger risk than the highly infectious UK variant.

“I’m incredibly worried about the South African variant, and that’s why we took the action that we did to restrict all flights from South Africa,” Hancock told BBC Radio on Monday.

“This is a very, very significant problem […] and it’s even more of a problem than the UK new variant.”

Hancock said Britain needs to tighten restrictions in some areas of the country to tackle the rapid spread of a new variant of the coronavirus after cases surged in recent weeks.

British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Britain needs to tighten restrictions in some areas of the country to tackle the rapid spread of a new variant [Reuters]

On Sunday, there were nearly 55,000 new cases and in total, more than 75,000 people in the country have died with COVID-19 during the pandemic – the second-high-

est toll in Europe and the sixth-worst in the world.

Both Britain and South Africa have discovered new variants in the coronavirus in recent months.

Meanwhile, the ITV net-

work’s political editor, citing an unidentified scientific adviser to the British Government, said scientists were not fully confident that COVID-19 vaccines would work on the new South African variant.

Scientists say the new South African variant is different from others circulating in the country because it has multiple mutations in the important “spike” protein that the virus uses to infect human cells.

It has also been associated with a higher viral load, meaning a higher concentration of virus particles in patients’ bodies, possibly contributing to higher levels of transmission.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Iran resumes enriching uranium to 20% purity at Fordo facility

I

ran has resumed enriching uranium to 20 per cent purity, in its most significant breach yet of the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

The global nuclear watchdog confirmed that the process had begun at the underground Fordo plant on Monday.

Enriched uranium can be used to make reactor fuel but also nuclear bombs. Weaponsgrade uranium is 90 per cent purity.

Iran, which insists that its

nuclear programme is peaceful, has rolled back a number of commitments under the deal.

It has said it is retaliating for the US economic sanctions that were reinstated in 2018

by President Donald Trump when he abandoned the accord, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

European Union spokesman Peter Stano said Iran's move constituted "a consid-

erable departure from Iran's nuclear commitments under the JCPOA with serious nuclear non-proliferation implications".

In a separate development, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they had seized a South Korean-flagged chemical tanker in the Gulf "due to the repeated infringement of maritime environmental laws".

South Korea's Foreign Ministry demanded its immediate release of the Hankuk

Chemi and said a South Korean anti-piracy unit stationed in the Strait of Hormuz had been dispatched to the area.

Experts at the Arms Control Association said last month that 120kg of uranium enriched to 20 per cent was about half the amount of uranium that, when enriched to weapons-grade (90 per cent or more), was necessary for one bomb. (Excerpt from BBC News)

UK Judge rejects extraditing Julian Assange to US over “suicide risk”

A

British Judge ruled on Monday that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange should not be extradited to the United States to face criminal charges including breaking a spying law, saying his mental health problems meant he would be at risk of suicide.

The United States said it would continue to seek the extradition of Australianborn Assange and US prosecutors are set to appeal Monday’s decision to London’s High Court.

The US authorities accuse Assange of 18 offences relating to the release by WikiLeaks of vast troves of confidential US military re-

cords and diplomatic cables which they say put lives in danger.

Assange’s lawyers will seek bail on Wednesday for their 49-year-old client, who has spent most of the last decade either in prison or self-imposed confinement.

A spokeswoman for the transition team of Presidentelect Joe Biden, who takes office on Jan 20, had no comment.

The Obama Administration, in which Biden served as Vice President, decided not to prosecute Assange over concerns about the precedent the case could set for free speech and journalists.

Assange’s legal team ar-

gued that the US effort to extradite him was launched under pressure from Trump’s Administration, and that his extradition would pose a severe threat to press freedom.

But it was only the risk he would commit suicide if he were held in a US maximum security jail that led Judge Vanessa Baraitser to reject the extradition request.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Central African Republic President Touadera wins re-election

P

resident FaustinArchange Touadera has won Central African Republic’s Dec 27 presidential election by securing more than 53 per cent of votes in the first round, according to provisional results announced by the electoral commission on

Monday.

“Faustin-Archange Touadera, having received the absolute majority of the vote in the first round with 53.9%, is declared winner,” Mathias Morouba, President of the Electoral Commission, told a news conference in the capital, Bangui.

The election was marred by a coordinated offensive by rebel groups who tried to disrupt the vote after former President Francois Bozize’s candidacy was rejected by the country’s highest court.

Attacks and the destruction of voting materials, including on election day, pre-

vented voting in several towns.

Morouba said about half of the country’s electorate, or around 910,000 people, had registered to vote and turnout among the registered voters was 76.3 per cent. (Excerpt from Reuters)

20

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Try to gain access to information that will help you improve your lot in life. A positive change in a meaningful relationship will unfold.

When in doubt, ask questions. Romance is favored.

Don't be tempted to join someone else's team when you should be leading the way. Believe in your ability to get things done on your own. Now's your time to shine.

Someone will let you down if you are too trusting. If you want something done, be prepared to do it yourself. An unexpected change will lead to uncertainty. Be creative.

An opportunity will require your undivided attention and discipline. If you get along with others, you will make progress. Home improvements are favored, but do the work yourself to save money.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Someone will blame you if something goes wrong.

Facts matter, and sticking to the truth will benefit you in the end. A physical challenge will help ease stress.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

You'll encounter problems if you don't take care of yourself and the ones you love. Problems will arise if honesty is lacking. Fitness and proper diet are encouraged.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Emotional issues will surface if you get into a discussion with someone demanding. Take a step back and consider what you want.

Work hard to maintain good health.

SCORPIO

Reconnect with people you miss. The suggestions you receive will help you perform at your best. Uncertainty regarding a friend or relative will make you take a hard look at your future.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

You'll discover an innovSAGITTARIUS ative way to use your skills.

(Nov. 23Making minor adjustments Dec. 21) will put you in the running for a position that has plenty of room for growth. Tread carefully when it comes to romance.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Abide by the rules to avoid repercussions. Look at every angle of a situation before considering the best way to maintain your position without offending someone who doesn't share your beliefs.

Accommodating others may be a nice gesture, but don't let anyone take advantage of you. Participating in a physical activity and sharing something special with a loved one are favored.

Reach out to people who share your vision. Inside information will come your way, but before you take action, consider the risk involved. Protect your privacy, passwords and reputation.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

21

BCB donates to BRCA, BHS, UCCA and Line Path CC as “Year of Investment” gathers steam

… Sinclair to sponsor BCB Cricket Tournament

T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), with the support of former Berbice, Guyana and West Indies opener Clayton Lambert, continues to assist cricket organisations in the Ancient County as it hits the ground running for the new year.

The very vibrant and progressive Board’s theme for 2021 is "Year of Investment" and more than 200 youth players are expected to benefit from donations of cricket gear, bicycles, educational

materials and other items as are numerous cricket clubs and organisations in an effort to boost recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The BCB handed over a quantity of cricket gear, coloured uniforms and scorebooks to several organisations including the Berbice River Cricket Association (BRCA); Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA); Berbice High School (BHS); Rose Hall Canje CC and the newly-resuscitated Line Path Cricket Club.

Australian Grand Prix likely to be postponed due to COVID-19

T

he Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne looks set to be rescheduled from its season-opening slot to later in the year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and a tightening of local quarantine rules.

Tickets for the March 21 race at Albert Park have yet to go on sale.

A Formula One spokesman, asked on Monday about media reports of a likely postponement, said the sport looked forward to racing again in March.

He did not specify where, with Bahrain’s Grand Prix also scheduled for March.

“In 2020, we proved that we could return to racing safely and delivered what many thought was impossible in March,” he said. “We have set out our 2021 calendar and look forward to the return of F1 in March this year.”

Local organisers in Melbourne were not immediately available for comment, but various reports said a postponement, rather than a cancellation for the second year in a row, was likely to be announced later in January.

Construction work to erect fences and grandstands around the temporary street circuit would normally start by the end of the month.

Last year’s Australian Grand Prix was called off, only hours

before first practice was due to start at the Albert Park street circuit, when a McLaren team member tested positive for the virus.

The season eventually started in Austria in July, with the calendar heavily rescheduled and reduced from an original record 22 races to 17 in Europe and the Middle East.

Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit, which is due to host round two on March 28, ended up hosting two races at the end of November and in early December.

Teams, drivers, and travelling media had to test negative before travelling and again on arrival, with a short quarantine until the results were known.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton, Britain’s seven-time world champion, missed the second race at Sakhir after testing positive for the virus.

Melbourne would involve a far longer period of mandatory isolation.

Hundreds of top tennis players, expected to arrive in Melbourne in mid-January, will have to spend 14 days in quarantine before the February 8-21 Australian Open.

Seven of Formula One’s 10 teams are based in England, where cases are surging due to a highly-infectious new variant of the coronavirus. Many countries have shut their borders to travellers from Britain. (Reuters)

The BRCA, Line Path CC and BHS received a set of cricket gear while the UCCA collected a box of cricket balls. The BRCA, and Rose Hall Canje CC collected 15 pairs of coloured uniforms to assist them in their overall development, especially at the First-Division level. The combined cost of these uniforms was $240,000 and BCB President Hilbert Foster called on the clubs and organisations to take care of the donations. Noting that he understands the high cost of acquiring gear is affecting clubs in fulfilling their mandates to members, he committed the Board to assisting those clubs that need help. He, however, warned that emphasis would be placed on clubs that have junior divisions. The BHS is one of the top schools in the county and has produced a list of top cricketers, including Lambert and Shimron Hetmeyer, while the BRCA has been neglected in the past. Under Foster’s leadership, the BCB has organised several tournaments

Representatives of the recipients pose with BCB Secretary Angela Haniff

for teams in the riverine areas and has made several donations to them. History will be made later this year when a combined team take part in the historic inaugural Berbice SemiProfessional League. The Line Path CC was recently reformed after a long period of dormancy after it approached the BCB for assistance. The UCCA is the most active sub-association in the county and has benefited

from much assistance from the Board over the past three years.

Foster stated that the future of Berbice cricket depended on investing in youths and not in persons who are playing the game for recreational purposes.

The BCB would continue to organise cricket for all to play, but its major investment would be in junior players. Foster stated that all clubs in the county would receive cricket balls later

in the year while several more would get cricket gear.

Meanwhile, the BCB will shortly be benefiting from the sponsorship of another national player as Kevin Sinclair will be coming on board as a sponsor of a junior tournament. Sinclair will be joining teammates Romario Shepherd and Hetmeyer as sponsors of cricket tournaments in Berbice. The tournament would be launched shortly.

NBA: Stephen Curry scores career-high points total in Golden State Warriors win

S

tephen Curry scored a career-high 62 points as his Golden State Warriors beat the Portland Trailblazers 137-122.

The 32-year-old is the second oldest player to score over 60 points in a game –- Kobe Bryant is the oldest at 37.

Curry's previous best performance was 54 points against the New York Knicks in February 2013.

"I wanted to take him out with 30 seconds left so

the 42 people here could give him a standing ovation," said Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr.

NBA games are being played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"We've seen Steph do so many things here over the years and it's just a privilege to coach him," Kerr said.

"We are incredibly blessed as an organisation

to have Steph leading the way. What a performance."

Curry was congratulated by many on social media, including his teammate Klay Thompson and LA Lakers legend Magic Johnson.

Elsewhere, LeBron James scored 22 points as the Los Angeles Lakers claimed a late 108-94 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Los Angeles Clippers ended the Phoenix Suns' four-match winning streak with a 112-107 win, while Jayson Tatum secured a 122-120 victory for the Boston Celtics over the Detroit Pistons with fewer than three seconds to go.

The Chicago Bulls beat the Dallas Mavericks 118-108 to claim their third win in four games.

There were also victories for the Washington Wizards and the Utah Jazz. (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

BCB donates $220,000 worth of COVID-19 protective items to clubs, umpires CLASSIFIED ADS

"T

Businessman Ishwar Singh

his Cricket Board is fully committed to the overall welfare of our young players, on and off the cricket field and we not only talk the talk but also prepared to walk the walk. We are aware of the danger of the COVID-19 pandemic and as such, we want to protect our players as much as possible."

Those were the words of

Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster at a special presentation ceremony at the Area H Ground of COVID-19 protective items to representatives of over 20 clubs with junior sections. The donation was a $220,000 investment by the BCB and was made possible by donations from the Office of the Prime Minister, former inter-county player Ishwar Singh and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS. The BCB President stated that the Board was preparing to start its 2021 junior cricket tournaments at the Under-13, 15, 17 and 19 levels and as such, was working overtime to make sure that it played its part in making sure that every player and official is properly protected during the ongoing pandemic.

The BCB and the RHTY&SC have already produced a COVID-19 edu-

FOR SALE

Fresh Organic Ginger for Sale Tel. #6884264 New Pulp Egg Tray for Sale. Tel# 6884264

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

VACANCIES Porters & Delivery Clerk, 5 Subjects C.X.C, Experience Good Communication. 8 Sheriff Street , mimadecor12@gmail.com, 2270176/86.

Representatives of the clubs pose with the donated items at the Area H Ground

cational poster, which has been widely distributed to clubs across Berbice while clubs have also benefitted from donations of food hampers for less-fortunate members. Representatives of the clubs received 200 face masks, 15 face shields and bottles of

Edinson Cavani ban: Uruguay players want Man Utd striker's punishment overturned

hand sanitisers each with the commitment of more to come as the Board is able to obtain sponsorship. Among the clubs that received the items were Line Path CC, Rama Krishna Academy, Scottsburg CC, No 72 Cut and Load, No 73 CC, Port Mourant CC, Albion, Young Warriors CC, Tucber Park CC, Rose Hall Canje, Edinburgh, Blairmont, Bush Lot Rising Star, Achievers, Guymine and East Bank Blazers.

Foster announced that all junior players would be required to wear a mask off the field along with a face shield while they would also be required to sanitise their hands regularly. Clubs would shortly receive in writing, the

rules they are expected to follow for their own safety. The Board also handed over 500 face masks and a set of face shields to the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association as part of its continued assistance to umpires. Umpires Association President Joseph Simon expressed his appreciation to the BCB and hailed the outstanding work of the Foster Administration over the past three years to lift Berbice cricket even higher.

BCB Secretary Angela Haniff expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Ishwar Singh for their investment in Berbice cricket and urged the clubs to make sure that the items are used for the intended purpose.

Mohammed hopes to calm makeshift Windies

W U

ruguay's players' union has called on the Football Association to overturn Edinson Cavani's three-match ban.

The Manchester United striker was fined £100,000 and banned for an Instagram post containing a Spanish word that is offensive in some contexts.

Luis Suarez and Diego Godin have both shared a statement by their national players' union that calls the punishment a "discriminatory" act.

Uruguay's Football Association (AUF) also wants the ban reviewed.

Godin, Uruguay's Captain, and striker Suarez shared on Twitter a letter of support for their international team-mate Cavani, written by the AFU. The letter, signed by professional and amateur players from the South American country, described the FA's sanctioning of Cavani as an act "against the culture and way of life of the Uruguayan people".

"Edinson Cavani has never committed any conduct that could be interpreted as racist," said the AFU statement.

"He merely used a common expression in Latin

America to affectionately address a loved one or close friend.

"The sanction shows the English Football Association's biased, dogmatic and ethnocentric vision that only allows a subjective interpretation to be made from its particular and excluding conclusion, however flawed it may be.

"We request the FA to immediately overturn the sanction imposed on Edinson Cavani and reinstate his good name and honour in the world that has been so unfairly tarnished by this reprehensible decision."

In a separate statement, the Uruguayan FA said: "We are convinced from our deep knowledge of the person and the analysis of the fact that he is not worthy of the [punishment] nor the consequent moral damage."

The Football Association said it charged Cavani – and subsequently punished him – following a "full and thorough" investigation, which also "involved a language expert witness".

The FA said the post was alleged to be "insulting and/or abusive and/or improper and/ or brought the game into disrepute".

It was also alleged "that the comment constitutes an

aggravated breach" which "included reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin".

Cavani accepted the FA's charge, with United saying the Uruguayan chose not to contest it "out of respect for, and solidarity with" the governing body and football's fight against racism.

Along with the ban and fine, Cavani has also been told by the FA to complete a "face-to-face" education programme.

Cavani sent the message after scoring a winner at Southampton on November 29.

The striker subsequently deleted the post and apologised when the meaning that could be attached was pointed out.

"It was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend, thanking him for his congratulations after the game," said the former Napoli and Paris St-Germain striker.

"The last thing I wanted to do was cause offence to anyone.

"I am completely opposed to racism and deleted the message as soon as it was explained that it can be interpreted differently." (BBC Sport)

est Indies OneDay International (ODI) Captain for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, Jason Mohammed hopes to bring a sense of calm to the team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult match-up next month.

A quick glance at the record books will tell you that the hastily-selected second-string unit is expected to have a difficult trip to Asia. The West Indies have won just one of the last seven ODIs against Bangladesh. The most recent loss saw Bangladesh stroll to a comfortable seven-wicket win at the 2019 World Cup. Several firstteam players, including West Indies Captain Jason Holder; inform batsman Shai Hope, in the 50over version anyway, and the explosive Shimron

Hetmeyer are just a few of the players missing from the squad.

Their re-

placements will be short on experience.

While admitting that results will not be easy to come by for the series, Mohammed hopes to at least lead the team to consistent and calm performances.

“What I can bring to the table is being calm. That’s one of the things that get us in trouble. Speaking for myself, as an experienced player, sometimes when we overthink the situation, we just don’t stay calm in certain situations like bowling in the right areas, shot selections,” Mohammed told the Mason and Guest radio programme.

“A lot has been said about the team going, but I don’t think there will be a lot of pressure on us a s players, because a t t h e end of the day

w e are going to represent the West Indies.

We still have a job to do.”

(Sportsmax)

Office Assistant, 5 Subjects C.X.C, 2 Years minimum experience N.I.S / P.A.Y.E / Payroll. 8 Sheriff Street, mimadecor12@gmail.com, 2270176/86.

Shandong Dejian International Economic & Technical Cooperation Inc. Job Title 1: Business Manager (1) Strong Leadership Skills, Good interpersonal and problemsolving skills, Ability to create work schedules and budgets,-Master’s Degree,-At least 6 years working experience Job Title 2: Admin Manager (1) -Project Management, written and verbal communication skills.

-Scheduling, planning, Leadership & Organisational skills. -Administrative writing and reporting skills.

-Master’s Degree -At least 4 years working experience Job Title 3: Civil Engineer (1) -Knowledge of engineering science and technology. -Knowledge of building and construction. -Design skills and knowledge, -Master’s Degree, -At least 8 years working experience Job Title 4: Project Manager (1) -Good skills to communicate, -10 years of experience as a project manager, -P.M.P certification -Master’s Degree Job Title 5: Procurement Officer (1), -Master’s Degree, -Degree in Accounting, Business Management or a similar field preferred. -4+ years of experience as a Procurement Officer, -Proficiency in Microsoft Office and purchasing software.

-Strong communication and negotiation skills. Contact: Kevin, 873575062@qq.com

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

“Bounce Back Football Classic”

S ays J emima H olmes

W

hen the pitch is cleared and the floodlights are shut off, then come the criticisms. The “what should’ve been done”, the “what shouldn’t have been done”, the “they could’ve done this better”; that’s the way it goes.

But when you are starved of a particular thing for months on end, just witnessing it, from no matter how far away, is welcomed with open arms.

The same can be said for local football, which saw its first string of games

last week since the coronavirus pandemic reared its ugly head in Guyana in March 2020.

And needless to say, despite which team you were rooting for, one thing can be agreed upon: football won.

This can be established for a number of reasons, the first and most obvious being the fact this was a return to competitive football. Not only was it a return, but quite an entertaining one, seeing the construction of dream teams and, of course, the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation making its highly- anticipated comeback.

Back in action

The senior men’s national team have quite

a packed international schedule ahead of them for the year 2021, with the CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifications and possi-

Football won

bly the tournament itself and the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers preliminary stage, there is lots for the country’s ballers to do.

It is no secret that the Head Coach Marcio Maximo and Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde have stressed on the need for more local players in the international squad.

But, how do you implement this, when your local players have been sitting at home for close to 10 months.

Yes, they have been training privately and getting some scrimmage in,

but does it really compare to the real on-field action?

I think not.

So, the GFF, K&S and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s (MCY&S) “Bounce Back to Football Classic” has not only provided the opportunity for players to get their gears going, but to also see who is in best shape to head into the international set-up. This is a win.

Young and Local

The next concern that has been raised time after time whenever a national team is announced is the inclusion of youth players, in hopes of grooming them for the big stage.

What we saw on Tuesday and Friday last may not have been top-tier local football, it was no

Slingerz vs Alpha United, but it put a lot of youngsters on show and they did not disappoint.

For the winners

Long after the 90 minutes had elapsed, many persons were still abuzz about a discrepancy they noticed in the second half of the final between Georgetown and Linden.

On the edge of the pitch, a linesman swiftly raised his flag in objection when a player tumbled. However, whether it was a personal decision at the moment or just a genuine mistake, the flag was not heeded by the referee and the game continued, with Kelsey Benjamin scoring the lone goal in that very minute.

Debates of this nature are well …natural. And when you’re on the other side of the victory, it is normal to question the judgement, but here’s an observation.

Kelsey Benjamin was off his mark in the first game against West Side All Stars, he missed clear shots and fumbled passes, but his quick thinking in that moment when everyone else was distracted

he had his qualms, was quite pleased with the quality of play that was witnessed.

“I think everyone was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the game.

Clearly, for someone that has a deeper understanding of the game, the pace was a bit slow, you could see the technical ability of the guys was a bit off.

“When you consider most of these players have been inactive in a very structured way for the better part of 10 months, and to come out and give this kind of performance, we have to be pleased. I’ve been sitting with the national technical team and they feel they have something good to start with,” Forde shared.

The same goes for Sport Minister Ramson Jr. He stated, “In relation to the quality of the football, it was impressive. Impressive especially when you consider the circumstances. The circumstances have been severe, because anyone knows when you play sports, if you don’t get that constant practice, you start losing your touch.

“These guys have come out here and shown that they are at a good level to progress quickly. At least that would be the hope because they have qualifiers in March.”

So, all in all, football fans were treated to a live broadcast, impressive performances, a wealth of young talent, a safe environment to play amid the COVID-19 pandemic and some entertaining games.

To some, it may seem trivial. To others, it may seem

showed the beauty of his ability to think on his feet.

Not to mention the lengths he had to go to outwit Colin Nelson, who is much bigger in age and stature, to score that goal.

The point is, the argument about who should’ve won and who didn’t no longer matters when our players do well.

In this light, GFF President Forde, though

like someone favoured one team more than the other.

But at the end of the day, or in this case, the end of the ramblings, we witnessed a number of small victories that will combine for a greater benefit sometime down the road.

Not Georgetown, not East Coast, not West Demerara, not Linden; on January 1, Guyanese football won.

ment. Yes, this group might not pack the prowess to go up against some of our Caribbean counterparts, but they certainly have the potential to excel on the international stage with proper grooming. To see these players perform in this way is most certainly a win.

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr

Georgetown All Stars, Nicholas Mc Arthur, Kelsey Benjamin, Dorwin George, Job Caesar, Stephan Reynolds, Daniel Wilson and Ryan Hackette showed out and while all of

them didn’t find the back of the net on this occasion, it proved that we can build an admirable frontline and middle with just the local boys.

Now, think of the inclusion of Omari Glasgow, Curtez Kellman, Jamar Harrigan, mixed with the experience of Pernell Schultz, Trayon Bobb, Sheldon Holder, Jermain Junor and Abumuchi Benjamin, it would be a local player activist’s dream come true.

The likes of Jeremy Garrett, Rafael Edwards and Rishaun Rich were impeccable on defence, but to add Colin Nelson, Marcus Wilson, and Rondel Hutson would complete any team.

In the goal-keeping department, Sese Norville gets high praise along with Alex Murray. While it would have been nice to see Joel Yhap tested on the senior stage, the youngster is assured more opportunities.

These are the names that deserve a gold star based on their performances in the tourna-

Big-time production

In recent years, we haven’t been able to witness local football on our televisions, unless it is an international game. So, to know that this tournament’s final was aired live on TV, complete with commentary and playback, it was a marvel to behold.

Others from more developed countries would look at this and scoff, “Only now?” Nonetheless, this broadcast and the game itself were something that the organisers were very pleased with.

“Recognising that this pandemic is a challenge, it forced us to think laterally. It forced us to innovate.

When we started to examine our options, it was important that when we have the product of broadcasting, it must be a high standard.

“The people who are looking on the Internet,

all across the world actually, they are able to see that Guyana is producing something of a very high standard. That is something that all Guyanese should feel proud about,” Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr said.

“So, to me, it’s not just the fact that we’ve been able to bring football back to the pitch, it’s that we’ve

GFF President Wayne Forde

been able to prove to ourselves that we’re able to do it under very challenging circumstances and do it well,” GFF President Wayne Forde commented.

To see our local players on our screens is a win.

That was a foul, ref!

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

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

“Bounce Back Football Classic” Pg 23

Football won BCB donates to BRCA, BHS, UCCA and Line Path CC as “Year of Investment” gathers steam Pg 21

Pg 22

Mohammed hopes to calm makeshift Windies Page 22

… Sinclair to sponsor BCB Cricket Tournament

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