Guyana Times - Tuesday December 15, 2020

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4500

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

PRICE

2 years after APNU/AFC witch-hunting

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

SOCU withdraws politically-motivated charges against Ashni Singh, Winston Brassington See story on page 7

6-year-old girl found unconscious in swamp near Berbice home

1 day after tragic fishing trip

Teen’s body washes P10 ashore at Windsor Forest

ECD man found dead with stab wound to neck

P10

Page 17

Former Presidents' meeting today See story on page 2

See story on page 13

Frontline health workers to get COVID-19 vaccines …“Granger has still not responded first – Health Minister to me” – Minister Teixeira

ExxonMobil spuds new exploration well offshore Guyana …begins test on discovery at Redtail See story on page 3

ERC’s National Conversation

Affirmative action among measures needed to tackle past racial discrimination in State, economy – former MP See story on page 16

Another elderly person dies P13 from COVID-19 …23 new cases recorded

Be alert for substandard products P15 during holidays – GAFDD cautions Speaker still working on convening P16 committees – Parliamentary Clerk

Govt offers P12 support to the Buxton/ Friendship Youth Incubator

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Former Presidents' meeting today …“Granger has still not responded to me” – Minister Teixeira from 1999 to 2011 and is currently a Vice President in the Ali Administration; Donald Ramotar, who served as President from 2011 to 2015, and David Granger, who served from

President Dr Irfaan Ali

P

resident Dr Irfaan Ali has invited all former Presidents to a working lunch, to discuss areas of importance and the future development of Guyana, however, according to Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister, Gail Teixeira immediate past President David Granger has not yet formally responded to the invite.

The meeting will, however, proceed today at noon and according to Teixeira – who sent the invite on behalf of President Ali – Granger nor his team has communicated his availability or unavailability to her.

Granger is the only non-People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) President that is still alive.

The current four former Guyanese Presidents are Samuel Hinds, who briefly served as President in 1997; Bharrat Jagdeo, who served as Head of State

Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Minister Gail Teixeira

2015 to 2020.

When asked whether the meeting would still occur today, Minister Teixeira told Guyana Times that as far as she is aware it is happening.

“I am not aware of any postponement requested

by Mr Granger or anything from Mr Granger. I am not aware that the President is postponing or there is any change in terms of rearrangement at this point.

I think it is still going forward for tomorrow [today] because I have not been advised otherwise. I don’t see the reason for a postponement because Mr Granger has still not responded to me, as the person who sent the invitation on behalf of

Former President Samuel Hinds

Former President and current Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Former President Donald Ramotar

Former President David Granger

the President,” she told this publication on Monday.

President Ali’s aim is bringing together all former Guyanese Presidents to discuss ways in which they can work together to develop the country.

became aware of that via press reports and cannot comment on it.

When he first announced the meeting, President Ali had stated that it would serve as an opportunity for the former Guyanese leaders to share ideas and work towards Guyana’s development.

“It will be an open-floor meeting, where we’ll bring together all the former Presidents. I think that it’s an opportunity for us to continue to share ideas, generate ideas; for us to talk about how we see Guyana’s development, different perspectives and then to work out a model and a framework on how we engage in the future and how we will have continuous contributions,” the Head of State had explained.

According to the PNC’s statement on Friday, Granger said it would be a huge public disappointment for the proposed

high-level meeting to take place without addressing pressing public issues such as the high death rate from the COVID-19 pandemic and other governance issues, which he said can have consequences for Guyana’s short-, mediumand long-term national development.

Already, former Presidents Ramotar and Hinds have confirmed to this publication that they will be attending the meeting.

Former President Jagdeo is also likely to attend.

Earlier last week, PNC’s General Secretary, Amna Ally, had snubbed the invitation extended by President Ali after she was contacted by this publication for a comment on the initiative.

Ally had poured cold water on the President’s invite and reiterated her party’s non-recognition of the PPP Government.

Nevertheless, the Head of State on Thursday reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to inclusivity but posited that “If we are to grow as a people, this has to be a two-way street.”

President Ali assumed office as Guyana’s 9th Executive President in August following five months of electoral and political deadlock following the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections.

The former Granger-led APNU/AFC Administration had refused to concede defeat at the March 2 polls and demit office. In fact, even after a National Recount confirmed the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic electoral victory, the coalition continued with its delay tactics by moving to the courts.

It took mounting international and local pressure for the new Government to be finally sworn into office on August 2, 2020. (G2)

PNC statement

Just a few days ago, a statement from the People’s National Congress Reform – the largest party in the APNU/AFC coalition and of which Granger is the leader – rejected the invitation from the president.

The statement indicated that Granger acknowledged the invitation from Teixeira but asked that the engagement be deferred, noting that there is not enough explanation as to the purpose of the meeting nor an agenda for review before the engagement.

However, this has not yet been communicated to the Minister.

She said that she only

NEWS

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS OPENINGS BRIDGE

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, December 15 – 03:30h – 05:00h and Wednesday, December 16 – 04:00h – 05:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, December 15 – 16:35h – 18:05h and Wednesday, December 16 – 05:25h – 06:55h.

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High Tide: 16:54h reaching a maximum height of 2.81 metres.

Low Tide: 10:28h and 22:58h reaching minimum heights of 0.58 metre and 0.41 metre.

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ExxonMobil spuds new exploration well offshore Guyana …begins test on discovery at Redtail

E

xxonMobil has commenced drilling a new well in the Stabroek Block, while also conducting drill stem testing on the Redtail-1 well where it found high-quality reservoirs of oil back in September of this year.

According to reports reaching this publication, Exxon has only just spudded the new well. In the meantime, the drill stem test on the Redtail-1 well will be geared towards assessing the reservoir quality of the oil find. On Monday, Upstream Oil reported that Exxon had started its drill stem on one of its most promising hydrocarbons in the prolific Stabroek Block.

It was expected that ExxonMobil would do the test between December 11 and 22, using Stena Carron - the same drillship that spudded the ill-fated Tanager-1 well last month, which was found to not be commercially viable notwithstanding its status as Exxon’s deepest well in the Guyana-Suriname basin.

The Redtail-1 discovery was announced on September 8, with Guyana’s Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat in a statement speaking of the significance of the discovery and Exxon’s continued pursuit of high-quality reservoirs.

“The Government of Guyana welcomes the Redtail discovery and remains committed to the development of Guyana’s oil and gas resources… the ExxonMobil exploration programme continues to identify high-quality reservoirs in close proximity to previous discoveries. This will play an integral part in our long-term growth plans which will bring significant value to Guyana’s development,” he had said.

“This discovery comes in wake of our country’s budget for the year 2020 and complements the number of progressive measures announced

by Dr Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana and Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. I assure you that the Government will do everything possible to ensure benefits from this and other sectors enhance the lives of all our people,” he added.

The Minister had also pointed out that the discovery complements the Lisa-1 well, which he pointed out has already netted Guyana US$150

Exxon’s Stena Carron drillship

million ($31.3 billion) from oil lifts and royalty payments.

Last year, Exxon made five discoveries offshore Guyana. Discoveries were made in the Tilapia-1 well, Haimara-1, Yellowtail-1, Tripletail-1 and the Mako-1 well. These discoveries had pushed the total estimated recoverable barrels of oil equivalent to over six billion.

The company also discovered oil in the Uaru-1 well back in January 2020. Uaru was ExxonMobil’s 16th oil discovery in the Stabroek Block. The Uaru-1 well was drilled in a new reservoir, encountering approximately 94

feet (29 metres) of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir and was drilled in 6342 feet (1933 metres) of water.

And in July of 2020, ExxonMobil’s partner in the Stabroek Block, Hess

Corporation, had revealed that two high-quality reservoirs offshore Guyana were found in 2020 around the time the company was appraising the Yellowtail-2 well.

So far, the Liza-1 well has accounted for all of Guyana’s oil production. Guyana only began producing oil last year in the Stabroek Block, lifting its first million barrels of profit oil from the Liza-1 well in February 2020.

The Bank of Guyana’s half-year report, which covers the period up to the end of June 2020, had previously revealed that Guyana produced over 10 million barrels of oil during the first half of 2020. (G3)

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

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

Food security D

ue to other pressing issues affecting the Region in recent months such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue of agriculture and food security has not been talked about much. However, we have always maintained that food security for the Region is as important as any other matter and must be treated as such by Governments and other development partners.

In Guyana’s case, we have been at the forefront over the years in pushing for an effective agriculture and food security strategy. During his recent address to the seventh virtual Summit of the Heads of State of Caricom and the Republic of Cuba, President Dr Irfaan Ali brought the issue of regional food security once again into the spotlight. The President used the opportunity to press the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to review the inter-regional trade mechanism and its food security in an effort to strengthen the bloc and place greater focus on an Agriculture and Food Security Strategy.

We believe that regional Heads need to place more emphasis on developing their agriculture sector and make the kind of investments necessary to ensure the Region is not only food secure but we produce enough to tap into export markets so as to earn foreign exchange.

It could be recalled that in 2002, former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who had lead responsibility at the time for Agriculture in the Caricom quasi-Cabinet, had sought assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) to boost the Region’s efforts in ensuring it is food secure. One year after, he proposed that the Region build on its past efforts to develop a common agricultural policy, and requested that the IICA and the FAO support the Caricom Secretariat in developing a framework for repositioning agriculture in the Region.

In underlining the problems that the agricultural sector faces in the Region, Jagdeo had stressed that in the changing global environment, the sector was neither providing for food security nor earning the foreign exchange needed to cover the Region’s growing food import bill.

In addition, at a Caricom Heads of Government Conference in Grand Anse, Grenada, Jagdeo had presented a paper entitled “A Framework for the Repositioning of Caribbean Agriculture”. In that framework, he stressed the need for a regional policy and strategy aimed at strengthening food security and alleviating poverty, and in January 2005, the President’s proposal was formally dubbed the “Jagdeo Initiative” with the theme “Strengthening Agriculture for Sustainable Development”.

The declining role of agriculture in the Region, the continuing loss of preferential markets for the Region’s traditional products, and the rapidly-increasing extraregional food import bill are among the serious and challenging issues highlighted in the Initiative. However, while there has been much banter on the topic, it is not clear what concrete actions (if any) were taken since then to strengthen the Region’s agriculture sector and to bring it to a level envisaged in the “Jagdeo Initiative”.

Regional Governments would need to show by their actions that they are willing to go beyond the rhetoric.

Guyana has made tremendous efforts to ensure the country produces enough to meet the demands of its citizens.

As we are presently doing, other countries would need to organise themselves and their individual farming sectors and encourage young persons to embrace new technologies to see farming and agriculture as a business. By doing so, the Region would not only be ensuring there is enough food to satisfy the demands of people, but the surplus of what is produced could be exported.

Several years after, many of the proposals detailed in the Jagdeo Initiative are still relevant and perhaps even more needed, now considering the changing global dynamics as it relates to countries producing enough to meet the needs of their populations and to satisfy export markets.

President Ali’s recent call for countries to develop an effective agriculture and food security strategy is another reminder of Guyana’s commitment to the issue of food security. It would be to Caricom’s benefit if other countries follow suit.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues joined with the Salvation Army Guyana Division, for its 2020 Christmas hampers distribution exercise. Rodrigues lauded the Salvation Army for its work in bringing relief to those stricken by poverty and those in need. Also in photo is Advisory Board Chairman of the Salvation Army, Edward Boyer. Inset: Minister Rodrigues distributing a Christmas hamper (CH&PA photo)

Poor, inept and one-man leadership led to coalition’s defeat

Dear Editor, The 2020 Regional and General Elections which the PPP won is history, but the truth must be told as to why APNU/AFC, hereafter referred to as the coalition, lost the elections after being in office for only five years. One of the reasons is that the coalition lost the elections because it wasted an entire year in court fighting to rescind the “No-Confidence Motion” of December 21, 2018. The Granger Administration’s refusal to call elections within the three-month period prescribed in the Constitution for an election was because it was ill-prepared to go to the polls. Instead, they put forth the most foolish and bogus case that 34 and not 33 votes were needed to pass the No-Confidence Motion.

Not only were they wrong but they were more illogical than the person(s) who proposed such daft arithmetic. At the time, polls had shown that if the coalition had called an election

by May 2019, it would have won because of public sympathy. Needless to say, none of the courts – Guyana’s High Court, Guyana Court of Appeals or the Caribbean Court of Justice – validated the coalition’s voodoo arithmetic.

However, the primary reason why the coalition lost the 2020 elections was due to poor, lacklustre, and vi-

sionless leadership and also because the entire cabal in the PNC and AFC allowed one person – the leader – to dictate how the elections should be run. It was a colossal error on the part of the PNC and AFC executives not to confront the leader on his weaknesses and ineptness. But they were afraid of retaliation from a vindictive, indolent, boring and selfish leader who believed that he had absolute power to do as he pleased. He is a self-centred and an elitist leader who does not care about problems affecting the masses. The silence displayed by the PNC and AFC cabal and being out of power caused some to imbibe to the extent of becoming alcoholics, others are behaving like zombies and a few have indulged in babbling. Losing the election could spell the end for the AFC which is near to death as many of its senior members across the country have either resigned their positions or have quit the party altogether. Other than being immature, what other reasons could the leaders provide for refusing to attend the meeting between President Ali and the former Presidents and for not attending the farewell party of the outgoing Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana?

Many in the public are of the opinion that the PNC is in political turmoil and this is largely due to the shun-

ning of one of the stalwarts of the party who the leader refused to assign as a Member of Parliament (MP).

Not only is she a devoted and very popular member of the PNC, but she is also the Chairperson of the party and the Women’s Auxiliary Group. Ostracising the standard-bearer of the PNC from the decision-making process could be the demise of the party, which many believed would be in opposition for a very long time, if not forever.

From the inception, many, including a large number of PNC supporters felt that the so-called six-party coalition put together by the leader was a sham due to the fact that it was comprised of four one-man parties, which together could not even obtain 1000 votes at the polls. At the time, only the AFC and the PNC had a support base, but as evident in the last election, the AFC support base which is mainly on the Corentyne has dwindled. In addition, the senior members of the AFC are always in disagreement over who should be the leader of the party. For example, there has always been a struggle for the leader of the party between its current leader and the Chairman and there were some major and bitter conflicts between the former Prime Minister (PM) and the leader over the prime ministerial candidacy in the last election. We all know

who emerged as the AFC PM candidate.

It is time for the senior members of the PNC and its support groups in the New York Diaspora to speak up against the assault on the party by its leader and his surrogate. Following the murders of the two Henry cousins at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice, the two senior leaders of the party visited the area and prodded their supporters into riotous acts without knowing the reasons for the murder.

However, neither the executives of the PNC nor its ten diaspora groups in the Tri-State area condemned them for such shameful behaviour. The Chairperson of the PNC was the lone voice to tell her party supporters to stop the mayhem against their Indian sisters and brothers in the area who are their neighbours.

The public, as well as the PNC groups in the diaspora, felt that the leader of the party did not have the talent, wisdom, ability and the political and requisite skills, talent and personality to be president. One reason is that as President of the country, he held only three press conferences in five years. Another reason is that he was aloof and an elitist who lived in his ivory tower and did not care about the people who elected him.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

5

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

Gender-based violence: A national concern

Dear Editor, “Familicide,” is described

by Wikipedia as, “a type of murder-suicide in which a perpetrator kills multiple close family members in quick succession, most often children, relatives, spouse, siblings or parents. ” On Saturday, December 12, 2020, Carolina Kennedy, 48, and her two daughters, 5-year-old Marianna and 3-year-old Gabriella Kennedy met their untimely demise in a fire allegedly set by Kenford Downer, the reputed husband of the late Carolina Kennedy.

It was reported that the late Carolina was abused

by Downer in the past, in fact, he was even convicted of abuse. Just last week, Downer threatened to burn the house down and kill Carolina and little Marianna and Gabriella. He made good on those threats. His “justified” reason for this inhumane act is one that baffles me. It was mere speculation, several newscasts reported that Downer was annoyed that Carolina spoke to another man! As far as I read, she had a conversation with another man. This seems to be the senseless motive behind many of the killings of our women. It saddens me that Carolina had all the signs. There were many red flags. He was jealous, possessive, controlling, he had a bad temper and he was abusive, then why didn’t she leave? Many would ask. The answer, though simple, is far too complex.

While I cannot speak di-

rectly to the situation in which Carolina was in, I believe in some ways the reasons why some women remain in abusive relationships are the same. Some women are so fearful of their partners that they stay.

While this doesn’t make sense to some, it makes perfect sense. It starts with emotional control. Victims are made to feel worthless and alone. Oftentimes, they feel as though they are responsible for the abuse meted out to them. Some women spend their entire lives in abusive relationships that end in death while some are lucky to get out alive.

It was reported that Carolina planned on reporting Downer’s threat to burn the house with her and the little girls to the police.

Editor, had Carolina reported this threat earlier, would this have saved her and the little girls? I have my doubts about that. Domestic violence cases do not receive the appropriate response from the relevant authorities as they should until it is too late. I have heard it many times before that the police sometimes leave the cases as is because of the victim’s withdrawal of complaints and refusal to testify against the abuser.

When would violence against women be given the importance it ought to be given? Are the authorities taking the right approach to tackle this issue? When will the national discussion be held? Why is it that the most important element to fight

“T

he sages addressed all human beings as ‘Children of Immortality, Amirtasyaputrah."

But in spite of this definite assurance and the inexhaustible joy that can be experienced therefrom, man degrades himself into an Anrita-putra (child of falsehood) and starts wailing that he lacks this, that or some other comfort or contraption! Thieves who rob him of valuable treasures like peace and contentment, equipoise and courage, are being honoured as masters, and masters who ensure peace and happiness are treated with irreverence and disgust. You can bolt your doors and windows against thieves, but who can bolt the door against death? The thieves - lust, anger, greed, attachment, pride and hate - are honoured as welcome guests and the real well-wishers like tranquillity and humility are shown the door!” (Divine Discourse, Feb 15)

Shri Sathya Sai Baba Organisation

against violence against women has been excluded?

When will men actively join the discussion? When will they be invited to participate in empowering their brothers and when will they join the call to strengthen our women?

Editor, it is my hope that gender-based violence and abuse in any form be given the importance needed to be given. I believe we have a capable Minister of Social Services. The Honorable Minister needs to closely look into ways to decrease and eliminate gender-based violence. What was done hasn’t worked. More of our girls were raped and our women killed. Over the past few months, we have seen the most atrocious acts of abuse being perpetrated against our girls and women. Enough evidence to conclude that gender-based violence is men’s issue!

I pray for the souls of Carolina and those two beautiful angels Marianna and Gabriella to find a resting place. I pray for the families of the deceased to be comforted and trust God to bring them through their devastating loss. It is my hope that their killer is dealt with to the full extent of the law. Furthermore, it is my wish that this is the last we read of something so barbaric and inhumane to be done against our women and girls.

Yours truly, I Ram

Open your mind, Lincoln Lewis

Dear Editor, Reference is made to Mr Lincoln Lewis’s December 13, 2020, missive in another newsprint, denigrating the effort of President Ali’s overture to past Presidents to an initial open forum discussion on nation-building.

The conjectures penned by Mr Lewis are fraught with emotional threads rather than objectively driven.

Juxtaposing scenarios with condemnatory phrases seem to be screaming for recognition in its irrelevance. For 50 odd years Guyana suffered from partisan politics, and our motto of One People, One Nation, One Destiny seemed to be palpably cast asunder. President Ali and his Cabinet are the change agents. Mr Lewis’ emasculated attempt to denude Dr Ali’s olive branch

initiative at comprehensive nation-building is disingenuous and laic at best as past paradigms should evolve into pragmatic solutions for all Guyanese. Over 60 per cent of the Guyanese population, of all races, are young people and President Ali is initiating a willingness to open dialogue, and Mr Lewis, using the “de facto” phraseology, ad nauseam, is irresponsible, and a raw testament of his deep anachronism and reluctance to nation-building. Terminology inexactitudes, dogma and hypothecation by Mr Lewis are the aberrations that have and will continue to retard the nation’s growth if left unchecked.

In his narrative, Mr Lewis seems to be speaking for past President, Mr Granger, which is egre-

giously condescending as Mr Granger has clearly stated his reasons for non-acquiescence. Dismissing the meeting of the Presidents as a “dinner gaffe” (my words) is patronising and self-serving. Spelling President Ali’s name incorrectly, in his missive can be a Freudian slip or downright hypocritical and demeaning. Like it or not, Mr Lewis, President Ali has been democratically elected and his mantra of “change Guyana” for all has accelerated rapidly and unswervingly. Negative connotations will not dilute or derail this dynamism. Open your mind, sir, and allow all Guyanese to add gravitas to our motto: One People, One Nation, One Destiny!

Respectfully, Jonathan Subrian, Esq

Poor, inept and one-man...

A third reason is that as the President of a country with only 780,000 people, he appointed 26 Ministers; more than the number of Ministers in Jamaica with a population of roughly three million and Trinidad and Tobago with more than one-and-a-half million. And to add insult to injury, the leader approved a 50 per cent increase for Ministers while he gave civil/public servants, including nurses and teachers, a meagre ten per cent increase. If this is not moronic and asinine, then we do not know what is.

Truth be told, the former President gave up his quest to stay in office on August 2, 2020, after a protracted five intense and awful months of fighting to stay in office and several court cases which failed to overturn the elec-

tion. Many PNC supporters and its ten groups in the TriState had thought they had won the election. However, the loss has led many of them to criticise the President and characterise him as a misfit who is incapable of leading the party and the nation.

Today, the PNC is fractured, thanks to its leader and his

FROM PAGE 4

surrogate, whose support in the New York Diaspora has melted away while the Chairperson has a groundswell of support, which means that sooner rather than later, both of them will have to migrate in the wilderness.

Yours truly, Dr Asquith Rose

COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

Page

Foundation ◄

A

FOR CHILDREN

Polygons

polygon is any closed 2-dimensional figure that is made up of line segments. Triangles and quadrilaterals are polygons. However, a polygon can have any number of sides greater than two. The number of sides equal the number of angles. Many polygons are named for the number of sides. The following are the main types of quadrilaterals

Exercises: Identify the polygons

O

Penta = 5, hexa = 6, hepta = 7, octa = 8, nona = nine, deca = 10 i) Rectangle iv) Parallelogram

Monday’s answers ii) Rectangle v) Trapezium

iii) Kite vi) Rhombus

Family Timeline Accordion Book with Recycled Materials

M

aking books engages the hands, the head, and the heart. It gives us the opportunity to tell our stories and express our feelings while working together in creative community.

This accordion book was inspired by the books of the Aztecs and Mayans in Mexico and Central America. In the classroom, it can be used for history, science, or biography. At home, you can make a family timeline of four decades.

Ours went from the 1970s to the 2000s and combined personal events with historical and cultural ones. We included marriages, births and deaths, houses we lived in, politics, sports, fashion, trips, and favourite books and movies.

To make the book, you’ll need * the front or back panel of a paper grocery bag (or other large rectangular paper) * a piece of yarn (I braided mine), ribbon, or to continue with the recycled theme, old videotape, twice the length of the paper * a hole punch

Æsop’s Fables

Folding the Book: 1. Fold the paper in half.

If it has writing on one side, the writing should be on the inside.

2. Take the top layer of the folded paper, flip the edge back to meet the fold, and crease.

3. Turn the paper over, flip the edge of the paper to meet the fold, and crease.

Your accordion book is folded. If you’d like to glue white or other coloured panels onto the pages like I did, now is the time to do it.

Punching the Holes: Keep the accordion book folded and hold it so that it is taller than wide.

About a thumb length down from the top, punch holes through all the layers on the outer sides of the folded pages.

Threading the yarn or ribbon: Place your folded book so that you see the letter W when you look at it from the side. Starting at the top hole on the

outside of the W, push the yarn into the hole. (I find that if I fold over the end of the yarn and insert the folded part into the hole, I don’t have to worry about the yarn unravelling.) Thread it in and out of the holes. There should be long stitches on the front and short ones on the back.

Adding the content: Put the decades above the timeline and fill the rest of the page with photos and drawings from your family collection and things that you find online.

(Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord, imaginationsoup.net)

nce a cat and a fox were travelling together. As they went along, picking up provisions on the way –a stray mouse here, a fat chicken there – they began an argument to while away the time between bites. And, as usually happens when comrades argue, the talk began to get personal.

"You think you are extremely clever, don't you?" said the fox. "Do you pretend to know more than I? Why, I know a whole sackful of tricks!"

"Well," retorted the cat, "I admit I know one trick only, but that one, let me tell you, is worth a thousand of yours!"

Just then, close by, they heard a hunter's horn and the yelping of a pack of hounds. In an instant the cat was up a tree, hiding among the leaves.

"This is my trick," he called to the fox. "Now let me see what yours are worth."

But the fox had so many plans for escape he could not decide which one to try first. He dodged here and there with the hounds at his heels. He doubled on his tracks, he ran at top speed, he entered a dozen burrows, -- but all in vain. The hounds caught him, and soon put an end to the boaster and all his tricks.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

2 years after APNU/AFC witch-hunting

SOCU withdraws politically-motivated charges against Ashni Singh, Winston Brassington

Former President and current Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

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he politically motivated charges filed by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) under the APNU/AFC Government against senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and former National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) head, Winston Brassington were withdrawn on Monday.

Confirming this was Attorney-at-Law Sase Gunraj, one of the lawyers representing the high-ranking Government officials.

Guyana Times was informed that the matter was called on Monday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

During the proceedings on Monday, SOCU prosecutors informed the court that they did not wish to proceed with the charges against the officials. As such, the prosecutors withdrew the charges. Dr Singh and Brassington were first charged back in April 2018.

They were each released on $6 million bail.

In 2018, after three years of investigations, forensic audits, and witch-hunting, the APNU/AFC Government railroaded SOCU into bringing criminal charges against the then former Finance Minister and former NICIL Head, alleging that Singh and Brassington had sold Government land at less than the valuation.

As such three charges were instituted: 1) the sale of land on which MovieTowne and Massy sit today (10 acres of land at Turkeyen to Multicinema Guyana Inc in 2011); (2) the sale by public tender of 103 acres of land at Liliendaal that now houses one of the most modern housing communities of Guyana and (3) the sale of land at Liliendaal to Scady Business Corporation, a company connected to a major international investor whose investments in Guyana were responsible for the preservation of thousands of jobs.

Despite all of the investigations, the type of charge eventually brought against Singh and Brassington was not found in the statute books of Guyana but relied on a UK law that had never before been applied in Guyana. Specifically, in Guyana, there is no law that requires Government to sell land at or above any valuation Both Singh and Brassington had always maintained that they did not personally sell any Government land but it was NICIL/Government that sold the land. Singh and Brassington also maintained that they merely acted as directors, and fully complied with all applicable policies and procedures in conducting the sale.

Politically motivated

Dr Singh and Brassington had mounted a High Court challenge to the legality of the charges laid against them by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC. Among other things, their lawyers had contended that the offence of misconduct in public office, contrary to common law, is an abuse of process, malicious, biased, capricious, arbitrary, and without proper evidential basis. They had further argued that the charges are bad in faith, unreasonable, discriminatory, unlawful, and influenced

by irrelevant and improper considerations and motives, null, void, and of no effect.

Dr Singh and Brassington had also argued that they were still charged even though they obtained valuations for lands they

made by the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to jail members of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

“It is all frivolous…

This Government (now Opposition) campaigned on

Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Ashni Singh

Former NICIL Head Winston Brassington

sold. The Solicitor General at that time had submitted that the application to have the charges quashed had no realistic prospects of success. The Solicitor General had argued that the DPP acted within her powers in instituting the charges, and that Dr Singh and Brassington cannot prove any malfeasance, or that she acted in bad faith or any exceptional circumstances or that the charges are bad in law.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall had always maintained that the charges against Dr Singh and Brassington “amount to no charge at all” as they are politically inspired.

Nandlall had said that charges brought against these officials were a clear case of innocent people being politically prosecuted.

a promise that they will jail all of us when they get into power because we’re massively corrupt…We were told that we had assets that we were not declaring to the Integrity Commission.

We’re told that the People’s Progressive Party and its leaders had stolen so much money they couldn’t stash it in Guyana, they had to stash it abroad. These were the campaign. This was in the mouth of every person who spoke on the APNU platform. Jail, jail these people,” Jagdeo had said.

Frivolous

In 2018, when the charges were filed against Singh and Brassington, former President and now Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo had said that the charges were nothing more than a “frivolous” attempt to keep a campaign promise

Cabinet/Govt decision

In providing greater de-

tail on the issue, the former Head of State reasoned that Cabinet had accepted a recommendation from the Privatisation Board, and had made a decision that was sent back to the broadbased Privatisation Board of NICIL and the Unit for implementation.

Jagdeo was quoted on April 12, 2018, as saying: “It is a Cabinet decision which has been issued back to the Ministry of Finance and to the Privatisation Unit to execute. So Brassington or Ashni Singh could not have executed these decisions unless the matter came, the recommendation was approved by the Cabinet.”

Speaking specifically about the sale of 103 acres of land to National Hardware Guyana Limited for $598.6 million, Jagdeo had recalled that that matter had been sent to public tender. He said that it had been advertised in all of the local national newspapers for almost two months before the land was sold.

Addressing the sale of 10 acres of State land at Turkeyen for some $185 million to Multicinema, he said the deal was completed after Shri Yogeandra could not conclude a sale for $16 million per acre, which was the highest bid.

Jagdeo had maintained that unlike the APNU/AFC Government, the PPP had a policy on sale of State lands.

Political attack

Like

Jagdeo,

former

Former President Donald Ramotar

President Donald Ramotar had also called out the then APNU/AFC Government for its political attack on Singh and Brassington, who he had said are “two of the most astute professionals” who served in the PPP/C Government and are two outstanding Guyanese who worked for the development of Guyana.

“The announcement that SOCU is going after Messrs Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington is nothing short of a witch hunt orchestrated by the APNU/AFC regime… Like Brassington, Ashni never acted on his own. This is not a Finance Minister who went out and did what he wanted, no. Everything he did was with approval from Cabinet. Therefore, to try to insinuate that he did anything wrong is deception on the part of the regime,” Ramotar had said.

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Former murder accused remanded over gunning down contractor

F

ormer murder accused Kacey Heyliger was on Monday remanded to prison for the murder of 60-year-old building contractor Peter Gonsalves, who was gunned down at Garnett Street, Georgetown, two Sundays ago.

The 28-year-old Station Street, Kitty, Georgetown resident was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at

Murder accused: Kacey Heyliger

the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on December 6, 2020, he murdered Gonsalves during a robbery.

Police had said that Heyliger was positively identified during an identification parade for the murder of the contractor. It was re-

Conversations...

I Murdered: Peter Gonsalves

ported that Gonsalves, a father of three of Pere Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was shot and killed in front of Red Bar, Garnett Street, during a confrontation with two armed men who later escaped with his XR motorcycle, CJ 600.

Gonsalves was shot at least three times about his body by the two men – one of whom was armed with a handgun. They reportedly trailed him to the drinking bar. After he was shot, Gonsalves collapsed and died almost immediately.

At the time of the shooting, Gonsalves and one of his colleagues had just arrived at the bar. The man’s co-worker escaped unhurt.

However, after reviewing the CCTV footage collected from the bar, several persons were arrested, including Heyliger.

Heyliger was previously charged with the February 2018 murder of America Street, Georgetown money changer, Shawn Nurse called “Fabulous”. Reports are that Nurse was shot and killed during a robbery. Following a preliminary inquiry, the presiding Magistrate discharged the charge against Heyliger citing insufficient evidence.

...and hot air magine the UN office in Guyana teamed up with the University of Guyana and the ERC (constituted of a representative of EVERY social group in Guyana – no matter how they define themselves!) organised a virtual “National Conversation on Ethnic Relations” and they weren’t able to attract more than 60 participants!! And those 60 consisted of the dozen or so participants and the usual suspects from the chatterati class in Georgetown.

It was a big yawn. First of all, the programme was supposed to start at 9am, but didn’t get going till some 40 minutes had elapsed. During which, all sorts of candid (and not so flattering) shots of the organisers and the moderators were flashed to the public! If this is the lot that’s supposed to help us to find some sanity out of the political bog that the PNC had thrown us into, God help us all! Now before the selected “ethnic representatives” from Guyanese society gave their spiel, the heads of the aforementioned sponsor organisations uttered some meaningless, anodyne platitudes. The one from the UN rep was especially objectionable. When she invoked the BLM movement that just swept the US protesting “white oppression”, she never got around to showing what this had to do with Guyana where a Black government ruled Guyana for 33 of the 54 years we’ve been independent!!

Surprisingly, the PNC’s Joseph Harmon was invited to speak as the “Leader of the Opposition” (LOO). Since Harmon insists the PPP Government is illegitimate, one wonders why the ERC accepted his LOO credentials – since they’d also be illegitimate since it emanated from the same disputed elections!! Anyhow what shocked your Eyewitness even more was that Harmon – the man who along with his boss Granger incited mayhem in W. Berbice after the murders of the Henry cousins – had the unmitigated gall to criticise ERC Commissioner Roshan Khan (he didn’t have the guts to call the man’s name!) for telling Indian Guyanese, who were being beaten and assaulted, to protect themselves!!

Then, finally, came the invited presentations. And more confusion. Nascimento, billed as the “Portuguese Guyanese” representative, insisted that he was speaking on his own behalf as a “GUYANESE” and NOT Portuguese!! But why didn’t he tell the ERC before?? Maybe Jerry Gouveia – who’d acknowledged his Portuguese roots to Desmond Trotman – but pointed out they didn’t own slaves – could have filled in! And then the “Indigenous People’s” rep Schuman also insisted he wasn’t speaking on behalf of that group! He complained, however, that unlike Harmon, who was addressed as “Honourable”, he was dubbed as plain “Mr Schuman”! What a comedy of errors!

And imagine we hadn’t even gotten halfway through the programme with African Guyanese and Chinese Guyanese representatives!! ...without communicating The main event was clearly supposed to be the presentations by David Hinds representing “African Guyanese” and Ravi Dev representing “Indian Guyanese”. To no one’s surprise, THEY had no problem with being daubed with an ethnic hyphen. After all, this “ethnic talk” has been their bread and butter for donkey’s years, hasn’t it? The problem with these academic types, however, is their heads are so far into the clouds with their theories, you wonder if their feet ever touch the ground!

While Hinds performed his usual mental gymnastics to justify rejecting the last elections (not REAL democracy!), Dev carried on about his “Ethnic Security Dilemma” that he’s been hocking forever. To his credit, however, he did make the point your Eyewitness had been stressing for years: that as a nation of minorities, there’s no need for the shared government calls of Hinds and company.

The PNC had won with the AFC coalition in 2015 and the PPP did so by wooing crossover votes in 2020.

Democracy is back in Guyana!

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

...on outing gun sales The APNU/AFC coalition’ve been embarrassed by revelations that their financier Larry Singh never delivered the guns to the GDF, for which he’d been paid.

Was it for balance some “senior” AFC Exec sold guns on the side?

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

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

1 day after tragic fishing trip ECD man found dead with stab wound to neck Teen’s body washes ashore at Windsor Forest

Dead: Keith Willis

Police ranks examining the crime scene

he East Coast Demerara community of Bachelor’s Adventure was sent into shock on Monday following the discovery of the lifeless body of one of its residents on the roadway. Dead is 23-year-old Keith Andrew Willis, called, “Ghandi”.

His body was found a short distance away from his home.

Police in a statement on Monday said that the father of one left his Lot 374 Bachelor’s Adventure residence on Sunday to attend a football competition in the community. The game concluded at 20:30h, after which he went to visit his girlfriend, who resides at Paradise Housing Scheme, ECD. Police said that at around 23:00h, the young man left his girlfriend’s residence for home, however, at around 05:30h on Monday, a resident of the community who was heading to work observed Willis lying motionlessly on the roadway and summoned the police. At the crime scene, the dead man’s body was examined and what appeared to be a stab wound was seen to his upper left side neck.

When Guyana Times visited the scene, residents had gathered at the area where the young man’s body was discovered.

His mother, Seema Sukhar, cried inconsolably as she sat on a bench not too far from where her son’s body was discovered. According to her, her son left home Sunday evening to visit his “child mother” and did not return home.

“I couldn’t call him to ask him why he didn’t come home because he doesn’t have a cell phone,” the grieving woman said.

She added, “I does wake up early in the morning to cook for the little [brother] to go to work. About 06:25 am, three guys came and they seh ma’am put on a slipper. They say that if yuh, if you son deh home. I seh one deh home and one didn’t come home. I tell them I am a diabetic and I got pressure and heart problems and I tell them if is anything wrong with meh son you could let me know.”

According to the mother, her younger son accompanied the young men to where Willis’s body was found. She

T

said that her younger son returned and informed her that Keith had died and that he had a stab wound to his neck.

“Everybody know he is a very quiet and decent child.

He is really helpful. He don’t interfere with nobody. He does go he way, he does come he way. He does do mason, he does do painting, he is a mechanic,” Sukhar cried as she reflected on her child.

Meanwhile, the dead man’s older brother, Yanick Willis, told this publication that his brother was a very jovial, loving, and caring person. Yanick expressed shock at the gruesome manner in which his brother was killed.

“He was never a bad guy.

People around the village can tell you that. He assisted everybody around the village with whatever work he can. I am lost for words. I can’t really explain what going on.”

Keith Willis leaves to mourn his mother, two-yearold daughter, and three siblings. Police headquarters said that investigations into the murder are ongoing. Up to press time, no arrests had been made.

Relatives standing near Surendra Singh’s body at the Windsor Forest, WCD foreshore on Monday morning

T

he body of 17-yearold Surendra Singh, called “Shambo”, on Monday washed up at the Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara foreshore – one day after he was feared dead after being swept away by a high tide.

Guyana Times was informed that his body was found partially submerged, in the same area which he was last seen. This is after the water receded.

On Sunday, Singh and two friends – who are teenage brothers – went out into the Atlantic Ocean to set up their fishing lines in the early morning hours. They were some distance into the water and upon deciding to swim back, the tide rose.

This publication understands that one of the boys made it back safely and sig-

nalled that the others were in danger. At the time, Singh was calling out for help and seemingly struggling to stay afloat.

Upon hearing of the incident, a public-spirited citizen used a boat to rescue them, but Singh was already submerged in the water. He was nowhere in sight but the other boy was taken back to safety.

After that, relatives and other nearby persons joined the search for the missing teen. After hours of looking in the high waters and sending a boat with the search party, he was never located.

A relative told Guyana Times on Monday that the family is in deep shock over his untimely death. She noted that it was customary for him to go out on such activities with his friends but he

would always return. On the morning he was found, his loved ones were inconsolable.

She said they searched the entire night to locate Singh.

“I heard that somebody come and said that he went out with the boys but the tide raise and they searching for him. But by the time people went out and so on, they didn’t see him…This is very hard for us because we didn’t expect anything like this to happen…This morning, we just hear that somebody wash up when the water gone and was him. But whole night, people were out there checking to see if they see him,” she expressed.

The brothers who were with Singh are assisting the police with their investigation. A post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted on his remains. (G12)

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12 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt offers support to the Buxton/Friendship Youth Incubator

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he Buxton/Friendship Youth Incubator was launched on Saturday at the Tipperary Hall, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, with the aim of fostering the overall development of young adults in the community through empowerment and mentor-

ship.

During the feature address, Education Minister Priya Manickchand expressed optimism and excitement about the potential outcomes of the work the organisation has undertaken and what the organisation represents.

The Education Minister said the nation’s youth are Guyana’s prized resource.

She said, “They (youths) are the ones charged with innovating, and creating the transformations necessary for the realisation of our country’s potential going forward.”

Education Minister Priya Manickchand and members of the Buxton/Friendship Youth Incubator share a photo moment following the launch of the organisation

Minister Manickchand said that as a nation, Government is duty-bound to provide the necessary support structures to ensure that youth “don’t just exist, but thrive.”

She said that issues such as education, health, employment, violence, poverty and others, continue to confront youths, some of whom

are oftentimes ill-equipped to effectively navigate these challenges.

“This organisation, therefore, deserves praise for firstly recognising the needs of our youth in the community and secondly taking the initiative to address same. Your efforts represent the disposition and spirit needed to effec-

tively improve our society,” Minister Manickchand is quoted by a statement from the Education Ministry as saying.

The Government, she added, has a mandate to create the enabling environment for organisations such as the Incubator to flourish.

TURN TO PAGE 15

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Another elderly person dies from COVID-19 …23 new cases recorded

A

72-year-old man from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is the latest COVID-19 death in Guyana, which now takes the death toll to 156.

According to the Health Ministry, the elderly man succumbed at a medical facility. He is recorded as the fifth death for December, which was reported just hours after the 155th death – a 79-year-old male from Region Four (DemeraraMahaica).

Also, on Monday, there were 23 new cases of COVID-19 recorded. The total confirmed positive cases recorded in Guyana is 5943 with 5077 patients making complete recoveries.

Meanwhile, as of Monday, there were eight persons in the Intensive Care Unit, 48 in institutional isolation, 657 in home isolation and 22 in institutional quarantine.

A breakdown showed that 16 new cases were detected in Region One (BarimaWaini), four in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and three in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

There are still 182 cases in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), 423 in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), 48 in Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), 296 in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), 183 in Region Eight (Potaro-

Siparuni), 389 in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) and 391 in Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

Increased risk

Commenting on the latest coronavirus-related deaths, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony indicated that while, mostly, older persons are succumbing to the virus, there is a range of comorbidities that is also responsible for fatalities.

“When we examine the mortality profile, we’re seeing a lot of older people. The majority of persons that died are older and, of course, persons with comorbidities. So, we have had in our context,

Frontline health workers to get COVID-19 vaccines first – Health Minister

H

ealth Minister, Dr Frank Anthony on Monday announced that the first set of COVID-19 vaccines acquired by Guyana will be used to immunise frontline healthcare workers.

He shared this position during the COVID-19 update, noting that the first batch is expected in 2021.

This is approximately three per cent of the vaccines needed to immunise the population.

Guyana has been identified as one of the countries eligible for coverage under COVAX, a body of organisations including the World Health Organisation (WHO) that will ensure there is

equal access to and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines when it becomes available on the market. Some 20 per cent of Guyana’s vaccines will be distributed through this mechanism.

“We are expecting that sometime next year, we are getting the first tranche of vaccines, which is three per cent and we’ll make that available to our frontline health workers,” the Minister said on Monday.

Dr Anthony indicated that after the first consignment, more vaccines will be procured. Next in line is the older population and persons suffering from comorbidities - regarded as the high-risk category. This is another 17 per cent of the vaccines required.

“At the initial stages, not everybody will be able to access the vaccine. It would only go to a limited set of

Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony

persons, frontline workers.

Subsequently, we will get some more vaccines, which will account for another 17 per cent or so. That, we intend to give it to older persons and persons with co-

morbidities because we deem them at higher risk.”

He shared that Guyana will need to immunise approximately 80 per cent of its population to safely protect and emerge from the pandemic. This is termed “herd immunity” whereby there is indirect protection from an infectious disease after a percentage of a population has become immune to an infection.

“We will have to continue working and trying to get more vaccines because many of the experts believe that for us to exit the pandemic, we will have to achieve something that is called herd immunity. To get to herd immunity, some of the experts are projecting that about 80 per cent of our population would need to be immunised. We would still need to get some more vac-

cines to reach that level,” the Minister shared.

A few days ago, Dr Anthony has disclosed that Guyana has already commenced making submissions to COVAX as part of arrangements to secure COVID-19 vaccines.

The United Kingdom and the United States have already administered the coronavirus vaccine developed

by Pfizer and BioNTech, according to international news reports.

The vaccine, which had undergone a gauntlet of clinical trials and is said to be 95 per cent effective against the coronavirus, is a twodose injection.

WHO, UNICEF, Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance) and other partners are currently working together to help prepare countries to be ready to introduce the COVID-19 vaccines, which it said is likely to become available for distribution in early to mid-2021.

WHO said adaptable guidance, tools, trainings, and advocacy materials are being developed to support countries in their preparations.

At Guyana’s end, work has commenced to prepare Guyana for vaccines, as the National Vaccine Taskforce has been established to lead this process.

Storage facilities across the country and cold storage units are currently being procured and retrofitted to ensure that Guyana is well prepared when the vaccine becomes accessible. (G12)

persons who are diabetics, with heart disease, kidney disease, other lung pathologies; persons whose immune systems have been suppressed, meaning persons with HIV and we had had a case of TB,” the Minister noted during Monday’s COVID-19 update.

Because these persons are at a higher risk of succumbing to the virus, the Minister said they are look-

ing to immunise older persons and those with underlying conditions when the vaccine is available to Guyana.

“In coming up with our vaccine allocation protocol, we strongly believe that we should immunise older persons and of course, persons with the comorbidities, because they are at an increased risk.”

He cautioned persons

with comorbidities to continue taking their respective medications or treatment to control their condition. Next, the preventative measures and guidelines to protect against the virus must be adhered to.

Dr Anthony warned, “If your diabetes is out of control, then it compounds the problem. So we want people with these underlying conditions to make sure they take their meds or whatever they’re using to ensure that their conditions are stabilised and controlled. That, at least, minimises the risk but what we have seen is that persons with comorbidities are at higher risk.”

He added, “You don’t have to be COVIDpositive to isolate. You can prevent an infection by staying away from others and that is most appropriate at this point in time because this holiday season, everybody wants to do shopping. Those areas are crowded and you need to avoid that because you are at a higher risk.”

The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has surpassed 71 million, with some 1.6 million deaths. In the region of the Americas, there are over 30.4 million cases with almost 781,000. (G12)

Berbice fatal accident

Cop to face 3 causing death by dangerous driving charges

Killed: Reyon Moriah, Jessica Gallaway, and GDF rank Kwesi Lewis

D

irector of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack has advised the police to institute three charges for causing death by dangerous driving against 21-yearold Police Constable Simion Alder.

Confirming this was Commander of Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), Senior Superintendent of Police Jairam Ramlakhan, who said that the police rank is likely to be arraigned this week.

Media reports are that Constable Alder of

Scothburg, Corriverton, Berbice, was reportedly intoxicated when he crashed the motor car he was driving into a motor lorry parked along the Whim Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

At the time of the accident, Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank Kwesi Lewis; Reyon Moriah, 25, of Circle Street, Corriverton, Berbice; and 20-year-old Jessica Gallaway of David Street, Rose Hall Town, Berbice, were also occupants of the motor car. They all died.

According to reports, motor car PGG 9262 crashed

into motor lorry GJJ 5939.

Eyewitnesses said that while they were assisting that driver of the motor car, Constable Alder, who was driving motor car PWW 582, came crashing into the rear of the motor lorry.

Commander Ramlakhan said that the police rank has already been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. To this charge, he pleaded not guilty and was granted $20,000 bail.

Constable Alder was also charged with driving an uninsured motor vehicle. He pleaded guilty to this charge and was fined $20,000.

14 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GAWU Credit Union optimistic of new members with estates’ reopening

GAWU Credit Union Treasurer Seepaul Narine

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he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Cooperative Credit Union Society Limited is optimistic that the Government’s decision to reopen the closed sugar estates will result in an increase in membership following the decline back when the former APNU/AFC

(AGM) on Saturday last where over $5 million was shared out to its members.

Chairperson of the Society’s Management Committee, Gaietri Baron told the AGM that the credit union lost thousands of members at a time when they were steadily gaining membership as more and

ported on the work and activities of the credit union, explaining that while there have been challenges there is optimism as the re-opening of estates will offer the opportunity for increased membership. She noted too that despite the difficulties, the credit union remained financially sound.

However, she said that remittances from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) to the Society are delayed but they are actively engaging the Corporation to have it pay up at the earliest time possible.

The Society’s Treasurer, Seepaul Narine told members that for the years 2018 and 2019, the Society recorded surpluses $4,918,076 and $2,355,663, respectively. He informed the meeting that in both years, the Co-operatives Department of the Ministry of Labour had sought the Society to pay 1 per cent of

Some members of the GAWU Credit Union

Administration closed four sugar estates and sacked over 7000 sugar workers.

The Credit Union concluded its 26th and 27th Annual General Meetings

more workers were being encouraged by the benefits and opportunities offered by the Society.

Meanwhile, the Society’s Secretary, Sattie Basdeo re-

its working capital as audit and supervision fees.

He noted that the significant fees demanded would have left the credit union with little or nothing to dis-

Executives of GAWU Credit Union at Saturday’s Annual General Meeting

tribute to members and as a result representation was made to the Co-operatives Department to accept 10 per cent of the surplus as is outlined in the law.

The Co-operatives Society Act requires Societies to pay either 10 per cent of their surplus or 1 per cent of their working capital as audit and supervision fees to the Co-operatives Division.

Following the demand of the Co-operatives Division, the Society represented diligently for 10 per cent of the surplus to be paid to allow an appropriate sum to be available for distribution to members. After some consideration, the Co-operatives Division approved the request.

Narine said that GAWU had approached Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton advocating that the Act be amended to require credit unions to pay 10 per cent of their surplus as audit and supervision fees.

Apart from audit and supervision fees, statutorily the Society is obligated to set aside 20 per cent of its surplus towards its Statutory Reserve, allowing the remainder to be distributed as the AGM approves.

At Saturday’s AGM, a 1.75 dividend was approved to be paid to all members who had ordinary savings balances at the end of 2018 and a 21 per cent interest rebate of interest payments paid by members during

2019 was also approved.

“These two measures will see members benefitting from nearly $5 million in their accounts. This is testament to the commitment of the GAWU Credit Union to give back to its members,” the Union said in a statement.

Nine persons were also elected to the Committee of Management.

The GAWU Credit Union, in existence for nearly three decades, continues to be an important avenue for workers to set aside monies for savings. It has enabled many members to acquire items for their homes, to assist on rainy days or even to set aside for their older days.

(G2)

12 organisations benefit from donations made by P&P Insurance

Representatives of the organisations with their cheques and hampers of toys with Director of P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited, Vikash Panday

P

&P Insurance recently held its Annual Christmas Presentation where various organisations benefited from donations.

The organisations that received donations this year are: Bless the Children Home, Canaan Children Home, Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, Uncle Eddie’s Home, Friends of the Archer’s Home, The Dharam Shala, David Rose School for the Handicapped, Cheshire Homes Guyana, Hauraruni Girls’ Home, Tina Insanally Foundation, Bal Nivas Shelter, and Joshua House Children Centre.

According to a statement from the firm, each organisation received $125,000, making a total contribution of $1.5 million.

In addition, hampers of

toys were given out to all the orphanages.

In brief remarks, Executive Director of P&P Insurance Brokers, Vikash Panday said that this presentation was held at a time of considerable challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that notwithstanding the challenges, the company resolved that their Corporate Social Responsibility must be honoured and the donations made.

Panday went on to say that this month was a very significant month for P&P Insurance Brokers, as it marks their 35th anniversary. He said that 35 years was a very long time for any business but because of the loyalty of his clients and customers and the extreme-

ly hard work of the staff over the years, P&P continues to succeed on a foundation built on integrity and trust.

He said that although P&P always brings a high level of technical competence and quality service to their clients, he was more than proud to know that the clients and the wider population justifiably associate the words integrity and trust with P&P Insurance.

Panday said that the donations over the many years would not have been possible without the success of the business and the success of the business would not have been possible without the support, loyalty and goodwill of their many clients and friends. He said the donations were therefore as much from their clients as they were from P&P.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Prison rehabilitation, reintegration programmes need to be dramatically strengthened – IDB

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he Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) said that about 41 per cent of the inmates in prisons across the Caribbean are recidivists and because of a lack of effective reintegration and rehabilitation programmes, about a quarter of those released prisoners, particularly in Guyana, end up back in the system within 6 months.

That information was relayed in the latest study – Regional Comparative Report: Survey of Individuals Deprived of Liberty: Caribbean 2016– 2019 – conducted by the IDB. The survey was conducted in six Caribbean territories namely: The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago from 2016-2019.

“In aggregate terms, 41 per cent of inmates surveyed in the six Caribbean countries were recidivists compared to 33 per cent in aggregate in the prison populations of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, and Peru. Roughly 40 per cent of prisoners that recidivated were imprisoned within a year of their release. In Guyana, Barbados, Suriname, and The Bahamas, roughly a quarter lost their freedom again in less than 6 months.

These stark findings are cause for concern, making clear that the prison system fails to rehabilitate many offenders or ensure their successful reentry into society,” the report stated.

It added that the numbers were unsurprising given the state of rehabilitation programmes in the surveyed prison systems. It added that international research has found that employment programmes, including work in prison, educational

pre- and post-release services that include incentives for employers to hire formerly incarcerated individuals; and implementation of public education and outreach programmes to change public attitudes and assumptions about prisoners and reduce prejudices and stigma; among others.

and vocational training programmes that aim to equip inmates with useful credentials, and programmes that prepare inmates for job searches outside of prison, are associated with lower recidivism rates.

The survey found that in Caribbean prisons there is gross unavailability and inadequacy of programmes to prevent recidivism.

Incarcerated individuals in the six survey countries had limited access to work-related programmes in prison.

The report indicated that it is particularly concerning as inmates in the Caribbean usually had unemployment levels higher than the general population in their countries, indicating that limited access to the labour market may be a factor leading to their initial incarceration and underscoring the importance of using the time in prison to increase their labour credentials and thus their employability upon release.

The study also showed that low educational attainment is related to higher levels of criminal recidivism.

It also found that services to support successful reentry are lacking, contributing to high rates of recidivism. The surveys indicated that less than 1 in 5 prisoners have access to the pre-release services, such as counselling or orientations for job seeking.

Post-release reentry support programmes dedicated to issues like job search, housing, drug use treatment, mental health, and reintegration into the education system are almost entirely absent in Caribbean countries, according to the IDB report.

“In all of the countries studied, inmates who used drugs and/or alcohol be-

fore committing their crime showed higher levels of recidivism than those who did not consume such substances. According to international literature, individuals who have substance abuse issues when incarcerated and have access to treatment programs during custody show lower levels of drug use after leaving prison. Yet, none of the Caribbean prisons surveyed offer substance abuse treatment programs.

“Indeed, high levels of drug use were observed within the Caribbean prisons and, importantly, the results showed that most drugs are brought in by prison staff. Since drug use is a risk factor for criminal recidivism, the importance of extending participation in substance use treatment programs during incarceration is a key finding that emerges from this study.

Within the confines of this study, the implications are clear—effective drug treatment within prisons is essential, as is the prevention of drug sales and use,” the report related.

The IDB report recommended that Caribbean Governments actively expand the availability and strengthen the quality of rehabilitation and reentry programmed. It proposed that access to prison rehabilitation programmes focusing on

was proceeding along the roadway when the motor car suddenly turned into his path. Joseph told investigators that he attempted to pull away to avoid a collision but despite his efforts, he crashed into the car.

As a result of the collision, the motorcyclist lost control of the vehicle which toppled, causing him to fall onto the roadway where he received injuries about his body.

He was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Port Mourant Public Hospital, where he was seen and examined by the doctor.

Joseph was later transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was admitted a patient. The man is said to be suffering from a fractured hip.

Meanwhile, the driver of the motor car was arrested and placed into Police custody.

Neither effective nor efficient

Motorcyclist hospitalised following Berbice accident

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24-year-old man of New Amsterdam, Berbice, is now hospitalised after he collided with a motor car along the Chesney Public Road, Corentyne, Berbice.

Injured is Keon Joseph of Winkle Road, New Amsterdam. Reports are the accident occurred on Sunday at around 12:20h. Police on Monday said that a motor car, driven by a 44-year-old woman, was in a stationary position on the northern side of the road. The driver alleged that she put on her turning signal, looked into her rearview mirror and noticed that the road was clear. As such, she proceeded to turn out when the collision occurred. The woman told investigators that she suddenly felt an impact on her vehicle.

On the other hand, Joseph, who was riding a motorcycle, alleged that he

education, vocational training, employment preparation, cognitive behavioural therapy, and substance use disorder treatment should be made available to all inmates.

Further recommendations include interagency collaborations to provide services to inmates; inclusion of social and health services, including substance abuse treatment programmes as part of prison rehabilitation programming to support individual change and transformation; development of

The IDB said that Caribbean countries tend to use incarceration to a greater degree than countries in other regions, however, it does not essentially translate into safer communities.

“Six of the fifteen countries with the highest incarceration rates worldwide are Caribbean islands…Yet, incarceration has not made Caribbean communities safe. The Caribbean region suffers from a higher than world average homicide rate – 16 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants compared with

6 globally (UNODC, 2013) – indicating that imprisonment has a low deterrence effect on serious crime in the region. Indeed, four of the six countries studied in this report have homicide rates more than three times the global average.”

It found that there is no evidence that the large incarceration of people who committed drug-related crimes is reducing the availability of illegal drugs.

Except for Jamaica, the other five countries have between 11 per cent and 20 per cent of their inmates locked up for a drug-related crime, some of them charged for felonies with no violence.

“Taken together, these findings indicate that incarceration in the Caribbean is neither effective nor efficient in producing greater safety or just outcomes.

Caribbean Governments are encouraged to actively pursue strategies to reduce the prison population.” (G2)

Be alert for substandard products during holidays – GA-FDD cautions

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t the busiest time of the year when many persons are getting their holiday shopping done, the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) is asking consumers to be mindful of any substandard product that might be selling on the market.

In a press statement on Monday, Director of the Department, Dr Marlan Cole shared that caution should be exercised when purchasing food, drugs, cosmetics or medical devices.

Persons are tasked with ensuring that the items are labelled in the English language with a clear indication of the expiry date. Also, attention should be paid to items that are being sold at significantly reduced prices.

This warning comes as substandard products continue to surface on the market.

“The Department has been increasingly intercepting substandard items of food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices on our market, which have either been refused entry into Guyana or seized and removed from premises. In some cases. items are either: in a foreign language, being offered for sale at significantly re-

duced prices, expired for as long as eighteen years or would have had their expiry date deliberately removed or do not meet our regulatory standard,” Cole highlighted.

The statement said that officers of the GA-FDD along with members from the National Food Safety and Control Committee (NFSCC) will continue to monitor activities regarding the trade of substandard items that fall within its remit.

According to the Food and Drug Act of 1971 Regulation 21(d): An inspector may at a reasonable time – seize and detain for so long as may be necessary for the purpose of any examination, investigation, trial or inquiry, any article by means of or in relation to which he reasonably believes any provision of this Act has been contravened.

Nevertheless, consumers are asked to be alert and report any substandard food, drug, cosmetics or medical device on the local market.

This can be reported to the

GA-FDD on 222-8857 or any public health officer in the region or municipalities.

Earlier this month, the Department (GA-FDD) alerted consumers about the circulation of Colgate toothpaste that was being sold at a significantly reduced price.

Investigations revealed that the product expired since October 2002.

Inspectors of the Department, along with ranks from the La Penitence Police Station visited several retail outlets in Georgetown, including the Bourda Market, the Stabroek Bazaar and the La Penitence Market, where the expired products were seized and removed. The Department said an alert was also dispatched to officers in all 10 administrative regions and municipalities.

Criminal charges are being filed against retailers and the wholesalers/distributors under the Public Health Ordinance Cap 145 Section 99 and the Food and Drug Act Cap 34:03 Section 14(b). (G12)

Govt offers support...

“It is at the community level that you are most attuned to the realities of our citizens and ideally positioned to have a positive impact. It does take a village to raise a child and the more we band together to provide the safeguards and promote the healthy environments within which our young people can self-actu-

alise, the better a nation we will be,” Manickchand noted.

She said that her presence at the organisation’s launch ceremony signals the Government’s willingness to support such grassroots efforts to build Guyana one community at a time.

She encouraged other communities and seg-

FROM PAGE 12

ments of society, such as the Private Sector to see value in supporting similar efforts of youth and community development, adding that she would like to see the Buxton/Friendship Youth Incubator written boldly across the fabric of Guyanese society as another success in community-based advancement.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

ERC’s National Conversation

Affirmative action among measures needed to tackle past racial discrimination in State, economy – former MP

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he Ethnic Relations Commission’s N a t i o n a l Conversation on Improving Ethnic Relations in Guyana saw presentations from a number of speakers, including former parliamentarian Ravi Dev, whose recommendations included using Guyana’s education system to tackle racism and affirmative action for groups who were discriminated against by the State.

The former MP was given the opportunity to make a presentation on behalf of Indian Guyanese during the virtual discussion on Monday. Dev, who once represented the Rise Organize and Rebuild Guyana (ROAR) party in the National Assembly, made it clear that racism must be confronted at the educational and institutional levels.

“We cannot escape the elephant in the room, which is anti-African racism, which is universal. So, it’s not just in Guyana, it’s all across the world. It’s a

we must have multiculturalism introduced into Guyana that will make all cultures, especially those who were neglected, put on an equal footing and we all have an equal claim to our national patrimony.”

He called for a “ministry of multiculturalism” to implement the equality of all cultures.

Anti-Indian racism

Former MP Ravi Dev

systemic worldwide feature that comes out of the European project to put themselves as the universal (standard for determining group worth),” Dev explained during his presentation.

“So, our educational system will have to attack anti-African racism, which is everywhere. We believe that a decentralised State will assist in that. And

Expanding on the practice of racism in Guyana, Dev, in his written submission which could not all be presented due to time constraints, pointed out that anti-Indian racism started upon their arrival in Guyana when they were despised and derided by all groups, including the newly-freed ex-slaves. In the modern era, this racist attitude towards IndianGuyanese (and Indigenous Guyanese) has been perpetuated and their way of life derided.

African Guyanese, for instance, propose that because of their prior arrival, unrecompensat-

Former AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes

ed slave labour, earlier Westernisation/ “civilisation”/Christianisation, etc, they have a greater entitlement to the national patrimony – especially vis a vis Indian Guyanese. This claim demands they control the State, for distribution of resources to their group.

Indian Guyanese counterclaims that they “saved” Guyana as a viable proposition in the 19th Century

Speaker still working on convening committees – Parliamentary Clerk

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ollowing criticisms and even threats of legal action over the non-summoning of parliamentary committees, Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs said that the Speaker of the National Assembly is working on convening these committees.

In a brief interview with this publication, Isaacs noted that he has had discussions with Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir and work is ongoing. However, he deferred responsibility for convening the committees to the Speaker.

“It’s a matter for the speaker of the National Assembly. Strictly. The Speaker is responsible for convening the first meeting of a committees to elect the Chairperson. I know he’s planning. He discussed the convening of these meetings with me… the schedules,” Isaacs said.

In a previous interview with this publication, Nadir had pointed out that as per the process outlined in the Standing Orders, the Chairperson, after being appointed at the first meeting, must consult with the Clerk of the National Assembly so that further meetings can be convened.

Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs

“The process is that the first meeting of the committee have to be convened to elect a Chairperson. And after that, the Chairperson, in consultation with the clerk and the members, will convene the meeting,” Nadir had said.

It was only last week that Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive David Patterson had threatened that legal action would be taken by his party if the Parliamentary Committees such as the Public Accounts Committee he is expected to Chair, are not convened.

“The failure…to convene these committees after four months, for the necessary

oversight as prescribed by the laws and Constitution to be done, is an outrage.

COVID-19 cannot be used as an excuse because on a daily basis the Parliament Office is arranging participation in different international fora by Zoom,” Patterson had said, while pointing out that the PAC last met in 2018… a fact likely caused by his former Government’s year-long delay to call elections after losing the No-Confidence Motion in December 2018.

On Thursday, Auditor General Deodat Sharma handed over the completed report for the fiscal year 2019 to the Speaker, at the Public Buildings… a report that will have to be examined by the PAC. Sharma had said the audit was conducted under extreme circumstances due to COVID-19, which would cause some delay and reduction of the scope of the audit conducted.

The pandemic had brought on the challenges of travelling to remote locations and having a full staff complement. Nevertheless, transparency and public accountability were at the helm of these efforts, in promoting good governance.

“There were limitations

Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir

in the scope of the audits conducted at Ministries and Departments due to minimal staff on duty, the need to prioritise their restricted hours of work and limited physical interactions as mandated by the stipulated COVID-19 protocols,” Sharma said.

He had noted that four performance audits were delayed due to the pandemic, but will be completed in 2021. However, three special investigations were finalised during October 2019, including the Public Health Drug Bond, Leguan Stelling Rehabilitation while another three are at various stages.

with their indentured labour and Indigenous Guyanese counterclaims that this was their country to begin with are given short shrift.

This claim of greater legitimacy extends further into the political realm in that Indian and Indigenous Guyanese have been culturally defined out of what it means to be “Guyanese”.

This is, by and large, equated with an AfricanGuyanese ethos.

In politics, therefore, the premise of the modern state system and its political equality of citizens – one man one vote etc – which can lead to an Indian Guyanese party securing a majority – even in coalition – is not acceptable to many African/Coloured Guyanese.

It is as if the original US definition of the Black man being only three-fifths human has been transferred to Guyana and applied to Indian and Indigenous Guyanese.

This anti-Indian racism will also have to be confronted through educational and institutional changes.

Affirmative action

Among Dev’s recommendations was affirmative action to rectify the economic discrimination that African, Indian and Indigenous Guyanese have been subjected to in the past and for the preparation of economic impact statements to evaluate the success or failure of such programmes.

Affirmative action, or positive discrimination, is a conscious effort by a government or organisation to increase the opportunities for marginalised groups of people – in this case, economic opportunities.

“We must also address the influence that different cultures have on conflicts in plural society. We must also inculcate civic nationalism (which comes out of equality in all areas of national life guaranteed by the Constitution for all citizens) and not be ashamed to say that it does not necessarily conflict with ethnic nationalism (which comes out of each group being facilitated equally to practice their culture). We must enforce all equal rights for all citizens. And we must accept that political democracy has become a reality,” Dev said.

Political system

He pointed out that with Guyana now a nation where all groups are

minorities and cannot secure a majority from any one ethnic base, political parties have had to reach across the political divide to gain a majority in electoral votes. According to him, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) did this by coalescing with the Alliance For Change (AFC) for the 2015 elections and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) did this through its political platform in the 2020 polls.

He concluded that there was now no need for power-sharing arrangements, as some have been calling for. The parties, he added, should now allow this new democratic politics to settle in. He warned that introducing “executive power sharing” could harden ethnic voting.

Data

Meanwhile, former AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes argued that pronouncements on race in Guyana must be data driven. He noted that despite the lack of such data, accusations of ethnic domination continue to be made.

“Since Independence, the most consistent and important factor at every election, rigged or otherwise, was race and ethnicity. Yet since Independence, Governments have made no effort to collect data by race and ethnicity or analyse the impact of various policies on different races.”

“In the absence of this collection of data, you cannot really have any form of rational or scientific discussion about race and its impact, because, otherwise, all you are doing is running opinions in the absence of national data,” the Attorney-at-Law said.

He mentioned this data would facilitate Dev’s call for “ethnic impact statements”.

The National Conversation on race organised by the ERC is the first in recent memory, bringing together politicians, academics, scholars, and youths to discuss racism, its effects on Guyana, and solutions.

The speakers included University of Guyana (UG) Vice Chancellor, Dr Paloma Mohamed; African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) Executive Eric Phillips; Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive, Dr David Hinds and Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon. The ERC said that an invitation was extended to top leaders of the Government.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

6-year-old girl found unconscious in swamp near Berbice home

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six-year-old girl was on Sunday afternoon found in an unconscious state in a swampy area near her Goed Bananen Land, East Canje, Berbice home. The child lives with her 25-year-old mother, a housewife. Her grandparents also live in the same yard but in a separate house.

The girl’s mother and father are separated but the father was given visitation rights to spend time with his daughter every Sunday. On Sunday, the child’s father contacted the mother at about 08:00h and made arrangements to collect the child. According to the mother, she prepared the child and left her in the yard playing. However, at about 12:30h when the grandfather made checks for the child, he

did not find her. The child’s grandmother, who was at her home doing chores, said that she saw the child at about 11:30h. As a result, a search party was immediately formed by relatives and friends, who combed the entire area and at around 14:00h, the grandfather found the girl submerged in a swampy area which is located about 500ft away from the house. She was subsequently picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to New Amsterdam Public Hospital. However, as a result of the extent of her injuries, she was transferred to Georgetown Public Hospital, where she is battling for her life. Relatives said that up to Monday evening, the child was still in an uncon-

The area where the six-year-old child was found lying in the mud

scious state in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The child, according to her grandparents, suffered a laceration to the back of her head along with other head injuries.

“They take out X-ray and say that she skull fracture,” the child’s grandmother related.

According to the grandparents, the child was excited to spend time with her father.

“While she playing all the times, she looking for him.

Once she knows she daddy coming for her, she don’t leave the yard, she does be excited,” the grandmother

related.

Recalling the incident, the child’s grandfather said: “I could have drop dead when I see her. This child face was turned to the dirt… We search all over and then we go further down the dam and they tell me that she don’t go so far and I tell them go down and look. When I go down I walk pass her watching over the next side and when I turn back and watch I see she lie down there on the dirt.”

He added that after seeing his granddaughter in that state, he picked her up and checked to see if she was breathing and started to run with her screaming for help.

At the time of the discovery, the grandfather said that he did not know that the

girl had head injuries since she was covered in mud.

“When I reach by the gate and the police and everybody see that I coming they speed down back and they collect the child from me and jump in the jeep and hustle rush she to the hospital,” he added.

Meanwhile, the grandfather said that a piece of wood was seen in close proximity of the child. The piece of wood was about one foot in length and two-inches by two-inches in circumference but did not seem to have any blood on it. However, investigators have since photographed it.

The child’s mother has since been taken into custody assisting with the investigation. (Andrew Carmichael)

ered, including Bob Ray, 66, a retired construction worker. He held a sign that read: “Order a forensic audit,” “save America” and “stop communism.”

Electors received a police escort to and from the building. One elector, Marseille Allen, told MSNBC she wore a bulletproof vest at the urging of family and friends.

A small group of Republicans who claimed to be electors for their party sought to gain access to the Capitol building as the proceedings were getting under way but were refused entry by police.

They asked for a slate to be delivered to Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, but the officer at the door told them he would not deliver the paperwork and that they should contact the officials independently.

Trump said late last month he would leave the White House if the Electoral College voted for Biden, but he has since shown lit-

tle interest in conceding. On Monday, he repeated a series of unsupported claims.

“Swing States that have found massive VOTER FRAUD, which is all of them, CANNOT LEGALLY CERTIFY these votes as complete & correct without committing a severely punishable crime,” he wrote on Twitter.

Trump’s sole remaining gambit is to convince Congress to reject the results in January.

Under federal law, any member of Congress may object to a particular state’s electoral count during the January 6 session. Each chamber of Congress must then debate the challenge before voting by simple majority on whether to sustain it.

The Democraticcontrolled House of Representatives is sure to reject any such challenge, while senior Senate Republicans in the Senate on Monday dismissed the idea of overturning the result. (Reuters)

US Electoral College formally confirms Joe Biden’s victory

D

emocrat Joe Biden called on Americans to “turn the page” on the Trump era in a primetime speech on Monday, hours after prevailing over the Republican in the stateby-state Electoral College vote that officially determines the US presidency.

The vote, typically a formality, assumed outsized significance in light of President Donald Trump’s extraordinary effort to subvert the process due to what he has falsely alleged was widespread voter fraud in the November 3 election.

Some Trump supporters had called for protests on social media, and election officials had expressed concern about the potential for violence amid the president’s heated rhetoric. But Monday’s vote proceeded smoothly, with no major disruptions.

California, the most-populous U.S. state, put Biden over the 270 votes needed to win the Electoral College when its 55 electors unanimously cast ballots for him and his running mate, Kamala Harris. Biden and Harris - the first woman, first Black person and first Asian American to become vice president-elect - will be sworn in on Jan. 20.

Biden earned 306 electoral votes in November compared with 232 for Trump.

“The flame of democracy was lit in this nation a long time ago,” he said in his speech to mark his Electoral College victory. “And we now know that nothing — not even a pandemic — or an abuse of power — can extinguish that flame.

“In this battle for the soul of America, democracy prevailed.”

Under a complicated system dating back to the 1780s, a candidate becomes US president not by winning the popular vote but through the Electoral College system, which allots electoral votes to the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on congressional representation.

In 2016, Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton despite losing the national popular vote by nearly 3 million ballots. Biden won the pop-

ular vote in November by more than 7 million votes.

Electors are typically party loyalists who are unlikely to break ranks, although there are sometimes a handful of electors who cast ballots for someone other than the winner of their states.

In 2016, for instance, seven electors went “rogue,” a historically unusual number but still far from enough to change the outcome.

Few observers had expected Monday’s vote to alter the election’s outcome.

With Trump’s legal challenges floundering, the president’s dim hopes of clinging to power rest in persuading Congress not to certify the Electoral College vote in a special Jan. 6 session - an effort almost certain to fail.

Trump had also pressured Republican lawmakers in battleground states that Biden won, such as Pennsylvania and Michigan, to set aside the vote totals and appoint their own competing slates of electors. But lawmakers largely dismissed the notion.

“I fought hard for President Trump. Nobody wanted him to win more than me,” Lee Chatfield,

US President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris

Republican speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, said in a statement. “But I love our republic, too. I can’t fathom risking our norms, traditions and institutions to pass a resolution retroactively changing the electors for Trump.”

Threats of violence

In Arizona, at the beginning of the electors’ meeting there, the state’s Democratic secretary of state, Katie Hobbs, said Trump’s claims of fraud had “led to threats of violence against me, my office and those in this room today,” echoing similar reports of threats and intimidation in other states.

“While there will be those

who are upset their candidate didn’t win, it is patently un-American and unacceptable that today’s event should be anything less than an honored tradition held with pride and in celebration,” Hobbs said.

A group of Trump supporters called on Facebook for protests all day on Monday in Lansing, Michigan, outside the state Capitol, which was closed to the public as a security precaution.

But by early afternoon, only a handful had gath-

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

Regional

ICC Prosecutor sees “reasonable Grenada cancels mass gatherings basis” to believe Venezuela T committed crimes against humanity

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he International Criminal Court’s Chief Prosecutor believes there is “reasonable basis” to believe Venezuela has committed crimes against humanity, according to a report published by the Prosecutor’s office on Monday.

United Nations investigators in September determined that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s Government has committed systematic human rights violations, including killings and torture, amounting to crimes against humanity.

The Hague-based tribunal has been examining Venezuela’s case since 2018 and expects to determine in 2021 whether to open a full investigation, according to a report on the office’s 2020 activities released on Monday.

“The Office has concluded that the information available at this stage provides a reasonable basis to believe that since at least April 2017, civilian authori-

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

ties, members of the armed forces and pro-Government individuals have committed the crimes against humanity,” the report reads.

Protesters in 2017 led months of demonstrations against the Government for undermining the Opposition-led legislature, a period marked by accusations of torture, arbitrary arrest, and abuse by security forces. The protests left 125 people dead.

Venezuela’s Information Ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Ruling Socialist Party leaders have in the past said such demonstrations were violent efforts to overthrow Maduro and insist all human rights violations are prosecuted.

Though Maduro’s adversaries have celebrated the ICC’s probe of Venezuela, few believe the process is likely to lead to a short-term change in the struggling nation.

ICC criminal proceedings stretch for years, and it has in the past struggled to carry out arrest warrants when it obtains them. (Reuters)

In Latin America, a Biden White House faces a rising China

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onald Trump was clear with Latin America during his four-year Administration: don’t do business with China. The message failed to hit home.

As President-elect Joe Biden readies to enter the White House on January 20, Beijing has tightened its grip over vast swathes of the resource-rich region once seen as the United States’ political backyard.

A Reuters investigation, including interviews with current and former officials and advisers, and an analysis of trade data, found that

under Trump, China has left the United States trailing in terms of power and influence across most of Latin America.

That poses a challenge for Biden, who has pledged to restore Washington’s role as a global leader after years of Trump’s “America First” policies, and has said that slipping US influence in Latin American is a threat to national security.

“They should be on notice that Trump’s incompetence and neglect in Latin America and the Caribbean will end on day one of my administration,” Biden

told Americas Quarterly in March. His team declined to comment for this story.

That pledge won’t be easy to fulfil.

Since 2018, China has overtaken the United States as the biggest trade partner to Latin America – if Mexico is removed from the calculations – hoovering up Andean copper, Argentine grains and Brazilian meat.

Beijing has ramped up investment and low-interest loans to the region too, backing energy projects, solar farms, dams, ports, railway lines and highways. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T: Lawyer challenges AG on IACHR

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n Attorney has challenged Attorney General Faris AlRawi’s claim that this country has denounced the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR).

Responding to a question posed by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Rodney Charles over a recent precautionary measure issued by the IACHR over a group of Venezuelan migrant children in Parliament last week, Al-Rawi stated that former Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, SC, had removed this country from the IACHR convention in order to enforce the death penalty in 1998.

He said the persuasiveness of IACHR’s statement was noted, but T&T must comply with its law and Constitution.

Criston J Williams

On Charles’s call for T&T to update refugee law to prevent “further international embarrassment” in migration issues, Al- Rawi said T&T could not ignore its Constitution and laws inviting chaos into the country by Charles whom he said “was interested in pleasing everyone but the people of T&T”.

In a statement by Guardian Media, Attorney

Criston J Williams claimed that this country could not denounce the IACHR without withdrawing from the Organisation of American States (OAS), as the IACHR is a core part of the OAS. “You cannot acquire the benefits of an international organisation without being cognisant of its burdens and the international protection of the Rights of Man,” Williams said.

Williams referred to the OAS’s website, which lists T&T as a member, and United States Ambassador Anthony Phillips-Spencer as this country’s representative to the OAS. He also pointed to the OAS’s Charter, which prescribes the process for a member state to denounce its membership. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

he Government of Grenada has announced plans to cancel all mass gathering events due to the sudden spike in cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) across the island.

In making the announcement on Sunday, Health Minister Nickolas Steele said the decision had been made to rescind all approved activities for the next two weeks beginning December 13.

“We are asking for all social gathering to cease at least for the next week or two.”

The news conference was called to update the nation on the dozens of positive cases that are linked directly and indirectly to the Sandals Resort – one of the island’s all-inclusive properties.

“The positive cases include guests and employees, as well as their contacts.

Health Minister Nickolas Steele

The discovery was made following proactive testing of employees and guests on Friday and Saturday, as part of the Ministry’s continuous testing of frontline staff in sectors directly related to tourism, travel and health,” said a news release that came from the Ministry of Health, just hours before the news conference.

“Given the health emergency that this situation warrants, the Government of Grenada, through the Ministry of Health, has deployed all efforts, including personnel and resources, to address this grave threat to public health, safety, order and the maintenance of medical and other supplies and services essential to life in Grenada,” said the news release which disclosed that unprecedented, aggressive efforts have been taken to further contain the outbreak of COVID-19.

“The Sandals Resort has now been deemed to be a place of screening and assessment. Entire households related to the confirmed cases have also been quarantined, and contact tracers are actively working to source other potentially exposed people in other areas of public life and activity,” the release added. (Excerpt from Reuters)

British MP facing calls to pay reparations

A

wealthy Tory Member of Parliament is facing demands to pay reparations for his family’s part in the Caribbean slave trade after the Observer revealed that he now controls the plantation where his ancestors created the first slave-worked sugar plantation in the British empire almost 400 years ago.

The MP for South Dorset, Richard Drax, has inherited the 250-hectare Drax Hall plantation in Barbados from his father, inquiries by the Observer have established.

His father died in 2017.

Drax has not yet declared the land or its properties in

the parliamentary register of members’ interests.

On Friday, the MP said he does not yet legally own the Barbados holdings “as these are still going through the probate process and have not yet transferred to my name. Once that process is completed, I will of course register it in proper accordance with the rules”.

Last week, Historian Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, the chair of the Caricom Reparations Commission and Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, said Drax must acknowledge the wealth brought to the family by

slavery.

“If Richard Drax was in front of me now, I would say: ‘Mr Drax, the people of Barbados and Jamaica are entitled to reparatory justice’,” he said.

David Comissiong, the Barbados Ambassador to Caricom, said on Friday: “There have been centuries of looting and siphoning off the wealth which should have remained in Barbados.

“This was a crime against humanity and we impose upon him [Mr Drax] and his family a moral responsibility to contribute to the effort to repair the damage.” (Excerpt from The Guardian)

BA resumes flights to Montego Bay after 11-year break

A

fter an 11-year hiatus British Airways resumed flights to the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James from Gatwick airport in London with the arrival of more than 300 passengers on Saturday.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who was on hand to welcome the flight, expressed his pleasure at the airline's return to Montego Bay. “I think the last time we had one was 2009 and this is a good sign, because it is starting for us the recovery of the industry and for the recovery of the British market coming out of Gatwick, essentially British. When you come from Gatwick you really bring in British and you really bringing a lot of the Jamaican Diaspora as well. So 300 passengers on this 777 unit is a good start for us,” said Bartlett.

For his part, British High Commissioner to Jamaica Asif Ahmad, who was also

on hand to greet the passengers, noted that, among other things, it was important that the airline would carry cargo which he explained augured well for the United Kingdom (UK) after it left the European Union (post-Brexit).

“The thing that we should be talking about is that the plane [will] carry cargo both ways, and that is important because that shows that there are business connections between our two countries.

“And I think Jamaican

businesses can do far more to the UK with this direct line through the new trade agreement that we have kicking in on the first of January. There should be far more Jamaican products filling these aircrafts pulled out of Kingston and out of Montego Bay,” said Ahmad.

He argued that the British Airways return to Montego Bay is also of high importance with the nearly one million individuals of Jamaican origin domiciled in Britain. (Excerpt from Jamaican Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

19

Around the World

OILNEWS OIL NEWS Oil prices steady after 6 weeks of gains, pressured by glut

O

il prices were little changed in choppy trade on Monday as persistent oversupply in the market largely offset hopes that a rollout of coronavirus vaccines will lift global fuel demand.

Brent crude futures for February ended the session 32 cents, or 0.6 per cent, higher at US$50.29 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures for January settled up 42 cents, or 0.9 per cent, at US$46.99 a barrel.

Prices slid more than 1 per cent earlier in the session after OPEC said global oil demand would rebound more slowly in 2021 than previously thought because of the lingering impact of the coronavirus pandemic, hampering efforts by the group and its allies to support the market.

Brent and WTI have rallied for six consecutive weeks, their longest stretch of weekly gains since June.

“Price momentum has slowed appreciably during the past couple of weeks and while some fresh or unexpected bullish headlines may be required to advance the complex into new high territory, we will also note a market that appears to have developed immunity to bearish headlines that would normally be slapping the complex down,” Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates, said.

Signs of rising supply have weighed on the market. Libyan oil production stood at 1.28 million barrels per day on Monday, a National Oil Corporation (NOC) source said, up from 1.25 million bpd in late November.

In the United States, energy firms last week added the most oil and natural gas rigs in a week since January as producers continued to return to the well pad.

Global onshore crude inventories in December are still well above 2019 and 2018 levels, market intelligence firm Kpler said, with the biggest onshore builds this year seen in China.

“Whilst the sharp jump of global stocks from the beginning of the COVID pandemic in spring to summer mirrored anaemic fuels demand early this year, a still historic high volume of crude oil stocks indicates worldwide demand hasn’t yet bounced back to pre-COVID levels,” the firm said in a note.

Major European countries continued in lockdown mode to curb the spread of COVID-19, which has reduced fuel demand.

Germany, the fourth-largest economy in the world, plans to impose a stricter lockdown from Wednesday to battle the virus.

In early trading, prices rose after a shipping firm said an oil tanker was hit in the Saudi port of Jeddah, which the Energy Ministry called a terrorist act.

“Traders have for years now been used to tensions flaring in the region and when that happens, oil markets tick up,” said Bjornar Tonhaugen, Rystad Energy’s head of oil markets. “(The blast) has caused concerns for stability in the major oil hub of Jeddah and for overall traffic security in the region.”

The United States kicked off its vaccination campaign against COVID-19, lifting hopes that pandemic restrictions could end soon and lift demand in the world’s largest oil consumer.

“Brent crude is supported by both financial and physical flows. The dollar is declining, the Brent crude curve is in backwardation and vaccines are being rolled out,” said SEB chief commodity analyst Bjarne Schieldrop.

“We think that this rally has further to go.”

OPEC+ has postponed meetings of its Joint Technical Committee and Ministerial Monitoring Committee until Jan 3 and 4, OPEC said in a statement on Monday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

US sanctions NATO ally Turkey over Russian S-400 defence missiles

U

S President Donald Trump’s Administration on Monday imposed sanctions on its NATO ally Turkey over its purchase of a Russian air defence system, setting the stage for a further confrontation between the two nations as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office.

The move comes at a delicate time in relations between Washington and Ankara, which have been at odds for more than a year over Turkey’s acquisition from Russia of the S-400 missile defence system, along with Turkish actions in Syria, the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and in the eastern Mediterranean.

The US had previously kicked Turkey out of its F-35

Military vehicles and equipment, parts of the S-400 air defence systems, are unloaded from a Russian transport aircraft, at Murted military airport in Ankara, Turkey on July 12, 2019

stealth fighter development and training programme over the purchase, but had taken no further steps despite persistent warnings from American officials who have long complained about the purchase of the S-400,

which they say is incompatible with NATO equipment and a potential threat to allied security.

“The United States made clear to Turkey at the highest levels and on numerous occasions that its purchase

of the S-400 system would endanger the security of US military technology and personnel and provide substantial funds to Russia’s defence sector, as well as Russian access to the Turkish armed forces and defence industry,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said.

The Turkish Defence Ministry rejected claims that the S-400 systems will jeopardise NATO systems.

“President Trump himself has admitted on many instances that Turkey’s acquisition was justified,” the Ministry said in a statement.

It said Turkey “will retaliate in a manner and timing it deems appropriate” and urged “the US to reconsider this unfair decision”.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

“New variant” of coronavirus identified in England

A

new variant of coronavirus has been found which is growing faster in some parts of England, MPs have been told.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said at least 60 different local authorities had recorded COVID infections caused by the new variant.

He said the World Health Organisation had been notified and UK scientists were doing detailed studies.

He said there was "noth-

ing to suggest" it caused worse disease or that vaccines would no longer work.

He told MPs in the House of Commons that over the last week, there had been sharp, exponential rises in coronavirus infections across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire.

"We've currently identified over 1000 cases with this variant predominantly in the South of England although cases have been identified in nearly 60 dif-

ferent local authority areas.

"We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant but no matter its cause we have to take swift and decisive action which unfortunately is absolutely essential to control this deadly disease while the vaccine is rolled out."

England's Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty said current coronavirus swab tests would detect the

new variant.

Prof Alan McNally, an expert at the University of Birmingham, said UK testing labs had picked up on this new variant in the last few weeks.

Dr Jeremy Farrar, Director of Wellcome, said it was potentially serious.

"The surveillance and research must continue and we must take the necessary steps to stay ahead of the virus." (Excerpt from BBC News)

France’s President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech during a Citizens' Convention on Climate, in Paris, France, December 14, 2020

months to show it is enacting climate policies that will ensure it meets its commitments on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Macron established the Citizens’ Climate Council in response to anti-Government “yellow vest” protests that sprang up in late 2018.

Some within the Council have denounced it as a talking shop. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Macron offers referendum on adding climate goal to Constitution

F

rench President Emmanuel Macron on Monday promised to hold a referendum on revising the Constitution to include references to the environment and fighting climate change.

Macron has been under fire from left-wing factions of his centrist party for failing to do enough to combat global warming despite pledges to spend billions of euros to speed up moves to a greener economy.

He told the Citizens’ Climate Council that he was willing to include mention of biodiversity, the environment and tackling climate change in Article 1 of the Constitution.

“It will be put to a referendum”, he added.

Parliament’s upper and lower houses must also agree to the referendum.

France’s Green Party has gained momentum over the past two years, drubbing Macron’s ruling party in regional elections early this summer. Macron loyalists worry the Greens could erode his base of support on the political left in the 2022 presidential vote.

Last month, France’s highest administrative court gave the Government three

COVID-19: 1st vaccine given in US as roll-out begins

T

he first COVID-19 vaccination in the United States has taken place, as the country gears up for its largest-ever immunisation campaign.

An intensive care nurse in Long Island, New York, is believed to have been the first person to be given the jab.

Millions of vials of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine are being distributed, with 150 hospitals expected to receive doses on Monday.

The US vaccination programme aims to reach 100 million people by April.

COVID-19 fatalities are nearing 300,000 in the US,

which has by far the world's highest death toll.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine received emergency-use authorisation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday.

The roll-out of the vaccine comes as the epidemic continues to ravage the country. Deaths have been rising sharply since November and the number of people in hospital with the disease has also continued to grow steadily, with more than 109,000 people currently admitted, according to the COVID Tracking Project.

Sandra Lindsay, a nurse

at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, received the vaccine live on camera.

Footage was streamed on the Twitter feed of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, whose state was the epicentre of the US epidemic in the first wave earlier this year.

"It didn't feel any different from taking any other vaccine," Lindsay said.

"I hope this marks the beginning of the end of a very painful time in our history.

I want to instil public confidence that the vaccine is safe. We're in a pandemic and so we all need to do our part." (Excerpt from BBC News)

20

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Put emotional differences aside and aim to get things done. Concentrat on what’s at stake and take physical action. Working alongside a loved one will bring you closer to each other.

Set the pace and put the TAURUS changes you want to make (April 20in motion. Refuse to let redMay 20) tape issues get to you. An emotional revelation will encourage personal growth.

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Don’t trust hearsay.

When in doubt, go directly to the source and find out where you stand. Romance is on the rise, but it’s best to have a plan in mind. Don’t make empty promises.

Channel emotional energy into love and romance, not into arguments and accusations. You’ll get much further if you are mindful of what others expect and you are willing to work with everyone.

Keep moving forward and don’t look back. Give others freedom, and they will grant you the same in return. Don’t let someone’s uncertainty unnerve you. Channel your energy productively.

Be sure to get approval before making domestic changes that will affect others. Being up-front and enthusiastic regarding your plans will encourage others to pitch in and help. Learn from experience.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Keep an open mind, but don’t let anyone railroad you into a dodgy situation. Channel your energy into something that matters to you. Do something you enjoy or spend time with someone you like.

SCORPIO

A lifestyle change will give you a boost. Don’t feel pressured to spend money to impress others. If intelligence and charm aren’t enough, you may be hanging out with the wrong people.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

The grass may look greener on the other side of the fence, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to make a life-altering change. Take a closer look make sure your assumptions are valid.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Embrace change and put your plan in motion. Use your energy wisely. Don’t waste time arguing with someone who will never see things your way. Take control and do what suits you best.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Refuse to let an unexpected change throw you for a loop. Make whatever adjustment is necessary to compensate, and keep moving forward. An energetic approach will be necessary.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Take a practical path when dealing with matters that could influence your earning potential. If you trust someone’s word, you will have to make difficult decisions and changes.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

21

Joshua v Fury: Demand for fight intensifies, 10 years on from sparring session T

he sporting world longs for Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to throw punches at one another in the boxing ring. They already have.

For while Joshua's win over Kubrat Pulev on Saturday intensified calls for him to face Fury in 2021, the pair actually tussled in 2010.

On his way back from the gym, Fury – who was 22 at the time and a professional – called Steve Bunce at BBC Radio London and explained what Joshua – who was 20 and chasing amateur honours – was like.

Now that the Joshua-Fury rivalry has reached a new level, BBC Sport boxing correspondent Mike Costello describes Fury's words from a decade earlier as "gold dust".

Here they are.

“He's red hot him...”

"I just went down to Finchley Boxing Club and sparred the ABA champion Anthony Joshua. He's red hot him, very good.

"To be honest with you I thought 'I'll only take it easy because he's

F

only an amateur and he probably won’t spar me again if I go mad'.

"He rushed out at me, he threw a one-two and left hook and bash, he hit me with an uppercut right on the point of the chin.

"If I'd had a weak chin like David Price I'd have been knocked out for a month. He's very, very, very good and he's only young. Watch out for that name, Anthony Joshua, he is one prospect for the future.

"I'm a good prospect, I rate myself as one of the top heavyweights in the world and he came at me for three rounds and he gave me a beating. I am not going to deny it.

He gave what for, hell for leather.

I thought an amateur is killing me.

"I slowed him down with a few good body shots. The kid is only 20.

I'm a handful myself, so for him to put up a good performance like that against a top prospect in me, I think he's one for the future.

"But sparring isn't fighting and fighting with a head guard is not professional boxing."

Will they fight for real?

Sparring is indeed very differ-

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury hold all four major heavyweight titles between them

ent to the kind of pressure and occasion the pair would face should they meet for real, with all four heavyweight world titles potentially on the line.

Their promoters have already raised the prospect of a May contest – possibly in the Middle East – but there are a number of issues to resolve first ranging from bypassing other potential opponents to securing a suitable venue during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BBC Radio 5 Live Boxing analyst Steve Bunce: For this proposed fight, I see boxing problems, not so much problems with things like broadcasters.

There's a WBO problem and Joshua being mandated to fight Oleksandr Usyk. Then there's the Deontay Wilder third fight for Fury. Wilder invoked that clause and they were meant to fight for a third time last July.

The other problem is the

Gerard Houllier: Former Liverpool Manager dies aged 73

ormer Liverpool Manager Gerard Houllier has died at the age of 73.

The Frenchman managed the Reds from 1998 to 2004 and led them to five major trophies, including the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup treble in 2000-01.

Prior to Liverpool, Houllier managed Lens, Paris St-Germain and the French national team, and after leaving the Reds won two Ligue 1 titles at Lyon.

His last managerial job was at Aston Villa, but he left in 2011 after nine months, following heart problems.

In a statement, Liverpool said they were "deeply saddened" by Houllier's death.

"We are mourning the passing of our treble-winning manager, Gerard Houllier," the club said.

"The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Gerard's family and many friends."

Aston Villa said: "All at Aston Villa are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Gerard Houllier, our manager during the 2010-11 season.

"Our thoughts are with Gerard's loved ones at this incredibly difficult time."

Houllier made his managerial name with Lens and PSG in the 1980s before tak-

came technical director of women's football clubs Lyon and OL Reign.

straight forward normal boxing chaos like people getting involved and getting busy. It will take a lot of nerve and skill to get this from a plan into a reality – an awful lot of skill from some seasoned personnel.

So, Mike, is your gut feeling telling you it will happen by May or June?

BBC Sport boxing correspondent Mike Costello: Yes. Because of the sentiments of Eddie Hearn, Bob Arum and the fact there's nothing veiled in the comments of Joshua and Fury. I am as close to certain as I can be that this happens if there are no impediments from governing bodies or a legal situation.

I think there's a time issue.

If this fight is to be staged in the Middle East, Ramadan is mid-April to mid-May. So it's then the end of May into June for any fight to be held.

If you look at the temperatures there at that time of year, it's going to be very difficult to hold those kind of events then. That could be a factor. (BBC Sport)

Big Bash League: Brisbane Heat's Chris Lynn & Dan Lawrence distance from team-mates

Treble winners pay tribute

Gerard Houllier celebrates Liverpool's cup treble in 2001 on an open-top bus parade with Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia

ing over the French national side in 1992.

However, after Les Bleus failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup finals – with Houllier blaming a mistake from winger David Ginola for their exit – he resigned from the role.

In 1998, he moved to England and took charge of Liverpool as joint manager alongside Roy Evans.

Evans resigned three months later and Houllier took sole charge, rebuilding the Reds and leading them to the unprecedented treble in the 2000-01 season.

In October 2001, he had open heart surgery after suffering from chest pains during a home match against Leeds, but returned to the dugout at Anfield and remained there for another three years before leaving in May 2004.

After leaving Liverpool, he led Lyon to two French ti-

tles before joining the French Football Federation in 2007, but he was enticed back into management by Villa in September 2010, signing a three-year deal.

But the following April, Houllier was admitted to hospital with chest pains and Gary McAllister stepped in to help steer Villa away from relegation trouble.

He stepped down from the role at the end of the 201011 season with concerns that

Many of Liverpool's treble-winning squad from 200001 were quick to pay tribute to their former boss.

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp wrote on Instagram: "Incredibly sad news to hear of the passing of Gerard Houllier. A man that did an amazing job for Liverpool football club and for football as a whole. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I will never forget the day he gave me the Liverpool captaincy, the greatest honour of my career."

Dietmar Hamann said: "Devastated to hear the news that our former manager Gerard Houllier passed away.

Great manager and an even better man. You'll never walk alone Gerard."

Houllier's record at Liverpool (games as sole manager only) Matches 307

Wins 160

Draws 73

Losses 74

Goals scored 516

Goals conceded 298 a return to the dugout could cause further health issues.

He had since held the head of football role at Red Bull, and in November be-

Phil Thompson, Houllier's Assistant Manager at Liverpool, said he was "absolutely devastated and heartbroken". (BBC Sport)

Chris Lynn and Dan Lawrence (far right) could not join the team huddle before the match

B

risbane Heat's Chris Lynn and Dan Lawrence had to keep their distance from team-mates during the Big Bash defeat by Sydney Thunder following a possible bio-bubble breach.

Cricket Australia (CA) is investigating after Heat Captain Lynn and Essex batsman Lawrence reportedly posed for a photograph with a fan on Saturday.

They used a separate changing room and designated seats in the dugout in Canberra, and could not join any celebrations of wickets.

CA head of security Sean Carroll said: "It is important we maintain the integrity of the bio-secure hub to ensure the safety of the public, players, staff and officials and minimise issues associated with travel be-

tween state borders during the tournament.

"We appreciate that this has been a challenging year for everyone, but we must insist on our bio-security measures being respected and followed so as not to jeopardise public health and safety or the viability of the tournament."

Lynn made 69 off 44 balls and Lawrence – called up to the England Test squad last week for January's tour of Sri Lanka – 20 off 19 as the Heat posted 178-6 at Manuka Oval.

Thunder recovered from 1-2 and 22-3 to win by four wickets thanks to Daniel Sams' brutal unbeaten 65 off 25 balls.

He hit three fours and seven sixes, including three in succession off Ben Laughlin, to seal a remarkable victory. (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2020

GFF plans to “accelerate football development” T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF), during its Ordinary Congress which was held on Saturday last at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown, announced a number of measures that are expected to accelerate football development when the sport resumes after the pandemic.

The establishment of a comprehensive financial assistance plan for its members, the launch in 2021 of a professional league, and the implementation of a club charter are among the raft of initiatives announced by the local federation.

The Congress, which was postponed from May this year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw participation from the Regional Associations, Affiliates, and Elite Clubs, and they were enjoined by President Wayne Forde to redouble their efforts to usher in a new era for football in Guyana given the unprecedented level of financial and technical support now available.

“I would like to remind us all of the great privilege we enjoy as stewards of the world’s greatest sport here in Guyana. We will offer extensive equipment support

to ensure you have what you need,” President Forde told the socially-distanced delegates.

“With FIFA, CONCACAF and UEFA on board, we have the resources and support to transform football and the lives of our young people forever in Guyana, from the ground up. It is our duty to work together with a shared vision to deliver excellence and to ensure that we do not miss out on this once-in-a-generation opportunity. It is our duty to develop football for all in Guyana. And it is our duty to leave behind a better state of affairs than we found.”

The GFF Members Financial Assistance Programme – MFAP, which mirrors the FIFA Forward model for funding, will annually allocate funds to members for administration and operations, equipment and materials, competitions and technical development, and infrastructure development.

Regional Associations will receive GY$600,000 each year, Affiliates will be granted GY$500,000 and Elite League Clubs can access GY$400,000 for approved costs and projects,

under a range of strict compliance and oversight measures. In addition, members will receive 100 balls, 200 cones, 40 training hurdles and 100 bibs each year, and four junior and four senior team kits every two years.

Under the GFF Club Charter Programme, which is a system designed to help clubs that are not yet ready to apply for CONCACAF club licensing, clubs will receive additional equipment and technical support once criteria such as coaching standards and commitments to women and youth teams are met.

On the eve of the Congress, UEFA and CONCACAF had announced plans to help the GFF develop Guyana’s first professional league, with a specific focus on capacity building to create a model that is sustainable and suited to local market conditions, and the plans for this initiative were outlined by President Forde.

Congress delegates also paid tribute to recently-passed Argentinian football legend Diego Maradona, and were joined in this by Argentinian Ambassador to Guyana, Felipe Alejandro Gardella, who unveiled a life-sized portrait of

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Maradona that will be on display in the Pegasus foyer for one week.

The perennial contentious issue surrounding financial matters related to the Golden Jaguars’ match against Mexico in a 2012 qualifier for the 2014 FIFA World Cup was finally settled after an independent investigation was conducted. Under the settlement, each player and member of staff, or relative if appropriate, will receive a one-off payment of US$500 as a gesture of goodwill.

“We hope this gesture goes some way to repairing the years of disappointment that many of the heroes of that golden era of Guyanese football have had to endure,” Forde said.

Additionally, several other announcements and up-

dates were given to Congress members in areas such as: FIFA COVID-19 emergency financial support solidarity and women’s football funds The GFF hinterland football development plans GFF Infrastructure Development Programme GFF Women’s Football Development Programme GFF 2021 annual budget plans GFF “return to play” plans under UEFA Assist “Bounceback” The transfer of management of the GFF Academy Training Centres to the Regional Associations The 2021 football calendar for domestic and international fixtures A new GFF Disciplinary Committee

World Test Championship

New Zealand put pressure on India as race to Lord's final heats up

N

ew Zealand's series sweep over West Indies has given them a realistic shot at making the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which will be played in June 2021 at Lord's.

New Zealand finished the series a hair's breadth from the number one Test ranking: they are 0.086 points behind Australia, following their innings win in Wellington on Monday.

However, the news was

not without an element of drama: For several hours after the match ended, the International Cricket Council (ICC) predictor tool showed New Zealand at the top of the table, which caused some confusion within the cricket community. This, though, seemed to be an error because the ICC clarified in a tweet that Australia are at number one on 116.461 rating points while New Zealand have 116.375. The predictor too

later reflected this ranking.

Australia will build on that slender lead should they win the home series against India, but two wins over West Indies took New Zealand to 300 WTC points from four series in the current WTC cycle, which ends on March 31, 2021. If they repeat the 2-0 result against Pakistan later in their summer, they will end with 420 points from five series.

That will leave India needing five wins – or four

Paris St-Germain say Neymar's injury news is “reassuring”

P

aris St-Germain say an initial assessment of key forward Neymar's ankle injury has been "reassuring".

The Brazil international was carried off on a stretcher during Sunday's defeat by Lyon, with PSG saying on Monday he had sprained his left ankle.

The French club added Neymar would be further examined in the next 48 hours.

The 28-year-old was seen screaming in agony and clutching his ankle after a poor challenge from Lyon midfielder Thiago Mendes, who was sent off.

"The medical examinations carried out on Neymar are reassuring following his twisted ankle in Sunday's

Neymar has scored nine goals in 12 matches for PSG this season

game against Lyon," PSG said.

Neymar will be hoping the damage is not too serious and does not rule him out of the Champions League last16 tie against his former club Barcelona.

The two sides will meet at the end of February after being drawn together on

Monday in an eye-catching tie.

Neymar joined PSG for a world record fee of 222 million euros from Barcelona in August 2017.

He has helped the club win three successive Ligue 1 titles as well as reach last season's Champions League final. (BBC Sport)

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New Zealand are all smiles after wrapping up a 2-0 win

wins and three draws – out of their last eight Tests (away against Australia and at home against England) to deny New Zealand a place in the WTC final to be played at Lord's in the English summer.

In a non-pandemic world, New Zealand would have also had to go and earn points in a series in Bangladesh, but because a few series could not be played, the ICC had to change the qualification criteria from absolute points to a percentage of points contested. Or, in other words, points per series played.

Australia are currently top of the WTC table, with 82.2 per cent of points won.

If they manage a 2-2 draw against India, they will still lead the table with a percentage of 74.17, but if they lose 1-2, their percentage will slip to 70. Australia are also scheduled to play a three-Test series in South Africa.

If New Zealand win

both their Tests against Pakistan, they will end with 84 points per series played or 70 per cent of points contested.

By the time India – currently at 360 points from four series played – are done with their series against Australia and England, they will have contested six series or 720 points. They will need to go past 504 points to beat New Zealand's score of 84 points per series or 70 per cent of the points contested. Each of their remaining Test wins now will be worth 30 points, and draws will bring them 10 points. Five wins or four wins and three draws will take them clear of New Zealand.

On the rankings front, depending on how India's series against Australia goes and New Zealand's series against Pakistan, Australia could build their lead at number one or cede ground to New Zealand.

(ESPNcricinfo)

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Sport Minister to give West Indies need full support to safe return, to find a way to win – Jason Holder development of volleyball C ulture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr recently met with the executive members of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) at the Guyana National Gymnasium to discuss the way forward on the development and revival of volleyball in Guyana.

Attendees at the meeting on November 30 included GVF President Levi Nedd, Vice President Rodney Fredericks, General Secretary Kim Chan-Bagot and Technical Advisor Yannick Chase, along with Minister Ramson, his Secretary and Sports Commission personnel.

The meeting highlighted several issues faced by the Federation and guidance was given on how to take volleyball to the next level. Minister Ramson was very active in the sport during his school days. For several years much support was not given for volleyball development, however, the Minister assured that this would change under his tenure. With Guyana being the defending U-21 Males Inter-Guiana champions, the country is showing much promise in the volley-

W

Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr (centre) poses with GVF President Levi Nedd (2nd left); Vice President Rodney Fredricks (left); Secretary Kim Chan-Bagot (2nd right) and Technical Advisor Yannick Chase (right)

ball arena.

“We need to produce more champions,” said the Minister, following his statement to give support on provision of facilities and training for each club.

He also stated that “clubs are expected to maximise the use and availability of the National Gymnasium with the training times

that will be allotted to them”.

The Minister placed much emphasis on youth development in the sport.

“Coaches need to focus on the next generation of potential volleyball athletes ,because they will be the nursery who will take up the sport when the senior players are gone,” he

noted. “More participation and popularity of the sport is also needed.”

Volleyball is set to make a return following the approval of the COVID-19 guidelines. The GVF has prepared a full schedule to facilitate several activities and competitions, which follow the safety guidelines for COVID-19.

five points followed

by Saint Stanislaus College’s Italy TonChung with five points and Aniyah Couchman, also of Queen’s College, with five as well. A scintillating tie-breaker determined the final standings, with

Puran getting the win.

In the U-12 category, 30 children participated and as expected, Marian Academy’s Kyle Couchman once again emerged victorious with six wins and one draw against Nicholas Zhang for a total of 6.5 points. Queen’s College’s Maliha Rajkumar was second with six wins and one loss and School of Nations student Nicholas Z h a n g was third with five wins and one draw.

After what could be considered a 2020 season-ending tournament, the GCF extended appreciation to all the parents, players and sponsors for their support in 2020, as they looked forward to the new year.

Kishun, Couchman register wins at chess tournament A g r o up o f young chess players got in on some much-needed competition action over the weekend, as the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Four sought to sponsor a Youth in Chess tournament which was organised through the efforts of the Kishun Puran Guyana Chess Federation Johnathan (GCF).

Stephny endThe tournament, which ing up second was the brainchild of and Jessica Councillor of Youth and Calender copSport, Brian Nobrega, was ping third. In keenly contested in three the U-16 seccategories on Saturday, tion, from a December 12 on the torne- field of 17 playlo.com chess platform, com- ers, Queen’s mencing at 14:00h (2pm).

College’s Kyle Couch The Under-Twenty (U- 1 5 - y e a r man 20) division was won by old Kishun Keron Sandiford, with Puran had

West Indies Captain Jason Holder

est Indies solid start at 49 without Captain Jason loss before capitulating Holder be- to 131 all out.

The improved perlieves he is beginning to sound like a scratched formance in the second record when it comes to innings provided little explaining why his team comfort for the exasperkeep on losing, and los- ated captain.

"Disappointing, but ing badly.

He was commen- the fight in the second intating post match on nings was what we were Sunday after the West looking for, should've Indies fell to defeat by done in the first game. an innings and 12 runs We created opportunito New Zealand, who ties but let some of them swept the se- off,” said a frustrated Holder, who found some r i e s positives amid the ashes 2 - 0 of defeat. after “Chemar and winning Da Silva were the first good.

We've Test by showed time an innings and time and 134 again we runs. can do it, O n but we are Sunday, Holder inconsistent. m a d e 61, John Seems like I Campbell 68 and deburepeat this in tant Joshua Da Silva every post57 as the West Indies match.” posted 317, their best H e score of the series, but s a i d they were unable to there overcome the damw a s age done a lot of over the Joshua Da Silva impressed w ork first two with a half century on debut to be d a y s done to of the address the deficiencies match.

After inserting New hurting the team.

“We need to see Zealand on a green pitch, the West Indies to our technical and dropped seven catches, mental side of things. three of them off Henry Impossible to make inNicholls who went on to roads when you give make 174 of his team’s them seven chances. No 460 runs. In reply, the excuses, just need to find West Indies got off to a a way." (Sportsmax)

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Sport Minister to give full support to safe return, development of volleyball Kishun, Couchman register wins at chess tournament

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GFF plans to “accelerate football development”

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