Guyana Times - Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Govt to target abetting agencies in TIP fight P7

…linked gun-running, money laundering – Benn Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4596

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021

Govt to advance $100M in taxes to City Hall – President Ali Page Page 3

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…parking, congestion in Georgetown discussed Sputnik V vaccine

Page 14

50,000 doses weekly from month-end until 200,000 received – Health Minister

Chinese US$25M seafood Police reviewing processing facility providing CCTV footage in markets for Guyanese fishermen execution-style Page 16

killing of gold dealer Page 11

…suspected getaway car found on fire

Several dead in ECD shoot-out Page 10

PRICE

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

P15 Mason remanded for brother-inlaw’s murder

Accused P10 phone thieves remanded Joint Services unearth P17 35-acre ganja field along Berbice River …400,000kg ganja plants destroyed

Sale of lands to BK

Jordan asks High Court P16 to throw out Govt’s lawsuit against him

APNU/AFC's poor management

P9

Over 300 truckloads of expired drugs dumped since August 2020 – Health Minister

Improper P13 garbage disposal, noise nuisance plague Essequibo Coast

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 23 – 01:00h – 02:30h and 12:00h – 13:30h and Wednesday, March 24 – 02:00h – 03:30h and 12:30h – 14:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 23 – 11:30h – 13:00h and Wednesday, March 24 – 12:45h – 14:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Expect heavy rain during the day. There will be partly cloudy skies and light rain showers at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 12:06h reaching a maximum height of 2.09 metres.

Low Tide: 18:24h reaching a minimum height of 1.06 metres.

SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021

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DAILY MILLIONS

07 09 11 22 24 LUCKY 3

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COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Change %

Crude Oil

$64.62/barrel

+0.14

Rough Rice

$237.20/ton

-0.24

London Sugar

$453.40/ton

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$1736.70

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$1726.10 -2.60

$1743.40 -0.15%

Govt to advance $100M in taxes to City Hall – President Ali …parking, congestion in Georgetown discussed

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resident Irfaan Ali on Monday signalled Government’s move to make an advance payment of $100 million to City Hall, to assist the cash-strapped entity with funds to execute important projects.

This revelation came after an engagement with Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine and Deputy Mayor Alfred Mentore in the company of a ministerial team comprising of Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall and Junior Local Government Minister, Anand Persaud.

Discussions circled around a range of issues affecting City Hall, as he called for important historical sites that need to be maintained. The President said that the “city and the national heritage of the city is a reflection of ourselves” and pointed to the need for protection and preservation.

Presently, the City Hall building is in ruins and in dire need of restoration. As such, the advance is expected to assist in such matters.

“These things will cost a fortune to rehabilitate. But we have to start. We will pay a sum of the Government taxes in advance towards these projects. So, we can have approval on that, so you can move that forward,” he told the Mayor.

Congestion and parking

Meanwhile, he identified issues of congestion and parking as paramount concerns, since structured systems are the hallmark of modern cities. A proposal was made for the City Council to work with the Private Sector to maintain infrastructure and construct modern parking facilities.

President Ali noted too that collaboration between Central Government and City Hall is vital in addressing key and critical issues which affect the city.

He reiterated that with the major transformation expected and the impending big projects on the horizon, there will be a greater need for strengthened collaboration between Central and Local Government organs.

“How do we build a deeper, more structured relationship between what the Government does and what the city does? I understand that at the level of the Council the type of arguments that are made there, there are different political interests there, but there must be a place in which you can reach out to the Minister, and we can discuss important issues that are critical and key for the city itself,” he underscored.

Among the other areas discussed was the implemen-

President Irfaan Ali meets with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in the company of his ministerial team

tation of a “Single Window Permitting System,” which will have linkages to several key agencies and which will address issues of slothfulness. According to the Head of State, this mechanism will also address criticisms of corruption and will go a long way towards improving the investment climate in the city itself.

“We all know whether it’s the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), whether it’s the NDCs or the City Council, our greatest criticism is slothfulness in which things take time to get done in terms of approvals and so on. And at the end of the day, it is the elected officials who get the blame. So, the first thing I think we have to do is look at a modern permitting system that integrates all…So when an application comes, it goes to everybody simultaneously.”

Using his platform, Mayor Narine reminded of challenges faced by the Council, including out-

standing taxes.

He said the Council is open to hearing new strategies from Government to work with the business community and deliver in a timely manner.

Following the engagement, he dubbed the discussion as fruitful and shared his intention of continued collaboration with Government. He pointed to other issues throughout their discourse, focusing on a reform for Municipal and District Councils Act (Chapter 28:01), City Hall restoration, and upgraded bylaws.

“We had numerous dis-

cussions and we are looking to work along with the Government for the development of the city and its people. The President has committed on numerous discussions and now we have to reach with the various Ministers to finalise and move forward in some of the development…This meeting was very fruitful and it is something that we’re looking forward to collaboration with the Ministries now to get these things quickly done…It’s a partnership which we’re willing to work and willing to move forward with the process very quickly,” the Mayor opined.

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 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

Another lifeline for M&CC T

he Government has once again come to the aid of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) with President Dr Irfaan Ali announcing the advance payment of $100 million in taxes to the cash-strapped Council. This is not the first time that Government has had to help the M&CC. Last year while drowning in a financial crisis, the M&CC went running to the Government for a bailout, flaunting its over $500 million in debt in its bid to seek monies from the national coffers. The financial status of the M&CC is hardly surprising, as, over the years, this entity has always been cash-strapped and mismanaged. As this newspaper has candidly said in the past, the M&CC not only owe garbage collection contractors, but the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). This publication has said, over and over again, of great concern is the M&CC’s lack of payment to NIS. This means that the M&CC has put the employees’ benefits and entitlements at risk because of missing contributions. Also, of great concern is: why did NIS tolerate M&CC’s unlawful act? Year after year, City Hall has come in for heavy criticism over the management of its finances.

Just in August 2020, the Local Government and Regional Development Minister raised questions regarding accountability for the $300 million restoration fund which was contributed for the restoration of the dilapidated City Hall building. This publication has previously pointed out that, the iconic City Hall structure has become an eyesore, and it will be no surprise if it crumbles in the near future.

The Georgetown municipality has been cash-strapped for many years – mostly linked to lack of transparency and mismanagement of funds.

This publication reported in August that, on his part, the Local Government Minister has accused City Hall of “gross incompetence and mismanagement”. According to the Minister, the only thing that has been done in a year – despite $65 million being provided to City Hall to construct the admin building, was a design review of the structure that ought to be built. He said that information will have to be provided on whether City Hall has expended those resources on other things, or whether the resources are being held in escrow. It could be recalled also that the M&CC and then the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Government had embarked on a massive citywide clean-up campaign in Georgetown and its environs.

While these efforts produced fairly good results regarding the general appearance of the city and its environs, the political Opposition at the time (PPP) and other stakeholders had raised questions in relation to the contracts awarded to carry out the works. The general perception was that friends and party supporters were the main beneficiaries. However, in spite of concerns that were raised about accountability and transparency, no effort was made to provide clarity to the public in relation to the sums expended and the beneficiaries of the contracts.

Once records are submitted, the current audit may determine to what extent public funds are being expended in a transparent and efficient manner. It would also seek to examine the tax collecting system, to determine if the allegations of dishonesty, deficiency, and discrepancies have any merit.

The mere fact that the M&CC sees it fit on several occasions – with the past and present Government – to request millions of taxpayers’ dollars as bailout from its financial woes is enough reason for the Administration to act in the public’s interest.

Perhaps a reason why the M&CC seems to think that it can always depend on Central Government for a bailout is because it is under no pressure to perform. The leniency that has been afforded the Council must stop if there is to be any improvement at City Hall.

Calves look out as they are transported in a cart in the village of Litkovka, in Omsk region, Russia (Reuters/Alexey Malgavko)

Walter Rodney would have been 79 today

Dear Editor, Today, Tuesday March 23, 2021, would have been the 79th birth anniversary of brilliant historian Dr Walter Rodney, who was assassinated on June 13, 1980, by a bomb blast.

It is more than five years since Sir Richard Cheltenham handed in his report to the Guyana Government following a three-member Commission of Inquiry into the assassination of Dr Walter Rodney, a world-renowned historian turned politician.

President of the APNU/ AFC coalition Government, David Granger refused to receive the report and the Chairman was forced to deliver it to a low-ranking Secretary attached to the Ministry of Justice.

The lengthy report was never made public, but it leaked and bits and pieces were reported in the media which reportedly linked the PNC and its leader Forbes Burnham to the brutal murder. A former GDF Sergeant, Gregory Smith, made the bomb in the form of a walkie talkie and handed it to Rodney, who died when the bomb exploded as he (Rodney) was trying to activate the so-called walkie talkie near the Camp Street Prison.

Smith was whisked out of the country by a GDF he-

licopter hours later. He ended up in Cayenne, French Guiana, where efforts to extradite him were fruitless since the French laws do not permit extradition on capital offence charges where the penalty is death.

He, however, died several years later in Cayenne from cancer.

The PNC Government under Forbes Burnham never tried to investigate the bomb blast which caused Rodney’s death despite widescale protests both locally and internationally.

However, President Desmond Hoyte in 1988 eight long years after the slaying - ordered an inquest, only after Rodney’s widow, Patricia, sent a worrying letter followed by protest from a group called “Women in Guyana” and a weeklong vigil by Rodney’s son Shaka.

The Coroner Inquest conducted by Magistrate Edwin Pratt, a former Prison Officer found that the death was by accident or misadventure. The International Commission of Jurist (ICJ) when it visited Guyana later said the findings were “marred by grave defects.

When the PPP took over the Government in 1992, after 28 years in the Opposition, President Cheddi Jagan failed to carry out a proper inquiry. He

questioned what a conviction and imprisonment of the suspect (Gregory Smith) would do to Rodney.

Instead, he announced that the brilliant historian would be awarded the country’s highest honour, Order of Excellence, (OE) posthumously. Of course, this did not go down well with the family and the general public. It was two decades later when Donald Ramotar was President in 2014 (34 years after the assassination) the Cheltenham Commission was established with the Barbadian as Chairman and Jamaican QC, Jacquline Samuels Brown, and Trinidadian/ Guyanese, Seenath Jairam, SC as members.

After several setbacks and postponements, the Inquiry was prematurely concluded without at least two main persons Rupert Roopnarine co-leader of the WPA, and a close friend of Rodney, and Crime Chief Skip Roberts (who investigated the bomb blast) and personally knew the WPA leader testifying. President Granger argued that the hearing lasted far too long and must be concluded immediately since it was costing the taxpayers too much money.

Unconfirmed reports state that the Commission made certain recommenda-

tions which might be helpful to preserve law and order. After all, the Guyana Government spent millions of dollars on the Inquiry and should not be dumped in a Cabinet accumulating dust... the findings have not yet been officially announced. It should have been five years ago, but was concealed because it was too revealing and critical of the PNC and the founder leader. March 23 is the 79th birth anniversary of the famous historian who was an idol in Tanzania, Jamaica and other parts of the world, and could not be employed by the University of Guyana because he was a critic of Burnham. Rodney’s widow, Patricia, has set up a Foundation in his honour in which distinguished historians and other intellectuals deliver lectures every year to mark his birthday.

This year, Angela David, a global icon, is the speaker. Her topic is “Democracy Under Stress”.

President Irfaan Ali, please make the report public and act on its recommendation, only then there will be some sort of closure to the brutal assassination of this country and the Caribbean’s most brilliant son.

Sincerely, Oscar Ramjeet

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021

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

AFC cannot convince anyone anymore Restructuring the National Dear Editor, The “Alliance on the Move” programme aired in Berbice has now become a hilarious version of the “Night of the Living Dead”, the only difference being that these presenters are oblivious of the fact that the AFC has been pronounced dead on more than one occasion and buried deep a long time ago. It baffles the mind, to say the least, and it’s most pathetic to watch Mr Khemraj Ramjattan and Mrs Cathy Hughes trying to convince Berbicians that the PPP/C rigged the 2020 elections and that sugar is dead.

Moreover, the young Member of Parliament, Ms Juretha Fernandes was at a loss to augment their argument as she struggled to find the right words to say that the PPP/C rigged the elections.

Maybe in time she will be able to lie convincingly like her compadres, but I hate to see deliberate attempts to wean a promising young Guyanese into the PNC’s world of lies and deceit. The MP began to narrate what happened at the Recount but never provided any example of rigging. She should follow in the footsteps of the many young and talented persons such as former MP, Mr Reynard Ward, Mr Joel Edmond and Mr Michael Leonard just to name a few, who made their exit before becoming tainted by the PNC’s corruption brush.

Ramjattan and Hughes

should explain the “rigging” when the entire world at large saw the many coalition attempts to rig the 2020 elections. Those attempts are well documented. Where are the SoPs of the coalition? Until now their supporters have been deprived of the privilege to have a look at these documents. The PPP/C submitted theirs even before the recount started and it coincided with the recount results.

That is also well documented and published for the world to peruse. The AFC should use their parliamentary seats to support the Government and so “save some face” and salvage some respect of the Guyanese populace. The spurious legal challenges have done more harm than good for the image of the coalition.

The AFC should realise that Berbicians, especially the rice farmers and the sugar workers will not be fooled again.

They proved this in the 2020 elections.

The AFC cannot convince anyone anymore that they are of any relevance to Guyana’s political landscape. Even its main political partner in crime, the PNC cannot fool their supporters anymore that the PPP/C rigged the elections now that they have seen that the PPP/C Government is effectively governing on behalf of all Guyanese. The racial discrimination practised by the coalition has been reversed and obliterated. Equal

opportunities are given to all Guyanese and the 2021 budget ensured that all Guyanese are the recipients of the real good life, not the delusion foisted on the Guyanese by the coalition. Year after year for five years they made theirs, their families and friends “suck the blood” of the taxpayers. Christopher Jones and Ramjattan deliberately shifted this label in a vain attempt to fit the sugar workers, but everyone knows that the coalition members were the real “bloodsuckers”.

The sugar workers gave this country their blood, sweat, and tears to transform it into a better place.

Some paid the ultimate price by sacrificing their lives.

Ramjattan and his panel on the programme denigrated the job of cane harvesting as being menial and akin to slavery. Probably, as a politician, Ramjattan has failed to read about the dignity of all types of labour. John D Rockefeller Jnr had said that “I believe in the dignity of labour, whether with head or hand….” It is time that the AFC and the PNC learn to respect the sugar workers who take pride in doing their job. Any cane cutter will boast that their job is independent and they love it. Ramjattan should understand better than most that Berbicians love the fields. It is the reward of manual labour which made him a lawyer not unlike the many oth-

ers who have reached great heights, but some are indeed ungrateful. There will always be need for manual labour in a world where not everyone can be lawyers and doctors.

It was the height of callousness when Ramjattan bragged about the closure of the estates which snatched bread from more than 7000 workers and their families, with their children going hungry and suffering severe deprivations, some even dropped out of school. How can anyone justify such a move? He and Hughes barefacedly submitted that the decision to close was the best decision. The AFC presenters lambasted the PPP/C’s decision to reopen the estates and made a very illogical conclusion that sugar will fail simply because there will be a shortage of labour.

This showed how little they know about what is happening in GuySuCo. They should keep abreast of the various facets of development which are ongoing, including the mechanisation and the value-added investments. At this juncture, there is no place for lies and propaganda, be a responsible Opposition.

The AFC is simply being vindictive since the sugar workers who made them powerful in 2015 have now realised the deceitfulness of the AFC. Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Insurance Scheme – Part 2

Dear Editor, I am not in the habit of responding to individuals’ writings, because I lay down the facts as it is, the problem is the analysis of the said facts that I’ve set forth and putting it in its right perspective which creates the problem for some of my readers, Rudolph Singh being such an individual.

Having said that, I shall respond to one Mr Rudolph Singh who commented on my article “Restructuring the National Insurance Scheme” published in a section of the media on March 21, 2021.

In my article, I highlighted several areas where the NIS can address to bring the organisation into the modern world of economics and make it into a viable institution, chief of which is raising the age of retirement.

For Mr Singh’s information and record, the age of retirement in most of the Progressive Caribbean Territories is 65. I say “The Progressive Caribbean Territories” because whereas I am advocating a system of gradualism in Guyana to age 60, the official age of public servants’ retirement in the rest of The Caribbean is 65 years, so there you have it.

In the Guyana situation, it is even more severe in the sense that there is an intervening period of 5 years before someone is eligible for NIS, I am talking about the five-year waiting period between age 55

Leguan, Hans Buer, culture and crematorium

Dear Editor, Leguan, our island of birth, has recently been in the news often but the inspiration of these thoughts is not the stelling but a picture on Facebook of the Leguan Neighbourhood Democratic Council cleaning up an area for a cremation site. The posting has attracted many comments from those as far away as Iceland where the Guyana flag was recently flown outside a school with grandchildren of former Leguan residents. Some have already indicated that they plan to return to be cremated there when they die but this should not be an excuse to delay the project which has been long overdue.

There is a lot of history to be proud of for those associated with this seagull-shaped land in the mouth of the giant Essequibo. Around the time that slavery was abolished, there were 23 sugar estates and 3 coffee plantations there suffering from labour shortages.

Those interested in some history can Google Indentureship-Guyana Sugar Burning to listen to an interview with Moses Rampershad who was born at Blenheim on February 26, 1897. His parents were indentured to Henrietta estate. In 1906 they left for India only to leave again for Trinidad and eventually for Blenheim, the village that now boasts what may be the tallest Hanuman structure in the hemisphere.

The Anglican Church at Enterprise stands majestically as a landmark since the ear-

ly 18th century. Others have heard stories of Muslims from the island paddling across the river to attend religious ceremonies at Philadelphia East, on the East Bank of Essequibo, the site of the first masjid not only in Guyana but in South America, established in 1860.

Our ancestors of all religions continued to practice many aspects of their culture which enabled them to survive many hardships.

However, cremation was not one of them for it was illegal until 1956. Credit must be given to the late Jung Bahadur Singh who was the first to be cremated at Ogle beach at a time when the bill he initiated was not yet law so special exemption had to be sought from the Governor. This ancient practice is now widely accepted as it also has numerous benefits. Land is limited for burials which are more expensive, requires a tomb and regular maintenance. There is no doubt, however, that

more sites are needed across the country. The poor, for example, can rarely afford this final ceremony if they had to take a deceased body from Bartica to Ruimzight on the West Coast of Demerara.

There are hundreds of well-wishers who express themselves on the Facebook page Friends Of Leguan Island set up by Hans Buer.

This friend of the island travelled the world from his birth land Germany and found peace, quiet and meaning in this paradise. He keeps us informed as if he is the Minister of Information for which we are grateful especially in announcing deaths of loved ones who may live and die in our own city unknown to us. It is also an appropriate place to let all those who say RIP or condolences know if the family of the departed one needs any temporary assistance.

Sorrow and flowers are not always enough.

Hans has also been generous to the extent that should

embarrass the rest of us. Last year he alone donated 5 bicycles to the best students on the island leaving one to wonder why others could not contribute. There is need for continued support for graduating secondary students who cannot afford a university education. The schools, religious and social organisations, sports groups all need to communicate with and reach out to former residents when necessary.

Many outside Leguan are paying attention and some are willing to participate in partnerships with those locally, provided there is proper organising, reporting and accountability.

We recall post-1992 when every school had at least 3 trustees, who were not active in any political party, to receive and account for funds, and materials donated from overseas when the entire country was in serious financial difficulties.

SIMAP and the Canadian Organisation for Development through Education (CODE) with help from former residents abroad repaired schools and established the library that now sits outside the secondary school. Most of the books for this and other schools came from Canada. While the financial situation has improved today and while Government at every level has basic responsibilities they should not be involved in every human activity. To expect this is to limit the freedom of the individual and stifle initiative and motivation.

A few many recall men

like Mr Lowe who operated a rice factory in Blenheim in the 1950s. When transportation was a problem, he built his own boat. As children, we swam around it speculating how he was going to get it from the land to the water. It was a time of manpower but also of volunteerism and cooperation.

Men grab hold of ropes and with sheer muscle pulled this masterpiece on logs rolling it over the sand until it floated.

Getting a free ride among the rice bags as this vessel manoeuvred the Atlantic waves from the koker where it was docked straight to the wharf at the Rice Marketing Board in Georgetown was one of the indelible memories of childhood.

It is disturbing to read that this once oasis of peace and tranquillity is now marred by excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs leading to serious crimes. Likewise, we wonder why a Minister must visit the island to learn that newspapers are not being distributed there.

There is room for improvement but with the internet, souls like Hans Buer together with those who now cherish memories of once living there we can all help to reshape the future of the island before we make our final trip to the crematorium grounds.

We live all over the globe but Leguanites we remain.

Sincerely, Ram Sahadeo, O Sharma, D Persaud, V Teekah, M Rampershad, R Gomes, W Armstrong and others

to 60. Now if you are not re-employed, what will your economic standing be like during the period of waiting? In this case, it makes the situation even worse, as it increases the hardships for men and heads of households, however, when you increase the age to 60 you effectively and efficiently lessen the time of waiting whilst building up a more robust NIS by way of contributions. In the final analysis, either party will go away in a more happy and contented position.

The second point I would like to bring to our attention (and this is the situation that obtains in the sister territory of St Lucia) is the fact that at retirement, a percentage is worked out, that is, years of service by the number of contributions made to the NIS and a lump sum is paid out at that stage. From that point onwards that public servant is paid from the percentage arrived at from the NIS and not from the central treasury.

This is how it is done in St Lucia and it all goes back to the point I was making all along, where provisions have been put in place due to the restructuring of the NIS and the building up of a robust saving’s scheme.

My final point addresses the subject of Government having the NIS as one of the investors in the Berbice Bridge. Mr Singh sees this as the Government of the day coercing the NIS into an investment, well, I must say that I am vehemently opposed to that suggestion, for the simple reason that an investment in national development is well worth the effort. For starters, it was an above-board and sound economic venture, beneficial to both investors and the Berbice Bridge Company itself. What Mr Singh is not telling us is that the problem was brought on by a backward, visionless political directorate at the time.

The Berbice Bridge fiasco was an election gimmick that the PNC-led coalition foisted on the people. It was all directed to spitefully hurt one man, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, who in their perception was a PPP/C supporter so they crippled the entire project to get back at him.

Again, I say that move lacked economic foresight and had all the trappings of persons in an economic backwater. Such foolishness would not stand the test of time in a modern developing economy. Further, we are no longer burdened by an economically handicapped Government and with visionless ideologies, we are now forging ahead with renewed vision in an upward trajectory.

We are to restructure with an eye on the futuristic development of the NIS and our country as a whole. Now, I would not be so naïve to expect that every aspect of the highlighted proposal will be wholly accepted into the Guyana situation, judging from the peculiarities we are faced with here in this country. However, the salient points raised can be utilised towards the happiness and prosperity of our dear land of Guyana.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021

Page

Foundation ◄

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

Question 1

Monday’s answers

1i) a = 45 – (16 + 6 + 9) = 45 – (31) = 14 1ii) The number of students who like Mathematics = 6 + 9 = 15

What you need: Picture of you with your face cut out Assortment of construction paper Scissors Glue Scrap paper for notes Tape (optional) Pictures of Mae Jemison in space What you do: Cut: a long rectangle for the body of the ship a triangle for the top of the ship little circles or

1iii) The number of students who like Science or Mathematics

= 16 + 6 + 9 = 31

squares for the windows two rhombuses for the fins at the bottom of the rocket

wavy flames for the exhaust Glue all the pieces of the rocket as seen in the picture.

Cut out your face from the picture to add to one of the windows of the rocket. If you want to bring family along, add more people to each window.

Finish the activity by writing some notes about your thoughts on space.

(Excerpt from education.com)

A

peacock spreading its gorgeous tail mocked a crane that passed by, ridiculing the ashen hue of its plumage and saying, “I am robed, like a king, in gold and purple and all the colours of the rainbow; while you have not a bit of colour on your wings.”

“True,” replied the crane; “but I soar to the heights of heaven and lift up my voice to the stars, while you walk below, like a cock, among the birds of the dunghill.”

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt to target abetting agencies in TIP fight

…linked gun-running, money laundering – Benn

A

s authorities work closer to unearth cases of human trafficking in the country, details emerging have shown its link as a cover for drug deals, arms trade, money laundering and other criminal operations.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn made this disclosure during the National Action Plan for Trafficking In Persons workshop on Monday, highlighting that human trafficking is not isolated. In fact, several illegal activities are camouflaged under this umbrella.

“Trafficking In Persons does not exist by itself.

Beyond human smuggling, there are the issues under which cover is taken in respect of the drug trade, money laundering, arms trading and all other issues which relay to overarching issue of transnational crime. When we identify the linkages of this phenomena to other activities, illegal of course, we see a clear relationship, opportunity for persons who are involved in nefarious activities to use the Trafficking In Persons and the people smuggling to carry on the other problems,” he identified.

Compounding the trafficking scheme locally is the influx of Venezuelan migrants and people from other neighbouring territories – evidenced by discrepancies in the immigration re-

Ministers Robeson Benn and Dr Vindhya Persaud flanked by attendees of the workshop

cords. However, authorities face difficulties in establishing whether people are migrating for economic reasons or being trafficked having seen that there is “seamless movement” between the two issues.

“We are aware of the situation in our neighbouring country Venezuela with respect to migrants moving out of that country and entering Guyana. Many of them are descendants of Guyanese but this activity envelopes on issues of Trafficking In Persons. We have issues in relation to Haitians entering our country and Cubans, too... The difficultly we have is the conflating, naturally, of migration for social-economic reasons and the question of Trafficking In Persons.”

Benn, who also chairs the TIP Ministerial Task Force, outlined that the issue of smuggling people in Guyana also extends to families who are forced to work, sometimes without pay and being held against their will.

In these cases, it is difficult for them to make reports or for authorities to reach out and determine the status of their engagement.

Benn underscored, “Internally in Guyana, we have the issue of persons being moved from one place to the other, young families from the Indigenous communities, families who come and work in agriculture and other endeavours. In many instances, there is duress.

There’s a fine line between whether they’re paid.”

With 225 cases of TIP re-

ported as of 2020, he pointed to newer tactics of eliminating these acts, by targeting agencies and stakeholders that abet in such crimes.

The idea is to “beef up” the country’s response holistically.

“Our view at this point in time is that we have to deal with not only the Trafficking In Persons issues, [but] how it relates to people smuggling and how we have to move against the corrupting effects that it has with the Police, immigration, officials, with people that create false identities and all of those things, which still occurs.”

Recognising that Guyana is not the only country seeking to combat Trafficking In Persons, the need for discussion with neighbouring

countries and the Caribbean Community was also mentioned.

New legislation

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud noted that Government is looking at new legislation and amending existing laws. Anti-TIP training will also roll out for forestry officers, Police ranks, customs officers, community policing groups, Local Government authorities, transport operators and members of civil society.

“Through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, we have laser focus on the legislation and soon, we will be tabling new legislation in the Parliament. We are going to also update our regulations

within the legislation,” Dr Persaud said.

For the campaigns, awareness will be done in both foreign languages and Amerindian dialects, she noted that for these cases to be addressed by authorities, there is need for them to be reported. The 914 hotline, a toll-free platform, can be used to highlight such activities.

“Trafficking In Persons can be considered invisible.

It’s called modern-day slavery because persons lose all of their rights when they’re embraced in the grip of a trafficker. Trafficking In Persons has no age limit, no discrimination when it comes to gender or race and we need to recognise it, expose it but most importantly, report it.”

Guyana had retained its Tier 1 ranking in the 2020 TIP Report of the United States Department of State. This was the fourth consecutive year that Guyana received a Tier 1 ranking.

The Combating Trafficking of Persons Act of 2005 (TIP Act) criminalised sex trafficking and labour trafficking, and prescribes penalties of three years to life imprisonment. These penalties were sufficiently stringent, and with respect to sex trafficking, commensurate with those prescribed for other serious crimes, such as rape. (G12)

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Down with...

S

...racial discrimination? unday shouldn’t have been just another day of rest. It was, after all, the “International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination” for 2021 – with the theme “Youth standing up against racism”. Your Eyewitness had expected our streets – at least in Georgetown – to be flooded with our youths agitating against that pernicious evil called “racial discrimination”. But had everyone gone to Church??

Were they confused as to who are “youths”? Your Eyewitness is. The UN itself refers to people 18-24 years old as “youth”. According to them, many members push this to 18-30 and they don’t have any problem with that. Russia sometime back moved their “youth” cohort to from 18-35 as have many African nations. Here in Guyana, it appears that we go along with the latter definition since your Eyewitness has noticed we’re assured we have a “youthful” population – with 65 per cent of our population below 35 years old.

Then again, there seemed to be a new “in” method of grouping “age cohorts” – as to whether one is a member of “Millennials” or “Generation Z”. Millennials, he now understands after looking it up, are those born between 1981 and 1996 and anyone upwards is “Generation Z”. Now, your Eyewitness had always thought that Millennials were those born AFTER the new millennial. As it stands now, a “millennial” might be as old as 40; some Generation X’ers could be 25 and a whole lot of them should’ve been in the streets!

But could it be that these “youths” don’t think there’s any “racial discrimination” in Guyana? Your Eyewitness hardly thinks so! After all, he’s been living here for the past decades and it was all he heard about while the PNC was in office between 2015 and 2020 and in the eight months since the PPP got in. But he knows that when it comes to charges on discrimination, it’s such a subjective matter in most instances, there will ALWAYS be folks feeling picked on.

Take the matter of those 2000 Indigenous youths who’d been fired by the PNC from the hinterland Community Support Officers (CSOs) programme. The youthful ones (who were in the majority) shoulda been out in front of Congress Place with their banners and their chants. And so too the 7000 mostly Indian-Guyanese sugar workers fired in the sugar industry. They shoulda been shoulder to shoulder with their Indigenous sisters and brothers.

And yes, there were some PNC types protesting in front of CID headquarters. Why? That the PPP was discriminatorily going after African-Guyanese govt officials for criminal prosecution. Never mind the PNC had only hired from that ethnic group!

But the protesters certainly weren’t Millennial nor Generation X “youths” – by any stretch of the imagination! ...the ERC But in Guyana, there’ve been these cries of “racial discrimination” since even before independence. So, when the PPP finally got back into office in 1992, they immediately launched a Race Relations Committee to deal with the problem. The PNC, however, boycotted the Committee because they insisted that the Chairman Bishop Randolph George (of the Anglican Church) was biased!!

The Committee was dissolved, and the constitutionallymandated Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) was launched in 2007. And lo and behold, the PNC again boycotted! This time, they insisted another Bishop – Edghill, this time – was also biased and shut it down! The ERC had been given the power, the manpower, and the mandate to go after racial discrimination. So when the PNC re-launched it after 2015, there was hope that something at last would’ve been done to address the charges.

It was not to be. Granger made sure – as he evidently always does – that the Chair was under his thumb.

The ERC has proven to be (an expensive) toothless poodle! ...naysayers It’s clear that there are some people in Guyana who want to be so “woke”, they’d have us remain in the Stone Age. Just so we not drill for oil and eat the Paleo Diet – because it’s “good for us”!

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

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

APNU/AFC’s poor management

Over 300 truckloads of expired drugs dumped since August 2020 – Health Minister He explained that in an effort to get a grip on the situation, the Ministry has conducted a comprehensive audit at the MMU and GPHC, which was completed last week. Additionally, they have validated all the stock at the MMU and embarked on a similar process at the regional storage facilities.

The outcome of the audit, the Minister said, will be used to get the supplies back on track as well as shared with the relevant agencies so that persons culpable of mismanagement could be dealt with. He addSome of the expired medication that has to be dumped

H

ealth Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Monday revealed that since taking over the Ministry in August of 2020, over 300 truckloads of expired medication had had to be dumped from the Materials Management Unit (MMU) – the central storage bond of the Health Ministry.

He said that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government inherited a “crisis” in relation to the quantity of expired medication being stored at MMU. Dr Anthony revealed that from 2015 to present day, the Health Ministry has had to dump over $10 billion worth of expired drugs and materials because of bad management.

He related that the electronic system at the MMU – called MAC – has been down for quite some time and that led to the former A Partnership for National

Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government not having a handle on the supplies stored in the central drug bond.

“When you look at it, we had about 300 truckloads of expired medicine we had to throw away and this is very costly to the country, all of us as taxpayers…the amount of medicines we have thrown away from the MMU does not take into consideration some of the expired medicines we had at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and so that too when we look at it, we estimate it is about $3 billion worth of medicine that we had to throw away,” Dr Anthony informed.

The Minister related that in order to create space at the MMU, they had to dump close to $1 billion in drugs between August and September 2020, and another $1 billion worth between October and present day. He

further related that it was quite unfair to taxpayers that such large quantities of drugs have to be dumped.

“In all when we look back at our records, we found that from 2015 to now there have been close to $10 billion worth of medicines that have been thrown away. So, this is quite a significant sum of money where we purchase these medicines, they were sitting in the bond, expired there and nobody benefited from it,” he noted.

“In August 2020 (after we took office), we found that MMU was filled to brim with medication, but mostly these medications were expired and we were unable to use them. The MMU and other warehousing facility at the MOH and the Regions we didn’t know what was the stock level… More than 80 per cent of MMU bond space was occupied with expired medicine and supplies, and, therefore, we could not have used these medicines and since August we have been working with Food and Drug Department to start clearing out all of these expired medicines we have at the MMU. We have been able to dispose some of them, but we still have a lot of expired drugs and medical supplies in the bond,” he added.

ed that most of the expired medication were drugs that the regions were either not using or had a short shelf life.

The majority of the drugs are from the year 2017.

Thus far, Dr Anthony said that they have spent close to $12 billion to ensure that they have supplies in the system. A breakdown of the figure shows that $4 billion was spent on essential medication, $5 billion on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and $3 billion for lab reagents.

He is hoping that with the current tenders out,

they would be able to stabilise supplies by July.

At present, the MMU is able to fill between 54 per cent and 100 per cent of orders for drugs and materials from the various regions. He added that they were now in the process of getting the electronic process back on track and moving towards a fully automated system to fill regional requisitions in real time.

However, backup systems would have to be put in place with such a mechanism and the Health Ministry is working towards that. (G2)

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Accused phone thieves remanded

Several dead in T ECD shoot-out C

asualties have been reported following a shootout at Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Reports are that two persons were killed and one seriously injured.

Guyana Times understands that the shoot-out occurred between Police Officers and suspected prison escapees, but up to press time, this was yet to be confirmed.

Director of Communications at the

Guyana Police Force (GPF), Mark Ramotar told the media that there was a “shooting incident” in C Division.

“There are casualties....I have no other detail/info at this time to share,” Ramotar added. (More details in our March 24, 2021 edition)

wo men on Monday appeared at the G e o r g e t o w n Magistrates’ Courts where they were remanded for an armed robbery charge.

Jermaine Grenville, 23, Lot of 344 Section B Pattensen, Turkeyen, and Alvin Archer, 27, appeared before Magistrate Sherdell Isaacs-Marcus after they were jointly charged.

It is alleged that on March 18, at Dowding Street, Georgetown, while being armed with a pair of scissors, they robbed Terence Bouyeau of one Samsung J2 prime cellphone valued $30,000 along with one memory card valued $2000 and a Digicel SIM

card valued $2000.

Archer pleaded not guilty to the charge, while Grenville pleaded guilty with an explanation.

Grenville told the court that he currently resides with his mother, but is facing financial difficulties. He explained that due to his age, his mother does not cook for him, and as such he is often hungry and cannot afford to purchase food daily.

In pleading for bail on his own behalf, Grenville claimed that his construction job is unable to sustain him and after being under “pressure” for some time he started following “bad company” and executed the

robbery. He further pleaded with Magistrate IsaacsMarcus for bail and leniency.

“Your Worship, the lockup is not a nice place, I don’t want to go back” he pleaded.

Meanwhile, the Police prosecutor stated that Jermaine has known the Virtual Complaint (VC) for the past four years but they are not on speaking terms.

He noted that the victim is a truck driver who operates from Georgetown to Linden.

He said that as the VC was on his way home, he was approached by the suspects, who were armed with scissors. Archer reportedly dealt the VC two stabs while Grenville allegedly relieved

him of his cellphone.

The VC alerted a Police patrol that was nearby and the ranks were able to apprehend both of the suspects.

They were then searched and the cellphone was allegedly found on Grenville’s person.

Additionally, the prosecutor noted that Archer has another active matter, which is larceny on a person, before the court, and that the victim was injured during the robbery. It was on these grounds he objected to bail.

The duo is expected to make their next court appearance on April 19. (G15)

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police reviewing CCTV footage in execution-style killing of gold dealer …suspected getaway car found on fire

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s detectives intensify their investigation into the execution of gold dealer Ricardo Fagundes, they are yet to make an arrest.

Sources close to investigations revealed that CCTV footage is being reviewed to establish what really transpired on Sunday evening outside a nightspot on Main Street, Georgetown.

While relatives of the dead man remain tightlipped on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the Police are working with every possible lead to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum when contacted told Guyana Times that the investigation is in its preliminary stage and that several persons were questioned in relation to the execution-style killing on Sunday evening.

However, that is all the information he could have provided with respect to the ongoing investigations.

The 42-year-old gold dealer also called “Paper Shorts” of Lot 25 Sandy Babb Street, Georgetown,

Murdered: Ricardo Fagundes

was shot several times about his body at about 22:00h on the night in question.

While information remains sketchy about what transpired, the Police stated that the now dead man was in the company of a close friend partying at Palm Court when his mobile phone rang.

As such, he reportedly exited the club to take the call but soon after, several gunshots were

heard. Patrons of the club including the now dead man’s friend rushed out to enquire but they saw Fagundes lying motionlessly in a pool of blood close to his motor car.

From all indications, his body was riddled with bullets. In fact, the Police would have recovered at least 15 spent shells from a high-powered rifle at the scene.

Nevertheless, as the man lay on the roadway, the EMT Ambulance Service at the Stabroek Fire Station was contacted and upon arriving at the scene, they pronounced him dead.

Initially, reports stated that after Fagundes left the club, he reportedly walked towards his motor car and it was then, he was confronted by a lone gunman who opened fire. After the shooting, the perpetrator reportedly boarded a motor car and left the scene.

Meanwhile, several of the now dead man’s friends took to social media, expressing their condolences to the family. Many of them recalled Fagundes as a qui-

et person who was in the past wrongfully implicated in underhand business.

Fagundes was no stranger to the law. In 2017, Fagundes, a former employee of embattled gold dealer Saddiqi “Bobby” Rasul, was arrested several times by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for questioning into a massive money-laundering scheme.

It was reported that during raids by SOCU, a number of vehicles, boats and several high-profile weapons and ammunition were seized.

The raids were conducted in light of the money-laundering investigation that was launched against Rasul and alleged corruption with the Guyana Gold Board and the Guyana Bank for Trade

and Industry (GBTI).

Meanwhile, on Monday, Police found a white wagon, which is suspected to have been used by the killer, on fire at Swan, SoesdykeLinden Highway. Police have not confirmed if it is the same car but based on CCTV footage, the car is of the same model as the one seen outside the nightspot, in which the killer escaped following the shooting.

12 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fish vendor jailed for 5 years for wounding …compensated victim $500,000

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49-year-old fish vendor, who was found guilty of felonious wounding was Monday sentenced to five years’ imprisonment after making a $500,000 compensation to his victim at the Demerara High Court. Back in January 2021, Compton Fecker called “Chappy” was found guilty by a jury of wounding Alvin Melville, with intent to maim, disable, disfigure or cause him grievous bodily harm.

Fecker was initially indicted by State Prosecutor Seeta Bishundial for attempted murder. He was, however, convicted of the lesser offence.

According to facts presented

by Prosecutor Bishundial, on March 19, 2015, in the county of Essequibo, the men had an argument during which Fecker pulled out a hammer and dealt Melville several blows to the head.

Fecker pounced on Melville, who was at the time holding bags, from behind.

The injured man collapsed to the ground and was rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital.

Due to the extent of his injuries, he had to be transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he remained hospitalised for days. At the time of the incident, Fecker’s

son and Melville’s daughter shared a relationship.

A probation report revealed that as a result of the injuries, Melville partially lost his vision and hearing.

He also sustained a fractured skull for which he has to undergo further surgery and suffers from constant headaches which make it difficult for him to sleep. The victim said that as a result of his injuries, he has been unable to work to provide for his family. From the outset, he indicated that he was willing to accept compensation which will go towards funding his mounting medical bills.

Jailed: Compton Fecker

Temper justice with mercy

At Monday’s sentencing, Fecker’s lawyer, Adrian Thompson, pleaded with the Judge to temper justice with mercy. The lawyer told the court that his client has no prior brushes with the law and has expressed sincere regrets for his actions. Speaking to the sum of the compensation, Thompson said that Fecker is a man of meagre means and has been working for some time to accumulate the cash.

For her part, the State

Prosecutor asked the court to consider the extent of the man’s injuries when imposing a sentence. Prosecutor Bishundial referred to the probation report in which it was detailed that Fecker has a bad temper especially when he was under the influence of alcohol.

The probation report noted that Fecker’s actions were unwarranted and he should have reported the incident to the relevant authorities. As such, the probation officer, at an earlier hearing, asked the court to adjudicate the matter in such a way that vulnerable people would feel protected by the court. The probation officer said that residents in his neighbourhood related that his actions were uncalled for since there were other means to settle the dispute.

Justice Reynolds in calculating an appropriate sentence for the convict weighed both the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, public interest factors, and the fact that Fecker opted for a “fullblown trial” As it relates to mitigating

factors, the Judge considered that Fecker was a first-time offender who expressed regret for what he had done.

While the fact that Fecker offered to compensate the man was a mitigating factor, the Judge said that the sum, in his view, was not adequate given the extent of the injuries the man sustained. On this note, Justice Reynolds pointed out that before his incarceration following the guilty verdict, Fecker went on with his life unhindered, while Melville’s quality of life deteriorated.

As it relates to aggravating factors, the Judge rehashed the brutal manner in which Fecker executed the crime.

The Judge urged Fecker to use his time in prison to reflect on what he had done. Fecker was initially sentenced to seven and a half years’ imprisonment.

The Judge, however, deducted two and a half years which reflect the time he spent in pre-trial custody before he was admitted to bail, him expressing remorse and offering to compensate Melville. (G1)

NEWS

13

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Improper garbage disposal, noise Accused chain nuisance plague Essequibo Coast snatcher on bail

Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva

R

egion Two (PomeroonS u p e n a a m ) Chairperson Vilma De Silva has expressed concerns about noise nuisance and the improper disposal of garbage in the Pomeroon River.

She raised these concerns at a recent statutory meeting of the Regional

Democratic Council (RDC) at Anna Regina.

De Silva told the RDC that she received several complaints that residents in the scheme are playing loud music, thus disturbing the peace. As such, she explained that the Police were called in and she hopes to address the issues collaboratively.

“I will be working with major stakeholders in easing down on workshop operators in residential areas that are using heavy-duty equipment which is resulting in noise nuisances in communities.”

De Silva noted However, one of the most important issues she noted that has to be addressed forthwith is the dumping of garbage in the Pomeroon River.

“As Regional Chairperson, I will not abide with such practice under my stewardship,” she added.

Dumping garbage into the river causes oceanic pol-

A

Coconut husks floating in the Pomeroon River

lution and can lead to the death of marine life. It was reported that this is a regular practice by residents and vendors at Charity.

The regional official, however, urged the general public to fully utilise the dumpsites that are available in Lima and Charity.

Proper waste disposal improves air and water quality as well as reduces greenhouse gas emissions,

she told the RDC. On this note, she promised to engage the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in order to speedily address the situation. She also threatened to punish those found culpable.

teenager, who is accused of snatching a chain, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Monday before Magistrate Sherdell Isaacs-Marcus to answer to a larceny from a person charge.

Tyrece Mericer, 19, of Queen Street Kitty, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on March 18, at Brickdam, Georgetown, while in the company of another, he stole one gold chain valued $120,000 from Aleisha Singh.

The Police prosecutor told the court that Mericer had an accomplice when they robbed Singh of her

gold chain.

He added that the accomplice made good his escape with the gold chain, however, the Virtual Complaint held onto Mericer and as such, he was unable to escape.

Magistrate IsaacsMarcus released the weeder on $75,000 bail, noting that leniency was shown due to his age and the fact that he is a first-time offender.

As conditions for bail, Mericer has been ordered to seek counselling from a probation officer and to report to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at Eve Leary every Friday until the matter concludes. (G15)

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sputnik V vaccine

50,000 doses weekly from month-end until 200,000 received – Health Minister …as another COVID-19 death, 19 new cases recorded

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69-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) has succumbed to COVID-19, making him the 216th death in Guyana.

The Health Ministry shared on Monday that he died while receiving care at a medical facility on Sunday.

From the latest dashboard statistics, there were 19 new cases in one day after 433 samples were sent for analysis. The total number of confirmed cases in the country is now 9668 – 4947 males and 4721 females.

There are 930 active cases: 11 in the designated

Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 856 in home isolation and 63 in institutional isolation.

Another 11 persons are also in institutional quarantine.

The data shows that 8522 patients have recovered from the life-threatening virus while 82,539 have been tested.

Seven new cases were detected in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), nine in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), six in Region Four, one in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), one in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), and one in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-

Berbice).

Confirmed cases in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) remain at 1027, 834, 246 and 438 respectively.

Vaccination sites

New vaccination sites are to be introduced across the country throughout this week, bolstering the Health Ministry’s capacity to roll out its COVID-19 vaccination programme.

Speaking during Monday’s COVID-19 update,

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony divulged that almost 20,000 persons were inoculated as of Sunday.

Dubbing this as a good start to the countrywide vaccine administration, the strategy is to have additional sites in different locations.

“As of yesterday (Sunday), we would have gotten close to 20,000 persons who would have been immunised. I think that’s a good number. As we roll out this week, our plans are that we would increase the amount of sites that we have. We have been able to work with our healthcare workers at the health centre and you see us shifting to a lot of health centres across the country,” the health official outlined.

With the new sites being positioned mainly at health centres, Dr Anthony assured that the health workers are adequately equipped to administer the shots. This will serve as a catalyst to the rate at which vaccines are administered.

“These nurses know how to give vaccines. We have given them additional information pertaining to the two vaccines that we’re currently using and so, we’ll be sending

out doses to these health centres so that they can now do the vaccination at health centres. That’s in the process of being rolled out and by doing that, we anticipate that we’ll be able to reach more people closer to where they live.”

Persons over the age of 60 are turning out to vaccination sites to get their jabs. In some regions, almost 100 per cent of healthcare workers have also been covered.

Guyana will now receive a reduced quantity of doses – 25,000 – from the COVAX mechanism, but a date has not been set for its delivery.

For the 200,000 Sputnik V vaccines from Russia, tranches of 50,000 will arrive soon.

This means a lower age range for eligibility and other frontline groups.

The Minister advised, “We’re also working actively to source vaccines from other sources. Certainly, by the next week, we’re expecting to have at least 50,000 of the Sputnik V vaccine and thereafter, we will be getting at least 50,000 doses every week until we get about 200,000 doses. Over a period of a month, we’ll be getting in these vaccines.”

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over 100 Mashabo households Mason remanded for benefit from FFTP hampers brother-in-law’s murder

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A resident uplifting her hamper from a staff of FFTP

ver 100 households of Mashabo Amerindian settlement in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) benefitted from food hampers and healthcare packages, compliments of Food for the Poor Guyana Inc (FFTP).

The hampers were distributed last weekend and comprised essential food items such as milk, flour, sugar, rice, peas, beans, oil, toiletries, and cleaning supplies.

Senior Project Manager of FFTP Guyana Inc Andrea Benjamin in an invited comment stated that the non-governmental organisation continues to assist families, especially when the country and to an extent the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said that the main aim of the organisation is to provide families with a safety net to assist in the socio-economic impact of the pandemic.

At the simple presentation, Benjamin related that FFTP Guyana Inc has as-

three-month period. In addition, over 600 families from Ituni and Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), were beneficiaries of food hampers.

Nevertheless, Benjamin noted that the organisation is committed to providing short-term relief packages to the less fortunate throughout Guyana.

Expressing gratitude for the timely intervention was Toshao of the community, Sylvin Rapheal. He explained that many persons in the logging business are

E

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25-year-old man who allegedly killed his brother-in-law was remanded to prison on Monday after he was slapped with a murder charge.

Martin Blair, 25, made his appearance at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, charged with the murder of his brotherin-law, Daniel Boutrin.

Blair, who is a mason, appeared before Magistrate Roshell Liverpool.

It is alleged that on March 15, at D Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown, he murdered Boutrin.

The matter has been adjourned to May 28, 2021.

Boutrin, of Lot 578 Seven Street, D Field, Sophia, was

Police find ganja farms, stolen engines, foreign currency during raid

A A staff member packs grocery items that were distributed to residents

sisted unfortunate families over the years.

To date, the NGO has donated packages to 292 families and a total of 182 families are being provided with hampers once a month for a

unemployed due to the pandemic and as such, the donation is quite timely.

Residents also expressed gratitude to FFTP Guyana Inc.

the murder indictment presented against him by State Prosecutor Tiffini Lyken.

According to reports, La Cruz was lying in a hammock at his mining camp when two men visited him.

They began consuming alcohol. It was reported that shortly after, one of the men asked La Cruz to perform oral sex on him, however,

when the now-dead man refused, an argument ensued.

During the ordeal, La Cruz was shot to the neck by one of the men.

The two men made good their escape. La Cruz was later discovered in the hammock bleeding. He was pronounced dead at the Matthew’s Ridge District Hospital. (G1)

Jehovah’s Witnesses to commemorate evening meal on Saturday ehovah’s Witnesses and friends will commemorate the Lord’s Evening Meal on Saturday.

This is the second year in a row that the Witnesses are celebrating the event virtually, owing to the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic.

In what is considered to be the most important event of the year on their calendar, Jehovah’s Witnesses have recently embarked on a worldwide campaign to invite as many as possible, through letter writing, tele-

Dead: Daniel Boutrin

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Man on trial for 2017 NWD murder ustace Abrams is presently on trial before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a 12-member jury for the June 15, 2017 murder of Orlando La Cruz, the Pomeroon River man who was shot dead at Jack and Vieira Backdam, North West District (NWD). Abrams has pleaded not guilty to

Remanded: Martin Blair

stabbed multiple times by his brother-in-law during an argument that stemmed from an old grievance.

Guyana Times understands that 23-year-old Boutrin succumbed to his injuries two days after the stabbing incident.

Police had reported that the now dead man was at Blair’s house when an argument erupted over a bicycle that Boutrin had borrowed since December 2020.

The argument escalated, and Blair armed himself with a knife and the victim armed himself with a cutlass.

However, Police said that the suspect’s parents intervened and ordered both men to leave the premises.

Nevertheless, as Boutrin was about to enter a taxi, he was attacked and stabbed by the suspect.

Following the incident, he was rushed to the hospital where he later succumbed. (G15)

phone calls and other virtual means.

The event will be held after sundown and anyone interested in attending can contact them for the meeting time and Zoom login information.

The annual event is also being broadcast on local radio stations. “The pandemic has caused us to think about the things that are truly important, like our health, family, and most important, our relationship with our Creator,” said Andre Darrell, spokesman

for Jehovah’s Witnesses.

“Those who are searching for peace, security, comfort, and hope are warmly invited to attend,” Darrell said. “This special talk and the Memorial of Jesus Christ’s death will provide an outlook on present world events that will soothe aching hearts and provide a bright hope for the future.”

There are no fees to attend, and no registration is required. To learn more about how to attend locally, ask one of Jehovah’s Witnesses or visit www.jw.org.

n operation carried out by ranks of the Joint Services between the areas of Dodly Hill, Wiruni Creek and Kimbia, Upper Berbice River, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) unearthed ganja farms and stolen items among other things.

The searches lasted several hours, spanning from Saturday evening to Sunday morning.

Among the discoveries was a total of ten drug farms.

Police said that the farms

consisted of plants ranging from five inches to four feet, along with several cultivated beds ranging from 60 to 100 feet totalling 35 acres.

Each of the beds had about 25 to 30 cannabis plants.

The cannabis farms along with camps were destroyed utilising fire.

Ranks also unearthed a quantity of dried cannabis seeds, leaves and stems which when weighed amounted to 25 kilograms Meanwhile, several houses were also searched and ranks discovered $306,340

in local currency along with US$1950.

Also found at the homes were one LG cellular phone, one General Generator #1246663R-8000, one Fotza generator - #YTX12-B5, one Loncin generator #2500-A, one Husky generator #F101486335 along with one Daewood water pump - #1611048, one 85-Horsepower (HP) Yamaha outboard engine - #L1013079, one 55 HP Mercury outboard engine - #2B359526 and one Stihl grass cutter.

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sale of lands to BK

Jordan asks High Court to throw out Govt’s lawsuit against him

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

F

ormer Finance Minister under the previous APNU/ AFC Government, Winston Jordan has filed an application asking the High Court to dismiss a lawsuit filed against him by the Government over the sale of lands to BK Marine Inc. Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall, SC, on behalf of the Government is seeking to repossess the lands stating that BK Marine breached contractual obligations.

However, Jordan, through Roysdale Forde, SC, is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed on the ground that it discloses no cause of action and is misconceived.

The former Government Minister is further asking that the lawsuit be dismissed as an abuse of process, as it is politically motivated and actuated by bad faith, vindictiveness, spite and constitutes an abuse of power, is frivolous and vexatious, and or scandalous.

Apart from Jordan and BK Marine Inc, for-

mer Head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Colvin HeathLondon, and the Registrar of Deeds have also been listed as defendants in the proceedings filed at the High Court in Demerara.

In addition to a court order to repossess the lands, the Attorney General has claimed damages in excess of $300 million against Jordan, Heath-London, and NICIL for loss and damages suffered as a result of negligence and/or breach of the duty; loss and damages suffered as a result of conspiracy and/or breach of the duty, and loss and damage suffered as a result of a breach of fiduciary duty.

Nandlall is further claiming damages in excess of $100 million for misfeasance in public office committed by Jordan. Another $100 million in damages is also being claimed for loss and damages suffered as a result of fraud allegedly committed

by Jordan and the other defendants.

In a Statement of Claim, Nandlall is looking to have the sale of the lands at Water or Mudlots 1 and 2; Lot F of Mudlot 3 and Lots A, B and D, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, declared illegal, unlawful, null, void, repugnant and contrary to public policy.

According to the Attorney General, the lands were first leased to Brian Tiwarie, the owner of BK International Limited, on December 4, 2006, by NICIL. There were certain conditions upon which the 20 years’ lease was granted with the option to purchase for $110 million which was conditional.

BK Marine Inc was required to construct works

Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan

of an investment plan within four years of approval by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. For US$6 million, the works were scheduled to be done within 12-36 months, and some 300 persons were to gain employment at the end.

BK Marine Inc failed to complete the works and as such lost the option to purchase the property.

Moreover, BK Marine Inc had agreed to pay an annual rent of $10 million with monthly instalments of $833,333 plus tax commencing immediately upon signing. It was also required to pay all rates and taxes.

Nandlall in court documents deposed that as of March 2017, BK Marine Inc had owed $81,360,158 in lease rental fees, interests included.

Another $6,372,156 was owed for property taxes. According to Nandlall, BK Marine Inc wrote NICIL in 2010 claiming that its breach of the lease agreement was a result of the global financial crisis and requested an amendment to the business

plan.

In October 2011, NICIL agreed to transfer the property to the company at the sale price of $110 million once the revised business plan was completed.

But this too was conditional; BK Marine had to settle the arrears of the lease payment among other obligations. The purported Deed of Amendment was never executed and in 2013, NICIL sued BK International after it remained in possession of the lands without paying the agreed rental fees.

However, after the change of Government in 2015, rather than pursuing the claim for arrears or terminate the lease agreement for breaches, NICIL under the APNU/AFC Administration went ahead

BK International Owner Brian Tiwarie

and sold the property to BK Marine in 2017. The sale price was $202,602,759.

“The property was sold at

a gross undervalue and way below market value in relation to comparable and competitive facilities of a similar nature, form and usage which was sold consistent with the market value,” he contended, adding that the management of NICIL, “… acted recklessly and without obtaining a Certificate of Value for the property in order to ascertain the current market value,” argued Nandlall.

As such, the Attorney General wants the court to declare that BK Marine Inc was unjustly enriched of approximately $5 billion which is the true representation of the value of the property. Among other things, he is also seeking to have the transport for the lands set aside. (G1)

Chinese US$25M seafood processing facility providing markets for Guyanese fishermen

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Workers processing shrimp at the Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara facility

Chinese-owned seafood processing company, Grandeast Inc, is the latest seafood processing establishment to commence operations in Guyana.

The Agriculture Ministry said on Monday that Minister Zulfikar Mustapha toured the US$25 million facility at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, where he welcomed the market opportunities being presented to local fishermen with the establishment of the processing facility.

“So far I am quite impressed with the facility. This was a massive investment and it provides a ready market for our fishermen. The General Manager would’ve indicated that there is a ready market for this particular type of processed shrimp in China with room for expansion in the market. Our local fishermen would usually discard certain species of shrimp because there was no market for them locally. This company has provided that market and fishermen are now encouraged to work more hours weekly to satisfy the demand,” the

Inside the Chinese US$25 million seafood processing facility

Minister is quoted as saying.

He added that the Government supports these types of investments and will continue to support investments that benefit the people and the development of Guyana.

General Manager of Grandeast Inc, Wu Junyu said that the company has provided employment for 240 persons so far.

He also said that this was the first phase of the company’s local operations and that plans are being discussed for the commencement of phases two and three, adding that with the company looking to expand, it will require additional

produce from local fishermen in order to supply its Asian market.

As it relates to foreign trade, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to address the issue of barriers to trade for a number of agricultural and other produce.

Hong Dong Fisheries Co, Ltd, which is the holding enterprise of Fuzhou Hongpu Aquatic Products Co Ltd is involved in ocean fishing, fishery base operations, cold chain logistics, fish processing, import and export trade, marine biology research, and aquatic product market operations management.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mother, baby deaths

Family protests for tougher penalties against doctor, nurses

Govt warns illegal miners, loggers to cease operations in protected areas

File photo: Logs at a forest concession

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Regional Chairman David Armogan meeting with the protesters on Monday outside of the New Amsterdam Hospital

F

amily members and friends of the late Vanessa LewisSahadeo on Monday held a protest exercise outside of the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), calling for tougher penalties against the medical professionals who are responsible for the death of the 31-yearold woman and her newborn.

It had been revealed that a doctor and two nurses were found to be negligent in taking care of their patient who, along with her newborn baby, died.

The two nurses have since been suspended as an act of punishment and the doctor was sent back to Cuba.

However, family members of Lewis-Sahadeo are saying more should be done, and the actions of the medical personnel should be seen as criminal.

Outside of the New Amsterdam Hospital on Monday protesters called for the removal of the Regional Health Officer who they say is a part of a cover-up scheme.

According to Charis Cecil, the hospital is still to hand over her daughter’s cellular phone. She said when they received her daughter’s

Dead: Vanessa Lewis-Sahadeo

belongings, about $10,000 and her cellular phone were unaccounted for.

Her father, Eric Lewis said that the Regional Health Officer (RHO) had visited his home and indicated that the phone was discovered and was going to be handed over to the family. The phone has not been handed over to the family.

In fact, the regional administration has made an offer to compensate the family for the phone.

Lewis said the phone has evidence of alleged threats made by one of the nurses who worked in the labour room.

He explained that no representative of the Ministry nor the regional facility attended the funeral or visited the family since the funeral.

However, before the funeral, the RHO during a visit to the home had said that the missing phone was found and she had instructed that it be placed in a safe place.

Meanwhile, the RHO has denied that she informed Lewis that the missing phone was located.

During the protest, Regional Chairman David Armogan spoke with the protesters. He said he is just as concerned as family members over the unfortunate incident.

“I want somebody from Georgetown who did the investigation to come and have a talk with the family and explain to them what exactly went wrong. I think they deserve that answer,” Armogan told reporters.

After giving birth to her fourth child at the New Amsterdam Hospital on February 26, LewisSahadeo was transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GHPC) in an unconscious state where she succumbed a few hours later.

She was rushed to the city medical facility after reportedly developing complications at the New Amsterdam Hospital where the newborn baby had died.

(Andrew Carmichael)

KN guards charged for killing vagrant

T

wo security guards attached to Kaieteur News were on Monday arraigned for the murder of 58-year-old Mohabir Singh, whose body was found under a shed in Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown.

Thirty-nine-year-old Tony Waldron and Yan Licorish, 49, appeared before Chief Magistrate

Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

They were represented by Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat. However, they were remanded to prison until next month.

It was reported that Singh, of no place of abode, was found dead on Tuesday last on the premises of the news outfit.

Police had stated that following the discovery, an investigation was launched and based on information received, the two security officers were arrested and subsequently charged.

However, a post-mortem performed on the man’s body on Friday proved that he died from haemorrhaging due to blunt trauma to the head.

he Natural Resources Ministry along with the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) have warned miners and loggers who are illegally mining and logging within designated protected areas to cease forthwith.

In a statement on Monday, the Ministry explained that these areas include the Kaieteur National Park, Iwokrama, Kanuku Mountains, Shell Beach, and the Kanashen Amerindian Protected Areas.

The Ministry, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and PAC said it continues to receive reports of illegal mining and logging particularly in the Kanuku Mountains, Iwokrama and Kaieteur National Park.

“Please note, these illegal activities are not in keeping with the various Acts that govern these regulatory agencies. As such, seizure of all equipment and legal actions will be instituted to prosecute those found guilty,” the Ministry said.

Last week, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat said that continued

illegal logging is a detriment which has been affecting the natural resources sector, but Government is inventing new approaches to eliminate this practice. He gave this assurance during the International Day of Forests conference, underscoring that all efforts are geared towards eradicating this practice.

Bharrat explained that there is a high percentage of illegal logging in Guyana, bringing environmental implications and negatively impacting legal loggers.

Moreover, it paints a negative picture of the sector and authorities.

Due to Guyana’s geographical makeup, monitoring areas where illegal logging may occur is difficult.

However, the Minister assured stakeholders that the goal is to eliminate both illegal logging and mining in the country.

Bharrat highlighted the need for a balance between production and environmental degradation to keep the activities alive.

Guyana had, in 2009, signed with Norway a historic forest protection accord aimed at Guyana receiving payments for sustaining its rainforests to absorb glob-

al carbon emissions. A total of US$250 million was to be paid to Guyana over a fiveyear period.

It was revealed by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh during his recent reading of the 2021 budget that Guyana has more than US$135 million in climate change-related funds that it is entitled to but has not been able to access due to the political instability under the former Government.

These are funds that the current Government is seeking to have released.

Singh had explained that the former Government’s mismanagement and then the protracted political crisis from when they fell to a No-Confidence Motion in 2018, led to funding not being released to Guyana by Norway.

All stakeholders and members of the public are encouraged to report suspected cases or incidences of illegal mining and logging to the various agencies or the Ministry of Natural Resources via telephone numbers: 231-2503, 2312506, 231-2507, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ mnrgy, and email: ministry@nre.gov.gy.

Joint Services unearth 35-acre ganja field along Berbice River …400,000kg ganja plants destroyed

A

n operation between the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) along the Berbice River on Sunday unearthed a 35-acre ganja field with more than 800,000 plants.

The eradication exercise was conducted in Dodly Hill, Wiruni Creek and Kimbia along the Berbice River.

Police stated that during the operation, 10 farms were discovered, with cannabis sativa plants ranging from five inches to four feet in height.

The field consisted of several cultivated beds ranging from 60 to 100 feet. The Police confirmed that each bed had approximately 20 to 30 plants.

When checked, a total of about 800,000 plants weighing 400,000kg were de-

stroyed by fire.

In addition, during the operation, several houses in the area were searched resulting in the discovery of $306,340 in local currency, US$1950, one black and grey LG cellular phone, one General generator, one Fotza generator, one Loncin generator, one Husky generator, one Daewood water pump, one 85-Horsepower (HP) Yamaha outboard engine, one 55-HP Mercury outboard engine, one Stihl grass cutter, and 25 kilograms of dried marijuana were discovered.

Earlier in the year, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) destroyed more than $100 million in ganja at De Veldt Savannah, Upper Berbice River, during an eradication exercise.

During the exercise,

Police discovered three cannabis farms measuring about 15 acres and contained roughly 600,000 ganja plants ranging from six inches to five feet in height.

In addition, six makeshift camps were found.

The camps were reportedly occupied by three men who ran into the bushes and escaped upon seeing Police.

Further, a search was conducted in the area during which one 12-gauge single-barrel shotgun along with two live 12-gauge cartridges and one empty shell were found.

In addition, a quantity of cannabis was found wrapped in transparent plastic bags. When the illicit substance was weighed, it amounted to 40 pounds. In the operation also, no arrest was made.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021

Regional

Brazil business elite blast Bolsonaro, who remains unconvinced on COVID-19 restrictions

H

undreds of Brazilian business leaders and economists blasted President Jair Bolsonaro’s handling of the coronavirus crisis on Monday, and called for a new policy approach as the country grapples with spiking COVID-19 deaths and overwhelmed hospitals.

The letter, published in newspapers and signed by former central bank chiefs and some of Brazil’s richest bankers, underscored a growing revolt by business leaders against the far-right President whom many had backed for his 2018 election.

Without naming Bolsonaro, they upbraided “the country’s highest political leadership” for ignoring science, encouraging crowds, hyping unproven treatments and “flirting with the anti-vaccine move-

15,000 people last week and pushing hospitals across the country to the limit.

On Monday, Rio de Janeiro and the neighbouring city of Niterói announced a 10-day tightening

mental that, from now on, public policy be based on data, solid information and scientific evidence,” wrote the business leaders and economists. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuela announces “radical quarantine” amid coronavirus surge A construction site of a residential building is seen, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in São Paulo, Brazil, March 30, 2020

ment”.

Speaking at an event in Brasilia, Bolsonaro did not mention the letter, but rattled off a list of economic achievements of his Government during the pandemic.

He said he was still unconvinced by arguments in favour of COVID-19 re-

strictions, saying they only served to kill jobs and further impoverish the poor.

He added that Brazil’s focus should be on destroying the virus and not attacking his Government.

A surge of infections has made Brazil the latest epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic, killing more than

T&T on verge of a significant COVID-19 case increase

C

hief Medical Officer, Dr Roshan Parasram is cautioning that Trinidad and Tobago appears to be on the verge of a significant increase in COVID-19 cases.

The warning comes after an upsurge in cases were recorded in county Caroni over the past two weeks. This, he said, has led to an 89 per cent increase in COVID-19 cases and is cause for concern.

"What we are seeing is a rolling average of 10.28 cases over the last seven days, 70 cases over the last epidemiological week compared to 37 the week before, representing an 89 per cent increase over that period. Thirtyfour cases accrued over the weekend alone and 142 cases for the first three weeks of March versus 149 for all of February," Dr Parasram

of restrictions that includes the closure of non-essential services and schools, as well as a night-time curfew.

“We are on the verge of an explosive phase of the pandemic, and it is funda-

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Roshan Parasram

said while reviewing the epidemiological data during a virtual press conference on Monday.

Asked by Guardian Media if this was the beginning of a third phase (or wave) of infections in the country, Dr Parasram said

it was not clear cut as yet to make the determination and the Ministry was considering it as part of the second phase.

"Because we had contained community spread after we had gone into phase two – if you take your minds back before July when we had an 80-odd-day period when we had no cases – there was a clear distinction between phase one and phase two. You could see there was an end to phase one and there was a restart of cases into phase two," Dr Parasram said.

"We haven't seen a clear distinction as yet in phase two so we can continue to think or call it phase two in our context," he added.

Despite the semantics, he said it is a worrying situation. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

V

enezuelan President Nicolãs Maduro has announced two weeks of what he referred to as “radical quarantine”, leaving Holy Week celebrations suspended.

“I announce that Holy Week this year will be again in radical quarantine. So we are going to have 14 days, two weeks of radical quarantine,” he said on Sunday, referring to a period that will encompass the Christian holiday of Easter. About 88 per cent of Venezuela’s 28.5 million people are Christian, the vast majority of whom are Catholic.

Maduro had previously announced that the Holy

Week would be flexible this year, but took the stricter approach as COVID cases in the country rise and amid threats from the variant of the virus detected in Brazil.

Venezuela, which was already struggling with inadequate healthcare infrastructure as well as shortages of medicines and food before the pandemic, has reported a relatively light toll from the coronavirus, with 151,123 cases and 1493 deaths confirmed to date.

Maduro has long blamed the country’s dire situation on US sanctions.

Washington has maintained the sanctions do not affect the supply of medicines and

food.

On Sunday, Maduro reported that the country has 8872 active COVID-19 cases.

Venezuela has struggled with its vaccine rollout, which began in February using Russia’s Sputnik V and China’s Sinopharm jabs.

Caracas has also reserved between 1.4 million and 2.4 million AstraZeneca doses through the World Health Organisation’s COVAX plan. However, last week, Maduro announced that the country would not use the AstraZeneca inoculant due to concerns the vaccine caused blood clots.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

PM Mottley: “We have been able to keep the ship afloat”

B

arbados saw a reduction of just under Bds$2 billion in economic activity last year over the previous year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said the drop in business activity resulted in over 38,000 people having to apply for unemployment benefits during the year.

The Prime Minister said Barbados was forced to borrow Bds$1 billion “to keep the economy together” during a year of “unprecedented” pressure on the economy, but she projected it should meet a targeted $2.4 billion in revenue by the end of this month, which is just over $1 billion less than was taken in the previous year.

Barbados recorded $3.5 billion in tax and non-tax revenue for the 2019/2020 fiscal year.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley

Giving a breakdown of the 2020-2021 Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure while speaking on the Appropriation Bill in the House of Assembly Sunday, Mottley asserted that her Barbados Labour Party Government assumed office inheriting a debt-ridden economy, with depleted foreign reserves standing at over Bds$400 million. She suggested that situation was

exacerbated last year when Barbados recorded its first case of COVID-19.

“Today I address you one year later, conscious that we have been able to keep the ship afloat,” she told parliamentarians, while attributing the current slightly improved fiscal position largely to decisions she had taken at the outset to restructure Barbados’ debt.

“What would have happened had we not agreed to suspend our debt payment, restructure our domestic and international debt and enter into a programme with the International Monetary Fund [IMF] to be able more than anything else, for us to endorse our homegrown programme and to unlock funding from the international financial institutions?” the Prime Minister asked.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

Holness announces weekend lockdowns to curb COVID numbers

P

rime Minister Andrew Holness on Sunday declared that Jamaica has reached its breaking point in the management of the novel coronavirus pandemic and announced a slew of measures to help curb infections — chief among them lockdowns over three weekends.

“Since the start of the pandemic we have doubled our capacity in terms of beds, moving from 17 beds at the start to almost 600 beds presently. Our case numbers remain unacceptably high.

Our rate of new hospitalisations is beyond our health system capacity. Our oxygen

tanks are in short supply.

The hospitals are stretched.

They are doing their best to take persons in, as many as they can... treat. However, we should note that we are now at a breaking point. We have reached that breaking point,” Holness said during a virtual press conference last evening.

The situation can only be rectified, Holness said, if people who are presently ill recover and are released from hospitals, and the number of patients being released exceeds the number of patients being newly admitted.

“The Government has to

act in the public's interest.

But the individual interest and the sum of the individual interests should not be confused with the public's interest,” he said, noting that any complaints about the new measures were insignificant at this time.

To restrict movement even further, except for essential activities, changes were made to daily curfew hours and three consecutive weekend lockdowns announced.

From March 23 to March 26, curfew hours will remain at 8:00 pm to 5:00 am nightly. Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil steadies after sell-off but European lockdowns hurt outlook for demand recovery

O

il steadied on Monday as hopes for a pick-up in demand later this year helped arrest last week’s broad sell-off, but prices stayed under pressure as new European coronavirus lockdowns made a quick recovery look less likely.

Brent crude ended the session up 9 cents or 0.1 per cent at US$64.62 a barrel, while US oil for delivery in April fell 13 cents, or 0.2 per cent, to settle at US$61.55 a barrel as it expired.

The more active US crude futures for delivery in May rose 12 cents or 0.2 per cent to settle at US$61.56 a barrel.

Both contracts fell more than 6 per cent last week after making steady gains for months on the back of output cuts and an expected demand recovery.

“Oil (had) its worst week this year as concerns grow over a flaring up in COVID-19 cases across Europe,” Dutch bank ING said in a note. “This comes at a time when there are clear signs of weakness in the physical oil market.”

Physical markets have come under pressure as refiners around the world, including China and the United States, begin maintenance activities.

Chinese refinery maintenance season is due to peak in May and begin tapering in June, traders have said, depriving some crude grades such as those in West Africa of their main outlet.

Nearly a third of French people entered a month-long lockdown on Saturday, while Germany plans to extend its lockdown into a fifth month, according to a draft proposal.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Monday that the third wave of COVID-19 infections sweeping across Europe could be heading towards Britain.

“Vaccination campaigns haven’t been as fast as the market had hoped for and consequently this will have an effect on the oil demand recovery, which in turn hurts prices,” said Louise Dickson, oil markets analyst at Rystad Energy.

While a broad economic recovery remains elusive, Saudi Aramco Chief Executive Amin Nasser was optimistic on longerterm prospects for the world’s top oil exporter.

On Sunday Nasser said global oil demand was on track to reach 99 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of 2021.

“While I think demand is going to improve further as more economies ease travel restrictions in the coming months, the impact of this will be offset to some degree by rising oil supply,” Fawad Razaqzada, market analyst at ThinkMarkets said.

“OPEC+ will be easing supply restrictions slowly, while US shale production is likely to ramp up due to the attractive oil prices again. All told, I can’t see oil prices rising significantly further.”

“I think Brent will struggle to stay above US$70 and reckon WTI is going to average around US$60 per barrel in 2021,” he added.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, together known as OPEC+, have put in place unprecedented production cuts to balance global markets after demand plunged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

US drillers meanwhile are starting to take advantage of the recent spike in prices, adding the most rigs since January in the week ending last Friday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Around the World

Uighurs: Western countries sanction China over rights abuses S

everal Western countries have imposed sanctions on officials in China over rights abuses against the mostly Muslim Uighur minority group.

China has detained Uighurs at camps in the north-west region of Xinjiang, where allegations of torture, forced labour and sexual abuse have emerged.

The sanctions were introduced as a coordinated effort by the European Union, UK, US and Canada.

China responded with its own sanctions on European officials.

It has denied the allegations of abuse, claiming the camps are "re-education" facilities used to combat terrorism.

But UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the treat-

ment of Uighurs amounted to "appalling violations of the most basic human rights".

The EU has not imposed new sanctions on China over human rights abuses since the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, when troops in Beijing opened fire

on pro-democracy protesters.

The sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, target senior officials in Xinjiang who have been accused of serious human rights violations against Uighur Muslims.

Raab called the abuse of

Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang "one of the worst human rights crises of our time".

In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said China was committing "genocide and crimes against humanity".

The US said it sanctioned Wang Junzheng and Chen Mingguo for their connection to "arbitrary detention and severe physical abuse, among other serious human rights abuses".

Canada's Foreign Ministry said: "Mounting evidence points to systemic, state-led human rights violations by Chinese authorities."

The sanctions came amid increasing international scrutiny over China's treatment of Uighurs. (Excerpt from BBC News)

sioner of the Government’s Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commission (RRRC).

No casualties were immediately reported, but deaths and injuries were feared.

“It has been a challenging situation because many of these huts are in a hilly terrain where fire trucks can’t have access,” said Al Jazeera’s Tanvir Chowdhury, reporting from Bangladesh’s capital, Dhaka.

“There is no kind of water

system within the camp area to douse the fire.”

Sources at the camp told Al Jazeera that the fire was brought under control more than four hours after it erupted, Chowdhury said.

Louise Donovan, spokesperson of the United Nations’ refugee agency (UNHCR), said firefighters and rescue and response teams were at the scene trying to control the blaze and prevent it from spreading further.

“All partners are provid-

ing support together with the RRRC and emergency services,” she said, adding that humanitarian partners have mobilised hundreds of volunteers from nearby camps to support the efforts, as well as fire safety vehicles and equipment.

“So far, the fire has affected shelters, health centres, distribution points and other facilities. Volunteers are supporting those affected,” she added. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

China has created a sprawling network of detention camps for minorities in the Xinjiang region

Massive fire sweeps through Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh

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massive fire has swept through a Rohingya refugee camp in southern Bangladesh, gutting hundreds of tents and a number of health centres and other facilities, according to officials and witnesses.

The blaze at Balukhali camp in Cox’s Bazar district erupted in the late afternoon on Monday and spread quickly through at least four blocks, according to Mohammad Shamsud Douza, additional commis-

Yemen conflict: Saudi Arabia puts forward peace plan

S

audi Arabia has proposed a new peace plan to end nearly six years of war in Yemen.

It suggests a UNsupervised ceasefire between Yemen's Saudibacked Government and Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran.

The plan also includes the reopening of vital air and sea links, and the start of political negotiations.

Houthi rebels have said the offer did not appear to go far enough to lift the air and sea blockade in place.

The proposal was announced in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, who called on the Houthis, who control large swathes of Yemen, to accept it.

He said the ceasefire would come into force as

Vaccine makers should license technology to overcome “grotesque” inequity – WHO

M

ore producers of COVID-19 vaccines should follow AstraZeneca’s lead and license technology to other manufacturers, the World Health Organisation’s head said on Monday, as he described continuing vaccine inequity as “grotesque”.

AstraZeneca’s shot, which new US data on Monday showed was safe and effective despite some countries suspending inoculations over health concerns, is being produced in various locations including South Korea’s SKBioScience and

the Serum Institute of India.

WHO DirectorGeneral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for more manufacturers to adopt this model to boost supplies, including for the COVAX vaccine sharing programme seeking to speed more shots to developing countries.

“The gap between number of vaccines administered in rich countries and the number administered through COVAX is growing and becoming more grotesque every day,” Tedros told a news conference.

19

Earlier, AstraZeneca released interim data showing its vaccine, developed with Oxford University, was 79 per cent effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and posed no increased risk of blood clots.

WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan called it a “very good vaccine for all age groups”.

Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark have extended suspensions of AstraZeneca’s shot as investigations continue into rare blood clotting events.

Still, WHO officials said

African countries getting the vaccine via COVAX are moving ahead.

“They did ask a lot of questions but the demand for the vaccine is extremely high,” said WHO senior adviser Bruce Aylward.

It remains possible for COVAX to hit a second-quarter goal of delivering 300 million doses, Aylward said, while acknowledging “teething problems”, with SKBioSciences and the Serum Institute hardpressed to satisfy COVAX orders.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

There have been Saudi-led airstrikes of the capital, Sanaa, which under Houthi control

soon as the Houthis accepted it.

Yemen's internationally recognised Government have welcomed the offer, but the Houthis have said the initiative provided "nothing new", and fell short of their demand for a complete lifting of the blockade on the airport in the capital, Sanaa, and the western port of Hudaydah.

"We expected that Saudi Arabia would announce an end to the blockade of ports and airports and an initiative to allow in 14 ships

that are held by the coalition," Houthi chief negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam told Reuters news agency.

The group would continue to talk with the Saudis, the US and mediator Oman for a peace agreement, he said.

The conflict began in late 2014, when rebels seized control of much of the west of the country and a Saudiled coalition of Arab states launched a military operation to restore President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi's rule. (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

Attend a virtual networking event that interests (March 21you. Anger will set in if you April 19) sit back instead of taking action. It’s up to you to do your part if you want to make a difference.

ARIES

Make a positive change at home. Be willing to do the (April 20work yourself, and you’ll feel May 20) good about your accomplishment. Speak up about matters that concern you, and resolve issues swiftly.

TAURUS

DILBERT

Be careful not to lead GEMINI (May 21- someone on. Honesty will June 20) help you maintain a good rapport with others without jeopardising your reputation or your integrity. Learn the lessons of experience.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Consider what you are trying to achieve, and gather the information that will help you reach your goal. Don’t jeopardize your health in order to advance. Know when to say no or cut your losses.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Improve your life, looks and relationships with others.

Concentrate on being the best you can be. Offer kindness, support and understanding to the people around you.

Romance looks promising.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

You’ll get help from people who share your concerns.

Speak up and do your best to make a difference. Anger will solve nothing, but physically taking responsibility will pay off.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Set out on a pilgrimage that will lead to valuable information. Educational pursuits will open your mind to all sorts of exciting possibilities. Share something special with a loved one.

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

Uncertainty will hold you back. Concentrate on what’s required to reach your destination and put everything in place. A minimalist lifestyle is encouraged if you want to avoid setbacks.

Don’t be fooled by someSAGITTARIUS one trying to part you from (Nov. 23your hard-earned cash. Set Dec. 21) ground rules at home or with anyone you share expenses with. You cannot buy love or respect.

CAPRICORN Refuse to take chances with your health. Make ad(Dec. 22justments to the way you Jan. 19) live or how you handle your money to ease stress and foster better decisions.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Put your energy where it counts, and you’ll get good results. Home improvements will encourage you to take better care of yourself and those you love. Don’t get angry; let go of the past and begin again.

Concentrate on creative PISCES ideas and living life your (Feb. 20March 20) way. Don’t get stuck in a rut when change is necessary.

Reach out to someone you enjoy collaborating with, and you’ll get good results.

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021

21

BCB/Troy Halley Grassroot Cricket Tournament 2021 …

D’Edward CC win thriller to lift another BCB title T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday last successfully completed the final of the 10 grassroots tournaments it had promised to host across the county in an effort to bring back passion

for the game of cricket after an enforced absence of one year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The final leg was played at the Bush Lot Village Ground for the Troy Halley Challenge Cup. Four teams

were involved in the one-day tournament – D’Edwards CC, Achievers CC, Bush Lot United and Bush Lot Rising Stars.

D’Edward won the toss and batted first. They amassed a healthy 181 for

Harden and Irving fuel Nets in Griffin’s bow, Zion joins Shaq in history books as Rockets drop 20th straight

J

ames Harden and Kyrie Irving combined to lead the star-studded Brooklyn Nets to a 113-106 victory over the Washington Wizards as Blake Griffin made his bow.

Harden posted 26 points and eight assists, while Irving had 28 points and seven rebounds to fuel the Nets in the NBA on Sunday.

The Wizards, who trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half and 12 in the second, closed to 103-102 three minutes from the end in Brooklyn, where former All-Star Griffin debuted after his arrival from the Detroit Pistons earlier this month.

But Nicolas Claxton (16 points) stepped up with two dunks and some big plays down the stretch to lift the Nets past the Wizards.

Russell Westbrook finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists, but the Wizards still lost on the road, where team-mate Rui Hachimura added 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Elsewhere, Zion Williamson joined Shaquille O’Neal (2000-01) as the only players in the shot-clock era to score 20-plus points on 50 per cent shooting or better in 20 consecutive games in a single season.

Williamson posted 30 points on nine-of-13 shooting from the field as the New Orleans Pelicans upstaged the Denver Nuggets 113-108.

Brandon Ingram also had

win over the New York Knicks – a narrow 101100 overtime success, dating back to December 2017.

It is the longest active winning streak in the NBA by one team over another and the fourth longest run over a single opponent in franchise history.

30 points for the Pelicans, while Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidate and Nuggets star Nikola Jokic (29 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists) registered his 52nd career triple-double and 11th of the season.

Paul reaches milestone

Chris Paul became the sixth player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career assists, joining John Stockton, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Mark Jackson, and Magic Johnson. Paul finished with 11 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds in the Phoenix Suns’ 111-94 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, who were without injured stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Montrezl Harrell had 23 points and 10 rebounds for defending champions the Lakers.

The Dallas Mavericks routed the Portland Trail Blazers 132-92 behind Luka Doncic’s 37 points. His 117 points across a three-game span are the second most in franchise history, only behind his 118 in a three-game period last month.

Collin Sexton scored 23 of his 36 points in the second half, and Jarrett Allen (17 points and 15 rebounds) contributed a double-double as the Cleveland Cavaliers topped the slumping Toronto Raptors 116-105, condemning their opponents to an eighth consecutive loss.

The Eastern Conferenceleading Philadelphia 76ers earned their 15th straight

Rockets can’t stop the rot

The Houston Rockets suffered a franchise-record 20th consecutive defeat after going down 114-112 at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Rockets’ skid is tied for the ninth-worst in NBA history and the worst since the 76ers and their record-setting 28-game losing streak across the 2014-15 and 2015-16 campaigns.

The Pistons and Miami Heat both struggled from three-point range. Detroit were just 16 per cent (four of 25) in their 100-86 loss to the Chicago Bulls, while Miami were 24.3 per cent (nine of 37) in a 109-106 overtime defeat against the Indiana Pacers.

It was a forgettable night for Damian Lillard and the Blazers. All-Star Lillard (19 points) was just seven of 16 from the field, while he missed all seven of his threepoint attempts. Portland team-mate CJ McCollum (13 points) was not much better after going six-of-15 shooting and 0-of-five from beyond the arc in 24 minutes.

Griffin can still dunk

Much has been made about Griffin and his lack of dunks. Not since December 2019 had Griffin dunked in the NBA amid question marks over his troublesome knee and fitness. But that changed in his debut on Sunday. Griffin, who finished with two points in 15 minutes, dunked in the final quarter. (Sportsmax)

7 from their allotted 20 overs. Lakeraj Sukwah topscored with 60, which included four massive sixes and five boundaries, He received support from Altaf Khan (28); Deonauth Persaud (20) and Keith Fraser (18).

Bowling for Bush Lot United, Andrew Rambarran took 3 for 37 from his four overs while Rajpat Khemraj and Rajeef Kishun took one wicket apiece for 13 and 44 respectively from four overs.

In reply, the home team fell short by six runs as they ended on 175 for 8 from their 20 overs.

Needing to score 14 runs in the last over, Bush Lot United only managed eight runs to give D’Edward the title. Nawindra Prasad scored a polished unbeaten 51, which included two boundaries and three sixes, and got support from Kymant Ally (29) and Rajpat Hemraj (42). Bowling for the visitors, veteran Heeralall Bridgelall

The winning D’Edward

Cricket Club

took two wickets for 11 runs from two overs while Sukwah completed a fine all-round performance by taking 2 for nine from one over.

Earlier in the day, D’Edward CC defeated Bush Lot Rising Stars CC by eight wickets, while Bush Lot United eased past Achievers CC by eight wickets.

The nine other tournaments were sponsored by a wide range of former cricketers associated with Berbice cricket. They include Narsingh Deonarine, Hemnarine Chattergoon, Vishal Nagamootoo, Karran Singh, Arjune Nandu, Mukesh Appiah, Jeremy Gordon, and Shimron Hetmyer.

Apart from renewing the passion for the game among players, the other objectives of the grassroots tourna-

m e n t s were to identify new talent, promote social cohesion, and to allow smaller clubs the chance to win a BCB title.

BCB President Hilbert Foster announced that teams in the four sub-zones: West Berbice, Upper Corentyne, New Amsterdam-Canje and Lower-Central Corentyne would now clash in their own interzone knockout tournaments before the countywide round-robin tournament starts later in the year. BCB Vice President Robby Saywack extended gratitude to Troy Haley, a former West Berbice player for his support and called on others to follow in his footsteps. The winning and runners-up teams received a financial prize along with trophies while Sukwah was named Player of the Finals and received a medal and cash prize as well.

Alzarri Joseph to join Worcestershire for start of County Championship

A

lzarri Joseph, the West Indies fast bowler, has joined Worcestershire as their overseas player for the opening weeks of the 2021 season.

Joseph, who is currently playing against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Antigua, will fly into the United Kingdom from the island on April 4, and will be available to Worcestershire for their first seven County Championship fixtures.

The ongoing Test is Joseph’s 15th, in which he has claimed 34 wickets, in addition to a further 54 in 34 One-Day Internationals (ODIs). He was part of the West Indies’ squad that toured England during last summer’s bio-secure Test series, claiming three wickets in his two Test appearances at Southampton and Manchester.

“I am thrilled to be joining Worcestershire for the early part of the summer,” Joseph said.

“When I heard the club was interested in me, I had

Alzarri Joseph

no hesitation in saying yes.

The club has a strong squad with a nice balance of youth and experience, and I’m really looking forward to working with bowling coach Alan Richardson.

“I would also like to thank Cricket West Indies for allowing me the opportunity to go and experience county cricket.”

Joseph, 24, first played for West Indies as a 19-yearold in 2016, having starred at that year’s Under-19 World Cup with 13 wickets in six games.

His batting has become an increasingly valuable

part of his game, with scores of 86 against New Zealand in Hamilton in December, and 82 versus Bangladesh in Dhaka in February, having been dismissed in single figures in his first 14 Test innings.

His most spectacular moment to date, however, came at the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2019, when he claimed figures of 6 for 12 on debut for Mumbai Indians against Sunrisers Hyderabad – the best performance by a bowler in the competition’s history.

“He is a quality performer, and we are delighted to have signed him for the best part of two months,” said Paul Pridgeon, Worcestershire Cricket Steering Group Chairman.

“With it looking like Josh Tongue and Pat Brown may not be match fit for the start of the season, Alex Gidman [Head Coach] and Joe Leach [Club Captain] both felt they needed another seamer.

“Alzarri is going to be available for seven matches and is an exciting prospect.”

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021

Cornwall, Da Silva stretch West Indies’ lead after Lakmal 5-for

U

ntil Rahkeem s c o r e l i n e Cornwall joined on day two Joshua Da Silva at does not the crease, Sri Lanka were r e f l e c t in the game, with serious t h e i r hopes of restricting West d i s c i Indies to a lead of less than pline, 50. Suranga Lakmal had al- which ready claimed a five-wicket h a d haul, all the specialist bats- k e p t men had been dismissed, W e s t and the second new ball I n d i e s was around the corner, with u n d e r West Indies leading by just significant pressure for two runs.

But Cornwall, intent on the majoriproving he is a better bats- ty of the day. man than his Test stats suggested, began Suranga Lakmal to free his arms midbagged 5-45 way through the third session, hitting thumping blows down the ground, L a k m a l both cracking seamers on the was most up, pulling ferociously, cut- the ting on occasion, and gen- potent and pererally imposing himself on most the match in a manner that sistent of Sri no batsman had previous- Lanka’s operly managed on this pitch. ators, as he ofBy day’s end, he was not ten is on forout on 60 off 79 balls – 48 of eign tours, and those runs having come from ended the day boundaries (nine fours, two on 5 for 45 from 24 overs.

Dushmantha Chameera sixes). aggressively at His 90-run eighth-wick- bowled et stand with Da Silva, times, and took 2 for 71, who contributed only 29 though thanks to his pace to the partnership, broke he was also the most hittathe match open for the ble of Sri Lanka’s frontlinWest Indies. Where before ers. On a surface that ofCornwall’s arrival it seemed fered only slow turn, Lasith as if the teams were in for a Embuldeniya took 1 for 64, second-innings scrap, West and kept an end tied while Indies had achieved a com- seamers attacked from the manding position by stumps other.

Cornwall was somewhat – a triple-figure lead almost in hand. Cornwall had watchful early on, playing Kemar Roach for company out 15 deliveries before venat stumps, the team score at turing a boundary, but when he arrived, he came like a 268 for 8.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers will storm. He smoked Lakmal feel, however, that the final past mid-off to collect his first

four, before several overs later, he bludgeoned Vishwa Fernando to and over the deep midwicket boundary within the space of three balls. Sri Lanka had taken the second new ball by this stage, but that only made it disappear faster off Cornwall’s blade. He rarely missed the chance to capitalise on errors on length, and although the feature of this innings was his boundary-hitt i n g ,

Cornwall was not averse to working the singles on occasion. He reached his maiden half-century off the 62nd ball he faced. Da Silva largely ticked along sedately at the other end.

Before Cornwall hijacked the narrative, though, it had been Lakmal’s day. He bowled a maiden first up, and then first ball of the second over, drew Kraigg Brathwaite into a loose shot outside off stump, the ball flying to second slip. The rest of his morning session was quiet, but he came in strong after lunch, bowling Jermaine Blackwood with his first ball of the session – a full, straight delivery that the batsman played all around. Several overs later, Lakmal also had Kyle Mayers (who had struck an

effervescent 45) caught in the slips.

The two wickets to complete the five-for came after tea, as he bowled Jason Holder off an inside edge, before having Alzarri Joseph caught at point. This was his fourth five-wicket haul, the other three also having come away from home.

Before Cornwall, West Indies largely tiptoed their way through the day, respecting bowling that was frequently – almost uniformly – tight. John Campbell toiled his way to 42 off 132, forging a 56-run partnership with Nkrumah Bonner, who made 31. They were each dismissed either side of the lunch break, before Mayers injected some energy into the West Indies innings with his 45 off 70.

Mayers’ innings was a little streaky – he edged his fourth ball past slip – but his

aggression was calculated, and it shook West Indies out of the torpor that was threatening to overcome their innings at the time. Mayers hooked a Chameera bouncer for six over deep square leg against the wind, in the 43rd over, and would hit another six soon after, launching Dhananjaya de Silva’s offspin over the sightscreen.

He looked set to make West Indies’ first half-century of the innings until Lakmal angled one in from wide of the stumps, bowling over the wicket, and got him to edge to second slip.

Mayers had got West Indies to within 40 runs of the lead, but it was Cornwall who rode West Indies into their excellent position. Sri Lanka’s main hope now is that Cornwall’s innings is an indication that the pitch has become much better to bat on. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD SRI LANKA 1ST INNINGS 169 ALL OUT WEST INDIES 1ST INNINGS Kraigg Brathwaite (c) c de Silva b Lakmal 3 John Campbell c †Dickwella b Chameera 42 Nkrumah Bonner lbw b Embuldeniya 31 Kyle Mayers c de Silva b Lakmal 45 Jermaine Blackwood b Lakmal 2 Jason Holder b Lakmal 19 Joshua Da Silva † c †Dickwella b Chameera 46 Alzarri Joseph c Chandimal b Lakmal 0 Rahkeem Cornwall not out 60

Kemar Roach not out 4 Extras (lb 6, nb 9, w 1) 16 TOTAL (101 Ov, RR: 2.65) 268/8 Yet to bat: Shannon Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Kraigg Brathwaite, 15.1 ov), 2-69 (Nkrumah Bonner, 36.1 ov), 3-95 (John Campbell, 46.2 ov), 4-120 (Jermaine Blackwood, 51.1 ov), 5-133 (Kyle Mayers, 57.1 ov), 6-169 (Jason Holder, 71.3 ov), 7-171 (Alzarri Joseph, 73.6 ov), 8-261 (Joshua Da Silva, 97.2 ov) BOWLING Suranga Lakmal Vishwa Fernando Dushmantha Chameera Lasith Embuldeniya Dhananjaya de Silva

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Robert Hanoman-Pandit Ravindranauth Persaud Golf Tournament a success ...Ravindra Harry emerges as victor

2237230-1

(Ext 55)

NOW!

The winners and their trophies

Robert Hanoman shares his thoughts

A

dhering to all COVID-19 protocols on Saturday, March 20, 2021, the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) kicked off yet another successful golf tournament. The tournament was sponsored by Robert Hanoman and Pandit Ravindranauth Persaud, two longstanding members of the LGC as part of their birthday celebration.

Emerging as victor of the highly-anticipated contest was Ravindra Harry with 41 points; Anand Persaud was second with 37, fol-

Pandit Ravi (right) addresses the competitors

lowed by Kasim Khan (37); Videsh Persaud (36) and Tom Watkins (36).

The Longest Drive prize went to Paton George and the Nearest to the Pin accolade, Khan. A total of 30 persons took part in the competition.

After the competition, Pandit Ravi said, “The tournaments over the past few months have improved dramatically. It is the main reason why more sponsors are getting involved. The all-round dedication

among staff and members are unequivocally exemplary. The Club members are high in spirit, and their confidence is demonstrated in no uncertain terms. All challenges which are forthcoming will be overcome.”

Hanoman and Pandit Ravi became acquainted with each other through golf, and have remained united by the game which they have been playing for over 20 years.

Hanoman is a top performer on the golf course. He has won several major tournaments and prizes, including first place in his flight in the prestigious Guyana Open.

Both gentlemen have, over the years, made significant and outstanding contributions to the LGC. Pandit Ravi has ensured ground improvements in addition to serving in several executive positions, and Counsel Hanoman has provided legal guidance and direction continuously. They have also provided consistent and voluntary financial assistance by means of sponsorships and assisted in other areas of club development.

The tournament is expected to be an annual fixture on the LGC’s official calendar of events.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Foreign Minister meets Fruta Conquerors ahead of CONCACAF Championship …to explore avenues of assistance …lauds team’s discipline

Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd addressing the team

F

oreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd has met members of the Fruta Conquerors Football Club ahead of the team’s participation in the upcoming CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield Championship.

The tournament will be played in Curaçao in April.

Minister Todd met players and club officials at the

Tucville Sports Ground on Sunday where he congratulated the players on their selection for the tournament and pledged to see what assistance could be offered to them.

“Once you are going to be part of a competition, you need a budget and support.

You need sponsorship and financial support to be able to meet the demands that are required. I will have a

conversation with the (club) President and the Coach and I will also take that forward to the President himself to see what assistance we can give you from the level of Government,” Minister Todd told the young players.

The Minister reminded the team that “you are not only competing as a club, but as a club representing Guyana”.

“I want to commend you for your commitment to the club and your drive and passion for football and the discipline that you are showing here. because we need this kind of discipline across Guyana to help to build this country.”

Minister Todd noted that Guyana has now had its largest budget yet for sports Incumbent CWI President Ricky Skerritt

Guyana’s Anand Sanasie

Members of the Fruta Conquerors Team

development. Additionally, with the coming oil wealth, more money would be made available to invest in sports.

“Guyana is going to expand and naturally, we will have more to give to sports.

So, once you commit yourselves, you can have a long life in the area of sports, because that is part of our development trajectory,” Minister Todd relayed.

He reminded the young players to be balanced, both on the field and in the classroom.

Head Coach Sampson Gilbert said the team were

looking forward to support from the Government and other stakeholders.

“I want to welcome the Minister. It is a good gesture, as a Government, it is totally necessary that we have these kinds of interactions to have better society where the people are confident in the Government, so that the Government could make commitments to the people.

“I really appreciate this and I am looking forward for the support. I am indeed looking forward to develop a very potent rela-

tionship with the Minister and the Government as a whole. The Government and the people are supposed to be one, and this is testimony of Government reaching out to the people to bridge that gap,” he told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

This year will be the club’s second opportunity to participate in the CONCACAF tournament, having participated back in 2019. Gilbert said his team looked forward to delivering a much better performance this time around. (DPI)

Mendonca proud of Pee-Wee/ Milo players in national team

Sanasie, Skerritt at odds over ethics code allegations

T

he upcoming presidential election of Cricket West Indies (CWI) will prove to be an engrossing one, as presidential candidates Anand Sanasie and Ricky Skerritt took verbal jabs at each other a mere six days before the election.

In a missive disseminated on Monday morning, incumbent President Skerritt has challenged the validity of Sanasie’s recent report of an ethics violation on the part of Skerritt, to the CWI Ethics Committee, denouncing claims that if proven true could hinder his campaign.

Skerritt’s statement is as follows: “I note that Mr Anand Sanasie has publicly stated that he has ‘reported’ me to the CWI Ethics Committee because of my attendance at a meeting with Honourable Charles Ramson of Guyana. Other than through Mr Sanasie’s public announcement, I have not been notified that there is any matter before the Ethics Committee.

I also note for the record that, just in the last year, there have been two previous mischievous attempts

by Mr Sanasie’s running

mate, Calvin Hope, to accuse me of unethical conduct during my tenure as CWI President. On both occasions, the Ethics Committee found that there was no basis to the Calvin Hope complaints.

In this latest baseless tactic, Mr Sanasie is showing a contemptuous disregard for the established system of the election of a President of CWI, just as he has done over many years in Guyana. It is Mr Sanasie’s own disregard for good governance and his disrespect for the judicial system which seven years ago brought about related Government Legislation, designed to prevent his continued abuse of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). Even if he has actually complained, such a complaint could not disqualify my nomination for the presidency of CWI. This attempt to involve the Ethics Committee in petty politics further highlights my concern that Sanasie’s only plan for West Indies cricket is to get power over it, by any means whatsoever.”

Meanwhile, shortly after Skerritt’s allegations were circulated, Sanasie, the current Secretary of

the embroiled GCB, underscored that the statement was reflective of the incumbent’s true colours and promised to make a formal response soon.

Sanasie’s statement is as follows: “I have seen a statement from CWI President Ricky Skerritt and will be responding formally shortly.

However, it is both disappointing and unsurprising to see the type of language used in the statement. The personal attack and slurs are a clear sign of desperation that is reaching a crescendo in the Skerritt camp as a result of my candidacy.

The vitriolic statement is in fact unmasking Mr Skerritt, who possesses a fierce aversion to different views and is a proponent of the “my way or the highway” philosophy of leadership. Such leadership styles cannot enure to the benefit of CWI. My formal statement will be released shortly.”

The CWI election is pegged for Sunday, March 28 and is set to be a virtual occasion. On the other hand, the second shot at a GCB election for 2021, will come on Monday, March 29.

Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca

B

eing in the business of football organisation, it is always a proud moment to see the products of your tournaments shine. This kind of pride is one that Troy Mendonca exuded after the recent Golden Jaguars team announcement.

The current senior men’s national team have a whopping total of 12 local players. Of that number, half of those players have come through the ranks of Pee Wee and Milo football tournaments, all organised by the Petra Organisation.

For Petra Organisation Co-Director Mendonca, to see those young players advance to the highest level of Guyanese football so quickly is a significant moment.

Here’s what he had to say about the Organisation’s aim of filling a gap between Pee Wee and the senior level, that has obviously paid off.

“When we started, especially the Milo Tournament, we understand and realise or we saw that gap, in terms of kids coming through. And we’re very happy all of those youngsters came through

the ranks of our schools’ tournaments,” Mendonca stated.

As such, he shared that the Organisation is committed to working with other entities to ensure future players have a similar or stronger foundation.

“And we’re very happy. We will continue to work with the relevant authorities, the Ministry of Education and the Guyana

Football Federation, to continue to lay that foundation,” the football organiser explained.

The likes of Jeremy Garrett, Job Caesar, Ryan Hackett, Omari Glasgow, Kelsey Benjamin, and Nicholas McArthur are all products of the Milo Secondary Schools football tournament and in some instances, the Pee-Wee Under-11 tournament.

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 2021

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

Foreign Minister meets Fruta Conquerors ahead of CONCACAF Championship

Pg 22

Pg 23

…to explore avenues of assistance …lauds team’s discipline

Rahkeem Cornwall remains not out on 60 Joshua DaSilva was part of the West Indies’ resurgence as he scored a resistant 46

Cornwall, Da Silva stretch West Indies’ lead after Lakmal 5-for

Pg 23

Fruta Conquerors Head Coach Sampson Gilbert (right) interacts with Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd

Sanasie, Skerritt Robert Hanoman-Pandit Ravindranauth Persaud Golf Tournament a success at odds over ...Ravindra Harry emerges as victor ethics code allegations

See story on page 23

Pg 22

Ravindra Harry (centre), who came in first, alongside Pandit Ravi (right) and Robert Hanoman (left)

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