GUYANA TIMES - TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

Canada pumps CAN$1.2M towards COVID-19 relief in Caribbean P12 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4603

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

Gas-to-shore project in Guyana feasible – T&T expert Page 11

...says initiative can save millions in foreign exchange, provide cheaper energy for citizens

Debt relief, other measures needed for developing countries – Pres Ali tells UN See story on page 3

...calls for commercial creditors to also extend debt relief

Guyana receives 24,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from COVAX Page 7

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Speeding trucks, boats causing damage to DHB – Min P9 Edghill ...traffic analysis being done; bridge to see reduced speed limit, fewer retractions

COVID-19 P13 claims 32 lives in March, with over 1500 cases recorded – death toll climbs to 229, active cases now stand at 1032

Security officer P2 attacked, injured by close acquaintance Improvised weapons, P2 drugs found during raid at NA Prison

Advisor to the Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, along with officials from the UNDP, EU and PAHO, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Monday upon the arrival of the 24,000 doses of vaccine from COVAX

Roger Khan calls for clean, impartial investigation into Fagundes’ execution Page 9

…Police say “comprehensive” probe being conducted

Motorcyclist dies after colliding with truck at Melanie Page 2

Labourer goes missing during fishing trip P14

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Motorcyclist dies after colliding Improvised weapons, drugs with truck at Melanie found during raid at NA Prison

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31-year-old motorcyclist is now dead after he was struck down by a truck along the Melanie Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Monday. The dead man has been identified as Leon Singh of Enmore, ECD. According to reports received, at the time of the accident, the truck, bearing registration number GSS 5634, was driven by a 43-year-old resident of Bachelors Adventure, ECD. Police preliminary investigation revealed that the truck was proceeding along the Melanie Access Road when the driver failed to stop at the corner. As a result, the truck ended up in the path of the motorcycle bearing registration CH 3066 driven by Singh.

Police stated that the motorcycle collided with the right-side front of the truck, thus causing Singh to fall onto the roadway where he sustained injuries to his body including his head.

Dead: Leon Singh

He was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he succumbed while receiving medical attention. The driver of the motor lorry was arrested and is assisting with investigations.

On Friday last, Calvin Pitt of Werk-en-Rust,

Georgetown, died while receiving treatment at the GPHC after he reportedly crashed into the rear of a minibus along the Prospect Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

It was reported that on the day in question, the minibus bearing registration number BMM 5344 was driving along the Prospect Public Road when the driver alleged that he felt a hard impact at the back of his vehicle.

As a result of the collision, Pitt was flung into the air and flew into the rear windscreen of the minibus.

He landed on the rear passenger seat of the minibus.

He was subsequently transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he lost consciousness.

He was admitted and treated for head injuries, broken ribs and fractured legs along with a series of other injuries. He nevertheless succumbed a few hours later.

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The items found in the possession of the New Amsterdam prisoners

embers of the Joint Services on Monday unearthed a number of contraband items during a raid at the New Amsterdam Prison.

According to the Police Commander for Region Six (East Berbice-Cornetyne), Senior Superintendent Jairam Ramlakhan, the raid commenced at about 05:00h and lasted just over three hours.

Among the items found were seven improvised weapons, a quantity of razor blades and two grams of cannabis.

Additionally, ranks also discovered one cellular phone, twenty lighters, pepper sauce and two cell phone chargers.

This came just hours after a similar exercise at the Lusignan Prison where contraband items including improvised weapons

and drugs were discovered.

During the search, the Police stated that 26 knives, 44 “juka”, 19 lighters, six pairs of scissors, 12 cell phones, two SIM cards, two memory cards, five razor blades, a quantity of cell phone parts, 10 cell phone chargers, a quantity of metal objects, a quantity of wires, and 83 small transparent ziplock bags containing ganja were found.

arresting the perpetrator.

Earlier in the month, a 24-year-old labourer of Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara, received at least six stab wounds about his body and a punctured lung, after he was attacked by a perpetrator who is known to him.

Reports are that the victim had attended a birthday party in the village.

During the party, the labourer allegedly had an issue with the perpetrator, which became violent. As such, the perpetrator armed himself with a broken glass

bottle and dealt the victim several stabs about his body.

The injured man was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was examined and admitted. His condition was regarded as serious.

Security officer attacked, injured by close acquaintance

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22-year-old security guard of Adventure, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), was on Sunday wounded during an altercation with a close acquaintance. Based on information received, the incident took

place at about 21:30h during a lime at Adventure.

Police stated that the victim alleged that while he was hanging out with a friend, the perpetrator came up to him and dealt him one cuff to his chest. The suspect further dealt him one blow

to the head with a broken glass bottle before making good his escape.

The injured man was taken to the Suddie Hospital where he was seen and treated. A report was made and the Police, up to press time, were not successful in

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 30 – 04:30h – 06:00h and Wednesday, March 31 – 04:30h – 06:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, March 30 – 05:20h – 06:50h and Wednesday, March 31 – 06:00h – 07:30h.

Debt relief, other measures needed for developing countries – Pres Ali tells UN ...calls for commercial creditors to also extend debt relief needs,” President Ali said.

The high-level virtual meeting was convened as part of the Financing for the Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond Initiative (FFDI), an initiative which serves as a call

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

Nicolas Maduro and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

During the meeting, there were opening remarks from UN Secretary General António Guterres.

Afterwards, there was a

WEATHER TODAY Light cloud will prevail during the day. There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly to NorthEasterly between 1.78 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 18:02h reaching a maximum height of 2.9 metres.

Low Tide: 11:35h and 23:52h reaching minimum heights of 0.23 metre and 0.38 metre.

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President Dr Irfaan Ali during his address

he United Nations (UN) was on Monday reminded by President Dr Irfaan Ali in his address that developing countries need continued assistance in the form of debt relief, in order to weather the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UN was at the time holding a virtual meeting of Heads of State on international debt architecture and liquidity. In his video message, President Ali spoke of the need for immediate relief to be provided to developing countries.

He recalled the developed world’s previous pledge to allocate a percentage of their Gross National Income (GNI) to development assistance. He noted that only four countries - Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway and Sweden - met or exceeded their target.

“Immediate relief should be provided. This could be achieved if developed countries honour the pledge made to allocate at least 0.7 per cent of their GNI to official development assistance. The developed world’s achievement of this pledge has been underwhelming. In 2019, official development assistance totalled $152.8 billion or approximately 0.3 per cent,” he explained.

That being said, the President lauded the steps taken so far by the global community when it comes to debt relief. He also applauded the recent initiative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to provide Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) of US$650 billion.

According to Ali, this would enhance global liquidity while helping countries navigate the fallout of the pandemic. But he made it clear that more needs to be done and the debt relief measures also adopted by commercial creditors.

“We would like to thank the G-20 countries for initiating the debt servicing suspension initiative, which allows for the postponement of debt repayments for more than 70 low-income countries. However, we would strongly urge them to seriously consider granting further extensions of the stand-

still period, to support the recovery efforts of poor countries.”

“Given the reality that many poor countries are saddled with debt distress, we advocate for broad-based debt relief for developing countries through international frameworks similar to The Paris Club arrangements.”

President Ali noted that in the long term, the pandemic has aggravated the levels of poverty around the world. He pointed out that the existing structure of international debt compounds the issues faced by poorer and developing countries, making their recovery from the economic impact of COVID that much harder.

“Guyana would, therefore, like to take this opportunity to urge developed countries and international financial institutions to immediately revisit and reform the existing international debt framework, so as to make it more responsive to developing countries’

The United Nations

to action for countries to address liquidity and debt vulnerability. There were previous FFDI meetings in 2020, which sought ways to push the economic recovery of countries due to the pandemic.

President Ali joined approximately 20 other world leaders from the region and the wider international community, including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Venezuelan President

roundtable discussion with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank Group President David Malpass and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretary General Ángel Gurría.

Also at the roundtable was the recently appointed World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, where measures geared at overcoming debt and lack of liquidity were discussed.

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 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

Taking a tough stance against COVID-19 violators

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s health authorities continue to plead with Guyanese to adhere to the national COVID-19 guidelines, there seems to be no heed by many citizens as to the danger they are exposing themselves and other persons when they continue to blatantly disregard these rules.

Since the beginning of this year, the COVID-19 cases and death toll continue to consistently increase. As of Sunday, the death toll was 229. What is noteworthy is that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has finally begun to up its enforcement of the national curfew and guidelines, which were put in place to help curb the spread of the deadly virus. This comes after much criticism of the lack of enforcement by the Police to help health authorities manage the execution of these guidelines. While for many months law enforcement officers have been dispersing crowds, not many persons were charged for breaching the guidelines. However, over the weekend, Police ranks over on the West Coast of Demerara finally got tough and arrested and charged 14 persons, who were among 200 at a party. Despite being wrong and breaking the law, some of these very persons took to social media criticising the Police’s actions, which quite frankly were in order and correct. Only recently, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said that Guyanese have dropped their guard in taking precautions and following national guidelines to protect themselves from COVID-19 and called on law enforcement to impose stricter penalties for violations. He had also pointed to the level of complacency currently seen which is contributing to rising cases.

There is no doubt non-adherence to precautions as outlined by health officials has reached an all-time high, and there is need for stricter enforcement. Every day, persons are just going about their daily routine as if they are not bothered at all about COVID-19 and its deadly effect.

We have supported, and continue to support, the move by Government to make it mandatory for persons to wear masks while out in public, which was implemented since August 2020.

Authorities have made it clear that it is not the Government’s intention to have persons locked up or fined for not wearing a mask while out in public. However, now that law enforcement is getting tough for adherence to the guidelines, this is one of the areas they also need to ensure full compliance.

Of note, too, is that even in cases where persons choose to wear a mask, they do not do so properly. Face masks should cover the nose, mouth, and chin. When not in use, the mask should be safely stowed away or discarded, and not be placed on any other part of the face or neck.

Mandatory mask-wearing and other preventative measures: handwashing/sanitising and social distancing, are the key measures to halt the severe impact of COVID-19.

With COVID-19 in Guyana, the Government, along with the various health partners, has wasted no time in stepping up the national response to contain the spread of the virus. However, citizens also have a role to play, and they must take that role seriously, or else the country will not be able to win the battle to control the virus.

The fact is, once the health guidelines to contain the spread of the virus are not taken seriously by citizens, the infection rates will continue to climb, and the country would take even longer before it could be fully reopened. This, we know, would have severe economic and social impacts on the country.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), masks are recommended as a simple barrier to help prevent respiratory droplets from travelling in the air and on to other people when the person wearing the mask coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice.

It must be noted, too, that COVID-19 can be spread by people who do not have symptoms and do not know that they are infected. For this reason, it is important that everyone wears a mask in public settings and practise social distancing.

Everyone wants the virus to be contained, so that they can get on with their daily lives, but this would not be possible if citizens are complacent or continue to ignore the health guidelines.

We support the Health Minister’s statement when he said: “We are going to be more stringent using the Joint Services to be able to enforce these guidelines. You will see more people being charged for not wearing masks and those businesses that are not complying with the guidelines will see stricter penalties coming their way. All of this can be avoided if people do the right thing. If we keep violating these things and allowing people to do the wrong thing, we are going to see spread.”

Agriculture Minister and Executive Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Zulfikar Mustapha and other officials on Sunday participated in a wreath-laying ceremony in remembrance of former President of Guyana, Janet Jagan on the occasion of her 12th death anniversary

Local governments must incorporate energy efficiency criteria Dear Editor, Local governments in the various regions and hinterland communities can take a range of approaches to promote energy efficiency, both in their own operations and in their communities by investing in energy efficiency, local governments can achieve substantial energy cost savings across their facilities, and demonstrate energy and environmental leadership.

In addition to improving the efficiency of existing and new facilities, local governments must incorporate energy efficiency criteria into product procurement decisions and introduce strategies to improve the energy efficiency of commercial, industrial, and other non-governmental buildings that allow local governments to achieve much greater benefits than by focusing on their buildings alone. Also, helping homeowners and business owners in their communities to improve energy efficiency in their homes and businesses can be an effective strategy for local governments to reduce energy demand that helps households and businesses save money, improve comfort and reduce energy consumption.

We utilise energy in different forms in our daily lives and cannot even think about surviving without it. We use energy to light our homes, businesses and

street lighting as well, to be able to power machinery and equipment in factories, to cook our food, for playing music and operating televisions and many more every day regular uses.

We must conserve energy; we must practice reducing the quantity of energy used. This can be attained through efficient energy use. In this case, energy use is decreased at the same time getting the same outcome as a result, or by reduced consumption of energy services. It is one of the easiest processes to help Guyanese by means of pollution in addition to making use of natural energy.

This may result in an increase in financial capital, better environmental results, national security, personal security and human comfort. Individuals and companies - direct consumers of energy may need to conserve energy so as to reduce energy expenses and promote economic security. Industrial and business class users may want to increase efficiency and as a result, it maximises their benefits as well.

Energy conservation is the reduction or removal of unnecessary or unwanted energy.

There are many reasons why homeowners and business owners should consider energy efficiency, from the clear environmental and financial benefits of

cutting energy use to potential improvements in mental and physical health. In fact, energy efficiency has become one of the common features that prospective homeowners and business owners look for when purchasing a home or business.

Whether our motivations for energy conservation are economic, environmental, or personal, the benefits of energy efficiency will have something to offer for everyone. Energy conservation plays a significant role in lessening climate change. It helps the replacement of non-renewable resources with renewable energy.

Energy conservation plays a very important role because the utilisation of non-renewable resources also impacts our environment. The usage of fossil fuel adds to air and water pollution such as carbon dioxide is produced when oil combusts in power plants, heating systems, and engines of cars.

As we all aware, carbon dioxide works as a transparent layer in the atmosphere that is part of the cause of the global warming of the earth, or we can also name it the greenhouse effect. Global warming has its own consequences in our atmosphere. It has its deadly effects like the spreading of different diseases, warmer waters, increased chances and intensity of heatwaves

and financial costs.

I encourage every Guyanese to improve their housekeeping habits in such a way that saves more energy like turning off lights when you are not present in a room or not at home, close your heating vents and doors in rooms which are not being utilised anymore, clean your air filters and make proper use of energy and conserve it, share and communicate these facts and information with others in your family, friends and neighbours.

There are many other activities which help people conserve or save energy.

A simple example is using the LED emergency bulb. It works like an energy-saving bulb during regular use and switches to emergency light during a power outage, running on a lithium-ion battery.

Thanks to a smartcharging feature, the light bulb can automatically refill its battery when the switch is on, allowing you the opportunity to never be left in the dark again! We can utilise solar energy instead of using electricity during the night for security lighting.

Conserving energy is very important since most of the energy resources we use are non-renewable. So we need to make proper utilisation of these resources.

Sincerely, David Adams

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TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 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

A final look back at the March 2, 2020 election saga

Dear Editor, As March comes to an end, we take a look back at the infamous plot to rig the election right before the eyes of the world. It was one of the most barefaced and diabolical acts to have hit the Guyana landscape in a long time and our courts will have to deal with it swiftly and condignly. Not only will the courts deal with this matter, but we

will also witness a dismantling of this closely guarded rigging apparatus, for good. Guyana will never be the same again after these court hearings. Rigging is dead and never again will it raise its ugly head in our society again.

Now, this is a pretty simple case, I am talking about the election petition matter as well as the Lowenfield and comrades case, both

Nationalisation and theft

Dear Editor, Many Comrades have spoken on the path taken to where we are today. Many have also complained about the bad deal with Exxon and the wasteful approach being taken in the industry.

It is important to remember that stealing from those who have stolen from you is not a justifiable act.

If we reflect upon the nationalisation that took place in our recent post-independence history, it becomes pellucid that many foreign investors lost their investments and would consider what occurred to be the equivalent of theft. Now it feels as though tables have turned and the iniquity of the PNC of the past is now returning upon our country.

Many consider what occurred to be a selfish act in the signing of a very bad oil deal in return for personal and family gains. If so, this is but a continuation of the robbery of the national treasury. What is evident is the attempted seizure of power during the last election.

If this would have occurred, and based on the evident corruption that is being uncovered, coupled with the personal sanctions put in place, those involved most probably would have further capitalised on the opportunity to take from what rightful-

ly belongs to all Guyanese.

This speaks volumes of the immoral and low stature of those individuals.

The PPP has to now balance the history of the PNC robbing investors and creating national instability, which increases country risk, with the desire for a fair oil deal. This is best approached with clean hands.

More specifically, the annual performance review built into the contract allows for the discussion and improvement of contract terms. Also, it is important to exercise where possible the option to slow down the expansion of drilling operations until obtaining a balanced agreement. Our citizens know the difficult history that we must overcome when dealing with foreign investors and being patient yet exhaustive in our negotiations continues to be necessary.

Many successful national and corporate leaders are of the opinion that an open mind is needed to be successful in an ever-changing global environment. This too we must embrace to be successful in uplifting our country beyond the obvious and somewhat flawed development undertaken by many nations in the past.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

are infantile at best. The questions are straightforward and would carry the following trend, at the end of the election there would have been the generation of Statements of Poll (SoPs) for each electoral district. All ten electoral districts submitted theirs, but for some mysterious reason known to Lowenfield and cabal, Region Four’s SoPs were suddenly hidden from view and a substitution spreadsheet was used instead.

Who authorised him to hide the SoPs and substitute his own is yet to be determined by a court of law.

However, what is crystal clear, those spreadsheet results given by Mingo bear no resemblance to those copies already in the hands of the other political parties

as well as the international observers. Further, under whose authorisation were those declarations made, did the Chairwoman authorise him? Whose signatures are on the declarations for Region Four, if it is not the Chairwoman’s then whose are they? Are the signatories authorised GECOM officials?

These and other searching questions the Chief Elections Officer and his Returning Officer have to provide sensible answers to.

Neither can he feign ignorance as to the procedures governing declarations, because this is someone who is well versed in the electoral process many times over so ignorance is not an excuse. The only answer is that here we have someone

who was determined to rig the election.

He was on a course to capture the general election for the PNC in an illegal process and was caught red-handed.

All doubts about his intentions were cleared when he persisted in giving those unverified and falsified figures at the recount, not once but thrice.

This was the most brazen and barefaced act ever, this was Lowenfield’s intent and purpose all along. This is the foolishness Lowenfield wanted to perpetuate and for which he wants us to accept.

He wanted to coax the PNC into a fool’s paradise that they can win an election by doing everything against the norms and standards of modern justice and

expect to get away with it.

Well, I can tell him this is not going to happen.

Now, we have long gone past the stage of an apology from Lowenfield or a, I did not know what I was doing, we are now into the phase of conviction and incarceration. My kind advice to Lowenfield is, be candid and open in his confession and state under whose instruction he made those declarations and do not waste the court’s time. The longer you hold out in this nonsensical roundabout the greater will be your sentence.

Let me again assure the PNC that rigging is a fossilised dinosaur that cannot be resurrected.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

GNBS needs to visit the markets

Dear Editor, I recently visited the Kitty Market to purchase some items and I observed that the vendor used a rusty Gloria brand tin milk as a substitute for a pound weight. I asked him about it and he said that he doesn’t have a pound weight but that the tin milk is equivalent to a pound.

The approximate weight of the contents of a Gloria brand tin milk is 14.5 ounces, which means it is 1.5 ounces short of a pound.

I am sure the tin does not weigh 1.5 ounces. This means that this vendor has

been defrauding many shoppers for quite a while now of their true weight. I also observed the dial scales which have been prohibited by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards being used by vendors in the Kitty Market as well as the Stabroek and Bourda Markets.

Editor, a simple Google search revealed that the last surveillance and inspection campaign carried out by the GNBS was in 2017 in the Stabroek and Bourda Markets area when several measuring devices were seized.

However, I could not find

out when was the last time the GNBS did a surveillance and verification campaign in the Kitty Market area. Perhaps another surveillance and inspection campaign by the GNBS is

long overdue and maybe this time they may include the Kitty Market area.

Kind regards, Shazad Sookram

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TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

Foundation ◄

Page

Æsop’s Fables

FOR CHILDREN

Monday’s answers So Figure D can be divided in two triangles – the first with sides measuring 3.30cm and 2cm with one side’s height currently unknown, and the second with a side measuring 4.36cm with the height of two sides currently unknown, and a rectangle with sides measuring 2cm and 6cm The area of the rectangle = length x height = 2cm x 6cm = 12cm2

1a) The area of a triangle = ½ base x height In Triangle A, base = 14cm and height = 5.25cm So, ½ base x height = ½ (14 x 5.25) = 36.75cm2 1b) The area of a parallelogram = base x height In Parallelogram A, base = 5cm and height = 2cm So, base x height = (5 x 2) = 10cm2 1c) The area of a parallelogram = base x height In Parallelogram B, base = 6cm and height = 3cm So, base x height = (6 x 3) = 18cm2 1d) The area of Figure D can be solved by dividing it into simpler shapes whose measurements are known for the most part.

Use Pythagorean Theorem c2 = a2 + b2 to find the length of the unknown side For Triangle 1, c2 = a2 + b2 = (3.30)2 = (2)2 + (x)2 (3.30)2 = (2)2 + (x)2 10.89 = 4 + x2 10.89 – 4 = x2 6.89 = x2 X = the square root of 6.89 =2.62cm So for Triangle 1, ½ base x height = ½ (2.62cm x 2) = 2.62cm2 The base of Triangle 2 = total length of the line – the base of Triangle 1 and the breadth of the rectangle = 13 – (2.62 + 6) = 4.38cm So for Triangle 2, ½ base x height = ½ (4.38cm x 2) = 4.38cm2 So the area of Figure D = 12cm2 + 2.62cm2 + 4.38cm2 = 19cm2

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hare pounced upon by an eagle sobbed very much and uttered cries like a child.

A sparrow upbraided her and said, "Where now is thy remarkable swiftness of foot? Why were your feet so slow?"

While the sparrow was thus speaking, a hawk suddenly seized him and killed him. The hare was comforted in her death, and expiring said, "Ah! you who so lately, when you supposed yourself safe, exulted over my calamity, have now reason to deplore a similar misfortune."

WORD SEARCH

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana receives 24,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from COVAX

Advisor to Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy signs to collect the consignment of vaccines on Monday at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, in the presence of representatives from UNICEF, the EU and PAHO/WHO

T

he COVAX facility on Monday delivered 24,000 AstraZeneca vaccines to Guyana – the first tranche until 100,800 doses are consigned to support the local vaccination programme.

The doses, manufactured

by SK Bioscience of South Korea, arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport after being dispatched by PAHO’s Revolving Fund that was responsible for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines for the countries of the Americas.

It is the first phase of deliveries for Guyana, with more vaccines expected to arrive successively during 2021. According to the first round of allocations, Guyana is expected to continue receiving doses through May until it reaches 100,800, the amount specified by the global mechanism.

COVAX is a partnership between the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi - the Vaccine Alliance, the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and the United Nations

Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

In a statement, COVAX noted, “The arrival marks a historic step towards ensuring equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally, in the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history.”

Receiving the vaccines was Advisor to the Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who lauded efforts from partners to ensure equitable distribution of vaccines to many countries, adding that Guyana’s vaccination campaign will be bolstered.

“This will go a far way to permit Guyana to continue our vaccination rollout…COVAX is working assiduously to stop inequity in COVID-19 vaccination.

Guyana is making a commitment to our people that we will spare no efforts and we will invest whatever is necessary that every citizen in our country, every resident in our country including those migrants are vaccinated,” Ramsammy posited.

He added, “We are demonstrating that we are Guyana strong and we are on the road to ensuring that

all persons residing within our borders are vaccinated in 2021. We are grateful to COVAX and our partners that have been in the forefront for months, helping to support our supply chain.”

Guyana is included in ten countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that will be receiving vaccines at no cost through the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) and is the first AMC country in the Caribbean to receive the vaccines.

P A H O / W H O Representative in Guyana, Dr Luis Codin said this arrival is very reassuring as it indicated that more people will be protected from the deadly virus.

“We will continue to work with the country to support vaccination along with the entire package of known public health and social measures that we know can help stop the spread of COVID-19, protect health services, and save lives,” Dr Codin noted.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the UN body in Guyana has been working with Government, civil so-

ciety, and other partners to identify and assist the needs of the population in responding to the health crisis and its socio-economic effects.

UNICEF Representative to Guyana, Nicolas Pron stated, “The arrival of these vaccines and the future deliveries bring hope to families, especially children, who have suffered the consequences of the crisis caused by the pandemic, with profound impacts on education, mental health, protection and food security.”

His sentiments were backed by UN Resident Coordinator for Guyana, Mikiko Tanaka who lauded COVAX as a “hard-won global partnership” to ensure no one is left behind in the path to recovery.

Meanwhile, EU Ambassador to Guyana, Dr Fernando Ponz Cantó has committed to ensuring accessibility to vaccines everywhere around the world. In addition, EU Member States will be able to further offer part of their doses to other third countries’ citizens through the EU sharing mechanism, once the level of production within the EU and the overall epidemiological situation allows it.

He further highlighted that ‘’COVAX is an essential vehicle for delivering on international vaccine solidarity and this first delivery is most welcomed as Guyana is forging ahead with vaccinations’’.

The first coronavirus case in Guyana was reported in March 2020. Since then, the country has confirmed over 10,000 cases and 227 deaths as a result of infection. COVAX seeks to

The vaccines being offloaded on Monday

provide vaccines for at least 20 per cent of the population of each participating country during 2021.

In this first round of vaccine allocation, all COVAX participating countries will receive doses to vaccinate between 2.2 and 2.6 per cent of their population.

The only exceptions are Small Island Developing States, which will receive an allocation of vaccines to cover between 16 and 20 per cent of their population, due to the high logistical cost of delivering small quantities of vaccines.

“Until vaccination is widespread among the population, basic public health measures remain the basis of the pandemic response.

For public health authorities, this means continuing diagnostic testing, contact tracing, isolation, assisted quarantine, and quality care. And for individuals, it means continuing to practice physical distancing, hand hygiene, the use of masks, adequate ventilation of indoor environments, and avoidance of crowded spac-

es,” the entity said.

The mechanism aims to secure 1.3 billion doses for 92 low and middle-income countries by the end of the year. Vaccine flights have been taking off almost every day and to date, the EU has given over €2.2 billion in contribution – making it the biggest donor to date.

Thus far, Guyana’s vaccination programme has been led by 80,000 vaccines from India, 20,000 Sinopharm doses from China and 3000 through the Barbadian Government. To date, over 31,000 persons have received their first dose.

The country has also purchased 200,000 doses of the Russian-manufactured Sputnik V vaccines. These will arrive in batches of 50,000. President Irfaan Ali on Friday disclosed that the country is buying these jabs to the tune of a whopping US$4 million since Guyana will be paying US$20 per dose for the Russian vaccine but according to the President, Government cannot put a price tag on the health of the citizenry.

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Attempt to block budget for constitutional agencies

Patterson maintains High Court has jurisdiction to review Finance Minister’s action

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

ontrary to submissions by Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) David Patterson is contending that the High Court has jurisdiction to hear a legal challenge regarding $11.2 billion that was passed for constitutional agencies in the 2020 emergency budget.

Patterson is asking the High Court to declare that the consideration and approval of budget proposals for constitutional agencies by the National Assembly on September 1, 2020, were done contrary to Section 80 B (2) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA).

Patterson, who previously served as Public Infrastructure Minister under the previous APNU/AFC Government, has complained that the proposals were not made available to his party before September 1, 2021, which constitutes a breach of the FMAA. He is also seeking several orders including one to stop the Finance Ministry from disbursing monies to the agencies, which include the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Audit Office of Guyana, and the Supreme Court of Judicature.

C

Jurisdiction

For his part, Nandlall contended that the matter has

already been overtaken and dealt with by Parliament and is merely of academic importance now. In this regard, the Attorney General submitted that as a matter of policy, the case should not be heard by the High Court.

As such, he urged the Court to dismiss Patterson’s application.

“It is trite law that the first duty of every court is to satisfy itself of its jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter before it… it is clear that in these proceedings, the applicant is inviting the court to enquire into proceedings of Parliament. [Patterson] is asking this court to declare unlawful a number of processes and proceedings which took place in Parliament in relation to the National Estimates and Expenditure of Guyana for the year 2020,” Nandlalll argued.

However, Patterson contended that the submissions made by the Attorney General that the Court does not have jurisdiction to enquire into whether Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh complied with the law is misconceived. “It is submitted that the issue of the failure to com-

Opposition MP David Patterson

ply with Section 80 B (1) and (2) of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act Cap 73:02 are proper subject matters of judicial review.”

According to the Opposition Member of Parliament, the Finance Minister must obey the law which has been enacted by Parliament and is subject to judicial review when he fails to obey the law. Patterson, therefore, maintains that lack of compliance with the process for consideration and approval of budget proposals for constitutional agencies renders the consideration and/or approval of the 2020 budget bad in law, null, and of no legal effect.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

Wailing Jeremiahs...

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...in Guyana s we slouch towards Good Friday and Easter, having just meditated on the meaning of Holi and its exuberant colour, your Eyewitness noticed the anti-Govt naysayers intensifying bashing of the gas-toshore project. There was another letter in the press from a “Dr Jailall – who’d previously announced his expertise in “education”.

Lacking expertise in engineering or related fields, it does mean that he’s pretty much dependent on canned generic accounts on the subject trawled from the web.

This is borne out by the headlines he cited to back up his claim that VP Jagdeo was talking through his hat when he asserted that the project “was a no-brainer”, yet went on to laboriously develop the non sequitur, “It’s a no-brainer – Guyana can renegotiate all oil deals.”

All of that to drip sarcasm on the use of the phrase “it’s a no-brainer”? Renegotiating the oil contracts has nothing to do with the gas-to-shore project! So let’s unpack the two cause Celebes starting with the renegotiation. So, the Government tells Exxon: “We want to renegotiate!”

And Exxon replies, “No can do! Go look at Article 32 of the contract Raphael Trotman signed on behalf of the GoG. This so-called “Stability Clause says: “Except as may be expressly provided herein, the Government shall not amend, modify, rescind, terminate, declare invalid or unenforceable, require renegotiation of, compel replacement or substitution or otherwise seek to avoid alter, or limit this agreement without the prior written consent of the contractor.””.

And that this clause further goes on to state that if the GoG does anything adverse to the company from the contract, the latter can go to arbitration. Does the good Doctor want to take a chance on this...since the Arbitrator can award damages to the company? Thought not!

On the gas-to-shore project, didn’t the VP say he’d be presenting the feasibility studies on both the location and the investment, before proceeding? Your Eyewitness believes that these armchair “experts” have absolutely no idea of what’s going on with the community in Wales after the PNC shuttered the sugar factory. It’s devastation, plain and simple. If they did, maybe they’d echo the original weeping Prophet Jeremiah: “I will weep and wail for the mountains and take up a lament concerning the wilderness grasslands. They are desolate and untravelled, and the lowing of cattle is not heard. The birds have all fled and the animals are gone.”

The Government appears committed to killing several birds with the big stone of our natural gas generating power for the next 30 years. Those who want to save the planet should speak to the big emitters.

Our forests will cover our increased emissions! ...needed for COVID response Last Phagwa weekend, the people just absolutely refuse to take the basic precautions like social distancing, wearing masks and (God forbid!) washing hands. You’d hardly suspect that we’re in the midst of the greatest pandemic the world has witnessed in the past century – and our numbers of infected and deaths were rising exponentially. Maybe we should “call for the mourning women to come; send for the skilled women to come; let them quickly raise a dirge over us, so that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids flow with water.”

And you can’t blame the “authorities”. Starting with the President, the entire Government reiterated the need to play Phagua sensibly. Meaning at the minimum, to wear masks. They all went out and didn’t just “tell”, but “showed”. In fact, the callous and opportunistic PNC seized upon the announcements to criticise President Ali for shutting down “the Hindu festival of Holi”, because he’s a Muslim!

Yes...you can’t go lower than a snake! ...for cricket Your Eyewitness is calling upon the members of CWI – meaning the Boards of our various territories –- to stop Skerritt from playing dirty pool and get on with the elections for the Chair!

Let’s see what Guyana can do!

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

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Speeding trucks, boats causing damage to DHB – Min Edghill ...traffic analysis being done; bridge to see reduced speed limit, fewer retractions also revealing that they have taken certain steps such as releasing trucks to cross the bridge intermittently.

However, he noted that the marine traffic and the speed at which they pass under the bridge is also causing damage.

“Because some of them are moving with such speed and they are creating waves and currents, they are causing misalignment of the bridge. So, when the bridge twist up and the anchors are shifted, getting the bridge to open and close is difficult. So just like we’re working with the truckers to slow down, we’re also working with the vessels.”

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Traffic management

Public Works Minister Juan Edghill during a bridge inspection

ublic Works Minister Juan Edghill has revealed that speeding trucks and even vessels are the primary cause behind the worsening damages to the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) and that steps including enforcing a speed limit, will be taken.

Edghill made this revelation during an engagement with technical staff at the Demerara Harbour Bridge on Sunday. He explained that they have received advice from both internal and external technical experts.

He recalled that they had previously advertised the bridge’s temporary closure on Saturday due to damag-

es, which would allow for remedial work to a component of the bridge. The damage is such, however, that as of Sunday it had not been fixed.

And he revealed that trucks are one of the primary culprits for this damage.

“Span nine is not fixed.

So, the one and a half hours of yesterday’s work did not fix the problems of span nine.

All it did was allow us to fix one of 272 eyes or pins, to get the bridge into some state to allow retractions for marine traffic and to keep vehicular traffic moving,” Edghill explained.

“We have observed that damages to the bridge are being caused by both vehic-

Patterson maintains...

FROM PAGE 8

Not applicable

Patterson argued that the Government’s failure to circulate the budget proposals for the constitutional agencies to the APNU/AFC cannot be justified by the doctrine of necessity as is being advanced

by Nandlall. “It is submitted that the Doctrine of Necessity has no application to the instant case,” he said.

According to him, there was clearly no necessity for the unwarranted and flagrant breach of the law. “There is no basis for the reliance and invocation of the doctrine of necessity, or the need to act in any emergency as Article 219 of the Constitution provides for the situation which the respondents claim was an emergency. The claim of an emergency was clearly contrived.”

He argued, too, that the aforementioned constitutional provision empowers the Finance Minister to make withdrawals of such sums from the Consolidated Fund as may be necessary for meeting the expenditure of the Public Services until the expiry of a period of nine months commencing with the date on which the National Assembly first meets after the dissolution.

Taking this into consideration, he argued, “Thus, the [Finance] Minister acted contrary to law, and in breach of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act when he contemptuously disre-

garded the provisions of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act.” In relying on the doctrine of necessity, the Attorney General noted that the PPP inherited Government at a time when the nation was in a crisis and it was, therefore, necessary to take steps to safeguard the continuation of the effective running of the State.

“At the time of the passing of the emergency budget, Guyana was in a financial crisis hence the present Government was forced, out of necessity, to urgently pass the budget to enable the Government to restore stability in Guyana and to offer much-needed relief to Guyanese.”

The amendments to the FMAA were passed on February 4, 2020. They simplified the process implemented by the previous APNU/AFC Government in 2015 to have constitutional agencies present their budgets separately from the national budget.

Previously, the budgets for constitutional agencies would have to be considered separately by the National Assembly and approved, after which it would be incorporated into the national budget. But the PPP has now removed this two-step process and combined them into a single presentation to the National Assembly for consideration.

ular and marine traffic. So, we’ve had to put measures in place particularly for the trucks. Because all of the damages causing us headaches are damages occurring in the braking zone. When the trucks are speeding and they have to apply brakes, we’re getting the damages.”

Edghill called for truckers traversing the bridge to adopt a new culture, while

When it comes to traffic management, Edghill said that they are working with mariners to schedule bridge retractions when there is the least vehicular traffic, such as at night. According to him, they are doing an analysis of traffic patterns in order to come up with bridge schedules that satisfy both marine and terrestrial traffic.

“We’ve already made a decision that we’re not going

Civil Engineer Marcel Gaskin

to have openings from 02:00 to 05:00 in the afternoon, to deal with the rush hour traffic. Now, we’re coming to a place where we’ll have to allow these vessels to pass at night.”

“We may have to still facilitate some daytime openings because we have tug and barges which is not very safe to transit at night.

So, we may have to do that during the day but we will announce that. So, we’re doing an analysis of the traffic patterns. So, we’ll be able to schedule openings both for regular vessels, tugs and

barges. And that analysis will be completed within the next 48 hours.”

Meanwhile, Civil Engineer Marcel Gaskin, who was present during the engagement, explained that the DHB has outlived its lifespan and is showing signs of serious wear and tear. He said the approach to fixing the issues would be done over short and longterm phases, even as plans are ongoing to build a new Demerara River bridge from Nandy Park on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) to La Grange on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD).

Gaskin said this includes replacing the retractor span (a retractor span opens and closes to allow large vessels to pass). Currently, span nine is worse than span ten, but both have suffered severe damage. Gaskin predicted that the situation should be fixed over a sixmonth period.

Highlighting some of the short-term measures, the engineer noted that the “roller cards” will be replaced.

These are the underside protection which are located at the area that opens and closes the bridge.

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Roger Khan calls for clean, impartial investigation into Fagundes’ execution …Police say “comprehensive” probe being conducted sassination has a particular signature to it. Especially in the light of the Police posture over the past week…This car parked yards away, feet away from the Prime Minister’s residence and the President’s residence. Over 40 high calibre

by investigators of the Force’s Major Crimes Unit. This is a fact of which Roger Khan is well aware, since during the ensuing investigations he has been personally questioned by two ranks of the Unit in the presence of his lawyer; follow-

The white car leaving the murder scene two Sundays ago

Shaheed Roger Khan

Dead: Ricardo Fagundes

haheed Roger Khan, convicted by a US court of drug smuggling, broke his silence with regards to the execution of his close associate, 42-year-old Ricardo Fagundes also called “Paper Shorts” who was gunned down two Sundays ago at Main Street, Georgetown.

Khan claimed that the Police had not been diligently investigating the apparent execution, in which he was the actual target, and called for the authorities to ensure there will be a “clean and impartial”

investigation.

Fagundes was given an emotional send-off on Monday where several of his family, friends and close associates paid their last respects.

It was during the funeral service at Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), Thomas Land, Georgetown, that Khan made the damning revelation that he was the intended target on the night Fagundes was executed.

He also stated that the present investigation has been compromised. “This as-

S

The car that was found burnt hours after the execution-style killing

rounds were fired killing this boy… Yet, the Guyana Police Force has not considered this crime a major crime investigation.”

Meanwhile, shortly after Khan made his statement, the Police refuted that the murder investigation has been comprised.

“This incident is being treated with every seriousness and alacrity spearheaded

ing which he had voluntarily given a written statement,” the Police said in a statement.

The Police also rubbished allegations that members of the Force have been intimidating and harassing family members of the victim and their supporters during the investigations.

“The Guyana Police Force is assuring the general public that a comprehensive investi-

gation is being conducted into the death of Ricardo Fagundes and all leads are being followed with the aim of bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

Fagundes, a popular gold dealer and biker, was executed on March 21, 2021, on Main Street, Georgetown.

It was reported that the now dead man was partying with a group of friends when his phone rang. Due to the noise, he reportedly exited the club to take the call. As he reportedly stepped out, two men opened fire on him.

He was reportedly shot about 15 times. As his friends and other patrons heard the gunshots, they ran out to investigate but instead, they found Fagundes lying motion-

lessly in a pool of blood next to his car.

Following the incident, Police recovered several spent shells from a high-powered rifle at the scene. A few hours later, a video surfaced which showed that two men exited a white wagon and opened fire on Fugandes after which they reentered and the car fled the scene.

A car that is similar to the one that fled the scene was found burnt at Swan, Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

Following the discovery, the Police stated that forensic tests will have to be conducted on the vehicle to determine if it was the same car that was used in the execution of Fagundes.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021|| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Gas-to-shore project in Guyana feasible – T&T expert ...says initiative can save millions in foreign exchange, provide cheaper energy for citizens

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he gas-to-shore project is feasible for Guyana and is not likely to result in any significant addition to the cost recovery pool. This is the view of Trinidad and Tobago’s former Energy Minister, Kevin Ramnarine.

Ramnarine, who played an integral part in drafting recommendations for Guyana’s Local Content Policy, expressed his views on the project during a recent OilNow-facilitated webinar on gas to power. He listed the benefits of the project, from cheaper Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to President Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision of Guyana establishing a gas to protein plant.

“Cheaper electricity by 40, 50 per cent. Cheaper LPG. Savings in foreign exchange, because you’re not going to have to expend foreign exchange to buy fuel oil and LPG. Then there is also the Government. President Ali has been talking about a very exciting project, gas to protein.”

“Gas to protein, you’re taking natural gas and you’re making amino acid chains, which are the building blocks of protein. In Trinidad we have a pilot plant at the University of Trinidad and Tobago, that is supposed to be doing gas to protein. Gas to protein is being done commercially in Norway. This protein is used to make animal feed,”

Liquefied Petroleum Gas

Ramnarine explained.

When it comes to the potential cost of the project, which has caused intense debate in some quarters, Ramnarine urged persons to look at the gas-to-shore project in the context of the overall economics of the Stabroek Block.

Ramnarine recalled that the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) Guyana has with ExxonMobil makes provisions for cost recovery. He noted that all of the costs associated with the Liza venture go into the cost pool and are extracted against revenue.

“The cost of a pipeline like that, I estimate to be between US$600 million and $800 million, for that length of pipeline and depth of water. The cost of the pipeline and the facilities on land to receive the gas, as a percentage of the monies in the cost pool, is probably going to be very small.

I’m thinking it's going to be

in the single digits of percentage, given the amount of money in the cost pool.”

“Let’s assume the cost pool has US$10 billion. Putting an additional US$600 to $800 million into that is less than 10 per cent. You’re looking at increasing that cost pool in a single-digit percentage. It's not going to make much of a difference in the overall economics of the Stabroek Block. We’re talking about massive numbers here in terms of revenue and recovery.”

He also pointed out that there is no cost related to the gas since Exxon did not spend money exploring for gas. Rather, it is a byproduct of the oil that Exxon explored for and is currently producing.

“It’s like bagasse when you’re making sugar. The bagasse just happens to be a by-product of the sugar process, which can then be used for value-added projects. So, the only cost for

this project really are the pipelines, laying the pipelines and the infrastructure on land,” Ramnarine said.

He cautioned, however, that a Natural Gas masterplan for using the resource might be to Guyana’s benefit.

Soon after the Government issued permit licences to Exxon for the Payara Development Project last year, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had announced that the Government would turn its attention to negotiating the gas-to-energy project.

He had pointed out that Guyana is generating at nearly 17 to 20 cents per kilowatt/hour. As such, he noted that the project could cut the cost of electricity in the country by more than half. To this end, he had announced that a team has been set up to start negotiations on the gas-to-energy project, with the

Former T&T Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine

Government eyeing 2023 to bring the project to fruition.

And indeed, a Gas-toShore Project Advisory Committee headed by former National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) Head Winston Brassington was set up soon afterwards to look at various locations for the gas-to-shore project.

A number of factors in-

cluding geotechnical, geophysical and environmental factors were examined before Vice President Jagdeo announced recently that the Government had settled on Wales to land the pipelines for the project.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who has responsibility for the energy sector, has previously said that the Government is looking to produce 200 megawatts of power from the gas-to-shore project by 2024.

Exxon has said that around 30 to 35 million cubic feet of natural gas would be required for the gas-to-shore project.

Recently-released data from Norwegian research company Rystad Energy had indicated that less than 20 per cent of the 1.8 billion Barrels of Oil Equivalent (BOE) discovered last year was gas.

12 NEWS Govts must provide support to farmers amid COVID-19 pandemic – Min Mustapha tells regional forum TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– says Guyana provides incentives for investment in corn, soya

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griculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha discussed Guyana’s efforts to resuscitate the agriculture sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic during a virtual meeting with the Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and other Agriculture Ministers from across the Region.

Minister Mustapha noted that COVID-19 has impacted the agri-food system in several ways.

“We saw a reduction in the income for farmers, loss of jobs for some, and increased prices of agriculture inputs and supplies, just to name a few. One major lesson that COVID-19 has highlighted is the need for more resilient agriculture sectors in the Region,” Guyana’s Agriculture Minister added.

According to him, it is important to provide con-

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

tinuous support to farmers.

In this regard, he said that the Government of Guyana is providing special incentives for investment in corn and soya.

“It is necessary to facilitate continued access to and diversification of sources for agriculture inputs such as seeds and other planting

materials, feeds for poultry, livestock, and other small ruminant animals, and fertilisers. We are exploring alternative sources of feeds to reduce our dependency on external supply and reduce this cost for our farmers.”

Minister Mustapha also said that Caribbean nations need to work together to transform the way agriculture is done. On this note, he encouraged his counterparts to use the 2021 United Nations Food Systems Summit as a launching point to present actions and implement solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

“It is imperative that the Caribbean Region work together to transform the way we produce, consume and think about food, ensuring our countries are not left behind. We should use the UN Food Systems Summit as a launching point to take concrete actions and imple-

IICA Director General, Dr Manuel Otero

ment solutions that will put us on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our national food systems should be aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. All actors in the agri-food system and partners such as IICA will undoubtedly have a vital

role to play.”

Meanwhile, Agriculture Ministers from across the Region spoke about the challenges faced in the sector as a result of the pandemic. They vowed to collectively work to enhance regional integration as they seek to rebuild their respective productive sectors.

IICA’s Director General, Dr Manuel Otero, also officially launched the “AgriExtApp”, a platform developed to foster government-to-government intra-regional trade, as well as share and produce information across the Region.

The platform was created to allow residents of Caricom member states to communicate in real-time, the level of production in the region.

Moreover, the launch of the app is said to be congruent with Caricom’s mandate to transform the Region’s agriculture and agri-food system. Dr Manuel said

the application will be used

by Caribbean farmers and countries that need help with promoting new technologies and best practices.

Also, Minister Mustapha said that Guyana was grateful for the role of IICA in providing support for the development of an online trade app that will benefit our agro-processors.

“It is our vision to shift agriculture from primary producer to value-added, as such developing our agro-processing industry and enhancing our marketing services is a priority. The AgriExtApp developed by IICA and Caricom will support the modernisation of the Extension service, especially since my Government has allocated funds in this year’s budget to purchase tablets for our Extension staff, to engage in real-time those involved in this very important sector.”

Canada pumps CAN$1.2M towards COVID-19 relief in Caribbean

T

he Canadian Government has announced it will inject CAN$1.2 million to support the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in its response against COVID-19 in six Caribbean countries.

The donation by the Canadian Government will be used to acquire essential personal protection equipment, laboratory and medical equipment, as well as supplies to be used by healthcare workers and hospitals in the Bahamas, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and

Tobago.

In a statement, PAHO indicated, “It will also help strengthen communication efforts around public health risks, continued promotion of protective measures and community engagement…Several countries in the Caribbean are reporting a rise in COVID-related deaths – including a doubling of COVID-19 deaths in some islands. Many countries have begun or will soon begin, rolling out vaccines to protect their populations.”

This contribution is part of a five-year subregional

programme between PAHO and Canada, which aims to reduce the health consequence of emergencies and disasters in the Caribbean through better preparedness and a more resilient health sector.

For over 30 years, the Government of Canada has supported PAHO’s efforts to improve emergency preparedness, mitigation and response across Latin America and the Caribbean region. It also played a key role in the establishment of the Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Framework adopted

by Caricom Member States, together with PAHO. Speaking on this positive development, PAHO Director Carissa F Etienne noted, “The pandemic is putting healthcare workers and systems of the countries in the Caribbean under great strain, which is why we are

grateful to the Government of Canada for supporting COVID-19 treatment for countries in the Caribbean that are struggling due to the pandemic. Their contribution will help save lives and shows how we can all join forces in solidarity to defeat this virus.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Government of Canada has donated over US$8 million to support PAHO’s technical cooperation to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic in the Americas.

Canada’s Acting Senior Director for the Caribbean Regional Development Programme, Jennifer Heys added, “Even one year later, COVID-19 continues to challenge health systems across the Caribbean, and we continue to see the stark health and socioeconomic impacts this crisis is having on the Caribbean people. Canada is proud to partner with PAHO

once again to provide additional much-needed medical equipment, supplies, and training to support the Caribbean countries that are facing the greatest health sector crisis from COVID-19.”

In the spirit of continuous collaboration and Pan American solidarity, the Canadian Government and PAHO have been in conversation to keep addressing the critical needs of Latin American and Caribbean countries to sustain the

fight against COVID-19. As vaccine campaigns begin in many countries, there are still many challenges ahead which are best addressed collectively.

PAHO is the specialised health agency in the Americas and the regional office of WHO, providing critical leadership, coordination and assistance to fight the spread of COVID-19, save lives and protect the most vulnerable people in all 52 countries and territories of the Americas.

13 COVID-19 claims 32 lives in March, with over 1500 cases recorded NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

– death toll climbs to 229, active cases now stand at 1032

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ith just two days before the end of the month, March has proven to be one of the deadliest months in Guyana since the novel coronavirus struck locally, with 32 reported deaths and over 1500 new cases.

On Monday, two new deaths were reported and raised the death toll to a whopping 229. The latest fatalities are two females: a 67-year-old from Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) and a 63-year-old from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

They died while receiving care at a medical facility.

At the beginning of March, the death toll was 197. However, the first death in March was a 54-year-old male from Region Four. Since then, the country has witnessed a spike in deaths and within the past week, 10 persons died from the life-threatening virus.

Mostly persons within a specific age range have been susceptible to the virus. As such, these persons are being asked to continue taking their respective medications or treatment to control their condition.

However, new statistics provided by the Health

Ministry showed that 14 new cases were reported on Monday, thus taking the total confirmed cases to 10,182. These new cases emerged from 427 swab samples.

The Ministry stated that 14 patients remain in the designated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) along with 54 persons in institutional isolation, 966 in home isolation and 14 in institutional quarantine.

From the 5212 males and 4970 females that contracted the virus thus far, 8922 have completely recovered. Consequently, there are 1031 active cases re-

maining. Guyana has managed to test 88,562 people since the virus was detected locally.

A breakdown showed that new cases were recorded in Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Meanwhile, there are still 1028 cases in Region One (Barima-Waini), 253 in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 966 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 278 in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), 532 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne),

Man on trial for 2018 murder of Linden businessman

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ohn Caesar, a former East Ruimveldt, Georgetown resident is presently on trial before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a 12-member jury for the murder of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) businessman Romel Edison Gomes. The charge against Caesar states that on March 12, 2018, in the county of Demerara, he murdered Gomes, a former national footballer.

According to reports, on the day Gomes was murdered, Caesar was reportedly one of two persons last seen at his home. The now dead 32-year-old business-

Dead: Romel Edison Gomes

man was allegedly heard arguing with Caesar and another man prior to his

death.

It was reported that during the argument, a loud explosion was heard and the suspects fled the scene in Gomes’ motor car – PVV 2057 – which was parked in front of his shop.

Gomes was discovered in a pool of blood with his hands bound and gagged with a bandana. He was reportedly found with a gunshot wound to his right temple, a small laceration on top of his head and another lacerated wound to the neck.

A post-mortem examination later gave his cause of death as gunshot wound to the head. Following an in-

Murder accused: John Caesar

vestigation, Caesar was arrested and charged for the murder.

246 in Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) and 440 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No 15), which are in effect until March 31, 2021. This order emphasises the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving home; the importance of maintaining the six feet physical distance from others; and the need for good hand hygiene to help reduce

the spread of COVID-19.

Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough, tiredness, diarrhoea, pains, sore throat and loss of taste or smell. The more serious symptoms are difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain and loss of speech or movement.

If persons are experiencing symptoms or have been in contact with a positive person, they are asked to contact the COVID-19 Hotline 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 immediately or visit www.health.gov.gy.

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

UG graduates first 2 PhD candidates A

mongst this year’s proud graduands of the University of Guyana (UG), were two newly-minted PhD graduates – Dr Cecil Boston and Dr Rajini Kurup. They were among several students graduating from new programmes including the PhD in Biodiversity, Master’s of Medicine in Diagnostic Radiology, Master’s in AgroTechnology and Business, Bachelor’s in Mathematics – online, and the Advanced Post Graduate Diploma in Education.

The PhDs from UG were those from the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Biodiversity; an interfaculty Research Programme being offered jointly by the Faculties of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences and Agriculture and Forestry.

Dr Boston and Dr Kurup graduated last week Friday.

Dr Boston’s Doctoral Thesis focused on: “A study relating to the use of medicinal plants in the treatment and management of Diabetes mellitus in Guyana with a case study of Pakuri (St Cuthbert’s Mission) on selected indigenous herbal treatment for diabetes”.

He successfully defended his PhD Thesis on June 1, 2020. His earlier degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, Postgraduate Diploma in Education, and a Master of Science in Environmental Management.

“I am elated that I was able to complete this programme,” said Dr Boston who currently serves as Dean, College of Medical Sciences at the UG. Meanwhile, Dr Kurup’s

Dr Cecil Boston

doctoral research was focused on “Microbial diversity and knowledge and practices among diabetic foot patients in Guyana”. She completed and successfully defended her Research Thesis on May 28, 2020. Her first degree was in Zoology and her Master’s in Microbiology.

The proud graduate commented: “I am happy and grateful to have achieved this milestone. Of course, it’s important to know and plan one’s research that would help or benefit humankind and the country. This programme could help more towards the benefit or betterment of environmental sustainability of the country. I’m thankful for all involved in the success of this programme, thanks for your words of encouragement, and thanks to the University of Guyana for providing this opportunity.”

Dr Elroy Charles, one of the three persons responsible for the development of the PhD programme while he was Dean in the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and who continued as Faculty Representative on the Committee, said he

Dr Rajini Kurup

is elated with the success of Boston and Kurup as well as several others expected to march in the 2020/2021 graduation later this year.

He noted that the programme is essential because Guyana is 80 per cent forest with a high level of biodiversity of flora and fauna; a lot of which is unknown to sci-

ence. According to Charles, there is a huge amount of work, especially on taxonomic diversity that needs to be done.

The academician explained: “Quite often, the Guiana Shield is represented as the last bastion of biodiversity that remains largely untouched. For this

reason, the graduates’ work is important as it addresses and contributes to the body of knowledge that is necessary for the development of Guyana and the region.

Graduates from the Doctoral programme will energise the Guyanese public and academia and the programme will gain the recognition it deserves.”

“When we go abroad to study, the majority of the study is centred on issues relevant to that country. By having our own PhD programme, we can address our local issues thus enriching our body of indigenous biodiversity knowledge,” Dr Charles added.

According to UG, its Doctorate in Biodiversity (UGDB) is a state-of-theart doctoral research programme for doctoral research training. It seeks to address managerial issues of

significance for the future of biodiversity, its ecosystems, and services for Guyana, the Guiana Shield, the Caribbean, and the world.

UGDB aims to generate primary and cutting-edge knowledge in the complex field of biodiversity.

In addition to the first Doctorate in Biodiversity, for the first time this year, the University has seen students graduating with a Master’s of Medicine in Diagnostic Radiology, Master’s in AgroTechnology and Business, Bachelor’s in Mathematics – online and Advance Post Graduate Diploma in Education.

Close to 2500 students graduated this year from UG’s Tain and Turkeyen campuses and the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education programmes in a series of virtual graduations.

Linden businessman Labourer goes missing during fishing trip gets bail on firearm, ammo possession A

A

Linden businessman was granted bail by Magistrate Wanda Fortune on Friday after he pleaded not guilty to the offence of firearm and ammunition possession.

The accused, Toriano Jeffers also called “Tito”, of Lot 556 Block 22, Wismar, Linden, appeared at Linden Magistrate’s Court via Zoom.

The Magistrate granted bail in the sum of $150,000 for the firearm charge and Jeffers was released on his

Businessman: Toriano Jeffers

own recognisance for the ammunition charge. The case was adjourned until April 30, 2021.

search has been launched for 58-year-old Nazim Shamshudeen also called “Nosey”, a labourer of Sringlands, Corriverton, Berbice, after he disappeared while on a fishing expedition.

The man reportedly left on one of his usual fishing trips but his boat was on Sunday morning found drifting in the Corentyne River without him.

The missing man had been working on a farm owned by “Global Tex” located some 40 miles up the Corentyne River and about ten miles from Orealla.

John Domond, the owner of the farm, told detectives that at about 00:30h on Sunday, Shamshudeen left in a small paddle boat with his seine. After some time elapsed and the man did not return, Domond went out to

Missing: Nazim Shamshudeen also called “Nosey”

make checks and it was then he found the drifting boat without any signs of the labourer.

The matter was reported to the Police. Up to late Monday evening, Shamshudeen remained missing.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19 protocols will be followed during LTW 2021 – organisers assure – say no major gatherings, parties planned

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rganisers of the Linden Town Week (LTW) event have noted that strict COVID-19 protocols will be followed during this year’s activities which will be hosted from April 24 to May 2, 2021.

The event which showcases the mining town of Linden will be observed under the theme, “Bridging the Economic and Social Gap. All ah we is we”.

The event was organised by the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) in collaboration with the Region 10 Tourism

Association (RTTA).

Chairman of the RTTA, Devin Sears maintained that the aim this year is not only to promote the LTW but Linden and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) as a whole.

“I think this is the first time that we will see Linden Town Week taking a different form. The whole objective of Linden Town Week is to showcase Linden - tourism products, agro-processing, even fashion and art... but at this stage, because of the global pandemic, rightfully so, it needs to take a

different form...our objective is that while we celebrate, we must celebrate in a safe way. So, there’s certain protocols that will be followed during that period just to ensure that we are on the winning side...We want to ensure that every resident, every visitor that comes to Linden is safe,” Sears noted during a press conference at the office of the LM&TC on Thursday.

He added that rapid testing will be available and strict crowd control and monitoring systems will be put in place for every event.

Acres of rice lands under water at Sarah, Wakenaam

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Sections of a rice field under water

ice farmers in Sarah, Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), are requesting the necessary assistance since acres of rice are currently inundated.

Reports coming out of the area revealed that over 30 acres of rice is under water due to the rise in tides and the recent heavy downpours.

One farmer who asked to remain anonymous stated that over thirty acres of land is inundated and he cannot get access to his ripe and laden fields.

He noted that the flooding is caused by the non-functioning of a koker in the Sarah, Wakenaam area.

As a result, farmers are calling for the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to visit the structures regularly so that assessments can be made to rectify the issue before the next crop.

Nevertheless, farmers claimed that they have made complaints to the Wakenaam Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) about the flooding but to date, nothing has been done.

They expressed dissatisfaction over the poor drainage and irrigation system with-

in the area resulting in them being affected to harvest their crops.

On this note, they are requesting the urgent attention of the Agriculture Ministry to address the situation.

When contacted for a

comment, Guyana Times was told that officers from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) are working to fix the problem.

Some rice farmers started to harvest two weeks ago although the area is flooded.

Committee members Devin Sears, Lawrence Simon and Adrian Boston

Sears noted that sanitisation processes will be carried out and there will be a limited number of persons for every event. He noted too that the LTW Committee will be working closely with the Guyana Police Force Regional Division, as he stressed that there will be no major gatherings.

“We know that a lot of private promoters will use this opportunity to have their secret location parties.

Please note that the Linden Town Week Committee... is not promoting any party during that period and by no means are we associated with any of those secret location parties...” Sears said.

This year, he said, the event will return to its initial aim when it first started, which is to showcase what Linden has to offer.

Sears noted too that the calendar of events is more family-oriented with something for everyone.

The Committee, however, is still awaiting verification and confirmation of events from the proposed calendar of activities which was sent to the National COVID-19 Task Force.

According to Sears, a lot of the activities will be hosted virtually.

Additionally, LM&TC Social Development Committee Chairman, Lawrence Simon in dissecting the theme said the economic aspect of it is fitting, since over the past years the dynamic of Linden being a bauxite town has changed, as he posited that tourism should be looked at as a means towards the region’s development.

“We are economically challenged and that will lead to social challenges,” Simon said.

He added that the development of economic activities within the region can assist in bridging the gap.

Simon said the “All ah we is we” aspect is simply a replica of Guyana’s “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

The activities are expected to commence on April 24, with Day Tours around the outskirts of the Linden community with activities being conducted on both the Wismar and Mackenzie shores, as well as riverine areas of the region. Simon said the activities will be

streamed live so persons can stay at home.

He said the Committee should have a response on approval of the activities shortly.

Amongst the activities proposed are Linden Music Day, tourism activities, basketball, community cleanup exercise, “A Day at the Museum”, Mayor’s Address Award, cycling, road relays, football, corn house, car sound off, bird whistling competition, kids art and essay writing competition, inter-school debates, business conference & expo, “Under the Open Heavens”, LM&TC open day, hamper distribution, panel discussion – “Bridging the Economic and Social Gap”, open mic, virtual talent search, Comedy Wednesday, launch of “Rediscover Region 10”, drive-in karaoke, hi-kyakaton, backyard golf and games, day tours and aircraft fly-over Linden.

Committee member Adrian Boston encouraged residents and visitors who will be a part of the festivities to wear masks, sanitise constantly and practice social distancing.

16 NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

UG’s top students detail trials and triumphs in journey to academic glory amid pandemic

President Irfaan Ali with Savitree Budram – Valedictorian, UGBC

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rials, triumphs and academic glory. How does one get to be among the top 5 in 2500 University peers? Behind every academic success, there is a unique and interesting story of hard work, sacrifice, dedication and in most cases, a relentless and difficult journey of overcoming adversities in every sense of the term. It is no different for the University of Guyana’s top students for the Class of 2020.

In a historic first, due to the need to adhere to the physical distancing and other COVID-19 health protocols, the University of Guyana has concluded a series of 5 virtual graduation ceremonies which encompassed graduates from the Turkeyen and Berbice Campuses and those from the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) programmes.

For the 2019-2020 academic year, two “warriors” have emerged as valedictorians – Deepa Amrita Odit, an aspiring pharmacist and Savitree Budram, an educator, representing each of the two main University Campuses; Turkeyen and Berbice respectively. These graduates, along with their colleagues from the University’s various Faculties, Schools and Institutes, have proven that they have what it takes to excel in the most difficult of circumstances, especially at a time when the institution was forced to suddenly move from face-to-face to online learning.

Odit, 24, read for a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and earned a GPA of 3.98, while Budram, 36, read for a Bachelor of Education, (AdministrationSecondary) and earned a perfect GPA of 4.0. They both are very much deserving of the President’s Medal for the best graduating Bachelor’s Degree Student.

Odit, a soft-spoken and extremely confident young woman, began her educational journey at the Dharmic Rama Krishna Nursery School and then continued at Rama Krishna Primary School where she

secured a spot at Queen’s College.

After completing her secondary education, she was faced with choosing the next step which was what she wanted to pursue as a career. “My thoughts never went towards being a pharmacist and it wasn’t one of those career options I wrote in those compositions in school that were on “what I wanted to be when I grew up,” the Campbellville, Georgetown resident explained.

Odit relayed that her decision to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy at the nation’s premier tertiary institution came when she realised that she particularly liked chemistry and wanted a career in the healthcare profession. She further noted that she grew to love certain aspects of the profession and is content with the choice she made.

Detailing her journey through UG, and more so over the past year in trying to cope with the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Odit observed that the road travelled to reach this stage was filled with many hardships, but she along with her colleagues were able to overcome them.

During her powerful and uplifting valedictorian speech, Odit recalled: “This journey for most, if not all of us was not an easy one, it was one filled with selfdoubt, anxiety, stress, tears, thoughts of dropping out, many overwhelming moments especially with multiple deadlines hitting you all at once and constantly reciting the mantra ‘I just need to get through this week’.

Then we found ourselves amidst a pandemic.”

She added: “The last few months have been unconventional, hectic, filled with worry, difficulties and many uncertainties and it definitely was not how we expected to spend the last few months of our final semester. We didn’t know that our last day on campus would have really been our last day on campus until we were sitting at home behind the screens processing the news

of a pandemic and transitioning to online learning.”

“Moving forward, there will be highs and lows because that’s just how life is, but it is how we handle those low moments is what matters. No matter what, keep going, continue learning and becoming the best versions of yourselves, create those opportunities or open those doors yourselves if you have to but please keep going and celebrating your accomplishments no matter how little or big it may be,” she encouraged her fellow graduates.

Outside of academia, the young scholar enjoys spending quality time with those close to her, watching various TV shows and movies and recently; learning and participating in a few home improvement projects she had at home.

Meanwhile, Budram, 36, read for a Bachelor of Education (AdministrationSecondary) and was given the nod as the valedictorian for the University’s Berbice Campus after she secured a GPA of 4.0. A teacher by profession, Budram was born and raised in the Cinderella County of Essequibo.

She recalled the many difficult times she was forced to grapple with as a child.

“My father passed away when I was very small and,

Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips with the two awardees

ble.

However, in January 2001, she joined the teaching profession and recognised the need for her academic and professional development and as such, enrolled at Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) in the said year.

The mother of three, who now resides in Berbice, further explained that after starting her family life, she felt that the responsibilities of a wife and mother were of utmost importance and as such did not entertain thoughts of attending the University of Guyana.

President Ali with Deepa Odit – Valedictorian (Turkeyen)

along with my sister, we were left to be cared for by my mother,” she explained, adding that this placed additional burden on the family.

Budram’s educational journey started at C V Nunes Primary and after writing the then Common Entrance Examinations, she was awarded a place at the nation’s top secondary school; Queen’s College.

“My mom could not have afforded to send me so I was transferred to Anna Regina Secondary where I obtained my secondary education,” she said.

During her teenage years, Budram developed a love for Mathematics and Science and aspired to have a career in the medical field but due to financial constraints, this was not possi-

Budram detailed that in 2014, she decided that it was time she moved up the ladder of the teaching profession and began reading for a Degree in Mathematics. However, this was short-lived as not long after she was involved in an accident that left her bed-ridden for months and it was uncertain as to whether she would ever walk again.

“I never lost hope and was thankful that I had a second chance in life. This became the principle of my existence and I vowed to never waste a day in my life, and in 2017, I commenced my studies at UGBC,” the determined scholar related.

Like her colleague Odit, Budram, in her valedictorian speech, detailed the challenges in completing her final year of studies. “Three

years ago, we pursued our studies with many uncertainties, but we persevered.

Then just when we thought we had it all figured out and the finish line was within our sight, COVID-19 sprung upon us as an unimaginable force and robbed us of physical space at UG. We felt that it was unfair, but as Bill Gates observed ‘life is unfair, so get used to it’. And we had to confront and outmanoeuvre the COVID monster because we wanted to reach this milestone.”

The young educator added: “We have had sleepless nights completing the steady flow of assignments, preparing for presentations, reading handouts and we even had exams that activated all our brain cells. My fellow graduates, I can relate to your distraught feelings, having to move abruptly from classroom sessions to sitting in our homes staring at computer screens or just listening to the lecturers’ voices emanating from speakers and the recordings.

But we did not surrender. Instead, like true warriors, we defied the odds and triumphed”. Budram, who is presently attached to Rosignol Secondary as Senior Mistress, plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Education in the near future.

The Prime Minister Medals

There were two categories for the award of the Prime Minister’s Medal; one for the best graduating student in the School of Medicine and the other for the best graduating student with the Degree in Public Management.

The Prime Minister’s Medal for the best graduating student in the School of Medicine was awarded to Jonelle Europe. Europe read for a Bachelor of Medicine (Bachelor of Surgery) Degree and earned a GPA of 3.74 while The Prime Minister’s Medal for the best graduating student with the Degree in Public Management went to Desiree Noble, who read for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Management and achieved a GPA of 3.85.

Europe explained that

in her final year of study, COVID-19 made its way around the world and the University of Guyana’s MBBS programme was not spared. When asked how the pandemic affected her completing her degree she related; “The pandemic really made things more difficult. You’re more concerned about your loved ones and their livelihood, yet you had these major exams that you were expected to focus on. It was tough.”

Overwhelmed, satisfied, and grateful are all words she used to describe her feelings upon completing her studies and emerging top of her class.

Dr Europe stated that she began her journey in hopes of becoming a paediatrician. However, she confessed that she is also considering a career in Family Medicine. One thing for sure, she said, is that her decision will be “wherever the Lord permits me to be”.

Similarly, Noble, who hails from Kuru-Kururu on the Soesdyke Linden Highway, detailed that her journey was also filled with many stumbling blocks but with the support of her family, friends and lecturers, she was able to reach the finish line.

Reminiscing on her tenure at UG, she detailed that she had to endure many long hours of studies in order to get her assignments and course work done, and when the pandemic came, it was even more difficult to cope as online learning was the new norm.

“Never, never, never give up” is one of her favourite quotes from Winston Churchill that has resonated with her throughout her academic journey and life thus far. “I began my academic journey with hopes of becoming a lawyer like my aunt but later found interest in Public Management with the intention of one day becoming a Public Management Specialist,” she explained.

(News Feature; Department of Events, Conferences and Communication, Office of the Vice-Chancellor XI, University of Guyana)

NEWS

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TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

COVID-19: CDC Head warns Lebanon could sink of “impending doom” in US like the Titanic, warns Parliament Speaker A senior scientist has warned that the US faces "impending doom" as coronavirus cases and hospital admissions rise across the country.

On Monday President Joe Biden urged state politicians once again to make mask-wearing obligatory in public places.

He also promised that by mid-April 90 per cent of American adults would be able to receive a vaccine.

The US has recorded around 60,000 new cases daily for the past week.

The Director of the US public health agency, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was speaking at a White House briefing when she said she was going to go "off script".

"I'm going to reflect on the reoccurring feeling I have of impending doom,"

Head of the US public health agency Dr Rochelle Walensky said she is "scared" right now of rising cases

Dr Rochelle Walensky said, adding "we have so much reason for hope, but right now I'm scared".

Dr Walensky said she did not want the US to face another spike in cases and deaths as has happened in many European countries.

Cases have risen particularly quickly in Michigan and the country's north-

east, including Connecticut and New York, according to the New York Times.

Speaking in a TV address from the White House President Biden issued a plea to state Governors to re-introduce laws that require citizens to wear masks.

Coronavirus rules in the US vary state-by-state, with some Governors ordering

much stricter restrictions than others.

He also spoke about the US success in its national vaccination programme and suggested it was ahead of schedule.

More than one in five adults and nearly Americans aged over-65 are fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. The rules on who is eligible vary by state, but in most places, healthcare workers have long been able to get a jab, followed by the over65s. In some states, including Georgia and Arizona, the over-16s are now able to get a jab, according to the New York Times.

Biden urged Americans in the meantime to adhere to guidelines on social distancing and face coverings.

"Fight to the finish," he said. "Don't let up now."

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Islamic State claims deadly attack on northern Mozambique town

I

slamic State said on Monday its fighters had carried out an attack on the northern Mozambique town of Palma, where dozens were killed, thousands displaced and some remain missing.

Islamist insurgents hit the town, adjacent to gas projects worth US$60 billion, with a three-pronged attack on Wednesday.

Fighting continued on Monday, according to a security source directly involved in efforts to secure the town.

The Government confirmed on Sunday that dozens of people had died, including seven when their convoy of cars was ambushed during an escape attempt.

Islamic State claimed the attack via its Amaq news agency, saying its fighters had taken control of the town after days of clashes with security forces.

They had killed at least 55 people, including a number of soldiers, destroyed and taken control of buildings including factories and

banks, and seized vehicles, it said.

Reuters could not independently verify the claims.

Most communications to Palma have been down since Wednesday.

Officials at Mozambique’s Defence Ministry and its national Police could not be reached for comment by phone on Monday and did not immediately reply to text messages.

The country’s northernmost province of Cabo Delgado, where Palma is

located on the border with Tanzania, has been home since 2017 to a simmering Islamist insurgency now linked to Islamic State.

The total number of dead or missing following the attack remains unclear. Tens of thousands of people may have fled, according to three aid workers.

The total number of dead or missing following the attack remains unclear.

Tens of thousands of people may have fled, according to three aid workers. (Excerpt from Reuters)

UWI Vice-Chancellor defends performance of regional tertiary institution

V

ice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (The UWI), Sir Hilary Beckles, on Monday vigorously defended the performance of the region's premier tertiary institution, insisting also that the future of the 73-year-old university is “great”.

In a one hour and 16 minute “State of Our University Address,” Sir Hilary sought to downplay any form of discord within the university community, particularly after the Chair of The UWI Chancellor's Commission on Governance, Sir Dennis Byron, last week made it clear that there was no link between changes the commission has recommended and the tenure of the ViceChancellor.

“It has a great future and is ready to continue its work.

Let us therefore not confuse the discussion around governance with leadership. We would not ask Usain Bolt to stop in his tracks to tighten

Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, Sir Hilary Beckles

his lace. There is a time and a place for tightening your lace and for running your race.

“We are running this race and we are winning.

If we have to tighten our lace we will tighten our lace around the time when we raise our hands and we will continue to tighten it before the next leg, but don't stop running your race to tighten your lace,” the Barbadianborn academic said.

He added: “This 21st century is ours to manage. UWI is a global beacon on top the Caribbean mountain range – the blue of Jamaica, the green of Trinidad and the valleys of the islands in between. The UWI has proven itself…and is worthy of your respect.

Last week, while responding to suggestions that efforts were being made to replace Sir Hilary with the current second in command

at The UWI, Chancellor Robert Bermudez, Sir Dennis said there appeared to be an “orchestrated campaign that, in the first instance, has conflated its findings and recommendations with matters related to the tenure of the ViceChancellor and has proceeded to impute improper motives to our work that are neither reflective of the terms of reference nor the conclusions of our work”.

“The commission has recommended changes in inefficient systems and processes that predate the current administration and therefore is not seeking to target any individuals,” he insisted.

Among its recommendations, which were presented to the University Council in January, were changes that would reduce some of Sir Hilary's authority and give more to Bermudez, a Trinidadian businessman.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Lebanon is in the throes of a financial crisis that poses the biggest threat to its stability since the 1975-1990 civil war

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ebanon’s influential parliamentary speaker Nabih Berri said the country will sink like the Titanic if it is not able to form a Government as he opened a session to approve emergency funds to literally keep the lights on for two more months.

“The whole country is in danger, the whole country is the Titanic,” Berri said on Monday. “It’s time we all woke up because in the end, if the ship sinks, there’ll be no one left.”

Lebanon is in the throes of a financial crisis that poses the biggest threat to its stability since the 19751990 civil war. Without a new Government, it cannot implement the reforms required to unlock desperately needed foreign aid.

But Prime Ministerdesignate Saad al-Hariri and President Michel Aoun have been at loggerheads for months over the makeup of a new cabinet.

On Monday, Parliament approved a loan of $200 million to pay for fuel for Lebanon’s electricity company after a warning by the Energy Ministry that cash had run out for electricity generation beyond the end

of the month.

“This should be enough for electricity for around two months or two-and-a-half,” Cesar Abi Khalil, a member of parliament and former Energy Minister, told Reuters.

The Zahrani power plant, one of Lebanon’s four main electricity producers, has already had to shut down for lack of fuel, affecting the country’s already lacking power generation capacity and forcing homes and businesses to use private generators to cope with daily brownouts.

Lebanon’s financial crisis, which erupted in 2019, has driven nearly half of the population of six million into poverty, wiped out jobs and savings and slashed consumer purchasing power.

Over the past month, protests swept across Lebanese towns and cities as the value of the Lebanese pound continues to spiral.

The currency’s value dropped to 10,000 against the dollar in early March.

Less than a week later, it hit an astonishing record low at 15,000, effectively losing about 90 per cent of its value since late 2019. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

Regional

Bolsonaro, under pressure over COVID crisis, reshuffles Cabinet

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razilian President Jair Bolsonaro has replaced six Ministers in a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle that comes as the far-right leader faces mounting pressure to account for his government’s handling of a surging COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the changes, Carlos Alberto Franco França was named as new Foreign Minister and Walter Souza Braga Netto was confirmed as new Defence Minister, Bolsonaro’s press office said in a statement on Monday evening.

They replace Ernesto Araújo and Fernando Azevedo e Silva, respectively.

The announcement was made after earlier reports that Araújo, a loyal ally of Bolsonaro, and Azevedo e Silva had stepped down.

Bolsonaro, a COVID-19 sceptic who has rejected the need for public health measures to mitigate the spread of the virus, has been widely criticised amid a second wave of COVID-19 infections that has pushed hos-

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is under pressure to account for his Government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has devastated the country [File: Eraldo Peres/AP Photo]

pitals to the brink.

More than 312,000 people have died in Brazil from COVID-19, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally, while the country has reported more than 12.5 million infections – second only to the United States.

Brazil’s Health Ministry said on Monday 1660 coronavirus-related deaths and 38,927 new cases had been reported in the past 24 hours, as experts warned this week that younger Brazilians were being par-

ticularly hard-hit.

Al Jazeera’s Monica Yanakiew, reporting from Rio de Janeiro, said Bolsonaro has not publicly spoken about the Cabinet changes yet.

“There’s increasing pressure on the President because of the mishandling of the pandemic,” she said.

The departure of Azevedo e Silva was a surprise, given there were no rumours of his exit or rumblings of discontent.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Chile postpones constitutional assembly poll as COVID cases spike

C

hilean President Sebastian Pinera said on Sunday he will ask Congress to postpone the election of an assembly to write a new constitution for the country from April until May, due to a rise in coronavirus cases.

The country has seen a fresh wave of COVID-19 infections since the end of Southern Hemisphere summer vacation season last month.

“The elections that were to be held on Saturday April 10 and Sunday April 11, will be held on the weekend of Saturday the 16th of May,” Pinera said in a televised speech.

The vote is to elect not only members of the

Constituent Assembly, in charge of writing a fresh Constitution, but Governors and Mayors as well.

“This has been a very difficult decision, but we must take it. We have the full conviction that it is what’s best for the country,” the President said.

The timing of the November 21 congressional and presidential election was not changed.

Nearly 80 per cent of voters in an October 25 plebiscite supported seating an assembly to rewrite the Constitution inherited from the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet when Chile returned to democracy. At the same time, the voters excluded any Congress mem-

ber from serving in the assembly.

The body will reserve 17 seats for Indigenous delegates and the United Nations says it will be the first time a constitution is drafted by an assembly equally divided between men and women.

Health experts had recommended suspending the planned election.

Intensive Care Units (ICU) are at 95 per cent capacity, with seven of every 10 ICU beds occupied by a COVID-19 case. The Health Ministry reported on Sunday more than 7300 new coronavirus cases, the fourth-consecutive day exceeding 7000 cases. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

185 Galápagos baby tortoises seized from smugglers

C

ustoms officials in Ecuador discovered 185 baby tortoises packed inside a suitcase that was being sent from the Galápagos Islands to the mainland on Sunday.

The reptiles had been wrapped in plastic and were found during a routine inspection at the main airport on the island of Baltra.

Ten of them had died, officials said.

One of the biggest threats to Galápagos tortoises is illegal trading for animal collectors and exotic pet markets.

The tortoises seized at the airport on Baltra are thought to be less than three months old.

Officials combatting wildlife trafficking say hatchling-sized juveniles can fetch sums of more than US$5000 per animal.

The tortoises seized at the airport are thought to be less than three months old

It is believed the smugglers wrapped the tortoises in plastic to immobilise them, but the X-ray machine's operator at the airport, nevertheless, grew suspicious.

The suitcase had been posted at the airport by a transport firm and was said to contain "souvenirs", a statement from the airport said.

No arrests have been made so far, but employees of the transport firm who

had checked in the suitcase were held for questioning, according to the statement.

Ecuador's Environment Minister, Marcelo Mata, described the incident as a crime against the country's wild fauna and natural heritage.

Many plants and animals found on the Galápagos are unique to the islands, which lie in the Pacific Ocean about 1000 kilometres (600 miles) off the coast of Ecuador.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Generator issue causes power outages across Trinidad

M

ultiple areas across Trinidad lost power on Monday afternoon, with the blackouts lasting more than an hour in some instances.

According to a senior employee at Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC), the power loss was due to an under-frequency generator at Trinidad Generation Unlimited (TGU), one of T&T's power plants.

“Because of the generator's issue, multiple areas across Trinidad would have lost power until the generator synchronised,” the T&TEC of-

ficial explained. “When the machinery normalises, T&TEC will begin to restore supply as the Commission sees fit.”

Power outages have been reported in the following areas, as of 15:15h on Monday: Port of Spain, Cunaripo Village, Couva, Cunupia, El Dorado, Arouca, Siparia, Fyzabad, Tunapuna, Avocat, Chaguanas, Munroe Road, O’Mera, La Romain, San Juan, Arima, and St. Augustine.

These outages were outside of the planned maintenance areas for Monday, March 2021, which included parts of Valsayn and

Marabella.

Monday’s power outages come on the heels of widespread TV, Internet, and phone line outages from FLOW since 06:00h on Monday. Flow issued the following statement: "Flow wishes to advise that we are aware of a current interruption in internet service for some of its customers. Our teams have already been mobilised and are currently working to restore full connectivity in the shortest possible time.

We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank you for your patience and understanding."

(Trinidad Guardian)

Uber says it’s coming to Jamaica soon

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ide-hailing company Uber says it will soon be offering its services in Jamaica.

In an email inviting drivers to sign-up, the company said: “Soon, Uber's app will be available in Kingston and

you will have a new alternative to earn moving around the city.”

Interested individuals are invited to sign-up virtually via http://drivers.uber. com Uber Technologies Inc

is a peer-to-peer ridesharing, taxi cab, food delivery, and transportation network company headquartered in San Francisco, California, with operations in over 700 cities worldwide (Jamaica Observer)

Mexico investigating Salvadoran woman’s death in Police custody

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exican Prosecutors have announced that they have opened a homicide investigation into the death of a Salvadoran woman who was shown on video being pinned to the ground by a female Police Officer, drawing similarities with the death of George Floyd last year.

Victoria Salazar Arriaza, 36, died on Saturday in the Caribbean beach resort of Tulum. A video published by news site Noticaribe showed her writhing and crying out as she lay face down on a road with a Policewoman kneeling on

her back while male officers stood by.

The video then cut to show Arriaza’s prone, handcuffed body lying on the road. Officers are later seen moving her limp, shoeless body into the back of a Police truck.

Local media reported that Arriaza, who had been in Mexico for about three years on a humanitarian visa, has two teenage daughters who live in Mexico with her.

An autopsy concluded that Salazar died from a broken neck.

The examination found, “a fracture

People hugging during a protest by mothers and relatives of victims of femicide against what they say is the Government's inaction to solve the crimes against women, in downtown Mexico City, Mexico [File: Gustavo Graf/Reuters]

of part of the upper spinal column produced by the rupture of the first and second vertebra which caused the loss of the victim,” Quintana Roo State Prosecutor Oscar Montes said in a video.

The injuries were “compatible and coincide with submission manoeuvres applied to the victim during her detention” and demonstrate a “disproportionate” use of force. He said his office was preparing femicide charges against the four Police Officers. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil rises as traders expect OPEC+ to hold output cuts

O

il prices edged higher on Monday after Reuters reported that Russia would support stable oil output from OPEC+ ahead of a meeting with the producer group later this week.

Futures had fallen earlier in the session on news that a container ship in the Suez Canal blocking traffic for nearly a week had been refloated.

Brent oil rose 26 cents to US$64.83 a barrel by 1:08 pm EDT (1708 GMT). US crude rose 47 cents to US$61.44 a barrel.

Russia will support broadly stable oil output by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies including Russia (OPEC+) in May, while seeking a relatively small output hike for itself to meet the rising seasonal demand, according to a source familiar with Russia’s thinking.

Sources told Reuters last week that they expect a decision similar to the last meeting when OPEC+ meets on April 1 to decide output policy.

Russian oil and gas condensate output increased to 10.22 million barrels per day (bpd) in the period March 1-28 from 10.1 million bpd in February, two industry sources familiar with the data told Reuters, broadly in line with Moscow’s plans.

At the Suez Canal, live footage on a local television station showed the ship Ever Given surrounded by tug boats moving slowly in the centre of the canal on Monday. The station, ExtraNews, said the ship was moving at a speed of 1.5 knots.

However, disruptions in the global shipping industry could take weeks and possibly months to clear, top container shipping lines said.

“The market will soon realize that despite the positive news, even if Ever Given leaves the Canal within days, some leftover downstream ripple effects should be expected in the meantime,” said Louise Dickson, oil markets analyst.

Limiting price gains, some European countries struggling with increased COVID-19 infections have tightened lockdown restrictions, and fuel demand across the continent remains weak. England’s stay-at-home lockdown order, though, ended on Monday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Traffic in Suez Canal resumes after stranded ship refloated

S

hipping was on the move again late on Monday in Egypt’s Suez Canal after a giant container ship which had been blocking the busy waterway for almost a week was refloated, with more than 400 ships waiting to pass through.

After the 400-metre-long (430-yard) Ever Given was dislodged, 113 ships were expected to transit the canal in both directions by early Tuesday morning, Suez Canal Authority (SCA) chairman Osama Rabie told reporters.

He said 422 vessels were waiting in line.

The Ever Given had become jammed diagonally across a southern section of the canal, the shortest shipping route between Europe

M

ore than 8000 allegations have now been made by school pupils on a website gathering testimonies of sexual violence and abuse.

"Rape culture" was a problem for all schools, said Soma Sara, founder of the Everyone's Invited website.

Many of the perpetrators are claimed to be at the same school or in the same social groups.

Norfolk Chief Constable Simon Bailey blamed the "volume of pornographic material that's being consumed".

"There's an erosion of an understanding of what normal sexual relationships

A

Servier's former deputy boss, Jean-Philippe Seta, was sentenced to a suspended jail sentence of four years

sure to the active ingredient in Mediator. Experts say it may eventually cause as many as 2100 deaths.

The drug was used by about five million people before being pulled in France in 2009 over fears it could cause serious heart problems – more than a decade after such concerns had first been raised.

A huge trial over the scandal was spread over 10 months in 2019 and 2020 and nearly 400 lawyers worked on the case.

and Asia, in high winds early on March 23.

“The ship came out intact and it has no problems.

We’ve just searched the bottom and soil of the Suez

Canal and thankfully it is sound and has no issues, and ships will pass through it today,” Rabie earlier told Nile TV. At dawn on Monday, res-

School abuse: “Rape culture” warning as 8000 report incidents

French company convicted of manslaughter over deadly diet pill French drugmaker has been found guilty of manslaughter and deception over a weight-loss pill which was on the market for 33 years and blamed for hundreds of deaths.

One of the country’s biggest health scandals came to a conclusion in a Paris court on Monday as the Paris court’s presiding Judge Sylvie Daunis said Servier had “misled consumers” about the Mediator pill and “weakened people’s trust in the health system”.

Servier’s former deputy boss, Jean-Philippe Seta, was sentenced to a suspended jail sentence of four years. Its Chairman, Jacques Servier, was indicted early in the legal process but died in 2014.

The company was also fined 2.7 million euros (USUS$3.1 million) for aggravated deceit, manslaughter and causing unintentional injury. It was acquitted of fraud.

France’s health ministry has said at least 500 people died of heart valve problems nationally because of expo-

Ship Ever Given, one of the world’s largest container ships, is seen after it was fully floated in Suez Canal, Egypt March 29, 2021

cue workers from the SCA working with a team from Dutch firm Smit Salvage partially refloated the ship and straightened it in the canal.

After several hours it shifted briefly back across the canal before being manoeuvred free by tugs as the tide changed, a canal source said.

The company said approximately 30,000 cubic metres of sand had been dredged to refloat the 224,000-ton container ship and a total of 11 tugs and two powerful sea tugs were used to pull the ship free.

Evergreen Line, which is leasing the Ever Given, said the ship would be inspected for seaworthiness in the Great Bitter Lake, which separates two sections of the canal. (Excerpt from Reuters)

France’s medicines agency was fined 303,000 euros (USUS$356,000) for its delay in suspending Mediator and told it had “seriously failed” in its role as health watchdog.

Prosecutors had asked for nearly 15 million euros (nearly USUS$18 million) in fines for Servier, and a three-year prison sentence and fine for Seta, the only surviving Servier executive accused of involvement in the scandal. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

look like," said the National Police Chiefs' Council lead on child protection.

Robert Halfon, chairman of the House of Commons education select committee, called for a "full independent inquiry to find out why so many female students have suffered from sexual abuse and harassment".

The website Everyone's Invited was set up last year as a place where victims can

post anonymous accounts of abuse they had suffered.

Many of the accounts describe allegations of sexual harassment and sexual violence carried out against young women by young men who are at school or college or university with them, or part of the same social groups.

Anonymous testimonies listed on the site do not reveal the identity of the pupils

or their attackers, but many schools are named. Many of the incidents recounted took place outside school or university premises.

Chief Constable Bailey warned that pornography was distorting how some young people saw relationships - and that this had become a "driver" of the type of behaviour being reported online. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Mafia fugitive caught after posting cooking show on YouTube

A

fugitive Italian gangster's urge to show off his cooking skills has landed him in jail after seven years on the run.

Italian Police tracked down Marc Feren Claude Biart, 53, through the culinary videos he had uploaded to YouTube.

While he carefully hid his face, he failed to disguise his body tattoos.

The alleged member of the ‘Ndrangheta crime gang was arrested in the Dominican Republic last Wednesday and has now been extradited back to Italy.

Biart had reportedly been leading a quiet life in the town of Boca Chica, Police said in a statement.

He had been on the run since 2014, when he was wanted by Police for allegedly trafficking cocaine into the Netherlands on behalf of the Cacciola clan of the 'Ndrangheta mafia.

The 'Ndrangheta is considered one of the world's most powerful organised crime groups because it controls most of the cocaine entering Europe. It is based in Calabria, the region that forms the tip of Italy's "boot".

The alleged clan boss, Luigi Mancuso, 66, is known as "The Uncle". Other members go by nicknames such as "The Wolf", "Fatty" and "Blondie".

They are all now facing justice in the biggest mafia trial Italy has seen in decades. There are 355 alleged mobsters and corrupt officials who have been charged after a long investigation into the 'Ndrangheta group.

More than 900 witnesses are expected to give evidence at the trial, which opened in January and will last two years. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Biden does not intend to meet with North Korea's Kim

U

S President Joe Biden does not intend to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, the White House said on Monday.

Asked if Biden’s diplomatic approach to North Korea would include “sitting with President Kim Jong Un” as former President Donald Trump had done, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said, “I think his approach would be quite different and that is not his inten-

tion,” she said.

North Korea launched a new type of tactical short-range ballistic missile last week, prompting Washington to request a gathering of the UN Security Council’s (UNSC) sanctions committee, which then criticised the test.

Biden on Thursday said the United States remained open to diplomacy with North Korea despite the tests, but warned there would be responses if North Korea escalates matters.

North Korea on Saturday said the Biden administration had taken a wrong first step and revealed “deep-seated hostility” by criticising what it called a self-defensive missile test.

Trump had three high-profile meetings with Kim, and exchanged a series of letters, but relations later grew frosty, and the nuclear-armed state said it would not engage further unless the United States dropped its hostile policies.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

20

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

Question everything that doesn’t feel right. Don’t (March 21put up with situations that April 19) drag you down or stop you from doing what’s best for you. Don’t complain when you can look for solutions.

ARIES

Make decisions based on facts. Be wary of anyone (April 20who doesn’t appear to have May 20) a plan. Use your ingenuity, physical ability and determination to overcome any obstacle you face.

TAURUS

DILBERT

Hard work will lead to an GEMINI (May 21- excellent opportunity. Refuse June 20) to let someone step in and take charge. Distance yourself from anyone who is unstable, misleading or intrusive. Follow through with your plans.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Follow your intuition when it comes to dealing with situations that may affect your health and well-being. Use common sense and show discipline when faced with temptation. Don’t be a follower.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Take a moment to rethink your next move. Don’t act under emotional duress.

Personal improvement will lift your spirits and encourage a healthier lifestyle. Be aware of what’s going on around you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

A change someone makes will tempt you to head in the same direction. Consider what will happen if you fail to follow your dreams. Do what’s best for you for the most satisfying results.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Consider every angle.

Make sure you have the necessary knowledge, technology and money to finish what you start. Preparation will be the key to getting ahead. Take physical action.

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SUDOKU

You’ll be up and down like a yo-yo if you let someone dictate what you can do or say.

Speak up, make yourself clear and follow your heart. You have plenty to offer, and you can make a difference.

Consider how to get SAGITTARIUS ahead or move forward fi(Nov. 23nancially. Don’t rely on Dec. 21) someone to do your bidding for you. Stick to what you know and do best, and invest in your future.

Don’t lose sight of your goals CAPRICORN and objectives. Take better care (Dec. 22of your health and nourish your Jan. 19)

relationships with friends, relatives and peers. Keep the peace and be diligent regarding money matters.

YESTERDAY'S WORD - LATITUDE

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Consider your budget before you buy something you don’t need. Personal improvements don’t have to cost money. Start with a physical fitness routine and a healthy diet.

You’ll have plenty of ideas, PISCES but not all will be financially (Feb. 20March 20) sound. Do your best to make a difference. Improve your life and the lives of loved ones.

Avoid getting into pointless arguments.

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

21

Women leading golf's rise to sports prominence the sport and also the introduction of more women in the sport.

By Timothy Jaikarran

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male-dominated sport is seeing a wave of female influence, destined to change the game forever. Leading the way are several of Guyana's top female golfers, one of whom we caught up with for an interview.

Dr Joaan Deo has made it her life's goal to see golf being played at the highest level in Guyana, and even more so in schools and among women. She won the Guyana Open in 2016 and the Suriname Ladies Champion title in 2019, along with numerous local tournaments and placed sixth in Barbados in the Gary Sobers Open Invitational, a tournament that features a plethora of top golfers in the Caribbean.

In a sit-down with

Q: Tell me about your involvement in golf?

I have been playing the sport for quite some time (learnt from my dad) and started coaching schoolchildren for the 2017 Guyana Open. That continued with outreaches to University of Guyana and the Giftland Mall for two years. It's been refreshing to teach a sport that you love so much in the hopes of young children furthering the knowledge and skills instilled in them and becoming athletes themselves.

Dr Deo adding yet another trophy to her name

Guyana Times Sport, Dr Deo was asked a series of questions about her in-

volvement with introducing golf in schools as she is one of the few pioneers to push

Booker’s 35 leads Suns past Hornets in OT, LeBron-less Lakers win 2nd straight

D

evin Booker led the way as the high-flying Phoenix Suns took down the Charlotte Hornets 101-97 in overtime.

Booker posted 35 points to fuel the Suns, who outlasted the Hornets in Charlotte in Sunday’s NBA action.

Chris Paul scored 16 points for the Suns and team-mate DeAndre Ayton added 14 points and 14 rebounds.

The Suns, who have won three of their last four games, are second in the Western Conference.

Charlotte had their three-game winning streak snapped, despite big performances from Devonte’ Graham (30 points); Terry Rozier (22 points and 10 rebounds) and Miles Bridges (18 points and 12 rebounds).

Lakers build momentum

On the day the Lakers acquired Andre Drummond after he cleared waivers, the NBA champions topped the struggling Orlando Magic 96-93 in the absence of injured superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

The Lakers have now won back-to-back games, hav-

Q: Now that you have seen the sport grow and be played in schools, how does it make you feel?

To see this sport grow and now being played in schools is an absolute joy.

It has been a struggle to get persons involved in the sport for many years and to now see it become a reality where so many schools are on-board, it makes me feel quite happy to see the sport expand exponentially, and with us guiding the future generation, it'll be here for many, many more years to

come.

Q: With all the women coming in and you teaching them, do you see that as a bad thing or do you look forward to the competition?

It can never be a bad thing when young people are being exposed to a new sport, including women. It is remarkable women are learning the sport and enjoying it, equally, I look forward to the competition. I would love to play in a tournament where there's 30+ Guyanese women participating.

Q: How do you feel about the introduction of golf in schools?

Especially in the past year, with golf on the CXC/ CAPE syllabus as a sports elective, I believe that now with the sport being taught in over 40 schools (soon to be 100), this will change golf forever in Guyana.

The perception that it's only for a certain class of people is changing and the best golfers in Guyana have come from the most unlikely villages. What is necessary is more access to golfing facilities at low cost so that our children and new play-

Dr Joaan Deo has always been a top performer

ers can grow and excel. And this starts with better and more diverse sporting facilities across the country.

Dr Deo was especially excited about the growth of the game in all of the schools so far and said she planned on getting more involved as the programme developed nationally.

Golf is seeing phenomenal growth since it was introduced to Queen’s College, the Bishops’ High, St Rose’s High, and University of Guyana, with as many as 42 additional schools having joined the school programme in 2021 with many more scheduled to be added.

Hell’s Kitchen: Cheltenham Festival competitor disqualified after arsenic finding

ing dropped four straight.

Dennis Schroder put up 24 points, while Kyle Kuzma contributed 21 points and 11 rebounds. There were also double-doubles for Montrezl Harrell (18 points and 11 rebounds) and Markieff Morris (12 points and 11 rebounds).

Trent struggles in Raptors debut

After being traded by the Portland Trail Blazers to the Toronto Raptors on Thursday’s deadline, Gary Trent Jr made his debut against his former team.

Trent, however, was just two-of-10 from the field and one-of-five from threepoint range for six points in Toronto’s 122-117 loss to Portland.

PJ Washington endured a rough night for the Hornets. While he collected

12 rebounds in 44 minutes, the power forward was scoreless. Washington finished 0-of-7 from the field, while he missed all four of his efforts from beyond the arc.

Gordon slam!

Acquired from the Magic prior to the deadline, Aaron Gordon connected with Nikola Jokic for his first dunk for the Denver Nuggets in the opening quarter. Denver beat the Atlanta Hawks 126-102.

Sunday’s results

Los Angeles Lakers 9693 Orlando Magic Phoenix Suns 101-97 Charlotte Hornets (OT) Denver Nuggets 126102 Atlanta Hawks Portland Trail Blazers 122-117 Toronto Raptors (Sportsmax)

A

horse has been disqualified from the Cheltenham Festival and forfeited £21,200 in prize money after a prohibited amount of arsenic was found in its system.

Hell’s Kitchen – trained

by Harry Fry and owned by JP McManus – recorded an adverse analytical finding after finishing fourth in the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2019.

An independent disciplinary panel of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) ruled Fry was not at fault for the arsenic in the horse’s sample.

On March 13, 2019, a sample taken from Hell’s Kitchen following the race was found to contain 337ng/ ml of arsenic – more than the permitted threshold of 300ng/ml.

Experts suggested the most probable source was the horse chewing on beams of treated wood in its stable.

The independent disciplinary panel of the BHA

been “nil culpability” on the part of his client, and “every known precaution is taken” at the training yard.

The British Horseracing Authority ruled trainer Harry Fry was not at fault for the arsenic in the horse’s sample

described the case as “very unusual”, but said this was not the only case of a positive finding for arsenic that it was aware of.

“Clearly there was a prohibited substance found in this horse, but in these unique circumstances there should be no penalty for Mr Fry as the responsible person,” panel chair Brian Barker, QC, said.

Roderick Moore, representing Fry, said there had

Why do they screen for arsenic?

The panel heard arsenic is “ubiquitous in the environment, including water, soil and plants, and may be naturally present in equine feed and grazing”.

This is the first case to come before the panel regarding a positive finding for arsenic since the BHA began screening for it in 2019.

Low levels can be found in a horse’s urine sample and is not generally a cause for concern. Small amounts can improve appearance, increase a horse’s appetite, and treat conditions such as anaemia.

There is no scientific evidence it can artificially enhance performance.

A higher level of arsenic can induce gastroenteritis, as well as act as a toxin.

(BBC Sport)

22 Brathwaite’s unbeaten 99 headlines even 1st day between West Indies and Sri Lanka K

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

raigg Brathwaite saw out an outstanding Suranga Lakmal spell in the morning, watched top-order colleagues play more adventurous innings, and struck up productive late partnerships with the lower middle-order men, as he provided the backbone to the West Indies innings on day one, making 99 not out off 239 balls.

West Rahkeem Indies Cornwall were 15 remains not for 2 inout on 43 side the first halfhour after John Campbell and Nkrumah Bonner succumbed to Lakmal, then later, were 120 for 4, and 222 for 7, often in danger of failing to make 300 on a track that held no serious terrors.

But through each of these mini-crises, Brathwaite found partners who helped dig West Indies out of their rut, usually with much more aggression than Brathwaite himself mustered.

He posted a 71-run stand

with Kyle Mayers, who hit a chancy 49. He was involved in a 51-run partnership with Jason Holder, who made a quick 30. Then, late

Sergio Aguero to leave Manchester City at end of season

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ecord goalscorer Sergio Aguero will leave Manchester City at the end of the season, the club has announced.

The 32-year-old striker’s contract expires at the end of the season and he has been told it will not be renewed.

The Argentine, who signed from Atletico Madrid in 2011, has scored 257 goals in 384 appearances for the club.

“With the guidance of the owners and the contributions of many players, we earned a place among the greatest of the world,” Aguero said.

He will be honoured by a statue at Etihad Stadium, alongside Vincent Kompany and David Silva, who left the club in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Aguero has played a leading role in City’s renaissance in recent years, famously scoring the injury-time winner against QPR in 2012 which clinched the club’s first English title in 44 years.

Since then, he has

in the day, Rahkeem edges: through the Cornwall joined cordon, short of Brathwaite for the cordon, what became the past his own as-yet-unbeatstumps. He en 65-run assursociation that propelled West Indies toward 300.

Cornwall even helped Brathwaite see out six overs of the second new ball, as Cornwall struck 43 not out off 54 balls, surviving a very close lbw appeal – and subsequent review Suranga Lakmal – off the last ball bagged three of the day. West wickets Indies went to stumps at a respectable 287 for 7.

Sri Lanka may have hoped to have West Indies bowled out by stumps, having put them in to bat. But vived the first session, but perhaps, given the nature barely, and was out in the of the surface, they won’t first over of the afternoon. be particularly disheartCornwall, meanened either. Provided they while, had time to settle in take the remaining West against the much older ball.

Indies wickets early on day Although he was tested by two, they may be afforded reverse swing, he kept out good batting conditions as the balls that were headwell, with the track taking negligible spin so far. Right through day one, Lakmal seemed the likeliest of Sri Lanka’s bowlers to deliver wickets, and with no surprise, he returned with 3 for 71, while his bowling compatriots –- Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Lasith Embuldeniya and Dhananjaya de Silva – only took one apiece.

From the first over, Brathwaite had the look of a batsman who wanted to last the day. It was only on the 18th delivery that he scored his first runs, and once he had a taste for straight boundaries, he made sure to punish them when he could. His favoured scoring area, however, was through Kyle Mayers was bowled for 49 midwicket, particularly against the left-arm spin ed to his stumps, and punof Embuldeniya. He hit 11 ished those that were in his fours through the day. arc, crashing Embuldeniya Brathwaite was a recip- through cover to collect the ient of Sri Lanka’s fielding first of his six fours, then largesse, however, as the later hitting boundaries visitors dropped three clear- through midwicket, point, cut chances. The Brathwaite and back down the ground, chance – on 37 and playing as the mood struck. When a rare loose drive against Chameera attempted to Vishwa – was perhaps the bounce him with the old most difficult of the three as ball, Cornwall hooked him Oshada Fernando at third slip leapt to his left and could not quite clinch it.

Earlier, a chance had gone down off Lakmal, who West Indies 1st INNINGS (STUMPS) Kraigg Brathwaite (c) not out 99 had Mayers edging to third John Campbell c †Dickwella slip on 12, only for a divb Lakmal 5 ing Pathum Nissanka to Nkrumah Bonner b Lakmal 0 fail while grasping at it.

Kyle Mayers c †Dickwella Embuldeniya also dropped b MVT Fernando 49 Alzarri Joseph – again off Jermaine Blackwood c Vishwa – at fine leg, but †Dickwella b Lakmal 18 made quick amends by disJason Holder c Thirimanne missing Joseph lbw the next b de Silva 30 over.

Joshua Da Silva † c †Dickwella Mayers and Cornwall b Chameera 1 played West Indies’ othAlzarri Joseph lbw er consequential innings b Embuldeniya 29 in similar fashion, though Rahkeem Cornwall not out 43 strangely Cornwall’s was Extras (lb 6, nb 7) 13 the higher-quality innings.

TOTAL (86 Ov, RR: 3.33) 287/7 Mayers’ 49 off 61 was full of

for six.

Sri Lanka’s bowlers might reflect that they were over-reliant on Lakmal for breakthroughs on day one, but Lakmal bowled an exemplary spell first up to set the visitors on their way.

He set Campbell up with a series of inswingers then had him nick off to a ball that held its line before Bonner played on to his own stumps the over after. At this stage of the day, Lakmal was yet to conc e d e a run.

His third wicket – that of Blackwood who was also caught behind – came in his third wicket maiden of the innings.

Although the quicks performed creditably, Embuldeniya had an off day. In the morning session, he tried hard to get a

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wicket and was swiftly put away when he erred. But even later in the day, with the pitch not offering much in the way of assistance, Embuldeniya failed to settle into a rhythm and was penalised on five occasions by the third umpire for overstepping his mark as he finished with 1 for 79 from his 21 overs. (ESPNcricinfo)

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NOW!

SCOREBOARD

helped City win three more Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and five League Cups.

“Sergio’s contribution to Manchester City over the last 10 years cannot be overstated,” City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said.

“His legend will be indelibly etched into the memories of everyone who loves the club and maybe even in those who simply love football.” (BBC Sport)

Yet to bat: Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-11 (John Campbell, 6.6 ov), 2-15 (Nkrumah Bonner, 8.6 ov), 3-86 (Kyle Mayers, 27.3 ov), 4-120 (Jermaine Blackwood, 37.2 ov), 5-171 (Jason Holder, 48.1 ov), 6-185 (Joshua Da Silva, 57.3 ov), 7-222 (Alzarri Joseph, 68.1 ov) BOWLING Vishwa Fernando Suranga Lakmal Lasith Embuldeniya Dushmantha Chameera Dhananjaya de Silva

22-4-59-1 20-8-71-3 21-4-79-1 16-3-56-1 7-3-16-1

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TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

Win or die!

F

ollowing months of anticipation, the executives of the three county cricket boards in Guyana were able to meet to host a Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) election at Parc Rayne on Monday morning.

As a result, East Coast and Demerara Cricket Boards President Bissoondyal Singh was the man given the nod for the top spot.

On instruction from Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr and Cricket Ombudsman Kamal Ramkarran, Monday’s election comes after years of conflict within the governing cricket body in Guyana, which has found itself embroiled in several court matters over the last decade.

The GCB election was first slated for February 26, 2021 but was called off by the Ombudsman, due to issues raised on the part of the Essequibo Cricket Board.

Singh’s election to office was a unanimous one, with no one else being nominated

for the post of President.

“Cricket as you know is in a terrible state and we have to start all the way from the bottom,” the newlyelected GCB President stated, moments after his election to the post.

Singh charged, in his first speech as GCB President, “We are not interested in confrontation, but just conversation.

There are going to be programmes, policy and progress. And so, we crave your indulgence in this open policy that we impart with us.

There are going to be partnerships with corporate Guyana as it relates to corporate governance. And so, without everyone, we will not be able to manage this monumental task. And so, we asked all Guyana to

Newlyelected GCB President Bissoondyal Singh

be our partner as we proceed to fix Guyana and lead West Indies cricket once again.”

While Singh, Vice Presidents Hilbert Foster and Rabindranauth

Saywack occupy the top spots in the new executive, famous West Indian batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan was also given the nod for chairmanship of the senior selection panel.

“For the senior selection panel, we hereby present you, Ladies and Gentlemen, a person who is a very successful entrepreneur. Also, an exciting and flamboyant West Indian batsman or I should say former, captained Guyana, Demerara and the West Indies, captained Guyana when we won Stanford T20, Captain of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, represented the English county of Leicestershire, former Assistant Coach of the Jamaica Tallawahs, Ladies and gentlemen, the youngster that hails from Wakenaam – Ramnaresh Sarwan,” Singh announced.

Singh’s election means his automatic ascension as Guyana’s representative to Cricket West Indies, and Foster will be the accompanying Director to the Regional Board.

Assistant Secretary – Devdeerth Anandjit Trustees – Elroy Stepheney

Andrew Forsythe Auditors – Jack Alli, Sons & Co Chairman, Junior Selection Panel – Andre Percival Chairman, Senior Selection Panel – Ramnaresh Sarwan

New GCB Executives:

President – Bissoondyal Singh First Vice President (Administration) – Rabindranauth Saywack Second Vice President (Cricket Development) – Hilbert Foster Chairman of Competition Committee – Shaun Massiah Public Relations Officer – Claude Raphael Chairman of Marketing Committee – Mohamed Baksh Treasurer – Prittipaul Jaigobin Assistant Treasurer – Dr Cecil Beharry Secretary – Ronald Williams

Technocrat Members with right to vote:

Anil Beharry Expert Technical Appointment – Roger Harper

TC Port Mourant Junior, PMTC Senior star in volleyball match-up

… GVF President Nedd praises MCY&S

V

olleyball action resumed on Sunday at the Marriott beachfront as many of Guyana’s top players and clubs came out to enjoy some much-needed action since the advent of the COVID-19

petition consisting of three junior teams – #55, Three Doors Strikers and TC Port Mourant – and four senior teams – PMTC, Rollers, Three Doors Strikers, and Black Bush.

Round-robins were

TC Port Mourant team

The PMTC senior males

pandemic caused a break in play.

The TC Port Mourant junior male volleyball team and the PMTC senior male volleyball teams were the winners of a two-zone com-

played in both categories.

TC defeated #55 and Three Doors Strikers to gain the first-place trophy. While PMTC played unbeaten to cop the first prize for the seniors. Rollers placed sec-

ond and Black Bush, third.

The tournament was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S).

Heading into the final in the junior category, TC Port Mourant made light work of #55; the scores were 25-21, 21-25, 15 -13 in favour of TC Port Mourant. While in the senior category, the format was the 30-point game, this saw PMTC winning with 90 points, Rollers following with 84 points, All-

Stars Black Bush –81.

In a statement, Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) President Levi Nedd said, “As president of the GVF I must commend the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for sponsoring this Berbice segment of volleyball. It is now left to do the same with Demerara, who, however, is managing to keep volleyball alive in the capital. COVID guidelines were stuck to and all hurdles were crossed.”

Golden Jaguars, Bahamas billed for must-win game today

W

Guyana’s Head Coach, Marcio Maximo

ith a 3-0 loss to Trinidad and Tobago and a 4-0 loss to St Kitts and Nevis respectively, Guyana and The Bahamas are in dire need of a win this afternoon.

Both teams will take to the Estadio Felix Sanchez, hunting a much-needed three points, in order to stay alive in Group F of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Tournament.

Guyana’s Head Coach, Marcio Maximo, in spite of the Golden Jaguars’ loss last Thursday, says it’s a new opportunity for the team and better organisation can be expected.

“It’s new time. We need to fix our mistakes, because we did some mistakes in the midfield, but it’s not about the players, it’s about position and we’ll fix for this game tomorrow,” the Head Coach shared during a virtual pre-match press conference on Monday.

He added, “Also, I think for tomorrow (today) two words you need to have, patience and organisation. Because like I told, you two teams need to win the game tomorrow, Bahamas and Guyana and you need good patience and organise it to create the chances.”

On the other hand, the Bahamian opposition, according to Head Coach Nesly Jean, will bring the same organisation and focus to the table, with a keen eye on the three points up for grabs.

“We hopefully want to go into this game and obviously play well and try to get a result, but we also want to be organised, disciplined and patient, I think that’s key.

Obviously, our last game caused us by mistakes, there was mistakes all over the field, but it’s rarely you [don’t) make mistakes,” the former player now Head Coach shared.

Jean continued, “So, it’s all about which team has the least mistakes and at this level, you’re going to get punished. So, we’re going to try organise and fix some of the

Bahamas’ Head Coach, Nesly Jean

stuff we do. Good luck to both teams and may the best man win.”

Meanwhile, Captain Sam Cox candidly shared that the team have taken time to reflect on their loss to Trinidad, but were welcoming of the twin-islands’ draw against Puerto Rico on Sunday night.

The Golden Jags’ leading man explained, “The chat on the first day was literally ‘have your own time’. We had time to ourselves to pretty much reflect. The day after was back to business, really.

We still have a chance to qualify in this group and I think yesterday’s result with Puerto Rico and T&T has given us a glimmer of hope there.”

“That’s given us some confidence going into this game; that’s picked us up automatically,” he asserted.

So far in Group F, St Kitts and Nevis sit at the top with two wins and six points, followed by Trinidad and Tobago with a loss and a draw, accumulating four points. Guyana and The Bahamas are yet to acquire some points, while Puerto Rico have one point.

The encounter between the Bahamas and Guyana will kick off at 15:00h (3pm) local time.

Following their meeting with The Bahamas, the Golden Jags will have some time to regroup as their next two games against St Kitts and Nevis and Puerto Rico will come until June 4 and 8 respectively. The locations for those games are yet to be determined.

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

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

Pg 22

is new GCB President

Brathwaite’s unbeaten 99 headlines even 1st day between West Indies and Sri Lanka

Pg 23 The new executive body of the GCB. Seated are President Bissoondyal Singh, VP Rabindranauth Saywack (left) and VP Hilbert Foster (right)

Win or die!

Golden Jaguars, Bahamas billed for must-win game today

Pg 23

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